Forward Industries, Inc. - Annual Report: 2013 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013

[    ] 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: 0-6669

FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

477 Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33401

 (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(561) 456-0030

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

[   ] Yes      [ X ] No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

[   ] Yes      [ X ] No

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.  [ X ] Yes      [    ] No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rue 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  [ X ] Yes      [    ] No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this form 10-K.  [X]

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  [   ] Yes   [X] No

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was: $11,774,936.

As of January 14, 2014, 8,236,479 shares of the Registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

None.

2

Forward Industries, Inc.

Table of Contents

Note Regarding Use of Certain Terms

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms have the meanings assigned to them as set forth below:

“Forward”, “Forward Industries”, “we”, “our”, and the “Company” refer to Forward Industries, Inc., a New York corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries;

 “common stock” refers to the common stock, $.01 par value per share, of Forward Industries, Inc.;

“Forward US” refers to Forward Industries’ wholly owned subsidiary Forward Industries (IN), Inc., an Indiana corporation;

“Forward HK” refers to Forward Industries’ wholly owned subsidiary Forward Industries HK, Ltd., a Hong Kong corporation;

“Forward Switzerland” refers to Forward Industries’ wholly owned subsidiary Forward Industries (Switzerland) GmbH, a Swiss corporation;

“Forward UK” refers to Forward Industries’ wholly owned subsidiary Forward Ind. (UK) Limited, a limited company of England and Wales;

“Forward China” refers to Forward Industries Asia-Pacific Corporation (f/k/a Seaton Global Corporation), a British Virgin Islands registered corporation that is Forward’s exclusive sourcing agent in the Asia-Pacific region;

 “GAAP” refers to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States;
“Commission” refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
“Exchange Act” refers to the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

“Fiscal 2013” refers to our fiscal year ended September 30, 2013;

“Fiscal 2012” refers to our fiscal year ended September 30, 2012;
“Europe” refers to the countries included in the European Union;
“EMEA Region” means the geographic area encompassing Europe, the Middle East and Africa;

“APAC Region” refers to the Asia Pacific Region, consisting of Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, the Philippines and Vietnam;

“Americas” refers to the geographic area encompassing North, Central, and South America;

“OEM” refers to Original Equipment Manufacturer;

“Retail” refers to the retail distribution channel; and

“Corporate” refers to the corporate distribution channel.

Note Regarding Presentation of Financial Information

Certain figures included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been subject to rounding adjustments; accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.

 PART I

ITEM 1.            BUSINESS

General

Forward Industries, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York and began operations in 1961 as a manufacturer and distributor of specialty and promotional products. We design, market, and distribute carry and protective solutions, primarily for hand held electronic devices, including soft-sided carrying cases, bags, clips, hand straps, protective plates and other accessories made of leather, nylon, vinyl, plastic, PVC and other synthetic materials. Our principal customer market is original equipment manufacturers, or “OEMs” (or the contract manufacturing firms of these OEM customers), that either package our products as accessories “in box” together with their branded product offerings, or sell them through their retail distribution channels. Our OEM products include carrying cases and other accessories for blood glucose monitoring kits and a variety of other portable electronic and non-electronic products (such as sporting and recreational products, bar code scanners, smartphones, GPS and location devices, tablets, firearms and other products). Our carrying cases are designed to enable these devices to be stowed in a pocket, handbag, briefcase, or backpack, clipped to a belt or shoulder strap, or strapped to an arm, while protecting the consumer electronic or other product from scratches, dust, and mishandling. Our OEM customers are located in the Americas, the EMEA Region, and the APAC Region. We do not manufacture any of our OEM products and source substantially all of our OEM products from independent suppliers in China.

On June 21, 2012, we determined to exit our global retail business (“discontinued operations”) and focus solely on growing our OEM business.  Our decision to eliminate the Retail division was primarily driven by the longer than estimated path to bring it to profitability and the strong net sales growth and cost rationalizations in the OEM business. We have substantially completed the exit of our Retail business and have not had, and do not expect to have, any continuing involvement in the Retail business after this date.

Corporate History 

Forward Industries was incorporated in 1961 under the laws of the State of New York as a manufacturer and distributer of advertising specialty and promotional products. In 1989, we acquired Forward US (then known as Koszegi Industries, Inc.), a manufacturer of soft-sided carrying cases.  The carrying case business became our predominant business, and in September 1997, we sold the assets relating to the production of advertising specialty and promotional products, ceasing to operate in that segment.

In May 2001, we formed Forward Switzerland to facilitate distribution of aftermarket products under our licenses for cell phone cases with a major North American multinational and to further develop our OEM European business presence.  After the expiration of the last of these licenses in March 2009, staff at Forward Switzerland was significantly reduced and in recent years has primarily served our OEM customers in Europe.    

Products

Diabetic Products

We sell carrying cases for blood glucose diagnostic kits (“Diabetic Products”) directly to OEMs (or their contract manufacturers) of these electronic monitoring kits made for use by diabetics.  We typically sell these cases at prices ranging from approximately $0.50 to $6.00 per unit.  Unit volumes are sold predominantly at the lower end of this price range.  The OEM customer (or its contract manufacturer) packages our carry cases “in box” as a custom accessory for the OEM’s blood glucose testing and monitoring kits, or to a much lesser extent, sells them through their retail distribution channels.  These kits typically include a small, electronic blood glucose monitor, testing strips, lancets for drawing a drop of blood and our carrying case, customized with the manufacturer’s logo and designed to fit and secure the glucose monitor, testing strips, and lancets in separate straps, pouches, and holders.  As the kits and technology change, our carrying case designs change to accommodate the changes in size, shape and layout of the electronic monitoring device, strips and lancet. For Fiscal 2013, our Diabetic Products accounted for approximately 78% of our total net sales.

Other Products

We also sell carrying and protective solutions to OEMs for a diverse array of other portable electronic and other products (“Other Products”), including sporting and recreational products, bar code scanners, smartphones, GPS and location devices, tablets, and firearms, on a made-to-order basis that are customized to fit the products sold by our OEM customers.  Our selling prices for these products also vary across a broad range, depending on the size and nature of the product for which we design and sell the carry solution. For Fiscal 2013, our Other Products accounted for approximately 22% of our total net sales.

Product Development

In our OEM business, the product life cycle in distributing and selling our technology solutions to our OEM customers is as described below. We typically receive requests to submit product designs in connection with a customer’s introduction and rollout to market of a new product that the customer has determined to accessorize and customize with a carry solution.  Our OEM customers furnish the desired functionality, size and other basic specifications for the carrying solutions or other product, including the OEM’s identifying logo imprint on the product.  Our design and production resources develop more detailed product specifications and design options for our customer’s evaluation.  We then furnish the customer with product samples.  Working with our suppliers and the customer, samples are modified and refined.  Once approved for commercial introduction and order by our customer, we work with our suppliers to ensure conformity of commercial production to the definitive product samples and specifications.  Manufacture and delivery of products in production quantities are coordinated with the customer’s manufacturing and shipment schedules so that our carry solution products are available with the customer’s product (and included “in box”, as the case may be) prior to shipment and sale, or to a lesser extent sold by our customer through its retail distribution channels.

Marketing, Distribution, and Sales

Geographic Sales Distribution

Through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Forward US and Forward Switzerland, we distribute and sell our products globally.  The approximate percentages of net sales to OEM customers by their geographic location for Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 are as follows:

The importance of the APAC Region is attributable to the fact that certain of our key customers outsource product manufacture to contract manufacturers located in China or elsewhere in Asia.  In these instances, we ship product to, and product is packaged “in box” at, such contract manufacturer’s facility.  If payment to us is due from the contract manufacturer, we identify the sale to its geographic location rather than that of the customer for whom the contract manufacturer is supplying product.  The decrease in the APAC Region’s contribution to total net sales in Fiscal 2013 compared to Fiscal 2012 was primarily due to the decrease in revenue contribution from Diabetic Customer A within the APAC Region. The increase in the EMEA Region’s contribution to total net sales in Fiscal 2013 compared to Fiscal 2012 was primarily due to increased revenue contribution from Diabetic Customers C and D. See “Item 7. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” See Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. 

Channels of Distribution

We primarily ship our products directly to our OEM customers (or their contract manufacturers), who package our accessory products “in box” with their branded products.  Some of our customers also purchase certain of our products and offer them for sale as stand-alone accessories to complement their product offerings.

Sales by Product Line

Sales of carry and protective solutions for Diabetic Products and for Other Products (all products other than diabetic carry cases for blood glucose monitor kits) accounted for approximately the following percentages of total net sales in Fiscal 2013 and 2012:

Sales Concentration

We have approximately 63 active OEM customers.  Of these, four customers (including their affiliates and contract manufacturers) accounted for approximately 75% and 70% of our net sales from continuing operations in Fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. All four of these “major” customers are OEMs of diabetic monitoring kits. These customers package our carry and protective solutions “in box” with their branded products, or to a lesser extent, sell them through their retail distribution channels. The approximate percentages of net sales contributed by each of these four customers to continuing operations for Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 are as follows:

During Fiscal 2013 and 2012, all net sales of OEM products were made directly by our employees, which are assigned key accounts or defined geographic sales territories.  See “Risk Factors” in Item 1A. of this Annual Report - “Our business could suffer if the services of key sales personnel we rely on were lost to us.”

OEM Distribution Hubs

We have distribution hub arrangements with four OEM customers.  These arrangements obligate us to supply our products to our customer’s distribution hubs (may be multiple locations) where their products are manufactured, kitted, and/or warehoused pending sale, and where our products are packaged “in box” with the OEM customer’s products or, to a much lesser extent, distributed for retail sale. The product quantities we are required to supply to each distribution hub are based on the OEM customer’s purchase orders and forecasts.  We do not recognize revenue for product shipped to a hub until we have been notified by our customer that our product has been withdrawn from the distribution hub and “consumed”. Hub arrangements have had the general effect of extending financing for our customers’ inventory build by extending the time between our placement of orders to our suppliers in order to ship and supply the hubs and the time that we are able to recognize revenue.  The corollary effect is an increase in our inventory levels.  

Credit Risk

We generally sell our OEM products on 30- to 90-day credit terms customary in the industry and without interest.  Historically, we have not had significant credit problems with our customers. Our significant OEM customers are large, multi-national companies with good credit histories. None of these customers is or has been in default to us, and payments from all customers are generally received from them on a timely basis. Four OEM customers (including their affiliates or contract manufacturers) accounted for approximately 73% of our accounts receivable at September 30, 2013, whereas, three OEM customers accounted for approximately 76% of our accounts receivable at September 30, 2012.

When we ship products to our OEM customer’s designated contract manufacturer and invoice such manufacturer (and not the OEM customer), even though our order flows originate with and depend on our relationship with the OEM, our accounts receivable credit risk lies with the contract manufacturer.  Our OEM customer does not guarantee the payment obligations of the contract manufacturer to whom the OEM requests us to ship our carrying case products, and such order volumes may be significant from time to time.  In most cases, these contract manufacturers are themselves major multinational enterprises with good credit.  See “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K- “Product manufacture is often outsourced by our OEM customers to contract manufacturing firms in China and in these cases it is the contract manufacturer to which we must look for payment.”

Product Supply

Manufacturing

The manufacture of custom carrying cases and other carry and protective solutions generally consists of die cutting fabrics and heat sealing, gluing, sewing, and decorating (affixing logos to) the cut-outs by means of silk screening, hot-stamping, embroidering or embossing. The principal materials used in the manufacture of our products are vinyl, nylon, leather, metal and plastic parts (for clips, buckles, loops, hinges and other hardware), foam padding and cardboard, all of which are obtained according to our specifications from suppliers.  We do not believe that any of the component materials or parts used by our suppliers in the manufacture of our products is supply constrained.  We believe that there are adequate available alternative sources of supply for all of the materials used to manufacture, package, and ship our products.

Sourcing Agent

On March 12, 2012, we entered into a Buying Agency and Supply Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Forward Industries Asia-Pacific Corporation (“Forward China”), a British Virgin Islands corporation, dated as of March 7, 2012.  The Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Forward China will act as our exclusive buying agent and supplier of Products (as defined in the Agreement) in the APAC Region.  We purchase products at Forward China’s cost, and pay a service fee on the net purchase price.  The Agreement terminates on March 11, 2014, subject to renewal.  Terence Wise, a director of the Company, is a principal of Forward China.

Suppliers

We procure substantially all our supply of carrying solutions products from independent suppliers in China through Forward China.  Depending on the product, we may require several different suppliers to furnish component parts or pieces. We purchased approximately 92% and 90% of our OEM products from four such suppliers in Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, respectively. The approximate percentages of purchases of OEM products from each of these four suppliers with respect to continuing operations for Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 are as follows:

                We place orders with one or more suppliers at the time we receive firm purchase orders and/or forecasts from our OEM customers for a particular product.  Accordingly, we do not have minimum supply requirement agreements with our suppliers to guarantee us supply of finished product, nor have we made purchase commitments to purchase minimum amounts from any of our suppliers. However, from time to time, we may order products from our suppliers in advance of receiving a customer purchase order, or in quantities in excess of those forecasted to us by our customer, for which they are contractually obligated to us, in order to meet our customer’s delivery demands.  While historically we have made purchases directly from suppliers, with the assistance of Forward China, starting September 1, 2013 we began making purchases directly from Forward China, and we anticipate that at some point in 2014 substantially all purchases will be made directly from Forward China.

Quality Assurance

To ensure that our products manufactured by our Chinese suppliers meet our quality assurance standards our products are inspected by independent contractors in China, which may be affiliated with one or more of our suppliers.  These contractors were subject to the control and supervision of Forward China’s quality assurance employees based in Hong Kong (see “Item 1. Business – Product Supply – Sourcing Agent”). In July 2012, Forward China received its ISO 9001:2008 quality certification, which covers all ISO activities previously covered under Forward’s ISO quality certification.

Logistics

Once our products are approved for shipment by our quality assurance procedures, our products are typically shipped to our customer’s destination port in the Americas and EMEA Region on ocean-going container vessels, or by ground transport to our APAC Region customer’s locations in China or Hong Kong. In certain cases, and primarily at our customer’s request, we will expedite the shipment of our products by using air transportation.  Most ocean-going shipments bound for the United States are off-loaded at the port of Los Angeles or San Francisco, but certain customers arrange for shipments to East coast ports, such as Miami or Philadelphia. EMEA Region destined shipments generally are routed via Rotterdam.  See “Item 1A. – Risk Factors—Our shipments of products via container freight to customers in the United States and Europe may become subject to delays or cancellation at port facilities due to work stoppages or slowdowns, damage caused by weather or terrorism and congestion due to inadequacy of equipment and other causes.”

Insurance

    We maintain commercial loss and liability, business interruption, and general claims and other insurance customary for our business. We do not maintain credit insurance for our trade accounts receivable.

Competition

The business in which we engage is highly competitive in terms of product pricing, design, delivery terms, and customer service.  In the production of our OEM products, we compete with numerous United States and foreign producers and distributors.  Some of our competitors are substantially larger than we are and have greater financial and other resources. We believe that we sustain our competitive position through maintenance of an effective product design capability, rapid response time to customer requests for proposals and product shipment, reliable product delivery and product quality, and competitive pricing. We believe that our ability to compete based on product quality assurance considerations is enhanced by Forward China’s local presence and their quality control and shipment capabilities. See Item 1A. in this Annual Report on Form 10-K: “Risk Factors - The carrying solutions business is highly competitive and does not pose significant barriers to entry.”

Employees

At September 30, 2013, we had 19 full-time employees, of whom two are employed in executive capacities, nine are employed in sales and sales support capacities, three are employed in a design capacity, and five are employed in finance and administrative capacities. We consider our employee relations to be satisfactory.  None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Since June 2003, we have employed our U.S. employees through a co-employment agreement with a Professional Employer Organization (“PEO”). The objective of this arrangement is for the PEO to assume many of the legal and administrative responsibilities of human resources management, health benefits, workers' compensation, payroll, payroll tax compliance, 401(K) plan administration and unemployment insurance and to perform these functions at lesser expense than if we were to perform them directly.

Regulation and Environmental Protection 

Our business is subject to various regulations in various jurisdictions, including the United States and member states of the European Community, that restrict the use or importation of products manufactured with compounds deemed to be hazardous.  We work with our suppliers to ensure compliance with such regulations.  In addition, from time to time one or more customers may require testing of our products to ensure compliance with applicable consumer safety rules and regulations or the customer’s safety or packaging protocols.  Because we do not manufacture the products that we sell and distribute, compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had, and is not anticipated to have, any direct material effect upon our capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position.  However, compliance with such laws and regulations on the part of our suppliers may result in increased costs of supply to us, particularly if domestic environmental regulation in China becomes more prevalent.

We have not been engaged in any environmental litigation or incurred any material costs related to compliance with environmental or other regulations.  From time to time we incur chemical and/or safety laboratory testing expenses in order to address customer requests regarding our product materials or method of manufacture or regarding their packaging methods and standards.

ITEM 1A.         RISK FACTORS 

Please read ”Item 7. “Cautionary statement for purposes of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” that appears on page 16 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We have a history of losses and negative cash flow from operations.  We cannot assure you that we will achieve or sustain profitability in the future.

We have incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations in recent years. We incurred net losses of approximately $0.2 million and $9.6 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and had net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $2.3 million and net cash used by operating activities of $10.8 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Further, we may incur net losses in future reporting periods as we incur expenses associated with the continuation of our business as well as its subsequent development, which development cannot be guaranteed. There is no assurance our future operations will be profitable.  If we cannot generate sufficient revenues to operate profitably, we may be forced to cease or suspend operations, or we may be required to raise additional capital to maintain or grow our operations. There is no assurance that we will be able to raise such additional capital.

In June 2012 we announced our plans to exit the global retail business and focus solely on growing our OEM business. In connection with exiting the global retail business we also commenced a restructuring of our business and implemented a variable, lower cost sourcing and quality assurance solution through a third party Asia-based sourcing agent. These restructuring plans have been substantially completed. While we believe these measures, along with other steps to be taken, will be sufficient to return the Company to sustainable profitability, there can be no assurance that this will be the case, or that additional steps will not be required. If additional steps are required, there can be no assurance that they will be properly implemented or will be successful, or that we will realize the cost savings and other anticipated benefits from any such additional restructuring steps.

Our OEM growth strategy will continue to require additional capital investment.

We have recently invested and expect to continue to invest incremental cash resources to execute our OEM growth strategy. While we believe that our existing cash resources are sufficient to support our growth strategy, there can be no assurances that our growth strategy will be successful or that we will earn a return on these investments.

Our business remains highly concentrated in our Diabetic Products line, posing risks to our financial condition and results of operations compared to periods when revenue from customers from our two principal product lines were more balanced. If our Diabetic Products line were to suffer the loss of a principal customer or a material decline in or loss of sales, our business would be materially and adversely affected.

Sales of Diabetic Products to OEM customers accounted for approximately 78% of net revenues from continuing operations in Fiscal 2013.  As a result, our financial condition and results of operations are subject to higher risk from the loss of a major diabetic customer or changes in their business practices, for example, a decision to reduce or eliminate inclusion of cases in box with the electronic device or a decision to focus on insulin pumps instead of insulin by injection.

Our business is and has been characterized by a high degree of customer concentration.  Our four largest customers accounted for approximately 75% and 70% of net sales from continuing operations in Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, respectively; the loss of, or material reduction in orders from, any of these customers would materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

At present the predominant percentage of our sales revenues is concentrated in four large diabetic customers, including their affiliates and/or their contract manufacturers.  The loss of any of these customers, whether as a result of its purchase of its carry solution requirements from another vendor, its decision to manufacture its own carrying cases, its decision to award its orders to one of our competitors, or otherwise, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. 

If any one or more of our OEM customers elect to reduce or discontinue inclusion of cases “in box”, our results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.

The predominant percentage of our revenues is derived from sales of case accessories to our OEM customers who package our cases “in box” with their electronics.  During recent years, there have been numerous federal legislative and administrative actions that have affected government programs, including adjustments that have reduced or increased payments to healthcare providers and patients. For example, the federal healthcare reform legislation that was enacted in March 2010 (known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (“ACA”)) may reduce reimbursement for some healthcare providers and patients while increasing reimbursement for others. In addition, ACA mandates the implementation of various programs and value and quality-based reimbursement incentives that may impact the amount of reimbursement for healthcare providers and patients.  In addition and more significantly, third-party payers, including governmental health administration authorities, managed care providers and private health insurers, have increasingly challenged the price and examined the cost effectiveness of medical products and services, which has affected the reimbursement of such products to patients.  Due to this uncertainty in medical reimbursements, OEMs have experienced reductions in demand and, as a result, have sought continuously to reduce expenses.  If one or more of our OEM customers generally begin to reduce or discontinue the practice of including carry case accessories “in box”, we would incur a significant decline in revenues and our results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.

At any time, a significant percentage of our accounts receivable risk may be concentrated in a small number of customers.

Four customers accounted for approximately 73% of our accounts receivable at September 30, 2013, whereas three customers accounted for approximately 76% of our accounts receivable at September 30, 2012, respectively. The failure to receive or collect such amounts when and as due could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.

We continue to encounter pressures from our largest OEM customers to maintain or even roll back prices or to supply lower priced carry solutions, and expect such pressure to persist. The effects of such price constraints on our business may be exacerbated by inflationary pressures that affect our costs of supply.

During Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, we experienced significant pricing pressure from our largest OEM customers to maintain or even reduce the prices we charge them.  When we are unable to extract comparable concessions from our suppliers on prices they charge us, product sales margins erode.  In addition to margin compression from customers in general, we are encountering increased pricing from our Chinese suppliers who are reacting to inflationary increases in materials and labor costs incurred by them.  In addition, prices that our Chinese vendors charge to us may reflect appreciation of the Chinese currency against the U.S. dollar, which can be passed through to us in the form of higher U.S. dollar prices. This in turn will tend to reduce gross profit if we are unable to raise prices. See “Item 7. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Business Overview – Trends and Economic Environment.” 

We depend on a single exclusive buying agent who, in turn, depends on a limited number of key suppliers.

Although Forward China, our exclusive sourcing agent in the Asia Pacific region, has made progress in expanding our supplier base during Fiscal 2013, we believe such expansion may not be sustainable during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014 and anticipate that our supplier base may become more concentrated. In particular, Forward China has relied on a limited number of suppliers to supply the component parts and pieces necessary for the production of our carry and protective solutions products. As a result, our ability to effectively push back against rising material costs may diminish. In addition, any inability to obtain supplies from a single or limited number of suppliers may result in difficulty obtaining the supplies necessary for our business and may restrict our ability to produce our carry and protective solutions products. Where practical, we intend to establish alternative sources to mitigate the risk that the failure of any single supplier will adversely affect our business. Nevertheless, a prolonged inability to obtain certain components or the failure of one of our suppliers could impair our ability to ship products and generate revenues, which could adversely affect our operating results and damage our customer relationships. See also “Note 16, Operating Segment Information—Supplier Concentration” to our audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report.

In addition, we depend significantly on Forward China as our exclusive buying agent for substantially all of our component parts in the APAC region. As a result, we have limited visibility as to our supplier base, making it difficult to forecast future events and to plan our operations. In addition, if Forward China fails to satisfactorily perform its obligations, including payment obligations, to our suppliers or its duties to us as our exclusive buying agent as a result of financial or other difficulties or for any other reason, we could suffer irreparable harm resulting in reduced profits or, in some cases, significant losses for us.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results. As a result, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which could harm our business and the trading price of our stock.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. If we cannot maintain effective controls and reliable financial reports, our business and operating results could be harmed. For example, our management determined that we had a material weakness related to the operation of our internal controls over financial reporting primarily associated with a complex non-routine financing transaction in the three-month period ended June 30, 2013, as well as a material weakness related to a failure in communication of significant financial matters through and including the year ended September 30, 2013. We continue to work on improvements to our internal controls over financial reporting and there can be no assurance that this or another material weaknesses will not occur in the future. Any failure to implement and maintain internal controls over our financial reporting or difficulties encountered in the implementation of improvements in our controls, could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Any failure to improve our internal controls over financial reporting or to address identified weaknesses in the future, if they were to occur, could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative impact on the trading price of our stock.

Our results of operations are subject to the risks of fluctuations in the values of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.

Our results of operations are expressed in U.S. dollars.  When the U.S. dollar appreciates or depreciates in value against a currency in which all or a significant portion of revenues or other accounts receivable are denominated, such as the Euro, our results of operations can be adversely affected or benefited, respectively. The degree of impact is proportional to the amount of foreign currency expense or revenue, as the case may be, and the fluctuations in exchange rates over the period in which the effect is measured on our financial statements. In addition, such currency fluctuations may affect the comparability of our results of operations between financial periods.

Future revenues are difficult to predict and are likely to show significant variability as a consequence of customer concentration.

Because our revenues are highly concentrated in a few large customers, and because the volumes of these customers’ order flows to us can fluctuate markedly in a short period of time, our quarterly revenues, and consequently our results of operations, may be highly variable and subject to significant changes over a relatively short period of time. Our largest OEM customers may keep consumer products with which our carry solutions are packaged “in-box” in active promotion for many months, or for a very short period of time, depending on various factors, including sales trends for the product, product development cycles, new product introductions, and our customers' competitors' product offerings.  As demand for the consumer product relating to the in-box program matures and decreases, we may be forced to accept significant price and/or volume reductions in customer orders for our carry solutions, which will adversely affect revenue.  These factors tend to lead to a high degree of variability in our quarterly revenue levels.  Significant, rapid shifts in our operating results may occur if and when one or more of these customers increase or decrease the size(s) of, or eliminate, their orders from us by amounts that are material to our business. 

Our gross margins, and therefore our profitability, vary considerably by customer and by product, and if the revenue contribution from one or more OEM customers or products changes materially, relative to total revenues, our gross profit percentage may fluctuate.

Our gross profit margins on the products we sell can vary widely depending on the product type, customer, and order size. Because of the broad variability in price ranges and product types, we anticipate that gross margins, and accordingly their impact on operating income or loss, may fluctuate depending on the relative revenue contribution from each customer or product.

Product manufacture is often outsourced by our OEM customers to contract manufacturing firms in China and in these cases it is the contract manufacturer to which we must look for payment.

Such firms are performing manufacturing, assembly, and product packaging functions, including the bundling of our product accessories with the OEM customer's product.  As a consequence of this business practice, we often sell our carry solution products to the contract manufacturing firm.  This is particularly significant in the case of diabetic product sales to certain customers.  In these cases, we invoice the contract manufacturing firm and not the OEM customer.  Therefore, it is the contract manufacturing firm to which we must look for payment in such cases and not that of our OEM customer.  This may alter the credit profile of our customer base and may involve significant purchase order volumes.  In some, but not all cases, the manufacturing firm is itself a large, multinational entity with significant financial resources.

Our dependence on foreign manufacturers creates quality control and other risks to our business. From time to time we may experience certain quality control, on-time delivery, cost, or other issues that may jeopardize customer relationships.

Our reliance on foreign suppliers, manufacturers and other contractors involves significant risks, including risk of product quality issues and reduced control over quality assurance, manufacturing yields and costs, pricing, timely delivery schedules, the potential lack of adequate manufacturing capacity and availability of product, the lack of capital and potential misappropriation of our designs.

Our shipments of products via container may become subject to delays or cancellation due to work stoppages or slowdowns, piracy, damage to port facilities caused by weather or terrorism, and congestion due to inadequacy of port terminal equipment and other causes.

To the extent that there are disruptions or delays in loading container cargo in ports of origin or off-loading cargo at ports of destination as a result of labor disputes, work-rules related slowdowns, tariff or World Trade Organization-related disputes, piracy, physical damage to port terminal facilities or equipment caused by severe weather or terrorist incidents, congestion in port terminal facilities, inadequate equipment to load, dock and offload container vessels or energy-related tie-ups or otherwise, or for other reasons, product shipments to our customers will be delayed.  In any such case, our customer may cancel or change the terms of its purchase order, resulting in a cancellation or delay of payments to us. A closure or partial closure of port facilities or other causes of delays in the loading, importation, offloading or movement of our products to the shipping destination agreed with our customer could result in increased expenses, as we try to avoid such delays, delayed shipments or cancelled orders, or all of the above. Depending on the severity of such consequences, this may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The OEM carrying solutions business is highly competitive and does not pose significant barriers to entry.

There are many competitors in the sale of carry solutions products to OEMs, and competition is intense.  Since little or no significant proprietary technology is involved in the design, production or distribution of the types of products we sell, others may enter the business with relative ease and compete against us.  Such competition may result in the diminution of our market share or the loss of one or more major OEM customers, thereby adversely affecting our net sales, results of operations, and financial condition.  Many of our competitors are larger, better capitalized and more diversified than we are and may be better able to withstand a downturn in the general economy or in the product areas in which we specialize.  These competitors may also have less sales concentration than we do and be better able to withstand the loss of a key customer or diminution in its orders. 

Our business could suffer if the services of key sales personnel we rely on were lost to us.

We are highly dependent on the efforts and services of certain key sales representatives who have account responsibility for, and have longstanding relationships with one or more of our largest customers.  Our business could be materially and adversely affected if we lost the services of any such individual.  If we lost the services of a key sales representative, we might experience a material reduction in orders from his customers, resulting in a loss of revenues, which would materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We do not pay dividends on our common stock.

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock since 1987.  The payment in the future of cash dividends by us, if any, will depend upon our results of operations, short-term and long-term cash availability, net working capital, working capital needs and other factors, as determined by our Board of Directors.  We do not anticipate that cash dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future.  The absence of dividend payments on a common stock might make such stock susceptible to greater market price swings.

We have in place anti-takeover measures and charter provisions that may prevent a hostile or unwanted effort to acquire Forward.

Our Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to 4,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, of which 648,846 shares have been issued. Our Board of Directors has the authority, without shareholder approval, to issue such preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the relative rights and preferences thereof including their redemption, dividend and conversion rights. Our ability to issue the authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock could be used to impede takeovers of the Company.  Under certain circumstances, the issuance of the preferred stock could make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of Forward, discourage bids for the common stock at a premium, or otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In addition, our certificate of incorporation requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the shares outstanding to approve a business combination such as a merger or sale of all or substantially all assets.  Such provision and blank check preferred stock may discourage attempts to acquire Forward. Applicable laws that impose restrictions on, or regulate the manner of, a takeover attempt may also have the effect of deterring any such transaction. 

In addition, on April 26, 2013, our Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan, as set forth in the Rights Agreement dated as of April 26, 2013 (the “Rights Agreement”), between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, in order to encourage anyone seeking to acquire us to negotiate with our Board of Directors prior to attempting a takeover. While the plan is designed to guard against coercive or unfair tactics to gain control of us, the plan may have the effect of making more difficult or delaying any attempts by others to obtain control of us. See Note 7 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. We are not aware of any attempt to acquire Forward.

We maintain cash balances in our bank accounts that exceed the FDIC insurance limitation.

We maintain our cash assets at commercial banks in the U.S. in amounts in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit of $250,000 and in Europe in amounts that may exceed any applicable deposit insurance limits. In the event of a failure at a commercial bank where we maintain our deposits or uninsured losses on money market or other cash equivalents in which we maintain cash balances, we may incur a loss to the extent such loss exceeds the insurance limitation, which could have a material adverse effect upon our financial conditions and our results of operations.

ITEM 1B.         UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

    Not Applicable    

ITEM 2.            PROPERTIES

In September 2012, we relocated our executive offices from Santa Monica, California to West Palm Beach, Florida, which consists of approximately 2,815 square feet, which we rent for approximately $6,200 per month under a lease agreement scheduled to expire in September 2020.

In April 2011, we relocated our executive offices from Pompano Beach, Florida to offices in Santa Monica, California, which consists of approximately 3,400 square feet, which we rented during Fiscal 2013 at approximately $14,000 per month under lease agreements, which expire in October 2016. Beginning in July 2013, we sub-leased this space for the remainder of our lease term at rates above those that we are contractually obligated to pay.

We sub-lease approximately 1,300 square feet of office space in Cham, Switzerland on a month-to-month basis from a tenant at the same location. We use this office as our EMEA Region headquarters from which we coordinate our sales and sales support activities throughout the EMEA Region.

In October 2011, we entered into a lease for approximately 1,000 square feet of office space in London, England at $8,000 per month under a lease agreement that expired in September 2012. We used this office space to perform administrative and sales support (such as accounting, operational, and customer service functions) primarily to our EMEA Region-based Retail sales team. Consequently, this lease was not renewed as part of our exit from our Retail business (see Note 3 – “Discontinued Operations” to the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report). All OEM sales, sales support and administrative activities in the EMEA Region are coordinated from our branch office in Cham, Switzerland.

In April 2012, we renewed our license through the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) to maintain a registered branch office in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) of the United Arab Emirates.  Under this license, we rent approximately 638 square feet of office space at annual rate of $35,000 through March 2013. We used this office space to facilitate sales of our Retail products in the Middle-East and India region through July 2012, at which time we shut down this office space as part of our exit from our Retail business ( See Note 3 – “Discontinued Operations” to the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report).

In July 2011, we renewed our lease for approximately 4,400 square feet of office space in Kowloon, Hong Kong, which extends through October 2014 at a monthly rate of $15,000. We used this office space as our APAC Region headquarters from which we coordinated and conducted our Asia-based sourcing, quality assurance, and logistics activities. In September 2012, we vacated this office space in connection with our use of an exclusive sourcing agent in the APAC Region (see “Item 1. Business – Product Supply – Sourcing Agent).

We believe that each of the foregoing leased properties is adequate for the purposes for which it is used. All leases are with unaffiliated third parties.  We believe that the loss of any lease would not have a material adverse effect on our operations, as we believe that we could identify and lease comparable facilities upon approximately equivalent terms.

ITEM 3.            LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company may become a party to other legal actions or proceedings in the ordinary course of its business.  As of September 30, 2013, there were no such actions or proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, that, if decided adversely to the Company’s interests, the Company believes would be material to its business.

ITEM 4.            MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not Applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5.           MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market for Common Stock

The principal market for our common stock is the NASDAQ SmallCap Market. Our common stock is traded under the symbol "FORD". The following table sets forth the high and low closing bid quotations for our common stock on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market for each quarter in the last two fiscal years.

_______________________________
*High and low bid price information as furnished by The NASDAQ Stock Market Inc.

On December 5, 2013, the closing bid quotation for our common stock was $1.65

Holders of common stock.

 As of December 5, 2013, there were approximately 110 holders of record of our common stock, excluding approximately 6,939 beneficial holders of common stock whose shares are held in street name.

Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock since 1987 and do not plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends in the future, if any, will depend upon our results of operations, as well as our short-term and long-term cash availability, net working capital, working capital needs, and other factors, as determined by our Board of Directors. Currently, except as may be provided by applicable laws, there are no contractual or other restrictions on our ability to pay dividends if we were to decide to declare and pay them. See “—Recent sales of unregistered securities” below.

Recent sales of unregistered securities

On each of June 28, 2013, August 7, 2013 and August 14, 2013, the Company completed private placements to accredited investors of convertible preferred stock totaling 648,846 shares. See Note 7 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The first dividend payment with respect to such preferred stock was made on September 30, 2013.

Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.

For information relating to this topic, see Part III, Item 11 of this Annual Report, “Executive Compensation—Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans”.

Purchase of Equity Securities

No repurchase of any shares of our common stock or other equity security was made by or on behalf of the Company during Fiscal 2013 or 2012.

ITEM 6.            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not applicable.

ITEM 7.            MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto and other financial information appearing in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  This discussion and analysis compares our consolidated results of operations for Fiscal 2013 with those for Fiscal 2012, and is based on or derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this Annual Report. All figures in the following discussion are presented on a consolidated basis. All dollar amounts and percentages presented herein have been rounded to approximate values.

Cautionary statement for purposes of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The following management’s discussion and analysis includes “forward-looking statements”, as such term is used within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These “forward-looking statements” are not based on historical fact and involve assessments of certain risks, developments, and uncertainties in our business looking to the future.  Such forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”,  “continue”, or “believe”, or the negatives or other variations of these terms or comparable terminology.  Forward-looking statements may include projections, forecasts, or estimates of future performance and developments.  Forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report are based upon assumptions and assessments that we believe to be reasonable as of the date of this Annual Report.  Whether those assumptions and assessments will be realized will be determined by future factors, developments, and events, which are difficult to predict and may be beyond our control.  Actual results, factors, developments, and events may differ materially from those we assumed and assessed.  Risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and developments, including those discussed in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and those identified in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, could cause our future operating results to differ materially from those set forth in any forward looking statement.  There can be no assurance that any such forward looking statement, projection, forecast or estimate contained can be realized or that actual returns, results, or business prospects will not differ materially from those set forth in any forward looking statement.

Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.  The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments.

Business Overview

Trends and Economic Environment

In June 2012, the Company made the strategic decision to focus solely on its core OEM business. Initially, we implemented several key restructuring measures in order to improve our operating performance and return the Company to profitability. These actions included replacing our legacy sourcing and quality assurance infrastructure with a variable lower cost solution through our use of an exclusive Asia-based sourcing agent (see Note 12 in our Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements) and rationalizing our fixed operating expenses, including office closures and headcount reductions. Our financial results for Fiscal 2013, reflect the impact of these restructuring measures.

With the restructuring behind us, we have turned our focus to protecting the strong competitive position we have built across several key product categories, especially our Diabetic Products line. We have reinvested a portion of the savings generated by the restructuring towards expanding and better incentivizing our sales, design and sales support teams, which we believe has improved our ability to provide proactive and responsive support to our existing customer base. We also believe that these investments are expanding our ability to provide innovative and differentiated solutions to our existing and prospective customers. As an example, the diabetic products sector seems to be undergoing significant changes that, we believe, present us with meaningful opportunities if managed proactively.

We remain challenged by a highly concentrated customer base and product offering, especially with respect to our Diabetic Products line, where we operate in a price sensitive environment in which we continue to experience volatility in demand and downward pricing pressure from our major Diabetic Products customers. We believe that the investments we are making in our sales, design and sales support teams increase our ability to expand and diversify our customer base, which we believe is essential to overcoming these challenges and the impact they have on our gross margins.

In addition to our investments to grow and diversify our business organically, we are beginning an active search process to identify potential acquisition targets that would be complementary to our existing business and allow us to further leverage our operating infrastructure.  We anticipate that this search process will be ongoing with the goal of identifying prospective target companies that, if acquired, would be accretive to our organic results.

We continue to be challenged by rising costs from our China-based supplier base, which causes our gross margins to narrow when we are not able to fully pass cost increases through to customers. Our dedicated Asia-based sourcing agent has made meaningful progress in areas such as quality assurance and overall operational performance during Fiscal 2013, which has better positioned us to negotiate such cost increases with our customers. Our sourcing agent also made progress in expanding our supplier base during Fiscal 2013. However, we believe such expansion may not be sustainable during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014 and anticipate that our supplier base may become more concentrated. As a result, our ability to effectively push back against such rising material costs may diminish.

Variability of Revenues and Results of Operation

Because a high percentage of our sales revenues is highly concentrated in a few large customers, and because the volumes of these customers’ order flows to us are highly variable, with short lead times, our quarterly revenues, and consequently our results of operations, are susceptible to significant variability over a relatively short period of time.   

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have identified the accounting policies and significant estimation processes below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The discussion below is not intended to be comprehensive. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment of a particular transaction. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion of the applications of these and other accounting policies, see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report. Our preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and such differences could be significant.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit and highly liquid money market accounts, short-term bonds, and certificates of deposit with original contractual maturities of three months or less, predominately in U.S. dollar denominated instruments. We may purchase these short-term bonds with anticipated maturity of 90 days or less at a premium or discount. We record these investments as cash and cash equivalents net of amortization of premium or discount. We minimize our credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents by investing in high quality instruments and by periodically evaluating the credit quality of the primary financial institution issuers of such instruments. We hold cash and cash equivalents at major financial institutions in the United States, at which cash amounts may significantly exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s insured limits. At September 30, 2013 and 2012, this amount was approximately $6.5 million (which includes $1.4 million in a foreign bank) and $4.4 million, respectively. Historically, we have not experienced any losses due to such cash concentrations.

Marketable Securities

At September 30, 2013, we have investments in marketable securities that are classified as trading and are recorded at fair value with the corresponding unrealized holding gains or losses recognized in earnings. The fair value of marketable securities is determined based on quoted market prices at the consolidated balance sheet dates. The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method. At September 30, 2012, we classified our investments in marketable securities as “available-for-sale”. Securities that are classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value with the corresponding unrealized holding gains and losses, net of taxes, recorded as a separate component of “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss” within shareholders’ equity. We classify our realized and unrealized gains and losses as non-operating income (expense) in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. In addition, we classify the cash flows from the trading of these marketable securities as investing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of unsecured trade accounts with customers or their contract manufacturers. We perform periodic credit evaluations of its customers including an evaluation of days outstanding, payment history, recent payment trends and perceived creditworthiness, and believe that adequate allowances for any uncollectible receivables are maintained. Credit terms to customers generally range from net thirty (30) days to net ninety (90) days. We have not historically experienced significant credit or collection problems with our OEM customers or their contract manufacturers. At September 30, 2013 and 2012, no allowance for doubtful accounts relating to our continuing operations was deemed necessary.

Inventories

Inventories consist primarily of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost (determined by the first-in, first-out method) or market.  Based on management’s estimates, an allowance is made to reduce excess, obsolete, or otherwise un-saleable inventories to net realizable value. The allowance is established through charges to cost of goods sold in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. As reserved inventory is disposed of, we charge off the associated allowance.  In determining the adequacy of the allowance, management’s estimates are based upon several factors, including analyses of inventory levels, historical loss trends, sales history and projections of future sales demand. Our estimates of the allowance may change from time to time based on management’s assessments, and such changes could be material. At September 30, 2013, no allowance for obsolete inventory relating to our continuing operations was deemed necessary. At September 30, 2012, the allowance for obsolete inventory of our continuing operations was approximately $99 thousand.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with GAAP, which requires, among other things, recognition of future tax benefits and liabilities measured at enacted rates attributable to temporary differences between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and to net tax operating loss carry-forwards to the extent that realization of these benefits is more likely than not. We periodically evaluate the realizability of our net deferred tax assets.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our policy is to account for interest and penalties relating to income taxes, if any, in “income tax expense” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and include accrued interest and penalties within the “accrued liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheets, if applicable. For Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, no income tax related interest or penalties were assessed or recorded.

6% Senior Convertible Preferred Stock

Temporary Equity

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 480-10-s99 and Accounting Series Release (“ASR”) 268, equity securities are required to be classified out of permanent equity and classified as temporary equity, as the redemption of the convertible preferred stock is not solely within our control since it is at the option of the holder.

Warrants

In accordance with ASC 815-40, our warrants have been classified as a liability, at fair value, as a result of a related registration rights agreement that contains certain requirements for registering the underlying common shares, but have no provision for penalties upon the failure to register. The fair value of the warrants is determined using a Black-Scholes closed-form call option pricing model. At each balance sheet date the fair value of the warrant liability is marked-to-market each reporting period with the change in fair value reported in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Preferred Stock Accretion

 The carrying amount of the convertible preferred stock is less than the redemption value. As a result of our determination that redemption is probable, the carrying value will be increased by periodic accretions so that the carrying value will equal the redemption amount at the earliest redemption date. Such accretion is recorded as a preferred stock dividend.

Preferred Stock Beneficial Conversion Feature

 On the date of issuance, the fair value, or carrying amount, of the securities could be converted into common stock at a discount to the market price of the underlying common stock at the conversion date. Such embedded “beneficial conversion feature”, which is equal to the difference between the accounting conversion price and the fair value of the common stock, is analogous to a dividend and has been recorded as a return to preferred stockholders as of the date of issuance, which is the earliest possible conversion date. As a result of the dividend being recorded upon issuance, there will be no future impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

We generally recognize revenue from product sales to our customers when: (1) title and risk of loss are transferred (in general, these conditions occur at either point of shipment or point of destination, depending on the terms of sale); (2) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (3) we have no continuing obligations to the customer; and (4) collection of the related accounts receivable is reasonably assured.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. We record our financial instruments that are accounted for under ASC 320, “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC 320”) at fair value. The determination of fair value is based upon the fair value framework established by ASC 820. ASC 820 provides that a fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the source of inputs as follows: (a) Level 1 – valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; (b) Level 2 – valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable; either directly or indirectly; and (c) Level 3 – valuations based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable, thus, reflecting assumptions about the market participants.

Share-Based Payment Expense

We recognize share-based compensation in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss at the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation. The determination of grant-date fair value is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which includes variables such as the expected volatility of our share price, the exercise behavior of its grantees, interest rates, and dividend yields. These variables are projected based on our historical data, experience, and other factors. Changes in any of these variables could result in material changes to the valuation of options granted in future periods and increases in the expense recognized for share-based payments. In the case of awards with multiple vesting periods, we have elected to use the graded vesting attribution method, which recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. See Note 8, Share-Based Compensation, in our Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, we recognize share-based compensation to non-employees based upon the fair value, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, determined at the deemed measurement dates over the related contract service period.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL 2013 COMPARED TO FISCAL 2012

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

Income from continuing operations was $5 thousand in Fiscal 2013 compared to a loss of $3.3 million in Fiscal 2012. The improvement is primarily due to increased gross profit on a higher sales base and reduced general and administrative expenses, which were offset, in part, by an increase in Other Expense, net, as reflected in the table below:   

Loss from continuing operations per basic and diluted share was $(0.07) and $(0.41) for Fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Net Sales

Net sales increased $1.5 million, or 5%, to $30.9 million in Fiscal 2013 from $29.4 million in Fiscal 2012 due to higher sales of Diabetic Products, which increased $2.6 million. The increase in sales of Diabetic products was offset, in part, by lower sales of Other Products, which decreased $1.0 million. The tables below set forth sales by channel, product line and geographic location of our customers for the periods indicated.

Diabetic Product Sales

We design to the order of, and sell carrying cases for blood glucose diagnostic kits directly to, OEMs (or their contract manufacturers).  The OEM customer or its contract manufacturer packages our carry cases “in box” as a custom accessory for the OEM’s blood glucose testing and monitoring kits, or to a lesser extent, sell them through their retail distribution channels.

Sales of Diabetic products increased $2.6 million to $24.3 million in Fiscal 2013 from $21.7 million in Fiscal 2012. This increase was primarily due to higher sales in respect of new and replacement programs with a long-standing, major Diabetic Products customer (Diabetic Customer C), as well as a larger sales contribution in Fiscal 2013 from a new major Diabetic Products customer (Diabetic Customer D), which had just begun to contribute in Fiscal 2012. To a lesser extent, higher sales in respect of new and replacement programs from a second long-standing, major Diabetic products customer (Diabetic Customer B), also contributed to the overall sales increase. These increases were offset, in part, by lower sales to our historically largest Diabetic Products customer (Diabetic Customer A).

The following table sets forth our sales by Diabetic Products customer for the periods indicated.

Sales of Diabetic Products represented 78% of our total net sales in Fiscal 2013 compared to 74% of our total net sales in Fiscal 2012.

Other Product Sales

We design and sell cases and protective solutions to OEMs for a diverse array of portable electronic devices (such as bar code scanners, GPS devices, cellular phones, tablets and cameras), as well as a variety of other products (such as sporting and recreational products and firearms) on a made-to-order basis that are customized to fit the products sold by our OEM customers.

Sales of Other Products decreased $1.0 million to $6.7 million in Fiscal 2013 from $7.7 million in Fiscal 2012. This decrease was primarily driven by lower sales to a long-standing cellular customer, which decreased $1.0 million in Fiscal 2013, as well as the loss of a firearms customer, a GPS customer, and a laptop customer in Fiscal 2013, which in the aggregate contributed $1.3 million of sales to our Other Products line in Fiscal 2012. A decrease in sales of $0.4 million in Fiscal 2013 from a tablet customer also contributed to the overall decrease in sales of Other Products. Lesser fluctuations in several other customer accounts between Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 were not individually material.

Sales of Other Products represented 22% of our net sales in Fiscal 2013 compared to 26% of our total net sales in Fiscal 2012.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased $2.5 million, or 64%, to $6.4 million in Fiscal 2013 from $3.9 million in Fiscal 2012. As a percentage of sales, our gross profit improved to 21% in Fiscal 2013, compared to 13% in Fiscal 2012.

This improvement was driven primarily by cost savings realized in Fiscal 2013 from the restructuring of our Asia-based sourcing and quality assurance operations (refer to Note 12, “Buying Agency and Supply Agreement,” to our Consolidated Financial Statements), which were initiated in March 2012 and substantially completed as of September 30, 2012. Such sourcing and quality assurance costs represented 4% of our net sales in Fiscal 2013 compared to 8% of net sales in Fiscal 2012.

In addition, during Fiscal 2012, we experienced several quality issues with two of our major Diabetic Products customers. In our efforts to remediate these quality issues, we incurred significantly higher inspection, warehousing, handling and freight costs that, in the aggregate, negatively impacted our gross profit margin by approximately 3% in Fiscal 2012. We experienced no such quality issues during Fiscal 2013. As a result, during Fiscal 2013, our inspection, warehousing, handling and freight costs returned to levels consistent with those included in results reported prior to Fiscal 2012.

To a lesser extent, program shifts relative to several customers within the Other Products division also contributed to the improvement in our gross profit margin.

These improvements to our gross profit margin were offset, in part, by a decline in the overall gross profit margin of our Diabetic Products business, where our average sales prices to Diabetic Customer A and B, in respect of certain new and replacement programs for these customers, were significantly lower than the average sales prices of predecessor programs in Fiscal 2012. In addition, although our gross profit margin with Diabetic Customer D improved in Fiscal 2013 over Fiscal 2012, it continues to be significantly lower than the average gross profit margin produced by the remainder of our Diabetic Products business. During Fiscal 2013, the gross profit contributed by Diabetic Customer D, as a percentage of the total gross profit contributed by our Diabetic Products business, more than doubled, which had the effect of diluting our overall Diabetic Products gross margin.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses increased $0.6 million, or 37%, to $2.2 million in Fiscal 2013 compared to $1.6 million in Fiscal 2012 due primarily to higher personnel costs. Personnel costs increased $0.5 million in Fiscal 2013 primarily as a result of expanding and restructuring our sales and sales support departments, including their respective compensation schemes. Fluctuations in other components of “Sales and Marketing Expenses” were not material individually or in the aggregate.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased $2.1 million, or 38%, to $3.5 million in Fiscal 2013 from $5.6 million in Fiscal 2012 due primarily to the following:

• $1.0 million decrease in professional fees (primarily consulting fees, expense reimbursements, and equity compensation) paid to our Chief Executive Officer prior to his appointment to such position while serving as a strategic consultant to the Company during Fiscal 2012, as well as lower legal fees.

• $0.8 million decrease in personnel costs resulting primarily from restructuring our finance and information technology departments, which included headcount reductions and salary decreases made in conjunction with the relocation of our corporate headquarters from California to Florida. These decreases were offset, in part, by higher accounting fees in Fiscal 2013.

Fluctuations in other components of “General and Administrative Expenses” that aggregated a net decrease of $0.3 million were individually not material.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense), net, consisting primarily of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments in marketable securities, was $(0.7) million in Fiscal 2013 compared to $(34) thousand of expense in Fiscal 2012. This fluctuation was due primarily to $3.9 million of realized and unrealized losses on investments in marketable securities, which were offset in part by realized and unrealized gains on investments in marketable securities of $3.1 million in Fiscal 2013. There was no such investing activity in marketable securities in Fiscal 2012.

RESULTS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL 2013 COMPARED TO FISCAL 2012

On June 21, 2012, we determined to exit our global Retail business and focus solely on growing our OEM business.  The decision to eliminate the Retail division was primarily driven by the longer than estimated path to bring it to profitability and the strong net sales growth and cost rationalizations in the OEM business. We have substantially completed the exit of our Retail business and have not had, and do not expect to have, any continuing involvement in the Retail business after this date. Accordingly, the results of operations for the Retail division have been recorded as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years presented.

Loss from Discontinued Operations

Loss from discontinued operations was $0.2 million in Fiscal 2013 compared to $6.3 million in Fiscal 2012. This improvement was due primarily to a change in gross profit (loss) of $2.1 million, combined with a $4.0 million decrease in operating expenses in Fiscal 2013. Loss from discontinued operations per basic and diluted share was $(0.03) and $(0.78) for Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, respectively.

Net Sales

Net sales from discontinued operations were $0.7 million in Fiscal 2013, which included a net contribution of $42 thousand from adjustments in sales returns, discounts, markdowns and co-op advertising programs.  In Fiscal 2012, net sales from discontinued operations were $2.2 million, which were net of sales returns, discounts, markdowns, and co-op advertising programs of $2.8 million.

Gross Profit (Loss)

Gross profit from discontinued operations of $0.2 million in Fiscal 2013 reflects the liquidation of our Retail inventory, whereby in certain cases the net realizable value of this inventory has exceeded its selling price in Fiscal 2013. Gross loss from discontinued operations was $1.9 million in Fiscal 2012.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses of discontinued operations were $0.4 million in Fiscal 2013 compared to $4.4 million in Fiscal 2012. This decrease was due primarily to:

• lower personnel expenses, which decreased $2.7 million in Fiscal 2013;

• lower travel and entertainment expenses, which decreased $0.4 million in Fiscal 2013;

• lower royalty and commissions expenses, which decreased $0.2 million in Fiscal 2013;

• lower product development and design costs, which decreased $0.1 million in Fiscal 2013; and

• lower advertising, promotion, and sampling costs, which decreased $0.1 million in Fiscal 2013.

Lesser fluctuations in other components of operating expenses were not individually or in the aggregate material.

Other Expense

Other expense from discontinued operations was $7 thousand in Fiscal 2013 compared to $29 thousand of other expense from discontinued operations in Fiscal 2012, consisting of foreign currency losses in both periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During Fiscal 2013, we generated $2.3 million of cash from operations, which is derived from a net loss of $0.2 million, adjusted by $1.3 million for non-cash items (primarily realized and unrealized losses on marketable securities and share based compensation), and net cash provided by working capital items of $1.2 million. As to working capital items, cash provided by operating activities consisted of decreases in accounts receivable, inventories, and prepaid expenses and other current assets of $2.9 million, $1.7 million, and $0.2 million, respectively. These changes were offset, in part, by cash used in operating activities, which consisted of decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $2.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

The decrease in accounts receivable is primarily due to: i) the timing and lower volume of sales recorded in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three-month period ended September 30, 2012; ii) our accounts receivable as of September 30, 2012 that related to our discontinued operations; and iii) an improvement in our cash collections cycle. The decrease in inventories is primarily due to: i) timing differences in inventory shipments enroute to and staged from our OEM customers’ distribution hubs and ii) liquidation of inventory related to our discontinued operations. The decrease in accounts payable is primarily due to the same factors that drove the decrease in inventories, in addition to lower average days payable outstanding in Fiscal 2013 resulting from changes in our payment terms with certain of our suppliers. The decrease in accrued expenses and other current liabilities is primarily due to payment of certain accrued expenses including professional fees incurred in connection with the settlement of the Targus lawsuit, and severances incurred in connection with our restructuring.

During Fiscal 2012, we used $10.8 million of cash in operations, which is derived from a net loss of $9.6 million, adjusted by $0.4 million for non-cash items and a net use in working capital items of $1.6 million. As to working capital items, cash used in operating activities consisted of increases in accounts receivable and inventories of $3.7 million and $2.7 million, respectively. These changes were offset, in part, by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $3.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively; and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.4 million.

In Fiscal 2013, net cash used by investing activities was $1.4 million, which consisted of $88.6 million used for purchases of marketable equity securities, $87.3 million generated from sales of marketable equity securities, and $74 thousand used for purchases of property and equipment. In Fiscal 2012, net investing activities generated $0.5 million of cash, which consisted of $1.0 million in payments received on a loan made to a prospective strategic partner and $72 thousand used for purchases of property and equipment, net of $0.4 million used for purchases of marketable equity securities.

    In Fiscal 2013, net financing activities generated $1.2 million from the issuance of 6% senior convertible preferred stock and warrants, net of $15 thousand used to pay dividends on such senior convertible preferred stock (see Note 7 to our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – “Shareholders Equity”). We raised these funds for general corporate purposes, including working capital and in connection with potential acquisition targets that would be complementary to our existing business and allow us to further leverage our operating infrastructure, if any are identified and acquired. There were no financing activities in Fiscal 2012.

At September 30, 2013, our current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) was 3.1; our quick ratio (current assets less inventories divided by current liabilities) was 2.6; and our working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was $10.0 million.  As of such date, we had no short or long-term debt outstanding.

Our primary sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities on hand. The primary demands on our working capital currently are: i) operating losses, should they occur, and ii) accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business, the most significant of which arise when we order products from our suppliers. Historically, our sources of liquidity have been adequate to satisfy working capital requirements arising in the ordinary course of business.  We anticipate that our liquidity and financial resources for the next twelve months will be adequate to manage our operating and financial requirements. We have substantially completed our exit of our Retail business, and have not had, and do not expect to have, any continuing involvement in the Retail business after this date.

ITEM 7A.          QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable

ITEM 8.            FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Annual Report may be found at pages 32 to 54 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9.            CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

ITEM 9A.         CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In accordance with Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report (the fourth quarter of the Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective for the matters described below, as of the end of the period covered by this Report (the fourth quarter of the Fiscal year ended September, 30, 2013), to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

• pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

• provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and our directors; and

• provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.  Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013.   In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework.

A material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants

Based on this assessment, our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer believe that, as of September 30, 2013, Forward did not maintain effective controls over the accounting and financial disclosures for its sale of Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants (together, the “Securities”) to accredited investors through a private placement. Specifically, controls were not designed effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the purchase price of the Securities was allocated properly between the Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants. The material weakness resulted in an error in the accounting and financial disclosure of the carrying value of the Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants, as well as the embedded beneficial conversion features that resulted in a correction of Forward’s consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2013. Additionally, this material weakness could result in misstatements of the aforementioned accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

Communication of Significant Financial Matters

In addition, in December of 2013, the Management of the Company became aware of a failure in the operation of its designed internal controls to ensure that the communication of significant financial matters are made known to senior management, including the Company's Chief Financial Officer. This failure resulted in the omission of the accrual of a certain item of expense.

Because of these material weaknesses, management concluded that Forward did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013 based on criteria in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the COSO.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.

This report shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, unless the registrant specifically states that the report is to be considered “filed” under the Exchange Act or incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

Remediation Steps Taken to Address Material Weaknesses

Forward has discussed these matters with its independent registered public accounting firm and its Audit Committee. Further, with oversight of management and its Audit Committee, Forward has initiated the following steps to address and remediate the material weaknesses:

Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants

In the first quarter of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, we implemented additional controls related to the process for evaluating the impact of complex non-routine financing transactions, such as engaging outside experts to assist in determining the proper valuation and accounting treatment for securities through private placements.  In addition, we restated our financial statements for the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013 to correct the error related to the material weakness.

Although the Company concluded that there was a material weakness regarding the valuation, accounting, and financial disclosure of the Securities, at September 30, 2013, Forward believes these steps have strengthened its controls over financial reporting and addressed the material weakness. Forward will test and evaluate these controls as part of Forward’s assessment of internal controls over financial reporting for its fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.

Communication of Significant Financial Matters

We intend to design and implement policies and procedures to remediate this material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting in Fiscal 2014. The development of these policies and procedures will ensure that members of senior management will be aware of all material financial events.

Management does not believe that any of our annual or interim financial statements issued to date contain a material misstatement as a result of the aforementioned material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting.

Changes in Internal Control

Our management, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, performed an evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Exchange Act as to whether any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the last Fiscal quarter of the Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.  Based on that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer concluded that no change occurred in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the last Fiscal quarter of the Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness associated with the financial reporting relating to the proper valuation and accounting treatment for the Company’s Securities discussed above was subsequently identified and resulted in remediation activities subsequent to September 30, 2013.

ITEM 9B.         OTHER INFORMATION

None

PART III

ITEM 10.          DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Set forth below are the names and ages of the directors of the Company and their principal occupations at present and for the past five years.  The directors of the Company are elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified.  Our executive officers are appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and serve until their successors have been duly appointed and qualified.  The Board has determined that each of Messrs. Chiste, Gordon, King and Morgan, who together comprise a majority of the Board, is independent in accordance with applicable NASDAQ standards, including without limitation, Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2).

28

The Board has an Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee.  Current committee membership is shown in the table below:

Business Background and Qualifications of Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each person who is currently an executive officer of Forward, and is based on our records and information furnished to us by such persons.

ROBERT GARRETT, JR., please see “—Directors and Officers of the Company” above, for biographical information for Mr. Garrett.

JAMES O. MCKENNA III has served as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary since January 2008.  Prior to that time he served as the Company’s Controller since December 2003.  Prior to joining Forward, Mr. McKenna was employed as Assistant Controller with Medallist Developments Inc., a real estate development company, from January 2002 to December 2003.  Mr. McKenna was employed as an auditor with Ernst & Young LLP from September 1996 to December 2001 and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of each class of our equity securities that is registered under the Exchange Act are required to file the following reports with the Commission:  Form 3 initial reports of ownership and status as an officer or director; Form 4 reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities of the Company; and Form 5 reports with respect to any fiscal year in which other reports may not have been filed.  To our knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to us during Fiscal 2013, and Form 5 reports and amendments thereto furnished to us with respect to that fiscal year, and based on written representations that no Form 5 or other reports were required with respect to Fiscal 2013, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers and directors and beneficial owners of more than ten percent of our common stock were complied with on a timely basis.

The Board’s Leadership Structure

Our governing documents provide the Board with flexibility to determine the appropriate leadership structure for the Board and the Company, including but not limited to whether it is appropriate to separate the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.  In making these determinations, the Board considers numerous factors, including the specific needs and strategic direction of the Company and the size and membership of the Board at the time.

Grange Johnson has served as non-executive Chairman of the Board since August 2010.  Robert Garrett, Jr., a director since March 2012, has served as Chief Executive Officer since August 31, 2012, and as Co-Chief Executive Officer with Brett M. Johnson until the end of Mr. Brett Johnson’s employment with the Company on August 31, 2012. We believe that it remains in the best interest of the Company to continue to separate the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. This arrangement has allowed our Chairman to lead the Board, while our Chief Executive Officer focuses primarily on managing the daily operations of the Company. The separation of duties provides strong leadership for the Board while allowing the Chief Executive Officer to be the leader of the Company for customers, employees and operations. We do not have a Lead Independent Director. Rather, the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees are each comprised solely of independent directors, and they provide strong independent leadership that influences the governance of the Company.

 The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Senior management is responsible for assessing and managing the Company’s various exposures to risk on a day-to-day basis, including the creation of appropriate risk management programs and policies.  The Board is responsible for overseeing management in the execution of its responsibilities and for assessing the Company’s approach to risk management.  The Board exercises these responsibilities periodically as part of its meetings and also through the Board’s three committees, each of which examines various components of enterprise risk as part of its responsibilities.  Members of each committee report to the full Board as necessary at Board meetings regarding risks discussed by such committee.  In addition, an overall review of risk is inherent in the Board’s consideration of the Company’s long-term strategies and in the transactions and other matters presented to the Board, including capital expenditures, acquisitions and divestitures, and financial matters.

Code of Ethics

In November 2003, Forward adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors and employees regarding standards of conduct relating to Company affairs.  The Nominating and Governance Committee is charged with assessing the adequacy of and monitoring management and director compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.  The Code of Ethics is available for viewing at the Company’s web site at http://www.forwardindustries.com/corporate_governance.php.

Audit Committee

The Company has a separately standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a) (58) (A) of the Exchange Act.  Our Audit Committee is governed by a written Charter approved by the Board.  A copy of the Charter, as amended, is available for viewing at our web site at: http://www.forwardindustries.com/corporate_governance.php.  The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Chiste, King and Gordon.  Each of Messrs. Chiste, King and Gordon is an independent director.  The Audit Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

Audit Committee Financial Expert.  The Board has determined that Mr. Chiste, who is currently a member and the chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board, is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

ITEM 11.          EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain summary information for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, showing all compensation paid or earned for services rendered in all capacities for those years of service by (i) each person who served as our principal executive officer at any time during those periods, and (ii) our Chief Financial Officer, who was the only other executive officer whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 during such periods.

All items of “All Other Compensation” in the table in note (5) above for Mr. McKenna were paid in accordance with the terms of the McKenna Employment Agreement (as defined below), with the exception of $15,000 of the Housing Allowance in 2013, which was incurred in connection with a housing deposit..

Employment Agreements

Employment Agreement with Robert Garrett, Jr., Chief Executive Officer (August 31, 2012 – present) and former Co-Chief Executive Officer (March 2012 through August 30, 2012)

Pursuant an employment agreement, effective as of March 1, 2012 (the “Garrett Employment Agreement”), between the Company and Robert Garrett, Jr., Mr. Garrett is employed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Garrett Employment Agreement provides for an annual salary of $250,000. In executing his employment agreement, Mr. Garrett received a signing bonus of $9,167. During Mr. Garrett’s first year of employment he received a bonus of not less than $50,000 cash, paid in four quarterly equal installments.  During each year of his employment, Mr. Garrett is eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Compensation Committee in a combination of cash or equity based compensation.

In connection with Mr. Garrett’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Garrett was granted options to purchase 140,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan. The grant date of this award is April 4, 2012 and the exercise price is $3.00 per share for the first 100,000 options, and $3.77 per share for the second 40,000 options. The vesting schedule is as follows: (i) 66,666 of the options shall vest on first anniversary of the grant date; (ii) 66,666 of the options shall vest on second anniversary of the grant date; and (iii) the remainder shall vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. In addition, pursuant to Mr. Garrett’s employment agreement, he was granted options to purchase an additional 60,000 shares of common stock, on October 1, 2012, with an exercise price equal to $3.77 per share, for the first 10,000 options, and $5.31 per share for the second 50,000 options. The additional 60,000 options become exercisable on April 3, 2015 and shall vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.

In November 2011, pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Garrett was awarded options to purchase 160,000 shares of common stock. In November 2012, the Compensation Committee determined to award Mr. Garrett 125,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vest over three years from November 8, 2012. Mr. Garret’s November 2012 grant of 125,000 RSUs vested as to one-third of the grant in November 2013. Approximately 17,175 shares of common stock underlying these RSUs were withheld to pay taxes related to the vested RSUs.

In addition, on December 11, 2013, the Compensation Committee (i) approved a total bonus payment to Mr. Garrett in the amount of $100,000 attributable to services performed in Fiscal 2013, consisting of a performance target-based bonus in the amount of $75,000 and an additional discretionary bonus of $25,000; (ii) increased Mr. Garrett’s base salary from $250,000 to $300,000, effective as of March 1, 2014; and (iii) awarded Mr. Garrett options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock.

Employment Agreement with James O. McKenna III, Chief Financial Officer (2008 to present)

Mr. McKenna served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary pursuant to an Amended Employment Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2011, between the Company and Mr. McKenna, pursuant to which Mr. McKenna was entitled to an annual base salary of $225,000 during Fiscal 2012. On November 8, 2012, Mr. McKenna’s Employment Agreement was further amended (the “Amendment,” and together with the Amended Employment Agreement, the “McKenna Employment Agreement”) in connection with his relocation from California to Florida at the Company’s request pursuant to the move of the Company’s executive offices to West Palm Beach, Florida from Santa Monica, California. Among other things, the Amendment reduced his base salary to $210,000 per annum from $225,000 per annum, eliminated his housing allowance of $90,000 per annum (paid pursuant to the McKenna Employment Agreement), and provided for a bonus payment in the amount of $172,456, less applicable withholdings and deductions, all subject to the provisions provided in the Amendment. $86,228 of such bonus payment is attributed as a bonus to Mr. McKenna in Fiscal 2012, with the remainder to be attributed to future periods. Up to one half of such $172,456 bonus payment may be applied to reduce future bonuses due to Mr. McKenna, if any, on or prior to September 2014, pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Amendment. Of this amount, $43,000 was applied towards Mr. McKenna’s Fiscal 2013 bonus. See below. The term of the McKenna Employment Agreement expires on December 31, 2013, with automatic renewal for successive terms of one year each. Pursuant to the McKenna Employment Agreement, Mr. McKenna is entitled to a payment equal to one year of his salary as severance in the event of his termination “without cause” and termination for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the McKenna Employment Agreement).

In November 2012 the Compensation Committee determined to award Mr. McKenna 7,500 options to purchase common stock pursuant to the 2007 Plan.  The grant price was the closing price of the common stock on the grant date, or $3.36 per share.  This award becomes exercisable in equal amounts over five years commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.  In March 2011 the Compensation Committee also determined to award Mr. McKenna 100,000 options to purchase common stock pursuant to the 2011 Plan.  The grant price was the closing price of common stock on the grant date, or $3.73 per share.  This award reflected the Committee’s belief that the award of equity-based compensation serves as a significant incentive to a high level of performance as well as a retention incentive.  These options reflect the Committee’s assessment of the anticipated contributions by Mr. McKenna.  This award becomes exercisable on the following dates: (i) 50,000 on March 8, 2014, (ii) 25,000 on March 8, 2015, and (iii) 25,000 on March 8, 2016. In November 2012, the Compensation Committee determined to award Mr. McKenna 105,000 RSUs that vest over three years from November 8, 2012. Mr. McKenna’s November 2012 grant of 105,000 RSUs vested as to one-third of the grant in November 2013. Approximately 9,472 shares of common stock underlying these RSUs were withheld to pay taxes related to the vested RSUs.

In addition, on December 11, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved a total bonus payment to Mr. McKenna in the amount of $86,000 attributable to services performed in Fiscal 2013, consisting of a performance target-based bonus in the amount of $63,000 and an additional discretionary bonus of $23,000. Half of Mr. McKenna’s bonus payment represents a cash payout and the other half ($43,000) represents a reduction of a portion of Mr. McKenna’s bonus prepaid in Fiscal 2012.  See “Item 11. Executive Compensation – Summary Compensation Table” above.  The Compensation Committee also awarded Mr. McKenna options to purchase 7,500 shares of common stock.

See “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below for further discussion on termination, retirement and change-in-control provisions of the employment agreements.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table shows the amount and value of equity-based awards granted to the Named Executive Officers that were outstanding at the end of Fiscal 2013.

Pension Benefits

The Company maintained no pension plans or other long-term incentive plans or arrangements available to any employees during Fiscal 2013.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

We maintained no nonqualified defined contribution or deferred compensation plans or arrangements during Fiscal 2013.

Post-Employment Compensation

The Company does not maintain any pension, deferred compensation, or other post-employment compensation for executives or employees other than its 401(k) plan and, as the case may be, pursuant to the terms of employment agreements with its executive officers.  The Compensation Committee has no fixed policy regarding the grant of severance benefits.  Rather, severance compensation is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the executive’s term of service, his performance in his position, and other factors.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control

Under the Garrett Employment Agreement, Mr. Garrett is entitled to payments equal to six (6) months of his salary if his employment agreement is not renewed during the first term and a severance payment equal to three (3) months of his salary if not renewed in subsequent terms. If Mr. Garrett is terminated without cause, he will be entitled to receive salary at the then prevailing rate for the greater of six months or the balance of the term as severance.  If Mr. Garrett terminates his employment agreement for good reason under circumstances that do not constitute a change in control (as this term is defined in his agreement) severance equal to six (6) months of salary at the then prevailing rate. Under both circumstances, Mr. Garrett will also be entitled to (i) receive health insurance for Mr. Garret and his family to be paid for by the Company for a period equal to the greater of six (6) months or the balance of the term; (ii) accrued discretionary bonus, if any; and (iii) immediate vesting of any unvested options pursuant to applicable equity compensation plans. If Mr. Garrett’s employment is terminated without cause, or if he terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement), in either case within one year of a change of control (as defined), he is entitled to receive the following payments and benefits: (i) severance equal to 12 months of salary; (ii) health insurance for Mr. Garrett and his family to be paid for by the Company for a period equal to 12 months; (iii) accrued discretionary bonus, if any; and (iv) immediate vesting of any unvested options pursuant to applicable equity compensation plans.

Under the McKenna Employment Agreement, as amended, Mr. McKenna is entitled to a payment equal to one year of his salary as severance in the event of his termination “without cause” and termination for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the McKenna Employment Agreement).  The Company’s election to give notice of non-renewal in connection with the end of the term is considered to be termination without cause.

The table below sets forth information concerning the potential payments upon termination of employment for each Named Executive Officer to whom the Company has a post-employment compensation obligation.  Information is provided as if the termination, death, disability, or change in control had occurred as of September 30, 2013.  As of December 1, 2013, the Compensation Committee has not awarded to any Named Executive Officer any non-equity incentive compensation (bonus) for Fiscal 2013.

Director Compensation

The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation earned by or awarded to each director who served on the Board during Fiscal 2013.

Our program for compensation of non-employee directors provides for each non-employee director to receive an annual retainer of $20,000, payable in quarterly increments of $5,000, and for the chairman of each committee to receive an additional $2,000 retainer per committee chair.  In addition, each non-employee director receives $2,000 for each board meeting attended (except those held via conference call, which are $500 per conference call) and $1,000 for each committee meeting attended (unless attended in conjunction with a board meeting, in which case no additional fee is paid) and is entitled to reimbursement for actual and reasonable travel expenses incurred for attendance at such meetings.  Effective as of January 1, 2012, our policy was revised to provide for the non-executive Chairman of the Board to receive an aggregate annual retainer of $60,000, payable in quarterly increments of $15,000.  On December 11, 2013, each non-employee director was granted 15,000 shares of restricted common stock that vest in one year.  Executive officers who also serve on the Board receive no director’s compensation for such service. 

ITEM 12.          SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

Long-term equity based compensation is accomplished under the Forward Industries 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2007 Plan”), adopted by the Company and by its shareholders in May 2007 and amended February 2009, and the 2011 Plan, adopted by the Company and by its shareholders in March 2011.  Under the 2007 Plan, as of September 30, 2012, 800,000 shares of common stock were authorized for grants of awards of stock options and restricted stock, of which 100,991 shares remain available for grant.  Under the 2011 Plan, as of September 30, 2012, 850,000 shares of common stock were authorized for grants of awards of stock options and restricted stock, of which 65,500 shares remain available for grant.  There are options to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock outstanding under the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.

Information relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2013, is as follows:

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Set forth below is information, as of December 2, 2013, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by (i) each director, (ii) each shareholder who, based on publicly available records, is known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of the Company’s common stock and (iii) all our current directors and executive officers, as a group (nine persons).  Unless otherwise stated, the address of each person in the table below is c/o Forward Industries, Inc., 477 Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

*Less than 1 percent

ITEM 13.          CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTION, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

See “Executive Compensation” for information relating to compensation arrangements between the Company and its executive officers and between the Company and its non-employee directors.

On April 2, 2012, the Board appointed Mr. Brett Johnson as the Company’s Co-Chief Executive Officer.  Brett Johnson is the brother of Grange Johnson, the Chairman of the Board.  Forward and Mr. Johnson opted not to renew Mr. Johnson’s employment contract and his employment with the Company ended on August 31, 2012. In addition, Mr. Johnson entered into an agreement and release with the Company on August 29, 2012, which provides, among other things, that Mr. Johnson is entitled to receive his current annual salary of $250,000 through August 1, 2013, less applicable withholdings and deductions, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures.

On March 12, 2012, the Company entered into a Buying Agency and Supply Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Forward China (f/k/a Seaton Global Corporation), a British Virgin Islands corporation, dated as of March 7, 2012.  The Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Forward China act as the Company’s exclusive buying agent and supplier of Products (as defined in the Agreement) in the APAC region.  The Company purchases products at Forward China’s cost and pays a service fee on the net purchase price.  The Agreement terminates on March 11, 2014, subject to renewal.  Terence Wise, a director of the Company, is a principal of Forward China.  From the entry into the Agreement through September 30, 2012, and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded Forward China service fees of approximately $691,000, and $1,292,000, respectively.

On April 16, 2013, the Company entered into an Investment Management Agreement (the “Investment Agreement”) with LaGrange Capital Administration, L.L.C. (“LCA”), pursuant to which the Company retained LCA to manage certain investment accounts funded by the Company (collectively, the “Account”).  Frank LaGrange Johnson, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, serves as the Managing Member of LCA.

Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, LCA is authorized, subject to supervision of the Investment Committee of the Board and the terms and conditions of the Investment Agreement, to take all actions and make all decisions regarding the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Account utilizing the Investment Agreement’s investment strategy.  As compensation for its services, LCA is entitled to advisory fees, comprised of an asset-based fee and a performance fee, as provided in the Investment Agreement.  The asset-based fee equals 1% per annum of the average Account Net Asset Value (“Account NAV”).  The performance fee equals 20% of the increase (if any) in the Account NAV over an annual period. No performance fee is payable for any annual period in which the Account NAV at the end of such annual period is below the highest Account NAV at the end of any previous annual period. In addition to such advisory fees, the Company has agreed to reimburse LCA for certain investment and operational expenses.  Under the Investment Agreement, the Company or its designees may make cash withdrawals from the Account on March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31 of each year upon 45 days’ prior written notice to LCA; provided, that, in the event of a breach of certain terms of the Investment Agreement, the Company may make a complete cash withdrawal from the Account immediately without LCA’s consent. During Fiscal 2013, the Company recognized approximately $13,000 of expense in continuing operations in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss related to asset based advisory fees. The Company has not recorded any expense related to performance based advisory fees during Fiscal 2013.

The Investment Agreement is effective as of February 1, 2013 and will continue until the second anniversary of the effective date.  Thereafter, the term of the Investment Agreement will automatically renew for additional one year terms unless terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement or if a party provides notice to the other party no less than 60 days prior to the end of a term of its decision to terminate the Investment Agreement at the end of the then current term.

On June 28, 2013, the Company completed the sale of (i) 381,644 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and (ii) warrants to purchase a total of 381,644 shares of common stock to accredited investors in a private placement (the “Private Placement”) pursuant to the terms of securities purchase agreements, dated June 28, 2013, by and between the Company and each investor.  Each of Frank L. Johnson and Timothy Gordon participated as investors in the initial closing of the Private Placement for an aggregate of approximately $150,000 and $75,000, respectively.

The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board under the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter (the “Committee Charter”) is charged with the responsibilities of identification, review, evaluation, and approval or rejection of related party transactions (as described in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) and conflicts of interest between the Company and any related party.  In evaluating any such transaction or potential conflict of interest, the Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates, among other factors, the utility and cost of services or property to be received by the Company, an assessment of whether comparable property or services can be obtained at better rates in the relevant market, the benefit to be received by the related party, whether such benefit is proper and appropriate in all respects, the absence of any actual or potential harm or prejudice to the Company and its business interests and prospects, and whether the transaction as a whole is believed to be fair and reasonable.  Pursuant to the Committee Charter mandates, the Nominating and Governance Committee has adopted governance principles that, among other matters, (i) requires a specific resolution approving any transaction in which any director would provide services to the Company outside his duties as director and (ii) prohibits a director from receiving a personal, compensatory benefit (i.e., one that is not shared by directors or shareholders generally on a pro rata basis), directly or indirectly, arising from a transaction in which the Company is a party or otherwise involved.

Director Independence

In assessing the independence of our directors, our Board has reviewed and analyzed the standards for independence required under the NASDAQ standards, including without limitation, Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2), and applicable SEC regulations.

After reviewing any material relationships that any of our directors may have with the Company that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities, our Board has determined that each of Messrs. Chiste, Gordon, King and Morgan who together comprise a majority of the Board, is independent in accordance with applicable NASDAQ standards.  The Company has a separately standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee.  Each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee have a written charter approved by the Board, current copies of which are available at the Company’s web site at http://www.forwardindustries.com/corporate_governance.php.  Messrs. Chiste, Gordon and King constitute in different combination the entire membership of each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board in compliance with the independence standards of NASDAQ Marketplace Rules 5605(c)(2), 5605(d), and 5605(e), respectively.

ITEM 14.          PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Our Audit Committee pre-approved all audit and non-audit services involving CohnReznick LLP (formerly J.H. Cohn, “CohnReznick”), the Company’s independent auditors for Fiscal 2013.  The Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services involving CohnReznick, the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.  Unless an audit or non-audit type of service to be provided to the Company by our independent registered public accounting firm has received general pre-approval from the Audit Committee, it requires specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.  In addition to review and audit work necessary for the Company to file required reports under the Exchange Act (i.e., quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K), the Company’s independent auditors may perform non-audit services other than those prohibited by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, provided that they are pre-approved by the Audit Committee.  Non-audit services that our independent accountants may not provide include:  bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the audit client; financial information systems design and implementation; appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; actuarial services; internal audit outsourcing services; and legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit.

Our Audit Committee regularly meets to review and approve the audit and review scope concerning the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements to be filed with the SEC, including the audit fees associated with this service.  Furthermore, the fees and terms of permitted non-audit services that are recurring, if any, must be approved by the Audit Committee.

Proposals for other (i.e., non-recurring) non-audit services to be performed by the Company’s independent auditors that are allowable in accordance with this policy must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee.  The Company’s chief financial officer will review for compliance with this policy and obtain necessary pre-approvals.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services billed to us by CohnReznick for professional services rendered during Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012.

PART IV

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* Furnished and not filed herewith

† Portions have been omitted pursuant to request for confidential treatment and the omitted portions have been separately filed with the Commission.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Forward Industries, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Forward Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended. Forward Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Forward Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

New York, New York

January 14, 2014

FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND 2012

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND 2012

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

NOTE 1            OVERVIEW  

Forward Industries, Inc. (“Forward” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York and began operations in 1961 as a manufacturer and distributor of specialty and promotional products. The Company designs, markets, and distributes carry and protective solutions, primarily for hand held electronic devices. The Company’s principal customer market is original equipment manufacturers, or “OEMs” (or the contract manufacturing firms of these OEM customers), that either package its products as accessories “in box” together with their branded product offerings, or sell them through their retail distribution channels. The Company’s OEM products include carrying cases and other accessories for medical monitoring and diagnostic kits and a variety of other portable electronic and non-electronic products (such as sporting & recreational products, bar code scanners, smartphones, GPS location devices, tablets, and firearms). The Company’s OEM customers are located in the Americas, the EMEA Region, and the APAC Region. The Company does not manufacture any of its OEM products and sources substantially all of its OEM products from independent suppliers in China (refer to Note 12 – Buying Agency and Supply Agreement).

On June 21, 2012, the Company determined to exit its global Retail business and focus solely on growing its OEM business.  The decision to eliminate the Retail division was primarily driven by the longer than estimated path to bring it to profitability and the strong top line growth and cost rationalizations in the OEM business. The Retail business is presented as discontinued operations.

NOTE 2            ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Forward Industries, Inc. (“Forward”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (Forward US, Forward Switzerland, Forward HK, and Forward UK). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit and highly liquid money market accounts, short-term bonds, and certificates of deposit with original contractual maturities of three months or less, predominately in U.S. dollar denominated instruments. The Company may purchase these short-term bonds with anticipated maturity of 90 days or less at a premium or discount. The Company records these investments as cash and cash equivalents net of amortization of premium or discount. The Company minimizes its credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents by investing in high quality instruments and by periodically evaluating the credit quality of the primary financial institution issuers of such instruments. The Company holds cash and cash equivalents at major financial institutions in the United States, at which cash amounts may significantly exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s insured limits. At September 30, 2013 and 2012, this amount was approximately $6.5 million (which includes $1.4 million in a foreign bank) and $4.4 million, respectively. Historically, the Company has not experienced any losses due to such cash concentrations.

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NOTE 2            ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Marketable Securities

At September 30, 2013, the Company has investments in marketable securities that are classified as trading and are recorded at fair value with the corresponding unrealized holding gains or losses recognized in earnings. The fair value of marketable securities is determined based on quoted market prices. The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method. At September 30, 2012, the Company classified its investments in marketable securities as “available-for-sale”. Securities that were classified as available-for-sale were recorded at fair value with the corresponding unrealized holding gains and losses, net of taxes, recorded as a separate component of “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss” within shareholders’ equity. The Company classifies its realized and unrealized gains and losses as non-operating income (expense) in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. In addition, the Company classifies the cash flows from the trading of these marketable securities as investing activities in its consolidated statements of cash flows.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of unsecured trade accounts with customers or their contract manufacturers. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers including an evaluation of days outstanding, payment history, recent payment trends, and perceived creditworthiness, and believes that adequate allowances for any uncollectible receivables are maintained. Credit terms to customers generally range from net thirty (30) days to net ninety (90) days. The Company has not historically experienced significant credit or collection problems with its OEM customers or their contract manufacturers. At September 30, 2013 and 2012, no allowance for doubtful accounts relating to the Company’s continuing operations was deemed necessary.

Inventories

Inventories consist primarily of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost (determined by the first-in, first-out method) or market.  Based on management’s estimates, an allowance is made to reduce excess, obsolete, or otherwise un-saleable inventories to net realizable value. The allowance is established through charges to cost of goods sold in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. As reserved inventory is disposed of, the Company charges off the associated allowance.  In determining the adequacy of the allowance, management’s estimates are based upon several factors, including analyses of inventory levels, historical loss trends, sales history and projections of future sales demand. The Company’s estimates of the allowance may change from time to time based on management’s assessments, and such changes could be material. At September 30, 2013, no allowance for obsolete inventory of the Company’s continuing operations was deemed necessary. At September 30, 2012, the allowance for obsolete inventory of the Company’s continuing operations was approximately $99,000.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of furniture, fixtures, and equipment and leasehold improvements and are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized, and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight-line method. The estimated useful life for furniture, fixtures and equipment ranges from three to ten years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded approximately $75,000 and $103,000 of depreciation and amortization expense from continuing operations, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for its income taxes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires, among other things, recognition of future tax benefits and liabilities measured at enacted rates attributable to temporary differences between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and to net tax operating loss carry-forwards to the extent that realization of these benefits is more likely than not. The Company periodically evaluates the realizability of its net deferred tax assets.  See Note 9 to these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s policy is to account for interest and penalties relating to income taxes, if any, in “income tax expense” in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and include accrued interest and penalties within the “accrued liabilities” in its consolidated balance sheets, if applicable. For fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, no income tax related interest or penalties were assessed or recorded.

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NOTE 2            ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

6% Senior Convertible Preferred Stock

Temporary Equity

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 480-10-s99 and Accounting Series Release (“ASR”) ASR 268, equity securities are required to be classified out of permanent equity and classified as temporary equity, as the redemption of the convertible preferred stock is not solely within the control of the Company since it is at the option of the holder.

Warrants

In accordance with ASC 815-40, the Company’s warrants have been classified as a liability, at fair value, as a result of a related registration rights agreement that contains certain requirements for registering the underlying common shares, but has no provision for penalties upon the failure to register. At each balance sheet date, this liability’s fair value will be re-measured and adjusted. The liability associated with the warrants is included in the “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” line item of the consolidated balance sheet.

Preferred Stock Accretion

The carrying amount of the convertible preferred stock is less than the redemption value. As a result of the Company’s determination that redemption is probable, the carrying value will be increased by periodic accretions so that the carrying value will equal the redemption amount at the earliest redemption date. Such accretion is recorded as a preferred stock dividend.

Preferred Stock Beneficial Conversion Feature

On the date of issuance, the fair value, or carrying amount, of the securities could be converted into common stock at a discount to the market price of the underlying common stock at the conversion date. Such embedded “beneficial conversion feature”, which is equal to the difference between the accounting conversion price and the fair value of the common stock, is analogous to a dividend and has been recorded as a return to preferred stockholders as of the date of issuance, which is the earliest possible conversion date.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generally recognizes revenue from product sales to its customers when: (1) title and risk of loss are transferred (in general, these conditions occur at either point of shipment or point of destination, depending on the terms of sale); (2) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (3) the Company has no continuing obligations to the customer; and (4) collection of the related accounts receivable is reasonably assured.

Shipping and Handling Costs

The Company classifies shipping and handling costs, including inbound and outbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs and other costs associated with the Company’s Asia-based distribution capability, as a component of cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign currency transactions may generate receivables or payables that are fixed in terms of the amount of foreign currency that will be received or paid. Fluctuations in exchange rates between such foreign currency and the functional currency increase or decrease the expected amount of functional currency cash flows upon settlement of the transaction. These increases or decreases in expected functional currency cash flows are foreign currency transaction gains or losses that are included in “other income (expense), net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The approximate net losses from foreign currency transactions for continuing operations was approximately $16,000 and $55,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Such foreign currency transaction losses were primarily the result of Euro denominated sales to certain customers.

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NOTE 2            ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is included as a component of shareholders’ equity, includes unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2012 and currency translation adjustments related to the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other accrued liabilities, the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The Company records its financial instruments that are accounted for under ASC 320, “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC 320”) at fair value. In addition, the Company records its warrant liability at fair value. The determination of fair value is based upon the fair value framework established by ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement”. ASC 820 provides that a fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the source of inputs as follows: (a) Level 1 – valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; (b) Level 2 – valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable; either directly or indirectly; and (c) Level 3 – valuations based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable, thus, reflecting assumptions about the market participants.

Share-Based Payment Expense

The Company recognizes share-based compensation in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss at the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation. The determination of grant-date fair value is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which includes variables such as the expected volatility of the Company’s share price, the exercise behavior of its grantees, interest rates, and dividend yields. These variables are projected based on the Company’s historical data, experience, and other factors. In the case of awards with multiple vesting periods, the Company has elected to use the graded vesting attribution method, which recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. Refer to Note 8 Share-Based Compensation. In addition, the Company recognizes share-based compensation to non-employees based upon the fair value, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, determined at the deemed measurement dates over the related contract service period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2013-02 “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. ASU 2013-02 is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those periods beginning after December 15, 2012. ASU 2013-02 will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (ASC Topic 740) - Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The objective is to end some inconsistent practices with regard to the presentation on the balance sheet of unrecognized tax benefits. The update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this standard beginning January 1, 2014. The Company does not expect these changes to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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NOTE 3              DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On June 21, 2012, the Company determined to exit its global Retail business and focus solely on growing its OEM business.  The decision to eliminate the Retail division was primarily driven by the longer than estimated path to bring it to profitability and the strong net sales growth and cost rationalizations in the OEM business. Accordingly, the results of operations for the Retail division have been recorded as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years presented. Summarized operating results of discontinued operations are presented in the following table:

Summarized assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are presented in the following table: