INTEST CORP - Quarter Report: 2015 September (Form 10-Q)

We are an independent designer, manufacturer and marketer of thermal, mechanical and electrical products that are primarily used by semiconductor manufacturers in conjunction with automatic test equipment ("ATE") in the testing of integrated circuits ("ICs" or "semiconductors"). In addition, in recent years we have begun marketing our thermal products in markets outside the ATE market, such as the automotive, consumer electronics, defense/aerospace, energy, industrial and telecommunications markets.

The consolidated entity is comprised of inTEST Corporation (parent) and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. We have three reportable segments which are also our reporting units: Thermal Products, Mechanical Products and Electrical Products. We manufacture our products in the U.S. Marketing and support activities are conducted worldwide from our facilities in the U.S., Germany and Singapore.

The semiconductor market in which we operate is characterized by rapid technological change, competitive pricing pressures and cyclical as well as seasonal market patterns. This market is subject to significant economic downturns at various times. Our financial results are affected by a wide variety of factors, including, but not limited to, general economic conditions worldwide and in the markets in which we operate, economic conditions specific to the semiconductor market and the other markets we serve, our ability to safeguard patented technology and intellectual property in a rapidly evolving market, downward pricing pressures from customers, and our reliance on a relatively few number of customers for a significant portion of our sales. In addition, we are exposed to the risk of obsolescence of our inventory depending on the mix of future business and technological changes within the markets that we serve. As a result of these or other factors, we may experience significant period-to-period fluctuations in future operating results.

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain of our accounts, including inventories, long-lived assets, goodwill, identifiable intangibles and deferred tax assets and liabilities including related valuation allowances, are particularly impacted by estimates.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and changes in cash flows for the interim periods presented. Certain footnote information has been condensed or omitted from these consolidated financial statements. Therefore, these consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2015 (the "2014 Form 10-K").

Reclassification

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to be comparable with the current period's presentation.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at cost on a first-in, first-out basis, not in excess of market value. Cash flows from the sale of inventories are recorded in operating cash flows. On a quarterly basis, we review our inventories and record excess and obsolete inventory charges based upon our established objective excess and obsolete inventory criteria. These criteria identify material that has not been used in a work order during the prior twelve months and the quantity of material on hand that is greater than the average annual usage of that material over the prior three years. In certain cases, additional excess and obsolete inventory charges are recorded based upon current market conditions, anticipated product life cycles, new product introductions and expected future use of the inventory. The excess and obsolete inventory charges we record establish a new cost basis for the related inventories. We incurred excess and obsolete inventory charges of $232 in each of the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets

We account for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350 (Intangibles- Goodwill and Other). Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful economic life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter, on a reporting unit basis, or more frequently when events and circumstances occur indicating that the recorded goodwill may be impaired. As a part of the goodwill impairment assessment, we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine this is the case, we are required to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized. The two-step test is discussed below. If we determine that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amounts, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required.

If we determine it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a result of our qualitative assessment, we will perform a quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test. In the Step I test, the fair value of a reporting unit is computed and compared with its book value. If the book value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a Step II test is performed in which the implied fair value of goodwill is compared with the carrying amount of goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recorded in an amount equal to that excess. The two-step goodwill impairment assessment is based upon a combination of the income approach, which estimates the fair value of our reporting units based upon a discounted cash flow approach, and the market approach which estimates the fair value of our reporting units based upon comparable market multiples. This fair value is then reconciled to our market capitalization at year end with an appropriate control premium. The determination of the fair value of our reporting units requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions including the selection of appropriate peer group companies, control premiums, discount rate, terminal growth rates, forecasts of revenue and expense growth rates, changes in working capital, depreciation, amortization and capital expenditures. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting unit or the amount of the goodwill impairment charge.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. As a part of the impairment assessment, we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If, as a result of our qualitative assessment, we determine that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required. The quantitative impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Long-lived assets, which consist of finite-lived intangible assets and property and equipment, are assessed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based on a comparison of the estimated undiscounted cash flows to the recorded value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value which is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis. The cash flow estimates used to determine the impairment, if any, contain management's best estimates using appropriate assumptions and projections at that time.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718 (Compensation - Stock Compensation) which requires that employee share-based equity awards be accounted for under the fair value method and requires the use of an option pricing model for estimating fair value of stock options granted, which is then amortized to expense over the service periods. See further disclosures related to our stock-based compensation plan in Note 7.

Subsequent Events

We have made an assessment of our operations and determined that there were no material subsequent events requiring adjustment to, or disclosure in, our consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, other than the authorization by our Board of Directors of a stock repurchase plan (the "2015 Repurchase Plan") on October 27, 2015, as discussed further in Note 10.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. Sales of our products are made through our sales employees, third-party sales representatives and distributors. There are no differences in revenue recognition policies based on the sales channel. We do not provide our customers with rights of return or exchanges. Revenue is generally recognized upon product shipment. Our customers' purchase orders do not typically contain any customer-specific acceptance criteria, other than that the product performs within the agreed upon specifications. We test all products manufactured as part of our quality assurance process to determine that they comply with specifications prior to shipment to a customer. To the extent that any customer purchase order contains customer-specific acceptance criteria, revenue recognition is deferred until customer acceptance.

In addition, in our Thermal Products and Mechanical Products segments, we lease certain of our equipment to customers under non-cancellable operating leases. These leases generally have an initial term of six months. We recognize revenue for these leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

With respect to sales tax collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities, we use a net presentation in our consolidated statement of operations. As a result, there are no amounts included in either our net revenues or cost of revenues related to sales tax.

Product Warranties

We generally provide product warranties and record estimated warranty expense at the time of sale based upon historical claims experience. Warranty expense is included in selling expense in the consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes

The asset and liability method is used in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax

assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized.

Net Earnings Per Common Share

Net earnings per common share - basic is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Net earnings per common share - diluted is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during each period. Common share equivalents include unvested shares of restricted stock and are calculated using the treasury stock method. Common share equivalents are excluded from the calculation if their effect is anti-dilutive.

The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of weighted average common shares outstanding - basic to weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted and the average number of potentially dilutive securities that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect was anti-dilutive:

Goodwill and intangible assets on our balance sheets are the result of our acquisitions of Sigma Systems Corp. ("Sigma") in October 2008 and Thermonics, Inc. ("Thermonics"), a division of Test Enterprises, Inc. in January 2012.

Goodwill

All of our goodwill is allocated to our Thermal Products segment. There was no change in the amount of the carrying value of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Intangible Assets

The following tables provide further detail about our intangible assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, Hakuto Co., Ltd., one of our distributors, accounted for 13% and 11% of our consolidated net revenues, respectively. These revenues were generated by our Thermal Products segment. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, Texas Instruments Incorporated accounted for 11% of our consolidated net revenues. While all three of our operating segments sold products to this customer, these revenues were primarily generated by our Mechanical Products and our Electrical Products segments. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated net revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

Inventories held at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were comprised of the following:

Letters of Credit

We have issued letters of credit as the security deposits for certain of our domestic leases. These letters of credit are secured by pledged certificates of deposit which are classified as restricted certificates of deposit on our balance sheets. The terms of our leases require us to renew these letters of credit at least 30 days prior to their expiration dates for successive terms of not less than one year until lease expiration. The terms of our leases also allow us to request a reduction in the amount of these letters of credit at certain points during the lease term if there have been no events of default. As of September 30, 2015, there have been no events of default. Our outstanding letters of credit at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

As of September 30, 2015, we have unvested restricted stock awards granted under stock-based employee compensation plans that are described more fully in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K. We did not grant any stock options during 2015 or 2014.

We record compensation expense for restricted stock awards (unvested shares) based on the quoted market price of our stock at the grant date and amortize the expense over the vesting period. Restricted stock awards generally vest over four years. As of September 30, 2015, total compensation expense to be recognized in future periods was $235. The weighted average period over which this expense is expected to be recognized is 2.0 years. The following table shows the allocation of the compensation expense we recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to unvested shares:

We have a defined contribution 401(k) plan for our employees who work in the U.S. All permanent employees of inTEST Corporation, Temptronic Corporation and inTEST Silicon Valley Corporation who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to participate in the plan. We match employee contributions dollar for dollar up to 10% of the employee's annual compensation, with a maximum limit of $5. Employer contributions vest ratably over four years. Matching contributions are discretionary. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded $297 and $280 of expense for matching contributions, respectively.

We have three reportable segments, which are also our reporting units: Thermal Products, Mechanical Products and Electrical Products.

The Thermal Products segment includes the operations of Temptronic Corporation, Thermonics, Sigma, inTEST Thermal Solutions GmbH (Germany), and inTEST Pte, Limited (Singapore). Sales of this segment consist primarily of temperature management systems which we design, manufacture and market under our Temptronic, Thermonics and Sigma product lines. In addition, this segment provides post warranty service and support.

The Mechanical Products segment includes the operations of our Mt. Laurel, New Jersey manufacturing facility. Sales of our Mechanical Products segment consist primarily of manipulator and docking hardware products, which we design, manufacture and market. In addition, this segment provides post warranty service and support.

The Electrical Products segment includes the operations of inTEST Silicon Valley Corporation. Sales of this segment consist primarily of tester interface products which we design, manufacture and market.

We operate our business worldwide, and all three segments sell their products both domestically and internationally. All three segments sell to semiconductor manufacturers, third-party test and assembly houses and ATE manufacturers. Our Thermal Products segment also sells into a variety of markets outside of the ATE market, including the automotive, consumer electronics, defense/aerospace, energy, industrial and telecommunications markets. Intercompany pricing between segments is either a multiple of cost for component parts or list price for finished goods.

The following table provides information about our geographic areas of operation. Net revenues from unaffiliated customers are based on the location to which the goods are shipped.

On October 27, 2015 our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5,000 of our common stock from time to time on the open market, in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or in privately negotiated transactions pursuant to a newly authorized stock repurchase plan. Repurchases may also be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan to be entered into with RW Baird & Co, which would permit shares to be repurchased when we might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased under the 2015 Repurchase Plan will be determined by our management, based on our evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The 2015 Repurchase Plan does not obligate us to purchase any particular amount of common stock and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The 2015 Repurchase Plan will be funded using our operating cash flow or available cash.

Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains statements relating to possible future events and results that are considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can often be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "may," "will," "should" or "anticipates" or similar terminology. See Part I, Item 1 - "Business - Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in our 2014 Form 10-K for examples of statements made in this report which may be "forward-looking statements." These statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on various assumptions. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, investors and prospective investors are cautioned that such statements are only projections, and there cannot be any assurance that these events or results will occur.

Information about the primary risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from our historic results or the results described in the forward-looking statements made in this report or presented elsewhere by Management from time to time are included in Part I, Item 1A - "Risk Factors" in our 2014 Form 10-K. Material changes to such risk factors may be reported in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q in Part II, Item 1A. There have been no such changes from the risk factors set forth in our 2014 Form 10-K, except as detailed in Part II, Item 1A of this Report.

Overview

This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Our business and results of operations are substantially dependent upon the demand for ATE by semiconductor manufacturers and companies that specialize in the testing of ICs. Demand for ATE is driven by semiconductor manufacturers that are opening new, or expanding existing, semiconductor fabrication facilities or upgrading existing equipment, which in turn is dependent upon the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors and products incorporating semiconductors. Such market demand can be the result of market expansion, development of new technologies or redesigned products to incorporate new features, or the replacement of aging equipment. In addition, we continue to focus on design improvements and new approaches for our own products which contribute to our net revenues as our customers adopt these new products.

In the past, the semiconductor industry has been highly cyclical with recurring periods of oversupply, which often have a severe impact on the semiconductor industry's demand for ATE, including the products we manufacture. This can cause wide fluctuations in both our orders and net revenues and, depending on our ability to react quickly to these shifts in demand, can significantly impact our results of operations. ATE market cycles are difficult to predict and in recent years have become more volatile and, in certain cases, shorter in duration. Because the market cycles are generally characterized by sequential periods of growth or declines in orders and net revenues during each cycle, year over year comparisons of operating results may not always be as meaningful as comparisons of periods at similar points in either up or down cycles. In addition, during both downward and upward cycles in our industry, in any given quarter, the trend in both our orders and net revenues can be erratic. This can occur, for example, when orders are canceled or currently scheduled delivery dates are accelerated or postponed by a significant customer or when customer forecasts and general business conditions fluctuate during a quarter. In addition to being cyclical, the ATE market has also developed a seasonal pattern in the last several years, with the second and third quarters being the periods of strong demand and the first and fourth quarters being periods of weakened demand. We believe this change has been driven by the strong demand for consumer products containing semiconductor content sold during the year-end holiday shopping season.

As part of our strategy to reduce the impact of ATE market volatility on our business operations, in 2009, we began to diversify our served markets to address the thermal test requirements of several other markets outside the ATE market. These include the automotive, consumer electronics, defense/aerospace, energy, industrial and telecommunications markets. We believe that these markets usually are less cyclical than the ATE market. However, because we are a relatively new market entrant in these markets, we have not yet developed meaningful market shares in these non-ATE markets. Consequently, we are continuing to evaluate customer buying patterns and market trends in these non-ATE markets.

In addition, our orders and net revenues in any given period in these markets do not necessarily reflect the overall trends in these non-ATE markets due to our limited market shares. The level of our orders and net revenues from these non-ATE markets has varied in the past, and we expect will vary significantly in the future, as we work to build our presence in these markets and establish new markets for our products.

While the majority of our orders and net revenues are derived from the ATE market, our operating results do not always follow the overall trend in the ATE market in any given period. We believe that these anomalies may be driven by a variety of factors within the ATE market, including, for example, changing product requirements, longer time periods between new product offerings by OEMs and changes in customer buying patterns. In particular, demand for our mechanical and electrical products, which are sold exclusively within the ATE market, and our operating margins in these product segments have been affected by shifts in the competitive landscape, including (i) customers placing heightened emphasis on shorter lead times (which places increased demands on our available engineering and production capacity increasing unit costs) and ordering in smaller quantities (which prevents us from acquiring component materials in larger volumes at lower cost and increasing unit costs), (ii) the practice of OEM manufacturers to specify other suppliers as primary vendors, with less frequent opportunities to compete for such designations, as well as to manufacture in-house certain products we have historically sold to them, including manipulators and docking hardware, (iii) the role of third-party test and assembly houses in the ATE market and their requirement of products with a greater range of use at the lowest cost, (iv) customer supply chain management groups demanding lower prices and spreading purchases across multiple vendors, and (v) certain competitors aggressively reducing their products' sales prices (causing us to either reduce our products' sales price to be successful in obtaining the sale or causing loss of the sale).

In addition, in recent periods we have seen instances where demand for ATE is not consistent for each of our product segments or for any given product within a particular product segment. This inconsistency in demand for ATE can be driven by a number of factors, but in most cases we have found the primary reason is unique customer-specific changes in demand for certain products driven by the needs of their customers or markets served. These shifts in market practices and customer-specific needs have had, and may continue to have, varying levels of impact on our operating results and are difficult to quantify or predict from period to period. Management has taken, and will continue to take, such actions it deems appropriate to adjust our strategies, products and operations to counter such shifts in market practices as they become evident.

Orders and Backlog

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a breakdown of the orders received by product segment and market.

Product/Customer Mix

Our three product segments each have multiple products that we design, manufacture and market to our customers. Due to a number of factors, our products have varying levels of gross margin. The mix of products we sell in any period is ultimately determined by our customers' needs. Therefore, the mix of products sold in any given period can change significantly from the prior period. As a result, our consolidated gross margin can be significantly impacted in any given period by a change in the mix of products sold in that period.

We sell most of our products to semiconductor manufacturers and third-party test and assembly houses (end user sales) and to ATE manufacturers (OEM sales) who ultimately resell our equipment with theirs to both semiconductor manufacturers and third-party test and assembly houses. Our Thermal Products segment also sells into a variety of other markets including the automotive, consumer electronics, defense/aerospace, energy, industrial and telecommunications markets. The mix of customers during any given period will affect our gross margin due to differing sales discounts and commissions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, our OEM sales as a percentage of net revenues were 7% and 10%, respectively.

OEM sales generally have a lower gross margin than end user sales, as OEM sales historically have had a more significant discount. Our current net operating margins on most OEM sales, however, are only slightly less than margins on end user sales because of the payment of third party sales commissions on most end user sales. We have also continued to experience demands from our OEM customers' supply chain managers to reduce our sales prices to them. If we cannot further reduce our manufacturing and operating costs, these pricing pressures will negatively affect our gross and operating margins.

Results of Operations

The results of operations for our three product segments are generally affected by the same factors. Separate discussions and analyses for each product segment would be repetitive. The discussion and analysis that follows, therefore, is presented on a consolidated basis and includes discussion of factors unique to each product segment where significant to an understanding of that segment.

Quarter Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Quarter Ended September 30, 2014

Net Revenues. Net revenues were $9.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to $10.8 million for the same period in 2014, a decrease of $1.6 million or 15%. We believe the decrease in our net revenues during the third quarter of 2015 primarily reflects the factors previously discussed in the Overview.

Gross Margin. Our consolidated gross margin was 47% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to 48% for the same period in 2014. The decrease in our gross margin primarily reflects that our fixed operating costs were not as fully absorbed due to the lower net revenue levels in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. Although our fixed operating costs were relatively unchanged in absolute dollar terms in each of the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, as a percentage of net revenues, these costs increased from 14% in the third quarter of 2014 to 16% in the third quarter of 2015. This decrease in our gross margin was partially offset by a reduction in our component material costs as a percentage of net revenues, reflecting changes in product and customer mix.

Selling Expense. Selling expense was $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2014, a decrease of $92,000 or 6%. The decrease primarily reflects lower levels of commission expense in our Mechanical and Electrical Products segments as a result of the lower net revenue levels in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014.

Engineering and Product Development Expense. Engineering and product development expense was $1.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to $894,000 for the same period in 2014, an increase of $147,000 or 16%. The increase in engineering and product development expense primarily reflects higher salary and benefits expense for all of our products segments and increased spending on materials used in new product development in our Thermal Products segment. The higher salary and benefits expense reflects both an increase in headcount as well as annual salary increases for existing staff.

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense was $1.5 million in each of the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. There were no significant changes in any of the components of our general and administrative expense for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014.

Income Tax Expense. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, we recorded income tax expense of $97,000 compared to $431,000 for the same period in 2014. Our effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was 24% compared to an effective tax rate of 34% for the same period in 2014. On a quarterly basis, we record income tax expense or benefit based on the expected annualized effective tax rate for the various taxing jurisdictions in which we operate our businesses. The decrease in our effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 primarily reflects a reduction in the valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax assets of our German operation as that operation generates income sufficient to utilize these assets.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Net Revenues. Net revenues were $31.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $31.9 million for the same period in 2014, a decrease of $984,000 or 3%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the net revenues of our Thermal and Electrical Products segments increased $1.4 million and $714,000, respectively, while the net revenues of our Mechanical Products segment decreased $3.1 million, as compared to the same period in 2014. We believe the decrease in the net revenues of our Mechanical Products segment during the first nine months of 2015 reflects reduced demand from customers of this segment within the ATE market, as previously discussed in the Overview. While our Thermal and Electrical Products segments also experienced some slowing in demand from their customers within the ATE market more recently, the level of reduction was not as significant and did not result in an overall decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014.

Gross Margin. Our consolidated gross margin was 49% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 48% for the same period in 2014. The improvement in our gross margin was primarily a result of a reduction in our component material costs as a percentage of net revenues, reflecting changes in product and customer mix.

Selling Expense. Selling expense was $4.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2014 an increase of $131,000 or 3%. The increase primarily reflects an increase in commission expense in our Thermal and Electrical Products segments. To a lesser extent, there was also an increase in travel expense from our in-house sales personnel attending trade shows and visiting customers both internationally and domestically.

Engineering and Product Development Expense. Engineering and product development expense was $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $2.7 million for the same period in 2014 an increase of $326,000 or 12%. The increase in engineering and product development expense primarily reflects higher salary and benefits expense for all of our products segments and increased spending on materials used in new product development in our Thermal Products segment. The higher salary and benefits expense reflects both an increase in headcount as well as annual salary increases for existing staff.

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense was $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2014 an increase of $206,000 or 4%. The increase primarily reflects increased spending related to our strategic initiatives, including $329,000 for due diligence and transaction related costs associated with a potential acquisition that we decided not to pursue. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in board fees paid to our directors (due to a reduction in size of the board) and, to a lesser extent, lower levels of amortization related to our intangible assets.

Income Tax Expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded income tax expense of $909,000 compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2014. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 33% compared to 34% for the same period in 2014. On a quarterly basis, we record income tax expense or benefit based on the expected annualized effective tax rate for the various taxing jurisdictions in which we operate our businesses. The decrease in our effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 primarily reflects a reduction in the valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax assets of our German operation as that operation generates income sufficient to utilize these assets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As discussed more fully in the Overview, our business and results of operations are substantially dependent upon the demand for ATE by semiconductor manufacturers and companies that specialize in the testing of ICs. The cyclical and volatile nature of demand for ATE makes estimates of future revenues, results of operations and net cash flows difficult.

Our primary historical source of liquidity and capital resources has been cash flow generated by our operations and we manage our businesses to maximize operating cash flows as our primary source of liquidity. We use cash to fund growth in our operating assets, for new product research and development and for acquisitions.

Liquidity

Our cash and cash equivalents and working capital were as follows:

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to inventories, long-lived assets, goodwill, identifiable intangibles and deferred income tax valuation allowances. We base our estimates on historical experience and on appropriate and customary assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Some of these accounting estimates and assumptions are particularly sensitive because of their significance to our consolidated financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting them may differ markedly from what had been assumed when the financial statements were prepared. As of September 30, 2015, there have been no significant changes to the accounting policies that we have deemed critical. These policies are more fully described in our 2014 Form 10-K.

Off -Balance Sheet Arrangements

There were no off-balance sheet arrangements during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 that have or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to our interests.

This disclosure is not required for a smaller reporting company.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Because there are inherent limitations in all control systems, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, as opposed to absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Accordingly, our management has designed the disclosure controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of the control system were met.

CEO/CFO Conclusions about the Effectiveness of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As required by Rule 13a-15(b), inTEST management, including our CEO and CFO, conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Report, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the period covered by this Report, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this Report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

From time to time we may be a party to legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings.

Information regarding the primary risks and uncertainties that could materially and adversely affect our future performance or could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements, appears in Part I, Item 1A -- "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2015 (the "2014 Form 10-K"). Material changes to such risk factors since the filing of the 2014 Form 10-K are detailed below.

We may not be able to fully execute our share repurchase program.

In October 2015, our Board of Directors authorized our management to repurchase up to $5 million of our common stock commencing in November 2015.  We may not be able to purchase this amount of shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in compliance with applicable securities regulations.  Future share repurchases are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend, among other things, upon our earnings, capital requirements and financial condition. While we have authorized a share repurchase program, we are not required to repurchase the full dollar amount of shares authorized for repurchase and we may reduce or eliminate our share repurchase program in the future. The reduction or elimination of our share repurchase program, particularly if we do not repurchase the full dollar amount of shares authorized under the program, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

None

None

Not applicable.

None

A list of the Exhibits which are required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and filed with this Report is set forth in the Index to Exhibits immediately following the signature page, which Index to Exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.