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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A. - Quarter Report: 2010 December (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarter ended December 31, 2010

or

 

¨ 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: 0-29174

LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Canton of Vaud, Switzerland   None

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Logitech International S.A.

Apples, Switzerland

c/o Logitech Inc.

6505 Kaiser Drive

Fremont, California 94555

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(510) 795-8500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 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).    Yes  x    No  ¨

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.

 

 

Large accelerated filer x

  

Accelerated filer ¨

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) ¨                Smaller reporting company  ¨

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

As of February 3, 2011, there were 178,085,695 shares of the Registrant’s share capital outstanding.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

Part I

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)      3   

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      26   

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      46   

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures      49   

Part II

  OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings      50   

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors      50   

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      59   

Item 6.

  Exhibit Index      60   

Signatures

     61   

Exhibits

  

In this document, unless otherwise indicated, references to the “Company” or “Logitech” are to Logitech International S.A., its consolidated subsidiaries and predecessor entities. Unless otherwise specified, all references to U.S. dollar, dollar or $ are to the United States dollar, the legal currency of the United States of America. All references to CHF are to the Swiss franc, the legal currency of Switzerland.

Logitech, the Logitech logo, and the Logitech products referred to herein are either the trademarks or the registered trademarks of Logitech. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

   Financial Statement Description    Page
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

   4
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010

   5
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

   6
  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

   7
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   8

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  
     (Unaudited)  

Net sales

   $ 754,054       $ 617,101       $ 1,815,268       $ 1,441,304   

Cost of goods sold

     482,881         408,137         1,158,132         1,002,730   
                                   

Gross profit

     271,173         208,964         657,136         438,574   

Operating expenses:

           

Marketing and selling

     124,914         87,322         313,803         215,095   

Research and development

     38,955         32,931         118,271         96,116   

General and administrative

     31,264         30,284         86,044         75,204   

Restructuring charges

     -         -         -         1,494   
                                   

Total operating expenses

     195,133         150,537         518,118         387,909   

Operating income

     76,040         58,427         139,018         50,665   

Interest income, net

     539         414         1,695         1,645   

Other income, net

     795         3,052         797         2,416   
                                   

Income before income taxes

     77,374         61,893         141,510         54,726   

Provision for income taxes

     12,372         4,807         15,826         14,262   
                                   

Net income

   $ 65,002       $ 57,086       $ 125,684       $ 40,464   
                                   

Net income per share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.37       $ 0.33       $ 0.71       $ 0.23   

Diluted

   $ 0.36       $ 0.32       $ 0.70       $ 0.22   

Shares used to compute net income per share:

           

Basic

     177,233         175,426         176,329         177,829   

Diluted

     179,703         177,668         178,306         179,866   

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

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2010
 
     (Unaudited)         
ASSETS   

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 460,726       $ 319,944   

Accounts receivable

     336,098         195,247   

Inventories

     300,630         219,593   

Other current assets

     58,469         58,877   
                 

  Total current assets

     1,155,923         793,661   

Property, plant and equipment

     85,833         91,229   

Goodwill

     553,794         553,462   

Other intangible assets

     81,251         95,396   

Other assets

     71,212         65,930   
                 

  Total assets

   $ 1,948,013       $ 1,599,678   
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 386,485       $ 257,955   

Accrued liabilities

     213,170         182,336   
                 

  Total current liabilities

     599,655         440,291   

Other liabilities

     168,913         159,672   
                 

  Total liabilities

     768,568         599,963   
                 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Shareholders’ equity:

     

Shares, par value CHF 0.25 - 191,606 issued and authorized and 50,000 conditionally authorized at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010

     33,370         33,370   

Additional paid-in capital

     (11,186)         14,880   

Less shares in treasury at cost, 13,643 shares at December 31, 2010 and 16,435 shares at March 31, 2010

     (300,014)         (382,512)   

Retained earnings

     1,532,302         1,406,618   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (75,027)         (72,641)   
                 

  Total shareholders’ equity

     1,179,445         999,715   
                 

  Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,948,013       $ 1,599,678   
                 

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

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009  
     (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Net income

   $ 125,684       $ 40,464   

Non-cash items included in net income:

     

Depreciation

     35,665         41,852   

Amortization of other intangible assets

     21,165         7,602   

Share-based compensation expense

     23,976         17,249   

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

     (838)         -   

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

     (2,735)         (1,708)   

Gain on cash surrender value of life insurance policies

     (901)         (1,216)   

Deferred income taxes and other

     (1,856)         (23,414)   

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

     

Accounts receivable

     (132,480)         (22,470)   

Inventories

     (82,636)         19,405   

Other assets

     5,145         12,314   

Accounts payable

     128,586         151,042   

Accrued liabilities

     34,453         58,230   
                 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     153,228         299,350   
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

     

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (31,835)         (26,438)   

Purchases of trading investments

     (12,554)         -   

Proceeds from cash surrender of life insurance policies

     11,313         813   

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (7,300)         (388,807)   

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     2,688         -   

Other, net

     194         -   
                 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (37,494)         (414,432)   
                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

     

Repayment of short- and long-term debt

     -         (13,601)   

Purchases of treasury shares

     -         (101,267)   

Proceeds from sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights

     28,336         15,979   

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

     2,735         1,708   
                 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     31,071         (97,181)   
                 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (6,023)         556   
                 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     140,782         (211,707)   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     319,944         492,759   
                 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 460,726       $ 281,052   
                 

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

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Registered shares     

Additional
paid-in

     Treasury shares     

Retained

    

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

        
     Shares      Amount      capital      Shares      Amount      earnings      loss      Total  

March 31, 2009

     191,606       $ 33,370       $ 45,012         12,124       $ (341,454)       $ 1,341,661       $ (80,881)       $ 997,708   

Net income

     -         -         -         -         -         40,464         -         40,464   

Cumulative translation adjustment

     -         -         -         -         -         -         7,519         7,519   

Pension liability adjustment

     -         -         -         -         -         -         347         347   

Net deferred hedging gain

     -         -         -         -         -         -         540         540   
                             

Total comprehensive income

                          48,870   
                             

Purchase of treasury shares

     -         -         -         5,838         (101,267)         -         -         (101,267)   

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     -         -         2,576         -         -         -         -         2,576   

Sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights

     -         -         (38,909)         (1,981)         54,888         -         -         15,979   

Share-based compensation expense

     -         -         17,303         -         -         -         -         17,303   
                                                                       

December 31, 2009

     191,606       $ 33,370       $ 25,982         15,981       $ (387,833)       $ 1,382,125       $ (72,475)       $ 981,169   
                                                                       

March 31, 2010

     191,606       $ 33,370       $ 14,880         16,435       $ (382,512)       $ 1,406,618       $ (72,641)       $ 999,715   

Net income

     -         -         -         -         -         125,684         -         125,684   

Cumulative translation adjustment

     -         -         -         -         -         -         2,496         2,496   

Pension liability adjustment

     -         -         -         -         -         -         (969)         (969)   

Net deferred hedging loss

     -         -         -         -         -         -         (3,913)         (3,913)   
                             

Total comprehensive income

                          123,298   
                             

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     -         -         3,835         -         -         -         -         3,835   

Sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights

     -         -         (54,162)         (2,792)         82,498         -         -         28,336   

Share-based compensation expense

     -         -         24,261         -         -         -         -         24,261   
                                                                       

December 31, 2010

     191,606       $ 33,370       $ (11,186)         13,643       $ (300,014)       $ 1,532,302       $ (75,027)       $ 1,179,445   
                                                                       

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

 

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LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1 — The Company

Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to digital experiences. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, we develop and market innovative hardware and software products that enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. We have two operating segments, peripherals and video conferencing.

For the PC (personal computer), our products include mice, trackballs, keyboards, interactive gaming controllers, multimedia speakers, headsets, webcams, 3D control devices and lapdesks. Our Internet communications products include webcams, headsets, video communications services, and digital video security systems for a home or small business. Our LifeSize division offers scalable HD (high-definition) video communication products, support and services. Our digital music products include speakers, earphones, and custom in-ear monitors. For home entertainment systems, we offer the Harmony line of advanced remote controls, Squeezebox wireless music solutions and, in the United States, a line of Logitech products for the Google TV platform, including the Logitech Revue companion box, Logitech Mini-Controller and Logitech TV Cam with HD Vid service. For gaming consoles, we offer a range of gaming controllers and microphones, as well as other accessories.

We sell our peripheral products to a network of retail distributors and resellers and to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). Our worldwide retail network for our peripherals includes wholesale distributors, consumer electronics retailers, mass merchandisers, specialty electronics stores, computer and telecommunications stores, value-added resellers and online merchants. The large majority of our revenues have historically been derived from sales of our peripheral products for use by consumers.

We sell our LifeSize video communication products and services to distributors, value-added resellers, OEMs and direct enterprise customers. The large majority of LifeSize revenues have historically been derived from sales to large enterprises, small-to-medium businesses, and public healthcare, education and government organizations.

Logitech was founded in Switzerland in 1981, and Logitech International S.A. has been the parent holding company of Logitech since 1988. Logitech International S.A. is a Swiss holding company with its registered office in Apples, Switzerland, which conducts its business through subsidiaries in the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and Asia Pacific. Shares of Logitech International S.A. are listed on both the Nasdaq Global Select Market, under the trading symbol LOGI, and the SIX Swiss Exchange, under the trading symbol LOGN.

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Logitech and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP (accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America) for interim financial information and therefore do not include all the information required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. They should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Net income for the nine months ended December 31, 2009 includes $2.2 million in pretax charges related to restructuring accruals, bonus accruals and revenue-related adjustments from fiscal year 2009. We reviewed the accounting errors utilizing SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, Materiality and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Effects of Prior Year Misstatements on Current Year Financial Statements, and determined the impact of the errors to be immaterial to the current and prior quarterly and annual periods.

Certain prior year financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no impact on previously reported net income or loss.

In the opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Operating results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 2011 or any future periods.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on March 31. Interim quarters are thirteen-week periods, each ending on a Friday. For purposes of presentation, the Company has indicated its quarterly periods as ending on the month end.

Changes in Significant Accounting Policies

Logitech elected to early adopt ASU (Accounting Standards Update) 2009-13, Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, and ASU 2009-14, Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements, during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 on a retrospective basis for transactions originating or materially modified after April 1, 2010. ASU 2009-13 allows the use of ESP (estimated selling price) in addition to VSOE (vendor specific objective evidence) and TPE (third party evidence) for determining the relative selling price of a deliverable in a multiple element arrangement. ASU 2009-13 also requires the allocation of arrangement consideration to each deliverable based on the relative selling price. ASU 2009-14 excludes software-enabled tangible products from the scope of software revenue recognition guidance if the software is essential to the tangible product’s functionality. In addition, ASU 2009-14 provides factors that a company should consider in determining whether a tangible product is delivered with software components and non-software components that function together to deliver the tangible product’s essential functionality. Adoption of the new accounting guidance primarily impacted the revenue recognized from Logitech Revue and our LifeSize video conferencing products. The adoption had no impact on revenue recognized from the remainder of our peripherals, as they are not multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements.

The sale of Logitech Revue consists of two deliverables: the hardware with essential software delivered at the time of sale, and unspecified additional software upgrades to the essential software on a when-and-if-available basis. Logitech allocates arrangement consideration to each of these deliverables using a selling price hierarchy. Under the new accounting guidance, the selling price is based on VSOE of fair value, if available, TPE if VSOE is not available, or ESP if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. The relative selling price of the hardware with the essential software is based on ESP. The relative selling price of future upgrades to the essential software is based on TPE. Amounts allocated to the delivered hardware and essential software are recognized at the time of sale provided the other conditions for revenue recognition have been met. Amounts allocated to the future unspecified software upgrade rights are deferred and recognized ratably over the estimated 24-month life of the hardware. There was no impact to prior period financial statements from adopting the new accounting guidance as it relates to Logitech Revue, because there were no sales of the Logitech Revue prior to adoption of the guidance.

Based on the new accounting guidance, our LifeSize products include the following deliverables:

 

   

Hardware with software essential to the functionality of the hardware device delivered at the time of sale;

   

Non-essential software;

 

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Maintenance for essential and non essential software including future, when-and-if-available unspecified upgrades; and

   

Other services including training and installation

The Company allocates arrangement consideration based on relative selling price using the selling price hierarchy for the deliverables, which are grouped into non-software deliverables and software deliverables, based on relative selling price. The Company did not have VSOE or TPE for hardware with essential software and non-essential software, due to variable discounting, and therefore uses ESP. Amounts allocated to the delivered hardware with essential software (non-software deliverables) as well as non-essential software (software deliverables) are recognized at the time of sale provided the other conditions for revenue recognition have been met. The Company sells maintenance packages and amounts allocated to the maintenance are deferred and recognized ratably over the maintenance period. All other services are sold separately on a standalone basis and therefore have established VSOE. Amounts allocated to the services are deferred and recognized upon completion of services. Prior to the adoption of the new accounting guidance, the Company had established VSOE for the majority of the undelivered elements, which continues to be used as the relative selling price under the new accounting guidance. The impact of adopting the new accounting guidance was not material to prior interim period financial statements or earnings per share.

There have been no substantial changes, other than those related to the adoption of ASU 2009-13 and ASU 2009-14, in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the Company in the future, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued ASU 2010-28, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts. For reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts, if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, ASU 2010-28 requires performance of an additional test to determine whether goodwill has been impaired and to calculate the amount of impairment. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2010. Logitech will adopt ASU 2009-28 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012. The impact of adopting ASU 2010-28 will not be known until the Company performs its evaluations of goodwill impairment.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations. ASU 2010-29 specifies that, for material business combinations when comparative financial statements are presented, revenue and earnings of the combined entity should be disclosed as though the business combination had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. ASU 2010-09 also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. ASU 2010-09 is effective prospectively for business combinations with an acquisition date on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period after December 15, 2010. We will adopt this standard for acquisitions beginning in fiscal year 2012.

 

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Note 3 — Net Income per Share

The computations of basic and diluted net income per share for the Company were as follows (in thousands except per share amounts):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Net income

   $ 65,002       $ 57,086       $ 125,684       $ 40,464   

Weighted average shares - basic

     177,233         175,426         176,329         177,829   

Effect of potentially dilutive share equivalents

     2,470         2,242         1,977         2,037   
                                   

Weighted average shares - diluted

     179,703         177,668         178,306         179,866   
                                   

Net income per share - basic

   $ 0.37       $ 0.33       $ 0.71       $ 0.23   

Net income per share - diluted

   $ 0.36       $ 0.32       $ 0.70       $ 0.22   

Employee equity share options, non-vested shares and similar share-based compensation awards granted by the Company are treated as potential shares in computing diluted net income per share. Diluted shares outstanding include the dilutive effect of in-the-money share-based awards which is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount that the employee must pay for exercising share-based awards, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax impact that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the award becomes deductible are assumed to be used to repurchase shares.

Share equivalents attributable to outstanding stock options and RSUs (restricted stock units) of 11,687,238 and 12,677,929 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, and 14,391,548 and 13,277,283 for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because the combined exercise price, average unamortized fair value and assumed tax benefits upon exercise of these options and RSUs were greater than the average market price of the Company’s shares, and therefore their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Note 4 — Fair Value Measurements

The Company considers fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company utilizes the following three-level fair value hierarchy to establish the priorities of the inputs used to measure fair value:

 

   

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

 

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The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis, classified by the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2010      March 31, 2010  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 460,726       $ -       $ -       $ 319,944       $ -       $ -   

Trading investments

     12,179         -         -         -         -         -   

Investment securities

     -         -         994         -         -         994   

Foreign exchange derivative assets

     109         -         -         599         -         -   
                                                     

Total assets at fair value

   $ 473,014       $ -       $ 994       $ 320,543       $ -       $ 994   
                                                     

Foreign exchange derivative liabilities

   $ 738       $ -       $ -       $ 366       $ -       $ -   
                                                     

Total liabilities at fair value

   $ 738       $ -       $ -       $ 366       $ -       $ -   
                                                     

Notes 5, 12 and 14 describe the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and the inputs and valuation techniques used to determine fair value.

Note 5 — Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investment Securities

Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank demand deposits and time deposits. The time deposits have original terms of less than 40 days. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which is equivalent to fair value.

One of the Company’s subsidiaries offers a management deferred compensation plan in which participating employees’ salary and incentive compensation deferrals were invested in Company-owned life insurance contracts held in a Rabbi Trust. In December 2010, the Company surrendered the life insurance contracts for cash. The proceeds from the life insurance contracts were invested in a Company-selected portfolio of mutual funds held by the Rabbi Trust. The mutual fund investments are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices in each reporting period and therefore the carrying value of these investments equals their fair value. Quoted market prices are observable inputs that are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Since plan participants may select the mutual funds in which their compensation deferrals are invested, and may actively trade funds within the confines of the Rabbi Trust, the Company has designated these securities as trading investments. Management has classified the investments as non-current assets because final sale of the investments or realization of proceeds by plan participants is not expected within the Company’s normal operating cycle of one year.

The Company’s investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010 consisted of auction rate securities collateralized by residential and commercial mortgages. The investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried in non-current assets. The estimated fair value of the securities was determined by estimating future cash flows, either through discounted cash flow or option pricing methods, incorporating assumptions of default and other future conditions. Such valuation methods fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. At December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, the carrying value of our investment securities portfolio was $1.0 million and the par value was $47.5 million.

Note 6 — Acquisitions

On July 6, 2010, Logitech acquired substantially all of the assets and employees of Paradial AS, a Norwegian company providing firewall and NAT (network address translation) traversal solutions for video communications. The acquisition will allow the Company to closely integrate firewall and NAT traversal across its video communications product portfolio, enabling end-to-end HD video calling over highly protected networks. The acquisition has been treated as an acquisition of a business and has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The total consideration paid of $7.3 million was allocated based on estimated fair values to $7.0 million of identifiable intangible assets and $0.1 million of assumed liabilities, with the remaining balance allocated to goodwill. The intangible assets acquired are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of five years. The goodwill associated with the acquisition is not subject to amortization and is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

 

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Note 7 — Balance Sheet Components

The following provides a breakout of certain balance sheet components (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2010
 

Accounts receivable:

     

Accounts receivable

   $ 525,095       $ 349,722   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (3,702)         (5,870)   

Allowance for returns

     (26,965)         (23,657)   

Cooperative marketing arrangements

     (32,740)         (17,527)   

Customer incentive programs

     (58,859)         (44,306)   

Pricing programs

     (66,731)         (63,115)   
                 
   $ 336,098       $ 195,247   
                 

Inventories:

     

Raw materials

   $ 32,003       $ 31,630   

Work-in-process

     13         86   

Finished goods

     268,614         187,877   
                 
   $ 300,630       $ 219,593   
                 

Other current assets:

     

Tax and VAT refund receivables

   $ 17,098       $ 20,305   

Deferred taxes

     26,358         27,064   

Prepaid expenses and other

     15,013         11,508   
                 
   $ 58,469       $ 58,877   
                 

Property, plant and equipment:

     

Plant and buildings

   $ 52,086       $ 58,629   

Equipment

     134,084         112,454   

Computer equipment

     60,519         53,576   

Computer software

     82,225         78,156   
                 
     328,914         302,815   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (250,191)         (224,485)   
                 
     78,723         78,330   

Construction-in-progress

     4,239         9,751   

Land

     2,871         3,148   
                 
   $ 85,833       $ 91,229   
                 

Other assets:

     

Deferred taxes

   $ 49,468       $ 45,257   

Cash surrender value of life insurance contracts

     -         11,097   

Trading investments

     12,179         -   

Deposits and other

     9,565         9,576   
                 
   $ 71,212       $ 65,930   
                 

Accrued liabilities:

     

Accrued personnel expenses

   $ 58,376       $ 48,617   

Accrued marketing expenses

     42,886         28,052   

Accrued freight and duty

     17,696         12,696   

Income taxes payable - current

     6,165         8,875   

Non-retirement post-employment benefit obligations

     3,298         2,761   

Accrued restructuring

     26         399   

Other accrued liabilities

     84,723         80,936   
                 
   $ 213,170       $ 182,336   
                 

Long-term liabilities:

     

Income taxes payable - non-current

   $ 121,165       $ 116,456   

Obligation for management deferred compensation

     12,268         10,307   

Defined benefit pension plan liability

     21,402         19,343   

Other long-term liabilities

     14,078         13,566   
                 
   $ 168,913       $ 159,672   
                 

 

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The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2010      2009  

Balance as of March 31

   $ 5,870        $ 6,705    

Bad debt expense

     422          (1,194)   

Write-offs net of recoveries

     (597)         446    
                 

Balance as of June 30

   $ 5,695        $ 5,957    

Bad debt expense

     (140)         599    

Write-offs net of recoveries

     (1,621)         (158)   
                 

Balance as of September 30

   $ 3,934        $ 6,398    

Bad debt expense

             505    

Write-offs net of recoveries

     (233)         (215)   
                 

Balance as of December 31

   $ 3,702        $ 6,688    
                 

Note 8 —Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s goodwill account during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2010
 

Balance as of March 31, 2010

   $ 553,462   

Additions

     332   
        

Balance as of December 31, 2010

   $ 553,794   
        

Additions to goodwill relate to our acquisition of Paradial. Paradial’s business has been fully integrated into the Company’s LifeSize division, and discrete financial information for Paradial is not maintained. Accordingly, the acquired goodwill related to Paradial will be evaluated for impairment at the LifeSize reporting unit level. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test during its fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if certain events or circumstances warrant. No events or circumstances occurred during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 which warranted a goodwill impairment test.

The Company’s acquired other intangible assets subject to amortization were as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2010      March 31, 2010  
     Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net Carrying
Amount
     Gross Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net Carrying
Amount
 

Trademark/tradename

   $ 32,148       $ (22,642)       $ 9,506       $ 32,051       $ (20,421)       $ 11,630   

Technology

     94,968         (48,485)         46,483         87,968         (36,033)         51,935   

Customer contracts

     38,538         (13,276)         25,262         38,517         (6,686)         31,831   
                                                     
   $ 165,654       $ (84,403)       $ 81,251       $ 158,536       $ (63,140)       $ 95,396   
                                                     

During the nine months ended December 31, 2010, changes in the gross carrying value of other intangible assets related primarily to our acquisition of Paradial.

 

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For the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, amortization expense for other intangible assets was $7.2 million and $3.0 million. For the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, amortization expense for other intangible assets was $21.2 million and $7.6 million. The Company expects that amortization expense for the three-month period ending March 31, 2011 will be $7.4 million, and annual amortization expense for fiscal years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 will be $26.1 million, $23.0 million, $16.9 million and $7.5 million, and $0.4 million thereafter.

Note 9 — Financing Arrangements

The Company had several uncommitted, unsecured bank lines of credit aggregating $114.9 million at December 31, 2010. There are no financial covenants under these lines of credit with which the Company must comply. At December 31, 2010, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under these lines of credit.

Note 10 — Shareholders’ Equity

Share Repurchases

During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had the following approved share buyback programs in place (in thousands):

 

      Date of      

Announcement

   Approved
Buyback
Amount
     Expiration Date      Completion
Date
     Amount
Remaining
 

June 2007

   $ 250,000         September 2010         March 2010       $ -   

September 2008

   $ 250,000         September 2012               -       $ 250,000   

The Company did not repurchase any shares during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009, the Company repurchased shares under the June 2007 share buyback program as follows (in thousands):

 

      Date of      

Announcement

   Three months ended
December 31, 2009
     Nine months ended
December 31, 2009
 
   Shares      Amount (1)      Shares      Amount (1)  

June 2007

     -         $ -           5,838       $ 101,267   

 

(1)

Represents the amount in U.S. dollars, calculated based on exchange rates on the repurchase dates.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2010
 

Cumulative translation adjustment

   $ (61,152)       $ (63,646)   

Pension liability adjustments, net of tax of $792 and $936

     (11,782)         (10,813)   

Unrealized gain on investments

     424          424    

Net deferred hedging gains (losses)

     (2,517)         1,394    
                 
   $ (75,027)       $ (72,641)   
                 

 

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Note 11 — Restructuring

In January 2009, Logitech initiated the 2009 Restructuring Plan in order to reduce operating expenses and improve financial results in response to deteriorating global economic conditions. We completed the restructuring plan in fiscal year 2010. The following table summarizes restructuring related activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Total      Termination
Benefits
     Contract
Termination
Costs
     Other  

Balance at March 31, 2009

   $ 3,794       $ 3,779       $ 15       $ -   

Charges

     1,449         1,366         83         -   

Cash payments

     (4,245)         (4,220)         (25)         -   

Other

     (8)         (4)         (4)         -   

Foreign exchange

     91         91         -         -   
                                   

Balance at June 30, 2009

   $ 1,081       $ 1,012       $ 69       $ -   
                                   

Charges

     45         (22)         9         58   

Cash payments

     (718)         (698)         (20)         -   

Other

     (4)         63         -         (67)   

Foreign exchange

     19         19         -         -   
                                   

Balance at September 30, 2009

     423         374         58         (9)   
                                   

Cash payments

     (200)         (180)         (20)         -   

Other

     (6)         (6)         -         -   

Foreign exchange

     (7)         (4)         -         (3)   
                                   

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 210       $ 184       $ 38       $ (12)   
                                   

Balance at March 31, 2010

   $ 399       $ 158       $ 334       $ (93)   

Cash payments

     (168)         -         (168)         -   

Other

     (74)         (149)         -         75   

Foreign exchange

     (3)         -         -         (3)   
                                   

Balance at June 30, 2010

   $ 154       $ 9       $ 166       $ (21)   
                                   

Cash payments

     (73)         -         (73)         -   
                                   

Balance at September 30, 2010

     81         9         93         (21)   
                                   

Cash payments

     (55)         (9)         (67)         21   
                                   

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 26       $ -       $ 26       $ -   
                                   

Termination benefits incurred pursuant to the restructuring plan are calculated based on regional benefit practices and local statutory requirements. Contract termination costs relate to exit costs associated with the closure of existing facilities.

Note 12 — Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Share Purchase Plans and Stock Incentive Plans

As of December 31, 2010, the Company offers the 2006 ESPP (2006 Employee Share Purchase Plan (Non-U.S.)), the 1996 ESPP (1996 Employee Share Purchase Plan (U.S.)) and the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. Shares issued to employees as a result of purchases or exercises under these plans are generally issued from shares held in treasury.

 

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The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense and related tax benefit included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands).

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Cost of goods sold

   $ 1,000       $ 709       $ 2,910       $ 2,135   
                                   

Share-based compensation expense included in gross profit

     1,000         709         2,910         2,135   
                                   

Operating expenses:

           

Marketing and selling

     2,115         2,018         8,283         5,931   

Research and development

     1,842         1,139         5,394         3,048   

General and administrative

     2,299         2,217         7,389         6,135   
                                   

Share-based compensation expense included in operating expenses

     6,256         5,374         21,066         15,114   
                                   

Total share-based compensation expense

     7,256         6,083         23,976         17,249   

Income tax benefit

     (1,189)         (3,324)         (5,526)         (4,157)   
                                   

Share-based compensation expense, net of income tax

   $ 6,067       $ 2,759       $ 18,450       $ 13,092   
                                   

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, share-based compensation cost of $1.2 million and $0.8 million was capitalized to inventory. As of December 31, 2010, total compensation cost related to non-vested stock options not yet recognized was $62.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 32 months on a weighted-average basis.

The fair value of employee stock options granted and shares purchased under the Company’s employee purchase plans was estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing valuation model applying the following assumptions and values:

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31,

    

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

 
                                   
     2010      2009      2010      2009      2010      2009      2010      2009  
     Purchase Plans      Stock Options      Purchase Plans      Stock Options  

Dividend yield

     0%         0%         0%         0%         0%         0%         0%         0%   

Expected life

     6 months         6 months         4.0 years         2.9 years         6 months         6 months         4.0 years         3.4 years   

Expected volatility

     36%         59%         48%         53%         35%         70%         48%         50%   

Risk-free interest rate

     0.17%         0.07%         1.22%         1.28%         0.16%         0.21%         1.57%         1.72%   

The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and future expectations of dividend payouts. The Company has not paid dividends since 1996.

The expected option life represents the weighted-average period the stock options or purchase offerings are expected to remain outstanding. The expected life is based on historical settlement rates, which the Company believes are most representative of future exercise and post-vesting termination behaviors.

Expected share price volatility is based on historical volatility using daily prices over the term of past options or purchase offerings. The Company considers historical share price volatility as most representative of future volatility. The risk-free interest rate assumptions are based upon the implied yield of U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues appropriate for the term of the Company’s stock options or purchase offerings.

The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and records share-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.

 

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The following table represents the weighted average grant-date fair values of options granted and the expected forfeiture rates:

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
     Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009      2010      2009      2010      2009  
     Purchase Plans      Stock Options      Purchase Plans      Stock Options  

Weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted

   $ 3.96       $ 5.29       $ 7.81       $ 9.10       $ 4.07       $ 4.25       $ 6.11       $ 7.14   

Expected forfeitures

     0%         0%         9%         10%         0%         0%         9%         10%   

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity under the share-based compensation plans is as follows (in thousands, except per share data; exercise prices are weighted averages):

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
     Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  
     Number      Exercise
Price
     Number      Exercise
Price
     Number      Exercise
Price
     Number      Exercise
Price
 

Outstanding, beginning of period

     18,543        $ 18         19,130        $ 18         20,037        $ 18         18,897        $ 18   

Granted

     40        $ 20         2,179        $ 11         294        $ 16         4,568        $ 12   

Exercised

     (1,141)       $ 10         (275)       $ 10         (2,149)       $ 10         (1,310)       $ 8   

Cancelled or expired

     (125)       $ 22         (191)       $ 22         (866)       $ 22         (1,312)       $ 21   
                                               

Outstanding, end of period

     17,317        $ 19         20,843        $ 17         17,316        $ 19         20,843        $ 17   
                                               

Exercisable, end of period

     11,754        $ 20         11,751        $ 16         11,754        $ 20         11,751        $ 16   
                                               

The total pretax intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $11.2 million and $1.9 million and the tax benefit realized for the tax deduction from options exercised during those periods was $3.8 million and $0.7 million. The total pretax intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $17.9 million and $9.8 million and the tax benefit realized for the tax deduction from options exercised during those periods was $5.9 million and $2.0 million. The total fair value of options vested as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $76.9 million and $70.7 million.

During fiscal years 2011 and 2010, the Company granted time-based RSUs to employees and board members pursuant to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. The time-based RSUs granted to employees vest in four equal annual installments on the grant date anniversary. The time-based RSUs granted to non-executive board members vest in one annual installment on the grant date anniversary. The non-executive board members’ fiscal year 2010 grants were fully vested in the three months ended September 30, 2010, and new annual grants with the same vesting term were issued. The Company estimates the fair value of time-based RSUs based on the share market price on the date of grant. Compensation expense related to time-based RSUs is recognized over the vesting period and is included in the total share-based compensation expense disclosed above. As of December 31, 2010, total compensation cost related to time-based RSUs not yet recognized was $30.0 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 48 months.

During fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company granted RSUs to certain executives pursuant to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. The RSUs vest at the end of the performance period upon meeting certain share price performance criteria measured against market conditions. The performance period is three years for the fiscal year 2011 grants and two years for the fiscal year 2010 and 2009 grants. Compensation expense related to performance-based RSUs will be recognized over the performance period and is included in the total share-based compensation expense disclosed above. As of December 31, 2010, total

 

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compensation cost not yet recognized related to the performance-based RSUs granted in fiscal years 2011 and 2010 was $14.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 35 months. The performance period for the RSUs granted in fiscal year 2009 was completed as of September 30, 2010 with no vesting as the minimum performance condition was not satisfied.

The fair value of the performance-based RSUs granted was estimated using the Monte-Carlo simulation method applying the following assumptions:

 

     FY 2011
Grants
     FY 2010
Grants
 

Dividend yield

     0%         0%   

Expected life

     3 years         2 years   

Expected volatility

     51%         58%   

Risk-free interest rate

     0.81%         1.11%   

The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and future expectations of dividend payouts. The expected life of the performance-based RSUs is the performance period at the end of which the RSUs will vest if the minimum performance condition is satisfied. The volatility assumption is based on the actual volatility of Logitech’s daily closing share price over a look-back period of three years for the fiscal year 2011 grants and two years for the fiscal year 2010 grants. The risk free interest rate is derived from the yield on U.S. Treasury Bonds for a three or two year term.

A summary of the Company’s time- and performance-based RSU activity is as follows (in thousands, except per share values; grant-date fair values are weighted averages):

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
     Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  
     Number      Grant-
Date Fair
Value
     Number      Grant-
Date Fair
Value
     Number      Grant-
Date Fair
Value
     Number      Grant-
Date Fair
Value
 

Outstanding, beginning of period

     378        $ 16         264        $ 15         513        $ 18               $ -   

Granted

     1,935        $ 22         54        $ 14         2,010        $ 22         320        $ 12   

Vested

     (6)       $ 14               $ -         (124)       $ 16               $ -   

Cancelled or expired

     (17)       $ 19         (3)       $ 14         (109)       $ 25         (5)       $ 14   
                                               

Outstanding, end of period

     2,290        $ 21         315        $ 12         2,290        $ 21         315        $ 12   
                                               

Defined Contribution Plans

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have defined contribution employee benefit plans covering all or a portion of their employees. Contributions to these plans are discretionary for certain plans and are based on specified or statutory requirements for others. The charge to expense for these plans during the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $2.3 million and $2.0 million. During the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the charge to expense for these plans was $6.3 million and $5.5 million.

Defined Benefit Plans

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries sponsor defined benefit pension plans or non-retirement post-employment benefits covering substantially all of their employees. Benefits are provided based on employees’ years of service and earnings, or in accordance with applicable employee benefit regulations. The Company’s practice is to fund amounts sufficient to meet the requirements set forth in the applicable employee benefit and tax regulations.

 

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The net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit pension plans and non-retirement post-employment benefit obligations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months  ended
December 31,
     Nine months  ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Service cost

   $ 1,130       $ 1,026       $ 3,230       $ 2,968   

Interest cost

     449         369         1,276         1,067   

Expected return on plan assets

     (471)         (312)         (1,330)         (898)   

Amortization of net transition obligation and prior service cost

     38         35         111         105   

Recognized net actuarial loss

     97         221         276         635   
                                   

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 1,243       $ 1,339       $ 3,563       $ 3,877   
                                   

Deferred Compensation Plan

One of the Company’s subsidiaries offers a management deferred compensation plan which permits eligible employees to make 100%-vested salary and incentive compensation deferrals within established limits, which were invested in Company-owned life insurance contracts held in a Rabbi Trust. The Company does not make contributions to the plan. In December 2010, the Company surrendered the life insurance contracts for cash, and invested the proceeds of $11.3 million, in addition to $0.8 million in cash held by the Rabbi Trust, investment earnings and employee contributions, in a Company-selected portfolio of mutual funds, which are also held by the Rabbi Trust. The mutual fund investments are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices, and therefore the carrying value of these investments equals their fair value. Quoted market prices are observable inputs that are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.

Note 13 — Income Taxes

The Company is incorporated in Switzerland but operates in various countries with differing tax laws and rates. Further, a portion of the Company’s income before income taxes and the provision for income taxes are generated outside of Switzerland.

The income tax provision for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $12.4 million and $4.8 million based on effective income tax rates of 16% and 7.8% of pre-tax income. For the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the income tax provision was $15.8 million and $14.3 million based on effective income tax rates of 11.2% and 26.1% of pre-tax income. The change in the effective income tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three months ended December 31, 2009 is primarily due to the mix of income and losses in the various tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The change in the effective income tax rate for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the nine months ended December 31, 2009 is primarily due to discrete tax benefits of $11.5 million from the expiration of statutes of limitations and the closure of income tax audits in certain foreign jurisdictions.

On December 17, 2010, the enactment in the U.S. of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 extended retroactively through the end of calendar year 2011 the U.S. federal research and development credit, which had expired on December 31, 2009. Accordingly, the Company’s income tax provision for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 includes a tax benefit of $1.6 million related to the U.S. federal research tax credit.

 

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As of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest and penalties due to uncertain tax positions was $127.7 million and $125.2 million, of which $106.5 million and $101.4 million would affect the effective income tax rate if recognized. The income tax liability associated with uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2010 did not increase substantially compared with March 31, 2010 primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitations and the closure of income tax audits in certain foreign jurisdictions.

The Company continues to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $10.0 million and $12.5 million of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

The Company files Swiss and foreign tax returns. For all these tax returns, the Company is generally not subject to tax examinations for years prior to 1999. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service expanded its examination of the Company’s U.S. subsidiary to include fiscal years 2008 and 2009 in addition to fiscal years 2006 and 2007. At this time it is not possible to estimate the potential impact that the examination may have on income tax expense. The Company is also under examination in other tax jurisdictions. Although the timing of the resolution or closure on audits is highly uncertain, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits would materially change in the next twelve months.

Note 14 — Derivative Financial Instruments – Foreign Exchange Hedging

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge against exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to its subsidiaries’ forecasted inventory purchases. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is the foreign currency exchange rate risk. The Company has designated these derivatives as cash flow hedges. Logitech does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. These hedging contracts mature within three months, and are denominated in the same currency as the underlying transactions. Gains and losses in the fair value of the effective portion of the hedges are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged inventory purchases are sold, at which time the gains or losses are reclassified to cost of goods sold. The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedges by comparing changes in the spot rate of the currency underlying the forward contract with changes in the spot rate of the currency in which the forecasted transaction will be consummated. If the underlying transaction being hedged fails to occur or if a portion of the hedge does not generate offsetting changes in the foreign currency exposure of forecasted inventory purchases, the Company immediately recognizes the gain or loss on the associated financial instrument in other income (expense). Such losses were immaterial during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. Cash flows from such hedges are classified as operating activities. The notional amounts of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding related to forecasted inventory purchases at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $59.9 million (€45.1 million) and $39.9 million (€26.7 million). The notional amount represents the future cash flows under contracts to purchase foreign currencies.

Other Derivatives

The Company also enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the short-term effects of foreign currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency receivables or payables. These forward contracts mature within three months. The Company may also enter into foreign exchange swap contracts to economically extend the terms of its foreign exchange forward contracts. The primary risk managed by using forward and swap contracts is the foreign currency exchange rate risk. The gains or losses on foreign exchange forward contracts are recognized in earnings based on the changes in fair value.

The notional amounts of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009 relating to foreign currency receivables or payables were $11.0 million and $15.3 million. Open forward contracts as of December 31, 2010 consisted of contracts in British pounds to purchase euros at a

 

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future date at a pre-determined exchange rate. The notional amounts of foreign exchange swap contracts outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $19.7 million and $37.9 million. Swap contracts outstanding at December 31, 2010 consisted of contracts in Canadian dollars, Japanese yen, and Mexican pesos.

The fair value of all our foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign exchange swap contracts is determined based on quoted foreign exchange forward rates. Quoted foreign exchange forward rates are observable inputs that are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments and their locations on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31 and March 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Asset Derivatives      Liability Derivatives  
            Fair Value             Fair Value  
      Location      December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2010
     Location      December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2010
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

                 

Cash Flow Hedges

     Other assets         $ -         $ 136         Other liabilities         $ 272         $ 10   
                                         
        -         136            272         10   
                                         

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

                 

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts

     Other assets         109         11         Other liabilities         -         -   

Foreign Exchange Swap Contracts

     Other assets         -         452         Other liabilities         466         356   
                                         
        109         463            466         356   
                                         
        $ 109         $ 599            $ 738         $ 366   
                                         

The following table presents the amounts of gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and their locations on its Consolidated Financial Statements (in thousands):

 

     Net amount of gain
(loss) deferred as a
component of
accumulated other
comprehensive loss
   

Location of gain
(loss) reclassified
from accumulated
other
comprehensive loss
into income

  Amount of gain
(loss) reclassified
from accumulated
other
comprehensive  loss
into income
   

Location of gain (loss)
recognized in income
immediately

  Amount of gain
(loss) recognized in
income
immediately
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

          

Cash Flow Hedges

     $ 6,113      Cost of goods sold     $ 5,283      Other income/expense     $ (70
                            
     6,113          5,283          (70
                            

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

          

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts

     -          -      Other income/expense     103   

Foreign Exchange Swap Contracts

     -          -      Other income/expense     (425
                            
     -          -          (322
                            
     $ 6,113          $ 5,283          $ (392
                            

 

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The following table presents the amounts of gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and their locations on its Consolidated Financial Statements (in thousands):

 

    Net amount of gain
(loss) deferred as a
component of
accumulated other
comprehensive loss
   

Location of gain
(loss) reclassified
from accumulated
other
comprehensive loss
into income

  Amount of gain
(loss) reclassified
from accumulated
other
comprehensive  loss
into income
   

Location of gain (loss)
recognized in income
immediately

  Amount of gain
(loss) recognized in
income
immediately
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

         

Cash Flow Hedges

    $ (3,913)      Cost of goods sold     $ 3,364      Other income/expense     $ 17   
                           
    (3,913)          3,364          17   
                           

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

         

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts

    -          -      Other income/expense     228   

Foreign Exchange Swap Contracts

    -          -      Other income/expense     (2,676)   
                           
    -          -          (2,448)   
                           
    $ (3,913)          $ 3,364          $ (2,431)   
                           

Note 15 — Commitments and Contingencies

The Company leases facilities under operating leases, certain of which require it to pay property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. Operating leases for facilities are generally renewable at the Company’s option and usually include escalation clauses linked to inflation. Total future minimum annual rentals under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2010 amounted to $71.0 million. The increase in future minimum annual rentals as of December 31, 2010 compared with March 31, 2010 was due to a new research and development office in Lausanne, Switzerland, new facilities for our LifeSize division in Austin, Texas and a new office for our audio business unit in Vancouver, Washington.

In connection with its operating leases for facilities, the Company has recognized asset retirement obligations of $1.6 million and $1.4 million at December 31 and March 31, 2010, representing the estimated remediation costs to be incurred at lease expiration. No significant changes occurred in these obligations in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010.

At December 31, 2010, fixed purchase commitments for capital expenditures amounted to $12.9 million, and primarily related to commitments for manufacturing equipment and tooling. Also, the Company has commitments for inventory purchases made in the normal course of business to original design manufacturers, contract manufacturers and other suppliers. At December 31, 2010, fixed purchase commitments for inventory amounted to $131.1 million, which are expected to be fulfilled by May 31, 2011. The Company also had other commitments totaling $68.2 million for consulting and outsourced services, marketing arrangements, advertising and other services. Although open purchase commitments are considered enforceable and legally binding, the terms generally allow the Company the option to reschedule and adjust its requirements based on the business needs prior to delivery of goods or performance of services.

The Company has guaranteed the purchase obligations of some of its contract manufacturers and original design manufacturers to certain component suppliers. These guarantees generally have a term of one year and are automatically extended for one or more years as long as a liability exists. The amount of the purchase obligations of these manufacturers varies over time, and therefore the amounts subject to Logitech’s guarantees similarly vary. At December 31, 2010, there were no outstanding guaranteed purchase obligations. The maximum potential future payments under two of the three guarantee arrangements is limited to $30.0 million. The third guarantee is limited to purchases of specified components from the named suppliers. The Company does not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these guarantee arrangements.

 

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Logitech International S.A., the parent holding company, has guaranteed certain contingent liabilities of various subsidiaries related to specific transactions occurring in the normal course of business. The maximum amount of the guarantees was $9.1 million as of December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, $9.1 million was outstanding under these guarantees. The parent holding company has also guaranteed the purchases of one of its subsidiaries under three guarantee agreements. These guarantees do not specify a maximum amount. As of December 31, 2010, $5.5 million was outstanding under these guarantees.

Logitech indemnifies some of its suppliers and customers for losses arising from matters such as intellectual property rights and product safety defects, subject to certain restrictions. The scope of these indemnities varies, but in some instances, includes indemnification for damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. No amounts have been accrued for indemnification provisions at December 31, 2010. The Company does not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under its indemnification arrangements.

In November 2007, the Company acquired WiLife, Inc., a privately held company offering PC-based video cameras for self-monitoring a home or a small business. The purchase agreement provided for a performance-based payment, payable in the first calendar quarter of 2011, based on net revenues attributed to WiLife during calendar 2010. Because the minimum performance threshold was not met, no performance-based payment is due under the WiLife acquisition agreement.

The Company is involved in a number of lawsuits and claims relating to matters that arise in the normal course of business. The Company believes these lawsuits and claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them. However, there can be no assurances that its defenses will be successful, or that any judgment or settlement in any of these lawsuits would not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. The Company’s accruals for lawsuits and claims as of December 31, 2010 were not material.

Note 16 — Segment Information

The Company has two operating segments, peripherals and video conferencing, based on product markets and internal organizational structure. The peripherals segment encompasses the design, manufacturing and marketing of peripheral products for the PC and other digital platforms. The video conferencing segment consists of the LifeSize division, and encompasses the design, manufacturing and marketing of high-definition video and audio communication products for the enterprise and small-to-medium business markets. The video conferencing operating segment does not meet the quantitative thresholds required for separate disclosure of financial information.

 

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Net sales by product family, excluding intercompany transactions, were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Retail - Pointing Devices

   $ 186,507       $ 166,703       $ 472,222       $ 387,550   

Retail - Keyboards & Desktops

     113,929         104,624         285,546         242,539   

Retail - Audio

     155,239         147,945         370,848         341,066   

Retail - Video

     77,445         67,321         193,293         168,398   

Retail - Gaming

     46,634         36,359         81,460         82,001   

Retail - Digital Home (1)

     78,638         41,306         138,609         69,172   

OEM

     59,563         50,502         178,749         148,237   
                                   

Peripherals

     717,955         614,760         1,720,727         1,438,963   

LifeSize

     36,099         2,341         94,541         2,341   
                                   

Total net sales

   $ 754,054       $ 617,101       $ 1,815,268       $ 1,441,304   
                                   

    (1) Digital Home is a new product family combining Harmony Remotes, Logitech Revue with Google TV and peripherals associated with the Google TV platform.

Geographic net sales information in the table below is based on the location of the selling entity. Long-lived assets, primarily fixed assets, are reported below based on the location of the asset.

Net sales to unaffiliated customers by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

EMEA

   $ 309,937       $ 309,800       $ 691,832       $ 664,347   

Americas

     318,189         217,454         780,256         515,395   

Asia Pacific

     125,928         89,847         343,180         261,562   
                                   

Total net sales

   $ 754,054       $ 617,101       $ 1,815,268       $ 1,441,304   
                                   

The United States and Germany each represented more than 10% of the Company’s total consolidated net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2010, and for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009. No single country other than the United States represented more than 10% of the Company’s total consolidated net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. One customer group represented 14% and 15% of net sales in the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and one customer group represented 13% of net sales in the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Long-lived assets by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2010
 

EMEA

   $ 10,229       $ 11,053   

Americas

     33,886         40,165   

Asia Pacific

     46,301         43,765   
                 

Total long-lived assets

   $ 90,416       $ 94,983   
                 

Long-lived assets in China and the United States each represented more than 10% of the Company’s total consolidated long-lived assets at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the interim unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the strength of improvement in our business, operating results and financial condition, trends in consumer demand for our products, plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, our current or future revenue mix, our competitive position, the impact of new product introductions and product innovation on future performance, or our anticipated costs and expenses. Forward-looking statements also include, among others, those statements including the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans”, “believes” and similar language. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. You should carefully review the risks described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K that we file in fiscal year 2011 and our fiscal year 2010 Form 10-K, which was filed on May 27, 2010, which discuss our business in greater detail. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to the forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.

Overview of Our Company

Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to digital experiences. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, we develop and market innovative hardware and software products that enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. We have two operating segments, peripherals and video conferencing.

Our peripherals segment encompasses the design, manufacturing and marketing of peripheral products for the PC (personal computer) and other digital platforms. Our research and product management teams are organized along product lines, and are responsible for product strategy, industrial design and development, and technological innovation. Our global marketing and sales organization helps define product opportunities and bring our products to market, and is responsible for building the Logitech brand and consumer awareness of our products. This organization is comprised of retail and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) sales and marketing groups. Our retail sales and marketing activities are organized into three geographic regions: Americas (including North and South America), EMEA (Europe-Middle East-Africa), and Asia Pacific (including, among other countries, China, Taiwan, Japan, India and Australia). Our OEM sales team is a worldwide organization with representatives in each of our three regions. Our OEM customers include the majority of the world’s largest PC manufacturers.

Our video conferencing segment encompasses the design, manufacturing and marketing of LifeSize video conferencing products and services for the enterprise and small-to-medium business markets. The LifeSize segment maintains separate marketing and sales organizations. The LifeSize product development and product management organizations are separate, but coordinated with our peripherals business, particularly our webcam and video communications groups. The LifeSize operating segment does not meet the quantitative threshold for separate disclosure of financial information required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

For the PC, our products include mice, trackballs, keyboards, interactive gaming controllers, multimedia speakers, headsets, webcams, 3D control devices and lapdesks. Our Internet communications products include webcams, headsets, video communications services, and digital video security systems for

 

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a home or small business. Our LifeSize division offers scalable HD (high-definition) video communication products, support, services and infrastructure. Our digital music products include speakers, earphones, and custom in-ear monitors. For home entertainment systems, we offer the Harmony line of advanced remote controls, Squeezebox wireless music solutions and, in the United States, a line of Logitech products for the Google TV platform, including the Logitech Revue companion box, Logitech Mini-Controller and Logitech TV Cam with HD Vid service. For gaming consoles, we offer a range of gaming controllers and microphones, as well as other accessories.

We sell our peripheral products to a network of retail distributors and resellers and to OEMs. Our worldwide retail network for our peripherals includes wholesale distributors, consumer electronics retailers, mass merchandisers, specialty electronics stores, computer and telecommunications stores, value-added resellers and online merchants. Sales of peripherals to our retail channels were 85% and 90% of our net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. The large majority of our revenues have historically been derived from sales of our peripheral products for use by consumers.

We sell our LifeSize products and services to distributors, value-added resellers, OEMs and direct enterprise customers. LifeSize sales were 5% of our net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009, the results of operations of LifeSize are included in Logitech’s consolidated financial statements from December 11, 2009, the date of acquisition. The large majority of LifeSize revenues have historically been derived from sales to large enterprises, small-to-medium businesses, and public healthcare, education and government organizations.

Our markets are extremely competitive. The peripherals market is characterized by short product life cycles, frequent new product introductions, rapidly changing technology, evolving customer demands, and aggressive promotional and pricing practices. We believe the recent global economic downturn further increased competition in our markets, as competitors with larger financial resources, such as Microsoft Corporation, Sony Corporation and others, seek to gain market share by discounting prices or offering more favorable terms to customers, and competitors with smaller financial resources also discount prices or engage in other promotional practices in order to maintain their market share.

The video conferencing market is characterized by continual performance enhancements and increasing consolidation. There is heightened interest in the video conferencing market by large, well-financed competitors, such as Cisco Systems, Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Company, and as a result, we expect competition in the market to further intensify.

We believe continued investment in product research and development is critical to creating the innovation required to strengthen our competitive advantage and to drive future sales growth. We are committed to identifying and meeting current and future customer trends with new and improved product technologies, as well as leveraging the value of the Logitech and LifeSize brands from a competitive, channel partner and consumer experience perspective. We believe innovation and product quality are important to gaining market acceptance and maintaining market leadership.

The broadening of our product lines has been primarily organic. We also seek to acquire, when appropriate, companies that have products, personnel, and technologies that complement our strategic direction and offer opportunities for expansion and innovation. As access to digital information expands beyond the PC platform, we are extending our vision to other platforms, such as the meeting room and living room, as access points to the Internet and the digital world. As part of our corporate strategy, we plan to increase investments in and realign resources to focus on certain market adjacencies, geographic markets or new categories, including video communications and the China market. We will also continue our investment in products for the Google TV platform, and we plan to increase our investment in applications and peripherals for open platforms, which may not require direct collaboration and agreement with the platform owner.

We continually evaluate our product offerings and our strategic direction in light of current global economic conditions, changing consumer trends, and the evolving nature of the interface between the consumer and the digital world.

 

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Summary of Financial Results

Our total net sales for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 increased 22% and 26% compared with the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009. We believe the increase is primarily due to improved consumer demand, strong performance in China and sales of our LifeSize products. Retail sales increased 17% and 19% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior year, while retail units sold increased 14% and 21%.

OEM sales increased 18% and 21% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year. OEM units sold increased 14% and 17% in the same periods. The increase in OEM sales was driven by sales of keyboards and microphones for console singing games.

Retail sales in our Asia Pacific and Americas regions increased 51% and 31% in the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three months ended December 31, 2009. In constant dollars, retail sales grew 47% and 30% in Asia Pacific and the Americas during the three month period. Retail sales in our EMEA region declined 1% in the same period, whereas EMEA’s constant dollar retail sales increased 7%. For the nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, retail sales in our Asia Pacific, Americas and EMEA regions grew 38%, 35% and 2%. In constant dollars, retail sales in our Asia Pacific, Americas and EMEA regions increased 35%, 34% and 11% during the nine month period.

We achieved retail sales growth in all product families during the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year, with double digit percentage growth in pointing devices, video, gaming and digital home. Digital home is a new product family combining Harmony Remotes, Logitech Revue with Google TV and peripherals associated with the Google TV platform. For the nine months ended December 31, 2010, retail sales increased compared with the nine months ended December 31, 2009 in all product families except gaming, which was essentially flat compared with the prior year.

Our gross margin for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 increased to 36.0% and 36.2% compared with 33.9% and 30.4% in the same periods of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to operational efficiencies in our supply chain, product mix and the higher gross margin contributed by LifeSize product sales, partially offset by the effects of a stronger U.S. dollar. Net income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 was $65.0 million and $125.7 million, compared with $57.1 million and $40.5 million in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009.

Trends in Our Business

Our sales of PC peripherals for use by consumers in the Americas and Europe have historically made up the large majority of our revenues. The increasing popularity of smaller, mobile computing devices such as tablets and smartphones with touch interfaces and the declining popularity of desktop PCs is rapidly changing the PC market. We believe this transition creates opportunities to sell products to consumers to help make their tablets and other mobile devices more productive and comfortable. However, consumer acceptance and demand for peripherals for use with these devices is still uncertain, and our product line for tablets is limited. The increasing popularity of tablets and smart phones might decrease consumer demand for our PC peripheral products such as mice, keyboards, speakers, and webcams. We believe there are continued growth opportunities for our PC peripherals outside the more mature markets of the Americas and Europe. We also believe our future sales growth will be significantly impacted by our ability to grow sales in emerging markets such as China, to grow our LifeSize videoconferencing division, and to develop sales and innovations for our emerging product categories which are not PC-dependent, such as our products for the Google TV platform.

 

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In October 2010, we introduced our Logitech Revue and related peripherals for the Google TV platform in the United States. Logitech Revue is a companion box for Google TV that incorporates Logitech’s Harmony remote control technology and enables Google TV to bring together the Internet and the television. We have invested and expect to continue to invest significant funds in the further development of products for the Google TV platform. To date the platform has not met widespread consumer acceptance and our sales of Logitech Revue and related products have been below our expectations. However, we believe that the continued enhancement of the features and functionality of the Google TV platform over time will lead to greater consumer acceptance, and provide us with another sizable and growing installed base which will generate incremental sales over an extended period of time.

We believe our LifeSize video conferencing segment offers significant growth opportunities in the expanding video conferencing and communications market. With the acquisition of LifeSize in December 2009, our video communication product portfolio encompasses the enterprise meeting room as well as webcams and video calling. We believe our LifeSize products offer superior price performance compared with competing products, and we plan to leverage our price/performance value position to develop additional market opportunities in video conferencing infrastructure and in emerging geographic markets, in addition to the small-to-medium enterprise market. For the nine months ended December 31, 2010, our video conferencing segment represents 5% of our net sales, and we expect sales from the LifeSize division to grow faster than our overall sales. Our LifeSize division will require significant continuing investments in product development and sales and marketing to stimulate and support future growth.

Our overall corporate strategy for future growth includes increasing our presence and sales in emerging markets, which we anticipate will be the high growth markets of the future as sales growth decelerates in our traditional, mature markets. We are currently investing significantly in growing the number of our sales, marketing and administrative personnel in China, and we expect that China may represent one of our three top countries, by sales, in the future. Emerging markets include potentially high economic growth, offset by potential entrenched local competition, higher credit risks, and cultural differences that affect consumer trends in ways which may be substantially different from our current major markets.

Sales of our OEM mice and keyboards have historically made up the bulk of our OEM sales. OEM sales accounted for 10% of total revenues during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. In recent years, the shift away from desktop PCs adversely affected our sales of OEM mice and keyboards, which are sold with name-brand desktop PCs. Our current strategy for the OEM market focuses on increasing our coordination with our OEM partners, maintaining our market share, and developing attractive product prices.

We continue to evaluate potential acquisitions to enhance the breadth and depth of our expertise in engineering and other functional areas, our technologies and our product offerings.

Although our financial results are reported in U.S. dollars, approximately 43% of our sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 were made in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, such as the euro, Chinese renminbi, Canadian dollar and Japanese yen. Our product pricing strategy includes, among other factors, raising or lowering selling prices in other currencies over extended periods of time to avoid long-term disparity with U.S. dollar prices and to respond to currency-driven competitive pricing actions. Our product costs are primarily in U.S. dollars and Chinese renminbi. Our operating expenses are incurred in U.S. dollars, Chinese renminbi, euros, Swiss francs, Taiwanese dollars, and, to a lesser extent, 25 other currencies. To the extent that the U.S. dollar significantly increases or decreases in value relative to the currencies in which our sales and operating expenses are denominated, the reported dollar amounts of our sales and expenses may decrease or increase.

Our gross margins vary with the mix of products sold, competitive activity, product life cycle, new product introductions, unit volumes, commodity and supply chain costs, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, geographic sales mix, and the complexity and functionality of new product introductions. Changes in consumer demand affect the need for us to undertake promotional efforts, such as cooperative marketing arrangements, customer incentive programs or other pricing programs, which alter our product gross margins.

 

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Logitech is incorporated in Switzerland but operates in various countries with differing tax laws and rates. A portion of our income before taxes and the provision for income taxes are generated outside of Switzerland. Therefore, our effective income tax rate depends on the amount of profits generated in each of the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate. For the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the income tax provision was $15.8 million and $14.3 million based on effective income tax rates of 11.2% and 26.1% of pre-tax income. The change in the effective income tax rate for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the nine months ended December 31, 2009 was primarily due to discrete tax benefits of $11.5 million from the expiration of statutes of limitations and the closure of income tax audits in certain foreign jurisdictions. We expect future effective income tax rates to fluctuate for similar reasons.

Changes in Significant Accounting Policies

Logitech elected to early adopt ASU (Accounting Standards Update) 2009-13, Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, and ASU 2009-14, Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements, during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 on a retrospective basis for transactions originating or materially modified after April 1, 2010. ASU 2009-13 allows the use of ESP (estimated selling price) in addition to VSOE (vendor specific objective evidence) and TPE (third party evidence) for determining the relative selling price of a deliverable in a multiple element arrangement. ASU 2009-13 also requires the allocation of arrangement consideration to each deliverable based on the relative selling price. ASU 2009-14 excludes software-enabled tangible products from the scope of software revenue recognition guidance if the software is essential to the tangible product’s functionality. In addition, ASU 2009-14 provides factors that a company should consider in determining whether a tangible product is delivered with software components and non-software components that function together to deliver the tangible product’s essential functionality. Adoption of the new accounting guidance primarily impacted the revenue recognized from Logitech Revue and our LifeSize video conferencing products. The adoption had no impact on revenue recognized from the remainder of our peripherals, as they are not multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements.

The sale of Logitech Revue consists of two deliverables: the hardware with essential software delivered at the time of sale, and unspecified additional software upgrades to the essential software on a when-and-if-available basis. Logitech allocates arrangement consideration to each of these deliverables using a selling price hierarchy. Under the new accounting guidance, the selling price is based on VSOE of fair value, if available, TPE if VSOE is not available, or ESP if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. The relative selling price of the hardware with the essential software is based on ESP. The relative selling price of future upgrades to the essential software is based on TPE. Amounts allocated to the delivered hardware and essential software are recognized at the time of sale provided the other conditions for revenue recognition have been met. Amounts allocated to the future unspecified software upgrade rights are deferred and recognized ratably over the estimated 24-month life of the hardware. There was no impact to prior period financial statements from adopting the new accounting guidance as it relates to Logitech Revue, because there were no sales of the Logitech Revue prior to adoption of the guidance.

Based on the new accounting guidance, our LifeSize products include the following deliverables:

 

   

Hardware with software essential to the functionality of the hardware device delivered at the time of sale;

   

Non-essential software;

   

Maintenance for essential and non essential software including future, when-and-if-available unspecified upgrades; and

   

Other services including training and installation

The Company allocates arrangement consideration based on relative selling price using the selling price hierarchy for the deliverables, which are grouped into non-software deliverables and software deliverables, based on relative selling price. The Company did not have VSOE or TPE for hardware with essential software and non-essential software, due to variable discounting, and therefore uses ESP. Amounts allocated to the delivered hardware with essential software (non-software deliverables) as well as non-

 

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essential software (software deliverables) are recognized at the time of sale provided the other conditions for revenue recognition have been met. The Company sells maintenance packages and amounts allocated to the maintenance are deferred and recognized ratably over the maintenance period. All other services are sold separately on a standalone basis and therefore have established VSOE. Amounts allocated to the services are deferred and recognized upon completion of services. Prior to the adoption of the new accounting guidance, the Company had established VSOE for the majority of the undelivered elements, which continues to be used as the relative selling price under the new accounting guidance. The impact of adopting the new accounting guidance was not material to prior interim period financial statements or earnings per share.

There have been no substantial changes, other than those related to the adoption of ASU 2009-13 and ASU 2009-14, in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America) requires the Company to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

We consider an accounting estimate critical if it: (i) requires management to make judgments and estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain; and (ii) is important to an understanding of Logitech’s financial condition and operating results.

We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the Company in the future, actual results could differ from those estimates. Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. There have been no significant changes during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 to the nature of the critical accounting estimates disclosed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued ASU (Accounting Standards Update) 2010-28, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts. For reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts, if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, ASU 2010-28 requires performance of an additional test to determine whether goodwill has been impaired and to calculate the amount of impairment. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2010. Logitech will adopt ASU 2009-28 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012. The impact of adopting ASU 2010-28 will not be known until the Company performs its evaluations of goodwill impairment.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations. ASU 2010-29 specifies that, for material business combinations when comparative financial statements are presented, revenue and earnings of the combined entity should be disclosed as though the business combination had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. ASU 2010-09 also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the

 

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reported pro forma revenue and earnings. ASU 2010-09 is effective prospectively for business combinations with an acquisition date on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period after December 15, 2010. We will adopt this standard for acquisitions beginning in fiscal year 2012.

Results of Operations

Net Sales

Net sales by channel for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
            Nine months ended
December 31,
        
     2010      2009      Change %      2010      2009      Change %  

Retail

   $ 658,392       $ 564,258         17%       $ 1,541,978       $ 1,290,726         19%   

OEM

     59,563         50,502         18%         178,749         148,237         21%   

LifeSize

     36,099         2,341         1442%         94,541         2,341         3938%   
                                         

Total net sales

   $ 754,054       $ 617,101         22%       $ 1,815,268       $ 1,441,304         26%   
                                         

For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010, our total net sales increased 22% and 26%, and our total unit sales, excluding LifeSize units, increased 14% and 20% compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year. Total LifeSize sales for the comparative three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2009 include sales only from December 11, 2009, the date we acquired LifeSize.

Retail unit sales increased 14% and 21% during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the preceding fiscal year. In the three months ended December 31, 2010, our retail average selling price increased 3% compared with the three months ended December 31, 2009, and increased 16% compared with the three months ended September 30, 2010, reflecting in part the launch of Logitech Revue in October 2010. Our retail average selling price for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 was 1% lower than the same period in fiscal year 2010. Sales of our retail products priced above $100 represented 24% of total retail sales in the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 19% in the nine months ended December 31, 2010, compared with 17% and 14% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009. Foreign currency exchange rates negatively affected the percentage increase of our retail sales, as our constant dollar retail sales increases for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 were 21% and 23% compared with increases of 17% and 19% in U.S. dollars.

Approximately 46% and 43% of our total net sales were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with approximately 54% and 51% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009. If foreign currency exchange rates had been the same in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, our constant dollar total net sales increases would have been 26% and 30% instead of 22% and 26%, primarily reflecting the stronger U.S. dollar in 2010 compared with 2009.

OEM unit sales increased 14% and 17% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in 2009, based on strong sales of our OEM keyboards and microphones for console singing games. Unit sales of OEM keyboards increased 38% and 66% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with 2009. OEM microphones experienced strong seasonal demand, with unit sales more than doubling in both the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009.

LifeSize net sales represent sales of video conferencing units and related software and services. Sales were strong during the three months ended December 31, 2010, increasing 15% over the preceding three months ended September 30, 2010. Sales for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 include our newly

 

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launched infrastructure video conferencing product, LifeSize Bridge 2200. The large percentage increases in LifeSize sales compared with the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2009 occurred because the 2009 amounts include sales only from December 11, 2009, the date we acquired LifeSize. Although we consider LifeSize a separate operating segment, based on financial measurements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 and our near-term expectations, the LifeSize segment does not meet the quantitative threshold for separate disclosure of financial information required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

We refer to our net sales excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates as constant dollar sales. Constant dollar sales are a non-GAAP financial measure, which is information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our management uses these non-GAAP measures in its financial and operational decision-making, and believes these non-GAAP measures, when considered in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures, facilitate a better understanding of changes in net sales. Constant dollar sales are calculated by translating prior period sales in each local currency at the current period’s average exchange rate for that currency.

Retail Sales by Region

The following table presents the change in retail sales by region for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009.

 

     Three months ended
December 31, 2010
     Nine months ended
December 31, 2010
 

Asia Pacific

     51%         38%   

Americas

     31%         35%   

EMEA

     (1%)         2%   
                 

Total retail sales

     17%         19%   
                 

Retail sales in the Asia Pacific region grew 51% and 38%, and retail units sold increased 64% and 58% during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009. The unit percentage increase was higher than the sales percentage increase primarily due to higher sales of our value-priced products. China led the Asia Pacific retail sales increase, with sales in China more than doubling in both the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior year. We are currently investing significantly in growing the number of our sales, marketing and administrative personnel in China, and we expect that China may represent one of our top three countries, by sales, in the future. For the three month period ended December 31, 2010, Asia Pacific retail sales increased in all product lines and for the nine month period, retail sales grew in all product lines except audio, which remained level with the prior year. If foreign currency exchange rates had been the same in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, our Asia Pacific constant dollar retail sales increases would have been 47% and 35%.

In the Americas region, retail sales increased 31% and 35% and retail units sold increased 6% and 16% in the Americas region in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year, reflecting strong sales of products with higher average selling prices and in particular, Logitech Revue. All product lines produced double digit percentage sales increases in both the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior year. Sales of the Digital Home product line were especially strong, based on the newly-launched Logitech Revue. If foreign currency exchange rates had been the same in the Americas region in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, our constant dollar retail sales increases would have been 30% and 34%.

 

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Sales in our EMEA region declined 1% in the three months and increased 2% in the nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in 2009. Sales in the EMEA region were impacted by the uneven economic recovery in Europe, with strong sales performance in some countries largely offset by weaker markets such as the U.K. Foreign currency exchange rates impacted our sales in U.S. dollars, as our EMEA constant dollar retail sales increases were 7% and 11%. Retail units sold in our EMEA region during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 increased 4% and 12% compared with the prior fiscal year, in line with the constant dollar sales increases. The results by product family for EMEA retail sales in U.S. dollars varied, with remotes showing strength in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with 2009, whereas keyboards and desktops declined in both periods.

Net Retail Sales by Product Family

Net retail sales by product family during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
            Nine months ended
December 31,
        
     2010      2009      Change %      2010      2009      Change %  

Retail - Pointing Devices

   $ 186,507       $ 166,703         12%       $ 472,222       $ 387,550         22%   

Retail - Keyboards & Desktops

     113,929         104,624         9%         285,546         242,539         18%   

Retail - Audio

     155,239         147,945         5%         370,848         341,066         9%   

Retail - Video

     77,445         67,321         15%         193,293         168,398         15%   

Retail - Gaming

     46,634         36,359         28%         81,460         82,001         (1%)   

Retail - Digital Home

     78,638         41,306         90%         138,609         69,172         100%   
                                         

Total net retail sales

   $ 658,392       $ 564,258         17%       $ 1,541,978       $ 1,290,726         19%   
                                         

Logitech’s Pointing Devices product family includes our mice, trackballs and other pointing devices. Keyboards and desktops (mouse and keyboard combined) include cordless and corded keyboards and desktops. Audio includes speakers and headset products for the PC, the home, and mobile entertainment platforms, and wireless music systems. Our video product family is comprised of PC webcams and WiLife video security systems. Gaming includes console and PC gaming peripherals. Digital Home is a new product family, combining our advanced Harmony Remote controls, Logitech Revue with Google TV, and peripherals associated with the Google TV platform. Net sales reflect accruals for product returns, cooperative marketing arrangements, customer incentive programs and pricing programs.

Retail Pointing Devices

Retail unit sales of our pointing devices increased 23% and 32% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009. The growth in dollar sales was driven by sales of cordless mice which increased 16% and 31% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010, while units increased 43% and 60% over the same periods in the prior fiscal year. The strong sales and unit growth was driven by our expanded offerings of value-priced cordless mice, including the M215 and the M305, two of our wireless mice for notebooks. Sales of corded mice decreased 9% and 2% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009, while unit sales of corded mice increased 5% and 11% in the same periods.

Retail Keyboards and Desktops

Retail unit sales of keyboards and desktops increased 18% and 23% during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year, due primarily to strong sales of our cordless keyboards and desktops. Sales of cordless keyboards and desktops increased 14% and 27% in dollars and 22% and 37% in units in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010, with growth primarily in the value-priced end of the cordless desktop category. Two of our new products, the Wireless Keyboard K250 and the Wireless Desktop MK320, were the major contributors to the sales growth. Sales of corded keyboards and desktops decreased 2% in dollars and increased 12% in units in the

 

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three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. During the nine month period, sales of corded keyboards and desktops increased 3% in dollars and 16% in units compared with the prior year period.

Retail Audio

Retail audio sales increased 5% and 9% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior year, whereas unit sales decreased 2% in the three months and increased 2% in the nine month period. The sales increase was generated primarily by PC headset sales, which grew 21% and 23% in dollars in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010, with units decreasing 3% in the three month period and increasing 4% in the nine month period. Our Squeezebox family of streaming audio products also made positive contributions to retail audio sales during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010. Sales of our digital music speakers increased 7% in dollars and 1% in units during the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same period in 2009. For the nine month period, digital music speakers decreased 1% in dollars and 6% in units. PC speaker sales decreased 6% in dollars and 1% in units in the three month period, and increased 4% in dollars and 3% in units in the nine month period compared with the prior year.

Retail Video

Our retail unit sales in the Video category increased 7% and 22% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year. Our high-end HD Pro Webcam C910 and our Webcam C260 for wide screen video calling both made strong contributions to video growth in both the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2010. In the three months ended December 31, 2010, both dollar sales and unit sales more than doubled in the high end of the major webcam price bands. In addition, our new Logitech Alert line of digital video security systems continued its positive contribution to the video category’s growth.

Retail Gaming

In the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year, retail sales of our gaming peripherals increased 28%, with console gaming increasing 56% and PC gaming up 15%. The majority of this dollar growth was due to the success of our Driving Force GT wheel, designed to enhance the Gran Turismo 5 racing game, which was released late in the quarter. In unit sales for the three month period, gaming declined 26% overall, with console gaming down 33% and PC gaming down 21%. During the nine months ended December 31, 2010, console gaming retail sales increased 21% and PC gaming retail sales decreased 9% compared with the nine months ended December 31, 2009. Retail units sold during the nine months decreased 38% for console gaming and 20% for PC gaming compared with the same period in 2009.

Retail Digital Home

Retail sales of our Harmony remotes increased 34% and 67% and units sold increased 62% and 96% during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year. The growth was driven by multiple products, with the Harmony One being the primary contributor, followed by Harmony 650 and Harmony 300. The launch of Logitech Revue and the associated peripherals contributed sales of $23.4 million to our new Digital Home product family in the three months ended December 31, 2010.

 

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Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
           Nine months  ended
December 31,
       
     2010      2009     Change %      2010      2009     Change %  

Net sales

     $   754,054           $   617,101          22%         $   1,815,268           $   1,441,304          26%   

Cost of goods sold

     482,881           408,137          18%         1,158,132           1,002,730          15%   
                                       

Gross profit

     $ 271,173           $ 208,964          30%         $ 657,136           $ 438,574          50%   
                                       

Gross margin

     36.0%         33.9%        6%         36.2%         30.4%        19%   

Gross profit consists of net sales, less cost of goods sold which includes materials, direct labor and related overhead costs, costs of manufacturing facilities, costs of purchasing components from outside suppliers, distribution costs, write-down of inventories and amortization of intangible assets.

Gross margin increased to 36.0% and 36.2% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with 33.9% and 30.4% in the same periods in the prior year. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to operational improvements in our supply chain and the higher gross margin contributed by LifeSize product sales, partially offset by the negative impact of the weaker euro in fiscal year 2011 compared with fiscal year 2010.

Our operational improvements which contributed to the higher gross margin included utilization of ocean freight for key products rather than more costly air shipments, and savings in manufacturing and distribution costs.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
            Nine months  ended
December 31,
        
     2010      2009      Change %      2010      2009      Change %  

Marketing and selling

     $   124,914           $   87,322           43%         $   313,803           $   215,095           46%   

% of net sales

     17%         14%            17%         15%      

Research and development

     38,955           32,931           18%         118,271           96,116           23%   

% of net sales

     5%         5%            7%         7%      

General and administrative

     31,264           30,284           3%         86,044           75,204           14%   

% of net sales

     4%         5%            5%         5%      

Restructuring Charges

     —           —              —           1,494        

% of net sales

     0%         0%            0%         0%      
                                         

Total operating expenses

     $ 195,133           $ 150,537           30%         $ 518,118           $ 387,909           34%   
                                         

The increase in total operating expenses in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year was primarily due to our acquisition of LifeSize in December 2009. Excluding the LifeSize expenses, the percentage increase in operating expenses for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 was slightly higher than the increase in total net sales excluding LifeSize sales, as the Company continued to invest in product development and demand generation activities to support the resumption of revenue growth.

We refer to our operating expenses excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates as constant dollar operating expenses. Constant dollar operating expenses are a non-GAAP financial measure, which is information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our management uses these non-GAAP measures in its financial and operational decision-making, and believes these non-GAAP measures, when considered in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures, facilitate a better understanding of changes in operating expenses. Constant dollar operating expenses are calculated by translating prior period operating

 

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expenses in each local currency at the current period’s average exchange rate for that currency. If foreign currency exchange rates had been the same in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the increases in constant dollar total operating expenses for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 would have been 29% and 33%.

Marketing and Selling

Marketing and selling expense consists of personnel and related overhead costs, corporate and product marketing, promotions, advertising, trade shows, customer and technical support and facilities costs.

Marketing and selling expenses increased 43% and 46% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009, primarily due to the addition of LifeSize sales and marketing personnel in December 2009, and variable demand generation activities focused on Harmony remotes and Logitech Revue. Excluding the impact of LifeSize, marketing and selling expenses grew at a faster rate than our sales increase in the three month and nine month periods due to a partial restoration of headcount to support the return to sales growth, increased salaries and bonuses related to our return to quarterly profitability, and increased advertising and marketing expenses. The increased advertising and marketing spending related primarily to approximately $27 million of variable demand generation activities in connection with our Harmony Remotes and Logitech Revue, as well as other new product launches. In comparison, marketing and selling expenses in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009 were particularly low due to the Company’s continued cost reduction efforts in response to the economic downturn.

If foreign currency exchange rates had been the same in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the increases in constant dollar marketing and selling expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 would have been 44% and 47%.

Research and Development

Research and development expense consists of personnel and related overhead costs, contractors and outside consultants, supplies and materials, equipment depreciation and facilities costs, all associated with the design and development of new products and enhancements of existing products.

The 18% and 23% increase in research and development expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year was primarily due to the addition of LifeSize. Excluding the impact of LifeSize, salaries and bonuses for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 increased slightly compared with the prior fiscal year, in line with our return to quarterly profitability. Consulting fees related to our development of Logitech Revue for Google TV also contributed to the increase in research and development expense compared with the prior year.

If foreign currency exchange rates had been the same in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the increases in constant dollar research and development expense would have been 17% and 22%.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel and related overhead and facilities costs for the finance, information systems, executive, human resources and legal functions.

General and administrative expense increased 3% and 14% in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009. The addition of LifeSize expenses during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 contributed to the increase. In the same period of the prior year, LifeSize expenses were included only from December 11, 2009, the date of acquisition. Higher salary and bonus expenses also contributed to the increase, due to normal increases related to our return to quarterly profitability, compared with the prior year’s cost containment efforts. The nine months ended December 31, 2009 also included LifeSize transaction costs of $5.8 million.

 

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If foreign currency exchange rates had been the same in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the percentage increases in constant dollar general and administrative expense would have 3% and 15%.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring charges consisted of termination benefits, asset impairment charges, contract termination costs and other charges associated with the restructuring plan initiated in January 2009. The restructuring was completed as of March 31, 2010.

The following table summarizes restructuring related transactions during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Total      Termination
Benefits
     Contract
Termination
Costs
     Other  

Balance at March 31, 2009

     $ 3,794            $ 3,779            $ 15            $ -      

Charges

     1,449            1,366            83            -      

Cash payments

         (4,245)             (4,220)           (25)           -      

Other

     (8)           (4)           (4)           -      

Foreign exchange

     91            91            -            -      
                                   

Balance at June 30, 2009

     $ 1,081            $ 1,012            $ 69           $ -      
                                   

Charges

     45            (22)           9            58      

Cash payments

     (718)           (698)           (20)           -      

Other

     (4)           63            -            (67)     

Foreign exchange

     19            19            -            -      
                                   

Balance at September 30, 2009

     423            374            58            (9)     
                                   

Cash payments

     (200)           (180)           (20)           -      

Other

     (6)           (6)           -            -      

Foreign exchange

     (7)           (4)           -            (3)     
                                   

Balance at December 31, 2009

     $ 210            $ 184            $ 38            $ (12)     
                                   

Balance at March 31, 2010

     $ 399            $ 158            $ 334          $         (93)     

Cash payments

     (168)           -            (168)           -      

Other

     (74)           (149)           -            75      

Foreign exchange

     (3)           -            -            (3)     
                                   

Balance at June 30, 2010

     $ 154            $ 9            $ 166            $ (21)     
                                   

Cash payments

     (73)           -            (73)           -      
                                   

Balance at September 30, 2010

     $ 81            $ 9            $ 93            $ (21)     
                                   

Cash payments

     (55)           (9)           (67)           21      
                                   

Balance at December 31, 2010

     $ 26            $ -            $ 26            $ -      
                                   

 

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Interest Income, Net

Interest income and expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months  ended
December 31,
            Nine months  ended
December 31,
        
     2010      2009      Change %      2010      2009      Change %  

Interest income

     $         541            $       668            (19%)           $ 1,714            $ 1,913            (10%)     

Interest expense

     (2)           (254)           (99%)           (19)           (268)           (93%)     
                                         

Interest income, net

     $ 539            $ 414           30%            $ 1,695            $ 1,645            3%      
                                         

Interest income was lower during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the same periods in the prior fiscal year due to significantly lower invested balances, nearly offset by higher interest rates.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income and expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months  ended
December 31,
            Nine months  ended
December 31,
        
     2010      2009      Change %      2010      2009      Change %  

Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net

     $         (588)         $     1,998           (129%)           $       (1,649)           $ 860           (292%)     

Insurance investment income

     1,063            815           30%            887            1,219           (27%)     

Gain on sale of building

     -               -               0%            838            -               100%      

Other, net

     320            239           34%            721            337           114%      
                                         

Other income, net

     $ 795          $ 3,052           (74%)           $ 797             $     2,416           (67%)     
                                         

Foreign currency exchange gains or losses relate to balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of a particular subsidiary, or to the sale of currencies. The foreign currency exchange losses in the three months ended December 31, 2010 resulted from a weaker U.S. dollar compared with the Chinese renminbi, Tawainese dollar, Canadian dollar and Swiss franc, partly offset by gains recognized on currency sales. We do not speculate in currency positions, but we are alert to opportunities to realize foreign exchange gains. The foreign currency exchange losses for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 resulted primarily from realized losses on foreign exchange swap contracts.

Insurance investment income represents changes in the cash surrender value of Company-owned life insurance contracts related to a management deferred compensation plan offered by one of our subsidiaries. In December 2010, the Company surrendered the life insurance contracts for cash, and invested the proceeds in a Company-selected portfolio of mutual funds.

The gain on sale of building in the nine months ended December 31, 2010 relates to the sale of our building in Romanel, Switzerland during the three months ended June 30, 2010.

 

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Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes and effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months  ended
December 31,
            Nine months ended  December
31,
        
     2010      2009      Change      2010      2009      Change  

Provision for income taxes

   $ 12,372       $ 4,807         157%       $ 15,826       $ 14,262         11%   

Effective income tax rate

     16.0%         7.8%            11.2%         26.1%      

The provision for income taxes consists of income and withholding taxes. Logitech operates in multiple jurisdictions and its profits are taxed pursuant to the tax laws of these jurisdictions. The Company’s effective income tax rate may be affected by changes in tax laws or interpretations of tax laws in any given jurisdiction, utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, changes in geographical mix of income and expense, and changes in management’s assessment of matters such as the ability to realize deferred tax assets.

The change in the effective income tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the three months ended December 31, 2009 is primarily due to the mix of income and losses in the various tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The change in the effective income tax rate for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared with the nine months ended December 31, 2009 is primarily due to discrete tax benefits of $11.5 million from the expiration of statutes of limitations and the closure of income tax audits in certain foreign jurisdictions.

On December 17, 2010, the enactment in the U.S. of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 extended retroactively through the end of calendar year 2011 the U.S. federal research and development credit which had expired on December 31, 2009. Accordingly, the Company’s income tax provision for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 includes a tax benefit of $1.6 million related to the U.S. federal research tax credit.

As of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest and penalties due to uncertain tax positions was $127.7 million and $125.2 million, of which $106.5 million and $101.4 million would affect the effective income tax rate if recognized. The income tax liability associated with uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2010 did not increase substantially compared with March 31, 2010 primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitations and the closure of income tax audits in certain foreign jurisdictions.

The Company continues to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $10.0 million and $12.5 million of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

The Company files Swiss and foreign tax returns. For all these tax returns, the Company is generally not subject to tax examinations for years prior to 1999. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service expanded its examination of the Company’s U.S. subsidiary to include fiscal years 2008 and 2009 in addition to fiscal years 2006 and 2007. At this time it is not possible to estimate the potential impact that the examination may have on income tax expense. The Company is also under examination in other tax jurisdictions. Although the timing of the resolution or closure on audits is highly uncertain, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits would materially change in the next twelve months.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Balances, Available Borrowings, and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2010, our working capital was $556.3 million, compared with $327.6 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in working capital over the prior year was primarily due to cash generated from operations and higher accounts receivable from increased sales. In December 2009, we paid $382.8 million to acquire LifeSize, which reduced our working capital as of December 31, 2009.

 

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During the nine months ended December 31, 2010, operating activities provided net cash of $153.2 million. The primary driver of the decline in operating cash flows compared with the nine months ended December 31, 2009 was the higher investment in inventory and the increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by the increase in net income. Net cash used in investing activities was $37.5 million. We invested in capital expenditures and a business combination, which was partially offset by the sale of a building. Net cash provided by financing activities was $31.1 million, primarily from proceeds from employee stock purchases and the exercise of stock options.

At December 31, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $460.7 million, comprised of bank demand deposits and short-term time deposits. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which is equivalent to fair value.

The Company has credit lines with several European and Asian banks totaling $114.9 million as of December 31, 2010. As is common for businesses in European and Asian countries, these credit lines are uncommitted and unsecured. Despite the lack of formal commitments from the banks, we believe that these lines of credit will continue to be made available because of our long-standing relationships with these banks and our current financial condition. At December 31, 2010, there were no outstanding borrowings under these lines of credit. There are no financial covenants under these facilities.

The Company has financed its operating and capital requirements primarily through cash flow from operations and, to a lesser extent, from capital markets and bank borrowings. Our normal short-term liquidity and long-term capital resource requirements are provided from three sources: cash flow generated from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand, and borrowings, as needed, under our credit facilities.

Based upon our available cash balances and credit lines, and the trend of our historical cash flow generation, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund operations for the foreseeable future.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

The following table presents selected financial information and statistics as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2010      2009  

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 336,098       $ 248,625   

Inventories

     300,630         235,012   

Working capital

     556,268         327,607   

Days sales in accounts receivable (DSO) (1)

     40 days         36 days   

Inventory turnover (ITO) (2)

     6.4x         6.9x   

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 153,228       $ 299,350   

 

 

(1)

DSO is determined using ending accounts receivable as of the most recent quarter-end and net sales for the most recent quarter.

(2)

ITO is determined using ending inventories as of the most recent quarter-end and annualized cost of goods sold (based on the most recent quarterly cost of goods sold).

Net cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended December 31, 2010 was $153.2 million compared with $299.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2009. The primary driver of the lower operating cash flows in fiscal year 2011 was the increase in accounts receivable and the higher investment in inventory, partially offset by the increase in net income. Accounts receivable increased primarily as a result of increased sales. Inventory was higher at December 31, 2010 due to approximately $35.0 million of Digital Home products, an improved demand environment which requires more available inventory, and our decision to establish an inventory buffer in order to provide improved service levels.

 

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DSO as of December 31, 2010 increased by 4 days over the prior fiscal year. Typical payment terms require customers to pay for product sales generally within 30 to 60 days. However, terms may vary by customer type, by country and by selling season. Extended payment terms are sometimes offered to a limited number of customers during the second and third fiscal quarters. The Company does not modify payment terms on existing receivables, but may offer discounts for early payment.

Inventory turns for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 were slightly lower than in the nine months ended December 31, 2009, due to the increased level of inventory. Although inventory levels have increased from the prior year and from fiscal year end, the aging of the products in inventory has improved substantially.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Cash flows from investing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009  

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

   $ (31,835)       $ (26,438)   

Purchase of trading investments

     (12,554)           

Proceeds from cash surrender of life insurance policies

     11,313          813    

Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired

     (7,300)         (388,807)   

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment

     2,688            

Other, net

     194       
                 

Net cash used in investing activities

   $ (37,494)       $ (414,432)   
                 

Our capital expenditures during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were principally for computer hardware and software purchases, machinery and equipment, and normal expenditures for tooling. Purchasing activity was lower in the nine months ended December 31, 2009, as we focused our cash outlays on critical capital needs.

In December 2010, we surrendered the Company-owned life insurance contracts held in a Rabbi Trust representing investments of a management deferred compensation plan offered by one of the Company’s subsidiaries. We invested the proceeds of $11.3 million from the life insurance contracts, in addition to $0.8 million in cash held by the Rabbi Trust, investment earnings and employee contributions, in a $12.6 million Company-selected portfolio of mutual funds, which are also held in the Rabbi Trust.

In the nine months ended December 31, 2010, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Paradial AS for $7.3 million in a business combination. In the nine months ended December 31, 2009, we acquired LifeSize Communications for $378.6 million, net of cash acquired of $3.7 million, and certain assets of TV Compass for $10.0 million.

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment were related to the sale of our building in Romanel, Switzerland.

 

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Cash Flow from Financing Activities

The following table presents information on our cash flows from financing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2010      2009  

Repayment of short- and long-term debt

   $ -       $ (13,601)   

Purchases of treasury shares

     -         (101,267)   

Proceeds from sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights

     28,336         15,979    

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

     2,735         1,708    
                 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ 31,071       $ (97,181)   
                 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2009, we repaid $13.6 million of short- and long-term debt assumed when we acquired LifeSize Communications and repurchased 5.8 million Logitech shares for $101.3 million at an average price per share of $17.35 under the Company’s June 2007 buyback program. No share repurchases were made in the nine months ended December 31, 2010.

Cash of $28.3 million and $16.0 million was provided during the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 from the sale of shares upon exercise of options and purchase rights pursuant to the Company’s stock purchase plans. Tax benefits recognized on the exercise of share-based payment awards provided $2.7 million and $1.7 million.

Cash Outlook

We have financed our operations and capital requirements primarily through cash flow from operations and, to a lesser extent, capital markets and bank borrowings. Our working capital requirements and capital expenditures may increase to support future expansion of Logitech operations. Future acquisitions or expansion of our operations may be significant and may also require the use of cash. In addition, uncertainty regarding future global economic conditions could adversely affect our operations and require the use of cash.

In connection with the acquisition of LifeSize Communications, Inc. in December 2009, Logitech agreed to establish a cash retention and incentive plan for certain LifeSize employees, linked to the achievement of LifeSize performance targets. The duration of the plan’s performance period is two years, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011. The total available cash incentive is $9.0 million over the two year performance period.

In September 2008, our Board of Directors approved a share buyback program, which authorizes the Company to invest up to $250 million to purchase its own shares. As of February 4, 2011, we have not made any repurchases under the September 2008 program.

On October 12, 2010, the legislature of the U.S. state of California enacted a fiscal budget bill which extended the suspension of net operating losses for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2008 through January 1, 2012. The legislation also affects the methodology used by corporate taxpayers to apportion income to California and modifies the large corporate underpayment penalty effective for our fiscal years ending March 31, 2011 and 2012. Although the Company has significant operations in California, we believe these changes will not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service expanded its examination of the Company’s U.S. subsidiary to include fiscal years 2008 and 2009 in addition to fiscal years 2006 and 2007. The Company is also under examination in other tax jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2010, we are not able to estimate the potential future liability, if any, which may result from these examinations.

Other contractual obligations and commitments of the Company which require cash are described in the following sections.

 

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Over the past several years, we have generated positive cash flow from our operating activities, including cash from operations of $365.3 million in fiscal year 2010 and $153.2 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2010. Despite the uncertain economic environment, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents, cash flow generated from operations, and available borrowings under our bank lines of credit will be sufficient to fund our operations for the foreseeable future.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s outstanding contractual obligations and commitments included: (i) facilities leased under operating lease commitments, (ii) purchase commitments and obligations, (iii) long-term liabilities for income taxes payable, and (iv) defined benefit pension plan obligations. The following summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments at December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2010  

Operating leases

   $ 70,976   

Purchase commitments - inventory

     131,123   

Purchase obligations - capital expenditures

     12,918   

Purchase obligations - operating expenses

     68,238   

Income taxes payable - non-current

     121,165   

Obligation for management deferred compensation

     12,268   

Pension and post-employment obligations

     21,402   

Other long-term liabilities

     14,078   
        

Total contractual obligations and commitments

   $ 452,168   
        

Operating Leases

The Company leases facilities under operating leases, certain of which require it to pay property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. Operating leases for facilities are generally renewable at the Company’s option and usually include escalation clauses linked to inflation. The remaining terms on our non-cancelable operating leases expire in various years through 2028. Our asset retirement obligations on these leases as of December 31, 2010 were $1.6 million. The increase in future minimum annual rentals as of December 31, 2010 compared with March 31, 2010 was due to a new research and development office in Lausanne, Switzerland, new facilities for our LifeSize division in Austin, Texas and a new office for our audio business unit in Vancouver, Washington.

Purchase Commitments

We expect to continue making capital expenditures in the future to support product development activities and ongoing and expanded operations. At December 31, 2010, fixed purchase commitments for capital expenditures amounted to $12.9 million, and primarily relate to commitments for manufacturing equipment and tooling. We also have commitments for inventory purchases made in the normal course of business to original design manufacturers, contract manufacturers and other suppliers. At December 31, 2010, fixed purchase commitments for inventory amounted to $131.1 million, which are expected to be fulfilled by May 31, 2011. We also had other commitments of $68.2 million for consulting, marketing arrangements, advertising and other services. Although open purchase commitments are considered enforceable and legally binding, the terms generally allow us the option to reschedule and adjust our requirements based on business needs prior to delivery of goods or performance of services.

Income Taxes Payable

At December 31, 2010, we had $121.2 million in non-current income taxes payable, including interest and penalties, related to our income tax liability for recognized uncertain tax positions, compared

 

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with $116.5 million in non-current income taxes payable and $2.4 million in current income taxes payable as of March 31, 2010. The income tax liability associated with uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2010 did not increase substantially compared with March 31, 2010 primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitations and the closure of income tax audits in certain foreign jurisdictions.

The Company files Swiss and foreign tax returns. For all these tax returns, the Company is generally not subject to tax examinations for years prior to 1999. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service expanded its examination of the Company’s U.S. subsidiary to include fiscal years 2008 and 2009 in addition to fiscal years 2006 and 2007. At this time it is not possible to estimate the potential impact that the examination may have on income tax expense. The Company is also under examination in other tax jurisdictions. Although timing of the resolution or closure on audits is highly uncertain, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits would materially change in the next twelve months.

Other Contractual Obligations and Commitments

For further detail about our contractual obligations and commitments, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has not entered into any transactions with unconsolidated entities whereby we have financial guarantees, subordinated retained interests, derivative instruments or other contingent arrangements that expose us to material continuing risks, contingent liabilities, or any other obligation under a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the Company.

Guarantees

The Company has guaranteed the purchase obligations of some of its contract manufacturers and original design manufacturers to certain component suppliers. These guarantees generally have a term of one year and are automatically extended for one or more years as long as a liability exists. The amount of the purchase obligations of these manufacturers varies over time, and therefore the amounts subject to the Company’s guarantees similarly vary. At December 31, 2010, there were no outstanding guaranteed purchase obligations. The maximum potential future payments under two of three guarantee arrangements is limited to $30.0 million. The third guarantee is limited to purchases of specified components from the named suppliers. We do not believe, based on historical experience and information available as of the date of this report, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these guarantee arrangements.

Logitech International S.A., the parent holding company, has guaranteed certain contingent liabilities of various subsidiaries related to specific transactions occurring in the normal course of business. The maximum amount of the guarantees was $9.1 million as of December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, $9.1 million was outstanding under these guarantees. The parent holding company has also guaranteed the purchases of one of its subsidiaries under three guarantee arrangements. These guarantees do not specify a maximum amount. As of December 31, 2010, $5.5 million was outstanding under these guarantees.

Indemnifications

The Company indemnifies some of its suppliers and customers for losses arising from matters such as intellectual property rights and product safety defects, subject to certain restrictions. The scope of these indemnities varies, but in some instances, includes indemnification for damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our officers and directors, and the bylaws of our subsidiaries contain similar indemnification obligations to our agents. No amounts have been accrued for indemnification provisions at December 31, 2010. We do not believe, based on historical experience and information available as of the date of this report, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these indemnification arrangements.

 

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ITEM 3. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. As a global concern, the Company faces exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. These exposures may change over time as business practices evolve and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial results.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk as it transacts business in multiple foreign currencies, including exposure related to anticipated sales, anticipated purchases and assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Logitech transacts business in over 30 currencies worldwide, of which the most significant to operations are the CNY (Chinese renminbi), Taiwanese dollar, euro, British pound, Japanese yen, Mexican peso and Canadian dollar,. The functional currency of the Company’s operations is primarily the U.S. dollar. To a lesser extent, certain operations use the euro, Swiss franc, Japanese yen or the local currency of the country as their functional currencies. Accordingly, unrealized foreign currency gains or losses resulting from the translation of net assets or liabilities denominated in foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar are accumulated in the cumulative translation adjustment component of other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

The table below provides information about the Company’s underlying transactions that are sensitive to foreign exchange rate changes, primarily assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, where the net exposure is greater than $0.5 million at December 31, 2010. The table also presents the U.S. dollar impact on earnings of a 10% appreciation and a 10% depreciation of the functional currency as compared with the transaction currency (in thousands):

 

Functional

Currency

  

Transaction

Currency

   Net Exposed
Long (Short)
Currency
Position
     FX Gain (Loss)
From 10%
Appreciation of
Functional
Currency
     FX Gain (Loss)
From 10%
Depreciation of
Functional
Currency
 

Chinese renminbi

   U.S. dollar    $ (26,431)       $ 2,403        $ (2,937)   

Taiwanese dollar

   U.S. dollar      19,936          (1,812)         2,215    

Euro

   British pound      16,732          (1,521)         1,859    

Japanese yen

   U.S. dollar      (10,735)         976          (1,193)   

Mexican peso

   U.S. dollar      (8,974)         816          (997)   

U.S. dollar

   Canadian dollar      7,160          (651)         796    

Euro

   U.S. dollar      (2,129)         194          (237)   

Euro

   Swedish krona      (1,159)         105          (129)   

Euro

   Swiss franc      (1,046)         95          (116)   

Australian dollar

   U.S. dollar      757          (69)         84    

U.S. dollar

   Hong Kong dollar      (729)         66          (81)   

Euro

   Norwegian krone      (695)         63          (77)   

Euro

   Russian rouble      439          (40)         49    

Swiss franc

   U.S. dollar      395          (36)         44    
           
      $ (6,479)       $ 589        $ (720)   
           

 

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Long currency positions represent net assets being held in the transaction currency while short currency positions represent net liabilities being held in the transaction currency.

The Company’s principal manufacturing operations are located in China, with much of its component and raw material costs transacted in CNY. However, the functional currency of its Chinese operating subsidiary is the U.S. dollar as its sales and trade receivables are transacted in U.S. dollars. To hedge against any potential significant appreciation of the CNY, the Company transferred a portion of its cash investments to CNY accounts. At December 31, 2010, net assets held in CNY totaled $26.4 million. The Company continues to evaluate the level of net assets held in CNY relative to component and raw material purchases and interest rates on cash equivalents.

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge against exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to its subsidiaries’ forecasted inventory purchases. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is the foreign currency exchange rate risk. The Company has designated these derivatives as cash flow hedges. Logitech does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. These hedging contracts mature within three months, and are denominated in the same currency as the underlying transactions. Gains and losses in the fair value of the effective portion of the hedges are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged inventory purchases are sold, at which time the gains or losses are reclassified to cost of goods sold. The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedges by comparing changes in the spot rate of the currency underlying the forward contract with changes in the spot rate of the currency in which the forecasted transaction will be consummated. If the underlying transaction being hedged fails to occur or if a portion of the hedge does not generate offsetting changes in the foreign currency exposure of forecasted inventory purchases, the Company immediately recognizes the gain or loss on the associated financial instrument in other income (expense). As of December 31, 2010, the notional amount of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding related to forecasted inventory purchases was $59.9 million (€47.1 million). Deferred realized losses of $2.3 million are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2010, and are expected to be reclassified to cost of goods sold when the related inventory is sold. Deferred unrealized losses of $0.2 million related to open cash flow hedges are also recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2010 and these forward contracts will be revalued in future periods until the related inventory is sold, at which time the resulting gains or losses will be reclassified to cost of goods sold.

The Company also enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the short-term effects of foreign currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency receivables or payables. These forward contracts generally mature within three months. The Company may also enter into foreign exchange swap contracts to economically extend the terms of its foreign exchange forward contracts. The primary risk managed by using forward and swap contracts is the foreign currency exchange rate risk. The gains or losses on foreign exchange forward contracts are recognized in earnings based on the changes in fair value.

The notional amounts of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2010 relating to foreign currency receivables or payables was $11.0 million. Open forward contracts as of December 31, 2010 consisted of contracts in British pounds to purchase euros at a future date at a predetermined exchange rate. The notional amount of foreign exchange swap contracts outstanding at December 31, 2010 was $19.7 million. Swap contracts outstanding at December 31, 2010 consisted of contracts in Canadian dollars, Japanese yen, and Mexican pesos. Unrealized net losses on the contracts outstanding at December 31, 2010 were $0.4 million.

If the U.S. dollar had appreciated by 10% compared with the foreign currencies in which we have forward or swap contracts, an unrealized gain of $7.2 million in our forward foreign exchange contract portfolio would have occurred. If the U.S. dollar had depreciated by 10% compared with the foreign currencies in which we have forward or swap contracts, an $8.8 million unrealized loss in our forward foreign exchange contract portfolio would have occurred.

 

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Interest Rates

Changes in interest rates could impact the Company’s anticipated interest income on its cash equivalents and investment securities. The Company prepared sensitivity analyses of its interest rate exposures to assess the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates. Based on the results of these analyses, a 100 basis point decrease or increase in interest rates from the December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010 period end rates would not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Logitech’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Disclosure controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed to reasonably assure that this information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we become involved in claims and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of our business. We are currently subject to several such claims and a small number of legal proceedings. We presently do not believe that the resolution of these claims and legal proceedings will have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The strength and timing of the anticipated improvement of our business is uncertain, and economic conditions have harmed and could continue to significantly harm our operating results.

Logitech’s operations and performance depend significantly on worldwide economic conditions. The global economic recession had a significant negative impact on our business. Our business and operating results have improved, in part as a result of the steps we have taken in response to general economic conditions. However, the strength and precise timing of future improvement of our business is uncertain. In addition, uncertainty about current and future global economic conditions may have the following negative effects on our business, operating results, and financial condition:

 

   

Slow sales to our customers, reflecting current and anticipated lower end-user consumer demand for our products as well as a shift in consumer buying patterns toward lower-priced products.

 

   

Risk of future customer bankruptcy or business failures from new or incremental tightening in the credit markets, resulting in lower sales levels and increases in bad debt write-offs and receivables reserves.

 

   

Higher costs for customer incentive programs, cooperative marketing arrangements and price protection used to stimulate demand, which lowers our net sales.

 

   

Increased downward pressure on our product prices as we lower prices to stimulate demand or reduce inventory, or as competitors lower prices to gain market share in slow-growing or shrinking markets.

 

   

Risk of excess and obsolete inventories.

 

   

Financial distress or bankruptcy of key suppliers, resulting in insufficient product quantities to meet demand for particular products.

If our business does not continue to improve as we expect, or if global economic conditions deteriorate, our operating results in a given quarter could be below the expectations of financial analysts and investors, which could increase the volatility of our share price.

Our operating results are difficult to predict and fluctuations in results may cause volatility in the price of our shares.

Our revenues and profitability are difficult to predict due to the nature of the markets in which we compete and for many other reasons, including the following:

 

   

Our operating results are highly dependent on the volume and timing of orders received during the quarter, which are difficult to forecast. Customers generally order on an as-needed basis and we typically do not obtain firm, long-term purchase commitments from our customers. As a result, our revenues in any quarter depend primarily on orders booked and shipped in that quarter.

 

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A significant portion of our quarterly retail sales typically occurs in the last weeks of each quarter, further increasing the difficulty in predicting quarterly revenues and profitability.

 

   

We must incur a large portion of our costs in advance of sales orders, because we must plan research and production, order components, buy tooling equipment, and enter into development, sales and marketing, and other operating commitments prior to obtaining firm commitments from our customers. This makes it difficult for us to rapidly adjust our costs during the quarter in response to a revenue shortfall, which could adversely affect our operating results.

 

   

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates can impact our revenues, expenses and profitability because we report our financial statements in U.S. dollars, whereas a significant portion of our revenues and expenses are in other currencies. We attempt to adjust product prices over time to offset the impact of currency movements. However, over short periods of time and during periods of weakness in consumer spending, our ability to increase local currency selling prices to offset the impact of currency fluctuations is limited.

Because our operating results are difficult to predict, our results may be below the expectations of financial analysts and investors, which could cause the price of our shares to decline.

We may not realize the anticipated benefits of our acquisition of LifeSize Communications.

In December 2009, we acquired LifeSize Communications, Inc., a privately-held company providing high definition video communication solutions. This acquisition is part of our strategy to acquire, when appropriate, companies that have products, personnel and technologies that complement our strategic direction and roadmap.

Our acquisition of LifeSize involves risks and uncertainties, including:

 

   

Insufficient future revenues and profitability of LifeSize, which could negatively impact our consolidated results.

 

   

Significant goodwill and intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisition, which could require an impairment and resulting reduction in consolidated results if future revenues and profitability of LifeSize do not meet expectations.

 

   

Increased or unpredictable resource allocation requirements for LifeSize, which could impact the availability of resources for other Logitech strategic or operational investments.

In addition, through our acquisition of LifeSize, we have entered the market for enterprise video conferencing. Although we have maintained the LifeSize enterprise sales organization, Logitech has little experience with selling to enterprise accounts, or in marketing to large enterprises. We are also exposed to additional competitors in the video conferencing market, some of which have greater resources, including technical and engineering resources, than we do. Additionally, as customers complete video conferencing installations, they may require greater levels of service and support than we have provided in the past. Demand for these types of services and support may increase in the future. There can be no assurance that we can provide products, services and support to effectively compete for these market opportunities. Further, provision of greater levels of services and support by us may result in a delay in the timing of revenue recognition.

 

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Any of these and other factors, many of which are out of our control, could prevent us from realizing the anticipated benefits of the acquisition and could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition. There can be no assurance that LifeSize product enhancements will be made in a timely fashion or that pre-acquisition due diligence will have identified all possible issues that might arise with respect to LifeSize products.

Acquisitions are inherently risky, and no assurance can be given that our acquisition of LifeSize or other future acquisitions will be successful and will not adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

If we fail to successfully innovate in our current and emerging product categories, our business and operating results could suffer.

The peripherals industry is characterized by short product life cycles, frequent new product introductions, rapidly changing technology and evolving industry standards. The video conferencing market is characterized by continual performance enhancements, increasing consolidation of market participants, and large, well-financed competitors. As a result, we must continually innovate in our current and emerging product categories, introduce new products and technologies, enhance existing products, and aggressively manage costs in order to remain competitive.

The success of our products depends on several factors, including our ability to:

 

   

identify new features or product opportunities;

 

   

anticipate changes in technology, market trends, and consumer and business demands;

 

   

develop innovative and reliable new products and enhancements in a cost-effective and timely manner; and

 

   

distinguish our products from those of our competitors.

If we do not execute on these factors successfully, products that we introduce or technologies or standards that we adopt may not gain widespread commercial acceptance, and our business and operating results could suffer.

In addition, if we do not continue to distinguish all our products, particularly our retail products, through distinctive, technologically advanced features, designs, and services, as well as continue to build and strengthen our brand recognition and our access to distribution channels, our business could be harmed.

Our products for the Google TV platform may be less successful than we expect for a number of reasons, which could harm our business and operating results.

We are investing significantly in the development and marketing of our products for the Google TV platform. We believe that the Google TV platform has the potential to provide us with a sizable and growing installed base to generate incremental sales over an extended period of time. However, consumer reaction to and demand for Google TV and our products for it have been less positive than we anticipated. If demand continues to be less positive than we expect, if Google fails to further develop and support the Google TV platform, if Google TV is not introduced by Google in countries outside of the United States, or if we choose to invest more in marketing or other expenses in order to develop and promote our products for Google TV, our revenue expectations for our products for Google TV may not be achieved and the revenue generated could be less than the resources we have invested, which could harm our business and operating results.

If we do not successfully innovate and market products for tablets and other mobile devices, in particular those with touch interfaces, our business and results of operations may suffer.

 

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We have historically targeted peripherals for the PC platform. The increasing popularity of tablets and smart phones with computing or web surfing capabilities and touch interfaces is rapidly changing the PC market. In our OEM channel, the slower growth of desktop PCs has adversely affected our sales of OEM mice, which have historically made up the bulk of our OEM sales. Our OEM sales accounted for 10% of total revenues in the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 10% of total revenues during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. If the desktop PC market continues to experience slower growth or decline, and if we do not successfully diversify our OEM business, our OEM revenues could be adversely affected.

In our retail channels, notebook PCs, tablets and smart phones are sold by retailers without peripherals. We believe this creates opportunities to sell products to consumers to help make their devices more productive and comfortable. However, consumer acceptance and demand for peripherals for use with these devices is still uncertain. The increasing popularity of tablets and smart phones may result in a decreased demand by consumers for our PC peripherals, which would negatively affect our sales of these products. The increasing popularity of tablets and smart phones has coincided with a steadily decreasing average sales price for desktop and notebook PCs. As a result, there is a risk that the demand for those of our products that have a relatively high average sales price in relation to the price of a desktop or notebook PC will decline. If we do not successfully innovate and market products designed for tablets and smart phones, or if general consumer demand for peripherals for use with these devices does not increase, our business and results of operations could be significantly harmed.

If we do not compete effectively, demand for our products could decline and our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

The peripherals and video conferencing industries are intensely competitive.

The peripherals industry is characterized by short product life cycles, continual performance enhancements, and rapid adoption of technological and product advancements by competitors in our retail markets, and price sensitivity in the OEM market. We experience aggressive price competition and other promotional activities from our primary competitors and from less-established brands, including brands owned by retail customers known as house brands, in response to declining consumer demand in both the retail and OEM markets. In addition, our competitors may offer customers terms and conditions which may be more favorable than our terms and conditions and may require us to take actions to increase our customer incentive programs, which could impact our revenues and operating margins.

The video conferencing industry is characterized by continual performance enhancements, increasing consolidation of market participants, and large, well-financed competitors. There is heightened interest in the video conferencing market by companies such as Cisco Systems, Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Company, and as a result, we expect competition in the industry to further intensify. In addition, there are an increasing number of PC-based multi-person videoconferencing applications, such as those offered by Skype, which could compete at the lower end of the video conferencing market with our LifeSize products and services.

In recent years, we have expanded the categories of products we sell, and entered new markets. We remain alert to opportunities in new categories and markets. As we do so, we are confronting new competitors, many of which have more experience in the categories or markets and have greater marketing resources and brand name recognition than we have. In addition, because of the continuing convergence of the markets for computing devices and consumer electronics, we expect greater competition in the future from well-established consumer electronics companies in our developing categories, such as our products for Google TV, as well as in future categories we might enter. Many of these companies, such as Microsoft Corporation, Cisco, Sony Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Polycom, Inc. and others, have greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources than we have.

 

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Microsoft is a leading producer of operating systems and applications with which our mice, keyboards and webcams are designed to operate. In addition, Microsoft has significantly greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources than Logitech, as well as greater name recognition and a larger customer base. As a result, Microsoft may be able to improve the functionality of its own peripherals to correspond with ongoing enhancements to its operating systems and software applications before we are able to make such improvements. This ability could provide Microsoft with significant lead-time advantages. In addition, Microsoft may be able to offer pricing advantages on bundled hardware and software products that we may not be able to offer, and may be financially positioned to exert significant downward pressure on product prices and upward pressure on promotional incentives in order to gain market share.

Pointing Devices, Keyboards and Desktops. Microsoft is our main competitor in the mice, keyboard and desktop product lines. We also experience competition and pricing pressure for corded and cordless mice and desktops from less-established brands, including house brands, which has impacted our market share in some sales geographies and which could potentially further impact our market share. The notebook peripheral category is also an area where we face aggressive pricing and promotions, as well as new competitors that have broader notebook product offerings than we do.

Video. Our competitors for PC Web cameras include Microsoft, Creative Labs, Royal Philips Electronics NV and Hewlett-Packard. The worldwide market for PC webcams has been very competitive, and as a result, pricing practices and promotions by our competitors have become more aggressive, which has impacted our revenues and margins.

Audio. Competitors in audio devices vary by product line. In the PC, mobile entertainment and communication platform speaker business, competitors include Plantronics, Inc., Altec Lansing LLC, Creative Labs, and Bose Corporation. In the PC headset and microphone business, our main competitors include Plantronics and Altec Lansing. We have expanded our audio product portfolio to include network-based audio systems for digital music, an emerging market with several small competitors as well as larger established consumer electronics companies, like Sony and Philips.

Gaming. Competitors for our interactive entertainment products include Intec, Razer USA Ltd., Performance Designed Products, LLC (Pelican Accessories), Mad Catz Interactive, Inc., and its Saitek brand. Our controllers for PlayStation also compete against controllers offered by Sony.

Digital Home. Our competitors for remotes include, among others, Philips, Universal Remote Control, Inc., Universal Electronics Inc., RCA and Sony. Our products for Google TV compete to some extent with those offered by Sony, and more broadly, with connectivity devices and peripherals for other connected or smart TV platforms. We expect that the growth in recent years in consumer demand for peripheral devices for home entertainment systems will likely result in increased competition.

Video Conferencing. Our primary competitors in the enterprise video conferencing market are Cisco’s Tandberg subsidiary and Polycom. These companies have longer experience and a larger customer installed base than LifeSize. Cisco and Hewlett-Packard also compete with us for sales of higher-end systems. Cisco and Hewlett-Packard have substantially greater financial, sales and marketing, and engineering resources than we do. In addition, there are a number of smaller competitors which compete with LifeSize, along with Polycom, Cisco and Hewlett-Packard, for new accounts, OEM relationships, and installations.

The growth of our LifeSize division depends in part on our ability to increase sales to enterprises with installed bases of Cisco and Tandberg equipment, and to enterprises that may purchase their equipment in the future. Cisco is a leading producer of networking, switching and other telecommunications infrastructure products and end-points, such as phones, that are frequently used within enterprises. In addition, Cisco recently purchased Tandberg, a leader in video communications. We believe the ability of our LifeSize products to interoperate with Cisco and Tandberg equipment, and with the equipment of other telecommunications, video conferencing or telepresence equipment suppliers, to be a key factor in purchasing decisions by current or prospective LifeSize customers. Cisco and Tandberg may be able to improve the functionality of their own videoconferencing equipment to correspond with ongoing enhancements to Cisco’s networking, switching and other telecommunications equipment before we are

 

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able to make such improvements, or may restrict the interoperability of their products with ours. This could significantly harm the sales of our LifeSize division. As a result, the growth of our LifeSize division, and the growth of Logitech as a whole, could be significantly harmed.

If we do not compete effectively, demand for our products could decline, our gross margin could decrease, we could lose market share and our revenues could decline.

If we do not accurately forecast product demand, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

We use our forecasts of product demand to make decisions regarding investments of our resources and production levels of our products. Although we receive forecasts from our customers, many are not obligated to purchase the forecasted demand. Also, actual sales volumes for individual products in our retail distribution channel can be volatile due to changes in consumer preferences and other reasons. In addition, our retail products have short product life cycles, so a failure to accurately predict high demand for a product can result in lost sales that we may not recover in subsequent periods, or higher product costs if we meet demand by paying higher costs for materials, production and delivery. We could also frustrate our customers and lose shelf space. Our failure to predict low demand for a product can result in excess inventory, lower cash flows and lower margins if we are required to reduce product prices in order to reduce inventories.

Over the past few years, we have expanded the number and types of products we sell, and the geographic markets in which we sell them, and we will endeavor to further expand our product portfolio and sales reach. The growth of our product portfolio and our sales markets has increased the difficulty of accurately forecasting product demand.

We have experienced large differences between our forecasts and actual demand for our products and expect differences to arise in the future. If we do not accurately predict product demand, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our gross margins can vary significantly depending on multiple factors, which can result in unanticipated fluctuations in our operating results.

Our gross margins can vary due to consumer demand, competition, product life cycle, new product introductions, unit volumes, commodity and supply chain costs, geographic sales mix, foreign currency exchange rates, and the complexity and functionality of new product innovations. In particular, if we are not able to introduce new products in a timely manner at the product cost we expect, or if consumer demand for our products is less than we anticipate, or if there are product pricing, marketing and other initiatives by our competitors to which we need to react that lower our margins, then our overall gross margin will be less than we project. For example, a sustained increase in the cost of key commodities used in our products, such as copper and thermoplastic, could negatively impact our gross margins. As another example, in the second half of fiscal year 2009 and the first half of fiscal year 2010, economic uncertainty caused our customers to reduce purchases of our products below what we had forecasted, and also led us to increase our customer incentives to stimulate demand, which significantly lowered our overall gross margin in those periods.

In addition, our gross margins may vary significantly by product line, sales geography and customer type, as well as within product lines. When the mix of products sold shifts from higher margin product lines to lower margin product lines, to lower margin sales geographies, or to lower margin products within product lines, our overall gross margins and our profitability may be adversely affected.

The impact of these factors on gross margins can create unanticipated fluctuations in our operating results, which may cause volatility in the price of our shares.

 

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Our business depends in part on access to third-party platforms or technologies, and if the access is withdrawn, denied, or is not available on terms acceptable to us, or if the platforms or technologies change without notice to us, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our product portfolio includes current and future products designed for use with third-party platforms, such as Apple iPod and iPhone, Google TV, Sony PlayStation, and Nintendo Wii. Our business in these categories relies on our access to the platforms of third parties, which can be withdrawn, denied or not be available on terms acceptable to us.

Our access to third-party platforms may require paying a royalty, which lowers our product margins, or may otherwise be on terms that are not acceptable to us. In addition, the third-party platforms or technologies used to interact with our product portfolio can be delayed in production or can change without prior notice to us, which can result in our having excess inventory or lower margins.

If we are unable to access third-party platforms or technologies, or if our access is withdrawn, denied, or is not available on terms acceptable to us, or if the platforms or technologies are delayed or change without notice to us, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our principal manufacturing operations and third-party contract manufacturers are located in China, which exposes us to risks associated with doing business in that country.

Our principal manufacturing operations and third-party contract manufacturers are located in China. Our manufacturing operations in China could be severely impacted by changes in the interpretation and enforcement of legal standards, by strains on China’s available labor pool, communications, trade, and other infrastructures, by conflicts or disagreements between China and Taiwan or China and the United States, by labor unrest, and by other trade customs and practices that are dissimilar to those in the United States and Europe. Interpretation and enforcement of China’s laws and regulations continue to evolve and we expect differences in interpretation and enforcement to continue in the foreseeable future.

Further, we may be exposed to fluctuations in the value of the Chinese renminbi (“CNY”), the local currency of China, as well as higher overall labor costs due to continuing increases in China’s minimum wage. Future appreciation of the CNY could increase our component and other raw material costs. In addition, our labor costs could continue to rise as wage rates increase and the available labor pool declines. These conditions could adversely affect our gross margins and financial results.

We purchase key components and products from a limited number of sources, and our business and operating results could be harmed if supply were delayed or constrained or if there were shortages of required components.

We purchase certain products and key components from a limited number of sources. If the supply of these products or key components, such as micro-controllers, optical sensors and LifeSize hardware products, were to be delayed or constrained, or if one or more of our single-source suppliers goes out of business as a result of adverse global economic conditions, we might be unable to find a new supplier on acceptable terms, or at all, and our product shipments to our customers could be delayed, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

Lead times for materials, components and products ordered by us or by our contract manufacturers can vary significantly and depend on factors such as contract terms, demand for a component, and supplier capacity. From time to time, we have experienced component shortages and extended lead times on semiconductors, such as micro-controllers and optical sensors, and base metals used in our products. Shortages or interruptions in the supply of components or subcontracted products, or our inability to procure these components or products from alternate sources at acceptable prices in a timely manner, could delay shipment of our products or increase our production costs, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

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If we do not successfully coordinate the worldwide manufacturing and distribution of our products, we could lose sales.

Our business requires us to coordinate the manufacture and distribution of our products over much of the world. We rely on third parties to manufacture many of our products, manage centralized distribution centers, and transport our products. For example, the availability of transportation resources has been constrained recently by competitive actions and vendor consolidation. If we do not successfully coordinate the timely manufacturing and distribution of our products, we may have insufficient supply of products to meet customer demand and we could lose sales, or we may experience a build-up in inventory.

A significant portion of our quarterly retail orders and product deliveries generally occur in the last weeks of the fiscal quarter. This places pressure on our supply chain and could adversely impact our revenues and profitability if we are unable to successfully fulfill customer orders in the quarter.

We conduct operations in a number of countries, and are investing significantly in growing our sales and marketing activities in China, and the effect of business, legal and political risks associated with international operations could significantly harm us.

We conduct operations in a number of countries, and are investing significantly in growing our sales and marketing activities in China. We may also increase our investments to grow sales in other emerging markets. There are risks inherent in doing business in international markets, including:

 

   

difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;

 

   

compliance with laws and regulations, including environmental and tax laws, which vary from country to country and over time, increasing the costs of compliance and potential risks of non-compliance;

 

   

exposure to political and financial instability, leading to currency exchange losses and collection difficulties or other losses;

 

   

exposure to fluctuations in the value of local currencies;

 

   

difficulties and increased costs in establishing sales and distribution channels in unfamiliar markets, with their own market characteristics and competition;

 

   

changes in VAT (value-added tax) or VAT reimbursement;

 

   

imposition of currency exchange controls; and

 

   

delays from customs brokers or government agencies.

Any of these risks could significantly harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

We may be unable to protect our proprietary rights. Unauthorized use of our technology may result in the development of products that compete with our products.

Our future success depends in part on our proprietary technology, technical know-how and other intellectual property. We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws, and confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions such as nondisclosure terms and licenses, to protect our intellectual property.

We hold various United States patents and pending applications, together with corresponding patents and pending applications from other countries. It is possible that any patent owned by us will be invalidated, deemed unenforceable, circumvented or challenged, that the patent rights granted will not provide competitive advantages to us, or that any of our pending or future patent applications will not be

 

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granted. In addition, other intellectual property laws or our confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions may not adequately protect our intellectual property. Also, others may independently develop similar technology, duplicate our products, or design around our patents or other intellectual property rights. Unauthorized parties have copied and may in the future attempt to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Any of these events could significantly harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

Claims by others that we infringe their proprietary technology could harm our business.

We have been expanding the categories of products we sell, and entering new markets, such as the market for enterprise video conferencing and our introduction of products for Google TV. We expect to continue to enter new categories and markets. As we do so, we face an increased risk that claims alleging we infringe the patent or other intellectual property rights of others, regardless of the merit of the claims, may increase in number and significance. Infringement claims against us may also increase as the functionality of video, voice, data and conferencing products begin to overlap. This risk is heightened by the increase in lawsuits brought by holders of patents that do not have an operating business. Intellectual property lawsuits are subject to inherent uncertainties due to the complexity of the technical issues involved, and we cannot be certain that we will be successful in defending ourselves against intellectual property claims. A successful claimant could secure a judgment that requires us to pay substantial damages or prevents us from distributing certain products or performing certain services. We might also be required to seek a license for the use of such intellectual property, which may not be available on commercially acceptable terms or at all. Alternatively, we may be required to develop non-infringing technology, which could require significant effort and expense and may ultimately not be successful. Any claims or proceedings against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation or the diversion of significant operational resources, or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Product quality issues could adversely affect our reputation and could impact our operating results.

The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing technology and evolving industry standards. To remain competitive, we must continually introduce new products and technologies. The products that we sell could contain defects in design or manufacture. Defects could also occur in the products or components that are supplied to us. There can be no assurance we will be able to detect and remedy all defects in the hardware and software we sell. Failure to do so could result in product recalls, product redesign efforts, lost revenue, loss of reputation, and significant warranty and other expenses to remedy.

Our effective income tax rates may increase in the future, which could adversely affect our net income.

We operate in multiple jurisdictions and our profits are taxed pursuant to the tax laws of these jurisdictions. Our effective income tax rate may be affected by changes in or interpretations of tax laws in any given jurisdiction, utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, changes in geographical allocation of income and expense, and changes in management’s assessment of matters such as the realizability of deferred tax assets. In the past, we have experienced fluctuations in our effective income tax rate. Our effective income tax rate in a given fiscal year reflects a variety of factors that may not be present in the succeeding fiscal year or years. There is no assurance that our effective income tax rate will not change in future periods. We are currently subject to ongoing audits in various jurisdictions and a material assessment by a governing tax authority could adversely affect our profitability. If our effective income tax rate increases in future periods, our net income could be adversely affected.

 

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ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Share Repurchases

Logitech did not make any purchases of its equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2010. In September 2008, our Board of Directors approved a share buyback program, which authorizes the Company to invest up to $250 million to purchase its own shares. Logitech has not repurchased any shares under this program.

 

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ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

31.1

  

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

31.2

  

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

  

Section 1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.*

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*

This exhibit is furnished herewith, but not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under that section. Such certifications will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we explicitly incorporate them by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.

/s/ Gerald P. Quindlen

Gerald P. Quindlen

President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Erik K. Bardman

Erik K. Bardman

Senior Vice President, Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

February 7, 2011

 

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