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MESA LABORATORIES INC /CO/ - Quarter Report: 2014 December (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

(Mark one) 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2014

 

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TOSECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ___ to ___

 

Commission File No: 0-11740

 


 

MESA LABORATORIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Colorado

84-0872291

 
 

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

 
 

incorporation or organization)

Identification number)

 
       
 

12100 West Sixth Avenue

   
 

Lakewood, Colorado

80228

 
 

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 987-8000

 

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 ☒   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 (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒     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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer☒

Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐

   

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐     No ☒

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

There were 3,535,456 shares of the Issuer’s common stock, no par value, outstanding as of January 27, 2015.

 



 

 
 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Part I

1.

Financial Statements

1
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 1
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income 2
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 3
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 4
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 5

2.

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

14

3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

21

4.

Controls and Procedures

21
     

Part II

1

Legal Proceedings

22

1A.

Risk Factors

22

2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

22

6.

Exhibits

22
     
 

Signatures

 
     
 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

 
 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

 
 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 
 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

 

 
 

 

 

Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

Mesa Laboratories, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

ASSETS

 

December 31, 2014

(Unaudited)

   

March 31, 2014

 

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,427     $ 5,575  

Accounts receivable, net

    11,849       9,278  

Inventories, net

    12,596       7,771  

Prepaid expenses and other

    1,558       2,064  

Deferred income taxes

    1,878       1,878  

Total current assets

    29,308       26,566  
                 

Property, plant and equipment, net

    9,241       7,680  

Intangibles, net

    33,532       25,417  

Goodwill

    44,097       37,866  
                 

Total assets

  $ 116,178     $ 97,529  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 2,840     $ 2,019  

Accrued salaries and payroll taxes

    3,968       3,567  

Unearned revenues

    1,421       1,886  

Other accrued expenses

    1,450       2,743  

Current portion of long-term debt

    3,000       --  

Total current liabilities

    12,679       10,215  
                 

Deferred income taxes

    4,861       4,861  

Long-term debt

    25,000       16,500  

Contingent consideration

    1,920       1,620  

Total liabilities

    44,460       33,196  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)

               
                 

Stockholders’ equity:

               

Common stock, no par value; authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 3,535,349 and 3,490,628 shares, respectively

    17,681       15,796  

Employee loans to purchase stock

    --       (24 )

Retained earnings

    54,287       48,561  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (250 )     --  

Total stockholders’ equity

    71,718       64,333  
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 116,178     $ 97,529  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
Page 1

 

  

Mesa Laboratories, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

(In thousands except per share data)

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

   

Nine Months Ended December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 
                                 

Revenues

  $ 17,830     $ 13,116     $ 52,770     $ 37,010  

Cost of revenues

    6,778       5,410       20,890       14,907  

Gross profit

    11,052       7,706       31,880       22,103  
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Selling

    1,772       1,595       5,177       4,097  

General and administrative

    4,740       2,781       12,581       8,003  

Research and development

    832       524       2,459       1,639  

Total operating expenses

    7,344       4,900       20,217       13,739  
                                 

Operating income

    3,708       2,806       11,663       8,364  

Other income (expense), net

    5       (79 )     (314 )     316  
                                 

Earnings before income taxes

    3,713       2,727       11,349       8,680  
                                 

Income taxes

    1,310       981       4,005       3,142  
                                 

Net income

  $ 2,403     $ 1,746     $ 7,344     $ 5,538  
                                 

Net income per share:

                               

Basic

  $ 0.68     $ 0.51     $ 2.09     $ 1.62  

Diluted

    0.66       0.48       2.01       1.54  
                                 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                         

Basic

    3,532       3,434       3,513       3,414  

Diluted

    3,654       3,637       3,649       3,591  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
Page 2

 

 

Mesa Laboratories, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

(In thousands except per share data)

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

   

Nine Months Ended December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 
                                 

Net Income

  $ 2,403     $ 1,746     $ 7,344     $ 5,538  
                                 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

                               

Foreign currency translation

    (250 )     --       (250 )     --  
                                 

Total comprehensive income

  $ 2,153     $ 1,746     $ 7,094     $ 5,538  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
Page 3

 

 

Mesa Laboratories, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

   

Nine Months Ended December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net income

  $ 7,344     $ 5,538  

Depreciation and amortization

    4,162       2,682  

Stock-based compensation

    776       629  

Loss (gain) on disposition of assets

    16       (420 )

Foreign currency adjustments

    (169 )     --  

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions

               

Accounts receivable, net

    (1,994 )     1,202  

Inventories, net

    (3,340 )     (684 )

Prepaid expenses and other

    538       (425 )

Accounts payable

    747       105  

Accrued liabilities and taxes payable

    (1,439 )     714  

Unearned revenues

    (465 )     133  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    6,176       9,474  
                 
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Acquisitions

    (19,050 )     (22,758 )

Proceeds from dispositions

    --       661  

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (2,212 )     (808 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (21,262 )     (22,905 )
                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Proceeds from the issuance of debt

    23,000       18,000  

Payments on debt

    (11,500 )     (6,000 )

Dividends

    (1,618 )     (1,467 )

Purchase and retirement of common stock

    --       (15 )

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

    1,137       1,067  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    11,019       11,585  
                 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    (81 )     --  
                 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (4,148 )     (1,846 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    5,575       4,006  
                 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 1,427     $ 2,160  
                 

Cash paid for:

               

Income taxes

  $ 2,789     $ 3,248  

Interest

    354       52  
                 

Supplemental non-cash activity:

               

Repayment of employee loans for stock options

  $ 24     $ 92  

Contingent consideration as part of an acquisition

    300       500  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
Page 4

 

 

Mesa Laboratories, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Note 1 -Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Description of Business

 

Mesa Laboratories, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado on March 26, 1982. The terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Mesa” are used in this report to refer collectively to the parent company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted. We pursue a strategy of focusing primarily on quality control products, which are sold into niche markets that are driven by regulatory requirements. We prefer markets that have limited competition where we can establish a commanding presence and achieve high gross margins. We are organized into three divisions across six physical locations. Our Instruments Division designs, manufactures and markets quality control instruments and disposable products utilized in connection with the healthcare, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, medical device, industrial hygiene, environmental air sampling and semiconductor industries. Our Biological Indicators Division manufactures and markets biological indicators and distributes chemical indicators used to assess the effectiveness of sterilization processes, including steam, gas, hydrogen peroxide, ethylene oxide and radiation, in the hospital, dental, medical device and pharmaceutical industries. Our Continuous Monitoring Division designs, develops and markets systems which are used to monitor various environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and differential pressure to ensure that critical storage and processing conditions are maintained in hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, blood banks, pharmacies and a number of other laboratory and industrial environments

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014, has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements. The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as our annual audited consolidated financial statements and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial statements. In the opinion of management, such unaudited information includes all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of this interim information. Operating results and cash flows for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that can be expected for the entire year. The information included in this report should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014.

 

The summary of our significant accounting policies is incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued a jointly converged standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The issued guidance converges the criteria for reporting revenues, as well as requiring disclosures sufficient to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from these contracts. Companies can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative effective adjustment as of the date of adoption. The new standard is effective for our fiscal year (and interim periods within that year) ending March 31, 2018. We are evaluating the impact of this standard on our condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

Note 2 – Acquisitions and Dispositions

 

Acquisitions

 

For the nine months ended December 31, 2014, our acquisitions of businesses (net of cash acquired) totaled $19,050,000, which consisted primarily of the following material acquisitions:

 

PCD

 

On October 15, 2014, we completed a business combination (the “PCD Acquisition”) with PCD-Process Challenge Devices, LLC (“PCD”) whereby we acquired substantially all the assets (other than cash and accounts receivable) and certain liabilities of PCD’s process challenge device business. The asset acquisition agreement (the “PCD Agreement”) includes provisions for both contingent consideration based upon the cumulative three year revenues of our process challenge device business subsequent to the acquisition and for a holdback payment (subject to a post-closing adjustment), payable at the one year anniversary of the closing date.

 

 
Page 5

 

 

Under the terms of the PCD Agreement, we are required to pay contingent consideration if the cumulative revenues for our process challenge device business for the three years subsequent to the acquisition meet certain levels. The potential consideration payable ranges from $0 to $1,500,000 and is based upon a sliding scale of three-year cumulative revenues between $9,900,000 and $12,600,000. Based upon both historical and projected growth rates, we recorded $300,000 of contingent consideration payable which represents our best estimate of the amount that will ultimately be paid. Any changes to the contingent consideration ultimately paid will result in additional income or expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. We will continue to monitor the results of our process challenge device business and we will adjust the contingent liability on a go forward basis, based on then current information. The contingent consideration is payable in three annual installments beginning in the third quarter of our year ending March 31, 2016.

 

We expect to achieve savings and generate growth as we integrate the PCD operations and sales and marketing functions. These factors, among others, contributed to a purchase price in excess of the estimated fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and, as a result, we recorded goodwill in connection with this transaction. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes and it was assigned to our Biological Indicators segment.

 

The PCD Acquisition constituted the acquisition of a business and was recognized at fair value. Due to the recent nature of the transaction, the purchase price allocation was based upon a preliminary estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired as we are in the process of finalizing our valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We determined the preliminary estimated fair values using discounted cash flow analyses and estimates made by management. The following reflects our preliminary allocation of the consideration, subject to customary purchase price adjustments in accordance with the PCD Agreement (in thousands):

 

Cash consideration

  $ 5,000  

Holdback payment liability

    250  

Contingent consideration liability

    300  

Aggregate consideration

  $ 5,550  
         

Inventories, net

  $ 137  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    7  

Intangibles, net

    3,678  

Goodwill

    1,743  

Accrued expenses

    (15 )

Total purchase price allocation

  $ 5,550  

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income include the results of the PCD Acquisition from the acquisition date of October 15, 2014. The pro forma effects of the acquisition on the results of operations as if the acquisition had been completed on April 1, 2014 and 2013, are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

   

Three Months Ended

December 31,

   

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Revenues

  $ 18,056     $ 13,915     $ 54,494     $ 39,424  

Net income

    2,415       1,853       7,433       5,862  

Net Income per common share:

                               

Basic

  $ 0.68     $ 0.54     $ 2.12     $ 1.72  

Diluted

    0.66       0.51       2.04       1.63  

 

BGI

 

On April 15, 2014, we completed a business combination (the “BGI Acquisition”) whereby we acquired substantially all of the assets (other than cash and accounts receivable) and certain liabilities of BGI, Incorporated and BGI Instruments, Inc. (collectively “BGI”), a business focused on the sale of equipment primarily used for particulate air sampling. The purchase price for the acquired assets was $10,268,000.

 

We expect to achieve savings and generate growth as we integrate the BGI operations and sales and marketing functions. These factors, among others, contributed to a purchase price in excess of the estimated fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and, as a result, we recorded goodwill in connection with this transaction. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes and it was assigned to our Instruments segment.

 

 
Page 6

 

 

The BGI Acquisition constituted the acquisition of a business and was recognized at fair value. We determined the estimated fair values using discounted cash flow analyses and estimates made by management. The following reflects our allocation of the consideration, subject to customary purchase price adjustments in accordance with the BGI Agreement (in thousands):

 

Inventories, net

  $ 1,268  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    47  

Intangibles, net

    5,711  

Goodwill

    3,295  

Accrued expenses

    (53 )

Total purchase price allocation

  $ 10,268  

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income include the results of the BGI Acquisition from the acquisition date of April 15, 2014. The pro forma effects of the acquisition on the results of operations as if the acquisition had been completed on April 1, 2014 and 2013, are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

   

Three Months Ended

December 31,

   

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Revenues

  $ 17,830     $ 15,032     $ 53,088     $ 42,758  

Net income

    2,403       2,281       7,422       7,144  

Net Income per common share:

                               

Basic

  $ 0.68     $ 0.66     $ 2.11     $ 2.09  

Diluted

    0.66       0.63       2.03       1.99  

 

Dispositions

 

On August 12, 2013, we entered into an agreement whereby we sold our NuSonics product line for $661,000. The carrying value of this product line was $193,000 which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $468,000.

 

Note 3 - Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   

December 31, 2014

   

March 31, 2014

 

Raw materials

  $ 10,301     $ 5,758  

Work-in-process

    1,013       272  

Finished goods

    1,944       2,068  

Less: reserve

    (662 )     (327 )
    $ 12,596     $ 7,771  

 

Note 4 - Long-Term Debt

 

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

   

December 31, 2014

   

March 31, 2014

 

Line of credit (1.67% at December 31, 2014)

  $ 14,500     $ 16,500  

Term loan (2.17% at December 31, 2014)

    13,500       --  

Less: current portion

    (3,000 )     --  

Long-term portion

  $ 25,000     $ 16,500  

 

In February 2012, we entered into a three year agreement (the “Credit Facility”) for a $20,000,000 revolving line of credit (“Line of Credit”) and up to $1,000,000 of letters of credit, maturing in February 2015. Funds from the Credit Facility were used for general working capital and corporate needs, retiring existing debt, and supporting acquisitions.

 

In April 2014, the Credit Facility was amended to include a $15,000,000 term loan (the “Term Loan”) and to extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to June 30, 2017.

 

 
Page 7

 

 

Under the Line of Credit, indebtedness bears interest at either: (1) LIBOR, as defined, plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 2%; or (2) the bank’s commercial bank floating rate (“CBFR”), which is the greater of the bank’s prime rate or one month LIBOR + 2.50%, adjusted down, from 1.25% to 0.50%. We elect the interest rate with each borrowing under the line of credit. In addition, there is an unused capacity fee of 0.15% to 0.30%. The adjustments and unused capacity fee depend on the ratio of funded debt (including amounts outstanding under the Term Loan) to our trailing four quarters of EBITDA, as defined, with four tiers ranging from a ratio of less than one to greater than two. Letter of credit fees are based on the applicable LIBOR rate.

 

The Term Loan bears interest at LIBOR, as defined, plus 2% and requires 11 quarterly principal payments (the first due date was July 15, 2014) in the amount of $750,000 with the remaining balance of principal and accrued interest due on April 15, 2017. The proceeds from the Term Loan were used to support acquisition financing and to repay amounts outstanding under the Line of Credit.

 

The Credit Facility is secured by all of our assets and requires us to maintain a ratio of funded debt to our trailing four quarters of EBIDTA, as defined, of 2.5 to 1.0, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.35 to 1.0. We were in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2014.

 

Future contractual maturities of debt are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year ending March 31,

       

2015

  $ 750  

2016

    3,000  

2017

    3,000  

2018

    21,250  
    $ 28,000  

 

In October 2014, we borrowed $5,000,000 under the terms of the Line of Credit in order to fund the PCD Acquisition (see Note 2). During the three months ended December 31, 2014 we made a $750,000 required principal payment on the Term Loan and principal payments of $2,000,000 on the Line of Credit.

 

In January 2015 we made a $750,000 required principal payment on the Term Loan.

 

Note 5 - Stock-Based Compensation

 

Amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements related to stock-based compensation are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

   

Three Months Ended

December 31,

   

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Total cost of stock-based compensation charged against income before income taxes

  $ 260     $ 272     $ 776     $ 629  

Amount of income tax benefit recognized in earnings

    92       98       274       228  

Amount charged against net income

  $ 168     $ 174       502       401  

Impact on net income per common share:

                               

Basic

  $ 0.05     $ 0.05     $ 0.14     $ 0.12  

Diluted

    0.05       0.05     $ 0.14       0.11  

 

Stock-based compensation expense is included in cost of revenues, selling, and general and administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes”). We use historical data to estimate the expected price volatility, the expected stock option life and expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the stock option. The dividend yield is calculated based upon the dividend payments made during the prior four quarters as a percent of the average stock price for that period.

 

 
Page 8

 

 

The following is a summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended December 31, 2014:

 

   

Number of
Shares

   

Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share

   

Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term

   

Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000s)

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2014

    398,172     $ 38.75       4.4     $ 20,505  

Stock options granted

    147,720       88.62       7.3          

Stock options forfeited

    (26,066 )     64.24       5.5          

Stock options expired

    --       --                  

Stock options exercised

    (48,865 )     29.68                  

Outstanding at December 31, 2014

    470,961       53.84       4.8       12,662  
                                 

Exercisable at December 31, 2014

    196,523       32.38       3.2       8,828  

 

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $2,003,000 and $2,889,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

A summary of the status of our unvested stock option shares as of December 31, 2014 is as follows:

  

   

Number of
Shares

   

Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Unvested at March 31, 2014

    257,347     $ 11.86  

Stock options granted

    147,720       24.16  

Stock options forfeited

    (26,066 )     17.19  

Stock options vested

    (104,563 )     10.36  

Unvested at December 31, 2014

    274,438       18.43  

 

As of December 31, 2014, there was $3,540,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options.

 

On August 8, 2014 we adopted The Mesa Laboratories, Inc. 2014 Equity Plan (the “2014 Plan”), which was subsequently approved by our shareholders on October 2, 2014 at our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The purpose of the 2014 Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of the Company by linking the personal interests of our employees, officers and directors to those of our shareholders by providing such persons with an incentive for outstanding performance. A total of 1,100,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan and are subject to terms as set by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors at the time of grant. As a result of the approval of the 2014 Plan by our shareholders, no further awards will be made under the 2006 Plan and it will remain in effect only as long as awards previously made thereunder remain outstanding. As of December 31, 2014, we have 1,097,680 shares available for future stock option grants.

 

Note 6 - Net Income Per Share

 

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net income per share is computed similarly to basic net income per share, except that it includes the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities were exercised.

 

 
Page 9

 

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the denominators used in the computation of net income per share - basic and diluted (in thousands, except per share data):

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

   

Nine Months Ended December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Net income available for shareholders

  $ 2,403     $ 1,746     $ 7,344     $ 5,538  

Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock

    3,532       3,434       3,513       3,414  

Dilutive effect of stock options

    122       203       136       177  

Common stock and equivalents

    3,654       3,637       3,649       3,591  
                                 

Net income per share:

                               

Basic

  $ 0.68     $ 0.51     $ 2.09     $ 1.62  

Diluted

    0.66       0.48       2.01       1.54  

 

For both the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, 155,000 and 173,000 outstanding stock options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because the exercise prices of the stock options were greater than or equal to the average price of the common shares and, therefore, their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

For both the three and nine months ended December 31, 2013, 27,000 and 60,000 outstanding stock options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because the exercise prices of the stock options were greater than or equal to the average price of the common shares and, therefore, their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

Note 7- Commitments and Contingencies

 

Under the terms of the Amega Agreement, we are required to pay contingent consideration (the “Amega Earn Out”) if the cumulative revenues for our Continuous Monitoring Division for the three years subsequent to the acquisition meet certain levels. The potential consideration payable ranges from $0 to $10,000,000 and is based upon a sliding scale of three-year cumulative revenues between $31,625,000 and $43,500,000. Based upon both historical and projected growth rates, we recorded $500,000 of contingent consideration payable which represents our best estimate of the amount that will ultimately be paid. Any changes to the contingent consideration ultimately paid will result in additional income or expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. We will continue to monitor the results of our Continuous Monitoring Division and we will adjust the contingent liability on a go forward basis, based on then current information. The contingent consideration is payable in the third quarter of our year ending March 31, 2017.

 

In November 2014, Amega Scientific Corporation (“Amega”) and its owner Anthony Amato (“Amato”) filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the district of Colorado alleging, among other items, that our termination of Amato as an employee impacted his ability to maximize the potential consideration payable under the Amega Earn Out and to exercise stock options that failed to vest. In addition, Amato has alleged that we improperly withheld certain amounts from the holdback consideration under the Amega Agreement. These amounts (which were recorded as liabilities in our original purchase accounting) remain recorded as other accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and will remain so until a final ruling by the court is made. In January 2015 we filed a motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice. Given that the complaint is in the early stages of the process, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the potential loss or range of losses, if any, that might arise from this matter. We believe that we acted in a matter consistent with employment law and the provisions of the Amega Agreement and we intend to defend our position vigorously.

 

Under the terms of the Bios Agreement, we are required to pay contingent consideration if the cumulative revenues related to the acquisition for the three years subsequent to the acquisition exceed $22,127,000. The potential future payment that we could be required to make ranges from $0 to $6,710,000. Based upon historical growth rates, we initially recorded $2,140,000 of contingent consideration payable which represented our best estimate of the amount that would ultimately be paid. Based upon actual results and current run rates, during the year ended March 31, 2014, we revised our estimate of the ultimate contingent liability that would be paid, which resulted in reducing the contingent consideration payable to $1,120,000. Any further changes to the contingent consideration ultimately paid would result in additional income or expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. We will continue to monitor the results associated with the Bios Acquisition and we will adjust the contingent liability on a go forward basis, based on then current information. The contingent consideration is payable in the first quarter of our year ending March 31, 2016.

 

 
Page 10

 

 

Under the terms of the PCD Agreement, we are required to pay contingent consideration if the cumulative revenues for our process challenge device business for the three years subsequent to the acquisition meet certain levels. The potential consideration payable ranges from $0 to $1,500,000 and is based upon a sliding scale of three-year cumulative revenues between $9,900,000 and $12,600,000. Based upon both historical and projected growth rates, we recorded $300,000 of contingent consideration payable which represents our best estimate of the amount that will ultimately be paid. Any changes to the contingent consideration ultimately paid will result in additional income or expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. We will continue to monitor the results of our process challenge device business and we will adjust the contingent liability on a go forward basis, based on then current information. The contingent consideration is payable in three annual installments beginning in the third quarter of our year ending March 31, 2016.

 

A company is required to collect and remit state sales tax from certain of its customers if that company is determined to have “nexus” in a particular state. The determination of nexus varies state by state and often requires knowledge of each jurisdiction’s tax case law. During the year ended March 31, 2013, we determined that there are states in which we most likely had established nexus during prior periods without properly collecting and remitting sales tax. We recorded an estimate of $100,000 associated with one specific state but we were unable to estimate our remaining exposure at that time. The ultimate amount due in remaining states will depend upon a number of factors, including the amount of sales that were made to customers who are either exempt or have already paid the tax, the number of years of exposure, and any penalties or interest that might be due. During the year ended March 31, 2014, we completed our analysis associated with the remaining states and we recorded an estimate of $1,408,000, which was included in other accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets and in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income for the year ended March 31, 2014. That estimate was based upon facts and circumstances known at such time and our ultimate liability was subject to change as further analysis is completed and state sales tax returns are filed.

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2014 we successfully completed and filed several state sales tax returns which concluded our obligation for historical sales taxes in those states. In addition we continued to work through the process in the remaining states. As a result of this work, we determined that our exposure had increased above and beyond our original accrual and as a result, we recorded an additional accrual of $460,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2014. We are hopeful that we are far enough in the process that we have accrued for the ultimate amount of liability that will be paid but our work was based upon facts and circumstances known at such time and our ultimately liability is subject to change as further analysis is completed and state sales tax returns are filed.

 

Note 8 – Comprehensive Income

 

Amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements related to comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31, 2014

   

Three Months Ended December 31, 2013

 
   

Pretax

   

Tax

   

Net

   

Pretax

   

Tax

   

Net

 

Net income available for shareholders

                  $ 2,403                     $ 1,746  
                                                 

Other comprehensive loss:

                                               

Foreign currency translation

  $ (250 )     --       (250 )   $ --       --       --  

Other comprehensive loss

  $ (250 )     --       (250 )   $ --       --       --  
                                                 

Total comprehensive income

                  $ 2,153                     $ 1,746  

 

   

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014

   

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2013

 
   

Pretax

   

Tax

   

Net

   

Pretax

   

Tax

   

Net

 

Net income available for shareholders

                  $ 7,344                     $ 5,538  
                                                 

Other comprehensive loss:

                                               

Foreign currency translation

  $ (250 )     --       (250 )   $ --       --       --  

Other comprehensive loss

  $ (250 )     --       (250 )   $ --       --       --  
                                                 

Total comprehensive income

                  $ 7,094                     $ 5,538  

 

 
Page 11

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss balances, net of tax effects, consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   

December 31, 2014

   

March 31, 2014

 

Foreign currency translation

  $ (250 )   $ --  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  $ (250 )   $ --  

 

Note 9 - Segment Information

 

We have three reporting segments: Biological Indicators, Instruments and Continuous Monitoring. The following tables set forth our segment information (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31, 2014

 
   

Biological

Indicators

   

Instruments

   

Continuous

Monitoring

   

Total

 

Revenues

  $ 6,964     $ 8,216     $ 2,650     $ 17,830  
                                 

Gross profit

  $ 4,194     $ 5,412     $ 1,446     $ 11,052  

Selling expenses

    365       919       488       1,772  
    $ 3,829     $ 4,493     $ 958       9,280  

Reconciling items (1)

                            (5,567 )

Earnings before income taxes

                          $ 3,713  

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31, 2013

 
   

Biological

Indicators

   

Instruments

   

Continuous

Monitoring

   

Total

 

Revenues

  $ 5,317     $ 6,438     $ 1,361     $ 13,116  
                                 

Gross profit

  $ 2,976     $ 4,137     $ 593     $ 7,706  

Selling expenses

    404       1,047       144       1,595  
    $ 2,572     $ 3,090     $ 449       6,111  

Reconciling items (1)

                            (3,384 )

Earnings before income taxes

                          $ 2,727  

 

   

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014

 
   

Biological

Indicators

   

Instruments

   

Continuous

Monitoring

   

Total

 

Revenues

  $ 19,822     $ 24,966     $ 7,982     $ 52,770  
                                 

Gross profit

  $ 12,029     $ 15,794     $ 4,057     $ 31,880  

Selling expenses

    766       3,093       1,318       5,177  
    $ 11,263     $ 12,701     $ 2,739       26,703  

Reconciling items (1)

                            (15,354 )

Earnings before income taxes

                          $ 11,349  

 

   

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2013

 
   

Biological

Indicators

   

Instruments

   

Continuous

Monitoring

   

Total

 

Revenues

  $ 16,181     $ 19,468     $ 1,361     $ 37,010  
                                 

Gross profit

  $ 9,019     $ 12,491     $ 593     $ 22,103  

Selling expenses

    1,350       2,603       144       4,097  
    $ 7,669     $ 9,888     $ 449       18,006  

Reconciling items (1)

                            (9,326 )

Earnings before income taxes

                          $ 8,680  

 

(1) Reconciling items include general and administrative, research and development, and other expenses.

 

 
Page 12

 

 

   

December 31, 2014

   

March 31, 2014

 

Total assets

               

Biological Indicators

  $ 25,921     $ 22,771  

Instruments

    54,308       36,797  

Continuous Monitoring

    31,086       28,578  

Corporate and administrative

    4,863       9,383  
    $ 116,178     $ 97,529  

 

All long-lived assets are located in the United States except for $3,269,000 which are associated with our subsidiary which is located in Chassieu, France.

 

Revenues from external customers are attributed to individual countries based upon locations to which the product is shipped or exported, as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

   

Nine Months Ended December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Net revenues from unaffiliated customers:

                               

United States

  $ 11,423     $ 7,054     $ 29,612     $ 20,877  

Foreign

    6,407       6,062       23,158       16,133  
    $ 17,830     $ 13,116     $ 52,770     $ 37,010  

 

No foreign country exceeds 10% of total revenues.

 

Note 10 - Subsequent Event

 

In January 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share of common stock, payable on March 16, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 27, 2015.

 

 
Page 13

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This report contains information that may constitute "forward-looking statements.” Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," “anticipate,” "estimate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to revenue growth and statements expressing general views about future operating results — are forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those described in Part II, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014, and those described from time to time in our subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

General Discussion

 

We pursue a strategy of focusing primarily on quality control products, which are sold into niche markets that are driven by regulatory requirements. We prefer markets that have limited competition where we can establish a commanding presence and achieve high gross margins. We are organized into three divisions across six physical locations. Our Instruments Division designs, manufactures and markets quality control instruments and disposable products utilized in connection with the healthcare, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, medical device, industrial hygiene, environmental air sampling and semiconductor industries. Our Biological Indicators Division manufactures and markets biological indicators and distributes chemical indicators used to assess the effectiveness of sterilization processes, including steam, gas, hydrogen peroxide, ethylene oxide and radiation, in the hospital, dental, medical device and pharmaceutical industries. Our Continuous Monitoring Division designs, develops and markets systems which are used to monitor various environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and differential pressure to ensure that critical storage and processing conditions are maintained in hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, blood banks, pharmacies and a number of other laboratory and industrial environments. We follow a philosophy of manufacturing a high quality product and providing a high level of on-going service for those products.

 

Our revenues come from two main sources – products sales and services. Product sales are dependent on several factors, including general economic conditions, both domestic and international, customer capital spending trends, competition, introduction of new products and acquisitions. Biological indicator products are disposable and are used on a routine basis for quality control, thus product sales are less sensitive to general economic conditions. Instrument products and continuous monitoring systems have a longer life, and their purchase by our customers is somewhat discretionary, so sales are more sensitive to general economic conditions. Service demand is driven by our customers’ quality control and regulatory environments, which require periodic repair and recalibration or certification of our instrument products and continuous monitoring systems. We typically evaluate costs and pricing annually. Our policy is to price our products and systems competitively and, where possible, we try to pass along cost increases in order to maintain our margins.

 

Gross profit is affected by our product mix, manufacturing efficiencies and price competition. Historically, as we have integrated our acquisitions and taken advantage of manufacturing efficiencies, our gross margins for some of the products have improved. There are, however, differences in gross margins between different product lines, and ultimately the mix of sales will continue to impact our overall gross margin.

 

Selling expense is driven primarily by labor costs, including salaries and commissions. Accordingly, it may vary with sales levels. Labor costs and amortization of intangible assets drive the substantial majority of general and administrative expense. Research and development expense is predominantly comprised of labor costs and third party consultants.

 

In October 2014, we completed a business combination (the “ATI Acquisition”) whereby we acquired substantially all the assets (other than cash and accounts receivable) and certain liabilities of ATI Atlas Limited (“ATI”), a distributor of our biological indicator products.

 

In October 2014, we completed the PCD Acquisition whereby we acquired substantially all of the assets (other than cash and accounts receivable) and certain liabilities of PCD’s business which is focused on the sale of process challenge devices (“PCD’s) which are used for quality control purposes in the field of ethylene oxide sterilization of medical devices.

 

 
Page 14

 

 

In April 2014, we completed the BGI Acquisition whereby we acquired substantially all of the assets (other than cash and accounts receivable) and certain liabilities of BGI’s business which is focused on the sale of equipment primarily used for particulate air sampling.

 

In April 2014, we completed a business combination (the “Amilabo Acquisition”) whereby we acquired all of the common stock of Amilabo SAS (“Amilabo”), a distributor of our biological indicator products.

 

In November 2013, we completed a business combination (the “TempSys Acquisition”) whereby we acquired all of the common stock of TempSys, Inc. (“TempSys”), a company in the business of providing continuous monitoring systems to regulated industries.

 

In November 2013, we completed a business combination (the “Amega Acquisition”) whereby we acquired substantially all the assets and certain liabilities of Amega Scientific Corporation’s (“Amega”) business which provides continuous monitoring systems to regulated industries.

 

In July 2013, we completed a business combination (the “Suretorque Acquisition”) whereby we acquired substantially all of the assets of ST Acquisitions, LLC’s (“ST Acquisitions”) business involving the design, manufacturing, sale and service of its SureTorque line of bottle cap torque testing instrumentation.

 

General Trends and Outlook

 

Our strategic objectives include growth both organically and through further acquisitions. During the nine months ended December 31, 2014, we continued to build our infrastructure to prepare for future growth, including the addition of key personnel to our operations, research and development, and finance teams. We also invested in upgrading our information systems and intend to continue doing so.

 

The markets for our biological indicators remain strong, as the disposable nature of these products makes them less sensitive to general economic conditions. The worldwide market for biological indicators is growing as more countries focus on verifying the effectiveness of sterilization processes. General economic conditions over the past few years have, at times, hampered the organic growth of our instruments business, due to the discretionary nature of these products. Additionally, uncertainty about global economic conditions may cause businesses to postpone spending in response to tighter credit, unemployment, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values. Worldwide and regional economic conditions could also reduce the demand for our products and services, as our customers reduce or delay capital equipment and other types of purchases. Demand for our instruments products and our continuous monitoring systems, however, is still strong and we strive to grow revenues going forward.

 

We are working on several research and development projects that, if completed, may result in new products for both existing customers and in new markets. We are hopeful that all of our divisions will have new products available for sale in the coming year.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, condensed consolidated statements of income data. The table and the discussion below should be read in conjunction with the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report (in thousands, except percent data):

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

           

Percent

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

Change

   

Change

 

Revenues

  $ 17,830     $ 13,116     $ 4,714       36 %

Cost of revenues

    6,778       5,410       1,368       25 %

Gross profit

  $ 11,052     $ 7,706     $ 3,346       43 %

Gross profit margin

    62 %     59 %     -- %        
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Selling

  $ 1,772     $ 1,595     $ 177       11 %

General and administrative

    4,740       2,781       1,959       70 %

Research and development

    832       524       308       59 %
    $ 7,344     $ 4,900     $ 2,444       50 %
                                 

Operating income

  $ 3,708     $ 2,806     $ 902       32 %

Net income

    2,403       1,746       657       38 %

Net profit margin

    13 %     13 %     -- %        

 

 
Page 15

 

 

   

Nine Months Ended December 31,

           

Percent

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

Change

   

Change

 

Revenues

  $ 52,770     $ 37,010     $ 15,760       43 %

Cost of revenues

    20,890       14,907       5,983       40 %

Gross profit

  $ 31,880     $ 22,103     $ 9,777       44 %

Gross profit margin

    60 %     60 %     -- %        
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Selling

  $ 5,177     $ 4,097     $ 1,080       26 %

General and administrative

    12,581       8,003       4,578       57 %

Research and development

    2,459       1,639       820       50 %
    $ 20,217     $ 13,739     $ 6,478       47 %
                                 

Operating income

  $ 11,663     $ 8,364     $ 3,299       39 %

Net income

    7,344       5,538       1,806       33 %

Net profit margin

    14 %     15 %     (1 )%        

 

Revenues

 

The following table summarizes our revenues by source (in thousands, except percent data):

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

           

Percent

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

Change

   

Change

 

Biological Indicators

  $ 6,964     $ 5,317     $ 1,647       31 %

Instruments

    8,216       6,438       1,778       28 %

Continuous Monitoring

    2,650       1,361       1,289       95 %

Total

  $ 17,830     $ 13,116     $ 4,714       36 %

 

   

Nine Months Ended December 31,

           

Percent

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

Change

   

Change

 

Biological Indicators

  $ 19,822     $ 16,181     $ 3,641       23 %

Instruments

    24,966       19,468       5,498       28 %

Continuous Monitoring

    7,982       1,361       6,621       486 %

Total

  $ 52,770     $ 37,010     $ 15,760       43 %

 

Three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 versus December 31, 2013

 

Biological Indicators revenues for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 increased as a result of the Amilabo, ATI and PCD Acquisitions and organic growth of seven and nine percent, respectively which was achieved through existing customers, expansion into new markets and price increases.

 

Instruments revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2014 increased as a result of the BGI Acquisition and organic growth of 10 percent in our existing product lines. Instruments revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 increased as a result of the BGI Acquisition, organic growth of 9% in our existing product lines and the timing of the prior year acquisition of the Sure Torque product line, partially offset by the disposal of the Nusonics product.

 

 
Page 16

 

 

Gross Profit

 

The following summarizes our gross profit by segment (in thousands, except percent data):

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

           

Percent

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

Change

   

Change

 

Biological Indicators

  $ 4,194     $ 2,976     $ 1,218       41 %

Gross profit margin

    60 %     56 %     4 %        
                                 

Instruments

    5,412       4,137       1,275       31 %

Gross profit margin

    66 %     64 %     2 %        
                                 

Continuous Monitoring

    1,446       593       853       144 %

Gross profit margin

    55 %     44 %     11 %        
                                 

Total gross profit

  $ 11,052     $ 7,706     $ 3,346       43 %

Gross profit margin

    62 %     59 %     3 %        

 

 

   

Nine Months Ended December 31,

           

Percent

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

Change

   

Change

 

Biological Indicators

  $ 12,029     $ 9,019     $ 3,010       33 %

Gross profit margin

    61 %     56 %     5 %        
                                 

Instruments

    15,794       12,491       3,303       26 %

Gross profit margin

    63 %     64 %     (1 )%        
                                 

Continuous Monitoring

    4,057       593       3,464       584 %

Gross profit margin

    51 %     44 %     7 %        
                                 

Total gross profit

  $ 31,880     $ 22,103     $ 9,777       44 %

Gross profit margin

    60 %     60 %     -- %        

 

Three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 versus December 31, 2013

 

Biological Indicators gross profit margin percentage for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 increased as a result of the Amilabo, ATI and PCD Acquisitions, price increases and volume-based efficiencies associated with revenues growth. The nine months ended December 31, 2014 was negatively impacted by the requirement to replace three product batches that had longer than expected incubation times.

 

Instruments gross profit margin percentage for the three months ended December 31, 2014 increased primarily due to 10 percent organic revenues growth which allowed fixed costs to be spread over a wider revenues base. Instruments gross profit margin percentage for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 decreased as a result of integration activities associated with the BGI Acquisition and a change in our product/service mix, partially offset by the impact of nine percent organic revenues growth and the application of purchase accounting associated with the Suretorque Acquisition in the prior year.

 

Continuous Monitoring gross profit margin percentage for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 was negatively impacted by integration activities that commenced soon after the acquisitions were completed. These integration activities have been decreasing over the year and are now substantially complete. As a result, we believe that the Continuous Monitoring gross profit margin percentages on a go forward basis will be impacted more by total revenues available to cover fixed costs and product mix as opposed to ongoing integration activities.

 

 
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Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 increased as compared to the prior year as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Increase (Decrease)

 
   

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2014

   

Nine Months Ended

December 31, 2014

 

Selling

  $ 177     $ 1,080  
                 

General and administrative

               

ERP system upgrade and SOX compliance

    205       250  

Acquisition costs

    (15 )     389  

Amortization

    578       1,597  

Personnel costs

    1,000       3,005  

Sales tax accrual

    460       (646 )

Other, net

    (269 )     (17 )
      1,959       4,578  
                 

Research and development

    308       820  
                 

Operating expenses

  $ 2,444     $ 6,478  

 

Selling

 

Three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 versus December 31, 2013

 

Selling expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014 increased primarily due to the BGI, Amilabo and PCD Acquisitions along with minor fluctuations due to timing of certain expenses.

 

Selling expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 increased primarily due to the BGI, Amilabo, Amega, TempSys and PCD Acquisitions, along with negligible increases from other product lines. As a percentage of revenues, selling expense decreased to 10 percent as compared to 11 percent in the prior period. The decrease was due primarily to streamlining sales processes associated with acquisitions along with increased revenues associated with Continuous Monitoring resulting from our integration activities.

 

General and Administrative

 

Three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 versus December 31, 2013

 

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014 increased primarily due increased amortization and personnel costs resulting from the BGI, Amilabo, Amega, TempSys and PCD acquisitions, increased spending on our ERP system upgrade and an additional $460,000 accrual associated with not properly collecting and remitting sales tax in states in which we most likely had established nexus during prior periods.

 

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 increased primarily due to increased amortization, personnel and acquisition costs resulting from the BGI, Amilabo, Amega, TempSys and PCD acquisitions, partially offset by the recording of a $1,106,000 accrual in the prior year associated with not properly collecting and remitting sales tax in states in which we most likely had established nexus during prior periods.

 

Research and Development

 

Three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 versus December 31, 2013

 

Research and development expenses for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 increased as a result of the Amega, TempSys and BGI Acquisitions and standard increases in personnel costs, partially offset by timing of external research and development consulting projects.

 

 
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Net Income

 

Other income (expense), net for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 increased primarily as a result of additional interest expense associated with our Credit Facility as well as the gain on disposal of our Nusonics line of business in the prior period. Our income tax rate varies based upon many factors but in general, we anticipate that on a go forward basis, our effective tax rate will approximate our current rate of 35.3%. Otherwise, net income varied with the changes in revenue, gross profit and operating expenses (which includes $3,440,000 of non-cash amortization of intangible assets for the nine months ended December 31, 2014).

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our sources of liquidity may include cash generated from operations, working capital, capacity under our Credit Facility and potential equity and debt offerings. We believe that cash generated from these sources will be sufficient to meet our short-term and long-term needs. Our more significant uses of resources include quarterly dividends to shareholders, payment of debt obligations, long-term capital equipment expenditures and potential acquisitions. In addition, we are currently implementing a new ERP system which will require a significant use of cash over the next six to nine months.

 

Working capital is the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. We had working capital of $16,629,000 and $16,351,000, respectively, at December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014. The increase in working capital is primarily due to increases in both accounts receivable and inventories related to organic growth and the acquisitions of BGI, Amilabo and PCD, partially offset by $3,000,000 of required principal payments under the Term Loan being classified as current liabilities.

 

In February 2012, we entered into the Credit Facility for a $20,000,000 revolving line of credit and up to $1,000,000 of letters of credit. Funds from the Credit Facility may be used for general working capital and corporate needs, retiring existing debt, or to support acquisitions and capital expenditures. Under the Credit Facility, indebtedness bears interest at either: (1) LIBOR, as defined plus an applicable margin, ranging from 1.25% to 2.00%, or (2) the bank’s commercial bank floating rate (“CBFR”), which is the greater of the bank’s prime rate or one month LIBOR + 2.50%, adjusted down, from 1.25% to 0.50%.

 

In April 2014, the Credit Facility was amended to include a $15,000,000 term loan and to extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to June 30, 2017. The Term Loan bears interest at LIBOR, as defined, plus 2% and requires 11 quarterly principal payments (the first due date was July 15, 2014) in the amount of $750,000 with the remaining balance of principal and accrued interest due on April 15, 2017. The proceeds from the Term Loan were used to support acquisition financing and to repay amounts outstanding under the Line of Credit.

 

The Credit Facility is secured by all of our assets and requires us to maintain a ratio of funded debt to our trailing four quarters of EBIDTA, as defined, of 2.5 to 1.0, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.35 to 1.0. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2014.

 

As of January 31, 2015, we had $27,250,000 in outstanding indebtedness and unused capacity under our Credit Facility of $5,500,000.

 

We routinely evaluate opportunities for strategic acquisitions. Future material acquisitions may require that we obtain additional capital, assume third party debt or incur other long-term obligations. We believe that we have the option to utilize both equity and debt instruments as vehicles for the long-term financing of our investment activities and acquisitions.

 

On November 7, 2005, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to 300,000 shares of our outstanding common stock. Under the plan, the shares may be purchased from time to time in the open market at prevailing prices or in negotiated transactions off the market. Shares purchased will be canceled and repurchases will be made with existing cash reserves. We do not maintain a set policy or schedule for our buyback program. We have purchased 162,486 shares of common stock under this program from inception through December 31, 2014.

 

We have been paying regular quarterly dividends since 2003. Dividends per share paid by quarter were as follows:

 

   

Year Ending March 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 

First quarter

  $ 0.15     $ 0.14  

Second quarter

    0.15       0.14  

Third quarter

    0.16       0.15  

Fourth quarter

    --       0.15  

 

 
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In January 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share of common stock, payable on March 16, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 27, 2015.

 

Cash Flows

 

Our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities were as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Nine Months Ended December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 6,095     $ 9,474  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (21,262 )     (22,905 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    11,019       11,585  

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 decreased primarily due to increases in accounts receivable and inventories resulting from the BGI, Amilabo, Amega, TempSys and PCD acquisitions and the payment of accrued liabilities and taxes payable, partially offset by decreases in payments of accounts payable and increases in net income and depreciation and amortization.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 resulted primarily from the $10,268,000 BGI and $5,000,000 PCD Acquisitions and the purchase of $2,212,000 of property, plant and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 resulted from the $11,268,000 Amega Acquisition, the $9,769,000 TempSys Acquisition (net of cash acquired), the $1,721,000 Suretorque Acquisition and the purchase of $808,000 of property, plant and equipment, partially offset by the proceeds from the disposal of the NuSonics product line of $661,000.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 resulted from borrowings under our Credit Facility of $23,000,000 and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $1,137,000, partially offset by the repayment of debt of $11,500,000 and the payment of dividends of $1,618,000. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 resulted from borrowings under our Line of Credit of $18,000,000 and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $1,067,000, partially offset by the repayment of debt of $6,000,000 and the payment of dividends of $1,467,000.

 

At December 31, 2014, we had contractual obligations for open purchase orders of approximately $8,500,000 for routine purchases of supplies and inventory, which are payable in less than one year.

 

Under the terms of the Amega Agreement, we are required to pay contingent consideration if the cumulative revenues for our Continuous Monitoring Division for the three years subsequent to the acquisition meet certain levels. The potential consideration payable ranges from $0 to $10,000,000 and is based upon a sliding scale of three-year cumulative revenues between $31,625,000 and $43,500,000. Based upon both historical and projected growth rates, we recorded $500,000 of contingent consideration payable which represents our best estimate of the amount that will ultimately be paid. Any changes to the contingent consideration ultimately paid will result in additional income or expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. We will continue to monitor the results of our Continuous Monitoring Division and we will adjust the contingent liability on a go forward basis, based on then current information. The contingent consideration is payable in the third quarter of our year ending March 31, 2017.

 

Under the terms of the Bios Agreement, we are required to pay contingent consideration if the cumulative revenues related to the acquisition for the three years subsequent to the acquisition exceed $22,127,000. The potential future payment that we could be required to make ranges from $0 to $6,710,000. Based upon historical growth rates, we initially recorded $2,140,000 of contingent consideration payable which represented our best estimate of the amount that would ultimately be paid. Based upon actual results and current run rates, during the year ended March 31, 2014, we revised our estimate of the ultimate contingent liability that would be paid, which resulted in reducing the contingent consideration payable to $1,120,000. Any further changes to the contingent consideration ultimately paid would result in additional income or expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. We will continue to monitor the results associated with the Bios Acquisition and we will adjust the contingent liability on a go forward basis, based on then current information. The contingent consideration is payable in the first quarter of our year ending March 31, 2016.

 

Under the terms of the PCD Agreement, we are required to pay contingent consideration if the cumulative revenues for our process challenge device business for the three years subsequent to the acquisition meet certain levels. The potential consideration payable ranges from $0 to $1,500,000 and is based upon a sliding scale of three-year cumulative revenues between $9,900,000 and $12,600,000. Based upon both historical and projected growth rates, we recorded $300,000 of contingent consideration payable which represents our best estimate of the amount that will ultimately be paid. Any changes to the contingent consideration ultimately paid will result in additional income or expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income. We will continue to monitor the results of our process challenge device business and we will adjust the contingent liability on a go forward basis, based on then current information. The contingent consideration is payable in three annual installments beginning in the third quarter of our year ending March 31, 2016.

 

 
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Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We continually evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the condensed consolidated financial statements. The estimates are based on historical experience and assumptions believed to be reasonable under current facts and circumstances. Actual amounts and results could differ from these estimates made by management. Certain accounting policies that require significant management estimates and are deemed critical to our results of operations or financial position are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014 in the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section of “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We have no derivative instruments and minimal exposure to foreign currency and commodity market risks.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at December 31, 2014.

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 1992.

 

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at December 31, 2014. As allowed, this evaluation excludes the operations of acquired entities during the nine months ended December 31, 2014 due to the timing of the acquisitions. Revenues related to these acquisitions were 5% of total revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2014.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the nine months ended December 31, 2014, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 
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Part II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

See Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for information regarding legal proceedings in which we are involved.

 

Item 1A. Risk factors

 

We are affected by risks specific to us as well as factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market.  The significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014, under the heading “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors.”  There have been no material changes to those risk factors other than the following:

 

The contingent consideration from the PCD Acquisition may negatively impact our available cash and results from operations.

 

As part of the PCD Acquisition, we are required to make a contingent consideration payment if our cumulative PCD revenues for the three years subsequent to the acquisition meet certain levels. The ultimate amount we pay may differ significantly from the liability we recorded at the time of the acquisition. If we are required to pay more than the amount initially recorded, the difference will be recorded as expense in our consolidated statements of income, which could materially impact our results of operations.

 

We have claims and lawsuits against us that may result in adverse outcomes

 

We are subject to a variety of claims and lawsuits. Adverse outcomes in some or all of these claims may result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief that could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business. The litigation and other claims are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future. A material adverse impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements could occur for the period in which the effect of an unfavorable final outcome becomes probable and reasonably estimable.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

On November 7, 2005, our Board of Directors adopted a share repurchase plan which allows for the repurchase of up to 300,000 of our common shares. This plan will continue until the maximum is reached or the plan is terminated by further action of the Board of Directors. We made the following repurchases of our common stock, including settlement of loans to employees for the exercise of stock options:

 

   

Shares Purchased

   

Average Price Paid

   

Total Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan

   

Remaining Shares to Purchase Under Plan

 

October 2014

    --     $ --       162,486       137,514  

November 2014

    --       --       162,486       137,514  

December 2014

    --       --       162,486       137,514  

Total

    --       --                  

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101

The following financial information from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Mesa Laboratories, Inc. for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
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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.

 

 

MESA LABORATORIES, INC.

(Registrant)

 

 

DATED: February 2, 2015

BY:

/s/ John J. Sullivan, Ph.D..

 

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D.

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATED: February 2, 2015

BY:

/s/ John V. Sakys

 

 

John V. Sakys

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Page 23