Orbital Infrastructure Group, Inc. - Annual Report: 2012 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

Commission File Number 0-29923

CUI Global, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

20050 SW 112^th Avenue

Tualatin, Oregon 97062

(503) 612-2300

(Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices and Principal Place of Business)

William J. Clough, CEO/President

CUI Global, Inc.

20050 SW 112^th Avenue

Tualatin, Oregon 97062

(503) 612-2300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ¨ Yes x No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ¨ Yes x No

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 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). x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

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

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2012, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, was $53,601,066.

As of February 19, 2013, the registrant had 10,883,280 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.

PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Not Applicable

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements that have been made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict; therefore, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in any such forward-looking statements.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results anticipated by management will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on our business operations.

PART I

Item 1. Business

Corporate Overview

CUI Global Delivering Innovative Technologies for an Interconnected World.

CUI Global, Inc., formerly known as Waytronx, Inc., is a Colorado corporation organized on April 21, 1998. The Company’s principal place of business is located at 20050 SW 112^th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062, phone (503) 612-2300. CUI Global is a platform company dedicated to maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, development and commercialization of new, innovative technologies. Through its subsidiaries, CUI Global has built a diversified portfolio of industry leading technologies that touch many markets.

CUI, Inc. - Subsidiary

Effective May 16, 2008, CUI Global, Inc. formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Waytronx Holdings, Inc., to acquire the assets of CUI, Inc., a Tualatin, Oregon based provider of electronic components including power supplies, transformers, converters, connectors and industrial controls for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The wholly owned subsidiary was renamed CUI, Inc. following the close of the acquisition. Through the acquisition of CUI, Inc., the Company obtained 352,589 common shares (representing an 11.54% interest at December 31, 2012 and 2011) in Test Products International, Inc., a provider of handheld test and measurement equipment. Since its inception in 1989, CUI has been delivering quality products, extensive application solutions and superior personal service. CUI's solid customer commitment and honest corporate message are a hallmark in the industry.

Through CUI’s capabilities and extensive contacts throughout Asia, this acquisition allows CUI Global to continue to identify, acquire and commercialize new proprietary technologies. CUI Global will use CUI’s market partners and global distribution capabilities to bring other products to market, including the Novum Digital Power Modules, Solus Power Topology, Vergence GasPT2 and other proprietary devices, described below. CUI’s testing and R&D capabilities allow CUI Global to commercialize and prototype its products more efficiently and economically.

The consideration for the CUI, Inc. asset purchase transaction included two promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of thirty one million five hundred thousand dollars ($31,500,000). In May 2009, CUI Global and the holder of the $17,500,000 convertible promissory note, IED, Inc., agreed to amend the convertible promissory note by reducing the conversion rate from $7.50 to $2.10 per share to reflect the stock price for the ten day trailing average preceding April 24, 2009, the date of the agreement.  The agreement specifically retained the total maximum convertible shares at 2,333,333 as stated in the original note.  This amendment effectively reduced the note principal from $17,500,000 to $4,900,000. On April 1, 2010, the Company satisfied the $4,900,000 convertible promissory note and $850,500 in accrued interest for a one-time payment of $50,000 and the conversion of $70,000 of the principal into 33,333 shares of the company’s common stock at a conversion rate of $2.10 per share. Pursuant to a September 1, 2010 agreement with the holder of the $14,000,000 promissory note, IED, Inc., the note principal was reduced by $1,588,063, the interest rate and payment terms were restructured and the Company paid $1,200,000 of the principal balance during the fourth quarter of 2010 and an additional $487,208 of the principal balance during the first quarter of 2011. The revised terms set the interest rate at 6% per annum with monthly interest payments and a May 15, 2018 balloon payment.

CUI Japan and the Discontinued Operations of Comex Electronics, Ltd. - Subsidiaries

In July 2009 CUI Global acquired, as a wholly owned subsidiary, Comex Instruments, Ltd., now known as CUI Japan and 49% of Comex Electronics, Ltd. Both companies are Japanese based providers of electronic components. Effective July 1, 2011, CUI Global entered into an agreement to convey its 49% ownership interest in Comex Electronics to the owners of the remaining 51% who are the original founders and were the original owners of Comex Instruments for $617,975 in the form of a five year note receivable bearing interest at 4% per annum. As such, the operations of Comex Electronics are reported as discontinued operations for the comparable periods. CUI Global will continue to maintain its 100% ownership of CUI Japan the operations of which are not affected by the Comex Electronics divestment. As of December 31, 2012, the Comex Electronics note receivable is current in accordance with the agreed terms.

Business Overview

We are an electronics platform company currently delivering more than 20,000 separate products into the marketplace. We are dedicated to and focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of new, innovative electronic technologies/products to add to our product portfolio. We seek out market-ready technologies and, using our 20+ years of experience in the electronics industry and our diversified platform of distribution, marketing, sales, R&D and engineering support, we bring that technology into the market place, joining our more than 20,000 current stock keeping units (“SKU’s”). Our platform consists of a financial, marketing, sales, engineering and administrative group dedicated to directing and supporting three separate market silos. Those silos include: (1) Power Supply Units (“PSU”), which consists of industrial power supplies (both internal and external) and our patented, proprietary technologies, Novum® Advanced Power and Solus® Power Topology. Novum incorporates our digital power modules, providing programmable power chips to leading network and telecommunication companies. Solus enhances that capability by providing a more efficient power supply source, currently in the form of a ¼ brick, but scalable to serve numerous customer needs; (2) Test and Measurement, which is the oldest part of our business and, along with providing probes and other test devices, incorporates our unique Vergence® Inferential Gas Metering Technology and the GasPT2 device, which we have branded under the name Vergence; and, (3) Electronic Components, which includes our more than 20,000 SKU’s and our proprietary motion control devices. From what we consider to be the world's smallest optical shaft encoder, to our innovative proprietary technology utilized in the AMT® modular encoder, we are positioning ourselves to be a preeminent source for motion control products. In sum, we have built and continue to build a diversified portfolio of industry leading technologies that touch many markets.

We focus our market knowledge, industry network and reputation within the electronics industry into locating, identifying and acquiring market-ready electronic technologies. Once identified, we put considerable effort into our due diligence process. That process is designed to ensure that we acquire only market-ready technologies which are synergistic to our diversified electronics portfolio. Once acquired, we assign a team of engineers, market specialists and sales executives to implement our commercialization strategy. That “end-to-end” strategy incorporates everything from branding, to market/product surveys, to identification of appropriate market partners and more.

Our Products and Product Categories

PSUs

V-Infinity^® Power

Our current power line, V-Infinity, consists of external and embedded ac-dc power supplies, dc-dc converters and basic digital point of load modules. This dynamic, broadly applicable product line accounts for a significant portion of our current revenue and recent revenue growth.

Digital Power Patent License Agreement with Power-One, Inc.

The company entered into a non-exclusive Field of Use Agreement with Power-One, Inc. to license Power-One’s Digital Power Technology patents. The license provides access to Power-One’s portfolio of Digital Power Technology patents for incorporation into the company’s new line of digital point of load power modules. The company, through its power division, also manufactures a wide range of embedded and external power electronics devices for OEM manufacturers.

Novum^® Advanced Power

We have developed the first fully featured digital point of load dc-dc converter in the power market under our Novum Advanced Power line of products. This product is a next generation product targeted at the intermediate bus power architecture that is prolifically used in the telecom and networking communications market. In September of 2010 we released full production versions of two point of load modules. We were finalists for the prestigious Golden Mousetrap Award and EDN Innovation Award for these parts in 2010. With the shift towards smarter, smaller, and more energy efficient power requirements, our engineers are seeking innovative solutions that allow them to keep pace with lower core voltages, faster transient response needs and increasing thermal issues that they face in their designs. Our recently introduced Novum NDM2 modules, with a full suite of digital features, specifically address these growing system complexities through intelligent power management. The NDM2 series is the first to be designed by the company as part of the Ericsson cooperation announced in July 2011. The agreement formalizes a plan between the two companies to offer a multi-source digital POL platform based on the Ericsson BMR46X series, with future plans to co-develop modules outside the existing range of 10~50A. We have also developed a middle ground product to ease the customer base into the benefits of digital in power. We developed a “smart module” that allows for the benefits of digital in the design cycle but when installed functions like a highly optimized analog unit.

Solus^® Topology License with California Power Research

The company entered into an exclusive Field of Use Agreement with California Power Research to license their BPS-5 topology, now marketed as the Solus Topology. This topology provides industry leading efficiencies and densities in power design. The topology is broadly applicable to both DC-DC and AC-DC products. This will allow for the company to have a long roadmap of industry leading products to service its broad customer base. In addition, its first target is the Intermediate Bus Architecture (IBA) where the Digital POL modules are used.

Solus^® Power Topology

Through the Solus Topology, we have a proprietary patented power topology for designing unique power circuits. This topology allows for higher efficiencies, densities, response time, and price competitiveness that is otherwise unavailable. Our initial product designed using this topology is in the quarter brick dc-dc converter market. Solus is an entirely new topology, rich in features that accelerate the performance trend trajectories for the big-four power conversion needs in the telecom and server markets: greater efficiency; higher power density; reduced EMI (electro-magnetic interference); and faster transient response four times as fast. We have introduced the NQB2060 Novum® one quarter brick bus converter as a prime example of the benchmark 720 watts output power performance using the Solus Topology. Since the Solus Topology maintains its effectiveness independent of the control method used, it can operate with analog voltage mode control, analog current mode control, and various digital control profiles. We believe that unique feature opens the door for the company to implement this topology in a wide variety of power supply product platforms. We also believe that this topology will allow for at least a decade of new product designs and introductions.

As the large scale networking and telecommunications companies convert to digital power, our early entry into the market, our unique Solus Topology, and our relationship with Ericsson should enhance our ability to penetrate this (according to the Darnell Group) multi-billion dollar market.

Test and Measurement

Vergence^® GasPT2

Through an exclusive licensing contract with GL Industrial Services UK, Ltd. (GL), formerly British-based Advantica, Ltd., CUI Global owns exclusive rights to manufacture, sell and distribute a Gas Quality Inferential Measurement Device (GasPT2) designed by GL on a worldwide basis, now marketed as the Vergence GasPT2.

The Vergence natural gas inferential metering device, the GasPT2, is a low cost solution to measuring natural gas quality. It can be connected to a natural gas system to provide a fast, accurate, close to real time measurement of the physical properties, such as thermal conductivity, speed of sound and carbon dioxide content. From these measurements it infers an effective gas mixture comprising four components: methane, propane, nitrogen, and measured carbon dioxide and then uses ISO6976 to calculate the gas quality characteristics of calorific value (CV), Wobbe index (WI), relative density (RD), and compression factor (Z). An ISO, International Organization for Standardization, is a documented agreement containing technical specifications or other precise criteria to be used consistently as rules, guidelines or definitions of characteristics to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose.

This new and innovative technology has been certified for use in fiscal monitoring by Ofgem in the United Kingdom, the Polish Oil & Gas Company Department of Testing and Calibration in Warsaw, NOVA Chemical/TransCanada, and SNAM RETE in Italy. At present, there is no equivalent product competition. There are instruments like gas chromatographs (“GC”), but they are slow, complicated to use and as much as five times the price of the GasPT2.

By way of example, in the case of SNAM RETE, the Italian gas transmission company, there are 13 natural gas injection points for the SNAM RETE system. Those injection points will continue to use GC’s for monitoring. On the other hand, there are 1,500 customer access points, servicing 7,500 customers. Those would include city gates, large industrial users, power generation plants and others. All of those customer access ports would be applicable for the Vergence Technology. In the case of ENAGAS in Spain that ratio is 6 injection points and over 300 access points.

In addition, there are currently 50,000 gas-fired turbines in operation worldwide. Each of those turbines is subject to variances in natural gas quality. Depending on the quality of the gas, those very expensive machines can be tuned to run more efficiently and therefore longer with much cleaner emissions. Currently, because of the delay in information from the GC’s, such tuning cannot be effectively accomplished. Operators attempt to deal with the delay by placing the monitoring station miles away from the turbine or creating large holding tanks to maintain the gas until an analysis can be completed. The use of the Vergence Technology, will enable those operators to place the GasPT2 units right next to the turbines and by interfacing them with the machine’s process control software, the tuning can be accomplished on almost a real-time basis; thus, allowing the turbines to run longer, more efficiently and cleaner. In October/November 2012, the GasPT2 device successfully passed first-phase testing by GE-ENERGY at its Turbine Test Facility in Houston, Texas.

In 2011, the Company reached agreements with several European and United States companies to place beta test units for both laboratory and infield testing. These companies included SNAM RETE in Italy; National Grid in the United Kingdom; and GASUNIE in The Netherlands, among others. In early 2012, the company began the delivery of beta units to North American companies for their own beta test programs.

In addition, we signed an exclusive 5-year distribution agreement for the United Kingdom with Orbital Gas Systems, Ltd., the largest specialty gas engineering company in England. In conjunction with Orbital, we have introduced the combined Vergence GasPT2 unit and Vergence V-Probe to National Grid the largest gas transmission/distribution company in the UK. In January 2012 we entered into a second five (5) year, exclusive distribution agreement for our Vergence technology with an Italian company, SOCRATE s.p.a. for sales, marketing, distribution and service of our Vergence GasPT2 gas metering device for Italy and North Africa, including Libya and Tunisia. The agreement calls for sales of as many as 2,000 to 3,000 units and is valued from $40,000,000 to $60,000,000 over the five-year term.

We have entered into non-exclusive distribution agreements with two North American companies, Energy Measurement Consulting (EMC) and MGlobal. For its part, in December 2012, EMC issued a purchase order for the scheduled delivery of 150 units in FY 2013.

The Company has also reached an agreement with BWG/Blue Flame, a company based in Dubai for exclusive representation in the Middle East, including the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and more. BWG/Blue Flame are also in negotiations with several large Middle Eastern organizations to place the device in the Gulf Region; along with representatives from Thailand, Romania, Turkey, and India for placement of the device.

Components

AMT^® Encoder

The company has an exclusive agreement to develop, sell and distribute the AMT encoder worldwide. The AMT series modular encoder is designed with proprietary, capacitive, code-generating technology as opposed to optical or magnetic encoding. This unique device allows breakthroughs in selectable resolution, shaft-adaptation and convenient mounting solutions to bring ease of installation, reduction in SKU’s and economies of scale in purchasing.  The AMT amounts to almost 2000 different encoders in one package. The company is selling and distributing the AMT through various customers. Moreover, the product is being marketed by multiple DC motor manufacturers. The AMT has been awarded several design wins from Motion Control OEM’s producing a wide range of products from cash machines to robotics.

ISO 9001:2008 Certification

CUI, Inc. is certified to the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems standards and guidelines. CUI is registered as conforming to the requirements of standard: ISO 9001:2008. The Quality Management System is applicable to Design, Development and Distribution of electromechanical components for OEM manufacturing. ISO 9001 is accepted worldwide as the inclusive international standard that defines quality.

The certification of compliance with ISO 9001:2008 recognizes that our policies, practices and procedures ensure consistent quality in the design services, technology and products we provide our customers.

Anticipated Growth Strategy for Our Electromechanical Product Line

We hope to grow our electromechanical product line through a planned strategy to increase our name recognition as a technology company. Our plan, already in effect, includes:

These areas, however, need forward-looking growth investment to understand the customers’ needs and develop products accordingly. We are in line with market standards for quality, customer service and pricing. Our plan is to stay with this mark during our anticipated growth. We intend to expand according to our existing model. The expansion means more manufacturer representative coverage and outside sales people in strategic areas throughout the United States. We intend to eventually have field application engineers in the strategic areas driving designs at the customers’ facility.

We Are Intent on Meeting the Needs of Our Customers

Our specific product offering ranges from audio jacks to industrial power supplies. While the bulk of our business is in power (ac-dc and dc-dc) products, we have a broad line of electromechanical components for the OEM manufacturer. Because the electromechanical technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, we thrive on being flexible within the industry through our product offering and in how we conduct business. The primary focus areas for growth, however, are in engineering and in sales. Our products are supported on our website and the products with the highest amount of turnover are stocked and marketed in distribution centers. We strive to create collaborative relationships with our customers, seeking to meet their design needs in a timely and cost effective manner. We invest in our future and the future of our customers through new technologies, talented employees, expanded manufacturing capabilities and a growing global reach.

Anticipated Growth Strategy for Vergence® GasPT2

We are presently in the midst of our marketing efforts for our Vergence GasPT2 Inferential Natural Gas Monitoring Device, the GasPT2. Our strategy for GasPT2 has been to identify the large gas utility companies who would most likely provide opportunities for batch sales rather than single unit sales. Our ‘sale or return’ sales approach has been accepted very positively in Europe and the United States. Our approach focused strongly on the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States in 2011. For 2012, the Company will continue its efforts in those areas and also begin the process of taking GasPT2 to the Asian markets, with India identified as the test market. Beyond this we have a strategy which is based on identification of the main geographical locations for liquefied natural gas importation (pipelines and terminals), mixing and blending points and strategic locations for security of supply strategies which can be current or planned pipelines and import terminals where additional gas quality monitoring may be required.

In addition, we signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the UK with Orbital Gas Systems, Ltd., the largest specialty gas engineering company in England. In conjunction with Orbital, we have introduced the combined Vergence GasPT2 unit and Vergence V-Probe to National Grid the largest gas transmission/distribution company in the UK. We recently entered into a second five (5) year, exclusive distribution agreement for our Vergence™ technology with an Italian company, SOCRATE s.p.a. for sales, marketing, distribution and service of our Vergence™ GasPT2 gas metering device for Italy and North Africa, including Libya and Tunisia. The agreement calls for sales of as many as 2,000 to 3,000 units and is valued from $40,000,000 to $60,000,000 over the three-year term.

We plan to replicate this type of agreement with other large, regional gas engineering companies in Europe and North America and we are negotiating with several large Middle Eastern groups to place the device in the Gulf Region.

According to Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA), the global GC market will reach more than $1.5 billion by 2015. Admittedly, that market is mature and, according to GIA, is dominated by “aftermarket and accessories” sales. In contrast, the Vergence Technology is less expensive, more efficient and dramatically faster than any available GC. It provides almost real-time monitoring without the need for a large enclosure, carrier gas and, most significantly, regular technical support and calibration. Taking all of those factors into account, it is likely that the Vergence Technology will rapidly and effectively penetrate a large segment of that $1.5 billion market.

Acquisition Strategy:

We are constantly alert to potential acquisition targets, both in the form of technology and potential strategic partners. In that regard, we are repeatedly approached by inventors and others, most especially in the power industry, to assess and assist in commercialization and marketing of new technologies. These contacts largely arise because of our reputation and successes as well as our recent technology product line additions including Vergence, Novum and Solus. Moreover, much like when we acquired CUI, Inc., there are many small, well-run electronics companies that become available for multiple reasons. We will consider each of these potential opportunities as they arise with a careful analysis of the relevant synergies between any potential acquisition and our current business, along with the potential for increased revenue and/or market share.

Research and Development Activities

Research and development costs for CUI Global were $791,332 for the year ended December 31, 2012 and $716,321 for the same period during 2011. Research and development costs are related to the various technologies for which CUI Global has acquired licensing rights or is developing internally. The expenditures for research and development have been directed primarily towards the further development of Novum Advanced Power technologies including digital POLs and the Solus Topology, AMT Capacitive Encoders and towards the development of the Vergence GasPT2. The Company expects that research and development expenses will increase during 2013 as the Company continues to expand its product offering and technologies due to market acceptance and customer integration.

Employees

As of December 31, 2012, the Company, together with its consolidating subsidiaries, had sixty-two full-time and seven part-time employees. None of its employees is represented by a labor union. The Company considers its relations with its employees to be good. The Company plans to add additional staff as needed to handle all phases of its business.

Intellectual Property License Evolution

AMT^® encoder technology:

Upon the acquisition of CUI, Inc., the Company obtained the relationship with the holder of the AMT encoder technology. Through an exclusive licensing contract with AnderMotion Technologies, LLC, signed on or about April 20, 2009, CUI acquired exclusive rights to manufacture, sell and distribute motion control devices utilizing the AMT encoder technology.

Novum^® Digital POL technology

Through a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Power-One, Inc., signed on or about September 18, 2009, CUI has access to Power-One’s portfolio of Digital Power Technology patents for incorporation into CUI’s new line of digital point of load (POL) power modules.

Solus^® advanced power topology technology

Through an exclusive licensing contract with California Power Research, Inc., signed on or about March 4, 2010, CUI acquired the exclusive rights to manufacture, market, sell, lease, maintain, give over and dispose of licensed product using the BPS-5 advanced power topology technology.

Vergence^® GasPT2 technology

Through an exclusive licensing contract with GL Industrial Services UK, Ltd. (GL), formerly British-based Advantica, Ltd., signed on or about January 4, 2010, CUI Global acquired exclusive rights to manufacture, sell and distribute a Gas Quality Inferential Measurement Device (GasPT2) designed by GL on a worldwide basis.

Intellectual Property Protection

The Company relies on various intellectual property laws and contractual restrictions to protect its proprietary rights in products and services. These include confidentiality, invention assignment and nondisclosure agreements with its employees, contractors, suppliers and strategic partners. The confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements with employees, contractors and suppliers are in perpetuity or for a sufficient length of time so as to not threaten exposure of proprietary information. The Company retained Hartman and Hartman, P. C., Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. and Law Offices of William W. Haefliger to manage its current interests relative to the prosecution of the national and international patents. The Company intends to pursue the registration of our trademarks and service marks in the United States and internationally.

In an effort to concentrate our business focus on our core product development and marketing, in December 2011, we conveyed our WayCool and WayFast patent portfolio to Olantra Fund X, LLC for a cash payment of $500,000.

Under the Trademark Act of 1946, as amended, the United States Patent and Trademark Office permitted our registration of the following trademarks that we actively maintain up to date: CUI INC, CUI Europe, V-Infinity, AMT, Novum, CUI Global, Simple Digital, Vergence and Solus.

The Company continuously reviews and updates the existing intellectual property filings and files new documentation both nationally and internationally (Patent Cooperation Treaty) in a continuing effort to maintain up to date protection of its intellectual property.

For those intellectual property applications pending, there is no assurance that the registrations will be granted. Furthermore, the Company is exposed to the risk that other parties may claim the Company infringes their existing patent and trademark rights, which could result in the Company’s inability to develop and market its products unless the Company enters into licensing agreements with the technology owner or could force the Company to engage in costly and potentially protracted litigation.

Competitive Business Conditions

The industries in which the company competes are very broad. We operate a commoditized electromechanical parts distribution business that is focused on efficiency of delivery and competitiveness of pricing to differentiate our products from competitors. The market is subject to some volatility due to production requirements of large global firms. We feel that our electromechanical parts distribution business is diverse and broad. We have a very strong retail distribution partner that maximizes our product exposure to new designs and small to medium sized customers. We focus on the OEM market and supply higher levels of support, customer service and a constantly expanding product line, in order to further differentiate with our competitors. This product line ranges from a $0.02 connector to the $25,000 Vergence GasPT2 device – all different products for different customers. Additionally, we utilize third party external sales representative organizations to penetrate new and better customers otherwise not readily available to the company.

CUI is becoming more recognized in the power supply market and has differentiated itself through technology with a foundation of legacy and product quality. As of December 31, 2012, our internal and external power products and related component sales account for approximately 88% of our revenues. We have added new products and technologies that will allow us to compete outside of price and more on innovative technology and strategic partnerships.

From the first full featured digital point-of-load dc-dc converter, to the highly dense intermediate bus converters that CUI is releasing, we believe that we are ahead of the market leaders in our market space and that the market is ready for new technologies and new ideas. We feel that there is a market shift to a digitally-based controller for power supply switching. Our strategy is to be a complete transformation for the industry as it will become a major part of the value sell to the end customer as well as a data collection point for energy consumption, two important elements for the industry.

Similarly, the Vergence natural gas inferential metering device, the GasPT2, competes in a mature industry with established competitors. There are significant investments being made globally into the natural gas extraction and transportation infrastructure. Our Vergence GasPT2 is a comparably low cost solution to measuring natural gas quality as compared to our best competition.  It can be connected to a natural gas system to provide a fast, accurate, close to real time measurement of the physical properties, such as thermal conductivity, speed of sound and carbon dioxide content.  From these measurements it infers an effective gas mixture comprising four components: methane, propane, nitrogen and measured carbon dioxide and then uses ISO6976 to calculate the gas quality characteristics of calorific value (CV), Wobbe index (WI), relative density (RD) and compression factor (Z)." This technology has been certified for use in fiscal monitoring by Ofgem in the United Kingdom and SNAM RETE in Italy. At present, there is no equivalent product competition. There are instruments like gas chromatographs, but they are slower and more complicated to use and as much as double the price of the GasPT2.

Dependence on Few Major Customers

During 2012, 59% of revenues were derived from five customers at 47%, 4%, 3%, 3%, and 2%. During 2011, 55% of revenues were derived from six customers at 41%, 4%, 3%, 3%, 2% and 2%.

The Company’s major product lines in 2012 and 2011 were external power, internal power and industrial controls.

At December 31, 2012, of the gross trade accounts receivable from continuing operations totaling $5,095,926, 57% was due from six customers: 37%, 8%, 3%, 3%, 3% and 3%. At December 31, 2011, of the gross trade accounts receivable from continuing operations totaling $3,819,641, 53% was due from eight customers: 21%, 9%, 7%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% and 2%.

Philanthropic Philosophy

In an industry first, CUI has chosen that, in addition to sales commission, sales representative firms will also receive a charity commission to be donated to charities of their choice. One of CUI’s core values is generosity which includes philanthropic giving. We give in our local community and we want to also give in the communities in which we do business.

Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide information required by this item.

None.

Item 2.  Properties

As an integrated part of the CUI asset acquisition, the CUI Global, Inc. corporate offices were relocated to the CUI location at 20050 SW 112th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062. CUI and CUI Global occupy the 61,380 square feet of offices and warehouse premises under a ten year non-cancelable lease agreement beginning September 1, 2006 with Barakel, LLC (a related party) at a base monthly rent subject to periodic base payment increases plus real property taxes, utilities, insurance and common area maintenance charges. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the monthly base rent was $40,250 in accordance with the lease schedule. During the period January 1 through August 31, 2011, the monthly base rent was $40,000 and increased in accordance with the lease schedule to $40,250 for the period September 1 through December 31, 2011. Barakel, LLC is controlled by James McKenzie, majority owner of CUI, Inc. prior to acquisition and majority owner of IED, Inc. along with Matt McKenzie, COO, Corporate Secretary and Director of the Company.

The Company also leased office space in Malmo, Sweden pursuant to a renewable lease which terminated January 31, 2011. In addition to the base rent of (subject to periodic base lease payment increases), the Company was responsible for property taxes, maintenance and related VAT taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the monthly base rent was approximately $0 and $1,386, respectively.

Additionally, subsequent to the acquisition of CUI Japan and Comex Electronics, the Company had leased spaces in Tokyo, Japan and owned a small manufacturing facility on leased land in Nagano, Japan. The CUI Japan leased space in Tokyo, Japan expired January 31, 2012 and there was no rent expense for this space in 2012. CUI Japan subleased space from Comex Electronics during 2012 on a month to month basis, with monthly base rent of approximately $1,253.

The discontinued operations of Comex Electronics had leased space in Tokyo, Japan with expirations between May 7, 2011 and September 9, 2011. In conjunction with these leases, Comex Electronics also leased parking spaces which leases expired December 31, 2010 and became a month to month agreement. Additionally, the discontinued operations of Comex Electronics had a land lease in Nagano with an expiration of August 11, 2019.

Rental expense was $552,655 and $592,573 in 2012 and 2011, respectively, and is included in selling, general and administrative on the statement of operations.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are not a party in any legal proceedings. No director, officer or affiliate of the Company, any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of any class of voting securities of the Company or any associate of any such director, officer, affiliate of the Company or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosure

Note applicable.

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Description of Securities

The Company’s Common Stock is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the trading symbol "CUI". The Company currently has authorized 325,000,000 common shares, par value $0.001 per share, and as of December 31, 2012, the Company’s issued and outstanding shares consisted of 10,883,280 shares of common stock of which 8,636,820 shares are freely tradable without restriction or limitation under the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had in excess of 3,000 shareholders of record. Effective September 17, 2012, the Board of Directors passed a resolution eliminating and discontinuing all Series A and B Convertible Preferred and Series C Preferred stock and requiring that all preferred stock shall be returned to the Company treasury. As of December 31, 2012, no shares of Series B and Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are issued nor outstanding.

The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share and do not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of the Company’s Common Stock do not have any pre-emptive or other rights to subscribe for or purchase additional shares of capital stock and no conversion rights, redemption or sinking-fund provisions.

On August 23, 2011 the shareholders approved a reverse split of the issued and outstanding shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The reverse split ratio was set at one for thirty (1:30) that became effective February 17, 2012. The reverse split was an element necessary for up-listing the common stock on The NASDAQ Stock Market that became effective February 17, 2012 under the trading symbol “CUI”.

The reverse split did not affect any stockholder’s proportionate equity interest in the Company or the rights, preferences, privileges or priorities of any stockholder, other than an adjustment due to fractional shares. The reverse split did not cause a significant change in the number of beneficial owners of our common stock. Likewise, the reverse split did not affect the total stockholders’ equity in the Company or any components of stockholders’ equity as reflected on the financial statements of the Company except to change the number of issued and outstanding shares of capital stock.

The company filed a Form S-1 registration statement to register 2,222,222 shares of $0.001 par value common stock that became effective February 14, 2012. These shares of registered stock were sold to or through Merriman Capital, Inc. as our underwriter for ten million dollars ($10,000,000). Our underwriting agreement contained an over-allotment provision that permitted our underwriter to purchase an additional 333,333 shares of our common stock which were purchased by our underwriter for one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000), less a 7.5% discount.

The following schedule shows the common stock issuances and remaining balance after each issuance resulting from the one for thirty (1:30) reverse split that became effective February 17, 2012 and the Form S-1 registration statement that became effective February 14, 2012.

Use of Proceeds

We received $8,913,302 in net proceeds from our sale of 2,222,222 common shares sold by us in the Form S-1 offering. Our net proceeds from this offering represent the amount we received after paying the underwriter commissions of $750,000 and underwriting expenses of $200,000. In conjunction with the Form S-1 Offering, we received $1,387,499 in net proceeds from our sale of 333,333 common shares sold by us in the over-allotment offering. Our net proceeds from this offering represent the amount we received after paying the underwriter discount of $112,500. Additionally, our total expenses related to this Form S-1 offering, including the over-allotment offering were $136,698.

We received $2,253,008 in net proceeds from our sale of 570,000 common shares sold by us. These 570,000 shares of common stock were included in an S-3 Registration Statement that the Company filed on April 13, 2012 that became effective upon filing. Net proceeds from this sale represent the amount received by CUI Global after paying $312,017 expenses related to the sale.

As part of our business strategy, we pursue acquisitions of other businesses and technologies. We may use a portion of the proceeds to fund expansion of our current business through acquisitions or investments in other strategic businesses, products or technologies. We have no firm commitments or agreements with respect to any expansion or future acquisition opportunity at this time, although we assess opportunities on an ongoing basis and from time to time have discussions with other companies about potential transactions.

In February 2012, the company utilized $4.0 million to repay the principal balance in full under the $4.0 million term note with the Business Credit division of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Also in February 2012, the company paid $3.0 million to repay a portion of the principal balance of the IED note payable associated with the acquisition of CUI, Inc. and $35,000 was utilized to repay a convertible note payable owed to an officer of the company. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use.

We have broad discretion in the way we use the net proceeds; however, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the proceeds from these offerings or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. We have used a portion the net proceeds to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend upon numerous factors, including the progress of our product development and commercialization efforts, whether or not we enter into strategic collaborations or partnerships and our operating costs and expenditures. Our management has significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds of these offerings. The costs and timing of product development and marketing approval, particularly relating to electronic components, are highly uncertain, are subject to substantial risks and can often change. Accordingly, we may change the allocation of use of these proceeds as a result of such contingencies and other development activities, the establishment of collaborations, our manufacturing and distribution requirements and competitive developments.

We have used a portion of the proceeds from these offerings to create a public market for our common stock, allow us easier and quicker access to the public markets should we need more capital in the future, increase the profile and prestige of our company with existing and possible future registered users, vendors and strategic partners and make our stock more valuable and attractive to our employees and potential employees for compensation purposes.

Based on our current operating plan, we anticipate that the net proceeds of these offerings, together with our existing cash, cash equivalents and borrowing capacity under our revolving working capital line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will be sufficient to enable us to maintain our currently planned operations.

Pending the uses as described above, we plan to invest a portion of the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation investments, including short- and intermediate-term interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or guaranteed obligations of the United States government.

Market Value

The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the trading symbol "CUI". The following table sets forth, the high and low bid prices of our Common Stock for the four quarters of 2011 and 2012 as reported by the National Quotation Bureau and reflect inter-dealer prices without retail mark-up, markdown or commission and may not represent actual transactions. The 2011 prices have been adjusted to account for the one for thirty (1:30) reverse split that became effective February 17, 2012.

Dividend Policy

The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and the Company does not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

We currently expect to retain future earnings to finance the growth and development of our business. The timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend, among other things, on our future results of operations and cash flows; our general financial condition and future prospects; our capital requirements and surplus; contractual restrictions; the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries; and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Any future dividends on our common shares would be declared by and subject to the discretion of our board of directors.

Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuances

Set forth below is a summary of the outstanding securities, transactions and agreements, which relate to 682,141 shares of common stock the Company is required to reserve for potential future issuances.

As of December 31, 2012, there were reserved for issuance an aggregate of 682,141 shares of common stock for options outstanding under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and the Company’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive).

As of December 31, 2012, the Company has 1,979,083 common shares authorized and available for issuance under the Company option plans.

The approximate 2,246,460 shares of Common Stock held by existing shareholders as of December 31, 2012 that are "restricted" within the meaning of Rule 144 adopted under the Securities Act (the "Restricted Shares"), may not be sold unless they are registered under the Securities Act or sold pursuant to an exemption from registration, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. The Restricted Shares were issued and sold by us in private transactions in reliance upon exemptions from registration under the Securities Act and may only be sold in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144 of the Securities Act, unless otherwise registered under the Securities Act.

Other than as described herein, as of the date of this filing, there are currently no plans, arrangements, commitments or understandings for the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock.

Employee Equity Incentive Plans

At December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding the following equity compensation plan information:

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders

On May 16, 2008 the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and authorized 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock to fund the Plan. At the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders the Equity Incentive Plan was approved by the Company shareholders. At the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders the shareholders approved an amendment to the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of common shares issuable under the plan from 1,500,000 to 3,000,000. All of these shares have been registered under Form S-8.

The 2008 Equity Incentive Plan is intended to: (a) provide incentive to employees of the Company and its affiliates to stimulate their efforts toward the continued success of the Company and to operate and manage the business in a manner that will provide for the long-term growth and profitability of the Company; (b) encourage stock ownership by employees, directors and independent contractors by providing them with a means to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company by acquiring shares of Stock or to receive compensation which is based upon appreciation in the value of Stock; and (c) provide a means of obtaining and rewarding employees, directors, independent contractors and advisors.

The 2008 Equity Incentive Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options (ISOs) and Non Statutory Options (NSOs) to employees, directors and independent contractors of the Company. The Board shall determine the exercise price per share in the case of an ISO at the time an option is granted and such price shall be not less than the fair market value or 110% of fair market value in the case of a ten percent or greater stockholder. In the case of an NSO, the exercise price shall not be less than the fair market value of one share of stock on the date the option is granted. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, ISOs and NSOs granted under the both plans have a maximum duration of 10 years.

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders

In January 2009 the Company Board of Directors received and approved a written report and recommendations of the Compensation Committee which included a detailed executive equity compensation report and market analysis and the recommendations of Compensia, Inc., a management consulting firm that provides executive compensation advisory services to compensation committees and senior management of knowledge-based companies. The Compensation Committee used the report and analysis as a basis for its formal written recommendation to the board. Pursuant to a board resolution the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive), a Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, was created and funded with 4,200,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Compensation Committee was appointed as the Plan Administrator to manage the plan.

October 11, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 3,060,382 options under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive). All granted options are presented at post-reverse quantities. On October 11, 2010, the following were granted: 3,300 to each director of the Company with an exercise price of $9.00 per share and vesting one year after the October 11, 2010 date of grant. Two employees who also serve as directors received 52,277 bonus options as employees and 29,936 stock options were granted to corporate officers and employees. The employee bonus options have an exercise price of $9.00 per share and vest over four years, 25% at year one and thereafter in equal monthly installments.

The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) provides for the issuance of stock options to attract, retain and motivate executive and management employees and directors and to encourage these individuals to acquire an equity interest in the Company, to make monetary payments to certain management employees and directors based upon the value of the Company’s stock and to provide these individuals with an incentive to maximize the success of the Company and further the interest of the shareholders. The 2009 Plan provides for the issuance of Incentive Non Statutory Options. The Administrator of the plan is authorized to determine the exercise price per share at the time the option is granted, but the exercise price shall not be less than the fair market value on the date the option is granted. Stock options granted under the 2009 Plan have a maximum duration of 10 years.

The Company has outstanding at December 31, 2012, the following options issued under equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:

The description of the Company’s capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified by its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, amendments thereto and by the provisions of applicable Colorado law. The Company’s transfer agent is Computershare Trust Company, Inc., 350 Indiana Street, Suite 800, Golden, Colorado 80401.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

Following is a list of all securities we sold within the past three years which were not registered under the Securities Act. The Company relied on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 as the basis for an exemption from registration for the following issuances.

2010 Sales of Unregistered Securities

Common Stock Issued During 2010

471,136 shares of common stock were issued to two investors who converted their promissory notes totaling $1,250,000 and related accrued interest of $242,560 to common equity at $3.168 per share.

33,333 shares of common stock were issued as part of the settlement of the $4,900,000 convertible promissory note and $850,500 in accrued interest on this note related to the acquisition of CUI, Inc. The shares were valued at $70,000 in accordance with the convertible promissory note stated conversion rate of $2.10 per share. Two corporate officers, one of whom is also a director are principals in the corporate note holder and each received shares from this transaction.

631,314 shares of common stock were issued to four standby letter of credit guarantors who converted $2,000,000 of their letters of credit to common equity at $3.168 per share. Two directors, one former corporate officer and a shareholder with more than 5% beneficial ownership in the Company participated in this transaction.

33,333 shares of common stock were issued to three investors who exercised warrants at $0.30 per share. The company received proceeds of $10,000. One director, one former director and one former corporate officer participated in this transaction. These warrants were granted to the Standby Letter of Credit guarantors as a bonus inducement to participate in the Letter of Credit guarantee that was used to secure the term loan necessary for the acquisition of CUI, Inc.

1,786 shares of common stock were issued to an investor in consideration for a warrant exercise at $6.00 per share. The company received proceeds of $10,718.

22,222 shares of common stock were issued to a limited liability company investor that converted $100,000 of its promissory note to common equity at $4.50 per share in accordance with the convertible note terms. A former officer of CUI Global is a principal in the limited liability company.

7,000 shares of common stock were issued for services performed by a consultant. $42,000 of consulting expense was recorded in relation to this transaction based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.

1,810 shares of common stock were issued in relation to the exercise of 2008 Equity Incentive Plan options at $5.70 per share with proceeds of $9,500. The company received no cash payment for 144 of these shares because the options were exercised through a cashless exercise election.

3,333 shares of common stock were issued to an employee as a bonus. These shares were valued at $28,000 as of the date of issuance.

236,667 shares of common stock were sold at $6.00 per share pursuant to stock purchase agreements with proceeds of $1,420,000. 1,667 of these shares were issuable at December 31, 2010; the 1,667 issuable shares were issued in 2011. One director and a former corporate officer participated in this transaction.

33,333 shares of common stock were issued as settlement of $200,000 of principal on a promissory note related to the acquisition of CUI, Inc. The conversion rate was $6.00 per share. Two corporate officers, one of whom is also a director are principals in the corporate note holder and each received shares from this transaction.

Warrants and Options Issued During 2010

Fully vested options for the purchase of 9,167 shares of its 2008 Equity Incentive Plan common stock at $5.70 per share to nine employees with an expiration of June 15, 2020. If all options are exercised the Company could receive $52,250.

Under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) 19,800 options that vest October 11, 2011 were issued to directors to purchase restricted common stock at $9.00 per share and 82,213 options were issued to officers and employees that vest over four years, 25% at year one and thereafter in equal monthly installments. The employees include two directors who are also employees and officers and one officer. The options expire October 11, 2020.

Series A and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Issued During 2010

There were no shares of Series A or Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issued during 2010.

Series C Preferred Stock Issued During 2010

There were no shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock issued during 2010.

2011 Sales of Unregistered Securities

Common Stock Issued During 2011

On January 6, 2011, the 1,667 issuable shares listed on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2010 were issued.

On February 7 and 10, 2011, two former employees completed cashless exercises of their options for which 269 shares of common stock were issued. The Company did not receive funds from these options exercises as they were cashless.

On March 11, 2011, 5,957 shares of common stock were issued pursuant to a consultant agreement for strategic investor marketing services. The shares were priced at $7.05 per share based on the ten day trailing average closing price at the time of the issuance in accordance with the agreement and a $42,000 consulting expense was recorded in relation to this transaction.

On April 19, 2011, a member of the Board of Directors exercised 23,333 warrants which he previously received in exchange for a personal guarantee of a bank note provided on behalf of the Company in May 2008. The Company received $7,000 from the exercise of these warrants.

On May 4, 2011, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common stock, exercised 10,000 warrants which he previously received in exchange for a personal guarantee of a bank note provided on behalf of the Company in May 2008. The Company received $3,000 from the exercise of these warrants.

On May 15, 2011, a beneficial owner of more than 10% of the outstanding common stock, exercised 133,333 warrants which he previously received in exchange for a personal guarantee of a bank note provided on behalf of the Company in May 2008. The Company received $40,000 from the exercise of these warrants.

On December 27, 2011, 5,000 shares of common stock were issued to a former consultant in consideration for the release of a claim on intellectual property with a related expense of $19,500 recorded.

Warrants and Options Issued During 2011

There were no warrants or options issued during 2011.

Series A and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Issued During 2011

There were no shares of Series A or Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issued during 2011.

Series C Preferred Stock Issued During 2011

There were no shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock issued during 2011.

2012 Sales of Unregistered Securities

Common Stock Issued During 2012

Effective February 17, 2012, the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s $0.001 par value common stock were reverse split at a ratio of one for thirty (1:30). All fractional shares resulting from the reverse split were rounded up to the next full numbers. As a result of the rounding up effect, 97 additional shares of common stock were issued that are included in the S-1 registration statement. The company received no monetary consideration for these 97 shares.

March 16, 2012, 10,071 shares of common stock were issued in relation to a warrant exercise. The company received $3,021 from this transaction.

March 20, 2012, 15,000 shares of common stock were issued in consideration for strategic investor marketing services rendered for the benefit of the company. A $69,450 consulting expense was recorded in relation to this transaction based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.

Between April 4-12, 2012, 57,000 shares of common stock were issued in relation to common stock bonuses granted to officers and employees. 50,750 of these common shares were issued to three officers with a fair value of $243,600 in accordance with their employment agreement bonus provisions. Two employees were awarded a total of 6,250 common shares with a fair value total of $30,000.

On April 12, 2012, a holder of 2,500 shares of convertible Series A preferred stock completed the conversion of those shares into common shares. At the same time, the holder also converted an accrued preferred stock dividend of $250 into common shares. For these conversions, the holder received 458 common shares based upon the conversion features of the convertible Series A preferred stock and accrued preferred stock dividends.

On May 4, 2012, a holder of 45,000 shares of convertible Series A preferred stock completed the conversion of those shares into common shares. At the same time, the holder also converted an accrued preferred stock dividend of $4,500 into common shares. For these conversions, the holder received 8,645 common shares based upon the conversion features of the convertible Series A preferred stock and accrued preferred stock dividends.

On May 30, 2012, a holder of 3,043 shares of convertible Series A preferred stock completed the conversion of those shares into common shares. At the same time, the holder also converted an accrued preferred stock dividend of $304 into common shares. For these conversions, the holder received 558 common shares based upon the conversion features of the convertible Series A preferred stock and accrued preferred stock dividends.

On June 21, 2012, 1,000 shares of common stock were issued to a consultant in consideration for strategic investor marketing services rendered for the benefit of the company and a $6,450 consulting expense was recorded in relation to these issuances based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of the grant.

On June 28 and 29, July 2, 3, 16 and 27, 2012, 234,332 shares of common stock were sold to investors at $4.50 per share pursuant to stock purchase agreements with proceeds of $1,054,500 before related costs from this transaction of $79,045 which were recorded as reductions of additional paid in capital.

On September 7, 2012, 1,052 shares of common stock were issued as a royalty to James McKenzie, majority owner of CUI, Inc. prior to the May 2008 asset acquisition by CUI Global. The shares were valued at $6,638.

On September 27, 2012, 4,596 shares of common stock were issued to an employee as a bonus. These shares were expensed at a fair value of $25,000 as of the date of issuance.

On each of April 5, May 7, June 6, July 2, August 1, September 7, October 1 and November 1, 2012, the company issued 13,500 shares of common stock to a consultant in consideration for strategic investor marketing services rendered for the benefit of the company. A $569,970 consulting expense was recorded in relation to these issuances based on the fair market value of the stock on the dates of the grants.

On October 16, 2012, 2,500 shares of common stock were issued to a consultant in consideration for strategic investor marketing services rendered for the benefit of the company and a $12,825 consulting expense was recorded in relation to these issuances based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of the grant.

Warrants and Options Issued During 2012

During April 2012, 84,675 options to purchase restricted common stock were issued to officers and directors under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) with the following assumptions: exercise price of $4.56 per share, volatility of 90%, risk free interest rate of 0.27% and a term of 2 years. The 19,800 director related options vest one year from the date of grant while the 64,875 officer options have a four year vesting period with 25% vesting one year from date of grant and monthly thereafter.

During May 2012, 11,167 fully vested options were granted to employees under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan to purchase common stock with the following assumptions: exercise price of $4.58 per share, volatility of 91%, risk-free interest rate of 0.27% and a term of 2 years.

During September 2012, 330,000 options to purchase common stock were issued to an officer under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) with the following assumptions: exercise price of $6.00 per share, volatility of 84%, risk-free interest rate of 0.27% and a term of 2 years. The 330,000 options vest in equal monthly installments over the course of forty-eight consecutive months beginning September 2012.

Series A and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Issued During 2012

There were no shares of Series A or Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issued during 2012.

Series C Preferred Stock Issued During 2012

There were no shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock issued during 2012.

Note: Effective September 17, 2012, the Board of Directors passed a resolution eliminating and discontinuing all Series A and B Convertible Preferred and Series C Preferred stock and requiring that all preferred stock shall be returned to the Company treasury. As of December 31, 2012, no shares of Series B and Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are issued nor outstanding.

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

As of December 31, 2012, we had outstanding 10,883,280 shares of Common Stock. Of these shares, 8,636,820 shares are freely tradable without restriction or limitation under the Securities Act.

The 2,246,460 shares of Common Stock held by existing shareholders as of December 31, 2012 that are "restricted" within the meaning of Rule 144 adopted under the Securities Act (the "Restricted Shares"), may not be sold unless they are registered under the Securities Act or sold pursuant to an exemption from registration, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. The Restricted Shares were issued and sold by us in private transactions in reliance upon exemptions from registration under the Securities Act.

Effective September 17, 2012, the Board of Directors passed a resolution eliminating and discontinuing all Series A and B Convertible Preferred and Series C Preferred stock and requiring that all preferred stock shall be returned to the Company treasury. As of December 31, 2012, no shares of Series B and Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are issued nor outstanding.

Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

Not applicable due to status as a small reporting company.

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Important Note about Forward-Looking Statements

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and un-audited 10-Q filings for the first three quarters of 2012 and the notes thereto, all of which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.  In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this Form 10-K contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties.  Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

The statements that are not historical constitute "forward-looking statements".  Said forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements, express or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of such terms and phrases as "expects", "intends", "goals", "estimates", "projects", "plans", "anticipates", "should", "future", "believes", and "scheduled".

The variables which may cause differences include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions; competition; success of operating initiatives; operating costs; advertising and promotional efforts; the existence or absence of adverse publicity; changes in business strategy or development plans; the ability to retain management; availability, terms and deployment of capital; business abilities and judgment of personnel; availability of qualified personnel; labor and employment benefit costs; availability and costs of raw materials and supplies; and changes in, or failure to comply with various government regulations.  Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate; therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-K will prove to be accurate.

In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any person that the objectives and expectations of the Company will be achieved.

Losses from Operations and Accumulated Deficit

Historically, the Company has not generated sufficient revenues from operations to self-fund its capital and operating requirements. Following the equity raises closed in 2012 and subsequent reductions of debt coupled with the continued improvement in the Company’s operations, management believes the company has sufficient resources and that it is generating significant revenues that it expects will provide the Company with the ability to self-fund its capital and operating requirements. If that is not possible, the Company will seek additional working capital from funding that will primarily include equity and debt placements.

Overview

CUI Global, Inc. is dedicated to maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative companies and technologies.  From its GasPT2 platform targeting the energy sector, to its subsidiary CUI, Inc.'s industry leading digital power platform targeting the networking and telecom industries, CUI Global has built a diversified portfolio of industry leading technologies that touch many markets.

In May 2008, CUI Global formed a wholly owned subsidiary that acquired the assets of CUI, Inc., a technology company dedicated to the development, commercialization and distribution of new, innovative electro-mechanical products. Over the past 20 years, CUI has become a recognized name in electronic components worldwide in the areas of power, interconnect, motion control, and sound.  In that time, the company has been able to leverage many long-standing relationships in Asia to create a flexible, responsive business model that ultimately benefits CUI customers.  Today, its industry leading technology platforms which include Novum Advanced Power, Solus Power Topology and AMT Capacitive Encoders are quickly positioning CUI, Inc. as a global leader in the fields of power electronics and motion control.  Through the acquisition of CUI, Inc. the Company obtained 352,589 common shares representing an 11.54% interest in Test Products International, Inc., a provider of handheld test and measurement equipment.

In July 2009, CUI Global acquired, as a wholly owned subsidiary, Comex Instruments, Ltd., now known as CUI Japan and 49% of Comex Electronics Ltd. Both companies are Japanese based providers of electronic components. Effective July 1, 2011, CUI Global entered into an agreement to convey its 49% ownership interest in Comex Electronics to the owners of the remaining 51% who are the original founders and were the original owners of Comex Instruments, for $617,975 in the form of a five year note receivable bearing interest at 4% per annum. As of December 31, 2012 the Comex Electronics note receivable is current in accordance with the agreed terms. The operations of CUI Japan are not affected by this divestment. As such, the operations of Comex Electronics are reported as discontinued operations for the current and comparable periods. CUI Global will continue to maintain its 100% ownership of CUI Japan.

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company has identified a single operating segment based on the activities of the company in accordance with the ASC 280-10-50-1 for which the operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision makers.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that have a significant impact on the results the Company will report in the Company's financial statements.  Some of the Company's accounting policies require the Company to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Long-Lived Assets 

Long-lived assets and certain identifiable assets related to those assets are periodically reviewed for impairment whenever circumstances and situations change such that there is an indication that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In performing the review for recoverability, the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are estimated. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized as the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value. Otherwise, an impairment loss is not recognized. Management estimates the fair value and the estimated future cash flows expected. Any changes in these estimates could impact whether there was impairment and the amount of the impairment. There were $278,428 and $0 of impairment expenses recorded by the Company in 2012 and 2011.

Stock-Based Compensation 

The Company accounts for stock based compensation using FASB Accounting Standards Codification No. 718 (“FASB ASC 718”), “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. FASB Codification No. 718 requires the fair value of all stock-based employee compensation awarded to employees to be recorded as an expense over the related vesting period. The statement also requires the recognition of compensation expense for the fair value of any unvested stock option awards outstanding at the date of adoption. Employee stock compensation is recorded at fair value using the Black Scholes Pricing Model. The underlying assumptions used in the Black Scholes Pricing Model by the Company are taken from publicly available sources including, volatility is calculated using historic stock price information from online finance websites such as Google Finance and Yahoo Finance, the stock price on the date of grant is obtained from online finance websites such as those previously noted, appropriate discount rates are obtained from the United States Federal Reserve economic research and data website and other inputs are determined based on previous experience and related estimates. See Note 13 STOCK-BASED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION for additional disclosure and discussion of the employee stock plan and activity.

Common stock, stock options and common stock warrants issued to other than employees or directors are recorded on the basis of their fair value, as required by FASB ASC 505, which is measured as of the date required by FASB ASC 505, “Equity – Based Payments to Non-Employees”. In accordance with FASB ASC 505, the stock options or common stock warrants are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model on the basis of the market price of the underlying common stock on the “valuation date,” which for options and warrants related to contracts that have substantial disincentives to non-performance is the date of the contract, and for all other contracts is the vesting date. Expense related to the options and warrants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the period over which services are to be received or the vesting period. Where expense must be recognized prior to a valuation date, the expense is computed under the Black-Scholes option pricing model on the basis of the market price of the underlying common stock at the end of the period, and any subsequent changes in the market price of the underlying common stock up through the valuation date is reflected in the expense recorded in the subsequent period in which that change occurs.

Revenue Recognition

The recognition of the Company’s revenues requires judgment, including whether a sale includes multiple elements and, if so, whether vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value exists for those elements. Customers may receive certain elements of our products over a period of time.  These elements could include licensing rights to manufacture and sell our proprietary patent protected products.  The ability to identify VSOE for those elements and the fair value of the respective elements could materially impact the amount of earned and unearned revenue.  The Company does not have any history as to the costs expected to be incurred in granting licensing rights relating to its products.  Therefore, revenues may be recorded that are not in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in performing these services.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2012 are $3,039,840. During the year ended December 31, 2012, operations and investment activities have been funded through cash from operations, proceeds from sales of equity and warrant exercises, and borrowings from financial institutions.

Cash from operations

Operating activities generated negative cash flow of $1,803,659 during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared with positive cash flow of $860,705 during the prior year ended. This decrease is primarily the result of a larger net loss attributable to CUI Global, Inc. in 2012 of $2,526,321 which included increased sales related travel for CUI, Inc. to manage third party sales representatives, reach new customers, maintain existing customers, and promote new product lines including Novum and Solus, professional fees expenses related to engineering support, testing fees and travel expenses related to the Vergence GasPT2 product as the Company increased the Vergence GasPT2 exposure to customers in North America, parts of Europe and elsewhere, increased expenses associated with being a public company such as filing services and fees, professional fees, and listing fees among others, increased advertising costs for company products, increased commissions to third party sales representatives related to the increase in sales, increased expenses associated with the growth in operations at CUI Japan, operating costs associated with the newer technologies Novum and Solus and the overall growth of the business in relation to revenues. Additional factors that impacted the cash from operations include increases in trade accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable and unearned revenue of $1,337,048, $1,290,794, $382,852, and $300,786, respectively, and decreases in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $280,917. The increase in trade accounts receivable is largely attributed to the increased revenues in the fourth quarter of 2012, $11,890,762, as compared to $9,744,499 during the same period in 2011. The increase in inventory is primarily related to the inventory on hand associated with the increased back log of customer orders at December 31, 2012 of $14,149,352 as compared with $9,244,748 at December 31, 2011 and increased inventory of GasPT2 units on hand at year end to prevent potential shortages in 2013 associated with manufacturing and calibration lead times. The increase in accounts payable is associated with the increase in inventory levels and fourth quarter activity during 2012 as well as timing in relation to payment terms with vendors. The increase in unearned revenue is related to an increase in the accrual for potential returns from customers and deposits received from customers for orders that have not been fulfilled as of December 31, 2012. The decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets is primarily related to decreases in prepayments for inventory purchases as compared to the prior year, which will vary based on the products purchased and the vendors utilized.

During 2012 and 2011, the Company used stock and warrants as a form of payment to certain vendors, consultants and employees.  For 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Company recorded a total of $1,190,081 and $227,867 for compensation and services expense including amortization of deferred compensation related to equity given, or to be given, to employees and consultants for services provided. The large increase in 2012 is attributable to increased stock compensation issued for stock issued to consultants for strategic investor marketing services, employee stock compensation and options expenses.

During 2012, CUI Global recorded two significant non-cash entries - $73,333 of non-cash interest expense, including amortization of debt offering costs and $278,428 for the impairment of intangible, trademark and trade name V-Infinity. The intangible, trademark and trade name V-Infinity was determined to have a finite life and an impaired value during 2012. As a result of this evaluation and the impairment, management determined the trademark and trade name V-Infinity no longer has an indefinite life, and will instead be amortized over the estimated remaining useful life of 5 years. During 2011, the Company recorded one significant non-cash entry - $334,747 of non-cash interest expense, including amortization of debt offering costs. The decrease in the non-cash interest expense, including amortization of debt offering costs is the result of the completion in mid year 2011 of the amortization of the beneficial interest associated with debts from the CUI, Inc. acquisition offset by an increase in the amortization of debt issuance costs associated with the Wells Fargo debts.

During 2012 the Company had no cash flows from discontinued operating activities where as in 2011, the Company had positive cash flow from discontinued operations of $22,141.

As the Company continues to focus on technology development and product line additions during 2013, it will continue to fund research and development together with related sales and marketing efforts for its technology platforms including the Vergence GasPT2, Novum Advanced Power, Solus Power Topology, AMT Capacitive Encoders and its other electromechanical products.

Capital Expenditures and Investments

During the years ended 2012 and 2011, the Company invested $685,269 and $422,970, respectively, in fixed assets.  Among the larger investments in fixed assets were additions to equipment and software for engineering and research and development, tooling for manufacturing, and regular computer equipment and software upgrades for office personnel. The Company anticipates further investment in fixed assets during 2013 in support of its on-going business and continued development of product lines and technologies.

The Company invested $0 and $6,646, respectively, in patent costs during 2012 and 2011.  The Company expects its investment in patent costs will continue throughout 2013 as it invests in patents to protect the rights to use its product and technology developments.

The Company invested $80,343 and $37,418, respectively in other intangible assets during 2012 and 2011.  The 2012 investments were related to the new CUI, Inc. website. The 2011 investments were related to the new CUI Global and CUI Japan websites. The Company’s websites are utilized to communicate with our investors, customers, vendors and other stakeholders. The Company expects its investment in other intangible assets may continue throughout 2013.

During 2012 and 2011, CUI Global had proceeds from notes receivable of $46,808 and $63,506, respectively.

Also during 2012 and 2011, the Company received proceeds of $0 and $425,000, respectively, from the sale of technology rights. The 2011 proceeds of $425,000 were in relation to the sale of our WayCool and WayFast patent portfolio to Olantra Fund X LLC.

There were no cash flows in 2012 associated with discontinued investing activities. For the year ended December 31, 2011, there was $195,278 provided by discontinued investing activities.

Financing activities

See, above, the section entitled Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities for a complete listing of all securities transactions.

During 2012, the Company received proceeds of $13,532,285 from the sales of common stock, net of offering costs and the exercise of warrants, $1,069,452 of payments were made against the demand notes payable, $4,000,000 of payments were made against the term note with the Business Credit division of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., $3,000,000 was paid against the principal balance of the IED related party note payable associated with the acquisition of CUI Inc., and $35,000 was utilized to repay a related party convertible note payable owed to an officer of the Company.

Included in these equity financing transactions were the following items, discussed in greater detail at Note 8 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

During February 2012, the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s $0.001 par value common stock were reverse split at a ratio of one for thirty (1:30) as a part of our plan to up-list our common stock on to the NASDAQ Stock Market.

During February 2012 our Form S-1 registration statement became effective that allowed us to sell 2,222,222 shares of common stock to our underwriter. We received $8,913,302 in net proceeds from this sale after related costs for this transaction.

Our Form S-1 registration statement included 333,333 shares of common stock that were sold in March 2012 to our underwriter pursuant to the over-allotment provision of our underwriting contract. We received $1,387,499 in net proceeds from this sale after related costs for this transaction.

Also in March 2012, pursuant to stock purchase agreement, we sold to seven investors a total of 570,000 shares of common stock at $4.50 per share. We received $2,253,008 in net proceeds from this sale after related costs for this transaction.

During March 2012, a beneficial owner of approximately 8% exercised 10,071 warrants he previously received in relation to a note provided to the Company which has since been paid in full. The company received $3,021 from this transaction.

During June and July 2012, we sold 234,332 shares of common stock to nine investors at $4.50 per share pursuant to stock purchase agreements with net proceeds of $975,455 after related costs for this transaction.

During 2011, $50,000 of proceeds were received from the exercise of warrants and options.

In February 2011, two former employees exercised options for 269 shares of common stock.

In April 2011, a director exercised a warrant for 23,333 shares of common stock.

In May 2011, an owner of 10% of the voting rights attached to outstanding shares exercised a warrant for 133,333 shares of common stock. Also in May 2011, an investor exercised a warrant for 10,000 shares of common stock.

CUI Global may raise additional capital needed to fund the further development and marketing of its products as well as payment of its debt obligations.

Financing activities – related party activity

During 2012, a short term convertible loan from July 2011 of $35,000, with interest accrued at 6% per annum, convertible at $5.10 per common share was repaid to a CUI Global officer. There was no beneficial conversion on the convertible note as the conversion price was equal to the fair value on the date of grant.

Pursuant to a September 1, 2010 agreement with the holder of the $14,000,000 promissory note, IED, Inc., the Company paid $492,508 of the principal balance during the first quarter of 2011. The revised terms set the interest rate at 6% per annum with monthly interest payments and a May 15, 2018 balloon payment. Please see Note 9. Related Party Transactions and Note 5. Notes Payable, for further discussion of this transaction. During 2012 and 2011, $3,468,221 and $1,110,809, respectively, in principal and interest payments were made in relation to the promissory notes issued to related party, IED, Inc. The 2012 payment utilized $3,000,000 from the equity sale proceeds for the repayment of principal. The 2011 payment included a note receivable balance of $192,508 held by CUI Global that was conveyed to IED, Inc. and applied towards the promissory note balance in accordance with a settlement agreement.

Recap of liquidity and capital resources

During 2012, the Company continued to improve its financial strength with the equity raise in early 2012, the significant reductions in debt coupled with the continued growth of revenues. As a result of the financing activities completed in 2012, management believes the Company has sufficient resources and is generating sufficient revenues to fund operations.  As of December 31, 2012 the Company had an accumulated deficit of $76,171,822. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $3,039,840 and an unused availability under the asset based line of credit of $3,119,857 (available borrowing capacity of $3,579,305 less outstanding borrowings of $459,448).

The Company may seek to raise additional capital for the continued development and commercialization of its various technology product lines.  The Company believes its operations and existing financing structure will provide sufficient cash to meet its short term working capital requirements for the next twelve months.  As the Company continues to expand and develop its technology and product lines as well as retire debt, additional funding sources may be required.  The Company may attempt to raise these funds through borrowing instruments or issuing additional equity.

As of December 31, 2012 CUI, Inc. maintained a revolving working capital line of credit with the Business Credit division of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, part of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (NYSE: WFC), granting borrowings of up to $4,000,000 with interest payable monthly at the Daily Three Month LIBOR plus 3.25% (3.56% at December 31, 2012). At December 31, 2012, there is an outstanding balance of $459,448 on this line of credit.

The Company expects revenues to help cover the operating and other expenses.  If revenues and cash on hand are not sufficient to cover all operating and other expenses, additional funding may be required.  There is no assurance the Company will be able to raise such additional capital.  The failure to raise additional capital or generate product sales in the expected time frame will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2012 the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Results of Operations

The accompanying financial statements reflect the operations of the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Revenue

During the year ended 2012, revenue was $41,084,589 and $38,938,326 for the same period during 2011.  The growth in 2012 from 2011 is primarily due to management’s decision to continue to push smaller sales through the distribution sales channel and focus on larger value direct sales through CUI, Inc. as well as the continued expansion of CUI’s product offering and further penetration in the Japanese market through CUI Japan. This change resulted in a 4.7% decrease in the total number of customer sales orders processed, while total revenue increased $2,146,263, or 5.5% for the year.

The Company introduced 207 new products during the year ended 2012. The continued product expansion and moving smaller sales through the distribution channel is expected to continue to result in revenue growth in future periods as CUI’s sales group and support staff continues to reach new customers, further expand relationships with existing customers and while the Company introduces new products in efforts to have CUI products designed into new projects.

The revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012 is comprised of $39,802,620 from CUI products, $1,228,430 from CUI Japan products and $53,539 from freight. The revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 is comprised of $38,366,403 from CUI products, $511,295 from CUI Japan products and $60,628 for freight.  

During 2012, 59% of revenues were derived from five customers at 47%, 4%, 3%, 3%, and 2%. During 2011, 55% of revenues were derived from six customers at 41%, 4%, 3%, 3%, 2% and 2%. The Company’s major product lines in 2012 and 2011 were external power, internal power and industrial controls.

Cost of revenue

The cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $25,707,893 and $24,133,073, respectively.  The significant increase during 2012 compared to the prior year is primarily the result of the overall growth in sales. As a percentage of sales, the cost of revenue remained relatively consistent at 62.5% for 2012 compared with 62.0% in 2011.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses includes such items as wages, consulting, general office expenses, business promotion expenses and costs of being a public company including legal and accounting fees, insurance and investor relations.

SG&A expenses increased to $16,221,373 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $13,347,853 for the same period during 2011.  This increase of $2,873,520 is primarily the result of an increase of $616,695 of stock compensation expense for issuances to consultants related to strategic investor marketing services, an increase of $400,290 for investor relations related expenses including travel, supplies, conferences, meetings and cash expenses for strategic investor marketing services, $371,574 increase in sales related travel for CUI, Inc. related sales activity to manage third party sales representatives, reach new customers, maintain existing customers, and promote new product lines including Novum and Solus, $298,600 of stock compensation expenses for issuances to officers and employees as bonuses for achieving corporate goals, $242,352 in expenses associated with professional fees related to engineering support, testing fees and travel expenses related to the Vergence GasPT2 product as the Company increased the Vergence GasPT2 exposure to customers in North America, parts of Europe and elsewhere, $177,039 increase in depreciation and amortization associated with investments in capital assets as well as the amortization of the intangible, trademark and trade name V-Infinity which began in 2012, an increase of $130,206 in costs associated with being a public company such as filing services and fees, professional fees, and listing fees among others, increase in costs associated with an increase in advertising costs for company products of $34,666, increased commissions to third party sales representatives related to the increase in sales, growth in operations at CUI Japan associated with the increase revenues, operating costs associated with the newer technologies Novum and Solus and the overall growth of the business in relation to revenues.  The total dollar amount of SG&A as a percentage of total revenue increased to 39.5% for 2012 as compared to 34.3% in 2011.

The Company anticipates the amount of its sales and marketing expenditures and general and administrative expenses will further increase in 2013 as the Company continues to grow its revenues, launches its second distributor for the CUI, Inc. product lines during 2013, continues to work to penetrate the market with its newer product lines including Vergence, Novum and Solus as well as seeks to continue to further its technology offerings. However, management expects the SG&A as a percentage of total revenue to decrease in 2013 as the Company continues to increase total revenue, particularly as the Vergence GasPT2 product line gains traction in the market place in conjunction with reductions in stock compensation expenses for issuances to consultants in 2013.

Research and Development

The research and development costs are related to the various technologies for which CUI Global has acquired licensing rights or is developing internally.  The expenditures for research and development have been directed primarily towards the further development of Novum Advanced Power technologies including digital POLs and the Solus Topology, AMT Capacitive Encoders and towards the development of the Vergence GasPT2. Research and development costs were $791,332 and $716,321 for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company expects that 2013 research and development expenses will be consistent with 2012 as the Company continues to expand its product offering and technologies due to market acceptance and customer integration.

Impairment Loss

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value and may not be recoverable.  In performing the review for recoverability, the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are estimated.  If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized as the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value.  Otherwise, an impairment loss is not recognized.  Management estimates the fair value and the estimated future cash flows expected.  Any changes in these estimates could impact whether there was impairment and the amount of the impairment.  There were $278,428 and $0 of impairment expenses recorded by the Company in 2012 and 2011.

Bad Debt

Bad debt expense decreased to $65,763 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $82,192 for the same period ended 2011.  The bad debt expense for both 2012 and 2011 represents less than 1/2% of total revenues. The bad debt expense for both periods relates to miscellaneous receivables which the Company has either recorded an allowance for doubtful collections of the receivable or for which the Company has determined the balance to be uncollectible.

Other Income

During the years ended 2012 and 2011, the Company had other income of $95,069 and $53,657, respectively. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2012, consisted of $49,475 of foreign exchange gain, $30,620 of interest income, $12,000 of rental income, $2,636 of other income and of $338 in bad debt recoveries. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2011, consisted of $18,688 in bad debt recoveries, $17,592 for interest income, $15,103 of foreign exchange gain and $2,274 in other income.  

Investment Income

The Company recognized investment income on equity investment in an affiliate of $59,623 for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared with $41,472 for the same period ended 2011.

Financing Fees

During 2012, the Company incurred financing fees associated with the equity raises of $1,590,259. These fees were offset against Additional Paid in Capital in relation to the equity proceeds. During 2011, the Company did not incur financing fees.

Non-cash interest expense, amortization of beneficial conversion value, amortization of debt offering costs, warrant related debt discounts and amortization of warrant related debt discount

The Company recorded an expense of $73,333 and $334,747 during 2012 and 2011, respectively, for non-cash interest expenses, including amortization of debt offering costs.  The decrease in this expense is primarily associated with the completion in 2011 of the amortization of the discounts on debt related to the CUI Inc. acquisition in 2008.

Interest Expense

The Company incurred $575,199 and $918,189 of interest expense during 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Interest expense is for interest on the secured and unsecured convertible notes, secured and unsecured promissory notes, and bank working capital loans and term loans. The Company was able to reduce debts during 2012 through utilizing the proceeds from the sales of equity to repay the $4,000,000 term note with Wells Fargo, $3,000,000 towards the IED, Inc. note payable, $35,000 on the related party convertible note payable, and reduce the demand notes payable on the Wells Fargo Line of Credit by $1,069,452 which all contributed to the decrease in interest expenses for the year.

Inome (loss) from discontinued operations

For the year ended December 31, 2012, there was no activity related to discontinued operations.

During 2011, CUI Global recognized a loss from the discontinued operations of Comex Electronics of $160,153, a gain on the divestment of Comex Electronics of $603,034 in discontinued operations, and a net income from discontinued operations of $442,881.

Consolidated Net Loss

The Company had a net loss of $2,526,321 for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to a net profit of $19,109 for the year ended December 31, 2011.  The decrease is primarily the result of the following items discussed in the above sections: an increase in total revenues of $2,146,263, an increase in cost of revenues of $1,544,820, an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $2,873,520, no gain on the sale of technology rights in 2012 as compared to a gain of $143,636 in 2011, a decrease in amortization of debt offering costs, a decrease in interest expense of $261,414, decreased interest expense of $342,990 and the full year in 2012 without the losses incurred in relation to the operations of Comex Electronics divested in 2011 or the associated gain on the divestment of $603,034.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June, 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, which amends ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. Under the amendment, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. This ASU eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. The amendments in this ASU do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. The amendments in this ASU have been applied retrospectively.

In December 2011, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-11, Balance Sheet - Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” to enhance disclosure requirements relating to the offsetting of assets and liabilities on an entity's balance sheet. The update requires enhanced disclosures regarding assets and liabilities that are presented net or gross in the statement of financial position when the right of offset exists, or that are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement. The new disclosure requirements relating to this update are retrospective and effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The update only requires additional disclosures, as such, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

In July 2012, the FASB issued updated guidance on the periodic testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment. This updated guidance will allow companies the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test required under current accounting standards. This guidance is applicable for reporting periods beginning after September 15, 2012. This updated guidance did not have a material impact on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Item 7A.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Not applicable due to status as a small reporting company.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The Financial Statements and the report of Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P.A. dated February 19, 2013 are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.  Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

The Company has had no disagreements with Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P. A. as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

Not applicable.

Item 9A(T) Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), the Company carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) (the Company’s principal financial and accounting officer), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting.

Immediately following the acquisition of CUI, Inc. in 2008, Daniel N. Ford assumed the Chief Financial Officer position for both CUI Global, Inc. and its subsidiaries. We have not identified any significant deficiency or material weaknesses in our internal controls at CUI Global, Inc., CUI, Inc., or CUI Japan.

Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Effective May 15, 2008, the Company appointed Daniel N. Ford as Chief Financial Officer of CUI Global and its wholly owned subsidiary, CUI, Inc. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2012, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Company’s management, including the Company’s CEO and CFO, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures or the Company’s internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of the controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in our Audit Committee Charter and Audit Committee Policy and Procedures.

We have not identified any significant deficiency or material weaknesses in our internal controls at CUI Global, Inc., CUI, Inc. or CUI Japan.

A copy of our Audit Committee Charter can be viewed on our website: www.cuiglobal.com.

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

Item 9B. Other Information

There are no matters to be reported under this Item.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Our Bylaws permit the number of directors to be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors, but to be no less than one. The Board of Directors has set the maximum number of members to no more than eight members. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders and serve two year terms or until their successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Currently, there are six (6) directors, four of whom are “independent” in accordance with applicable rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The standards relied upon by the Board of Directors in determining whether a director is “independent” are posted on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Subject to terms of their employment agreements, if any, officers of the Company hold office until their successors are elected and qualified, subject to earlier removal by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors has three standing committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nomination Committee each of which has a written charter and/or statement of policy approved by our board. Our board currently appoints the members of each committee. Copies of the current committee charters and/or statement of policy for each committee are posted on our website at www.cuiglobal.com. No incumbent director attended fewer than 100% of the total number of meetings held by the committees on which such director served.

The following are officers and directors of the Company as of December 31, 2012.

Audit Committee:

Sean P. Rooney*, Chairman

Thomas A. Price*, Deputy Chairman

Colton R. Melby*, Committee Member

Compensation Committee

Cory A. Lambrecht*, Chairman

Colton R. Melby*, Committee Member

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee consists of the independent directors of the Board of Directors.

* "independent director" within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Because CUI Global is a small entity, the Company is dependent on the efforts of a limited number of management personnel. The Company believes that because of the large amount of responsibility being placed on each member of its management team, the loss of services of any member of this team at the present time would harm its business. Each member of its management team supervises the operation and growth of one or more integral parts of its business.

Business Experience of Directors and Executive Officers

Colton R. Melby, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Effective June 11, 2008, Colton Melby was appointed to the Board of Directors and was elected by the Board of Directors to serve as Chairmen of the Board of Directors. Mr. Melby continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors and at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; Mr. Melby was reelected to a two year term on the Board of Directors.

Mr. Melby has a 20 year background in aerospace manufacturing. He spent 15 years as owner and chief executive officer of Metal Form, Inc., serving customers, including: Boeing, Bombardier; Rockwell; Grumman; Lockheed Martin; and others. One of Mr. Melby’s more notable investments was the financing and purchase of firearms-maker Smith & Wesson from London-based Tomkins PLC in 2001. Mr. Melby has investments in Earth 911, a recycling company dedicated to green initiatives and green recycling.

William J. Clough, Esq., President/Chief Executive Officer, Director, General Counsel of CUI Global, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of CUI, Inc.

Mr. Clough was elected at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to serve a two year term on the Board of Directors. Mr. Clough continues to serve on the Board of Directors and was reelected at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to serve a third two year term.

Mr. Clough was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of CUI Global, Inc. September 13, 2007 at which time Mr. Clough stepped down as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development. Effective May 16, 2008, CUI Global, Inc. formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Waytronx Holdings, Inc., to acquire the assets of CUI, Inc. along with this acquisition; Mr. Clough was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Waytronx Holdings, Inc. (now renamed to CUI, Inc.). Mr. Clough was a police officer for 16 years, working at the local, state and federal levels as a Federal Air Marshall in Southern Europe and the Middle East, in 1985-6. Mr. Clough received his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1990. He is certified to practice law in state and federal courts in California, Illinois, Hawaii and before the United States Supreme Court.

During late FY 2011 into early FY 2012, along with Company CFO, Dan Ford, Mr. Clough led the efforts to complete a successful equity raise; coupled with a re-structuring of the Company’s Capital Structure and the up-listing of the Company to the Nasdaq Capital Market in February 2012.

Thomas A. Price, Director

Mr. Price was elected at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to serve a one year term on the Board of Directors and was reelected at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to serve a two year term.

Mr. Price has more than 30 years of business and operational management experience. He is the founder of Tom Price Dealership Group, a leading auto dealership with 11 franchises at six locations across California. Mr. Price developed the multi-brand San Francisco Auto Repair Center and a conference facility in Larkspur, California. Currently, Mr. Price is the owner of nine car dealerships in Northern California. He was Chairman of the Lexus National Dealer Advisory Board and charter member of the J.D. Power Dealer Roundtable. The Price Family Dealerships are major sponsors of Special Olympics of Marin, Dedication to Special Education, CASA/Advocates for Children, Marin Breast Cancer Council and the Golden Gate Shootout.

Matthew M. McKenzie, President and Chief Operational Officer of CUI, Inc., Chief Operational Officer, Corporate Secretary of CUI Global, Inc. and Director.

Matt McKenzie was elected to the Board of Directors at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to serve a two year term and was reelected at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to a two year term on the Board of Directors.

Mr. McKenzie earned an MBA from George Fox University. Matt McKenzie has been working in various functions for CUI for over 10 years, gaining him intimate knowledge of the business, its operations and its opportunities for growth. Over the past several years, Mr. McKenzie has worked to position CUI for growth through sales and operation expansion as well as channel development and technology development. Mr. McKenzie initiated ISO 9001 certification, a quality management system, provided structure to global logistics, including CUI’s Chinese partners, and implemented CUI’s ERP system, which allows for more visibility and analysis opportunities for CUI. He spearheads the research, development and implementation of the Novum and Solus technologies.

Sean P. Rooney, Director

Mr. Rooney was elected at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to serve a one year term on the Board of Directors and was reelected at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to serve a two year term.

Mr. Rooney graduated from C. W. Post University in 1993 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Business Administration. In addition to his Series 7 (General Securities Representative), Series 63 (Uniform Securities Law) and Series 24 (General Securities Principal) licenses. Mr. Rooney brings to the CUI Global Board nearly 15 years of financial management experience. Mr. Rooney currently serves as Senior Vice President of Investments for Maxim Group LLC, a leading full service investment banking, securities and wealth management firm. Prior to joining Maxim Group, he served in a similar capacity at Investec Ernst & Company, headquartered in South Africa and the U.K.

Corey A. Lambrecht, Director

Mr. Lambrecht was elected at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to serve a one year term on the Board of Directors and was reelected at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to serve a two year term.

Mr. Lambrecht is a 14+ year public company executive with experience in strategic acquisitions, new business development, pioneering consumer products, corporate licensing and interactive technology services. Mr. Lambrecht currently serves as the President of Earth911, Inc. and is a current director of Lifestyle Wireless.  He previously served as Director of Sales for Leveraged Marketing Associates, a worldwide leader in licensed brand extension strategies. While Executive Vice President for Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation he was responsible for Smith & Wesson Licensing, Advanced Technologies and Interactive Marketing divisions. He was the former President of A For Effort (sold to Freesoftwareclub.com), an interactive database marketing company specializing in online content (advergaming) for clients such as the National Hockey League.  Mr. Lambrecht’s prior experience also includes Pre-IPO founder for Premium Cigars International and VP Sales/Marketing for ProductExpress.com.

Daniel N. Ford, Chief Financial Officer of CUI Global and CUI, Inc.

Mr. Ford has a background in the big accounting firms, including KPMG. As CFO of CUI for in excess of five years, Mr. Ford moved CUI into a position of profitability, efficiency and forward thinking, transforming many of CUI’s accounting, inventory management and vendor relations processes. During 2012, along with Mr. Clough, Mr. Ford facilitated the equity raise and uplisting to the NASDAQ Capital Market. Over the past five years, Mr. Ford has implemented advanced internal fixed asset tracking, implemented a “real time” inventory system and participated in implementing CUI’s ERP system. His skills as a financier have allowed CUI to move to its current, 61,380 square foot building, to transition its banking relationships to Wells Fargo National Association, as well as provided leadership in CUI Global’s acquisition of CUI and CUI Japan. Mr. Ford holds an MBA from George Fox University.

Shareholder Communications

Company shareholders who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors or an individual director may write to CUI Global, Inc., 20050 SW 112th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062, phone (503) 612-2300 or to the attention of an individual director. Your letter should indicate that you are a shareholder and whether you own your shares in street name. Letters received will be retained until the next Board meeting when they will be available to the addressed director. Such communications may receive an initial evaluation to determine, based on the substance and nature of the communication, a suitable process for internal distribution, review and response or other appropriate treatment. There is no assurance that all communications will receive a response.

Certain Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Colorado Business Corporation Act Relating to Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The Colorado General Corporation Act, as revised, provides that If so provided in the articles of incorporation, the corporation shall eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or to its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director; except that any such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director to the corporation or to its shareholders for monetary damages for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or to its shareholders, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, unlawful distributions, or any transaction from which the director directly or indirectly derived an improper personal benefit.

Our Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws provide that a person who is performing his or her duties shall not have any liability by reason of being or having been a director of the corporation and that the Company shall indemnify and advance expenses to a director or officer in connection with a proceeding to the fullest extent permitted or required by and in accordance with the indemnification sections of Colorado statutes.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities may be invoked to disclaim liability for damages arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1934 (collectively, the "Acts"), as amended, it is the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission that such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Acts and are therefore, unenforceable.

Reports to Shareholders

We intend to voluntarily send annual reports to our shareholders, which will include audited financial statements. We are a reporting company and file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including this Form 10-K as well as quarterly reports under Form 10-Q. The public may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The company files its reports electronically and the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed by the company with the SEC electronically. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

The company also maintains an Internet site, which contains information about the company, news releases, governance documents and summary financial data. The address of that site is http://www.cuiglobal.com.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers, directors and persons owning more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of ownership and reports of changes of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  These reporting persons are required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.  Based solely upon a review of copies of these filings received, we believe that all filing requirements were complied with during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 with the exceptions noted below:

We have made all officers and directors aware of their reporting obligations and have appointed an employee to oversee Section 16 compliance for future filings.

Our Corporate Governance Practices

We have always believed in strong and effective corporate governance procedures and practices. In that spirit, we have summarized several of our corporate governance practices below.

Adopting Governance Guidelines

Our Board of Directors has adopted a set of corporate governance guidelines to establish a framework within which it will conduct its business and to guide management in its running of our Company. The governance guidelines can be found on our website at www.cuiglobal.com and are summarized below.

Monitoring Board Effectiveness

It is important that our Board of Directors and its committees are performing effectively and in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. The Board of Directors and each committee are responsible for annually assessing their effectiveness in fulfilling their obligations.

Conducting Formal Independent Director Sessions

At the conclusion of each regularly scheduled Board meeting, the independent directors meet without our management or any non-independent directors.

Hiring Outside Advisors

The Board and each of its committees may retain outside advisors and consultants of their choosing at our expense, without management's consent.

Providing Transparency

We believe that it is important that stockholders understand our governance practices. In order to help ensure transparency of our practices, we have posted information regarding our corporate governance procedures on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Communications with the Board of Directors

Stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors by writing to the Company at CUI Global, Inc., 20050 SW 112th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062, phone (503) 612-2300. Stockholders who would like their submission directed to a member of the board may so specify, and the communication will be forwarded, as appropriate.

Ensuring Auditor Independence

We have taken a number of steps to ensure the continued independence of our independent registered public accounting firm. That firm reports directly to the Audit Committee, which also has the ability to pre-approve or reject any non-audit services proposed to be conducted by our independent registered public accounting firm.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

We expect our directors, executives and employees to conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity, ethics and honesty. Our credibility and reputation depend upon the good judgment, ethical standards and personal integrity of each director, executive and employee. In order to provide assurances to the Company and its stockholders, we have implemented standards of business conduct which provide clear conflict of interest guidelines to its employees and directors, as well as an explanation of reporting and investigatory procedures.

Code of Ethics

The Company Board of Directors adopted a Code of Ethics for all of our employees, directors, principal executives and financial officers that describes the required conduct of honest and ethical behavior in the conduct of their duties. This code does not cover every issue that may arise, but sets out basic principles relating to conflict of interest, corporate opportunities, insider trading, confidentiality, protection and proper use of company assets, compliance with laws, rules and regulations, reporting of illegal or unethical behavior and accountability. The Code of Ethics is available for viewing on our website at www.cuiglobal.com. Copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be provided free of charge upon written request to CUI Global, Inc., 20050 SW 112th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062, phone (503) 612-2300 or on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is established pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for the purposes of overseeing the company’s accounts and financial reporting processes and audits of its financial statements. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for, among other things, the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent Registered Public Accounting firm, review of financial reporting, internal company processes of business/financial risk and applicable legal, ethical and regulatory requirements.

The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Sean P. Rooney, Thomas A. Price and Colton Melby. Each member of the Audit Committee is independent in accordance with applicable rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ listing standards. Mr. Rooney, Mr. Price and Mr. Melby have an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and have experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breath and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the financial statements of the Company, including our balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. They have an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and an understanding of audit committee functions as well as the ability to access the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves. The Board of Directors has determined that Messers Rooney and Price are “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Section 401(h) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. Our Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter, a copy of which is available from the Company and is posted on our website at www.cuiglobal.com. The Audit Committee has established a procedure to receive complaints regarding accounts, internal controls and auditing issues.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee reviews the financial information that will be provided to the shareholders and others, the systems of internal controls established by management and the Board and the independence and performance of the Company’s audit process.

The Audit Committee has:

Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee has recommended that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the amount and nature of non-audit services provided by Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P.A. is compatible with the auditor’s independence.

Submitted by: Sean P. Rooney, Thomas A. Price, and Colton Melby

          Audit Committee 

Nominating Committee

The nominating committee consists of all of the members of the Board of Directors four of whom are "independent directors" within the meaning of Rule 4200(a)(15) of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The nominating committee is responsible for the evaluation of nominees for election as director, the nomination of director candidates for election by the shareholders and evaluation of sitting directors. The Board has developed a formal policy for the identification or evaluation of nominees. In general, when the Board determines that expansion of the Board or replacement of a director is necessary or appropriate, the nominating committee will review, through candidate interviews with members of the Board and management, consultation with the candidate's associates and through other means, a candidate's honesty, integrity, reputation in and commitment to the community, judgment, personality and thinking style, willingness to invest in the Company, residence, willingness to devote the necessary time, potential conflicts of interest, independence, understanding of financial statements and issues, and the willingness and ability to engage in meaningful and constructive discussion regarding Company issues. The committee would review any special expertise, for example, that qualifies a person as an audit committee financial expert, membership or influence in a particular geographic or business target market, or other relevant business experience. To date the Company has not paid any fee to any third party to identify or evaluate, or to assist it in identifying or evaluating, potential director candidates.

The nominating committee will consider director candidates nominated by shareholders during such times as the Company is actively considering obtaining new directors. Candidates recommended by shareholders will be evaluated based on the same criteria described above. Shareholders desiring to suggest a candidate for consideration should send a letter to the Company's Secretary and include: (a) a statement that the writer is a shareholder (providing evidence if the person's shares are held in street name) and is proposing a candidate for consideration; (b) the name and contact information for the candidate; (c) a statement of the candidate's business and educational experience; (d) information regarding the candidate's qualifications to be director, including but not limited to an evaluation of the factors discussed above which the Board would consider in evaluating a candidate; (e) information regarding any relationship or understanding between the proposing shareholder and the candidate; (f) information regarding potential conflicts of interest; and (g) a statement that the candidate is willing to be considered and willing to serve as director if nominated and elected. Because of the small size of the Company and the limited need to seek additional directors, there is no assurance that all shareholder proposed candidates will be fully considered, that all candidates will be considered equally, or that the proponent of any candidate or the proposed candidate will be contacted by the Company or the Board, and no undertaking to do so is implied by the willingness to consider candidates proposed by shareholders.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Compensation Committee Members

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is appointed by the Board of Directors to discharge the Board's responsibilities with respect to all forms of compensation of the Company's executive officers, to administer the Company's equity incentive plans and to produce an annual report on executive compensation for use in the Company's Form 10-K. The Compensation Committee consists of two members of the board of directors, Messers Colton R. Melby and Corey A. Lambrecht, both of whom are "independent directors" within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Role of Committee

The Compensation Committee discharges the Board’s responsibilities relating to general compensation policies and practices and to compensation of our executives. In discharging its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee establishes principles and procedures in order to ensure to the Board and the shareholders that the compensation practices of the Company are appropriately designed and implemented to attract, retain and reward high quality executives and are in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. In this context, the Compensation Committee’s authority, duties and responsibilities are to:

Committee Meetings

Compensation Philosophy

General Philosophy

Our compensation philosophy is based on the premise of attracting, retaining and motivating exceptional leaders, setting high goals, working toward the common objectives of meeting the expectations of customers and stockholders and rewarding outstanding performance. Following this philosophy, in determining executive compensation, we consider all relevant factors, such as the competition for talent, our desire to link pay with performance, the use of equity to align executive interests with those of our stockholders, individual contributions, teamwork and performance, each executive’s total compensation package and internal pay equity. We strive to accomplish these objectives by compensating all employees with total compensation packages consisting of a combination of competitive base salary and incentive compensation.

Pay for Performance

At the core of our compensation philosophy is our strong belief that pay should be directly linked to performance. We believe in a pay for performance culture that places a significant portion of executive officer total compensation as contingent upon, or variable with, individual performance, Company performance and achievement of strategic goals including increasing shareholder value.

The performance based compensation for our executives may be in the form of (i) annual cash incentives to promote achievement of and accountability for, shorter term performance plans and strategic goals and (ii) equity grants, designed to align the long-term interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders, by creating a strong and direct link between executive compensation and shareholder return over a multiple year performance cycle. Long term incentive equity awards are granted in restricted stock. These shares/units generally vest over a two to four year period. This opportunity for share ownership was provided in order to provide incentive and retain key employees and align their interests with our long term strategic goals.

Base Compensation to be Competitive within Industry

A key component of an executive’s total compensation base salary is designed to compensate executives commensurate with their respective level of experience, scope of responsibilities, sustained individual performance and future potential. The goal has been to provide for base salaries that are sufficiently competitive with other similar-sized companies, both regionally and nationally, in order to attract and retain talented leaders.

Compensation Setting Process

Management’s Role in the Compensation Setting Process.

Management plays a significant role in the compensation-setting process. The most significant aspects of management’s role are:

The Chief Executive Officer generally attends the Committee meetings; however, the Committee also regularly meets in executive session. The Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations with respect to financial and corporate goals and objectives and makes non CEO executive compensation recommendations to the Compensation Committee based on company performance, individual performance and the peer group compensation market analysis. The Compensation Committee considers and deliberates on this information and in turn makes recommendations to the Board of Directors, for the Board’s determination and approval of the executives’ and other members of senior management’s compensation, including base compensation, short-term cash incentives and long-term equity incentives. The Chief Executive Officer’s performance and compensation is reviewed, evaluated and established separately by the Compensation Committee and ratified and approved by the Board of Directors.

Setting Compensation Levels

To evaluate our total compensation is competitive and provides appropriate rewards to attract and retain talented leaders, as discussed above, we may rely on analyses of peer companies performed by independent compensation consultants and on other industry and occupation specific survey data available to us. Our general benchmark is to establish both base salary and total compensation for the executive officers at the 50^th percentile of the peer group data, recognizing that a significant portion of executive officer total compensation should be contingent upon, or variable with, achievement of individual and Company performance objectives and strategic goals, as well as being variable with stockholder value. Further, while the objective for base salary is at the 50^th percentile of the peer group data, executives’ base salaries are designed to reward core competencies and contributions to the Company and may be increased above this general benchmark based on (i) the individual’s increased contribution over the preceding year; (ii) the individual’s increased responsibilities over the preceding year; and (iii) any increase in median competitive pay levels.

Setting Performance Objectives

The Company’s business plans and strategic objectives are generally presented by management at the Company’s annual board meeting. The board engages in an active discussion concerning the financial targets, the appropriateness of the strategic objectives and the difficulty in achieving same. In establishing the compensation plan, our Compensation Committee then utilizes the primary financial objectives from the adopted business plan and operating cash flow as the primary targets for determining the executive officers’ short-term cash incentives and long term equity incentive compensation. The Committee also establishes additional non-financial performance goals and objectives, the achievement of which is required for funding of a significant portion, approximately twenty five percent, of the executive officers’ incentive compensation. In 2012, these non financial performance goals and objectives included achieving accurate financial reporting and timely SEC filings; demonstrating full compliance and superior performance in the Company’s environmental, health and safety practices; performing appropriate SOX/404 remediation activities and achieving successful testing of and compliance with SOX requirements and general and administrative expense management.  In addition, the executive team was charged with positioning the company for up-listing to a national stock exchange and an equity raise in early 2012.  Said funding to be used to enhance the company’s balance sheet; pay down corporate debt; increase the company’s ability to rapidly bring its new products to market; and other appropriate matters. 

Annual Evaluation

The Chief Executive Officer recommends the actual incentive award amounts for all other executives based on actual company performance relative to the targets as well as on individual performance and recommends the executives’ base salaries levels for the coming year. The Compensation Committee considers these recommendations generally at the end of each fiscal year in determining its recommendations to the Board of Directors for the final short-term cash incentive and long-term equity award amounts for each executive and for the executive’s base salary levels. The actual incentive amounts awarded to each executive are ultimately subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors.

Additional equity-based awards may be also granted to executives, as well as other employees, upon commencement of employment, for promotions or special performance recognition or for retention purposes, based on the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. In determining whether to recommend additional grants to an executive, the Chief Executive Officer typically considers the individual’s performance and any planned change in functional responsibility.

Elements of Executive Compensation

Total Compensation

Total compensation for our executives consists of three elements: (i) base salary; (ii) incentive cash award based on achieving specific performance targets as measured by cash flow and other objectives and (iii) equity incentive award, which is also performance based and paid out over a future period in the form of restricted stock or stock purchase options. Base salaries are the value upon which both the incentive compensation percentage targets are measured against. For evaluation and comparison of overall compensation of the executives and to assist it in making its compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee reviews an executive compensation summary, which sets forth for each executive: current compensation and current equity ownership holdings as well as the projected value of each and all such compensation elements, including distributions and dividends there from.

Base Salaries

Base salaries are designed to compensate executives commensurate with their respective level of experience, scope of responsibilities and to reward sustained individual performance and future potential. The goal has been to provide for base salaries that are sufficiently competitive with other similar-sized companies, both regionally and nationally, in order to attract and retain talented leaders.

Incentive Compensation

Incentive compensation is intended to align compensation with business objectives and performance and enable the company to attract, retain and reward high quality executive officers whose contributions are critical to short and long-term success of the Company. The executives’ incentive awards are based upon three key performance metrics: 1) the Company’s EBIDTA; 2) achievement of agreed-upon strategic and corporate performance goals; and 3) existing Employment Agreement.

The strategic and corporate performance goals are not intended to be a specific agreed-upon goal, but rather a general objective. Management and the board of directors discuss these factors and set objectives that are dynamic and change periodically. In setting these periodic goals, the board of directors discusses with management the nature of the objective and management's proposed method of achieving the goal. These goals change throughout the operational process because of changing dynamics such as economic conditions, current success of marketing, availability of materials, availability of funding and overall momentum toward achieving the goal.

Incentive Plan Compensation

Incentive awards are paid out in cash, restricted common stock or option awards. The incentive award targets for the executives are established at the beginning of the year, generally, as a percentage of their base salary and the actual awards are determined at the following year’s Annual Board of Directors meetings based on actual company performance relative to established goals and objectives, as well as on evaluation of the executive’s relevant departmental and individual performance during the past year. In many instances the award of restricted common stock vests over a four year term in equal periodic tranches. The award of restricted common stock purchased through options generally, although not in every instance, vests immediately upon exercise of the option and generally has a validity of up to ten years and a per share purchase price, of no less than, the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The awards are intended to serve as a means of incentive compensation for performance.

Retirement Plans

Our wholly owned subsidiary, CUI, Inc., maintains a 401(k) plan. The Company has a 401(k) retirement savings plan that allows employees to contribute to the plan after they have completed 3 months of service and are 21 years of age. The Company matches the employee’s contribution up to 6% of total compensation. Total employer contributions, net of forfeitures, were $215,118 and $179,234, for 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Change in Control Agreements

Our executives are awarded protection upon a change in control as specifically provided in their employment contracts.

Perquisites

The Company does not provide for any perquisites or any other benefits for its senior executives that are not generally available to all employees.

Compensation Committee Charter

Our Compensation Committee Charter is posted on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid and accrued to be paid by the Company for the fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and two most highly compensated executive officers of the Company.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Footnotes:

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END

The following table sets forth the outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2012 to each of the named executive officers:

Footnotes:

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The written report and recommendations of Compensia, Inc., as noted above in the section, Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders, upon which the Compensation Committee relied, also included a detailed director and committee compensation report and market analysis. The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) provides for the issuance of stock options to attract, retain and motivate directors as well as other management personnel.

The Compensation Committee concluded that, after giving consideration to the directors’ obligation in representation of the shareholders, the high standard of ethics and talent required, increasing workloads, greater exposure, more stringent director independence standards and the SEC's disclosure rules, directors and committee members should be compensated fairly for time and value delivered and the compensation should be sufficient to attract and retain qualified competent individuals to serve on our board. The Compensation Committee adopted the recommendations of Compensia and approved a director and committee compensation plan.

The Compensation Committee concluded that the appropriate compensation for calendar year 2009 should be in the form of options granted in an amount equal to the 50^th percentile for similar companies, but discounted by a factor of 10% at an option strike price of $7.50 per share. This price reflected the true value of the directors’ work, provides adequate incentive to each director and does not unfairly penalize the directors for current market conditions. Moreover, the $7.50 strike price reflects the price at which much of the underlying funding and CUI transaction was originally priced.

In keeping with this original compensation structure, the Compensation Committee concluded that the appropriate compensation for calendar year 2010 should continue to be in the form of options granted in an amount equal to the 50^th percentile for similar companies, but discounted by a factor of 10% at an option strike price of $9.00 per share. In furtherance of this compensation plan, October 11, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 3,060,382 options under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive). All options granted are presented at post-reverse quantities. On October 11, 2010, 3,300 options (number of options represents post reverse of 30:1) were granted to each director of the Company with an exercise price of $9.00 per share and that vest one year after the October 11, 2010 date of grant. The $9.00 option price reflects a stock price fair to both the director and the Company.

On April 16, 2012, 3,300 options were granted to each director of the Company with an exercise price of $4.56 per share and that vest one year after the April 16, 2012 date of grant. The $4.56 option price reflects a stock price fair to both the director and the Company. No executive options were granted in 2011.

Board of Directors Members

Director Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation of the directors, included in the Outstanding Equity Awards schedule noted above, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

Director Compensation

Footnotes:

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END

The following table sets forth the outstanding director equity awards at December 31, 2012 to each of the named directors:

Footnotes:

Employment Agreements

During fiscal year 2012, three executive officers were employed under employment agreements.

Those executive officers are:

To see the material terms of each named executive officer’s employment agreement, please see the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table.

Compensation Committee Report

We have reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management.  Based on our review and discussion with management, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our Voting Shares as of the date of this report by: (i) each shareholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares, (ii) each of our directors and executives and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the Voting Shares listed below, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and warrants that are currently exercisable or that will become exercisable within 60 days of filing this document have been included in the table.

Effective September 17, 2012, the Board of Directors passed a resolution eliminating and discontinuing all Series A and B Convertible Preferred and Series C Preferred stock and requiring that all preferred stock shall be returned to the Company treasury. As of December 31, 2012, no shares of Series B and Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding.

Footnotes:

We relied upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 as the basis for an exemption from registration for the issuance of the above securities.

Employee Equity Incentive Plans

At December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding the following equity compensation plan information:

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders

On May 16, 2008 the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and authorized 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock to fund the Plan. At the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on September 15, 2008, the Equity Incentive Plan was approved by the Company shareholders. At the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on September 29, 2009, the shareholders approved an amendment to the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of common shares issuable under the plan from 1,500,000 to 3,000,000. All of these shares have been registered under Form S-8.

The 2008 Equity Incentive Plan is intended to: (a) provide incentive to employees of the Company and its affiliates to stimulate their efforts toward the continued success of the Company and to operate and manage the business in a manner that will provide for the long-term growth and profitability of the Company; (b) encourage stock ownership by employees, directors and independent contractors by providing them with a means to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company by acquiring shares of Stock or to receive compensation which is based upon appreciation in the value of Stock; and (c) provide a means of obtaining and rewarding employees, directors, independent contractors and advisors.

The 2008 Equity Incentive Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options (ISOs) and Non Statutory Options (NSOs) to employees, directors and independent contractors of the Company. The Board shall determine the exercise price per share in the case of an ISO at the time an option is granted and such price shall be not less than the fair market value or 110% of fair market value in the case of a ten percent or greater stockholder. In the case of an NSO, the exercise price shall not be less than the fair market value of one share of stock on the date the option is granted. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, ISOs and NSOs granted under the both plans have a maximum duration of 10 years.

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders

In January 2009 the Company Board of Directors received and approved a written report and recommendations of the Compensation Committee which included a detailed executive equity compensation report and market analysis and the recommendations of Compensia, Inc., a management consulting firm that provides executive compensation advisory services to compensation committees and senior management of knowledge-based companies. The Compensation Committee used the report and analysis as a basis for its formal written recommendation to the board. Pursuant to a board resolution the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive), a Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, was created and funded with 4,200,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Compensation Committee was appointed as the Plan Administrator to manage the plan.

October 11, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 3,060,382 options under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive). Options granted are presented at post reverse quantities. On October 11, 2010, 3,300 options were granted to each director of the Company with an exercise price of $9.00 per share and vesting one year after the October 11, 2010 date of grant. Two employees who also serve as directors received 52,277 bonus options as employees and 29,936 stock options were granted to corporate officers and employees. The employee bonus options have an exercise price of $9.00 per share and vest over four years, 25% at year one and thereafter in equal monthly installments.

The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) provides for the issuance of stock options to attract, retain and motivate executive and management employees and directors and to encourage these individuals to acquire an equity interest in the Company, to make monetary payments to certain management employees and directors based upon the value of the Company’s stock and to provide these individuals with an incentive to maximize the success of the Company and further the interest of the shareholders. The 2009 Plan provides for the issuance of Incentive Non Statutory Options. The Administrator of the plan is authorized to determine the exercise price per share at the time the option is granted, but the exercise price shall not be less than the fair market value on the date the option is granted. Stock options granted under the 2009 Plan have a maximum duration of 10 years.

The Company has outstanding at December 31, 2012, the following options issued under equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:

During 2009, the Company issued under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) to officers and directors options to purchase restricted common stock at $7.50 per share as follows: 85,009 fully vested shares; 28,800 shares that vest over four years, 25% at year one and thereafter in equal monthly installments; and 19,800 shares that fully vested one year after the date of grant.

During 2010 the Company issued under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) to officers and directors options to purchase restricted common stock at $9.00 per share as follows: 19,800 options that vest one year after the 10/11/2010 grant date and 82,213 options that vest over four years, 25% at one year after the grant date, thereafter in equal monthly installments.

During 2012 the Company issued under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) to officers and directors options to purchase restricted common stock at $4.56 per share as follows: 19,800 options that vest one year after the April 16, 2012 grant date and 64,875 options that vest over four years, 25% at one year after the grant date, thereafter in equal monthly installments. Additionally, on September 21, 2012, the Board of Directors authorized 330,000 options under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive) that were granted at $6.00 per share to an officer that vest in equal monthly installments over the course of forty-eight consecutive months beginning September 2012.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

Except as set forth herein, none of the Company’s directors or officers nor any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to its outstanding shares, nor any relative or spouse of any of the foregoing persons, since the beginning of fiscal year 2012, has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or in any presently proposed transaction where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 which has or will materially affect the Company.

IED and Other Affiliates Related Matters

Effective May 16, 2008 the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary into which CUI, Inc., an Oregon corporation, merged all of its assets. The funding for this acquisition was provided by a bank note, a seller’s note and a convertible seller’s note. Matthew McKenzie, COO and Daniel Ford, CFO each were partial owners in CUI, Inc. prior to the acquisition and they each, along with James McKenzie are shareholders in International Electronic Devices, Inc. (IED). The convertible seller’s note was satisfied in 2010.

During 2012 and 2011, $3,468,221 and $1,110,809, respectively, in principal and interest payments were made in relation to the promissory notes issued to IED. The 2012 payment utilized $3,000,000 from the equity sale proceeds for the repayment of principal. The 2011 payment included a note receivable balance of $192,508 held by CUI Global that was conveyed to IED, Inc. and applied towards the promissory note balance in accordance with a settlement agreement.

Leased Office and Warehouse

As an integrated part of the CUI asset acquisition, the CUI Global, Inc. corporate offices were relocated to the CUI location at 20050 SW 112th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062. CUI and CUI Global occupy the 61,380 square feet of offices and warehouse premises under a ten year non-cancelable lease agreement beginning September 1, 2006 with Barakel, LLC (a related party) at a base monthly rent subject to periodic base payment increases plus real property taxes, utilities, insurance and common area maintenance charges. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the monthly base rent was $40,250 in accordance with the lease schedule. During the period January 1 through August 31, 2011, the monthly base rent was $40,000 and increased in accordance with the lease schedule to $40,250 for the period September 1 through December 31, 2011. Barakel, LLC is controlled by James McKenzie, majority owner of CUI, Inc. prior to acquisition and Matt McKenzie, COO and Director of the Company.

Matters Relating to the Bank Note

The $6,000,000 bank note utilized in the acquisition of CUI Inc. as noted above was secured by personal guarantees in the form of Letters of Credit in favor of the Commerce Bank of Oregon. In consideration for posting the Letters of Credit, the Company issued to each individual who supplied a Letter of Credit, warrants to purchase, within 3 years at a per share price of $0.30, one CUI Global common share for every thirty dollars ($30) of the Letter of Credit. The warrants became fully vested at the second anniversary date. A former officer of the Company, Clifford Melby, received a 10,000 share warrant which was exercised August 17, 2010; a former director, John Rouse, received a 10,000 share warrant which was exercised December 16, 2010; a director, Colton Melby (through an entity in which Colton Melby controls the investment decisions), received a 13,333 share warrant which was exercised August 18, 2010; a director, Thomas A. Price, received a 23,333 share warrant which was exercised April 19, 2011; an owner of 10% of the voting rights attached to outstanding shares, Kjell H. Qvale Survivors Trust, received a 133,333 share warrant which was exercised May 13, 2011; and a 10,000 share warrant was issued to an individual investor, which was exercised May 4, 2011.

In August 2010, the Company received $2,000,000 in equity investment for which the Company issued 631,314 shares of common stock at $3.168 per share. The $2,000,000 received was used to pay down the $6,000,000 bank loan with Commerce Bank, bringing the net loan balance to $4,000,000. The 631,314 shares of common stock were issued as follows: 284,091 to an investor, 126,263 to an entity controlled by a director, Colton Melby, 126,263 to a director, Thomas A. Price, and 94,697 to a former officer of the Company. Also in August 2010, the Company replaced the $4,000,000 cash loan from Commerce Bank of Oregon with a $4,000,000 term note through the Business Credit division of Wells Fargo Capital Finance, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, with a July 31, 2012 maturity date, paying interest only at an interest rate equal to the daily three month LIBOR plus 4.00% and secured by personal letters of credit from a related party. In February 2012, the company utilized $4,000,000 from the 2012 equity raises to repay the principal balance in full. The balance remaining at December 31, 2012 and 2011 on the term note with Wells Fargo was $0 and $4,000,000.

Short Term Convertible Loan

In July 2011, a CUI Global officer, Daniel N. Ford, provided a short term convertible loan of $35,000 to the Company which accrues interest at 6% per annum, convertible at $5.10 per common share. The balance of this loan was paid in full during 2012 following the receipt of proceeds from the equity raise. The balance remaining at December 31, 2012 is $0.

Item 14. Principal Accountants Fees and Services

Compensation of Auditors

The financial statements of the Company, which are furnished herein as of December 31, 2012, have been audited by Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P. A., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P. A. billed the Company an aggregate of $113,134 in fees and expenses for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and the reviews of the financial statements included in each of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P. A. billed the Company an aggregate of $134,968 in fees and expenses for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and the reviews of the financial statements included in each of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Liggett, Vogt & Webb, P.A. billed audit related fees, tax fees, or other fees of $0 and $5,276 during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

In accordance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the Audit Committee has adopted an informal approval policy that it believes will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.

Part IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are included as part of this Form 10-K.

Footnotes to Exhibits:

Reports on Form 8-K.

The following documents that we filed with the SEC are incorporated herein by reference:

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

CUI Global, Inc.

CUI Global, Inc.

Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012 and 2011

CUI Global, Inc.

Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of:

CUI Global, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CUI Global, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive income and loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly in all material respects, the financial position of CUI Global, Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

LIGGETT, VOGT & WEBB, P.A.

Certified Public Accountants

Boynton Beach, Florida

February 19, 2013