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SONO TEK CORP - Quarter Report: 2013 November (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended: November 30, 2013

 

OR

 

[  ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File No.: 0-16035

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York 14-1568099
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

 

2012 Rt. 9W, Milton, NY 12547

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Issuer's telephone no., including area code: (845) 795-2020

 

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

 

Indicate by checkmark 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 (section 229.405 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 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 |_|    Smaller reporting company |X|

Non Accelerated Filer |_| (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES |_|   NO |X|

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

 

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

 

  Outstanding as of
Class January 9, 2014
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share 14,698,312
 
 

 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

 

 

INDEX

 

 

Part I - Financial Information Page
   
   
Item 1 – Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements: 1 - 3
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – November 30, 2013 (Unaudited) and February 28, 2013 1
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income – Nine Months and Three Months Ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 (Unaudited) 2
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 (Unaudited) 3
   
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 4 - 8
   
   
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 9 – 17
   
   
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 17
   
   
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures 17
   
   
Part II - Other Information 17
   
   
Signatures and Certifications 18 -22

 

 

 

 
 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   November 30,     
   2013   February 28, 
   (Unaudited)   2013 
ASSETS          
Current Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $2,976,334   $1,940,906 
Marketable Securities   955,933    975,910 
Accounts receivable (less allowance of $29,00 and $20,000 at
November 30 and February 28, respectively)
   923,413    941,032 
Inventories, net   2,046,574    1,829,171 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   77,757    79,605 
Total current assets   6,980,011    5,766,624 
           
Land   250,000    250,000 
Buildings, net   2,081,160    2,170,409 
Equipment, furnishings and building improvements, net   561,236    683,368 
Intangible and other assets, net   115,725    106,022 
Deferred tax asset   90,021    90,021 
           
TOTAL ASSETS  $10,078,153   $9,066,444 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
           
Current Liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $529,201   $408,738 
Accrued expenses   602,429    477,027 
Customer deposits   390,879    68,846 
Current maturities of long term debt   128,794    125,999 
Income taxes payable   179,398    6,331 
Total current liabilities   1,830,701    1,086,941 
           
Long term debt, less current maturities   1,890,424    1,987,236 
Total liabilities   3,721,125    3,074,177 
           
Commitments and Contingencies        
Stockholders’ Equity          
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, 14,508,632 and 14,503,010 shares issued and outstanding, at November 30 and February 28, respectively   145,086    145,030 
Additional paid-in capital   8,723,882    8,709,601 
Accumulated deficit   (2,511,940)   (2,862,364)
Total stockholders’ equity   6,357,028    5,992,267 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $10,078,153   $9,066,444 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

1
 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

   Nine Months Ended November 30  Three Months Ended November 30
   Unaudited  Unaudited
   2013  2012  2013  2012
             
Net Sales  $7,561,998   $7,433,215   $2,650,225   $2,202,406 
Cost of Goods Sold   3,963,181    3,836,511    1,435,055    1,120,772 
        Gross Profit   3,598,817    3,596,704    1,215,170    1,081,634 
                     
Operating Expenses                    
    Research and product development costs   661,975    699,780    204,738    212,993 
    Marketing and selling expenses   1,451,310    1,709,342    462,685    503,619 
    General and administrative costs   747,896    963,242    225,301    288,854 
    Rental operations expense   118,890    86,437    48,791    28,807 
            Total Operating Expenses   2,980,071    3,458,801    941,515    1,034,273 
                     
Operating Income   618,746    137,903    273,655    47,361 
                     
Interest Expense   (82,396)   (86,012)   (27,152)   (28,364)
Other (expense) income   (5,405)   18,168    18,169    19,873 
                     
Income from Operations Before Income Taxes   530,945    70,059    264,672    38,870 
                     
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense   180,521    (26,042)   93,425    13,605 
                     
Net Income  $350,424   $96,101   $171,247   $25,265 
                     
Basic Earnings Per Share  $0.02   $0.01   $0.01   $0.00 
                     
Diluted Earnings Per Share  $0.02   $0.01   $0.01   $0.00 
                     
Weighted Average Shares - Basic   14,504,836    14,478,044    14,508,507    14,500,592 
                     
Weighted Average Shares - Diluted   14,710,838    14,581,386    14,775,422    14,576,211 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

2
 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   Nine Months Ended November 30,
   Unaudited
   2013  2012
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net Income  $350,424   $96,101 
           
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   243,869    265,428 
Stock based compensation expense   14,127    48,934 
Allowance for doubtful accounts   9,000    (6,620)
Inventory reserve   63,343    48,000 
Write off of impaired acquisition costs   15,020    —   
Decrease (Increase) in:          
Accounts receivable   8,619    (312,190)
Inventories   (280,746)   215,694 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,848    47,867 
(Decrease) Increase in:          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   245,865    (54,387)
Customer Deposits   322,033    (193,415)
Income Taxes Payable   173,067    12,002 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities   1,166,469    167,414 
           
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Patent application and other asset costs   (18,421)   (32,218)
Purchase of equipment and furnishings   (77,321)   (142,833)
Proceeds from sale of equipment   38,531    —   
Sale (Purchase) of marketable securities   19,977    (721,679)
Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities   (37,234)   (896,730)
           
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   210    25,346 
Repayments of notes payable and loans   (94,017)   (90,416)
Net Cash (Used In) Financing Activities   (93,807)   (65,070)
           
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   1,035,428    (794,386)
           
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS          
Beginning of period   1,940,906    2,531,689 
End of period  $2,976,334   $1,737,303 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:          
Interest paid  $82,396   $86,012 
Taxes Paid  $—     $—   

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3
 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Six Months Ended November 30, 2013 and 2012

 

NOTE 1: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Consolidation - The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Sono-Tek Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Sono-Tek Cleaning Systems Inc. and Sono-Tek Industrial Park, LLC. Sono-Tek Cleaning Systems, Inc., a New Jersey Corporation, ceased operations during the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2002. Sono-Tek Industrial Park, LLC operates as a real estate holding company for the Company’s real estate operations.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents consist of money market mutual funds, short term commercial paper and short-term certificates of deposit with original maturities of 90 days or less.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - The Company adopted the guidance in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. This guidance establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing generally accepted accounting principles that require the use of fair value measurements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or operating results, but did expand certain disclosures. The guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, the guidance requires the use of valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized below:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets.

 

Level 2:   Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

 

The fair values of financial assets of the Company were determined using the following categories at November 30, 2013:

   

   Quoted Prices in Active Markets
   (Level 1)
   November 30,
2013
  February 28,
2013
           
Marketable Securities  $955,933   $975,910 

 

Marketable Securities include mutual funds of $955,933, that are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradeable as of November 30, 2013. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within the Company’s fair value hierarchy.

4
 

Interim Reporting - The attached summary condensed consolidated financial information does not include all disclosures required to be included in a complete set of financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Such disclosures were included with the financial statements of the Company at February 28, 2013, and included in its report on Form 10-K. Such statements should be read in conjunction with the data herein.

 

The financial information reflects all adjustments, normal and recurring, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.

 

Intangible Assets – Include cost of patent applications that are deferred and charged to operations over seventeen years for domestic patents and twelve years for foreign patents. The accumulated amortization is $103,203 and $95,634 at November 30, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively. Annual amortization expense of such intangible assets is expected to be $9,600 per year for the next five years.

 

Reclassifications – Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period to conform to the presentations of the current period.

 

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements - All new accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective have been deemed to be not applicable to the Company. Hence, the adoption of these new accounting pronouncements once effective are not expected to have any impact on the Company.

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update “ASU” 2013-11 on “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”. The amendments in this ASU are to improve the current U.S. GAAP because they are expected to reduce diversity in practice by providing guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits and will better reflect the manner in which an entity would settle at the reporting date any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. For nonpublic entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted.

 

5
 

NOTE 2: INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

   November 30,  February 28,
   2013  2013
       
Finished goods  $673,780   $561,298 
Work in process   516,795    385,092 
Consignment   8,943    9,728 
Raw materials and subassemblies   1,110,838    1,073,492 
Total   2,310,356    2,029,610 
Less: Allowance   (263,782)   (200,439)
Net inventories  $2,046,574   $1,829,171 

 

 

NOTE 3: STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

 

Stock Options - Under the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended ("2003 Plan"), until May 2013, options were available to be granted to officers, directors, consultants and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to purchase up to 1,500,000 of the Company's common shares. As of November 30, 2013, there were 1,298,436 options outstanding under the 2003 plan, under which no additional options may be granted.

 

In August 2013, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan under which 2,500,000 options may be granted. No options have been granted to date.

 

 

NOTE 4: STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

 

The weighted-average fair value of options has been estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model. For the nine months ended November 30, 2013 no options were issued.

 

In computing the impact, the fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes options-pricing model utilizing certain assumptions for a risk free interest rate; volatility; and expected remaining lives of the awards. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. In estimating the Company’s forfeiture rate, the Company analyzed its historical forfeiture rate, the remaining lives of unvested options, and the number of vested options as a percentage of total options outstanding. If the Company’s actual forfeiture rate is materially different from its estimate, or if the Company reevaluates the forfeiture rate in the future, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what the Company has recorded in the current period.

 

For the nine months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, net income and earnings per share reflect the actual deduction for stock-based compensation expense. The impact of applying ASC 718 approximated $14,127 and $48,934 in additional compensation expense during the nine months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Such amounts are included in general and administrative expenses on the statement of operations. The expense for stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense item.

6
 

NOTE 5: EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The denominator for the calculation of diluted earnings per share at November 30, 2013 and 2012 are calculated as follows:

 

   Nine Months Ended November 30,  Three Months Ended November 30,
   2013  2012  2013  2012
             
Denominator for basic earnings per share   14,504,836    14,478,044    14,508,507    14,500,592 
                     
Dilutive effect of stock options   206,003    103,342    266,915    75,618 
                     
Denominator for diluted earnings per share   14,710,838    14,581,386    14,775,422    14,576,211 

 

 

NOTE 6: LONG TERM DEBT

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

   November 30,   February 28, 
   2013 
Note payable, individual, collateralized by land and buildings, payable in monthly installments of principal and interest of $14,446 through January 2031.  Interest rate 5.5%.  20 year term.  $1,923,075   $1,972,617 
           
Equipment loan, bank, collateralized by related office equipment, payable in monthly installments of principal and interest of $5,154 through June 2015.  Interest rate 2.12%.  48 month term.   96,143    140,618 
Total long term debt   2,019,218    2,113,235 
Due within one year   128,794    125,999 
Due after one year  $1,890,424   $1,987,236 

 

NOTE 7: REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT

 

The Company has a $750,000 revolving line of credit at prime which was 3.25% at November 30, 2013. The loan is collateralized by all of the assets of the Company, except for the land and buildings. The line of credit is payable on demand and must be retired for a 30 day period once annually. If the Company fails to perform the 30 day annual pay down or if the bank elects to terminate the credit line, the bank may at its option convert the outstanding balance to a 36 month term note with payments including interest in 36 equal installments. As of November 30, 2013, the Company’s outstanding balance was $0, and the unused credit line was $750,000.

 

7
 

NOTE 8: SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company operates in two segments: ultrasonic spraying systems and rental real estate operations.

 

All inter-company transactions are eliminated in consolidation. For the nine and three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, segment information is as follows:

 

   Nine Months Ended November 30, 2013  Three Months Ended November 30, 2013
   Ultrasonic
Spraying
  Rental
Real Estate Operations
  Eliminations  Consolidated  Ultrasonic
Spraying
  Rental
Real Estate Operations
  Eliminations  Consolidated
Net Sales  $7,504,082   $159,721   $101,805   $7,561,998   $2,631,475   $52,685   $33,935   $2,650,225 
Rental Expense  $101,805   $118,890   $(101,805)  $118,890   $33,935   $48,791   $(33,935)  $48,791 
Interest Expense  $1,927   $80,469        $82,396   $556   $26,596        $27,152 
Net Income (Loss)  $390,062   $(39,638)       $350,424   $193,949   $(22,702)       $171,247 
Assets  $7,617,337   $2,460,816        $10,078,153   $7,617,337   $2,460,816        $10,078,153 
Debt  $96,143   $1,923,075        $2,019,218   $96,143   $1,923,075        $2,019,218 

 

   Nine Months Ended November 30, 2012  Three Months Ended November 30, 2012
   Ultrasonic
Spraying
  Rental
Real Estate
Operations
  Eliminations  Consolidated  Ultrasonic
Spraying
  Rental
Real Estate
Operations
  Eliminations  Consolidated
Net Sales  $7,393,470   $141,550   $101,805   $7,433,215   $2,191,956   $44,385   $33,935   $2,202,406 
Rental Expense  $101,805   $86,437   $(101,805)  $86,437   $33,935   $28,807   $(33,935)  $28,807 
Interest Expense  $2,897   $83,115        $86,012   $874   $27,490        $28,364 
Net Income (Loss)  $124,103   $(28,002)       $96,101   $37,177   $(11,912)       $25,265 
Assets  $6,839,711   $2,482,727        $9,322,438   $6,839,711   $2,482,727        $9,322,438 
Debt  $155,400   $1,988,683        $2,144,083   $155,400   $1,988,683        $2,144,083 

 

 

NOTE 9: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On December 16, 2013, the Company refinanced the mortgage on the Sono-Tek Industrial Park in Milton, New York, where the Company’s offices and manufacturing facility are located.

 

Prior to the refinancing, the Company reduced the outstanding mortgage with a cash payment of $323,000. The payment occurred after the balance sheet date.

 

Under the terms of the refinancing, M&T Bank loaned the Company $1,600,000 which accrues interest at the rate of 4.15% per annum and has a repayment term of ten years. The loan is secured by a mortgage on the Sono-Tek Industrial Park. The M&T Bank loan replaces the acquisition financing that was obtained from the seller of the Sono-Tek Industrial Park under which approximately $1,600,000 remained outstanding and which accrued interest at a rate of 5.5% per annum and had a repayment term of twenty years, with seventeen years remaining.

 

The Company has evaluated all other subsequent events for disclosure purposes.

 

8
 

ITEM 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

We discuss expectations regarding our future performance, such as our business outlook, in our annual and quarterly reports, press releases, and other written and oral statements. These “forward-looking statements” are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and our operating plans. They are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that events could turn out to be significantly different from our expectations. These factors include, among other considerations, general economic and business conditions; political, regulatory, competitive and technological developments affecting our operations or the demand for our products; timely development and market acceptance of new products; adequacy of financing; capacity additions, the ability to enforce patents and the ability to achieve increased sales volume and continued profitability.

 

We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

 

Overview

 

We have developed a unique and proprietary series of ultrasonic atomizing nozzles, which are being used in an increasing variety of applications in the six major industries that we serve: electronics, advanced energy (solar and fuel cells), medical device, glass, textiles and food applications. These nozzles are electrically driven and create a fine, uniform, low velocity spray of atomized liquid particles, in contrast to common pressure nozzles. These characteristics permit a series of commercial applications that benefit from the precise, uniform, thin coatings that can be achieved. When combined with significant reductions in liquid waste and less overspray than can be achieved with ordinary pressure nozzle systems, there is lower environmental impact and lower energy use.

 

Market Diversity

 

During the past four years we have invested significant time, monies and efforts to enhance our market diversity. Based on our core ultrasonic coating technology, we increased our portfolio of products, the industries we serve and the countries in which we operate.

 

A majority of our sales originate outside the United States, and we are geographically present directly and through distributors and trade representatives in North and Latin America, Europe and Asia. The infrastructure upon which this diversified market approach is based, includes a newly equipped process development laboratory, a strengthened sales organization with application engineers, an engineering team with additional talent and the latest, most sophisticated design software tools, as well as an expanded, highly trained installation and service organization.

 

The new products which we introduced, the new markets that we penetrated, and the regions in which we now operate, are a strong foundation for our future sales growth and enhanced profitability.

 

Markets

 

An outcome of our rapid growth and diversification program over the past several years, is that we are now capable of offering a unique and superior family of customized products to the six major industries we serve. All of these systems are based on our core technology of ultrasonic spray coating. Many of these systems have been commercially proven in 24/7 working schedules, under harsh and challenging industrial manufacturing environments, where they provide value in a continuous and reliable fashion.

 

9
 

1.     Electronics Industry.

 

We serve this industry by providing manufacturers of electronic printed circuit boards with state-of-the-art solder fluxers. Our ultrasonic spray fluxers reduce the amount of fluxing chemical needed, enhance the quality of the boards, and provide our customers with a better product at reduced costs of operations, when compared with conventional foam fluxers and pressure assisted fluxers.

 

We are recognized as a standard setter in the industry, and our systems are incorporated by various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), in their own manufacturing lines for making electronic printed circuit boards. Some examples of our products marketed to the electronics industry include: SonoFlux 2000F, SonoFlux 2000FP, SonoFlux XL, SonoFlux EZ and SonoFlux Servo.

 

We also offer to the same customer base, EVS solder recovery systems, through our exclusive distribution agreement with EVS International Ltd (“EVS”) for the territory of the United States and Canada.

 

In addition, we have an established customer base in the semiconductor industry. The semiconductor industry utilizes our ultrasonic atomizing nozzles for the application and deposition of photo-resist onto semiconductor wafers. A particular sector of the semiconductor manufacturing industry, micro-electro-mechanical systems, “MEMS”, has successfully used our technology to apply micron thick coatings to these complex wafers.

 

2.     Advanced Energy Industry.

 

Manufacturers of solar cells and fuel cells share two major technical and business challenges: enhancing the energy efficiency of their products and manufacturing their products in a cost effective way. Extremely uniform, thin layer coatings are at the heart of the solution for these advanced energy systems’ challenges.

 

Our precision coating systems are now presented in scientific conferences and trade shows pertaining to advanced energy around the world for the superior surface uniformity and density they provide, which are directly related to enhanced energy efficiency. Our systems afford our energy industry clients with the capabilities of saving up to 80% of the expensive catalysts and nano-materials used in these manufacturing processes. Some examples of our products marketed to the advanced energy industry include: ExactaCoat, FlexiCoat, and SonoFlow CSP.

 

3.     Medical Device Industry.

 

Our ultrasonic coating technology is being used by medical device manufacturers worldwide. The leading applications for this industry are coating of arterial stents with precise and uniform micronic layers of polymers and drugs; coating of various implantable devices with lubricous materials and coating of blood collection tubes with anti-coagulants. These applications are typically performed under strict regulatory supervision of governmental agencies in different countries, and the continuing demand for our systems from these customers is indicative of the high quality performance that our systems provide these customers. Some examples of our products marketed to the medical device industry include: MediCoat I; Medicoat II; Medicoat PSI; AccuMist; MicroMist; Balloon Catheter Coater.

 

4.      Glass Industry.

 

The manufacture of float glass occurs under extremely harsh conditions of elevated temperatures. Our ultrasonic coating technology provides this manufacturing process with the means of precise and uniform application of anti-stain, and other specialty chemical agents, on the hot glass. Our customers benefit from an improved quality product, enhanced productivity and significantly reduced expenditures on annual maintenance, often resulting in a return on investment of less than one year. Based on this equipment’s recent successful performance, our systems are now specified by many global glass manufacturers as their equipment of choice. The equipment we offer to the glass industry is the WideTrack – wide area modular coating system.

 

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5.      Textiles Industry.

 

This industry applies expensive chemicals such as flame retardant, anti-stain, anti-microbial as well as moisture barriers, which are currently applied using inefficient dip or padding methods, resulting in significant waste of material, energy and water. We have demonstrated to several leading textile manufacturers the technical advantages and financial benefits of our WideTrack coating system for their specific operations, and we are hopeful that these manufacturers will prioritize the WideTrack in their future capital investment budgets.

 

6.      Food Industry.

 

The food industry is traditionally a slow adapter of new technologies. Accordingly, we focus our efforts on a select few global food companies, where our technical advantages and economic benefits could translate into successful market penetration and sales growth. We have introduced our ultrasonic coating systems to various segments of the food industry, with our primary focus on coating of flavors, nutriceuticals and anti-microbial agents. Most of our food industry equipment is designed on the WideTrack platform.

 

Products

 

We have core technology and have developed and market the following products:

 

1.SonoFlux 2000F – spray fluxer product – designed for high volume operations with standard width lines requiring low maintenance using a variety of solder fluxes, including rosin flux. It is designed to be used by electronic circuit board manufacturers to apply solder flux to fixed width circuit boards. The major customers for the SonoFlux 2000F are OEMs that produce their own electronic circuit boards.

 

2.SonoFlux 2000FP, SonoFlux XL and SonoFlux EZ- spray fluxer product - applies solder flux to electronic printed circuit boards that vary from two inches to up to 24 inches in width in a cost-effective and uniform manner. They are designed to be used by either OEMs or contract manufacturers of electronic circuit assemblies. All SonoFlux products provide substantial benefits in terms of reduced use of fluxing agents, reduced need for maintenance and reduced cost of operations compared to foam fluxers and competitive pressure nozzle fluxing products.

 

3.SonoFlux Servo – a newer spray fluxer capable of providing flux to both wide areas of a circuit board as well as selective fluxing. We also sell a selective fluxing apparatus known as Selectaflux.

 

4.MediCoat and MediCoat II for stent coating – table-top and stand alone, fully-contained systems designed to apply thin layers of polymer and drug coatings to arterial stents with high precision. The system incorporates motion control of the stent during the coating process and produces coatings having excellent uniformity. The MediCoat systems use either the Accumist or MicroMist nozzle systems, which are precision nozzle configurations used in applications where precise patterns and coatings are required. These products provide customers the ability to achieve a minimal amount of waste of expensive drug polymer coatings and high uniformity of drug addition from stent to stent. MediCoat II is similar to the MediCoat, but it has higher throughput capabilities more suited for a production environment. We have recently developed additional medical coating platforms to address developing market segments for drug coated balloons, catheters and other implantable devices.

 

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5.WideTrack – Wide area modular coating system – designed to be used in applications that require efficient web-coating or wide area spraying capability. One module can cover substrates from 6 inches to 24 inches wide, depending on the application. Much greater widths can be achieved by linking modules together, and these systems have been applied in glass lines of up to four meters wide. A large number of systems have been sold over the past six years, and this application holds promise for the future due to cost and environmental savings demonstrated at customer sites. It uses non-clogging ultrasonic atomizing nozzles to produce a low velocity, highly controllable spray. The WideTrack System offers significant advantages over conventional pressure-spray methods in a broad range of applications such as non-woven fabrics, float glass, or odd-shaped industrial or consumer products. Since the ultrasonic spray can be easily controlled, it is possible to use fewer chemicals and less water and energy in applying coatings to glass, textiles, food products and packaging materials than with traditional nozzles. This also results in reduced environmental impact due to less overspray.

 

6.Exactacoat/Flexicoat – We offer a line of robotic XYZ coating equipment for applications involving 3D coatings for fuel cell membranes and solar energy panels. This equipment is offered in bench-top configurations as our Exactacoat product and standalone as our Flexicoat product. These platforms position and move our nozzle systems in a precise three dimensional application pattern. These coaters are extremely efficient especially when combined with our novel ultrasonic syringe pump (patent pending) to agitate and suspend the carbon based suspensions needed in fuel cell applications.

 

Other Product Offerings – EVS Solder Recovery System

 

We have an exclusive distribution relationship with EVS to distribute EVS’s line of solder recovery systems and spare parts. The territory for this distribution relationship is the United States and Canada. EVS manufactures the EVS6000, EVS3000 and the EVS1000 solder recovery systems which are used to reclaim solder from the dross which accumulates in the wave-solder equipment of circuit board manufacturers. The customer base for distribution of these systems is synergistic with our existing customer base for spray fluxer sales in the printed circuit board industry.

 

Rental Real Estate Operations

 

In December 2010, we purchased the industrial park where our facilities are located in Milton, NY. The park is an improved 3.13 acre parcel of land comprised of five buildings of office/industrial space, with 50,000 square feet of gross leasable floor area. We currently utilize 24,000 square feet of the park for our operations. We presently lease 16,000 square feet of the park to unrelated third parties and 10,000 square feet is currently vacant and available for rent.

 

For financial reporting purposes, we report the results of the park as rental real estate operations.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Working Capital Our working capital increased $470,000 from $4,680,000 at February 28, 2013 to $5,150,000 at November 30, 2013. The increase in working capital is due to the current period's net income of $350,000, capital equipment proceeds of $39,000 offset by cash outflows of $18,000 for patent and other asset costs, $77,000 for the purchase of equipment and furnishings, and $97,000 for the repayments of long term debt. We incurred non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $244,000, stock based compensation expense of $14,000, and $15,000 from the write off of impaired acquisition costs. The Company's current ratio is 3.8 to 1 at November 30, 2013 as compared to 5.3 to 1 at February 28, 2013.

 

Stockholders’ Equity – Stockholder’s Equity increased $365,000 from $5,992,000 at February 28, 2013 to $6,357,000 at November 30, 2013. The increase is a result of net income of $350,000, and an adjustment for stock based compensation expense of $14,000.

 

Operating Activities – Our operating activities provided $1,166,000 of cash for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 as compared to $167,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. During the nine months ended November 30, 2013, accounts receivable decreased $9,000, inventory increased $281,000, prepaid expenses decreased $2,000, accounts payable and accrued expenses increased $246,000, customer deposits increased $322,000 and income taxes payable increased $173,000. In addition, we incurred non-cash expenses of $244,000 for depreciation and amortization, $15,000 for the write off of impaired acquisition costs, $14,000 for stock based compensation expense, $9,000 for bad debt expense and increased our inventory reserve by $63,000.

 

Investing Activities – During the nine months ended November 30, 2013, we used $37,000 in our investing activities as compared to using $897,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. We used $77,000 for the purchase of capital equipment and $18,000 for patent application costs. In addition, we received $38,000 from the sale of capital equipment and $20,000 from the sale of marketable securities. During the nine months ended November 30, 2012, we used $143,000 for the purchase of capital equipment, $32,000 for patent application costs and $722,000 for the purchase of marketable securities.

 

Financing Activities – During the nine months ended November 30, 2013, we used $94,000 for the repayment of our notes payable. For the nine months ended November 30, 2012, we used $90,000 for the repayment of our notes payable and had proceeds from stock option exercises of $25,000.

 

On December 16, 2013, the Company refinanced the mortgage on the Sono-Tek Industrial Park in Milton, New York, where the Company’s offices and manufacturing facility are located.

 

Prior to the refinancing, the Company reduced the outstanding mortgage with a cash payment of $323,000. The payment occurred after the balance sheet date.

 

Under the terms of the refinancing, M&T Bank loaned the Company $1,600,000 which accrues interest at the rate of 4.15% per annum and has a repayment term of ten years. The loan is secured by a mortgage on the Sono-Tek Industrial Park. The M&T Bank loan replaces the acquisition financing that was obtained from the seller of the Sono-Tek Industrial Park under which approximately $1,600,000 remained outstanding and which accrued interest at a rate of 5.5% per annum and had a repayment term of twenty years, with seventeen years remaining.

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Net Increase in Cash – For the nine months ended November 30, 2013, our cash balance increased $1,035,000. During the nine months ended November 30, 2013, our operating activities provided $1,166,000 of cash, we used $37,000 in our investing activities and we used $94,000 in our financing activities.

 

Our customer deposits on hand increased $322,000 from $69,000 at February 28, 2013 to $391,000 at November 30, 2013. The increase in customer deposits is due to sales that we expect to complete in the current fiscal year.

 

Results of Operations

 

Ultrasonic Spraying Systems Segment:

 

  Nine Months Ended November 30,   Three Months Ended November 30,
      Change       Change
  2013 2012 $ %   2013 2012 $ %
Net Sales $  7,504,082 $    7,393,470 $ 110,612 2%   $   2,631,475 $ 2,191,956 $  439,519 17%
Cost of Goods Sold     4,004,837       3,878,167   126,670 3%        1,448,940    1,134,658     314,282 22%
Gross Profit $  3,499,245 $    3,515,303 $(16,058) -1%   $   1,182,535 $ 1,057,298 $  125,237 11%
                   
Gross Profit Margin % 47% 48%       45% 48%    

 

For the nine months ended November 30, 2013, our sales increased $111,000 or 2% to $7,504,000 as compared to $7,393,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. During the nine month period ended November 30, 2013, we experienced a decrease in sales of our fluxer units and stent coating units. We did, however, see an increase in sales of our nozzles and related generator units, widetrack units and servo units.

 

For the three months ended November 30, 2013, our sales increased $439,000 or 17% to $2,631,000 as compared to $2,192,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2012. During the three month period ended November 30, 2013, we experienced a decrease in sales of our stent coating units. The decrease in these sales was offset by an increase in sales of our XYZ units, widetrack units, and EVS units.

 

For the nine months ended November 30, 2013, our gross profit decreased $16,000 to $3,499,000 from $3,515,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. The gross profit margin was 47% of sales for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 and 48% of sales for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. The decrease in our gross profit margin for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 is due to a decrease in sales of our stent coating units and fluxer units.

 

For the three months ended November 30, 2013, our gross profit increased $126,000 to $1,183,000 from $1,057,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2012. The gross profit margin was 45% of sales for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 48% for the three months ended November 30, 2012. The decrease in our gross profit margin for the three months ended November 30, 2013 is due to a decrease in sales of our stent coating units.

 

Research and product development costs decreased $38,000 to $662,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 from $700,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. The decrease is due to reduced salary expense. For the three months ended November 30, 2013 research and product development costs decreased by $8,000 due to a reduction in salary expense which was offset by an in increase in R&D materials.

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Marketing and selling expenses decreased $258,000 to $1,451,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 from $1,709,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. During the nine months ended November 30, 2013, we experienced a decrease in international commission expense of $237,000 and decreased trade show and advertising expenses and depreciation expense. The decrease in commissions, trade show expenses and depreciation was offset by an increase in salaries.

 

For the three months ended November 30, 2013, marketing and selling expenses decreased $41,000. During the three months ended November 30, 2013, we experienced decreases in trade show expenses, salaries and depreciation.

 

General and administrative costs decreased $215,000 to $748,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 from $963,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. The decrease was due to decreased corporate expenses, decreased salaries, decreased professional fees, decreased stock based compensation expense and a decrease in outside consulting fees related to strategic opportunities and enhanced growth opportunities.

 

For the three months ended November 30, 2013, general and administrative costs decreased $64,000. The decrease was due to decreased stock based compensation expense and a decrease in outside consulting fees related to strategic opportunities and enhanced growth opportunities.

 

Rental Real Estate Operations:

For the nine months ended November 30, 2013, our real estate operations generated $58,000 in rental income from unrelated third parties and incurred $104,000 in operating expenses, $80,000 in interest expense, and a $15,000 expense due to the write off of impaired acquisition costs resulting in a net loss of $141,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2013.

 

For the three months ended November 30, 2013, our real estate operations generated $19,000 in rental income from unrelated third parties and incurred $34,000 in operating expenses, $27,000 in interest expense, and a $15,000 expense due to the write off of impaired acquisition costs resulting in a net loss of $57,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2013. We are presently working with an independent real estate broker to lease our vacant warehouse space.

 

Condensed Consolidated Results:

 

We had net income of $350,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2013 as compared to $96,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2012. During the three months ended November 30, 2013, we had net income of $171,000 as compared to $25,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2012.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure on contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

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Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and may potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The Company believes that critical accounting policies are limited to those described below. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies see Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2013.

 

Accounting for Income Taxes

As part of the process of preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its income taxes. Management judgment is required in determining the provision for the deferred tax asset. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, the Company increased the valuation reserve for the deferred tax asset. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates, the Company may need to again adjust such valuation reserve.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

The computation of the expense associated with stock-based compensation requires the use of a valuation model. ASC 718 is a complex accounting standard, the application of which requires significant judgment and the use of estimates, particularly surrounding Black-Scholes assumptions such as stock price volatility, expected option lives, and expected option forfeiture rates, to value equity-based compensation. The Company currently uses a Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of its stock options. The Company primarily uses historical data to determine the assumptions to be used in the Black-Scholes model and has no reason to believe that future data is likely to differ materially from historical data. However, changes in the assumptions to reflect future stock price volatility and future stock award exercise experience could result in a change in the assumptions used to value awards in the future and may result in a material change to the fair value calculation of stock-based awards. ASC 718 requires the recognition of the fair value of stock compensation in net income. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the Company’s estimates and assumptions, significant unanticipated changes in those estimates, interpretations and assumptions may result in recording stock option expense that may materially impact our financial statements for each respective reporting period.

 

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements

 

Accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective have been deemed to be not applicable or the adoption of such accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company.

 

 

ITEM 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Company does not issue or invest in financial instruments or derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Substantially all of the operations of the Company are conducted in the United States, and, as such, are not subject to material foreign currency exchange rate risk. Although the Company's assets included $2,976,000 in cash, the market rate risk associated with changing interest rates in the United States is not material.

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ITEM 4 – Controls and Procedures

 

The Company has established and maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as those terms are defined in Rules 13a –15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act’). Christopher L. Coccio, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive) and Stephen J. Bagley, Chief Financial Officer (principal accounting officer) of the Company, have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of November 30, 2013. Based on this evaluation, they have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding timely disclosure.

 

In addition, there were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the third fiscal quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

  Item 1. Legal Proceedings
    None
     
  Item 1A. Risk Factors
    Note Required for Smaller Reporting Companies
     
  Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
    None
     
  Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
    None
     
  Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
    None
     
  Item 5. Other Information
    None
     
  Item 6. Exhibits and Reports
     
    31.1 – 31.2 – Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certification
     
    32.1 – 32.2 – Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
    101.INS – XBRL Instance Document.
     
    101.SCH – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
    101.CAL – XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
     
    101.DEF – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
    101.LAB – XBRL Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
    101.PRE – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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SIGNATURES

 

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: January 14, 2014

 

 

    SONO-TEK CORPORATION
                  (Registrant)
     
     
  By: /s/ Christopher L. Coccio
    Christopher L. Coccio
    Chief Executive Officer
     
     
     
  By: /s/ Stephen J. Bagley
    Stephen J. Bagley
    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

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