UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-31588
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MINNESOTA
41-0957999
(State or other jurisdiction ofincorporation or organization)
(Federal EmployerIdentification No.)
213 South Main Street, Hector, MN
55342
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(320) 848-6231
Registrants telephone number, including area code
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES ý NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). YES o NO ý
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
CLASS
Outstanding at October 31, 2003
Common Stock, par value$.05 per share
8,185,990
INDEX
Part I.
Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Part II.
Other Information
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
September 302003
December 312002
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash
$
11,947,174
19,816,328
Trade receivables, net
19,592,171
19,128,399
Related party receivables
284,769
412,930
Inventories
29,379,587
28,958,291
Deferred income taxes
3,354,568
Other current assets
1,031,073
1,339,024
Total current assets
65,589,342
73,009,540
Property, plant and equipment
32,197,946
33,974,215
less accumulated depreciation
(25,930,616
)
(26,549,665
Net property, plant and equipment
6,267,330
7,424,550
Other assets:
Excess of cost over net assets acquired
5,253,793
2,796,978
Other assets
320,864
273,631
Total other assets
8,371,635
8,324,402
Total Assets
80,228,307
88,758,492
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity:
Current liabilities:
Notes payable
7,000,000
Accounts payable
3,357,935
5,291,706
Accrued compensation and benefits
2,594,546
2,655,056
Other accrued liabilities
2,364,298
1,797,656
Dividends payable
327,440
325,714
Income taxes payable
1,489,478
2,817,082
Total current liabilities
10,133,697
19,887,214
Stockholders Equity
70,094,610
68,871,278
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three Months Ended September 30
Nine Months Ended September 30
2003
2002
Sales
24,666,206
28,987,379
76,110,039
80,082,308
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales
18,114,844
19,834,897
54,738,237
59,918,509
Selling, general and administrative expenses
5,989,064
6,384,016
18,879,561
18,273,034
Total costs and expenses
24,103,908
26,218,913
73,617,798
78,191,543
Operating income
562,298
2,768,466
2,492,241
1,890,765
Other income and (expenses):
Investment and other income
39,687
30,601
332,697
161,035
Interest expense
(19,788
(73,791
(71,468
(223,884
Other income (expense), net
19,899
(43,190
261,229
(62,849
Income before income taxes
582,197
2,725,276
2,753,470
1,827,916
Income taxes
135,000
1,055,000
955,000
730,000
Net income
447,197
1,670,276
1,798,470
1,097,916
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment
24,626
60,103
113,182
256,435
Comprehensive income
471,823
1,730,379
1,911,652
1,354,351
Basic net income per share
.05
.20
.22
.13
Diluted net income per share
Average Basic Shares Outstanding
8,168,870
8,261,819
8,163,414
8,275,912
Average Dilutive Shares Outstanding
8,196,638
8,262,130
8,181,784
8,278,178
4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock
AdditionalPaid-inCapital
RetainedEarnings
CumulativeOtherComprehensiveIncome (Loss)
Total
Shares
Amount
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2001
8,262,314
413,116
27,855,529
39,463,137
(423,781
67,308,001
2,336,672
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan
36,276
1,814
188,744
190,558
Issuance of common stock to Employee Stock Ownership Plan
25,000
1,250
187,250
188,500
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Option Plan
1,700
85
11,645
11,730
Purchase of stock
(182,574
(9,130
(630,005
(553,737
(1,192,872
Shareholder dividends
(325,714
Other comprehensive gain
354,403
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2002
8,142,716
407,135
27,613,163
40,920,358
(69,378
23,172
1,159
122,503
123,662
32,000
1,600
253,440
255,040
(13,598
(679
(46,115
(51,122
(97,916
(980,836
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
409,300
27,954,636
41,686,870
43,804
5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
1,868,935
2,143,429
Changes in assets and liabilities net of effects of the purchase of MiLAN Technology Corporation in 2002:
Trade receivables
(177,024
2,425,285
(173,996
2,541,480
355,092
(652,852
(1,972,435
(305,651
Accrued expenses
496,193
1,730,523
(1,327,655
100,217
Net cash provided by operating activities
867,580
9,080,347
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures
(622,955
(1,255,950
(175,372
(65,498
Collection of notes receivable
2,765,390
Payment for purchase of MiLAN Technology Corporation
(8,058,932
Net cash used in investing activities
(798,327
(6,614,990
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of notes payable
(7,000,000
(2,000,000
Dividends paid
(979,110
Proceeds from issuance of stock
(956,273
Net cash used in financing activities
(7,979,789
(2,944,543
EFFECT OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
41,382
45,956
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(7,869,154
(433,230
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
22,239,883
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
21,806,653
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Income taxes paid
2,275,318
711,554
Interest paid
91,255
293,408
6
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The balance sheet and statement of changes in stockholders equity as of September 30, 2003, the statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and the statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 have been prepared by the Communications Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company or we) without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows at September 30, 2003 and 2002 and for the nine months then ended have been made.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Companys December 31, 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders. The results of operations for the periods ended September 30 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year.
In February 2003, the Company issued 32,000 shares of the Companys common stock to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan in payment of its 2002 obligation. In a noncash transaction, the Company recorded additional stockholders equity of $255,040 (reflecting the market value of the stock at the time of the contribution) and reduced accrued expenses by the same amount. In August 2003, the Company issued 23,000 shares to the Employee Stock Purchase plan. Under terms of this plan, employees may acquire shares of common stock, subject to limitations, through payroll deductions at 85% of the lower of fair market value for such shares on one of two specified dates in each plan year.
The Company has downsized operations by closing two of three manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico in 2002 and its final building in May 2003 to align production capacities and overhead with current business volumes. Severance and other related closing costs incurred in the second quarter were approximately $150,000, the majority of which has been paid as of September 30, 2003. The Company also realized a net gain on disposal of assets in Puerto Rico in the second quarter of approximately $280,000 which has been received and was recorded as other income.
The Company has also downsized its U.K. based operations of Austin Taylor Communications, Ltd.to align production capacities and overhead with current business volumes. Austin Taylor employee related severance costs incurred in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 were approximately $290,000, the majority of which has been paid as of September 30, 2003.
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, but applies APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees for measurement and recognition of stock-based transactions with its employees and accordingly no stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income. If the Company had elected to recognize compensation cost for its stock based transactions using the method prescribed by SFAS No. 123, pro forma net income (loss) and net income per share would have been as follows:
7
Net Income
As reported
447,000
1,670,000
Compensation expense, net of tax
106,000
160,000
Pro forma
341,000
1,510,000
Earnings Per Share-Basic
. 05
. 04
.18
Earnings Per Share-Diluted
1,798,000
1,098,000
283,000
465,000
1,515,000
633,000
. 22
. 19
.08
NOTE 2 NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted net income per common share takes into effect the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding. The Companys only potential common shares outstanding are stock options. The Company calculates the dilutive effect of outstanding options using the treasury stock method.
NOTE 3 ACQUISITIONS
Effective March 25, 2002 the Company acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Digi International Inc.s MiLAN legacy business. The business has been reincorporated as MiLAN Technology Corporation. Located in Sunnyvale, California, MiLAN is a growing provider of leading edge wireless telecommunications products for businesses and residences, managed and unmanaged LAN switches, media conversion products and print servers. The Company expects the MiLAN acquisition will be both complementary and supplementary to its other business units by increasing the product offerings and expanding the customer bases.
8
The operations of MiLAN, which were not material to the Companys financial statements, are included in the Companys financial results from the purchase date. In the acquisition, the following assets were acquired and liabilities assumed:
Accounts receivable
2,426,713
Inventory
5,121,936
Plant and equipment
5,120
Identifiable intangible asset (royalty agreement)
201,341
635,046
(262,405
Total purchase price
8,127,751
NOTE 4 - INVENTORIES
Inventories summarized below are priced at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market:
Finished Goods
16,384,547
14,188,306
Raw Materials
12,995,040
14,769,985
NOTE 5 EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS ACQUIRED (GOODWILL) AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill represents the amount by which the purchase price and transaction costs of business the Company has acquired exceed the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets and separately identifiable assets of these businesses. The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets on January 1, 2002. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are tested at least annually for impairment. We reassess the value of our business units and related goodwill balances at the beginning of the first quarter of each fiscal year and at other times if events have occurred or circumstances exist that indicate the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. Accordingly, we have determined that there was no impairment as of January 1, 2003 and no events occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 that indicated our remaining goodwill was not recoverable. As of September 30, 2003 the Company had net goodwill of $5,254,000. Intangible assets with definite useful lives (consisting of a royalty agreement) will continue to be amortized over its remaining life of five years. Amortization included in costs and expenses was $52,000 and $17,300 for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2003 respectively.
NOTE 6 WARRANTY
We provide reserves for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. We estimate the costs of our warranty obligations based on our warranty policy or applicable contractual warranty, historical experience of known product failure rates, and use of materials and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product failures. Management reviews the estimated warranty liability on a quarterly basis to determine its adequacy.
9
The following table presents the changes in the Companys warranty liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the majority of which relates to a five-year obligation to provide for potential future liabilities for network equipment sales.
Beginning Balance
662,672
Actual warranty costs paid
(80,124
Amounts charged to expense
118,920
Ending balance
701,468
NOTE 7 SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company classifies its businesses into four segments: Suttle, which manufactures U.S. standard modular connecting and wiring devices for voice and data communications; Austin Taylor, which manufactures British standard line jacks, patch panels, wiring harness assemblies, metal boxes, distribution cabinets and central office frames; Transition Networks and MiLAN Technology (substantially all assets of MiLAN purchased March 25, 2002), which designs and markets data transmission, computer network and media conversion products and print servers; and JDL Technologies (JDL) which provides telecommunications network design, specification and training services to educational institutions. Information concerning the Companys operations in the various segments for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 is as follows:
Suttle
AustinTaylor
TransitionNetworks/MiLAN
JDLTechnologies
Corporate
Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003:
24,090,756
4,819,816
37,157,838
10,041,629
19,427,142
4,734,324
23,910,190
6,666,581
0
Gross profit
4,663,614
85,492
13,247,648
3,375,048
21,371,802
3,626,938
991,232
10,421,768
2,486,417
1,353,206
Operating income (loss)
1,036,676
(905,740
2,825,880
888,631
(1,353,206
1,142,240
235,365
231,774
135,540
124,016
219,235
95,496
112,002
173,494
22,728
622,955
Assets
30,441,931
6,045,815
30,781,433
6,741,469
6,217,659
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002:
24,791,892
5,275,311
34,709,446
15,305,659
21,756,189
4,761,366
22,703,131
10,697,823
3,035,703
513,945
12,006,315
4,607,836
20,163,799
4,831,978
792,998
8,790,535
2,683,171
1,174,352
(1,796,275
(279,053
3,215,780
1,924,665
(1,174,352
1,405,215
353,390
222,824
90,000
72,000
347,317
221,983
548,222
25,962
112,466
1,255,950
44,649,479
5,498,067
25,226,784
6,164,898
6,966,096
88,505,324
10
Information concerning the Companys operations in the various segments for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2003:
8,648,471
1,532,870
12,440,587
2,044,278
6,889,177
1,454,640
8,182,967
1,588,060
1,759,294
78,230
4,257,620
456,218
6,551,362
1,208,159
303,634
3,428,894
631,882
416,495
551,135
(225,404
828,726
(175,664
(416,495
379,381
80,973
41,367
45,180
76,016
622,917
56,858
52,120
27,500
231,974
Three Months Ended September 30, 2002:
7,976,820
1,573,760
14,417,467
5,019,332
6,275,091
1,476,269
8,803,341
3,280,196
1,701,729
97,491
5,614,126
1,739,136
9,152,482
1,515,541
327,997
3,303,732
905,775
330,971
186,188
(230,506
2,310,394
833,361
(330,971
323,710
121,029
73,946
30,000
24,000
572,685
(75,451
206,797
72,909
27,424
88,531
320,210
NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES
In the preparation of the Companys consolidated financial statements, management calculates income taxes based upon the estimated effective rate applicable to operating results for the full fiscal year. This includes estimating current tax liability as well as assessing temporary differences resulting from different treatment of items for tax and book accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on the balance sheet. These assets and liabilities are analyzed regularly and management assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income.
Statements regarding the Companys anticipated performance in future periods are forward looking and involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: buying patterns of its Regional Bell Operating Customers, competitors products, the success of its recent acquisitions and changes in tax laws.
11
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002
Consolidated sales in 2003 decreased 5% to $76,110,000 compared to $80,082,000 in 2002. The 2003 nine-month revenues include $9,426,000 in sales contributed from the MiLAN business unit, which was acquired March 25, 2002 compared to MiLAN sales of $6,373,000 in the first nine months of 2002. Consolidated operating income in 2003 increased to $2,492,000 compared to operating income of $1,891,000 in the first nine months of 2002. The Company recorded a writedown for excess and obsolete inventory of $1,500,000 in the second quarter of 2002. The Company continues to be adversely affected by the decline in the traditional business of copper and wiring connecting devices as reflected in sales declines by the Companys voice and data connectivity products manufacturing units, Suttle and U.K. subsidiary Austin Taylor Communications Ltd. The Companys business units providing broadband products and services; Transition Networks, MiLAN and JDL Technologies are driving the revenue and earnings in the first nine months of 2003. The Suttle business unit is also contributing to earnings after the alignment of manufacturing facilities and expenses with current revenues.
Suttle sales decreased 3% in the first nine months of 2003 to $24,091,000 compared to $24,792,000 in the same period of 2002. Sales to the major telephone companies (the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs which are Verizon Logistics, Bell South, SBC Communications and Qwest) increased 18% to $13,609,000 in 2003 compared to $11,582,000 in 2002. Sales to these customers accounted for 56% and 46% of Suttles U.S. customer sales in 2003 and 2002 respectively. Sales to distributors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and electrical contractors decreased 33% to $5,729,000 in 2003 compared to $8,560,000 in 2002. Contract manufacturing sales totaled $2,274,000 in the first nine months of 2003.
Suttles gross margins increased to $4,664,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to $3,036,000 in the same period in 2002. Suttle recorded a write down of excess and slow-moving inventory in the second quarter of 2002 in the amount of $1,500,000. The gross margin percentage was 19% in 2003 compared to 12% in 2002. The gross margin percentage increase was due to the writedown of excess and slow-moving inventory as previously mentioned and to cost reduction measures implemented in 2002 and 2003. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1,205,000 or 25% in the first nine months of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. The Company has downsized operations by closing two of three manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico in 2002 and its final building in May 2003 to align production capacities and overhead with current business volumes. Severance and other related closing costs incurred in the nine-month period were approximately $280,000. In addition, the Company has continued to outsource manufacturing to Asia and shifted manufacturing to the lower cost plant in Costa Rica. These actions positively impacted gross margin and operating results. Suttles operating income was $1,037,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to an operating loss of $1,796,000 in the same period of 2002.
Austin Taylors sales decreased to $4,820,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to $5,275,000 in the same period of 2002. Austin Taylors gross margin declined to $85,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to $514,000 in 2002. The decline in gross margin was principally due to increased pricing competition, lower business volumes and excess manufacturing and overhead capacity. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $198,000 in the first nine months compared to the same period in 2002 due to severance costs incurred. Austin Taylors operating loss in the first
12
nine months of 2003 was $906,000 compared to a loss of $279,000 in the first nine months in 2002. Total severance costs incurred in the first nine months of 2003 were $290,000.
Transition Networks / MiLAN Technology segment sales increased by 7% to $37,158,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to $34,709,000 in the same period in 2002. Sales for this segment include a $9,426,000 contribution from MiLAN Technology in the first nine months of 2003 and $6,373,000 in the same period in 2002. CSI purchased substantially all the assets from Digi International on March 25, 2002. The demand for media conversion and related products has remained strong in the first nine months of 2003 and is expected to remain a growth market for some time. Gross margin increased to $13,248,000 in the first nine months of 2003 from $12,006,000 in 2002. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 36% in 2003 compared to 35% in 2002. Gross margins in 2002 were adversely affected by the sale of the MiLAN acquired inventory, which had lower margins. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $10,422,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to $8,791,000 in 2002. Operating income for this segment decreased to $2,826,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to $3,216,000 in the same period in 2002.
Sales by JDL Technologies, Inc. was $10,042,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to $15,306,000 in the same period in 2002. The decrease was due to delays in funding for federal e-rate programs with several large school district customers in 2003. These funds are used to purchase design services, network management and equipment from JDL Technologies, Inc. Gross margin in the first nine months of 2003 decreased to $3,375,000 compared to $4,608,000 in the same period of 2002. Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased to 34% in 2003 from 30% in the 2002 period due to an increase in higher margin sales of design and maintenance services to client school districts. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $197,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to the same period of 2002. JDLs operating income was $889,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to operating income of $1,925,000 in the same period in 2002.
Consolidated investment and other income increased $172,000 in the first nine months in 2003 compared to 2002. The Company realized a net gain on disposal of non-operating assets relative to the closing of the final building in Puerto Rico in the second quarter of approximately $280,000 which was recorded as other income. Interest expense decreased by $152,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002 due to a decrease in borrowings on the line of credit and a lower interest rate. Income before income taxes increased by $926,000 to $2,754,000 compared to $1,828,000 in the same period in 2002. The Companys annualized effective income tax rate is 35% in 2003 compared to 39% in 2002. The reduction in the effective income tax rate is due to the impact of the revocation of the Companys 936 election for its Puerto Rico subsidiary and from utilization of the provisions of the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion on foreign sales. Net income through the first nine months of 2003 increased $700,000 to $1,798,000 compared to $1,098,000 in the same period in 2002.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to
Three Months Ended September 30, 2002
Consolidated sales decreased 15% to $24,666,000 in the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 compared to $28,987,000 in the same period in 2002. Consolidated operating income decreased to $562,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to $2,768,000 in the same period in 2002.
13
Suttle sales increased 8% to $8,648,000 in 2003 compared to $7,977,000 in 2002 due to increased volumes in traditional products, DSL filters and contract manufacturing operations. Suttles gross margins increased to $1,759,000 in 2003 compared to $1,701,000 in 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $308,000 to $1,208,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to $1,516,000 incurred in the same period of 2002. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales incentives and expenses. Suttle had operating income of $551,000 in the third quarter in 2003 compared to operating income of $186,000 in the same period in 2002.
Austin Taylors sales decreased 3% to $1,533,000 in the 2003 three-month period compared to $1,574,000 in the same period in 2002. Market demand in the United Kingdom continued to be weak in the third quarter of 2003. Austin Taylors gross margin declined to $78,000 in 2003 compared to $97,000 in 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $24,000 to $304,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to $328,000 in 2002. The operating loss was $225,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to an operating loss of $231,000 in the third quarter of 2002.
Transition Networks / MiLAN Technology segment sales decreased by 14% to $12,441,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to $14,417,000 in the same period in 2002. Delays in shipping switches to a large school district were a significant factor in the decline. Sales for this segment include sales from MiLAN Technology, which CSI purchased substantially all the assets from Digi International on March 25, 2002. Gross margin decreased to $4,257,000 in 2003 from $5,614,000 in 2002. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 34% in 2003 compared to 39% in 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $3,429,000 in 2003 compared to $3,304,000 in 2002. Operating income decreased to $828,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to $2,310,000 in the same period of 2002. The decrease was due to lower segment volumes compared to the same period last year and increased selling and marketing expenses in the third quarter of 2003.
Sales by JDL Technologies, Inc. decreased $2,975,000 to $2,044,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. The decline in revenue was largely the result of business being deferred to future periods. JDLs gross margin decreased to $456,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to $1,739,000 in the third quarter of 2002. Gross margin as a percentage of sales in the third quarter of 2003 decreased to 22% from 35% in the 2002 period due to decreased sales of equipment and maintenance services. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $274,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the same period of 2002. JDLs operating loss was $176,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to operating income of $833,000 in the 2002 third quarter.
Investment and other income in the third quarter of 2003 increased by $9,100 in 2003 compared to 2002. Interest expense decreased by $54,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002 due to a decrease in borrowings on the line of credit and a lower interest rate. Income before income taxes decreased by $2,143,000 to $582,000 in the third quarter of 2003. Net income for the third quarter of 2003 was $447,000 compared to net income of $1,670,000 in the third quarter of 2002.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At September 30, 2003, the Company had $11,947,000 of cash and cash equivalents compared to $19,816,000 of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2002. The Company had working capital of approximately $55,456,000 and a current ratio of 6.5 to 1 compared to working capital of $53,122,000 and a current ratio of 3.7 to 1 at the end of 2002.
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Net cash provided by operating activities was $868,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $9,080,000 in the same period in 2002. The decrease was due primarily to supporting higher levels of accounts receivable and inventory and paying down accounts payable and income taxes.
Net cash used in investing activities was $798,000 in the first nine months in 2003 compared to $6,615,000 in the same period in 2002. In March 2002, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of MiLAN Technology for approximately $8,058,000 in cash. Also in the first quarter of 2002, the Company received the balance of $2,765,000 of the note receivable related to the sale of assets of a previously discontinued business unit. In the first nine months in 2003 cash investments in new plant and equipment totaled $623,000 compared to $1,256,000 in 2002. Plant and equipment purchases in both years were financed by internal cash flows. The Company expects to spend $850,000 on capital additions in 2003.
Net cash used in financing activities was $7,980,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared to net cash used in financing activities in 2002 of $2,945,000. In 2003, the Company paid off the line of credit, which totaled $7,000,000 at December 31, 2002. The Company purchased and retired 13,598 shares of its stock in open market transactions during the 2003 period. At September 30, 2003 Board authorizations are outstanding to purchase an additional 283,467 shares. Cash dividends paid in the first nine months of 2003 was approximately $979,000.
In the opinion of management, based on the Companys current financial and operating position and projected future expenditures, sufficient funds are available to meet the Companys anticipated operating and capital expenditure needs.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our critical accounting policies, including the assumptions and judgements underlying them, are discussed in our 2002 Form 10-K in Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in our Consolidated Financial Statements. There were no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2003. These policies have been consistently applied in all material respects and disclose such matters as allowance for doubtful accounts, sales returns, inventory valuation, warranty expense, income taxes, revenue recognition, asset impairment recognition and foreign currency translation. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the result of which form the basis for making judgements about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Results may differ from these estimates due to actual outcomes being different from those on which we based our assumptions. Management on an ongoing basis reviews these estimates and judgements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others (FIN 45). FIN 45 establishes accounting and disclosure requirements for a companys obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. A guarantor is required to recognize a liability for the obligation it has undertaken in issuing a guarantee, including the ongoing obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of the guarantee in the event that the specified triggering events or conditions occur. The objective of the initial measurement of that liability is the fair value of the guarantee at its inception.
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The initial recognition and measurement provisions of this Interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. FIN 45 also requires expanded disclosure of information related to product warranty amounts recorded in the financial statements. The disclosure provisions are effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2002. The adoption of FIN 45 is further discussed with appropriate disclosures in Note 6 to the consolidated financials statements.
In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, an amendment to SFAS No. 123. This standard provides alternative methods of transition for any voluntary changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure requirements to require prominent disclosure in both the annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The new disclosure requirements are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. (see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements). We will continue to apply the principles of APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for our stock based compensation plans.
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendments of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and hedging activities under SFAS No. 133. The Statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, which provides standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. The Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and for pre-existing instruments as of the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (VIE), an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 , which requires all VIEs to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that holds the majority of the beneficial interests in the VIE. In addition, the interpretation expands disclosure requirements for both VIEs that are consolidated as well as VIEs from which the entity is the holder of a significant amount of the beneficial interests, but not the majority. In October 2003, the FASB agreed to defer the effective date so that a public company would not need to apply the provisions of the interpretation to VIE interests acquired before February 1, 2003, until the end of the first interim or annual period ending after December 15, 2003. Because we believe we have no variable interest entities, we do not expect that the adoption of this new standard will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
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The Company has no freestanding or embedded derivatives. All contracts that contain provisions meeting the definition of a derivative also meet the requirements of, and have been designated as normal purchases or sales. The Companys policy is to not use freestanding derivatives and to not enter into contracts with terms that cannot be designated as normal purchases or sales.
The vast majority of our transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars; as such, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have historically not been material to the Company. At September 30, 2003 our bank line of credit carried a variable interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor) plus 2%. The Companys investments are money market type of investments that earn interest at prevailing market rates and as such do not have material risk exposure.
Based on the Companys operations, in the opinion of management, no material future losses or exposure exist relative to market risk.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Companys Chief Executive Officer, Curtis A. Sampson, and Chief Financial Officer, Paul N. Hanson, have evaluated the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that review, they have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information related to the Company is made known to them by others within the Company.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no significant changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Items 1 - 4. Not Applicable
Item 5. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a)
The following exhibits are included herein:
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Exchange Act).
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Exchange Act).
32.
Certifications pursuant Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. §1350).
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(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
On August 7, 2003, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, reporting under Item 9 its second quarter 2003 earnings release to shareholders.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereto duly authorized.
Communications Systems, Inc.
By
/s/ Curtis A. Sampson
Curtis A. Sampson
Date: November 14, 2003
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Paul N. Hanson
Paul N. Hanson
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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