APA Enterprises, Inc. 10-Q 12-31-2005
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
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2005

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission File Number 0-16106
 

APA Enterprises, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota
41-1347235
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2950 N.E. 84th Lane, Blaine, Minnesota 55449
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(763) 784-4995
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, and accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
o
Non-acclerated filer
x
  

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

 
Yes
o
  
No
x
  

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

Class:
Outstanding at February 2, 2006
Common stock, par value $.01
11,872,331
 

APA ENTERPRISES, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS



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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
APA ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
   
December 31,
2005
  
March 31,
2005
  
Assets
          
Current assets:
          
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
7,928,759
  
$
10,813,492
  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $89,266 at December 31, 2005 and $57,107 at March 31, 2005
    
1,686,945
    
1,446,248
  
Inventories
    
1,662,518
    
1,270,653
  
Prepaid expenses and other
    
320,377
    
395,920
  
Total current assets
    
11,598,599
    
13,926,313
  
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
    
3,418,366
    
3,946,998
  
               
Other assets:
              
Bond reserve funds
    
341,396
    
337,091
  
Goodwill
    
3,422,511
    
3,422,511
  
Other
    
324,327
    
441,101
  
     
4,088,234
    
4,200,703
  
               
Total assets
  
$
19,105,199
  
$
22,074,014
  
               
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
              
Current liabilities:
              
Current portion of long-term debt
  
$
1,352,704
  
$
1,471,036
  
Accounts payable
    
953,116
    
814,005
  
Accrued compensation
    
652,393
    
568,950
  
Accrued expenses
    
419,500
    
190,062
  
Total current liabilities
    
3,377,713
    
3,044,053
  
               
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
    
22,160
    
107,800
  
               
Shareholders’ equity:
              
Undesignated shares, 4,999,500 authorized shares; no shares issued and outstanding
    
-
    
-
  
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500 authorized shares; no shares issued and outstanding
    
-
    
-
  
Common stock, $.01 par value; 50,000,000 authorized shares; 11,872,331 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2005
    
118,723
    
118,723
  
Additional paid-in capital
    
51,973,669
    
51,960,084
  
Accumulated deficit
    
(36,387,066
)
  
(33,156,646
)
Total shareholders’ equity
    
15,705,326
    
18,922,161
  
               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  
$
19,105,199
  
$
22,074,014
  

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


APA ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
  
                   
   
2005
  
2004
  
2005
  
2004
  
                   
Revenues
  
$
4,379,192
  
$
3,305,299
  
$
11,961,122
  
$
10,661,085
  
                           
Cost of sales
    
3,354,859
    
2,704,159
    
9,307,609
    
8,676,806
  
                           
Gross profit
    
1,024,333
    
601,140
    
2,653,513
    
1,984,279
  
                           
Operating expenses
                          
Research and development
    
313,127
    
314,151
    
980,097
    
725,954
  
Selling, general and administrative
    
2,035,215
    
1,268,958
    
5,185,989
    
4,094,073
 
     
2,348,342
    
1,583,109
    
6,166,086
    
4,820,027
  
                           
Loss from operations
    
(1,324,009
)
  
(981,969
)
  
(3,512,573
)
  
(2,835,748
)
                           
Other income
    
106,302
    
84,952
    
387,461
    
405,779
  
Other expense
    
(57,329
)
  
(30,612
)
  
(102,858
)
  
(80,843
)
     
48,973
    
54,340
    
284,603
    
324,936
  
                           
Loss before income taxes
    
(1,275,036
)
  
(927,629
)
  
(3,227,970
)
  
(2,510,812
)
                           
Income taxes
    
750
    
881
    
2,450
    
3,581
  
                           
Net loss
  
$
(1,275,786
)
$
(928,510
)
$
(3,230,420
)
$
(2,514,393
)
                           
Net loss per share:
                          
Basic and diluted
   
($0.11
)
  
($0.08
)
  
($0.27
)
  
($0. 21
)
                           
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                          
Basic and diluted
    
11,872,331
    
11,872,331
    
11,872,331
    
11,872,331
  
 
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

APA ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)


   
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
  
           
   
2005
  
2004
  
Cash Flow from operating activities
          
Net loss
  
$
(3,230,420
)
$
(2,514,393
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities, net of acquisition:
              
Depreciation and amortization
    
806,266
    
734,563
  
Gain on sale of assets
    
(93,126
)
  
(208,314
)
Other
    
13,585
    
(21,409
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
              
Accounts receivable, net
    
(240,697
)
  
557,343
  
Inventories
    
(391,865
)
  
234,176
  
Prepaid expenses and other
    
35,444
    
(14,437
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    
451,992
    
(284,205
)
Net cash used in operating activities
    
(2,648,821
)
  
(1,516,676
)
               
Cash flow from investing activities
              
Purchases of property and equipment
    
(307,009
)
  
(299,373
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
    
111,680
   
220,000
  
Net cash used in investing activities
    
(195,329
)
  
(79,373
)
               
Cash flow from financing activities
              
Repayment of long-term debt
    
(128,085
)
  
(219,632
)
Proceeds from long term debt
    
44,113
    
-
  
Decrease in bond reserve funds
    
43,389
    
43,620
  
Net cash used in financing activities
    
(40,583
)
  
(176,012
)
               
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    
(2,884,733
)
  
(1,772,061
)
               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    
10,813,492
    
13,544,910
  
               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  
$
7,928,759
  
$
11,772,849
  
               
Noncash investing and financing activities
              
Capital expenditure included in accounts payable
  
$
-
  
$
(225,000
)

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Note 1.
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005.
 
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform that presentation to the current period presentation.
 
Note 2.
Net Loss Per Share
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share:
 

   
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
  
                   
   
2005
  
2004
  
2005
  
2004
  
                   
Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share
  
$
(1,275,786
)
$
(928,510
)
$
(3,230,420
)
$
(2,514,393
)
                           
Denominator for basic and diluted net loss per share - weighted average shares outstanding
    
11,872,331
    
11,872,331
    
11,872,331
    
11,872,331
  
                           
Basic and diluted net loss per share
    
($0.11
)
  
($0.08
)
  
($0.27
)
  
($0.21
)


Common stock options and warrants to purchase 642,195 and 879,327 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $2.94 and $6.62 were outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, but were excluded from calculating diluted net loss per share because they were antidilutive.
 
Note 3.
Segment Reporting
 
The Company has identified two reportable segments based on its internal organizational structure, management of operations, and performance evaluation. These segments are (1) Optronics and (2) Cables and Networks (APACN). Optronics’ revenue is generated in the design, manufacture and marketing of ultraviolet (UV) detection and measurement devices and optical components. Cables & Network’s revenue is derived primarily from standard and custom fiber optic cable assemblies, copper cable assemblies, value added fiber optics frames, panels and modules. Expenses are allocated between the two segments based on detailed information contained in invoices. In addition, overhead costs, including management’s time and other expenses, are allocated to each segment as appropriate.
 

Segment detail is summarized as follows (unaudited, in thousands):
 

   
Optronics
  
Cables &
Networks
  
Eliminations
  
Consolidated
  
Three months ended December 31, 2005
                  
External sales
  
$
124
  
$
4,342
  
$
(87
)
$
4,379
  
Gross profit (loss)
    
(152
)
  
1,178
    
(2
)
  
1,024
  
Operating income (loss)
    
(1,346
)
  
22
    
-
    
(1,324
)
Depreciation and amortization
    
195
    
68
    
-
    
263
  
Capital expenditures
    
62
    
11
    
-
    
73
  
Assets
    
19,270
    
7,470
    
(7,635
)
  
19,105
  
                           
Three months ended December 31, 2004
                          
External sales
  
$
97
  
$
3,301
  
$
(93
)
$
3,305
  
Gross profit (loss)
    
(242
)
  
843
    
-
    
601
  
Operating income (loss)
    
(996
)
  
14
    
-
    
(982
)
Depreciation and amortization
    
198
    
60
    
-
    
258
  
Capital expenditures
    
5
    
-
    
-
    
5
  
Assets
    
23,092
    
7,106
    
(7,379
)
  
22,819
  
                           
Nine months ended December 31, 2005
                          
External sales
  
$
336
  
$
11,908
  
$
(283
)
$
11,961
  
Gross profit (loss)
    
(529
)
  
3,188
    
(5
)
  
2,654
  
Operating loss
    
(3,474
)
  
(39
)
  
-
    
(3,513
)
Depreciation and amortization
    
612
    
194
    
-
    
806
  
Capital expenditures
    
191
    
116
    
-
    
307
  
Assets
    
19,270
    
7,470
    
(7,635
)
  
19,105
  
                           
Nine months ended December 31, 2004
                          
External sales
  
$
389
  
$
10,595
  
$
(323
)
$
10,661
  
Gross profit (loss)
    
(911
)
  
2,895
    
-
    
1,984
  
Operating income (loss)
    
(3,058
)
  
222
    
-
    
(2,836
)
Depreciation and amortization
    
563
    
172
    
-
    
735
  
Capital expenditures
    
241
    
58
    
-
    
299
  
Assets
    
23,092
    
7,106
    
(7,379
)
  
22,819
  


Note 4.
Sale of Optics Manufacturing Operations
 
In January 2004 the Company announced the cessation of optics manufacturing at its Blaine, Minnesota facility. The closure was the result of aggressive off-shore pricing and continued lower demand for this product line. This resulted in a charge of $171,000 taken in the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2004. The Company sold its optics manufacturing operations on April 14, 2004 for $220,000. The terms of the sale required the Company to restructure a loan with the Aberdeen Development Corporation, which included an upfront loan payment of $89,305 and payment of the remaining $140,000 loan amount in seven annual installments of $20,000 each beginning June 30, 2004. This loan was prepaid in full in June 2005. See Note 5, below. The Company recorded a gain of approximately $208,000 on the sale in the first quarter of fiscal 2005.
 
Note 5.
Sale of Land
 
In June 2005 the Company sold approximately 2 acres of its land in Aberdeen, South Dakota to the Aberdeen Development Corporation (ADC) in exchange for the retirement of its remaining $120,000 debt on its loan with ADC. The land was granted to APA in conjunction with building a facility in Aberdeen and was part of a single parcel of approximately 12 acres on which the Company constructed and operates its manufacturing facility. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $109,000 on the sale of the land in the first quarter of fiscal 2006.
 

Note 6.
Stock Based Compensation
 
The Company has various incentive and non-qualified stock option plans which are used as an incentive for directors, officers, and other employees. The Company uses the intrinsic value method to value stock options issued to employees. Under this method, compensation expense is recognized for the amount by which the market price of the common stock on the date of grant exceeds the exercise price. The Company’s stock based compensation expense also reflects the benefit of the cancellation of previously unvested expensed options. The Company rec-ognized compensation income of $10,895 and expense of $13,585 for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2005, respectively, versus recognizing compensation expense of $6,843 and income of $22,065 for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2004, respectively. For those stock options where the exercise price is equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, no stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in the net loss. If we had applied the fair value method, our compensation expense would have been different.
 
The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and net loss per share if the Company had applied the fair value method, to stock-based employee compensation for the three and nine month periods set forth below:
 

   
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
  
                   
   
2005
  
2004
  
2005
  
2004
  
                   
                   
Net loss to common shareholders - as reported
  
$
(1,275,786
)
$
(928,510
)
$
(3,230,420
)
$
(2,514,393
)
Less: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of no related tax effects
    
(27,861
)
  
(38,539
)
  
(89,387
)
  
(124,861
)
Net loss - pro forma
  
$
(1,303,647
)
$
(967,049
)
$
(3,319,807
)
$
(2,639,254
)
                           
Basic and diluted net loss per common share - as reported
    
($0.11
)
  
($0.08
)
  
($0.27
)
  
($0.21
)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share - pro forma
    
($0.11
)
  
($0.08
)
  
($0.28
)
  
($0.22
)


Note 7.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004) (SFAS 123R), Share-Based Payment. This statement requires the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in a company’s financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Statement 123(R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans. The Company is required to apply Statement 123(R) effective April 1, 2006. Management has not yet determined the impact of this adoption.
 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs” (“SFAS 151”). The provisions of this statement become effective for the Company April 1, 2006. SFAS 151 amends the existing guidance on the recognition of inventory costs to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). Existing rules indicate that under some circumstances, items such as idle facility expense, excessive spoilage, double freight, and rehandling costs may be so abnormal as to require treatment as current period charges. SFAS 151 requires that those items be recognized as current period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal.”  In addition, SFAS 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material impact on the valuation of inventory or operating results.
 
Note 8.
Major Customer Concentration
 
As of December 31, 2005, one customer comprised approximately 14% of total sales for the third quarter ended December 31, 2005 and 24% of accounts receivable as of the quarter end. No one customer provided greater than 10% of sales for all other periods presented.
 
Note 9.
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Electronic Instrumentation and Technology, Inc. ("EIT") filed suit against APA on May 25, 2005 (see information in Part II, Item I of this Report.) The suit alleged that APA had committed various fraudulent acts in conjunction with preliminary business discussions between EIT and APA which preceded APA's introduction of its Profiler M product.  APA denied EIT's claims of wrongful conduct and the case went to trial in December 2005. The jury found in favor of EIT on one claim and awarded EIT $35,000. EIT has filed a post-trial motion for an injunction or, alternatively, for judgment as a matter of law, which motion APA will oppose. It is unknown whether EIT will appeal the verdict. 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Statements in this Report about future sales prospects and other matters to occur in the future are forward looking statements and are subject to uncertainties due to many factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, the continued development of our products, acceptance of those products by potential customers, our ability to sell such products at a profitable price, and our ability to fund our operations. For further discussion regarding these factors, see “Factors That May Influence Future Results.”
 
OVERVIEW
 
APA Enterprises, Inc., (formerly known as APA Optics, Inc.) consists of the Optronics group and the Cables & Networks group (APACN or Cables & Networks). Optronics is active in the development, design, manufacture and marketing of ultraviolet (UV) measurement instruments for consumers and industrial customers, and gallium nitride (GaN) based transistors for power amplifiers and other commercial applications. APACN designs, manufactures and markets a variety of fiber optic and copper components for the data communication and telecommunication industries. Both groups also source components and devices from third parties for direct and value-added sales to our customers in all these technology areas.
 
APACN provides broadband service providers a complete line of high-performance components and connectivity solutions that enable customers to implement reliable networks that extend from the central office through the outside plant including the APACN Fiber Scalability Center (FSC), a modular line of outside plant cabinets, for the Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) market. The Company began shipping FSCs in fiscal 2005.
 

In addition, APACN supplies custom products and value-added services to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and commercial data networks.
 
In January 2004 Optronics terminated its optics manufacturing in Blaine, Minnesota as described in Note 4. Additionally in January 2004 Optronics consolidated its fiber optics product line operations within Blaine. Optronics plans to continue to market and sell fiber optic products using mainly APACN’s sales team and channels. We outsource several components from third parties including passive optical splitters, arrayed waveguides (AWGs) and wavelength division multiplexers (WDMs) based on Thin Film Filter (TFF) technology, which we combine with our internally manufactured products to create value added components for our customers. The majority of our outsourced product providers are located offshore.
 
Plastic and metal models of the consumer Personal UV Monitor (PUVM) offered by Optronics continue in production, and the focus remains on sales for the spring/summer 2006 season. We have developed an attractive new clip-on hybrid plastic/metal model that can be manufactured to our quality standards by the supplier and have received the first group of production units for sampling and initial sales. We have also developed a new product called the SunUVStationTM and plan to provide samples to retail channels in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Final assembly and packaging of this product will be performed in our APA facility in India and the production line there is now being qualified. This product, which is similar in size to an outdoor temperature gauge, measures the UV Index and is targeted to consumers and institutions for use in backyards, patios, swimming pool areas, and other public places where people need to be reminded about UV intensity. The SunUVStationTM complements the PUVM and retailers are interested in offering both.
 
Optronics’ 4-band Profiler M radiometer, which serves the printing and coating industries that use UV curing, is in production. This instrument measures the intensity and distribution of four UV bands to help set up and monitor the curing process. Two domestic distributors offer the product, and discussions and evaluation tests with additional domestic and international distributors are underway. We plan to sell the instrument through equipment and supplies manufacturers in addition to general distributors. Optronics will be exhibiting the Profiler M at a major trade show for UV curing technology in April 2006.
 
Optronics continues to offer epitaxial foundry services for GaN/AlGaN transistors to third parties. We also use our foundry for internal research and development, to advance our development of power amplifiers used primarily for cellular infrastructure applications. Manufacturing reliable transistors is difficult and costly due to the challenge of developing long-lived, stable transistors and the necessary large investment in capital equipment. While the Optronics R&D division routinely processes epitaxial layers to ensure suitability for power transistors, we have, in the past, relied on contractual services and support from other sources to process, package, and test the transistors needed to develop these power amplifiers. As others in the industry work to demonstrate and manufacture reliable transistors, the Optronics R&D group will now procure such transistors while concentrating on the development and manufacture of power amplifiers. If we are successful in establishing procurement of such transistors from outside parties, our reliance on our foundry services will decrease. We continue to seek licensing of our intellectual property and establish strategic business alignments.
 
Our wholly owned subsidiary, APA Optronics, Pvt. Ltd, India, established in fiscal year 2005, is now operational. The subsidiary, with its prime focus on low cost manufacturing of our products and components, has already started supplying samples for our Gallium Nitride and fiber optic products with expectations for products to be sold in the near future. Additionally, APA India recently completed the manufacture of first batch of components for APA Cable & Networks. The subsidiary is also providing software development for our Profiler M product. Phase II of the software for the Profiler has now been completed, with the exception of few minor fixes, and will be incorporated into the Profiler. The subsidiary provides marketing and sales support for our products both in the U.S. and India. In particular, they have now started the marketing of patch cords and associated equipment for fiber optic communications. The subsidiary, currently located in a leased facility, is in the process of constructing a larger facility in India to accommodate its future requirements. The new facility is expected to be completed in the 4th quarter of fiscal 2006 or in the first quarter of fiscal year 2007.

 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
 
Consolidated revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2005 increased $1,073,893, or 32%, to $4,379,192 from $3,305,299 in 2004.
 
Revenues at Cables & Networks were $4,342,415, compared to $3,300,965 reported in the same quarter a year ago, an increase of 32%. The overall increase in revenue reflects continued growth in new customers and product acceptance in both the broadband and OEM markets. Sales for the current quarter to broadband service providers and commercial data networks were approximately $2,690,000 versus $2,186,000 in the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher revenues from customers in the Fiber-to-the-Premise market. Sales to OEM’s were approximately $1,652,000 versus $1,115,000 in the year ago period. The increase is due to additional orders provided under a new supply contract to a customer serving the test equipment market. We expect that future sales of Cables & Networks products will continue to account for a substantial portion of our revenue. Historically, Cables & Networks has experienced a downturn in sales during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to the seasonal nature of some of the industries it serves. However, with the introduction of a broader product offering in both segments, coupled with the expansion of the sales team into additional markets, we anticipate that fourth quarter revenues at Cables & Networks will be comparable with the revenue of the third quarter of fiscal 2006.
 
Gross revenues at Optronics increased 27% to $123,645 from $97,031 in the same quarter a year ago. Gross revenues for the third quarter ended December 31, 2005 reflect $86,868 of sales to Cables & Networks for fiber optics products and subcontracted labor versus $92,697 in the comparable period last year. These sales are eliminated as intercompany sales in the consolidated financials.
 
GROSS PROFIT AND COST OF SALES
 
Cables & Network’s gross profit increased $335,443, or 40%, to $1,178,636 from $843,193. The increase in gross profit was mainly from higher sales in the current quarter. The Company has successfully lowered product costs over the past year and continues to pursue component and labor cost reductions to respond to ongoing market pressures in order to maintain its gross margins.
 
Gross cost of sales at Optronics decreased $63,523, or 19%, to $275,561 from $339,084. Gross cost of sales reflects $84,481 related to cost of sales to Cables & Networks for fiber optics products and subcontracted labor versus $92,697 in the last year period. These costs are eliminated as intercompany cost of sales in the consolidated financials in each quarter. Cost of sales expenses for the current period for all Optronics product lines consists of approximately $137,000 in personnel costs, $54,000 in depreciation and $85,000 in materials, overhead and other product expenses. This compares to prior year personnel expenses of approximately $126,000, depreciation of $68,000, and materials, allocated overhead and other expenses of $145,000. The overall decrease of $63,523 in cost of sales expenses is due to lower product development expenses between years within the GaN area.
 
We anticipate comparable gross margins for Cables & Networks and cost of sales for Optronics for the fourth quarter.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
 
Research and development expenses consist of the research and development expense at Optronics. There have been no significant research and development expenses at Cables & Networks. Expenses decreased $1,024 to $313,127, from $314,151 in the prior year period. The change reflects an increase in personnel costs and depreciation expenses of $28,884, offset by decreases in materials and outside services associated with the semiconductor operations over the prior year.
 
SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE
 
Consolidated selling, general, and administrative (S, G, & A) expenses increased $766,257, or 60%, to $2,035,215 from $1,268,958 in 2004.
 

S, G, & A expenses at Cables & Networks increased $328,150, or 40%, to $1,156,959 from $828,809. The majority of the increase is attributable to additional sales personnel and related selling costs as a part of our plan to grow our revenue and customer base. We expect fourth quarter expenses to remain at levels seen in the third quarter.
 
S, G, & A expenses at Optronics increased $440,494, or 100%, to $880,643 from $440,149. The increase is due mainly to higher legal expenses for defense of the lawsuit by EIT as mentioned in Item 1 of Part II of this report, and approximately $71,000 in costs associated with operations in India. We expect fourth quarter expenses to decrease significantly, mainly due to reduced legal fees with the completion of the EIT trial in the 3rd quarter of fiscal 2006.
 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
 
Consolidated losses from operations increased $342,040, or 35%, to $1,324,009 from $981,969 in 2004.
 
The income from operations at Cables & Networks was $21,677 versus income of $14,384 in the fiscal 2004 quarter.  The increased income in the quarter was mainly due to increased revenues, offset by higher selling expenses absorbed as part of Cables & Networks planned investment in revenue growth. We expect fourth quarter operating income to not vary significantly from the third quarter level.
 
The loss from operations at Optronics increased $349,333, or 35%, to $1,345,686, from a loss of $996,353 in the year ago period. The increase in the loss is related to additional legal expenses and expenses related to the start up of the India operations. We expect to incur losses at Optronics until we realize significant revenues from the sales of our PUVM and GaN related products.
 
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE
 
Consolidated other income and expense decreased $5,367 to $48,973 from $54,340 in 2004.  
 
Other expense at Cables & Networks increased $21,328 due to an increase in interest expense, primarily due to a higher interest rate in the current period.
 
Other income at Optronics increased $49,729 to $205,785. This resulted from an increase in interest income due to a higher rate of interest earned on investments over the quarter ending December 31, 2004. Other expense increased $33,768 to $56,598, from $22,830 in the period ending December 31, 2004, primarily due to a small adverse judgment in the EIT lawsuit.
 
NET LOSS
 
Consolidated net loss for the quarter increased $347,276, or 37%, to $1,275,786, or $.11 cents per share, from $928,510, or $.08 cents per share in the year ago period.
 
Cables & Networks had a net loss of $79,037 in the quarter, compared to a loss of $65,133 in the year ago quarter. The decrease was due to increased interest expense incurred as a result of higher interest rates in fiscal year 2006 versus the prior year period, and a slightly larger outstanding debt balance. S, G, & A expenses of $328,150 and higher interest expense of $21,328, offset by an increase of $335,443 in gross margin associated with higher revenue.
 
Optronics recorded a net loss of $1,196,749, an increase of $333,372 from a loss of $863,377 from the same period of fiscal 2005. The increased loss was mainly due to legal fees for defense of the EIT lawsuit that went to trial in December 2005, resulting in a $35,000 adverse judgment. The fiscal 2006 quarter also reflects reduced cost of sales from the prior year period due to cost reductions implemented, offset by increased expenses related to the start up of India operations. Achieving profitability in the future will strongly depend upon Optronic’s ability to successfully manufacture and market gallium-nitride products.
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 VS. NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004


Consolidated revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2005 increased $1,300,037, or 12%, to $11,961,122 from $10,661,085 in 2004.

Revenues at Cables & Networks increased $1,313,031, or 12% to $11,908,543 from $10,595,512. Sales to broadband service providers and commercial data networks were $8,122,000 or 68% of revenue, compared to sales of $7,147,000, or 67% of revenue, in the period ending December 31, 2004. Sales to OEM’s were $3,786,000, or 32% of revenue, compared to sales of $3,449,000, or 33% of revenue, in the year ago period. The increase in the broadband segment is due to additional customers and product acceptance, mainly in the Fiber-to-the-Premise market, while the increase in the OEM market is due to an increase in third quarter revenue generated from a new supply agreement to an existing customer serving the test equipment market.

Gross revenues at Optronics decreased $52,299, or 13%, to $336,420 from $388,719 in the same period a year ago. Gross revenues reflect $283,841 of sales to Cables & Networks for fiber optics products and subcontracted labor versus $323,146 last year. These sales are eliminated as intercompany sales in the consolidated financials.
 
COST OF SALES AND GROSS PROFIT

Cables & Network’s gross profit increased $293,005, or 10%, to $3,187,821 from $2,894,816. The increase is due mainly to increased revenue for the period. Gross margins as a percent of revenues were 27%, unchanged between periods.

Gross cost of sales at Optronics decreased $433,183, or 33%, to $866,073 from $1,299,256. Gross cost of sales reflects $279,186 related to cost of sales to Cables & Networks for fiber optics products and subcontracted labor versus $323,146 last year. These costs are eliminated as intercompany cost of sales in the consolidated financials. Cost of sales expenses for the nine month period for all Optronics product lines consists of approximately $420,000 in personnel costs, $202,000 in depreciation and amortization, and $244,000 in materials and overhead. This compares to prior year personnel expenses of approximately $669,000, depreciation and amortization of $229,000 and materials and overhead of $401,000. The overall net decrease in cost of sales is due mainly to lower personnel and material costs associated with production outsourcing efforts in the GaN area implemented in the prior year.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

Research and development expenses consist of the research and development expense at Optronics. There have been no research and development expenses at Cables & Networks. Expenses increased $254,143 to $980,097 from $725,954 in the prior period. The increase in the expense is due mainly to increased personnel and operating costs associated with the semiconductor machine which was installed and placed in operation in November 2004.
 
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Consolidated S, G & A expenses increased $1,091,916, or 27%, to $5,185,989 from $4,094,073 in 2004.

S, G & A expenses at Cables & Networks increased $553,595, or 21%, to $3,226,691 from $2,673,096. The majority of the increase is attributable to increased personnel expenses within the sales area generated as a part of the plan to expand sales presence and grow revenue.

S, G, & A expenses at Optronics increased $542,976, or 38%, to $1,963,953 from $1,420,977. The increase is due to additional expense related to the India operations which were acquired in March, 2005, along with higher legal fees for defense of the EIT lawsuit.

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

Consolidated losses from operations increased $676,825, or 24%, to $3,512,573 from $2,835,748 in 2004.


The loss from operations at Cables & Networks was $38,870 versus income of $221,720 in the year ago period.  The loss was mainly the result of higher selling and personnel expenses related to Cables & Networks’ planned investment in revenue growth.

The loss from operations at Optronics increased $416,235, or 14%, to $3,473,703, from $3,057,468. The increase is mainly due to the expenses related to the start up of the India operations and higher legal fees for defense of the EIT lawsuit.

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE

Consolidated other income and expense decreased $40,333 to $284,603 from $324,936 in fiscal 2005.  

Other expense increased at Cables & Networks by $57,537 to $279,457 for the nine month period ended December 31, 2005, versus an expense of $221,920 in the year ago period, due to a higher rate of interest paid in the current nine month period.

Other income at Optronics increased $54,284, or 9%, to $661,375 from $607,091. The sale of land at our Aberdeen facility and loss on disposal of other assets resulted in a gain of $93,126 in fiscal 2006. Additionally, interest income increased $151,655 in the current period due to a higher outstanding receivable due from Cables & Networks and a higher rate of interest earned on investments versus last year. Rental income for part of our Blaine facility which is leased to the buyer of our optics operations increased approximately $13,000 in fiscal 2006 over the prior year. The sale of the optics manufacturing operations in April 2004 accounted for approximately $208,000 in other income in fiscal 2005. Other expense increased $31,303, or 46%, to $99,795 from $68,492. The increase is due mainly to a $35,000 adverse judgment in the EIT lawsuit which occurred in the third quarter of fiscal 2006.

NET INCOME (LOSS)

Consolidated net loss increased $716,027, or 28%, to $3,230,420, or $.27 cents per share, from $2,514,393, or $.21 cents per share in the year ago period.

Cables & Networks had a net loss of $317,547 versus net income of $5,226 in the year ago period. The loss reflects increased margins generated from higher sales, offset by increased S, G, & A expenses attributable to revenue growth plans.

Optronics recorded a net loss of $2,912,873, an increase of $393,254, or 16%, from the loss of $2,519,619 reported in the same period of fiscal 2005. The increase is due mainly to start up costs of the India operations and higher legal fees.

 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds, U.S. Government instruments and other government instruments with original maturities of less than three months.
 
Cash used in operating activities was $2,648,821 for the nine month period ended December 31, 2005 compared to $1,516,676 used in the same period in fiscal 2005. The increase in the cash used in the current period reflects the impact of working capital changes from the prior year in the amount of $638,003. This is primarily attributable to growth in APACN’s accounts receivable and inventory associated with its revenue expansion, and an overall increase in loss from operations. Loss from operations includes $253,773 in start up expenses related to our India operations in fiscal 2006.
 
We used net cash of $195,329 in investing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $79,373 used in the same period of the preceding fiscal year. The higher net use of cash in the current year includes capital expenditures in the amount of $307,009, an increase in the amount of $7,636 from $299,373 in the prior period. Proceeds from the sale of assets decreased $108,320 to $111,680 in the current period, versus $220,000 in the prior period. We anticipate approximately $300,000 to $500,000 in capital expenditures in fiscal 2006, including the building of a new facility in India.
 

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2005 totaled $40,583. We used $83,972 for reduction of debt and generated $43,389 from the reduction of bond reserve funds. During the same period in fiscal 2005 we used $176,012 in financing activities, of which $219,632 was used for the scheduled reduction of debt and $43,620 was generated from the reduction of bond reserve funds.
 
We believe we have sufficient funds for operations for at least the next twelve months.
 
Our contractual obligations and commitments are summarized in the table below (in 000’s):
 

   
Total
  
Less than
1 Year
  
1-3 years
  
4-5 years
  
After
5 years
  
                       
Long-term debt (1)
  
$
1,376
      
$
1,354
       
$
22
      
$
-
      
$
-
  
Leases
    
859
    
359
    
359
    
116
    
25
  
                                 
Total Contractual Cash Obligations
  
$
2,235
  
$
1,713
  
$
381
  
$
116
  
$
25
  

 
(1)
Includes fixed interest from 0.62 to 10.62%
 
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we make estimates, assumptions and judgments that can have a significant impact on our revenues, loss from operations and net loss, as well as on the value of certain assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. We believe that there are several accounting policies that are critical to an understanding of our historical and future performance, as these policies affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses and significant estimates and judgments applied by management. While there are a number of accounting policies, methods and estimates affecting our consolidated financial statements, areas that are particularly significant include:
 
 
·
Accounting for income taxes; and
 
·
Valuation and evaluating impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill
 
·
Revenue recognition
 
Accounting for Income Taxes
 
As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income tax liability in each of the jurisdictions in which we do business. This process involves estimating our actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then assess the likelihood that these deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not more likely than not or unknown, we must establish a valuation allowance.
 
Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets. At March 31, 2005, we recorded a full valuation allowance of $12,167,207 against our deferred tax assets, due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets, consisting principally of certain net operating losses carried forward. The valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. The Company has U.S. net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of approximately $31,531,000 which expire in fiscal years 2006 to 2025.
 

Realization of the NOL carryforwards and other deferred tax temporary differences are contingent on future taxable earnings. The deferred tax asset was reviewed for expected utilization using a “more likely than not” approach by assessing the available positive and negative evidence surrounding its recoverability. We will continue to assess and evaluate strategies that will enable the deferred tax asset, or portion thereof, to be utilized, and will reduce the valuation allowance appropriately at such time when it is determined that the “more likely than not” approach is satisfied.
 
We will continue to assess and evaluate strategies that will enable the deferred tax asset, or portion thereof, to be utilized, and will reduce the valuation allowance appropriately at such time when it is determined that the “more likely than not” approach is satisfied.
 
Valuation and evaluating impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill
 
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but reviewed for impairment at the fiscal year end or whenever conditions exist that indicate an impairment could exist.
 
The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” SFAS 144 requires recognition of impairment of long-lived assets in the event that events or circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred and when the net book value of such assets exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows attributed to such assets. We assess the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. No impairment of long-lived assets has occurred in fiscal 2006 through the nine months ended December 31, 2005.
 
Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered, the fee is fixed and determinable, acceptance by the customer is reasonably certain and collection is probable. Our warranties exist for all products sold to all customers and are generally covered for a period of one year. We record provisions against our revenue for estimated product returns in the period the related revenue is recorded. We estimate the costs to service our warranty obligations and record them within cost of sales. These estimates are based on historical sales returns, repair activity, and expectation of future market conditions. If our actual product returns and allowances exceed our estimates, additional reductions to our recorded revenue would result.
 
FACTORS THAT MAY INFLUENCE FUTURE RESULTS
 
The statements contained in this Report on Form 10-Q that are not purely historical are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitations, statements regarding the Company’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, anticipations, commitments, intentions and strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements contained in “Item 1. Business” and “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements for the reasons, among others, detailed below. We believe that many of the risks detailed here are part of doing business in the industry in which we compete and will likely be present in all periods reported. The fact that certain risks are characteristic to the industry does not lessen the significance of the risk. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this Report as Form 10-Q and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
 
Our Results of Operations
 
Unless we generate significant revenue growth, our expenses and negative cash flow will significantly harm our financial position.
 
 
We have not been profitable since fiscal 1990. As of December 31, 2005, we had an accumulated deficit of $36.4 million. We may incur operating losses for the foreseeable future, and these losses may be substantial. Further, we may continue to incur negative operating cash flow in the future. We have funded our operations primarily through the sale of equity securities and borrowings. We have significant fixed expenses and we expect to continue to incur significant and increasing manufacturing, sales and marketing, product development and administrative expenses. As a result, we will need to generate significantly higher revenues while containing costs and operating expenses if we are to achieve profitability.
 
Acquisitions or investments could have an adverse affect on our business.
 
In March 2003, we completed the acquisition of the assets of Computer System Products (CSP) as part of our strategy to expand our product offerings, develop internal sources of components and materials, and acquire new technologies. We acquired the assets of Americable in June 2003 and integrated them with the assets of CSP. We acquired assets in India in March 2005 as part of a strategy to take advantage of lower manufacturing costs in India. We intend to continue reviewing acquisition and investment prospects. There are inherent risks associated with making acquisitions and investments including but not limited to:
 
 
·
Challenges associated with integrating the operations, personnel, etc., of an acquired company;
 
·
Potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities;
 
·
Reduced cash balances and or increased debt and debt service costs;
 
·
Large one-time write-offs of intangible assets;
 
·
Risks associated with geographic or business markets different than those we are familiar with; and
 
·
Diversion of management attention from current responsibilities.

 
Our Products and Introduction of New Products
 
We must introduce new products and product enhancements to increase revenue.
 
The successful operation of our business depends on our ability to anticipate market needs and develop and introduce new products and product enhancements that respond to technological changes or evolving industry standards on a timely and cost-effective basis. Our products are complex, and new products may take longer to develop than originally anticipated. These products may contain defects or have unacceptable manufacturing yields when first introduced or as new versions are released. Our products could quickly become obsolete as new technologies are introduced or as other firms introduce lower cost alternatives. We must continue to develop leading-edge products and introduce them to the commercial market quickly in order to be successful. Our failure to produce technologically competitive products in a cost-effective manner and on a timely basis will seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our products may infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.
 
Our products are sophisticated and rely on complicated manufacturing processes. We have received multiple patents on aspects of our design and manufacturing processes and we have applied for several more. Third parties may still assert claims that our products or processes infringe upon their intellectual property. Defending our interests against these claims, even if they lack merit, may be time consuming, result in expensive litigation and divert management attention from operational matters. If such a claim were successful, we could be prevented from manufacturing or selling our current products, be forced to redesign our products, or be forced to license the relevant intellectual property at a significant cost. Any of these actions could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
We may make additional strategic changes in our product portfolio, but our strategic changes and restructuring programs may not yield the benefits that we expect.
 

In connection with the downturn in the communications industry we have divested or closed product lines and businesses that either were not profitable or did not match our new strategic focus. As necessary, we may make further divestitures or closures of product lines and businesses. We may also make strategic acquisitions.
 
The impact of potential changes to our product portfolio and the effect of such changes on our business, operating results and financial condition, are unknown at this time. If we acquire other businesses in our areas of strategic focus, we may have difficulty assimilating these businesses and their products, services, technologies and personnel into our operations. These difficulties could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and workforce, increase our expenses and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. In addition to these integration risks, if we acquire new businesses, we may not realize all of the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions, and we may not be able to retain key management, technical and sales personnel after an acquisition. Divestitures or elimination of existing businesses or product lines could also have disruptive effects and may cause us to incur material expenses.
 
Manufacturing and Operations
 
Our dependence on outside manufacturers may result in product delivery delays.
 
We purchase components and labor that are incorporated into our products from outside vendors. In the case of the SunUV® Personal UV Monitor, we supply components to an outside assembler who delivers the completed product. If these vendors fail to supply us with components or completed assemblies on a timely basis, or if the quality of the supplied components or completed assemblies is not acceptable, we could experience significant delays in shipping our products. Any significant interruption in the supply or support of any components or completed assemblies could seriously harm our sales and our relationships with our customers. In addition, we have increased our reliance on the use of contract manufacturers to make our products. If these contract manufacturers do not fulfill their obligations or if we do not properly manage these relationships, our existing customer relationships may suffer.
 
We may be required to rapidly increase our manufacturing capacity to deliver our products to our customers in a timely manner.
 
Manufacturing of our products is a complex and precise process. We have limited experience in rapidly increasing our manufacturing capacity or in manufacturing products at high volumes. If demand for our products increases, we will be required to hire, train and manage additional manufacturing personnel and improve our production processes in order to increase our production capacity. There are numerous risks associated with rapidly increasing capacity, including:
 
 
·
Difficulties in achieving adequate yields from new manufacturing lines,
 
 
·
Difficulty maintaining the precise manufacturing processes required by our products while increasing capacity,
 
 
·
The inability to timely procure and install the necessary equipment, and
 
 
·
Lack of availability of qualified manufacturing personnel.
 
If we apply our capital resources to expanding our manufacturing capacity in anticipation of increased customer orders, we run the risk that the projected increase in orders will not be realized. If anticipated levels of customer orders are not received, we will not be able to generate positive gross margins and profitability.
 
We are dependent upon skilled employees; if we lose the services of our key personnel our ability to execute our operating plan, and our operating results, may suffer.
 
Our future performance depends in part upon the continued service and contributions of key management, engineering, sales and marketing personnel, many of whom would be difficult to replace quickly. If we lose any of these key personnel, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected or delay the development or marketing of existing or future products. Competition for these personnel is intense and we may not be able to retain or attract such personnel. Our success will depend in part upon our ability to attract and retain additional personnel with the highly specialized expertise necessary to generate revenue and to engineer, design and support our products and services.
 

Markets and Market Conditions
 
Demand for our products is subject to significant fluctuation. Adverse market conditions in the communications equipment industry and any slowdown in the United States economy may harm our financial condition.
 
Demand for our products is dependent on several factors, including capital expenditures in the communications industry. Capital expenditures can be cyclical in nature and result in protracted periods of reduced demand for component parts. Similarly, periods of slow economic expansion or recession can result in periods of reduced demand for our products. Such periods of reduced demand will harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Changes to the regulatory requirements of the telecommunications industry could also affect market conditions, which could also reduce demand for our products.
 
Our industry is highly competitive and subject to pricing pressure.
 
Competition in the communications equipment market is intense. We have experienced and anticipate experiencing increasing pricing pressures from current and future competitors as well as general pricing pressure from our customers as part of their cost containment efforts. Many of our competitors have more extensive engineering, manufacturing, marketing, financial and personnel resources than we do. As a result, these competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes.
 

 
Declining average selling prices for our fiber optic products will require us to reduce production costs to effectively compete and market these products.
 
Since the time we first introduced our fiber optic components to the marketplace we have seen the average selling price of fiber optic components decline. We expect this trend to continue. To achieve profitability in this environment we must continually decrease our costs of production. In order to reduce our production costs, we will continue to pursue one or more of the following:
 
 
·
Seek lower cost suppliers of raw materials or components.
 
·
Work to further automate our assembly process.
 
·
Develop value-added components based on integrated optics.
 
·
Seek offshore sources for manufacturing and assembly services.
 
We will also seek to form strategic alliances with companies that can supply these services. Decreases in average selling prices also require that we increase unit sales to maintain or increase our revenue. There can be no guarantee that we will achieve these objectives. Our inability to decrease production costs or increase our unit sales could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our markets are characterized by rapid technological changes and evolving standards.
 
The markets we serve are characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product introductions, changes in customer requirements and evolving industry standards. In developing our products, we have made, and will continue to make, assumptions with respect to which standards will be adopted within our industry. If the standards that are actually adopted are different from those that we have chosen to support, our products may not achieve significant market acceptance.
 
Conditions in global markets could affect our operations.
 

We have acquired facilities in India which will support design and production of our products. We also source products and labor from off shore suppliers. We expect that our foreign operations and reliance on off shore sourcing will increase in the future. As such we are subject to the risks of conducting business internationally. Those risks include but are not limited to:
 
 
·
local economic and market conditions;
 
 
·
political and economic instability;
 
 
·
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
 
 
·
tariffs and other barriers and restrictions;
 
 
·
geopolitical and environmental risks; and
 
 
·
changes in diplomatic or trade relationships and natural disasters.
 
We cannot predict whether our business operations and reliance in these markets will be affected adversely by these conditions.
 
 
Our Customers
 
Our sales could be negatively impacted if one or more of our key customers substantially reduce orders for our products.
 
If we lose a significant customer, our sales and gross margins would be negatively impacted. In addition, the loss of sales may require us to record impairment, restructuring charges or exit a particular business or product line. As of December 31, 2005, one customer comprised approximately 14% of total sales for the third quarter ended December 31, 2005 and 24% of accounts receivable as of the quarter end. No one customer provided greater than 10% of sales for all other periods presented.
 
Consolidation among our customers could result in our losing a customer or experiencing a slowdown as integration takes place.
 
It is likely that there will be increased consolidation among our customers in order for them to increase market share and achieve greater economies of scale. Consolidation is likely to impact our business as our customers focus on integrating their operations and choosing their equipment vendors. After a consolidation occurs, there can be no assurance that we will continue to supply the surviving entity.
 
Customer payment defaults could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
As a result of competitive conditions in the telecommunications market, some of our customers may experience financial difficulties. It is possible that customers from whom we expect to derive substantial revenue will default or that the level of defaults will increase. Any material payment defaults by our customers would have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
 
Performance Requirements and Performance of our Products
 
Our products may have defects that are not detected before delivery to our customers.
 
Some of the Company’s products are designed to be deployed in large and complex networks and must be compatible with other components of the system, both current and future. Our customers may discover errors or defects in our products only after they have been fully deployed. In addition, our products may not operate as expected over long periods of time. In the case of the SunUV® Personal UV Monitor, a consumer product, customers could encounter a latent defect not detected in the quality inspection. If we are unable to fix errors or other problems, we could lose customers, lose revenues, suffer damage to our brand and reputation, and lose our ability to attract new customers or achieve market acceptance. Each of these factors would negatively impact cash flow and would seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 

Product defects could cause us to lose customers and revenue or to incur unexpected expenses.
 
If our products do not meet our customers’ performance requirements, our customer relationships may suffer. Also, our products may contain defects. Any failure or poor performance of our products could result in:
 
 
·
delayed market acceptance of our products;
 
 
·
delays in product shipments;
 
 
·
unexpected expenses and diversion of resources to replace defective products or identify the source of errors and correct them;
 
 
·
damage to our reputation and our customer relationships;
 
 
·
delayed recognition of sales or reduced sales; and
 
 
·
product liability claims or other claims for damages that may be caused by any product defects or performance failures.
 
 
Intellectual Property
 
If we are unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, third parties may be able to use our technology, which could adversely affect our ability to compete in the market.
 
Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain patents and maintain adequate protection of the intellectual property related to our technologies and products. The patent positions of technology companies, including our patent position, are generally uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. We will be able to protect our intellectual property rights from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that our technologies are covered by valid and enforceable patents or are effectively maintained as trade secrets. The laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S., and many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending such rights in foreign jurisdictions. We will apply for patents covering our technologies and products as and when we deem appropriate. However, these applications may be challenged or may fail to result in issued patents. Our existing patents and any future patents we obtain may not be sufficiently broad to prevent others from practicing our technologies or from developing competing products. Furthermore, others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or design around our patents. In addition, our patents may be challenged, invalidated or fail to provide us with any competitive advantages.
 
We rely on trade secret protection for our confidential and proprietary information. We have taken security measures to protect our proprietary information and trade secrets, but these measures may not provide adequate protection. While we seek to protect our proprietary information by entering into confidentiality agreements with employees, collaborators and consultants, we cannot assure you that our proprietary information will not be disclosed, or that we can meaningfully protect our trade secrets. In addition, our competitors may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information or may otherwise gain access to our trade secrets.
 
Our business will suffer if we are unable to protect our patents or our proprietary rights.
 

Our success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to develop proprietary products. However, patents may not be granted on any of our pending patent applications in the United States or in other countries. In addition, the scope of any of our issued patents may not be sufficiently broad to offer meaningful protection. Furthermore, our issued patents or patents licensed to us could potentially be successfully challenged, invalidated or circumvented so that our patent rights would not create an effective competitive barrier.
 
Intellectual property litigation could harm our business.
 
It is possible that we may have to defend our intellectual property rights in the future. In the event of an intellectual property dispute, we may be forced to litigate or otherwise defend our intellectual property assets. Disputes could involve litigation or proceedings declared by the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the International Trade Commission. Intellectual property litigation can be extremely expensive, and this expense, as well as the consequences should we not prevail, could seriously harm our business.
 
If a third party claimed an intellectual property right to technology we use, we might be forced to discontinue an important product or product line, alter our products and processes, pay license fees or cease certain activities. We may not be able to obtain a license to such intellectual property on favorable terms, if at all.
 
Litigation or third party claims of intellectual property infringement could require us to spend substantial time and money and adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize products.
 
Our commercial success depends in part on our ability to avoid infringing patents and proprietary rights of third parties, and not breaching any licenses that we have entered into with regard to our technologies. Other parties have filed, and in the future are likely to file, patent applications covering techniques and methodologies relating to model systems, products and technologies that we have developed or intend to develop. If patents covering technologies required by our operations are issued to others, we may have to rely on licenses from third parties, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
 
Third parties may accuse us of employing their proprietary technology without authorization. In addition, third parties may obtain patents that relate to our technologies and claim that use of such technologies infringes these patents. Regardless of their merit, such claims could require us to incur substantial costs, including the diversion of management and technical personnel, in defending ourselves against any such claims or enforcing our patents. In the event that a successful claim of infringement is brought against us, we may be required to pay damages and obtain one or more licenses from third parties. We may not be able to obtain these licenses at a reasonable cost, or at all. Defense of any lawsuit or failure to obtain any of these licenses could adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize products.
 
 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We invest in short-term securities of high credit issuers with maturities ranging from overnight up to 24 months. The average maturity of the portfolio does not exceed 12 months. The portfolio includes only marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets to ensure liquidity. We have no investments denominated in foreign country currencies and, therefore, our investments are not subject to foreign exchange risk.
 
 
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
 
(a)
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this report the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(c)) were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the report was gathered, analyzed and disclosed with adequate timeliness, accuracy and completeness.
 

 
(b)
Changes in internal controls. There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal period covered by this report that materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Company’s control over financial reporting.
 
 
PART II

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
 
Electronic Instrumentation and Technology, Inc. ("EIT") filed suit against APA on May 25, 2005 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Case Number 1:05 CV 571 (the "EIT litigation"), alleging that APA had committed fraud by knowing concealment, fraud in making contract, fraud by intentional misrepresentation, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, unfair competition, and inequitable conduct in conjunction with preliminary business discussions between EIT and APA which preceded APA's introduction of the Profiler M.  APA filed an Answer on July 28, 2005, which denied EIT's claims of wrongful conduct.
 
The EIT litigation was tried to a jury on December 28, 2005.  The District Court dismissed, as a matter of law, six of EIT's nine causes of action either before or during the trial.  Three of EIT's causes of action were submitted to the jury for determination.  The jury found in favor of APA on EIT's claim for fraud in making contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. The jury found in favor of EIT on its breach of contract claim and awarded EIT $35,000. EIT has filed a post-trial motion for an injunction or, alternatively, for judgment as a matter of law, which motion APA will oppose. It is unknown whether EIT will appeal the verdict. 
 
 
ITEMS 2 THROUGH 5. NOT APPLICABLE
 
 
EXHIBITS
 
 
Exhibit 31.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Exhibit 32.1 - Certification required of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer by Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002


Signatures

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

 
 
APA ENTERPRISES, INC.
   
   
2/14/06
/s/ Anil K. Jain
  Date
Anil K. Jain
 
President,
 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Executive and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
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