Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

 

OR

 

o

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

 

For the transition period from                     to                    

 


 

Commission File Number: 1-13906

 

BALLANTYNE STRONG, INC.

(Formally Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc.)

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

47-0587703

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

 

(IRS Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

 

Identification Number)

 

 

 

4350 McKinley Street, Omaha, Nebraska

 

68112

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(402) 453-4444

(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 twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company”  in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes 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 as of May 7, 2010

Common Stock, $.01, par value

 

14,184,724 shares

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets, March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

16

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

22

 

 

 

 

Item 4T.

Controls and Procedures

 

22

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

22

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

22

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

23

 

i



Table of Contents

 

PART I.  Financial Information

 

Item 1.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

 

 

 

March 31,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

22,752,101

 

$

23,589,025

 

Restricted cash

 

442,766

 

442,766

 

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $220,035 and $205,314, respectively)

 

18,704,644

 

8,877,980

 

Unbilled revenue

 

2,421,109

 

1,894,075

 

Inventories, net

 

12,298,126

 

12,987,048

 

Recoverable income taxes

 

1,836,016

 

1,850,699

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,010,028

 

1,943,679

 

Consignment inventory

 

721,936

 

486,527

 

Other current assets

 

1,231,724

 

667,592

 

Total current assets

 

62,418,450

 

52,739,391

 

Investment in joint venture

 

2,058,040

 

2,216,638

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

3,608,494

 

3,612,935

 

Intangible assets, net

 

1,021,080

 

1,103,128

 

Other assets

 

17,257

 

17,257

 

Deferred income taxes

 

604,781

 

520,951

 

Total assets

 

$

69,728,102

 

$

60,210,300

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

17,723,762

 

$

9,768,896

 

Other accrued expenses

 

3,383,652

 

3,623,143

 

Customer deposits

 

3,452,012

 

2,295,946

 

Income tax payable

 

508,326

 

1,246,247

 

Total current liabilities

 

25,067,752

 

16,934,232

 

Deferred income taxes

 

277,614

 

274,977

 

Other accrued expenses, net of current portion

 

473,517

 

483,425

 

Total liabilities

 

25,818,883

 

17,692,634

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; Authorized 1,000,000 shares, none outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $.01 per share; Authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued 16,324,706 shares in 2010 and 16,283,676 shares in 2009

 

163,247

 

162,836

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

35,485,509

 

35,332,787

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

(46,516

)

(286,086

)

Minimum pension liability

 

110,665

 

110,665

 

Retained earnings

 

23,578,994

 

22,580,144

 

 

 

59,291,899

 

57,900,346

 

Less 2,139,982 of common shares in treasury, at cost

 

(15,382,680

)

(15,382,680

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

43,909,219

 

42,517,666

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

69,728,102

 

$

60,210,300

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

1



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net revenues

 

$

25,337,509

 

$

17,143,453

 

Cost of revenues

 

21,041,973

 

13,764,383

 

Gross profit

 

4,295,536

 

3,379,070

 

Selling and administrative expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

714,835

 

668,399

 

Administrative

 

2,000,783

 

2,076,660

 

Total selling and administrative expenses

 

2,715,618

 

2,745,059

 

Income from operations

 

1,579,918

 

634,011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

3,765

 

41,130

 

Interest expense

 

(7,817

)

(8,113

)

Equity in loss of joint venture

 

(158,598

)

(184,512

)

Other income (expense), net

 

(44,017

)

181,237

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

1,373,251

 

663,753

 

Income tax expense

 

(374,401

)

(122,034

)

Net earnings

 

$

998,850

 

$

541,719

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.04

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

14,074,997

 

13,988,206

 

Diluted

 

14,271,617

 

14,111,509

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

998,850

 

$

541,719

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

19,469

 

23,587

 

Provision for obsolete inventory

 

90,445

 

147,643

 

Depreciation of other assets

 

99,593

 

148,691

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

 

191,511

 

217,498

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

107,182

 

93,177

 

Equity in loss of joint venture

 

158,598

 

184,512

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(154,176

)

(454,871

)

Share-based compensation expense

 

89,121

 

48,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(8,513,681

)

(5,124,365

)

Unbilled revenue

 

(1,770,926

)

 

Inventories

 

652,963

 

228,047

 

Consignment inventory

 

(335,002

)

41,783

 

Other current assets

 

(561,944

)

(888,474

)

Accounts payable

 

7,928,010

 

2,828,569

 

Other accrued expenses

 

(171,286

)

510,088

 

Customer deposits

 

1,153,720

 

1,316,466

 

Current income taxes

 

(769,313

)

(78,018

)

Other assets

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(786,866

)

(215,867

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in joint venture

 

 

9,328

 

Increase in restricted investments

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(148,206

)

(274,847

)

Proceeds from sales of investments in securities

 

 

450,000

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(148,206

)

184,481

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

98,148

 

(43,644

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(836,924

)

(75,030

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

23,589,025

 

11,424,984

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

22,752,101

 

$

11,349,954

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

1.  Nature of Operations

 

On May 20, 2009, the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation to change the Company’s name from Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. to Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (“Ballantyne” or the “Company”) to align the Company with a name known to a majority of the Company’s customers and to provide branding to the trademark name “Strong.”

 

Ballantyne, a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries Strong Westrex, Inc., Strong Technical Services, Inc., Strong / MDI Screen Systems, Inc., and the American West Beijing Trading Company, Ltd., design, develop, manufacture, service and distribute theatre and lighting systems. The Company’s products are distributed to movie exhibition companies, sports arenas, auditoriums, amusement parks and special venues.

 

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all of the disclosures normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual reporting purposes or those made in the Company’s annual Form 10-K.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2009.

 

In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the respective interim periods.  The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of trends or results expected for a full year.

 

Use of Management Estimates

 

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results and changes in facts and circumstances may alter such estimates and affect results of operations and financial position in future periods. Certain 2009 amounts in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation.

 

No changes were made to the Company’s significant accounting policies disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (to be included in ASC Topic 810). This statement requires reporting entities to evaluate former Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (QSPE) for consolidation, changes to approach to determining a Variable Interest Entities (VIE) primary beneficiary from a quantitative assessment to a qualitative assessment designed to identify a controlling financial interest. This statement is effective as of the beginning of a Company’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009. The Company does not believe the adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements,” which amends Subtopic 829-10. ASU 2010-06 enhances disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. Certain provisions of ASU 2010-06 are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2009 and others for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. Beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company provided new disclosures, as applicable to its fair value instruments. The disclosures required for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2010 are currently not applicable to the Company.

 

3.  Earnings Per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per share have been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share has been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding after giving effect to potential common shares from dilutive stock options. The following table provides reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings applicable to common stock

 

$

998,850

 

$

541,719

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

14,074,997

 

13,988,206

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.04

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings applicable to common stock

 

$

998,850

 

$

541,719

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

14,074,997

 

13,988,206

 

Assuming conversion of options and restricted stock awards outstanding

 

196,620

 

123,303

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, as adjusted

 

14,271,617

 

14,111,509

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.04

 

 

5



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2010, options to purchase 118,125 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $4.55 per share were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the options exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. These options expire between May 2010 and May 2011. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, options to purchase 133,125 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $4.54 per share were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the options exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares.

 

4.  Comprehensive Income

 

The accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net, shown in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets includes the unrealized loss on investments in securities, pension liability adjustments and the accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment. The following table shows the difference between the Company’s reported net earnings and its comprehensive income:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

998,850

 

$

541,719

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on investment in securities, net of tax

 

 

248,885

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

239,570

 

(80,784

)

Total comprehensive income

 

$

1,238,420

 

$

709,820

 

 

5.  Warranty Reserves

 

The Company generally grants a warranty to its customers for a one-year period following the sale of all new equipment, and on selected repaired equipment for a one-year period following the repair. The warranty period is extended under certain circumstances and for certain products. The Company accrues for warranty costs at the time of sale or repair, when events dictate that additional accruals are necessary.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Warranty accrual at beginning of period

 

$

378,145

 

$

491,556

 

Charged to expense

 

89,951

 

152,884

 

Amounts written off, net of recoveries

 

(113,615

)

(134,664

)

Warranty accrual at end of period

 

$

354,481

 

$

509,776

 

 

6.  Digital Link II Joint Venture

 

Investment in Digital Link II

 

On March 6, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with RealD to form an operating entity Digital Link II, LLC (the “LLC”). Under the agreement, the LLC was formed with the Company and RealD as the only two members with membership interests of 44.4% and 55.6%, respectively. The LLC was formed for purposes of commercializing certain 3D technology and to fund the deployment of digital projector systems and servers to exhibitors.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

Summarized financial data for the LLC is as follows (unaudited):

 

Balance Sheet

 

March 25,
2010

 

December 25,
2009

 

Current assets

 

$

1,099,431

 

$

876,801

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

16,005,315

 

12,935,437

 

Current liabilities

 

7,440,981

 

3,046,981

 

Non-current liabilities

 

4,848,845

 

5,574,220

 

Equity

 

$

4,814,920

 

$

5,191,037

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 25,

 

Statement of Operations

 

2010

 

2009

 

Depreciation

 

$

393,995

 

$

343,742

 

Other expense

 

156,239

 

136,287

 

Gain on sale of equipment

 

(174,117

)

 

Net loss

 

$

376,117

 

$

480,029

 

 

The Company accounts for its investment by the equity method. Under this method, the Company records its proportionate share of LLC net income or loss based on the most recently available financial statements. The Company’s portion of losses of the LLC amounted to approximately $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 respectively.

 

The Company sold digital theatre projection equipment, in the normal course of business, to the LLC for approximately $4.5 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The LLC in turn provides the digital projection equipment to third party customers under operating lease agreements. Revenue recognized by Ballantyne during 2010 and 2009, respectively, was $4.0 and $1.8 million. Revenue recognized by the Company on the sale transaction to DL II is limited by its 44.4% ownership in the joint venture which will be recognized upon sale of the equipment to the third parties.

 

Guarantees

 

During 2009 and 2008, the Company and RealD provided guarantees to notes payable entered into by Digital Link II, LLC to finance digital projection equipment deployed in the normal course of business. The notes bear interest at rates ranging from 7.0% to 7.25%. The following table summarizes the Company’s guarantees:

 

Guarantee Date

 

Interest
Rate

 

Original Notes
Payable Balance

 

Ballantyne
Ownership

 

Original
Guarantee

 

Remaining
Guarantee as of
03/31/10

 

July-08

 

7.00

%

$

1,329,125

 

44.40

%

$

590,132

 

$

277,529

 

November-08

 

7.20

%

756,440

 

44.40

%

335,860

 

131,406

 

November-08

 

7.00

%

1,142,239

 

44.40

%

507,154

 

308,320

 

January-09

 

7.20

%

265,538

 

44.40

%

117,899

 

56,054

 

April-09

 

7.20

%

1,039,646

 

44.40

%

461,602

 

238,392

 

September-09

 

7.00

%

184,098

 

44.40

%

81,739

 

69,949

 

October-09

 

7.25

%

152,850

 

44.40

%

67,865

 

59,091

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,869,936

 

 

 

$

2,162,251

 

$

1,140,741

 

 

Under terms of the guarantees, the Company and RealD would be required to fulfill the guarantee should the joint venture be in default of its loans or contract terms. The guarantees will expire at the time each loan is paid off. The fair value of the obligations undertaken by issuing the guarantees was not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2010.

 

During March 2010, the Company and RealD provided additional guarantees to notes payable entered into by the LLC. Pursuant to the terms of loan agreements, the LLC will borrow approximately $3.0 million to be repaid over a 24 month term bearing interest equal to 7.46% per annum. Equal payments of principal and interest will be due from the LLC to the lender on a monthly basis. Ballantyne, as a 44.4% owner of the LLC, will guarantee 44.4% of the loan amounts or approximately $1.3 million plus

 

7



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

interest.  The loans are secured by a security interest on the equipment granted to the lender under a security agreement between the lender and the LLC. The guarantees expire at the time each loan is paid off. The notes payable were not funded as of March 31, 2010.

 

7.  Investments

 

During 2009, the Company had certain investments in auction-rate securities which were classified as available-for-sale securities and accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” In June 2009, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with a financial institution with whom the Company had a banking relationship to sell, at the Company’s option, all or a portion of its outstanding auction-rate securities (“ARS”) at par, plus accrued interest. The settlement agreement provided for a provision on confidentiality and a release of the financial institution from claims related to the Company’s purchase, ownership and sale of the securities. In June 2009 the Company sold its remaining outstanding ARS under the terms of the settlement agreement which amounted to $9,375,000 plus interest accrued.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, $450,000 of the ARS securities were sold through the normal auction process.

 

8.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses equal or approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair values and related assumptions used to estimate fair value of the Company’s financial instruments are disclosed below.

 

ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon observable independent market inputs and unobservable market assumptions. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. The following represents the three categories of inputs used in determining the fair value of financial assets and liabilities:

 

Level 1:

Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

 

Level 2:

Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

 

 

Level 3:

Unobservable inputs that are used in the measurement of assets and liabilities. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability.

 

9.  Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

 

March 31, 2010

 

December 31, 2009

 

Raw materials and components

 

$

4,332,557

 

$

4,714,956

 

Work in process

 

703,935

 

169,707

 

Finished goods

 

7,261,634

 

8,102,385

 

 

 

$

12,298,126

 

$

12,987,048

 

 

The inventory balances are net of reserves of approximately $2,729,000 and $2,665,000 as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

10.  Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  The Company uses an estimate of its annual effective rate based on the facts and circumstances at the time to record interim income tax expense.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized and a related valuation allowance is deemed necessary.  As of March 31, 2010, a valuation allowance has not been recorded.  However, if the Company experiences difficulties in achieving its forecasts of taxable income, the Company may be required to record a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets recorded which would impact the Company’s results of operations.  The Company has recorded a receivable for the amount of an income tax refund due to the Company as a result of the carry back of certain operating losses to previous year’s taxable income.

 

The effective tax rate (calculated as a ratio of income tax expense to pretax earnings, inclusive of equity method investment losses) was approximately 27.3% and 18.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The effective rate change from year to year is a result of differing foreign and U.S. tax rates applied to respective pre-tax earnings (losses) by tax jurisdiction.

 

Federal and state income taxes have not been provided on accumulated but undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries aggregating approximately $6.2 million at March 31, 2010 and as such, earnings have been permanently reinvested in the business. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings is not practicable.

 

The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC 740, Income Taxes as it pertains to uncertain tax positions. ASC 740 requires that uncertain tax positions are evaluated in a two-step process, whereby 1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and 2) for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the Company would recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company’s uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by the relevant taxable authorities. The Company has examinations not yet initiated for Federal purposes for fiscal years 2005 through 2008. In most cases, the Company has examinations open for State or local jurisdictions based on the particular jurisdiction’s statute of limitations. The Company does not currently have any examinations in process. As of March 31, 2010, total unrecognized tax benefits amounted to approximately $0.1 million.

 

Estimated amounts related to estimated underpayment of income taxes, including interest and penalties, are classified as a component of tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations and were not material for the year ended March 31, 2010. Amounts accrued for estimated underpayment of income taxes amounted to $0.1 million as of March 31, 2010. The accruals largely related to state tax matters.

 

11.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

Supplemental disclosures to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

3,193

 

$

673

 

Income taxes

 

$

1,369,786

 

$

665,355

 

 

9



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

12.  Stock Compensation

 

The Company accounts for awards of share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation—Overall, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. Share-based compensation expense recorded amounted to $89,121 and $48,081 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Options

 

The Company currently maintains a 2005 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan which was approved by the Company’s stockholders. During fiscal 2008, the Board of Directors made the decision to discontinue granting further stock options under this plan, however, there are outstanding stock options remaining under this plan. The Company also maintained a 1995 Employee Stock Option Plan which expired in 2005, however, there are outstanding stock options remaining under this expired plan.

 

All past and future grants under the Company’s stock option plans were granted at exercise prices based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The outstanding options generally vested over periods ranging from zero to three years from the grant date and expired between 5 and 10 years after the grant date. No stock options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

All stock options outstanding were fully vested as of January 1, 2009.  Therefore no share-based compensation expense was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards remained at March 31, 2010.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to its stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as follows:

 

 

 

Number of
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

 

278,125

 

$

2.29

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2010

 

278,125

 

$

2.29

 

1.44

 

$

830,091

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2010

 

278,125

 

$

2.29

 

1.44

 

$

830,091

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total that would have been received by the option holders if all in-the-money options had been exercised on March 31, 2010.

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2010:

 

 

 

Options Outstanding at
March 31, 2010

 

Options Exercisable at
March 31, 2010

 

Range of option exercise price

 

Number of
options

 

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life

 

Weighted
average
exercise price
per option

 

Number of
options

 

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life

 

Weighted
average
exercise price
per option

 

$0.62 to 0.63

 

160,000

 

2.08

 

$

0.62

 

160,000

 

2.08

 

$

0.62

 

$4.25 to 4.75

 

118,125

 

0.57

 

4.55

 

118,125

 

0.57

 

4.55

 

$0.62 to 4.75

 

278,125

 

1.44

 

$

2.29

 

278,125

 

1.44

 

$

2.29

 

 

Restricted Stock Plans

 

During 2005, the Company adopted and the stockholders approved, the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan. Under terms of the plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors selects which employees of the Company are to receive restricted stock awards

 

10



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

and the terms of such awards. The total number of shares reserved for issuance under the plan was 250,000 shares. The plan expires in September 2010. At March 31, 2010, 90,479 shares remain available for issuance under the Plan.

 

During 2008, the Company adopted and the stockholders approved, the Ballantyne Strong, Inc. Non-Employee Directors’ Restricted Stock Plan (Non-Employee Plan) to replace the 2005 Outside Directors’ Stock Option Plan. The total number of shares reserved for issuance under the Non-Employee Plan was increased from 120,000 shares to 250,000 by a vote of the stockholders at the 2009 Annual Stockholders Meeting. At March 31, 2010, 199,876 shares remain available for issuance under the Plan.

 

In connection with the restricted stock granted to certain employees and non-employee directors, the Company is accruing compensation expense based on the estimated number of shares expected to be issued utilizing the most current information available to the Company at the date of the financial statements. The Company estimates the fair value of restricted stock awards based upon the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

 

As of March 31, 2010, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awarded was $34,548 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 6.8 months.

 

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2010:

 

 

 

Number of Restricted
Stock Shares

 

Weighted Average Grant
Price Fair Value

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2009

 

116,491

 

$

2.38

 

Granted

 

 

 

Shares vested

 

(25,000

)

4.50

 

Shares forfeited

 

 

 

Nonvested at March 31, 2010

 

91,491

 

$

1.80

 

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

The Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, approved by the stockholders, provides for the purchase of shares of Ballantyne common stock by eligible employees at a per share purchase price equal to 85% of the fair market value of a share of Ballantyne common stock at either the beginning or end of the offering period, as defined, whichever is lower. Purchases are made through payroll deductions of up to 10% of each participating employee’s salary. The maximum number of shares that can be purchased by participants in any offering period is 2,000 shares. Additionally, the Plan has set certain limits, as defined, in regard to the number of shares that may be purchased by all eligible employees during an offering period. At March 31, 2010, 88,553 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the Plan. The Plan expires in October 2010.

 

The total estimated grant date fair value of purchase rights outstanding under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan was $1.81 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model made with the following weighted average assumptions: risk-free interest rate—0.41%, dividend yield—0%, expected volatility—57.74% and expected life in years—1. The Company recorded $7,417 and $5,347 of share-based compensation expense pertaining to the stock purchase plan with associated tax benefits of $627 and $385 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. At March 31, 2010, the total unrecognized estimated compensation cost was $11,910 which is expected to be recognized over a period of seven months.

 

13.  Stockholder Rights Plan

 

On May 26, 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”). Under terms of the Rights Plan, which expires June 9, 2010, the Company declared a distribution of one right for each outstanding share of common stock. The rights become exercisable only if a person or group (other than certain exempt persons, as defined) acquires 15 percent or more of Ballantyne common stock or announces a tender offer for 15 percent or more of Ballantyne’s common stock. Under certain circumstances, the Rights Plan allows stockholders, other than the acquiring person or group, to purchase the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of half the market price.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

14.  Related Party Transactions

 

The Company sold digital projection equipment, in the normal course of business, to its joint venture, Digital Link II, LLC (“LLC”) for approximately $4.3 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The LLC in turn provides the digital projection equipment to third party customers under operating lease agreements. Revenue recognized during 2010 and 2009, respectively, was $4.0 and $1.8 million. Revenue recognized by the Company on the sale transaction to the LLC is limited by its 44.4% ownership in the joint venture which will be recognized upon sale of the equipment to the third parties.

 

15.  Foreign Exchange Contracts

 

The Company’s primary exposure to foreign currency fluctuations pertains to its subsidiaries in Canada and China. In certain instances the Company may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to manage a portion of this risk. At March 31, 2010, the Company had open forward exchange contracts to purchase Canadian dollars at a fixed rate of U.S. dollars with notional amounts totaling $3.6 million. The Company has recorded approximately $0.01 million of unrealized loss associated with these open contracts in its consolidated statement of operations at March 31, 2010.

 

16.  Bonus Plans

 

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers a Short-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is an annual incentive program that provides certain officers and key employee’s bonuses in the form of cash or restricted stock or a combination of both if the Company achieves certain goals. Each payout is further subject to the achievement of certain individual goals, as defined.

 

The Company has recorded expenses related to the Plan of approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The bonuses are generally paid through a distribution of cash and restricted stock.

 

17.  Concentrations

 

The Company’s top ten customers accounted for approximately 67% of 2010 consolidated net revenues. The top ten customers were primarily from the theatre segment. Trade accounts receivable from these customers represented approximately 70% of net consolidated receivables at March 31, 2010. Sales to China Film Jingdian Cinema Investment Company, LTD and Digital Link II represented approximately 15% and 11% of consolidated sales, respectively. Additionally, receivables from these two customers represented approximately 15% and 20% of net consolidated receivables at March 31, 2010, respectively. While the Company believes its relationships with such customers are stable, most arrangements are made by purchase order and are terminable at will by either party. A significant decrease or interruption in business from the Company’s significant customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company could also be adversely affected by such factors as changes in foreign currency rates and weak economic and political conditions in each of the countries in which the Company sells its products.

 

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to a concentration of credit risk principally consist of accounts receivable. The Company sells product to a large number of customers in many different geographic regions. To minimize credit concentration risk, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition.

 

Through distribution agreements with NEC, the Company distributes Starus DLP Cinema projectors to North and South America, Hong Kong, China and certain other areas of Asia. These agreements are non-exclusive distributorship agreements, some of which can be terminated with 90 day advance notice. NEC is the primary supplier of the digital products the Company distributes to the Theatre Industry. If the Company is unable to maintain its relationship with NEC, the results would have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition and operating results until the Company could find an alternative source of digital equipment to distribute. The principal raw materials and components used in the Company’s manufacturing processes include aluminum, reflectors, electronic subassemblies and sheet metal. The Company uses a single manufacturer for each of its intermittent movement components, reflectors, aluminum castings, lenses and xenon lamps. Although the Company has not to-date experienced a significant difficulty in obtaining these components, no assurance can be given that shortages will not arise in the future. The loss of any one or more of such contract manufacturers could have a short-term adverse effect on the Company until alternative manufacturing arrangements are secured.

 

12



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

18.  Litigation

 

During December 2009, the Company settled an asbestos case entitled Larry C. Stehman and Leila Stehman v. Asbestos Corporation, Limited and Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. individually and as successor in interest to Strong International, Strong Electric Corporation and Century Projector Corporation, et al, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco. The settlement, including legal fees resulted in charges of $0.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2009.  All amounts were paid in February 2010.

 

The Company is not a party to any outstanding legal actions as of March 31, 2010.

 

19.  Business Segment Information

 

The presentation of segment information reflects the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating decisions and assessing performance.

 

As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s operations were conducted principally through two business segments: Theatre and Lighting. Theatre operations include the design, manufacture, assembly, sale and service of motion picture projectors, xenon lamp houses and power supplies. Theatre operations also include the sale and service of digital projection equipment and accessories, sound systems, xenon lamps and lenses. The lighting segment operations include the design, manufacture, assembly and sale of follow spotlights, stationary searchlights and computer operated lighting systems for the motion picture production, television, live entertainment, theme parks and architectural industries. The Company allocates resources to business segments and evaluates the performance of these segments based upon reported segment operating profit. The Company previously evaluated the performance of the segments based on reported segment gross profit. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation. All intercompany sales are eliminated in consolidation.

 

13



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

Summary by Business Segments

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net revenue

 

 

 

 

 

Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

23,802,377

 

$

15,712,161

 

Services

 

892,156

 

796,525

 

Total theatre

 

24,694,533

 

16,508,686

 

Lighting

 

642,976

 

622,670

 

Other

 

 

12,097

 

Total revenue

 

$

25,337,509

 

$

17,143,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

3,163,625

 

$

2,349,739

 

Services

 

(149,920

)

(23,840

)

Total theatre

 

3,013,705

 

2.325,899

 

Lighting

 

(24,809

)

(61,237

)

Other

 

 

6,711

 

Total segment operating income

 

2,988,896

 

2,271,373

 

Unallocated general and administrative expenses

 

(1,408,978

)

(1,637,362

)

Interest, net

 

(4,052

)

33,017

 

Equity in loss of joint venture

 

(158,598

)

(184,512

)

Other income (loss)

 

(44,017

)

181,237

 

Income before income taxes

 

$

1,373,251

 

$

663,753

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenditures on capital equipment

 

 

 

 

 

Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

135,425

 

$

272,944

 

Services

 

11,016

 

 

Total theatre

 

146,441

 

272,944

 

Lighting

 

1,765

 

1,903

 

Total

 

$

148,206

 

$

274,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

 

 

 

 

 

Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

335,896

 

$

377,035

 

Services

 

39,791

 

67,812

 

Total theatre

 

375,687

 

444,847

 

Lighting

 

22,599

 

14,519

 

Total

 

$

398,286

 

$

459,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identifiable assets

 

 

 

 

 

Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

65,776,925

 

$

55,720,152

 

Services

 

701,316

 

1,225,122

 

Total theatre

 

66,478,241

 

56,945,274

 

Lighting

 

3,249,861

 

3,264,975

 

Other

 

 

51

 

Total

 

$

69,728,102

 

$

60,210,300

 

 

14



Table of Contents

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

 

Summary by Geographical Area

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net revenue

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

14,337,346

 

$

9,982,041

 

Canada

 

1,156,899

 

661,369

 

China

 

4,799,382

 

1,169,673

 

Asia (excluding China)

 

321,937

 

609,631

 

Mexico

 

2,117,184

 

2,491,608

 

South America

 

2,015,594

 

1,436,329

 

Europe

 

560,571

 

763,500

 

Other

 

28,596

 

29,302

 

Total

 

$

25,337,509

 

$

17,143,453

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2010

 

December 31, 2009

 

Identifiable assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

49,757,772

 

$

43,982,105

 

China

 

7,195,555

 

4,030,131

 

Asia (excluding China)

 

4,029,054

 

4,029,054

 

Canada

 

8,745,721

 

8,169,010

 

Total

 

$

69,728,102

 

$

60,210,300

 

 

Net revenues by business segment are to unaffiliated customers. Identifiable assets by geographical area are based on location of facilities. Net sales by geographical area are based on destination of sales.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. Management’s discussion and analysis contains not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and reflect expectations for future Company performance. For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. Given the risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as others not now anticipated. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Except where required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

We are a manufacturer, distributor and service provider for the theatre exhibition industry on a worldwide basis. We also design, develop, manufacture and distribute lighting systems to the worldwide entertainment lighting industry through our Strong Entertainment Lighting segment.

 

We have two primary reportable core operating segments: theatre and lighting. Approximately 97% of fiscal year 2010 sales were from theatre products and approximately 3% were lighting products. Additional information related to our reporting segments can be found in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Results of Operations:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

Revenues

 

Net revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2010 rose to $25.3 million from $17.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

23,802,377

 

$

15,712,161

 

Services

 

892,156

 

796,525

 

Total theatre revenues

 

24,694,533

 

16,508,686

 

Lighting

 

642,976

 

622,670

 

Other

 

 

12,097

 

Total net revenues

 

$

25,337,509

 

$

17,143,453

 

 

16



Table of Contents

 

Theatre Segment

 

Sales of theatre products and services increased to $24.7 million in 2010 from $16.5 million in 2009.

 

Digital Product Sales

 

Sales of digital products rose to $13.9 million from $5.9 million in 2009 as the industry change to digital projection equipment continues to accelerate. We believe the increased demand resulted from movie exhibitors wanting to show movies in 3D digital format as they believed that 3D movies result in higher box office receipts. We also believe the demand for digital equipment will continue to increase not only for the 3D benefits but also for such potential benefits as additional advertising and being able to project more alternative entertainment at the movie theatres. The majority of the increase in digital sales resulted from sales of digital projectors and servers; however, sales of digital lamps also rose to $1.2 million in 2010 from $0.7 million in 2009.

 

Film Product Sales

 

Sales of film projection equipment rose to $3.5 million in 2010 from $3.1 million a year-ago largely due to export sales. However, due to the industry transition to digital cinema, we expect sales of new film equipment to decline over time.

 

Sales of film replacement parts declined to $1.5 million during 2010 from $1.9 million during a year-ago. We expect sales of film replacement parts to decrease over time but the decline is expected to be at a slower pace compared to the film projectors themselves as the equipment will require maintenance up to the point they are replaced by a digital unit. However, we are unsure how the used equipment market will impact our replacement part sales when film equipment is replaced during the full digital cinema rollout.

 

Sales of xenon lamps were $1.4 compared to $1.5 million a year-ago. As with replacement parts, the decline in sales of film lamps due to the digital rollout is expected to be at a slower pace in comparison to film projectors. However, unlike replacement part sales, we do not expect the used equipment market to significantly impact the sale of lamps.

 

Screen Product Sales

 

We generated screen sales of $3.5 million in 2010 compared to $3.2 million a year-ago due to higher demand for the special “silver” screens needed for certain digital 3D applications. As discussed earlier, this demand is resulting from our customers wanting to show certain movies in digital 3D and also more 3D movies being available from the Hollywood studios.

 

We sell screens for both digital cinema and film applications. In some instances, a screen can be used interchangeably with either a digital projector or a film projector. However, there are certain digital 3D applications such as the technology by RealD that require special “silver” screens that we manufacture and which, as discussed earlier, are driving the growth of the product line.

 

Service Revenues

 

Service revenues increased in 2010 to $0.9 million from $0.8 million a year-ago. Revenues generated from servicing film equipment amounted to $0.6 million in 2010 compared to $0.5 million a year-ago while revenues generated from servicing digital equipment amounted to $0.3 million in both periods.

 

Lighting Segment

 

Sales of lighting products were consistent with a year-ago at $0.6 million. Sales of follow spotlights fell to $0.3 million from $0.4 million a year-ago. Sale of replacement parts were flat at $0.1 million in 2010. Sales of all other lighting products, including but not limited to xenon lamps, sky trackers, britelights and nocturns amounted to $0.2 million in 2010 compared to $0.1 million in 2009. Lighting products have been impacted by the effects of the troubled credit markets as a significant portion of the business is dependent on the construction or improvements of stadiums and auditoriums around the world.

 

Export Revenues

 

Sales outside the United States (mainly theatre sales) increased to $11.0 million in 2010 from $7.2 million in 2009 resulting primarily from increased sales in China. Certain areas of the world are more cost conscious than the U.S. market and there are instances where our products are priced higher than local manufacturers making it more difficult to generate sufficient profit to justify selling into these regions. Additionally, foreign exchange rates and excise taxes sometimes make it difficult to market our products overseas at reasonable selling prices.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

Gross Profit

 

Consolidated gross profit increased to $4.3 million in 2010 from $3.4 million a year-ago but as a percent of total revenue decreased to 17.0% from 19.7% in 2009. Gross profit in the theatre segment decreased to $4.1 million in 2010 from $3.2 million in 2009 and as a percentage of theatre sales decreased to 16.7% from 19.5% a year-ago. We expected our gross margin as a percentage of revenues to decrease and also expect it to decrease in the future due to increased sales of digital projection equipment which carry lower margins compared to most of our other products. However, the sales price on the digital projectors is higher than what we receive on film projectors which offsets gross margin dollars to a degree. Gross margins will also be impacted in the future by higher film manufacturing costs pertaining to lower demand for manufactured film products. We expect to purchase film inventory components in lower quantities resulting in some raw material price increases and to experience less manufacturing throughput in the Omaha plant to cover fixed overhead costs. The timing of this is dependent on the timing of the digital cinema rollout.

 

The gross profit in the lighting segment amounted to $0.2 million or 27.1% as a percentage of revenues in 2010 compared to $0.2 million or 24.5% as a percentage of revenues in 2009.

 

Selling Expenses

 

Selling expenses were consistent with a year-ago at $0.7 million during the quarter, however as a percentage of revenues decreased to 2.8% from 3.9% a year-ago. As our digital sales increase, we expect selling expenses to continue to drop as a percentage of revenues.

 

Administrative Expenses

 

Administrative expenses decreased to $2.0 million in 2010 from $2.1 million in 2009 and as a percent of total revenue decreased to 7.9% in 2010 from 12.1% in 2009. We did experience some increases in administrative expenses during the quarter from the growth of our Beijing and Screen company growth, however these were offset by approximately $0.2 million of termination benefits in the year-ago period.

 

Other Financial Items

 

Our results for 2010 reflect a loss of approximately $159,000 pertaining to our 44.4% share of equity in the loss from Digital Link II, LLC. This loss compares to approximately $185,000 a year-ago and was lower due to a gain recorded during the quarter on the sale of equipment to customers of projectors previously deployed in the LLC.

 

Other expense amounted to approximately $44,000 in 2010 compared to income of $181,000 in 2009. The results primarily reflect the impact of transaction gains arising from foreign exchange fluctuations during the year due to the U.S. dollar decreasing versus the Canadian dollar.

 

We recorded income tax expense of approximately $0.4 million in 2010 compared to $0.1 million in 2009. The effective tax rate (calculated as a ratio of income tax expense to pretax earnings, inclusive of equity method investment earnings) was approximately 27.3% for 2010, compared to 18.4% in 2009. The effective tax rate change from year to year results from differing foreign and U.S. tax rates applied to respective pre-tax earnings (losses) by tax jurisdiction.

 

For the reasons outlined herein, we generated net earnings of approximately $1.0 million and basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.07 in 2010, respectively, compared to $0.5 million during 2009 and basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.04 a year-ago, respectively.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

During the past several years, we have met our working capital and capital resource needs from either our operating or investing cash flows or a combination of both. We ended the first quarter with total cash and cash equivalents of $22.8 million compared to $23.6 million at December 31, 2009.

 

We are party to a revolving credit facility with First National Bank of Omaha expiring June 1, 2010. The credit facility provides for borrowings up to the lesser of $4.0 million or amounts determined by an asset-based lending formula, as defined. Borrowings available under the credit facility amounted to $4.0 million at March 31, 2010. We pay interest on outstanding amounts equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.25% (3.5% at March 31, 2010) and pay a fee of 0.125% on the unused portion. The credit facility contains certain

 

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restrictions primarily related to restrictions on acquisitions and dividends. All of our personal property and certain stock in our subsidiaries secure the credit facility. No amounts are currently outstanding. We intend to obtain a similar credit facility prior to the expiration of the current line of credit.

 

Net cash used in operating activities amounted to $0.8 million in 2010 compared to $0.2 million in 2009. The results primarily reflect a $10.3 million increase in receivables and unbilled revenue offset to a degree by an increase in accounts payable and customer deposit balances of $7.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The respective changes pertain to increased purchases and sales of digital products which also carry a higher price point reflecting the transition taking place in the theatre exhibition industry.

 

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to $0.1 million in 2010 compared to cash provided by investing activities of $0.2 million in 2009. The change primarily resulted from the liquidation, at par, of approximately $0.5 million of auction-rate securities during the 2009 period. During 2010, we incurred capital expenditures of $0.2 million compared to $0.3 million in the year-ago 2009 period.

 

Transactions with Related and Certain Other Parties

 

We sold digital projection equipment, in the normal course of business, to our joint venture, Digital Link II, LLC (“LLC”) for approximately $4.3 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The LLC in turn provides the digital projection equipment to third party customers under operating lease agreements. Revenue recognized during 2010 and 2009, respectively was $4.0 million and $1.8 million. Revenue recognized by our Company on the sale transaction to DL II is limited by our 44.4% ownership in the joint venture which will be recognized upon sale of the equipment to the third parties.

 

Financial Instruments and Credit Risk Concentrations

 

Our top ten customers accounted for approximately 67% of 2010 consolidated net revenues and were primarily from the theatre segment. Trade accounts receivable from these customers represented approximately 70% of net consolidated receivables at March 31, 2010. Sales to China Film Jingdian Cinema Investment Company, LTD and Digital Link II represented approximately 15% and 11% of consolidated sales, respectively. Additionally, receivables from these two customers represented approximately 15% and 20% of net consolidated receivables at March 31, 2010, respectively. While we believe our relationships with such customers are stable, most arrangements are made by purchase order and are terminable at will by either party. A significant decrease or interruption in business from our significant customers could have a material adverse effect on our Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. We could also be adversely affected by such factors as changes in foreign currency rates and weak economic and political conditions in each of the countries in which we sell our products.

 

Financial instruments that potentially expose us to a concentration of credit risk principally consist of accounts receivable. We sell product to a large number of customers in many different geographic regions. To minimize credit concentration risk, we perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition or use letters of credit.

 

Through distribution agreements with NEC, we distribute Starus DLP Cinema projectors to North and South America, Hong Kong, China and certain other areas of Asia. These agreements are non-exclusive distributorship agreements, some of which can be terminated with 90 day advance notice. NEC is the primary supplier of the digital products the Company distributes to the Theatre Industry. If we are unable to maintain our relationship with NEC, the results would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results until the Company could find an alternative source of digital equipment to distribute. The principal raw materials and components used in our manufacturing processes include aluminum, reflectors, electronic subassemblies and sheet metal. We use a single manufacturer for each of our intermittent movement components, reflectors, aluminum castings, lenses and xenon lamps. Although we have not to-date experienced a significant difficulty in obtaining these components, no assurance can be given that shortages will not arise in the future. The loss of any one or more of such contract manufacturers could have a short-term adverse effect on our Company until alternative manufacturing arrangements are secured.

 

Hedging and Trading Activities

 

Our primary exposure to foreign currency fluctuations pertains to our subsidiaries in Canada and China. In certain instances, we may enter into a foreign exchange contract to manage a portion of this risk. For the period ended March 31, 2010, we had recorded approximately $0.01 million of unrealized loss associated with these open contracts in our consolidated statement of operations.

 

We do not have any trading activities that include non-exchange traded contracts at fair value.

 

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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

 

Our off balance sheet arrangements consist principally of leasing various assets under operating leases. The future estimated payments under these arrangements are summarized below along with our other contractual obligations:

 

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Remaining
in 2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

Thereafter

 

Non-competition agreement

 

$

50,000

 

$

 

$

50,000

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Postretirement benefits

 

197,977

 

13,801

 

18,485

 

19,553

 

20,528

 

21,500

 

104,110

 

Operating leases

 

1,068,753

 

353,447

 

445,009

 

246,411

 

22,821

 

1,065

 

 

Contractual cash obligations

 

$

1,316,730

 

$

367,248

 

$

513,494

 

$

265,964

 

$

43,349

 

$

22,565

 

$

104,110

 

 

We have a contractual obligation to pay up to $50,000 to High End Systems, Inc. Payment is contingent on satisfaction of certain future sales of the product line purchased as part of the business. In addition, we have accrued approximately $0.1 million for the estimated underpayment of income taxes we are obligated to pay. The accrual is primarily related to state tax matters. There were no other contractual obligations other than inventory and property, plant and equipment purchases in the ordinary course of business.

 

Guarantees

 

During 2009 and 2008, the Company and RealD provided guarantees to notes payable entered into by Digital Link II, LLC to finance digital projection equipment deployed in the normal course of business. The notes bear interest at rates ranging from 7.0% to 7.25%. The following table summarizes the Company’s guarantees:

 

Guarantee Date

 

Interest Rate

 

Original Notes
Payable Balance

 

Ballantyne
Ownership

 

Original
Guarantee

 

Remaining
Guarantee as of
03/31/10

 

July-08

 

7.00

%

$

1,329,125

 

44.40

%

$

590,132

 

$

277,529

 

November-08

 

7.20

%

756,440

 

44.40

%

335,860

 

131,406

 

November-08

 

7.00

%

1,142,239

 

44.40

%

507,154

 

308,320

 

January-09

 

7.20

%

265,538

 

44.40

%

117,899

 

56,054

 

April-09

 

7.20

%

1,039,646

 

44.40

%

461,602

 

238,392

 

September-09

 

7.00

%

184,098

 

44.40

%

81,739

 

69,949

 

October-09

 

7.25

%

152,850

 

44.40

%

67,865

 

59,091

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,869,936

 

 

 

$

2,162,251

 

$

1,140,741

 

 

Under terms of the guarantees, the Company and RealD would be required to fulfill the guarantee should the joint venture be in default of its loans or contract terms. The guarantees will expire at the time each loan is paid off. The fair value of the obligations undertaken by issuing the guarantees was not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2010.

 

During March 2010, the Company and RealD provided additional guarantees to notes payable entered into by the LLC. Pursuant to the terms of loan agreements, the LLC will borrow approximately $3.0 million to be repaid over a 24 month term bearing interest equal to 7.46% per annum. Equal payments of principal and interest will be due from the LLC to the lender on a monthly basis. Ballantyne, as a 44.4% owner of the LLC, will guarantee 44.4% of the loan amounts or approximately $1.3 million plus interest.  The loans are secured by a security interest on the equipment granted to the lender under a security agreement between the lender and the LLC. The guarantees expire at the time each loan is paid off. The notes payable were not funded as of March 31, 2010.

 

There were no other contractual obligations other than inventory and property, plant and equipment purchases in the ordinary course of business.

 

Seasonality

 

Generally, our business exhibits a moderate level of seasonality as sales of theatre products typically increase during the third and fourth quarters. We believe that such increased sales reflect seasonal increases in the construction of new motion picture screens in anticipation of the holiday movie season.

 

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Litigation

 

During December 2009, the Company settled an asbestos case entitled Larry C. Stehman and Leila Stehman v. Asbestos Corporation, Limited and Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. individually and as successor in interest to Strong International, Strong Electric Corporation and Century Projector Corporation, et al, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco. The settlement, including legal fees resulted in charges of $0.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2009.  All amounts were paid in February of 2010.

 

The Company is not a party to any outstanding legal actions as of March 31, 2010.

 

Inflation

 

We believe that the relatively moderate rates of inflation in recent years have not had a significant impact on our net revenues or profitability. We did experience higher than normal prices on certain raw materials during the year coupled with higher freight costs as freight companies passed on a portion of higher gas and oil costs. Historically, we have been able to offset any inflationary effects by either increasing prices or improving cost efficiencies.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

In preparing our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; management must make a variety of decisions which impact the reported amounts and the related disclosures.  These decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates.  In making these decisions, management applies its judgment based on its understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances and our historical experience.

 

Our accounting policies and estimates that are most critical to the presentation of our results of operations and financial condition, and which require the greatest use of judgments and estimates by management, are designated as our critical accounting policies.  See further discussion of our critical accounting policies under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10K for our year ended December 31, 2009.  We periodically re-evaluate and adjust our critical accounting policies as circumstances change.  There were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (to be included in ASC Topic 810). This statement requires reporting entities to evaluate former Qualifying Special Purpose Entity (QSPE) for consolidation, changes to approach to determining a Variable Interest Entities (VIE) primary beneficiary from a quantitative assessment to a qualitative assessment designed to identify a controlling financial interest. This statement is effective as of the beginning of a Company’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009. The Company does not believe the adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued EITF 08-1, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements” (to be included in ASC Subtopic 605-25). This statement amends ASC 605-25 to eliminate the requirement that all undelivered elements have VSOE or TPE before an entity can recognize the portion of the overall arrangement fee that is attributable to items that already have been delivered. EITF 08-1 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The principal market risks affecting us are exposure to interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We market our products throughout the United States and the world. As a result, we could be adversely affected by such factors as changes in foreign currency rates and weak economic conditions. As a majority of our sales are currently denominated in U.S. dollars, a strengthening of the dollar can and sometimes has made our products less competitive in foreign markets.

 

Interest Rates — We have a variable interest rate credit facility, however, we have no outstanding balances as of March 31, 2010. If we would borrow up to the maximum amount available under these facilities, a one percent increase in the interest rate would increase interest expense by $0.04 million per annum. Interest rate risks from our other interest-related accounts such as our postretirement obligations are not deemed significant.

 

Foreign Exchange — Exposure to transactions denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional currency is primarily related to our China and Canadian subsidiaries. From time to time, as market conditions indicate, we will enter into foreign currency contracts to manage the risks associated with forecasted transactions. A portion of our cash in the China and Canadian subsidiaries is denominated in foreign currencies, where fluctuations in exchange rates will impact our cash balances in U.S. dollar terms. A hypothetical 10% change in the value of the U.S. dollar would impact our reported cash balance by approximately $0.3 million.

 

Item 4T.  Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15(e) and internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in enabling the Company to record, process, summarize and report information required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings within the required time period.  There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with this evaluation that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.  Other Information

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

During December 2009, the Company settled an asbestos case entitled Larry C. Stehman and Leila Stehman v. Asbestos Corporation, Limited and Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. individually and as successor in interest to Strong International, Strong Electric Corporation and Century Projector Corporation, et al, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco. The settlement, including legal fees resulted in charges of $0.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2009.  All amounts were paid in February of 2010.

 

The Company is not a party to any outstanding legal actions as of  March 31, 2010.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2009 includes a detailed discussion of the Company’s risk factors. There have been no material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

See the Exhibit Index on page 24.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

BALLANTYNE STRONG, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JOHN WILMERS

 

By:

/s/ KEVIN S. HERRMANN

 

John Wilmers, President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

Kevin S. Herrmann, Secretary/Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 14, 2010

 

Date:

May 14, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

4.2.13

 

Eleventh Amendment to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated November 25, 2009 between the Company and First National Bank of Omaha, Inc. ·

 

 

 

4.2.14

 

Twelfth Amendment to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated March 30, 2010 between the Company and First National Bank of Omaha, Inc. ·

 

 

 

10.5

 

Amendment No. 4 to Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 23, 2010, between the Company and Mr. John Wilmers. *·

 

 

 

10.5.1

 

Employment Agreement dated September 23, 2009 between the Company and Mr. John Wilmers. *·

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer. ·

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer. ·

 

 

 

32.1

 

18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer. ·

 

 

 

32.2

 

18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer. ·

 


·              Filed herewith.

*              Management contract or compensatory plan.

 

24