SI TECHNOLOGIES FORM 10-K (07/31/2003)

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003

 

Commission file number 0-12370

 


 

SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   95-3381440

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

14192 Franklin Avenue, Tustin, CA 92780

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

714-505-6483

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 


 

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

 

None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g):

 

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

(Title of Class)

 


 

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

 

Indicate by checkmark if no disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange A Rule 12b-2) Yes  ¨     No  x

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (based upon the closing price of such stock, as reported by the NASDAQ national market on January 31, 2003 is $4,032,410.

 

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s common stock as of October 31, 2003 was 4,026,996.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual meeting of Stockholders to be held on December 11, 2003 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

 



PART I

 

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

 

General

 

SI Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries (“SI”, “SI Technologies” or the “Company”) is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-performance industrial sensors, weighing and factory automation systems, and related products. Acquisitions over the past seven years have diversified the Company’s revenue base and positioned SI as an integrator of technologies, products and companies that are enabling SI to become a leading global provider of devices, equipment and systems that handle, measure and inspect goods and materials. SI products are used throughout the world in a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, agriculture, aviation, food processing and packaging, forestry, manufacturing, mining, transportation/distribution and waste management.

 

Since 1996, the Company has been capitalizing on its technology and existing customer relationships through product and market expansion in selected segments of a $70 billion industrial measurement and automation industry.

 

The Company was incorporated in California on May 29, 1979 as Invention, Design, Engineering Associates, Inc. and was reincorporated in Delaware on April 20, 1983. In February 1996, the Company changed its name to SI Technologies, Inc. The name SI Technologies serves to preserve a loyal customer following in the Company’s dynamic weighing systems business while at the same time representing the broader technologies and business interests of the Company.

 

The Company’s principal executive offices and headquarters are located at 14192 Franklin Avenue, Tustin, California. Headquarters communication information is as follows: telephone, 714-505-6483, fax, 714-573-2034, e-mail address, sitech@sitechnologies.com, Web site, www.sitechnologies.com.

 

Business Strategy

 

The Company aspires to become a leading provider of manufactured devices, equipment, engineered systems and services used in the niche industrial markets in which it operates and to expand its markets through product development and acquisition of complementary products as an industry integrator in the $70 billion industrial measurement and automation industry.

 

Operations Integration

 

SI believes its operations integration strategy will allow it to achieve greater efficiencies in acquired companies through elimination of redundant costs and by leveraging economies of scale in manufacturing operations, and procurement of materials and services.

 

Since 1996, SI Technologies has completed five acquisitions.

 

Acquired Company


  

Date

Acquired


  

Primary Products


  

Industries Served


Evergreen Weigh, Inc.

   1996    Dynamic & Static Weighing Systems    Aviation, mining, transportation

AeroGo, Inc.

   1997   

Factory Automation

Equipment & Systems

   Aviation/aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, general industry

NV Technology, Inc.

   1998    Sensors    General industry, food, transportation

Allegany Technology, Inc.

   1998    Sensors & Dynamic Weighing Systems    Aerospace, transportation, general industry

Revere Transducers, Inc.

   1998    Sensors & Static Weighing Equipment    Aviation/aerospace, food, general industry

 

Further acquisition detail may be found under the Acquisition History section.

 

2


On-going Acquisition/Merger Activities

 

In pursuit of the Company’s growth strategy, management is continuously evaluating acquisition/merger opportunities with numerous companies. Companies of interest are leading manufacturers, distributors and service providers who compete with technology advantage, are generating internal growth, and show potential for strong synergy with the Company’s technology, manufacturing operations and marketing and sales organization.

 

Products and Services

 

Industrial Measurement

 

The Company’s industrial sensor and control products consist of a wide range of NTEP and OIML approved, EX, Factory Mutual and IP rated load cells, transducers, translators and sensors. These devices, representing a core SI technology, are electromechanical components that convert a physical force to an electrical signal. When matched with microprocessor-controlled digital electronics, they measure forces such as pressure, weight, mass and torque. Commercially, the products are used for measurement, inspection and control. SI sensor and control products are principally used in electronic weighing equipment; batching, blending, mixing, fill-by-weight and product inspection operations and, machinery operation and control systems. SI controls/instrumentation is normally designed as an integral part of a complete weighing system. In recent years, SI instrumentation has been expanded to provide users with the ability to acquire, record in memory and download to management information systems operational information other than weight information. In this expanded capacity, SI instrumentation becomes a critical link between operations and management information systems.

 

SI designs and manufactures dynamic and static electronic weighing equipment and systems for use in a wide array of industrial applications. As a result of the uniqueness of the Company’s combined sensor, weighing and automation system technologies, SI is one of few manufacturers in the industry who design and manufacture all three of the primary components of an electronic scale. These components are the load-handling structure, sensors and instrumentation. Many manufacturers of conventional scale systems manufacture only load-handling structures, outsourcing to industry suppliers their sensor and instrumentation requirements. The Company utilizes its expertise and manufacturing know-how in each of these critical components to competitive advantage and believes our broad expertise can be exploited through our acquisition/integration growth strategy.

 

Dynamic weighing systems are installed on transportation vehicles, material-handling equipment and in manufacturing process systems for weight measurement of goods and materials. Weight information generated by these systems has broad application including loading, transporting and delivery payload management; manufacturing process, inventory and quality control; and operations automation. Key products marketed under the AirScale, Allegany, Checkmate, Evergreen Weigh, Structural Instrumentation, RouteMan, SmartPin, The Logger, Trojan, and Tuffer trade names are dynamic “weigh-in-motion” and mobile on-board vehicle and material-handling equipment scales, pallet weighers, crane scales and engineered system scales. SI systems are available as standard products for use with most major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) trucks, trailers, forklifts, loaders, cranes and lifting devices. Products are marketed predominately to the agriculture, construction, forestry, foundry, freight, manufacturing, mining, steel, transportation and waste management industries.

 

Depending on application, specific economic benefit is derived from reduced overweight vehicle fines and delays; reduced time loading, checkweighing and adjusting loads to maximum legal limits; reduced mileage and driving time to checkweighing locations such as commercial in-ground truck scales; immediate measurement and recording of pick-up and delivery weights; reduced equipment abuse, maintenance downtime and expense; and higher capital equipment capacity utilization. Additionally, the weight information produced by these systems is often the critical measurement in controlling, batching, blending and mixing operations in the manufacture of materials.

 

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All systems include force measurement sensors and microprocessor-based electronic instrumentation. The instrumentation supplies power to the sensors, provides all operator interface and controls, processes sensor electronic signals to determine weights, and displays and records in memory weight information and other inputs from the system and/or the operator. Force measurement sensors employing electronic strain gage technology measure force values. The electrical resistance of force measurement sensors changes proportionally to the force applied; thus the return signal to the meter varies by load or force.

 

The Company’s static weighing system product line consists of scales designed for numerous industrial and aviation weighing applications. Key products marketed under the trade names Air Guardian, Jet Weigh, Lodec, MTSERIES, Road Guardian, and Road Runner are permanent and portable axle scales, wheel-load weighers, canister load cell systems and heavy-capacity platform scales. Much like dynamic weighing systems, the static weighing systems have broad industrial application. Key markets in which these products enjoy significant market share include aggregate, aviation, construction, freight terminals, land remediation, mining and weight enforcement. Static weighing systems utilize the same technology as dynamic weighing systems; however, they are designed to weigh loads in a static or stationary mode.

 

Industrial Automation

 

SI’s industrial automation products consist of load handling, moving and positioning equipment and systems. These products often utilize highly specialized air-bearing movement systems to move loads of any weight efficiently and with extreme precision. Air bearings are air-cushion devices that are used to “float” heavy loads on a thin film of air. Additionally, the Company manufactures systems utilizing water bearings for use in large outdoor applications where water is used as the flotation medium rather than air. These products, marketed under the trade names AeroCaster, AeroGo, AeroPallets, AeroPlanks and AirShuttle are the world leaders in practical and efficient methods of movement, transfer, location, rotation and alignment of materials and products weighing from several hundred pounds to more than 6,000 tons.

 

The Company’s industrial automation product line comprises two distinct categories. The first is a standard product line of rugged, industrial, off-the-shelf air-cushion devices that allow a single person to easily and safely move loads weighing from a few hundred pounds to many tons. Standard products routinely move manufacturing fixtures, printing press bulky paper rolls, jet engines, and other heavy loads. The other category of the product line consists of engineered products. Engineered products and specialized systems designed and manufactured by the Company in recent years are currently moving 100,000-pound dies, launching ships, moving 4,500-ton stadium sections, transporting aerospace booster rockets and moving large assemblies in and out of assembly line operations in numerous heavy equipment manufacturing facilities.

 

Additional examples of engineered products include: automated guided vehicle systems, transporters, assembly line turntable systems, precision handling and positioning fixtures, quick die/mold changing carts, caisson manufacturing and moving systems, and aircraft inspection turntables.

 

SI industrial automation products commonly represent significant economic benefit in comparison to conventional material handling equipment through lower capital investment in manufacturing site construction, preparation and system installation, and greater operating efficiencies based on system versatility (not limited to following rails or tracks, as typically required with cranes and conveyors). These systems often represent the most viable means for handling extreme material handling applications involving very heavy loads, precision movement and positioning, and high efficiency assembly line automation.

 

4


Marketing and Sales

 

The Company’s products are marketed throughout the world primarily through 300 distributors and manufacturer representatives, each operating in a specific trade area and serving industrial customers, engineering firms and various government agencies. In addition to headquarters marketing and sales personnel, and subsidiary business unit marketing and sales operations, the Company maintains North American regional sales offices in California, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada; and European regional sales offices in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Company regional sales personnel assist distributors and representatives, make direct sales calls on potential customers in areas not covered by distribution, and support the Company’s direct major accounts.

 

The Company generates leads through a full complement of marketing practices, including advertisement in industry publications, direct-mail advertising, trade show participation and telemarketing. Headquarters and subsidiary personnel initiate the Company’s sales process on all inquiries by providing the inquirer with information on Company products and services and qualifying the lead. After qualification, inquiries are either maintained in sales for follow-up by Company sales personnel and distribution, or dispatched to engineering for design, cost estimating and preparation of price quotations or bid packages.

 

Due to the Company’s mix of standard off-the-shelf products and custom-engineered products, the time period between initial inquiry, purchase order receipt and shipment varies widely. Standard product orders are normally shipped within one to three days of purchase order receipt at published prices and with trade terms of FOB factory and 30 days net. Engineered products and projects are subject to specific contract terms negotiated between the Company and customer. Typically, contract terms provide for progress payments, provision for change orders and, on longer-term projects, provision for inflation- based price adjustment. On certain projects, the Company provides complete site preparation, system installation, start-up and customer training services. In this capacity, from time to time, the Company serves as a contractor on a time and material basis. The Company’s business is not seasonal in nature.

 

Market Conditions and Competition

 

Market Conditions

 

Worldwide capital expenditures for industrial measurement and automation equipment and systems have averaged about $70 billion in recent years, with domestic spending accounting for approximately 30% of the total. Overall industry growth normally approximates inflation. Over the past eighteen months the Company believes the market and specifically key market sectors in which it does business has contracted due to the global manufacturing recession, which began in calendar year 2000. Beyond the current economic situation, the Company believes its unique products, diversity of markets and worldwide geographic presence present significant opportunities for internal growth within the industry.

 

Product uniqueness (niche products) is a competitive advantage for SI. Manufacturers of conventional mature products competing for market share with non-differentiated products normally compete primarily on product price and availability. SI’s unique products such as dynamic weighing and air-bearing load-handling and factory automation systems frequently compete within the industry as substitute products or as an alternative means for meeting the customers’ needs. As a result of this high level of product differentiation and the application versatility of SI’s unique products, the Company believes demand for SI products is more elastic than demand for conventional products within the industry.

 

Market diversity is a growing competitive advantage for SI. Over the past few years, SI has been redirecting its focus to new markets in an effort to mitigate a sharp capital spending downturn in the Company’s traditionally strong forestry and waste management markets. Since the 1996 acquisition of Evergreen Weigh cross-selling of products and integration of Company sales organizations have steadily increased market share in several markets including, aggregate, aviation, and construction industries. With the acquisition of AeroGo in fiscal 1997, and the acquisitions of NV Technology, Allegany Technology and Revere Transducers in fiscal 1998, the Company has

 

5


further expanded its market diversity and potential for revenue synergies. The Company intends to capitalize on its growing market diversity, worldwide presence and cross-selling opportunities with an expanding product line to create internal growth.

 

SI maintains inventories of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods. To supply products with competitive availability, the Company carries approximately 47% of inventory in finished goods. While the Company manufacturers the majority of its value-added components, certain components, manufacturing processes and sub-assemblies are outsourced. Outsourced items are normally purchased on fixed price contracts on a just-in-time basis. Should the need arise, the Company believes that any supplier and/or subcontractor could be replaced without significant disruption to its business.

 

Competition

 

Competition in the industrial measurement and automation equipment and system industry is extremely fragmented with approximately 6,000 manufacturers and a greater number of distributors and service companies. To the Company’s knowledge, there are no competitors with the same product mix as SI. Direct competitors (competing head-to-head with similar products) normally compete on a single product line and are smaller and may have less financial resources than SI. General industry-wide competitors (competing with alternative conventional products) range from very small, local companies to large, international companies with greater financial resources than SI.

 

In the dynamic and static weighing systems product line, direct competitors are all smaller, privately held companies. Occasionally and on specific applications, the weighing systems product line competes as an alternative product with larger companies that manufacture conventional, industrial weighing systems. These companies include Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Company, Fairbanks Scale Company, Mettler-Toledo Holding, Inc. and Weigh-Tronix, Inc. Competition among larger manufacturers of conventional weighing systems, due to lack of product differentiation, is principally based on price, local dealer trade-area presence and relationships, and product availability.

 

Competition in the industrial sensor and control product line varies widely depending on customer type and application. Industry standard sensors sold directly to large industrial scale manufacturers compete primarily on price, quality and service. Standard and custom sensors sold to OEMs of other types of products and equipment, and to user customers in process industries, primarily compete on the supplier’s ability to provide engineering expertise and assistance, quality, and on-going customer support and service. Competitors range from small, local companies to large, international companies.

 

Competition in load handling and factory automation products is similar to weighing system products. In the air and water bearing product line, all competitors are smaller, privately held companies which may have less financial resources than the Company. Direct competitors include Airfloat, Hovair, and Aircaster. In custom-engineered products and projects, the Company normally competes as a substitute or alternative product versus conventional material-handling equipment manufactured by companies ranging in size from much smaller to significantly larger than the Company.

 

International markets vary widely in competitive issues. In some countries, price competition is more intense than in North America, while in others prior relationships and product quality receive more customer emphasis than do marginal pricing differentials, thus price competition is less intensive. As a result of product uniqueness, innovative design solutions, quality of product and dependability, SI products and services are frequently sold in situations where the Company is not the low bidder.

 

Significant Customers

 

Historically the Company’s primary customers have been transportation, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, waste management and general industrial companies. Over the past few years, as a result of the

 

6


Company’s growth strategy, the customer base has expanded to include the aviation/aerospace, automotive, food processing, construction and maritime industries. Significant customers in recent years include Boeing, Caterpillar, Carrier, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai, Mettler-Toledo, Lockheed, Michelin, Mitsubishi, NASA, Siemens, and Thiokol.

 

While a significant portion of the Company’s annual revenues represent repeat business from its customers, no individual customer represents 10% or more of the Company’s revenues.

 

Acquisition History

 

Acquisition of Evergreen Weigh, Inc.

 

In April 1996, the Company acquired Evergreen Weigh, Inc. (Evergreen), a Washington corporation. Evergreen is a manufacturer of dynamic and static weighing systems. Evergreen’s primary products include weigh-in-motion on-board scales for material-handling equipment, axle scales and wheel-load weighers. Key markets served by Evergreen products include the aviation, heavy construction, mining, quarry and transportation industries. The acquisition of Evergreen expanded the Company’s product line and increased the number of markets in which the Company sells products. SI and Evergreen sales organizations merged into one integrated sales organization shortly after the acquisition.

 

Acquisition of AeroGo, Inc.

 

In July 1997 the Company acquired AeroGo, Inc., a Washington corporation. AeroGo is a world leader in the design and manufacture of load-handling, moving, positioning and factory automation equipment and systems. AeroGo products, utilizing both standard and highly specialized air bearing movement systems, are marketed chiefly to aviation/aerospace, automotive, construction, manufacturing, maritime and general industry. AeroGo’s factory automation expertise lies in the design and manufacturing of heavy load moving equipment, die carts, automated guided vehicle systems, transport skates, sideloaders, step conveyors and flexible manufacturing systems. The acquisition of AeroGo provided the Company with an entrance to the industrial automation industry.

 

Acquisition of NV Technology, Inc.

 

In February 1998, the Company acquired NV Technology, Inc. (NV), a Nevada corporation. The transaction, which was a tax-free merger, was accounted for as a pooling-of-interest. NV is a manufacturer of high-performance, stainless steel load cells and sensors. The addition of NV’s National Institute of Science & Technology (NIST) certified products expanded the Company’s business in legal-for-trade, weighing and process control applications.

 

Acquisition of Allegany Technology, Inc.

 

In July 1998, the Company acquired Allegany Technology, Inc. (Allegany), a Delaware corporation. Allegany is a leading designer and manufacturer of specialty load cells and sensors, industrial crane, and lift truck scales, along with billet weighing systems. Allegany’s unique billet weighing systems increase productivity and profitability in the steel and heavy metals industries. Other major markets for Allegany products include aerospace, distribution, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing. Allegany products expanded the Company’s strong position as a manufacturer of weighing products for niche markets.

 

Acquisition of Revere Transducers

 

In July 1998, the Company acquired Revere Transducers, Inc. and Revere Transducers Europe B.V. (Revere) from Harnischfeger Industries (NYSE-HPH). Revere is headquartered in Tustin, California, with

 

7


operations in Tustin and Breda, the Netherlands. Revere is one of the four largest manufacturers of electronic weighing load cells, sensors and related devices in the industry, with worldwide market share estimated at 8%. In addition to a highly recognized brand name, the acquisition of Revere brought the Company new technology and manufacturing capability in the design and manufacture of proprietary strain gages and a manufacturing facility and marketing organization in Europe.

 

Restructuring Plan

 

In the third quarter of 2001, the Company announced a Restructuring Plan to address a significant decline in sales brought about by the then nine-month old global manufacturing recession and to position the Company for improved profitability in the future. The plan announced was comprised of the three key components. First, was the consolidation of the SI/Allegany business unit and Revere Transducers, resulting in the closing of operations in Cumberland, Maryland. Second, the plan called for development of offshore manufacturing sources to reduce costs on certain high-volume, highly competitive load cells and sensors. The third component of the plan was for a downsizing of the Company’s Tustin, California, headquarters and manufacturing facility to a more appropriately sized facility in the same general area. In recognition of the expenses associated with this restructuring, the Company recorded a $3,844,000 charge in fiscal 2001 to cover expenses related to implementation of the plan and costs associated with elimination of fixed assets and employee severance. Key cost components of the plan include: (1) reduction of manufacturing capacity by abandoning and/or downsizing facilities, (2) disposing of redundant assets, (3) termination of approximately 50 employees, and (4) outsourcing a significant portion of the combined operation’s higher volume products.

 

The Company has been unable to sublet the Maryland facility. An additional restructuring charge of $486,000 was recorded in 2003 representing the balance of lease payments for the facility. The Company will continue to actively market it, however at this time, it is uncertain if a suitable tenant can be found within the lease period. See additional discussion in Item 7.

 

Goodwill Impairment

 

As a result of the evaluation of its Allegany Technology subsidiary in connection with the restructuring plan in 2001 noted above, the Company estimated the discounted future cash flows of the continuing products, and determined that almost 40% of the remaining goodwill associated with the acquisition of companies previously incorporated into the Allegany Technology operation has been impaired. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of”, a $2,000,000 charge for goodwill impairment was recorded in operating expenses for the quarter ended April 30, 2001.

 

Backlog

 

At July 31, 2003, the Company’s backlog was $3,093,000, compared with $4,286,000 on July 31, 2002. The Company’s backlog consists of written orders and commitments believed to be firm, approximately 95% of which is shippable in fiscal 2004. Purchase orders and contracts for products and services are from time to time modified and/or canceled by mutual consent between the Company and the customer. Therefore, the backlog on any specific date may not be indicative of the Company’s future performance.

 

Employees

 

At July 31, 2003, the Company employed 240 full time employees.

 

Sources of Supply

 

The materials and components used by the Company to manufacture its products are available from a variety of sources. The Company believes that it is not dependent at this time on any particular supplier for either its materials or components and has experienced no difficulty in obtaining supplies.

 

8


Patents and Trademarks

 

The Company holds numerous patents on various force measurement devices and weighing system design applications. The patents have expiration dates ranging from 2003 to 2016. The Company also has patent license agreements to build force measurement devices under patents held by others. The license agreements are fully paid up and irrevocable for the lifetime of these patents. The Company has no reason to believe its patents are not valid. However, if the patents were successfully contested, management does not believe it would have a material adverse impact on the Company.

 

Financial Information about Foreign Operations

 

Foreign Operations

 

Included in the consolidated balance sheet at July 31, 2003 are the identifiable assets of the Company’s subsidiary, Revere Transducers Europe B.V., which total approximately $4,327,000. The Company acquired Revere Transducers Europe, located in the Netherlands, at July 1, 1998.

 

The Company derives approximately 59% of its revenues from customers within the United States. Approximately 30% come from sales to customers in 16 different countries in Europe. The balance of sales are to Canada, Mexico and Latin America. Sales outside the United States are primarily to developed countries.

 

For additional information regarding foreign assets and operations, see Note K to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

 

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ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

 

Location


  

Segment


  

Utilization


  

Square

Footage


  

Leased or

Owned


  

Lease

Termination


UNITED STATES

                        

Tustin, CA

   Industrial Measurement    Corporate offices, headquarters and U.S. operations for Revere Transducers and SI/Allegany    93,000    Leased    September 2004

Seattle, WA

   Industrial Automation    Offices and operations for AeroGo, Inc.    55,326    Leased    April 2004

Cumberland, MD

   Industrial Measurement    Discontinued use as operations for SI/Allegany. Partial use as East Coast Sales and Service Center    33,000    Leased    May 2006

Cumberland, MD

   Industrial Measurement    Aircraft hanger    4,200    Owned     

INTERNATIONAL

                        

Breda, the Netherlands

   Industrial Measurement    European operations for Revere Transducers    22,000    Leased    June 2007

Kelowna, B.C., Canada

   Industrial Measurement    Canadian Sales & Service Center    3,000    Leased    May 2006

 

The Company believes that its properties have been adequately maintained, are in generally good condition and are suitable for the Company’s business as presently conducted. The Company believes its existing facilities provide sufficient production capacity for its present needs and for its anticipated needs in the foreseeable future. The Company also believes that upon the expiration of its current leases, it either will be able to secure renewal terms or enter into leases for alternative locations at market terms. The Company has readied the Maryland facility for sublet, and is currently actively marketing it, however due to local market conditions, the Company can not make any assurances that the facility will be sublet.

 

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is engaged in various legal actions as of July 31, 2003. In the opinion of management, based upon the advice of counsel, the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of Security Holders during the quarter ended July 31, 2003.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

As of October 31, 2003, there were 199 shareholders of record of the Company’s Common Stock. Management believes this represents approximately 600 beneficial owners of SI common stock. SI’s common stock is traded on the over-the-counter market on the NASDAQ system under the symbol “SISI.” The Company has not declared nor paid any dividends since its inception. The following chart describes the price range of Common Shares of SI, as quoted by NASDAQ as the last closing price, by quarter for fiscal 2003 and 2002:

 

Price Range of Common Shares

 

     2003

   2002

     High

   Low

   High

   Low

1st Quarter

   1.55    .50    1.88    .90

2nd Quarter

   2.28    1.05    3.40    1.00

3rd Quarter

   2.07    1.45    1.88    1.15

4th Quarter

   3.79    1.62    1.67    1.04

 

Dividend Policy

 

The Company has never declared nor paid cash dividends on the Common Stock. The Company intends to retain all future earnings for reinvestment in its business and does not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the Company is prohibited from declaring and/or paying cash dividends on its capital stock under the terms of certain indebtedness.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following tables summarize information concerning currently outstanding and exercisable stock options:

 

Plan Category


  

(a)

Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights


  

(b)

Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights


  

(c)

Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))


Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   682,500    $2.49    17,500

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   168,824    $2.50    None

TOTAL

   851,324    $2.49    17,500

 

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On April 22, 2003, the Company sold an aggregate of 281,374 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) to two accredited investors, Ralph E. Crump (Chairman of the Board, Treasurer, and Director of the Company) and his wife, Marjorie Crump, for a total sale price of $500,000. The sale was made in reliance upon the private placement exemption contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D. In connection with the offering the Company also issued a five-year warrant to purchase 56,275 shares of Common Stock to Ralph E. Crump and five-year warrant to purchase 56,275 shares of Common Stock to Marjorie Crump. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.50 per share. Both Ralph E. Crump and Marjorie Crump have signed an agreement with the Company agreeing not to exercise these warrants, purchase any additional shares of common stock or obtain any benefit associated with holding the Common Stock of the warrants until shareholder approval of this sale is obtained at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

In June 2003, the Company sold an aggregate of 140,687 shares of Common Stock to 4 additional unaffiliated accredited investors, for a total sale price of $250,000. The sale was made in reliance upon the private placement exemption contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D. In connection with the offering the Company also issued a five-year warrants to purchase 56,275 shares of Common Stock to these investors. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.50 per share

 

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Year ended July 31:

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

    2000

   1999

 

Net sales

   $ 33,047,000    $ 32,613,000    $ 36,291,000     $ 41,329,000    $ 44,689,000  

Net earnings (loss)

     1,197,000      1,673,000      (7,128,000 )     351,000      (230,000 )

Net earnings (loss) per share basic

     .33      .47      (2.00 )     .10      (.07 )

Net earnings (loss) per share diluted

     .32      .47      (2.00 )     .09      (.07 )

Total assets

     26,943,000      25,782,000      25,910,000       33,018,000      37,668,000  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     3,366,000      4,039,000      —         10,809,000      11,418,000  

Other long-term obligations

     408,000      360,000      569,000       976,000      1,423,000  

 

12


ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

As an aid to understanding the Company’s operating results, the following table indicates the percentage of revenues that each income statement item represents and the percentage increase or decrease in such items for the years indicated. Since 1996, the Company has acquired five businesses.

 

Total SI Technologies

 

     Year ended July 31,

   

Percent

Increase/(Decrease)


 
     2003

    2002

    2001

   

2003 vs.

2002


   

2002 vs.

2001


 

Net sales

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   1.3 %   (10.1 )%

Cost of sales

   65.1     64.1     67.1     2.9     (14.2 )
    

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

   34.9     35.9     32.9     (1.5 )   (1.9 )
    

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

   25.8     24.6     24.7     6.4     (10.6 )

Research, development and engineering

   4.7     4.3     4.4     12.8     (14.4 )

Amortization of intangibles

   -0-     1.1     1.2     (100.0 )   (14.3 )

Restructuring charges

   1.6     -0-     10.6     100.0     (100.0 )

Goodwill impairment loss

   -0-     -0-     5.5     -0-     (100.0 )
    

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

   32.1     30.0     46.4     8.4     (42.0 )
    

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

   2.8     5.9     (13.5 )   (51.5 )   139.5  

Interest expense

   (2.9 )   (2.8 )   (4.3 )   8.0     (42.2 )

Other income

   0.5     0.3     0.0     62.8     754.5  
    

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income tax expense

   0.4     3.4     (17.8 )   (89.5 )   117.5  

Income tax (expense) benefit

   3.2     1.7     (1.8 )   99.6     181.6  
    

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   3.6     5.1     (19.6 )   (29.5 )   123.5  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Measurement

 

     Year ended July 31,

   

Percent

Increase/(Decrease)


 
     2002

    2002

    2001

   

2003 vs.

2002


   

2002 vs.

2001


 

Net sales

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   4.4 %   (10.2 )%

Cost of sales

   67.0     66.2     70.7     5.6     (15.8 )
    

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

   33.0     33.8     29.3     (2.0 )   3.4  
    

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

   24.1     22.0     22.9     14.3     (13.9 )

Research, development and engineering

   5.0     4.6     4.7     12.8     (11.9 )

Amortization of intangibles

   -0-     .7     .9     (95.1 )   (24.0 )

Restructuring charges

   1.8     -0-     13.6     100.0     (100.0 )

Goodwill impairment loss

   -0-     -0-     7.1     -0-     (100.0 )
    

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

   30.9     27.3     49.2     18.1     (50.0 )
    

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

   2.1     6.5     (19.9 )   (66.4 )   (129.1 )

 

13


Industrial Automation

 

     Year ended July 31,

   

Percent

Increase/
(Decrease)


 
     2002

    2002

    2001

   

2003 vs.

2002


   

2002 vs.

2001


 

Net sales

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   (9.5 )%   (9.9 )%

Cost of sales

   57.2     56.4     54.3     (8.2 )   (6.5 )
    

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

   42.8     43.6     45.7     (11.1 )   (14.1 )
    

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

   32.0     33.8     31.1     (11.7 )   (2.0 )

Research, development and engineering

   4.7     4.3     4.4     12.7     (14.4 )

Amortization of intangibles

   -0-     2.4     2.2     (100.0 )   (0.0 )
    

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

   36.7     39.3     36.9     (15.3 )   (4.3 )
    

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

   6.1     4.3     8.7     27.1     (55.7 )

 

NET SALES

 

Net sales for the year ended July 31, 2003 increased to $33,047,000 or 1.3% from $32,613,000 for the year ended July 31, 2002. The increase in sales in industrial measurement products is primarily attributable to favorable exchange rates from Euros to the dollar. Sales of industrial automation products decreased $682,000 or 9.5%, due to decreased volume demand for these products resulting from lower capital equipment spending globally.

 

Net sales for the year ended July 31, 2002 declined to $32,613,000 or 10.1% from $36,291,000 for the year ended July 31, 2001. The decrease in sales was primarily attributable to continuation of the global manufacturing recession’s impact on capital equipment markets. Following a sales decline of 7-16% year-over-year in the first three quarters of 2002, the fourth quarter sales were comparable to 2001. Sales of industrial automation products decreased $796,000 or 9.9%.

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

Gross profit for the year ended July 31, 2003 decreased $180,000 or 1.5% to $11,539,000 from $11,719,000 for the year ended July 31, 2002. The decrease in gross profit was primarily attributable to continued downward price pressure in many of the Company products, and a shift to lower margin products during the second half of the year as product mix continued to shift between scale components and complete scale systems. Traditionally, the Company’s complete scale system products earn substantially higher gross profit than the load cell or scale components product line.

 

Gross profit for the year ended July 31, 2002 decreased $230,000 or 1.9% to $11,719,000 from $11,949,000 for the year ended July 31, 2001. The decrease in gross profit was primarily attributable to lower sales volume, however, the contribution of the benefit of outsourcing products to lower cost producers resulted in a significant improvement in the gross margin percentage. The corresponding gross margins for the periods were 35.9% and 32.9%, respectively. The year-over-year increase in gross margin was the result of the consolidation of the Company’s operations and placing into effect the restructuring.

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended July 31, 2003 and 2002 were $8,537,000 and $8,023,000 respectively. The increase of $514,000 or 6.4%, was the result the expansion of the Company’s marketing efforts including staff additions of $418,000. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 25.8% in 2003 as compared to 24.6% in 2002. Selling, general and administrative

 

14


expenses for industrial automation decreased by $285,000 or 11.7% as a result of lower sales activity and reductions of administrative costs where practical.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended July 31, 2002 and 2001 were $8,023,000 and $8,971,000, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 24.6% in 2002 as compared to 24.7% in 2001. The decrease in total expenditures was the result of consolidating the Company’s sales, administrative and engineering functions, resulting in a $561,000 reduction in personnel costs.

 

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING EXPENSES

 

Research, development and engineering expenses for the years ended July 31, 2003 and 2002 were $1,565,000 and $1,388,000, respectively. The increase of $177,000 or 12.8% represents salaries for engineering support of manufacturing. The Company’s expenditures are primarily for sales, manufacturing and customer support and development of product enhancements.

 

Research, development and engineering expenses for the years ended July 31, 2002 and 2001 were $1,388,000 and $1,621,000, respectively. This is a decrease of $233,000 or 14.4%, attributable primarily to a reduction in personnel costs of approximately $100,000. The decrease was also attributable to the business unit combinations and facility consolidation implemented during the year.

 

AMORTIZATION EXPENSES

 

In 2003, amortization of goodwill was discontinued when the Company changed the treatment of amortization of goodwill to comply with SFAS 142, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets.”

 

Intangible amortization expenses amounted to $365,000 in 2002 as compared to $426,000 in 2001, and were lower due to the impairment in the carrying value of the unamortized goodwill recorded during the 2001 restructuring.

 

INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME

 

Interest expense in 2003 was $976,000 in comparison to $904,000 in 2002. A larger line of credit borrowings accounted for the increase in interest expense as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, while interest rates remained relatively stable. Other income was $153,000 in 2003 as compared to $94,000 in 2002.

 

Interest expense for 2002 decreased $660,000 or 42.2% from $1,564,000 in 2001 to $904,000 in 2002. This decrease was directly attributable to lower interest rates during the current year in comparison to the prior year and a reduction of overall debt of $1,027,000.

 

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

 

In the third quarter of 2001, the Company announced a Restructuring Plan to address a significant decline in sales brought about by the then nine-month old global manufacturing recession and to position the Company for improved profitability in the future. The plan announced was comprised of the three key components. First, was the consolidation of the SI/Allegany business unit and Revere Transducers, resulting in the closing of operations in Cumberland, Maryland. Second, the plan called for development of offshore manufacturing sources to reduce costs on certain high-volume, highly competitive load cells and sensors. The third component of the plan was for a downsizing of the Company’s Tustin, California, headquarters and manufacturing facility to a more appropriately sized facility in the same general area. In recognition of the expenses associated with this restructuring, the Company recorded a $3,844,000 charge in fiscal 2001 to cover expenses related to implementation of the plan and costs associated with elimination of fixed assets and employee severance. Key cost components of the plan include: (1) reduction of manufacturing capacity by abandoning and/or downsizing

 

15


facilities, (2) disposing of redundant assets, (3) termination of approximately 50 employees, and (4) outsourcing a significant portion of the combined operation’s higher volume products.

 

The Company was in negotiations to sublet the Maryland facility in the fall of 2002, but was subsequently unable to secure a long-term tenant. The Company has since been unable to sublet the Maryland facility and accordingly, an additional restructuring charge of $486,000 was recorded in 2003 representing the balance of lease payments for the facility. The Company will continue to actively market it, however at this time, it is uncertain if a suitable tenant can be found within the lease period. The Company will relocate the Tustin operations to a new facility in September 2004.

 

INCOME TAX BENEFIT

 

Income tax benefit for the years ended July 31, 2003 and 2002 was $1,078,000 and $540,000, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate (income tax benefit/expense as a percentage of pretax income) was 905.9% and 47.7% in 2003 and 2002, respectively. The U.S. federal corporate income tax rate exceeds the effective tax rate due primarily to the amortization of intangible assets that are not deductible for income tax purposes (in 2002 only), state and foreign income taxes, utilization of net operating loss carryforward and the valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance for deferred tax was reduced in 2002 and eliminated in 2003. Based on results from 2002 and 2003, the Company expects to be in a profitable position and able to realize the deferred tax assets in the future and has accordingly reduced the valuation allowance.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates estimates, including those related to the valuation of inventory and stock adjustments, for reasonableness. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

 

SI Technologies, Inc. (SI or Company) designs, manufactures and markets high performance industrial sensors, weighing and factory automation equipment, and related products. SI products incorporate devices, equipment and systems for the handling, inspection and measurement of goods and materials. Key markets served by SI include aerospace/aviation, food, forestry, manufacturing, mining, transportation/distribution and waste management. The Company sells throughout the United States and international markets. Approximately 48% of total revenues are international. Additional disclosure regarding components of the Company’s businesses is in Note N—Industry and Geographic Area Segment Information.

 

1.    Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation under the requirements of APB Opinion No. 25, which does not require compensation to be recorded if the consideration to be received is at least equal to fair value at the measurement date. Nonemployee stock-based transactions and stock warrants are accounted for under the requirements of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which requires compensation to be recorded based on the fair value of the securities issued or the services received, whichever is more reliably measurable.

 

16


2.    Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

 

The Company recognizes revenue only when all of the four following criteria are met: 1) Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, usually in the form of a written purchase order; 2) Delivery has occurred (or a shipment has been made, depending upon the terms of the purchase order) or services have been rendered; 3) The Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, usually evidenced by a written purchase order; and 4) Collectability is reasonably assured, based on credit evaluation and history with the customer.

 

Additionally, on long-term contracts, sales are recorded based on the percentage that incurred costs bear to the total estimated costs at completion. Estimated cost to complete is based on the budget, incurred cost, risk assessment of the cost, and is then adjusted for normal/historical variance of project actual versus budget. Estimated losses are recorded in total when they become evident. These contracts are generally billed and collected based on contractual milestones throughout the project.

 

3.    Reserves

 

Valuation allowances are maintained for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. All receivable accounts are reviewed regularly by management and written off against the uncollectable reserve when it is determined that the account cannot reasonably be expected to be collected. Recoveries of trade receivables previously written off are recorded when received. No interest is charged on past due accounts.

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Each quarter, the Company evaluates its inventories for excess quantities and obsolescence. These estimates are dependent on the Company’s assessment of current and expected orders from its customers. Management estimates a reserve percentage for the estimated net realizable value of slow moving product based upon the number of years sales on hand. The Company reserves for potential excess and obsolete inventory based upon historical usage.

 

The Company offers warranties of various lengths to its customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement. The average length of the warranty period is 12 months. The Company’s warranties require it to repair or replace defective products during the warrant period at no cost to the customer. At the time the product revenue is recognized, the Company records a liability for estimated costs that may be incurred under its warranties. The costs are estimated based on historical experience and any specific warranty issues that may have been identified. (Although historical warranty costs have been within expectations, there can be no assurance that future warranty costs will not exceed historical amounts.) The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the balance as necessary.

 

Management also records a valuation allowance to reduce the Company’s deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Management considers estimated future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance.

 

4.    Income taxes

 

Deferred taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and deferred tax liabilities, including operating loss carryforwards, are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

17


5.    Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives, principally on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lives of the respective leases or the service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Estimated service lives of property and equipment are as follows:

 

Machinery and equipment

   2 to 10 years

Buildings

   35 years

Leasehold improvements

   2 to 10 years

 

The straight-line method of depreciation is followed for substantially all assets for financial reporting purposes, while accelerated methods are used for tax purposes.

 

6.    Goodwill

 

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 142 addresses financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. The Company adopted SFAS 142 effective August 1, 2002.

 

In conjunction with the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company was required to carry out a transitional goodwill impairment evaluation, which requires an assessment of whether there is an indication that goodwill is impaired as of the date of adoption. Initially, the Company identified its reporting units and determined the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning the assets and liabilities (including goodwill) to those reporting units as of the date of adoption. If the fair value of a reporting unit was below the unit’s carrying amount, as computed in step one, the Company must complete step two of the transitional goodwill impairment test for that reporting unit as soon as possible, but not later than the end of the year of adoption. If the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is less than its recorded goodwill, a transitional goodwill impairment loss will be recognized and reported as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 20, Accounting Changes. Any subsequent impairment losses resulting from events or circumstances that occur after the first day of the fiscal year in which SFAS No. 142 is adopted will be reported as a component of income from continuing or discontinued operations, as appropriate.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142, management determined there were three reporting units. The carrying value of each respective reporting unit was compared to its current fair value determined using a discounted future cash flows approach. Due to the fair value of each reporting unit exceeding its carrying value, management determined no impairment existed. Management completed its annual goodwill impairment evaluation as of  July 31, 2003, and further concluded that no additional impairment exists.

 

7.    Impairment of long lived assets

 

The Company periodically reviews its long-lived assets, including patents, to determine potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets with the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets, including cash flows from disposition. Long-lived assets evaluated for impairment are grouped with other assets to the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. Should the sum of the expected future net cash flows be less than the carrying value, the Company would recognize an impairment loss at that date. An impairment loss would be measured by comparing the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value (estimated discounted future cash flows) of the long-lived assets. For the year ended July 31, 2003, management has determined that no impairment of long-lived assets, including patents, exists.

 

18


Changes in circumstances, such as the passage of new laws or changes in regulations, technological advances or changes to the Company’s business strategy, could result in the actual useful lives of long-lived assets differing from initial estimates. Factors such as changes in the planned use of equipment, customer attrition, contractual amendments or mandated regulator requirements could result in shortened useful lives. In those cases where the Company determines that the useful life of a long-lived asset should be revised, the Company will amortize or depreciate the net book value in excess of the estimated residual value of its revised remaining useful life.

 

8.    Use of Estimates

 

In preparing the Company’s financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management are used for, but not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns, reserves for slow moving and obsolete inventory, warrant obligations, excess facility capacity, deferred tax valuation allowances and recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets, including goodwill.

 

9.    Pending Accounting Pronouncements

 

The FASB has issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”—an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51. This Interpretation defines a variable interest entity and provides that if a business enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities, and results of the activities of the variable interest entity should be included in consolidated financial statements with those of the business enterprise. Furthermore, the Board indicates that the voting interest approach of ARB No. 51 is not effective in identifying controlling financial interests in entities that are not controllable through voting interest or in which the equity investors do not bear the residual economic risk. This Interpretation applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and to variable interest entities in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. It applies in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after December 15, 2003, to variable interest entities in which an enterprise holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003. Management believes the implementation of this Interpretation will not have a material effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2003 FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”, which requires that certain financial instruments previously presented as equity or temporary equity be presented as liabilities. Such instruments include mandatory redeemable preferred and common stock, and certain options and warrants. SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments issued, entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is generally effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 150 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of its operations.

 

INFLATION

 

Historically, the impact of inflation has been negligible, as the Company has been able to offset the effects through efficiency and price adjustments.

 

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

None

 

19


CONSOLIDATED LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

At July 31, 2003, the Company’s cash position was $284,000 compared to $238,000 at July 31, 2002. Cash available in excess of that required for general corporate purposes is used to reduce borrowings under the Company’s line of credit. Working capital increased to $1,624,000 from $1,125,000 at July 31, 2002.

 

The Company’s existing capital resources consist of cash balances and funds available under its line of credit, which are increased or decreased by cash provided by or used in operating activities. Cash used by operating activities in 2003 was $612,000. Operating income, reduction of trade receivables and the cash benefit of depreciation was used to reduce trade payables and increase inventories. Management anticipates generating cash from operating activities in 2004 by reducing inventories assuming revenues remain stable.

 

The Company’s cash requirements consist of its general working capital needs, capital expenditures, and obligations under its leases and notes payable. Working capital requirements include the salary costs of employees and related overhead and the purchase of material and components. The Company anticipates capital expenditures of approximately $280,000 in 2004 as compared to $270,000 in 2003. The Company expects to refinance its current lines of credit and has sufficient cash flow available to pay current maturities of long-term debt of $1,898,000. A portion of the current maturities represents a note which has been renewed in the past. As of July 31, 2003, the Company had $385,000 available under its lines of credit.

 

In June 2002, the Company amended its principal credit agreement with its bank. The terms provide for a revolving line of credit up to a maximum of $6,500,000 with interest at prime plus 2.75%. Monthly payments on the line are interest only with principal due January 2, 2004. The credit agreement provides a term note for $1,500,000 with interest at prime plus 3.25%. Monthly payments on the new term note are $25,000 plus interest with principal due January 2, 2004. Monthly payments on the existing note payable are reduced to $56,058 plus interest at prime plus 1.75%, with the remaining terms of the existing note unchanged. The line and both notes are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets and are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted. The Company is required to maintain certain levels of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, tangible net worth and fixed charge coverage and may not pay any cash dividends under terms of the agreement. The Company was in violation of one of these covenants at year end and has received a waiver from the bank.

 

The Company believes that cash flow from operations and funds available under its bank facilities will be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital needs and principal payments on long-term debt. No assurances can be made that the debt can be refinanced or replaced at favorable rates.

 

In the 4th Quarter the Company completed a private placement, as more fully described in Item 5, in which $750,000 of common stock was sold along with warrants.

 

20


CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS

 

As of July 31, 2003 the Company had contractual obligations in the form of non-cancelable operating leases (see Note H to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and long-term debt obligations (see Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements), as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

     Total

   Payments Due by Period

        Less than
1 year


   1-3
years


   4-5
years


Operating Leases

   $ 1,964    $ 1,117    $ 724    $ 123

Long Term Debt

     5,264      1,898      3,366     
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 7,228    $ 3,015    $ 4,090    $ 123
    

  

  

  

 

Included in operating leases are payments included in other liabilities for which reserves have been established as more fully described in Note F to the financial statements.

 

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes 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. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in the preceding discussion regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and plans of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable; it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

 

ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk represents the potential loss that may impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows due to adverse changes in the financial markets. The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in the base rates on our variable rate debt.

 

Interest rates-the domestic bank revolving line of credit and term debt (totaling $11,379 at July 31, 2003) bear interest at a variable rate of prime (4.0% at July 31, 2003) plus an additional amount, as defined in each respective debt agreement.

 

The Company has experienced minimal foreign currency fluctuation.

 

21


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

SI Technologies, Inc.

Index to Financial Statements

 

    

(Form 10-K)

Pages(s)


Reports of Independent Certified Public Accountants

   23-25

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   26

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   27

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

   28

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   29

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   30-46

 

22


Independent Auditors Report

 

To the Board of Directors

SI Technologies, Inc.

Tustin, California

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of SI Technologies, Inc. as July 31, 2003, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We did not audit the financial statements of Revere Transducers Europe BV, a consolidated subsidiary, which statements reflect total assets and revenue constituting 16.3% and 32.9%, in 2003 of the related consolidated totals. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Revere Transducers Europe BV, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.

 

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

 

In our opinion, based on our audit and the report of the other auditors, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of SI Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of July 31, 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

As described in Note A to the financial statements, effective August 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

 

/S/    MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP

 

Irvine, California

October 23, 2003, except for the 2nd paragraph of Note E which is dated November 13, 2003

 

23


Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants

 

Board of Directors

SI Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of SI Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of July 31, 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended July 31, 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

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

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of SI Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of July 31, 2002, and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended July 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/S/    GRANT THORNTON LLP

 

Irvine, California

October 11, 2002

 

24


Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants

 

Board of Directors

Revere Transducers Europe BV and SI Technologies, Inc.

 

We have audited the balance sheet of Revere Transducers Europe BV (a wholly owned subsidiary of SI Technologies, Inc.) as of July 31, 2003, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

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

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Revere Transducers Europe BV as of July 31, 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flow for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/S/    ARENTHALS GRANT THORNTON

 

Amsterdam

October 3, 2003

 

25


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

July 31,

(In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data)

 

     2003

    2002

 
ASSETS                 

CURRENT ASSETS

                

Cash

   $ 284     $ 238  

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $296 in 2003 and $251 in 2002

     5,516       5,570  

Inventories, net

     10,234       9,665  

Other current assets

     337       842  
    


 


Total current assets

     16,371       16,315  

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

     1,679       1,968  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     1,509       446  

OTHER ASSETS

                

Goodwill, net

     7,002       7,002  

Other intangibles, net

     91       51  

Other assets

     291       —    
    


 


     $ 26,943     $ 25,782  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 
     2003

    2002

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

                

Revolving lines of credit

   $ 8,242     $ 7,300  

Current maturities of long-term debt

     1,898       2,148  

Accounts payable

     3,050       3,307  

Accrued liabilities

     1,557       2,435  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     14,747       15,190  

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current maturities

     3,366       4,039  

OTHER LIABILITIES

     408       360  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     —         —    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized, 2,000,000 shares; none outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized, 10,000,000; 4,026,996 and 3,579,935 (2003 and 2002, respectively) issued and outstanding

     40       36  

Additional paid-in capital

     11,163       10,377  

Accumulated deficit

     (2,798 )     (3,995 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     17       (225 )
    


 


       8,422       6,193  
    


 


     $ 26,943     $ 25,782  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

26


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Year ended July 31,

(In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data)

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Net sales

   $ 33,047     $ 32,613     $ 36,291  

Cost of sales

     21,508       20,894       24,342  
    


 


 


Gross profit

     11,539       11,719       11,949  
    


 


 


Operating expenses:

                        

Selling, general and administrative

     8,537       8,023       8,971  

Research, development and engineering

     1,565       1,388       1,621  

Amortization of intangibles

     9       365       426  

Restructuring charges

     486       —         3,844  

Goodwill impairment

     —         —         2,000  
    


 


 


       10,597       9,776       16,862  
    


 


 


Income (loss) from operations

     942       1,943       (4,913 )

Interest expense

     (976 )     (904 )     (1,564 )

Other income, net

     153       94       11  
    


 


 


Income (loss) before income tax expense

     119       1,133       (6,466 )

Income tax benefit (expense)

     1,078       540       (662 )
    


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 1,197     $ 1,673     $ (7,128 )
    


 


 


Income (loss) per common share, basic

   $ .33     $ .47     $ (2.00 )

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

     3,684,926       3,579,935       3,563,529  
    


 


 


Income (loss) per common share, assuming dilution

   $ .32     $ .47     $ (2.00 )

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     3,752,837       3,584,571       3,563,529  
    


 


 


 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

27


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Three years ended July 31, 2003

(In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data)

 

     Common Stock

  

Additional

paid-in

capital


  

Retained

earnings
(accumulated
deficit)


   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

income (loss)


   

Total

stockholders’

equity


   

Comprehensive

income (loss)


 
     Shares

   Amount

           

Balance, July 31, 2000

   3,547,123    $ 35    $ 10,327    $ 1,460     $ (130 )   $ 11,692          

Issuance of stock for legal settlement

   32,812      1      50      —         —         51          

Foreign currency translation adjustment–net of tax

   —        —        —        —         (294 )     (294 )   $ (294 )

Net loss

   —        —        —        (7,128 )     —         (7,128 )     (7,128 )
    
  

  

  


 


 


 


Comprehensive loss

                                              $ (7,422 )
                                               


Balance, July 31, 2001

   3,579,935      36      10,377      (5,668 )     (424 )     4,321          

Foreign currency translation adjustment–net of tax

   —        —        —        —         199       199     $ 199  

Net income

   —        —        —        1,673       —         1,673       1,673  
    
  

  

  


 


 


 


Comprehensive income

                                              $ 1,872  
                                               


Balance, July 31, 2002

   3,579,935      36      10,377      (3,995 )     (225 )     6,193          

Exercise of stock options

   25,000      —        40      —         —         40          

Issuance of common stock for cash

   422,061      4      746      —         —         750          

Foreign currency translation adjustment–net of tax

   —        —        —        —         242       242     $ 242  

Net income

   —        —        —        1,197       —         1,197       1,197  
    
  

  

  


 


 


 


Comprehensive income

                                              $ 1,439  
                                               


Balance, July 31, 2003

   4,026,996    $ 40    $ 11,163    $ (2,798 )   $ 17     $ 8,422          
    
  

  

  


 


 


       

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

28


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

Year ended July 31,

(In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data)

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,197     $ 1,673     $ (7,128 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                        

Depreciation and amortization

     643       1,017       1,530  

Restructuring charges

     486       —         3,844  

Goodwill impairment

     —         —         2,000  

Deferred lease and deferred rent costs

     (261 )     (209 )     (248 )

Deferred income taxes

     (1,063 )     (557 )     810  

Non-cash common stock and options expenses

     —         —         51  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                        

Trade accounts receivable

     54       410       1,177  

Inventories

     (819 )     (1,081 )     142  

Income taxes receivable/payable

     209       404       (255 )

Other current assets

     255       (29 )     54  

Accounts payable

     (257 )     58       (76 )

Accrued liabilities

     (1,056 )     (776 )     (869 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (612 )     910       1,032  
    


 


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                        

Acquisition of intangibles and other assets

     —         —         (296 )

Purchase of property and equipment

     (269 )     (118 )     (306 )
    


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (269 )     (118 )     (602 )
    


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                        

Proceeds from sale of stock and option exercises

     790       —         —    

Net borrowings provided by (used in) line of credit

     941       258       1,404  

Payments on long-term debt

     (923 )     (1,285 )     (1,504 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     808       (1,027 )     (100 )
    


 


 


Effect of exchange rate changes in cash

     119       93       (62 )
    


 


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash

     46       (142 )     268  

Cash at beginning of year

     238       380       112  
    


 


 


Cash at end of year

   $ 284     $ 238     $ 380  
    


 


 


Cash paid during the year for:

                        

Interest

   $ 976     $ 904     $ 1,405  

Income taxes

   $ —       $ —       $ 23  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

29


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Three Years Ended July 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data)

 

NOTE A—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

SI Technologies, Inc. (SI or Company) designs, manufactures and markets high performance industrial sensors, weighing and factory automation equipment, and related products. SI products incorporate devices, equipment and systems for the handling, inspection and measurement of goods and materials. Key markets served by SI include aerospace/aviation, food, forestry, manufacturing, mining, transportation/distribution and waste management. The Company sells throughout the United States and international markets. Approximately 48% of total revenues are international. Additional disclosure regarding components of the Company’s businesses is in Note K—Industry and Geographic Area Segment Information.

 

1.    Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SI Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries; AeroGo, Inc., Allegany Technology, Inc., Revere Transducers, Inc., Revere Transducers Europe B.V., AeroGo Export, Inc., and IDEAutomation International, Inc. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

2.     Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation under the requirements of APB Opinion No. 25, which does not require compensation to be recorded if the consideration to be received is at least equal to fair value of the Company’s common stock at the measurement date. Nonemployee stock-based transactions and stock warrants are accounted for under the requirements of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which requires compensation to be recorded based on the fair value of the securities issued or the services received, whichever is more reliably measurable.

 

The following table shows the proforma effect of stock based compensation on net income had the Company used the fair value method of accounting for stock option:

 

     Years ended July 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 1,197     $ 1,673     $ (7,128 )

Deduct total stock-based compensation expense determined under the fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (204 )     (73 )     (151 )
    


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 993     $ 1,600     $ (7,279 )
    


 


 


Net income per share:

                        

Basic:

                        

As reported

     $.33       $.47       ($2.00 )

Pro forma

     $.27       $.45       ($2.04 )

Diluted:

                        

As reported

     $.32       $.47       ($2.00 )

Pro forma

     $.26       $.45       ($2.04 )

 

The fair value of each option and warrant grant, with the exception of warrants subject to repurchase as further discussed in Note J for which the measurement date will be the date of shareholder approval, is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: for fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001 respectively, risk-free interest rate of approximately 3%, 4.05% and 4.84%; expected dividend yields of 0 percent; expected lives of 5 years and expected volatility of 73%, 69% and 64% percent. The

 

30


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

weighted-average fair value of options granted during the periods ending July 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, for which the exercise price equals the market price on the grant date was $1.02 $.88 and $1.47 respectively. The option or warrant exercise price is equal to or more than the stock’s market price on date of grant.

 

3.    Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

 

The Company recognizes revenue only when all of the four following criteria are met: 1) Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, usually in the form of a written purchase order; 2) Delivery has occurred (or a shipment has been made, depending upon the terms of the purchase order) or services have been rendered; 3) The Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, usually evidenced by a written purchase order; and 4) Collectability is reasonably assured, based on credit evaluation and history with the customer.

 

Additionally, on long-term contracts, sales are recorded based on the percentage that incurred costs bear to the total estimated costs at completion. Estimated cost to complete is based on the budget, incurred cost, risk assessment of the cost, and is then adjusted for normal/historical variance of project actual versus budget. Estimated losses are recorded in total when they become evident. These contracts are generally billed and collected based on contractual milestones throughout the project.

 

4.    Reserves

 

Valuation allowances are maintained for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. All receivable accounts are reviewed regularly by management and written off against the uncollectable reserve when it is determined that the account cannot reasonably be expected to be collected. Recoveries of trade receivables previously written off are recorded when received. No interest is charged on past due accounts.

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Each quarter, the Company evaluates its inventories for excess quantities and obsolescence. These estimates are dependent on the Company’s assessment of current and expected orders from its customers. Management estimates a reserve percentage for the estimated net realizable value of slow moving product based upon the number of years sales on hand. The Company reserves for potential excess and obsolete inventory based upon historical usage.

 

The Company offers warranties of various lengths to its customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement. The average length of the warranty period is 12 months. The Company’s warranties require it to repair or replace defective products during the warrant period at no cost to the customer. At the time the product revenue is recognized, the Company records a liability for estimated costs that may be incurred under its warranties. The costs are estimated based on historical experience and any specific warranty issues that may have been identified. (Although historical warranty costs have been within expectations, there can be no assurance that future warranty costs will not exceed historical amounts.) The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the balance as necessary.

 

Management also records a valuation allowance to reduce the Company’s deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Management considers estimated future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance.

 

5.    Advertising

 

The Company expenses advertising costs related to trade show and catalogue activity as incurred, which approximated $153, $275 and $242 for the years ended July 31, 2003 2002 and 2001 respectively.

 

31


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

6.    Income taxes

 

Deferred taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and deferred tax liabilities, including operating loss carryforwards, are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

7.    Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to the common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. There is no adjustment in the net income attributable to common stockholders. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options (67,911 and 4,636 equivalent shares in the fiscal years 2003 and 2002 respectively).

 

8.    Fair value of financial instruments

 

Management believes that the carrying value of cash approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those financial instruments. Long-term debt bears interest at a rate indexed to the prime rate and, therefore, management believes the carrying value of the outstanding borrowings at July 31, 2003 approximates fair market value.

 

9.    Research and Development

 

The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred. Research and development costs expensed for the fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001 was $1,565, $1,388 and $1,621 respectively.

 

10.    Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives, principally on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lives of the respective leases or the service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Estimated service lives of property and equipment are as follows:

 

Machinery and equipment

   2 to 10 years

Buildings

   35 years

Leasehold improvements

   2 to 10 years

 

The straight-line method of depreciation is followed for substantially all assets for financial reporting purposes, while accelerated methods are used for tax purposes.

 

32


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

11.    Goodwill

 

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 142 addresses financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. The Company adopted SFAS 142 effective August 1, 2002.

 

In conjunction with the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company was required to carry out a transitional goodwill impairment evaluation, which requires an assessment of whether there is an indication that goodwill is impaired as of the date of adoption. Initially, the Company identified its reporting units and determined the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning the assets and liabilities (including goodwill) to those reporting units as of the date of adoption. If the fair value of a reporting unit was below the unit’s carrying amount, as computed in step one, the Company must complete step two of the transitional goodwill impairment test for that reporting unit as soon as possible, but not later than the end of the year of adoption. If the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is less than its recorded goodwill, a transitional goodwill impairment loss will be recognized and reported as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 20, Accounting Changes. Any subsequent impairment losses resulting from events or circumstances that occur after the first day of the fiscal year in which SFAS No. 142 is adopted will be reported as a component of income from continuing or discontinued operations, as appropriate.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142, management determined there were three reporting units. The carrying value of each respective reporting unit was compared to its current fair value determined using a discounted future cash flows approach. Due to the fair value of each reporting unit exceeding its carrying value, management determined no impairment existed. Management completed its annual goodwill impairment evaluation as of July 31, 2003, and further concluded that no additional impairment exists.

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended July 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows:

 

     Industrial
Measurement


    Industrial
Automation


    SI
Consolidated


 

Balance, July 31, 2001

   $ 3,514     $ 3,661     $ 7,175  

Amortization

     (115 )     (175 )     (290 )

Reclassification from other intangibles

     117       0       117  
    


 


 


Balance, July 31, 2002

     3,516       3,486       7,002  

Change

     —         —         —    
    


 


 


Balance, July 31, 2003

   $ 3,516     $ 3,486     $ 7,002  
    


 


 


 

 

33


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following is reconciliation of reported net income (loss) adjusted for adoption of SFAS No. 142 for the years ended July 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001:

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

 

Reported net income (loss)

   $ 1,197    $ 1,673    $ (7,128 )

Add back goodwill amortization, net of related tax

     —        183      236  
    

  

  


Adjusted net income (loss)

   $ 1,197    $ 1,856    $ (6,892 )
    

  

  


Basic earnings (loss) per share:

                      

Reported net income

   $ .33    $ 0.47    $ (2.00 )

Goodwill amortization, net of related tax

     —        0.05      .07  
    

  

  


Adjusted net income (loss)

   $ .33    $ 0.52    $ (1.93 )
    

  

  


Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

                      

Reported net (loss) income

   $ .32    $ 0.47    $ (2.00 )

Goodwill amortization, net of related tax

     —        0.05      .07  
    

  

  


Adjusted net income (loss)

   $ .32    $ 0.52    $ (1.93 )
    

  

  


 

12.    Impairment of long lived assets

 

The Company periodically reviews its long-lived assets, including patents, to determine potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets with the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets, including cash flows from disposition. Long-lived assets evaluated for impairment are grouped with other assets to the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. Should the sum of the expected future net cash flows be less than the carrying value, the Company would recognize an impairment loss at that date. An impairment loss would be measured by comparing the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value (estimated discounted future cash flows) of the long-lived assets. For the year ended July 31, 2003, management has determined that no impairment of long-lived assets, including patents, exists.

 

Changes in circumstances, such as the passage of new laws or changes in regulations, technological advances or changes to the Company’s business strategy, could result in the actual useful lives of long-lived assets differing from initial estimates. Factors such as changes in the planned use of equipment, customer attrition, contractual amendments or mandated regulator requirements could result in shortened useful lives. In those cases where the Company determines that the useful life of a long-lived asset should be revised, the Company will amortize or depreciate the net book value in excess of the estimated residual value over its revised remaining useful life.

 

The Company has acquired patents totaling approximately $829 which are being amortized over their respective useful lives of 15 years. Patent amortization for the fiscal years ended 2003, 2002 and 2001 was approximately $8, $39, and $57, respectively, for each year. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is approximately $6 annually, all of which relates to these patents.

 

13.    Comprehensive Income

 

The functional currency of Reverse Transducers Europe is determined to be the Euro. Foreign currency assets and liabilities are translated into their U.S. dollar equivalents based on year-end exchange rates. Revenue and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the appropriate fiscal year. Aggregate

 

34


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

exchange gains and losses arising from the translation of foreign assets and liabilities are included in stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in income and have not been significant in amount.

 

14.    Use of Estimates

 

In preparing the Company’s financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management are used for, but not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns, reserves for slow moving and obsolete inventory, warranty obligations, excess facility capacity, deferred tax valuation allowances and recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets, including goodwill.

 

15.    Pending Accounting Pronouncements

 

The FASB has issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” – an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51. This Interpretation defines a variable interest entity and provides that if a business enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities, and results of the activities of the variable interest entity should be included in consolidated financial statements with those of the business enterprise. Furthermore, the Board indicates that the voting interest approach of ARB No. 51 is not effective in identifying controlling financial interests in entities that are not controllable through voting interest or in which the equity investors do not bear the residual economic risk. This Interpretation applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and to variable interest entities in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. It applies in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after December 15, 2003, to variable interest entities in which an enterprise holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003. Management believes the implementation of this Interpretation will not have a material effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2003 FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”, which requires that certain financial instruments previously presented as equity or temporary equity be presented as liabilities. Such instruments include mandatory redeemable preferred and common stock, and certain options and warrants. SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments issued, entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is generally effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 150 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of its operations.

 

16.    Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2002 amounts to be consistent with the 2003 presentation with no effect on net income or ending equity.

 

35


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE B—INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following at July 31:

 

     2003

    2002

 

Raw materials

   $ 4,769     $ 4,767  

Work in process

     1,257       1,162  

Finished goods

     4,810       4,349  
    


 


       10,836       10,278  

Less reserve for excess and obsolete inventories

     (602 )     (613 )
    


 


Inventories, net

   $ 10,234     $ 9,665  
    


 


 

During 2003, approximately $250 of raw material critical to the Company’s operations, yet in large quantities, was reclassified to other assets to reflect long term nature of the use of the material. Although the Company believes that the full value of the material will be realized, the reclassification more accurately reflects the use of the material. During 2002, approximately $293 of excess and obsolete inventory was disposed of during the year.

 

NOTE C—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consists of the following at July 31:

 

     2003

    2002

 

Machinery and equipment

   $ 4,711     $ 4,301  

Buildings

     309       281  

Leasehold improvements

     293       244  
    


 


       5,313       4,826  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (3,634 )     (2,858 )
    


 


Property and equipment, net

   $ 1,679     $ 1,968  
    


 


 

The Company abandoned certain assets having a cost of $1,623 and accumulated depreciation of $1,470 as of July 31, 2002, respectively in connection with its restructuring plan (see Note M).

 

NOTE D—ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Accrued liabilities consist of the following at July 31:

 

     2003

   2002

Accrued salaries, wages and other compensation

   $ 766    $ 767

Warranty reserve

     105      271

Restructuring charges (see Note M)

     177      360

Deferred lease and rent cost–current

     205      205

Other

     304      832
    

  

     $ 1,557    $ 2,435
    

  

 

36


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE E—DEBT

 

Debt consists of the following at July 31:

 

     2003

    2002

 

1) Revolving line of credit with a bank for up to $6,500 interest at the prime rate plus 2.75% (at July 31, 2003, totaling 6.75%), secured by the Company’s trade accounts receivable, inventories and certain equipment. Principal and interest due January 2004. Utilized for U.S. operations.

   $ 6,115     $ 5,344  

2) Revolving line of credit with a bank for up to $2,212 (Euro 2,250), interest at the rate of 6.75%, secured by certain of the Company’s trade accounts receivable, inventories and equipment. Interest only due quarterly. Utilized for European operations.

     2,127       1,956  

3) Note payable to bank in monthly installments of $56 plus interest at the prime rate plus 1.75% (totaling 5.75% at July 31, 2003), secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, due November 2005.

     4,039       4,712  

4) Note payable to bank in monthly installments of $25 plus interest at the prime rate plus 3.25%, secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, due January 2004.

     1,225       1,475  
    


 


       13,506       13,487  

Less current maturities of debt

     (10,140 )     (9,448 )
    


 


Long term debt

   $ 3,366     $ 4,039  
    


 


 

Revolving lines of credit and current maturities of long term debt were $10,140 as of July 31, 2003 and consisted of $2,127 owed on the Company’s European line of credit, $6,115 owed on the Company’s U.S. line of credit and the current portion of the Company’s long-term debt of $1,898.

 

In November 2003, the Company obtained an extension to the principal credit agreement with its bank to January 2, 2004. The Company had excess borrowing capacity of $385 at July 31, 2003. The credit agreement provides for a revolving line of credit up to a maximum of $6,500 with interest at prime (4% at July 31, 2003) plus 2.75% (balance at July 31, 6.75%). Monthly payments on the line are interest only with principal due January 2, 2004. The credit agreement continues the $1,500 term note (balance at July 31, 2003 of $1,225) with interest at prime plus 3.25%. Monthly payments are $25 principal plus interest with the balance due January 2, 2004. Monthly payments on the second note payable of $4,207 are $56 plus interest at prime plus 1.75%. The line and both notes are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets and are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted. The Company is required to maintain certain levels of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, tangible net worth and fixed charge coverage and may not pay any cash dividends. At July 31, 2003, the Company was not in compliance with one covenant which was subsequently waived on November 13, 2003.

 

The maturities on long-term debt are as follows:

 

Year ending July 31,


    

2004

   $ 1,898

2005

     673

2006

     2,693
    

     $ 5,264
    

 

37


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE F—OTHER LIABILITIES

 

Other liabilities consist of the following at July 31:

 

     2003

   2002

Deferred lease costs

   $ 26    $ 186

Deferred rent

     73      174

Restructuring Reserve

     309      —  
    

  

     $ 408    $ 360
    

  

 

Deferred lease costs arising from an acquisition represent the discounted operating lease costs for excess plant capacity acquired at the acquisition date totaling $995. The deferred lease cost is amortized over 40 months, the remaining life of the lease. The deferred rent is attributable to escalating rental payments on the Tustin facility lease, which is accounted for using the straight line method of the total lease cost. The restructuring reserve is related to the lease payments due on the Maryland facility.

 

NOTE G—FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION LOSS

 

In 2003 and 2002, respectively, the Company incurred a foreign currency translation gains of $242 and $199, respectively due to differences in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Euro.

 

NOTE H—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

1.    Leases

 

The Company conducts a portion of its operations in leased facilities under noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through 2007. A portion of one manufacturing facility is subleased under a lease, which expires in 2004. At July 31, 2003, total future minimum sublease rentals for 2003 through 2005 amount to $138.

 

The minimum rental commitments, excluding sublease income, under operating leases are as follows:

 

Year ending July 31,


    

2004

   $ 1,117

2005

     438

2006

     286

2007

     123
    

     $ 1,964
    

 

Rent expense under noncancelable operating leases was approximately $739, $713, and $726 for the years ended July 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Sublease income was approximately $119, $119 and $113 for the years ended July 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Portions of the rent expense for 2003, 2002 and 2001 were reduced by charges to the restructuring reserve of $327, $311 and $164, respectively.

 

38


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

2.    Consulting and Non-compete Agreements

 

Certain former executives of acquired companies entered into consulting and non-compete agreements with the Company. The consulting agreements have a term of five years and the non-compete agreements have terms ranging from two to ten years. The following table summarizes remaining obligations under these agreements:

 

Year ending July 31,


    

2004

   $ 63

2005

     63

2006

     47
    

     $ 173
    

 

The expense associated with these agreements totaled $123, $123, and $288 for the years ended July 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

3.    Litigation

 

The Company is engaged in various legal actions as of July 31, 2003. In the opinion of management, based upon the advice of counsel, the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE I—INCOME TAXES

 

The Company accounts for income taxes on the liability method as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (SFAS 109).

 

Income tax benefit (expense) consists of the following for the year ended July 31:

 

     2003

   2002

    2001

 

Current (expense ) benefit

   $ 15    $ (17 )   $ 255  

Deferred (expense ) benefit

     1,063      557       (917 )
    

  


 


     $ 1,078    $ 540     $ (662 )
    

  


 


 

The income tax benefit (expense) reconciled to the tax computed at the statutory federal rate was as follows for the year ended July 31:

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Tax at statutory rate

   $ (42 )   $ (391 )   $ 2,198  

Valuation allowance

     1,040       875       (1,915 )

Nondeductible goodwill

     (3 )     (134 )     (975 )

Nondeductible meals and entertainment

     (31 )     —         —    

Credits and net operating losses utilized

     129       156       —    

State and foreign taxes

     (2 )     —         137  

Other

     (13 )     34       (107 )
    


 


 


     $ 1,078     $ 540     $ (662 )
    


 


 


 

39


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The components of deferred taxes included in the balance sheet are as follows at July 31:

 

     2003

   2002

 

Deferred tax assets:

               

Net operating loss carryforwards

   $ 181    $ —    

Accrued compensation and warranty

     165      440  

Provision for bad debts

     110      95  

Inventory reserve and capitalized overhead

     223      218  

Asset write-downs

     —        902  

Accrued facility costs

     180      245  

Differences in book/tax depreciation

     444         

Deferred lease costs

     69         

Research and development tax credits

     129         

Other

     8      15  
    

  


       1,509      1,915  

Valuation allowance

     —        1,040  
    

  


       1,509      875  
    

  


Deferred tax liabilities:

               

Excess of tax over book depreciation

     —        (389 )

Deferred state taxes

     —        (40 )
    

  


       —        (429 )
    

  


Net Deferred Tax Asset

   $ 1,509    $ 446  
    

  


 

The valuation allowance was reduced by $1,040 and $875 in 2003 and 2002 respectively. The reduction of the valuation allowance was a result of the Company’s profitability in the current year and estimated profitability in the future years. Should the estimated profitability in the future decrease, a valuation allowance may be required. At July 31, 2003, the Company had approximately $525 in net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes and $240 in net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes available to offset future taxable income. All federal net operating losses expire by fiscal year and July 31, 2023. State net operating losses expire as follows: 2012 $136; 2014 $87; 2016 $6; and 2023 $11.

 

NOTE J—STOCK OPTION PLAN AND WARRANTS

 

The Company implemented a stock option plan in 1995 (the Plan) and has authorized a total of 600,000 shares of common stock to be granted under the Plan. The Company has granted all options available to grant under the Plan at July 31, 2003, and will present to the shareholders the 2003 Stock Option Plan to authorize additional common stock to be granted under the new Plan. The vesting period and expiration dates of the stock options are at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and range up to five years. Additionally, options to purchase 100,000 shares are outstanding under the old stock option plan that expired July 31, 1994.

 

On April 22, 2003, the Company sold an aggregate of 281,374 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) to two accredited investors, Ralph E. Crump (Chairman of the Board, Treasurer, and Director of the Company) and his wife, Marjorie Crump, for a total sale price of $500,000. The sale was made in reliance upon the private placement exemption contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D. In connection with the offering the Company also issued a five-year warrant to purchase 56,275 shares of Common Stock to Ralph E. Crump and a five-year warrant to purchase 56,275 shares

 

40


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

of Common Stock to Marjorie Crump. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.50 per share. Both Ralph E. Crump and Marjorie Crump have signed an agreement with the Company agreeing not to exercise these warrants, purchase any additional shares of common stock or obtain any benefit associated with holding the Common Stock of the warrants until shareholder approval of this sale is obtained at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

In order for the transaction to be approved, a majority of the votes cast on the proposal in person or by proxy must be cast in favor of the transaction. The Company has agreed with Mr. and Mrs. Crump that, if the Transaction is not approved, the Company will repurchase 25,000 warrants from Mr. and Mrs. Crump at a price of $.75 per warrant share to reduce their beneficial ownership percentage to less than 20%. If shareholder approval was not obtained, and this repurchase were to occur, Mr. and Mrs. Crump would be the beneficial owners of approximately 19.9% of the outstanding common stock of the Company.

 

In June 2003, the Company sold an aggregate of 140,687 shares of Common Stock to 4 additional unaffiliated accredited investors, for a total sale price of $250,000. The sale was made in reliance upon the private placement exemption contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D. In connection with the offering the Company also issued a five-year warrant to purchase 56,275 shares of Common Stock to these investors. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.50 per share.

 

The following tables summarize information concerning currently outstanding and exercisable stock options:

 

     Stock Options
and Warrants
Outstanding


    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price


   Shares
Exercisable


   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price


Balance, July 31, 2000

   551,496     $ 3.29            
    

                 

Granted

   100,000     $ 1.94            

Exercised

   —       $ —              

Expired/canceled

   —       $ —              
    

                 

Balance, July 31, 2001

   651,496     $ 3.16    427,500    $ 2.82
    

                 

Granted

   170,000     $ 1.13            

Exercised

   —       $ —              

Expired/canceled

   (75,000 )   $ 1.81            
    

                 

Balance, July 31, 2002

   746,496     $ 2.77    494,500    $ 2.76
    

                 

Granted

   238,824     $ 2.20            

Exercised

   25,000     $ 1.60            

Expired/canceled

   (108,996 )   $ 4.56            
    

                 

Balance, July 31, 2003

   851,324     $ 2.41    797,824    $ 2.49
    

                 

Range of Exercise Prices


  

Number of Shares

Outstanding

As of July 31, 2003


  

Weighted-Average

Remaining Contractual

Life in Years


  

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price


$0-$1

   10,000    9.0    $ 0.90

$1-$2

   350,000    5.2    $ 1.46

$2-$3

   333,824    5.3    $ 2.45

$3-$4

   500    2.3    $ 3.25

$4-$5

   157,000    3.5    $ 4.53
    
           
     851,324            
    
           

 

41


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Range of Exercise Prices


  

Number of Shares

Exercisable as of July 31,
2003


  

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price


$0-$1

   2,000    $ 0.90

$1-$2

   308,500    $ 1.51

$2-$3

   329,824    $ 2.46

$3-$4

   500    $ 3.25

$4-$5

   157,000    $ 4.53
    
      
     797,824       
    
      

 

NOTE K—INDUSTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company applies the principles of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” The Company operates in three operating sements, two of which are combined resulting in two reporting business segments–(1) industrial measurement, and (2) industrial automation. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note A–Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

 

For 2003, approximately 75% of the Americas sales are within the United States, and 5% are within Canada. European sales are primarily United Kingdom, and France. No single customer or control group represents more the 10% of total sales.

 

Included in the industrial measurement segment are industrial sensors and controls products consisting of a wide range of NTEP and OIML approved, EX, Factory Mutual and IP rated load cells, transducers, translators and sensors. When matched with microprocessor-controlled digital electronics, they measure forces such as pressure, weight, mass and torque. Weighing Systems’ products constitute the combination of load cells and microprocessor-controlled digital electronics that in combination provide for an integrated system providing weight data in both dynamic and static industrial weighing applications.

 

The industrial automation segment consists of load handling, moving and positioning equipment and systems for applications in manufacturing, construction and other environments in which heavy bulky materials are being transported and positioned.

 

Foreign Operations

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

 

Identifiable Assets:

                      

Americas

   $ 22,616    $ 21,102    $ 21,812  

Europe

     4,327      4,680      4,098  

Long-lived Assets:

                      

Americas

     9,741      8,547      9,064  

Europe

     831      920      1,003  

Sales:

                      

Americas

     23,102      23,946      27,566  

Europe

     9,945      8,667      8,725  

Operating Profit (Loss):

                      

Americas

     699      1,416      (5,578 )

Europe

     243      527      665  

 

42


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Segment Information 2003

 

    

Industrial

Measurement


  

Industrial

Automation


   SI Consolidated

 

Year ended July 31, 2003:

                      

Sales

   $ 26,523    $ 6,524    $ 33,047  

Cost of goods sold

     17,774      3,734      21,508  
    

  

  


Gross profit

     8,749      2,790      11,539  

Gross profit %

     33%      42%      35%  

Operating expenses

     7,715      2,396      10,111  

Restructuring charges

     486      —        486  

Operating profit

   $ 548    $ 394      942  
    

  

        

Interest expense

                   (976 )

Other income, net

                   153  
                  


Earnings before income taxes

                   119  

Income tax benefit

                   1,078  
                  


Net earnings

                 $ 1,197  
                  


Depreciation and amortization

   $ 591    $ 52    $ 643  
    

  

  


Assets

   $ 22,839    $ 4,104    $ 26,943  
    

  

  


 

Segment Information 2002

 

    

Industrial

Measurement


  

Industrial

Automation


   SI Consolidated

 

Year ended July 31, 2002:

                      

Sales

   $ 25,407    $ 7,206    $ 32,613  

Cost of goods sold

     16,827      4,067      20,894  
    

  

  


Gross profit

     8,580      3,139      11,719  

Gross profit %

     34%      44%      36%  

Operating expenses

     6,947      2,829      9,776  

Operating profit

   $ 1,633    $ 310      1,943  
    

  

        

Interest expense

                   (904 )

Other income, net

                   94  
                  


Earnings before income taxes

                   1,133  

Income tax benefit

                   540  
                  


Net earnings

                 $ 1,673  
                  


Depreciation and amortization

   $ 748    $ 269    $ 1,017  
    

  

  


Assets

   $ 21,147    $ 4,635    $ 25,782  
    

  

  


 

43


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Segment Information 2001

 

    

Industrial

Measurement


   

Industrial

Automation


   SI Consolidated

 

Year ended July 31, 2001:

                       

Sales

   $ 28,289     $ 8,002    $ 36,291  

Cost of goods sold

     19,994       4,348      24,342  
    


 

  


Gross profit

     8,295       3,654      11,949  

Gross profit %

     29%       46%      33%  

Operating expenses

     8,063       2,955      11,018  

Restructuring charges

     3,844       —        3,844  

Goodwill impairment

     2,000       —        2,000  
    


 

  


Total expense

     13,907       2,955      16,862  

Operating profit (loss)

   $ (5,612 )   $ 699      (4,913 )
    


 

        

Interest expense

                    (1,564 )

Other income, net

                    11  
                   


Loss before income taxes

                    (6,466 )

Income tax expense

                    (662 )
                   


Net loss

                  $ (7,128 )
                   


Depreciation and amortization

   $ 1,242     $ 288    $ 1,530  
    


 

  


Assets

   $ 20,542     $ 5,368    $ 25,910  
    


 

  


 

NOTE L—BENEFIT PLANS

 

The Company has defined contribution 401(k) plans for each subsidiary. All employees are eligible for participation upon completion of a waiting period. The contribution expense associated with these plans totaled approximately $6, $26, and $162 for the years ended July 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company’s matching contribution was decreased in 2002.

 

NOTE M—RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

 

In the third quarter of 2001, the Company announced a Restructuring Plan to address a significant decline in sales brought about by the then nine-month old global manufacturing recession and to position the Company for improved profitability in the future. The plan announced was comprised of the three key components. First, was the consolidation of the SI/Allegany business unit and Revere Transducers, resulting in the closing of operations in Cumberland, Maryland. Second, the plan called for development of offshore manufacturing sources to reduce costs on certain high-volume, highly competitive load cells and sensors. The third component of the plan was for a downsizing of the Company’s Tustin, California, headquarters and manufacturing facility to a more appropriately sized facility in the same general area. In recognition of the expenses associated with this restructuring, the Company recorded a $3,844 charge in fiscal 2001 to cover expenses related to implementation of the plan and costs associated with elimination of fixed assets and employee severance. Key cost components of the plan include: (1) reduction of manufacturing capacity by abandoning and/or downsizing facilities, (2) disposing of redundant assets, (3) termination of approximately 50 employees, and (4) outsourcing a significant portion of the combined operation’s higher volume products.

 

 

44


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The Company has been unable to sublet the Maryland facility. An additional restructuring charge of $486 was recorded in 2003 representing the balance of lease payments for the facility. The Company will continue to actively market it, however at this time, it is uncertain if a suitable tenant can be found within the lease period. The Company was in negotiations to sublet the facility in the fall of 2002, but subsequently unable to secure a long-term tenant.

 

NOTE N—VALUATION AND ACCOUNT QUALIFYING INFORMATION

 

     Fiscal Year

   Balance at
beginning of
year


   Provision
charged to
expense


   Net
Recoveries


    Balance at
end of year


Doubtful accounts

   2003    251    146    (101 )   296
     2002    289    82    (120 )   251
     2001    221    186    (118 )   289

Slow moving and obsolete inventory

   2003    613    202    (213 )   602
     2002    1,174    48    (609 )   613
     2001    1,303    35    (164 )   1,174

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

   2003    1,040    —      1,040     —  
     2002    1,915    —      875     1,040
     2001    —      1,915    —       1,915

Restructuring reserve

   2003    360    486    (360 )   486
     2002    1,281    —      (921 )   360
     2001    —      3,844    (2,563 )   1,281

Warranty reserve

   2003    271    78    (245 )   104
     2002    224    427    (380 )   271
     2001    348    137    (261 )   224

 

NOTE O—SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial data for the eight quarters ended July 31:

 

     Quarter Ended-

     
     October 31,
2002


   January 31,
2003


   April 30,
2003


   July 31,
2003


    Total

Revenue

   $ 7,836    $ 8,230    $ 8,663    $ 8,318     $ 33,047

Gross Profit

     3,035      3,052      2,877      2,575       11,539

Earnings (loss) from operations

     552      532      393      (535 )     942

Net earnings

     314      353      243      287       1,197

Net income per share, basic

   $ .09    $ .10    $ .07    $ .07     $ .33
    

  

  

  


 

Net income per share, diluted

   $ .09    $ .10    $ .07    $ .06     $ .32
    

  

  

  


 

 

45


SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Fourth quarter results reflect recognition of deferred tax benefits of $678. The Company has been unable to sublet the Maryland facility. An additional restructuring charge of $486 was recorded in the 4th quarter of 2003 representing the balance of lease payments for the facility. During the fourth quarter, a combination of adjustments to inventory reserves and write-offs of slow-moving inventory items, which were either ready to sell as finished goods or use to produce finished goods, totaled $50. Those adjustment amounts, which related to current estimates regarding the extent to which some inventory items would contribute to future sales, were charged to cost of revenues.

 

     October 31,
2001


   January 31,
2002


   April 30,
2002


   July 31,
2002


   Total

Revenue

   $ 8,536    $ 8,014    $ 7,759    $ 8,304    $ 32,613

Gross Profit

     2,978      2,783      2,691      3,267      11,719

Earnings from operations

     570      441      393      539      1,943

Net earnings

     353      166      197      957      1,673

Net income per share, basic

   $ .10    $ .05    $ .05    $ .27    $ .47
    

  

  

  

  

Net income per share, diluted

   $ .10    $ .05    $ .05    $ .27    $ .47
    

  

  

  

  

 

NOTE P—LEGAL MATTERS

 

From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal matters in the normal course of business. Management does not believe any matter exists at July 31, 2003, which would result in any significant adverse effect to the financial statements.

 

46


ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

The Company changed its primary auditors to McGladrey & Pullen LLP, from Grant Thornton, LLP during the 2003. No disagreements occurred with the accountants on matters of accounting or financial disclosure.

 

ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

At 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 Principal Executive Officer and the Company’s Principal Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the date the Company completed its evaluation.

 

47


PART III

 

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The response to this Item is contained in part in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2003 Proxy Statement”) under the captions “Management—Directors and Executive Officers,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and “Code of Ethics” and the information contained therein is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The response to this Item is contained in the 2003 Proxy Statement under the caption “Executive Compensation” and the information contained therein is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The response to this Item is contained in the 2003 Proxy Statement under the caption “Principal Holders of Voting Securities” and the information therein is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The balance of the response to this item is found in Part II, item 5, under the caption “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.”

 

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

The response to this Item is contained in the 2003 Proxy Statement under the caption “Certain Transactions” and the information therein is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICE

 

The response to this Item is contained in the 2003 Proxy Statement under the caption “Audit Fees and Services” and the information therein is incorporated herein by reference.

 

48


ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a) The following documents are filed herewith as part of this report:

 

     Pages(s)

1. Audited Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

    

Reports of Independent Certified Public Accountants

   23-25

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   26

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   27

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

   28

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   29

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   30-46

2. Exhibits:

    

Exhibit 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant

    

Exhibit 31.1 Certificate of the Principal Executive Officer

    

Exhibit 31.2 Certificate of the Principal Accounting Officer

    

Exhibit 32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350
(section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) by of the Principal Executive Officer

    

Exhibit 32.2 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350
(section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) by of the Principal Accounting Officer

    

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

None

 

49


SIGNATURES

 

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

 

DATED: November 19, 2003

     

SI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

            By:  

/s/    RICK A. BEETS        


               

Rick A. Beets

President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed as of November 19, 2003 by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated:

 

/s/    RICK A. BEETS        


Rick A. Beets

  

President, CEO, and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

   

/s/    DAVID M. GERNAK        


David M. Gernak

  

Principal Accounting Officer

   

/s/    EDWARD A. ALKIRE        


Edward A. Alkire

  

Director, Secretary

   

/s/    RALPH E. CRUMP        


Ralph E. Crump

  

Chairman of the Board, Director, Treasurer

   

/s/    D. DEAN SPATZ


D. Dean Spatz

  

Director

   

S. Scott Crump

  

Director

   

Heinz Zweipfennig

  

Director

   

 

 

50