Edgar Filing: COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


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

	For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012
	OR
o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________________ to ___________________________

Commission File Number: 001-31588

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


MINNESOTA	41-0957999
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Federal Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

10900 Red Circle Drive, Minnetonka, MN	55343
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(952) 996-1674
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

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

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

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

Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer o Smaller Reporting Company o

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

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


Class	Name of Exchange On Which Registered	Outstanding at November 1, 2012
Common Stock, par value $.05 per share	NASDAQ	8,474,896

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX


		Page No.

Part I.	Financial Information

	Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	3

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income	4

	Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity	5

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	6

	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7

	Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	22

	Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	31

	Item 4. Controls and Procedures	31

Part II.	Other Information	33

SIGNATURES

CERTIFICATIONS

Table of Contents

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)


	September 30 2012		December 31 2011
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,764,399	$	22,515,710
Investments		14,539,329		18,635,601
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $127,000 and $175,000, respectively		16,595,830		14,461,168
Inventories		28,545,543		25,986,003
Prepaid income taxes		3,002,741		3,893,003
Other current assets		1,031,610		999,863
Deferred income taxes		3,408,446		3,455,047
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		81,887,898		89,946,395
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net		14,447,206		14,019,019
OTHER ASSETS:
Investments		7,063,147		4,883,510
Goodwill		5,958,768		5,990,571
Prepaid pensions		1,084,631		905,552
Other assets		841,978		913,869
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS		14,948,524		12,693,502
TOTAL ASSETS	$	111,283,628	$	116,658,916

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	449,741	$	427,345
Accounts payable		3,621,047		4,398,848
Accrued compensation and benefits		2,657,401		5,870,000
Accrued consideration		535,378		1,002,623
Other accrued liabilities		2,244,214		2,388,867
Dividends payable		1,448,145		1,299,963
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		10,955,926		15,387,646
LONG TERM LIABILITIES:
Long-term compensation plans		434,304		283,075
Income taxes payable		314,266		405,673
Deferred income taxes		1,560,286		1,476,969
Long term debt - mortgage payable		1,234,832		1,574,993
TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES		3,543,688		3,740,710

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Footnote 7)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share; 3,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common stock, par value $.05 per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 8,517,212 and 8,466,774 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		425,861		423,339
Additional paid-in capital		36,621,705		35,533,273
Retained earnings		59,308,260		61,466,342
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax		428,188		107,606
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		96,784,014		97,530,560

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	111,283,628	$	116,658,916

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

Table of Contents

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended September 30						Nine Months Ended September 30
	2012			2011			2012			2011

Sales from operations	$	28,687,687		$	41,984,570		$	78,492,866		$	118,437,057

Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		17,927,814			25,429,300			47,128,483			70,097,713
Selling, general and administrative expenses		9,053,164			10,071,408			28,169,627			29,189,378
Goodwill impairment		0			0			0			1,271,986
Total costs and expenses		26,980,978			35,500,708			75,298,110			100,559,077

Operating income		1,706,709			6,483,862			3,194,756			17,877,980

Other income (expense):
Investment and other income		(8,342	)		138,990			24,830			275,852
Gain (loss) on sale of assets		(1,740	)		5,310			87,801			(4,674	)
Interest and other expense		(33,187	)		(53,256	)		(104,918	)		(149,107	)
Other income (expense), net		(43,269	)		91,044			7,713			122,071

Income before income taxes		1,663,440			6,574,906			3,202,469			18,000,051

Income tax expense		544,098			2,845,269			1,056,316			7,627,910

Net income		1,119,342			3,729,637			2,146,153			10,372,141

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Additional minimum pension liability adjustments		4,671			(8,534	)		137,397			(26,952	)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		33,855			(5,094	)		39,488			(30,510	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		103,814			(112,581	)		143,697			(44,480	)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		142,340			(126,209	)		320,582			(101,942	)
Comprehensive net income	$	1,261,682		$	3,603,428		$	2,466,735		$	10,270,199

Basic net income per share:	$	0.13		$	0.44		$	0.25		$	1.23

Diluted net income per share:	$	0.13		$	0.44		$	0.25		$	1.22

Average Basic Shares Outstanding		8,520,469			8,460,625			8,505,571			8,442,812
Average Dilutive Shares Outstanding		8,532,534			8,530,187			8,528,523			8,500,022
Dividends per share	$	0.16		$	0.15		$	0.48		$	0.45

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

Table of Contents

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)


													Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Common Stock						Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings
	Shares			Amount			Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings					Total
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2011		8,466,774		$	423,339		$	35,533,273		$	61,466,342		$	107,606	$	97,530,560
Net income											2,146,153					2,146,153
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan		9,610			481			123,472								123,953
Issuance of common stock to Employee Stock Ownership Plan		36,145			1,807			506,391								508,198
Issuance of common stock under Non-Employee Stock Option Plan		12,000			600			84,983								85,583
Issuance of common stock under Executive Stock Plan		16,156			808			39,503								40,311
Tax benefit from non-qualified stock options and restricted stock								67,932								67,932
Share-based compensation								366,574								366,574
Purchase of common stock		(23,473	)		(1,174	)		(100,423	)		(151,050	)				(252,647	)
Shareholder dividends											(4,153,185	)				(4,153,185	)
Other comprehensive income														320,582		320,582
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2012		8,517,212		$	425,861		$	36,621,705		$	59,308,260		$	428,188	$	96,784,014

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

Table of Contents

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2012			2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	2,146,153		$	10,372,141
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,636,887			1,571,423
Share-based compensation		366,574			413,332
Deferred income taxes		129,918			973,817
Goodwill impairment		—			1,271,986
Change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration		(161,644	)		—
(Gain) loss on sale of assets		(87,801	)		4,674
Excess tax benefit from stock based payments		(67,932	)		(23,227	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables		(2,101,517	)		(3,664,939	)
Inventories		(2,493,891	)		(609,224	)
Prepaid income taxes		890,067			(273,981	)
Other assets		(2,815	)		21,595
Accounts payable		(797,081	)		(1,357,506	)
Accrued compensation and benefits		(2,554,475	)		(99,861	)
Other accrued expenses		(109,789	)		(288,821	)
Income taxes payable		(23,475	)		(59,368	)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(3,230,821	)		8,252,041

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures		(2,047,771	)		(1,635,893	)
Purchases of investments		(13,599,917	)		(16,156,015	)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		—			(2,408,910	)
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets		161,663			8,055
Proceeds from the sale of investments		15,556,039			19,174,385
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		70,014			(1,018,378	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Cash dividends paid		(4,005,003	)		(3,795,989	)
Mortgage principal payments		(317,765	)		(296,844	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		249,847			177,609
Excess tax benefit from stock based payments		67,932			23,227
Payment of contingent consideration related to acquisition		(357,879	)		—
Purchase of common stock		(252,647	)		—
Net cash used in financing activities		(4,615,515	)		(3,891,997	)

EFFECT OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH		25,011			(44,619	)

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(7,751,311	)		3,297,047

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		22,515,710			16,787,558

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	14,764,399		$	20,084,605

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Income taxes paid	$	74,508		$	6,996,908
Interest paid		103,945			121,615
Dividends declared not paid		1,363,430			1,269,155
Acquisition costs in accrued expenses		—			1,681,367

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

Table of Contents

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

Communications Systems, Inc. (herein collectively called “CSI” or the “Company”) is a Minnesota corporation organized in 1969 which operates directly and through its subsidiaries located in the United States, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom and China. CSI is principally engaged through its Suttle business unit in the manufacture and sale of modular connecting and wiring devices for voice and data communications, digital subscriber line filters, and structured wiring systems and through its Transition Networks business unit in the manufacture of media and rate conversion products for telecommunications networks. CSI also provides through its JDL Technologies (“JDL”) business unit IT solutions including network design, computer infrastructure installations, IT service management, change management, network security and network operations services.

Financial Statement Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity as of September 30, 2012 and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 have been prepared by Company management. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments except where noted) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows at September 30, 2012 and 2011 and for the periods then ended have been made.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. We recommend these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s December 31, 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the entire year.

The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the time of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Except to the extent updated or described below, the significant accounting policies set forth in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of accounting policies, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Table of Contents

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s manufacturing operations (Suttle and Transition Networks) recognize revenue when the earnings process is complete, evidenced by persuasive evidence of an agreement, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized for domestic and international sales at the shipping point or delivery to customers, based on the related shipping terms. Risk of loss transfers at the point of shipment or delivery to customers, and the Company has no further obligation after this time. Sales are made directly to customers and through distributors. Payment terms for distributors are consistent with the terms of the Company’s direct customers. The Company records a provision for sales returns, sales incentives and warranty costs at the time of the sale based on historical experience and current trends.

JDL generally records revenue on hardware, software and related equipment sales and installation contracts when the revenue recognition criteria are met and products are installed and accepted by the customer. JDL records revenue on service contracts on a straight-line basis over the contract period, unless evidence suggests the revenue is earned in a different pattern. Each contract is individually reviewed to determine when the earnings process is complete.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, are as follows:


	September 30 2012			December 31 2011
Foreign currency translation	$	(193,900	)	$	(337,597	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments		36,855			(2,633	)
Minimum pension liability		585,233			447,836
	$	428,188		$	107,606

Table of Contents

NOTE 2 – CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS

The following tables show the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities’ adjusted cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value by significant investment category recorded as cash and cash equivalents or short and long term investments as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:


	September 30, 2012

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Cash & Cash Equivalents		Short-Term Investments		Long-Term Investments
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$	12,832,100	$	—	$	—		$	12,832,100	$	12,832,100	$	—	$	—
Money Market funds		1,932,299							1,932,299		1,932,299
Subtotal		14,764,399		—		—			14,764,399		14,764,399		—		—

Investments:
Certificates of deposit		12,064,679		4,720		(3,573	)		12,065,826				11,166,760		899,066
Corporate Notes/Bonds		6,868,754		27,956		(703	)		6,896,007				731,926		6,164,081
Municipal Notes/Bonds		1,002,769				(2,339	)		1,000,430				1,000,430
Commercial Paper		1,635,183		5,030		—			1,640,213				1,640,213
Subtotal		21,571,385		37,706		(6,615	)		21,602,476		—		14,539,329		7,063,147

Total	$	36,335,784	$	37,706	$	(6,615	)	$	36,366,875	$	14,764,399	$	14,539,329	$	7,063,147


	December 31, 2011

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Cash & Cash Equivalents		Short-Term Investments		Long-Term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$	21,685,829	$	—	$	—		$	21,685,829	$	21,685,829	$	—	$	—
Money Market funds		829,881							829,881		829,881
Subtotal		22,515,710		—		—			22,515,710		22,515,710		—		—

Investments:
Certificates of deposit		23,527,506		8,213		(16,608	)		23,519,111				18,635,601		4,883,510
Subtotal		23,527,506		8,213		(16,608	)		23,519,111		—		18,635,601		4,883,510

Total	$	46,043,216	$	8,213	$	(16,608	)	$	46,034,821	$	22,515,710	$	18,635,601	$	4,883,510

The Company tests for other than temporary losses on a quarterly basis and has considered the unrealized losses indicated above to be temporary in nature. The Company intends to hold the investments until it can recover the full principal amount and has the ability to do so based on other sources of liquidity. The Company expects such recoveries to occur prior to the contractual maturities. All unrealized losses as of September 30, 2012 were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months and are not deemed to be other than temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2012.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of our investments, designated as available-for-sale and classified by the contractual maturity date of the securities as of September 30, 2012:


	Amortized Cost		Estimated Market Value

Due within one year	$	14,533,198	$	14,539,329
Due after one year through five years		7,038,187		7,063,147
	$	21,571,385	$	21,602,476

The Company did not recognize any gross realized gains and gross realized losses were immaterial during the nine-month periods ending September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. If the Company had realized gains or losses, they would be included within investment and other income in the accompanying consolidated results of operations.

Table of Contents

NOTE 3 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), employees are able to acquire shares of common stock at 90% of the price at the end of each current quarterly plan term. The most recent term ended September 30, 2012. The ESPP is considered compensatory under current rules. At September 30, 2012, after giving effect to the shares issued as of that date, 56,803 shares remain available for purchase under the ESPP.

2011 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan

On March 28, 2011 the Board adopted and on May 19, 2011 the Company’s shareholders approved the Company’s 2011 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (“2011 Incentive Plan”). The 2011 Incentive Plan authorizes incentive awards to officers, key employees and non-employee directors in the form of options (incentive and non-qualified), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units (“deferred stock”), performance cash units, and other awards in stock, cash, or a combination of stock and cash. Up to 1,000,000 shares of our Common Stock may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2011 Incentive Plan.

During the first quarter of 2012, stock options covering 92,223 shares were awarded to key executive employees, which options expire seven years from the date of award and vest 25% each year beginning one year after the date of award. The Company also granted deferred stock awards of 94,242 shares to key employees during the first quarter under the Company’s long-term incentive plan for performance over the 2012 to 2014 period. The actual number of shares of deferred stock, if any, that are earned by the respective employees will be determined based on achievement against cumulative performance goals for the three years ending December 31, 2014 and the shares earned will be issued in the first quarter of 2015 to those key employees still with the Company at that time. The Company also granted deferred stock awards of up to 9,456 shares to executive employees that could be earned under the Company’s short-term incentive plan if actual revenue equaled or exceeded 150% of 2012 quarterly or annual revenue targets. The shares earned by the respective executive employees will be issued no later than the first quarter of 2013.

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company granted restricted stock units totaling 25,879 units to the Company’s seven non-employee directors with the restricted stock units issued to each director having a value of $40,000 based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on May 22, 2012. These restricted stock units vest after one year and are issued as stock after another year.

At September 30, 2012, 764,721 shares remained available for future issuance under the 2011 Incentive Plan.

Table of Contents

Stock Option Plan for Directors

Shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to non-employee directors under options granted by the Company prior to 2011 under its Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “Director Plan”). Under the Director Plan nonqualified stock options to acquire shares of common stock were automatically granted to each non-employee director concurrent with annual meetings of shareholders in 2010 and earlier years, with the exercise price of options granted being the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the respective shareholder meetings. Options granted under the Director Plan expire 10 years from date of grant.

No options were granted under the Director Plan in 2011 or 2012. The Director Plan was amended as of May 19, 2011 to prohibit option grants in 2011 and future years to fulfill a commitment made by the Company in connection with seeking shareholder approval of the 2011 Incentive Plan at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders that, if shareholder approval was received, it would amend the Director Plan to prohibit any future option awards under that plan.

1992 Stock Plan

Under the Company’s 1992 Stock Plan (“the Stock Plan”), shares of common stock may be issued pursuant to stock options, restricted stock or deferred stock grants to officers and key employees. Exercise prices of stock options under the Stock Plan cannot be less than fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. Rules and conditions governing awards of stock options, restricted stock and deferred stock are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, subject to certain limitations in the Stock Plan. When seeking approval of the 2011 Incentive Plan at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company committed to amending the Stock Plan to prohibit the issuance of future equity awards if such approval was given. Effective August 11, 2011, the amendment to prohibit future stock options or other equity awards was approved.

During 2011, prior to amending the Stock Plan to prohibit future awards, stock options were awarded covering 96,250 shares to key executive employees, which options expire seven years from the date of award and vest 25% each year beginning one year after the date of award.

In addition, during 2011, prior to amending the Stock Plan to prohibit future awards, key employees were granted deferred stock awards covering 16,092 shares tied to achievement against performance goals in 2010 under the Company’s long term incentive plan. To the extent earned, the deferred stock will be issued in the first quarter of 2014 to key employees still employed by the Company at that time. The Company also granted deferred stock awards covering 77,588 shares to key employees under the Company’s long term incentive plan tied to achievement against performance over the 2011 to 2013 period. The actual number of shares of deferred stock earned by the respective employees, if any, will be determined based on achievement against cumulative performance goals for the three years ending December 31, 2013 and the shares earned will be issued in the first quarter of 2014 to those key employees still employed by the Company at that time. During 2011, the Company also granted deferred stock awards of up to 12,156 shares to executive employees that could be earned under the Company’s short-term incentive plan if actual revenue equaled or exceeded 150% of 2011 quarterly or annual revenue targets. The shares earned by the respective executive employees were issued in the first quarter of 2012.

At September 30, 2012, after reserving for stock options and deferred stock awards described in the two preceding paragraphs and adjusting for forfeitures and issuances during the year, there were 155,948 shares reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan. The Company has not awarded stock options or deferred stock under this plan in 2012.

Table of Contents

Changes in Stock Options Outstanding

The following table summarizes changes in the number of outstanding stock options under the 2011 Incentive Plan, the Director Plan and Stock Plan over the period December 31, 2011 to September 30, 2012:


	Options			Weighted average exercise price per share		Weighted average remaining contractual term
Outstanding – December 31, 2011		236,820		$	11.35		5.18 years
Awarded		92,223			13.10
Exercised		(12,000	)		7.13
Canceled		(5,890	)		10.58
Outstanding – September 30, 2012		311,153			12.05		5.24 years

Exercisable at September 30, 2012		162,550		$	10.71		4.49 years
Expected to vest at September 30, 2012		308,405			12.04		5.24 years

The aggregate intrinsic value of all options (the amount by which the market price of the stock on the last day of the period exceeded the market price of the stock on the date of grant) outstanding at September 30, 2012 was $192,000. The intrinsic value of all options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $59,000. Net cash proceeds from the exercise of all stock options were $86,000 and $73,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Changes in Deferred Stock Outstanding

The following table summarizes the changes in the number of deferred stock shares under the Stock Plan and 2011 Incentive Plan over the period December 31, 2011 to September 30, 2012:


	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding – December 31, 2011		71,849		$	15.14
Granted		105,698			13.49
Vested		—			—
Canceled		(6,934	)		14.19
Outstanding – September 30, 2012		170,613			14.14

Compensation Expense

Share-based compensation expense recognized for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 was $367,000 before income taxes and $238,000 after income taxes. Share-based compensation expense recognized for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 was $413,000 before income taxes and $269,000 after income taxes. Unrecognized compensation expense for the Company’s plans was $891,000 at September 30, 2012. Excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock included in financing cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were $68,000 and $23,000, respectively. Share-based compensation expense is recorded as a part of selling, general and administrative expenses.

Table of Contents

NOTE 4 - INVENTORIES

Inventories summarized below are priced at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market:


	September 30 2012		December 31 2011
Finished goods	$	15,487,629	$	14,010,071
Raw and processed materials		13,057,914		11,975,932
Total	$	28,545,543	$	25,986,003

NOTE 5 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill is required to be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests upon the occurrence of certain events or circumstances. A two-step process is performed to analyze whether or not goodwill has been impaired. Step one is to test for potential impairment, and requires that the fair value of the reporting unit be compared to its book value including goodwill. If the fair value is higher than the book value, no impairment is recognized. If the fair value is lower than the book value, a second step must be performed. The second step is to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any, and requires that a hypothetical purchase price allocation be done to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. This fair value is then compared to the carrying value of goodwill. If the implied fair value is lower than the carrying value, an impairment adjustment must be recorded.

During our fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2011, based on greater than expected decline in actual and forecasted profitability of legacy products in our Suttle business unit, as well as, significant project delays that occurred related to Suttle’s new technologies, we concluded that that these events and circumstances were indicators to require us to perform an interim goodwill impairment analysis of our Suttle business unit. This analysis included the determination of the reporting unit’s fair value primarily using discounted cash flows modeling. Based on the step one and step two analysis, considering Suttle’s reduced earnings and cash flow forecasts, the Company determined that Suttle’s goodwill was fully impaired and recorded a goodwill impairment for the Suttle segment of $1,272,000.

Table of Contents

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 by segment is as follows:


	Suttle			Transition Networks			Total

January 1, 2011	$	1,271,986		$	3,288,231		$	4,560,217

Impairment loss		(1,271,986	)					(1,271,986	)
Acquisition					2,702,340			2,702,340

September 30, 2011	$	—		$	5,990,571		$	5,990,571

January 1, 2012	$	—		$	5,990,571		$	5,990,571

Foreign currency translation				$	(31,803	)	$	(31,803	)

September 30, 2012	$	—		$	5,958,768		$	5,958,768

Gross goodwill	$	1,271,986		$	5,958,768		$	7,230,754
Accumulated impairment loss	$	(1,271,986	)					(1,271,986	)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	—		$	5,958,768		$	5,958,768

The Company’s identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are being amortized over their estimated useful lives and were as follows:


	September 30, 2012
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Foreign Currency Translation			Net

Trademarks		81,785		(13,470	)		(963	)		67,352
Customer relationships		490,707		(56,575	)		(5,775	)		428,357
Technology		228,996		(52,804	)		(2,694	)		173,498
		801,488		(122,849	)		(9,432	)		669,207

	December 31, 2011
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Foreign Currency Translation			Net

Trademarks		81,785		(4,599	)		(4,520	)		72,666
Customer relationships		490,707		(19,316	)		(27,114	)		444,277
Technology		228,996		(18,029	)		(12,652	)		198,315
		801,488		(41,944	)		(44,286	)		715,258

Amortization expense on these identifiable intangible assets was $77,000 in 2012. The amortization expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

NOTE 6 – WARRANTY

We provide reserves for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. We estimate the costs of our warranty obligations based on our warranty policy or applicable contractual warranty, historical experience of known product failure rates, and use of materials and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product failures. Management reviews the estimated warranty liability on a quarterly basis to determine its adequacy. The actual warranty expense could differ from the estimates made by the Company based on product performance.

Table of Contents

The following table presents the changes in the Company’s warranty liability for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the majority of which relates to a five-year obligation to provide for potential future liabilities for network equipment sales.


	2012			2011
Beginning Balance	$	634,000		$	616,000
Actual warranty costs paid		(202,000	)		(180,000	)
Amounts charged to expense		183,000			197,000
Ending balance	$	615,000		$	633,000

NOTE 7 – CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to legal actions and claims and incurs costs to defend against these actions and claims. Company management is not aware of any outstanding or pending legal actions or claims that could materially affect the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES

In the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, management calculates income taxes based upon the estimated effective rate applicable to operating results for the full fiscal year. This includes estimating the current tax liability as well as assessing differences resulting from different treatment of items for tax and book accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on the balance sheet. These assets and liabilities are analyzed regularly and management assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income.

At September 30, 2012 there was $246,000 of net uncertain tax benefit positions that would reduce the effective income tax rate if recognized. The Company records interest and penalties related to income taxes as income tax expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The tax years 2009-2011 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the years 2008-2011 remain open to examination by various state tax departments. The tax years from 2009-2011 remain open in Costa Rica.

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 33% for the first nine months of 2012. The effective tax rate differs from the federal tax rate of 35% due to state income taxes, return to provision adjustments, foreign losses not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes, provisions for interest charges, settlement of uncertain income tax positions, the release of valuation allowance placed on foreign net operating losses, the effect of operations conducted in lower foreign tax rate jurisdictions and the release of contingent consideration from the Company’s 2011 acquisition. The effect of the foreign operations is an overall rate increase of approximately 0.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. There were no additional uncertain tax positions identified in the third quarter of 2012. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 42%, and differed from the federal tax rate due to state income taxes, foreign losses not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes, provisions for interest charges, settlement of uncertain tax positions and goodwill impairment not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.

Table of Contents

NOTE 9 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company realigned its business operations. As a result of the realignment, the Company consolidated the Austin Taylor operations within its Suttle business unit. Following this realignment, the Company classifies its businesses into three segments as follows:


	•	Suttle manufactures and markets copper and fiber connectivity systems, enclosure systems, xDSL filters and splitters, and active technologies for voice, data and video communications;
	•	Transition Networks manufactures network interface devices (NIDs), media converters, network interface cards (NICs), Ethernet switches and other connectivity products that offer the ability to affordably integrate the benefits of fiber optics into any data network; and
	•	JDL Technologies provides technology solutions including virtualization, managed services, wired and wireless network design and implementation services, and converged infrastructure configuration and deployment.

Our non-allocated corporate general and administrative expenses are categorized as “Other” in the Company’s segment reporting. Management has chosen to organize the enterprise and disclose reportable segments based on our products and services. There are no material inter-segment revenues. To conform to the 2012 presentation, the Company has reclassified 2011 segment information to present the Austin Taylor operations within Suttle’s business unit.

Table of Contents

Information concerning the Company’s continuing operations in the various segments for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

SEGMENT INFORMATION - THREE MONTHS


	Suttle		Transition Networks		JDL Technologies		Other			Total
Three months ended September 30, 2012:
Sales	$	12,242,334	$	13,647,047	$	2,798,306	$	—		$	28,687,687
Cost of sales		8,915,366		6,983,935		2,028,513		—		$	17,927,814
Gross profit		3,326,968		6,663,112		769,793		—			10,759,873
Selling, general and administrative expenses		2,318,165	$	5,365,325		564,401		805,273		$	9,053,164
Operating income (loss)	$	1,008,803	$	1,297,787	$	205,392	$	(805,273	)	$	1,706,709

Depreciation and amortization	$	216,232	$	198,411	$	25,798	$	72,192		$	512,633

Capital expenditures	$	292,674	$	117,695	$	9,545	$	414,399		$	834,313

Assets at September 30, 2012	$	28,126,173	$	36,413,632	$	2,562,750	$	44,181,073		$	111,283,628

	Suttle		Transition Networks		JDL Technologies		Other			Total
Three months ended September 30, 2011:
Sales	$	10,538,277	$	27,573,925	$	3,872,368	$	—		$	41,984,570
Cost of sales		8,179,936		14,845,981		2,403,383		—			25,429,300
Gross profit		2,358,341		12,727,944		1,468,985		—			16,555,270
Selling, general and administrative expenses		2,127,711		6,017,085		522,104		1,404,508			10,071,408
Goodwill impairment		—		—		—		—			—
Operating income (loss)	$	230,630	$	6,710,859	$	946,881	$	(1,404,508	)	$	6,483,862

Depreciation and amortization	$	257,965	$	184,712	$	23,621	$	70,984		$	537,282

Capital expenditures	$	284,337	$	348,129	$	4,572	$	29,942		$	666,980

Assets at September 30, 2011	$	24,838,494	$	38,084,903	$	2,616,360	$	51,173,848		$	116,713,605

Table of Contents

SEGMENT INFORMATION - NINE MONTHS


	Suttle			Transition Networks		JDL Technologies			Other			Total
Nine months ended September 30, 2012:
Sales	$	33,167,194		$	40,614,746	$	4,710,926		$	—		$	78,492,866
Cost of sales		24,441,885			19,340,790		3,345,808			—		$	47,128,483
Gross profit		8,725,309			21,273,956		1,365,118			—			31,364,383
Selling, general and administrative expenses		6,891,833			16,557,399		1,678,516			3,041,879		$	28,169,627
Operating income (loss)	$	1,833,476		$	4,716,557	$	(313,398	)	$	(3,041,879	)	$	3,194,756

Depreciation and amortization	$	699,893		$	638,907	$	80,725		$	217,362		$	1,636,887

Capital expenditures	$	958,262		$	277,340	$	24,236		$	787,933		$	2,047,771

	Suttle			Transition Networks		JDL Technologies			Other			Total
Nine months ended September 30, 2011:
Sales	$	30,275,173		$	76,507,810	$	11,654,074		$	—		$	118,437,057
Cost of sales		23,152,198			40,265,114		6,680,401			—		$	70,097,713
Gross profit		7,122,975			36,242,696		4,973,673			—			48,339,344
Selling, general and administrative expenses		6,170,610			17,246,437		1,523,049			4,249,282		$	29,189,378
Goodwill impairment		1,271,986					—						1,271,986
Operating income (loss)	$	(319,621	)	$	18,996,259	$	3,450,624		$	(4,249,282	)	$	17,877,980

Depreciation and amortization	$	743,759		$	526,474	$	80,927		$	220,263		$	1,571,423

Capital expenditures	$	881,726		$	699,235	$	15,947		$	38,985		$	1,635,893

NOTE 10 – PENSIONS

The Company’s U.K. based subsidiary Austin Taylor maintains defined benefit pension plans that cover seven active employees. The Company does not provide any other post-retirement benefits to its employees. Components of net periodic benefit cost of the pension plans for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were:


	Three months						Nine months
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service Cost	$	10,000		$	11,000		$	28,000		$	35,000
Interest Cost		67,000			62,000			188,000			196,000
Expected return on plan assets		(75,000	)		(58,000	)		(210,000	)		(185,000	)
Amortization of prior service cost		13,000			—			36,000			—
	$	15,000		$	15,000		$	42,000		$	46,000

Table of Contents

NOTE 11 – NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted net income per common share takes into effect the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding. The Company’s only potential common shares outstanding are stock options and shares associated with the long-term incentive compensation plans, which resulted in a dilutive effect of 12,065 and 22,952 shares for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012. The dilutive effect of stock options for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 was 69,562 shares and 57,210 shares, respectively. The Company calculates the dilutive effect of outstanding options using the treasury stock method. Options totaling 80,290 were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2012 because the exercise price was greater than the average market price of common stock during the period and deferred stock awards totaling 150,748 shares were not included for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2012 because of unmet performance conditions. All options were included for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 because the exercise price was greater than the average market price of common stock during the period and deferred stock awards totaling 78,943 shares were not included for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 because of unmet performance conditions.

NOTE 12 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The accounting guidance establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar instruments and quoted prices in markets that are not active, and inputs that are directly observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are typically either comparable to actively traded securities or contracts, such as treasury securities with pricing interpolated from recent trades of similar securities, or priced with models using highly observable inputs, such as commodity options priced using observable forward prices and volatilities.

Level 3 – Significant inputs to pricing that have little or no observability as of the reporting date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 are those with inputs requiring significant management judgment or estimation, such as the complex and subjective models and forecasts used to determine the fair value of financial instruments.

Table of Contents

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, are summarized below:


	September 30, 2012

		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total Fair Value
Cash equivalents:
Money Market funds		$	1,932,299	$	—	$	—		$	1,932,299
Subtotal			1,932,299		—		—			1,932,299

Short-term investments:
Certificates of deposit			—		11,166,760		—			11,166,760
Corporate Notes/Bonds					731,926					731,926
Municipal Notes/Bonds			—		1,000,430		—			1,000,430
Commercial Paper			—		1,640,213		—			1,640,213
Subtotal			—		14,539,329		—			14,539,329

Long-term investments:
Certificates of deposit			—		899,066		—			899,066
Corporate Notes/Bonds			—		6,164,081		—			6,164,081
Subtotal			—		7,063,147		—			7,063,147

Current Liabilities:
Accrued Consideration							(535,378	)		(535,378	)
Subtotal			—		—		(535,378	)		(535,378	)

Total		$	1,932,299	$	21,602,476	$	(535,378	)	$	22,999,397

	December 31, 2011

		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total Fair Value

Cash equivalents:
Money Market funds		$	829,881	$	—	$	—		$	829,881
Subtotal			829,881		—		—			829,881

Short-term investments:
Certificates of deposit			—		18,635,601		—			18,635,601
Subtotal			—		18,635,601		—			18,635,601

Long-term investments:
Certificates of deposit			—		4,883,510		—			4,883,510
Subtotal			—		4,883,510		—			4,883,510

Current Liabilities:
Accrued Consideration							(1,002,623	)		(1,002,623	)
Subtotal			—		—		(1,002,623	)		(1,002,623	)

Total		$	829,881	$	23,519,111	$	(1,002,623	)	$	23,346,369

The estimated fair value of remaining contingent consideration as of September 30, 2012 was $535,378, as noted above. The estimated fair value is considered a level 3 measurement because the probability weighted discounted cash flow methodology used to estimate fair value includes the use of significant unobservable inputs, primarily the contractual contingent consideration gross margin targets and assumed probabilities. The change in the estimated contingent consideration during the nine months was due to $357,879 in payments, $52,278 in foreign currency losses, and $161,644 in gains included in operating income. The gains were the result of a change in future assumptions related to the contingent consideration.

Table of Contents

There were no transfers between levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

NOTE 13 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of this filing. We do not believe there are any material subsequent events which would require further disclosure.

Table of Contents

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

Overview

Communications Systems, Inc. provides physical connectivity infrastructure and services for global deployments of broadband networks through the following business units:


	•	Suttle manufactures and markets copper and fiber connectivity systems, enclosure systems, xDSL filters and splitters, and active technologies for voice, data and video communications under the Suttle brand in the United States and internationally;

	•	Transition Networks manufactures network interface devices (NIDs), media converters, network interface cards (NICs), Ethernet switches, and other connectivity products that offer customers the ability to affordably integrate fiber optics into any data network; and

	•	JDL Technologies provides technology solutions including virtualization, managed services, wired and wireless network design and implementation services, and converged infrastructure configuration and deployment.

For the three months ended September 30, 2012, net income was $1,119,000 or $0.13 per diluted share, on revenue of $28,688,000, compared to net income of $3,730,000 or $0.44 per diluted on revenue of $41,985,000 in the fiscal 2011 third quarter. For the first nine months ended September 30, 2012, net income was $2,146,000 or $0.25 per diluted share, on revenue of $78,493,000 compared to net income of $10,372,000 or $1.22 per diluted share, on revenue of $118,437,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

As the Company discussed in reporting its 2011 interim and full year results, its strong 2011 financial performance was bolstered by large projects in its Transition Networks and JDL business units, making year-over-year comparisons more challenging. The significant decrease in the revenue and net income for the three and nine-month periods from the 2011 periods is primarily due to a large, one-time 2011 Transition Networks project that generated $32.8 million of revenue in the second and third quarters of 2011. The Company continues to face a difficult 2012 economic environment, primarily related to lower government spending, which is affecting both its Transition Networks and JDL business units.

Excluding the revenues from this one-time project, Transition Networks 2012 third quarter revenues decreased $563,000 or 4% over the 2011 third quarter. Transition Networks is working to increase revenue in its focus markets, including the service provider market and continues to have success with Telcos that provide business Ethernet services. The July 2011 addition of Patapsco has helped to expand its capacity to serve the mobile backhaul space. The Company expects growth in this space and continues to invest in product development to support it. Although Transition Networks does not sell directly to the federal government or to state or local governments, a number of its customers sell directly to the government, work on government projects, or receive government funding. Accordingly, Transition Networks’s revenues and profitability are dependant, in part, on the level of federal, state and local government spending on infrastructure projects.

Table of Contents

JDL’s 2012 revenues decreased 60% as it completed a large contract for the Broward Country School District in the third quarter of 2011. JDL continues to support this school district, and is marketing its products and services to new school districts and universities. It is also expanding its products and services to small- and medium-sized businesses to implement new technologies such as virtualization and migration to the cloud. As previously announced, JDL has been selected as one of the partners for a project with the Miami-Dade County Public School District (“M-DCPS”), the fourth largest public school district in the United States. As part of the district’s “Bringing Wireless to the Classroom” initiative, M-DCPS applied for and has been granted federal funding under the E-Rate program to expand wireless connectivity for students and staff. JDL Technologies has been selected to provide the hardware and wiring for 232 district schools as part of the project. The wireless connectivity project is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2012 for completion by year-end 2013, and to contribute up to $23 million in revenue to JDL Technologies. While this project will contribute to CSI’s overall profitability, the M-DCPS project is primarily hardware; therefore the Company’s margins from this project will be significantly lower than the margins from JDL’s historical projects, which have included a significant value-added service component.

Suttle experienced a 16% increase in third quarter revenues, due primarily to an improving housing market, especially for multi-tenant dwelling units as Suttle’s strong position within this market enabled it to increase structured wiring products revenues by $1.6 million or 47% over the third quarter of 2011. In addition, through its copper and fiber connectivity products, Suttle has achieved success obtaining new opportunities within its existing customer base as well as gaining new customers in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Suttle’s Costa Rica facility is growing to support customers globally with production and has added engineering resources to support new product development.

While the Company has reduced its overall general and administrative costs, it continues to invest strategically in its core markets to pursue new opportunities in its global customer base and expand into new markets. The Company’s ongoing implementation of its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is proceeding well. This new system will standardize all of the Company business units on one system, bringing efficiencies to product development, manufacturing, delivering services and back office support.

Despite some near-term economic uncertainty in some areas such as government spending, the Company remains optimistic about its long-term prospects and will continue to invest in areas that will enable it to be successful in its target markets.

Forward-looking statements

In this report and, from time to time, in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in other communications to shareholders or the investing public, the Company may make “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning possible or anticipated future financial performance, business activities, plans, pending claims, investigations or litigation which are typically preceded by the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends” or similar expressions. For these forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in federal securities laws. Shareholders and the investing public should understand that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance, activities, anticipated results, outcomes or plans to differ significantly from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:


	•	our ability to manufacture and deliver our products to customers in the time frame these customers have specified;
	•	possible lower future sales to major telephone companies and other major customers;
	•	the introduction of competitive products and technologies;
	•	our ability to successfully control operating expenses in our business units;
	•	the general health of the telecom sector;

Table of Contents


	•	the continuing worldwide financial downturn and sluggish economic conditions in certain market segments;
	•	our ability to successfully and profitability integrate our acquisitions, including our July 2011 acquisition of Patapsco;
	•	delays in new product introductions;
	•	higher than expected expense related to new sales and marketing initiatives;
	•	unfavorable resolution of claims and litigation;
	•	availability of adequate supplies of raw materials and components;
	•	fuel prices;
	•	the dependence of our Transition Networks business unit on federal government spending;
	•	the timing and availability of the federal and school district components of the funding of our M-DCPS project could affect the timing of JDL’s delivery of services and its receipt of revenues under the project;
	•	the fact the Company’s margins from JDL’s M-DCSD project will be significantly lower than the margins from JDL’s historical projects, which have included a significant value-added service component; and
	•	other factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including risk factors presented under Item 1A of the Company’s most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

Consolidated sales decreased 32% in 2012 to $28,688,000 compared to $41,985,000 in 2011. Consolidated operating income in 2012 decreased to $1,707,000 compared to $6,484,000 in the third quarter of 2011. Net income in 2012 decreased to $1,119,000 compared to $3,730,000 in the third quarter of 2011.

Suttle

The Company realigned its business operations effective January 1, 2012 and as a result, the Austin Taylor operations are now included within the Suttle business unit. The Company has reclassified Austin Taylor’s 2011 operations to conform to this presentation. Suttle sales increased 16% in the third quarter of 2012 to $12,242,000 compared to $10,538,000 in the same period of 2011 due to increases in new multi-dwelling unit construction in the U.S. housing market and revenue from multiple new product contracts. Sales by customer groups in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011 were:


	Suttle Sales by Customer Group
	2012		2011
Major telephone companies	$	9,501,000	$	7,414,000
Distributors		1,308,000		1,106,000
International		1,248,000		2,000,000
Other		185,000		18,000
	$	12,242,000	$	10,538,000

Table of Contents

Suttle’s sales by product groups in third quarter of 2012 and 2011 were:


	Suttle Sales by Product Group
	2012		2011
Modular connecting products	$	3,485,000	$	3,271,000
Structured cabling products		5,011,000		3,418,000
DSL products		2,300,000		2,520,000
Other products		1,446,000		1,329,000
	$	12,242,000	$	10,538,000

Sales to the major telephone companies increased 28% in 2012 due to an increase in new multi-dwelling unit construction within the U.S. housing market and revenue from multiple new product contracts. Sales to these customers accounted for 78% of Suttle’s sales in the third quarter of 2012 compared to 70% of sales in 2011. Sales to distributors increased 18% in 2012 due to stronger demand for structured cabling products to support the increase in multi-dwelling unit construction. This customer segment accounted for 11% and 10% of sales in the third quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively. International sales decreased 38% and accounted for 10% of Suttle’s third quarter 2012 sales, due to a delay in DSL sales to a large customer, discontinuation of Austin Taylor’s metal business, and reduction in revenue from Austin Taylor’s legacy products.

Modular connecting products sales increased 7% due to an increase in new multi-dwelling unit construction in the U.S. housing market. Sales of structured cabling products increased 47% due to an increase in new multi-dwelling unit construction market. Sales of DSL products decreased 9% due to the maturation of the U.S. DSL market and the order cycle of major customers.

Suttle’s gross margin increased 41% in the third quarter of 2012 to $3,327,000 compared to $2,358,000 in the same period of 2011. Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased to 27% in 2012 from 22% in 2011 due to product mix changes and increased production levels. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $190,000 or 9% in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, due to increased spending in the Company’s technology development and market expansion initiatives. Suttle’s operating income was $1,009,000 in the third quarter of 2012 compared to $231,000 in 2011.

Transition Networks

Transition Networks sales decreased 51% to $13,647,000 in the third quarter of 2012 compared to $27,574,000 in 2011 due primarily to $13,364,000 in revenue from a one-time large network upgrade project with a Fortune 500 company in the third quarter of 2011. Revenues excluding this major project decreased 4% or $563,000 as compared to the third quarter of 2011 due to sales in Latin America and Southeast Asia and a few larger projects that took place in that quarter.

Third quarter sales by region are presented in the following table:


	Transition Networks Sales by Region
	2012		2011
North America	$	10,314,000	$	23,817,000
Europe, Middle East, Africa (“EMEA”)		1,381,000		1,065,000
Rest of world		1,952,000		2,692,000
	$	13,647,000	$	27,574,000

Table of Contents

The following table summarizes Transition Networks’ 2012 and 2011 third quarter sales by its major product groups:


	Transition Networks Sales by Product Group
	2012		2011
Media converters	$	8,884,000	$	22,944,000
Ethernet switches		1,196,000		1,087,000
Ethernet adapters		1,522,000		1,924,000
Other products		2,045,000		1,619,000
	$	13,647,000	$	27,574,000

Sales in North America decreased 57% or $13,503,000 due to a one-time large network upgrade project with a Fortune 500 company in the third quarter of 2011 noted above. This was also a major contributor to the reported decrease in revenue from sales of media converters. International sales decreased $424,000, or 11%, due to delayed project activity in the international markets, specifically within Rest of world region.

Gross margin on third quarter Transition Networks’ sales decreased 48% to $6,663,000 in 2012 from $12,728,000 in 2011. Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased to 49% in 2012 as compared to 46% in 2011 due to volume discounts given in 2011 for the large network upgrade project with a Fortune 500 company described above. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 11% to $5,365,000 in 2012 compared to $6,017,000 in 2011 due to cost reduction measures during the quarter. Operating income decreased to $1,298,000 in 2012 compared to $6,711,000 in 2011.

JDL Technologies, Inc.

JDL Technologies, Inc. sales decreased 28% to $2,798,000 in the third quarter of 2012 compared to $3,872,000 in 2011.

JDL’s revenues by customer group were as follows:


	JDL Revenue by Customer Group
	2012		2011
Broward County FL schools	$	1,749,000	$	3,691,000
All other		1,049,000		181,000
	$	2,798,000	$	3,872,000

Revenues earned in Broward County, Florida decreased $1,942,000 or 53% in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to the 2011 third quarter. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company received significant funding for federal government contract work. This contract work was of a long-term nature, and the Company completed these contracts during the quarter ended September 30, 2011. All other revenues increased $868,000 due to JDL’s concentrated effort in the commercial and education markets including the capturing of a wireless opportunity with the Miami-Dade County Public School District as a result of JDL’s E-Rate 15 initiative with the district.

JDL gross margin decreased 48% to $770,000 in the third quarter of 2012 compared to $1,469,000 in the same period in 2011. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased to 28% in 2012 from 38% in 2011 due to purchasing discounts and rebates the Company was able to take advantage of during the prior year quarter and customer mix. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 8% in 2012 to $564,000 compared to $522,000 in 2011 due to increased sales, marketing and G&A expenses as JDL has increased its headcount to further expand into the commercial market. JDL reported operating income of $205,000 in the third quarter of 2012 compared to $947,000 in the same period of 2011.

Table of Contents

Other

The Company’s income before income taxes decreased to $1,663,000 in 2012 compared to $6,575,000 in 2011. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 33% in 2012 and 43% in 2011. This effective rate differs from the standard rate of 35% due to state income taxes, provisions for interest charges, the release of valuation allowance placed on foreign net operating losses, and the effect of operations conducted in lower foreign tax rate jurisdictions.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

Consolidated sales decreased 34% in 2012 to $78,493,000 compared to $118,437,000 in 2011. Consolidated operating income in 2012 decreased to $3,195,000 compared to $17,878,000 in the first nine months of 2011. Net income in 2012 decreased to $2,146,000 compared to $10,372,000 in the first nine months of 2011.

Suttle

The Company realigned its business operations effective January 1, 2012 and as a result, the Austin Taylor operations are now included within the Suttle business unit. The Company has reclassified Austin Taylor’s 2011 operations to conform to this presentation. Suttle sales increased 10% in the first nine months of 2012 to $33,167,000 compared to $30,275,000 in the same period of 2011. Sales by customer groups in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011 were:


	Suttle Sales by Customer Group
	2012		2011
Major telephone companies	$	24,686,000	$	20,049,000
Distributors		4,127,000		3,334,000
International		3,943,000		6,596,000
Other		411,000		296,000
	$	33,167,000	$	30,275,000

Suttle’s sales by product groups in first nine months of 2012 and 2011 were:

	Suttle Sales by Product Group
	2012		2011
Modular connecting products	$	9,962,000	$	9,533,000
Structured cabling products		13,254,000		8,795,000
DSL products		5,912,000		7,836,000
Other products		4,039,000		4,111,000
	$	33,167,000	$	30,275,000

Table of Contents

Sales to the major telephone companies increased 23% in 2012 due to an increase in new multi-dwelling unit construction in the U.S. housing market and contribution from new product contracts. Sales to these customers accounted for 74% of Suttle’s sales in the first nine months of 2012 compared to 66% of sales in the same period in 2011. Sales to distributors increased 24% in 2012 primarily due to increase in activity in the U.S. housing market. This customer segment accounted for 12% and 11% of sales in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. International sales decreased 40% and accounted for 12% of Suttle’s first nine months 2012 sales due to a delay in DSL sales to a large customer, discontinuation of Austin Taylor’s metal business, and reduction in revenue from Austin Taylor’s legacy products.

Modular connecting products sales have increased 5% due to an increase in new multi-dwelling unit construction in the U.S. housing market. Sales of structured cabling products increased 51% due to increased construction activity in the multi-dwelling unit space in specific regions in the U.S. Sales of DSL products decreased 25% due to the maturation of the U.S. DSL market and order cycles of major customers.

Suttle’s gross margin increased 22% in the first nine months of 2012 to $8,725,000 compared to $7,123,000 in the same period of 2011. Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased to 26% in 2012 from 24% in 2011 due to product mix changes and increased production levels. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $721,000 or 12% in the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, due to an increase in spending in the technology development and market expansion initiative. Suttle’s operating income was $1,833,000 in the first nine months of 2012 compared to an operating loss of $320,000 in 2011 due to a goodwill impairment charge of $1,272,000 in the third quarter of 2011.

Transition Networks

Transition Networks sales decreased 47% to $40,615,000 in the first nine months of 2012 compared to $76,508,000 in 2011 due to $32,751,000 in revenue from a one-time large network upgrade project with a Fortune 500 company in the first nine months of 2011. Revenues excluding this major project decreased 7% or $3,142,000 as compared to the first nine months of 2011 due to a continued slowdown in Federal Government spending.

First nine months sales by region are presented in the following table:


	Transition Networks Sales by Region
	2012		2011
North America	$	30,256,000	$	65,547,000
Europe, Middle East, Africa (“EMEA”)		4,437,000		4,394,000
Rest of world		5,922,000		6,567,000
	$	40,615,000	$	76,508,000

The following table summarizes Transition Networks’ 2012 and 2011 first nine months sales by its major product groups:


	Transition Networks Sales by Product Group
	2012		2011
Media converters	$	26,852,000	$	62,370,000
Ethernet switches		3,643,000		3,362,000
Ethernet adapters		3,064,000		4,824,000
Other products		7,056,000		5,952,000
	$	40,615,000	$	76,508,000

Table of Contents

Sales in North America decreased 54% or $35,291,000 due to revenue from a one-time large network upgrade project with a Fortune 500 company that was completed during the third quarter of 2011 as noted above. This also caused the decrease in revenue from sales of media converters. Other vertical markets, especially the Federal Government market in the United States, continued to record lower revenue due to the slow-down in government purchases resulting in project delays. International sales decreased $602,000, or 5% due to lower project activity in the international markets, specifically within Rest of world region.

Gross margin on the first nine months of Transition Networks’ sales decreased to $21,274,000 in 2012 from $36,243,000 in 2011. Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased to 52% in 2012, compared to 47% in the 2011 period, due to volume discounts offered in the prior year on an upgrade project with the Fortune 500 Company described above. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 4% to $16,557,000 in 2012 compared to $17,246,000 in 2011 due to cost reduction measures taken in the second and third quarters. Operating income decreased to $4,717,000 in 2012 compared to $18,996,000 in 2011.

JDL Technologies, Inc.

JDL Technologies, Inc. sales decreased 60% in the first nine months of 2012 to $4,711,000 compared to $11,654,000 in 2011.

JDL’s revenues by customer group were as follows:


	JDL Revenue by Customer Group
	2012		2011
Broward County FL schools	$	2,931,000	$	11,262,000
All other		1,780,000		392,000
	$	4,711,000	$	11,654,000

Revenues earned in Broward County FL decreased $8,331,000 or 74% in 2012. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company received significant funding for federal government contract work. This contract work was of a long-term nature, and the Company completed these contracts during the quarter ended September 30, 2011. All other revenues increased $1,388,000 due to JDL’s concentrated effort to expand its market focus.

JDL gross margin decreased 73% to $1,365,000 in the first nine months of 2012 compared to $4,974,000 in the same period in 2011. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased to 29% in 2012 from 43% in 2011 due to purchasing discounts and rebates the Company was able to take advantage of during the first nine months of the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 10% in 2012 to $1,679,000 compared to $1,523,000 in 2011 due to an increase in the sales and marketing headcount as JDL expands into the commercial markets. JDL reported an operating loss of $313,000 in the first nine months of 2012 compared to operating income of $3,451,000 in the same period of 2011.

Other

Income before income taxes decreased to $3,202,000 in 2012 compared to $18,000,000 in 2011. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 33% in 2012 as compared to 42% in 2011. This effective rate was lower than the standard rate of 35% due to state income taxes, provisions for interest charges, the release of valuation allowance placed on foreign net operating losses, and the effect of operations conducted in lower foreign tax rate jurisdictions.

Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had approximately $36,367,000 in cash, cash equivalents and investments. Of this amount, $1,932,000 was invested in short-term money market funds that are not considered to be bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or other government agency. These money market funds seek to preserve the value of the investment at $1.00 per share; however, it is possible to lose money investing in these funds. The remainder in cash and cash equivalents is operating cash and certificates of deposit, which are fully insured through the FDIC. The Company also had $21,602,000 in investments consisting of certificates of deposit, commercial paper, corporate notes and bonds, and municipal bonds that are traded on the open market and are classified as available-for-sale at September 30, 2012.

The Company had current assets of approximately $81,888,000 and current liabilities of $10,956,000 at September 30, 2012 compared to current assets of $89,946,000 and current liabilities of $15,388,000 at December 31, 2011.

Cash flow used in operating activities was approximately $3,231,000 in the first nine-months of 2012 compared to $8,252,000 provided by operations in the same period of 2011. Significant working capital changes from December 31, 2011 to September 30, 2012 included a decrease in accrued compensation and benefits of $2,554,000 related to the payment of the Company’s annual and long-term compensation during the first quarter, an increase in inventories of $2,494,000 due to high production levels related to increased orders and new product initiatives within one of our business segments and an increase in receivables of $2,102,000 due to higher sales in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $70,000 in the first nine-months of 2012 compared to $1,018,000 in cash used in the same period of 2011. The Company continued to make capital investments and purchases of certificates of deposit and other marketable securities. The Company acquired Patapsco Designs Limited during the third quarter of 2011 and paid $3,271,000 in initial consideration, which was offset by $862,000 in cash acquired in the acquisition.

Net cash used by financing activities was $4,616,000 in the first nine-months of 2012 compared to $3,892,000 in the same period of 2011. Cash dividends paid on common stock increased to $4,005,000 in 2012 ($0.48 per common share) from $3,796,000 in 2011 ($0.45 per common share). Proceeds from common stock issuances, principally shares sold to the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan and under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, totaled approximately $250,000 in 2012 and $178,000 in 2011. The Company purchased and retired 23,573 shares in 2012 and none in 2011. At September 30, 2012, Board of Director authority to purchase approximately 458,465 additional shares remained in effect.

The Company has a $10,000,000 line of credit from Wells Fargo Bank. Interest on borrowings on the credit line is at LIBOR plus 1.1% (1.5% at September 30, 2012). There were no borrowings on the line of credit during the first nine months of 2012 or 2011. The credit agreement expires October 31, 2013 and is secured by assets of the Company.

Table of Contents

In the opinion of management, based on the Company’s current financial and operating position and projected future expenditures, sufficient funds are available to meet the Company’s anticipated operating and capital expenditure needs.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our critical accounting policies, including the assumptions and judgments underlying them, are discussed in our 2011 Form 10-K in Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in our Consolidated Financial Statements. There were no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during the three months ended September 30, 2012.

The Company’s accounting policies have been consistently applied in all material respects and disclose such matters as allowance for doubtful accounts, sales returns, inventory valuation, warranty expense, income taxes, revenue recognition, asset and goodwill impairment recognition and foreign currency translation. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the result of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Results may differ from these estimates due to actual outcomes being different from those on which we based our assumptions. Management reviews these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

We do not believe there are any recently issued accounting standards that have not yet been adopted that would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

The Company has no freestanding or embedded derivatives. The Company’s policy is to not use freestanding derivatives and to not enter into contracts with terms that cannot be designated as normal purchases or sales.

The vast majority of our transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars; as such, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have historically not been material to the Company. At September 30, 2012 our bank line of credit carried a variable interest rate based on LIBOR plus 1.1%.

Based on the Company’s operations, in the opinion of management, no material future losses or exposure exist relative to market risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Table of Contents

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Not Applicable.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
Not Applicable.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

In the three months ending September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased shares of stock as follows:


ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period	(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased		(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)		(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs ⁽¹⁾
July 2012		—		—		—		462,691
August 2012		—		—		—		462,691
September 2012		4,226		$10.78		4,226		458,465
Total		4,226		$10.78		4,226		458,465


	(1)	Shares represent remaining amount of a 500,000 share repurchase authorization approved by the Company’s Board in October 2008 and publicly announced in November 2008.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not Applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information
Not Applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits.


	The following exhibits are included herein:

	31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Exchange Act).
	31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Exchange Act).
	32.	Certifications pursuant Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. §1350).

	99.1	Press Release dated November 7, 2012 announcing 2012 Third Quarter Results.

Table of Contents

Signatures

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


			Communications Systems, Inc.

		By	/s/ William G. Schultz
			William G. Schultz
Date:	November 8, 2012		President and Chief Executive Officer

			/s/ David T. McGraw
			David T. McGraw
Date:	November 8, 2012		Chief Financial Officer