FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2014

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission File No. 1-10346

 

EMRISE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   77-0226211
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

2530 Meridian Parkway

Durham, North Carolina 27713

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(408) 200-3040

(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 past 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer [  ]   Accelerated filer [  ]
         
Non-accelerated filer [  ]   Smaller reporting company [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ] No [X]

 

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock, $0.0033 par value, as of May 15, 2014 was 10,719,337.

 

 

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2014

 

    Page No
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     
Item 1. Financial Statements. F-1
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 3
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 11
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures. 11
     
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings. 12
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors. 12
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. 12
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. 12
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. 12
     
Item 5. Other Information. 12
     
Item 6. Exhibits. 13
     
Signatures 14

 

2
 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements.

 

EMRISE CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

   March 31, 2014   December 31, 2013 
   (unaudited)     
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $2,685   $1,170 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $68 at March 31, 2014 and $70 at December 31, 2013   6,983    7,435 
Inventories   6,761    6,357 
Current deferred tax assets   83    46 
Prepaid and other current assets   664    897 
Total current assets   17,176    15,905 
Property, plant and equipment, net   4,548    4,475 
Goodwill   5,325    5,283 
Intangible assets other than goodwill, net   426    457 
Deferred tax assets   33    53 
Other assets   258    286 
Total assets  $27,766   $26,459 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $3,244   $3,210 
Accrued expenses   4,447    4,259 
Lines of credit   2,673    1,196 
Current portion of long-term debt   2,444    2,672 
Income taxes payable   22    36 
Other current liabilities   262    261 
Total current liabilities   13,092    11,265 
Long-term debt   3,198    2,664 
Deferred income taxes   28    17 
Other liabilities   969    992 
Total liabilities   17,287    15,298 
Commitments and contingencies   -    - 
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 10,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, $0.0033 par value. Authorized 75,000,000 shares; 10,719,337 and 10,713,337 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively.   128    128 
Additional paid-in capital   44,210    44,205 
Accumulated deficit   (32,709)   (31,924)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1,150)   (1,248)
Total stockholders’ equity   10,479    11,161 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $27,766   $26,459 

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-1
 

 

EMRISE CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
   2014   2013 
Net sales  $7,757   $7,691 
Cost of sales   5,758    5,414 
Gross profit   1,999    2,277 
Operating expenses:          
Selling, general and administrative   2,335    2,350 
Engineering and product development   316    295 
Total operating expenses   2,651    2,645 
Loss from operations   (652)   (368)
Other income (expense):          
Interest income   34    21 
Interest expense   (136)   (118)
Other, net   (9)   (103)
Total other expense, net   (111)   6 
Loss before income taxes   (763)   (362)
Income tax expense   22    166 
Net Loss   (785)   (528)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   98    (689)
Comprehensive loss  $(687)  $(1217)
           
Weighted average shares outstanding          
Basic and diluted   10,715    10,698 
Loss per share:          
           
Basic and Diluted  $(0.07)  $(0.05)

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-2
 

 

EMRISE CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
   2014   2013 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net loss  $(785)  $(528)
Reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   141    115 
Loss on sale of property, plant & equipment   -    3 
Provision for doubtful accounts   12    28 
Provision for warranty reserve   188    50 
Provision for inventory reserve   59    236 
Provision for income taxes   (6)   109 
Stock-based expense   5    - 
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   1,090    (585)
Inventories   (566)   317 
Prepaid and other assets   (350)   863 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   94    716 
Operating cash flow (used in) provided by operating activities   (118)   1,324 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Purchases of property, plant and equipment   (148)   (2,976)
Net cash used in investing activities   (148)   (2,976)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Building loan and mortgage   -    2,124 
Net borrowings from lines of credit   1,467    (337)
Proceeds of loan from BPIFrance and capital leases   685    - 
Repayments of current portion of long-term debt   (407)   (394)
Financing cash flow provided by financing activities   1,745    1,393 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   36    (181)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   1,515    (440)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   1,170    1,519 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $2,685   $1,079 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION          
Cash paid during the quarter for:          
Interest  $136   $118 
Income Taxes  $148   $108 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
           
Acquisition of equipment through capital leases  $410   $53 

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-3
 

 

EMRISE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Organization and Business

 

EMRISE Corporation (the “Company”) designs, manufactures and markets proprietary electronic devices and communications equipment for aerospace, defense, industrial, and communications applications. The Company currently has operations in the United States, England and France. The Company conducts its business through two operating segments: electronic devices and communications equipment. The subsidiaries within the electronic devices segment design, develop, manufacture and market electronic devices for defense, aerospace and industrial markets and operate out of facilities located in England. The subsidiaries within the communications equipment segment design, develop, manufacture and market network access equipment, including network timing and synchronization products and operate out of facilities located in both the United States and France.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and therefore do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The year-end balance sheet was derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do, however, reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the financial position as of March 31, 2014 and the results of operations and cash flows for the related interim periods ended March 31, 2014, and 2013. However, these results are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or for the year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the SEC on April 15, 2014.

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

Comprehensive loss includes all changes in equity during a period except those that resulted from investments by or distributions to the Company’s stockholders. Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that, under GAAP, are included in comprehensive loss, but excluded from net income (loss), as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

Product Warranty Liabilities

 

Generally, the Company’s products carry a standard one-year, limited parts and labor warranty. In certain circumstances, the Company provides a two-year, limited parts and labor warranty on communications test instruments and network access products. The Company offers extended warranties beyond two years for an additional cost to its customers. Products returned under warranty typically are tested and repaired or replaced at the Company’s option. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant warranty costs or returns.

 

The Company records a liability for estimated costs that it expects to incur under the basic limited warranties when product revenue is recognized. Factors affecting the warranty liability include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of claim and costs per claim. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its warranty liability accrual based on changes in these factors.

 

F-4
 

 

Loss per Share from Continuing Operations

 

Basic loss per share from continuing operations is computed by dividing net loss from continuing operations by the weighted average common shares outstanding during a period. Diluted loss per share from continuing operations is based on the treasury stock method and includes the dilutive effect of stock options and warrants outstanding during the period. Common share equivalents have been excluded where their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. As a result of the losses from continuing operations incurred by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the potentially dilutive common shares have been excluded from the loss per share computation because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2014   2013 
NUMERATOR:          
Net loss  $(785)  $(528)
DENOMINATOR:          
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding   10,715    10,668 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding   10,715    10,668 
Basic and diluted loss per share  $(0.07)  $(0.05)

 

The following table shows the common stock equivalents that were outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ or warrants’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares, and therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive:

 

   Number of
Shares
   Range of
Exercise Price
Per Share
 
Anti-dilutive common stock options:          
As of March 31, 2014   309,342    $0.55 – $7.50   
As of March 31, 2013   402,282    $0.55 – $7.50   

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company derives revenues from sales of electronic devices and communications equipment products. The Company’s sales are based upon written agreements or purchase orders that identify the type and quantity of the items being purchased and the purchase price.

 

Communications Equipment- The Company recognizes revenues from its communications equipment business segment based in France and the U.S. at the point of shipment of those products. An estimate of warranty cost is recorded at the time the revenue is recognized. Customer discounts are included in the product price list provided to the customer. Product returns are infrequent and require prior authorization because sales are final and the Company tests its products for quality prior to shipment to ensure products meet the specifications of the binding purchase orders under which those products are shipped. Normally, when a customer requests and receives authorization to return a product, the request is accompanied by a purchase order for a repair or for a replacement product for which the customer pays.

 

Electronic Devices- The Company’s subsidiaries in England comprise the electronic devices segment of the business. Revenue recognition for products and services provided by the Company’s subsidiaries in England depends upon the type of contract involved. Engineering/design services contracts generally entail design and production of a prototype over a term of up to several years, with revenue recognized over the term of the contract on a percentage of completion basis. Production contracts provide for a specific quantity of products to be produced over a specific period of time. Customers issue binding purchase orders or enter into binding agreements for the products to be produced. The Company recognizes revenues on these orders as the products are shipped. Returns are infrequent and permitted only with prior authorization because these products are custom made to order based on binding purchase orders and are quality tested prior to shipment. An estimate of warranty cost is recorded at the time revenue is recognized. The Company offers extended warranty contracts for an additional cost to its customers, which are recognized ratably over the term of the extended warranty contract.

 

F-5
 

 

Revenues from services such as repairs and modifications are recognized when the service is completed and invoiced. For repairs that involve shipment of a repaired product, the Company recognizes repair revenues when the product is shipped back to the customer. Service revenues contribute less than 5% of total revenue and, therefore, are considered to be immaterial to overall financial results.

 

Foreign Currency Instruments

 

The Company evaluates the impact of currency fluctuations on a periodic basis and, from time to time, participates in currency hedging activities when the need arises. The Company currently uses foreign currency forward contracts, which do not meet hedge accounting requirements, to manage currency exposures related to foreign operation sales in U.S. dollars. These instruments are generally short-term in nature, with typical maturities of less than one year, and are subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The Company adjusts the value of the hedging instruments at the end of the reporting period to reflect the market value of the instrument.

 

NOTE 2 — LIQUIDITY

 

The Company’s liquidity is closely monitored by management. The Company uses cash flow forecasting linked to production forecasts and existing and projected credit and bank facilities, to ensure there are sufficient financial resources to fulfill its short-term needs and strategic plans. The Company has a long term bank facility in the UK with Lloyds Bank which extends to April 2017 and a 20 year loan and related mortgage of $2.25 million also with Lloyds Bank. The UK term loan from Lloyds Bank has a covenant that links to the net worth of the UK subsidiaries of the Company. Further details of these borrowings are set out below.

 

NOTE 3 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company has five stock option plans, the following two of which, continue to be available and these are described more fully in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

  Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option Plan; and
     
  2007 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

The Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) does not intend to issue any additional options under the Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option Plan.

 

Total stock-based compensation expense included in wages, salaries and related costs was $5,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and $3,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. These compensation expenses were charged to selling, general and administrative expenses. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had no unrecognized compensation expense related to stock option grants. At March 31, 2013, the unrecognized compensation expense was $16,000.

 

No restricted stock was awarded under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan to the members of the Board during the period.

 

NOTE 4 — OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

The Company has two operating segments: electronic devices and communications equipment. The electronic devices segment manufactures and markets electronic power supplies, radio frequency (“RF”) and microwave devices and subsystem assemblies. The electronic devices segment consists of the Company’s two electronic device subsidiaries located in England, Pascall Electronics Limited (“Pascall”) and XCEL Power Systems Limited (“XCEL”), both of which offer the same or similar products to the same or similar customers. The communications equipment segment designs, manufactures and distributes network access products and timing and synchronization products. The communications equipment segment consists of operating entities CXR Larus, which is located in the United States, and CXR Anderson Jacobson (“CXR AJ”), which is located in France, both of which offer the same or similar products to similar customers. Both segments sell primarily in the U.S. and European markets, but they have distinctly different customers, design and manufacturing processes and marketing strategies. Each segment has discrete financial information and a separate management structure.

 

F-6
 

 

The Company evaluates performance based upon contribution margin of the segments and also upon profit or loss from operations before income taxes exclusive of nonrecurring gains and losses. The Company accounts for inter-segment sales at pre-determined prices negotiated between the individual segments.

 

Selected financial data for each of the Company’s operating segments reconciled to the consolidated totals is shown below (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
   2014   2013 
Net sales          
Electronic devices  $5,162   $5,509 
Communications equipment   2,595    2,182 
Total net sales  $7,757   $7,691 
Operating income (loss)          
Electronic devices  $180   $625 
Communications equipment   23    (256)
Corporate and other   (855)   (737)
Total operating income (loss)  $(652)  $(368)

 

   March 31, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Total assets          
Electronic devices  $19,356   $20,134 
Communications equipment   6,183    6,266 
Corporate and other   2,227    59 
Total assets  $27,766   $26,459 

 

NOTE 5 — ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

The Company’s accounts receivable result from sales to a broad customer base. The Company extends credit to its customers based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and credit history and generally does not require collateral. Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 days in the Company’s U.S. and French operations and 60 days in its English operations and are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding for longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. Provisions for uncollectible accounts are made based on the Company’s specific assessment of the collectability of all past due accounts. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements and consistently have been within management’s expectations. The Company carries insurance to cover accounts receivable derived from export sales from the United Kingdom. Two customers accounted for 11.0% and 10.3% of total sales in the quarter to March 31, 2014, and these two customers accounted for $1,089,000 of accounts receivable at the period end. At May 12, 2014, $499,000 of this sum had been received since the period end; this payment schedule is in accordance with the Company’s normal terms of business with these customers. The same two customers each represented ten percent or more of the Company’s total net sales during three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

The following table reflects the changes in the Company’s doubtful accounts reserve during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
         
Balance at December 31,  $70    75 
Additional reserve for three months   12    1 
Recoveries   (14)   - 
Accounts receivable written off   -    (6)
Foreign currency translation   -    (3)
Balance at March 31,  $68    67 

 

F-7
 

 

NOTE 6 — INVENTORIES

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market (net realizable value) and consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

   March 31, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Gross Inventory          
Raw materials  $6,656   $6,697 
Work-in-process   1,928    1,553 
Finished goods   3,204    2,799 
Total gross inventories  $11,788   $11,049 
           
Inventory Reserve          
Raw materials  $3,099   $3,150 
Work-in-process   504    431 
Finished goods   1,161    1,111 
Total reserve  $4,764   $4,692 
           
Net Inventory          
Raw materials  $3,557   $3,547 
Work-in-process   1,424    1,122 
Finished goods   2,043    1,688 
Total net inventories  $7,024   $6,357 

 

NOTE 7 — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following, (in thousands):

 

   March 31, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Land and buildings  $3,425   $3,401 
Machinery, equipment and fixtures   3,550    3,407 
Leasehold improvements   770    731 
           
    7,745    7,539 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization   (3,197)   (3,064)
Total property, plant and equipment  $4,548   $4,475 

 

The Company recorded depreciation expense associated with its property, plant and equipment of $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

F-8
 

 

NOTE 8 — GOODWILL

 

The following table reflects changes in goodwill balances for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
Balance at December 31,  $5,283    5,146 
Foreign currency translation   42    (233)
Balance at March 31,  $5,325    4,913 

 

The goodwill all relates to the electronic devices segment of the business.

 

NOTE 9 — INTANGIBLE ASSETS OTHER THAN GOODWILL

 

The following table reflects changes in intangible assets (other than goodwill), balances for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
Balance at December 31,  $457    584 
Amortization   (34)   (34)
Foreign currency translation   3    (23)
Balance at March 31,  $426    527 

 

The intangible assets constitute trademarks, trade names and technology acquired.

 

NOTE 10 — INCOME TAXES

 

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. State tax returns in the state jurisdictions of California, Texas, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are filed on a consolidated, combined or separate basis depending on the applicable laws relating to the Company and its domestic subsidiaries. Additionally, the Company’s subsidiaries files tax returns in England and France. The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on the estimated effective tax rate adjusted for certain discreet items for the full fiscal year. Cumulative adjustments to the Company’s estimate are recorded in the interim period in which a change in the estimated annual effective rate is determined.

 

The effective tax rate is subject to significant volatility on a consolidated basis, because the profits of the Company’s subsidiaries in England are subject to income tax at the local statutory rate of 23% and the Company’s subsidiary in France is subject to income tax at the local statutory rate of 33%. The tax loss carry-forwards of the U.S. entities are not available for offset against the profits of the overseas subsidiaries. The Company has minimal tax liabilities in the U.S. because it has not generated taxable profits in the United States in the period. The tax charges in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the three months ended March 31, 2013, are entirely attributable to the taxable profits generated by the Company’s U.K. subsidiaries. In the three months ended March 31, 2014, the UK subsidiaries generated a profit after interest of less than $0.1 million. The first quarter profits generated in the UK in 2013 were $0.6 million.

 

The Company’s business is subject to regulation under a wide variety of United States federal, state and foreign tax laws, regulations and policies. The majority of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have earnings and profits that are reinvested indefinitely. However, the foreign subsidiaries have previously issued guarantees on a financing agreement held by the Company and, as a result, under Internal Revenue Code Section 956, have been deemed to have distributed these earnings to fund U.S. operations. This has resulted in U.S. federal taxable income and an increase in U.S. tax liability, which has been reduced through utilization of available net operating loss carry-forwards and foreign tax credits. The Company has utilized a significant portion of its net operating losses available to be carried forward into future periods and, as a result, income from operations and/or gain on sales of assets could result in tax obligations.

 

F-9
 

 

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had not recorded any net unrecognized tax benefits. The Company currently has no open matters with tax authorities nor is it engaged in an examination by any tax authority. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense and selling, general and administrative expense, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. No interest or penalties were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had no accrual for interest or penalties.

 

The Company is no longer subject to United States federal and state tax examinations for years before 2009 and 2008 respectively, and is no longer subject to tax examinations for the United Kingdom for years prior to 2011, and for France for years prior to 2009.

 

NOTE 11 — FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company has a variety of debt and credit facilities to satisfy the financing requirements of its operations and the countries within which it operates. These arrangements are tabulated below.

 

All amounts are in $ thousands

 

   March 31, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Lines of credit          
Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance   1,893    443 
FACTOCIC   780    753 
Lines of credit  $2,673   $1,196 

 

   March 31, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Long-term debt          
Lloyds term loan   654    711 
Lloyds Mortgage   2,254    2,255 
BPIFrance loan   275    - 
Promissory Notes payable   1,977    2,277 
Capital lease obligations   482    93 
    5,642    5,336 
Current portion of long-term debt   (2,444)   (2,672)
Long-term debt  $3,198   $2,664 

 

Details of the borrowings set out in the table above are explained below.

 

Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance

 

On August 31, 2010, two of the Company’s UK subsidiaries, Pascall and XCEL, each entered into a Receivables Finance Agreement with Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance (“Lloyds”) (each, a “Receivables Finance Agreement” and, collectively, the “Receivables Finance Agreements”), pursuant to which Lloyds agreed to provide Pascall and XCEL a credit facility to support their UK operations in the aggregate principal amount of £2.75 million ($4.2 million based on the exchange rate on March 31, 2014), in each case at an advance rate of 88%, a discount charge of 2.5% above the base rate, and a service fee of 0.2%. The Receivables Finance Agreement between Pascall and Lloyds is secured by the All Assets Debenture, dated August 31, 2010, given by Pascall in favor of Lloyds (the “Pascall Debenture”) and the Receivables Finance Agreement between XCEL and Lloyds is secured by the All Assets Debenture, dated August 31, 2010, given by XCEL in favor of Lloyds (the “XCEL Debenture”). The Receivables Finance Agreements bear interest at the prevailing London interbank lending rate (currently 0.5%) plus 2.5% on the outstanding balance which is paid monthly. As of March 31, 2014, outstanding borrowings under the Receivable Finance Agreements were $1,894,000.

 

F-10
 

 

FACTOCIC

 

On September 20, 2010, the Company’s French subsidiary, CXR AJ, entered into an accounts receivable financing arrangement with FACTOCIC S.A., a subsidiary of CIC Group (“CIC”) (the “CIC Agreement”), pursuant to which CIC agreed to provide CXR AJ a financing arrangement to support its French operations at an advance rate of 90% of presented receivables. The CIC Agreement bears interest at the three month EURIBOR (currently 0.5%) plus 1.4%. As of March 31, 2014, CXR AJ had $780,000 of outstanding borrowings under the CIC Agreement.

 

Promissory Notes Payable

 

The promissory notes were amended subordinated contingent promissory notes, which were issued to former owners of ACC in May 2008 and were originally scheduled to mature on August 31, 2013. The notes were subordinated to a term loan from Lloyds Bank described below. Since the date of issuance, the terms of the notes were amended numerous times, most recently, effective November 1, 2012 (the “Amended Subordinated Contingent Notes”). The Amended Subordinated Contingent Notes bore interest at the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal plus 4% (previously prime rate plus 1%) and were scheduled to mature on December 15, 2014 (the “Maturity Date”) (previously August 31, 2013). Subsequent to December 31, 2013, the payment of principal of $300,000, due on March 15, 2014, was paid on schedule and the balance of the principal and accrued interest was paid on April 7, 2014.

 

Lloyds TSB Term Loan

 

On August 2, 2011, EMRISE Electronics Limited (“EEL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an agreement for a term loan with Lloyds TSB Bank plc (“Lloyds Bank”) in the amount of £750,000 (“Lloyds Term Loan”). As of December 31, 2013, £431,000 ($711,000 based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2013) was outstanding under the Lloyds Term Loan. At March 31, 2014, the balance outstanding under the loan was $654,000. On April 1, 2014, the Company replaced this loan with a new three year loan with Lloyds Bank of £1.1 million (approximately $1.8 million, using the exchange rate at March 31, 2014). The loan carries a fixed rate of interest of 6.6% per annum and includes a covenant which requires the net worth of EEL, after deducting inter-company balances, to not fall below £2 million (approximately $3.3 million using the exchange rate at March 31, 2014). The value of this net worth covenant increases by approximately $400,000 each calendar year.

 

BPIFrance Loan

 

In March 2014, CXR AJ, the Company’s French operating subsidiary, was granted an innovation loan by BPIFrance. The loan is for 200,000 euros (approximately $275,000 using the exchange rate at March 31, 2014) and is specifically for the development of new products and processes. The loan is repayable in 20 quarterly instalments of $13,750 starting in December 2016. The loan is interest free.

 

Lloyds Bank Loan and Mortgage

 

On March 4, 2013, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Lloyds Bank for the sum of £1.4 million (approximately $2.3 million at the rate of exchange on March 31, 2014) to purchase the property occupied by Pascall. This loan, which is secured by a mortgage over the property, is repayable over 20 years. Interest is fixed at an annual rate of 4.8% for 15 years. Thereafter the interest reverts to a rate linked to the London Inter-bank lending rate. The loan agreement contains financial covenants requiring the loan to value ratio to be a minimum of 80%, the net worth of EEL, the immediate parent company of Pascall, to be at least £4,776,000 and annual retained profits not to fall below £300,000 (approximately $7,950,000 and $500,000 using the exchange rate at March 31, 2014). At December 31, 2013, the net worth of EEL, as defined by the loan agreement, was £6,100,000 and the profit for the year ended December 31, 2013 was £685,000 (approximately $1.1 million using the exchange rate at March 31, 2014). The loan is secured by a fixed lien over the property and any fixed plant and machinery within the building. As of March 31, 2014, the loan balance outstanding was $2.25 million and the property has a carrying value of $3.2 million. At December 31, 2013, the loan balance was $2.3 million and the carrying value of the property was $3.1 million.

 

F-11
 

 

Capital Leases

 

The Company has capital leases relating to capital equipment. The leases generally contain purchase options and expire at various dates through January 31, 2019. Capitalized lease obligations are calculated using interest rates appropriate at the inception of the lease and range from 6% to 18%. Leases are amortized over the lease term using the effective interest method.

 

NOTE 12 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

FASB guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants and also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between three levels of inputs that may be utilized when measuring fair value as follows:

 

Level 1 — Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 — Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3 — Inputs that are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on what assumptions the market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.

 

Cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets are a reasonable estimate of their fair value due to the short term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s borrowings is a reasonable estimate of its fair value as borrowings under the Company’s financing arrangements have variable rates that reflect currently available terms and conditions for similar debt. As of March 31, 2014, the Company did not have any financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis that would be subject to the disclosure provisions of FASB guidance noted above.

 

NOTE 13 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

As noted above, on April 7, 2014, the Company repaid the outstanding balance due under the Amended Subordinated Contingent Notes to the value of $1.977 million and a new, fixed interest rate, three year term loan from Lloyds Bank was negotiated and drawn down on April 1, 2014.

 

The new loan facility from Lloyds Bank was signed on March 28, 2014 and net new cash of $1.1 million was drawn down on April 1, 2014. This loan replaced the existing term loan from Lloyds Bank, which at the time it was replaced had a balance of approximately $0.7 million outstanding. The new term loan was for approximately $1.8 million increasing the Company’s borrowing capacity by approximately $1.1 million. The new loan has a fixed interest rate of 6.6% and repayments of capital are due over 36 equal monthly installments. This new loan replaced existing cash which was used to repay the Amended Subordinated Contingent Notes to a value of $1.977 million. Such notes were scheduled for repayment in December 2014 but the new loan enabled the Company to repay the notes early without penalty on April 7, 2014.

 

F-12
 

 

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

 

Cautionary Statement

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by EMRISE Corporation (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) contain or may contain forward-looking statements (collectively the “Filings”) and information that are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, our management as well as estimates and assumptions made by our management and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. When used in the Filings, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to us or our management identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors in Part II, Item 1A, and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, or planned.

 

The Company does not undertake to update, revise or correct any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions upon which we rely are reasonable based upon information available to us at the time that these estimates, judgments and assumptions are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Our financial statements would be affected to the extent there are material differences between these estimates and actual results. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP and does not require management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

 

Any of the factors described above or in the “Risk Factors” sections contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, could cause the financial results, including the Company’s net income or loss or growth in net income or loss to differ materially from prior results, which in turn could, among other things, cause the price of its common stock to fluctuate substantially.

 

Plan of Operation

 

The Company has a rolling three-year strategic plan which is reviewed and updated annually. This plan details the opportunities for and the strengths of, our two business segments and addresses how management intends to exploit these. Detailed financial budgets covering income statements, cash flows and capital expenditure plans supported by existing backlog data and sales forecasts, which are linked to incentive plans, are produced annually by each subsidiary. The consolidated projections are critically reviewed, discussed and approved by the Company’s management team and by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”).

 

The Company’s 2014 plan includes continued sales in the electronic devices segment and deeper penetration of the European and North African markets for the sale of the Company’s communications equipment products. The Company’s management team will adjust resources according to demand for the Company’s products. The Company is a small and flexible player in a rapidly changing world market. The Company’s technical expertise coupled with this flexibility means the Company is well positioned to respond to new opportunities and management anticipates that this will be an important aspect in exploiting its niche markets in the remainder of 2014 and forthcoming years.

 

3
 

 

Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

The quarter ended March 31, 2014 was important for the Company because we negotiated a new three year loan which enabled the Company to repay the promissory notes which had been due for repayment in September and December. The largest element of the repayment of the promissory notes took place immediately after the period end and the increased financial stability that this now gives, permits the Company, in consultation with its Investments Bankers, to plan for the future of the business.

 

When the Company started the year there was a recognition that although the backlog and order book was strong, the quarterly spread of sales through the year was likely to result in a relatively weak first quarter for the electronic devices segment. Net sales from the electronic devices segment decreased by $347,000 or 6.3% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013. The production of power systems for commercial applications for delivery in the first quarter of the year was the product area with the biggest shortfall against the comparable period in 2013 but the order book for this product remains strong and production and sales in each of the subsequent quarters of 2014 are expected to exceed the figures recorded in the first quarter of the year. Each product is designed for specific customer requirements. The sales mix coupled with this reduction in sales in the first quarter of 2014 translated into a weak gross margin as fixed overheads had to be absorbed across lower sales figures under the Company’s standard costing system.

 

The unique product specifications demanded by our customers, which, is a feature of most of the Company’s electronic devices products, frequently results in long lead times between orders and requested delivery dates, making revenues and gross profit difficult to forecast and comparability of results between periods subject to fluctuations influenced by specific orders. Shipments of products can be accelerated or delayed due to many reasons including, but not limited to, exceeding or not meeting customer contract requirements, a change in customer timing or specifications, technology related issues, delays in acquiring component parts, and other production related issues. For a significant portion of our business, customers issue binding purchase orders or enter into binding agreements for the products to be produced and shipped over time in the future. Our “backlog” represents these orders and provides a partial view into potential shipments and revenues.

 

The quarter produced a strong sales performance from the communications segment of our business. International orders, including the strengthening of orders from North Africa for the Company’s French network access products have continued to provide a solid backlog of orders which remains substantially higher than in previous years and the local sales teams continue to work to counter a declining trend in the synchronization and timing products with a ramp up of the Company’s network access products. The previously reported decline in infrastructure spending in the United States by telecommunications companies and the U.S. government specifically for the Company’s synchronization and timing products and legacy network access products continues and this is hindering progress to increase sales at our U.S. communications business.

 

Overall, the quarter produced a 19% increase in sales in the communications segment compared with the first quarter of 2013 and this was sufficient to offset the 6.3% decline in sales in the larger electronic devices segment in the three month period ended March 31, 2014 with the result that overall Company sales edged up by 1% over the prior year.

 

Both segments returned a positive operating profit but heavier than normal corporate costs led to an overall operating loss. The comparatively weak performance by the electronic devices segment was compounded by unbudgeted legal and associated costs of $125,000 which stemmed from matters raised by one of the holders of the Amended Subordinated Contingent Promissory Notes. In addition, the Company incurred advisory fees paid to its Investment Bankers of $40,000. These costs, coupled with weaker results at the electronic devices segment contributed to a total operating loss of $652,000 for the first quarter of 2014, compared with of $368,000 for the comparable period in 2013. The quarter to March 31, when we bear the largest proportion of our professional fees in connection with the issuance of our annual filings, is traditionally the weakest quarter of the Company’s year so the loss was not unexpected but was nonetheless disappointing.

 

4
 

 

The continuing escalation of demand for the electronic devices products produced by the Company’s UK subsidiaries resulted in a backlog of $23.9 million at March 31, 2014, an increase of $2.2 million over the comparable figure of twelve months earlier. This increase is encouraging and the order-book maintained by our UK based companies appears to show no sign of diminishing, however, we continue to experience some uncertainty from our customers over when they will call-down these orders.

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

 

Net Sales

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Variance Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
(in thousands)   2014    2013    Dollar    Percent 
Electronic devices  $5,162   $5,509   $(347)   (6.3)%
as % of net sales   66.5%   71.6%          
Communications equipment  $2,595   $2,182   $413    18.9%
as % of net sales   33.5%   28.4%          
Total net sales  $7,757   $7,691   $66    0.9%

 

Electronic Devices Segment

 

The decrease in net sales for our electronic devices segment stems principally from a fall in production for power supplies and to a lesser extent, radio frequency products for the commercial market. The order book for both categories remains strong but product is made to order and the timing of our customers own delivery schedule resulted in lower volumes of production in the first quarter 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. Production schedules and hence sales of commercial aerospace In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity products and military products are expected to increase as 2014 progresses, however, the timing of customer shipments can change due to the customized nature of our electronic devices business so there is no guarantee that the majority of this order book will translate into sales in 2014.

 

Communications Equipment Segment

 

During 2013, we reported a pick-up in demand for the newer generation IP based, European network access products. This has continued into 2014 with sales into United Kingdom utility companies being particularly strong. Traditionally, communication products have had a relatively short lead time between order and delivery but our order book has been growing, with demand across Europe and Africa looking especially encouraging. Our communications equipment company in the United States continues to rely on legacy products for the bulk of its sales. The demand remains weak for these devices, but we have restructured the company to work at these lower sales levels and this has ensured a positive gross margin in the first quarter of the year.

 

Gross Profit

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Variance Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
(in thousands)  2014   2013   Dollar   Percent 
Electronic devices  $1,077   $1,621   $(544)   (33.6)%
as % of net sales   20.9%   29.4%          
Communications equipment  $922   $656   $266    40.5%
as % of net sales   35.5%   30.1%          
Total gross profit from continuing operations  $1,999   $2,277   $(278)   (12.2)%
Total gross margin   25.8%   29.6%          

 

5
 

 

Electronic Devices Segment

 

Weak volumes, particularly at Pascall, for power supplies and radio frequency products coupled with lower prices resulted in a significantly lower gross profit in the quarter. The gross margin suffered as the absorption of fixed overheads was spread across the lower sales figures. A number of military projects were at an early stage with engineering design work in progress during the quarter. Margins on such projects tend to be lower than volume production contracts.

 

Communications Equipment Segment

 

The increase in gross margin for our communications equipment segment was primarily due to a change in product mix reflecting a greater proportion and greater volume overall of network access products and a reduction in service and test products.

 

Operating Expenses

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Variance Favorable (Unfavorable) 
(in thousands)  2014   2013   Dollar   Percent 
Selling, general and administrative  $2,335   $2,350   $15    0.6%
as % of net sales   30.1%   30.6%          
Engineering and product development  $316   $295    (21)   (7.1)%
as % of net sales   4.1%   3.8%          
Total operating expenses  $2,651   $2,645    (6)   (0.02)%

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Overall, selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the first quarter of 2014 remained largely unchanged from prior year but the savings achieved within our operating segments which mainly stemmed from salary savings in our sales team, were offset by additional costs of dealing with matters raised by one of the holders of the Amended Subordinated Contingent Promissory Notes. The costs associated with this were approximately $125,000 which was more than 5% of our selling, general and administrative costs for the quarter.

 

$000’s  2014   2013 
Sales, general and administrative costs (excluding abnormal costs)   2,170    2,350 
Costs of addressing matters raised by one of the holders of the Amended Subordinated Contingent Promissory Notes   125    - 
Investment banker fees   40    - 
Total SG&A costs   2,335    2,350 

 

Engineering and product development

 

The costs expensed to engineering and product development are a function of the split between costs which relate to customer specific engineering projects which can be charged as a cost of the production project and those costs which are not attributable to a specific customer project. Engineering and product development costs that could not be recharged to customers, as a percentage of net sales, showed a small increase of $21,000 to $316,000 in the first quarter of 2014, (4.1% of sales) compared to a total charge of 295,000 (3.8% of sales) in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense was $136,000 for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $118,000 for the first quarter of 2013. The 2013 cost includes one month of expense for the mortgage taken out for the purchase of the building in the United Kingdom.

 

6
 

 

Other income and expense

 

We recorded an expense of $9,000 in the other income category in the first quarter of 2014 compared to an income of $103,000 in the first quarter of 2013. The fluctuation stems from the short-term exchange rate gains and losses associated with the volatility of the U.S. dollar to the British pound sterling and Euro on the current portion of certain assets and liabilities in 2013 whereas in 2014 there has been much greater stability. In the first quarter of 2013, the U.S. dollar appreciated 6% against British pound sterling. As a large proportion of the Company’s sales and purchases are denominated in sterling, this volatility can have a marked impact on the income in any quarter.

 

Loss from operations

 

The loss from operations was $785,000 in the first quarter of 2014 compared to a loss from operations of $528,000 in the first quarter of 2013. Traditionally the Company has suffered losses in the first quarter of its fiscal year, but this year the loss has been exacerbated by unbudgeted legal and administrative costs of $125,000 incurred in addressing matters raised by one of the holders of the Amended Subordinated Contingent Promissory Notes.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

In making an assessment of our liquidity, we believe that the items in our financial statements that are most relevant to our ongoing operations are working capital, cash generated from operating activities and cash available from financing activities. We have a variety of financing arrangements to support working capital.

 

Working Capital

 

The Company funds its daily cash flow requirements through funds provided by operations and through borrowings under various financing arrangements. The Company has counteracted the impact of the losses from operations by managing its working capital tightly, translating inventory into sales and collecting receivables promptly. Strong cash collection from customers has funded purchases to meet the production demanded by the Company’s order book. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.7 million as compared with $1.2 million at December 31, 2013. On April 1, 2014, a new loan of $1.8 million from Lloyds Bank replaced an existing loan of $0.7 million from the same source. The cash balance was used to repay the remaining liability of $2 million outstanding on the Amended Subordinated Contingent Promissory Notes on April 7, 2014 and our cash was replenished by the net new money from the Lloyds Bank facility.

 

As of March 31, 2013, approximately $0.9 million, or 87%, of the total $1.1 million of cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign subsidiaries whereas as of March 31, 2014, 84% of the cash was held in the United States having been transferred from our overseas subsidiaries by way of management charges, dividends and loans. The majority of our foreign cash balances are associated with earnings that we have represented to our bankers are permanently reinvested and which we plan to use to support our continued growth plans outside of the United States through funding of capital expenditures, engineering, operating expenses or other similar cash needs of our foreign operations. From time to time, we repatriate cash from our foreign subsidiaries to the United States for normal corporate operating needs through inter-company dividends and service and brand charges, but only from those earnings we have not asserted to be permanently reinvested or whose earnings qualify as previously taxed income as defined by the United States Internal Revenue Code. However, the foreign subsidiaries previously issued guarantees to lenders on certain financing arrangements and, as a result, under the United States Internal Revenue Code, have been deemed to have distributed these earnings to fund U.S. operations.

 

The Company expects to generate more cash from operations through the remainder of 2014, as the Company translates its strong order book into higher levels of shipments which in turn will contribute to higher levels of collections on accounts receivable in subsequent periods. We control our working capital tightly but our ability to generate cash from operations has been and will continue to be, impacted by the requirement to acquire materials to produce inventory in order to satisfy increasing shipments associated with the substantial order book. The timing of these shipments and the timing related to the collection of customer receivables accounts associated with these shipments requires close control. We continually monitor our need to invest in engineering and personnel to support such growth but we do not currently foresee any need to increase our headcount. There are no significant capital expenditure plans that will require funding from our current working capital. The Company’s cash flow projections indicate that there will be sufficient cash to service the interest on existing debt and also meet the loan repayments scheduled over the twelve months ending March 31, 2015.

 

7
 

 

On April 1, 2014, the Company signed a new, fixed interest rate, three year term loan with Lloyds Bank totaling $1.8 million, which replaced the existing term loan, giving the Company additional borrowing capacity of approximately $1.1 million. On April 7, 2014, the Company utilized existing cash and borrowings to repay the outstanding balance due under the Amended Subordinated Contingent Promissory Notes totaling approximately $2 million. These promissory notes were scheduled for repayment in December 2014 but the new loan enabled the Company to repay the notes early without penalty at a marginally lower interest rate.

 

Backlog

 

Our future book of shippable orders (“Backlog”) was $26.8 million as of March 31, 2014, compared to $25.9 million as of December 31, 2013 and $24.5 million at March 31, 2013. The amount of Backlog orders represents revenue that we anticipate recognizing in the future, as evidenced by purchase orders and other purchase commitments received from customers, but on which work has not yet been initiated or is currently in progress. As of March 31, 2014, approximately 90% of our Backlog related to our electronic devices business, which have variable lead times for our manufacturing processes due to the custom nature of the products. At March 31, 2013, the comparable figure was $21.7 million being 89% of the total backlog. Approximately 10% of the March 31, 2014 Backlog is related to our communications equipment business, which tends to deliver standard or modified standard products from stock as orders are received. We believe that a significant portion of our current Backlog will be shipped within the next 12 months. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in fulfilling such orders and commitments in a timely manner or that we will ultimately recognize as revenue the amounts reflected as Backlog.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

The impact of inflation and changing prices has not been significant on the financial condition or results of operations of either the Company or our operating subsidiaries for the past two years.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of net sales and expenses for each period. The following represents a summary of the critical accounting policies, defined as those policies that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of the financial condition and results of operations and that require management’s most subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenues are derived from sales of electronic devices and communications equipment products and services and extended warranty contracts. Sales are based upon written agreements or purchase orders that identify the type and quantity of the item and/or services being purchased and the purchase price. Revenues are recognized when shipment of products has occurred or services have been rendered, no significant obligations remain on the part of the Company, and collection is reasonably assured based on the Company’s knowledge of the customer and credit and collections practices and policies.

 

Revenues from domestic sales are recognized at the point of shipment of those products. An estimate of warranty cost is recorded at the time the revenue is recognized. Product returns are infrequent and require prior authorization because sales are final and the Company quality tests products prior to shipment to ensure the products meet the specifications of the binding purchase orders under which those products are shipped. Normally, when a customer requests and receives authorization to return a product, the request is accompanied by a purchase order for a repair or for a replacement product.

 

8
 

 

Revenue recognition for products and services provided by the Company’s subsidiaries in England depends upon the type of contract involved. Engineering/design services contracts generally entail design and production of a prototype over a term of up to several years, with revenue deferred until recognized over the term of the contract under either a percentage of completion basis. Production contracts provide for a specific quantity of products to be produced over a specific period of time. Customers issue binding purchase orders or enter into binding agreements for the products to be produced. The Company recognizes revenues on these orders as the products are shipped. Returns are infrequent and permitted only with prior authorization because these products are custom made to order based on binding purchase orders and are quality tested prior to shipment. An estimate of warranty cost is recorded at the time revenue is recognized. The Company offers extended warranty contracts for an additional cost to its customers, which are recognized ratably over the term of the extended warranty contract.

 

Revenues for products sold by the Company’s subsidiary in France are recognized at the point of shipment. Customer discounts are included in the product price list provided to the customer. Returns are infrequent and permitted only with prior authorization because these products are shipped based on binding purchase orders and are quality tested prior to shipment. An estimate of warranty cost is recorded at the time revenue is recognized.

 

Revenues from services such as repairs and modifications are recognized when the service is completed and invoiced. For repairs that involve shipment of a repaired product, the Company recognizes repair revenues when the product is shipped back to the customer. Service revenues contribute less than 3% of total revenue and, therefore, are not considered to be material to the overall financial results.

 

Product Warranty Liabilities

 

Generally, the Company’s products carry a standard one-year, limited parts and labor warranty. In certain circumstances, a two-year limited parts and labor warranty is offered. Extended warranties beyond two years are sometimes offered to customers for an additional cost. Products returned under warranty typically are tested and repaired or replaced at the Company’s option. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant warranty costs or returns.

 

A liability is recorded for estimated costs that the Company expects to incur under the basic limited warranties when product revenue is recognized. Factors affecting the warranty liability include the number of units sold, the types of products involved, historical and anticipated rates of claim and historical and anticipated costs per claim. The Company regularly assesses the adequacy of the warranty liability accrual based on changes in these factors.

 

Inventory Valuation

 

Electronic devices are generally built to specific order whereas communications equipment is more generally built to forecast. Consequently, the Company produces finished goods in the communications equipment business to enable prompt service to customers. The Company’s products consist of numerous electronic and other materials, which necessitate detailed inventory management. Inventory is valued at the lower of the cost to purchase or manufacture the inventory (first-in, first-out) and the current estimated market value of the inventory (net realizable value). The Company adopts a cyclical approach to counting inventories using an ABC inventory methodology, which groups inventory items into prioritized cycle counting categories, and physical inventory inspections are carried out at least once a year. Inventory quantities on hand are regularly reviewed and a provision for excess and obsolete inventory based primarily on the estimated forecast of product demand and production requirements for the next 12 to 24 months are recorded. Additionally, to determine inventory write-down provisions, product line inventory levels and individual items are reviewed as necessary and periodically assumptions about the forecast demand and market conditions are revised. Any inventory that is determined to be either obsolete or in excess of future demand, is specifically reserved for, and subsequently written-off.

 

The electronic devices and communications equipment industries are characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product development, and rapid product obsolescence that could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. Also, estimates of future product demand may prove to be inaccurate, in which case the Company may have understated or overstated the provision required for excess and obsolete inventory. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of forecasts of future product demand, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant impact on the value of the inventory and the reported operating results.

 

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Foreign Currency Translation and Exchange

 

Foreign subsidiaries account for approximately 95% of the Company’s net revenues (2013 95%), 89% of our total assets and 81% of the Company’s total liabilities as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the financial statements of the foreign subsidiaries are translated from the functional currencies in which their accounting records are maintained, into U.S. dollars, the Company’s reporting currency. The assets and liabilities of the foreign entities have been translated to U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange as of the balance sheet date and an average exchange rate for the period is used to translate the statement of operations. Translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income/(loss). The magnitude of these gains or losses depends upon movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies in which the Company transacts business as compared to the value of the U.S. dollar. These currencies include the euro and the British pound sterling. Cumulative translation losses of $1.2 million were included as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss within the balance sheet at March 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company included translation gains of $0.1 million under accumulated other comprehensive income. Any future translation gains or losses could be significantly higher or lower than those we recorded for these periods.

 

The relevant rates at March 31, 2014 and 2013 and the average rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were:

 

   US $ equivalent 
   2014   2013 
Period end rate          
£ Sterling   1.66    1.52 
Euro   1.38    1.28 
           
Average for the three month period          
£ Sterling   1.65    1.55 
Euro   1.38    1.32 

 

If the Company disposes of any subsidiaries, any cumulative translation gains or losses would be realized into the statement of operations.

 

Long-Lived Assets and Amortizing Intangible Assets

 

The Company reviews the carrying amount of its long-lived assets and other amortizing intangible assets, for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Amortizing intangible assets are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization, and are amortized on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives ranging from two to twenty years. The Company periodically reviews the original estimated useful lives of long-lived assets and makes adjustments when appropriate.

 

Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

 

The Company evaluates goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC’) 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. The Company annually tests for impairment of goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles and tests more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that suggest that there is an indicator of impairment. The Company’s test for goodwill impairment is based on the two step approach whereby in step one if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, an impairment is indicated and the amount of impairment is then calculated by the amount the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill. The Company’s reporting units have been identified as electronic devices and communications equipment. The Company performed its annual required tests of impairment as of December 31, 2013 for goodwill in the electronic devices reporting unit. At March 31, 2014, the reported goodwill totaled $5.3 million, all of which related to the electronic devices reporting unit.

 

At March 31, 2014, the reported indefinite-lived assets totaled $0.4 million, all of which related to the electronic devices reporting unit.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

The only derivative instruments held by the Company consist of forward purchases of U.S. Dollars but the amounts are not material. The Company does not engage in any other hedging activities.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure 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 reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) 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 management, including our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial 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 is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, which were designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. Based on this evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level to ensure (1) that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes with respect to our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

We are currently not involved in any litigation that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the executive officers of our Company or any of our subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting our company, our common stock, any of our subsidiaries or of our companies or our subsidiaries’ officers or directors in their capacities as such, in which an adverse decision could have a material adverse effect.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

A description of the risks associated with our business, financial condition and results of operations is set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2014. These factors continue to be meaningful for your evaluation of the Company and we urge you to review and consider the risk factors presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. We believe there have been no changes that constitute material changes from these risk factors.

 

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

 

There were no unregistered sales of the Company’s equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2014, that were not otherwise disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

There has been no default in payment of principal, interest, sinking or purchase fund installment, or any other material default, with respect to any indebtedness of the Company.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

There is no other information required to be disclosed under this item that has not previously been reported.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6 Exhibits.

 

Number   Description
     
10.1   Business Loan Agreement, dated March 28, 2014, by and between Lloyds TSB Bank PLC and EMRISE Electronics Limited (as filed as Exhibit 10.88 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 15, 2014).
     
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
32.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
32.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
101   The following financial information from EMRISE Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and (iv) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.*

 

*Filed herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

EMRISE CORPORATION
 
Dated: May 15, 2014 By: /s/ CARMINE T. OLIVA
  Carmine T. Oliva,
  Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Dated: May 15, 2014 By: /s/ TIMOTHY J. BLADES
  Timothy J. Blades,
  Director of Finance
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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