UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
(MARK
ONE)
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
COMMISSION
FILE NUMBER: 1-11906
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC.
(EXACT
NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
New Jersey
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22-2378738
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(STATE
OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
INCORPORATION
OR ORGANIZATION)
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(I.R.S.
EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION
NO. )
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1000 LUCAS WAY, HAMPTON, VA
23666
(ADDRESS
OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
(757)
766-1500
(REGISTRANT’S
TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
SECURITIES
REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
TITLE OF EACH CLASS:
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NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
ON WHICH REGISTERED:
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COMMON
STOCK, NO PAR VALUE
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NASDAQ
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SECURITIES
REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No
x.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨
No x.
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 ¨.
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 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
¨ No
¨.
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (Check
one):
Large
accelerated filer ¨
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Accelerated
filer x
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Non-accelerated
filer ¨
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Smaller
reporting company ¨
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|
(Do
not check if a smaller reporting
company)
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes ¨
No x.
At
September 30, 2009, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently
completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting and
non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was
approximately $63,735,823 (based on the closing price of the registrant’s common
stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on such date).
At May
28, 2010, the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock was
14,552,875.
Documents
Incorporated by Reference:
The
information required to be furnished pursuant to Part III of this Form 10-K is
set forth in, and is hereby incorporated by reference herein from, the
registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2010 annual meeting of
shareholders (the “2010 Proxy Statement”) to be held on or about September 21,
2010 to be filed by the registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2010. With the exceptions of the sections of the 2010 Proxy Statement
specifically incorporated herein by reference, the 2010 Proxy Statement is not
deemed to be filed as part of this Form 10-K.
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC.
FORM
10-K
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
MARCH 31,
2010
PART
I
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ITEM
1. BUSINESS
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4
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ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
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15
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ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
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23
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ITEM
2. PROPERTIES
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23
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ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
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23
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ITEM
4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)
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24
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PART
II
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ITEM
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
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24
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ITEM
6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
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25
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ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
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26
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ITEM
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
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52
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ITEM
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
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53
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ITEM
9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
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53
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ITEM
9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
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54
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ITEM
9B. OTHER INFORMATION
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56
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PART
III
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ITEM
10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERANCE
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56
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ITEM
11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
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56
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ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
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56
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ITEM
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
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57
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ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
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57
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PART
IV
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ITEM
15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
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57
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INFORMATION
RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain information included or
incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, in press releases, written
statements or other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), or in our communications and discussions through
webcasts, phone calls, conference calls and other presentations and meetings,
may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the
federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact
are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding: projections of revenue, margins, expenses, tax provisions
(or tax benefits), earnings or losses from operations, cash flows,
synergies or other financial items; plans, strategies and objectives of
management for future operations, including statements relating to potential
acquisitions, executive compensation and purchase commitments; developments,
performance or industry or market rankings relating to products or services;
future economic conditions or performance; future compliance with debt
covenants; the outcome of outstanding claims or legal proceedings; assumptions
underlying any of the foregoing; and any other statements that address
activities, events or developments that Measurement Specialties, Inc. (“MEAS,”
the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our”) intends, expects, projects, believes or
anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements may be
characterized by terminology such as “forecast,” “believe,” “anticipate,”
“should,” “would,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,”
“positioned,” “strategy,” and similar expressions. These statements are based on
assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience
and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future
developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate.
Any such
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control.
Actual results, developments and business decisions may differ materially from
those envisaged by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of the report, press release, statement,
document, webcast or oral discussion in which they are made. Factors that might
cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results described in
or underlying our forward-looking statements include:
·
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Conditions
in the general economy, including risks associated with the current
financial markets and worldwide economic conditions and reduced demand for
products that incorporate our
products;
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Competitive
factors, such as price pressures and the potential emergence of rival
technologies;
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Compliance
with export control laws and
regulations;
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Fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange and interest
rates;
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Interruptions
of suppliers’ operations or the refusal of our suppliers to provide us
with component materials, particularly in light of the current economic
conditions and potential for suppliers to
fail;
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Timely
development, market acceptance and warranty performance of new
products;
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Changes
in product mix, costs and yields;
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Uncertainties
related to doing business in Europe and
China;
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Legislative
initiatives, including tax legislation and other changes in the Company’s
tax position;
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Compliance
with debt covenants, including events beyond our
control;
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Conditions
in the credit markets, including our ability to raise additional funds or
refinance our existing credit
facility;
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·
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Adverse
developments in the automotive industry and other markets served by us;
and
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The
risk factors listed from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC,
including those described below under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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This list
is not exhaustive. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or
persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary
statements contained in this report in “Item 1A. Risk
Factors.” Except as required under federal securities laws and the
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, we do not intend to update
publicly any forward-looking statements after the filing of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in
assumptions or otherwise.
PART
I
ITEM
1. BUSINESS
INTRODUCTION
NOTES:
(1) OUR
FISCAL YEAR BEGINS ON APRIL 1 AND ENDS ON MARCH 31. ALL REFERENCES TO FISCAL
YEARS REFER TO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31 OF THE REFERENCE YEAR, THUS,
REFERENCES IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K TO THE YEAR 2009 OR FISCAL 2009
REFER TO THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 2008 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2009 AND
REFERENCES TO THE YEAR 2010 OR FISCAL 2010 REFER TO THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM
APRIL 1, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2010.
(2) ALL
DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THIS REPORT ARE IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
AMOUNTS.
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture
of sensors and sensor-based systems for original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”)
and end users, based on a broad portfolio of proprietary technology and
typically characterized by the MEAS brand name. We are a global business and we
believe we have a high degree of diversity when considering our geographic
reach, broad range of products, number of end-use markets and breadth of
customer base. The Company is a multi-national corporation with
twelve primary manufacturing facilities strategically located in the United
States, China, France, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland, enabling the Company to
produce and market globally a wide range of sensors that use advanced
technologies to measure precise ranges of physical characteristics. These
sensors are used for engine and vehicle, medical, general industrial, consumer
and home appliance, military/aerospace, and test and measurement applications.
The Company’s sensor products include pressure sensors and transducers,
linear/rotary position sensors, piezoelectric polymer film sensors, custom
microstructures, load cells, accelerometers, optical sensors, humidity,
temperature and fluid property sensors. The Company's advanced technologies
include piezo-resistive silicon sensors, application-specific integrated
circuits, micro-electromechanical systems (“MEMS”), piezoelectric polymers, foil
strain gauges, force balance systems, fluid capacitive devices, linear and
rotational variable differential transformers, electromagnetic displacement
sensors, hygroscopic capacitive sensors, ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors,
negative thermal coefficient (“NTC”) ceramic sensors, torque sensors and
mechanical resonators.
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. is a New Jersey corporation organized in 1981. As
more fully described below under “Changes in our Business,” we discontinued the
remainder of our Consumer products business during the fiscal year ended March
31, 2006. Except as otherwise noted, the descriptions of our business, and
results and operations contained in this report reflect only our continuing
operations.
RECENT
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
The
Company has consummated fourteen acquisitions since June 2004 with a total
purchase price exceeding $167,000. We believe our acquisitions continue to
enhance the Company’s long-term shareholder value by increasing growth in sales
and profitability through the addition of new technologies, establishing new
lines of business, and/or expanding our geographic footprint. The following
acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements as of the
effective date of acquisition (See Notes 2 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company included in this Annual Report on Form
10-K):
Acquired
Company
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Effective
Date of Acquisition
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Country
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Elekon
Industries U.S.A., Inc. (‘Elekon’)
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June
24, 2004
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U.S.A.
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Entran
Devices, Inc. and Entran SA (‘Entran’)
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July
16, 2004
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U.S.A.
and France
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Encoder
Devices, LLC (‘Encoder’)
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July
16, 2004
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U.S.A.
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Humirel,
SA (‘Humirel’)
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December
1, 2004
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France
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MWS
Sensorik GmbH (‘MWS’)
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January
1, 2005
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Germany
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Polaron
Components Ltd (‘Polaron’)
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February
1, 2005
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United
Kingdom
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HL
Planartechnik GmbH (‘HLP’)
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November
30, 2005
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Germany
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Assistance
Technique Experimentale (‘ATEX’)
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January
19, 2006
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France
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YSIS
Incorporated (‘YSI Temperature’)
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April
1, 2006
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U.S.A.
and Japan
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BetaTherm
Group Ltd. (‘BetaTherm’)
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April
1, 2006
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Ireland
and U.S.A.
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Visyx
Technologies, Inc. (‘Visyx’)
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November
20, 2007
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U.S.A.
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Intersema
Microsystems SA (‘Intersema’)
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December
28, 2007
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Switzerland
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R.I.T.
SARL (“Atexis”)
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January
30, 2009
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France
and China
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FGP
Instrumentation, and related companies GS Sensors, and ALS (collectively,
“FGP”)
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January
30, 2009
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France
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The above
companies, except for Encoder, Polaron and Visyx, which were asset purchases,
became direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company upon
consummation of their respective acquisitions.
The
Atexis and FGP acquisitions occurred in late fiscal 2009 (the “2009
Acquisitions”). Atexis is a designer and manufacturer of temperature
sensors and custom probes and expanded our temperature sensor solutions through
the use of several expert technologies including NTC, Platinum (Pt) and
thermo-couples. These technologies allow us to offer probes and
assemblies spanning the entire temperature spectrum, from -200C to 2000C.
In addition, the Atexis acquisition increased our temperature
manufacturing base through wholly-owned subsidiaries in France and
China. FGP provides custom force, pressure and vibration sensors for
aerospace, test and measurement markets. The FGP acquisition allowed
MEAS to leverage operational cost synergies and FGP’s development efforts of
custom force sensors for aerospace customers, capitalizing on the industry’s
movement from hydraulic to electronically actuated controls
(fly-by-wire).
Effective
December 1, 2005, we completed the sale of the Consumer segment to Fervent Group
Limited (FGL), including its Cayman Island subsidiary, ML Cayman. FGL is a
company controlled by the owners of River Display Limited (RDL), our long time
partner and primary supplier of consumer products in Shenzhen, China. The
Consumer Products segment designed and manufactured sensor-based consumer
products, primarily as an original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”), that were
sold to retailers and distributors in the United States and Europe. Consumer
products included bathroom and kitchen scales, tire pressure gauges and distance
estimators.
PRODUCTS,
MARKETS AND APPLICATIONS
The
majority of our sensors are devices, sense elements and transducers that convert
physical or mechanical information into a proportionate electronic signal for
display, processing, interpretation or control. Sensors are essential to the
accurate measurement, resolution and display of pressure, force, linear or
rotary position, tilt, vibration, motion, humidity, temperature or fluid
properties such as viscosity, density and dielectric constant.
The
sensor market is being influenced by the increase in intelligent products across
virtually all end markets, including medical, transportation, energy,
industrial, aerospace and consumer applications. As OEMs strive to make products
“smarter”, they are generally adding more sensors to link the physical world
with digital control and/or response.
A summary
of our sensor product offerings as of March 31, 2010 is presented in the
following table.
Product
Family
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Product
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Technology
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Applications
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Pressure
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Pressure
Components, Sensors and Transducers
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Piezoresistive
Micro-Electromechanical Systems
(MEMS)
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Disposable
catheter blood pressure altimeter, dive tank pressure, process
instrumentation, fluid level, measurement and intravenous drug
administration monitoring, racing engine performance, barometric pressure
sensors (altimeters)
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Microfused
TM
Piezoresistive Silicon Strain Gauge
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Automotive
electronic stability control systems, paint spraying machines, fertilizer
dispensers, hydraulics, refrigeration and automotive
transmission
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Bonded
Foil Strain Gauge
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Instrumentation-grade
aerospace and weapon control systems, sub-sea pressure, ship cargo level,
steel mills
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Bonded
Silicon Strain Gauge
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Miniature
and subminiature transducers for test and measurement applications in
aerospace, auto testing and
industry
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Force
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Load
Cells
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Microfused
Piezoresistive Silicon Strain Gauge
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Automotive
occupancy weight sensing, bathroom scales, exercise equipment, appliance
monitoring, intravenous drug administration monitoring
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Position
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Linear
Variable Differential Transformers
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Inductive
Electromagnetic
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Aerospace,
machine control systems, knitting machines, industrial process control,
hydraulic actuators, instrumentation
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Rotary
Position Transducers
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Inductive
Electromagnetic
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Machine
control systems, instrumentation
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Magneto-Resistive
(MR) sensors and Magnetic Encoders
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Magneto-Resistive
(AMR)
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Automotive
systems controls, pump counting and control, school bus stop sign arm
position
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Tilt/Angle
Sensors
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Fluid
Capacitive or Electrolytic Fluid
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Heavy
equipment level measurement, auto security systems, tire balancing,
instrumentation
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Piezo
Film
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Traffic
Sensors
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Piezoelectric
Polymer (PVDF)
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Traffic
survey, speed and traffic light enforcement, toll, and truck
weigh-in-motion
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Custom
Piezoelectric Film Sensors
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Piezoelectric
Polymer (PVDF)
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Medical
diagnostics, ultrasonic pen digitizers, musical instrument pickups,
electronic stethoscope, security systems, anti-tamper sensors for data
protection, electronic water meters
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Vibration
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Accelerometers
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Micro-Electromechanical
Systems instrumentation
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Crash
test sensors, anthropomorphic dummy sensors, road load dynamics, aerospace
traffic alert and collision avoidance systems,
instrumentation
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Accelerometers
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Piezoelectric
Polymer (PVDF)
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Cardiac
activity sensors, audio speaker feedback, appliance load
balancing
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Humidity
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Relative
Humidity Sensors
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Capacitive
Polymer
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Auto
anti-fogging systems, diesel engine controls, air climate systems,
reprography machines, respirators
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Fluid
Properties
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Fluid
Monitoring Sensors
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Quartz
Mechanical Resonator (Tuning Fork)
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Heavy
truck/off-road engine and transmission fluid monitoring for viscosity,
density and dielectric
constant
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Temperature
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Thermistors
& RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detector)
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Negative
Temperature Co-efficient (NTC) Thermistors, Infrared (IR), Nickel
RTD
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Patient
monitoring and diagnostics, gas chromatography, HVAC & R, and
non-contacting thermometers, microwave and convection oven controls, gas
detection
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Photo
Optics
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Pulse Oximetry Sensors
(SpO 2 ); X-Ray
Detection
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Photo
optic infra-red light absorption
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Reusable
and disposable patient blood oxygen and pulse sensors, security system and
CT scanner sensor arrays
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Torque
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Static
& Dynamic Torque/Force Sensors
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Bonded
foil and discrete semiconductor gage
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High
speed dynamic torque sensors with non-contact technology for engine &
gearbox testing in aerospace and motor sports, road load sensors for heavy
truck and control of moderator rods in nuclear
reactors.
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TECHNOLOGY
The
Company has a broad portfolio of technologies available to solve client sensing
needs, some of which are proprietary to the Company. Our sensor technologies
include:
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·
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PIEZORESISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY. This technology is widely used for the measurement of
pressure, load and acceleration, and we believe its use in these
applications is expanding significantly, particularly in the form of
micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Piezoresistive materials, most
often silicon, respond to changes in applied mechanical variables such as
stress, strain, or pressure by changing electrical conductivity
(resistance). Changes in electrical conductivity can be readily detected
in circuits by changes in current with a constant applied voltage, or
conversely by changes in voltage with a constant supplied current. Silicon
MEMS have several advantages over their conventionally manufactured
counterparts. By leveraging existing silicon manufacturing technology,
micro-electromechanical systems allow for the cost-effective manufacture
of small devices with high reliability and superior
performance.
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·
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APPLICATION
SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS (“ASICS”). These circuits convert analog
electrical signals into digital signals for measurement, computation or
transmission. Application specific integrated circuits are well suited for
use in both consumer and new sensor products because they can be designed
to operate from a relatively small power source, are inexpensive and can
improve system accuracy.
|
|
·
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PIEZOELECTRIC
POLYMER TECHNOLOGY. Piezoelectric materials (such as polyvinylidene
fluoride, “PVDF”) convert mechanical stress or strain into proportionate
electrical energy, and conversely, these materials mechanically expand or
contract when voltages of opposite polarities are applied. Piezoelectric
polymer films are also pyroelectric, converting heat into electrical
charge. These polymer films offer unique sensor design and performance
opportunities because they are thin, flexible, inert, broadband, and
relatively inexpensive. This technology is ideal for applications where
the use of rigid sensors would not be possible or
cost-effective.
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|
·
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STRAIN
GAUGE TECHNOLOGY. A strain gauge consists of a base substrate material
that will change its electrical properties with induced stress or strain
(such as bulk silicon). The foil is etched to produce a grid pattern that
is sensitive to changes in geometry, usually length, along the sensitive
axis producing a change in resistance. The gauge is bonded to a sensing
element surface which it will monitor. The gauge operates through a direct
conversion of strain to a change in gauge resistance. This technology is
useful for the construction of reliable pressure and force sensors. The
Company also manufactures a proprietary strain gauge called Microfused™ in
which the diaphragm in contact with the media is fused to a silicon
sensing element with glass at high temperatures for a hermetic seal
appropriate for harsh environments.
|
|
·
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FORCE
BALANCE TECHNOLOGY. A force-balanced accelerometer is a mass referenced
device that under the application of tilt or linear acceleration, detects
the resulting change in position of the internal mass by a position sensor
and an error signal is produced. This error signal is passed to a servo
amplifier and a current developed is fed back into a moving coil. This
current is proportional to the applied tilt angle or applied linear
acceleration and will balance the mass back to its original position.
These devices are used in military and industrial applications where high
accuracy is required.
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|
·
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FLUID
CAPACITIVE TECHNOLOGY. This technology is also referred to as fluid
filled, variable capacitance. The output from the sensing element is two
variable capacitance signals per axis. Rotation of the sensor about its
sensitive axis produces a linear change in capacitance. This change in
capacitance is electronically converted into angular data, and provides
the user with a choice of ratio metric, analog, digital, or serial output
signals. These signals can be easily interfaced to a number of readout
and/or data collection systems.
|
|
·
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LINEAR
VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSFORMERS (“LVDT”). An LVDT is an
electromechanical sensor that produces an electrical signal proportional
to the displacement of a separate movable core. LVDT’s are widely used as
measurement and control sensors wherever displacements of a few micro
inches to several feet can be measured directly, or where mechanical
input, such as force or pressure, can be converted into linear
displacement. LVDT’s are capable of extremely accurate and repeatable
measurements in severe
environments.
|
|
·
|
MAGNETO-RESISTIVE
(MR) TECHNOLOGY. MR sensors are used to measure small changes in magnetic
fields. A
rotation of the magnetization of thin film stripes made of magnetic
permalloy (Ni 81 FE
19 )
in x-direction takes place when a magnetic field in y-direction is applied
due to
the magneto resistive effect. MR sensors are highly sensitive, stable,
repeatable and relatively low cost. MR sensing technology can be packaged
as low field sensors (i.e., electronic compass), angle sensors such as
magnetic encoders, position sensors, or current sensors (i.e., for battery
management).
|
|
·
|
ELECTROLYTIC
FLUID TECHNOLOGY. To create an inclination sensor, a small chamber is
partially filled with an electrolytic liquid. Platinum electrodes
are deposited in pairs on the base of the sensor’s cell parallel to
the sensitive axis. When an alternating voltage is passed between two
electrodes, the electric current will create a dispersed field. By tilting
the sensor and thereby reducing the level of the liquid, it is possible to
confine this stray field. Because of the constant, specific conductivity
of the electrolytes, a variance of resistance is formed in relation to the
liquid level. A basic differential principle will yield an angle of
inclination from the polarity signs. This technology is durable, highly
repeatable and relatively low cost compared with alternate
technologies.
|
|
·
|
INFRARED
SENSING. Measurement Specialties uses thermopiles to measure temperature
without contact through infrared (IR) radiation. All objects emit IR
radiation, with energy increasing based on increased surface temperatures
(Planck’s law). Thermopiles are created by lining up multiple
thermocouples in series. If a temperature difference is induced between a
hot junction connecting two thermocouples and their open ends (cold
junctions), a voltage is created, allowing the thermopile to transduce the
IR radiation into a voltage measure (while factoring for ambient
temperature). Miniaturization and batch fabrication on micro-machined
silicon wafers enable low cost devices, which can also be used for gas
detection.
|
|
·
|
VARIABLE
CAPACITIVE. Humidity technology is based upon variable capacitive
affecting a sensitive polymer layer under changing ambient humidity
conditions. This technology is uniquely designed for high volume OEM
applications in consumer markets, automotive, home appliance and
environmental control.
|
|
·
|
PHOTO
OPTICS. Photo-Optic sensors use light to measure different parameters such
as position, reflectance, color and many others. At present our main
application is in non-invasive medical sensing, specifically pulse
oximetry, also known as SpO2.
|
|
·
|
ULTRASONIC
TECHNOLOGY. Ultrasonic sensors measure distance by calculating the time
delay between transmitting and receiving an acoustic signal that is
inaudible to the human ear. This technology allows for the quick, easy,
and accurate measurement of distances between two points without physical
contact.
|
|
·
|
TEMPERATURE.
Negative temperature co-efficient (“NTC”) thermistors offer high-end
precision temperature sensors by exhibiting a change in electrical
resistance in response to a change in ambient temperature
conditions.
|
|
·
|
MECHANICAL
RESONATOR: A mechanical resonator, or tuning fork, changes frequency
response while submersed in a fluid as the properties of the fluid
(density, viscosity and dielectric constant)
change.
|
BUSINESS
SEGMENTS
As a
result of the sale of our Consumer Products business segment, the Sensor
business segment is our sole reportable segment under the guidelines established
by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) for disclosures about
segments of an enterprise.
During
fiscal 2009, the Company realigned its operating structure to facilitate better
focus on cross-selling of the differing sensor products and to better address
business conditions. This resulted in the elimination of the three business
group structure and the creation of one operating
segment. Accordingly, the Company continues to have one single
reporting segment. Management continually assesses the Company’s
operating structure, and this structure could be modified further based on
future circumstances and business conditions.
Geographic
information for revenues based on country from which invoiced, and long-lived
assets based on country of location, which includes property, plant and
equipment, but excludes intangible assets and goodwill, net of related
depreciation and amortization follows:
|
|
For
the years ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Net
Sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
74,882 |
|
|
$ |
93,647 |
|
|
$ |
107,734 |
|
France
|
|
|
36,179 |
|
|
|
28,110 |
|
|
|
28,021 |
|
Germany
|
|
|
15,209 |
|
|
|
15,375 |
|
|
|
19,323 |
|
Ireland
|
|
|
20,815 |
|
|
|
12,041 |
|
|
|
12,969 |
|
Switzerland
|
|
|
11,196 |
|
|
|
13,070 |
|
|
|
4,396 |
|
China
|
|
|
51,329 |
|
|
|
41,700 |
|
|
|
55,940 |
|
Total:
|
|
$ |
209,610 |
|
|
$ |
203,943 |
|
|
$ |
228,383 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long
Lived Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
7,010 |
|
|
$ |
7,754 |
|
|
$ |
6,624 |
|
France
|
|
|
7,940 |
|
|
|
7,860 |
|
|
|
6,808 |
|
Germany
|
|
|
2,334 |
|
|
|
2,253 |
|
|
|
2,817 |
|
Ireland
|
|
|
3,311 |
|
|
|
3,434 |
|
|
|
4,263 |
|
Switzerland
|
|
|
1,735 |
|
|
|
1,918 |
|
|
|
2,418 |
|
China
|
|
|
22,465 |
|
|
|
23,656 |
|
|
|
17,785 |
|
Total:
|
|
$ |
44,795 |
|
|
$ |
46,875 |
|
|
$ |
40,715 |
|
CUSTOMERS
We sell a
wide variety of sensor products throughout the world to a broad range of
end-user markets and customers. We design, manufacture and market sensors for
original equipment manufacturer applications and for end users who use them for
instrumentation and test applications. Our extensive customer base consists of
manufacturers of electronic, automotive, medical, military, industrial, and
consumer products. We have developed our strong market position due to, among
other factors, our long-standing customer relationships, our competitive cost
structure, and our geographic proximity to customers with our engineering,
sourcing and manufacturing facilities located in North America, Europe and Asia.
Our largest customer, Sensata, a large automotive sensor supplier, accounted for
approximately 16% of our net sales during fiscal 2010, approximately 14% of our
net sales during fiscal 2009, and approximately 18% of our net sales during
fiscal 2008. At March 31, 2010, the trade receivable with our largest customer
was approximately $3,651. No other customer accounted for more than
10% of our net sales during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2010, 2009, and
2008.
SALES
AND DISTRIBUTION
We sell
our sensor products through a combination of experienced regional sales
managers, distributors and (generally) exclusive relationships with outside
sales representatives throughout the world. Our engineering teams work directly
with our global customers to tailor our sensors to meet their specific
application requirements.
We sell
our products primarily in North America, Asia and Western Europe. The percentage
of our international sales relative to our overall business has grown with
recent acquisitions. In addition, we believe the growing Asian market represents
a significant opportunity for our business. Sales invoiced from foreign
countries accounted for approximately 64%, 54% and 53% of net sales for the
fiscal years ended March, 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
SUPPLIERS
We
procure components and finished products from a variety of suppliers as needed
through purchase orders. We actively manage this process to ensure component
quality, steady supply and best costing, while managing hazardous materials
content for compliance with European Restrictions on Hazardous Substances
(“ROHS”) regulations.
Our
manufacturing operations employ a wide variety of raw materials, including
steel, copper, cast iron, electronic components, aluminum, and plastics. We
purchase raw materials from a large number of independent sources around the
world. No single raw material supplier is material, although some of the
components we use require particular specifications where a limited number of
suppliers exist that can supply such components, including wafer suppliers.
Market forces, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates, can cause
significant fluctuations in the costs of steel and petroleum-based products. We
have attempted to mitigate the impact of cost increases through supply-chain
initiatives or passing a portion of these increases on to customers in the form
of price increases. There have been no raw material shortages that have had a
material adverse effect on our business as a whole, although over the last two
years, the prices of raw materials have been volatile and for several types of
raw materials, prices increased sharply prior to the recession in 2008 before
declining in late 2008 and have since stabilized. For a further
discussion of risks related to the materials and components required for our
operations, please refer to “Foreign Operations” and “Item 1A. Risk
Factors.”
RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT
Our
research and development efforts are focused on expanding our core technologies,
improving our existing products by enhancing functionality, effectiveness, ease
of use and reliability, developing new products and designing custom sensors for
specific customer applications. To maintain and improve our competitive
position, our research, design, and engineering teams work in close association
with customers to design custom sensors for specific applications. We believe
that once a customer has designed one of our sensors into their products, the
cost and time of switching to another supplier is high. Research and
development costs approximated $10,626 or 5.1% of net sales for fiscal 2010,
$10,826 or 5.3% of net sales for fiscal 2009, and $9,852 or 4.3% of net sales
for fiscal 2008. We expect to continue to make significant investment in
research and development in order to provide innovative new products to our
customers and to maintain and improve our competitive position. Customer funded
research and development was $2,008, $1,451, and $1,018 for the fiscal years
ended March 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.
COMPETITION
The
global market for sensors includes many diverse products and technologies, is
highly fragmented and is subject to moderate to high pricing pressures,
depending on the end markets and level of customization. Most of our competitors
are small independent companies or divisions of large corporations such as
Danaher, General Electric, Schneider-Electric, Sensata and Honeywell. Many of
the divisions of these larger corporations are also customers. The
principal elements of competition in the sensor market are technology and
production capability, price, quality, service, and the ability to design unique
applications to meet specific customer needs.
Although
we believe that we compete favorably, new product introductions by our
competitors could cause a decline in sales or loss of market acceptance for our
existing products. If competitors introduce more technologically advanced
products, the demand for our products would likely be reduced.
INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY
We rely
in part on patents to protect our intellectual property. We own 65 United States
utility and design patents and 76 foreign patents to protect our rights in
certain applications of our core technology. We have 52 patent applications
pending. These patent applications may never result in issued patents. Even if
these applications result in patents being issued, taken together with our
existing patents, they may not be sufficiently broad to protect our proprietary
rights, or they may prove unenforceable. We have not obtained patents for all of
our innovations, nor do we plan to do so.
We also
rely on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade secret
laws, confidentiality procedures, and licensing arrangements to establish and
protect our proprietary rights. In addition, we seek to protect our proprietary
information by using confidentiality agreements with certain employees, sales
representatives, consultants, advisors, customers and others. We cannot be
certain that these agreements will adequately protect our proprietary rights in
the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure, that our employees, sales
representatives, consultants, advisors, customers or others will maintain the
confidentiality of such proprietary information, or that our competitors will
not otherwise learn about or independently develop such proprietary information.
Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property, unauthorized third
parties may copy aspects of our products, violate our patents or use our
proprietary information. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not
protect our intellectual property to the same extent as the laws of the United
States. The loss of any material trademark, trade name, trade secret, patent
right, or copyright could harm our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
We
believe that our products do not infringe on the rights of third parties.
However, we cannot be certain that third parties will not assert infringement
claims against us in the future or that any such assertion will not result in
costly litigation or require us to obtain a license to third party intellectual
property. In addition, we cannot be certain that such licenses will be available
on reasonable terms or at all, which could harm our business, results of
operations and financial condition. For a discussion of risks related
to intellectual property, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
FOREIGN
OPERATIONS
Our
products are manufactured and marketed worldwide. Our geographic diversity
enables us to leverage our cost structure and supply-chain, promotes economies
of scale, and affords a broad and diverse sales base. We manufacture a large
portion of our sensor products in Shenzhen, China. Sensors are also manufactured
at our U.S. facilities in Hampton, Virginia, Dayton, Ohio and Fremont,
California, as well as our European facilities in Galway, Ireland, Toulouse,
France, Les Clayes-sous-Bois, France, Fontenay, France, Druex, France, Dortmund,
Germany and Bevaix, Switzerland. The Company also has a joint venture
in Japan. With the acquisition of Atexis, a range of our temperature
sensors are manufactured at our Chengdu, China facility. A large portion of our
NTC thermistors, discrete and probe assemblies are manufactured in China by
Betacera Inc., a subcontractor with a long-standing contractual relationship
with the Company. Many of our products contain key components that are obtained
from a limited number of sources. These concentrations in external and foreign
sources of supply present risks of interruption for reasons beyond our control,
including political and other uncertainties regarding China.
A
substantial portion of our revenues are priced in United States dollars. Most of
our costs and expenses are also priced in United States dollars, with the
remainder priced in Chinese renminbi (“RMB”), Euros, Swiss francs and Japanese
yen. Accordingly, the competitiveness of our products relative to products
produced locally (in foreign markets) may be affected by the performance of the
United States dollar compared with that of our foreign customers’ currencies. We
are exposed to foreign currency transaction and translation losses, which might
result from adverse fluctuations in the value of the Euro, Chinese RMB, Swiss
franc, and Japanese yen. The Company’s exposure to the Hong Kong dollar mainly
relates to the functional currency for Kenabell Holding Limited, the Company’s
primary foreign holding company. The following table details annual
consolidated net sales and the respective amount as a percentage of consolidated
net sales invoiced from our facilities within and outside of the U.S. for the
previous three years, as well as the U.S. dollar equivalent of net assets for
the respective functional currencies:
|
|
For the years ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Net
sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
facilities
|
|
$ |
74,882 |
|
|
$ |
93,647 |
|
|
$ |
107,734 |
|
U.S.
facilities % of sales
|
|
|
36 |
% |
|
|
46 |
% |
|
|
47 |
% |
Non-U.S.
facilities
|
|
$ |
134,728 |
|
|
$ |
110,296 |
|
|
$ |
120,649 |
|
Non-U.S.
facilities % of sales
|
|
|
64 |
% |
|
|
54 |
% |
|
|
53 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets (liabilities):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
dollar
|
|
$ |
59,117 |
|
|
$ |
51,640 |
|
|
$ |
49,082 |
|
Chinese
renminbi
|
|
|
14,862 |
|
|
|
22,419 |
|
|
|
17,306 |
|
Hong
Kong dollar
|
|
|
75,301 |
|
|
|
61,588 |
|
|
|
63,827 |
|
Euro
|
|
|
14,998 |
|
|
|
18,273 |
|
|
|
19,562 |
|
Japanese
yen
|
|
|
2,117 |
|
|
|
2,360 |
|
|
|
3,787 |
|
Swiss
franc
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
|
996 |
|
|
|
2,225 |
|
The
overall increase in the level of net sales invoiced from non-U.S. facilities
mainly reflects, among other things, the acquisition of companies based in
Europe. The Chinese RMB or RMB was relatively stable in fiscal
2010, but appreciated 2.5% and 9.0% during 2009 and 2008, respectively. The
Company has more expenditures in RMB than sales denominated in RMB, and as such,
when the U.S. dollar weakens relative to the RMB, our operating profits
decrease. Based on our net exposure of RMB to U.S. dollars for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2010 and forecast information for fiscal 2011, we estimate a
negative operating income impact of approximately $174 for every 1% appreciation
in RMB against the U.S. dollar (assuming no price increases passed to customers,
and no associated cost increases or currency hedging). We continue to consider
various alternatives to hedge this exposure, and we are attempting to manage
this exposure through, among other things, pricing and monitoring balance
sheet exposures for payables and receivables, as well as utilizing foreign
currency contracts as a hedging strategy.
The
Company’s French, Irish and German subsidiaries have more sales in Euros than
expenses in Euros and the Company’s Swiss subsidiary has more expenses in Swiss
franc than sales, and as such, if the U.S. dollar weakens relative to the Euro
and Swiss franc, our operating profits would increase in France, Ireland and
Germany but decline in Switzerland. Based on the net exposures of Euros and
Swiss francs to the U.S. dollar for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 and
forecast information for fiscal 2011, we estimate a negative operating income
impact of $12 in Euros and a positive operating income impact of approximately
$30 for every 1% appreciation in the Euro and Swiss franc, respectively,
relative to the U.S. dollar (assuming no price increases passed to customers,
and no associated cost increases or currency hedging).
There can
be no assurance that these currencies will remain stable or will fluctuate to
our benefit. To manage our exposure to potential foreign currency, transaction
and translation risks, we may purchase foreign currency exchange contracts,
currency options, or other derivative instruments, provided such instruments may
be obtained at prices considered suitable. We do have a number of foreign
exchange currency contracts, as disclosed in Note 7 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a
discussion of risks related to foreign operations and foreign currencies, please
refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
EMPLOYEES
As of
March 31, 2010, we had 2,520 employees, including 289 in the United States, 503
in the European Union, and 1,728 in Asia. As of March 31, 2010, 1,500
employees were engaged in manufacturing, 637 were engaged in administration, 291
were engaged in engineering and 92 were engaged in sales and
marketing.
Our
employees in the U.S., Europe and Asia are not covered by collective bargaining
agreements. We believe our employee relations are good.
ENVIRONMENTAL
MATTERS
We are
subject to comprehensive and changing foreign, federal, state, and local
environmental requirements, including those governing discharges to the air and
water, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, and the
remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances,
as well as those relating climate change. We believe that we are in compliance
in all material respects with current environmental requirements. Nevertheless,
we use hazardous substances in our operations, and as is the case with
manufacturers in general, if a release of hazardous substances occurs on or from
our properties, we may be held liable, and may be required to pay the cost of
remedying the condition. Additionally, as climate change regulations
develop, the direct and indirect implications, including legal, technological,
political and scientific costs, will continue to evolve the amount of any
liability or added costs resulting from the foregoing matters and could be
material.
We
believe we are in compliance in all material respects with the European and UK
Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (“RoHS”) environmental directive which
became effective July 1, 2006 for "the restriction of the use of certain
hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.”
Our
business and our customers may be subject to requirements under the European
Commission’s Proposal for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of
Chemicals (“REACH”). REACH imposes obligations on European Union manufacturers
and importers of chemicals and other products into the European Union to compile
and file comprehensive reports, including testing data, on each chemical
substance, and perform chemical safety assessments. Additionally, substances of
high concern are subject to an authorization process per application.
Authorization may result in restrictions in the use of products by application
or even prohibitions on the manufacture or importation of products. REACH came
into effect on June 1, 2007. The regulations impose additional burdens on
chemical producers, importers, downstream users of chemical substances and
preparations, and the entire supply chain. Our manufacturing presence and sales
activities in the European Union will require us to incur additional compliance
costs. For a discussion of risks related to environmental matters,
please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
EXPORT/IMPORT
COMPLIANCE
We are
required to comply with various export/import control and economic sanctions
laws, including:
|
•
|
The
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) administered by the U.S.
Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, which, among
other things, imposes license requirements on the export from the United
States of defense articles and defense services (which are items
specifically designed or adapted for a military application and/or listed
on the United States Munitions
List);
|
|
•
|
the
Export Administration Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of
Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, which, among other things,
impose licensing requirements on the export or re-export of certain
dual-use goods, technology and software (which are items that potentially
have both commercial and military
applications);
|
|
•
|
the
regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of
Foreign Assets Control, which implement economic sanctions imposed against
designated countries, governments and persons based on United States
foreign policy and national security considerations;
and
|
|
•
|
the
import regulatory activities of the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection.
|
Foreign
governments have also implemented similar export and import control regulations,
which may affect our operations or transactions subject to their jurisdictions.
For a discussion of risks related to export/import control and economic
sanctions laws, as well as the status of our disclosure of certain
non-compliance with export regulations, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk
Factors.”
BACKLOG
At March
31, 2010, the dollar amount of backlog orders believed to be firm was
approximately $77,609. We include in backlog those orders that have
been accepted from customers that have not been filled or shipped and are
supported with a purchase order. It is expected that the majority of these
orders will be shipped during the next 12 months. At March 31, 2009, our backlog
of unfilled orders was approximately $55,865. We believe that backlog may not be
indicative of actual sales for the current fiscal year or any succeeding
period.
WORKING
CAPITAL
We
maintain adequate working capital to support our business requirements. There
are no unusual industry practices or requirements relating to working capital
items.
SEASONALITY
As a
whole, there is no material seasonality in our sales. However, general economic
conditions have an impact on our business and financial results, and certain
end-use markets experience certain seasonality. For example, European sales are
often lower in summer months and OEM sales are often stronger immediately
preceding and following the introduction of new products.
AVAILABLE
INFORMATION
We
maintain an Internet website at the following address: www.meas-spec.com. The
information on or that may be accessed through our website is not incorporated
by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available on or
through our website certain reports and amendments to those reports that we file
with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in
accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These include our annual
reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports
on Form 8-K. We make this information available on our website free of charge as
soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information
with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
Careful
consideration should be given to the risks and uncertainties described below,
together with the information included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form
10-K and other documents we file with the SEC. The risks and uncertainties
described below are those that we have identified as material, but are not the
only risks and uncertainties facing us. Our business is also subject to general
risks and uncertainties that affect many other companies, such as overall U.S.
and non-U.S. economic and industry conditions, geopolitical events, changes in
laws or accounting rules, fluctuations in interest rates, terrorism,
international conflicts, major health concerns, natural disasters, climate
change or other disruptions of expected economic or business conditions.
Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we
currently believe are immaterial also may impair our business, including our
results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. An investment in our
common stock is speculative in nature and involves a high degree of risk. No
investment in our common stock should be made by any person who is not in a
position to lose the entire amount of such investment.
In
addition to being subject to the risks described elsewhere in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K, including those risks described below under “Liquidity and Capital
Resources,” an investment in our common stock is subject to the risks and
uncertainties described below.
OUR
OPERATING RESULTS AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN AND MAY CONTINUE TO BE
ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE FINANCIAL SITUATION AND WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS.
The
financial crisis affecting the banking system and financial markets and the
uncertainty in global economic conditions have resulted in a tightening of the
credit markets, a low level of liquidity in financial markets, decreased
consumer confidence, high unemployment and reduced corporate profits and capital
spending. These conditions make it difficult for our customers, our vendors and
us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities, and have caused,
and may continue to cause, our customers to reduce spending on our products. We
cannot predict the timing or duration of the global economic crisis or the
timing or strength of a subsequent economic recovery. If the economy or markets
in which we operate experience continued weakness at current levels or
deteriorate further, our business, financial condition and results of operations
would be materially and adversely affected.
CONTINUED
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE HAVE HAD AND COULD
CONTINUE TO HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON OUR BUSINESS.
Our
products are sold to several industries, including automobile manufacturers,
manufacturers of commercial and residential HVAC systems, as well as to
manufacturers in the refrigeration, aerospace, medical, and industrial markets,
among others. These are global industries, and they are experiencing various
degrees of contraction, growth and consolidation. Customers in these industries
are located in every major geographic market. As a result, our customers are
affected by changes in global and regional economic conditions, as well as by
labor relations issues, regulatory requirements, trade agreements and other
factors. This, in turn, affects overall demand and prices for our products sold
to these industries. For example, the significant economic decline during fiscal
2009 resulted in a reduction in automotive production and in the sales of many
of the other products manufactured by our customers that use our products, and
has had an adverse effect on our results of operations. This negative outlook
continued into fiscal 2010 and may have continued impact in fiscal 2011. In
addition, many of our products are platform-specific—for example, sensors are
designed for certain of our HVAC manufacturer customers according to
specifications to fit a particular model. Our success may, to a certain degree,
be connected with the success or failure of one or more of the manufacturers or
industries to which we sell products, either in general or with respect to one
or more of the platforms or systems for which our products are
designed.
OUR
INDEBTEDNESS MAY LIMIT OUR USE OF OUR CASH FLOW AND CHANGES IN THE CREDIT
MARKETS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE AVAILABILITY TO REFINANCE AND THE COST OF
ADDITIONAL DEBT.
We have
incurred debt to finance most of our acquisitions, and we may also incur
additional debt. Our debt level and related debt service obligations and debt
covenants could have negative consequences, including:
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requiring
us to dedicate significant cash flow from operations to the payment of
principal and interest on our debt, which would reduce the funds we have
available for other purposes;
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reducing
our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business and
market conditions;
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reducing
our ability to make acquisitions;
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exposing
us to interest rate risk, since a large portion of our debt obligations
are at variable rates; and
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reducing
our ability to refinance our debt, which could result in an event of
default that could materially and adversely affect our operating results
and financial condition.
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We may
incur more debt in the future. If we add new debt, the risks described above
could increase. In addition, further deterioration in the credit markets may
adversely impact the availability and cost of future debt and
refinancing.
OUR
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE DEBT COVENANTS IN OUR CREDIT AGREEMENT, INCLUDING AS
A RESULT OF EVENTS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, COULD RESULT IN AN EVENT OF DEFAULT WHICH
COULD MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATING RESULTS AND OUR FINANCIAL
CONDITION.
Our
credit facility requires us to maintain specified financial ratios, including
minimum Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization and certain other adjustments as defined in the credit agreement
and amendments to the credit agreement), maximum leverage ratio (debt divided by
Adjusted EBITDA) and maximum capital expenditures. Our credit
facility contains other restrictive covenants, including restrictions on the
payment of dividends, repurchase of common stock, acquisitions without lender
approval and creation of liens. Sufficiently adverse financial
performance could result in default under certain future ratio levels. If there
were an event of default under our credit facility that was not cured or waived,
the amounts outstanding could become due and payable immediately. Our assets and
cash flow may not be sufficient to fully repay borrowings if accelerated upon an
event of default and the Company may not be able to refinance our
indebtedness. Any such actions could force us into bankruptcy or
liquidation.
IF WE DO
NOT DEVELOP AND INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCTS IN A TIMELY MANNER, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO
MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR NET SALES MAY DECLINE.
Our
success depends upon our ability to develop and introduce new sensor products
and product line extensions. If we are unable to develop or acquire new products
in a timely manner, our net sales could suffer. The development of new products
involves highly complex processes, and at times we have experienced delays in
the introduction of new products. Since many of our sensor products are designed
for specific applications, we must frequently develop new products jointly with
our customers. We are dependent on the ability of our customers to successfully
develop, manufacture and market products that include our sensors. Successful
product development and introduction of new products depends on a number of
factors, including the following:
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accurate
product specification;
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timely
completion of design;
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achievement
of manufacturing yields;
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timely,
quality and cost-effective production;
and
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WE HAVE
SUBSTANTIAL NET SALES AND OPERATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING
SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONS IN CHINA AND EUROPE THAT EXPOSE US TO INTERNATIONAL
RISKS.
Our
international operations represent a substantial portion of our net sales, total
assets and net assets. Our foreign operating subsidiaries are in China, Europe,
Hong Kong and Japan, and as such, we are exposed to, among other things, foreign
currency transaction and translation losses with the Chinese RMB, Hong Kong
dollar, Euro, Japanese yen and Swiss franc. Our foreign subsidiaries’ operations
reflect intercompany transfers of costs and expenses, including interest on
intercompany receivables, at amounts established by us. We manufacture a large
portion of our sensor products in China. Our China subsidiary is subject to
certain government regulations, including currency exchange controls, which
limit the subsidiary’s ability to pay cash dividends or lend funds to us. The
inability to operate in China or the imposition of significant restrictions,
taxes, or tariffs on our operations in China would impair our ability to
manufacture products in a cost-effective manner and could reduce our
profitability significantly.
Risks
specific to our international operations include:
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political
conflict and instability in the relationships among Hong Kong, Taiwan,
China, the United States and in our target international
markets;
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political
instability and economic turbulence in Asian and European
markets;
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changes
in United States and foreign regulatory requirements resulting in
burdensome controls, tariffs and import and export
restrictions;
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changes
in foreign currency exchange rates, which could make our products more
expensive as stated in local currency, as compared to competitive products
priced in the local currency;
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risks
relating to the enforceability of contracts and other rights or
collectability of accounts receivable in foreign
countries;
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delays
or cancellation of production and delivery of our products due to the
logistics of international shipping, which could damage our relationships
with our customers;
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a
recurrence of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”)
or Avian Flu and the associated risks to our operations in China;
and
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legislative
initiatives, including tax legislation and other changes in the Company’s
tax position, including tax policy changes in China, which could affect
the profitability of our operations in China. For example, if the Company
does not continue to receive special tax status, our income tax rates
could increase to 25%.
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COMMODITY
PRICES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION.
We are
exposed to a variety of market risks, including the effects of changes in
commodity prices. We are a buyer of steel, non-ferrous metals and
petroleum-based products, as well as other commodities required for the
manufacture of products. As a result, changes in commodity prices and our
inability to pass such increases on to our customers may have an adverse effect
on our results of operations and financial condition.
OUR
SUCCESS DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN AND PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
AND AVOID CLAIMS OF INFRINGEMENT OR MISUSE OF THIRD PARTY INTELECTUAL
PROPERTY.
We own
numerous patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and licenses to
intellectual property owned by others, which in aggregate are important to our
operations. The steps that we and our licensors have taken to maintain and
protect our intellectual property may not prevent it from being challenged,
invalidated or circumvented, particularly in countries where intellectual
property rights are not highly developed or protected. Unauthorized use of our
intellectual property rights could adversely impact our competitive position and
results of operations. In addition, from time to time in the usual course of
business, we receive notices from third parties regarding intellectual property
infringement or misappropriation. In the event of a successful claim against us,
we could lose our rights to needed technology or be required to pay substantial
damages or license fees with respect to the infringed rights, any of which could
adversely impact our revenues, profitability and cash flows. Even where we
successfully defend against claims of infringement or misappropriation, we may
incur significant costs which could adversely affect our profitability and cash
flows.
WE ARE
SUBJECT TO A VARIETY OF LITIGATION IN THE COURSE OF OUR BUSINESS THAT COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
We are
subject to or could be subject to a variety of litigation incidental to our
business, including claims for damages arising out of the use of our products,
claims relating to intellectual property matters and claims involving employment
matters, commercial disputes, environmental matters and acquisition-related
matters. Some of these lawsuits could include claims for punitive and
consequential as well as compensatory damages. The defense of these lawsuits may
divert our management’s attention, we may incur significant expenses in
defending these lawsuits, and we may be required to pay damage awards or
settlements or become subject to equitable remedies that could adversely affect
our financial condition, operations and results of operations. Moreover, any
insurance or indemnification rights that we may have may be insufficient or
unavailable to protect us against potential loss exposures.
WE MAY
INCUR MATERIAL LOSSES AND COSTS AS A RESULT OF PRODUCT LIABILITY AND WARRANTY,
PRODUCT DEFECTS AND RECALL CLAIMS BROUGHT AGAINST US.
We have
been and may continue to be exposed to product liability and warranty claims in
the event that our products actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected or
the use of our products results, or alleged to result, in bodily injury and/or
property damage. We do not generally have insurance coverage for exposures such
as recall and warranty. Accordingly, we could experience material warranty,
recall claims or product liability losses in the future and incur significant
costs to defend these claims. Manufacturing or design defects, unanticipated use
of our products, or inadequate disclosure of risks relating to the use of our
products could lead to injury or other adverse events. If any of our
products are, or are alleged to be, defective, we may be required to participate
in a recall of the underlying end product, particularly if the defect or the
alleged defect relates to product safety. Depending on the terms under which we
supply products, an OEM may hold us responsible for some or all of the repair or
replacement costs of these products under warranties, when the product supplied
did not perform as represented. Personal injuries relating to the use of our
products can also result in product liability claims being brought against
us. Our costs associated with satisfying product liabilities could be
material.
OUR
BUSINESS IS SUBJECT TO REGULATION, AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE REGULATIONS
COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
REPUTATION.
We are
subject to extensive regulation by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental entities and
other entities at the federal, state and local levels, including the
following:
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Certain
of our operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations in the
jurisdictions in which they operate. We must also comply with various
health and safety regulations in the U.S. and abroad in connection with
our operations. We cannot give assurance that we have been or will be at
all times in substantial compliance with environmental and health and
safety laws.
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We
are required to comply with various import laws and export control and
economic sanctions laws, which may affect our transactions with certain
customers, business partners and other persons, including in certain cases
dealings with or between our employees and subsidiaries. In certain
circumstances, export control and economic sanctions regulations may
prohibit the export of certain products, services and technologies, and in
other circumstances we may be required to obtain an export license before
exporting the controlled item. Compliance with the various import laws
that apply to our businesses can restrict our access to, and increase the
cost of obtaining, certain products and at times can interrupt our supply
of imported inventory.
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Exports
of technology necessary to develop and manufacture certain of the
Company’s products are subject to U.S. export control laws and similar
laws of other jurisdictions, and the Company may be subject to adverse
regulatory consequences, including government oversight of facilities and
export transactions, monetary penalties and other sanctions for violations
of these laws. All exports of technology necessary to develop and
manufacture the Company’s products are subject to U.S. export control
laws. In certain instances, these regulations may prohibit the Company
from developing or manufacturing certain of its products for specific end
applications outside the United States. In late May 2009, the Company
became aware that certain of its piezo products when designed or modified
for use with or incorporation into a defense article are subject the
International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") administered by the
United States Department of State. Certain technical data relating to the
design of the products may have been exported to China without
authorization from the U.S. Department of State. As required by the
ITAR, the Company conducted a thorough investigation into the
matter. Based on the investigation, the Company filed in
December 2009 a final voluntary disclosure with the U.S. Department of
State relating to that matter, as well as to exports and re-exports of
other ITAR-controlled technical data and/or products to Canada, India,
Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, South
Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom, which disclosure has since been
supplemented. In the course of the investigation, the Company also
became aware that certain of its products may have been exported from
France without authorization from the relevant French authorities.
The Company investigated this matter thoroughly. In December 2009,
it also voluntarily submitted to French customs authorities a list of
products that may have required prior export authorization. In
addition, the Company has taken steps to mitigate the impact of potential
violations, and we are in the process of strengthening our export-related
controls and procedures. The U.S. Department of State and other
regulatory authorities encourage voluntary disclosures and generally
afford parties mitigating credit under such circumstances. The Company
nevertheless could be subject to potential regulatory consequences related
to these possible violations ranging from a no-action letter, government
oversight of facilities and export transactions, monetary penalties, and
in extreme cases, debarment from government contracting, denial of export
privileges and/or criminal penalties. It is not possible at
this time to predict the precise timing or probable outcome of any
potential regulatory consequences related to these possible
violations.
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Certain
of our products are medical devices and other products that are subject to
regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), by
counterpart agencies of other countries and by regulations governing the
management, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous or radioactive
materials. Violations of these regulations, efficacy or safety concerns or
trends of adverse events with respect to our products can lead to warning
letters, declining sales, recalls, seizures, injunctions, administrative
detentions, refusals to permit importations, suspension or withdrawal of
approvals and pre-market notification rescissions. Our products and
operations are also often subject to the rules of industrial standards
bodies such as the International Standards Organization (ISO), and failure
to comply with these rules can also adversely impact our
business.
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We
also have agreements relating to the sale of products to government
entities and are subject to various statutes and regulations that apply to
companies doing business with the government. Our agreements relating to
the sale of products to government entities may be subject to termination,
reduction or modification in the event of changes in government
requirements, reductions in federal spending and other factors. We are
also subject to investigation and audit for compliance with the
requirements governing government contracts, including requirements
related to procurement integrity, export control, employment practices,
the accuracy of records and the recording of costs. A failure to comply
with these requirements might result in suspension of these contracts and
suspension or debarment from government contracting or
subcontracting.
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In
addition, failure to comply with any of these laws and regulations could result
in civil and criminal, monetary and non-monetary penalties, disruptions to our
business, limitations on our ability to import and export products and services,
and damage to our reputation.
COMPETITION
IN THE MARKETS WE SERVE IS INTENSE AND COULD REDUCE OUR NET SALES AND HARM OUR
BUSINESS.
Highly
fragmented markets and high levels of competition characterize our business.
Despite recent consolidations, including the acquisition of several smaller
competitors of ours by larger competitors like General Electric, Honeywell,
Schneider-Electric and Danaher Corporation, the sensor industry remains highly
fragmented. Some of our competitors and potential competitors may have a number
of significant advantages over us, including:
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greater
financial, technical, marketing, and manufacturing
resources;
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preferred
vendor status with our existing and potential customer
base;
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more
extensive distribution channels and a broader geographic
scope;
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larger
customer bases; and
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a
faster response time to new or emerging technologies and changes in
customer requirements.
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OUR
TRANSFER PRICING PRACTICES MAY BE CHALLENGED, WHICH MAY SUBJECT US TO HIGHER
TAXES AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR EARNINGS.
Transfer
pricing refers to the prices that one member of a group of related companies
charges to another member of the group for goods, services, or the use of
intellectual property. If two or more affiliated companies are located in
different countries, the laws or regulations of each country generally will
require that transfer prices be the same as those charged by unrelated companies
dealing with each other at arm’s length. If one or more of the countries in
which our affiliated companies are located believes that transfer prices were
manipulated by our affiliate companies in a way that distorts the true taxable
income of the companies, the laws of countries where our affiliated companies
are located could require us to re-determine transfer prices and thereby
reallocate the income of our affiliate companies in order to reflect these
transfer prices. Any reallocation of income from one of our companies in a lower
tax jurisdiction to an affiliated company in a higher tax jurisdiction would
result in a higher overall tax liability to us.
Moreover,
if the country from which the income is being reallocated does not agree to the
reallocation, the same income could be subject to taxation by both
countries.
We have
adopted transfer-pricing procedures with our subsidiaries to regulate
inter-company transfers. Our procedures call for the transfer of goods,
services, or intellectual property from one company to a related company at
prices that we believe are at arm’s length. We have established these procedures
due to the fact that some of our assets, such as intellectual property developed
in the United States, are transferred among our affiliated companies. If the
United States Internal Revenue Service or the taxing authorities of any other
jurisdiction were to successfully require changes to our transfer pricing
practices, we could become subject to higher taxes and our earnings would be
adversely affected. Any determination of income reallocation or modification of
transfer pricing laws can result in an income tax assessment on the portion of
income deemed to be derived from the United States or other taxing
jurisdiction.
PRESSURE
BY OUR CUSTOMERS TO REDUCE PRICES MAY CAUSE OUR NET SALES OR PROFIT MARGINS TO
DECLINE.
Our
customers are under pressure to reduce prices of their products. Therefore, we
expect to experience pressure from our customers to reduce the prices of our
products. We believe that we must reduce our manufacturing costs and obtain
larger orders to offset declining average sales prices. If we are unable to
offset declining average sales prices, our gross profit margins will
decline.
WE MAY
NOT BE ABLE TO CONSUMMATE FUTURE ACQUISITIONS OR SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE
ACQUISTIONS INTO OUR BUSINESS AND INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS IN OUR ACQUISTION
AGREEMENTS BY WHICH WE HAVE ACQUIRED COMPANIES MAY NOT FULLY PROTECT US AND MAY
RESULT IN UNEXPECTED LIABILITIES.
We have
made fourteen acquisitions since fiscal 2005. As a part of our business
strategy, we may enter into additional business combinations and acquisitions,
although acquisitions require lender approval under our credit agreement.
Acquisitions are typically accompanied by a number of risks, including the
difficulty of integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired
companies, the potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of
management, expenses related to the acquisition and potential unknown
liabilities associated with acquired businesses. Our inability to consummate
acquisitions at our prior rate could negatively impact our growth
rate. If we are not successful in completing acquisitions that we may
pursue in the future, we may be required to reevaluate our growth strategy, and
we may incur substantial expenses and devote significant management time and
resources in seeking to complete proposed acquisitions that will not generate
benefits for us.
In
addition, with future acquisitions, we could use substantial portions of our
available cash for all or a portion of the purchase price. We could also issue
additional securities as consideration for these acquisitions, which could cause
significant stockholder dilution. Our prior acquisitions and any future
acquisitions may not ultimately help us achieve our strategic goals and may pose
other risks to us. Conversely, we may not be able to consummate acquisitions at
a similar rate as to the past, which could adversely impact our growth rate. Our
ability to grow depends in part upon our ability to identify and successfully
acquire and integrate companies and businesses at appropriate prices and realize
anticipated cost savings. In addition, changes in accounting or regulatory
requirements or any further deterioration in the credit markets could also
adversely impact our ability to consummate acquisitions or change the accounting
treatment for acquisitions. For example, as a result of the recently issued
standards for accounting for Business Combinations, which were effective
for the Company beginning April 1, 2009, we will be required to expense certain
acquisition-related items that under previous accounting were capitalized as
part of the purchase price.
As a
result of our previous acquisitions, we have added several different
decentralized operating and accounting systems, resulting in a complex reporting
environment. While we strive to quickly integrate all of our acquisitions to one
enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform and management reporting/analysis
information systems, we expect that we will need to continue to modify our
accounting policies, internal controls, procedures and compliance programs to
provide consistency across all of our operations, in order to increase
efficiency and operating effectiveness and improve corporate visibility into our
decentralized operations.
We are
entitled to certain indemnification rights under the agreements by which we have
acquired companies. If circumstances arise under which we believe we are
entitled to indemnification, the indemnifying party may not agree with our
assertion as to our rights to indemnification under the circumstances and we may
increase our accruals and corresponding costs.
OUR
REPUTATION AND OUR ABILITY TO DO BUSINESS MAY BE IMPAIRED BY IMPROPER CONDUCT BY
ANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR BUSINESS PARTNERS.
We cannot
provide assurance that our internal controls will always protect us from
reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees, agents or business
partners that would violate U.S. and/or non-U.S. laws, including the laws
governing payments to government officials, competition, money laundering and
data privacy. Any such improper actions could subject us to civil or criminal
investigations in the U.S. and in other jurisdictions, could lead to substantial
civil or criminal, monetary and non-monetary penalties against us or our
subsidiaries, and could damage our reputation.
CHANGES
IN OUR TAX RATES OR EXPOSURE TO ADDITIONAL INCOME TAX LIABILITES COULD AFFECT
OUR PROFITABILITY. IN ADDITION, AUDITS BY TAX AUTHORITIES COULD RESULT IN
ADDITIONAL TAX PAYMENTS FOR PRIOR PERIODS.
We are
subject to income taxes in the U.S. and in various foreign jurisdictions.
Domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of
income among various tax jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate can be affected
by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax
rates (including as a result of business acquisitions and dispositions), changes
in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, accruals related to
contingent tax liabilities, the results of audits and examinations of previously
filed tax returns and changes in tax laws. Any of these factors may adversely
affect our tax rate and decrease our profitability. The amount of income taxes
we pay is subject to ongoing audits by U.S. federal, state and local tax
authorities and by foreign tax authorities. If these audits result in
assessments different from our reserves, our future results may include
unfavorable adjustments to our tax liabilities.
WE HAVE
RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DEFERRED TAX ASSETS, WHICH MAY BECOME IMPAIRED
IN THE FUTURE.
We have a
significant amount of deferred tax assets, mainly resulting from previously
incurred net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”). Accounting
guidance for valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is strictly based on
the evaluation of positive and negative evidence which can be objectively
verified as to whether it is more likely than not the NOLs will be utilized, and
if positive evidence does not outweigh negative evidence, a valuation allowance
is required. Based on such assessment, we may have to record
valuation allowances for deferred tax assets. Impairment of deferred
tax assets may result from, among other things, deterioration in our
performance, significant negative industry or economic trends, adverse changes
in laws or regulations, decrease in projected future cash flows, and a variety
of other factors. In the future, we may have an impairment of deferred tax
assets, which could result in material impairment charges causing an adverse
impact on our earnings and financial condition.
IF WE
CANNOT OBTAIN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF MATERIALS, COMPONENTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR
OUR MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES ON A TIMELY BASIS AND AT COMPETITIVE PRICING AND
QUALITY, OR IF OUR MANUFACTURING CAPACITY DOES NOT MEET DEMAND, OUR BUSINESS AND
FINANCIAL RESULTS WILL SUFFER.
We
purchase materials, components and equipment from third parties for use in our
manufacturing operations. Some of our businesses purchase their requirements of
certain of these items from sole or limited source suppliers. If we cannot
obtain sufficient quantities of materials, components and equipment at
competitive prices and quality and on a timely basis, especially within the
current challenging economic environment, we may not be able to produce
sufficient quantities of product to satisfy market demand, product shipments may
be delayed or our material or manufacturing costs may increase. In addition,
because we cannot always immediately adapt our cost structures to changing
market conditions, our manufacturing capacity may at times exceed our production
requirements or fall short of our production requirements. Any or all of these
problems could result in the loss of customers, provide an opportunity for
competing products to gain market acceptance and otherwise adversely affect our
business and financial results.
OUR
INABILITY TO HIRE, TRAIN AND RETAIN A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF SKILLED OFFICERS AND
OTHER EMPLOYEES COULD IMPEDE OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY.
If we
cannot hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, we may
not be able to achieve cost savings and other initiatives to profitably grow our
business, effectively integrate acquired businesses, or realize anticipated
results from those businesses.
WE DEPEND
ON THIRD PARTIES FOR CERTAIN TRANSPORTATION, WAREHOUSING AND LOGISTIC
SERVICES.
We rely
primarily on third parties for transportation of the products we manufacture. In
particular, a significant portion of the goods we manufacture are transported to
different countries, requiring sophisticated warehousing, logistics and other
resources. If any of the countries from which we transport products were to
suffer delays in exporting manufactured goods, or if any of our third party
transportation providers were to fail to deliver the goods we manufacture in a
timely manner, we may be unable to sell those products at full value, or at all.
Similarly, if any of our raw materials could not be delivered to us in a timely
manner, we may be unable to manufacture our products in response to customer
demand.
IF WE
SUFFER LOSS TO OUR FACILITIES, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS, OR DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM DUE TO A CATASTROPHE, OUR OPERATIONS COULD BE SERIOUSLY
HARMED.
Our
facilities, information technology systems and distribution system are subject
to catastrophic loss due to fire, flood, terrorism or other natural or man-made
disasters. If any of these facilities or systems were to experience a
catastrophic loss, it could disrupt our operations, delay production, shipments
and revenue and result in large expenses to repair or replace the
facility.
WE HAVE
RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF GOODWILL, IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS, AND
OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS WHICH MAY BECOME IMPAIRED IN THE FUTURE.
Goodwill,
which represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets of the
businesses acquired, was recorded at fair value on the date of
acquisition. Impairment of goodwill, identifiable intangible assets
and other long-lived assets may result from, among other things, deterioration
in our performance, significant negative industry or economic trends,
significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period resulting in a
significant change in market capitalization relative to net book value, adverse
market conditions, adverse changes in laws or regulations, decrease in projected
future cash flows, and a variety of other factors. The Company may have in the
future an impairment of goodwill, identifiable intangible assets, and other
long-lived assets, which could result in material impairment charges causing an
adverse impact on our earnings and financial condition.
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM
2. PROPERTIES
Our
corporate headquarters are located in Hampton, Virginia in a leased facility.
Worldwide, we have twelve primary manufacturing facilities, and seven additional
locations for sales and marketing and research and development activities. Three
factories located in China, Ireland and France with an aggregate of
approximately 260,000 square feet are owned by us. The remaining sites with an
aggregate of approximately 413,000 square feet are leased by us. Of these
manufacturing, sales and marketing, research and development, administrative and
distribution locations, six are located in the U.S.A., eight in Europe and three
in Asia. We manufacture a large portion of our sensor products in Shenzhen,
China. We consider our facilities suitable and adequate for the
purpose for which they are used and we do not anticipate difficulty in renewing
existing leases as they expire or in finding other facilities. The Company’s
manufacturing facilities taken as a whole, currently operate moderately below
full capacity. We believe our current manufacturing base offers
additional capacity to support higher revenues. Please refer to Note
15 in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K for additional information with regard to our lease
commitments.
Our
primary sensor manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001 certified. We
also have registration under FDA (Federal Drug Administration) regulations at
our Dayton, Ohio facility and a number of facilities are TS 16949 (Technical
Standards) registered, as well as AS9100 and ISO 13485.
ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time
to time, we are subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course
of business. We currently are not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims
that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, or operating
results.
ITEM
4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)
PART
II
ITEM
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
(A)
Market Information
Our
common stock, no par value, is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the
symbol: MEAS. The following table presents high and low sales prices
of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ for the periods
indicated:
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
HIGH
|
|
|
LOW
|
|
|
HIGH
|
|
|
LOW
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
quarter
|
|
$ |
7.91 |
|
|
$ |
3.73 |
|
|
$ |
20.00 |
|
|
$ |
15.53 |
|
Second
quarter
|
|
|
11.53 |
|
|
|
6.45 |
|
|
|
19.95 |
|
|
|
15.88 |
|
Third
quarter
|
|
|
10.56 |
|
|
|
7.25 |
|
|
|
17.65 |
|
|
|
3.78 |
|
Fourth
quarter
|
|
|
16.23 |
|
|
|
10.24 |
|
|
|
7.57 |
|
|
|
2.30 |
|
(B)
Approximate Number of Holders of Common Stock
At May
28, 2010, there were approximately 69 shareholders of record of our common stock
and approximately 24,254 beneficial shareholders.
(C)
Dividends
We have
not declared cash dividends on our common equity. We intend to retain
earnings to support our growth strategy and we do not anticipate paying cash
dividends in the foreseeable future. Additionally, the payment of
dividends is prohibited under our credit agreement with General Electric Capital
Corporation (“GECC” or “GE”).
At
present, there are no material restrictions on the ability of our Hong Kong or
European subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends,
loans, advances, or purchases of materials, products or services. Chinese laws
and regulations, including currency exchange controls, restrict distribution and
repatriation of dividends by our China subsidiary.
(D)
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
See Item
12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information about our equity
compensation plans.
(E)
Performance Graph
The
following graph compares our cumulative total stockholder return since March 31,
2005 with the Russell 2000 Index and SIC Code 3823 peer group index. The graph
assumes that the value of the investment in our common stock and each index
(including reinvestment of dividends) was $100.00 on March 31,
2005.
|
|
3/31/2005
|
|
|
3/31/2006
|
|
|
3/31/2007
|
|
|
3/31/2008
|
|
|
3/31/2009
|
|
|
3/31/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc.
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
113.70 |
|
|
|
98.09 |
|
|
|
75.96 |
|
|
|
17.78 |
|
|
|
63.96 |
|
Russell
2000
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
125.85 |
|
|
|
133.28 |
|
|
|
115.95 |
|
|
|
72.47 |
|
|
|
117.95 |
|
SIC
Code 3823
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
131.85 |
|
|
|
139.52 |
|
|
|
164.51 |
|
|
|
98.58 |
|
|
|
169.97 |
|
(F)
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered
Securities
None.
None.
The
repurchase of the Company’s common stock is restricted by our credit agreement
and may not exceed $1,000 each fiscal year or $4,000 cumulatively.
ITEM
6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The
following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our
Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
|
|
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Amounts in thousands, except per share information)
|
|
Results of operations:
|
|
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$ |
209,610 |
|
|
$ |
203,943 |
|
|
$ |
228,383 |
|
|
$ |
200,250 |
|
|
$ |
121,417 |
|
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
6,485 |
|
|
|
5,667 |
|
|
|
16,806 |
|
|
|
12,481 |
|
|
|
10,327 |
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities from continuing
operations
|
|
|
29,782 |
|
|
|
22,032 |
|
|
|
33,235 |
|
|
|
13,974 |
|
|
|
11,726 |
|
Net
cash used in investing activities from continuing
operations
|
|
|
(5,250 |
) |
|
|
(26,609 |
) |
|
|
(36,164 |
) |
|
|
(53,002 |
) |
|
|
(14,730 |
) |
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuning
operations
|
|
|
(23,931 |
) |
|
|
7,513 |
|
|
|
12,688 |
|
|
|
35,022 |
|
|
|
(1,605 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts
attributable to MEAS common shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
$ |
6,058 |
|
|
$ |
5,279 |
|
|
$ |
16,442 |
|
|
$ |
11,957 |
|
|
$ |
10,327 |
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
(142 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,277 |
|
|
|
14,207 |
|
Net
income
|
|
|
5,916 |
|
|
|
5,279 |
|
|
|
16,442 |
|
|
|
14,234 |
|
|
|
24,534 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per
common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
|
|
|
0.83 |
|
|
|
0.72 |
|
Net
Income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
1.79 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
0.40 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
|
|
|
0.99 |
|
|
|
1.71 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
dividends declared
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial
Position at Year-End:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
279,975 |
|
|
$ |
288,609 |
|
|
$ |
285,615 |
|
|
$ |
224,691 |
|
|
$ |
151,194 |
|
Long-term
and short-term debt, revolver and notes payable
|
|
|
72,028 |
|
|
|
93,060 |
|
|
|
86,718 |
|
|
|
62,424 |
|
|
|
20,447 |
|
Shareholders'
equity
|
|
|
166,996 |
|
|
|
157,276 |
|
|
|
155,789 |
|
|
|
120,637 |
|
|
|
95,497 |
|
The above
table includes, as of the purchase date, the fourteen acquisitions consummated
since fiscal 2005 with total purchase price exceeding $167,000 (See Note 5 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K for a discussion regarding acquisitions). Fiscal year 2007 includes
$1,275 in litigation settlement costs. Fiscal 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 include
non-cash equity based compensation of $3,218, $2,942, $3,397 and $2,887,
respectively. Fiscal 2009 includes $2,881 income tax expense for the valuation
allowance related to foreign deferred tax assets and an adjustment for $500 to
increase inventory balances related to a purchase accounting adjustment for the
Intersema acquisition.
(Amounts
in thousands, except per share data)
Our
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide the reader of the Company’s
financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of Company’s
management. To that end, this discussion contains forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of a
variety of factors, including without limitation, those factors described under
the caption Risk Factors in Part 1, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Furthermore, the following discussion of our results of operations and financial
condition should be read together with the other financial information and
Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
Our
fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends on March 31. References in this report to
the year 2009 or fiscal 2009 refer to the 12-month period from April 1, 2008
through March 31, 2009 and references in this report to the year 2010 or fiscal
2010 refer to the 12-month period from April 1, 2009 through March 31,
2010.
OVERVIEW
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture
of sensors and sensor-based systems for original equipment manufacturers and end
users. Our products are based on a broad portfolio of proprietary
technology and typically sold under the MEAS brand name. We are a global
business and we believe we have a relatively high degree of diversity when
considering our geographic reach, our broad range products, number of end-use
markets and breadth of customer base. The Company is a multi-national
corporation with twelve primary manufacturing facilities strategically located
in the United States, China, France, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland, enabling
the Company to produce and market world-wide a broad range of sensors that use
advanced technologies to measure precise ranges of physical characteristics.
These sensors are used for automotive, medical, consumer, military/aerospace,
and industrial applications. The Company’s sensor products include pressure
sensors and transducers, linear/rotary position sensors, piezoelectric polymer
film sensors, custom microstructures, load cells, accelerometers, optical
sensors, humidity, temperature and fluid property sensors. The
Company's advanced technologies include piezo-resistive silicon sensors,
application-specific integrated circuits, micro-electromechanical systems,
piezoelectric polymers, foil strain gauges, force balance systems, fluid
capacitive devices, linear and rotational variable differential transformers,
electromagnetic displacement sensors, hygroscopic capacitive sensors, ultrasonic
sensors, optical sensors, negative thermal coefficient ceramic sensors, torque
sensors and mechanical resonators. We compete in growing global
market segments driven by demand for products that are smarter, safer, more
energy-efficient, and environmentally-friendly. We deliver a strong
value proposition to our customers through our willingness to customize sensor
solutions, leveraging our innovative portfolio of core technologies and
exploiting our low-cost manufacturing model based on our 15-year presence in
China.
Effective
December 1, 2005, we completed the sale of our Consumer business, including our
Cayman Island subsidiary, Measurement Limited (“ML”), to Fervent Group Limited
(“FGL”). FGL is a company controlled by the owners of River Display Limited, our
long time partner and primary supplier of consumer products in Shenzhen, China.
Accordingly, the related financial statements for the Consumer segment are
reported as discontinued operations. All comparisons in Management’s Discussion
and Analysis for each of the periods ended March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008,
exclude the results of these discontinued operations except as otherwise
noted.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
While the
Company’s results in 2010 and 2009 reflect the declines resulting from one of
the worst global economic recession in decades, we believe they also demonstrate
our ability to manage the Company through challenging conditions. The
Company remains focused on creating long-term shareholder value through
continued development of innovative technologies and strengthening our market
position by expanding customer relationships. To accomplish this
goal, we continue to take measures we believe will result in higher sales
performance in excess of the overall market and generation of positive earnings
before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). We
have implemented aggressive actions that not only proactively addressed the
economic recession, but we also positioned the Company for future growth in
sales and profitability, all of which we ultimately expect to translate to
enhanced shareholder value. To that end, we currently have one of the
strongest product development pipelines in the history of the Company, which we
expect to lay the foundation for future sales growth. Research and
development will continue to play a key role in our efforts to maintain product
innovations for new sales and to improve profitability. The Company
continues to expand its position as a global leader: Our broad range
of products and geographic diversity provide the Company with a variety of
opportunities to leverage technology, products, manufacturing base and our
financial performance.
Prior to
the recession, the Company delivered strong growth in sales and profitability,
through organic growth as well as through acquisitions. We anticipate
returning to that strategy, as we have already started to see the recovery in
our sales.
TRENDS
There are
a number of trends that we expect to have material effects on the Company in the
future, including recovering global economic conditions with the resulting
impact on our sales, profitability, and capital spending, changes in foreign
currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar, changes in our debt levels
and applicable interest rates, and shifts in our overall effective tax
rate. Additionally, sales and results of operations could be impacted
by additional acquisitions, though there is no specific timetable for any
acquisitions.
As
economic conditions continue to improve, the Company expects modest overall
sales growth during 2011 as compared to 2010. We believe sales for
the next six to nine months will continue to trend positively, but our
visibility with respect to future sales beyond nine months remains
limited. Current market indicators are mixed, but there are signs of
improvement. It is unclear whether the recent increase in sales and
bookings is a result of the end of the recession and an overall sustainable
increase in global economies (across most market verticals). We
believe the majority of the improvement in our sales is due to improved overall
demand, as well as increased market penetration. The mixed indicators
could indicate that global demand will not quickly recover, which could
adversely impact the Company’s sales and profitability. In
particular, the Company’s automotive and heavy truck, housing and industrial
businesses are likely to be the most impacted with medical technologies less
affected. In future periods, we expect the sensor market will
continue to perform well relative to the overall economy as a result of the
increase in sensor content in various products across most end markets in the
U.S., Europe and Asia.
As
detailed in the graph below, during fiscal 2010 the Company continued to post
consecutive quarters with higher net sales and higher Adjusted EBITDA on a
trailing quarter-to-quarter comparison. The continued increases in
sales are encouraging, which leads us to believe we may have seen the worst of
the recession; however, sales have not returned to prerecession levels for an
extended period of time. We believe sales bottomed out during our
fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, and the continued increases in bookings and
backlog are positive trends, which if sustained, should translate to continued
improvements in future sales performance. Economic conditions
continue to be challenging and there is uncertainty as to the strength of the
economic recovery with, among other factors, the euro-zone debt crisis, Europe’s
sluggish recovery, high unemployment, tight credit markets and weaknesses in the
housing and automotive markets.
Adjusted
EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is not in accordance with, or an
alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The
Company believes certain financial measures which meet the definition of
non-GAAP financial measures provide important supplemental
information. The Company considers Adjusted EBITDA an important
financial measure because it provides a financial measure of the quality of the
Company’s earnings from a cash flow perspective (prior to taking into account
the effects of changes in working capital and purchases of property and
equipment and debt service). Other companies may calculate Adjusted
EBITDA differently than we do, which might limit its usefulness as a comparative
measure. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management in addition to and in
conjunction with the results presented in accordance with
GAAP. Additionally, we believe quarterly Adjusted EBITDA provides the
current run-rate for trending purposes rather than a trailing twelve month
historical amount. The following table details quarterly net sales
and also provides a non-GAAP reconciliation of quarterly Adjusted EBITDA to the
applicable GAAP financial measures.
Quarter
Ended
|
|
Net Sales
|
|
|
Quarterly
Adjusted
EBITDA*
|
|
|
Income (Loss)
from
Continuing
Operations
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
Foreign
Currency
Exchange Loss
(Gain)
|
|
|
Depreciation
and
Amortization
|
|
|
Income
Taxes
|
|
|
Share-based
Compensation
|
|
Other*
|
|
6/30/2008
|
|
$ |
58,998 |
|
|
$ |
10,133 |
|
|
$ |
3,855 |
|
|
$ |
706 |
|
|
$ |
(63 |
) |
|
$ |
3,337 |
|
|
$ |
1,500 |
|
|
$ |
798 |
|
$
|
|
|
9/30/2008
|
|
$ |
58,888 |
|
|
$ |
10,332 |
|
|
$ |
3,718 |
|
|
$ |
806 |
|
|
$ |
396 |
|
|
$ |
3,240 |
|
|
$ |
1,446 |
|
|
$ |
726 |
|
$
|
|
|
12/31/2008
|
|
$ |
43,299 |
|
|
$ |
5,525 |
|
|
$ |
876 |
|
|
$ |
675 |
|
|
$ |
351 |
|
|
$ |
3,011 |
|
|
$ |
(115 |
) |
|
$ |
727 |
|
$
|
|
|
3/31/2009
|
|
$ |
42,758 |
|
|
$ |
3,530 |
|
|
$ |
(3,170 |
) |
|
$ |
894 |
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
3,622 |
|
|
$ |
1,406 |
|
|
$ |
691 |
|
$
|
|
|
6/30/2009
|
|
$ |
44,741 |
|
|
$ |
3,118 |
|
|
$ |
(1,477 |
) |
|
$ |
1,168 |
|
|
$ |
(536 |
) |
|
$ |
3,730 |
|
|
$ |
(367 |
) |
|
$ |
600 |
|
$
|
-
|
|
9/30/2009
|
|
$ |
49,087 |
|
|
$ |
5,767 |
|
|
$ |
68 |
|
|
$ |
1,018 |
|
|
$ |
(437 |
) |
|
$ |
3,475 |
|
|
$ |
675 |
|
|
$ |
810 |
|
$
|
158 |
|
12/31/2009
|
|
$ |
54,755 |
|
|
$ |
8,872 |
|
|
$ |
3,264 |
|
|
$ |
905 |
|
|
$ |
(64 |
) |
|
$ |
3,630 |
|
|
$ |
(28 |
) |
|
$ |
865 |
|
$
|
300 |
|
3/31/2010
|
|
$ |
61,027 |
|
|
$ |
9,770 |
|
|
$ |
4,203 |
|
|
$ |
808 |
|
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
$ |
3,237 |
|
|
$ |
453 |
|
|
$ |
943 |
|
$
|
76 |
|
* -
Adjusted EBITDA = Income from Continuing Operations before Interest, Foreign
Currency Exchange Loss (Gain), Depreciation and Amortization, Income Taxes,
Share-based Compensation and Other. Other represents legal fees
incurred related to certain International Traffic in Arms Regulations
matters
The
primary factors that impact our costs of revenue include production and sales
volumes, product sales mix, foreign currency exchange rates, especially with the
Chinese RMB, changes in the price of raw materials and the impact of various
cost control measures. We expect our gross margins during fiscal 2011
to range from approximately 39% to 43%, primarily reflecting the
impact of a more stable product sales mix, improved volume of business and
assuming stability in the value of the RMB relative to the U.S.
dollar. Gross margins for certain quarters could be outside this
expected range based upon a range of possible factors. Gross margins
have trended down over the past several years, largely due to unfavorable
product sales mix (both in terms of organic growth and acquired sales) and the
impact of the increase in the value of the RMB relative to the U.S.
dollar. Our gross margins decreased in fiscal 2010 as compared to the
prior year mainly because of the decline in overall volume of organic
business. As with all manufacturers, our gross margins are sensitive
to the overall volume of business (i.e., economies of scale) in that certain
costs are fixed and certain production costs are capitalized in inventory based
on normal production volumes. Since our overall level of business
declined in fiscal 2010, especially during the first half, and with the working
off of inventory associated with the China facility move and alignment of
inventory balances with the lower sales rates, our gross margins and overall
level of profits decreased accordingly. We expect continued pressures
on our gross margins given our expectation that global demand will not quickly
recover, which will result in unfavorable overhead absorption. Since
around August 2008, the RMB has stabilized relative to the U.S.
dollar. In the near term, this trend is expected to continue, but
there are indications that the RMB may begin to appreciate again.
Total
selling, general and administrative expense (“Total SG&A”) as a percentage
of net sales was higher in fiscal 2010 and 2009 as compared to prior years
before the recession, mainly reflecting the increase in Total SG&A expenses
due to SG&A expenses related to acquisitions and the decrease in
sales. Historically, we have been successful in leveraging our
SG&A expense, growing SG&A expense more slowly than our sales growth,
but the global economic recession adversely impacted our SG&A
leverage. As a percent of sales, Total SG&A for 2010 was 33.9%,
as compared to 35.4% and 29.5% in fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. We
are expecting in 2011 a decrease in our SG&A as a percentage of net sales
mainly due to higher sales, which are expected to be partially offset by
continued investment in R&D for new programs that are not yet generating
sales (such as our new fluid property sensor) and reinstatement of compensation
previously reduced as part of our proactive cost cutting measures to address the
global economic recession.
Amortization
of acquired intangible assets and deferred financing costs
increased over the past two of years mainly due to the acquisitions
of Intersema and Visyx (the “2008 Acquisitions”) and the 2009
Acquisitions. Amortization is disproportionately loaded more in the
initial years of the acquisition, and therefore amortization expense is higher
in the quarters immediately following a transaction, and declines in later years
based on how various intangible assets are valued and amortized. Amortization of
acquired intangible assets is expected to decrease in fiscal 2011 as compared to
fiscal 2010, assuming no new acquisitions. However, amortization of
deferred financing costs is expected to increase with the costs incurred in
connection with the refinancing of the Company’s primary credit facility in May
2010 (See Long-term Debt section below for further details regarding the
refinancing). At March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $704
in deferred financing costs all of which will be written-off in the first
quarter of fiscal 2011 as a result of the new credit facility.
In
addition to the margin exposure as a result of the depreciation of the U.S.
dollar relative to the RMB, the Company also has foreign currency exchange
exposures related to balance sheet accounts. When foreign currency exchange
rates fluctuate, there is a resulting revaluation of assets and liabilities
denominated and accounted for in foreign currencies. Foreign currency exchange
(“fx”) losses or gains due to the revaluation of local subsidiary balance sheet
accounts with realized and unrealized fx transactions increased sharply in
recent years, because of, among other factors, volatility of foreign currency
exchange rates. For example, our Swiss company, which uses the Swiss franc as
its functional currency, holds cash denominated in foreign currencies (U.S.
dollar and Euro). As the Swiss franc appreciates against the U.S. dollar and/or
Euro, the cash balances held in those denominations are devalued when stated in
terms of Swiss francs. These fx transaction gains and losses are reflected in
our “Foreign Currency Exchange Gain or Loss.” Aside from cash, our foreign
entities generally hold receivables in foreign currencies, as well as payables.
In fiscal 2010, we recorded net fx gains of $987, and in 2009, we posted net fx
losses of $771, in realized and unrealized fx changes associated with the
revaluation of foreign assets held by our foreign entities. The Company’s
operations outside of the U.S. have expanded over the years from
acquisitions. We expect to see continued fx losses or gains
associated with volatility of foreign currency exchange rates.
The
Company uses and may continue to use foreign currency contracts to hedge these
fx exposures. The Company does not hedge all of its fx exposures, but
has accepted some exposure to exchange rate movements. The Company
does not apply hedge accounting when derivative financial instruments are used
to manage these fx exposures. Since the Company does not apply hedge
accounting, the changes in the fair value of those derivative financial
instruments are reported in earnings in the fx gains or losses
caption. We expect the value of the U.S. dollar will continue to
fluctuate relative to the RMB, Euro, Swiss franc and Japanese
yen. Therefore, both positive and negative movements in
currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar will continue to affect the
reported amounts of sales, profits, and assets and liabilities in the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
Our
overall effective tax rate will continue to fluctuate as a result of the
allocation of earnings among the various taxing jurisdictions in which we
operate and their varying tax rates. This is particularly challenging
due to the different timing and rates of economic recovery as economies around
the world try to recover from the recession. We expect an increase in
our 2011 overall effective tax rate as compared to last year, excluding discrete
items. The increase in the estimated overall effective tax rate
mainly reflects the shift of taxable earnings to tax jurisdictions with higher
tax rates. Additionally, last year’s effective tax rate was impacted
by a number of discrete items and the overall shift in profits and losses with a
higher proportion of profits to those jurisdictions with lower tax rates and a
higher proportion of losses to jurisdictions with higher tax
rates. The overall estimated effective tax rate is based on
expectations and other estimates and involves complex domestic and foreign tax
issues, which the Company monitors closely, but are subject to
change.
In fiscal
2010, the Company’s subsidiary in China, MEAS China, received approval from the
Chinese authorities for High New Technology Enterprise (“HNTE”)
status. HNTE status decreased the tax rate for MEAS China from 18% to
15% through December 31, 2011. To qualify for this reduced rate the Company must
continue to meet various criteria in regard to its operations related to sales,
research and development activity, and intellectual property
rights.
The
amount of income taxes we pay is also subject to ongoing audits by U.S. federal,
state and local tax authorities and by foreign tax authorities. The Company is
currently being audited by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for fiscal years
ending 2007 and 2008. If these audits result in assessments different
from our reserves, our future results may include unfavorable adjustments to our
tax liabilities and deferred tax assets.
The
Company expects to continue investing in various capital projects in fiscal
2011, and capital spending in 2011 is expected to approximate
$10,000. This level of capital spending is higher than in fiscal
2010, reflecting improved economic conditions and investments in new programs to
generate new sales.
CHANGES
IN OUR BUSINESS
ACQUISITIONS
AND DIVESTURES:
The
Company made two acquisitions during fiscal 2009 (“2009
Acquisitions”). Atexis expanded our temperature sensors and probes
utilizing NTC, Platinum (Pt) and thermo-couples technologies and increased our
temperature manufacturing base through wholly-owned subsidiaries in France and
China. FGP was a competitor of custom force, pressure and vibration
sensors for aerospace and test and measurement markets.
Effective
December 1, 2005, we completed the sale of the Consumer segment to Fervent Group
Limited (FGL), including its Cayman Island subsidiary, ML Cayman. FGL is a
company controlled by the owners of River Display Limited (RDL), our long time
partner and primary supplier of consumer products in Shenzhen, China.
Accordingly, the related financial statements for the Consumer segment are
reported as discontinued operations. All comparisons in
Management’s Discussion and Analysis for consolidated statements of operations
and consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended
March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and consolidated balance sheets as of March 31,
2010 and 2009, exclude the results of these discontinued operations except as
otherwise noted.
RECENT
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently
Adopted Accounting Standards:
As part
of the transition to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting
Standards Codification (“AS Codification”), plain English references to the
corresponding accounting policies are provided, rather than specific numeric AS
Codification references. The AS Codification identifies the sources
of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be
used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that
are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The AS Codification was effective
for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after
September 15, 2009. There was no impact on our financial position,
results of operations or cash flows upon the adoption of the AS
Codification.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued new accounting principles for acquisition
accounting and noncontrolling interests, which require most identifiable assets,
liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill acquired in a business
combination to be recorded at “full fair value” and require noncontrolling
interests (previously referred to as minority interests) to be reported as a
component of equity, which changes the accounting for transactions with
noncontrolling interest holders. These principles were effective
April 1, 2009. The Company will apply the new acquisition accounting principles
to business combinations occurring after March 31, 2009. The accounting for
contingent consideration under the new acquisition accounting principles
requires the measurement of contingencies at the fair value on the acquisition
date. Contingent consideration can be either a liability or equity based.
Subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration (liability)
are recognized in earnings, not to goodwill, and equity classified contingent
consideration amounts are not re-measured. The adoption of the new
accounting principles for acquisition accounting and noncontrolling interests
did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and
financial position, because the Company did not have any acquisitions in
2010.
New
disclosure requirements for employer postretirement benefit plan assets were
issued on December 30, 2008 and are effective for fiscal years ending after
December 15, 2009. The new disclosure requirements for employer
postretirement benefit plans clarify an employer’s disclosures about plan assets
of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The new
requirements also prescribe expanded disclosures regarding investment allocation
decisions, categories of plan assets, inputs, and valuation techniques used to
measure fair value, the effect of Level 3 inputs on changes in plan assets and
significant concentrations of risk. The new postretirement plan
disclosure requirements did not have a material impact on the consolidated
financial statements.
In
February 2008, the FASB issued new accounting standards for leases, which
removed fair value measurement requirements for certain leasing
transactions. In February 2008, the FASB also delayed the effective
date for fair value measurements for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial
liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in
the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), to fiscal
years beginning after November 2008. The adoption of the fair value
measurements requirements for non-financial assets and liabilities did not have
an impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial
position.
In April
2008, the FASB issued new guidelines for determining the useful life of
intangible assets, which amends the factors that should be considered in
developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of
a recognized intangible asset. The intent of the new guidelines for determining
the useful life of intangible assets is to improve the consistency between the
useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash
flows used to measure the fair value of the asset. The new guidelines for
determining the useful life of intangible assets shall be applied prospectively
to all intangible assets acquired after March 31, 2009. The adoption
of these guidelines did not have any impact on the Company’s results of
operations and financial condition.
In
December 2009, the FASB issued new accounting standards on accounting and
reporting for decreases in ownership of a subsidiary. The update is a scope
clarification and revises the accounting requirements for decreases in ownership
of a subsidiary that were originally contained in accounting for non-controlling
interests. The revised decrease in ownership provisions require an entity that
ceases to have a controlling interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is
a business to recognize a gain or loss on the transaction and include an amount
for the remeasurement of any retained investment to fair value. A decrease in
ownership that does not result in a loss of control is accounted for as an
equity transaction with no gain or loss recognized for the difference between
the carrying amount of the portion of the subsidiary or group of assets that is
sold and consideration received from the buyer. The update was effective for the
Company on April 1, 2009. The adoption of these new accounting standards
did not have a material impact to the Company, however, the requirements of this
update will be required to be applied to any future transactions that results in
a decrease in ownership of businesses owned by the Company.
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
In
October 2009, the FASB issued new accounting standards for multiple-deliverable
revenue arrangements. These new standards establish the accounting
and reporting guidance for arrangements, including multiple revenue-generating
activities, and provide amendments to the criteria for separating deliverables
and measuring and allocating arrangement consideration to one or more units of
accounting. The amendments also establish a selling price hierarchy for
determining the selling price of a deliverable. Significantly enhanced
disclosures are also required to provide information about a vendor’s
multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements, including information about the
nature and terms, significant deliverables, and its performance within
arrangements. The amendments also require providing information about the
significant judgments made and changes to those judgments and about how the
application of the relative selling-price method affects the timing or amount of
revenue recognition. These new accounting standards requirements are effective
for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2010, which is the Company’s 2012
fiscal year. Early adoption of the standard is permitted and various options for
prospective or retroactive adoption are available. The Company is currently in
the process of reviewing and evaluating the impact of these new requirements,
but the impact is not expected to be material on the Company’s results of
operations or financial condition.
In June
2009, the FASB issued new accounting principles for variable interest entities
(“VIEs”) which, among other things, established a qualitative approach for the
determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE. An enterprise is
required to consolidate a VIE if it has both the power to direct activities of
the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the
obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE or the right to receive the benefits
of the VIE. These principles improve financial reporting by
enterprises involved with VIEs and address constituent concerns about the
application of certain key provisions, including those in which the accounting
and disclosures an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity, as
well as address significant diversity in practice in the approaches and
methodology used to calculate a VIE’s variability. These new
accounting principles related to VIEs are effective as of the beginning of the
annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods
within that annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting
periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. The
Company currently consolidates its one VIE, Nikkiso-Therm (“N-T”), for which the
Company is considered the primary beneficiary. The Company is in the
process of evaluating the new accounting principles for VIEs, and based on its
preliminary assessment, the Company expects the adoption of these new accounting
standards may result in the deconsolidation of N-T, which would decrease in the
Company’s net sales for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008 by $4,582, $4,090 and
$3,674, respectively. There would be no impact on net assets or net
income attributable to MEAS with the deconsolidation of N-T.
The
preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported.
The following accounting policies involve “critical accounting estimates”
because they are particularly dependent on estimates and assumptions made by
management about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting
estimates are made. In addition, while we have used our best estimates based on
facts and circumstances available to us at the time, different estimates
reasonably could have been used in the current period, or changes in the
accounting estimates we used are reasonably likely to occur from period to
period which may have a material impact on the presentation of our financial
condition and results of operations. We review these estimates and assumptions
periodically and reflect the effects of revisions in the period that they are
determined to be necessary.
REVENUE
RECOGNITION:
The
Company derives revenues primarily from the sale of sensors and sensor-based
systems. In order for revenue and related cost of sales from product
sales to be recognized there must persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,
delivery has occurred, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and
collectability of the related receivable is reasonably assured. The
Company’s standard terms are FOB shipping Point, but a small portion of our
customers have FOB destination terms. Based on the above criteria,
revenue is recognized depending on the specific terms of the
arrangement: Either at the point of shipment for those sales under
FOB shipping point terms or when it is received by the customer for sales under
FOB destination terms. For those transactions that are shipped at or
near the end of the reporting period for which the sales terms are FOB
destination, the Company confirms receipt of the shipment, and if delivery has
not occurred, then the revenue is not recognized. Product sales are
recorded net of trade discounts at the point of sale (including volume and early
payment incentives) because these allowances reflect a reduction in the price
for the products, sales returns, value-added tax and similar taxes. Shipping and
handling costs are included in cost of revenue, and shipping and handling costs
billed to customers are included in sales. Sales to customers generally include
a right of return. The Company provides for allowances for returns based upon
historical and estimated return rates. Sales returns have not historically been
significant to our revenues and have been within the estimates made by
management. The amount of actual returns could differ from estimates. Changes in
estimated returns would be accounted for in the period of
change. Many of our products are designed and engineered to meet
customer specifications, and customer arrangements do not involve
post-installation or post-sale testing and acceptance. There is
no significant variation in sales terms geographically, or among product lines
and industries.
ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE:
Trade
accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear
interest. The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable is due from
manufacturers of electronic, automotive, military, medical and industrial
products. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a customer’s financial
condition and collateral is not required. Accounts receivable are generally due
within 30 to 90 days and are stated at amounts due from customers net of
allowances for doubtful accounts and other sales allowances. Accounts receivable
outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due.
Amounts collected on trade accounts receivable are included in net cash provided
by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The
allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of
probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The
Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including
the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s
previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to
the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a
whole. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Recent
deterioration in overall global economic conditions and worldwide credit markets
heightens the uncertainties related to customers’ ability to pay and may
increase the difficulty in collecting accounts receivable. If the financial
condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate beyond our estimates,
resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, the Company would
be required to reserve and write off additional accounts receivable balances,
which would adversely impact the Company’s net earnings and financial
condition. Actual uncollectible accounts could exceed the Company’s
estimates and changes to its estimates will be accounted for in the period of
change. Account balances are charged against the allowance after all means of
collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered
remote. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related
to its customers.
Inventories
are valued at the lower of cost or market (‘LCM’). For purposes of analyzing the
LCM, market is current replacement cost. Cost is determined on a standard cost
basis which approximates historical cost under the first-in, first-out method.
Market cannot exceed the net realizable value (i.e., estimated selling price in
the ordinary course of business less reasonably predicted costs of completion
and disposal) and market shall not be less than net realizable value reduced by
an allowance for an approximately normal profit margin. In evaluating LCM,
management also considers, if applicable, other factors as well, including known
trends, market conditions, currency exchange rates and other such issues. If the
utility of goods is impaired by damage, deterioration, obsolescence, changes in
price levels or other causes, a loss shall be charged as cost of sales in the
period which it occurs.
The
Company makes purchasing decisions principally based upon firm sales orders from
customers, the availability and pricing of raw materials and projected customer
requirements. Future events that could adversely affect these decisions and
result in significant charges to our operations include slowdown in customer
demand, customer delay in the issuance of sales orders, miscalculation of
customer requirements, technology changes that render raw materials and finished
goods obsolete, loss of customers and/or cancellation of sales orders. The
Company establishes reserves for its inventories to recognize estimated
obsolescence and unusable items on a continual basis.
Generally,
products that have existed in inventory for 12 months with no usage and that
have no current demand or no expected demand, will be considered obsolete and
fully reserved. Obsolete inventory approved for disposal is written-off against
the reserve. Market conditions surrounding products are also considered
periodically to determine if there are any net realizable valuation matters,
which would require a write-down of any related inventories. If market or
technological conditions change, it may be necessary for additional inventory
reserves and write-downs, which would be accounted for in the period of change.
The level of inventory reserves reflects the nature of the industry whereby
technological and other changes, such as customer buying requirements, result in
impairment of inventory. Cash flows from the purchase and sale of inventory are
included in cash flows from operating activities.
GOODWILL
IMPAIRMENT:
Goodwill
represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the
net identifiable assets acquired in a purchase business
combination.
Management
assesses goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis
at fiscal year end or more frequently under certain circumstances. The goodwill
impairment test is a two step test. Under the first step, the fair value of the
reporting unit is compared to its carrying value (including goodwill). If the
fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication
of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit, and the enterprise must
perform step two of the impairment test (measurement). Under step two, an
impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the
reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value. The implied fair value of
goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a
manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after
this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Fair
value of the reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis.
If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, step two
does not need to be performed and goodwill is not impaired.
In
evaluating goodwill for impairment, the fair value of the Company’s reporting
units was determined using the discounted cash flow analysis in 2009 and the
implied fair value approach in 2010 and 2008. The implied fair
value approach consists of comparing the Company’s market capitalization to the
Company’s book value. If the market capitalization exceeds book
value, there is no impairment of goodwill. Our evaluations were
completed in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 for asset
values as of these respective dates. Based on our analyses and the guidelines
established under related accounting standards, management has concluded there
was no impairment of the Company’s goodwill in 2010, 2009 and 2008.
ACQUISITIONS:
Acquisitions
are recorded as of the purchase date, and are included in the consolidated
financial statements from the date of acquisition. In all acquisitions, the
purchase price of the acquired business is allocated to the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed at their fair values on the date of the acquisition. The
fair values of these items are based upon management’s best estimates using
various valuation approaches, including the relief from royalty method, cost
approach and income approach, depending on the circumstances. Certain of the
acquired assets are intangible in nature, including customer relationships,
patented and proprietary technology, covenants not to compete, trade names and
order backlog, which are stated at cost less accumulated amortization.
Amortization is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of the assets. The excess purchase price over the amounts allocated to the
assets is recorded as goodwill. All such valuation methodologies, including the
determination of subsequent amortization periods, involve significant judgments
and estimates. Different assumptions and subsequent actual events could yield
materially different results.
Purchased
intangibles and goodwill are usually not deductible for tax purposes in stock
acquisitions. However, purchase accounting requires the establishment of
deferred tax liabilities on purchased intangible assets (excluding goodwill) to
the extent the carrying value for financial reporting exceeds the tax
basis.
LONG
LIVED ASSETS:
The
Company accounts for the impairment of long-lived assets and amortizable
intangible assets in accordance with standards for accounting for the impairment
or disposal of long-lived assets. Long-lived assets, such as property, plant,
and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization are reviewed
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset 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 estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the
asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash
flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying
amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
Management
assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in
circumstance indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The
following factors, if present, may trigger an impairment review:
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·
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Significant
underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating
results;
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Significant
negative industry or economic
trends;
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Significant
decline in stock price for a sustained period;
and
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Significant
change in market capitalization relative to net book
value.
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If the
recoverability of these assets is unlikely because of the existence of one or
more of the above-mentioned factors, an impairment analysis is performed using
projected undiscounted cash flow at the lowest level at which cash flows is
identifiable. In the event impairment is indicated, fair value is determined
using the discounted cash flow method, appraisal or other accepted
techniques.
Management
must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to
determine the fair value of these assets. Other factors could include, among
other things, quoted market prices, or other valuation techniques considered
appropriate based on the circumstances. If these estimates or related
assumptions change in the future, an impairment charge may need to be recorded.
Impairment charges would be included in our consolidated statements of
operations, and would result in reduced carrying amounts of the related assets
on our consolidated balance sheets.
As of
March 31, 2010, there were no overall indicators of impairment; however, the
Company performed an impairment analysis for two European sites resulting in no
impairment. At March 31, 2009, the Company performed an impairment
analysis for long-lived assets, due to triggering events which included the
decline in the Company’s stock price, change in market capitalization relative
to net book value, and decrease in financial performance relative to historical
operating results. In evaluating long-lived assets and amortizable
intangible assets for impairment, there was no impairment identified by our
analysis indicating the carrying amount of an asset was not recoverable in 2009.
There were no indicators of potential impairment in 2008.
FOREIGN
CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS:
The
functional currency of the Company’s foreign operating companies is the
applicable local currency. In consolidation, the foreign subsidiaries’ assets
and liabilities are translated into United States dollars using exchange rates
in effect at the balance sheet date and their operations are translated using
the average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The resulting translation
adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income for the
period and the cumulative impact of unrealized foreign currency translation
adjustments.
The
Company is subject to foreign exchange risk for foreign currency denominated
transactions, such as receivables and payables. Foreign currency transaction
gains and losses are recorded in foreign currency exchange in the Company’s
consolidated statements of operations. However, foreign currency exchange gains
and losses on intercompany notes of a long-term investment nature which
management does not intend to repay in the foreseeable future are recorded as a
component of other comprehensive income (loss).
INCOME
TAXES:
Income
taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating
loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax
rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment
date.
Realization
of a deferred tax asset is dependent on generating future taxable income, which
is reviewed annually. The Company evaluates all positive and negative evidence
in evaluating whether a valuation allowance is required. Consideration of
current and expected future taxable income of the Company indicated that an
overall valuation allowance is not needed. The Company annually evaluates
positive and negative evidence in determining whether a valuation allowance on
deferred tax assets is required.
As
detailed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of
approximately $2,881 at March 31, 2009 for certain deferred tax assets
associated with net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), principally at our
German subsidiary. This non-cash charge to income tax expense reduced
fiscal year 2009 net income by $2,881, or approximately $0.20 per diluted
share. Accounting guidance for such valuation allowances is
strictly based on the evaluation of positive and negative evidence which can be
objectively verified as to whether it is more likely than not that the NOLs will
be utilized. If positive evidence does not outweigh negative
evidence, the conclusion is that a valuation allowance is
required. At March 31, 2010, our German subsidiary had cumulative
losses over the past three years, primarily due to a decrease in profitability
as a result of the global recession. The negative evidence of three
years of cumulative losses was considered to outweigh the positive evidence that
the net operating losses were not subject to expiration, because the long-term
prospects of future profitability were not considered objectively
verifiable. We expect our German subsidiary to return to
profitability in a future period and we will continue to assess positive and
negative evidence to determine if a valuation allowance is required in future
periods.
Transfer
pricing refers to the prices that one member of a group of related companies
charges to another member of the group for goods, services, or the use of
intellectual property. The Company prepares various transfer pricing studies and
other such procedures to assist in determining and supporting transfer pricing.
If two or more affiliated companies are located in different countries, the laws
or regulations of each country generally will require that transfer prices be
the same as those charged by unrelated companies dealing with each other at
arm’s length. If one or more of the countries in which our affiliated companies
are located believes that transfer prices were manipulated by our affiliate
companies in a way that distorts the true taxable income of the companies, the
laws of countries where our affiliated companies are located could require us to
re-determine transfer prices and thereby reallocate the income of our affiliate
companies in order to reflect these transfer prices. Any reallocation of income
from one of our companies in a lower tax jurisdiction to an affiliated company
in a higher tax jurisdiction would result in a higher overall tax liability to
us. Moreover, if the country from which the income is being reallocated does not
agree to the reallocation, the same income could be subject to taxation by both
countries.
Liabilities
for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and
penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability
has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be
reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies
are expensed as incurred. Such accruals are adjusted as further information
develops or circumstances change.
We
periodically assess the potential liabilities related to any lawsuits or claims
brought against us. While it is typically very difficult to determine the timing
and ultimate outcome of these actions, we use our best judgment to determine if
it is probable that we will incur an expense related to a settlement for such
matters and whether a reasonable estimation of such probable loss, if any, can
be made. Given the inherent uncertainty related to the eventual outcome of
litigation, it is possible that all or some of these matters may be resolved for
amounts materially different from any estimates that we may have made with
respect to their resolution.
The
Company has four active share-based compensation plans, which are more fully
described in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Prior to fiscal 2007, the Company applied the
intrinsic value method and related standards for accounting for stock issued to
employees, and accordingly, recognized no compensation expense for stock option
grants to employees.
The
Company began accounting for compensation cost for all share based payments
granted subsequent to April 1, 2006 based on the grant date fair value using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model, in accordance with share-based payment
accounting provisions. Prior periods were not restated to reflect the impact of
adopting the new standard.
Determining
the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of share-based
payment awards require the input of subjective assumptions, including the
expected life of the share-based payment awards and stock price volatility. The
assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards
represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent
uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if
factors change and we use different assumptions, our equity-based compensation
expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, we are
required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and recognize expense only for
those shares expected to vest. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially
different from our estimate, the equity-based compensation expense could be
significantly different from what we have recorded in the current
period. In order to provide an appropriate expected volatility,
one which marketplace participants would likely use in determining an exchange
price for an option, the Company revised, during the quarter ended September 30,
2006, the method of calculating expected volatility by disregarding a period of
the Company’s historical volatility data not considered representative of
expected future volatility and replacing the disregarded period of time with
peer group data. The Company considers the period of time disregarded to be
within the “rare” situations stated in Securities and Exchange Commission Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”). The Company experienced, during the
period of time leading up to and after the restructuring in May 2002, a rare
series of events, including a going concern situation, financial statement
restatement, a class action shareholder lawsuit, an SEC investigation, a $4,400
asset write-down, significant net losses, and a halt in the trading of the
Company’s common stock, none of which are expected to recur in the
future.
The
Company receives a tax deduction for certain stock options and stock option
exercises during the period the options are exercised, generally for the excess
of the fair value of the stock over the exercise price of the options at the
exercise date. The Company is required to report excess tax benefits from the
award of equity instruments as financing cash flows. Since the Company is
currently in a net operating loss carry-forward position, the Company applies
the tax-law-ordering approach, whereby the tax benefits are considered realized
for current-year exercises of share-based compensation awards. These amounts are
considered realized because such deductions offset taxable income on the
Company’s tax return, thereby reducing the amount of income subject to tax. The
current-year stock compensation deduction is used to offset taxable income
before the NOL carry-forwards because all current-year deductions take priority
over NOL carry-forwards. When the tax deduction exceeds the compensation
expense, the tax benefit associated with any excess deduction is considered an
excess tax benefit, or “windfall.” The windfall portion of the
share-based compensation deduction reduces income tax payable and is credited to
additional paid-in capital (“APIC”). The windfall credited to APIC increases the
Company’s APIC pool available to offset future tax deficiencies (“shortfalls”).
Shortfalls are the amount the compensation expense exceeds the tax
deduction.
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
2009
ANALYSIS
OF CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
The
following is a discussion and analysis of the Company’s consolidated statement
of operations in comparing fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2009. For further
details regarding certain trends and expectations, please refer to the Executive
Summary and Trend sections earlier in Item 7, Management Discussion and Analysis
of our Form 10-K.
|
|
Years ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
Change
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$ |
209,610 |
|
|
$ |
203,943 |
|
|
$ |
5,667 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
128,241 |
|
|
|
118,333 |
|
|
|
9,908 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
81,369 |
|
|
|
85,610 |
|
|
|
(4,241 |
) |
|
|
(5.0 |
) |
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
general, and administrative
|
|
|
61,927 |
|
|
|
63,557 |
|
|
|
(1,630 |
) |
|
|
(2.6 |
) |
Non-cash
equity based compensation
|
|
|
3,218 |
|
|
|
2,942 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
9.4 |
|
Amortization
of acquired intangibles and deferred financing costs
|
|
|
6,001 |
|
|
|
5,609 |
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
|
Total
selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
71,146 |
|
|
|
72,108 |
|
|
|
(962 |
) |
|
|
(1.3 |
) |
Operating
income
|
|
|
10,223 |
|
|
|
13,502 |
|
|
|
(3,279 |
) |
|
|
(24.3 |
) |
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
3,899 |
|
|
|
3,081 |
|
|
|
818 |
|
|
|
26.5 |
|
Foreign
currency exchange loss (gain)
|
|
|
(987 |
) |
|
|
771 |
|
|
|
(1,758 |
) |
|
|
(228.0 |
) |
Other
expense (income)
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
(253 |
) |
|
|
346 |
|
|
|
(136.8 |
) |
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
7,218 |
|
|
|
9,903 |
|
|
|
(2,685 |
) |
|
|
(27.1 |
) |
Income
tax expense from valuation allowance
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,881 |
|
|
|
(2,881 |
) |
|
|
(100.0 |
) |
Income
tax expense from continuing operations
|
|
|
733 |
|
|
|
1,355 |
|
|
|
(622 |
) |
|
|
(45.9 |
) |
Income
tax expense from continuing operations
|
|
|
733 |
|
|
|
4,236 |
|
|
|
(3,503 |
) |
|
|
(82.7 |
) |
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
6,485 |
|
|
|
5,667 |
|
|
|
818 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
Less: Net
income attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
388 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
Income
from continuing operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
$ |
6,058 |
|
|
$ |
5,279 |
|
|
$ |
779 |
|
|
|
14.8 |
|
As part
of our discussion and analysis, the following table summarizes certain items in
our consolidated statements of income as a percentage of net sales.
|
|
Years ended March 31 ,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
Change
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
- |
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
61.2 |
% |
|
|
58.0 |
% |
|
|
3.2 |
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
38.8 |
% |
|
|
42.0 |
% |
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
general, and administrative
|
|
|
29.5 |
% |
|
|
31.2 |
% |
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
Non-cash
equity based compensation
|
|
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
1.4 |
% |
|
|
0.1 |
|
Amortization
of acquired intangibles and deferred financing costs
|
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
|
2.8 |
% |
|
|
0.1 |
|
Total
selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
33.9 |
% |
|
|
35.4 |
% |
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
Operating
income
|
|
|
4.9 |
% |
|
|
6.6 |
% |
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
1.9 |
% |
|
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
0.4 |
|
Foreign
currency exchange loss (gain)
|
|
|
-0.5 |
% |
|
|
0.4 |
% |
|
|
(0.9 |
) |
Other
expense (income)
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
-0.1 |
% |
|
|
- |
|
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
3.4 |
% |
|
|
4.9 |
% |
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
Income
tax expense from valuation allowance
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
1.4 |
% |
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
Income
tax expense from continuing operations
|
|
|
0.3 |
% |
|
|
0.7 |
% |
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
Income
tax expense from continuing operations
|
|
|
0.3 |
% |
|
|
2.1 |
% |
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
|
2.8 |
% |
|
|
0.3 |
|
Less: Net
income attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
0.2 |
% |
|
|
0.2 |
% |
|
|
- |
|
Income
from continuing operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
|
2.6 |
% |
|
|
0.4 |
|
Net
Sales: Net
sales increased $5,667 or 2.8% to $209,610 from $203,943. The
increase in sales is mainly due to sales from 2009
Acquisitions. Organic sales, defined as net sales excluding sales
attributed to 2009 Acquisitions of $16,079 in fiscal 2010 and $3,215 in fiscal
2009, declined $7,197 or 3.6%.
The
global recession in 2008-2009 was one of the worst recessions in
decades. The overall impact of the recession was not evident in the
first half of fiscal 2009, but became more apparent in the third quarter of
fiscal 2009. Decreases in fiscal 2009 sales were in all sectors,
driven largely by sharp reductions in sales to passenger and non-passenger
vehicle customers in U.S., Europe and Asia. Sales bottomed out in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, and began to stabilize during the first quarter
of fiscal 2010. On a trailing quarter-to-quarter basis, sales
increased each quarter during fiscal 2010, but overall, quarterly organic sales
have not yet reached pre-recession levels. There is continued
economic pressure in many areas of the global economy, and sales for most of our
primary product lines declined relative to the prior year. Sales for
our pressure products to automotive market and temperature sales were the two
primary product lines to increase as compared to last year, mainly reflecting
improvement in market conditions and broader production
adoptions. Current market indicators remain mixed, which leads us to
believe global demand will not quickly recover, and it is not yet clear whether
the recovery is sustainable.
Gross
Margin: Gross margin (gross profit as a percent of net sales)
declined to approximately 38.8% from 42.0%. The decrease in margin is
mainly due to lower organic sales and production volumes and the resulting
decrease in leverage and overhead absorption, partially offset by certain cost
control measures. As with all manufacturers, our gross margins are sensitive to
overall volume of business in that certain costs are fixed. Since our
overall level of organic business declined relative to last year, our gross
margins and overall level of profits decreased accordingly. The
decrease in production volumes not only reflects the decrease due to the
alignment of production levels to match lower sales volumes, but also the
consumption of inventory built-up as part of the China facility
move. The average RMB/U.S. dollar exchange rate for 2010
remained stable as compared to last year.
On a
continuing basis, our gross margin may vary due to product mix, sales volume,
availability of raw materials, foreign currency exchange rates, and other
factors.
Selling, General
and Administrative: Overall, total selling,
general and administrative (“total SG&A”) expenses decreased $962 or 1.3% to
$71,146, largely due to cost reductions. Total SG&A expenses as a
percent of net sales decreased to 33.9% from 35.4%. The decrease in
SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales is due to various cost control
measures to reduce expenses while sales increased due to
acquisitions. Organic SG&A costs, defined as total SG&A costs
excluding SG&A costs associated with the 2009 Acquisitions of approximately
$4,500 in fiscal 2010 and approximately $1,200 in fiscal 2009, decreased
approximately $4,300 to $66,696. Partially offsetting the reductions
in costs, the Company accrued approximately $1,700 for bonuses for fiscal
2010. In direct response to the global economic recession, management
implemented several cost control initiatives, including reductions in
headcount. Additionally, organic SG&A declined because of the
decrease in organic sales, since a portion of our total SG&A costs are
variable and fluctuate with sales.
Amortization of
acquired intangibles and deferred financing costs: Amortization of
acquired intangible assets and deferred financing costs increased $392 to $6,001
from $5,609. The increase in amortization expense is due to higher
amortization expense associated with the 2009 Acquisitions and the write-off of
certain deferred financing costs. Amortization expense for intangible
assets is higher during the first years after an acquisition because, among
other things, the order back-log is fully amortized during the initial
year. Additionally, during the three months ended June 30, 2009, the
Company expensed approximately $190 in deferred financing costs due to the
amendment to the credit facility which resulted in a reduction in the principal
amount of availability under the revolving credit
facility. Amortization of acquired intangible assets is expected to
decrease in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010, assuming no
acquisitions. However, amortization of deferred financing costs is
expected to increase with the costs incurred with refinancing of the Company’s
primary credit facility and at March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately
$704 in deferred financing costs that will be written-off in the first quarter
of fiscal 2011 as part of the new credit facility.
Interest expense,
net: Interest expense
increased $818 to $3,899 from $3,081. The increase in interest expense is
primarily because prior year interest expense was lower since the Company
capitalized interest costs incurred on a portion of its debt during the
construction of the China facility, and no such amounts were capitalized during
the current year. Also contributing to the increase in interest
expense was the increase in average interest rates. Average interest
rates increased this year to about 4.8% from 4.3% last year. Average
total outstanding debt was $75,302 in 2010, as compared to an average amount
outstanding of $75,040 in 2009.
Foreign Currency
Exchange Gain: The increase in foreign currency exchange gain
mainly reflects the increase in the gain associated with the changes in the
value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euro, and the decrease in foreign
currency exchange losses associated with the value of the RMB relative to the
U.S. dollar. Over the past few years, the Company has had foreign
currency exchange losses due to the appreciation of the RMB relative to the U.S.
dollar, but during 2010, the value of the RMB relative to the U.S. dollar
remained relatively stable as compared to 2009, and as such, there was a
significant decrease in the related foreign currency exchange
loss. The higher foreign currency exchange gain is the result of the
depreciation of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euro during the
first part of fiscal 2010. The Company continues to be impacted by
volatility in foreign currency exchange rates, including the impact of the
fluctuation of the U.S. dollar relative to the RMB, Euro and Swiss
franc.
Other expense
(income): Other expense (income)
consists of various non-operating items. Other expense (income)
fluctuated to an expense of $93 from income of $253 mainly due to the income
recognized for the $500 of Chinese incentives for foreign investments provided
to the Company last year, which was partially offset by other non-operating
expense items. There were no Chinese incentives in 2010.
Income
Taxes: Income tax expense and
deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect management’s assessment of future
taxes expected to be paid on items reflected in the Company’s financial
statements. The Company records the tax effect of discrete items and items that
are reported net of their tax effects in the period in which they
occur.
The
Company’s effective tax rate can be affected by changes in the mix of earnings
in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of
deferred tax assets and liabilities, accruals related to contingent tax
liabilities, the results of audits and examinations of previously filed tax
returns, the implementation of tax planning strategies and changes in tax laws.
The Company’s effective tax rate for 2010 differs from the United States federal
statutory rate of 35% primarily as a result of lower effective tax rates on
certain earnings from operations outside of the United States. No provisions for
United States income taxes have been made with respect to earnings that are
planned to be reinvested indefinitely outside the United States. The amount of
United States income taxes that may be applicable to such earnings is not
readily determinable given the various tax planning alternatives the Company
could employ should it decide to repatriate these earnings.
The
amount of income taxes the Company pays is subject to ongoing audits by federal,
state and foreign tax authorities, which often result in proposed
assessments. The Company is currently being audited by the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service for fiscal years 2007 and 2008. If these audits
result in assessments different from our reserves, our future results may
include unfavorable adjustments to our tax liabilities. Management performs a
comprehensive review of its global tax positions on a quarterly basis and
accrues amounts for contingent tax liabilities. Based on these reviews, the
results of discussions and resolutions of matters with certain tax authorities
and the closure of tax years subject to tax audit, reserves are adjusted as
necessary.
Income
tax expense decreased $3,503 to $733 from $4,236 last year. The
fluctuation of income tax expense is mainly due to the $2,881 of income tax
expense recorded in 2009 to establish the valuation allowance principally for
certain deferred tax assets associated with the Company’s German subsidiary, as
well as due to the overall decrease in profit before taxes during
2010.
The
overall effective tax rate (“ETR”) (income tax expense divided by income from
continuing operations before income taxes) was approximately 10% for the year
ended March 31, 2010, as compared to 43% for the year ended March 31,
2009. The decrease in the ETR was due to, among other things, the
income tax expense recorded in 2009 for the valuation allowance principally for
certain deferred tax assets associated with the Company’s German subsidiary,
changing economic conditions and the shifting of expected profits and losses
before taxes between tax jurisdictions with differing tax rates, as well as the
impact of a number of other discrete tax adjustments.
In the
second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company received notification of approval
from the local Chinese tax authority for certain research and development
(“R&D”) deductions. The income tax benefit of approximately $266
associated with this R&D deduction is reflected as a favorable discrete tax
adjustment during the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
During
the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company received approval from the Swiss
tax authority for a five year tax holiday effective in fiscal
2010. The Company’s tax rate in Switzerland was reduced to
approximately 12.5% from 22%. In accordance with accounting
principles for income taxes, the Company revalued the Company’s Swiss net
deferred tax liabilities at the lower tax rate, resulting in a discrete non-cash
income tax credit of $651 recorded during the quarter ended September 30,
2009.
During
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company’s subsidiary in China received
approval from the Chinese tax authorities for High Tech New Enterprise (“HTNE”)
status. The new HTNE status for the Company will provide a reduced
tax rate of 15% in China through December 31, 2011. To qualify for this reduced
rate the Company must continue to meet various criteria in regard to its
operations related to sales, research and development activity, and intellectual
property rights. Accordingly, the Company recorded approximately $136 non-cash
income tax expense related to the revaluation of the net deferred tax assets in
China resulting from the decrease in income tax rates.
The
Company generally considers undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries
to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. and, accordingly, no U.S.
deferred taxes had been recorded with respect to such earnings. However, the
Company elected to distribute $7,500 of undistributed earnings from its Irish
subsidiary, MEAS Ireland, and recorded a deferred tax liability and
corresponding discrete income tax expense of $1,100 during the quarter ended
September 30, 2009.
FISCAL
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 (in
thousands, except percentages)
ANALYSIS
OF CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
The
following is a discussion and analysis of the Company’s consolidated statement
of operations in comparing fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2008.
|
|
Years Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
Change
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$ |
203,943 |
|
|
$ |
228,383 |
|
|
$ |
(24,440 |
) |
|
|
(10.7 |
) |
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
118,333 |
|
|
|
133,022 |
|
|
|
(14,689 |
) |
|
|
(11.0 |
) |
Gross
profit
|
|
|
85,610 |
|
|
|
95,361 |
|
|
|
(9,751 |
) |
|
|
(10.2 |
) |
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
general, and administrative
|
|
|
63,557 |
|
|
|
60,473 |
|
|
|
3,084 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
Non-cash
equity based compensation
|
|
|
2,942 |
|
|
|
3,397 |
|
|
|
(455 |
) |
|
|
(13.4 |
) |
Amortization
of acquired intangibles
|
|
|
5,609 |
|
|
|
3,610 |
|
|
|
1,999 |
|
|
|
55.4 |
|
Total
selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
72,108 |
|
|
|
67,480 |
|
|
|
4,628 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
Operating
income
|
|
|
13,502 |
|
|
|
27,881 |
|
|
|
(14,379 |
) |
|
|
(51.6 |
) |
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
3,081 |
|
|
|
4,536 |
|
|
|
(1,455 |
) |
|
|
(32.1 |
) |
Foreign
currency exchange loss
|
|
|
771 |
|
|
|
618 |
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
24.8 |
|
Other
income
|
|
|
(253 |
) |
|
|
(80 |
) |
|
|
(173 |
) |
|
|
216.3 |
|
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
9,903 |
|
|
|
22,807 |
|
|
|
(12,904 |
) |
|
|
(56.6 |
) |
Income
tax expense due to tax law changes
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
(900 |
) |
|
|
(100.0 |
) |
Income
tax expense due to valuation allowance
|
|
|
2,881 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
2,807 |
|
|
|
3,793.2 |
|
Income
tax expense from continuing operations
|
|
|
1,355 |
|
|
|
5,027 |
|
|
|
(3,672 |
) |
|
|
(73.0 |
) |
Income
tax expense from continuing operations
|
|
|
4,236 |
|
|
|
6,001 |
|
|
|
(1,765 |
) |
|
|
(29.4 |
) |
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
5,667 |
|
|
|
16,806 |
|
|
|
(11,139 |
) |
|
|
(66.3 |
) |
Less: Minority
interest, net of income taxes
|
|
|
388 |
|
|
|
364 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
Income
from continuing operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
$ |
5,279 |
|
|
$ |
16,442 |
|
|
$ |
(11,163 |
) |
|
|
(67.9 |
) |
As part
of our discussion and analysis, the following table summarizes certain items in
our consolidated statements of income as a percentage of net sales.
|
|
Years ended March 31 ,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Change
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
- |
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
58.0 |
% |
|
|
58.2 |
% |
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
Gross
profit
|
|
|
42.0 |
% |
|
|
41.8 |
% |
|
|
0.2 |
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
general, and administrative
|
|
|
31.2 |
% |
|
|
26.5 |
% |
|
|
4.7 |
|
Non-cash
equity based compensation
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
|
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
Amortization
of acquired intangibles
|
|
|
2.8 |
% |
|
|
1.6 |
% |
|
|
1.2 |
|
Total
selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
35.4 |
% |
|
|
29.5 |
% |
|
|
5.9 |
|
Operating
income
|
|
|
6.6 |
% |
|
|
12.2 |
% |
|
|
(5.6 |
) |
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
Foreign
currency exchange loss
|
|
|
0.4 |
% |
|
|
0.3 |
% |
|
|
0.1 |
|
Other
income
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
4.9 |
% |
|
|
10.0 |
% |
|
|
(5.1 |
) |
Income
tax expense due to tax law changes
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.4 |
% |
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
Income
tax expense due to valuation allowance
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
1.4 |
|
Income
tax expense from continuing operations
|
|
|
0.7 |
% |
|
|
2.2 |
% |
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
Income
tax expense from continuing operations
|
|
|
2.1 |
% |
|
|
2.6 |
% |
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
2.8 |
% |
|
|
7.4 |
% |
|
|
(4.6 |
) |
Less: Minority
interest, net of income taxes
|
|
|
0.2 |
% |
|
|
0.2 |
% |
|
|
- |
|
Income
from continuing operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
|
2.6 |
% |
|
|
7.2 |
% |
|
|
(4.6 |
) |
Net
Sales: Net
sales decreased $24,440 or 10.7% to $203,943 from $228,383. Organic sales,
defined as net sales excluding sales attributed to Intersema and Visyx
acquisitions through December 31, 2008 (the “2008 Acquisitions”) and net sales
from the 2009 Acquisitions, decreased $34,033 or approximately
15.2%. The overall level of organic sales for fiscal 2009 was
initially expected to be lower than the past few years; however, our expectation
for lower organic sales was revised downward further during the year due
primarily to the challenging global economic situation and uncertainty, as well
as due to lower sales with the Company’s largest customer.
The
recession was one of the worst recessions in decades, and there was downward
economic pressure in most areas of the economy. As such, sales for
the year were down significantly, led by sharp reductions in sales to passenger
and non-passenger vehicle customers in U.S., Europe and Asia. The
most notable decline was with the automotive market. While we
believed sales were unusually hard hit as a result of customers reducing
inventory levels to match lower anticipated demand for their products, it was
not clear how much improvement we would see in future quarters or whether sales
will continue to decline. Accordingly, we had taken decisive action,
including aligning our labor workforce with the latest projected sale
volumes. We lowered costs through significant reductions in
headcount, cut management salaries and eliminated the Company’s management bonus
program and 401(k) match, and we had curtailed capital expenditures and
implemented other cost control measures. Additionally, the Company
modified the three business group structure, in order to, among other things,
better focus on cross-selling of the differing sensor products and to address
business conditions and certain changes within the management group, which
resulted in one operating segment.
Gross
Margin: Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net
sales) increased slightly to approximately 42.0% from 41.8%. The improvement in
gross margin was due to several factors, including product sales mix and various
cost control measures, partially offset by the strengthening of the Chinese RMB,
as well as the adverse impact on gross margins as a result of decrease in
volumes. The more favorable product sales mix was largely associated
with decreased proportion of sales of lower gross margin products. This included
sales to the automotive sector, which carries a lower gross margin than our
average. Additionally, our gross margins were adversely
impacted by the lower levels of production and absorption of costs during the
fourth quarter due to the consumption of inventory as part of the China facility
move and to better align inventory levels with lower sales
levels. During the first half of fiscal 2009, there had also been an
adverse impact on margins due to increases in certain costs reflecting the
pervasive impact on costs associated with higher prices for certain
commodities. The average Chinese RMB exchange rate relative to the
U.S. dollar appreciated approximately 7.7% as compared to last year. This
translated to approximately $1,409 in annualized margin
erosion. Finally, as with all manufacturers, our gross margins are
sensitive to the overall volume of business in that certain costs are
fixed. Since our overall level of business declined in 2009, our
gross margins and overall level of profits decreased accordingly.
On a
continuing basis, our gross margin may vary due to product mix, sales volume,
availability of raw materials, foreign currency exchange rates, and other
factors.
Selling, General
and Administrative: Overall, total selling,
general and administrative expenses (“Total SG&A”) increased $4,628 or 6.9%
to $72,108, due to costs associated with the 2008 and 2009 Acquisitions. As a
percent of net sales, Total SG&A expenses increased to 35.4% from 29.5%. The
increase in Total SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales was due to the
decrease in net sales, which is the resulting impact of the global economic
situation. Approximately $5,816 of the increase in Total SG&A was
directly associated with the 2009 Acquisitions and the first nine months of
fiscal 2009 for 2008 Acquisitions, and include higher salaries, amortization,
facility expenses, professional fees, and acquisition related integration
costs. There was also an increase of $494 in bad debt expense,
reflecting the impact of the global economic recession.
Partially
offsetting the increases in total SG&A discussed above are the impact of the
various cost control measures implemented during fiscal 2009, including
reductions in headcount and management salaries, as well as the suspension of
bonuses and 401(k) match.
Stock Option
Expense: Stock option expense decreased $455 to $2,942 from
$3,397. The decrease in stock option expense was mainly due to the
lower valuation of non-cash equity resulting primarily from the decrease in the
Company’s stock price, partially offset by higher volatility and quantity of
options issued with the annual grant in fiscal 2009 relative to the annual grant
in fiscal 2008. Total compensation cost related to share based
payments not yet recognized totaled $3,885 at March 31, 2009, which was expected
to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8
years.
Amortization of
Acquired Intangibles: Amortization of
acquired intangible assets increased $1,999 to $5,609, which was mainly due to
higher amortization expense associated with the 2008 Acquisitions. Amortization
expense for intangible assets is higher during the first year after an
acquisition because, among other things, the order back-log is fully amortized
during the initial year. The increase in amortization expense
associated with the two 2009 Acquisitions consummated during the quarter ended
March 31, 2009 was not as significant due to the close proximity of the
transactions to our fiscal year end, but the impact on amortization expense
related to these acquisitions was expected to be more significant next
year.
Interest Expense,
net: Interest expense
decreased $1,455 to $3,081 for the year ended March 31, 2009 from $4,536 for the
year ended March 31, 2008. The decrease in interest expense was primarily
attributable to the decrease in average interest rates from 7.4% last year to
approximately 4.32% this year, partially offset by an increase in the average
total outstanding debt from an average amount outstanding of $64,186 in 2008 to
$75,040 in 2009. Interest expense was expected to increase during next fiscal
year due to higher interest rates.
Foreign Currency
Exchange Gain or Loss: The increase in foreign currency
exchange loss mainly reflected the continued appreciation of the RMB relative to
the U.S. dollar, as well as the overall decrease in the U.S. dollar relative to
the Euro as compared to last year. The Company continued to be
impacted by volatility in foreign currency exchange rates, especially with the
continued impact of the appreciation of the RMB relative to the U.S. dollar,
even though the appreciation of the RMB was less in 2009 as compared to 2008, as
well as the impact of the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euro
and Swiss franc. The Company monitors such exposures and attempts to
mitigate such exposures through various hedging strategies, but not all
exposures are hedged.
Other expense and
income: Other expense and
income consist of various non-operating items, including sales of tooling and
other miscellaneous income and expense items. The increase from
income of $80 last year to income of $253 mainly reflects approximately $500 of
Chinese incentives for foreign investments provided to the Company, partially
offset by miscellaneous expense items.
Income
Taxes: Total income tax
expense during fiscal 2009 decreased $1,765 to $4,236 as compared to $6,001 for
fiscal 2008. The decrease in income tax expense was principally due
to lower taxable income in 2009, lower proportion of taxable income in higher
tax rate jurisdictions, and favorable R&D tax credits in France, which were
offset by a $2,881 income tax expense for the valuation allowances recorded at
March 31, 2009 relating to deferred tax assets principally at our Germany
subsidiary. The Company’s income tax rate (income tax expense from
continuing operations) increased to approximately 43% from approximately 26% the
prior year. The increase in the income tax rate was mainly due to the valuation
allowance recorded relating to the German subsidiary. This was partly
offset by a higher proportion of income being generated in those tax
jurisdictions with lower tax rates and additional R&D tax benefits in
France.
The
Company recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $2,881 at March 31, 2009
principally for certain deferred tax assets associated with net operating loss
carryforwards (“NOLs”) at our German subsidiary. This non-cash charge
to income tax expense reduced our net income by $2,881 or approximately $0.20
per diluted share. Accounting guidance for such valuation
allowances is strictly based on the evaluation of positive and negative evidence
which can be objectively verified as to whether or not the NOLs will be
utilized, and if positive evidence does not outweigh negative evidence, a
valuation allowance is required. At March 31, 2009, our German
subsidiary had cumulative losses over the past three years, primarily due to the
decrease in profitability during the second half of fiscal 2009 as a result of
the global recession. In weighing the positive and negative evidence,
the negative evidence of three years of cumulative losses was considered to
outweigh the positive evidence that the net operating losses were not subject to
expiration, because the long-term prospects of future profitability in future
periods was not considered objectively verifiable. We will continue
to assess positive and negative evidence to determine if a valuation allowance
is required in future periods.
During
the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded a discrete non-cash
tax adjustment of approximately $997 for the revaluation of the net deferred tax
assets in Germany resulting from a decrease in tax rates enacted in 2007. The
Company’s combined tax rate in Germany decreased from 39% to 32%, as a result of
the German Business Tax Reform 2008, which became effective on August 17,
2007.
The China
tax authorities announced an increase in the income tax rate to 18% on December
27, 2007, effective on January 1, 2008. Also effective January 1, 2008 was a 5%
withholding tax on the distribution of earnings. The Company submitted an
application for high tech status last year, and it was not
granted. The Company intended to continue to pursue qualification as
a high technology enterprise with the Chinese authority, and if the Company is
able to be awarded such qualification, the effective income tax rate will be
reduced to 15% plus the 5% withholding tax. The current guidance on the China
tax law, without award of high tech status, was a graduated statutory rate from
18% in calendar 2008 to 25% in calendar year 2012. The applicable
statutory rate effective January 1, 2009 was 20% and increased January 1, 2010
to 22%.
During
the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Company recorded the reversal of a foreign
income tax payable, which resulted in a reduction of income tax expense of $597
or almost $0.04 per diluted share. The income tax payable related to a foreign
tax accrual from at least fiscal 2001, which had been previously considered a
liability; however, based on discovered documentation, it was determined that
the Company was not liable for the amounts previously accrued.
Our
overall effective tax rate will continue to fluctuate based on the allocation of
earnings among various taxing jurisdictions with varying tax rates and with
changes in tax rates. We expect our overall effective tax rate to generally
increase due to more of our total income being generated in Europe and the U.S.,
which are subject to a higher effective tax rates than our average and the
impact of the increase in the China income tax rate.
Discontinued
Operations. Discontinued operations primarily consist of the remaining
activity associated with the note receivable received by the Company in
connection with the sale of the Consumer segment. For the year ended March 31,
2009 and 2008, imputed interest income related to the promissory note receivable
totaled $20 and $112, respectively, which is included in interest expense, net
from continuing operations. The activity in 2010 reflects the final settlement
and collection of the note receivable. The uncollected portion of the
note receivable was written off as an expense from discontinued
operations. Cash flows from discontinued operations are reported
separately in the statement of cash flows, and the absence of cash flows from
discontinued operations is not expected to have a material adverse affect on the
future liquidity and capital resources of the Company.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash
balances totaled $24,293 at March 31, 2010, an increase of $810 as compared to
March 31, 2009, reflecting, among other factors, the Company’s ability to
generate positive operating cash flows, which was offset by approximately
$27,456 in payments to reduce debt and $5,217 of cash used for purchases of
property and equipment.
The
following schedule compares the primary categories of the consolidated statement
of cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
|
Years ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities from continuing
operations
|
|
$ |
29,782 |
|
|
$ |
22,032 |
|
|
$ |
7,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities from continuing
operations
|
|
|
(5,250 |
) |
|
|
(26,609 |
) |
|
|
21,359 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing
operations
|
|
|
(23,931 |
) |
|
|
7,513 |
|
|
|
(31,444 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by discontinued operations
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
540 |
|
|
|
(399 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
(1,558 |
) |
|
|
1,626 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing
operations
|
|
$ |
810 |
|
|
$ |
1,918 |
|
|
$ |
(1,108 |
) |
A key
source of the Company’s liquidity is our ability to generate operating cash
flows. In spite of the global economic recession, the Company was
able to generate positive operating cash flows, as a result of implementing
initiatives to improve operating cash flows through working capital management
and various cost control measures. Cash flows from operating working
capital (changes in trade accounts receivables, inventory, and accounts payable)
increased to $3,374 for the current year from $220 last year, with the single
largest driver of current year operating cash flows from inventory
consumption. Inventory balances decreased $4,307 as compared to last
year because of the utilization of inventory built-up for the planned China
facility move, as well as the reduction of inventory due to the decrease in
projected sales. The change in accounts receivable was an increase
during the current year reflecting the increase in sales during the fourth
quarter, as compared to a decrease in accounts receivable last year due the
overall decline in sales due to the recession. The increase in
accounts payable corresponds to higher sales during the fourth quarter and the
increase in accrued expenses reflects, among other things, higher accrued
compensation related to the year end bonus and accrued interest. The
fluctuation in the income taxes payable and income tax receivable reflects,
among other things, the collection of certain research tax credits and the swing
from income tax expense to income tax benefit in certain tax jurisdictions as a
consequence of the change from a profit before taxes to a loss before taxes
during the current year.
Historically,
funding for acquisitions constitutes one of the more significant, if not the
most significant use of the Company’s cash. Net cash used in
investing activities was $5,250 as compared to $26,609 last year. The prior year
investing activities were higher because of higher capital spending due to the
construction of the new China facility and the acquisitions of FGP and
Atexis. There were no acquisitions during 2010, and the lower
level of capital spending during the current year mainly reflects the
non-recurring nature of the China facility, as well as various cost control
measures in direct response to the recession.
The
Company’s most significant use of cash during 2010 was the repayment of
debt. Net cash used in financing activities totaled $23,931 for the
year ended March 31, 2010, as compared to $7,513 provided by financing
activities last year. The Company’s credit facilities are mainly
utilized to fund acquisitions. The increase in debt payments reflects
the Company’s efforts to reduce debt levels. There was a decrease in
borrowings as compared to last year since there were no acquisitions in
2010.
The
effect of exchange rate changes on cash is the translation decrease or increase
in cash due to the fluctuation of foreign currency exchange
rates. For example, €1,000 is translated to $1,320 based on weighted
average exchange rates during fiscal 2009, but the same €1,000 is translated to
$1,345 using weighted average exchange rates during fiscal 2010. The
decrease in the current year impact of exchange rate changes relative to last
year is primarily due to the relative stability of the U.S. dollar relative to
the Euro and RMB when comparing exchange rates from one fiscal year end to the
next.
The
following schedule compares the primary categories of the consolidated statement
of cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008:
|
|
Years
ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities from continuing
operations
|
|
$ |
22,032 |
|
|
|
33,235 |
|
|
$ |
(11,203 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities from continuing
operations
|
|
|
(26,609 |
) |
|
|
(36,164 |
) |
|
|
9,555 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities from continuing
operations
|
|
|
7,513 |
|
|
|
12,688 |
|
|
|
(5,175 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by discontinued operations
|
|
|
540 |
|
|
|
2,507 |
|
|
|
(1,967 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash
|
|
|
(1,558 |
) |
|
|
1,590 |
|
|
|
(3,148 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing
operations
|
|
$ |
1,918 |
|
|
$ |
13,856 |
|
|
$ |
(11,938 |
) |
The
underlying reason for the decrease in overall operating cash flows is the
economic recession, which reduced profitability and cash flows from operating
working capital (trade accounts receivables, inventory, less accounts
payable). Net income declined $11,163 and the fluctuation in
cash flows provided by operating working capital went from a source of operating
cash flows of $6,455 in 2008 to a source of operating cash flow of
$220 during 2009. In spite of implementing various strategies
to improve our cash position and working capital management, the Company was not
able to offset the impact of the recession. The Company closely
monitors trade receivables and collections. Inventory balances
increased as compared to 2008 mainly because of the build up in inventory for
the planned China facility move. We expected to reduce inventory
levels during the next quarters with the completion of the move to our new China
facility and to better align inventory levels with current levels of
sales. Other items impacting operating cash flows include the
fluctuation of income tax payable from a $2,148 use of cash in 2008 to a $1,546
source of cash in 2009, and the $3,305 increase in depreciation and amortization
expense associated with the 2008 Acquisitions and the 2009
Acquisitions. In 2008, deferred taxes mainly reflect the
discrete adjustment recorded due to the change in German income tax rates,
and 2009 deferred taxes mainly represent the valuation allowance recorded
for the deferred tax assets of our subsidiary in Germany, both of which are
non-cash transactions. The 2008 operating cash flows also
included the $1,275 payment for the settlement of certain
litigation.
Net cash
used in investing activities was $26,609 as compared to $36,164 in 2008. Overall
capital spending levels of $14,001 reflect the increase associated with the new
China facility, as well as various capital projects for production
equipment. The 2008 investing activity included the acquisitions
of Intersema and Visyx for $23,386, and the cash flows associated with the
acquisitions of Atexis and FGP in the current year combined were approximately
$12,667.
Net cash
provided by financing activities totaled $7,513 for the year ended March 31,
2009, a decrease of $5,175 as compared to the $12,688 provided by financing
activities in 2008. Borrowings under the credit facility are
generally for acquisitions, and 2008 acquisitions had a larger purchase
price as compared to 2009 acquisitions. Additionally, the offsetting
payments for repayments of debt were lower this year as compared to last year
because the Company retained cash to fund operations in light of the economic
downturn and since interest rates were relatively low. Proceeds
from exercise of options were lower in 2009 because fewer options were exercised
due to the decrease in the Company’s stock price.
Long-Term
Debt:
Refinancing: The
Company entered into a new Credit Agreement (the "Senior Secured Credit
Facility") dated June 1, 2010 among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the "Senior Secured Facility
Agents"), Bank America, N.A., as syndication agent, and certain other parties
thereto (the "Credit Agreement") to refinance the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement effective as of April 1, 2006 among the Company, General Electric
Capital Corporation, as agent and a lender, and certain other parties thereto
and to provide for the working capital needs of the Company including to effect
permitted acquisitions. The Senior Secured Facility consists of a
$110,000 revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") with a
$50,000 accordion feature enabling expansion of the Revolving Credit Facility to
$160,000. The Revolving Credit Facility has a variable interest rate
based on either the London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or the ABR Rate
(prime based rate) with applicable margins ranging from 2.00% to 3.25% for LIBOR
based loans or 1.00% to 2.25% for ABR Rate loans. The applicable
margins may be adjusted quarterly based on a change in the leverage ratio of the
Company. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also includes the ability
to borrow in currencies other than U.S. dollars, such as the Euro and Swiss
Franc, up
to $66,000. Commitment fees on the unused balance of the
Revolving Credit Facility range from 0.375% to 0.50% per annum of the average
amount of unused balances. The Revolving Credit Facility will expire
on June 1, 2014 and all balances outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility
will be due on such date. The Company has provided a security
interest in substantially all of the Company's U.S. based assets as collateral
for the Senior Secured Facility and private placement of credit facilities
entered into by the Company from time to time not to exceed $50,000, including
the Prudential Shelf Facility (as defined below). The Senior Secured
Credit Facility includes an inter-creditor arrangement with Prudential (as
defined below) and is on a pari pasu (equal force) basis
with the Prudential Shelf Facility.
The
Senior Secured Facility includes specific financial covenants for maximum
leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as well as customary
representations, warranties, covenants and events of default for a transaction
of this type. Consolidated EBITDA for debt covenant purposes is the
Company's consolidated net income determined in accordance with GAAP minus the
sum of income tax credits, interest income, gain from extraordinary items for
such period, any non-cash gains, and gains due to fluctuations in currency
exchange rates, plus the sum of any provision for income taxes,
interest expense, loss from extraordinary items, any aggregate net loss during
such period arising from the disposition of capital assets, the amount of
non-cash charges for such period, amortized debt discount for such period,
losses due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates and the amount of any
deduction to consolidated net income as the result of any grant to any members
of the management of the Company of any equity interests. The
Company's leverage ratio consists of total debt less unrestricted cash
maintained in U.S. bank accounts which are subject to control agreements in
favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent, to Consolidated
EBITDA. Adjusted fixed charge coverage ratio is Consolidated EBITDA
less capital expenditures divided by fixed charges. Fixed charges are
the last twelve months of scheduled principal payments, taxes paid in cash and
consolidated interest expense. All of the aforementioned financial
covenants are subject to various adjustments, many of which are detailed in the
Credit Agreement.
On June
1, 2010, the Company entered into a Master Shelf Agreement (the "Prudential
Shelf Facility") with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. ("Prudential")
whereby Prudential agreed to purchase up to $50,000 of senior secured notes (the
"Senior Secured Notes") issued by the Company. Prudential purchased
two Senior Secured Notes each for $10,000 and the remaining $30,000 of such
Senior Secured Notes may be purchased at the discretion of Prudential or one or
more of its affiliates upon the request of the Company. The
Prudential Shelf Facility has a fixed interest rate of 5.70% and 6.15% for each
of the two $10,000 Senior Secured Notes issued by the Company and the Senior
Secured Notes issued there under are due on June 1, 2015 and 2017,
respectively. The Prudential Shelf Facility includes specific
financial covenants for maximum total leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge
coverage ratio consistent with the Senior Secured Credit Facility, as well as
customary representations, warranties, covenants and events of
default. The Prudential Shelf Facility includes an inter-creditor
arrangement with the Senior Secured Facility Agents and is on a pari pasu (equal force) basis
with the Senior Secured Facility.
Long-Term Debt: To support
the financing of acquisitions, effective April 1, 2006, the Company entered into
an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Amended and Restated Credit
Facility”) with GE as agent which, among other things, increased the
Company’s existing credit facility from $35,000 to $75,000, consisting of a
$55,000 revolving credit facility and a $20,000 term loan, and lowered the
applicable London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or Index Margin from 4.50%
and 2.75%, respectively, to LIBOR and Index Margins of 2.75% and 1.0%,
respectively. To support the financing of the acquisition of Intersema (See Note
6), the Company entered into an Amended Credit Agreement (“Amended
Credit Facility”) with four banks, with GE as agent, effective December 10,
2007 which, among other things, increased the Company’s existing revolving
credit facility from $55,000 to $121,000 and lowered the applicable LIBOR or
Index Margin from 2.75% and 1.0%, respectively, to LIBOR and Index Margins of
2.00% and 0.25%, respectively. Interest accrued on the principal amount of the
borrowings at a rate based on either LIBOR plus a LIBOR margin, or at the
election of the borrower, at an Index Rate (prime based rate) plus an Index
Margin. The applicable margins could be adjusted quarterly based on a change in
specified financial ratios. Borrowings under the line were subject to certain
financial covenants and restrictions on indebtedness, dividend payments,
repurchase of Company common stock, financial guarantees, annual capital
expenditures, and other related items. The borrowing availability of the
revolving credit facility was not based on any borrowing base requirements, but
borrowings were limited by certain financial covenants. The term loan
portion of our credit facility was not changed with the Amended Credit Facility.
The term loan was payable in $500 quarterly installments plus interest through
March 1, 2011, with a final term payment and the revolver payable on April 3,
2011. The Company had provided a security interest in substantially all of the
Company’s U.S. based assets as collateral for the Amended Credit
Facility.
On April
27, 2009, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Amended
Credit Facility whereby the Company proactively negotiated a reduction of our
debt covenant requirements, as a result of the decline in our sales and
profitability resulting from the impact of the global recession. The
Amendment provided the Company with additional flexibility under its Covenant
EBITDA, total leverage ratio covenant, fixed charge ratio covenant and maximum
capital expenditure covenant included in its senior credit facility. Under the
terms of the Amendment, the principal amount available under the Company’s
revolver was reduced from $121,000 to $90,000. The Amendment increased the
interest rate by between 1.50% and 2.25%, increased the Index Margin and LIBOR
Margin (which vary based on the Company’s debt to Covenant EBITDA leverage
ratio), and also increased the commitment fee on the unused balance to 0.5% per
annum. As part of the Amendment, the Company paid $832 in amendment
fees, which were capitalized as deferred financing costs. Pursuant to
the Amendment, the Company was prohibited from consummating any business
acquisitions without lender approval during the covenant relief period, which
ends March 31, 2010. The Company was in compliance with applicable
financial covenants at March 31, 2010.
Adjusted
Covenant EBITDA was the Company’s earnings before interest, income taxes, stock
options, depreciation and amortization for last twelve months, in addition to
the last twelve months of Adjusted EBITDA for acquisitions. Adjusted
fixed charge coverage ratio was Adjusted Covenant EBITDA less adjusted capital
expenditures divided by fixed charges. Fixed charges were the last
twelve months of interest, taxes paid, and the last twelve months of payments of
long-term debt, notes payable and capital leases. Adjusted capital
expenditures represent purchases of plant, property and equipment during the
last twelve months. Total leverage ratio was total debt less cash
maintained in U.S. bank accounts which are subject to blocked account agreements
with lenders divided by the last twelve months of Adjusted Covenant
EBITDA. All of the aforementioned financial covenants were subject to
various adjustments, many of which were detailed in the amended credit agreement
and subsequent amendments to the credit agreement previously filed with the
Securities Exchange Commission, as well as other adjustments approved by the
lender. These adjustments included such items as excluding capital
expenditures associated with the new China facility from capital expenditures,
and adjustments to Adjusted Covenant EBITDA for certain items such as litigation
settlement costs, severance costs and other items considered non-recurring in
nature.
As of
March 31, 2010, the Company utilized the LIBOR based rate for the term loan and
for $52,000 of the revolving credit facility under the Amended Credit Facility.
The weighted average interest rate applicable to borrowings under the revolving
credit facility was approximately 4.3% at March 31, 2010. As of March 31, 2010,
the outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility, which is classified
as long-term debt, were $53,547, and the Company had an additional $36,453
available under the revolving credit facility. The Company’s borrowing capacity
was limited by financial covenant ratios, including earnings ratios, and as
such, our borrowing capacity was subject to change. At March 31,
2010, the Company could have borrowed an additional $27,500.
China Credit
Facility:
On November 3, 2009, the Company’s subsidiary in China (“MEAS China”) entered
into a two year credit facility agreement (the “China Credit Facility”) with
China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd (“CMB”). The China Credit facility
permits MEAS China to borrow up to RMB 68 million (approximately $10
million). Specific covenants include customary limitations,
compliance with laws and regulations, use of proceeds for operational purposes,
and timely payment of interest and principal. MEAS China has pledged
its Shenzhen facility to CMB as collateral. The interest rate will be
based on the LIBOR plus a LIBOR spread, depending on the term of the loan when
drawn. The purpose of the China Credit Facility is primarily to provide
additional flexibility in funding operations of MEAS China. At March
31, 2010, there was $5,000 outstanding borrowings against the China Credit
Facility classified as short-term debt and MEAS China could borrow approximately
$5,000.
Promissory
Notes: In connection with the acquisition of Intersema, the
Company issued Swiss franc denominated unsecured promissory notes (“Intersema
Notes”) totaling 10,000 Swiss francs. At March 31, 2010, the
unpaid balance of the Intersema Notes totaled $4,698, of which $2,349 is
classified as current. The Intersema Notes are payable in four equal annual
installments on January 15 and bear an interest rate of 4.5% per
year.
Acquisition Earn-Outs and Contingent
Payments: In
connection with the Visyx acquisition, the Company has a contingent payment
obligation of approximately $2,000 based on the commercialization of certain
sensors, and a sales performance based earn-out totaling $9,000. In connection
with the Atexis acquisition, the selling shareholders have the potential to
receive up to an additional €2,000 tied to sales growth thresholds through
calendar 2010. Contingent earn-out obligations for Intersema and FGP
acquisitions based on calendar 2009 sales objectives were not met. No
amounts related to the above acquisition earn-outs were accrued at March 31,
2010, since the contingencies were not yet determinable or not yet
achieved.
LIQUIDITY: Management
assesses the Company’s liquidity in terms of available cash, our ability to
generate cash and our ability to borrow to fund operating, investing and
financing activities. The Company continues to generate cash from operating
activities, and the Company remains in a positive financial position with
availability under existing credit facilities. The Company will
continue to have cash requirements to support working capital needs, capital
expenditures, earn-outs related to acquisitions, and to pay interest and service
debt. We believe the Company’s financial position, generation of cash
and the existing credit facility, in addition to the potential to refinance or
obtain additional financing will be sufficient to meet funding of day-to-day and
material short and long-term commitments for the foreseeable
future.
At March
31, 2010, we had approximately $24,293 of available cash and approximately
$27,500 of borrowing capacity, after considering the limitations set on the
Company’s total leverage under the revolving credit facility. This
cash balance includes cash of $8,113 in China, which is subject to
certain restrictions on the transfer to another country because of
currency control regulations. The Company’s cash balances are
generated and held in numerous locations throughout the world, including
substantial amounts held outside the United States. The Company utilizes a
variety of tax planning and financing strategies in an effort to ensure that its
worldwide cash is available in the locations in which it is needed. Wherever
possible, cash management is centralized and intra-company financing is used to
provide working capital to the Company’s operations. Cash balances held outside
the United States could be repatriated to the United States, but, under current
law, would potentially be subject to United States federal income taxes, less
applicable foreign tax credits. Repatriation of some foreign balances is
restricted or prohibited by local laws. Where local restrictions prevent an
efficient intra-company transfer of funds, the Company’s intent is that cash
balances would remain in the foreign country and it would meet United States
liquidity needs through ongoing cash flows, external borrowings, or
both.
ACCUMULATED
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: Accumulated other comprehensive income
primarily consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, which relate to
the Company’s European and Asian operations and the effects of changes in the
exchange rates of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euro, Chinese RMB, Hong Kong
dollar, Japanese Yen and Swiss franc.
DIVIDENDS: We have not declared
cash dividends on our common equity. Additionally, the payment of dividends is
prohibited under our Amended Credit Facility. We intend to retain earnings to
support our growth strategy and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in
the foreseeable future.
At
present, there are no material restrictions on the ability of our Hong Kong and
European subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends,
loans, advances, or purchases of materials, products, or services. Chinese laws
and regulations, including currency exchange controls, however, restrict
distribution and repatriation of dividends by our China subsidiary.
SEASONALITY: As a whole, there is no
material seasonality in our sales. However, general economic conditions have an
impact on our business and financial results, and certain end-use markets
experience certain seasonality. For example, European sales are often lower in
summer months and OEM sales are often stronger immediately preceding and
following the introduction of new products.
INFLATION: We
compete on the basis of product design, features, and value. Accordingly, our
prices generally have kept pace with inflation, notwithstanding that inflation
in the countries where our subsidiaries are located has been consistently higher
than inflation in the United States. Increases in labor costs have not had a
significant impact on our business because most of our employees are in China,
where prevailing labor costs are low. However, we have experienced increases in
materials costs, especially during the end of fiscal 2008 and during the first
part of fiscal 2009, and as a result, we suffered a decline in margin during
those periods. During the second half of fiscal 2009 and all of
fiscal 2010, material costs stabilized as a result of the global economic
recession.
OFF
BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS: We do not have any financial partnerships
with unconsolidated entities, such as entities often referred to as structured
finance, special purpose entities or variable interest entities which are often
established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or
other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Accordingly, we are not exposed
to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had
such relationships.
The
Company has acquired and divested of certain assets, including the acquisition
of businesses and the sale of the Consumer business. In connection with these
acquisitions and divestitures, the Company often provides representations,
warranties and/or indemnities to cover various risks and unknown liabilities,
such as claims for damages arising out of the use of products or relating to
intellectual property matters, commercial disputes, environmental matters or tax
matters. The Company cannot estimate the potential liability from such
representations, warranties and indemnities because they relate to unknown
conditions. However, the Company does not believe that the liabilities relating
to these representations, warranties and indemnities will have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or
liquidity.
The
Company’s Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires it to indemnify
to the full extent authorized or permitted by law any person made, or threatened
to be made a party to any action or proceeding by reason of his or her service
as a director, officer or employee of the Company, or by reason of serving at
the request of the Company as a director, officer or employee of any other
entity, subject to limited exceptions. The Company’s Amended and Restated
By-laws provide for similar indemnification rights. In addition, the Company
intends to execute with each of its directors and executive officers an
indemnification agreement with the Company which will provide for substantially
similar indemnification rights and under which the Company will agree to pay
expenses in advance of the final disposition of any such indemnifiable
proceeding. While the Company maintains insurance for this type of liability, a
significant deductible applies to this coverage and any such liability could
exceed the amount of the insurance coverage.
AGGREGATE
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS: As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s
contractual obligations, including payments due by period, are as
follows:
Contractual
Obligations:
|
|
Payment
due by period
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1
year
|
|
|
2-3
years
|
|
|
4-5
years
|
|
|
>
5 years
|
|
Long-term
debt obligations
|
|
$ |
72,028 |
|
|
$ |
9,644 |
|
|
$ |
62,203 |
|
|
$ |
181 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Interest
obligation on long-term debt
|
|
|
5,810 |
|
|
|
3,104 |
|
|
|
2,699 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Capital
lease obligations
|
|
|
256 |
|
|
|
193 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Operating
lease obligations
|
|
|
23,692 |
|
|
|
3,592 |
|
|
|
6,437 |
|
|
|
5,706 |
|
|
|
7,957 |
|
Purchase
obligations
|
|
|
5,228 |
|
|
|
5,190 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Other
long-term obligations*
|
|
|
2,047 |
|
|
|
1,943 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
109,061 |
|
|
$ |
23,666 |
|
|
$ |
71,544 |
|
|
$ |
5,894 |
|
|
$ |
7,957 |
|
* Other long-term obligations
on the Company’s balance sheet under GAAP primarily consist of obligations under
warranty polices, foreign currency contracts and tax liabilities, but exclude
earn-out contingencies associated with acquisitions since the satisfaction of
the contingencies is not determinable or achieved at March 31, 2010. The timing
of cash flows associated with these obligations is based upon management’s
estimate over the terms of these arrangements and are largely based on
historical experience.
The above
contractual obligation table excludes certain contractual obligations, such as
earn-outs related to acquisitions or possible severance payments to certain
executives, since these contractual commitments are not accrued as liabilities
at March 31, 2010. These contractual obligations are accrued as
liabilities when the respective contingencies are determinable or
achieved.
ITEM
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The
Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign
currency exchange rates, commodity and credit risk, which could impact its
results of operations and financial condition. The Company attempts to address
its exposure to these risks through its normal operating and financing
activities. In addition, the Company’s broad-based business activities help to
reduce the impact that volatility in any particular area or related areas may
have on its operating earnings as a whole.
Interest
Rate Risk: Under our term and revolving credit facilities, we are
exposed to a certain level of interest rate risk. Interest on the principal
amount of our borrowings under our revolving credit facility and term loan
accrue at a rate based on either a LIBOR rate plus a LIBOR margin or at an
Indexed (prime based) Rate plus an Index Margin. The LIBOR or Index Rate is at
our election. Our results will be adversely affected by any increase in interest
rates. For example, based on the $66,547 of total debt outstanding under
these facilities at March 31, 2010, an annual interest rate increase of 100
basis points would increase interest expense and decrease our pre-tax
profitability by $665. We do not currently hedge this interest rate
exposure.
Commodity
Risk: The Company uses a wide range of commodities in our products,
including steel, non-ferrous metals and petroleum based products, as well as
other commodities required for the manufacture of our sensor
products. Changes in the pricing of commodities directly affect our
results of operations and financial condition. We attempt to pass
increases in commodity costs to our customers, and we do not currently hedge
such commodity price exposures.
Credit
Risk: Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
significant concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and temporary
investments, foreign currency forward contracts and trade accounts receivable.
The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by
counter parties to its financial instruments. The Company places cash and
temporary investments with various high-quality financial institutions
throughout the world. Although the Company does not obtain collateral or other
security to secure these obligations, it does periodically monitor the
third-party depository institutions that hold our cash and cash equivalents. Our
emphasis is primarily on safety and liquidity of principal and secondarily on
maximizing yield on those funds. In addition, concentrations of credit risk
arising from trade accounts receivable are limited due to the diversity of the
Company’s customers. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its
customers’ financial conditions and the Company does not obtain collateral,
insurance or other security. Notwithstanding these efforts, the
current distress in the global economy may increase the difficulty in collecting
accounts receivable.
Foreign
Currency Exchange Rate Risk: Foreign currency exchange rate risk
arises from the Company’s investments in subsidiaries owned and operated in
foreign countries, as well as from transactions with customers in countries
outside the United States. The effect of a change in currency exchange rates on
the Company’s net investment in international subsidiaries is reflected in the
“accumulated other comprehensive income” component of stockholders’ equity. A
10% appreciation in major currencies relative to the U.S. dollar at March 31,
2010 would result in a reduction of stockholders’ equity of approximately
$10,576 .
Although
the Company has a U.S. dollar functional currency for reporting purposes, it has
manufacturing sites throughout the world and a large portion of its sales are
generated in foreign currencies. A substantial portion of our revenues are
priced in U.S. dollars, and most of our costs and expenses are priced in U.S.
dollars, with the remaining priced in Chinese RMB, Euros, Swiss francs and
Japanese yen. Sales by subsidiaries operating outside of the United States are
translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates effective during the
respective period. As a result, the Company is exposed to movements in the
exchange rates of various currencies against the United States dollar.
Accordingly, the competitiveness of our products relative to products produced
locally (in foreign markets) may be affected by the performance of the U.S.
dollar compared with that of our foreign customers’ currencies. Refer to Item 1,
Business, Foreign Operations for details concerning annual net sales invoiced
from our facilities within the U.S. and outside of the U.S. and as a percentage
of total net sales for the last three years, as well as net assets and the
related functional currencies. Therefore, both positive and negative
movements in currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar will continue to
affect the reported amount of sales, profit, and assets and liabilities in the
Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The RMB
did not appreciate during fiscal 2010, but appreciated by 2.5% and 9.0% during
2009 and 2008, respectively. The Chinese government no longer pegs the RMB to
the US dollar, but established a currency policy letting the RMB trade in a
narrow band against a basket of currencies. The Company has more expenses in RMB
than sales (i.e., short RMB position), and as such, when the U.S. dollar weakens
relative to the RMB, our operating profits decrease. Based on our net exposure
of RMB to U.S. dollars for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 and forecast
information for fiscal 2011, we estimate a negative operating income impact of
approximately $174 for every 1% appreciation in RMB against the U.S. dollar
(assuming no price increases passed to customers, and no associated cost
increases or currency hedging). We continue to consider various alternatives to
hedge this exposure, and we are attempting to manage this exposure through,
among other things, forward purchase contracts, pricing and monitoring
balance sheet exposures for payables and receivables.
Fluctuations
in the value of the Hong Kong dollar have not been significant since October 17,
1983, when the Hong Kong government tied the value of the Hong Kong dollar to
that of the U.S. dollar. However, there can be no assurance that the value of
the Hong Kong dollar will continue to be tied to that of the U.S.
dollar.
The
Company’s French, Irish and Germany subsidiaries have more sales in Euros than
expenses in Euros and the Company’s Swiss subsidiary has more expenses in Swiss
francs than sales in Swiss francs. As such, if the U.S. dollar
weakens relative to the Euro and Swiss franc, our operating profits increase in
France, Ireland and Germany but decline in Switzerland. Based on the net
exposures of Euros and Swiss francs to the U.S. dollars for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2010, we estimate a positive operating income impact of
approximately $12 and a negative income impact of less than $30 for every 1%
appreciation in the Euro and Swiss franc, respectively, relative to the U.S.
dollar (assuming no price increases passed to customers, and associated cost
increases or currency hedging).
The
Company has entered into a number of foreign currency exchange contracts in
Europe in an attempt to hedge the Company’s exposure to the Euro. The Euro/U.S.
dollar currency contracts have gross notional amounts totaling $1,605 with
exercise dates through June 2010 at an average exchange rate of $1.32 (Euro to
U.S. dollar conversion rate). With these Euro/U.S. dollar contracts,
for every 1% depreciation of the Euro, the Company would be exposed to an
additional fx losses of approximately $16. Since these derivatives
are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, changes in their fair
value are recorded in the results of operations, not in other comprehensive
income.
To manage
our exposure to potential foreign currency transaction and translation risks, we
may purchase additional foreign currency exchange forward contracts, currency
options, or other derivative instruments, provided such instruments may be
obtained at suitable prices.
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The
financial statements and supplementary data are listed below in Item 15:
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and are filed with this
report.
ITEM
9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM
9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a)
EFFECTIVENESS OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The
Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer with the
participation of management evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure
controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010. The term “disclosure controls
and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls
and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by the company in the reports that it files or submits
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within
the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and
procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports
that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated
to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal
financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter
how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of
achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in
evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March
31, 2010, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded
that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were
effective.
(b)
MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL
REPORTING
The
management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over
financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated
under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of,
the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected
by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and
procedures that:
·
|
Pertain
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
Company;
|
·
|
Provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company
are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and
directors of the Company; and
|
·
|
Provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that
could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
|
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness
to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management’s
assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal controls over
financial reporting excluded the evaluation of internal controls for the
Company’s joint venture in Japan, Nikkiso-THERM (“NT”). The Company does not
have the ability to dictate or modify the controls of NT, and the Company does
not have the ability, in practice, to assess those controls. At March 31, 2010,
NT represented $5,108 and $4,582 in total assets and net sales,
respectively.
Our
management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting as of March 31, 2010. In making this assessment, management used the
criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO) in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment,
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was
effective as of March 31, 2010.
KPMG LLP,
an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Company’s
internal controls over financial reporting as of March 31, 2010, as stated in
their report which appears below and under Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
(c)
ATTESTATION REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We have
audited Measurement Specialties, Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over
financial reporting as of March 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO) . Measurement Specialties, Inc.’s management is
responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting
and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting (Item 9A(b)). Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on
our audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over
financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal
control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such
other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe
that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A
company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of
the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management
and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our
opinion, Measurement Specialties, Inc. maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2010, based
on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission.
Management’s
assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal controls over
financial reporting excluded the evaluation of internal controls for the
Company’s joint venture in Japan, Nikkiso-THERM (NT). NT is an entity
consolidated pursuant to FIN 46R. The Company does not have the ability to
dictate or modify the controls of NT, and the Company does not have the ability,
in practice, to assess those controls. At March 31, 2010, NT represented $5,108
in total assets and $4,582 in net sales.
We also
have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Measurement
Specialties, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and
comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended March 31, 2010, and our report dated June 9, 2010
expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial
statements.
/s/ KPMG
LLP
Norfolk,
Virginia
June 9,
2010
(d)
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There
were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in
Rules 13(a)-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during
the quarter ended March 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM
9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART
III
ITEM
10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Apart
from certain information concerning our Code of Conduct which is set forth
below, other information required by this Item is incorporated herein by
reference to the applicable information in the proxy statement for our annual
meeting of shareholders to be held on or about September 21, 2010, including the
information set forth under the captions “Election of Directors”, “Committees of
the Board of Directors”, and “Executive Officers”, which will be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120
days after the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.
We have a
Code of Conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees,
including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and
principal accounting officer. The Code of Conduct is available to shareholders
at our website, www.meas-spec.com.
The Company will promptly post on its website any amendment to the Code of
Conduct or a waiver of a provision there under, rather than filing with the SEC
any such amendment or waiver as part of a Current Report on Form
8-K.
ITEM
11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The
information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the
applicable information in the proxy statement for our annual meeting of
shareholders to be held on or about September 21, 2010, including the
information set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation” and
“Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, which will be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not
later than 120 days after the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.
ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The
following table provides information with respect to the equity securities that
are authorized for issuance under our compensation plans as of March 31,
2010:
EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
For the
Year Ended March 31, 2010:
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES TO BE
ISSUED UPON
EXERCISE OF
OUTSTANDING
OPTIONS,
WARRANTS AND
RIGHTS
|
|
|
WEIGHTED-
AVERAGE EXERCISE
PRICE OF
OUTSTANDING
OPTIONS,
WARRANTS AND
RIGHTS
|
|
|
NUMBER OF SHARES
REMAINING FOR
FUTURE ISSUANCE
UNDER EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLANS
(EXCLUDING
SECURITIES
REFLECTED IN
COLUMN(A))
|
|
EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLANS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
APPROVED
BY SECURITY HOLDERS
|
|
|
3,065,184 |
|
|
$ |
16.42 |
|
|
|
133,986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EMPLOYEE
STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
|
|
|
4,876 |
|
|
|
14.71 |
|
|
|
214,267 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,070,060 |
|
|
$ |
16.42 |
|
|
|
348,253 |
|
The other
information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the applicable
information in the proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders to be
held on or about September 21, 2010, including the information set forth under
the caption “Beneficial Ownership of Measurement Specialties Common
Stock.”
ITEM
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
The
information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the applicable
information in the proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders to be
held on or about September 21, 2010, including the information set forth under
the captions “Executive Agreements and Related Transactions”, “Committees of the
Board of Directors” and “Election of Directors” which will be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120
days after the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.
ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The
information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the applicable
information in the proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders to be
held on or about September 21, 2010, including the information set forth under
the caption “Fees Paid to Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”,
which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the fiscal year ended March 31,
2010.
PART
IV
ITEM
15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)
The following consolidated financial statements and schedules are filed
at the end of this report, beginning on page F-l. Other schedules are omitted
because they are not required or are not applicable or the required information
is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(b)
See Exhibit Index following this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
DOCUMENT
|
|
PAGES
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
|
|
|
March
31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
|
|
F-2
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2010 and 2009
|
|
F-3
to F-4
|
Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the
Years Ended
|
|
|
March
31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
|
|
F-5
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
|
|
|
March
31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
|
|
F-6
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
F-7
|
Schedule
II -Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the Years
|
|
|
Ended
March 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
|
|
S-1
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC.
By:
|
/s/ FRANK GUIDONE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank
Guidone
Chief
Executive Officer
Date:
June 9, 2010
|
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Frank Guidone
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and
|
|
June
9, 2010
|
Frank
Guidone
|
|
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Mark Thomson
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
|
|
June
9, 2010
|
Mark
Thomson
|
|
Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Morton L. Topfer
|
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
|
June
9, 2010
|
Morton
L. Topfer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ John D. Arnold
|
|
Director
|
|
June
9, 2010
|
John
D. Arnold
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Satish Rishi
|
|
Director
|
|
June
9, 2010
|
Satish
Rishi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ R. Barry Uber
|
|
Director
|
|
June
9, 2010
|
R.
Barry Uber
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Kenneth E. Thompson
|
|
Director
|
|
June
9, 2010
|
Kenneth
E. Thompson
|
|
|
|
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
EXHIBIT
INDEX
NUMBER
|
|
DESCRIPTION
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Second
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Measurement Specialties, Inc.
(1)
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Bylaws
of Measurement Specialties, Inc. (2)
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Specimen
Certificate for shares of common stock of Measurement Specialties, Inc.
(3)
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. 2006 Stock Option Plan (4)
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (4)
|
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (5)
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (6)
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. 2003 Stock Option Plan (7)
|
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
Sublease
Agreement, dated August 1, 2002, between Quicksil, Inc. and Measurement
Specialties, Inc. (3)
|
|
|
|
10.14
|
|
Agreement
for the Sale and Purchase of the Entire Issued Share Capital of
Measurement Ltd. by and between Fervent Group Limited and Kenabell Holding
Limited. (8)
|
|
|
|
10.17
|
|
Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated April 3, 2006 by and among Measurement
Specialties, Inc., the US Credit Parties signatory thereto, Wachovia Bank,
National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, and General Electric
Capital Corporation. (9)
|
|
|
|
10.18
|
|
Amended
and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated November 6, 2007 by and
between Measurement Specialties, Inc. and Frank
Guidone. (10)
|
|
|
|
10.19
|
|
Employment
Agreement dated March 13, 2007 by and between Measurement Specialties,
Inc. and Mark Thomson. (11)
|
|
|
|
10.20
|
|
Agreement
for the purchase of entire share capital of Intersema Microsystems SA
dated December 28, 2007 by and among Measurement Specialties, Inc., Mr.
Manfred Knutel and Mr. Hans Peter Salvisberg. (10)
|
|
|
|
10.21
|
|
Fourth
Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement dated December 10, 2007 by and
among Measurement Specialties, Inc., the US Credit Parties signatory
thereto, Wachovia Bank, National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A,
Bank of America, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, and General Electric Capital
Corporation. (12)
|
|
|
|
10.22
|
|
Fifth
Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement dated October 24, 2008 by and
among Measurement Specialties, Inc., the US Credit Parties signatory
thereto, Wachovia Bank, National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A,
Bank of America, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, and General Electric Capital
Corporation. (13)
|
10.23
|
|
Sixth
Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement dated January 29, 2009 by and
among Measurement Specialties, Inc., the US Credit Parties signatory
thereto, Wachovia Bank, National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A,
Bank of America, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, and General Electric Capital
Corporation. (13)
|
|
|
|
10.24
|
|
Seventh
Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement dated April 27, 2009 by and among
Measurement Specialties, Inc., the US Credit Parties signatory thereto,
Wachovia Bank, National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, Bank of
America, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, and General Electric Capital
Corporation. (14)
|
|
|
|
10.25
|
|
Credit
facility Agreement by and among Measurement Specialties (China) Ltd. and
China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd. dated November 3, 2009.
(15)
|
|
|
|
10.26
|
|
Senior
Secured Credit Facility dated June 1, 2010 by and among, Measurement
Specialties, Inc., the U.S. Credit Parties signatory thereto, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, Bank
America, N.A., as syndication agent, and certain other parties thereto.
(16)
|
|
|
|
10.27
|
|
Master
Shelf Agreement dated June, 2010 by and among, Measurement Specialties,
Inc., the U.S. Credit Parties signatory thereto, Prudential Investment
Management, Inc., whereby Prudential agreed to purchase up to $50,000 of
senior secured notes issued by the Company. (16)
|
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
Subsidiaries.
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent
of KPMG LLP.
|
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a), as
adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a), as
adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2007 and incorporated
herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on July 5, 2001 and incorporated herein
by reference.
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-57928) and incorporated
herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on July 28,
2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on July 29,
2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on August 18,
1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on July 29,
2003 and incorporated herein by
reference.
|
8
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2005 and incorporated
herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2006 and incorporated herein
by reference.
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 6, 2008 and incorporated
herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on June 12, 2007 and incorporated herein
by reference.
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2007 and incorporated
herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 4, 2009 and incorporated
herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2009 and incorporated herein
by reference.
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2009 and incorporated
herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
Previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2010 and incorporated herein
by reference.
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board
of Directors and Stockholders
Measurement
Specialties, Inc.:
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Measurement Specialties,
Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and
comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended March 31, 2010. In connection with our audits of
consolidated financial statements, we have also audited financial statement
schedule II. These consolidated financial statements and the related financial
statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements and the related financial statement schedule based on our
audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Measurement Specialties,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended March 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein. We also have audited, in accordance with the
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
Measurement Specialties, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of
March 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated June 9, 2010 expressed an
unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Measurement Specialties, Inc.’s
internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG
LLP
Norfolk,
Virginia
June 9,
2010
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS
|
|
Years
ended March 31,
|
|
(Amounts
in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$ |
209,610 |
|
|
$ |
203,943 |
|
|
$ |
228,383 |
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
128,241 |
|
|
|
118,333 |
|
|
|
133,022 |
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
81,369 |
|
|
|
85,610 |
|
|
|
95,361 |
|
Selling,
general, and administrative expenses
|
|
|
71,146 |
|
|
|
72,108 |
|
|
|
67,480 |
|
Operating
income
|
|
|
10,223 |
|
|
|
13,502 |
|
|
|
27,881 |
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
3,899 |
|
|
|
3,081 |
|
|
|
4,536 |
|
Foreign
currency exchange loss (gain)
|
|
|
(987 |
) |
|
|
771 |
|
|
|
618 |
|
Other
expense (income)
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
(253 |
) |
|
|
(80 |
) |
Income
from continuing operations, before income taxes
|
|
|
7,218 |
|
|
|
9,903 |
|
|
|
22,807 |
|
Income
tax expense from continuing operations
|
|
|
733 |
|
|
|
4,236 |
|
|
|
6,001 |
|
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
6,485 |
|
|
|
5,667 |
|
|
|
16,806 |
|
Loss
from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
(142 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net
income
|
|
|
6,343 |
|
|
|
5,667 |
|
|
|
16,806 |
|
Less: Net
income attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
388 |
|
|
|
364 |
|
Net
income attributable to Measurement Specialties, Inc.
("MEAS")
|
|
$ |
5,916 |
|
|
$ |
5,279 |
|
|
$ |
16,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts
attributable to MEAS common shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
$ |
6,058 |
|
|
$ |
5,279 |
|
|
$ |
16,442 |
|
Loss
from discontinued operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
|
(142 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
5,916 |
|
|
$ |
5,279 |
|
|
$ |
16,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
per common share - Basic:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
Loss
from discontinued operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net
income - Basic
|
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
per common share - Diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
from continuing operations, net of income taxes
|
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
Loss
from discontinued operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net
income - Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding - Basic
|
|
|
14,498 |
|
|
|
14,465 |
|
|
|
14,360 |
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding - Diluted
|
|
|
14,686 |
|
|
|
14,575 |
|
|
|
14,510 |
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts
in thousands)
|
|
March
31, 2010
|
|
|
March
31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
24,293 |
|
|
$ |
23,483 |
|
Accounts
receivable trade, net of allowance for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
doubtful
accounts of $464 and $898, respectively
|
|
|
31,224 |
|
|
|
28,830 |
|
Inventories,
net
|
|
|
41,483 |
|
|
|
45,384 |
|
Deferred
income taxes, net
|
|
|
1,720 |
|
|
|
2,091 |
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
3,149 |
|
|
|
3,968 |
|
Other
receivables
|
|
|
757 |
|
|
|
458 |
|
Due
from joint venture partner
|
|
|
918 |
|
|
|
1,824 |
|
Promissory
note receivable
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
283 |
|
Income
taxes receivable
|
|
|
997 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
104,541 |
|
|
|
106,321 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
44,795 |
|
|
|
46,875 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
99,235 |
|
|
|
99,176 |
|
Acquired
intangible assets, net
|
|
|
23,613 |
|
|
|
27,478 |
|
Deferred
income taxes, net
|
|
|
6,607 |
|
|
|
7,440 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
1,184 |
|
|
|
1,319 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
279,975 |
|
|
$ |
288,609 |
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share
amounts)
|
|
March 31, 2010
|
|
|
March 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term
debt
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Current
portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
2,295 |
|
|
|
2,356 |
|
Current
portion of capital lease obligations
|
|
|
193 |
|
|
|
797 |
|
Current
portion of promissory notes payable
|
|
|
2,349 |
|
|
|
2,176 |
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
18,144 |
|
|
|
15,381 |
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
4,719 |
|
|
|
3,041 |
|
Accrued
compensation
|
|
|
8,075 |
|
|
|
5,656 |
|
Income
taxes payable
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,838 |
|
Deferred
income taxes, net
|
|
|
182 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
Other
current liabilities
|
|
|
3,197 |
|
|
|
3,394 |
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
44,154 |
|
|
|
34,663 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revolver
|
|
|
53,547 |
|
|
|
71,407 |
|
Long-term
debt, net of current portion
|
|
|
6,488 |
|
|
|
12,769 |
|
Capital
lease obligations, net of current portion
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
250 |
|
Promissory
notes payable, net of current portion
|
|
|
2,349 |
|
|
|
4,352 |
|
Deferred
income taxes, net
|
|
|
2,969 |
|
|
|
4,455 |
|
Other
liabilities
|
|
|
1,292 |
|
|
|
1,085 |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
110,862 |
|
|
|
128,981 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. ("MEAS") shareholders' equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Serial
preferred stock; 221,756 shares authorized; none
outstanding
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Common
stock, no par; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 14,534,431
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and
14,483,622 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
85,338 |
|
|
|
81,948 |
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
73,134 |
|
|
|
67,218 |
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
|
|
8,524 |
|
|
|
8,110 |
|
Equity
attributable to MEAS
|
|
|
166,996 |
|
|
|
157,276 |
|
Noncontrolling
interest
|
|
|
2,117 |
|
|
|
2,352 |
|
Total
equity
|
|
|
169,113 |
|
|
|
159,628 |
|
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
|
$ |
279,975 |
|
|
$ |
288,609 |
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010, 2009 AND 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compre-
|
|
|
|
Shares
of
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hensive
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
Attributable
|
|
|
Noncontrolling
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
(Dollars
in thousands)
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
to
MEAS
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
(loss)
|
|
Balance, March
31, 2007
|
|
|
14,280,364 |
|
|
$ |
73,399 |
|
|
$ |
45,497 |
|
|
$ |
1,741 |
|
|
$ |
120,637 |
|
|
$ |
1,628 |
|
|
$ |
122,265 |
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive
income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
16,442 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
16,442 |
|
|
|
364 |
|
|
|
16,806 |
|
|
$ |
16,806 |
|
Currency
translation adjustment, net of income taxes of $77
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
13,389 |
|
|
|
13,389 |
|
|
|
204 |
|
|
|
13,593 |
|
|
|
13,593 |
|
Comprehensive
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
30,399 |
|
Non-cash
equity based compensation (SFAS 123R)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,397 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,397 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts
from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
160,484 |
|
|
|
1,664 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,664 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,664 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
benefit from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling
interest distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(243 |
) |
|
|
(243 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance, March
31, 2008
|
|
|
14,440,848 |
|
|
$ |
78,720 |
|
|
$ |
61,939 |
|
|
$ |
15,130 |
|
|
$ |
155,789 |
|
|
$ |
1,953 |
|
|
$ |
157,742 |
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive
income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,279 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,279 |
|
|
|
388 |
|
|
|
5,667 |
|
|
$ |
5,667 |
|
Currency
translation adjustment, net of income taxes of $281
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(7,020 |
) |
|
|
(7,020 |
) |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
(7,009 |
) |
|
|
(7,009 |
) |
Comprehensive
income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(1,342 |
) |
Non-cash
equity based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,942 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,942 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,942 |
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts
from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
42,774 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
benefit from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, March
31, 2009
|
|
|
14,483,622 |
|
|
$ |
81,948 |
|
|
$ |
67,218 |
|
|
$ |
8,110 |
|
|
$ |
157,276 |
|
|
$ |
2,352 |
|
|
$ |
159,628 |
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive
income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,916 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,916 |
|
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
6,343 |
|
|
$ |
6,343 |
|
Currency
translation adjustment, net of income taxes of $278
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
567 |
|
|
|
567 |
|
Comprehensive
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,910 |
|
Non-cash
equity based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,218 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,218 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,218 |
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts
from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
50,809 |
|
|
|
172 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
172 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
172 |
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling
interest distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(815 |
) |
|
|
(815 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance, March
31, 2010
|
|
|
14,534,431 |
|
|
$ |
85,338 |
|
|
$ |
73,134 |
|
|
$ |
8,524 |
|
|
$ |
166,996 |
|
|
$ |
2,117 |
|
|
$ |
169,113 |
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to
consolidated financial statements.
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
Years ended March 31,
|
|
(Amounts in thousands)
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
6,343 |
|
|
$ |
5,667 |
|
|
$ |
16,806 |
|
Loss
from discontinued operations
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Income
from continuing operations
|
|
|
6,485 |
|
|
|
5,667 |
|
|
|
16,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities from
continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
14,072 |
|
|
|
13,210 |
|
|
|
9,905 |
|
Loss
on sale of assets
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
94 |
|
Non-cash
equity based compensation
|
|
|
3,218 |
|
|
|
2,942 |
|
|
|
3,397 |
|
Unrealized
foreign currency exchange loss (gain)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
(1,088 |
) |
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
(1,944 |
) |
|
|
768 |
|
|
|
3,307 |
|
Research
tax credits
|
|
|
1,677 |
|
|
|
974 |
|
|
|
714 |
|
Net
change in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable, trade
|
|
|
(2,237 |
) |
|
|
13,217 |
|
|
|
(1,165 |
) |
Inventories
|
|
|
4,307 |
|
|
|
(2,516 |
) |
|
|
3,670 |
|
Prepaid
expenses, other current assets and other receivables
|
|
|
674 |
|
|
|
654 |
|
|
|
(516 |
) |
Other
assets
|
|
|
909 |
|
|
|
354 |
|
|
|
(579 |
) |
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
1,304 |
|
|
|
(10,481 |
) |
|
|
3,950 |
|
Accrued
expenses, accrued compensation, other current and other
liabilities
|
|
|
4,293 |
|
|
|
(4,487 |
) |
|
|
(1,837 |
) |
Accrued
litigation settlement expenses
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,275 |
) |
Income
taxes payable and income taxes receivable
|
|
|
(3,039 |
) |
|
|
1,546 |
|
|
|
(2,148 |
) |
Net
cash provided by operating activities from continuing
operations
|
|
|
29,782 |
|
|
|
22,032 |
|
|
|
33,235 |
|
Cash
flows from investing activities from continuing
operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
|
|
(5,217 |
) |
|
|
(14,001 |
) |
|
|
(12,818 |
) |
Proceeds
from sale of assets
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
Acquisition
of business, net of cash acquired
|
|
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
(12,667 |
) |
|
|
(23,386 |
) |
Net
cash used in investing activities from continuing
operations
|
|
|
(5,250 |
) |
|
|
(26,609 |
) |
|
|
(36,164 |
) |
Cash
flows from financing activities from continuing
operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayments
of long-term debt
|
|
|
(6,382 |
) |
|
|
(3,017 |
) |
|
|
(2,675 |
) |
Borrowings
of short-term debt, revolver and notes payable
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
17,196 |
|
|
|
46,457 |
|
Repayments
of revolver, capital leases and notes payable
|
|
|
(21,074 |
) |
|
|
(6,952 |
) |
|
|
(30,802 |
) |
Payment
of deferred financing costs
|
|
|
(832 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,973 |
) |
Noncontrolling
interest distributions
|
|
|
(815 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(243 |
) |
Tax
benefit on exercise of stock options
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
260 |
|
Proceeds
from exercise of options and employee stock purchase plan
|
|
|
172 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
1,664 |
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing
operations
|
|
|
(23,931 |
) |
|
|
7,513 |
|
|
|
12,688 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash used in operating activities of discontinued
operations
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net
cash provided by investing activities of discontinued
operations
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
540 |
|
|
|
2,507 |
|
Net
cash provided by discontinued operations
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
540 |
|
|
|
2,507 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
change in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
742 |
|
|
|
3,476 |
|
|
|
12,266 |
|
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
(1,558 |
) |
|
|
1,590 |
|
Cash,
beginning of year
|
|
|
23,483 |
|
|
|
21,565 |
|
|
|
7,709 |
|
Cash,
end of period
|
|
$ |
24,293 |
|
|
$ |
23,483 |
|
|
$ |
21,565 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
Cash Flow Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
paid or received during the period for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
|
$ |
(3,793 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,104 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,698 |
) |
Income
taxes paid
|
|
|
(4,592 |
) |
|
|
(2,381 |
) |
|
|
(6,896 |
) |
Income
taxes refunded
|
|
|
780 |
|
|
|
594 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
Non-cash
investing and financing transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Promissory
note receivable from sale of discontinued operations
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10,046 |
|
Capital
additions in other current liabilities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,173 |
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March
31, 2009 and 2008
(Amounts
in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
1.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Description of
Business: Measurement Specialties, Inc. (the “Company”) is a
global leader in the design, development and manufacture of sensors and
sensor-based systems for original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) and end users,
based on a broad portfolio of proprietary technology and typically characterized
by the MEAS brand name. We are a global business and we believe we have a high
degree of diversity when considering our geographic reach, broad range of
products, number of end-use markets and breadth of customer base. The
Company is a multi-national corporation with twelve primary manufacturing
facilities strategically located in the United States, China, France, Ireland,
Germany and Switzerland, enabling the Company to produce and market globally a
wide range of sensors that use advanced technologies to measure precise ranges
of physical characteristics. These sensors are used for engine and vehicle,
medical, general industrial, consumer and home appliance, military/aerospace,
and test and measurement applications. The Company’s sensor products include
pressure sensors and transducers, linear/rotary position sensors, piezoelectric
polymer film sensors, custom microstructures, load cells, accelerometers,
optical sensors, humidity, temperature and fluid property sensors. The
Company's advanced technologies include piezo-resistive silicon sensors,
application-specific integrated circuits, micro-electromechanical systems
(“MEMS”), piezoelectric polymers, foil strain gauges, force balance systems,
fluid capacitive devices, linear and rotational variable differential
transformers, electromagnetic displacement sensors, hygroscopic capacitive
sensors, ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, negative thermal coefficient
(“NTC”) ceramic sensors, torque sensors and mechanical resonators.
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
In
accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting
Standards Codification (“AS Codification”), plain English references to the
corresponding accounting policies are provided, rather than specific numeric AS
Codification references. The AS Codification identifies the sources
of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be
used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that
are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The AS Codification is effective for
financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after
September 15, 2009. There was no impact on our financial position,
results of operations or cash flows upon the adoption of the AS
Codification.
Principles of
Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the
“Subsidiaries”) and its joint venture in Japan. In accordance with accounting
standards for consolidation of variable interest entities, the Company
consolidates its joint venture in Japan, its one variable interest entity
(“VIE”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
The
Company has made the following acquisitions which are included in the
consolidated financial statements as of the effective date of acquisition (See
Note 5):
Acquired Company
|
|
Effective Date of
Acquisition
|
|
Country
|
Elekon
Industries U.S.A., Inc. (‘Elekon’)
|
|
June
24, 2004
|
|
U.S.A.
|
Entran
Devices, Inc. and Entran SA (‘Entran’)
|
|
July
16, 2004
|
|
U.S.A.
and France
|
Encoder
Devices, LLC (‘Encoder’)
|
|
July
16, 2004
|
|
U.S.A.
|
Humirel,
SA (‘Humirel’)
|
|
December
1, 2004
|
|
France
|
MWS
Sensorik GmbH (‘MWS’)
|
|
January
1, 2005
|
|
Germany
|
Polaron
Components Ltd (‘Polaron’)
|
|
February
1, 2005
|
|
United
Kingdom
|
HL
Planartechnik GmbH (‘HLP’)
|
|
November
30, 2005
|
|
Germany
|
Assistance
Technique Experimentale (‘ATEX’)
|
|
January
19, 2006
|
|
France
|
YSIS
Incorporated (‘YSI Temperature’)
|
|
April
1, 2006
|
|
U.S.A.
and Japan
|
BetaTherm
Group Ltd. (‘BetaTherm’)
|
|
April
1, 2006
|
|
Ireland
and U.S.A.
|
Visyx
Technologies, Inc. (‘Visyx’)
|
|
November
20, 2007
|
|
U.S.A.
|
Intersema
Microsystems SA (‘Intersema’)
|
|
December
28, 2007
|
|
Switzerland
|
R.I.T.
SARL (“Atexis”)
|
|
January
30, 2009
|
|
France
and China
|
FGP
Instrumentation and related companies GS Sensors, and ALS (collectively,
“FGP”)
|
|
January
30, 2009
|
|
France
|
The above
companies, except for Encoder, Polaron and Visyx, which were asset purchases,
became direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, upon
consummation of their respective acquisitions.
With the
purchase of YSI Temperature, the Company acquired a 50 percent ownership
interest in Nikkiso-THERM (“NT”), a joint venture in Japan. This joint venture
is included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of March
31, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
Noncontrolling interests recorded in the consolidated financial statements
represent the ownership interest in NT not owned by the Company. Net
sales of the consolidated VIE for the years ended March, 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
totaled $4,582 , $4,090, and $3,674, respectively. Net income of the
consolidated VIE for the years ended March, 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 totaled
$854, $776, and $728, respectively. Non-controlling interest for the years ended
March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is net of income taxes of $341, $295, and $240,
respectively.
In
accordance with the disclosure requirements of accounting policies for VIEs of
public reporting companies, the nature of the Company’s involvement with NT is
not as a sponsor of a qualifying special purpose entity (QSPE) for the transfer
of financial assets. NT is a self-sustaining manufacturer and
distributor of temperature based sensor systems in Asian markets. The
assets of NT are for the operations of the joint venture and the VIE
relationship does not expose the Company to risks not considered normal business
risks. The carrying amount and classification of the VIE’s assets and
liabilities included in the consolidated statement of financial position are as
follows at March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
|
March
31,
|
|
|
March
31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
1,127 |
|
|
$ |
1,206 |
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
1,534 |
|
|
|
1,176 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
709 |
|
|
|
660 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
462 |
|
|
|
456 |
|
Due
from joint venture partner
|
|
|
918 |
|
|
|
1,824 |
|
Property
and equipment
|
|
|
358 |
|
|
|
203 |
|
|
|
|
5,108 |
|
|
|
5,525 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
248 |
|
|
|
194 |
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
193 |
|
|
|
195 |
|
Income
tax payable
|
|
|
290 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
Other
liabilities
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
$ |
875 |
|
|
$ |
821 |
|
Reclassifications: The
presentation of certain prior year information for minority interest in the
consolidated statements of operations, consolidated balance sheets, consolidated
statements of shareholders’ equity and consolidated statements of cash flows
have been reclassified to noncontrolling interests. The presentation
of certain prior year information for deferred income tax assets and deferred
tax liabilities have been reclassified to conform with the current year
presentation. The Company had previously reported deferred income tax assets net
of deferred income tax liabilities, and current year amounts are netted on a
jurisdictional basis.
Use of
Estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial
statements, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles,
requires management to make estimates and assumptions which affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and
assumptions include the useful lives of fixed assets, carrying amount and
analysis of recoverability of property, plant and equipment, acquired
intangibles, goodwill, deferred tax assets, valuation allowances for
receivables, inventories, income tax uncertainties and other contingencies, and
stock based compensation. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Cash and Cash
Equivalents: The Company considers highly liquid investments
with original maturities of up to three months, when purchased, to be cash
equivalents. There were no cash equivalents at March 31, 2010 and
2009. At March 31, 2010 and 2009, approximately $8,113 and $4,188,
respectively, of the Company’s cash balances were maintained in China, which are
subject to certain restrictions and are not freely transferable to another
country without adverse tax consequences because of exchange control
regulations, but can be used without such restrictions for general business
purposes in China.
Accounts
Receivable: Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the
invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The majority of the Company’s accounts
receivable is due from manufacturers of electronic, automotive, military,
medical and industrial products. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a
customers’ financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required.
Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 to 90 days and are stated at
amounts due from customers net of allowances for doubtful accounts and other
sales allowances. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for
estimated losses inherent in accounts receivable. Accounts receivable
outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due.
Amounts collected on trade accounts receivable are included in net cash provided
by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The
allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of
probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The
Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including
the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due based on contractual
terms, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to
pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and
the industry as a whole. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts
quarterly. Actual uncollectible accounts could exceed the Company’s estimates
and changes to its estimates will be accounted for in the period of change.
Account balances are charged against the allowance after all means of collection
have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The
Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its
customers.
Inventories: Inventories
are valued at the lower of cost or market (‘LCM’) using the first-in first-out
method. In evaluating LCM, management also considers, if applicable, other
factors, including known trends, market conditions, currency exchange rates and
other such issues. If the utility of goods is impaired by damage, deterioration,
obsolescence, changes in price levels or other causes, a loss shall be charged
as cost of sales in the period which it occurs.
The
Company makes purchasing decisions principally based upon firm sales orders from
customers, the availability and pricing of raw materials and projected customer
requirements. Future events that could adversely affect these decisions and
result in significant charges to our operations include slowdown in customer
demand, customer delay in the issuance of sales orders, miscalculation of
customer requirements, technology changes that render raw materials and finished
goods obsolete, loss of customers and/or cancellation of sales orders. The
Company establishes reserves for its inventories to recognize estimated
obsolescence and unusable items on a continual basis.
Generally,
products that have existed in inventory for 12 months with no usage and that
have no current demand or no expected demand will be considered obsolete and
fully reserved. Obsolete inventory approved for disposal is written-off against
the reserve. Market conditions surrounding products are also considered
periodically to determine if there are any net realizable valuation matters,
which would require a write-down of any related inventories. If market or
technological conditions change, it may result in additional inventory reserves
and write-downs, which would be accounted for in the period of change. The level
of inventory reserves reflects the nature of the industry whereby technological
and other changes, such as customer buying requirements, result in impairment of
inventory. Cash flows from the purchase and sale of inventory are included in
cash flows from operating activities.
Other
Receivables: Other receivables consist of various non-trade
receivables such as value added tax (VAT) receivables as a result of our
European operations.
Other Current
Liabilities: Other current liabilities consist of various
non-trade payable liabilities such as commissions, warranties, interest,
dilapidation liability, sales and property taxes payable.
Promissory Note
Receivable: Promissory note receivable, which was fully
settled in fiscal 2010, was recorded net of imputed interest and relates to the
financing arrangement with the sale of the Consumer business (See Note 6). The
note was unsecured. Amounts collected on this promissory note receivable are
included in net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued
operations in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Property, Plant
and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at
cost less accumulated depreciation. Plant and equipment under capital leases are
stated at the present value of the minimum lease payments, and are amortized on
a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful
lives of the asset. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized
over the shorter of the lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Normal maintenance and repairs of property and equipment are expensed as
incurred. Renewals, betterments and major repairs that materially extend the
useful life of property and equipment are capitalized.
Income
Taxes: Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and
liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to
apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are
expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that
includes the enactment date. The Company has a valuation allowance
for certain deferred tax assets. The Company assesses all available
positive and negative evidence to determine if a valuation allowance is
required. Accounting guidance for such valuation allowances is
strictly based on the evaluation of positive and negative evidence which can be
objectively verified as to whether it is more likely than not the deferred tax
assets will be utilized, and if positive evidence does not outweigh negative
evidence, a valuation allowance is required. Positive evidence
would include such items as tax planning strategies and current and future
taxable income.
Foreign Currency
Translation and Transactions: The functional currency of the
Company’s foreign operations is the applicable local currency. The foreign
subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars
using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and their operations
are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The
resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss).
The
Company is subject to foreign exchange risk for foreign currency denominated
transactions, such as receivables and payables. Foreign currency transaction
gains and losses are recorded in foreign currency exchange gain or loss in the
Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill: Goodwill
represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the
net assets acquired in a purchase business combination.
In
accordance with applicable accounting standards for evaluating goodwill for
impairment, management assesses goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit
level on an annual basis at fiscal year end or more frequently under certain
circumstances. The goodwill impairment test is a two step test. Under the first
step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying value
(including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its
carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting
unit, and the enterprise must perform step two of the impairment test
(measurement). Under step two, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess
of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the fair value. The
fair value is allocated in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in
accordance with accounting for business combinations. The residual fair value
after this allocation is the fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Fair
value of the reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis.
If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, step two
does not need to be performed.
In
evaluating goodwill for impairment, the fair value of the Company’s reporting
unit was determined using the implied fair value approach for fiscal years ended
March 31, 2010 and 2008, and for the year ended March 31, 2009, the fair value
of the Company’s reporting unit was determined using the discounted cash flow
method. The implied fair value approach consists of comparing the
Company’s market capitalization to the Company’s book value, and if the market
capitalization exceeds book value, there is no impairment of
goodwill. Based on our analyses and the applicable guidelines, there
was no impairment of the Company’s goodwill at March 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
(See Note 5).
Business
Combinations: Acquisitions are recorded as of the purchase
date, and are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of
acquisition. In all acquisitions, the purchase price of the acquired business is
allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair values on
the date of the acquisition. The fair values of these items are based upon
management’s best estimates. Certain of the acquired assets are intangible in
nature, including customer relationships, patented and proprietary technology,
covenants not to compete, trade names and order backlog, which are stated at
cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed by the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The excess
purchase price over the amounts allocated to the assets is recorded as goodwill.
All such valuation methodologies, including the determination of subsequent
amortization periods, involve significant judgments and estimates. Different
assumptions and subsequent actual events could yield materially different
results.
Purchased
intangibles and goodwill are usually not deductible for tax purposes in stock
acquisitions. However, purchase accounting requires for the establishment of
deferred tax liabilities on purchased intangible assets (excluding goodwill) to
the extent the carrying value for financial reporting exceeds the tax
basis.
Long-Lived
Assets: The Company accounts for the impairment of long-lived
assets and amortizable intangible assets in accordance with applicable standards
for accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. Long-lived
assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles
subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset 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 estimated undiscounted future
cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an
asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is
recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the
fair value of the asset.
Management
assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in
circumstance indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The
following factors, if present, may trigger an impairment review:
|
·
|
Significant
underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future
operating results;
|
|
·
|
Significant
negative industry or economic
trends;
|
|
·
|
Significant
decline in stock price for a sustained period;
and
|
|
·
|
A
change in market capitalization relative to net book
value.
|
If the
recoverability of these assets is unlikely because of the existence of one or
more of the above-mentioned factors, an impairment analysis is performed using
projected undiscounted cash flow at the lowest level at which cash flows is
identifiable. In the event impairment is indicated, fair value is determined
using the discounted cash flow method, appraisal or other accepted
techniques.
In step
1, management must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows to
determine whether there is an indication of impairment, and in the event step 2
is required, the fair value of these assets is determined. Other factors could
include, among other things, quoted market prices, or other valuation techniques
considered appropriate based on the circumstances. If these estimates or related
assumptions change in the future, an impairment charge may need to be recorded.
Impairment charges would be included in our consolidated statements of
operations, and would result in reduced carrying amounts of the related assets
on our consolidated balance sheets.
As of
March 31, 2010, there were no overall indicators of impairment; however, the
Company performed an impairment analysis for two European sites for which no
impairment was identified. At March 31, 2009, the Company performed
an impairment analysis for long-lived assets, due to triggering events which
included the decline in the Company’s stock price, change in market
capitalization relative to net book value, and decrease in financial performance
relative to historical operating results. In evaluating long-lived
assets and amortizable intangible assets for impairment, there was no impairment
identified by our analysis indicating the carrying amount of an asset was not
recoverable in 2009. There were no indicators of potential impairment in
2008.
Revenue
Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue when products are
shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss, collection of
the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists and the sales price is fixed or determinable. Shipping and other
transportation costs charged to buyers are recorded in both sales and cost of
sales. Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to
governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and therefore are
excluded from revenues in the consolidated statements of income.
Certain
products may be sold with a provision allowing the customer to return a portion
of products. The Company provides for allowances for returns based upon
historical and estimated return rates. The amount of actual returns could differ
from these estimates. Changes in estimated returns are accounted for in the
period of change.
Revenues
for contractual arrangements with multiple elements or deliverables are
allocated pursuant to applicable accounting for revenue arrangements with
multiple deliverables.
Revenues are recognized for the separate elements when the product or
services have value on a stand-alone basis, and fair value of the separate
elements exists and, in arrangements that include a general right of refund
relative to the delivered element, performance of the undelivered element is
considered probable and substantially in the Company’s control. While
determining fair value and identifying separate elements require judgment,
generally fair value and the separate elements are identifiable as those
elements are sold and unaccompanied by other elements.
Shipping and
Handling: Shipping and handling costs are recorded in cost of
sales in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Shipping
and handling costs billed to customers are included in sales.
Research and
Development and Advertising Costs: The Company conducts
research and development activities for the purpose of developing new products,
enhancing the functionality, effectiveness, ease of use and reliability of the
Company’s existing products and expanding applications of the Company’s
products. Research and development and advertising costs are expensed
as incurred. Research and development costs amounted to $10,626, $10,826, and
$9,852, for the years ended March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Customer funded research and development was $2,008, $1,451, and $1,018, for the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. Advertising
costs are included in operating expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement
of operations and are expensed when the advertising or promotion is published.
Advertising expenses for the years ended March 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 were
approximately $45, $151, and $276, respectively.
Warranty
Reserve: The Company’s sensor products generally are marketed
under warranties to end users of up to one year. Factors affecting the Company’s
warranty liability include the number of products sold and historical and
anticipated rates of claims and costs per claim. The Company provides for
estimated product warranty obligations at the time of sale, based on its
historical warranty claims experience and assumptions about future warranty
claims. This estimate is susceptible to changes in the near term based on
introductions of new products, product quality improvements and changes in end
user application and/or behavior.
The
following table summarizes the warranty reserve:
|
|
Years
ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Total
Warranty Reserve - Beginning
|
|
$ |
256 |
|
|
$ |
400 |
|
|
$ |
401 |
|
Warranties
issued during the period
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
(59 |
) |
|
|
419 |
|
Costs
to repair and replace products
|
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
|
(420 |
) |
Total
Warranty Reserve - Ending
|
|
$ |
208 |
|
|
$ |
256 |
|
|
$ |
400 |
|
Commitments and
Contingencies: Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from
claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources are
recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount
of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs
incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. Such
accruals are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances
change.
Comprehensive
Income: Comprehensive income consists of net income for the
period and the impact of unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments,
net of income taxes.
Stock-Based
Payment: The Company began accounting for compensation cost
for all share based payments granted subsequent to April 1, 2006 based on the
grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, in
accordance with share-based payment accounting provisions. The
Company utilized the modified prospective approach. Under the modified
prospective approach, the applicable accounting standards for share-based
payments is applied to new awards and to unvested awards that were outstanding
on April 1, 2006, as well as those that are subsequently modified, repurchased
or cancelled. The Company’s results for the years ended March 31, 2010, 2009,
and 2008 include $3,218, $2,942 and $3,397, respectively, of operating expenses
for share-based compensation.
The
Company receives a tax deduction for certain stock options and stock option
exercises during the period the options are exercised, generally for the excess
of the fair value of the stock over the exercise price of the options at the
exercise date. The Company has elected to report the entire tax benefit from the
exercise of equity instruments as a financing cash inflow. Since the
Company is currently in a net operating loss carry-forward position, the Company
has consistently applied the tax-law-ordering approach, whereby the tax benefits
are considered realized for current-year exercises of share-based compensation
awards.
Net cash
proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $172, $276, and $1,664 for the
years ended March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. There was no
excess income tax benefit realized from stock option exercises for the year
ended March 31, 2010, and the income tax benefit realized for the years ended
March 31, 2009 and 2008 from stock option exercises was $10 and $260,
respectively.
Leases: The
Company follows the applicable accounting principles for leases for its
operating and capital leases. Lease costs, including escalations, are provided
for using the straight-line basis over the lease period. The Company leases
certain production equipment and automobiles which are considered capital lease
arrangements. Applicable accounting standards require the capitalization of
leases meeting certain criteria, with the related asset being recorded in
property, plant and equipment, and an offsetting amount recorded as a
liability.
Derivative
Instruments: The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging
activities in accordance with applicable accounting guidelines, which establish
accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging
activities and require that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets
or liabilities in the statement of financial condition and measure those
instruments at fair value. Changes in the fair value of those instruments will
be reported in earnings or other comprehensive income depending on the use of
the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. The accounting for
gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of the derivative and
the effect on the consolidated financial statements will depend on its hedge
designation and whether the hedge is highly effective in achieving offsetting
changes in the fair value of cash flows of the asset or liability
hedged.
The
Company has a number of forward purchase currency contracts to manage the
Company’s exposures to fluctuations in the U.S. dollar relative to the Euro and
RMB and the Euro relative to the Japanese yen. These currency contracts are
entered into to hedge foreign exchange exposure, although they are undesignated
for accounting purposes. Since these currency contracts do not meet the
requirements for hedge accounting, changes in the fair value of these
instruments are recognized in other income as gains and losses, rather than in
other comprehensive income.
Capitalized
Interest: The Company’s policy is to capitalize interest cost
incurred on debt during the construction of major projects exceeding one year.
No interest costs were capitalized during 2010. During 2009 and 2008,
interest costs capitalized as part of the construction of the new facility in
China totaled $325 and $281, respectively.
Pensions: With
the purchase of Intersema, the Company acquired a defined benefit pension plan.
The Company follows the standards for employers’ accounting for defined benefit
pension and other postretirement plans. Accounting for pensions and other
postretirement benefit plans requires management to make several estimates and
assumptions (See Note 10). These include the expected rate of return from
investment of the plans' assets and the expected retirement age of employees as
well as their projected earnings and mortality. In addition, the amounts
recorded are affected by changes in the interest rate environment because the
associated liabilities are discounted to their present value. Management makes
these estimates based on the company's historical experience and other
information that it deems pertinent under the circumstances (for example,
expectations of future stock market performance).
This
statement requires the Company to recognize in the statement of financial
position the funded status of the defined benefit pension plan as the difference
between the fair value of the plan assets and the benefit obligation. The
Company is required to recognize the changes in the funded status in the year in
which the changes occur through accumulated other comprehensive income.
Actuarial gains and losses are generally amortized subject to the corridor, over
the average remaining service life of the Company’s active
employees. Certain pension disclosures are not made since the plan as
a whole is considered immaterial to the consolidated financial
statements.
Recently
Adopted Accounting Standards:
In
December 2007, the FASB issued new accounting principles for acquisition
accounting and noncontrolling interests, which require most identifiable assets,
liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill acquired in a business
combination to be recorded at “full fair value” and require noncontrolling
interests (previously referred to as minority interests) to be reported as a
component of equity, which changes the accounting for transactions with
noncontrolling interest holders. These principles were effective
April 1, 2009. The Company will apply the new acquisition accounting principles
to business combinations occurring after March 31, 2009. The accounting for
contingent consideration under the new acquisition accounting principles
requires the measurement of contingencies at the fair value on the acquisition
date. Contingent consideration can be either a liability or equity based.
Subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration (liability)
are recognized in earnings, not to goodwill, and equity classified contingent
consideration amounts are not re-measured. The adoption of the new
accounting principles for acquisition accounting and noncontrolling interests
did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and
financial position, because the Company did not have any acquisitions in
2010.
New
disclosure requirements for employer postretirement benefit plan assets were
issued on December 30, 2008 and are effective for fiscal years ending after
December 15, 2009. The new disclosure requirements for employer
postretirement benefit plans clarify an employer’s disclosures about plan assets
of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The new
requirements also prescribe expanded disclosures regarding investment allocation
decisions, categories of plan assets, inputs, and valuation techniques used to
measure fair value, the effect of Level 3 inputs on changes in plan assets and
significant concentrations of risk. The new postretirement plan
disclosure requirements were not material to the consolidated financial
statements.
In
February 2008, the FASB issued new accounting standards for leases, which
removed fair value measurement requirements for certain leasing
transactions. In February 2008, the FASB also delayed the effective
date for fair value measurements for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial
liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in
the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), to fiscal
years beginning after November 2008. The adoption of the fair value
measurements requirements for non-financial assets and liabilities did not have
any impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial
position.
In April
2008, the FASB issued new guidelines for determining the useful life of
intangible assets, which amends the factors that should be considered in
developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of
a recognized intangible asset. The intent of the new guidelines for determining
the useful life of intangible assets is to improve the consistency between the
useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash
flows used to measure the fair value of the asset. The new guidelines for
determining the useful life of intangible assets shall be applied prospectively
to all intangible assets acquired after March 31, 2009. The adoption
of these guidelines did not have any impact on the Company’s results of
operations and financial condition.
In
December 2009, the FASB issued new accounting standards addressing accounting
and reporting for decreases in ownership of a subsidiary. The update is a scope
clarification and revises the accounting requirements for decreases in ownership
of a subsidiary that were originally contained in accounting for non-controlling
interests. The revised decrease in ownership provisions require an entity that
ceases to have a controlling interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is
a business to recognize a gain or loss on the transaction and include an amount
for the remeasurement of any retained investment to fair value. A decrease in
ownership that does not result in a loss of control is accounted for as an
equity transaction with no gain or loss recognized for the difference between
the carrying amount of the portion of the subsidiary or group of assets that is
sold and consideration received from the buyer. The update was effective for the
Company on April 1, 2009. The adoption of these new accounting standards
did not have a material impact to the Company, however, the requirements of this
update will be required to be applied to any future transactions that results in
a decreases in ownership of businesses owned by the Company.
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
In
October 2009, the FASB issued new accounting standards for multiple-deliverable
revenue arrangements. These new standards establish the accounting
and reporting guidance for arrangements, including multiple revenue-generating
activities, and provide amendments to the criteria for separating deliverables
and measuring and allocating arrangement consideration to one or more units of
accounting. The amendments also establish a selling price hierarchy for
determining the selling price of a deliverable. Significantly enhanced
disclosures are also required to provide information about a vendor’s
multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements, including information about the
nature and terms, significant deliverables, and its performance within
arrangements. The amendments also require providing information about the
significant judgments made and changes to those judgments and about how the
application of the relative selling-price method affects the timing or amount of
revenue recognition. These new accounting standards requirements are effective
for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2010, which is the Company’s 2012
fiscal year. Early adoption of the standard is permitted and various options for
prospective or retroactive adoption are available. The Company is currently in
the process of reviewing and evaluating the impact of these new requirements,
but the impact is not expected to be material on the Company’s results of
operations or financial condition.
In June
2009, the FASB issued new accounting principles for VIEs which, among other
things, established a qualitative approach for the determination of the primary
beneficiary of a VIE. An enterprise is required to consolidate a VIE
if it has both the power to direct activities of the VIE that most significantly
impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the losses
of the VIE or the right to receive the benefits of the VIE. These
principles improve financial reporting by enterprises involved with VIEs and
address constituent concerns about the application of certain key provisions,
including those in which the accounting and disclosures an enterprise’s
involvement in a variable interest entity, as well as address significant
diversity in practice in the approaches and methodology used to calculate a
VIE’s variability. These new accounting principles related to VIEs
are effective as of the beginning of the annual reporting period that begins
after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that annual reporting
period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier
application is prohibited. The Company currently consolidates its one
VIE, N-T, for which the Company is considered the primary
beneficiary. The Company is in the process of evaluating the new
accounting principles for VIEs, and based on its preliminary assessment, the
Company expects the adoption of these new accounting standards may result in the
deconsolidation of N-T, which would decrease in the Company’s net sales for
fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008 by $4,582, $4,090 and $3,674,
respectively. There would be no impact on net assets or net income
attributable to MEAS with the deconsolidation of N-T.
3.
INVENTORIES
Inventories
and inventory reserves for slow-moving, obsolete and lower of cost or market
exposures at March 31, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows:
|
|
March 31, 2010
|
|
|
March 31, 2009
|
|
Raw
Materials
|
|
$ |
24,022 |
|
|
$ |
22,270 |
|
Work-in-Process
|
|
|
6,207 |
|
|
|
4,622 |
|
Finished
Goods
|
|
|
15,017 |
|
|
|
21,981 |
|
|
|
|
45,246 |
|
|
|
48,873 |
|
Inventory
Reserves
|
|
|
(3,763 |
) |
|
|
(3,489 |
) |
|
|
$ |
41,483 |
|
|
$ |
45,384 |
|
4.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property,
plant and equipment are stated at cost. Equipment under capital leases is stated
at the present value of minimum lease payments. Property, plant and
equipment are summarized as follows:
|
|
March
31, 2010
|
|
|
March
31, 2009
|
|
Useful
Life
|
Production
equipment & tooling
|
|
$ |
48,884 |
|
|
$ |
45,894 |
|
3-10
years
|
Building
and leasehold improvements
|
|
|
24,101 |
|
|
|
24,301 |
|
39
to 45 years or lesser of useful life or remaining term of
lease
|
Furniture
and equipment
|
|
|
13,620 |
|
|
|
13,663 |
|
3-10
years
|
Construction-in-progress
|
|
|
864 |
|
|
|
1,122 |
|
|
Total
|
|
|
87,469 |
|
|
|
84,980 |
|
|
Less:
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(42,674 |
) |
|
|
(38,105 |
) |
|
|
|
$ |
44,795 |
|
|
$ |
46,875 |
|
|
Total
depreciation was $8,071, $7,602 and $6,295 for the years ended March 31, 2010,
2009 and 2008, respectively. Property and equipment included $256 and
$1,047 in capital leases at March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
5.
ACQUISITIONS, GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT TESTING, AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES
Acquisitions: As
part of its growth strategy, the Company made fourteen acquisitions since June
2004 with total purchase price exceeding $167,000, of which two acquisitions
were made during each year ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. All of
these acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and have resulted in the
recognition of goodwill in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. This
goodwill arises because the purchase prices for these businesses reflect a
number of factors, including the future earnings and cash flow potential of
these businesses, and other factors at which similar businesses have been
purchased by other acquirers, the competitive nature of the process by which the
Company acquired the business, and the complementary strategic fit and resulting
synergies these businesses bring to existing operations.
Goodwill
balances presented in the consolidated balance sheets of foreign acquisitions
are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each balance sheet date;
however, opening balance sheets used to calculate goodwill and acquired
intangible assets are based on purchase date exchange rates, except for earn-out
payments, which are recorded at the exchange rates in effect on the date the
earn-out is accrued. The following table shows the roll-forward of
goodwill reflected in the financial statements resulting from the Company’s
acquisition activities for 2010 and 2009:
|
|
|
|
Balance
March 31, 2008
|
|
$ |
95,710 |
|
Attributable
to 2008 acquisitions
|
|
|
(657 |
) |
Attributable
to 2009 acquisitions
|
|
|
5,175 |
|
Effect
of foreign currency translation
|
|
|
(1,052 |
) |
Goodwill
impairment
|
|
|
- |
|
Balance
March 31, 2009
|
|
$ |
99,176 |
|
Attributable
to 2009 acquisitions
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
Effect
of foreign currency translation
|
|
|
64 |
|
Goodwill
impairment
|
|
|
- |
|
Balance
March 31, 2010
|
|
$ |
99,235 |
|
The
following briefly describes the Company’s acquisitions from the beginning of
fiscal 2008 forward.
Visyx: Effective
November 20, 2007, the Company acquired certain assets of Visyx Technologies,
Inc. (Visyx”) based in Sunnyvale, California for $1,624 ($1,400 at close, $100
held-back to cover certain expenses, and $124 in acquisition costs). The Seller
has the potential to receive up to an additional $2,000 in the form of a
contingent payment based on successful commercialization of specified sensors
prior to December 31, 2011, and an additional $9,000 earn-out based on a
percentage of sales through calendar year 2011. If these earn-out contingencies
are resolved and meet established conditions, these amounts will be recorded as
an additional element of the cost of the acquisition. The resolution
of these contingencies is not determinable at this time, and accordingly, the
Company’s purchase price allocation for Visyx is subject to earn-out
payments. Visyx has a range of sensors that measure fluid properties,
including density, viscosity and dielectric constant, for use in heavy truck/off
road engines and transmissions, compressors/turbines, refrigeration and air
conditioning. The Company’s final purchase price allocation, except
for earn-out contingencies, related to the Visyx acquisition is as
follows:
Assets:
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
$ |
12 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
10 |
|
Acquired
intangible assets
|
|
|
1,528 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
74 |
|
Total
Purchase Price
|
|
$ |
1,624 |
|
Intersema: Effective
December 28, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the capital
stock of Intersema Microsystems S.A. (“Intersema”), a sensor company
headquartered in Bevaix, Switzerland, for $40,160 ($31,249 in cash at closing,
$8,708 in unsecured Promissory Notes (“Intersema Notes”), and $203 in
acquisition costs). The Intersema Notes bear interest of 4.5% per annum and are
payable in four equal annual installments on January 15 of each year. The
selling shareholders had the potential to receive up to an additional 20,000
Swiss francs or approximately $18,946 (based on December 31, 2008 exchange
rates) tied to calendar 2009 earnings growth objectives. The
established conditions of the contingencies were not met, and no amounts were
recorded as an additional element of the cost of the acquisition. Intersema is a
designer and manufacturer of pressure sensors and modules with low pressure,
harsh media and ultra-small package configurations for use in barometric and
sub-sea depth measurement markets. The transaction was financed with borrowings
under the Company’s Amended Credit Facility (See Note 8). The
Company’s final purchase price allocation related to the Intersema acquisition
is as follows:
Assets:
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
10,542 |
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
1,162 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
3,770 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
619 |
|
Property
and equipment
|
|
|
1,811 |
|
Acquired
intangible assets
|
|
|
13,773 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
13,851 |
|
|
|
|
45,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
832 |
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
1,119 |
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
3,417 |
|
|
|
|
5,368 |
|
Total
Purchase Price
|
|
$ |
40,160 |
|
Atexis: On
January 30, 2009, the Company consummated the acquisition of all of the capital
stock of RIT SARL (“Atexis”), a sensor company headquartered in Fontenay,
France, for €4,096. The total purchase price in U.S. dollars based on
the January 30, 2009 exchange rate was approximately $5,359 ($5,152 in cash at
close and $207 in acquisition costs). The selling shareholders have the
potential to receive up to an additional €2,000 tied to sales growth objectives
through calendar 2010, and if the contingencies are resolved and established
conditions are met, these amounts will be recorded as an additional element of
the cost of the acquisition. The resolution of these contingencies is
not determinable at this time, and accordingly, the Company’s purchase price
allocation for Atexis is subject to earn-out payments. Atexis designs
and manufactures temperature sensors and probes utilizing NTC, Platinum (Pt) and
thermo-couples technologies through wholly-owned subsidiaries in France and
China. The transaction was partially financed with borrowings under
the Company’s Amended Credit Facility (See Note 8). The
Company’s final purchase price allocation, except for earn-out contingencies,
related to the Atexis acquisition is as follows:
Assets:
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
110 |
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
2,268 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
2,613 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
270 |
|
Property
and equipment
|
|
|
1,532 |
|
Acquired
intangible assets
|
|
|
1,610 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
1,524 |
|
|
|
|
9,927 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
1,384 |
|
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
2,292 |
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
892 |
|
|
|
|
4,568 |
|
Total
Purchase Price
|
|
$ |
5,359 |
|
FGP: On
January 30, 2009, the Company consummated the acquisition of all of the capital
stock of FGP Instrumentation, GS Sensors and ALS (collectively “FGP”), sensor
companies located in Les Clayes-sous-Bois and Druex, France for €6,112. The
total purchase price in U.S. dollars based on the January 30, 2009 exchange rate
was approximately $7,998 ($4,711 in cash at close, discharge of certain
liabilities totaling $3,059 and $228 in acquisition costs). The selling
shareholders had the potential to receive up to an additional €1,400 tied to
sales growth objectives. The established conditions of the contingencies were
not met, and no amounts were recorded as an additional element of the cost of
the acquisition. FGP is a designer and manufacturer of custom force, pressure
and vibration sensors for aerospace and test and measurement markets. The
transaction was partially financed with borrowings under the Company’s Amended
Credit Facility (See Note 8). The Company’s final purchase price allocation
related to the FGP acquisition is as follows:
Assets:
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
980 |
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
1,678 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
1,807 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
85 |
|
Property
and equipment
|
|
|
789 |
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
351 |
|
Acquired
intangible assets
|
|
|
1,900 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
3,723 |
|
|
|
|
11,313 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
1,472 |
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
743 |
|
|
|
|
3,315 |
|
Total
Purchase Price
|
|
$ |
7,998 |
|
Goodwill Impairment Testing:
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at fiscal year end and more
frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be
impaired. The goodwill impairment test is a two step test. Under the first step,
the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying value
(including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its
carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting
unit, and the enterprise must perform step two of the impairment test
(measurement). Under step two, an impairment loss would be recognized for any
excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied
fair value. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the
fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price
allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair
value of the reporting unit goodwill. Fair value of the reporting unit is
determined using a discounted cash flow analysis.
We
perform our goodwill impairment analysis at one level below the operating
segment level. The Company has one operating and reporting segment, a sensor
business, under the guidelines established with disclosures about segments of an
enterprise and related information. The goodwill impairment analysis is
performed at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is the same as, or one
level below, an operating segment. The Company’s reporting unit for the purposes
of the goodwill impairment analysis is the Company’s sensor
business.
In
evaluating goodwill for impairment, the fair value of the Company’s reporting
unit was determined using the implied fair value approach for fiscal year ended
March 31, 2010, and the discounted cash flow analysis was utilized for fiscal
year ended March 31, 2009. Based on our assessment at March 31, 2010 and 2009,
there was no impairment of goodwill.
Acquired
Intangibles: In connection with all acquisitions, the Company acquired
certain identifiable intangible assets, including customer relationships,
proprietary technology, patents, trade-names, order backlogs and
covenants-not-to-compete. The gross amounts and accumulated amortization, along
with the range of amortizable lives, are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2010
|
|
|
March 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
Average Life
in years
|
|
|
Gross
Amount
|
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross Amount
|
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
|
|
Net
|
|
Amortizable
intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer
relationships
|
|
9
|
|
|
$ |
28,497 |
|
|
$ |
(12,250 |
) |
|
$ |
16,247 |
|
|
$ |
27,627 |
|
|
$ |
(8,794 |
) |
|
$ |
18,833 |
|
Patents
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
4,038 |
|
|
|
(1,259 |
) |
|
|
2,779 |
|
|
|
3,984 |
|
|
|
(895 |
) |
|
|
3,089 |
|
Tradenames
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
2,055 |
|
|
|
(2,019 |
) |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
(1,478 |
) |
|
|
522 |
|
Backlog
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
2,792 |
|
|
|
(2,792 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,732 |
|
|
|
(2,556 |
) |
|
|
176 |
|
Covenants-not-to-compete
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
1,011 |
|
|
|
(977 |
) |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
1,008 |
|
|
|
(932 |
) |
|
|
76 |
|
Proprietary
technology
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
6,008 |
|
|
|
(1,491 |
) |
|
|
4,517 |
|
|
|
5,763 |
|
|
|
(981 |
) |
|
|
4,782 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
44,401 |
|
|
$ |
(20,788 |
) |
|
$ |
23,613 |
|
|
$ |
43,114 |
|
|
$ |
(15,636 |
) |
|
$ |
27,478 |
|
Amortization
expense for the year ended March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $6,001, $5,609, and
$3,610, respectively. In addition to the intangible assets acquired
with FGP and Atexis, the Company also purchased $400 in proprietary technology
intangible assets in 2009. Estimated annual amortization expense is
as follows:
|
|
Amortization
|
|
Year
|
|
Expense
|
|
2011
|
|
$ |
4,342 |
|
2012
|
|
|
3,750 |
|
2013
|
|
|
3,182 |
|
2014
|
|
|
2,256 |
|
2015
|
|
|
2,217 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
7,866 |
|
|
|
$ |
23,613 |
|
Pro forma
Financial Data (Unaudited): The following represents the Company’s pro
forma consolidated results of continuing operations for the years ended March
31, 2009 and 2008, based on final purchase accounting information assuming the
Visyx and Intersema acquisitions occurred as of April 1, 2007, and final
purchase accounting information assuming Atexis and FGP acquisitions occurred as
of April 1, 2007, giving effect to purchase accounting adjustments. The pro
forma data is for informational purposes only and may not necessarily reflect
results of operations had all the acquired companies been operated as part of
the Company since April 1, 2007.
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$ |
223,961 |
|
|
$ |
263,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income attributable to MEAS
|
|
$ |
5,488 |
|
|
$ |
15,677 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income attributable to MEAS per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
CONSUMER
PRODUCTS SEGMENT: In accordance with accounting policies for Disposal of
Long-lived Assets, the related financial information for the Consumer segment is
reported as discontinued operations. The Consumer segment designed and
manufactured sensor-based consumer products, such as bathroom and kitchen
scales, tire pressure gauges and distance estimators, primarily as an original
equipment manufacturer (OEM), to retailers and distributors mainly in the United
States and Europe.
Effective
December 1, 2005, the Company completed the sale to Fervent Group Limited
(“FGL”) of its Consumer Products segment, including its Cayman Island
subsidiary, Measurement Limited. FGL is a company controlled by the owners of
River Display Limited, the Company’s long time partner and primary supplier of
consumer products in Shenzhen, China. Under the terms of the agreement, the
Company could have earned an additional $5,000 if certain performance criteria
(sales and margin targets) were met within the first year. The Company recorded
$2,156 of the earn-out in fiscal year 2007, because a portion of the earn-out
targets were met. The related receivable was included in the consolidated
balance sheet as current portion of promissory note receivable and any cash
collections were included as net cash provided by investing activities of
discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of cash flows. At March
31, 2009, the gross promissory notes receivable related to the earn-out of the
Consumer business totaled $283, representing the last payment which was due on
December 31, 2008. The Company negotiated a settlement with FGL and
collected all but approximately $142 of the final payment during
2010. The uncollected portion of the note receivable was written off
as an expense from discontinued operations during fiscal 2010.
7.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
Effective
April 1, 2009, the Company adopted a new accounting standard related to fair
values, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair
value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair
value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based
measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market
participants would use in pricing an asset and liability. As a basis
for considering such assumptions, the principles establish a fair value
hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The
hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the
lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The
three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 -
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities;
Level 2 -
Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for
identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active;
and
Level 3 -
Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data which require the
reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
Foreign
currency contracts are recorded at fair value. Financial assets and
liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input
that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company's
assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value
measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value of
assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy
levels. The fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents was
determined using Level 1 measurements in the fair value
hierarchy. The fair value of the Company’s foreign currency contracts
was based on Level 2 measurements in the fair value hierarchy. The
fair value of the foreign currency contracts is based on forward exchange rates
relative to current exchange rates which were obtained from independent
financial institutions reflecting market quotes.
The
following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each
class of financial instruments:
For cash
and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable and other
receivables, prepaid and other assets (current), accounts payable, and accrued
expenses and other liabilities (non-derivatives), the carrying amounts
approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these
instruments. Non-current other assets consist of various
miscellaneous items such as deposits and deferred costs and non-current other
liabilities consist mostly of deferred rent and pension
liability.
For
promissory notes payable, deferred acquisition payments and capital lease
obligation, the fair value is determined as the present value of expected future
cash flows discounted at the current interest rate, which approximates rates
currently offered by lending institutions for loans of similar terms to
companies with comparable credit risk. These are considered Level 2
inputs.
For
long-term debt and the revolver, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt
is estimated by discounting future cash flows of each instrument at rates
currently offered to the Company for similar debt instruments of comparable
maturities by the Company’s lenders. These are considered Level 2
inputs. The fair value of long-term debt and the revolver
approximates carrying value due to the variable interest nature of the debt and
the short-term remaining.
Derivative
Instruments and Risk Management
The
Company is exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates, commodities,
credit and foreign currency exchange rates, which could impact its results of
operations and financial condition. The Company attempts to address its exposure
to these risks through its normal operating and financing activities. In
addition, the Company’s relatively broad-based business activities help to
reduce the impact that volatility in any particular area or related areas may
have on its operating results as a whole.
Interest
Rate Risk: Under our term and revolving credit facilities, we are
exposed to a certain level of interest rate risk. Interest on the principal
amount of our borrowings under our revolving credit facility and term loan
accrue at a rate based on either a LIBOR rate plus a LIBOR margin or at an
Indexed (prime based) Rate plus an Index Margin. The LIBOR or Index Rate is at
our election. Our results will be adversely affected by any increase in interest
rates. We do not currently hedge this interest rate exposure.
Commodity
Risk: The Company uses a wide range of commodities in our products,
including steel, non-ferrous metals and petroleum based products, as well as
other commodities required for the manufacture of our sensor
products. Changes in the pricing of commodities directly affect our
results of operations and financial condition. We attempt to pass
increases in commodity costs to our customers, and we do not currently hedge
such commodity exposures.
Credit
Risk: Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
significant concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and temporary
investments, foreign currency forward contracts when in an asset position and
trade accounts receivable. The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event
of nonperformance by counter parties to its financial instruments. The Company
places cash and temporary investments with various high-quality financial
institutions throughout the world. Although the Company does not obtain
collateral or other security to secure these obligations, it does periodically
monitor the third-party depository institutions that hold our cash and cash
equivalents. Our emphasis is primarily on safety and liquidity of principal and
secondarily on maximizing yield on those funds. In addition, concentrations of
credit risk arising from trade accounts receivable are limited due to the
diversity of the Company’s customers. The Company performs ongoing credit
evaluations of its customers’ financial conditions and the Company does not
generally obtain collateral, credit insurance or other
security. Notwithstanding these efforts, the current distress in the
global economy may increase the difficulty in collecting accounts
receivable.
Foreign
Currency Exchange Rate Risk: Foreign currency exchange rate risk
arises from the Company’s investments in subsidiaries owned and operated in
foreign countries, as well as from transactions with customers in countries
outside the U.S. and transactions denominated in currencies other than the
applicable functional currency.
The
effect of a change in currency exchange rates on the Company’s net investment in
international subsidiaries is reflected in the “accumulated other comprehensive
income” component of shareholders’ equity. The Company does not hedge
the Company’s net investment in subsidiaries owned and operated in countries
outside the U.S.
Although
the Company has a U.S. dollar functional currency for reporting purposes, it has
manufacturing sites throughout the world and a large portion of its sales are
generated in foreign currencies. A substantial portion of our revenues are
priced in U.S. dollars, and most of our costs and expenses are priced in U.S.
dollars, with the remaining priced in Chinese RMB, Euros, Swiss francs and
Japanese yen. Sales by subsidiaries operating outside of the United States are
translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates effective during the
respective period. As a result, the Company is exposed to movements in the
exchange rates of various currencies against the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, the
competitiveness of our products relative to products produced locally (in
foreign markets) may be affected by the performance of the U.S. dollar compared
with that of our foreign customers’ currencies. Refer to Note 16, Segment
Information, for details concerning annual net sales invoiced from our
facilities within the U.S. and outside of the U.S., as well as long-lived
assets. Therefore, both positive and negative movements in currency
exchange rates against the U.S. dollar will continue to affect the reported
amount of sales, profit, and assets and liabilities in the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
The value
of the RMB relative to the U.S. dollar was stable during fiscal 2010, but
appreciated 2.5% and 9.0% in fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. The
Chinese government no longer pegs the RMB to the U.S. dollar, but established a
currency policy letting the RMB trade in a narrow band against a basket of
currencies. The Company has more expenses in RMB than sales (i.e., short RMB
position), and as such, if the U.S. dollar weakens relative to the RMB, our
operating profits will decrease. We continue to consider various alternatives to
hedge this exposure, and we are attempting to manage this exposure through,
among other things, forward purchase contracts, pricing and monitoring
balance sheet exposures for payables and receivables.
Fluctuations
in the value of the Hong Kong dollar have not been significant since October 17,
1983, when the Hong Kong government tied the value of the Hong Kong dollar to
that of the U.S. dollar. However, there can be no assurance that the value of
the Hong Kong dollar will continue to be tied to that of the U.S.
dollar.
The
Company’s French, Irish and German subsidiaries have more sales in Euros than
expenses in Euros and the Company’s Swiss subsidiary has more expenses in Swiss
francs than sales in Swiss francs, and as such, if the U.S. dollar weakens
relative to the Euro and Swiss franc, our operating profits increase in France,
Ireland and Germany, but decrease in Switzerland.
The
Company has a number of foreign currency exchange contracts in Europe in an
attempt to hedge the Company’s exposure to the Euro. The Euro/U.S. dollar
currency contracts have notional amounts totaling $1,605 with exercise dates
through December 2010 at an average exchange rate of $1.32 (Euro to U.S. dollar
conversion rate). With these Euro/U.S. dollar contracts, for every 1%
depreciation of the Euro, the Company would be exposed to approximately $16 in
additional fx losses. Since these derivatives are not designated as hedges
for accounting purposes, changes in their fair value are recorded in results of
operations, not in other comprehensive income.
To manage
our exposure to potential foreign currency transaction and translation risks, we
may purchase additional foreign currency exchange forward contracts, currency
options, or other derivative instruments, provided such instruments may be
obtained at suitable prices.
Fair
values of derivative instruments not designated as hedging
instruments:
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Balance sheet location
|
Financial
position:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency exchange contracts - Euro/US dollar
|
|
$ |
(40 |
) |
|
$ |
105 |
|
Other
assets
|
Foreign
currency exchange contracts - RMB
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(143 |
) |
Other
liabilities
|
Foreign
currency exchange contracts - Japanese yen
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
115 |
|
Other
assets
|
The
effect of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the
statements of operations and cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2010, 2009
and 2008 is as follows:
|
|
Years ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Results
of operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency exchange contracts - Euro
|
|
$ |
(27 |
) |
|
$ |
(885 |
) |
|
$ |
(578 |
) |
Foreign
currency exchange (gain) loss
|
Foreign
currency exchange contracts - RMB
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
170 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign
currency exchange (gain) loss
|
Foreign
currency exchange contracts - Japanese yen
|
|
|
(229 |
) |
|
|
(115 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Foreign
currency exchange (gain) loss
|
Total
|
|
$ |
(274 |
) |
|
$ |
(830 |
) |
|
$ |
(578 |
) |
|
|
|
Years ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Location of gain or loss
|
Cash
flows from operating activities: Source (Use)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency exchange contracts - Euro
|
|
$ |
304 |
|
|
$ |
781 |
|
|
$ |
578 |
|
Prepaid
expenses, other current assets and other receivables
|
Foreign
currency exchange contracts - RMB
|
|
|
(125 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Accrued
expenses, accrued compensation, other current and other
liabilities
|
Foreign
currency exchange contracts - Japense yen
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Prepaid
expenses, other current assets and other receivables
|
Total
|
|
$ |
285 |
|
|
$ |
754 |
|
|
$ |
578 |
|
|
8.
LONG-TERM DEBT:
LONG-TERM
DEBT AND REVOLVER
To
support the financing of the acquisitions of YSI Temperature and BetaTHERM (See
Note 5), effective April 1, 2006, the Company entered into an Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement with GE as agent which, among other things,
increased the Company’s existing credit facility from $35,000 to $75,000,
consisting of a $55,000 revolving credit facility and a $20,000 term loan, and
lowered the applicable London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or Index Margin
from 4.50% and 2.75%, respectively, to LIBOR and Index Margins of 2.75% and
1.0%, respectively. To support the financing of the acquisition of Intersema
(See Note 5), the Company entered into an Amended Credit Agreement
(“Amended Credit Facility”) with four banks, with GE as agent, effective
December 10, 2007 which, among other things, increased the Company’s existing
revolving credit facility from $55,000 to $121,000 and lowered the applicable
LIBOR or Index Margin from 2.75% and 1.0%, respectively, to LIBOR and Index
Margins of 2.00% and 0.25%, respectively. Interest accrued on the principal
amount of the borrowings at a rate based on either LIBOR plus a LIBOR margin, or
at the election of the borrower, at an Index Rate (prime based rate) plus an
Index Margin. The applicable margins could be adjusted quarterly based on a
change in specified financial ratios. Borrowings under the line were subject to
certain financial covenants and restrictions on indebtedness, dividend payments,
repurchase of Company common stock, financial guarantees, annual capital
expenditures, and other related items. The availability of the revolving credit
facility was not based on any borrowing base requirements, but borrowings were
limited by certain financial covenants. The term portion of the Amended Credit
Facility totaled $8,000 and $14,000 at March 31, 2010 and 2009,
respectively. The term loan portion of our credit facility was not
changed with the Amended Credit Facility. The term loan was payable in $500
quarterly installments plus interest through March 1, 2011, with a final term
payment and the revolver payable on April 3, 2011. The Company had provided a
security interest in substantially all of the Company’s U.S. based assets as
collateral for the Amended Credit Facility.
On April
27, 2009, the Company entered into an amendment to the credit agreement with our
lenders whereby the Company proactively negotiated a reduction of our debt
covenant requirements, as a result of the decline in our sales and profitability
resulting from the impact of the global recession. The amendment
provided the Company with additional flexibility under its minimum Covenant
EBITDA, total leverage ratio covenant, fixed charge ratio covenant and maximum
capital expenditure covenant included in its senior credit facility. Under the
terms of the amendment, the principal amount available under the Company’s
revolver was reduced from $121,000 to $90,000. The Amendment increased the
interest rate by between 1.50% and 2.25%, with increases in the Index Margin and
LIBOR Margin, which vary based on the Company’s debt to Covenant EBITDA leverage
ratio. Pursuant to the Amendment, the Company was prohibited from
consummating any business acquisitions without lender approval during the
covenant relief period, which ended March 31, 2010. The Company was
in compliance with applicable financial covenants at March 31,
2010.
As of
March 31, 2010, the Company utilized the LIBOR based rate for the term loan and
the LIBOR based rate for $52,000 of the revolving credit facility under the
Amended Credit Facility. The weighted average interest rate applicable to
borrowings under the revolving credit facility was approximately 4.3% at March
31, 2010. As of March 31, 2010, the outstanding borrowings on the revolving
credit facility, which is classified as long-term debt, were $53,547, and the
Company had an additional $36,453 available under the revolving credit facility.
The Company’s borrowing capacity was limited by financial covenant ratios,
including earnings ratios, and as such, our borrowing capacity was subject to
change. At March 31, 2010, the Company could have borrowed an
additional $27,500. Commitment fees on the unused balance were equal to
0.5% per annum of the average amount of unused balances. Financing
fees associated with amendments were deferred as other assets and are amortized
over the term of the debt.
The
Company’s debt covenant requirements for March 31, 2010 were as
follows:
Minimum
Adjusted Earnings Before Income Taxes, Stock
Options, Depreciation, and Amortization ("Adjusted
EBITDA")
|
|
$ |
24,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
Adjusted Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the last twelve
months
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
Adjusted Capital Expenditures for the last twelve months
|
|
$ |
8,758 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
Adjusted Total Leverage Ratio
|
|
|
3.25 |
|
Adjusted
Covenant EBITDA was the Company’s earnings before income taxes, stock options,
depreciation and amortization for last twelve months, in addition to the last
twelve months of Adjusted Covenant EBITDA for acquisitions. Adjusted
fixed charge coverage ratio was Adjusted EBITDA less adjusted capital
expenditures divided by fixed charges. Fixed charges are the last
twelve months of interest, taxes paid, and the last twelve months of payments of
long-term debt, notes payable and capital leases. Adjusted capital
expenditures represent purchases of plant, property and equipment during the
last twelve months. Total leverage ratio was total debt less cash
maintained in U.S. bank accounts which were subject to blocked account
agreements with lenders divided by the last twelve months of Adjusted Covenant
EBITDA. All of the aforementioned financial covenants were subject to
various adjustments, many of which were detailed in the Amended Credit Agreement
and subsequent amendments to the credit agreement previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other adjustments approved by the
lender. These adjustments included such items as excluding capital
expenditures associated with the new China facility from capital expenditures,
and adjustments to Adjusted Covenant EBITDA for certain items such litigation
settlement costs, severance costs and other items considered non-recurring in
nature.
China Credit
Facility: On November 3, 2009, the Company’s subsidiary in
China (“MEAS China”) entered into a two year credit facility agreement (the
“China Credit Facility”) with China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd
(“CMB”). The China Credit facility permits MEAS China to borrow
up to RMB 68 million (approximately $10 million). Specific
covenants include customary limitations, compliance with laws and regulations,
use of proceeds for operational purposes, and timely payment of interest and
principal. MEAS China has pledged its Shenzhen facility to CMB as
collateral. The interest rate will be based on the London Inter-bank
Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a LIBOR spread, depending on the term of the loan
when drawn. The purpose of the China Credit Facility is primarily to
provide additional flexibility in funding operations of MEAS
China. At March 31, 2010, there were $5,000 outstanding borrowings
against the China Credit Facility classified as short-term debt and MEAS China
could borrow approximately $5,000.
Promissory
Notes: In connection with the acquisition of Intersema, the
Company issued 10,000 Swiss franc unsecured promissory notes (“Intersema
Notes”). At March 31, 2010, the Intersema Notes totaled $4,698, of
which $2,349 was classified as current. The Intersema Notes are payable in four
equal annual installments on January 15, and bear an interest rate of 4.5% per
year.
Long-Term Debt
and Promissory Notes: Below is a summary of the long-term debt
and promissory notes outstanding at March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Prime
or LIBOR plus 4.50% or 3.00% five-year term loan with a final installment
due on April 3, 2011
|
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Governmental
loans from French agencies at no interest and payable based on R&D
expenditures
|
|
|
476 |
|
|
|
517 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term
credit facility with six French banks at an interest rate of 4% payable
through 2010
|
|
|
307 |
|
|
|
608 |
|
|
|
|
8,783 |
|
|
|
15,125 |
|
Less
current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
2,295 |
|
|
|
2,356 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,488 |
|
|
$ |
12,769 |
|
4.5%
promissory note payable in four equal annual installments through January
15, 2012
|
|
$ |
4,698 |
|
|
$ |
6,528 |
|
Less
current portion of promissory notes payable
|
|
|
2,349 |
|
|
|
2,176 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,349 |
|
|
$ |
4,352 |
|
The
annual principal payments of long-term debt, promissory notes and revolver as of
March 31, 2010 are as follows:
Year ended
March 31,
|
|
Term
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Revolver /
Short-term
debt
|
|
|
Total
|
|
2011
|
|
$ |
2,000 |
|
|
$ |
295 |
|
|
$ |
2,295 |
|
|
$ |
2,349 |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
9,644 |
|
2012
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
6,165 |
|
|
|
2,349 |
|
|
|
53,547 |
|
|
|
62,061 |
|
2013
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
142 |
|
2014
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
181 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
|
$ |
783 |
|
|
$ |
8,783 |
|
|
$ |
4,698 |
|
|
$ |
58,547 |
|
|
$ |
72,028 |
|
Refinancing: The Company entered
into a new Credit Agreement (the "Senior Secured Credit Facility") dated June 1,
2010 among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral
agent (in such capacity, the "Senior Secured Facility Agents"), Bank America,
N.A., as syndication agent, and certain other parties thereto (the "Credit
Agreement") to refinance the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective as
of April 1, 2006 among the Company, General Electric Capital Corporation, as
agent and a lender, and certain other parties thereto and to provide for the
working capital needs of the Company including to effect permitted
acquisitions. The Senior Secured Facility consists of a $110,000
revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") with a $50,000
accordion feature enabling expansion of the Revolving Credit Facility to
$160,000. The Revolving Credit Facility has a variable interest rate
based on either the London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or the ABR Rate
(prime based rate) with applicable margins ranging from 2.00% to 3.25% for LIBOR
based loans or 1.00% to 2.25% for ABR Rate loans. The applicable
margins may be adjusted quarterly based on a change in the leverage ratio of the
Company. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also includes the ability
to borrow in currencies other than U.S. Dollars ("USD"), such as the Euro and
Swiss Franc, up
to USD $66,000. Commitment fees on the unused balance of the
Revolving Credit Facility range from 0.375% to 0.500% per annum of the average
amount of unused balances. The Revolving Credit Facility will expire
on June 1, 2014 and all balances outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility
will be due on such date. The Company has provided a security
interest in substantially all of the Company's U.S. based assets as collateral
for the Senior Secured Facility and private placement of credit facilities
entered into by the Company from time to time not to exceed $50,000, including
the Prudential Shelf Facility (as defined below). The Senior Secured
Credit Facility includes an inter-creditor arrangement with Prudential (as
defined below) and is on a pari pasu (equal force) basis
with the Prudential Shelf Facility.
The
Senior Secured Facility includes specific financial covenants for maximum
leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as well as customary
representations, warranties, covenants and events of default for a transaction
of this type. Consolidated EBITDA for debt covenant purposes is the
Company's consolidated net income determined in accordance with GAAP minus the
sum of income tax credits, interest income, gain from extraordinary items for
such period, any non-cash gains, and gains due to fluctuations in currency
exchange rates, plus the sum of any provision for income taxes,
interest expense, loss from extraordinary items, any aggregate net loss during
such period arising from the disposition of capital assets, the amount of
non-cash charges for such period, amortized debt discount for such period,
losses due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates and the amount of any
deduction to consolidated net income as the result of any grant to any members
of the management of the Company of any equity interests. The
Company's leverage ratio consists of total debt less unrestricted cash
maintained in U.S. bank accounts which are subject to control agreements in
favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent, to Consolidated
EBITDA. Adjusted fixed charge coverage ratio is Covenant EBITDA less
capital expenditures divided by fixed charges. Fixed charges are the
last twelve months of scheduled principal payments, taxes paid in cash and
consolidated interest expense. All of the aforementioned financial
covenants are subject to various adjustments, many of which are detailed in the
Credit Agreement.
On June
1, 2010, the Company entered into a Master Shelf Agreement (the "Prudential
Shelf Facility") with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. ("Prudential")
whereby Prudential agreed to purchase up to $50,000 of senior secured notes (the
"Senior Secured Notes") issued by the Company. Prudential purchased
two Senior Secured Notes each for $10,000 and the remaining $30,000 of such
Senior Secured Notes may be purchased at the discretion of Prudential or one or
more of its affiliates upon the request of the Company. The
Prudential Shelf Facility has a fixed interest rate of 5.70% and 6.15% for each
of the two $10,000 Senior Secured Notes issued by the Company and the Senior
Secured Notes issued there under are due on June 1, 2015 and 2017,
respectively. The Prudential Shelf Facility includes specific
financial covenants for maximum total leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge
coverage ratio consistent with the Senior Secured Credit Facility, as well as
customary representations, warranties, covenants and events of
default. The Prudential Shelf Facility includes an inter-creditor
arrangement with the Senior Secured Facility Agents and is on a pari pasu (equal force)
basis with the Senior Secured Facility. The Company has provided a
security interest in substantially all of the Company's U.S. based assets as
collateral for the Prudential Shelf Facility and the Revolving Credit
Facility.
9.
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Capital
Stock:
The
Company is authorized to issue 26,200,000 shares of capital stock, of which
221,756 shares have been designated as serial preferred stock and 25,000,000
shares have been designated as common stock. Each share of common stock has one
vote. The Board of Directors has the authority without further action by
shareholders to issue up to 978,244 shares of blank check preferred stock, none
of which are issued or outstanding.
The
repurchase of the Company’s common stock is restricted by our credit agreement
with GE not to exceed $1,000 each fiscal year and not to exceed $4,000
cumulatively. We have not declared cash dividends on our common
equity. Additionally, the payment of dividends is prohibited under our credit
agreement with GE. We intend to retain earnings to support our growth strategy
and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income:
Accumulated
other comprehensive income primarily consists of foreign currency translation
adjustments. The largest portion of the cumulative translation adjustment
relates to the Company’s European and Asian operations and reflects the changes
in the Euro, RMB, Hong Kong dollar and Swiss franc exchange rates relative to
the US dollar.
Noncontrolling
Interest
On April
1, 2009, the Company adopted new accounting standards for Noncontrolling
Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, which required certain changes
to the presentation of the financial statements. The new accounting
standards require noncontrolling interest (previously referred to as minority
interest) to be classified in the consolidated statements of income as part of
the consolidated net earnings and to include the accumulated amount of
noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheets as part of
shareholders’ equity. Noncontrolling interests recorded in the
consolidated financial statements represent the ownership interest in NT not
owned by the Company.
10.
BENEFIT PLANS:
Defined
Contribution Plans:
The
Company has a defined contribution plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Substantially all of its U.S. employees are eligible to
participate after completing three months of service. Participants may elect to
contribute a portion of their compensation to the plan. Under the plan, the
Company has the discretion to match a portion of participants’ contributions.
The Company recorded no expense under the plan for the fiscal years ended March
31, 2009, and an expense of $500, and $572 under the plan for the fiscal years
ended March 31, 2010 and 2008, respectively.
Defined
Benefit Plans:
The
Company’s European operations maintain certain supplemental defined benefit
plans for substantially all of their employees. The gross amount of the future
benefit to be paid for pension and retirement will be fully covered through a
specific contract subscribed through an insurance company. Annual payments for
this obligation total approximately $47.
With the
acquisition of Intersema, the Company acquired a defined benefit pension
plan. At March 31, 2010 and 2009, the fair value of the plan assets
was $3,570 and $3,422, respectively, and the benefit obligation was $3,759 and
$3,342, respectively. Overall, remaining amounts and related disclosures for the
pension plan are immaterial to the consolidated financial
statements.
In
September 2006, the Company established the Measurement Specialties, Inc. 2006
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue
Code to provide employees of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries with an
opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock through accumulated
payroll deductions. The purchase price for shares of the Company’s common stock
under the ESPP is 95% of the lower of the closing value of the Company’s common
stock on the first or last trading day of an offering period. In accordance with
the applicable standards for employers’ accounting for employee stock ownership
plans, shares held by the ESPP are considered outstanding upon the commitment
date for issuance for purposes of calculating diluted net income per common
share. The Company issued 4,876 shares as part of the offering period
ending March 31, 2010, and these shares were considered outstanding as of March
31, 2010 in the calculation of diluted net income per common share. During
fiscal 2009 and 2008, the Company issued 7,470 and 2,675 shares, respectively,
as part of the offering period ending March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and
these shares were considered outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and 2008 in the
calculation of diluted net income per common share.
11.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
With the
purchase of YSI Temperature, the Company acquired a 50 percent ownership
interest in Nikkiso-THERM (“NT”), a joint venture in Japan. This joint venture
is included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. At March
31, 2010 and 2009, NT had amounts due from Nikkiso of $918 and $1,824,
respectively.
12.
INCOME TAXES:
Income
from continuing operations before income taxes for the year ended March 31,
2010, 2009 and 2008 consists of the following:
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$ |
(3,378 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,367 |
) |
|
$ |
5,146 |
|
Foreign
|
|
|
10,596 |
|
|
|
12,270 |
|
|
|
17,661 |
|
Income
from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
$ |
7,218 |
|
|
$ |
9,903 |
|
|
$ |
22,807 |
|
Income
tax expense from continuing operations consists of the following:
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$ |
48 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
44 |
|
Foreign
|
|
|
2,629 |
|
|
|
3,435 |
|
|
|
2,651 |
|
State
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Total
|
|
$ |
2,677 |
|
|
$ |
3,468 |
|
|
$ |
2,694 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
(723 |
) |
|
|
2,459 |
|
Foreign
|
|
|
(1,728 |
) |
|
|
1,575 |
|
|
|
622 |
|
State
|
|
|
(88 |
) |
|
|
(84 |
) |
|
|
226 |
|
Total
|
|
|
(1,944 |
) |
|
|
768 |
|
|
|
3,307 |
|
|
|
$ |
733 |
|
|
$ |
4,236 |
|
|
$ |
6,001 |
|
Differences
between the federal statutory income tax rate and the effective tax rates using
income from continuing operations, before income taxes are as
follows:
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Statutory
tax rate
|
|
|
35.0 |
% |
|
|
35.0 |
% |
|
|
35.0 |
% |
Return
to provision adjustment
|
|
|
-0.7 |
% |
|
|
-0.9 |
% |
|
|
-0.8 |
% |
Effect
of foreign taxes
|
|
|
-28.8 |
% |
|
|
-8.7 |
% |
|
|
-13.9 |
% |
State
taxes
|
|
|
-1.2 |
% |
|
|
-0.4 |
% |
|
|
0.8 |
% |
Valuation
allowance
|
|
|
0.3 |
% |
|
|
24.5 |
% |
|
|
0.7 |
% |
Stock
options
|
|
|
6.1 |
% |
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
|
2.5 |
% |
US
tax on foreign income
|
|
|
13.8 |
% |
|
|
2.1 |
% |
|
|
2.3 |
% |
Tax
credits
|
|
|
-5.8 |
% |
|
|
-9.2 |
% |
|
|
-2.4 |
% |
Rate
changes
|
|
|
-7.4 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
4.1 |
% |
Tax
exempt income
|
|
|
-0.7 |
% |
|
|
-1.7 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
Other
|
|
|
-0.4 |
% |
|
|
-1.5 |
% |
|
|
-2.0 |
% |
|
|
|
10.2 |
% |
|
|
42.8 |
% |
|
|
26.3 |
% |
Differences
between the Federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate have historically
related mainly to reduced rates applied to pre-tax income generated by the
Company’s foreign subsidiaries. Most of the return to provision
adjustment in 2010 relates to the research and development (“R&D”) deduction
in China. During fiscal 2009, there was a significant difference due
to the valuation allowance recorded for certain deferred tax assets principally
at our German subsidiary. The larger permanent items in 2010, 2009 and 2008
include incentive stock options, tax credits, foreign dividend income, as well
as non-deductible meals and entertainment expenses. In 2008, the reversal of a
foreign income tax payable resulted in a reduction of income tax expense of
$597. This income tax payable related to a foreign tax accrual from at least
2001, which had been previously considered a liability; however, based on
further documentation, it was determined that the Company was not liable for the
amounts which had previously been accrued.
In fiscal
2010, there was a tax law change in France which included changes to a business
tax previously not classified as an income tax but is now reported as an income
tax. This change increased income tax in France by $63. In
fiscal 2008, there were tax law changes in Germany and China which resulted in
approximately $900 of additional income tax expense. Approximately
$989 in additional non-cash income tax expense relates to the revaluation of the
net deferred tax assets in Germany resulting from the decrease in tax rates. The
combined tax rate in Germany decreased from 39% to 32%, as a result of the
German Business Tax Reform 2008, which became effective on August 17,
2007.
Prior to
fiscal 2008, the Company had received on an annual basis over the past 9 years
certain tax reductions from the tax authorities in China, as the Company
qualified as a high-technology and export business enterprise. This special tax
status provided the Company, among other things, reductions in statutory
national and local tax rates in China from approximately 15% to approximately
10%. These reduced tax rates resulted in tax reductions of approximately $416,
or $0.03 per diluted share for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Effective
January 1, 2008, the statutory tax rate for 2008 increased to 18% under the new
China Enterprise Income Tax Law which increased to 20% January 1, 2009. The new
law established a common 25% rate which applies to both domestic and foreign
enterprises and is being phased in over a five-year period. Accordingly, in
fiscal 2008, the Company recorded China taxes at the higher rate of 20% on
current tax expense and 20% to 25% on net deferred tax assets. In fiscal 2008,
approximately $191 non-cash income tax credit for to the revaluation of the net
deferred tax assets in China resulting from the increase in income tax rates,
which was partially offset by an increase of $102 in income tax expense for
withholding taxes on undistributed earnings.
The new
China tax law includes provisions for high technology enterprises to qualify for
a reduced rate of 15%. To qualify for this reduced rate the Company has to meet
various criteria in regard to its operation related to its sales, research and
development activity, and intellectual property rights. During the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company’s subsidiary in China received approval from
the Chinese tax authorities for High Tech New Enterprise status
(“HTNE”). The new HTNE status for the Company provides a reduced rate
of 15% through calendar 2011, at which time there is a requalification process.
To qualify for this reduced rate the Company must continue to meet various
criteria in regard to its operations related to sales, research and development
activity, and intellectual property rights. These reduced tax rates resulted in
tax reductions of approximately $466, or approximately $0.03 per diluted share
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Additionally, the Company
recorded in fiscal 2010 approximately $136 non-cash income tax expense related
to the revaluation of the net deferred tax assets in China resulting from
decrease in income tax rates. Also included in fiscal 2010, is a tax reduction
resulting from the Company qualifying for additional expense deductions in China
for qualifying R&D expenses. The income tax benefit from these
deductions was approximately $266, which is reflected as a favorable discrete
tax adjustment during the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
During
2010, the Company elected to distribute $7,500 of undistributed earnings from
its Irish subsidiary, MEAS Ireland, and recorded a deferred tax liability and
corresponding discrete income tax expense for $1,100. The Company
generally considers undistributed earnings of most of its foreign subsidiaries
to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. and, accordingly, no U.S.
deferred taxes are recorded with respect to such earnings. Should the earnings
be remitted as dividends, the Company would be subject to additional U.S. taxes
net of allowable foreign tax credits. It is not practicable to estimate the
amount of any additional taxes which may be payable on the undistributed
earnings.
The Hong
Kong statutory corporate tax rate applicable to the Company's Hong Kong
Subsidiary’s earnings is 16.5%. The statutory tax rates for the Company's
subsidiaries in France and Germany are approximately 33.0% and 32.0%,
respectively. The statutory tax rates in Ireland are 12.5% for trade operating
income and 25% for passive income such as interest. The statutory rate for
Switzerland is approximately 12.5%.
During
the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company received approval from the Swiss
tax authority for a five year tax holiday effective in fiscal
2010. The Company’s tax rate in Switzerland was reduced to
approximately 12.5% from 22%. These reduced tax rates resulted in tax
reductions of approximately $659, or approximately $0.05 per share for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. In accordance with accounting
principles for income taxes, the Company revalued the Company’s Swiss net
deferred tax liabilities at the lower tax rate, resulting in a discrete non-cash
income tax credit of $651 recorded during the quarter ended September 30,
2009. The Company’s Swiss subsidiary had a reduced tax rate of 8.5%
through December 31 2008, as a result of being granted a tax holiday by the
Swiss tax authority. These reduced tax rates have resulted in tax reductions of
approximately $95 or $0.01 per share for fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 and
they were in a loss position for fiscal year ended March 31,
2008.
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Current
deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable allowance for doubtful accounts
|
|
$ |
60 |
|
|
$ |
176 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
845 |
|
|
|
974 |
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
789 |
|
|
|
634 |
|
Other
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
376 |
|
Total
current deferred tax assets
|
|
|
1,752 |
|
|
|
2,160 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
deferred tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(214 |
) |
|
|
(93 |
) |
Total
current deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(214 |
) |
|
|
(93 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
current deferred tax assets
|
|
$ |
1,538 |
|
|
$ |
2,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMT
and other credit carry-forwards
|
|
$ |
280 |
|
|
$ |
2,131 |
|
Warranty
and other accrued expenses
|
|
|
243 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
Net
operating loss carryforwards
|
|
|
12,223 |
|
|
|
11,024 |
|
Stock
options
|
|
|
2,018 |
|
|
|
1,391 |
|
Other
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
850 |
|
Total
long term asset
|
|
|
15,156 |
|
|
|
15,746 |
|
Valuation
allowance
|
|
|
(3,074 |
) |
|
|
(3,048 |
) |
Net
long-term deferred tax assets
|
|
|
12,082 |
|
|
|
12,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
deferred tax liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basis
difference in property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(849 |
) |
|
|
(1,111 |
) |
Basis
difference in acquired intangible assets
|
|
|
(5,917 |
) |
|
|
(6,978 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
(1,678 |
) |
|
|
(1,624 |
) |
Total
long-term deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(8,444 |
) |
|
|
(9,713 |
) |
Net
long term deferred tax asset
|
|
|
3,638 |
|
|
|
2,985 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
deferred tax assets
|
|
$ |
5,176 |
|
|
$ |
5,052 |
|
The
following are the net deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities by region
at March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$ |
1,278 |
|
|
$ |
974 |
|
Europe
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
348 |
|
Asia
|
|
|
368 |
|
|
|
838 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
1,752 |
|
|
$ |
2,160 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$ |
9,047 |
|
|
$ |
8,676 |
|
Europe
|
|
|
2,870 |
|
|
|
3,590 |
|
Asia
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
432 |
|
Total
|
|
|
12,082 |
|
|
|
12,698 |
|
Total
deferred tax assets
|
|
$ |
13,834 |
|
|
$ |
14,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
deferred tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Europe
|
|
|
(214 |
) |
|
|
(93 |
) |
Total
current deferred tax liabilities
|
|
$ |
(214 |
) |
|
$ |
(93 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
deferred tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$ |
(2,606 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,427 |
) |
Europe
|
|
|
(5,522 |
) |
|
|
(6,936 |
) |
Asia
|
|
|
(316 |
) |
|
|
(350 |
) |
Total
non-current deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(8,444 |
) |
|
|
(9,713 |
) |
Total
deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(8,658 |
) |
|
|
(9,806 |
) |
Net
deferred tax assets
|
|
$ |
5,176 |
|
|
$ |
5,052 |
|
The
Company has a valuation allowance of $3,074 for certain deferred tax assets
associated with net operating loss carry-forwards (“NOLs”). The 2010 valuation
allowances recorded for Hong Kong was $20. At March 31, 2010 and
2009, a cumulative valuation allowance of $128 and $108, respectively, relating
to the Hong Kong subsidiary was recognized because the Company does not project
utilizing the existing deferred tax asset. At March 31, 2010, our
German subsidiary had cumulative losses over the past three years, primarily due
to the decrease in profitability during the second half of fiscal 2009 as a
result of the global recession. The negative evidence of three years
of cumulative losses was considered to outweigh the positive evidence that the
net operating losses were not subject to expiration, because the long-term
prospects of future profitability were not considered objectively
verifiable. We expect our German subsidiary to return to
profitability in a future period. We will continue to assess on all
available positive and negative evidence to determine if a valuation allowance
is required. The 2009 non-cash charges to income tax expense for the German
valuation allowance reduced our net income by $2,881 or approximately $0.20 per
diluted share. Accounting guidance for such valuation
allowances is strictly based on the evaluation of positive and negative evidence
which can be objectively verified as to whether it is more likely than not the
NOLs will be utilized, and if positive evidence does not outweigh negative
evidence, a valuation allowance is required. The Company does not have a
valuation allowance for other remaining deferred tax assets, including the U.S.
net operating losses, in spite of the three year cumulative losses in the U.S.
due largely to the availability of a tax planning strategy. The
analysis of positive evidence which could be objectively verified outweighs any
negative evidence supporting the conclusion that an overall valuation allowance
is not required for the other remaining deferred tax assets. Current and
expected taxable income of the Company supports that an additional valuation
allowance is not needed and it is more likely than not that the results of
future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the other
remaining deferred tax assets.
The
Company has U.S. federal and state net operating loss carry-forwards of
approximately $16,559 and $17,556 at March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively,
which begin to expire in fiscal year 2022. The Company has net operating
loss carry-forwards in Germany of approximately $12,350, which are not subject
to expiration, but has a full valuation allowance recorded. During the year
ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company realized approximately $1,058 and $0,
respectively, in benefits from the net operating loss carryforwards. The Company
has a federal AMT tax credit carry-forward of approximately $280, which does not
expire, and French R&D tax credits of $1,511 at March 31, 2010 not subject
to expiration. The French tax credits are recorded as an income tax
receivable and a reduction to R&D operating expenses.
Unrecognized
tax benefits, April 1, 2009
|
|
$ |
227 |
|
Increases
for tax positions related to prior years
|
|
|
7 |
|
Unrecognized
tax benefits, March 31, 2010
|
|
$ |
234 |
|
The
unrecognized tax benefits of $234 at March 31, 2010, if recognized, would impact
the effective tax rate.
The
Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits.
At March 31, 2010, the Company has a liability of $20 for penalties and $31 for
interest. During 2010, the Company recognized no amounts for penalties and $7
for interest. The interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is
recorded in “Interest expense” and penalties related to tax matters is recorded
in “Operating expenses.”
The
Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign
jurisdictions. The Company’s tax years for fiscal 2007 and 2008 are currently
subject to examination by U.S. tax authorities. The additional tax years of 2004
through 2009 are subject to examination by China tax authorities.
Based on
the expiration of the statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, the
related unrecognized tax benefit for positions previously taken may change in
the next twelve months by approximately $126 recorded through income tax
expense.
13.
EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION:
Basic per
share information is computed based on the weighted-average common shares
outstanding during each period. Diluted per share information additionally
considers the shares that may be issued upon exercise or conversion of stock
options, less the shares that may be repurchased with the funds received from
their exercise. The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and
denominators of basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the years
ended March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively:
|
|
Net income
attributable to
MEAS
(Numerator)
|
|
|
Weighted
Average Shares
in thousands
(Denominator)
|
|
|
Per-Share
Amount
|
|
March
31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
per share information
|
|
$ |
5,916 |
|
|
|
14,498 |
|
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
Effect
of dilutive securities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
188 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
Diluted
per-share information
|
|
$ |
5,916 |
|
|
|
14,686 |
|
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
per share information
|
|
$ |
5,279 |
|
|
|
14,465 |
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
Effect
of dilutive securities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Diluted
per-share information
|
|
$ |
5,279 |
|
|
|
14,575 |
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
per share information
|
|
$ |
16,442 |
|
|
|
14,360 |
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
Effect
of dilutive securities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
Diluted
per-share information
|
|
$ |
16,442 |
|
|
|
14,510 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
|
For the
years ended March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, an aggregate of
2,042,296, 1,943,142 and 1,671,276 options, respectively, were excluded from the
earnings per share calculation because their effect would be
anti-dilutive.
14.
STOCK OPTION PLANS:
The
Company has four equity-based compensation plans for which options are currently
outstanding. These plans are administered by the compensation
committee of the Board of Directors, which approves grants to individuals
eligible to receive awards and determines the number of shares and/or options
subject to each award, the terms, conditions, performance measures, and other
provisions of the award. The Chief Executive Officer can also grant individual
awards up to certain limits as approved by the compensation committee. Awards
are generally granted based on the individual’s performance. Terms for stock
option awards include pricing based on the closing price of the Company’s common
stock on the award date, and generally vest over three to five year requisite
service periods using a graded vesting schedule or subject to performance
targets established by the compensation committee. Shares issued under stock
option plans are newly issued common stock.
On
September 16, 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved a new stock-based
compensation plan, the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008
Plan”). The 2008 Plan permits the granting of incentive stock
options, non-qualified stock options, and restricted stock
units. Subject to certain adjustments, the maximum number of shares
of common stock that may be issued under the 2008 Plan in connection with awards
is 1,400,000 shares. A total of 1,238,414 and 525,988 options to
purchase shares were outstanding at March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, under
the 2008 Plan. With the adoption of the 2008 Plan, no further options
may be granted under the Company’s other option plans.
Options
to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock were eligible to be granted
under the Company’s 2006 Stock Option Plan (‘2006 Plan’). A total of
945,338, 970,542, and 952,745 options to purchase shares were outstanding at
March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, under the 2006 plan.
On July
28, 2003, the Board of Directors adopted the Measurement Specialties, Inc. 2003
Stock Option Plan (“2003 Plan”), which was approved by shareholders at the 2003
Annual Meeting on September 23, 2003. Options to purchase up to 1,000,000 common
shares were eligible to be granted under the 2003 Plan, and 694,910, 744,420,
and 780,765 stock options were issued and outstanding at March 31, 2010, 2009,
and 2008, respectively, under the 2003 Plan.
Options
to purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of common stock were capable of being granted
under the Company’s 1998 Stock Option Plan, (‘1998 Plan’) until its expiration
on October 19, 2008. A total of 187,312, 256,112, and 287,729 options to
purchase shares were outstanding at March 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively,
under the 1998 Plan.
Stock-option
awards are priced based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on
the award date, generally vest over three to five year requisite service periods
using a graded vesting schedule or subject to performance targets established by
the compensation committee, and expire no later than ten years from the date of
grant. Options may, but need not, qualify as ‘incentive stock options’ under
section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax benefits are recognized upon
nonqualified exercises and disqualifying dispositions of shares acquired by
qualified exercises. There were no changes in the exercise prices of outstanding
options, through cancellation and re-issuance or otherwise, for 2010, 2009, or
2008. The number of shares remaining for future issuance under
equity compensation plans totaled 133,986, 874,012, and 145,195, as of March 31,
2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.
A summary
of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2010 and changes during the twelve
months then ended is presented below:
|
|
Number
of outstanding shares exercisable
|
|
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
March
31, 2009
|
|
|
2,497,062 |
|
|
|
1,201,329 |
|
|
|
19.07 |
|
|
|
22.31 |
|
Granted
at market
|
|
|
751,219 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(37,447 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expired
|
|
|
(105,430 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(40,220 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31, 2010
|
|
|
3,065,184 |
|
|
|
1,606,224 |
|
|
|
16.42 |
|
|
|
21.18 |
|
The
aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at March 31, 2010, was
$10,865 with a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 4.73 years
and a weighted average exercise price of $16.42. Of these options outstanding,
1,606,224 were exercisable and 1,301,192 were expected to vest with
aggregate intrinsic values of $2,178 and $7,626, respectively. The
weighted-average contractual life of options exercisable and options expected to
vest was 3.3 and 1.8 years, respectively. The weighted average exercise
price of options exercisable and options expected to vest was $21.18 and $11.36,
respectively. The following table provides information related to options
exercised during the years ended March 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008:
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Total
intrinsic value
|
|
$ |
150 |
|
|
$ |
323 |
|
|
$ |
2,276 |
|
Cash
received upon exercise of options
|
|
|
172 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
1,664 |
|
Related
tax benefit realized
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
260 |
|
The fair
value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model (graded vesting schedule with traunche
by traunche measurement and recognition of compensation cost) with the following
weighted-average assumptions:
|
|
Years
ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Dividend
yield
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Expected
volatility
|
|
|
63.4 |
% |
|
|
47.6 |
% |
|
|
37.6 |
% |
Risk
free interest rate
|
|
|
2.1 |
% |
|
|
1.6 |
% |
|
|
3.6 |
% |
Expected
term after vesting (in years)
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
Weighted-average
grant-date fair value
|
|
$ |
3.56 |
|
|
$ |
1.96 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
The
assumptions above are based on multiple factors, including historical exercise
patterns of employees with respect to exercise and post-vesting employment
termination behaviors, expected future exercise patterns for these employees and
the historical volatility of our stock price and the stock prices of companies
in our peer group (Standard Industrial Classification or “SIC” Code 3823). The
expected term of options granted is derived using company-specific, historical
exercise information and represents the period of time that options granted are
expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the
contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in
effect at the time of grant.
In order
to provide an appropriate expected volatility, one which marketplace
participants would likely use in determining an exchange price for an option,
the Company revised, during the quarter ended September 30, 2006, the method of
calculating expected volatility by disregarding a period of the Company’s
historical volatility data not considered representative of expected future
volatility and replacing the disregarded period of time with peer group data.
The Company considers the period of time disregarded to be within the “rare”
situations stated in Security Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No.
107 (“SAB 107”). The Company experienced, during the period of time leading up
to and after the restructuring in May 2002, a rare series of events, including a
going concern situation, financial statement restatement, a class action
shareholder lawsuit, an SEC investigation, a $4,400 asset write-down,
significant net losses, and a halt in the trading of the Company’s common stock,
none of which are expected to recur in the future.
At March
31, 2010, there was $2,889 of unrecognized compensation cost related to
share-based payments, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average
period of 1.3 years. The unrecognized compensation cost above is not adjusted
for estimated forfeitures. Adjusted for estimated forfeitures, at March 31,
2010, there was $2,171 of unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based
payments.
15.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Leases:
The
Company leases certain property and equipment under non-cancelable operating
leases expiring on various dates through March 2056. The Company provided an
unconditional guarantee up to a maximum amount of $1,000 under a property
sub-lease if the sub-lessor defaults. Expenses for leases that include escalated
lease payments are recorded on a straight-line basis over that base lease
period. Rent expense, including real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance
expenses associated with net operating leases approximates $3,751 for 2010,
$4,915 for 2009, and $4,396 for 2008. At March 31, 2010, total minimum rent
payments under leases with initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms of
more than one year were:
|
|
Years
ending March 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
Minimum
operating lease rent payments
|
|
$ |
3,592 |
|
|
$ |
3,239 |
|
|
$ |
3,198 |
|
|
$ |
3,150 |
|
|
$ |
2,556 |
|
|
$ |
7,957 |
|
The
Company is obligated under capital lease arrangements for certain equipment. At
March 31, 2010 and 2009, the amount of equipment recorded in property and
equipment under capital leases were $256 and $1,047, respectively.
Below is
a schedule of future payments under capital leases:
|
|
Years
ending March 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Capital
lease obligations
|
|
$ |
193 |
|
|
$ |
57 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
256 |
|
Amortization
of assets held under capital leases is included with depreciation
expense.
Litigation:
Pending
Legal Matters
There are
currently no material pending legal proceedings. From time to time, the Company
is subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business.
The Company currently is not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that
the Company believes will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material
adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, or operating
results.
Contingency: Exports
of technology necessary to develop and manufacture certain of the Company’s
products are subject to U.S. export control laws and similar laws of other
jurisdictions, and the Company may be subject to adverse regulatory
consequences, including government oversight of facilities and export
transactions, monetary penalties and other sanctions for violations of these
laws. All exports of technology necessary to develop and manufacture the
Company’s products are subject to U.S. export control laws. In certain
instances, these regulations may prohibit the Company from developing or
manufacturing certain of its products for specific end applications outside the
United States. In late May 2009, the Company became aware that certain of its
piezo products when designed or modified for use with or incorporation into a
defense article are subject the International Traffic in Arms Regulations
("ITAR") administered by the United States Department of State. Certain
technical data relating to the design of the products may have been exported to
China without authorization from the U.S. Department of State. As required by
the ITAR, the Company conducted a thorough investigation into the matter.
Based on the investigation, the Company filed in December 2009 a final
voluntary disclosure with the U.S. Department of State relating to that matter,
as well as to exports and re-exports of other ITAR-controlled technical data
and/or products to Canada, India, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Israel,
Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom, which
disclosure has since been supplemented. In the course of the investigation, the
Company also became aware that certain of its products may have been exported
from France without authorization from the relevant French authorities. The
Company investigated this matter thoroughly. In December 2009, it also
voluntarily submitted to French customs authorities a list of products that may
have required prior export authorization. In addition, the Company has taken
steps to mitigate the impact of potential violations, and we are in the process
of strengthening our export-related controls and procedures. The U.S. Department
of State and other regulatory authorities encourage voluntary disclosures
and generally afford parties mitigating credit under such circumstances. The
Company nevertheless could be subject to potential regulatory consequences
related to these possible violations ranging from a no-action letter, government
oversight of facilities and export transactions, monetary penalties, and in
extreme cases, debarment from government contracting, denial of export
privileges and/or criminal penalties. It is not possible at this time to predict
the precise timing or probable outcome of any potential regulatory consequences
related to these possible violations. The Company has incurred during fiscal
2010 approximately $534 in legal fees associated with the ITAR
matters.
Acquisition Earn-Outs and Contingent
Payments: In
connection with the Visyx acquisition, the Company has a contingent payment
obligation of approximately $2,000 based on the commercialization of certain
sensors, and a sales performance based earn-out totaling $9,000. In connection
with the Atexis acquisition, the selling shareholders have the potential to
receive up to an additional €2,000 tied to sales growth thresholds through
calendar 2010. Contingent earn-out obligations for Intersema and FGP
acquisitions based on calendar 2009 sales objectives were not met. No amounts
related to the above acquisition earn-outs were accrued at March 31, 2010 since
the contingencies were not determinable or achieved.
16.
SEGMENT INFORMATION:
The
Company continues to have one reporting segment, a sensor business, under
applicable accounting guidelines for segment reporting. For a description of the
products and services of the Sensor business, see Note 1. Management continually
assesses the Company’s operating structure, and this structure could be modified
further based on future circumstances and business conditions.
Geographic
information, excluding discontinued operations, for revenues based on country
from which invoiced and long-lived assets based on country of location, which
includes property, plant and equipment, but excludes intangible assets and
goodwill, net of related depreciation and amortization follows:
|
|
For
the years ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Net
Sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
74,882 |
|
|
$ |
93,647 |
|
|
$ |
107,734 |
|
France
|
|
|
36,179 |
|
|
|
28,110 |
|
|
|
28,021 |
|
Germany
|
|
|
15,209 |
|
|
|
15,375 |
|
|
|
19,323 |
|
Ireland
|
|
|
20,815 |
|
|
|
12,041 |
|
|
|
12,969 |
|
Switzerland
|
|
|
11,196 |
|
|
|
13,070 |
|
|
|
4,396 |
|
China
|
|
|
51,329 |
|
|
|
41,700 |
|
|
|
55,940 |
|
Total:
|
|
$ |
209,610 |
|
|
$ |
203,943 |
|
|
$ |
228,383 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long
Lived Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
7,010 |
|
|
$ |
7,754 |
|
|
$ |
6,624 |
|
France
|
|
|
7,940 |
|
|
|
7,860 |
|
|
|
6,808 |
|
Germany
|
|
|
2,334 |
|
|
|
2,253 |
|
|
|
2,817 |
|
Ireland
|
|
|
3,311 |
|
|
|
3,434 |
|
|
|
4,263 |
|
Switzerland
|
|
|
1,735 |
|
|
|
1,918 |
|
|
|
2,418 |
|
China
|
|
|
22,465 |
|
|
|
23,656 |
|
|
|
17,785 |
|
Total:
|
|
$ |
44,795 |
|
|
$ |
46,875 |
|
|
$ |
40,715 |
|
17.
CONCENTRATIONS:
Although
the Company has a U.S. dollar functional currency for reporting purposes, it has
manufacturing sites throughout the world and a large portion of its sales are
generated in foreign currencies. A substantial portion of our revenues are
priced in U.S. dollars, and most of our costs and expenses are priced in U.S.
dollars, with the remaining priced in Chinese RMB, Euros, Swiss francs and
Japanese yen. Sales by subsidiaries operating outside of the United States are
translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates effective during the
respective period. As a result, the Company is exposed to movements in the
exchange rates of various currencies against the United States dollar.
Accordingly, the competitiveness of our products relative to products produced
locally (in foreign markets) may be affected by the performance of the U.S.
dollar compared with that of our foreign customers’ currencies. The Company has
generally accepted the exposure to exchange rate movements without using
derivative financial instruments to manage this risk. Therefore, both positive
and negative movements in currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar will
continue to affect the reported amount of sales, profit, and assets and
liabilities in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The
following table details annual net sales invoiced from our facilities within the
U.S. and outside of the U.S. and as a percentage of total net sales for the last
three years, as well as net assets and the related functional
currencies:
|
|
For
the years ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Net
sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
facilities
|
|
$ |
74,882 |
|
|
$ |
93,647 |
|
|
$ |
107,734 |
|
U.S.
facilities % of sales
|
|
|
36 |
% |
|
|
46 |
% |
|
|
47 |
% |
Non-U.S.
facilities
|
|
$ |
134,728 |
|
|
$ |
110,296 |
|
|
$ |
120,649 |
|
Non-U.S.
facilities % of sales
|
|
|
64 |
% |
|
|
54 |
% |
|
|
53 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets (liabilities):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
dollar
|
|
$ |
59,117 |
|
|
$ |
51,640 |
|
|
$ |
49,082 |
|
Chinese
renminbi
|
|
|
14,862 |
|
|
|
22,419 |
|
|
|
17,306 |
|
Hong
Kong dollar
|
|
|
75,301 |
|
|
|
61,588 |
|
|
|
63,827 |
|
Euro
|
|
|
14,998 |
|
|
|
18,273 |
|
|
|
19,562 |
|
Japanese
yen
|
|
|
2,117 |
|
|
|
2,360 |
|
|
|
3,787 |
|
Swiss
franc
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
|
996 |
|
|
|
2,225 |
|
The
Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by counter
parties to its financial instruments. The Company places cash with various major
financial institutions in the United States, Europe, Hong Kong, and China. Cash
held in foreign institutions amounted to $15,035 and $9,702 at March 31,
2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company periodically evaluates the relative
credit standing of financial institutions considered in its cash investment
strategy. Our emphasis is primarily on safety and liquidity of principal and
secondarily on maximizing yield on those funds. Measurement Specialties Sensor
(China) Ltd. is subject to certain Chinese government regulations, including
currency exchange controls, which limit cash dividends and loans to Measurement
Specialties Sensor (Asia) Limited and Measurement Specialties,
Inc.
Accounts
receivable are primarily concentrated in the United States and Europe. At March
31, 2010 and 2009, accounts receivable in the United States totaled $12,165 and
$14,879, respectively, and accounts receivable in Europe totaled $14,358 and
$11,237, respectively. To limit credit risk, the Company evaluates the financial
condition and trade payment experience of customers to whom credit is extended.
The Company does not require customers to furnish collateral, though certain
foreign customers furnish letters of credit. In addition, concentrations of
credit risk arising from trade accounts receivable are limited due to the
diversity of the Company’s customers. Notwithstanding these efforts, the current
distress in the global economy may increase the difficulty in collecting
accounts receivable.
The
Company manufactures the substantial majority of its non-temperature sensor
products in the Company’s factories located at owned premises in Shenzhen,
China. Sensors are also manufactured at the Company’s United States leased
facilities located in Virginia and California and at three of the Company’s
facilities in France, Germany and Switzerland. The Company manufactures a
significant portion of the temperature sensors at leased facilities in Ohio,
China and in Ireland. A larger portion of the Company’s temperature sensors are
manufactured by Betacera Inc., a Taiwanese-based contract manufacturer in China.
Additionally, most of the Company’s products contain key components, which are
obtained from a limited number of sources. These concentrations in external and
foreign sources of supply present risks of interruption for reasons beyond the
Company’s control, including, political, economic and legal uncertainties
resulting from the Company’s operations outside the U.S.
Our
largest customer is a large U.S. OEM automotive supplier, and accounted for
approximately 16% of our net sales during fiscal 2010, 14% of our net sales
during fiscal 2009, and approximately 18% of our net sales during fiscal 2008.
At March 31, 2010, the trade receivable with our largest customer was
approximately $3,651. No other customers accounted for more than 10% during the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.
Presented
below is a schedule of selected quarterly operating results.
|
|
First
Quarter
Ended
June
30
|
|
|
Second
Quarter
Ended
September
30
|
|
|
Third
Quarter
Ended
December
31
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter
Ended
March
31
|
|
Year
Ended March 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$ |
44,741 |
|
|
$ |
49,087 |
|
|
$ |
54,755 |
|
|
$ |
61,027 |
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
16,251 |
|
|
|
17,942 |
|
|
|
21,960 |
|
|
|
25,216 |
|
Income
(loss) from continuing operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
|
(1,365 |
) |
|
|
166 |
|
|
|
3,382 |
|
|
|
4,302 |
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations net of taxes
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(125 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Net
income (loss) atttributable to MEAS
|
|
|
(1,477 |
) |
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
3,248 |
|
|
|
4,202 |
|
Earnings
(loss) per share - continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPS
basic
|
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
EPS
diluted
|
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
|
0.28 |
|
Loss
per share - discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPS
basic
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
EPS
diluted
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Year
Ended March 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$ |
58,998 |
|
|
$ |
58,888 |
|
|
$ |
43,299 |
|
|
$ |
42,758 |
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
25,241 |
|
|
|
25,037 |
|
|
|
18,920 |
|
|
|
16,412 |
|
Income
(loss) from continuing operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
|
3,932 |
|
|
|
3,811 |
|
|
|
982 |
|
|
|
(3,058 |
) |
Net
income (loss) atttributable to MEAS
|
|
|
3,855 |
|
|
|
3,718 |
|
|
|
876 |
|
|
|
(3,170 |
) |
Earnings
(loss) per share - continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPS
basic
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
EPS
diluted
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
Year
Ended March 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$ |
53,151 |
|
|
$ |
56,462 |
|
|
$ |
55,991 |
|
|
$ |
62,779 |
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
22,884 |
|
|
|
23,361 |
|
|
|
23,469 |
|
|
|
25,647 |
|
Income
from continuing operations attributable to MEAS
|
|
|
3,797 |
|
|
|
3,427 |
|
|
|
4,944 |
|
|
|
4,638 |
|
Net
income atttributable to MEAS
|
|
|
3,745 |
|
|
|
3,369 |
|
|
|
4,904 |
|
|
|
4,424 |
|
Earnings
per share - continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPS
basic
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
|
0.24 |
|
|
|
0.33 |
|
|
|
0.31 |
|
EPS
diluted
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
|
0.23 |
|
|
|
0.33 |
|
|
|
0.31 |
|
Loss
per share - discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPS
basic
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
EPS
diluted
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
Earnings
per share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented, on the
basis described in Note 13. The sum of the quarters may not be equal to the full
year earnings per share amounts. Fiscal 2010 includes a number of tax items
recorded during the quarter ended September 30, 2009: $1,100 in
additional income tax expense associated with the election to distribute certain
undistributed earnings from the Company’s Irish subsidiary; $651 income tax
credit reducing income tax expense associated with the approval from the Swiss
tax authorities reducing the Company’s tax rate in Switzerland; and $266 income
tax benefit associated with an R&D tax deduction. Additionally, during the
quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company recorded a $466 income tax benefit
associated with the approval of High New Tech Enterprise from the Chinese tax
authorities reducing the Company’s tax rate in China. The Company recorded a tax
provision for a valuation allowance of approximately $2,881 during the quarter
ended March 31, 2009 for certain deferred tax assets associated with net
operating loss carryforwards primarily at our German subsidiary. During the
quarter ended December 31, 2008, the Company reversed the accruals for bonus
compensation plan and 401(k) match totaling $676, and the Company recorded an
adjustment to income for $500 to increase inventory balances related to the
Intersema acquisition. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Company
reclassified interest income previously classified as discontinued operations to
continuing operations and the Company reversed a foreign income tax payable
totaling $597, as discussed in Note 12. During the quarter ended December 31,
2007, the Company recorded a net non-cash tax credit adjustment of $175 related
to the revaluation of the net deferred tax assets for its MEAS China subsidiary
due to a tax law change, and $349 in addition income tax expense for the accrual
of a 5% withholding tax. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the
Company recorded a $997 discrete non-cash income tax expense adjustment for the
revaluation of the net deferred tax assets in Germany resulting from a recent
decrease in the German tax rates. The Company assessed the impact of these
adjustments relative to the first three quarters and prior year, and determined
there was no material impact on the periods reported.
VALUATION
AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years
Ended March 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
Col. A
|
|
Col.
B
|
|
|
Col.
C
|
|
|
Col.
D
|
|
|
Col.
E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description
|
|
Balance
at
Beginning
of
Period
|
|
|
Charged
to
Costs
and
Expenses
|
|
|
Charged
to
Other
Accounts
Describe
|
|
|
Deductions-
Describe
|
|
|
Balance
at End
of
Period
|
|
Year
ended March 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deducted
from asset accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance
for doubtful accounts
|
|
$ |
898 |
|
|
$ |
(250 |
) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(184 |
)
(a) |
|
$ |
464 |
|
Inventory
allowance
|
|
|
3,489 |
|
|
|
1,140 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(866 |
)
(c) |
|
|
3,763 |
|
Valuation
allowance for deferred taxes
|
|
|
3,048 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,074 |
|
Warranty
Reserve
|
|
|
256 |
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(164 |
)
(d) |
|
|
208 |
|
Year
ended March 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deducted
from asset accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance
for doubtful accounts
|
|
$ |
696 |
|
|
$ |
714 |
|
|
$ |
(43 |
)
(e) |
|
$ |
(469 |
)
(a) |
|
$ |
898 |
|
Inventory
allowance
|
|
|
3,410 |
|
|
|
555 |
|
|
|
(11 |
)
(e) |
|
|
(465 |
)
(c) |
|
|
3,489 |
|
Valuation
allowance for deferred taxes
|
|
|
167 |
|
|
|
2,881 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,048 |
|
Warranty
Reserve
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
(59 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
)
(e) |
|
|
(77 |
)
(d) |
|
|
256 |
|
Year
ended March 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deducted
from asset accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance
for doubtful accounts
|
|
$ |
516 |
|
|
$ |
220 |
|
|
$ |
44 |
(e) |
|
$ |
(84 |
)
(a) |
|
$ |
696 |
|
Inventory
allowance
|
|
|
3,158 |
|
|
|
696 |
|
|
|
32 |
(e) |
|
|
(476 |
)
(c) |
|
|
3,410 |
|
Valuation
allowance for deferred taxes
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
167 |
|
Warranty
Reserve
|
|
|
401 |
|
|
|
409 |
|
|
|
10 |
(e) |
|
|
(420 |
)
(d) |
|
|
400 |
|
Notes:
(a) Bad
debts written off, net of recoveries
(b)
Actual returns received
(c)
Inventory sold or destroyed, production credit and foreign exchange
(d) Costs
of product repaired or replaced and foreign exchange
(e)
Recorded as part of purchase accounting