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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 10-K

     
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002           Commission file number 1-106
 
OR
 
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
    For the transition period from           to

LYNCH CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Indiana   38-1799862
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
50 Kennedy Plaza, Suite 1250,
Providence, RI
(Address of principal executive offices)
  02903
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(401) 453-2007

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

     
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered


Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value   American Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None

      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 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 þ          No o

      Indicate by mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulations S–K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the 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.     o

      The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant (based upon the closing price of the Registrant’s Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange on June 28, 2002 of $12.55 per share) was $13.0 million. (In determining this figure, the Registrant has assumed that all of the Registrant’s directors and officers are affiliates. This assumption shall not be deemed conclusive for any other purpose.)

      The number of outstanding shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock was 1,497,883 as of March 14, 2003.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

      Part III: Certain portions of Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.




 

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

      This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this discussion and throughout this document, words, such as “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “believes,” “anticipates” and “expects” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Registrant’s current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, over which the Registrant has no control, that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual future activities and operating results to differ include fluctuating demand for capital goods such as large glass presses, delay in the recovery of demand for components used by telecommunications infrastructure manufacturers, and exposure to foreign economies. Important information regarding risks and uncertainties is also set forth elsewhere in this document, including in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Registrant undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Registrant or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by the Registrant, in this document, as well as the Registrant’s periodic reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

      The Registrant makes available, free of charge, its annual report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports, if any, on Form 8-K.

      The Registrant also makes this information available on its website, who’s internet address is www.lynchcorp.com.

PART I

 
Item 1.      Business

      The Registrant, Lynch Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Registrant,” “Company” or “Lynch”), incorporated in 1928 under the laws of the State of Indiana, is a diversified holding company with subsidiaries engaged in manufacturing. Lynch’s executive offices are located at 50 Kennedy Plaza, Suite 1250, Providence, RI 02903. Its telephone number is (401) 453-2007.

      Lynch has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, M-tron Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“M-tron”), and Lynch Systems, Inc., a South Dakota corporation (“LS” or “Lynch Systems”).

      Registrant’s business development strategy is to expand its existing operations through internal growth and acquisitions. It may also, from time to time, consider the acquisition of other assets or businesses that are not related to its present businesses. As used herein, the Registrant includes subsidiary corporations.

A.     Lynch Systems, Inc.

 
Overview

      Lynch Systems, Inc. (“LS” or “Lynch Systems”), a 100% owned subsidiary of Registrant, designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of manufacturing equipment for the electronic display and consumer glass industries. LS also produces replacement parts for various types of packaging and glass container-making machines, which LS does not manufacture.

 
Selected Financial Information

      For financial reporting purposes, Lynch Systems comprises the Registrant’s “glass manufacturing equipment” segment. For information about this segment’s net sales, profit or loss, and total assets for each of

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the last three fiscal years, please see Note 15 “Segment Information” to the Registrant’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Lynch Systems Objectives

      LS intends to continue to build on its name recognition and reputation as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of glass forming machinery. LS is the only independent supplier in the CRT (cathode ray tube) glass forming field and it is LS’s intention to use this strength to form closer partnerships with its customers in their pursuit of innovative glass making machinery.

      LS’s long term intentions are to monitor the market direction and to be at the forefront of technology in order to respond to market demand for new and innovative types of machinery needed to produce glass. LS intends to continue to research and develop state-of-the-art machinery within its core competence, and also to seek new markets where its experience and proven success can be utilized to develop new products and increase its growth.

      LS also intends to continue to expand on its expertise in the feeder and shear markets obtained from its former joint venture partner, Lynch AMAV LLC, and to reduce the cost of its raw materials by continuing to search for cheaper suppliers of materials, especially from foreign markets. In addition, LS intends to continue its own in-house cost cutting programs by eliminating redundant or superfluous operations, improving its factory quality and yield rates and better utilization of its current personnel. By increasing its efficiency and shortening its delivery rate, LS hopes to increase the number of turns giving a positive effect to its financial performance. There is no assurance that LS can attain these objectives.

 
Products and Manufacturing

      LS manufactures glass-forming presses and electronic controls to provide high-speed automated systems to form different sizes of face panels and CRT display tubes for television screens and computer monitors including presses to build large screen televisions for the HDTV (high definition television) market. LS also manufactures and installs forming equipment that sizes, cuts, and forms tableware such as glass tumblers, plates, cups, saucers and commercial optical glass. Additionally, LS manufactures and installs fire polishing, electronic controls and retrofit systems for CRT display and consumer glass presses.

      At year-end 1998, LS, through a subsidiary, entered into a joint venture, Lynch-AMAV LLC, with AMAV GmbH of Germany to develop and manufacture glass-manufacturing equipment for the tableware industry. LS had a 75% interest in the joint venture until June 13, 2002 when LS acquired the remaining interests in the joint venture. The joint venture designed and developed feeders, shears and presses, most of which were manufactured for the joint venture by LS. LS believes that this joint venture expanded LS’s glass tableware equipment business, particularly in Europe. The planned AMAV technology transfer was completed in 2002 and the joint venture was terminated upon final payment of $220,000 to the joint venture partner by LS on June 13, 2002. All international business is now directed from Bainbridge, Georgia and all equipment is produced in the United States.

      The production of glassware entails the use of machines, which heat glass and, using great pressure, form an item by pressing it into a desired shape. Because of the high cost of bringing the machine and materials up to temperature, a machine for producing glassware must be capable of running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

      In 2001 LS sold four additional large TV glass press machines that were delivered in 2002. These machines sold for an aggregate of $14 million, of which $5.5 million was recognized as income in 2001 using the percentage of completion method with the balance of $8.5 million recognized in 2002 upon delivery and acceptance of these machines. At December 31, 2002, the Company had sold two machines for approximately $1.5 million, of which $0.7 million was recognized in 2002 using the percentage of completion accounting method with the balance expected to be recognized in 2003 upon delivery and acceptance of these machines.

      LS’s worldwide customers require capital equipment that produces a wide variety of Tableware products to remain competitive. In support of this market demand, Lynch Systems has invested in Research & Development (R&D) programs to manufacture new lines of capital equipment such as Stretch Machines for

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one-piece Stemware, Firepolishers for high quality Tableware and Spinning Machines for high speed, high quality Dishware.

      To further expand LS’s Tableware product lines, additional product lines have been acquired through royalty partnerships with leading industry concerns. In 1999, LS acquired the H-28 Press and Blow machine from Emhart Glass SA. This high production machine produces both round and geometric design Tumblers and is now marketed by LS as the LH-28 with numerous Electronic Control improvements. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, LS is obligated to pay Emhart a royalty of 13% on parts sales up to $2 million a year, a 5% royalty rate on all parts sales in excess of $2 million, and 5% on all machine sales through 2008. In 2000, the Eldred product line of Burnoff Machines, used to fire finish the rims of the H-28 Tumblers, and four-color Decorating Machines were acquired by LS. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, LS is obligated to pay Eldred a royalty of 10% on sales up to $300,000 per year and 8% royalty on sales over $300,000 per year until 2010. All Tableware capital equipment requires moulds in the production of any article. In 2002, agreement was reached with Merkad Glassware Mould, Ltd., a producer of high quality moulds, to represent and distribute moulds throughout North and South America. LS has no contractual obligations to Merkad.

      LS has the capabilities to take a glass product idea from a customer, have our engineering staff design a machine that will mass produce this glass product and then build the final machine for the customer. LS is in negotiations to obtain other orders for large TV glass presses; however, there can be no assurance that LS will obtain any other orders.

 
International Sales

      LS’s revenues from international sales were $12.8 million, $20.2 million and $20.3 million for 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, representing approximately 86%, 78% and 88% of LS’s net sales for 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The profitability of international sales is approximately equivalent to that of domestic sales. Because many international orders require partial advance deposits, with the balance often secured by irrevocable letters of credit from banks in the foreign country, the Registrant believes that some of the credit risks commonly associated with doing business in international markets are minimized. The Registrant avoids currency exchange risk by transacting substantially all international sales in United States dollars.

 
Backlog

      LS had an order backlog of approximately $3.9 million at December 31, 2002, compared to $12 million at December 31, 2001. Backlog declined due to the lack of orders from television and tableware manufactures. All of LS’s $3.9 million backlog as of December 31, 2002 is scheduled to be delivered in 2003. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements — “Subsequent Events” — regarding additions to the backlog in early 2003. LS includes as backlog only those orders which are subject to written contract or written purchase orders. In 1998, LS received $2.4 million in connection with the cancellation of a $16 million order for large TV glass presses and parts, which amount can be used by the customer as a credit for future orders. The $2.4 million has been reduced to $1.3 million as of December 31, 2002 as a result of sales to this customer. Any remaining unused credit will revert to LS at June 30, 2003.

 
Competition

      LS believes that in the worldwide pressware market it is the largest supplier to glass companies that do not manufacture their own pressware machines. Competitors include various companies in Italy, Japan, Korea, Germany and elsewhere. While several of the largest domestic and international producers of glass pressware frequently build their own glass-forming machines and produce spare parts in-house, nearly all pressware producers have made purchases of machines and/or spare parts from LS.

 
Customers

      Although one customer accounted for 42% of Lynch Systems 2002 revenue, its customer mix is diverse and does not believe it is dependent upon a single customer.

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Raw Materials

      Raw materials are generally available to LS in adequate supply from a number of suppliers.

 
Research and Development

      Research and development expense, mainly for stretch machines for stemware, was $220,000 in 2002, $146,000 in 2001 and zero in 2000. R&D expense for 2003 is budgeted at $96,000.

 
Intellectual Property

      Lynch Systems owns patents and proprietary know-how which are important to its business and the maintenance of its competitive position. Its most important patent is for a rotary glass-molding press with cushioned trunnion mounted hydraulic drive, expiring October, 2012. Lynch System’s investment in Lynch-AMAV, discussed above, has given Lynch Systems access to important proprietary know-how and technology which has enabled Lynch Systems to expand its product offerings and customer base.

 
Employees

      Lynch Systems employs 68 employees at its Bainbridge, Georgia facility, and 2 in Germany, none of whom belong to a union.

B.     M-tron Industries, Inc. (“M-tron”)

 
Overview

      M-tron, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lynch, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of custom designed electronic components that are used primarily to control the frequency or timing of electronic signals in communications equipment. Its devices, which are commonly called frequency control devices, crystals or oscillators, support fixed and mobile wireless, copper wire, coaxial cable, wide area networks, local area networks and fiber optic systems. It sells its products to original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and to distributors.

      M-tron’s products are quartz crystal based frequency control devices consisting of packaged quartz crystals and oscillators incorporating those crystals. Its products enable communications equipment manufacturers and network equipment manufacturers to meet the increasing demands of their customers because they produce an electrical signal that is:

  •  accurate — the frequency of the signal does not change significantly over a period of time;
 
  •  stable — the frequency of the signal does not vary significantly when our product is subjected to a range of operating temperatures; and
 
  •  has low electronic noise — the signal does not add interfering signals that can degrade the performance of the electronics system.

      In addition, M-tron sells crystals and oscillators which are used outside the communications industry. These frequency control devices are used in microprocessor and computer applications, industrial controls, medical instrumentation, automotive products and military applications.

      In October 2002, M-tron acquired certain assets, technology and customer orders backlog from Champion Technologies, Inc. (“Champion”). Champion’s product line includes crystals, clock oscillators, specialized crystal oscillators, and timing solutions that will further broaden M-tron’s product offering and customer base. See Note 2 — “Acquisitions” — to the Registrant’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

      M-tron has over 35 years of experience designing, manufacturing and marketing crystal based frequency control products. Its customers rely on the skills of M-tron’s engineering and design team to help them solve frequency control problems during all phases of their product’s life cycles, including product design, prototyping, manufacturing and subsequent product improvements.

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Selected Financial Information

      For financial reporting purposes, M-tron comprises the Registrant’s “frequency control devices” segment. For information about this segment’s net sales, profit or loss, and total assets for each of the last three fiscal years, please see Note 15 “Segment Information” to the Registrant’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
M-tron Objectives

      M-tron’s objective is to build on the strength of its core expertise in packaged quartz crystal and oscillator technologies to become the supplier of choice to original equipment manufacturers who supply infrastructure equipment to the communications and networking industries.

      M-tron intends to maintain its current investment in technical resources, including design and engineering personnel to enable it to provide a high level of design and engineering support to its customers. It believes that technical participation with its original equipment manufacturers customers in the early stages of their design process will lead to M-tron’s frequency control devices being designed into their products more regularly.

      M-tron has increased the use of its offshore contract manufacturers who have added capacity on its behalf. In addition, M-tron’s long term objective is to reduce the time it takes to manufacture its products which will result in better service to its customers. To that end, it has dedicated additional resources to evaluating its manufacturing processes and to identifying and implementing process improvements.

      M-tron believes that it can significantly enhance its business opportunities by acquiring technology, product portfolios and/or customer bases. Some of these may offer immediate sales opportunities while others may meet longer term objectives. It plans to pursue these opportunities by making strategic acquisitions or by acquiring or licensing technology.

      M-tron intends to design, manufacture and sell devices that offer higher frequencies or greater precision than its current products. These devices will serve applications within the communications and networking industries for which it does not currently provide products. It intends to achieve this through a combination of focused research and development and strategic acquisitions, if they are appropriate. In pursuit of these objectives, M-tron completed its initial strategic acquisition by purchasing Champion Technologies, Inc., who will immediately provide both new customers and a wider range of products, including entry to the timing module markets.

      There is no assurance that M-tron can achieve these objectives.

 
Products

      M-tron’s products are high quality, reliable, technically advanced frequency control devices, including packaged quartz crystals and oscillators incorporating those crystals. The acquisition of certain Champion assets will also provide M-tron an entry to the timing modules market.

      M-tron designs and produces a wide range of packaged quartz crystals and quartz crystal based oscillators. There are a variety of features in its product family. The Packaged Crystal is a single crystal in a hermetically sealed package and is used by electronic equipment manufacturers, along with their own electronic circuitry, to build oscillators for frequency control in their electronic devices. The Clock Oscillator is the simplest of its oscillators. It is a self-contained package with a crystal and electronic circuitry that is used as a subsystem by electronic equipment manufacturers to provide frequency control for their devices. The Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillator (VCXO) is a variable frequency oscillator whose frequency can be changed by varying the control voltage to the oscillator. The Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO) is an oscillator designed for use over a range of temperatures. The Digitally Compensated Crystal Oscillator (DCXO) is a temperature compensated oscillator in which the compensation electronics are digital and offer greater frequency stability than the TCXO over a range of temperatures. This variety of features in M-tron’s product family offers the designers at electronic equipment manufacturers a range of options as they create the needed performance in their products.

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      Currently, M-tron’s oscillator products operate at frequencies ranging from 2 kilohertz to over 2.5 gigahertz which constitute most of the oscillator frequencies that are now used in communications equipment. However, many of its products, through amplification or other means, are ultimately incorporated into those products that operate at higher frequencies.

      M-tron’s products are employed in numerous applications within the communications industry, including computer and telephone network switches, high-speed gigabit Ethernet, modems, wireless transmitters/receivers, multiplexers, data recovery/regeneration devices, fiber channel networks, repeaters, data transceivers, line interface devices and base station controllers. Its products are incorporated into end products that serve all elements of the communications industry.

      The crystals and oscillators M-tron sells for use in non-communications applications are used in industrial applications such as security systems, metering systems, electronic test instruments and industrial control systems. They are used in military and medical instrumentation applications as well as in various computer peripheral equipment such as printers, modems, monitors, video cards and sound cards. These non-communications applications may not require the quality and reliability demanded by manufacturers of communications equipment.

      A timing module is an electronic subsystem. It is a pre-assembled circuit that integrates several different functions into a small single self-contained module for control of timing in a circuit. Today, timing modules are frequently used for the synchronization of timing signals in digital circuits, particularly in wireless and optical carrier network systems.

 
Research and Development

      At December 31, 2002, M-tron employed 7 engineers and technicians in South Dakota who devoted most of their time to research and development. Its research and development expense was approximately $724,000 in 2002, $1,348,000 in 2001, and $994,000 in 2000. M-tron expects to reduce its spending on research and development by up to 10% during 2003.

 
Customers

      M-tron markets and sells its frequency control devices primarily to:

  •  original equipment manufacturers of communications and networking equipment;
 
  •  contract manufacturers for original equipment manufacturers; and
 
  •  distributors who sell to original equipment manufacturers and contract manufacturers.

      In 2002, one customer accounted for approximately 9% of M-tron’s net sales, compared to less than 7% in 2001. No other customer accounted for more than 8% of its 2002 revenues. Sales to its ten largest customers accounted for approximately 60% of net sales for 2002, 2001 and 2000 respectively.

 
International Sales

      M-tron’s revenues from international sales were $5.8 million, $9.5 million, and $17.6 million for 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, representing approximately 51%, 44%, and 48% of its net sales for 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. In 2002, these revenues included approximately 19% from customers in Canada, 19% from customers in Asia, 6% from customers in Western Europe and 5% from customers in Mexico. M-tron has increased its international sales efforts by adding distributors and manufacturers’ representatives in Western Europe and Asia. The Champion products acquisition will further improve the Company’s market position in Western Europe. See Note 2 — “Acquisitions” to the Registrant’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
Backlog

      M-tron had backlog orders of approximately $2.3 million at December 31, 2002, compared to $1.4 million at December 31, 2001. The $0.9 million improvement is mainly the result of manufactured oscillator bookings

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stemming from the Champion acquisition. M-tron includes as backlog those orders which are subject to specific production release orders under written contracts, verbal and written orders from distributors with which it has had long-standing relationships, as well as written purchase orders from sales representatives. Its customers may cancel or defer orders without significant penalty.
 
Competition

      Frequency control devices are sold in a highly competitive industry. There are numerous domestic and international manufacturers who are capable of providing custom designed quartz crystals and oscillator modules comparable in quality and performance to its products. Competitors include Vectron International (a division of Dover Corporation), CTS Corporation and Saronix. M-tron does not operate in the same markets as high volume manufacturers of standard products; rather it focuses on manufacturing lower volumes of custom designed frequency control devices. Many of its competitors and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and marketing resources than it does. M-tron seeks to manufacture custom designed, high performance crystals and oscillators, which it believes it can sell competitively based upon performance, quality, order response time and a high level of engineering support.

 
Manufacturing

      M-tron has one manufacturing facility in Yankton, South Dakota, and has long-term relationships with two contract manufacturers in Asia, with one contract manufacturer currently enjoying almost all of M-tron’s business. M-tron maintains a rigorous quality control system and is an ISO 9001 qualified manufacturer.

      In 1986, M-tron established a working relationship with a contract manufacturer located in South Korea, and in 1994, it established a working relationship with a contract manufacturer located in the People’s Republic of China. While it does not have written long term agreements with them, M-tron believes that it is potentially their largest customer and, as such, believes that from time to time it received preferential treatment on production scheduling matters.

      M-tron attempts to utilize standard parts and components that are available from multiple vendors located in the United States or internationally; however, some components used in its products are available from only a limited number of sources.

      M-tron’s Manufacturing capacity and capabilities have been enhanced by the manufacturing and test equipment acquired as a result of its purchase of Champion Technologies, Inc.

 
Intellectual Property

      M-tron has no patents, trademarks or licenses which are considered to be important to M-tron’s business or operations. Rather, M-tron believes that its technological position depends primarily on the technical competence and creative ability of its engineering and technical staff in areas of product design and manufacturing processes as well as proprietary know-how and information.

 
Employees

      As of December 31, 2002, M-tron employed 108 people. It has also engaged two independent contractors. None of its employees is represented by a labor union and it considers its employee relations to be good.

C.     Spinnaker Industries, Inc. (“Spinnaker”)

      Until September 23, 2002, Lynch (through its subsidiary LS) owned 1,829,063 shares of the Class A Common Stock and 1,237,203 shares of the Common Stock of Spinnaker Industries, Inc. (“Spinnaker”), representing 41.8% and 49.5% of the equity and voting power of Spinnaker, respectively. On September 23, 2002, the Company sold its remaining interest in Spinnaker to an independent, international brokerage firm in New York City. The transfer was made for nominal consideration because Lynch determined that the Spinnaker shares had no value as a result of Spinnaker’s ongoing reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. As a result of this transfer, Lynch recorded a $19,420,000 non-cash gain and consequently

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an increase in shareholders’ equity of $19,420,000 in the third quarter of 2002. This action increased Lynch’s total shareholders’ equity to $11,644,000 at September 30, 2002 from a deficit of $7,615,000 on June 30, 2002.
 
Deconsolidation

      Prior to September 30, 2001, Lynch owned 48% and 60%, respectively, of the equity and voting power of Spinnaker. As such, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, Lynch consolidated the results of Spinnaker and was required to record all of the losses of Spinnaker, since the non-Lynch interests were not required to absorb their shares of losses (52%) after their investment was fully absorbed by losses. On September 26, 2001, Lynch caused LS to make a charitable disposition of 430,000 shares of Spinnaker’s Class A Common Stock. As a result of that transaction: (a) Lynch’s equity interest and voting power in Spinnaker were reduced to 41.8% and 49.5%, respectively, (b) Lynch deconsolidated Spinnaker for financial reporting purposes, effective September 30, 2001, (c) from September 30, 2001 until September 23, 2002, Lynch accounted for its ownership of Spinnaker using the equity method of accounting and (d) Lynch did not record any additional losses from Spinnaker, as Lynch had no obligation to further fund such losses.

      Upon the disposition of its remaining Spinnaker shares on September 23, 2002 as described above, Lynch completed the deconsolidation of Spinnaker and no longer has any economic interest in Spinnaker or affiliation with Spinnaker.

D.     Other Information

      While the Registrant holds licenses and patents of various types, Registrant does not believe they are critical to its overall operations. See respective “Intellectual Property” sections above for each of Lynch Systems and M-tron.

      The Registrant conducts product development activities with respect to each of its major lines of business. Currently, such activities are directed principally toward the improvement of existing products, the development of new products and/or diversification. In the last three years, M-tron has accounted for the vast majority of Registrant’s product development costs.

      The capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position of Registrant have not been materially affected to date by compliance with current federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment; however, Registrant cannot predict the effect of future laws and regulations. The Registrant has not experienced difficulties relative to fuel or energy shortages.

      No portion of the business of the Registrant is regarded as seasonal.

      In 2002, a single customer, who represented 42% of Lynch Systems sales, accounted for 24% of consolidated net sales, while the next largest customer represented less than 8% of consolidated revenue. There were no customers in 2001 or 2000 that represent 10% or more of consolidated revenues. The Registrant does not believe that it is dependent on any single customer.

      Additional information with respect to each of the Registrant’s lines of business is included in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included as Item 15(a) below.

 
E. Executive Officers of the Registrant

      Pursuant to General Instruction G (3) of Form 10-K, the following list of executive officers of the Registrant is included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in lieu of being included in the Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such list sets forth the names and ages of all

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executive officers of Registrant indicating all positions and offices with the Registrant held by each such person and each such person’s principal occupations or employment during the past five years.
             
Name Offices and Positions Held Age



Ralph R. Papitto
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since August 2001) of the Corporation; Chief Executive Officer of Avtek Inc., since 2002, a private holding company controlled by Mr. Papitto; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AFC Cable Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ listed manufacturer and supplier of electrical distribution products (1990-1999); Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nortek, Inc., a NYSE listed manufacturer of construction products (1967-1990); Director of Global Sports & Gaming.Com; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Roger Williams University; Former Director of Lynch Interactive Corporation and Spinnaker Industries, Inc.     76  
Mario J. Gabelli
  Chairman (1986 to August 2001) and Chief Executive Officer (1986 to January 2000; and April 2001 to August 2001) and Vice Chairman (since August 2001) of Lynch; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Lynch Interactive Corporation (since September 1999); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gabelli Group Capital Partners (since 1980), a private Corporation which makes investments for its own account; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gabelli Asset Management Inc. (since 1999), a NYSE listed holding corporation for subsidiaries engaged in various aspects of the securities business; Director/ Trustee and/or President of all registered investment companies managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC (since 1986); Governor of the American Stock Exchange; Overseer of Columbia University Graduate School of Business; Trustee of Fairfield University, Roger Williams University, Winston Churchill Foundation and E.L. Wigend Foundation; Director of The National Italian American Foundation and The American-Italian Cancer Foundation, Chairman, Patron’s Committee of Immaculate Conception School; and former trustee of Fordham Preparatory School.     60  
Richard E. McGrail
  President and Chief Operating Officer (since October 2001) of Lynch; President of Avtek Inc., since 2001, a private holding company controlled by Ralph R. Papitto; Division President of AFC Cable Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ listed manufacturer and supplier of electrical distribution products (1993 to 2001); Prior general and marketing management experience with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).     48  
Raymond H. Keller
  Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Secretary (since October 2001) of Lynch; Chief Financial Officer of Avtek Inc., since 2000, a private holding company controlled by Ralph R. Papitto; Director and Chief Financial Officer of AFC Cable Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ listed manufacturer and supplier of electrical distribution products (1989 to 2000); Trustee of Roger Williams University; Prior financial management experience with Microdot, Inc.     65  

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      The executive officers of the Registrant are elected annually by the Board of Directors at its organizational meeting in May and hold office until the organizational meeting in the next year and until their respective successors are chosen and qualified.

 
Item 2.      Properties

      Lynch’s principal executive offices in Providence, Rhode Island are leased and shared with Avtek Inc., a private holding company controlled by Ralph R. Papitto. Mr. Papitto is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lynch.

      Lynch Systems’ operations are housed in two adjacent buildings totaling 95,840 square feet situated on 4.86 acres of land in Bainbridge, Georgia. Finished office area in the two buildings totals approximately 17,000 square feet. Additionally, the Company has 18,604 square feet that is utilized for warehouse and storage. All such properties are subject to security deeds relating to loans.

      M-tron’s operations are housed in two separate facilities in Yankton, South Dakota. These facilities contain approximately 51,000 square feet in the aggregate. One facility owned by M-tron contains approximately 35,000 square feet, is situated on approximately 15 acres of land and is subject to security deeds relating to loans. The other facility is leased and contains approximately 16,000 square feet. The lease expires on September 30, 2003, with options to extend the lease to 2006.

      It is Registrant’s opinion that the facilities referred to above are in good operating condition and suitable and adequate for present uses.

 
Item 3.      Legal Proceedings

      In the normal course of business, subsidiaries of the Registrant are defendants in certain product liability, worker claims and other litigation in which the amounts being sought may exceed insurance coverage levels. The resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Registrant’s consolidated financial condition or operations. In addition, Registrant and/or one or more of its subsidiaries are parties to the following additional legal proceedings:

1.      In re Spinnaker Coating, Inc., Debtor/ PACE Local 1-1069 v. Spinnaker Coating, Inc., and Lynch Corporation, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Maine, Chapter 11, Adv. Pro. No. 02-2007; and PACE Local 1-1069 v. Spinnaker Industries, Inc., Spinnaker Coating, Inc., and Spinnaker Coating-Maine, Inc., Cumberland County Superior Court, CV-2001-00352:

      On or about June 26, 2001, in anticipation of the July 15, 2001 closure of Spinnaker’s Westbrook, Maine facility, Plaintiff PACE Local 1-1069 (“PACE”) filed a three count complaint in Cumberland County Superior Court, CV-2001-00352 naming the following defendants: Spinnaker Industries, Inc., Spinnaker Coating, Inc., and Spinnaker Coating-Maine, Inc. (collectively, the “Spinnaker Entities”) and Lynch. The complaint alleged that under Maine’s Severance Pay Act both the Spinnaker Entities and Lynch would be liable to pay approximately $1,166,000 severance pay under Maine’s Severance Pay Act in connection with the plant closure. The Defendants filed a notice of removal, thereby creating United States District Court Civil Action C.V. No. 01-236. The case was remanded to state court. The Spinnaker Entities also filed a separate complaint challenging the constitutionality of the Maine Severance Pay Act, United States District Court Civil Action No. 01-232 which later was dismissed by stipulation of the Spinnaker Entities. PACE also filed three separate Motions for Ex-Parte Attachment against the Spinnaker Entities and Lynch. PACE filed the First Motion for Attachment with its original Complaint. PACE sought to attach $1,166,483.44, an amount large enough to cover the claims of all PACE’s members seeking severance. The Court denied that Motion as being premature. PACE then filed a Second Motion against the Spinnaker Entities and Lynch for an attachment large enough to cover the claims of eight individual employees seeking severance pay in the amount of $120,736.27. On August 20, 2001, the Court granted that Motion in the amount of $118,500. On April 4, 2002, PACE subsequently recorded this attachment through UCC-1 filings with the Maine Secretary of State against Lynch Manufacturing and Lynch Corporation. PACE filed a Third Motion for Ex-Parte Attachment on August 29, 2001. This Motion sought an attachment large enough to cover the severance pay

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claimed by the remaining PACE members, $1,048,003. The Court denied this Motion but permitted PACE the opportunity to obtain an attachment after all defendants had an opportunity to respond and after hearing.

      Before any further action was taken with respect to PACE’s Third Motion for Attachment, the Spinnaker Defendants filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Following a series of filings in the United States District Court for the District of Maine and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine which, like United States District Court Case No. 01-236, later were dismissed by the parties with prejudice and without costs, PACE’s case continues to proceed against Lynch in Cumberland County Superior Court in Maine on the issue of whether Lynch has liability to PACE’s members under the Maine Severance Pay Act.

      On September 30, 2002, PACE requested a ruling from the Superior Court on its Third Motion for Attachment. On October 21, 2002, Lynch filed a Motion for Summary Judgment which incorporated its prior objection to any attachment. PACE filed an Opposition to Lynch’s Motion for Summary Judgment and a Motion for Leave to Further Amend the Complaint on November 12, 2002. Lynch thereafter filed a Reply Memorandum in Support of its Motion for Summary Judgment on November 26, 2002 and an opposition to PACE’s Motion for Leave to Further Amend the Complaint on December 3, 2002. On December 31, 2002, the Superior Court held a hearing on all pending Motions. The Superior Court requested that arguments focus on Lynch’s Motion for Summary Judgment since the granting of this Motion will render PACE’s Third Motion for Attachment and Motion to Further Amend the Complaint moot. As of the date of this filing, the Superior Court has rendered no decision on Lynch’s Motion for Summary Judgment.

      Lynch believes that, in addition to other defenses, it is not subject to the Maine Severance Pay Act, as now in effect. Management does not believe that the resolution of this case will have a material adverse effect on the Registrant’s consolidated financial condition or operations.

 
2. Qui Tam Lawsuit

      Lynch Corporation, Lynch Interactive Corporation (“Interactive”), and several other parties have been named as defendants in a lawsuit brought under the so-called “qui tam” provisions of the federal False Claims Act in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint was filed under seal with the court on February 14, 2001, and the seal was lifted on January 11, 2002. The Company was formally served with the complaint on July 9, 2002. The main allegation in the case is that the defendants participated in the creation of “sham” bidding entities that allegedly defrauded the federal Treasury by improperly participating in Federal Communications Commission spectrum auctions restricted to small businesses, as well as obtaining bidding credits in other spectrum auctions allocated to “small” and “very small” businesses. The lawsuit seeks to recover an unspecified amount of damages, which would be subject to mandatory trebling under the statute. On September 19, 2002, Interactive, on behalf of itself and Lynch, filed two Motions with the court: a Motion to Transfer the Action to the Southern District of New York and a Motion to Dismiss the Lawsuit. The relator filed an opposition reply to Interactive’s Motion to Dismiss and, on December 5, 2002, Interactive filed a Reply in Support of Its Motion to Dismiss. As of the date of filing of this report, no hearing had been scheduled on Interactive’s Motions.

      The U.S. Department of Justice has notified the court that it has declined to intervene in the case. The defendants strongly believe that the lawsuit is completely without merit and intend to defend the suit vigorously. Furthermore, under the separation agreement between the Company and Interactive pursuant to which Interactive was spun-off to the Company’s shareholders on September 1, 1999, Interactive would be obligated to indemnify the Company for any losses or damages incurred by the Company as a result of this lawsuit; and Interactive has, in fact, agreed in writing to defend the case on Lynch’s behalf and to indemnify Lynch for any losses it may incur as a result of the lawsuit. Interactive has retained legal counsel to defend the claim on behalf of Lynch and Interactive at the expense of Interactive. Nevertheless, the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation nor can the Company predict the effect that the lawsuit or its outcome will have on the Company’s business or plan of operation.

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3. Spinnaker Chapter 11 Reorganization Proceeding

      While the Spinnaker Chapter 11 reorganization proceeding is still ongoing, the status thereof is not reported herein because, on September 23, 2002, Lynch disposed of its entire remaining interest in Spinnaker and no longer has any economic interest in or affiliation with Spinnaker. See “Item 1. Business — C. Spinnaker.”

 
Item 4.      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

      Not applicable.

PART II

 
Item 5.      Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

      The Common Stock of Lynch Corporation is traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “LGL.” The market price highs and lows in consolidated trading of the Common Stock during the two years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:

                                 
Three Months Ended

2002 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31





High
    21.50       17.25       12.51       9.50  
Low
    14.75       12.25       9.60       5.60  
                                 
2001 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31





High
    42       30       34.75       23  
Low
    29       26       23       13  

      At March 14, 2003, the Company had 821 shareholders of record.

Compliance with Listing Standards

      On December 11, 2001 American Stock Exchange (“AMEX” or the “Exchange”) advised Lynch that it was initiating an informal review of Lynch’s eligibility for continued listing on AMEX because, based upon AMEX’s review of Lynch’s Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001: (1) Lynch had shareholders equity of less than $2 million and losses from continuing operations in two of its three most recent fiscal years and (2) Lynch had shareholders equity of less than $4 million and losses in three out of its four most recent fiscal years. AMEX requested Lynch to provide the Exchange with Lynch’s specific plan for achieving compliance with the Exchange’s continued listing guidelines. On January 10, 2002, Lynch responded to the AMEX, explaining that Lynch’s failure to meet the continued listing guidelines was attributable to the fact that, until September 30, 2001, by virtue of its control position in Spinnaker, Lynch was required to consolidate 100% of Spinnaker’s losses and that, in the absence of these losses from Spinnaker, Lynch would have reported positive equity and positive net income for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2001. Lynch further explained that its new management team had taken steps to deconsolidate Spinnaker from Lynch for financial reporting purposes effective from and after September 30, 2001 by reducing Lynch’s equity and voting interests in Spinnaker below 50%. See “Item 1. Business — C. Spinnaker Industries, Inc. — Deconsolidation”. Lynch explained that the deconsolidation of Spinnaker resulted in a non-cash gain of $27.4 million being recorded on September 30, 2001 and also resulted in Lynch retaining a negative investment in Spinnaker of $19.4 million, representing Lynch’s remaining interest in Spinnaker’s accumulated deficit as of September 30, 2001; that this remaining interest represents losses in excess of investment, which has been recorded as a “deferred gain” on Lynch’s balance sheet until such time as Spinnaker achieves profitability or Lynch disposes of its remaining interest in Spinnaker (see Note 1 to the Registrant’s Consolidated Financial Statements — “Basis of Presentation”); that Lynch will not record any additional losses from Spinnaker; that, in Lynch’s view, the $19.4 million “deferred gain” should be treated as equity by AMEX for purposes of assessing Lynch’s compliance with the listing standards; and that, after giving effect to

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the deconsolidation of Spinnaker, Lynch retains a strong balance sheet. Finally, Lynch explained that management expects Lynch’s business will be profitable and that the current negative equity position of Lynch, even before consideration of the aforementioned deferred gain as additional equity, would be reduced annually and turn positive in fiscal 2004.

      On January 29, 2002, the Exchange notified Lynch that it had determined to continue Lynch’s listing pending a review of its March 31, 2002 Form 10-Q. The Exchange noted that, by then, Lynch should have made favorable progress towards regaining compliance with the listing guidelines. The Exchange further noted that its determination to continue Lynch’s listing is subject to Lynch’s favorable progress in satisfying the Exchange’s guidelines for continued listing and to the Exchange’s routine periodic reviews of Lynch’s SEC filings. Finally, the Exchange requested a report on or before May 30, 2002 which provides (i) quarterly income statement, cash flow and balance sheet projections for the year ending December 31, 2002; (ii) a copy of Lynch’s most recent business plan, if available; and (iii) an update on Lynch’s stance with respect to its ownership position in Spinnaker.

      On May 28, 2002, Lynch provided the Exchange with the information it requested. Shortly thereafter, the Exchange verbally approved the Company’s continued listing on AMEX. Since the disposition of its remaining Spinnaker investment on September 23, 2002, the Company has met the Exchange’s listing guidelines.

Dividend Policy

      The Board of Directors has adopted a policy of not paying cash dividends, a policy which is reviewed annually. This policy takes into account the long term growth objectives of the Company, especially its acquisition program, shareholders’ desire for capital appreciation of their holdings and the current tax law disincentives for corporate dividend distributions. Accordingly, no cash dividends have been paid since January 30, 1989 and none are expected to be paid in 2003. Substantially all of the subsidiaries’ assets are restricted under the companies’ current credit agreements and limit the companies’ ability to pay dividends.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

      On May 2, 2002, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan and the issuance of up to 300,000 options to purchase shares of Company common stock. The options approved included the grant of 180,000 fully vested options to the Registrant’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph R. Papitto, and 24,000 options that vest over three years starting in 2002 to each of Raymond H. Keller, the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer, and to Richard E. McGrail, the Registrant’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

      The following table sets forth the Equity Compensation Plan information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K at the end of fiscal 2002:

                         
Number of Securities Remaining
Number of Securities to Be Weighted-Average Exercise Available for Future Issuance
Issued upon Exercise of Price of Outstanding Under Equity Compensation
Outstanding Options, Warrants Options, Warrants and Plans (Excluding Securities
and Rights Rights Reflected in Column (a))



Plan Category (a) (b) (c)




Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    228,000 shares Common Stock     $ 17.50 per share       72,000 shares Common Stock  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 
Total
    228,000 shares Common Stock     $ 17.50 per share       72,000 shares Common Stock  

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Item 6.      Selected Financial Data

LYNCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(Adjusted to Reflect Discontinued Operations and Spin Off of Lynch Interactive Corporation)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                             
Year Ended December 31(a)

2002* 2001* 2000 1999 1998





Revenues
  $ 26,386     $ 141,073     $ 219,196     $ 194,222     $ 187,644  
Operating profit (loss)(b)
    16,168       (19,240 )     (4,977 )     85       4,074  
Net financial activities
    (80 )     (7,357 )     (12,751 )     (9,528 )     (8,392 )
Gain (loss) on sale of subsidiary stock and other operating assets
    (92 )                       2,090  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests, discontinued operations and extraordinary items
    15,996       (26,597 )     (17,728 )     (9,443 )     (2,228 )
(Provision) benefit for income taxes
    1,967       (358 )     2,793       2,544       1,408  
Minority interests
          4,017       9,252       2,647       1,107  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before discontinued operations and extraordinary items
    17,963       (22,938 )     (5,683 )     (4,252 )     287  
Operations of Lynch Interactive Corporation(f)
                      (7,493 )     4,929  
Discontinued operations(c)
                      (572 )     (1,859 )
Gain on sale of Spinnaker’s industrial tape segment(c)
                      10,431        
Extraordinary items(d)
                2,245       303        
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 17,963     $ (22,938 )   $ (3,438 )   $ (1,583 )   $ 3,357  
     
     
     
     
     
 
Per Common Share:(e)
                                       
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before discontinued operations and Extraordinary items:
                                       
   
Basic
  $ 11.99     $ (15.24 )   $ (3.81 )   $ (3.00 )   $ .20  
   
Diluted
    11.99       (15.24 )     (3.81 )     (3.00 )     .20  
 
Net income (loss):
                                       
   
Basic
    11.99       (1