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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File No. 000-12739

AESP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
     
FLORIDA
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  59-2327381
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
1810 N.E. 144th STREET
NORTH MIAMI, FLORIDA

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  33181
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (305) 944-7710

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   x   No    o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes   o   No    x

On August 9, 2004, the registrant had 6,143,596 outstanding shares of its common stock, par value $.001 per share.



 


AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

             
        Page
  PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION        
  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.        
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2004 (unaudited) and December 31, 2003     3  
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)     4  
  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2004 (unaudited)     5  
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)     6  
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)     8  
  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.     17  
  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.     27  
  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.     28  
  PART II. OTHER INFORMATION        
  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.     29  
  CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.     29  
  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.     29  
  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.     29  
  OTHER INFORMATION.     29  
  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.     29  
 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
 PRESS RELEASE

Forward-looking statements

     Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “AESP, Inc.,” “AESP,” “the company,” “we,” “our” and “us” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes AESP, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain or may contain forward-looking statements about such matters as our operations, our financial performance and our prospects within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including:

    competition from other manufacturers and distributors of computer networking products both nationally and internationally,

    our ability to pay our operating expenses and service our debt from our available working capital,

    our ability to generate sales of our products at sufficient gross margins to operate our business on a cash flow and profitable basis,

    the balance of the mix between original equipment manufacturer sales (which have comparatively lower gross profit margins with lower expenses) and networking sales (which have comparatively higher gross profit margins with higher expenses) from period to period,

    our dependence on third parties for manufacturing and assembly of products, and

    the absence of supply agreements.

These and additional factors are discussed herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2003 fiscal year (the “Form 10-K”).

     You should carefully consider the information incorporated by reference, and information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) from time to time. The words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” and similar expressions used in this Form 10-Q are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revision of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should also know that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those included within the forward-looking statements.

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Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                 
    June 30, 2004
  December 31, 2003
    (unaudited)        
Assets
               
 
               
Current Assets
               
Cash
  $ 527     $ 1,082  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $363
           
at June 30, 2004 and $338 at December 31, 2003
    2,324       3,242  
Due from factor
    197       265  
Inventories
    5,319       5,416  
Due from employees
    14       21  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    315       226  
Current assets of discontinued operations
    552       656  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current assets
    9,248       10,908  
Property and equipment, net
    497       527  
Goodwill
    281       281  
Deferred tax assets
    148       156  
Assets of business transferred under contractual arrangement
          240  
Other assets
    475       422  
Non-current assets of discontinued operations
    245       374  
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 10,894     $ 12,908  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
               
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Current Liabilities
               
Lines of credit
  $ 1,357     $ 1,888  
Accounts payable
    5,248       6,224  
Accrued expenses
    222       667  
Accrued salaries and benefits
    481       595  
Income taxes payable
          118  
Customer deposits and other
    926       945  
Current portion of long-term debt
    710       45  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
    622       522  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    9,566       11,004  
Long term debt, less current portion
    72       71  
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    9,638       11,075  
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 1,000 shares authorized; none issued
           
Common stock, $.001 par value; 20,000 shares authorized; 6,144 shares
           
issued at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003
    6       6  
Paid-in capital
    13,546       13,546  
(Deficit)
    (12,287 )     (11,664 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (9 )     (55 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    1,256       1,833  
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 10,894     $ 12,908  
 
   
 
     
 
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,
  June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net sales
  $ 6,512     $ 6,594     $ 14,087     $ 13,762  
Operating expenses
                               
Cost of sales
    4,553       4,731       9,851       9,493  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    2,281       2,592       4,666       5,086  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total operating expenses
    6,834       7,323       14,517       14,579  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Loss from operations
    (322 )     (729 )     (430 )     (817 )
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest, net
    (98 )     (50 )     (189 )     (88 )
Other, net
    52       97       35       136  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
(Loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (368 )     (682 )     (584 )     (769 )
Provision (benefit) for (from)income taxes
    (5 )     (131 )     23       (79 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
(Loss) from continuing operations
    (363 )     (551 )     (607 )     (690 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    (26 )     52       110       122  
(Loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax
    (170 )           (170 )      
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
                44        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net (loss)
    (559 )     (499 )     (623 )     (568 )
Preferred stock dividends
                      12  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net (loss) applicable to common shareholders
  $ (559 )   $ (499 )   $ (623 )   $ (580 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic and diluted loss per common share:
                               
Loss from continuing operations
  $ (0.06 )   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.12 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
          0.01       0.02       0.02  
(Loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax
    (0.03 )           (0.03 )      
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
                0.01        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ (0.09 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.10 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
                               
Weighted average shares, basic and diluted
    6,144       5,939       6,144       5,831  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
                                                         
    Common Stock
                  Accumulated        
                    Additional           Other   Comprehensive   Total
    Shares   Par   Paid-In           Comprehensive   Income   Shareholders'
    Outstand.
  Value
  Capital
  (Deficit)
  Income (Loss)
  (Loss)
  Equity
Balance at December 31, 2003
    6,144     $ 6     $ 13,546     $ (11,664 )   $ (55 )           $ 1,833  
Net loss
                            (623 )             (623 )     (623 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                                       
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
                                    46       46       46  
 
                                           
 
         
 
                                            (577 )        
 
                                                       
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at June 30, 2004
    6,144     $ 6     $ 13,546     $ (12,287 )   $ (9 )           $ 1,256  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
                         
    Six months ended June 30,
    2004
          2003
Operating Activities:
                       
Net loss
  $ (623 )           $ (568 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
                       
Provision, net of losses on accounts receivable
    5               4  
(Income) loss from discontinued operations
    (110 )             (122 )
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations
    170                
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
    (44 )              
Depreciation and amortization
    137               126  
Amortization of deferred compensation
                  64  
Deferred income taxes
    (1 )             10  
(Increase) decrease in:
                       
Accounts receivable
    1,015               747  
Due from factor
    68                
Inventories, net
    97               (26 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (79 )             5  
Other assets
    (59 )             (263 )
Increase (decrease) in:
                       
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (1,151 )             96  
Accrued salaries and benefits
    (83 )             35  
Income taxes payable
    (120 )             (213 )
Customer deposits and other
    (69 )             (607 )
 
   
 
             
 
 
Net cash (used in) operating activities of continuing operations
    (847 )             (712 )
 
   
 
             
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations
    268               (120 )
 
   
 
             
 
 
 
                       
Investing Activities:
                       
Additions, net to property and equipment
    (116 )             (2 )
Collection of loans due from employees
    6               (6 )
Collection on note receivable from sale of Ukrainian subsidiary
                  30  
 
   
 
             
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations
    (110 )             22  
 
   
 
             
 
 
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations
    8               1  
 
   
 
             
 
 
 
                       
Financing Activities:
                       
Increase in long-term debt
    633                
Net proceeds from (payments on) lines of credit
    (497 )             196  
Payment of preferred stock dividends
                  (12 )
 
   
 
             
 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations
    136               184  
 
   
 
             
 
 
 
Net decrease in cash
    (545 )             (625 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (10 )             (17 )
Cash, at beginning of period
    1,082               1,226  
 
   
 
             
 
 
Cash, at end of period
  $ 527             $ 584  
 
   
 
             
 
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)

                 
Supplemental information:
               
Cash paid for:
               
Interest
  $ 177     $ 98  
Taxes
    68       104  
Non-cash transactions:
               
Conversion of common stock to preferred stock
          230  
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock
          230  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)
         
1.  Basis of Presentation
    The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q promulgated by the Securities & Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2004. The condensed consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2003 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2003 (the “Form 10-K”). For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Form 10-K. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in order to provide a presentation consistent with the current period. AESP, Inc. (“AESP”) and its subsidiaries and variable interest entities (see Note 4) are collectively referred to herein as the “Company”.
         
2.  U.S. Line of Credit
  On October 31, 2003, the Company signed two agreements, one an amendment with Commercebank, N.A. (the “Bank”) to extend the maturity date on its $1.9 million U.S. based line of credit to April 20, 2004, and a second agreement with KBK Financial, Inc. (“KBK”). The initial funding from KBK was used to fund a permanent reduction in the Company’s line of credit with the Bank. The initial funding under the KBK agreement was $1,220,000, with $70,000 utilized to cover closing expenses and $1,150,000 applied to the Bank’s line of credit. An additional payment of $100,000 from proceeds of the KBK agreement, was made in December 2003, to permanently reduce the available balance under the Bank’s line of credit to $631,000 (which was due and payable on April 20, 2004). This balance was paid in full on April 26, 2004 through the proceeds received by the Company under a new one-year term loan agreement with Bendes Investment Ltd (“Bendes”).
         
  The Bendes loan is a $631,000 one-year term loan due in April 2005. However, the Bendes loan is payable earlier from the net proceeds of any sale of the Company’s equity securities. The loan bears interest at the prime rate plus 8% per annum, payable monthly. The Bendes loan is guaranteed by the Company’s principal shareholders. Under the term of the Bendes loan, the Company is required to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants. At June 30, 2004, the Company was in compliance with these covenants. The Bendes loan is secured by a lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets.

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AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

         
  The KBK agreement advances funds to the Company at a rate of 82.5% of the invoice amount purchased by KBK. The portion of the invoices not advanced to the Company are recorded as a due from factor until the invoice is paid by the customer, at which point the Company receives the remaining proceeds, less fees. Substantially all of the Company’s invoices to U.S. customers are available for sale under this agreement and may be offered to KBK on a daily basis, subject to a $2,000,000 funding limit. KBK can accept or reject offered invoices and is not obligated to purchase any invoices. KBK exercises control over incoming lockbox receipts to ensure that cash received on purchased invoices is collected. The KBK agreement contains fixed and variable discount rate pricing components. The fixed discount is 0.8% of the invoice amount and is payable at the time of funding. The variable rate is KBK’s base rate as established by KBK from time to time (generally the prime rate), plus 2% per annum and is payable based on the number of days from the sale of the invoice until collection. The agreement is terminable by either party upon 30 days notice and immediately by KBK upon default by the Company. In the event of termination by the Company prior to November 2005, a termination fee of up to $40,000 may be due. Bendes and KBK have entered into an intercreditor agreement governing their respective priorities in the assets of the Company securing their respective financings. Because funds advanced under this facility are considered a sale of the particular invoices sold, the Company reports funds advanced as a reduction of accounts receivable in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The KBK factoring agreement is guaranteed, on a limited basis, with respect to matters related to the existence and validity of purchased receivables, by the Company’s principal shareholders. Under the terms of the KBK agreement, the Company is required to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants and to maintain certain financial benchmarks and ratios on a monthly basis. As of May 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004, the Company was not in compliance with the current ratio and tangible net worth covenants under the KBK agreement. However, KBK has waived compliance with these financial covenants as of May 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004.
         
  The Company had net losses in each of the last three fiscal years and in the first two quarters of fiscal 2004 and the Company’s working capital is tight. The Company may not meet its financial covenants in future periods unless its results of operations substantially improve. While there can be no assurance, the Company expects that KBK will continue to waive covenant violations during future periods. The Company believes that its internally generated cash flow from operations combined with funds available under the KBK agreement, will be sufficient to fund current operations through the end of 2004. The Company may also consider selling debt or equity securities, or one or more of its operations, in order to meet current and future working capital requirements. However, such fundings or transactions may not be available. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its operating costs, or is otherwise unable to raise the required funds or reduce expenses sufficiently to overcome any shortfall, its operations would be materially and adversely affected.

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AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

         
3.  Earnings (loss) per share
  Options to purchase 3,028,000 shares of common stock at $0.81 — $3.69 per share, were outstanding at June 30, 2004, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, as they are anti-dilutive due to the Company’s loss.
         
  Options to purchase 2,508,000 shares of common stock at $0.81 — $3.69 per share, were outstanding at June 30, 2003, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, as they are anti-dilutive due to the Company’s loss.
         
4.  Variable Interest Entities
  The Company has evaluated its relationship with AESP Ukraine (Ukraine), an entity created before February 1, 2003 and has determined that it is a variable interest entity under the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Revised December 2003) (Interpretation No. 46). Ukraine was a wholly-owned subsidiary, which the Company sold to a then thinly capitalized entity in January 2001. The Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary (as defined in Interpretation No. 46) of Ukraine and as such, under Interpretation No. 46 was required to consolidate Ukraine’s assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests as of March 31, 2004 at their respective carrying values, as if it were a subsidiary of the Company. As of June 30, 2004, Ukraine has total assets of $531,000 and total debt and other payables of $807,000, of which $763,000 is payable to the Company. The amount payable to the Company consists of a gross note receivable of $604,000 and trade accounts receivable of $159,000 at June 30, 2004. As of December 31, 2003, the Company recorded a $381,000 impairment against the note receivable, based on the Company’s assessment that it is probable that the note is not fully collectible. Ukraine’s operations are not material to the Company. Therefore, in accordance with Interpretation No. 46, the Company has reported the difference of $44,000 in Ukraine’s assets and liabilities, including the reversal of the note receivable impairment due to the Ukraine consolidation, as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004.
         
  The Company also considered whether RSB Holdings, Inc. (RSB), a related party, is a variable interest entity. RSB, which is owned by the Company’s principal shareholders, is the lessor on the Company’s corporate headquarters in Miami, Florida. Under the provisions of Interpretation No. 46, the Company has determined that RSB is not a variable interest entity.

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AESP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

         
5.  Operating Segments
  The Company’s operations, consisting primarily of sales of computer networking products, are handled by each of its subsidiaries operating in their respective countries. Accordingly, management operates its business based on a geographic basis, whereby sales and related data are attributed to the AESP entity that generates such revenues. Segment information is presented below for each significant geographic region (in thousands).
                                 
    United States
  Western Europe
  Elimination
  Total
Three months ended June 30, 2004:
                               
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 3,216     $ 3,296     $     $ 6,512  
Transfers between geographical areas
    573             (573 )      
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total sales
    3,789       3,296       (573 )     6,512  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Operating income (loss)
    (256 )     (106 )     40       (322 )
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations
    (317 )     (91 )     40       (368 )
Identifiable assets at June 30, 2004
    5,964       8,026       (3,096 )     10,894  
 
                               
Three months ended June 30, 2003:
                               
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 3,663     $ 2,931     $     $ 6,594  
Transfers between geographic areas
    688       48       (736 )      
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total sales
    4,351       2,979       (736 )     6,594