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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(mark one)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

OR

For the transition period from _______________ to______________.

Commission File Number: 0-21044

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (714) 820-1000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

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

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

     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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

     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 the Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

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

Yes x No o

     The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2003, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $169,426,782. As of February 27, 2004, 13,691,718 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Registrant were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

     Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 14, 2004 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K. The Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than April 27, 2004.

Except as otherwise stated, the information contained in this Form 10-K is as of December 31, 2003.

Exhibit Index appears on page 57. This document contains 109 pages.

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003

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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Business of Universal Electronics Inc.

Universal Electronics Inc. was incorporated under the laws of Delaware in 1986 and began operations in 1987. The principal executive offices are located at 6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630. As used herein, the terms “Universal” and the “Company” refer to Universal Electronics Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context indicates to the contrary.

Universal Electronics Inc., based in Southern California, develops software, firmware and turnkey solutions designed to enable consumers to wirelessly connect, control and interact with an increasingly complex home environment. The Company’s primary markets include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in consumer electronics and personal computing, as well as multiple system operators in the cable and satellite subscription broadcasting markets. Over the past 16 years, the Company has developed a broad portfolio of patented technologies and the industry’s leading database of home connectivity software that it licenses to its customers, including many leading Fortune 500 companies. In addition, the Company sells its universal wireless control products and other audio/visual accessories through its European headquarters in The Netherlands, and to distributors and retailers in Europe, Asia, Latin America, South Africa Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Mexico under the One For All® brand name. More information about the Company can be obtained at www.uei.com.

General Business Information

Universal has developed a broad line of easy-to-use, pre-programmed universal wireless control products that are marketed principally for home video and audio entertainment equipment through various channels of distribution, including international retail, private label, OEMs, and cable and satellite service providers and to companies in the computing industry. Universal believes that its universal wireless controls can operate virtually all infrared remote (“IR”) controlled TVs, VCRs, DVD players, cable converters, CD players, audio components and satellite receivers, as well as most other infrared remote controlled devices worldwide.

Beginning in 1986 and continuing today, Universal has compiled an extensive library of over 171,000 IR codes that cover nearly 141,000 individual device functions and over 2,100 individual consumer electronic equipment brand names. Universal’s library is regularly updated with new IR codes used in newly introduced video and audio devices. All such IR codes are captured from the original manufacturer’s remote control devices to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the database. Universal’s proprietary software and know-how permit IR codes to be compressed before being loaded into its products. This provides significant cost and space efficiencies that enable Universal to include more codes and features in the memory space of the wireless control device than are included in similarly priced products of competitors. Universal has developed a patented technology that provides the capability to easily upgrade the memory of the wireless control device by adding IR codes from its library that were not originally included.

The matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements provided under Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, as discussed more fully herein. See, “Factors That May Affect Financial Condition and Future Results” in this Form 10-K.

Products

Universal introduced its first product, the One For All, in 1987. Universal’s family of products includes universal standard and touch screen remote controls, wireless keyboards, game controllers, antennas, and various audio/video accessories, as well as custom and customizable microcontrollers that include Universal’s library of IR codes and proprietary software, and licensing of Universal’s library of IR codes and proprietary software. These products cover a broad spectrum of suggested prices and performance capabilities. Universal sells its customized products to international retailers and distributors, consumer electronic accessory suppliers, private label customers, OEMs, cable operators and satellite service providers for resale under the One For All® brand name and/or their customers’ respective private label brands. Universal’s products are

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capable of controlling a multitude of audio and video devices, including, but not limited to, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, cable converters, CD players, satellite receivers, laser disc players, amplifiers, tuners, turntables, cassette players, digital audio tape players, surround sound systems, and most home automation control modules.

Each of Universal’s wireless control devices is designed to simplify the use of video, audio and other devices. To appeal to the mass market, the number of buttons is minimized to include only what Universal believes to be the most popular functions. Universal’s remotes are also designed for ease of set-up. For most of Universal’s products, the consumer simply inputs a four-digit code for each video or audio device to be controlled. Each remote contains a RAM, a ROM, or a combination of ROM and EEPROM chips. The RAM and the ROM and EEPROM combination products allow the remote to be upgraded with additional codes, one of Universal’s patented features. Another patented ease of use feature Universal offers in several of its products is its user programmable macro key. This feature allows the user to program a sequence of commands onto a single key, to be played back each time that key is subsequently pressed.

By providing its wireless control technology in many forms, including finished products and microcontrollers on which Universal’s software is embedded, Universal can meet the needs of its customers, enabling those who manufacture or subcontract their manufacturing requirements to use existing sources of supply and more easily incorporate Universal’s technology.

During 2003, Universal continued its product innovation by launching several new products based on the two popular new technology platforms developed in 2002; Nevo™, an embedded solution that transforms any electronic display (such as HP’s iPaq PocketPCs) into a sophisticated and easy-to-use wireless home control and automation device, and Kameleon™, a revolutionary display technology that provides ease of use by illuminating only active keys needed to control each entertainment device.

Distribution and Customers

Universal’s products are sold to a wide variety of customers in numerous distribution channels. In the United States, Universal principally sells its products and/or licenses its proprietary technology to cable operators, satellite service providers, private label customers and consumer electronics accessory manufacturers and companies in the computing industry for resale under their respective brand names. In addition, Universal sells its wireless control products and licenses its proprietary technologies to OEMs for use in their products. Universal has also licensed certain of its proprietary technology to third parties and its One For All brand name to a third party who in turn sells the products directly to certain domestic retailers. Outside of the United States, Universal sells remotes, other wireless control devices, and certain accessories under the One For All and certain other brand names to retailers and to other customers under private labels through its international subsidiaries and distributors. Universal also sells its products and/or licenses its proprietary technology to OEMs, cable operators and satellite service providers internationally.

For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company had sales to one company, Comcast Communications, Inc., that represented more than 10% of Universal’s net sales for the year.

Universal provides subscription broadcasters, namely cable operators and satellite service providers both domestically and internationally, with universal wireless control devices and integrated circuits on which Universal’s software is embedded, to support the demand associated with the deployment of digital set-top boxes and increased services.

Universal also sells its universal wireless control devices and integrated circuits, on which the Company’s software is embedded, to OEMs that manufacture cable converters and satellite receivers for resale with their products.

Universal continues to pursue further penetration of the more traditional consumer electronics/OEM markets. Customers in these markets generally package Universal’s wireless control devices for resale with their audio and video home entertainment products (e.g. TVs, DVD and CD players, VCRs, personal digital recorders, etc.). Universal also sells customized chips, which include the Company’s software and/or customized software packages, to these customers. Growth in this line of business has been driven by the proliferation and increasing complexity of home entertainment equipment, emerging digital technology, the increase in multimedia and interactive internet applications, and the increase in the number of OEMs. Additionally, Universal supplies its Nevo technology, an embedded system software for home control, to OEM’s in the computing space.

Universal continues to place significant emphasis on expanding its sales and marketing efforts to subscription broadcasters and OEMs in Asia, Latin America and Europe. Universal will continue to add new sales people, as required, to support

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anticipated sales growth in these markets over the next few years. In addition, Universal continues to improve on its development processes to increase cost savings and to provide more timely delivery of its products to its customers.

In the international markets, One For All brand name products accounted for 30.4%, 26.3%, and 21.2% of Universal’s sales for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. Throughout 2003, Universal continued its retail sales and marketing efforts in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and selected countries in Asia and Latin America. Universal has seven international subsidiaries, Universal Electronics B.V., established in The Netherlands, One For All GmbH and Ultra Control Consumer Electronics GmbH, both established in Germany, One for All Iberia S.L., established in Spain, One For All (UK) Ltd., established in the United Kingdom, One For All Argentina S.R.L., established in Argentina, and One For All France S.A.S., established in France. Universal uses third party distributors in countries where it does not have subsidiaries.

Consumer Service and Support

Universal provides domestic and international consumer support to its various universal remote control marketers, including manufacturers, cable and satellite providers, retail distributors, and audio and video original equipment manufacturers through its automated “InterVoice” system. Live agent help is also available through certain programs. Universal continues to review its programs to determine their value in enhancing and improving the sales of its products. As a result of this continued review, some or all of these programs may be modified or discontinued in the future and new programs may be added. In March 2003, the Company’s largest consumer service and support customer notified the Company that as a result of a merger, it would conduct all of its consumer service and support activities internally and ceased using the Company’s services during the second quarter of 2003. Revenues from this customer for consumer service and support amounted to $0.8 million, $3.4 million, and $1.6 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Raw Materials and Dependence on Suppliers

Universal utilizes third-party manufacturers and suppliers in Asia, Mexico and the United States to produce its wireless control products. The number of third party manufacturers or suppliers that provided Universal in excess of 10% of its manufacturing services and/or components was three, two, and three for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. In 2003, Jetta, Computime, and Samsung collectively represented 45% of Universal’s manufacturing services and components. In 2002, Jetta and Samsung collectively represented 27% of Universal’s manufacturing services and components. In 2001, Philips, Jetta and Samsung collectively represented 43% of Universal’s manufacturing services and components. As in the past, Universal continues to evaluate alternative and additional third-party manufacturers and sources of supply.

During 2003, Universal continued to diversify its suppliers and maintained duplicate tooling for certain of its products. This has allowed Universal to stabilize its source for products and negotiate more favorable terms with its suppliers. In addition, where it can, Universal uses standard parts and components, which are available from multiple sources. To continue to reduce its dependence on suppliers, Universal continues to seek additional sources of integrated circuit chips to help reduce the potential for manufacturing and shipping delays. In addition, Universal has introduced flash microcontroller technology to its products. Flash microcontrollers have shorter lead times than standard microcontrollers and may be reprogrammed if necessary, thus reducing excess or obsolete inventory exposure.

Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights

Universal owns a number of United States and foreign patents relating to its products and technology, and has filed domestic and foreign applications for other patents that are pending. Universal had a total of 101 issued and pending patents at the end of 2003, an increase from 80 at the end of 2002. The life of Universal’s patents ranges from approximately four to eighteen years. Universal has also obtained copyright registration and claims copyright protection for certain of its proprietary software and libraries of IR codes. Additionally, the names of most of Universal’s products are registered or are being registered as trademarks in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in most of the other countries in which such products are sold. These registrations are valid for a variety of terms ranging up to 20 years and may be renewed as long as the trademarks continue to be used and are deemed by management to be important to Universal’s operations. While Universal follows the practice of obtaining patent, copyright and trademark registrations on new developments whenever advisable, in certain cases, Universal has elected common law trade secret protection in lieu of obtaining such protection.

Seasonality

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Historically, Universal’s business has been influenced by the retail sales cycle, with increased sales in the last half of the year and the largest proportion of sales occurring in the last quarter. This pattern is expected to continue and the impact will fluctuate as the sales mix varies between retail and technology.

See “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA- Supplementary Data” for further details regarding the quarterly results of the Company.

Competition

Universal’s principal competitors in the international retail and private label markets for universal wireless controls include Philips, Thomson, and Gemini as well as various manufacturers of wireless controls in Asia. Universal’s primary competitors in the OEM market are the original equipment manufacturers themselves and wireless control manufacturers in Asia. In the subscription broadcasting business line, Universal competes with various distributors in the United States and several of the larger set-top manufacturers, including Motorola and Scientific-Atlanta. Universal competes in its markets on the basis of product quality, product features, price, intellectual property, and customer and consumer support. Universal believes that it will need to continue to introduce new and innovative products to remain competitive and to obtain and retain competent personnel to successfully accomplish its future objectives. Certain of Universal’s competitors have significantly larger financial, technical, marketing and manufacturing resources than the Company, and there can be no assurance that Universal will remain competitive in the future.

Engineering, Research and Development

During 2003, Universal’s engineering efforts focused on modifying existing products and technologies to improve features, to lower costs, and to develop measures to protect the Company’s proprietary technology and general know-how. Universal continues to regularly update its library of IR codes to include IR codes for new features and devices introduced worldwide. Universal’s library contains over 171,000 IR data codes, an increase from just over 143,000 data codes in 2002. Universal also continues to explore ways to improve its software to pre-program more codes into its memory chips and to simplify the upgrading of its wireless control products.

Also during 2003, Universal’s product development efforts focused on new and innovative wireless control and interface solutions resulting in the launch of new retail SKUs based on the Kameleon interface technology. Universal also broadened its product portfolio with solutions that address emerging technology sectors like home media distribution and home automation. These advanced technology development efforts focused on both industry-based standards as well as specific universal extensions that maximize the end user experience utilizing a set of heterogeneous protocols and technologies that exist in the modern home today. This environment is driving the need for simplification of these new protocols and devices, since they were originally engineered and targeted towards the enterprise customer. The Company created the Nevo product offerings to simplify and manage the end user’s experience interacting with devices in the home — devices that may span over a decade, including traditional IR based devices, and the more complex TCP/IP consumer electronic devices utilizing both open and proprietary protocols.

Universal also developed technologies aimed at unifying traditional technologies that are encountered within a home, and emerging technologies. This allows consumers to deploy Universal Electronics based solutions ranging from a simple IR based audio-visual stack to a modern digital media management experience allowing access to digital content such as music, pictures and videos.

Company personnel are involved with various industry organizations and bodies, which are in the process of setting standards for infrared, radio frequency, power line, telephone and cable communications and networking in the home. There can be no assurance that any of the Company’s research and development projects will be successfully completed.

The Company’s expenditures on engineering, research and development were:

Environmental Matters

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We believe we have materially complied with all currently existing federal, state and local statutes and regulations regarding environmental standards and occupational safety and health matters to which we are subject. During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the amounts incurred in complying with federal, state and local statutes and regulations pertaining to environmental standards and occupational safety and health laws and regulations did not materially affect our earnings or financial condition. However, future events, such as changes in existing laws and regulations or enforcement policies, may give rise to additional compliance costs that could have a material adverse effect upon our capital expenditures, earnings or financial condition.

The Company is committed to developing an infrastructure to support the control of hazardous substances. A fully integrated system with controls in product design and purchasing is being implemented internally.

Universal continues to work closely with its contract manufacturing base to move them toward becoming Sony Green Partners and already works with one fully certified Green Partner. Our goal is to provide a choice of two options to our customers: Green and Non-Green. The Green option will be fully compliant with the RoHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substances) requirements defined by the EEC with tolerances defined at the component level. All Green production processes will be segregated physically from standard production processes to eliminate the possibility of contamination. The Company will offer subsets of the full Green requirement to accommodate the broad spectrum of customer needs.

Employees

At December 31, 2003, Universal employed approximately 259 employees, of whom 82 were in engineering, research and development, 56 in sales and marketing, 49 in consumer service and support, 28 in operations and warehousing and 44 in executive and administrative staff. None of Universal’s employees is subject to a collective bargaining agreement or is represented by a union. Universal considers its employee relations to be good.

International Operations

Financial information relating to Universal’s international operations for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 is included in “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA-Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-Note 17”.

Available Information

Universal’s Internet address is www.uei.com. Universal makes available through its Internet website its annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, its current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments thereto as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files such reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors can also obtain copies of our SEC filings from the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Universal’s headquarters are located in Cypress, California. Universal utilizes the following office and warehouse facilities:

In addition to the facilities listed above, Universal leases space in various international locations, primarily for use as sales offices. See “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA — Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 12” for additional information regarding Universal’s obligations under leases.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On November 15, 2000, the Company filed suit against Universal Remote Control Inc. alleging that Universal Remote has infringed certain of the Company’s patents (Universal Electronics Inc. v. Universal Remote Control, Inc., Civil Action No. SACV 00- 1125 AHS (EEx)). The Company is seeking damages and injunctive relief. Universal Remote has answered the complaint and has denied infringement, and the Company is engaged in discovery.

On November 19, 2002, the Company filed suit against Intrigue Technologies, Inc., which was amended on February 13, 2004, alleging that Intrigue Technologies has infringed certain of the Company’s patents (Universal Electronics Inc. v. Intrigue Technologies, Inc., Civil Action No. SA02-1089GLT (ANX)). Intrigue Technologies has answered this complaint denying infringement. In addition, Intrigue Technologies has filed suit against the Company (Intrigue Technologies, Inc. v. Universal Electronics Inc., Case Number A3-02-124) seeking a judgment to declare certain of the Company’s patents invalid, unenforceable and void and also alleging that we have violated federal antitrust laws with respect to our patent enforcement. The Company has not yet answered this complaint; however, it intends to do so denying all of Intrigue Technologies’ material allegations. As of December 31 2003 and 2002, a loss contingency has not been recorded since management believes an unfavorable outcome for this matter is not probable.

On January 7, 2004, James D. Lyon, Trustee for the bankruptcy estate of Computrex, Inc. filed an action against the Company alleging that the Company received preferential treatment in connection with certain payments made on the Company’s behalf by Computrex. (Computrex, Inc. (Debtor) and James D. Lyon (Trustee for the bankruptcy estate of Computrex, Inc.) v. Universal Electronics Inc., Case No. 01-53755 Chapter 7, United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, Lexington Division). The Company has not yet answered this complaint and will not need to do so as this action is currently in abeyance while the trustee appeals an adverse ruling against it in another matter having facts similar to those in the trustee’s action against the Company. If and when the Company is to answer, it intends to deny all of the material allegations made against the Company and defend this matter vigorously. . As of December 31 2003 and 2002, a loss contingency has not been recorded since management believes an unfavorable outcome for this matter is not probable.

There are no other material pending legal proceedings, other than litigation that is incidental to the ordinary course of our business, to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party or of which our respective property is the subject. In addition, as is typical in our industry and to the nature and kind of business in which we are engaged, from time to time, various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced by third parties against us or by us against third parties arising from or related to product liability, infringement of patent or other intellectual property rights, breach of warranty, contractual relations, or employee relations. The amounts claimed may be substantial but may not bear any reasonable relationship to the merits of the claims or the extent of any real risk of court awards assessed against us or in our favor. In our opinion, final judgments, if any, which might be rendered against us in potential or pending litigation would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Moreover, we believe that our products do not infringe any third parties’ patent or other intellectual property rights.

We maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which insures our individual directors and officers against certain claims such as those alleged in the above lawsuits, as well as attorney’s fees and related expenses incurred in connection with the defense of such claims.

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ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of Universal’s fiscal year through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

Executive Officers of the Registrant*

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the executive officers of Universal as of February 27, 2004:

*

Included pursuant to Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K.

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Paul D. Arling is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Electronics. He joined the Company in May 1996 as Chief Financial Officer and was named to the Company’s Board of Directors in August of 1996. He was appointed President and COO in September 1998, was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in October of 2000 and appointed as Chairman in July 2001. From 1993 through May 1996, he served in various capacities at LESCO, Inc. (a manufacturer and distributor of professional turf care products). Prior to LESCO, he worked for Imperial Wallcoverings (a manufacturer and distributor of wallcovering products) as Director of Planning, and The Michael Allen Company (a strategic management consulting company) where he was employed as a management consultant. He obtained a BS degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Robert P. Lilleness joined Universal Electronics as President and Chief Operating Officer in May 2001. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at Trilogy Software Inc. from June 1998 to May 2001 (a privately held company that develops and markets e-business software). Before Trilogy, he worked for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) from February 1993 to May 1998, in a number of marketing, management and operational roles. Prior to working for Microsoft, he served as an auditor for Ernst and Young in Zurich, Switzerland. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Puget Sound and holds an MBA from Harvard University.

Bernard J. Pitz joined Universal Electronics as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in November 2003. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Vice President of Finance for the worldwide frequency control business at Corning Incorporated. Prior to Corning, he spent 15 years at Motorola beginning in corporate audit and then progressing into positions of increasing responsibility in accounting and finance, including joint venture development in Latin America. While living in Beijing, China he served as the Senior Division Controller of the Greater China Cellular Subscriber Division. He started his career as an auditor for Touche Ross & Co. in Chicago, Illinois. He received his undergraduate degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University and has passed the CPA examination. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business where he studied at both the Chicago campus and in Barcelona Spain.

J. Stewart Ames has been Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Universal Electronics since January 1999. Prior to this position at Universal Electronics, he served as the Company’s Vice President of Cable Sales from June 1987 to January 1999, directing the United States based sales force in selling universal wireless control products to multiple system operators. Before joining Universal Electronics in January 1991, he worked for three years as Sales Manager for Calmold, (a plastic injection molder in Southern California), managing its sales force and selling injection molding capacity for three factories to a variety of OEM businesses. Prior to Calmold, he held sales and sales management positions at Spirol International, (a manufacturer of specialty metal fasteners, assembly equipment and metal stampings), over a period of seven years. He received a BS Degree in Biology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

Paul J.M. Bennett has been Managing Director and a Senior Vice President, Managing Director, Europe of Universal Electronics since July 1996. Prior to joining the Company, he held various positions at Philips Consumer Electronics over a seven year period, first as Product Marketing Manager for the Accessories Product Group, initially set up to support Philip’s Audio division, and then as head of that division. He was educated at Terenure College and the College of Commerce in Dublin and completed his studies at University College, where he gained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree.

Richard A. Firehammer, Jr., Esq. has been a Senior Vice President of Universal Electronics since February 1999. He has been the Company’s General Counsel since October 1993 and Secretary since February 1994. He was the Company’s Vice President from May 1997 until August 1998. He was outside counsel to the Company from September 1998 until being rehired in February 1999. From November 1992 to September 1993, he was associated with the Chicago, Illinois law firm, Shefsky & Froelich, Ltd. From 1987 to 1992, he was with the law firm, Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz in Chicago, Illinois. He is admitted to the Bars in the State of Illinois and the State of Ohio. He is also a certified public accountant. He received a BS degree from Indiana University and a JD degree from Whittier College School of Law.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Universal’s common stock trades on the National Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol UEIC.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low reported sale prices for Universal’s common stock, as reported on the National Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market:

Stockholders of record on February 27, 2004 numbered approximately 119. We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock, nor do we intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain our earnings, if any, for the future operation and expansion of our business. In addition, the terms of our revolving credit facility limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock. See “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA-Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-Note 7.”

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ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

(a)

Book value per share is defined as stockholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding.

A factor that affected the comparability of information between 2002 and 2001 was our implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142 on January 1, 2002, which requires that goodwill no longer be amortized.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Universal has developed a broad line of easy-to-use, pre-programmed universal wireless control products that are marketed principally for home video and audio entertainment equipment through various channels of distribution, including international retail, private label, OEMs, and cable and satellite service providers and to companies in the computing industry. Universal believes that its universal wireless controls can operate virtually all infrared remote (“IR”) controlled TVs, VCRs, DVD players, cable converters, CD players, audio components and satellite receivers, as well as most other infrared remote controlled devices worldwide.

Beginning in 1986 and continuing today, Universal has compiled an extensive library of over 171,000 IR codes that cover nearly 141,000 individual device functions and over 2,100 individual consumer electronic equipment brand names. Universal’s library is regularly updated with new IR codes used in newly introduced video and audio devices. All such IR codes are captured from the original manufacturer’s remote control devices to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the database. Universal’s proprietary software and know-how permit IR codes to be compressed before being loaded into its products. This provides significant cost and space efficiencies that enable Universal to include more codes and features in the memory space of the wireless control device than are included in similarly priced products of competitors. Universal has developed a patented technology that provides the capability to easily upgrade the memory of the wireless control device by adding IR codes from its library that were not originally included.

The matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements provided under Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, as discussed more fully herein. See, “Factors That May Affect Financial Condition and Future Results” in this Form 10-K.

Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are the following: the failure of our markets to continue growing and expanding in the manner we anticipate; the failure of our customers to grow and expand as we anticipate; the effects of natural or other events beyond our control, including the effect a war or terrorist activities may have on the Company or the economy; the economic environment’s effect on us and our customers; the growth of, acceptance of and the demand for our products and technologies in various markets and geographical regions, including cable, satellite, consumer electronics, retail and interactive TV and home automation, not materializing as we believe; our inability to add profitable complementary products which are accepted by the marketplace; our inability to continue to maintain our operating costs at acceptable levels through our cost containment efforts; our realization of tax benefits from various tax projects initiated from time to time; the continued strength of our balance sheet; our inability to continue selling our products or licensing our technologies at higher or profitable margins throughout 2004 and beyond; the failure of the various markets and industries to grow or emerge as rapidly or as successfully as we believed; the continued growth of the digital market; our inability to obtain orders or maintain our order volume with new and existing customers; the possible dilutive effect our stock option program may have on our earnings per share and stock price; our inability to continue to obtain adequate quantities of component parts or secure adequate factory production capacity on a timely basis; and other factors listed from time to time in our press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition, more information about risk factors that could affect our business and financial results is included in the section entitled “Factors That May Affect Financial Condition and Future Results” in this Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates

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and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts, inventories, valuation of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill, and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue recognition. We recognize revenue on the sale of products when title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, there is pervasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. For the majority of our sales, recognition occurs when products are shipped. We also license our intellectual property (including our patented technologies) trade secrets, trademarks, and database of infrared codes. We record license revenue when our customers ship products incorporating our intellectual property, provided collection of such revenue is reasonably assured. In addition, we generate service revenues as a result of providing consumer support programs, through our call centers, to some of our customers. These service revenues are recognized when earned. We record a provision for estimated sales returns and allowances on product sales in the same period as the related revenues are recorded. These estimates are based on historical sales returns, analysis of credit memo data and other known factors. If the data we use to calculate these estimates do not properly estimate returns and sales allowances, revenue could be misstated.

Accounts receivable. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We specifically analyze accounts receivables and historical bad debts, customer credit, current economic trends and changes in customer payment trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Inventories. Inventories consist of wireless control devices, including universal remote controls, wireless keyboards, antennas, and related component parts (including integrated circuits) and are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Valuation of long-lived assets and other intangible assets. We assess the impairment of long-lived assets and other intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors considered important which could trigger an impairment review include the following: (1) significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results; (2) significant changes in the manner of our use of the assets or strategy for our overall business; (3) significant negative industry or economic trends; (4) significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period; and (5) a significant variance between our market capitalization relative to net book value. When we determine that the carrying value may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, and based on the carrying value of the asset being less than the undiscounted cash flows, we measure an impairment based on the projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by our management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business model. In assessing the recoverability, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges not previously recorded.

Goodwill. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we ceased amortization on approximately $3.0 million of net unamortized goodwill beginning January 1, 2002. We recorded approximately $565,000 of amortization during 2001 and would have recorded approximately $565,000 of amortization during both 2003 and 2002. We performed an initial impairment review of our goodwill on January 1, 2002; conducted annual impairment reviews as of

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December 31, 2003 and 2002 and will perform an annual review in subsequent years. In performing the initial impairment review, we identified our reporting units and determined the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill, to those reporting units as of January 1, 2002. We then determined the fair value of each reporting unit using the present value of expected future cash flows and compared it to the reporting unit’s carrying amount. Based on this analysis, we determined that each reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying amount, and therefore concluded that there was no indication of a transitional impairment loss.

Income Taxes. As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we estimate our income taxes in each of the taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our actual current tax expense together with assessing any temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of certain items, such as the timing for recognizing expenses, for tax and financial reporting purposes. These differences may result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheet. We are required to assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets, which include net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences that are expected to be deductible in future years, will be recoverable from future taxable income or other tax planning strategies. If recovery is not likely, we must provide a valuation allowance based on our estimates of future taxable income in the various taxing jurisdictions, and the amount of deferred taxes that are ultimately realizable. The provision for tax liabilities involves evaluations and judgments of uncertainties in the interpretation of complex tax regulations by various taxing authorities. In situations involving tax related uncertainties, we provide for deferred tax liabilities when we believe such liabilities are reasonably expected to occur. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the statement of operations data of Universal expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.