UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-Q
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 FOR THE PERIOD ENDED December 31,
2003
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD From to
Commission File number 1-1000
SPARTON CORPORATION
Ohio
38-1054690
2400 East Ganson Street, Jackson, Michigan 49202
(517) 787- 8600
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Common Stock, $1.25 Par Value 8,345,303 shares outstanding as of January 31, 2004.
1
SPARTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
| Part I. Financial Information | ||||||
Item 1. |
Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31 and June 30, 2003 | 3 | |||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||
| Three-Month and Six-Month Periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 | 4 | |||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||
| Six-Month Periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 | 5 | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 6 | |||||
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 10 | ||||
Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 15 | ||||
Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures | 15 | ||||
| Part II. Other Information | ||||||
Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings | 15 | ||||
Item 6. |
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K | 16 | ||||
| Signatures | 16 | |||||
2
SPARTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
December 31 and June 30, 2003
Assets
| December 31 | June 30 | |||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 10,198,364 | $ | 10,562,222 | ||||
Investment securities |
17,745,606 | 23,214,783 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
18,665,856 | 29,236,904 | ||||||
Income taxes recoverable |
1,268,706 | | ||||||
Inventories and costs on contracts in progress |
36,903,406 | 31,809,088 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
1,405,113 | 1,174,618 | ||||||
Total Current assets |
86,187,051 | 95,997,615 | ||||||
Pension asset |
6,112,069 | 6,176,085 | ||||||
Other assets |
5,746,528 | 5,583,577 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
12,573,436 | 8,256,593 | ||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 110,619,084 | $ | 116,013,870 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareowners Equity
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 8,755,380 | $ | 8,893,348 | ||||
Salaries and wages |
2,944,814 | 3,879,947 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities |
4,761,534 | 4,532,795 | ||||||
Income taxes payable |
| 709,443 | ||||||
Total Current liabilities |
16,461,728 | 18,015,533 | ||||||
Environmental remediation |
6,678,607 | 6,830,131 | ||||||
Shareowners equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, no par value; 200,000 shares authorized, none
outstanding |
| | ||||||
Common stock, $1.25 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, 8,345,303
and 7,943,671 shares outstanding at December 31 and June 30,
respectively |
10,431,629 | 9,929,589 | ||||||
Capital in excess of par value |
7,118,606 | 3,015,989 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
351,596 | 359,486 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
69,576,918 | 77,863,142 | ||||||
Total Shareowners equity |
87,478,749 | 91,168,206 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Shareowners equity |
$ | 110,619,084 | $ | 116,013,870 | ||||
See accompanying notes.
3
SPARTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Operations (Unaudited)
For the Three-Month and Six-Month Periods ended December 31, 2003 and
2002
| Three-Month Periods |
Six-Month Periods |
|||||||||||||||
| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 33,239,772 | $ | 43,279,295 | $ | 69,664,573 | $ | 80,047,202 | ||||||||
Costs of goods sold |
31,799,271 | 37,514,228 | 67,790,114 | 70,517,873 | ||||||||||||
| 1,440,501 | 5,765,067 | 1,874,459 | 9,529,329 | |||||||||||||
Selling and administrative (income) expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
3,470,064 | 3,209,415 | 7,229,068 | 6,733,629 | ||||||||||||
EPA related net environmental remediation |
62,947 | 117,438 | 136,947 | (5,229,562 | ) | |||||||||||
| 3,533,011 | 3,326,853 | 7,366,015 | 1,504,067 | |||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(2,092,510 | ) | 2,438,214 | (5,491,556 | ) | 8,025,262 | ||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
Interest and investment income |
122,704 | 184,360 | 353,246 | 301,657 | ||||||||||||
Equity income (loss) in investment |
(9,000 | ) | (18,000 | ) | 12,000 | (57,000 | ) | |||||||||
Other net |
(250,440 | ) | (61,141 | ) | (309,425 | ) | (46,651 | ) | ||||||||
| (136,736 | ) | 105,219 | 55,821 | 198,006 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
(2,229,246 | ) | 2,543,433 | (5,435,735 | ) | 8,223,268 | ||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
(713,000 | ) | 365,000 | (1,739,000 | ) | 2,467,000 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (1,516,246 | ) | $ | 2,178,433 | $ | (3,696,735 | ) | $ | 5,756,268 | ||||||
Earnings (loss) per share (1) : |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 0.26 | $ | (0.44 | ) | $ | 0.69 | ||||||
Diluted |
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 0.26 | $ | (0.44 | ) | $ | 0.68 | ||||||
See accompanying notes.
(1) All share and per share information have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the 5% stock dividends declared in January and October 2003.
4
SPARTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
For the Six-Month Periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
| 2003 | 2002 | |||||||
Cash flows provided (used) by Operating Activities: |
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (3,696,735 | ) | $ | 5,756,268 | |||
Add (deduct) noncash items affecting operations: |
||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
848,755 | 659,035 | ||||||
Change in pension asset |
64,016 | 64,016 | ||||||
Loss on sale of investments |
70,254 | 17,979 | ||||||
Equity (gain) loss on investment |
(12,000 | ) | 57,000 | |||||
Add (deduct) changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
10,571,048 | (2,241,026 | ) | |||||
Income taxes recoverable |
(1,268,706 | ) | 1,055,965 | |||||
Inventories and prepaid expenses |
(5,324,813 | ) | 4,382,033 | |||||
Accounts payable, salaries and wages, accrued liabilities & income
taxes |
(1,705,329 | ) | 440,420 | |||||
| (453,510 | ) | 10,191,690 | ||||||
Cash flows provided (used) by Investing Activities: |
||||||||
Purchases of investment securities |
(908,720 | ) | (3,360,933 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sale of investment securities |
5,845,761 | 600,339 | ||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net |
(5,044,814 | ) | (599,913 | ) | ||||
Other, principally noncurrent other assets |
182,255 | 162,724 | ||||||
| 74,482 | (3,197,783 | ) | ||||||
Cash flows provided (used) by Financing Activities: |
||||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
18,857 | 15,312 | ||||||
Stock dividends cash in lieu of fractional shares |
(3,687 | ) | | |||||
| 15,170 | 15,312 | |||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
(363,858 | ) | 7,009,219 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
10,562,222 | 8,687,873 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 10,198,364 | $ | 15,697,092 | ||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash paid (refunded) during the period: |
||||||||
Income taxes net |
$ | 244,000 | $ | 871,000 | ||||
See accompanying notes.
5
SPARTON CORPORATION & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of the Companys accounting policies not discussed elsewhere within this report.
Basis of presentation The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Sparton Corporation and all active subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2003, and the related Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, and cash flows for the six-month periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, are unaudited, but include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) which the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current presentation. Operating results for the three-month and six-month periods ended December 31, 2003, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.
The balance sheet at June 30, 2003, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2003.
Operations The Company provides design and electronic manufacturing services, which include a complete range of engineering, pre-manufacturing and post-manufacturing services. Capabilities range from product design and development through after market support. Facilities are registered to ISO 9001. The Companys operations are in one line of business, electronic contract manufacturing services (EMS). Products and services include complete Box Build products for Original Equipment Manufacturers, microprocessor-based systems, transducers, printed circuit boards and assemblies, sensors and electromechanical devices. Markets served are in the telecommunications, medical/scientific instrumentation, electronics, aerospace, and other industries, with a focus on regulated markets. The Company also develops and manufactures sonobuoys, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) devices, used by the U.S. Navy and other free-world countries. Many of the physical and technical attributes in the production of sonobuoys are the same as those required in the production of the Companys other electromechanical products and assemblies.
Use of estimates Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the disclosure of assets and liabilities and the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue recognition The Companys net sales are comprised primarily of product sales, with supplementary revenues earned from engineering and design services. Standard contract terms are FOB shipping point. Revenue from product sales is generally recognized upon shipment of the goods; service revenue is recognized as the service is performed or under the percentage of completion method, depending on the nature of the arrangement. Long-term contracts relate principally to government defense contracts. These contracts are accounted for based on completed units accepted and their estimated average contract cost per unit. Development contracts are accounted for based on percentage of completion. Costs and fees billed under cost-reimbursement-type contracts are recorded as sales. A provision for the entire amount of a loss on a contract is charged to operations as soon as the loss is determinable. Shipping and handling costs are included in costs of goods sold.
Market risk exposure The Company manufactures its products in the United States and Canada. Sales of the Companys products are in the U.S. and Canada, as well as other foreign markets. The Company is potentially subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk relating to intercompany activity and balances, receipts from customers, and payments to suppliers in foreign currencies. Also, adjustments related to the translation of the Companys Canadian financial statements into U.S. dollars are included in current earnings. As a result, the Companys financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which the Company operates. However, minimal third party receivables and payables are denominated in foreign currency and, historically, foreign currency gains and losses have not been significant. The Company does not consider the market risk exposure relating to currency exchange to be material.
6
The Company has financial instruments that are subject to interest rate risk, principally short-term investments. Historically, the Company has not experienced material gains or losses due to such interest rate changes. Based on the current holdings of short-term investments, the interest rate risk is not considered to be material.
New accounting standards In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132 Revised (SFAS No. 132(R)), Employers Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, which amends SFAS Nos. 87, 88, and 106. The revised Statement retains the disclosure requirements contained in SFAS No. 132, which it replaces, and requires additional disclosures to those in the original SFAS No. 132 about the assets, obligations, cash flows, and net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other defined benefit postretirement plans. SFAS No. 132(R) is effective for financial statements with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. The interim-period disclosures required by this Statement are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. The Company will follow the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 132(R), which is effective for the Company beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2004, which ends March 31, 2004.
Stock options The Company follows Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25), and related Interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB 25, no compensation expense is recognized as the exercise price of the Companys employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The Company follows the disclosure requirements of SFAS No.123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure.
At December 31, 2003, the per share weighted average exercise price of options outstanding was $6.04. The weighted average remaining contractual life of those options was approximately 3 years. At December 31, 2003, there were 280,996 options exercisable at the weighted average per share price of $5.52. Remaining shares available for grant under the plan were 186,441 at December 31, 2003.
The following sets forth a reconciliation of net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share information for the three months and six months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, as if the Company had recognized compensation expense based on the fair value at the grant date for awards under the plan. For purposes of computing pro forma net income (loss), the fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes options pricing model.
| Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
| December 31 |
December 31 |
|||||||||||||||
| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss),
as reported |
$ | (1,516,246 | ) | $ | 2,178,433 | $ | (3,696,735 | ) | $ | 5,756,268 | ||||||
Deduct: |
||||||||||||||||
Total stock-based
compensation expense determined under fair value based method for
all awards, net of tax effects |
47,880 | 43,312 | 95,760 | 86,625 | ||||||||||||
Pro forma net income
(loss) |
$ | (1,564,126 | ) | $ | 2,135,121 | $ | (3,792,495 | ) | $ | 5,669,643 | ||||||
Pro forma earnings
(loss) per share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per
share after stock dividends |
$ | (0.19 | ) | $ | 0.26 | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | 0.68 | ||||||
Diluted earnings
(loss) per share after stock dividends |
$ | (0.19 | ) | $ | 0.25 | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | 0.67 | ||||||
2. INVENTORIES
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market and include costs related to long-term contracts. Inventories, other than contract costs, are principally raw materials and supplies. The following are the major classifications of inventory:
| December 31, 2003 | June 30, 2003 | |||||||
Raw materials |
$ | 22,481,000 | $ | 20,157,000 | ||||
Work in process and
finished goods |
14,422,000 | 11,652,000 | ||||||
| $ | 36,903,000 | $ | 31,809,000 | |||||
Work in progress and finished goods inventories include $5.9 and $1.1 million of completed, but not yet accepted, sonobuoys at December 31 and June 30, 2003, respectively. Inventories are reduced by progress billings to the U.S. government of approximately $8,751,000 and $8,317,000 at December 31 and June 30, 2003, respectively.
7
3. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
On October 21, 2003, Spartons Board of Directors approved a 5% stock dividend. This is a continuation of a practice the Company began last fiscal year. Eligible shareowners of record on November 21, 2003, received the stock dividend on December 19, 2003. Cash was paid in lieu of fractional shares of stock. An amount equal to the fair market value of the common stock issued was transferred from retained earnings ($4,589,000) to common stock ($496,000) and capital in excess of par value ($4,089,000) to record the stock dividend. Accordingly, all share and per share information for fiscal 2004 and 2003 have been adjusted to reflect the impact of all stock dividends declared for the periods shown.
Due to the Companys fiscal 2004 reported net loss, the share equivalents from stock options outstanding were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share during the three months and six months ended December 31, 2003, because the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive for the periods. For the three months and six months ended December 31, 2002, options to purchase 103,636 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. Such options exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Companys common stock and, therefore, would be anti-dilutive. Basic and diluted earnings per share were computed on the following:
| Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
| 2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
|||||||||||||
Basic weighted
average shares outstanding |
8,344,993 | 8,338,803 | 8,344,406 | 8,338,563 | ||||||||||||
Effect of dilutive
stock options |
| 77,398 | | 82,441 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average
diluted shares outstanding |
8,344,993 | 8,416,201 | 8,344,406 | 8,421,004 | ||||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per
share after stock dividends |
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 0.26 | $ | (0.44 | ) | $ | 0.69 | ||||||
Diluted earnings
(loss) per share after stock dividends |
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 0.26 | $ | (0.44 | ) | $ | 0.68 | ||||||
4. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) as well as unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, which are excluded from net income. They are, however, reflected as a direct charge or credit to shareowners equity. Total comprehensive income (loss) is as follows for the three-month and six-month periods ended December 31:
| Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
| 2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
|||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (1,516,000 | ) | $ | 2,178,000 | $ | (3,697,000 | ) | $ | 5,756,000 | ||||||
Other comprehensive
income (loss), net of tax: |
||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains
(losses) investment securities owned |
(111,000 | ) | 10,000 | (214,000 | ) | 209,000 | ||||||||||
Net unrealized gains
(losses) investment securities held by investee accounted for
by the equity method |
(11,000 | ) | (119,000 | ) | 207,000 | 95,000 | ||||||||||
Comprehensive income
(loss) |
$ | (1,638,000 | ) | $ | 2,069,000 | $ | (3,704,000 | ) | $ | 6,060,000 | ||||||
At December 31 and June 30, 2003, shareowners equity includes accumulated other comprehensive income of $352,000 and $359,000, respectively, net of tax. These balances include $257,000 and $471,000 for unrealized gains on investment securities owned, and $95,000 and $(112,000) for investment securities held by an investee accounted for by the equity method, as of December 31 and June 30, 2003, respectively.
5. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their carrying value. Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and other highly liquid investments with an original term of three months or less. The investment portfolio has various maturity dates up to 14 years. A daily market exists for all investment securities. The Company believes that the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on its investment portfolio should not have a material impact on financial position or results of operations. Investments in debt securities that are not cash equivalents and marketable equity securities have been designated as available for sale. Those securities are reported at fair value, with net unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Unrealized losses that are other than temporary are recognized in earnings. Realized gains and losses on investments are determined using the specific identification method. It is the Companys intention to use these investment securities to provide working capital and fund the expansion of its business and for other business purposes.
8
At December 31, 2003, the Company had net unrealized gains of $407,000. At that date, the net after-tax effect of these gains was $257,000, which amount is included in accumulated other comprehensive income within shareowners equity. For the six months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, purchases of investments totaled $909,000 and $3,361,000, and sales of investment securities totaled $5,846,000 and $600,000, respectively.
Sparton owns a 14% interest in Cybernet Systems Corporation (Cybernet). This investment, with a carrying value of $1,746,000 and $1,400,000 at December 31 and June 30, 2003, respectively, is accounted for under the equity method and is included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Spartons share of unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities held by Cybernet is carried in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within the Shareowners Equity section of Spartons balance sheet.
The contractual maturities of debt securities, and total equity securities, as of December 31, 2003, are as follows:
Years |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Within 1 | 1 to 5 | 5 to 10 | Over 10 | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Debt securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate
primarily U.S. |
$ | 1,257,036 | $ | 5,826,112 | $ | | $ | | $ | 7,083,148 | ||||||||||
U.S. government and
federal agency |
611,314 | 3,312,312 | 1,073,735 | 510,315 | 5,507,676 | |||||||||||||||
State and municipal |
101,469 | 3,078,828 | 1,474,485 | | 4,654,782 | |||||||||||||||
Total debt securities |
1,969,819 | 12,217,252 | 2,548,220 | 510,315 | 17,245,606 | |||||||||||||||
Equity securities
primarily preferred stock |
| | | | 500,000 | |||||||||||||||
Total investment
securities |
$ | 1,969,819 | $ | 12,217,252 | $ | 2,548,220 | $ | 510,315 | $ | 17,745,606 | ||||||||||
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
One of Spartons former manufacturing facilities, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Coors Road), has been involved with ongoing environmental remediation since the early 1980s. At December 31, 2003, Sparton has accrued $7,372,000 as its estimate of the minimum future undiscounted financial liability, of which $693,000 is classified as a current liability and included in accrued liabilities. Amounts charged to operations, principally legal and consulting, for the six months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 were $137,000 and $270,000, respectively. These costs were generally incurred in pursuit of various claims for reimbursement/recovery. The Companys minimum cost estimate is based upon existing technology and excludes legal and related consulting costs, which are expensed as incurred. The Companys estimate includes equipment, operating, and continued monitoring costs for onsite and offsite pump and treat containment systems.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2003, Sparton reached an agreement with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and others to recover certain remediation costs. Under the settlement terms, Sparton received $4,850,000 from the DOE and others in fiscal 2003, plus an additional $1,000,000, which was received during the first quarter of fiscal 2004. In addition, the DOE has agreed to reimburse Sparton for 37.5% of certain future environmental expenses in excess of $8,400,000 incurred from the date of settlement. The financial impact of the settlement was recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 with $5,500,000 recorded as income.
Uncertainties associated with environmental remediation contingencies are pervasive and often result in wide ranges of reasonably possible outcomes. Estimates developed in the early stages of remediation can vary significantly. Normally a finite estimate of cost does not become fixed and determinable at a specific point in time. Rather, the costs associated with environmental remediation become estimable over a continuum of events and activities that help to frame and define a liability. Factors which cause uncertainties for the Company include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness of the current work plans in achieving targeted results and proposals of regulatory agencies for desired methods and outcomes. It is possible that cash flows and results of operations could be significantly affected by the impact of changes associated with the ultimate resolution of this contingency.
9
SPARTON CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is managements discussion and analysis of certain significant events affecting the Companys earnings and financial condition during the periods included in the accompanying financial statements. The Companys operations are in one line of business, electronic contract manufacturing services (EMS). Spartons capabilities range from product design and development through aftermarket support, specializing in total business solutions for government, medical, aerospace and industrial markets. This includes the design, development and/or manufacture of electronic parts and assemblies for both government and commercial customers worldwide. Governmental sales are mainly sonobuoys.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 reflects Congress determination that the disclosures of forward-looking information is desirable for investors and encourages such disclosure by providing a safe harbor for forward-looking statements by corporate management. This report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the scope of the Securities Act Exchange of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words expects, anticipates, believes, intends, plans, and similar expressions, and the negatives of such expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements which refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly disclose any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring subsequent to filing this Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those discussed below. Accordingly, Spartons future results may differ materially from historical results or from those discussed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Companys forward-looking statements.
Sparton as a high-mix and mid-volume supplier provides rapid product turnaround for customers. Customers cancel their orders, change production quantities and/or reschedule production for a number of reasons. Depressed economic conditions may result in customers delaying delivery of product, or the placement of purchase orders for lower volumes than previously anticipated. Unplanned cancellations, reductions, or delays by customers negatively, within certain ranges, impact the Companys results of operations. As many of the Companys costs and operating expenses are relatively fixed, a reduction in customer demand can disproportionately affect the Companys gross margins and operating income. The majority of the Companys sales have historically come from a limited number of customers. Significant reductions in sales to, or a loss of, one of these customers could materially impact business if the Company were not able to replace those sales with new business.
Other risks and uncertainties that may affect operations, performance, growth forecasts and business results include, but are not limited to, timing and fluctuations in U.S. and/or world economies, competition in the overall EMS business, availability of production labor and management services under terms acceptable to the Company, Congressional budget outlays for sonobuoy development and production, Congressional legislation, changes in the interpretation of environmental laws and the uncertainties of environmental remediation. A further risk factor is the availability and cost of materials. The Company has encountered availability and extended lead time issues on some electronic components in the past, which have resulted in higher prices and late deliveries. Additionally, the timing of sonobuoy sales to the U.S. Navy is dependent upon access to, and successful passage of, product tests performed by the U.S. Navy. Reduced governmental budgets have made access to the test range less predictable and less frequent than in the past. Finally, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has required changes in some of the Companys Corporate governance and compliance practices. The SEC and New York Stock Exchange also have passed new rules requiring additional compliance activities. Compliance with these rules has increased legal and accounting costs, and it is expected that certain of these costs will continue indefinitely. Management cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are subject to influence by the enumerated risk factors as well as unanticipated future events.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three-Month Periods
Sales for the three-month period ended December 31, 2003, totaled $33,240,000, a decrease of $10,039,000 (23%) from the same quarter last year. Government sales declined $5,662,000 (47%) to $6,385,000. This decline is principally due to technical difficulties with one sonobuoy contract. Additional information regarding issues affecting government sales is included in the Companys discussion of operations for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, which follows.
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Industrial market sales of $8,895,000 also showed a significant decline, down $6,670,000 (43%) from the same period last year. Industrial sales have been adversely impacted by the reduced demand for detection equipment in U.S. airports. Medical/scientific instrumentation sales, while down slightly, were consistent with second quarter sales in fiscal 2003 ($4,033,000 in fiscal 2004 and $4,755,000 last year.) Sales to the aerospace markets were $13,927,000, versus $10,912,000 last year, an increase of $3,015,000 (28%). This increase was mainly attributable to increased orders from existing customers.
An operating loss of $2,093,000 was reported for the three months ended December 31, 2003, compared to an operating profit of $2,438,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2002. While sales for the second quarter ended December 31, 2003, were below the first quarter sales, gross margin for the three months ended December 31, 2003, was 4%, up from 1% for the previous three months. The improved margin reflects the conclusion of the start-up phase of several new programs. During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, three major programs continued in start-up mode. These contracts reported sales of $2,295,000, with a gross margin loss of $615,000. The Company is focused on improving these margins through cost reductions and/or recoupment of expenses from the customer. There were no significant cost to complete adjustments for the three months ended December 31, 2003. Gross profit varies from period to period and is affected by a number of factors, including product mix, production efficiencies, component costs, capacity utilization, and new product introduction. In addition, as many of the Companys costs and operating expenses are fixed, a reduction in customer demand, as evidenced above, depresses gross profit and operating income. Selling and administrative expenses have increased slightly from the prior year period. Most of this increase was due to higher bid and proposal and research and development activities, primarily related to government programs. While these expenses have shown a larger increase as a percentage of sales from the prior year, many expenses in this area are generally fixed, within ranges, and do not fluctuate directly based on sales volume.
Interest and Investment Income decreased $62,000 to $123,000 in 2003. This reduction was due to reduced funds available for investment, as well as $56,000 of realized losses which occurred upon the sale of securities in December 2003. Proceeds from the sale of securities were used to purchase a new facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico (see Liquidity and Capital Resources). Other Expense-Net in 2003 was $250,000 versus $61,000 in 2002. Other Expense-Net in 2003 includes a charge of $418,000 for insurance charges related to Spartons previously owned automotive segment. These charges are for the settlement of a previously disputed claim. Translation adjustments, along with gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, are included in current earnings and in the aggregate, amounted to income of $184,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2003.
Due to factors described above, the Company reported a loss of $1,516,000 ($(0.18) per share) for the three months ended December 31, 2003, versus net income of $2,178,000 ($0.26 per share, basic and diluted) for the corresponding period last year.
Six-Month Periods
Sales for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, totaled $69,665,000, a decline of $10,382,000 (13%), as compared to the same period in the prior year. All markets, with the exception of aerospace, are down from the same period last prior year. Government sales were $16,685,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2003, as compared to $22,876,000 for the prior year period, a decline of 27%. Medical/scientific instrumentation sales were $9,046,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2003, as compared to $9,789,000 for the prior year period, a decline of 8%. Industrial sales were $17,920,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2003, as compared to $26,021,000 for the prior year period, a decline of 31%. While other markets have declined, aerospace sales have increased by $4,653,000 (22%) to $26,014,000 from the prior year period. Government sales declined from last year in part due to limited test range availability, and the resulting decline in sonobuoy sales to the U.S. Navy. The limited access to test facilities in the first quarter of the year, along with technical and production issues, resulted in reduced sales through December 31, 2003. Technical difficulties have resulted in reduced sales and margins in the production of a current sonobuoy contract. Two additional sonobuoy contracts also encountered difficulties, with the resulting delays further depressing sales. Increased costs on these two sonobuoys contracts adversely impacted operating margins by $597,000. Industrial sales have declined sharply due to reduced sales for homeland security. Prior years sales benefited from strong demand for homeland security products, principally driven by the installation of detection equipment in U.S. and Canadian airports. These sales totaled approximately $.8 million in fiscal 2004 compared to approximately $15 million last year. This decrease in the industrial market was partially offset by increased sales to existing customers.
The majority of our sales come from a small number of customers. Sales to our 6 largest customers, including government sales, accounted for approximately 75% of net sales in both periods. Four of the customers, including government, were the same both years. One of these customers, with 25% and 16% of the sales as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, is comprised of six separate facilities.
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An operating loss of $5,492,000 was reported for the six months ended December 31, 2003, versus an operating profit of $8,025,000 for the same period last year. Several programs were in start-up mode during the six months ended December 31, 2003, and so contributed minimal or negative margins. An engineering redesign on an existing proprietary product line resulted in charges of $455,000. Selling and administrative expenses have increased slightly from the prior year. Most of this increase was due to higher bid and proposal and research and development activities, primarily related to government contracts. While these expenses have shown a larger increase as a percentage of sales over the prior year, many expenses in this area are fixed and do not fluctuate directly based on sales volume.
Included in prior years operating income was a $5,500,000 ($3,630,000 net of tax) recovery of certain environmental remediation costs. It reflects Spartons settlement with the DOE and others regarding the reimbursement of costs incurred at the Companys Sparton Technology Coors Road property. Also included were charges related to the New Mexico environmental remediation effort, principally litigation, of $137,000 in 2003 and $270,000 in 2002.
Interest and Investment Income increased $52,000 to $353,000 in 2003, due to increased funds available for investment during a majority of the six-month period. Other Expense-Net in 2003 was $309,000 versus $47,000 in 2002. Other Expense-Net in 2003 includes a charge of $478,000 for insurance adjustments related to Spartons previously owned automotive segment. Translation adjustments, along with gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, are included in current earnings and in the aggregate, amounted to income of $173,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2003.
Due to the factors described above, the Company reported a loss of $3,697,000 ($(0.44) per share) for the six months ended December 31, 2003, versus net income of $5,756,000 ($0.69 per share basic, $0.68 per share diluted) for the corresponding period last year.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
For the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, Cash and Cash Equivalents decreased $364,000 to $10,198,000. Operating activities used $454,000 in net cash flows. The primary source of cash was a decrease in accounts receivable, reflective of receipts for the unusually large balance in receivables at June 30, 2003. The primary use of cash was an increase in inventories, along with operating losses. A portion of the increase in inventories is reflective of delayed customer delivery schedules and material for new program start-ups.
Cash flows provided by investing activities totaled $74,000. Purchases of property, plant and equipment (net) were principally for the purchase of a new manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This new facility will replace the Companys existing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The transition between facilities is anticipated to be completed in the next 6-8 months, during which time the Company will lease the facility to the former owner. The new facility, which was purchased for approximately $4.5 million, is included in property, plant, and equipment within the asset section of the balance sheet as of December 31, 2003. The building was funded through the sale of investment securities. The existing facility will continue in use through the transition, at which point the Company plans to sell it at an anticipated gain. With the new facility, the Company anticipates additional contract opportunities that were previously unavailable to it.
Cash flow provided by financing activities totaled $15,000, primarily from stock options exercised.
The Companys market risk exposure to foreign currency exchange and interest rates are not considered to be material, principally due to their short term nature and minimal receivables and payables designated in foreign currency. The Company has had no short-term bank debt since December 1996, and currently has an unused informal line of credit totaling $20 million.
At December 31 and June 30, 2003, the aggregate government EMS backlog was approximately $46 million and $51 million, respectively. A majority of the December 31, 2003, backlog is expected to be realized in the next 12-15 months. Current government backlog excludes any amounts for the 2004 government contract