Back to GetFilings.com



 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

ý

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 28, 2002 or

 

o

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the period from                   to                  /

 

Commission file number: 000-30575

 

 

AVOCENT CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

 

91-2032368

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

 

 

4991 Corporate Drive
Huntsville, Alabama

 

35805

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

256-430-4000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

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, as amended, 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.

 

ý  Yes  o No

 

As of August 7, 2002, the number of outstanding shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock was 45,024,281.

 

 



 

AVOCENT CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

JUNE 28, 2002

 

INDEX

 

 

Page(s)

Part I

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Six Months Ended June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 28, 2002 (unaudited) and December 31, 2001

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Six Months Ended June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001

5

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

6-11

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

12-18

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks

19

 

 

 

 

Part II

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

20

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

20

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

20

 

 

Signatures

21

 

2



 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1Financial Statements

 

AVOCENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

For the three months ended

 

For the six months ended

 

 

 

June 28,
2002

 

June 29,
2001

 

June 28,
2002

 

June 29,
2001

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

63,018

 

$

65,079

 

$

125,122

 

$

138,254

 

Cost of sales

 

31,402

 

46,008

 

63,243

 

83,349

 

Gross profit

 

31,616

 

19,071

 

61,879

 

54,905

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

 

6,972

 

6,042

 

13,409

 

11,735

 

In-process research and development expenses and other acquisition costs

 

 

 

 

4,570

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

15,468

 

20,613

 

35,391

 

40,254

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

5,297

 

33,377

 

10,594

 

66,437

 

Total operating expenses

 

27,737

 

60,032

 

59,394

 

122,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

3,879

 

(40,961

)

2,485

 

(68,091

)

Other income, net

 

1,244

 

1,509

 

2,608

 

2,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

5,123

 

(39,452

)

5,093

 

(65,281

)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

1,556

 

(2,597

)

1,223

 

(304

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,567

 

$

(36,855

)

$

3,870

 

$

(64,977

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.08

 

$

(0.83

)

$

0.09

 

$

(1.47

)

Diluted

 

$

0.08

 

$

(0.83

)

$

0.08

 

$

(1.47

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in computing earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

44,947

 

44,307

 

44,888

 

44,147

 

Diluted

 

45,625

 

44,307

 

45,685

 

44,147

 

 

See notes accompanying these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

AVOCENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

June 28,
2002

 

December 31,
2001

 

ASSETS

 

(unaudited)

 

(audited)

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

62,394

 

$

80,506

 

Investments maturing within one year

 

128,846

 

84,270

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

34,634

 

49,091

 

Income taxes receivable

 

1,185

 

2,330

 

Other receivables, net

 

1,554

 

2,115

 

Inventories, net

 

20,243

 

27,155

 

Other current assets

 

1,753

 

2,134

 

Deferred tax assets

 

11,987

 

10,839

 

Total current assets

 

262,596

 

258,440

 

Investments

 

22,593

 

7,718

 

Property held for lease, net

 

1,821

 

1,919

 

Property and equipment, net

 

22,696

 

21,343

 

Goodwill

 

188,489

 

186,147

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

56,766

 

71,014

 

Other assets

 

554

 

617

 

 

 

$

555,515

 

$

547,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

7,922

 

$

8,579

 

Accrued wages and commissions

 

5,039

 

4,727

 

Accrued liabilities

 

12,197

 

15,496

 

Income taxes payable

 

9,567

 

7,016

 

Other accrued expenses

 

395

 

719

 

Total current liabilities

 

35,120

 

36,537

 

Deferred tax liability

 

19,891

 

24,053

 

Total liabilities

 

55,011

 

60,590

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000 shares authorized, 44,976 and 43,820 shares issued and outstanding as of June 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001, respectively

 

45

 

45

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

929,218

 

926,746

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

443

 

(42

)

Deferred compensation

 

(9,895

)

(16,964

)

Retained deficit

 

(419,307

)

(423,177

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

500,504

 

486,608

 

 

 

$

555,515

 

$

547,198

 

 

See notes accompanying these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

AVOCENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

For the six months ended

 

 

 

June 28,
2002

 

June 29,
2001

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,870

 

$

(64,977

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

2,137

 

2,127

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

10,595

 

66,437

 

Stock-based compensation

 

8,911

 

9,608

 

Purchased in-process research and development expenses

 

 

4,570

 

Amortization of discounts on investments

 

1,022

 

14

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

14,457

 

12,557

 

Other receivables, net

 

561

 

10,800

 

Inventories, net

 

6,912

 

81

 

Other assets

 

1,853

 

(1,444

)

Accounts payable

 

(657

)

(4,506

)

Accrued wages and commissions

 

312

 

848

 

Accrued liabilities

 

(3,623

)

1,263

 

Income taxes, current and deferred

 

(3,418

)

(1,351

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

42,932

 

36,027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of Equinox Systems Inc., net of cash and investments

 

 

(31,725

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(3,491

)

(2,451

)

Purchases of investments

 

(102,383

)

(46,599

)

Maturities of investments

 

42,043

 

31,047

 

Proceeds from sales of investments

 

305

 

20,145

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(63,526

)

(29,583

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt

 

 

45,000

 

Repayment of short-term debt

 

 

(45,000

)

Proceeds from employee stock plans

 

2,435

 

8,305

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

2,435

 

8,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

47

 

(99

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(18,112

)

14,650

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

80,506

 

44,106

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

62,394

 

$

58,756

 

 

See notes accompanying these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

AVOCENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

Note 1.   Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods shown.  The results of operations for these periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any future periods.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

We report our annual results based on years ending December 31.  We report our quarterly results for the first three interim periods based on 13 week periods ending on Fridays and for the fourth interim period ending on December 31.

 

Our financial statements are consolidated and include the accounts of Avocent Corporation (“Avocent” or the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries.  Significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Note 2.   Inventories

 

Inventories consisted of the following at:

 

 

 

June 28,
2002

 

December 31,
2001

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(audited)

 

Raw materials

 

$

8,400

 

$

13,034

 

Work-in-process

 

472

 

446

 

Finished goods

 

11,371

 

13,675

 

Inventories, net

 

$

20,243

 

$

27,155

 

 

Note 3.   Stock Options and Deferred Compensation

 

Deferred compensation – We recorded $41,165 of deferred compensation related to Cybex employee stock options at the time of the merger of Apex and Cybex on July 1, 2000.  Additionally, we recorded $2,752 of deferred compensation related to the Equinox employee stock options at the time of the acquisition on January 3, 2001.  The deferred compensation is being amortized over the vesting period of the options for which it was recorded.

 

Stock option exercises – Options to purchase 297 shares of our Common Stock were exercised during the six months ended June 28, 2002.  Also, 29 shares of our Common Stock were issued during the six months ending June 28, 2002 under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  In addition, we allowed shares issued upon the exercise of certain stock options by a former executive of the Company to be traded as payment for the cost of the options and related taxes.  Under applicable accounting rules, this cashless exercise required variable plan accounting for these options.  As a result, we recorded $2.0 million of compensation expense in the first quarter of 2002.

 

6



 

Note 4.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

We record, net of related deferred income taxes, unrealized gains and losses on our foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized holding gains or losses on our available-for-sale securities as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.  For the six months ended June 28, 2002 and December 31, 2001, total other comprehensive income amounted to $485 and $(42), respectively.  As of June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001, total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) was $443 and ($2,429), respectively.

 

Note 5.   Earnings (Loss) per Share, (unaudited)

 

 

 

Income (loss)
(Numerator)

 

Shares
(Denominator)

 

Per-Share
Amount

 

For the three months ended June 28, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders

 

$

3,567

 

44,947

 

$

0.08

 

Effect of Dilutive Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

 

678

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions

 

$

3,567

 

45,625

 

$

0.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 28, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders

 

$

3,870

 

44,888

 

$

0.09

 

Effect of Dilutive Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

 

797

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions

 

$

3,870

 

45,685

 

$

0.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended June 29, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss available to common stockholders

 

$

(36,855

)

44,307

 

$

(0.83

)

Effect of Dilutive Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss available to common stockholders and assumed conversions

 

$

(36,855

)

44,307

 

$

(0.83

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 29, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss available to common stockholders

 

$

(64,977

)

44,147

 

$

(1.47

)

Effect of Dilutive Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss available to common stockholders and assumed conversions

 

$

(64,977

)

44,147

 

$

(1.47

)

 

7



 

Note 6.   Sales

 

Avocent reports operations as a single operating segment.  However, we do report sales by geographic region.  Following is a presentation of sales by geographic region for the periods ended June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001:

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended

 

For the Six Months
Ended

 

 

 

June 28,
2002

 

June 29,
2001

 

June 28,
2002

 

June 29,
2001

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

40,509

 

$

44,271

 

$

77,856

 

$

88,399

 

Rest of the World

 

22,509

 

20,808

 

47,266

 

49,855

 

 

 

$

63,018

 

$

65,079

 

$

125,122

 

$

138,254

 

 

As of June 28, 2002, long-lived assets totaled $269,772, which includes $267,659 held in the U.S. and $2,113 held outside of the U.S.  As of December 31, 2001, long-lived assets totaled $280,423, which includes $278,118 held in the U.S. and $2,305 held outside of the U.S.

 

Sales to our top five OEM and distribution customers accounted for 63% of sales for both the three and six months ended June 28, 2002. Sales to our top five OEM and distribution customers accounted for 60% and 54% of sales for the three and six months ended June 29, 2001, respectively.

 

Note 7.   Forward Contracts

 

The Company uses forward contracts to reduce its foreign currency exposure related to the net cash flows from its European operations.  The majority of these contracts are short-term contracts (three months or less) and are marked-to-market each quarter and included in trade payables, with the offsetting gain or loss included in other revenues in the accompanying statements of operations.  At June 28, 2002, we had no open foreign currency forward contracts.

 

Note 8.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Intangible Assets and No. 141, Business Combinations, which were issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in July 2001.  Under these standards, the Company ceased amortizing goodwill totaling $188 million (including $2.0 million, net of $1.4 million of accumulated amortization for the assembled workforce, classified as other intangible assets as of December 31, 2001) as of January 1, 2002.  The three and six months ended June 29, 2001 included $27.9 million and $55.5 million, respectively, in amortization expense under the previous standards.

 

The following tables present the impact of the new standards on income (loss) from  operations, net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share, as if they had been in effect for the three and six months ended June 29, 2001.

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,
2002
As Reported

 

June 29,
2001
As Reported

 

June 29,
2001
As Adjusted

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

$

3,879

 

$

(40,961

)

$

(13,058

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,567

 

$

(36,855

)

$

(8,952

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

0.08

 

$

(0.83

)

$

(0.20

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

0.08

 

$

(0.83

)

$

(0.20

)

 

8



 

Note 8.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (continued)

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,
2002
As Reported

 

June 29,
2001
As Reported

 

June 29,
2001
As Adjusted

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

$

2,485

 

$

(68,091

)

$

(12,587

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,870

 

$

(64,977

)

$

(9,473

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

0.09

 

$

(1.47

)

$

(0.21

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

0.08

 

$

(1.47

)

$

(0.21

)

 

Acquired other intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows:

 

 

 

June 28, 2002

 

December 31, 2001

 

 

 

Gross
Carrying
Amounts

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Gross
Carrying
Amounts

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Developed technology

 

$

65,740

 

$

26,401

 

$

65,740

 

$

19,931

 

Patents and trademarks

 

12,390

 

3,361

 

14,152

 

2,478

 

Customer base and certification

 

19,500

 

12,583

 

19,500

 

9,333

 

Assembled workforce

 

 

 

3,400

 

1,400

 

Other

 

2,006

 

525

 

1,814

 

450

 

 

 

$

99,636

 

$

42,870

 

$

104,606

 

$

33,592

 

 

For the three months ended June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001, amortization expense for other intangible assets was $5.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively.  For the six months ended June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001, amortization expense for other intangible assets was $10.6 million and $10.9 million, respectively.  The approximate estimated annual amortization for other intangibles is as follows:

 

Years ending December 31:

 

 

 

2002

 

$

22,000

 

2003

 

$

19,100

 

2004

 

$

15,200

 

2005

 

$

8,900

 

2006

 

$

1,600

 

 

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 and No. 142 the Company completed a transitional impairment test of all goodwill and intangible assets as of January 1, 2002.  The test concluded that no adjustment was required upon adoption.  The Company will test goodwill at least annually for impairment, as prescribed by these standards.

 

The Company expensed $2.7 million in legal fees during the quarter ended March 29, 2002.  Approximately $1.8 million of these fees were deferred from previous periods (which were included as other intangible assets at December 31, 2001) and $900 thousand of fees were incurred during the quarter ended March 29, 2002.  These fees related to the Company’s patent infringement lawsuit brought against a competitor challenging the use of on-screen technology in the competitor’s switches.  A court decision was reached in February 2002 that found no infringement of the three Avocent patents involved in the lawsuit.  While the judgment is currently on appeal and the Company intends to continue to pursue the lawsuit, Avocent’s management decided to expense these costs due to the uncertainty of the outcome of the litigation.

 

9



 

Note 9.   Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (“ARO”), which has an effective date for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002.  This statement addresses the diversity in practice for recognizing asset retirement obligations and requires that obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset be recorded as a liability when those obligations are incurred, with the amount of the liability initially measured at fair value.  Upon initially recognizing a liability for an ARO, an entity must capitalize the cost by recognizing an increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset.  Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.  Upon settlement of the liability, an entity either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement.  The impact of SFAS No. 143 on the Company’s financial statements is not expected to be material.

 

In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which has an effective date for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.  This statement, which supercedes SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of, requires that long-lived assets that are to be disposed of by sale be measured at the lower of book value or fair value less cost to sell.  Additionally, this statement expands the scope of discontinued operations to include all components of an entity with operations that (1) can be distinguished from the rest of the entity and (2) will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity in a disposal transaction.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 144 effective January 1, 2002.  The impact of SFAS No. 144 was not material to the Company’s financial statements as of June 28, 2002.

 

In July 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal, which is effective for disposal or exit activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3, Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (Including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).  The statement requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity shall be recognized and measured initially at its fair value in the period in which liability is incurred, except for liabilities for one-time termination benefits that are accrued over time.  In the unusual circumstance in which fair value cannot be reasonably estimated, the liability shall be recognized initially in the period in which fair value can be reasonably estimated.  The impact of SFAS No. 146 on the Company’s financial statements is not expected to be material.

 

Note 10.  Investment in Rymic Systems, Inc.

 

In the second quarter of 2002, we made a $1.0 million investment in Rymic Systems, Inc., a privately-held company based in Huntsville, Alabama, that develops hardware and software solutions for remote monitoring and control of vehicles and equipment over the internet using standard desktop web browsers.  We purchased 400,000 shares of Rymic’s common stock, giving us approximately a 14% equity position in Rymic.  In addition, as part of our investment, we received certain rights of co-sale regarding the shares of stock we purchased and certain rights of first refusal regarding shares of stock of Rymic held by its major shareholders.  We also entered into a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Rymic to share certain technologies and other expertise, and we became an authorized reseller of Rymic’s line of rymicNET™ remote monitoring and control products in the computer, server, and data center management markets.

 

Early in the first quarter of 2001 and prior to our investment, Doyle C. Weeks, one of our directors and our Executive Vice President for Group Operations and Business Development, purchased 10,000 shares of common stock of Rymic at the price of $2.50 per share.  Mr. Weeks also received a gift of 5,000 shares of Rymic common stock from one of its major shareholders.  At approximately the same time, Gary R. Johnson, our Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing, purchased 10,000 shares of common stock at the price of $2.50 per share.  At the time of our investment, Mr. Weeks was one of 6 directors of Rymic, and in connection with his services as a director and prior to our investment, Mr. Weeks was awarded nonqualified stock options to purchase 5,000 shares of Rymic common stock at $2.50 per share that vested upon receipt.  Mr. Weeks did not receive any fees from Rymic.  Mr. Weeks remains on the board of directors of Rymic, but will not receive any additional director fees or stock options for as long as we hold our equity position in Rymic.

 

10



 

Note 11.  Subsequent Event

 

On August 5, 2002, we announced that we signed a definitive agreement to acquire 2C Computing, Inc. (“2C”) for approximately $22.8 million in cash.  2C has developed digital extension technology that splits the PCI bus of a PC and allows the PC motherboard, processor, hard drive, and other user devices to be located at a distance from the user and connected using CAT 5 or fiber cable.  The acquisition is contingent upon the approval of 2C’s shareholders and other customary conditions to closing, and is expected to close on or before August 20, 2002.

 

In 2000, 2C and Cybex Computer Products Corporation (“Cybex”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, formed a joint venture, CyCom L.L.C., to focus on computer technology and research for products in the desktop computer and server industry.  Cybex owns 40% of CyCom and the other 60% of CyCom is owned by 2C.  Upon the formation of CyCom, Cybex contributed a license for certain of its intellectual property related to the split bus concept, and 2C contributed management services and capital funding.  The initial products developed from the digital extension technology were announced in late 2001.  Shipments of the products totaled approximately $1.5 million through July 31, 2002.

 

Under the terms of the joint venture membership agreement, 2C was responsible for all technology development efforts.  The net profits of CyCom were to be split 60% to 2C and 40% to Cybex after 2C recouped its accumulated losses from the development and marketing of CyCom products.  The carrying value of our investment in CyCom is zero because Cybex’s contribution to it consisted of previously expensed research and development costs related to the technology and CyCom has earned no profits to date.  We have no obligation to provide funding or other financial support to CyCom in future periods.  Upon closing our acquisition of 2C, which will include its 60% interest in CyCom, we intend to dissolve CyCom.

 

2C was founded by Remigius G. Shatas and Robert R. Asprey, who currently serve as directors of 2C.  Mr. Shatas was formerly a member of the Board of Directors of Cybex (before the merger transaction with Apex Inc. that created Avocent) and served as executive vice president and chief technology officer of Cybex. Mr. Shatas remains a shareholder of Avocent.  Mr. Asprey was also formerly an officer of Cybex, and he too is a current Avocent shareholder.  David S. Butler, who is currently a director of 2C, is a former director of Cybex and a current Avocent shareholder. Mr. Shatas, Mr. Asprey, and Mr. Butler own less than 2% of Avocent’s outstanding shares in the aggregate.  A number of other 2C shareholders are also Avocent shareholders.  No officer or director of Avocent is an officer, director, shareholder or affiliate of 2C.

 

The acquisition will be recorded under the purchase method of accounting, and the purchase price will be allocated based on the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired.  In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, purchased research and development costs allocated to developed technology will be capitalized and amortized over the respective estimated useful lives.  The remaining amounts of purchased research and development will be expensed upon the closing of the transaction. Any goodwill resulting from the acquisition will not be amortized but will be included in our annual review of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment.  We expect to complete the preliminary allocation of the purchase price during the third quarter of 2002.

 

11



 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

THE INFORMATION IN THIS ITEM 2 “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, STATEMENTS RELATING TO OUR FUTURE BUSINESS PROSPECTS AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN GENERAL, STATEMENTS REGARDING OUR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN ACTIVITIES, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, AND NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS, STATEMENTS RELATING TO FUTURE PRODUCT DEMAND AND OUR FUTURE SALES, EARNINGS, GROSS PROFIT, INCOME, AND EXPENSES, STATEMENTS REGARDING INTERNATIONAL SALES, STATEMENTS REGARDING MERGER ACCOUNTING, ACQUISITION, AND TRANSACTION COSTS AND ADJUSTMENTS, STATEMENTS ABOUT THE RATIO OF SALES AMONG OUR DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS, STATEMENTS REGARDING FUTURE INVENTORY LEVELS, STATEMENTS REGARDING OUR ACHIEVEMENT OF ISO 9000:2000 ACCREDITATION, AND STATEMENTS RELATING TO ANTICIPATED CAPITAL NEEDS.

 

THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE OUR ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.  FACTORS THAT MIGHT CAUSE SUCH A DIFFERENCE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, RISKS ATTRIBUTABLE TO FUTURE PRODUCT DEMAND, SALES, AND EXPENSES, RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCT DESIGN EFFORTS, RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RELIANCE ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF COMPONENT SUPPLIERS AND SINGLE SOURCE COMPONENTS, THE LOSS OF ONE OF OUR OEM CUSTOMERS, A REDUCTION OR FLUCTUATIONS IN SALES OF OUR OEM OR BRANDED PRODUCTS, INTENSE COMPETITION AND NEW PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES FROM EXISTING AND NEW COMPETITORS, RISKS RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, FLUCTUATIONS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES, RISKS RELATED TO MERGER INTEGRATION, AND OTHER RISKS DETAILED IN OUR  ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, WHICH WAS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 29, 2002.

 

Overview

 

We design, manufacture, and sell analog and digital console switching systems, serial connectivity devices, and extension and remote access products for the computer industry.  Data center managers and network administrators have increasingly complex and growing server populations, and our analog, digital, and serial switching solutions, as well as our extension and remote access products, help them manage multiple servers and serially controlled devices from one or more local or remote consoles consisting of a keyboard, video monitor, and mouse.  Specifically, our products can provide significant cost reductions including lower initial investment, reduced utility costs, and space savings, as well as more efficient technical support capabilities.

 

We provide “plug and play” switching systems for many network administration, management, and storage problems faced by corporate customers, data centers, and server farms.  Our switching solutions include products sold under the Avocent, Apex, Cybex, and Equinox brands, including our AMX™, AutoView™, DS Series™, OutLook®,  and XP®4000 Series products.  Our switching products help facilities managers and network administrators access multiple servers and serially controlled devices from one or more centralized or remote consoles, consolidate hardware requirements, and provide direct hardwired connections between the switch and the attached servers to facilitate access to those servers, even when the network is down.  Our Equinox branded products add high-performance, reliable, and affordable server-based products for serial and dial access applications.  The Equinox SuperSerial product line provides serial communications for security, commercial point-of-sale, process control, industrial automation, data collection, remote access, fax servers, Internet access, and custom applications.  In the first quarter of 2002, we announced two power management solutions, the SPCTM800 and SPC TM1600, which expand our DS Series of products.  When combined with Avocent’s CPSTM serial-based network appliances, data center managers can securely control almost any connected device in the data center.  Additionally, in the second quarter of 2002, we announced the AMX, the latest in our KVM analog solutions.  The AMX switch addresses continued growth opportunities in the analog market segment and provides simpler access and easier manageability of servers in multi-rack, multi-platform environments.

 

Our revenue is derived (i) from sales to a limited number of original equipment server manufacturers, or OEMs, who purchase our switching systems on a private-label or branded basis for integration and sale with the their own products, (ii) from sales through our reseller and distributor network, and (iii) from sales to a limited amount of direct customers.  For the six months ended June 28, 2002, sales to our reseller and distributor network were 53% of net sales, sales to our OEM customers were 44% of net sales, and sales to our direct customers were 3% of net sales.  We do not

 

12



 

have contracts with many of these customers, and in general, they are only obligated to purchase products from us pursuant to binding purchase orders.  The merger between Compaq and Hewlett-Packard will result in a further concentration of sales with a single OEM customer.  The loss of, or material decline in orders from, our OEM customers would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation, and cash flow.  We sell products to dealers, end-users and OEMs in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia as well as in other foreign markets.  Sales within the United States accounted for approximately 62% of sales for the first six months of 2002, while sales outside the United States accounted for the remaining 38% of sales. Additionally, sales to our top five OEM and distribution customers accounted for 63% of sales for both the three and six months ended June 28, 2002. Sales to our top five OEM and distribution customers accounted for 60% and 54% of sales for the three and six months ended June 29, 2001, respectively.

 

With recent industry-wide initiatives to reduce all channel inventories and to shorten lead times, trends with our major customers are, generally, to reduce the number of weeks of forward–committed firm orders.  This trend is currently affecting our business with certain OEMs and other server manufacturers, and we believe that it will make our sales more difficult to predict and inventory levels more difficult to manage.

 

We are currently experiencing increased price competition in the market for all of our products, and we expect that pricing pressures will continue to increase in the future.  In addition, general economic conditions are not as favorable as they were in prior years, and our revenue growth rate has slowed.  Depending on future general economic conditions and other factors, our revenue could decline in the future.

 

We expect to achieve ISO 9000:2000 accreditation during 2003.  We believe ISO accreditation will become a requirement for doing business with several of our OEM customers.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:

 

                                            We review customer contracts to determine if all of the requirements for revenue recognition have been met prior to recording revenues from sales transactions.  We generally record sales revenue upon shipment of our products, net of any discounts, since we generally do not have significant post delivery obligations, the product price is fixed and determinable, collection of the resulting receivable is probable, and product returns are reasonably estimable.  We generally ship products upon receipt of a purchase order from a customer.  Shipping terms are evaluated, and revenue on products shipped FOB destination is recorded when the customer takes possession of the goods.

 

                                          We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments.  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.  If circumstances change with regards to individual receivable balances that had previously been determined to be uncollectible (and for which a specific reserve had been established), a reduction in our allowance for doubtful accounts may be required.

 

                                          We provide for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized.  While we engage in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of our component suppliers, our warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, failure rates of purchased components integrated into our products, material usage, and other rework costs incurred in correcting a product failure.  Should actual product failure rates, material usage, or other rework costs differ from our estimates, revisions to our estimated warranty liability may be required.

 

                                          We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.  If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

 

                                          We hold minority interests in companies having operations or technology in areas within or adjacent to our strategic focus, some of which are in publicly traded companies with share prices that are volatile and some of which are in privately-held companies with values that are difficult to determine.  We record an investment

 

13



 

impairment charge when we believe an investment has experienced a decline in value that is other than temporary.  Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underlying investments could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the investments that may not be reflected in an investment’s current carrying value, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future.

 

                                          We estimate allowances for sales returns based on our experiences from historical customer returns.  If actual future customer returns are less favorable than those projected by management, additional sales return expenses may be required.

 

                                          Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 142.  Our initial test for goodwill impairment as of January 1, 2002 determined that no adjustment for impairment was required.  If economic conditions deteriorate and indicators of impairment become present, an adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets may be required.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected statement of operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 28,
2002

 

June 29,
2001

 

June 28,
2002

 

June 29,
2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of sales

 

49.8

 

70.7

 

50.5

 

60.3

 

Gross profit

 

50.2

 

29.3

 

49.5

 

39.7

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

 

11.1

 

9.3

 

10.7

 

8.5

 

In-process research and development expenses and other acquisition costs

 

 

 

 

3.3

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

24.5

 

31.7

 

28.3

 

29.1

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

8.4

 

51.2

 

8.5

 

48.0

 

Total operating expenses

 

44.0

 

92.2

 

47.5

 

88.9

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

6.2

 

(62.9

)

2.0

 

(49.2

)

Other income, net

 

2.0

 

2.3

 

2.1

 

2.0

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

8.2

 

(60.6

)

4.1

 

(47.2

)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

2.5

 

(4.0

)

1.0

 

(0.2

)

Net income (loss)

 

5.7

%

(56.6%

)

3.1

%

(47.0%

)

 

Net sales.  Our net sales consist of sales of console switching systems, digital connectivity solutions, serial connectivity devices, and extension and remote-access products.  Net sales decreased 3% to $63.0 million for the second quarter of 2002 from $65.1 million for the second quarter of 2001.  The decrease in sales resulted from the general weakness in the technology sector of the economy when compared to the second quarter of last year.  Sequentially, our sales increased more than $900 thousand from the first quarter of 2002.  The sequential improvement in sales was due to improvement in our branded and direct business, which collectively increased 5%.  Sales through our reseller and distributor channel increased less than 1% from $33.2 million in the second quarter of 2001 to $33.3 million in the second quarter of 2002.  Direct sales decreased 27% from $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2001 to $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2002.  OEM sales decreased just over 4 % from $28.3 million in the second quarter of 2001 to $27.1 million in the second quarter of 2002.  Reseller and distributor sales were 53% of sales for the second quarter of 2002, compared to 51% of sales for the second quarter of 2001.  OEM sales were 43% of sales for the second quarter of 2002, compared to 44% of sales for the second quarter of 2001.  Direct sales were 4% of sales for the second quarter of 2002, compared to 5% of sales for the second quarter of 2001.

 

Sales within the United States decreased by over 8% to $40.5 million in the second quarter of 2002 from $44.3 million in the second quarter of 2001.  Rest of the world sales increased over 8% to $22.5 million in the second quarter of 2002 from $20.8 million in the second quarter of 2001.  Net sales decreased 9% to $125.1 million for the first six months

 

14



 

of 2002 from $138.3 million for the first six months of 2001.  As with the quarter, the decrease in sales resulted from the general weakness in the technology sector of the economy when compared to last year.  The weakness in sales was evident in both the United States and in the rest of the world.  Sales within the United States decreased by almost 12% to $77.8 million in the first six months of 2002 from $88.4 million in the first six months of 2001.  Rest of world sales decreased over 5% from $49.9 million in the first six months of 2001 to $47.3 million in the first six months of 2002.  We believe our recently announced AMX switch and our embedded switching technology for blade and traditional rack mounted servers will contribute to sales in the second half of 2002.

 

Gross profit.  Gross profit is affected by a variety of factors, including: the ratio of sales among our distribution channels, as our OEM sales typically have lower gross margins than our reseller and distributor sales and our directs sales; varying absorption of fixed costs as sales levels fluctuate; product mix, raw materials and labor costs; new product introductions by us and by our competitors; and the level of our outsourcing of manufacturing and assembly services.  Gross margin significantly improved to 50.2% in the second quarter of 2002 from 29.3% in the second quarter of 2001.  Gross margin in the second quarter of 2002 benefited from sales of our digital solutions, which have a higher margin, and accounted for 20% of our second quarter 2002 sales compared to 9% of sales for our second quarter of 2001.  Gross margins were significantly affected by a $11.7 million write-down for excess and obsolete inventories in the second quarter of 2001.  This write-down was made to reduce inventory valuations to bring them in-line with current net realizable values and to the level necessary to support then current sales demand.  Gross margin for the year increased to 49.5% for the first six months of 2002 from 39.7% for the first six months of 2001, also as a result of the factors discussed above.  We expect our OEM sales to return to traditional levels in the third quarter of 2002, as a result, we expect gross margins to decline slightly.

 

Research and development expenses.  Research and development expenses include compensation for engineers, support personnel, and materials costs and are expensed as they are incurred.  Research and development expenses were almost $7.0 million, or 11.1% of net sales, in the second quarter of 2002 compared to $6.0 million, or 9.3% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2001.  The increase in the amount spent on research and development can be attributed to the increased cost in contracted services, increased headcount, and higher costs related to new products expected to be released during 2002.  Year-to-date research and development expenses for 2002 increased to $13.4 million from $11.7 million year-to-date in 2001 for the reasons listed above.  As a percentage of net sales, year-to-date research and development expenses increased to 10.7% from 8.5%.  We believe that the timely development of innovative products and enhancements to existing products is essential to maintaining our competitive position.  We expect to continue to focus on new products in and enhancements to the AMX product family and the digital product families, as well as new solutions for blade and traditional servers.  Due to continued activity as we approach the introduction of our new products, we expect research and development expenditures to remain at the second quarter level for the duration of 2002.

 

In-process research and development expense.  The in-process research and development expense of $4.6 million in the first six months of 2001 is comprised solely of the acquisition costs of Equinox attributable to in-process technologies.  The charge for Equinox in-process technologies is non-recurring.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses include personnel costs for administration, finance, human resources, sales and marketing and general management, as well as some merger related expenses, rent, utilities and legal and accounting expenses, advertising, promotional material, trade show expenses and related travel costs.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were $15.5 million, or 24.5% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2002 compared to $20.6 million, or 31.7% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2001.  Selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2002 benefited from a $1.4 million recapture of a receivable, previously reserved, related to a contract manufacturer that had filed for bankruptcy.  We received a favorable ruling by the bankruptcy judge, which allowed the offset of receivables and payables between the contract manufacturer and certain customers, including Avocent.  Also, selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2001 included $1.3 million of severance costs related to headcount reductions in the U.S. and Europe.  Year-to-date selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased to $35.4 million, or 28.3% of net sales for 2002 from $40.3 million, or 29.1% of year-to-date net sales in 2001, due to the same reasons noted for the second quarter.  We expect selling, general and administrative expenses to increase by about $2.0 million sequentially in the third quarter of 2002, as we anticipate higher selling and marketing costs related to the roll-out of new products.

 

Amortization of intangible assets.  Amortization of intangible assets for the second quarter of 2002 is comprised of the amortization of the amounts allocated to the identifiable intangible assets that were in excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the Cybex assets and liabilities acquired by Apex in the merger transaction that occurred in 2000.  Also included is the amortization of similar assets created as a result of the acquisition of Equinox in 2001.  The second quarter of 2001 includes the amortization of these same assets as well as amortization of goodwill created at the merger and the

 

15



 

acquisition.  Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, and No. 141, Business Combinations, which were issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in July 2001.  Under these standards, we ceased amortizing goodwill of approximately $188 million as of January 1, 2002.  Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets was $5.3 million or 8.4% of net sales for the second quarter of 2002, while amortization of other identifiable intangible assets and goodwill was $33.4 million (including $27.9 million related to amortization of goodwill) or 51.3% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2001.  Year-to-date, amortization of other identifiable intangible assets was $10.6 million or 8.5% of net sales for the first six months of 2002, while amortization of other identifiable intangible assets and goodwill was $66.4 million (including $55.5 million related to amortization of goodwill) or 48.1% of net sales, for the first six months of 2001.

 

Other income, net.  Other income was $1.2 million for the second quarter of 2002, down from $1.5 million for the second quarter of 2001.  Although we have more cash and investments currently than in the prior year, interest income has declined due to lower interest rates.  Additionally, the dollar has weakened against the Euro resulting in a $200 thousand exchange swing, from a small exchange gain in the second quarter of 2001, to a $170 thousand exchange loss in the second quarter of 2002.  For the year, other income decreased to $2.6 million for 2002, from $2.8 million for 2001, for the same reasons.

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes.  The provision for income taxes was approximately $1.6 million for the second quarter of 2002, compared to a benefit from income taxes of $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2001.  Excluding merger related adjustments to federal taxes, the effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2002 was a provision for income taxes of approximately 27.3%, compared to a benefit from income taxes of 31.9% for the second quarter of 2001, primarily due to the mix of our pre-tax profit among our U.S. and international companies.  Shifting rest of world shipments from Redmond, Washington to Shannon, Ireland leveraged the 10% tax rate in Ireland.  For the year, the provision for income taxes was approximately $1.2 million for the first six months of 2002, compared to a benefit from income taxes of $304 thousand for the first six months of 2001.  Excluding merger related adjustments to federal taxes, the effective tax rate for the first six months of 2002 was a provision for income taxes of approximately 25.9%, compared to a benefit from income taxes of 30.6% for the first six months of 2001, primarily for the reasons mentioned above.  We expect our effective tax rate for the rest of the year to be between 25% and 28%, depending primarily on the mix of pre-tax profit between the U.S. locations and Ireland.

 

Net income (loss).  Our net income for the second quarter of 2002 was $3.6 million compared to net loss of $36.9 million for the second quarter of 2001, as a result of the above factors, including the amortization of other identifiable intangible assets and discontinuing goodwill amortization upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002.  Net income as a percentage of sales for the second quarter of 2002 was 5.7%, compared to net loss as a percentage of sales for the second quarter of 2001 of 56.6%.  Our net income for the first six months of 2002 was $3.9 million compared to a net loss of $65.0 million for the first six months of 2001, as a result of the above factors.  Net income as a percentage of sales for the first six months of 2002 was 3.1%, compared to net loss as a percentage of sales for the first six months of 2001 of 47.0%.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of June 28, 2002, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of over $215 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments.  In addition, we had a bank line of credit for borrowings of $2.0 million at LIBOR + 2.25% with a maturity date of mid May 2002, which we did not renew.  We determined that our cash position and expected maturities of investments are adequate to cover our current and future liabilities.

 

Our operating activities generated cash of almost $43 million in the first six months of 2002, compared to approximately $36 million in the first six months of 2001.  After adjusting net income for merger and acquisition related items, the increase in cash flow from operations for the first six months of 2002 compared to the first six months of 2001 resulted primarily from the decrease in accounts receivable and inventory.  Receivables declined to $35 million at June 28, 2002, from $49 million at December 31, 2001.  This decline in receivables is a result of the timing of sales, our increased collection efforts and increased reserves for receivables to ensure accounts receivable are carried at their realizable value.  Inventory levels declined to $20 million at June 28, 2002 from $27 million at December 31, 2001, due to our concerted efforts to consume existing supplies and due to increases in reserve and valuation accounts.  The inventory levels should continue to decline this year as we extend our efforts to reduce inventories on-hand.  The impact of the decrease in receivables and inventory were partially offset by a decrease in accrued liabilities, which declined to $12.2 million at June 28, 2002, from $15.5 million at December 31, 2001.  The primary reason for the decline in accrued liabilities was the payout of almost $1.6 million, after December 31, 2001, related to royalties for certain products.  During 2001, the product royalties

 

16



 

accrued reached the maximum amount due under the royalty agreement and no further amounts are owed under the agreement.

 

We intend to use a portion of our cash and investments for strategic acquisitions of technologies and companies that will enhance and complement our existing technologies and help increase our market share.

 

We believe that our existing cash balances, investments and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to fund our operations through 2002.

 

 

Investments

 

Our investments consist of corporate bonds, commercial paper, mortgage backed securities guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, and common stock.  Debt securities that we have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are reported at amortized cost.  Debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities and that have readily determinable fair values are classified as available-for-sale securities and are reported Vat fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.  We periodically review our investment portfolio for investments considered to have sustained an other-than-temporary decline in value.  Upon review of our investment portfolio as of June 28, 2002, no investments were considered to have sustained an other-than-temporary decline.

 

In the second quarter of 2002, we made a $1.0  million investment in Rymic Systems, Inc., a privately-held company based in Huntsville, Alabama, that develops hardware and software solutions for remote monitoring and control of vehicles and equipment over the internet using standard desktop web browsers.  We purchased 400,000 shares of Rymic’s common stock, giving us approximately a 14% equity position in Rymic.  In addition, as part of our investment, we received certain rights of co-sale regarding the shares of stock we purchased and certain rights of first refusal regarding shares of stock of Rymic held by its major shareholders.  We also entered into a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Rymic to share certain technologies and other expertise, and we became an authorized reseller of Rymic’s line of rymicNET™ remote monitoring and control products in the computer, server, and data center management markets.

 

Early in the first quarter of 2001 and prior to our investment, Doyle C. Weeks, one of our directors and our Executive Vice President for Group Operations and Business Development, purchased 10,000 shares of common stock of Rymic at the price of $2.50 per share.  Mr. Weeks also received a gift of 5,000 shares of Rymic common stock from one of its major shareholders.  At approximately the same time, Gary R. Johnson, our Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing, purchased 10,000 shares of common stock at the price of $2.50 per share.  At the time of our investment, Mr. Weeks was one of 6 directors of Rymic, and in connection with his services as a director and prior to our investment, Mr. Weeks was awarded nonqualified stock options to purchase 5,000 shares of Rymic common stock at $2.50 per share that vested upon receipt.  Mr. Weeks did not receive any fees from Rymic.  Mr. Weeks remains on the board of directors of Rymic, but will not receive any additional director fees or stock options for as long as we hold our equity position in Rymic.

 

Subsequent Event

 

On August 5, 2002, we announced that we signed a definitive agreement to acquire 2C Computing, Inc. (“2C”) for approximately $22.8 million in cash.  2C has developed digital extension technology that splits the PCI bus of a PC and allows the PC motherboard, processor, hard drive, and other user devices to be located at a distance from the user and connected using CAT 5 or fiber cable.  The acquisition is contingent upon the approval of 2C’s shareholders and other customary conditions to closing, and is expected to close on or before August 20, 2002.

 

In 2000, 2C and Cybex Computer Products Corporation (“Cybex”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, formed a joint venture, CyCom L.L.C., to focus on computer technology and research for products in the desktop computer and server industry.  Cybex owns 40% of CyCom and the other 60% of CyCom is owned by 2C.  Upon the formation of CyCom, Cybex contributed a license for certain of its intellectual property related to the split bus concept, and 2C contributed management services and capital funding.  The initial products developed from the digital extension technology were announced in late 2001.  Shipments of the products totaled approximately $1.5 million through July 31, 2002.

 

17



 

Under the terms of the joint venture membership agreement, 2C was responsible for all technology development efforts.  The net profits of CyCom were to be split 60% to 2C and 40% to Cybex after 2C recouped its accumulated losses from the development and marketing of CyCom products.  The carrying value of our investment in CyCom is zero because Cybex’s contribution to it consisted of previously expensed research and development costs related to the technology and CyCom has earned no profits to date.  We have no obligation to provide funding or other financial support to CyCom in future periods.  Upon closing our acquisition of 2C, which will include its 60% interest in CyCom, we intend to dissolve CyCom.

 

2C was founded by Remigius G. Shatas and Robert R. Asprey, who currently serve as directors of 2C.  Mr. Shatas was formerly a member of the Board of Directors of Cybex (before the merger transaction with Apex Inc. that created Avocent) and served as executive vice president and chief technology officer of Cybex. Mr. Shatas remains a shareholder of Avocent.  Mr. Asprey was also formerly an officer of Cybex, and he too is a current Avocent shareholder.  David S. Butler, who is currently a director of 2C, is a former director of Cybex and a current Avocent shareholder. Mr. Shatas, Mr. Asprey, and Mr. Butler own less than 2% of Avocent’s outstanding shares in the aggregate.  A number of other 2C shareholders are also Avocent shareholders.  No officer or director of Avocent is an officer, director, shareholder or affiliate of 2C.

 

The acquisition will be recorded under the purchase method of accounting, and the purchase price will be allocated based on the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired.  In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, purchased research and development costs allocated to developed technology will be capitalized and amortized over the respective estimated useful lives.  The remaining amounts of purchased research and development will be expensed upon the closing of the transaction. Any goodwill resulting from the acquisition will not be amortized but will be included in our annual review of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment.  We expect to complete the preliminary allocation of the purchase price during the third quarter of 2002.

 

18



 

Item 3Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks.

 

Our primary market risk is the potential loss arising from changes in interest rates, which could have an adverse impact on the fair value of our investment securities.  Our investment policy is to manage our investment portfolio to preserve principal and liquidity while maximizing the return on the investment portfolio through the investment of available funds.  We diversify the investment portfolio by investing in a variety of highly–rated investment–grade securities and through the use of different investment managers.  Our investment securities portfolio is primarily invested in securities with maturities (or interest rate resets) of two years or less with at least an investment grade rating to minimize interest rate and credit risk as well as to provide for an immediate source of funds.  Market risk is estimated as the potential change in fair value in the investment portfolio resulting from a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates, and was not material at June 28, 2002.  We generally hold investment securities until maturity and carry the securities at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

 

We are also exposed to equity price risks on our investments in publicly traded equity securities.  These investments are generally in companies having operations or technology in areas within our strategic focus.  We do not attempt to reduce or eliminate our market exposure on these securities.  As of June 28, 2002, the fair value of our equity investments was $2.6 million.  A 20% adverse change in equity prices would result in a decrease of approximately $520 thousand in the fair value of our equity securities as of June 28, 2002.

 

We also face foreign currency exchange rate risk to the extent that the value of certain foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar affects our financial results.  Our international operations transact a portion of our business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, predominantly the euro, and changes in exchange rates may positively or negatively affect our revenues, gross margins, operating expenses, and retained earnings since these transactions are expressed in U.S. dollars.  We engage in some hedging programs aimed at limiting the impact of currency fluctuations.  These hedging activities provide only limited protection against currency exchange risks, and there can be no assurance that such an approach will be successful, especially if a significant and sudden decline occurs in the value of local currencies.

 

19



 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.

 

In May 2001, Apex (our wholly-owned subsidiary) filed a complaint for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Raritan Computer Inc.  The Raritan complaint sought injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees and costs under three Apex patents.  After a seven day bench trial in New York in January of 2002, U.S. District Judge Milton Pollack found that there was no infringement of three Apex patents by Raritan and ordered that judgment be entered in favor of Raritan.  We are in the process of appealing the judgment.

 

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

 

On June 13, 2002, we held our Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  The matters voted on at the meeting and the results of these votes are as follows:

 

1.             Election of Class II Directors.

 

 

 

Votes for

 

Votes Withheld

 

1. John R. Cooper

 

39,275,507

 

1,018,467

 

2. Edwin L. Harper

 

39,341,939

 

952,035

 

 

2.             Ratify appointment of  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002.

 

Votes For

 

Votes Against

 

Votes Abstained

 

39,159,637

 

1,129,160

 

5,177

 

 

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

(a)   Exhibits

 

10.30.1    Amended and Restated Amendment Agreement among Avocent Corporation, Avocent Employment Services Co., Cybex Computer Products Corporation, and Stephen F. Thornton.

 

99.2         Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K

 

On August 7, 2002 we filed a Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting the public dissemination of a press release announcing that we have entered into a Plan and Agreement of Merger, pursuant to which we will acquire 2C Computing, Inc. subject to the approval of the 2C shareholders.

 

ITEMS 2, 3, AND 5 ARE NOT APPLICABLE AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED.

 

20



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

AVOCENT CORPORATION.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Date:     August 9, 2002

/s/ Douglas E. Pritchett

 

 

Douglas E. Pritchett

 

Senior Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

21