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EX-31.2 - SIERRA MONITOR CORP /CA/v215820_ex31-2.htm
EX-10.3 - SIERRA MONITOR CORP /CA/v215820_ex10-3.htm
EX-23.1 - SIERRA MONITOR CORP /CA/v215820_ex23-1.htm
EX-32.1 - SIERRA MONITOR CORP /CA/v215820_ex32-1.htm
EX-31.1 - SIERRA MONITOR CORP /CA/v215820_ex31-1.htm

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
 
x
Annual Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
 
¨
Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ___________ to  ______________
Commission file number 0-7441
 

SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California
95-2481914
(State of incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer ID No.)
 
1991 Tarob Court
Milpitas, California 95035
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Issuer's telephone number, including area code:  (408) 262-6611
 

 
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:   None.
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
(Title of class)
 

 
Check whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
¨ Yes  x No
 
Check whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
¨ Yes  x No
 
Check whether the issuer (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.
x Yes  ¨ No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  ¨ Yes  ¨ No
 
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B contained in this form, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   x
 
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
¨ Large accelerated filer
¨ Accelerated filer
 
 
¨ Non-accelerated filer
x Smaller reporting company
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   ¨ Yes  x No

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2010 was approximately $4,173,869 based upon the last reported sale price of $1.05 per share on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board, which occurred on June 30, 2010.  For purposes of this disclosure, common stock held by persons who hold more than 5% of the outstanding voting shares and common stock held by officers and directors of the Registrant have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be "affiliates" as that term is defined under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.  This determination is not necessarily conclusive.
 
The number of shares of the Registrant's common stock outstanding as of March 25, 2011 was 9,896,942.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Certain information required under Item 8, and information required under Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2011.

 
 

 

FORM 10-K

SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I.
       
Item 1.
 
Business
 
1
Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
 
4
Item 2.
 
Properties
 
5
Item 3.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
5
Item 4.
 
Reserved
 
5
         
PART II.
       
Item 5.
 
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
6
Item 7.
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
8
Item 8.
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
12
Item 9.
 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
    12
Item 9A.
 
Controls and Procedures
 
12
Item 9B.
 
Other Information
 
13
         
PART III.
       
Item 10.
 
Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
 
14
Item 11.
 
Executive Compensation
 
15
Item 12.
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
    15
Item 13.
 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
16
Item 14.
 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
16
         
PART IV.
       
Item 15.
  
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
  
17

 
 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements may generally be identified by the use of such words as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” or “shall,” or the negative of those terms.  We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events.  Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth elsewhere in this report.  Forward-looking statements in this report include, among others, statements regarding the sufficiency of cash and accounts receivable, effect of inflation on our results of operations and critical accounting policies.  Our future operating results may be affected by a number of factors, including general economic conditions in both foreign and domestic markets, cyclical factors affecting our industry, lack of growth in our end-markets and our ability to develop, manufacture, and sell both new and existing products at a profitable yet competitive price.  All forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
 
PART I
 
Item 1.
Business.
 
General
 
Sierra Monitor Corporation a California corporation (the “Company”, “we” or “us”), founded in 1978, designs manufactures and sells electronic safety and environmental instrumentation.  The company’s unique protocol translator product lines enables communication between disparate electronic systems overcoming protocol language barriers.  By enabling communication between central building automation systems and many electronic subsystems, such as fire panels, chillers and air handlers, Sierra Monitor assists with the integration of energy saving systems.  The company’s products improve the safety and comfort of workers while contributing to climate and natural resource protection.  Sierra Monitor’s intelligent hazardous gas detection systems can be found in a broad range of applications including US Navy ships, wastewater treatment facilities, refineries, offshore oil platforms, chemical plants, parking garages and underground telephone vaults providing 24/7 protection of personnel and facilities.
 
Our vision is to capitalize on the expanding worldwide demand for knowledge-based products and services that improve operational performance, productivity, efficiency and safety in building automation, industrial and military applications while reducing demands on resources.  The company is an established global supplier of safety and environmental instruments.
 
Products
 
By providing an intelligent interface, Sierra Monitor products enable various machines, devices, systems and people to reliably collect and communicate critical information for the measurement and control of various environments including buildings, plants and factories.

 
- 1 -

 
 
Protocol Gateways:  By delivering data on multiple communication platforms, including serial, Ethernet, Lonworks and fieldbus utilizing protocols from an extensive proprietary library of over 100 protocol drivers, the company’s products make it possible for data to be accessed at more appropriate levels, including automation controllers, network operations centers, control rooms and remote locations.
 
Machine to machine (M2M) protocol translation devices, known as communication gateways, are sold under the trade names “FieldServer” and “ProtoCessor” to equipment manufacturers and systems integrators, principally in the building automation industry where the market is driven primarily by cost efficiency and energy savings initiatives.  Many industrial instruments, such as detection systems, controllers and automation systems, communicate in disparate, non-standard proprietary protocols. Communication gateways provide a means for transferring data between devices using foreign and proprietary protocols and modern open comprehensive protocol systems.  In 2010, combined revenue from sales of our FieldServer and ProtoCessor products was approximately 48% of our sales compared to approximately 45% in 2009 and 40% in 2008.
 
Safety Instrumentation:  Intelligent gas detection safety systems that Sierra Monitor manufactures solve a variety of safety challenges ranging from applications in oil and gas processing and chemical plants to wastewater treatment, alternate fuel vehicle programs and other users or producers of hazardous gases. These systems utilize features such as recorded event information, graphical displays on central computers and web server displays to allow users to identify hazards and problems before they evolve into incidents which, could cause production delays, may prompt evacuation of personnel or potentially even cause property damage and physical injury.  By network-enabling smart detection systems, through the FieldServer products, data can be presented via dynamic web server for viewing by local or remote computer web browsers.  The motivation for installation of gas detection systems is driven, in part, by industrial safety professionals guided by the United States Occupational Safety and Health administration, state and local governing bodies, insurance companies and various industry rule-making bodies.  In the three fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, revenue from gas detection products was approximately 46%, 49%, and 52% of our sales, respectively.
 
Sierra Monitor also supplies microprocessor-based environment control products to the telecommunications industry. The control products are used to monitor temperature, gas, smoke and other environmental and security conditions in remote structures such as broadband distribution nodes, fiber optic booster stations and cell-tower site buildings. Environment controllers integrate various functions which would otherwise require discrete controls and alarm handling.  Revenue from all products sold to the telecommunications industry was approximately 6% of our sales in 2010, compared to 6% in 2009 and 8% in 2008.
 
Research and Development
 
We maintain research and development programs to enhance existing products and to develop new products.  Our research and development expenses, which include costs for sustaining engineering, were $1,978,507 or 14% of sales in 2010, compared to $1,967,009 or 15% of sales in 2009 and $1,907,310 or 14% of sales in 2008.
 
Sales and Distribution
 
Our products are sold through a network of independent sales representatives supervised by regional managers.  There are currently 34 authorized representative companies in the United States.  The majority of our representatives have exclusive territories and the sales agreements with each representative restrict them from representing competing products.  Our internal sales organization includes a corporate sales manager, seven regional sales managers, an outside salesperson and various inside support personnel.  In addition to our primary factory and office facility in Milpitas, California and a technical support office located in Fort Myers, Florida, we have separate domestic sales offices in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and Texas.  We support international sales from offices in California, Texas, Johannesburg, South Africa and Dubai, UAE.

 
- 2 -

 
 
Products manufactured by us are sold to a broad variety of customers including original equipment manufacturers and integration contractors in the building automation industry and to oil and gas drilling, refining and pipeline companies, chemical plants, waste-water treatment plants, telecommunications companies, parking garages and landfill rehabilitation projects.  We consider that we operate in one business segment.  Substantially all of the revenues reported in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are attributable to sales to that single segment.  See “Note 10: Segment Reporting” to our Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Employees
 
At December 31, 2010, we had a total of 54 employees, all of whom were employed on a full-time basis, of whom 6 were in research and development; 17 were in marketing, sales and service; 5 were in general administration; and 26 were in operations and manufacturing.  At that date, 45 of our employees were located in Milpitas, California, and the remaining employees were located in regional sales and technical support offices.
 
Seasonality and Customers
 
The demand for monitoring devices and other products we manufacture is typically not seasonal and during 2010 and 2009 there were no customers to whom sales exceeded 10% of our net sales.   Factors affecting specific industries, such as telecommunications, building automation or petro-chemical processing, could affect our sales within any of those industries.  Those factors may include, but are not limited to, a general economic downturn, labor problems, and rapid shifts in technology or introduction of competing products at lower prices.
 
Backlog
 
The commercial order backlog for our products at December 31, 2010 was approximately $3,592,000, compared to approximately $1,760,000 at December 31, 2009.  The backlog includes orders for which we have not yet received engineering release from the customer.  Since we generally ship many of our products within the same quarter that we receive a purchase order and engineering release from the customer, we believe that our backlog at any particular time is generally not indicative of the level of future sales.
 
Competition
 
The market in which we participate is highly competitive and generally price sensitive.  Most of our competitors have far greater financial, marketing and manufacturing resources than us by virtue of their relationships with larger companies as divisions or subsidiaries of such companies.  The principal competitive factors in our industry are reliability, ease of use, product support and price.  Our FieldServer and ProtoCessor products compete with products or alternate methods and technologies offered by, among others, HMS, Control Solutions Inc., Loytec Electronics, Prosoft Technology, Automated Logic, Cimetrics, Kalki Communications Technologies, Honeywell Tritium and TAC Schneider Electric.  Our gas detection products compete with systems offered by Detector Electronics Corporation, Draeger Safety Inc., General Monitors Inc., Mine Safety Appliance Company and Honeywell Life Safety and others.  Most of our competitors offer broad product lines including items that do not compete with our products.

 
- 3 -

 
 
Manufacturing and Suppliers
 
We purchase materials and components for use in manufacturing our products.  The majority of the materials and components used in our products are standard items which can be purchased from multiple distributors or fabricated by multiple custom fabrication vendors.  Components which are generally purchased from sole sources are those which require a specific consistent quality such as gas sensors.  Our principal suppliers of gas sensors are Alpha Sense, City Technology and E2V Technologies.  Principal suppliers of major components of our ProtoCessor products include Digi International and Echelon Corporation.  We anticipate that the majority of components and materials used in products to be developed by us will be readily available. However, there is no assurance that the current availability of these materials will continue in the future, or if available, will be procurable at favorable prices.
 
Environmental Regulation
 
We have no significant costs associated with compliance with environmental regulations.  However, there can be no assurance that we will not incur such costs in the future.
 
Available Information
 
We file with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and proxy and information statements and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The public may read and copy these materials at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC also maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding us and other companies that file materials with the SEC electronically.  You may also obtain copies of reports filed with the SEC, free of charge, on our website at http://www.sierramonitor.com.  Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K unless expressly noted.  Our headquarters are located at 1991 Tarob Court, Milpitas, CA 95035.  Our phone number at that address is (408) 262-6611 and our e-mail address is sierra@sierramonitor.com.
 
Item 1A. 
Risk Factors.
 
We operate in a rapidly changing environment that involves numerous risks and uncertainties. The following section lists some, but not all, of these risks and uncertainties that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation.
 
Economic Conditions: Continuing economic uncertainty in the U.S. and worldwide increases the challenges and the financial risks facing us.  These risks include potential postponement of spending by industrial and municipal customers in response to tighter credit, negative financial news, declines in income or asset values and other funding restrictions.  There may be a number of follow-on effects from the economic crisis including insolvency of key suppliers resulting in product delays; inability of customers, including commercial contractors, to obtain credit to finance projects requiring our products and customer insolvencies.  These risks could have a material negative effect on the demand for our products and services.
 
Competitive Industry: The industry in which we compete is highly competitive and we expect such competition to continue in the future.  Many of our competitors are larger than us and have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing and manufacturing resources.  While we have invested in new products, there can be no assurance that we can continue to introduce new products on a timely basis or that certain of our products will not be rendered non-competitive or obsolete by our competitors.

 
- 4 -

 
 
Concentrated Operations: Our operations are concentrated in a two building complex in Milpitas, California.  Our operations could be interrupted by fire, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications failure and other events beyond our control.  We do not have a detailed disaster recovery plan.  In addition, we do not carry sufficient business interruption insurance to compensate us for all losses that may occur and any losses or damages incurred by us could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
 
Item 2.
Properties.
 
Our principal executive, administrative, manufacturing and engineering operations are located in two buildings totaling approximately 28,000 square feet in Milpitas, California under a lease scheduled to expire on March 31, 2016.  We also lease a small technical support office in Fort Myers, Florida and have sales offices near Los Angeles, California; Bridgeport, Connecticut; Boston, Massachusetts; Detroit, Michigan; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas and Dubai, UAE.  Management considers that our current facilities are in good operating condition, are adequate for the present level of operations, are adequately covered by insurance and that additional office and factory space is available in the immediate vicinity, if required.
 
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.
 
We may be involved from time to time in various claims, lawsuits, disputes with third parties, actions involving allegations of discrimination or breach of contract actions incidental to the normal course of business operations.  We are currently not involved in any such litigation or any pending legal proceedings that management believes could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
 
Item 4.
Reserved.

 
- 5 -

 

PART II
 
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
 
(a)  Market Information.  Our common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "SRMC.OB."  There is not an active market for our common stock and there is only infrequent trading in limited volume.  The high and low closing sales price, as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board system, of our common stock during each fiscal quarter for our last two fiscal years were as follows:
 
Common Stock Prices
 
High
   
Low
 
Quarter ended December 31, 2010
  $ 1.75     $ 1.15  
Quarter ended September 30, 2010
  $ 1.40     $ 0.84  
Quarter ended June 30, 2010
  $ 1.80     $ 1.01  
Quarter ended March 31, 2010
  $ 1.85     $ 1.40  
                 
Quarter ended December 31, 2009
  $ 1.90     $ 1.65  
Quarter ended September 30, 2009
  $ 2.00     $ 1.65  
Quarter ended June 30, 2009
  $ 2.15     $ 1.90  
Quarter ended March 31, 2009
  $ 2.00     $ 1.65  
 
These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail markup, markdown or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.
 
(b)  Holders.  As of March 24, 2011, there were approximately 153 holders of record of our common stock and the closing price of our common stock was $1.40.  This figure does not include beneficial holders or common stock held in street name, as we cannot accurately estimate the number of these beneficial holders.
 
(c)  Dividends.  We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock.  We presently intend to retain any future earnings to finance operations and the further development of our business and do not presently intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
 
Penny Stock
 
 Unless and until our shares of common stock qualify for inclusion in the NASDAQ system, the public trading, if any, of the Company’s common stock will be on the OTC Bulletin Board.  As a result, an investor may find it more difficult to dispose of or to obtain accurate quotations as to the price of our common stock.  Our common stock is subject to provisions of Section 15(g) and Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act, commonly referred to as the “penny stock rule.” Section 15(g) sets forth certain requirements for transactions in penny stocks, and Rule 15g-9(d) incorporates the definition of “penny stock” that is found in Rule 3a51-1 of the Exchange Act.  The SEC generally defines “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions.  If our common stock is deemed to be penny stock, trading in such shares will be subject to additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell penny stock to persons other than established customers and accredited investors.  “Accredited investors” are generally persons with assets in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with their spouse and certain entities with assets in excess of pre-determined amounts.  For transactions covered by these rules, broker-dealers must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of such security and must have the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the purchase.  Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require the delivery, prior to the first transaction, of a risk disclosure document, prepared by the SEC, relating to the penny stock market.  A broker-dealer also must disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, and current quotations for the securities.  Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stocks held in an account and information on the limited market in penny stocks.  Consequently, these rules may restrict the ability of a broker-dealer to trade and/or maintain a market in our common stock and may affect the ability of our shareholders to sell their shares.

 
- 6 -

 
 
Stock Option Plan
 
During 2006, our 1996 Stock Option Plan expired. Subsequently, the shareholders adopted the 2006 Stock Plan. We have reserved 551,521 shares of common stock for issuance under the 2006 Stock Plan of which 258,820 shares were available for grant at December 31, 2010. Options are granted under the 2006 Stock Plan at the fair market value of our common stock at the grant date, vest ratably over 4 years, and expire 10 years from the grant date.
 
On December 13, 2010, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company purchased all 1,549,134 shares of Company common stock held by a single shareholder for an aggregate purchase price of $1,000,000. The purchase of shares by the Company occurred after the Company received an unsolicited offer from such shareholder, and after the Company’s board of directors determined that it was in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to effect the purchase.  The purchased shares were retired resulting in a reduction of 1,549,134 shares outstanding.

 
- 7 -

 

Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Results of Operations - Fiscal 2010 vs. Fiscal 2009
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, our net sales were $14,393,716, compared to net sales of $12,732,014 in the prior fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.  Net sales increased approximately 13% in 2010 compared to the prior year.  Our income from operations before interest income and income taxes was $1,143,269 in 2010, compared to operating income before interest income and income taxes of $412,324 in 2009.  Net income in 2010 was $674,930, or $0.06 per share, compared to net income of $211,559, or $0.02 per share, in 2009.
 
Sales of our FieldServer communications bridge products increased approximately 21% in 2010 compared to 2009.  FieldServer offerings include box products and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) modules.  Box products provide a platform for delivery and operation of our software for building automation integration and are generally sold to integrators. The continued international emphasis on energy efficiency through building automation led to a 13% increase in sales of box products.  OEM modules sold under the trade name ProtoCessors are small electronic assemblies that deliver our software functionality to equipment manufacturers.  ProtoCessor shipments increased approximately 35% in 2010 compared to 2009.  ProtoCessor sales depend upon the adoption into equipment manufacturer’s designs for a range of products from lighting controls to roof top air conditioners, variable frequency drives and others.  In 2010 we benefitted by the completion of customer testing, documentation and approval cycles which led to increasing levels of shipments to original equipment manufacturers.
 
Our sales of gas detection products, including industrial accounts and military sales, increased by approximately 5% in 2010 compared to 2009.  Sales to international industrial accounts increased by approximately 61% while domestic industrial accounts were unchanged year over year.  Military sales, which are influenced by Navy purchasing cycles for both spare parts and new ship activity, decreased by approximately 22% in 2010 compared to 2009.   The improvement in international sales was due, in part, to the efforts we have made to develop sales in the Middle East where we have been successful in registering the company as a vendor for various national oil companies, resulting in shipments for projects in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.
 
Sales of environment controller products, which are used by telecommunications companies, increased by approximately 18% in 2010.  We supply controllers to OEM accounts for installation in new remote telephone company buildings.  We also supply sell spare parts to the telephone companies for support of the installed base of our controllers.  In 2010 there was a small increase in the number of new structures while the spare parts demand remained approximately the same as prior years. Gross profit as a percent of sales was approximately 59% in 2010 and 60% in 2009.  Our gross margins, which vary by product mix and channel of distribution, have historically remained at this level.  We did not experience any significant increases in material costs due to the weak economy and the resulting general lack of normal demand levels for fabricated materials and electronic components.  Our labor costs also remained flat during the year.
 
Research and development expenses, which include new product development and support for existing products, were $1,978,507, or 14% of net sales, in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $1,967,009, or 15% of net sales, in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.  We maintained our historical level of spending for engineering projects in an effort to continue to produce new products and product enhancements.

 
- 8 -

 
 
Selling and marketing expenses were $3,322,568, or 23% of net sales, in 2010, compared to $3,309,143, or 26% of net sales, in the prior year.   Increases in sales commissions expenses paid to sales professionals and independent representatives were offset by lower salary and field sales costs due to a temporary reduction in the number of regional sales managers.
 
General and administrative expenses, which include salaries and benefits, professional fees, and product and general liability insurance, were $1,978,451, or 14% of net sales, in 2010, compared to $1,934,609, or 15% of net sales, in 2009.  Increases in salary and benefit expenses were offset by lower depreciation expenses and by lower expenses related to SOX 404 compliance.
 
Our financial results reflect a revenue increase of $1,661,702 and an increase in operating income of $730,945.  As a result of our continued profitable operations, all of our current deferred income tax benefits have been utilized.  We are currently expensing income taxes at the maximum corporate rate.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our working capital at December 31, 2010 was $4,716,118, compared to working capital of $4,946,765 at December 31, 2009.  In December 2010 we repurchased 1,549,134 shares of the Company’s common stock for $1,000,000 of cash. There were no other significant equity or long-term debt transactions in 2010.
 
Inventories on hand at December 31, 2010 were $2,115,003, an increase of $222,690 compared to the end of the prior year.  At December 31, 2010, our balance sheet reflected $1,645,433 of cash and $1,708,886 of net trade receivables. At December 31, 2009, our total cash on hand was $2,203,018 and our net trade receivables were $1,354,775. Income taxes paid totaled approximately $480,258 as of December 31, 2010 compared with $106,248 as of December 31, 2009.
 
At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had no long term liabilities.
 
We maintain a $1,000,000 line of credit with our commercial bank, secured by certain assets of ours.  The line of credit requires annual renewal and compliance with certain restrictive covenants, including the requirement to maintain a quick ratio of 1.3:1.0 and a profitability test.  At December 31, 2010, we were in compliance with the financial covenants and there were no borrowings on the line of credit.
 
We believe that our present resources, including cash and accounts receivable, are sufficient to fund our anticipated level of operations through at least January 1, 2012.  There are no current plans for significant capital equipment expenditures.
 
Inflation
 
We believe that inflation will not have a material effect on our results of operations.
 
The continuing economic uncertainty could adversely impact our business in 2011. While order rates improved during the second half of 2010, we have taken steps to be prepared to identify and respond to future adverse conditions. We remain focused on managing production and inventory levels and are adjusting them proactively as incoming order rates change.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.  The amounts of assets and liabilities reported on our balance sheet and the amounts of revenues and expenses reported for each of our fiscal periods are affected by estimates and assumptions, which are used for, but not limited to, the accounting for revenue recognition, accounts receivable, doubtful accounts and inventories.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.  The following critical accounting policies are significantly affected by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements:

 
- 9 -

 
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We recognize revenues when all of the following conditions exist:  a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists in the form of an accepted purchase order; b) delivery has occurred, based on shipping terms, or services have been rendered; c) our price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, as documented on the accepted purchase order; and d) collectability is reasonably assured.  By product and service type, revenues are recognized when the following specific conditions are met:
 
Gas Detection and Environment Control Products
Gas Detection and Environment Control products are sold as off-the-shelf products with prices fixed at the time of order. Orders delivered to us by phone, fax, mail or email are considered valid purchase orders and once accepted by the Company are deemed to be the final understanding between us and our customer as to the specific nature and terms of the agreed-upon sale transaction.  Products are shipped and are considered delivered when (a) for FOB factory orders, they leave our shipping dock or (b) for FOB customer dock orders, upon confirmation of delivery.  The creditworthiness of customers is generally assessed prior to us accepting a customer’s first order. Additionally, international customers and customers who have developed a history of payment problems are generally required to prepay or pay through a letter-of-credit.
 
Gas Detection and Environment Control Services
Gas Detection and Environment Control Services consist of field service orders (technical support) and training, which are provided separate from product orders.  Orders are accepted in the same forms as discussed under “Gas Detection and Environment Control Products” above with hourly prices fixed at the time of order. Revenue recognition occurs only when the service activity is completed.  Such services are provided to current and prior customers, and, as noted above, creditworthiness has generally already been assessed. In cases where the probability of receiving payment is low, a credit card number is collected for immediate processing.
 
FieldServer Products
FieldServer products are sold in the same manner as Gas Detection and Environment Control products (as discussed above) except that the products contain embedded software, which is integral to the operation of the device.  The software embedded in FieldServer products includes two items:  (a) a compiled program containing (i) the basic operating system for FieldServers, which is common to every unit, and (ii) the correct set of protocol drivers based on the customer order (see “FieldServer Services” below for more information); and (b) a configuration file that identifies and links each data point as identified by the customer.  We do not deem the hardware, operating systems with protocol drivers and configuration files to be separate units of accounting because we do not believe that they have value on a stand-alone basis.  The hardware is useless without the software, and the software is only intended to be used in FieldServer hardware.  Additionally, the software included in each sale is deemed to not require significant production, modification or customization and therefore we recognize revenues upon the shipment or delivery of products (depending on shipping terms), as described in “Gas Detection and Environment Control Products” above.

 
- 10 -

 
 
FieldServer Services
FieldServer services consist of orders for custom development of protocol drivers.  Generally, customers place orders for FieldServer products concurrently with their order for protocol drivers.  However, if custom development of the protocol driver is required, the product order is not processed until development of the protocol driver is complete. Orders are received in the same manner as described in “FieldServer Products” above, but due to the non-recurring engineering aspect of the customized driver development we are more likely to have a written evidence trail of a quotation and a hard copy order.  The driver development involves further research after receipt of order, preparation of a scope document to be approved by the customer and then engineering time to write, test and release the driver program.  When development of the driver is complete the customer is notified and can proceed with a FieldServer product (see “FieldServer Products” above).  Revenues for driver development are billed and recognized upon shipment or delivery of the related product that includes the developed protocol drivers (as noted in “FieldServer Products” above). Collectability is reasonably assured as described in “FieldServer Products” above.
 
Discounts and Allowances
Discounts are applied at time of order entry and sales are processed at net pricing.  No allowances are offered to customers.
 
Accounts Receivable
 
Our domestic sales are generally made on an open account basis unless specific experience or knowledge of the customer’s potential inability or unwillingness to meet the payment terms dictate secured payments.  Our international sales are generally made based on secure payments including cash wire advance payments and letters of credit.  International sales are made on open account terms only where sufficient historical experience justifies the credit risks involved.  We insure international credit sales through the federal Export Import Bank.  In many of our larger sales, the customers are frequently construction contractors who are in need of our start-up services to complete their work and obtain payment.  Management’s ability to manage the credit terms and take advantage of the leverage of the need for our services is critical to the effective application of credit terms and minimization of accounts receivable losses.
 
We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts which is analyzed on a periodic basis to insure that it is adequate to the best of management’s knowledge.  We believe that we have demonstrated the ability to make reasonable and reliable estimates of product returns and of allowances for doubtful accounts based on significant historical experience.  Trends of sales returns, exchanges and warranty repairs are tracked as a management review item in our International Organization for Standardization (ISO) quality program and data generated from that program forms a basis for the reserve management.
 
Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on the first-in, first-out method.  We use an Enterprise Requirements Planning (“ERP”) software system which provides data upon which management can rely to determine inventory trends and identify excesses.  Write-down of slow moving and obsolete inventories are determined based on historical experience and current product demand.  We evaluate the inventory for excess or obsolescence on a quarterly basis.  The ultimate write-down is dependent upon management’s ability to forecast demands accurately, manage product changes efficiently, and interpret the data provided by the ERP system.
 
The market cost of our inventory is equal to the realizable value which is based on management's forecast for sales of our products in the ensuing years.  The industry in which we operate is characterized by technological advancements and change.  Should demand for our products prove to be significantly less than anticipated, the ultimate realizable value of our inventory could be substantially less than the amount shown on the accompanying balance sheet.

 
- 11 -

 
 
Determination of Applicability of Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets
 
We determine the applicability of a valuation allowance against the accrued tax benefit by evaluating recent trends including sales levels, changes in backlog and fixed expenses.  We also consider our plans for the current twelve month period regarding activities that would change the level of expenses relative to historical trends.
 
At December 31, 2010, we determined that, based on the profitable results and full utilization of the available deferred tax benefits, no valuation allowance against the remaining accrued tax benefit is required.
 
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
Reference is made to the financial statements, including the notes thereto, together with the report thereon of Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, attached to this Annual Report on Form 10-K as a separate section beginning on Page F-1.
 
Item 9.
Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
There have been no disagreements with Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP of the type required to be reported under this Item 9 since the date of their engagement.
 
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our management, with the participation of Gordon R. Arnold, our principal executive and principal financial officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), which includes inquiries made to certain other employees.  Based upon that evaluation, Mr. Arnold concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) were effective.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

 
- 12 -

 
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in its report, Internal Control-Integrated Framework.  No material weaknesses were identified and management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2010.
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financing reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to a provision in the Dodd-Frank financial reform act which exempts public companies with market capitalization not exceeding $75 million from having to comply with that provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley law.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B.
Other Information
 
There were no items required to be disclosed in a Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31, 2010 that were not disclosed.

 
- 13 -

 

PART III
 
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers, Corporate Governance.
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the directors and executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 2010, based upon information furnished by such persons:

           
Director or
Name
 
Principal Occupation or Employment
 
Age
 
Officer Since
             
Gordon R. Arnold
 
Director of the Company;
 
65
 
1984
   
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer
       
   
and Secretary
       
             
Michael C. Farr
 
Vice President of Operations
 
53
 
1986
             
C. Richard Kramlich
 
Director of the Company
 
75
 
1980
             
Jay T. Last
 
Director of the Company
 
81
 
1977
             
Robert C. Marshall
  
Director of the Company
  
79
  
1998
 
All officers of the Company serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
 
Gordon R. Arnold joined Sierra Monitor Corporation, a California corporation (“Old Sierra”) in December 1979 as Operations Manager and Vice President.  He became President in 1984 and Chief Executive Officer in 1985.  In September 1989, Old Sierra merged into UMF Systems, Inc., a California corporation (“UMF”), and UMF changed its name to “Sierra Monitor Corporation.”  Mr. Arnold has served as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer since the merger and as the Company’s Secretary since February 1993.  Mr. Arnold was also a director of Old Sierra from 1984 until the merger with UMF.  Mr. Arnold’s specific qualifications and experience to serve as a member of our Board of Directors include his business management education, his thirty years of direct industry experience and over twenty five years of full time employment as CEO of the Company.
 
Michael C. Farr joined Old Sierra in December 1983 as its Operations Manager.  He became Vice President, Operations in May 1986.  Since the merger, Mr. Farr has served as Vice President, Operations of the Company.  Mr. Farr’s specific qualifications and experience to hold his appointed position include his twenty nine years of operations experience in the electronics industry including seventeen years in his present position.
 
C. Richard Kramlich has been a Director of the Company since 1980.  Mr. Kramlich, who has more than thirty five years of venture capital experience, is a general partner and co-founder of New Enterprise Associates, a venture capital firm.  Mr. Kramlich’s present board memberships include asterPix, Inc., CITIC Pharmaceuticals, Financial Engines, Inc., Force10 Networks, Inc., KOR Electronics, MaxiScale, Inc., Movius Interactive Corporation, SmartDrive Systems, Inc., Tabula, Inc., Visual Edge Technology, Inc., Xoom Corporation, Zhone Technologies, Inc.
 
Mr. Kramlich received a Masters in Business Administration from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in History from Northwestern University.  Mr. Kramlich’s specific qualifications and experience serve as a member of our Board of Directors include his thirty years as managing general partner of a highly successful venture capital company, his membership on numerous boards of private and public companies and his thirty years participation on the board of Sierra Monitor Corporation.

 
- 14 -

 
 
Jay T. Last has been a Director of the Company since 1977.  Mr. Last, who was one of the founders of the first semiconductor manufacturing company, is a retired technologist and business investor.  Mr. Last received a Ph.D. in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Last’s specific qualifications and experience to serve as a member of our Board of Directors include his participation in the founding of the first semiconductor manufacturing company, his involvement in the management and rapid expansion of a major public industrial conglomerate and his twenty three year participation on the board of Sierra Monitor Corporation.
 
Robert C. Marshall has been a Director of the Company since 1998.  Since 1997, Mr. Marshall has been the Managing General Partner of Selby Venture Partners, a venture capital firm.  Mr. Marshall currently serves on the board of Bay Microsystems, and CO2Mer.  Mr. Marshall received a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from Heald Engineering and an MBA from Pepperdine University.  Mr. Marshall’s specific qualifications and experience to serve as a member of our Board of Directors include his participation in the founding of the first redundant computer manufacturing company, his founding of a highly successful venture capital company, his involvement in the management and turn-around of various electronic companies and his twelve year participation on the board of Sierra Monitor Corporation.
 
Family Relationships
 
There are no family relationships between or among the directors, executive officers or persons nominated or charged by the Company to become directors or executive officers.
 
Involvement in Legal Proceedings
 
To our knowledge, during the past ten years, no event specified in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K occurred with respect to a present or former director or executive officer of the Company.
 
With respect to the other information required by this Item 10, the sections entitled “Election of Directors - Nominees” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” of our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2011 are incorporated by reference herein.
 
Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
 
The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated by reference herein from our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2011 under the sections entitled “Compensation of Executive Officers” and “Compensation of Directors”.
 
Item 12. 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans.
 
The following table sets forth certain information as December 31, 2010 with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance, aggregated as follows:
 
i.     All compensation plans previously approved by security holders; and
 
ii.    All compensation plans not previously approved by security holders.

 
- 15 -

 

   
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
 
Plan Category
 
(a)
   
(b)
   
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    790,000     $ 1.13       258,820  
                         
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    -       -       -  
                         
Total
    790,000     $ 1.13       258,820  
 
The other information required by this Item 12 is incorporated by reference herein from our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2011 under the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
 
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
 
The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated by reference herein from our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2011 under the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”.
 
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
 
The section entitled “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2011 is incorporated by reference herein.

 
- 16 -

 
 
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule.
 
Financial Statements.
 
See Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Schedules.
 
Not applicable.
 
Index to Exhibits

Exhibit Number
 
Description
3.1(1)
 
Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
3.2(2)
 
Bylaws of the Registrant.
4.1(3)
 
Specimen Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant.
10.1(4)
 
1996 Stock Plan of Registrant.
10.2(5)
 
2006 Stock Plan of Registrant.
10.3
 
Standard Industrial Lease dated April 4, 2003, by and between Geomax and the Registrant.
10.4 (6)
 
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
23.1
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989 filed with the SEC on March 23, 1990.
 
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB (File No. 000-07441) filed with the SEC on August 14, 1998.
 
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the SEC on March 25, 2004.
 
(4)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-85376) filed with the SEC on April 2, 2002.
 
(5)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 22, 2006.
 
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 1, 2008.

 
- 17 -

 

SIGNATURES
 
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
 
(Registrant)
 
By:  
/s/  Gordon R. Arnold
 
   Gordon R. Arnold
 
   Chief Executive Officer
Dated: March 25, 2011
 
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date
 
Title
 
Signature
           
March 25, 2011
 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief
     
   
Financial Officer and Director
     
   
(Principal Executive, Financial
     
   
and Accounting Officer)
 
By  
/s/  Gordon R. Arnold
         
Gordon R. Arnold
           
March 25, 2011
 
Director
 
By
/s/  C. Richard Kramlich
         
C. Richard Kramlich
           
March 25, 2011
 
Director
 
By
/s/  Jay T. Last
         
Jay T. Last
           
March 25, 2011
 
Director
 
By
/s/  Robert C. Marshall
 
  
 
  
 
Robert C. Marshall

 
- 18 -

 

SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
Financial Statements

 
 

 

SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
 
Index to Financial Statements
 
 
Page
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-1
   
Balance Sheets
F-2
   
Statements of Income
F-3
   
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
F-4
   
Statements of Cash Flows
F-5
   
Notes to Financial Statements
F-6
 
 
 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Sierra Monitor Corporation
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Sierra Monitor Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Company was not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sierra Monitor Corporation as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/ Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP
Newport Beach, California

March 25, 2011

 
F-1

 
 
SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
 
Balance Sheets
 
December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
 
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash
  $ 1,645,433     $ 2,203,018  
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $82,000 in 2010 and $70,000 in 2009,  respectively
    1,708,886       1,354,775  
Inventories, net
    2,115,003       1,892,313  
Prepaid expenses
    178,819       240,204  
Deferred tax assets
    298,410       259,855  
Total current assets
    5,946,551       5,950,165  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    294,424       238,377  
Other assets
    154,816       167,615  
                 
Total assets
  $ 6,395,791     $ 6,356,157  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 704,539     $ 523,763  
Accrued compensation expenses
    432,127       372,035  
Income taxes payable
    20,879       34,251  
Other current liabilities
    72,888       73,351  
Total current liabilities
    1,230,433       1,003,400  
                 
Deferred tax liability
    54,095       14,575  
Total liabilities
    1,284,528       1,017,975  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 9,896,942 and 11,438,212 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
    9,897       11,438  
Additional paid-in capital
    2,694,894       3,595,202  
Retained earnings
    2,406,472       1,731,542  
Total shareholders’ equity
    5,111,263       5,338,182  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 6,395,791     $ 6,356,157  

See accompanying notes to these financial statements.

 
F-2

 

SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
 
Statements of Income
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net sales
  $ 14,393,716     $ 12,732,014  
Cost of goods sold
    5,970,921       5,108,929  
Gross profit
    8,422,795       7,623,085  
Operating expenses:
               
Research and development
    1,978,507       1,967,009  
Selling and marketing
    3,322,568       3,309,143  
General and administrative
    1,978,451       1,934,609  
      7,279,526       7,210,761  
Income from operations
    1,143,269       412,324  
Interest income
    4,039       949  
Income before provision for income tax expense
    1,147,308       413,273  
Income tax expense
    472,378       201,714  
Net income
  $ 674,930     $ 211,559  
Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.06     $ 0.02  
Diluted
  $ 0.06     $ 0.02  
Weighted-average number of shares used in per share computations:
               
Basic
    11,389,972       11,434,045  
Diluted
    11,469,878       11,765,541  

See accompanying notes to these financial statements.

 
F-3

 

SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
 
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
               
Additional
         
Total
 
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Shareholders’
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Equity
 
Balance as of December 31, 2008
    11,428,212     $ 11,428     $ 3,485,964     $ 1,519,983     $ 5,017,375  
Stock options exercised
    10,000       10       5,990             6,000  
Stock option compensation
                103,248             103,248  
Net income
                      211,559       211,559  
Balance as of December 31, 2009
    11,438,212     $ 11,438     $ 3,595,202     $ 1,731,542     $ 5,338,182  
Stock options exercised
    7,864       8       (8 )           -  
Shares repurchased
    (1,549,134 )     (1,549 )     (998,451 )             (1,000,000 )
Stock option compensation
                98,151             98,151  
Net income
                      674,930       674,930  
Balance as of December 31, 2010
    9,896,942     $ 9,897     $ 2,694,894     $ 2,406,472     $ 5,111,263  

See accompanying notes to these financial statements.

 
F-4

 

SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
 
Statements of Cash Flows
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 674,930     $ 211,559  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    172,273       222,967  
Amortization
    65,550       59,665  
Deferred income taxes
    (38,555 )     39,566  
Provision for bad debt expense
    12,172       30,880  
Provision for inventory losses
    (7,107 )     (8,000 )
Stock-based compensation expense
    98,151       103,248  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Trade receivables
    (366,283 )     276,191  
Inventories
    (215,583 )     83,693  
Prepaid expenses
    61,385       (50,815 )
Other assets
    2,549       -  
Income tax deposit
    -       48,295  
Accounts payable
    180,775       1,939  
Accrued compensation expenses
    60,092       (13,271 )
Income taxes payable
    (13,372 )     27,978  
Deferred tax liability
    39,520       (27,923 )
Other current liabilities
    (463 )     (24,981 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    726,034       980,991  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (228,319 )     (122,620 )
Purchases of other assets
    (55,300 )     -  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (283,619 )     (122,620 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Shares repurchased
    (1,000,000 )     -  
Proceeds from exercise of options
    -       6,000  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (1,000,000 )     6,000  
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (557,585 )     864,371  
                 
Cash – beginning of year
    2,203,018       1,338,647  
Cash – end of year
  $ 1,645,433     $ 2,203,018  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
  $ 480,258     $ 106,248  

See accompanying notes to these financial statements.

 
F-5

 

SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
Note 1 - Summary of the Company and Significant Accounting Policies
 
The Company
 
Sierra Monitor Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in 1978. The Company designs, manufactures, and markets hazardous gas monitoring devices for industrial workplaces. The Company also designs and manufactures environment controllers for the telecommunications industry, as well as a line of software-based industrial communications bridge products known as FieldServers. The Company’s headquarters are located in Milpitas, California.  The Company’s stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “SRMC.OB.”
 
Risks and Uncertainties
 
The Company operates in a highly competitive industry that is subject to intense competition, government regulation and rapid technological change.  The Company's operations are subject to significant risks and uncertainties including financial, operational, technological, regulatory and other business risks associated with such a company.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Significant estimates made by management are, among others, the allowance for bad debts on trade receivables, net realization of inventory, realizability of long-lived assets, the provision for warranty returns and deferred income tax asset valuation.
 
Concentrations
 
We currently maintain substantially all of our day to day operating cash with a major financial institution.  At times cash balances may be in excess of the amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  Cash balances of approximately $1,395,000 and $1,953,000 were in excess of such insured amounts at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The Company grants credit to customers within the United States of America and generally does not require collateral.  We have international sales (see Note 8) that are generally prepaid or paid through a letter of credit.  Our ability to collect receivables is affected by economic fluctuations in the industrial and geographic areas served by us.  Reserves for uncollectible amounts are provided, based on past experience and a specific analysis of the accounts, which management believes are sufficient.  Although management expects to collect amounts due, actual collections may differ from the estimated amounts.
 
No customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2010 and one customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2009.  No customers accounted for more than 10% of sales for either of the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Accounts Receivable
 
We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts which is analyzed on a periodic basis to ensure that it is adequate to the best of management’s knowledge.  We believe that we have demonstrated reliable estimates of product returns and of allowances for doubtful accounts based on significant historical experience.  Trends of sales returns, exchanges and warranty repairs are tracked as a management review item in the Company’s ISO (International Organization for Standardization) quality program and data generated from that program forms a basis for the reserve management.

 
F-6

 

Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.  Cost is determined on a standard cost basis that approximates the first-in, first-out method.  Market is determined by comparison with recent sales or net realizable value.
 
Such net realizable value is based on management’s forecasts for sales of the Company’s products or services in the ensuing years.  The industry in which the Company operates is characterized by technological advancement, change and certain regulations.  Should the demand for the Company’s products prove to be significantly less than anticipated, the ultimate realizable value of the Company’s inventories could be substantially less than amounts shown in the accompanying balance sheet.  Management analyzes the inventory for slow-moving and obsolete parts and maintains an obsolescence reserve sufficient to cover them (see Note 2).
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally two to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the related asset.  Betterments, renewals, and extraordinary repairs that extend the lives of the assets are capitalized; other repairs and maintenance charges are expensed as incurred. The cost and related accumulated depreciation applicable to assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts, and the gain or loss on disposition is recognized in current operations.
 
Research and Development
 
Research and development is primarily comprised of engineering salaries, new product development costs, software development and maintenance costs and certain other general costs, such as depreciation on engineering equipment and sustaining engineering activities.  Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  All software development and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
 
Long-Lived Assets
 
In accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360-10”), long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.  If the cost basis of a long-lived asset is greater than the projected future undiscounted net cash flows from such asset (excluding interest), an impairment loss is recognized.  Impairment losses are calculated as the difference between the cost basis of an asset and its estimated fair value.  ASC 360-10 also requires companies to separately report discontinued operations and extends that reporting to a component of an entity that either has been disposed of (by sale, abandonment, or in a distribution to shareholders) or is classified as held for sale.  Assets to be disposed are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.  At December 31, 2010 and 2009, management has determined that there were no indicators requiring review for impairment and therefore no adjustments have been made to the carrying values of long-lived assets and no long-lived assets are held for sale.  There can be no assurance, however, that market conditions will not change or demand for the Company’s products or services will continue which could result in impairment of long-lived assets in the future.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
The Company recognizes revenues when all of the following conditions exist:  a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists in the form of an accepted purchase order; b) delivery has occurred, based on shipping terms, or services have been rendered; c) the Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, as documented on the accepted purchase order; and d) collectibility is reasonably assured.  By product and service type, revenues are recognized when the following specific conditions are met:
 
Gas Detection and Environment Control Products
Gas Detection and Environment Control products are sold as off-the-shelf products with prices fixed at the time of order. Orders delivered to the Company by phone, fax, mail or email are considered valid purchase orders and once accepted by the Company are deemed to be the final understanding between us and our customer as to the specific nature and terms of the agreed-upon sale transaction.  Products are shipped and are considered delivered when (a) for FOB factory orders they leave our shipping dock or (b) for FOB customer dock orders upon confirmation of delivery.  The creditworthiness of customers is generally assessed prior to the Company accepting a customer’s first order. Additionally, international customers and customers who have developed a history of payment problems are generally required to prepay or pay through a letter-of-credit.

 
F-7

 

Gas Detection and Environment Control Services
Gas Detection and Environment Control Services consist of field service orders (technical support) and training, which are provided separate from product orders.  Orders are accepted in the same forms as discussed for Gas Detection and Environment Control Products above with hourly prices fixed at the time of order. Revenue recognition occurs only when the service activity is completed.  Such services are provided to current and prior customers, and, as noted above, creditworthiness has generally already been assessed. In cases where the probability of receiving payment is low, a credit card number is collected for immediate processing.
 
FieldServer Products
FieldServer products are sold in the same manner as Gas Detection and Environment Control products (as discussed above) except that the products contain embedded software, which is integral to the operation of the device.  The software embedded in FieldServer products includes two items:  (a) a compiled program containing (i) the basic operating system for FieldServers, which is common to every unit, and (ii) the correct set of protocol drivers based on the customer order (see FieldServer Services below for more information); and (b) a configuration file that identifies and links each data point as identified by the customer.  The Company does not deem the hardware, operating systems with protocol drivers and configuration files to be separate units of accounting because the Company does not believe that they have value on a stand-alone basis.  The hardware is useless without the software, and the software is only intended to be used in FieldServer hardware.  Additionally, the software included in each sale is deemed to not require significant production, modification or customization and therefore the Company recognizes revenues upon the shipment or delivery of products (depending on shipping terms), as described in Gas Detection and Environment Control Products above.
 
FieldServer Services
FieldServer services consist of orders for custom development of protocol drivers.  Generally customers place orders for FieldServer products concurrently with their order for protocol drivers.  However if custom development of the protocol driver is required, the product order is not processed until development of the protocol driver is complete. Orders are received in the same manner as described in FieldServer Products above, but due to the non-recurring engineering aspect of the customized driver development the Company is more likely to have a written evidence trail of a quotation and a hard copy order.  The driver development involves further research after receipt of order, preparation of a scope document to be approved by the customer and then engineering time to write, test and release the driver program.  When development of the driver is complete the customer is notified and can proceed with a FieldServer product (see FieldServer Products above).  Revenues for driver development are billed and recognized upon shipment or delivery of the related product that includes the developed protocol drivers (as noted in FieldServer Products above). Collectability is reasonably assured as described in FieldServer Products above.
 
Discounts and Allowances
Discounts are applied at time of order entry and sales are processed at net pricing.  No allowances are offered to customers.  
 
Employee Stock-Based Compensation
 
Effective January 1, 2006, all share-based payments to employees are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values at the date of grant. The calculated fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class and historical experience.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company's statements of operations reflected an increase in salaries and benefits expense of $98,151 and $103,248, respectively, with a corresponding decrease in the Company's income from continuing operations, income before provision for income taxes and net income resulting from the recognition of compensation expense associated with employee stock options. There was no material impact on the Company's basic and diluted net income per share.

Warranty
 
The Company provides a warranty on all electronics sold for a period of two years after the date of shipment.  Warranty issues are usually resolved with repair or replacement of the product.  Trends of sales returns, exchanges and warranty repairs are tracked as a management review item in the Company's ISO (International Organization for Standardization) quality program and data generated from that program forms a basis for the reserve that management records in our financial statements. Estimated future warranty obligations related to certain products and services are provided by charges to operations in the period in which the related revenue is recognized.  At December 31, 2010 and 2009, warranty reserve approximated $63,000, which is recorded under other current liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets.

 
F-8

 
 
Advertising
 
The Company expenses the cost of advertising when incurred as selling and marketing expense in the accompanying statements of operations.  Advertising expenses were approximately $160,000 and $157,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Shipping and Handling Costs
 
Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold in the accompanying statements of income in accordance with ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  A valuation allowance is established when management estimates that future taxable income will not fully utilize deferred tax assets.
 
Earnings Per Share
 
Under ASC 260-10, Earnings Per Share, basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period of computation.  Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding, using the treasury stock method, if the potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive.
 
The following is a reconciliation of the shares used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Basic earnings per share  – weighted-average  number of shares of common stock outstanding
    11,389,972       11,434,045  
                 
Effect of dilutive stock options
    79,906       331,496  
                 
Diluted earnings per share  – dilutive potential common shares
    11,469,878       11,765,541  
 
For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, there were no adjustments to net income.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, options to acquire 471,000 and 17,000 shares of common stock, respectively, were not considered dilutive potential shares of common stock as their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the years then ended.
 
Segments of Business
 
ASC 280-10, Segment Reporting requires entity-wide disclosures about the products and services that an entity provides, the material countries in which it holds assets and reports revenues and its major customers. The Company currently operates in one segment, as disclosed in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, however, the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) reviews financial information on an entity level (see Note 8).
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Certain Other Assets/Liabilities
 
ASC 825-10, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments when it is practicable to estimate that value.  The carrying amounts of the Company's cash, trade receivables, accounts payables, accrued and other liabilities approximate their estimated fair values due to the short-term maturities of those financial instruments.

 
F-9

 
 
The Company does not have any assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and, during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, did not have any assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
 
Significant Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In February of 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, Subsequent Events (Topic 855), Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements. This amendment to Topic 855, eliminates the requirement that an SEC filer disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements. The ASU does not change the requirement that SEC filers evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued. ASC 855, which is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009, defines subsequent events as transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. ASC 855 defines two types of subsequent events: (i) events or transactions that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements (that is, recognized subsequent events); and (ii) events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after that date (that is, non-recognized subsequent events). The adoption of ASC 855 did not have any effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Note 2 – Inventories
 
A summary of inventories as of December 31 is as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Raw materials
  $ 798,986     $ 823,789  
Work in process
    1,094,941       926,840  
Finished goods
    323,142       250,857  
      2,217,069       2,001,486  
Obsolescence reserve
    (102,066 )     (109,173 )
                 
    $ 2,115,003     $ 1,892,313  

Note 3 - Property and Equipment
 
A summary of property and equipment as of December 31 is as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Machinery and equipment
  $ 670,045     $ 632,927  
Furniture, fixtures, and leasehold improvements
    925,845       819,860  
                 
      1,595,890       1,452,787  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,301,466 )     (1,214,410 )
                 
    $ 294,424     $ 238,377  
 
Note 4 - Employee Stock Compensation Plan
 
During 2006, the shareholders adopted the 2006 Stock Plan. Options are granted under the 2006 Stock Plan at the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the grant date, vest ratably over 4 years, and expire 10 years from the grant date.
 
As of December 31, 2010, there were 258,820 shares still available for grant under the Company’s 2006 Stock Plan. A summary of stock option transactions for the two years ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:
 
               
Weighted-
 
         
Range of
   
average
 
   
Options
   
prices
   
exercise price
 
Balance as of  December 31, 2008
    767,000       0.23 – 2.65       1.09  
Granted
    39,000       1.70       1.70  
Exercised
    (10,000 )     0.60       0.60  
Forfeited or expired
    (3,000 )     1.50       1.32  
Balance as of  December 31, 2009
    793,000       0.23 – 2.65       1.12  
Granted
    42,000       1.45       1.45  
Exercised
    (7,864 )     1.10       1.10  
Forfeited or expired
    (37,136 )     1.10 - 1.70       1.55  
Balance as of  December 31, 2010
    790,000       0.23 – 2.65       1.13  
                         
 
F-10

 
 
Options outstanding that have vested and are expected to vest as of December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
               
Weighted Average
 
         
Weighted
   
Remaining 
 
   
Number of
   
Average
   
Contractual Term in 
 
   
Shares
   
Exercise Price
   
Years
 
Vested
    701,010     $ 1.12       3.7  
Expected to vest
    88,990       1.45       9.8  
Total
    790,000       1.13       4.0  
 
Options outstanding that are expected to vest are net of estimated future forfeitures in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 which are estimated when compensation costs are recognized.
 
The following table summarizes information about the Company’s stock options outstanding under the 1996 and 2006 Stock Plans as of December 31, 2010:
 
      Options outstanding    
Options exercisable
 
           
Weighted-
                   
           
average
   
Weighted-
         
Weighted-
 
           
remaining
   
average
         
average
 
Exercise
   
Number
   
contractual
   
exercise
   
Number
   
exercise
 
prices
   
outstanding
   
life (years)
   
price
   
exercisable
   
price
 
                                 
$ 0.23 – 1.50       485,000       2.1     $ 0.86       485,000     $ 0.86  
$ 1.50 - 2.65       305,000       7.1     $ 1.56       216,010     $ 1.53  
                                             
          790,000       4.0     $ 1.13       701,010     $ 1.07  
 
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2010 and 2009 approximated $0.50 and $0.99 per share respectively.  The weighted average grant date fair values of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $1.09 and $1.70 per share, respectively.  Such fair values were estimated using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model and the following weighted average assumptions.
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Expected life
 
8 years
   
8 years
 
Estimated volatility
    80 %     113 %
Risk-free interest rate
    1.25 %     2.39 %
Dividends
 
None
   
None
 

The expected life assumption is based on the average historical life of outstanding options; the expected volatility is based on the historical volatility.  The expected life of options granted is based on the “simplified method” described in ASC 718-10 due to changes in the vesting terms and the contractual life of current option grants compared to the Company’s historical grants; and the risk-free interest rate is based on the rate for U.S. Treasury bonds with similar terms as the options.
 
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2010 and 2009 was $32,450 and $6,000, respectively.
 
Note 5 - Commitments
 
Operating Leases
 
The Company leases its facilities under non-cancelable operating lease agreements that expire at various dates through 2016.  Certain leases require the payment of property taxes, utilities and insurance, and provide options to extend the lease term.
 
Our principal executive, administrative, manufacturing and engineering operations are located in a 15,800 square foot leased facility in Milpitas, California under a lease scheduled to expire on March 31, 2015.  An additional 12,600 square feet are leased for warehouse, office and expansion space in an adjacent building.
 
As of December 31, 2010, future minimum lease payments are as follows:
 
Year ending
     
December 31,
     
       
2011
    222,156  
2012
    222,156  
2013
    222,156  
2014
    222,156  
2015
    74,052  
    $ 962,676  
 
 
F-11

 

Rent expense was approximately $236,000 and $322,000 in 2010 and 2009, respectively, which is apportioned to the various departments in the accompanying statements of income.
 
Legal
 
The Company may be involved from time to time in various claims, lawsuits, disputes with third parties, actions involving allegations or discrimination or breach of contracts actions incidental to the normal course of operations.  The Company is currently not involved in any such litigation that management believes could have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.
 
Note 6 – Line-of-Credit
 
As of December 31, 2010, the Company has a $1,000,000 line of credit, secured by certain assets of the Company, that bears interest at the bank's prime rate (3.25% at December 31, 2010) plus 0.5%.  The line of credit requires annual renewal and compliance with certain financial covenants including the requirement to maintain a quick ratio of 1.3:1.0 and a quarterly profitability test.  At December 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants and the line of credit had no outstanding balance.
 
Note 7 - Income Taxes
 
The components of income tax expense consist of the following for the years ended December 31:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Current:
           
Federal
  $ 354,843     $ 150,334  
State
    116,569       39,738  
Adjustments to state for PY difference
           
                 
Total current
    471,412       190,072  
                 
Deferred:
               
Federal
    1,984       8,873  
State
    (1,018 )     2,769  
Adjustments to state for PY difference
           
                 
Total deferred
    966       11,642  
                 
Total Income Tax
  $ 472,378     $ 201,714  
 
At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company has no federal or state net operating loss carry-forwards.
 
The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Accruals and reserves
  $ 261,225     $ 245,367  
State taxes
    37,185       14,488  
Property, plant and equipment
    (54,095 )     (14,575 )
                 
Total Deferred Tax Assets
    244,315       245,280  
                 
Valuation allowance
           
                 
Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net
  $ 244,315     $ 245,280  
 
In assessing the realize-ability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible or includable in taxable income. Management considers projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical income and projections for future taxable income over the periods to which the deferred tax assets are applicable, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences and, therefore, no valuation allowance was deemed necessary at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
 
F-12

 

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions as required by FASB ASC Topic 740. FASB ASC Topic 740 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. Specifically, the accounting standard prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return as well as guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. No significant income tax uncertainties have been identified by the Company and, therefore, the Company recognized no adjustment for unrecognized income tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
The reported income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 differs from the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 34% as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Computed tax expense
  $ 390,085     $ 140,514  
Nondeductible items and other
    10,110       37,182  
Current and deferred state taxes, net of federal benefit
    72,183       28,123  
Credits utilized
          (4,105 )   
                 
Total Income Tax Expense
  $ 472,378     $ 201,714  
 
Note 8 - Segment Reporting
 
The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is the Company’s CEO. The CEO reviews financial information presented on an entity level basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. The entity-level financial information is identical to the information presented in the accompanying statements of operations. Therefore, the Company has determined that it operates in a single operating segment:  industrial gas detection and monitoring devices.
 
In addition, the CEO reviews the following information on revenues by product category.
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Gas detection devices
  $ 6,575,734     $ 6,257,000  
Environmental controllers
    934,545       793,000  
FieldServers
    6,883,437       5,682,000  
                 
    $ 14,393,716     $ 12,732,000  
 
The Company sells its products to companies located primarily in the United States. In both years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, sales to international customers were 19%.

 
F-13

 

Exhibit Index.
 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
3.1(1)
 
Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
3.2(2)
 
Bylaws of the Registrant.
4.1(3)
 
Specimen Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant.
10.1(4)
 
1996 Stock Plan of Registrant.
10.2(5)
 
2006 Stock Plan of Registrant.
10.3
 
Standard Industrial Lease dated April 4, 2003, by and between Geomax and the Registrant.
10.4(6)
 
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
23.1
 
Consents of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(1)
 
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989 filed with the SEC on March 23, 1990.
(2)
 
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB (File No. 000-07441) filed with the SEC on August 14, 1998.
(3)
 
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the SEC on March 25, 2004.
(4)
 
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-85376) filed with the SEC on April 2, 2002.
(5)
 
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 22, 2006.
(6)
  
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 1, 2008.