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EX-32.(B) - EXHIBIT 32.(B) - INTERPHASE CORPex32-b.htm
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EX-32.(A) - EXHIBIT 32.(A) - INTERPHASE CORPex32-a.htm


 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission File Number: 1-35267

 

 

INTERPHASE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas

 

75-1549797

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

4240 International Parkway, Suite 105

Carrollton, Texas 75007

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

 

 (214) 654-5000 

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark 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. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer        Accelerated filer  ☐      Non-accelerated filer  ☐ 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  ☐    No  

 

 

As of April 27, 2015, shares of common stock outstanding totaled 8,393,981. 

 

 
 

 

 

INTERPHASE CORPORATION

 

Index to Form 10-Q

Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2015

 

 

 

Part I - Financial Information

 
     

              Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 
     

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 2
     

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 4

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 5

 

 

 
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 6

 

 

 

              Item 2.

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

12
     

              Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

16

     

              Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

17

     
     

Part II - Other Information

 
     

              Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

17

     

              Item 1A.

Risk Factors

19

     

              Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

19

     

              Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

19

     

              Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

19

     

              Item 5.

Other Information

19

     

              Item 6.

Exhibits

19

 

 
 

 

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

INTERPHASE CORPORATION        

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS        

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 

ASSETS

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 2,295     $ 3,517  

Marketable securities

    -       3,579  

Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $10 and $32, respectively

    1,767       1,925  

Inventories

    2,148       2,136  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    566       528  

Total current assets

    6,776       11,685  
                 

Machinery and equipment

    6,999       6,992  

Leasehold improvements

    591       587  

Furniture and fixtures

    152       159  
      7,742       7,738  

Less-accumulated depreciation and amortization

    (6,257 )     (6,174 )

Total property and equipment, net

    1,485       1,564  
                 

Capitalized software, net

    24       32  

Other assets

    423       403  

Total assets

  $ 8,708     $ 13,684  
                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Liabilities

               

Accounts payable

  $ 1,197     $ 1,273  

Deferred revenue

    115       44  

Accrued liabilities

    1,340       1,540  

Accrued compensation

    180       103  

Short-term debt

    -       3,500  

Total current liabilities

    2,832       6,460  
                 

Deferred lease obligations

    1,142       1,215  

Total liabilities

    3,974       7,675  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies

               
                 

Shareholders’ Equity

               

Common stock, $0.10 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 8,393,981 and 8,393,981 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

    839       839  

Additional paid in capital

    50,321       50,157  

Accumulated deficit

    (45,864 )     (44,355 )

Cumulative other comprehensive loss

    (562 )     (632 )

Total shareholders' equity

    4,734       6,009  

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $ 8,708     $ 13,684  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
2

 

 

INTERPHASE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
                 

Revenues:

               

Product

  $ 1,579     $ 1,786  

Service

    500       1,647  

Total revenues

    2,079       3,433  

Cost of sales:

               

Product

    1,121       907  

Service

    331       1,452  

Total cost of sales

    1,452       2,359  

Gross margin

    627       1,074  
                 

Research and development

    654       606  

Sales and marketing

    704       625  

General and administrative

    752       850  

Total operating expenses

    2,110       2,081  

Loss from operations

    (1,483 )     (1,007 )
                 

Other loss, net

    (17 )     (1 )

Loss before income tax

    (1,500 )     (1,008 )
                 

Income tax provision

    9       8  

Net loss

  $ (1,509 )   $ (1,016 )
                 

Net loss per share:

               

Basic

  $ (0.18 )   $ (0.14 )

Diluted

  $ (0.18 )   $ (0.14 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

 

  

INTERPHASE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
                 

Net loss

  $ (1,509 )   $ (1,016 )

Other comprehensive income (loss):

               

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    71       (1 )

Realized gain on marketable securities

    (1 )     -  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    70       (1 )

Comprehensive loss

  $ (1,439 )   $ (1,017 )

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
4

 

 

INTERPHASE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net loss

  $ (1,509 )   $ (1,016 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

               

Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns

    (21 )     14  

Writedowns of excess and obsolete inventories

    7       14  

Depreciation and amortization

    92       58  

Amortization of stock-based compensation

    164       123  

Loss on retirement of machinery and equipment

    -       14  

Realized gain on marketable securities

    (1 )     -  

Change in assets and liabilities:

               

Trade accounts receivable

    179       293  

Inventories

    (19 )     (251 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (74 )     (597 )

Other assets

    (27 )     (54 )

Accounts payable, deferred revenue and accrued liabilities

    (92 )     123  

Accrued compensation

    77       (58 )

Deferred lease obligations

    (73 )     568  

Net cash used in operating activities

    (1,297 )     (769 )
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Purchases of property and equipment

    (4 )     (646 )

Purchases of capitalized software

    -       (1 )

Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities

    3,579       4,514  

Purchases of marketable securities

    -       (4,010 )

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    3,575       (143 )
                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Borrowings under credit facility

    -       3,500  

Payments on credit facility

    (3,500 )     (3,500 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (3,500 )     -  
                 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    -       (1 )
                 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (1,222 )     (913 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    3,517       1,478  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 2,295     $ 565  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
5

 

 

NOTE 1. - BASIS OF PRESENTATION


Company Background 

 

Interphase Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Interphase” or the “Company”) is a diversified information and communications technology company, committed to innovation through the process of identifying, developing and introducing new products and services. The Company offers products and services from embedded computing solutions, engineering design services, and contract manufacturing services to a new line of embedded computer vision products.

 

Embedded solutions include communications networking products for connectivity, interworking and packet processing. Clients for this product line include Alcatel-Lucent, GENBAND, Hewlett Packard, and Samsung.

 

The engineering design and manufacturing services serve a wide variety of industries within the electronics market, from machine-to-machine (“M2M”) and Internet of Things (“IoT”) designs utilizing Cellular, GPS and Wi-Fi tracking solutions to cost-saving redesigns for manufacturability. Interphase Productization services provide customers with the full suite of rapid design and manufacturing services required to quickly take a project from design concept to full production in the marketplace.

 

The penveu® product line, from the embedded computer vision line of business, addresses both the education and enterprise markets. penveu® is a handheld device that adds interactivity to projectors and large screen displays, turning flat surfaces into an interactive display.

 

Founded in 1974, the Company is located in Carrollton, Texas, with sales offices in the United States and Europe. See Note 8 for information regarding the Company’s revenues related to North America and foreign regions.

 

Management’s Plans

 

The Company has incurred recurring losses, including a loss of $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015, has an accumulated deficit of $45.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and has used $1.3 million in net cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015. These factors, among others, have resulted in management taking steps to reduce costs through restructuring activities and to engage in various capital generating initiatives. Increased revenue generation from penveu is critical to the Company’s future success and management’s plans and activities are focused on generating the necessary capital to allow penveu to be a success in the market. If the Company is unable to achieve sufficient near-term revenue growth, the Company could be required to make near-term decisions to provide the liquidity needed to fund marketing and product launch activities related to the introduction of penveu.    However, there can be no assurance that management will be able to successfully generate sufficient capital through these activities, nor that management will be successful in commercializing existing and new product and service offerings.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Interphase Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. While the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, they have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of the Company, all material adjustments and disclosures necessary to fairly present the results of such periods have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

NOTE 2. - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Stock Options

 

The Interphase Corporation 2014 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan has been adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors and approved by its shareholders. Awards granted subsequent to May 5, 2014 have been made under this plan. All other awards granted before May 5, 2014 were made under the Interphase Corporation 2004 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, which expired on May 5, 2014 (so that no new awards could be made or granted under the Interphase Corporation 2004 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan).

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company issued no stock options without performance-based vesting conditions. Compensation expense related to stock options without performance-based vesting conditions was $32,000 and $55,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company issued no stock options with performance-based vesting conditions. All stock options with performance-based conditions expire ten years from date of grant. Of the unvested stock options outstanding at March 31, 2015, 694,760 are subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions. The performance conditions related to approximately 17,721 and 18,000 of these stock options were deemed probable as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Compensation expense related to performance-based stock options, for which vesting was deemed probable, was approximately $115,000 and $53,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The performance conditions related to the remaining options were not deemed probable at March 31, 2015; therefore no compensation expense related to these options has been recorded.

 

 
6

 

 

The weighted-average remaining contractual life of stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 6.50 years and 6.84 years, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2015, there were 770,385 unvested stock options expected to vest over a weighted-average period of 8.2 years. As of December 31, 2014, there were 1,166,200 unvested stock options expected to vest over a weighted-average period of 8.3 years.

 

The following table summarizes the combined stock option activity under both of the plans:

 

   

Number of

Options

   

Weighted Average

Option Price

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

    1,782,749     $ 3.79  

Granted

    -       -  

Exercised

    -       -  

Cancelled

    (299,903 )     4.28  

Balance, March 31, 2015

    1,482,846     $ 3.69  

 

Option Valuation

 

The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with weighted-average assumptions based on the grant date.

 

Restricted Stock

 

Each of the Interphase Corporation 2014 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and the Interphase Corporation 2004 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan provides for grants of bonus stock awards (“restricted stock”) to the Company’s directors and certain employees at no cost to the recipient. The total amount of restricted stock with respect to which awards may be granted under the current (2014) plan is 75,000 shares. Holders of restricted stock are entitled to cash dividends, if any, and to vote their respective shares. Restrictions limit the sale or transfer of these shares during a predefined vesting period, currently ranging from three to four years, and in some cases vesting is subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions. There were no shares of restricted stock issued during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014. Upon issuance of restricted stock under a plan, unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the date of grant is recorded as a reduction to shareholders’ equity and subsequently amortized to expense over the respective restriction periods. Compensation expense related to previously granted restricted stock was $17,000 and $15,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, there was $44,000 of total unamortized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock remaining to be recognized. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of less than 1 year. As of December 31, 2014, there was $61,000 of total unamortized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock remaining to be recognized. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of less than 1 year. The following table summarizes the restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015:

 

   

Restricted Stock Shares

   

Weighted Average Grant Date Value

 

Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2014

    29,155     $ 3.29  

Granted

    -       -  

Vested

    (14,155 )     1.82  

Cancelled/Forfeited

    -       -  

Nonvested restricted stock at March 31, 2015

    15,000     $ 4.67  

 

 
7

 

 

NOTE 3. - MARKETABLE SECURITIES

 

Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company classified the levels used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

 

Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to obtain at the measurement date. This level provides the most reliable evidence of fair value.

Level 2 – Valuations based on observable inputs other than Level 1, such as: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Valuations in the category are inherently less reliable than Level 1 due to the degree of subjectivity involved in determining appropriate methodologies and the applicable observable market underlying assumptions.

Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable, supported by little or no market activity, and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

 

The Company’s investments in marketable securities primarily consisted of investments in debt securities, which were classified as available-for-sale and were presented as current assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Earnings from debt securities were calculated on a yield to maturity basis and recorded in the results of operations. Unrealized gains or losses for the periods presented were included in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses were computed based on the specific identification method and were reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) to other loss, net, included in the statement of operations. Marketable securities were previously used to secure the Company’s credit facility. The Company discontinued its investment in marketable securities during the three months ended March 31, 2015, when it paid off its borrowings under the credit facility during that period (see Note 6 below).

 

The fair values of marketable securities were estimated using the market approach using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets. The Company used quoted market prices in active markets or quoted market prices in markets that are not active to measure fair value. When developing fair value estimates, the Company maximized the use of observable inputs and minimized the use of unobservable inputs.

 

Financial assets, measured at fair value, by level within the fair value hierarchy were as follows (in thousands):

 

     

March 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 
 

Fair Value

Hierarchy

 

Cost

   

Unrealized

Gain

   

Fair

Value

   

Cost

   

Unrealized

Gain

   

Fair

Value

 

Asset Backed

Level 2

  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 96     $ 7     $ 103  

Corporate Bonds

Level 2

    -       -       -       76       -       76  

US Treasuries

Level 2

    -       -       -       3,400       -       3,400  

Total

  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 3,572     $ 7     $ 3,579  

 

NOTE 4. - INVENTORIES

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market and include material, labor and manufacturing overhead. Cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, is as follows (in thousands):

 

   

March 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 

Raw Materials

  $ 1,304     $ 1,510  

Work-in-Process

    494       467  

Finished Goods

    350       159  

Total

  $ 2,148     $ 2,136  

 

Valuing inventory at the lower of cost or market involves an inherent level of risk and uncertainty due to technology trends in the industry and customer demand for the Company’s products. Future events may cause significant fluctuations in the Company’s operating results. Inventories are written down when needed to ensure the Company carries inventory at the lower of cost or market. The Company’s reserve requirements increased by $7,000 and $14,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.       

 

 
8

 

 

NOTE 5. - INCOME TAXES

 

The Company records a valuation allowance when it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management reviews all available positive and negative evidence, including the Company’s current and past performance, the market environment in which the Company operates, the utilization of past tax credits, length of carry back and carry forward periods, existing contracts or sales backlog that will result in future profits, as well as other factors. The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance on all of the net deferred tax assets for the periods presented. Until an appropriate level of profitability is sustained, the Company expects to continue to record a full valuation allowance on future tax benefits except for those that may be generated in foreign jurisdictions. The effective income tax rates for the periods presented differ from the U.S. statutory rate as the Company continues to provide a full valuation allowance for the net deferred tax assets at March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

NOTE 6. - CREDIT FACILITY

 

The Company maintains a $5.0 million revolving bank credit facility that is scheduled to mature on December 19, 2016. The applicable interest rate on outstanding balances is LIBOR plus 1.0% to 1.5% based on certain factors included in the credit agreement. At December 31, 2014, the Company’s interest rate on the $3.5 million outstanding balance was 1.7%. The unused portion of the credit facility is subject to an unused facility fee ranging from .25% to .75% depending on total deposits with the creditor. All borrowings under this facility were secured by marketable securities. The outstanding balance of $3.5 million as of December 31, 2014 was classified as short-term debt on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company did not make any borrowings under this facility in the three months ended March 31, 2015, and there was no outstanding amount due as of March 31, 2015. The Company is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement for a new revolving credit facility with another bank lender which would replace the existing credit facility and which management believes would include terms and conditions that, on the whole, are more favorable to the Company than the existing credit facility.

 

NOTE 7. - EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing reported earnings available to common shareholders by weighted average common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share give effect to dilutive potential common shares. Earnings per share are calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

   

Three months ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 

Basic net loss per share:

               

Net loss

  $ (1,509 )   $ (1,016 )

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    8,394       7,011  

Basic net loss per share

  $ (0.18 )   $ (0.14 )
                 

Diluted net loss per share:

               

Net loss

  $ (1,509 )   $ (1,016 )

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    8,394       7,011  

Dilutive stock options

    -       -  

Weighted average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution

    8,394       7,011  

Diluted net loss per share

  $ (0.18 )   $ (0.14 )
                 

Outstanding stock options that were not included in the diluted calculation because their effect would be anti-dilutive

    388       392  

 

 
9

 

 

NOTE 8. - SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Interphase is a diversified information and communications technology company, committed to innovation through the process of identifying, developing and introducing new products and services. The Company offers products and services from embedded computing solutions, engineering design services, and contract manufacturing services to a new line of embedded computer vision products.

 

Except for revenues, which are monitored by product line, the chief operating decision-makers review financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, the Company considers itself to have only a single reporting segment.

 

Geographic revenue related to North America and foreign regions is as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Three months ended

                 
   

March 31,

                 
   

2015

   

2014

                 

Revenues:

                               

North America

  $ 999     $ 2,468                  

Pacific Rim

    611       586                  

Europe

    469       379                  

Total

  $ 2,079     $ 3,433                  

 

Additional information regarding revenue by product line is as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Three months ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 

Product Revenues:

               

Communications networking

  $ 1,491     $ 1,735  

Services

    500       1,647  

Other

    88       51  

Total

  $ 2,079     $ 3,433  

 

NOTE 9. - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued International Financial Reporting Standard 15 with the same title. The standard represents the culmination of the FASB and IASB efforts to improve revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 creates a new, principles-based revenue recognition framework that will affect nearly every revenue-generating entity. ASU 2014-09 also creates a new topic in the Codification, Topic 606. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 establishes a new control-based revenue recognition model, changes the basis for deciding when revenue is recognized over time or at a point in time, provides new and more detailed guidance on specific aspects of revenue recognition, and expands and improves disclosures about revenue. ASC 606 is effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. Early application is not permitted for public business entities. Entities are permitted to apply the new revenue standard either retrospectively, subject to some practical expedients, or through an alternative transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance.

 

 
10

 

 

NOTE 10. - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On April 10, 2015 the Company committed to a plan intended to result in savings of approximately $750,000 to $1.5 million in annualized operating costs. These actions aim to mitigate gross margin erosion by reducing manufacturing costs, streamlining research and development and sales and marketing expenses to focus remaining resources on key strategic growth areas, and reducing administrative expenses through consolidation of support functions. As part of this plan, the Company expects to reduce the number of its employees by approximately 15% to 25%. The Company expects to incur charges for one-time termination benefits in the range of $50,000 to $150,000, most of which will be cash expenditures. The Company expects to substantially complete the actions associated with this plan during the second quarter of 2015.

 

The Company is under a tax audit in France related to the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 and has previously recorded an uncertain tax position of $730,000 related to an exposure of $5.2 million on research and development tax credits, including estimated penalties and interest, taken in all prior years. However, based on discussions between the Company’s French tax attorneys and the French Tax Administration, the Company expects to receive a tax bill from the French Tax Administration in May 2015 that may cause a significant change to this tax position. The Company believes its tax estimates at March 31, 2015 are reasonable under ASC 740; but if the Company receives a tax bill that significantly exceeds its estimates, it may have to decide whether to institute litigation to dispute the tax bill. The final outcome of tax audits and potential related litigation is inherently uncertain. As a result, the adverse resolution of this audit or any related litigation could be significantly different from amounts reflected in the Company’s income tax provisions and accruals.

 

 
11

 

 

Item 2.          MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other material included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains forward-looking statements about the business, financial condition and prospects of the Company. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The actual results of the Company could differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties, including (without limitation) the extent of market acceptance of penveu, effects of the ongoing issues in global credit and financial markets and adverse global economic conditions, our reliance on a limited number of customers, the lack of spending improvements in the communications networking and computer networking industries, significant changes in product demand, the development and introduction of new products and services, changes in competition, various inventory risks due to changes in market conditions and other risks and uncertainties indicated in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and in the Company’s other filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All of the foregoing risks and uncertainties are beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases, the Company cannot predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. When used in this report, the words “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “will,” “intends,” and “anticipates” and similar expressions as they relate to the Company or its management are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Revenue

 

Total revenue decreased 39% to $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $3.4 million for the same period in the prior year. Our communications networking product revenue decreased 14% to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $1.7 million in the comparable period in the prior year. Approximately 65% of the decrease was due to higher than expected order volume from one communications networking customer in the first quarter of 2014 due to an installation in China. The remaining portion of the decrease was primarily due to a general slowdown in orders from several customers who typically buy products from our older product lines, some of which are now end-of-life. These decreases were partially offset by lower than expected order volume from one communications networking customer in the first quarter of 2014 that was consolidating manufacturing locations (and inventory supply), causing lower demand for one of our products in the first quarter of 2014. This customer has started to increase purchasing now that its excess inventory is consumed, leading to higher revenue from this product in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in the previous year. Our services revenues decreased 70% to $500,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $1.6 million for the same period in the previous year. This decrease was primarily related to decreased electronic contract manufacturing services revenue mainly driven by a single customer who has been working through excess inventories and, to a lesser extent, decreased electronic engineering design services revenue. All other revenues increased to $88,000, compared to $51,000 in the comparable period last year.

 

During the first quarter of 2015, sales to two customers individually accounted for approximately 25% and 17% of total revenues, respectively. During the first quarter of 2014, sales to two customers individually accounted for approximately 31% and 20% of total revenues, respectively. No other customers individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues in the periods presented.

 

Included in accounts receivable at March 31, 2015 was $538,000, $272,000, $186,000 and $170,000 due individually from four customers, respectively. Included in accounts receivable at December 31, 2014 was $760,000, $266,000, $251,000, and $199,000, due individually from four customers, respectively. No other customers individually accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable in the periods presented.

 

 
12

 

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 30% and 31% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We expect our margins to improve in future periods as revenue from penveu begins to impact the business.

 

Research and Development

 

Our investment in research and development was $654,000 and $606,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As a percentage of revenue, research and development expenses were approximately 31% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to approximately 18% for the same period in the prior year. The increase in research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenue was due to research and development expenses increasing while revenue decreased as described above. We will continue to monitor the level of our investments in research and development concurrently with actual revenue results.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Sales and marketing expenses were $704,000 and $625,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in sales and marketing expense was primarily due an increase in professional services, marketing activities and personnel-related expenses related to penveu. As a percentage of revenue, sales and marketing expenses were approximately 34% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to approximately 18% for the same period in the prior year. The increase in sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenue was due to sales and marketing expenses increasing while revenue decreased as described above. We will continue to monitor the level of sales and marketing costs concurrently with actual revenue results.

 

General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses were $752,000 and $850,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to costs incurred in the first quarter of 2014 related to moving to our new facility. There were no similar costs incurred in the first quarter of 2015. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses were approximately 36% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to approximately 25% for the same period in the prior year. The increase in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue was due to revenue decreasing at a higher rate than general and administrative expenses decreased as described above. We will continue to monitor the level of general and administrative costs concurrently with actual revenue results.

 

Other Loss, Net

 

Other loss, net was $17,000 and $1,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

Our effective income tax rate was 0.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to an effective income tax rate of 0.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The effective income tax rates for the periods presented differ from the U.S. statutory rate as we continue to provide a full valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets at March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014. The tax expense in the periods primarily relate to tax in a foreign jurisdiction.     

 

We are under a tax audit in France related to the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 and have previously recorded an uncertain tax position of $730,000 related to an exposure of $5.2 million on research and development tax credits, including estimated penalties and interest, taken in all prior years. However, based on discussions between our French tax attorneys and the French Tax Administration, we expect to receive a tax bill from the French Tax Administration in May 2015 that may cause a significant change to this tax position. We believe our tax estimates at March 31, 2015 are reasonable under ASC 740; but if we receive a tax bill that significantly exceeds our estimates, we may have to decide whether to institute litigation to dispute the tax bill. The final outcome of tax audits and potential related litigation is inherently uncertain. As a result, the adverse resolution of this audit or any related litigation could be significantly different from amounts reflected in our income tax provisions and accruals.

 

 
13

 

 

Net Loss

 

We reported a net loss of $1.5 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Basic loss per share was ($0.18) and ($0.14) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

New Product 

 

On May 30, 2014 we started shipping penveu, a handheld device that adds interactivity to the installed base of projectors and large screen displays, making any flat surface, from pull down screens to HDTVs, an interactive display system.  In order to keep ahead of the competition, the Company has continued to introduce new features and functionality to the product, based on feedback from customers and in response to changes in how content is delivered. Using embedded computer vision technology, penveu works with any device with a VGA or HDMI connection and requires no software or driver installation, no particular operating system, and no periodic calibration. penveu is targeted primarily at the education market, and can be used effectively in the corporate training market as well as the enterprise market.  penveu is a new alternative to interactive whiteboards and other interactive technologies. Independent sources estimate that one million new interactive whiteboard systems were installed in 2013, and will grow to approximately $1.85 billion in revenue by 2018.  However, penveu also has the unique ability to turn the estimated over 50 million projectors and high number of large screen displays that are currently installed worldwide into interactive display devices.  The retail price of penveu is a fraction of the average price of a typical installed interactive whiteboard, and unlike an interactive whiteboard, penveu does not require the time and expense of installation.  penveu is being offered and sold through our website, other online distributors, resellers, retailers and catalogs. We recorded only nominal revenue from penveu in the first quarter of 2015. However, we expect that the many trials or tests of penveu that are now ongoing will begin to convert to orders from, and deployments of penveu across, these customers, resulting in sales increasing during 2015.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Consolidated Cash Flows

 

Cash and cash equivalents decreased approximately $1.2 million from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015 and decreased $913,000 from December 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014. Cash flows are impacted by operating, investing and financing activities.    

 

Operating Activities

 

Trends in cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are generally similar to the trends in our earnings except for the allowance for uncollectible accounts and returns, writedowns of excess and obsolete inventories, depreciation and amortization, amortization of stock-based compensation, loss on retirement of machinery and equipment, and realized gain on marketable securities. Cash used in operating activities totaled $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to net loss of $1.5 million for that period. The allowance for doubtful accounts and returns decreased $35,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 due to improved collection activities. Writedowns of excess and obsolete inventories decreased $7,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Depreciation and amortization increased $34,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to enhancements to our manufacturing equipment through a capital lease. Amortization of stock-based compensation increased $41,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The loss on retirement of machinery and equipment decreased $14,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 as there were no retirements in the first quarter of 2015.

 

Changes in assets and liabilities result primarily from the timing of production, sales, purchases and payments. Such changes in assets and liabilities generally tend to even out over time and result in trends in cash flows from operating activities generally reflecting earnings trends.

 

 
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Investing Activities

 

Cash provided by investing activities totaled $3.6 million and cash used in investing activities totaled $143,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Cash provided by or used in investing activities in each of the periods related principally to our investments in marketable securities, additions to property and equipment and capitalized software purchases. Additions to property and equipment and capitalized software were $4,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $647,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The additions for the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily related to leasehold improvements to our new facility which have, for the most part, been reimbursed by our landlord. There were no purchases of marketable securities during the three months ended March 31, 2015 (see Note 3 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Purchases of marketable securities were $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities decreased to $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities, related to payments on the credit facility, totaled $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. There was no net cash provided by or used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

Restructuring Charge

 

On April 10, 2015, we committed to a plan intended to result in savings of approximately $750,000 to $1.5 million in annualized operating costs. These actions aim to mitigate gross margin erosion by reducing manufacturing costs, streamlining research and development and sales and marketing expenses to focus remaining resources on key strategic growth areas, and reducing administrative expenses through consolidation of support functions. As part of this plan, we expect to reduce the number of its employees by approximately 15% to 25%. We expect to incur charges for one-time termination benefits in the range of $50,000 to $150,000, most of which will be cash expenditures. We expect to substantially complete the actions associated with this plan during the second quarter of 2015.

 

Commitments

 

At March 31, 2015, we had no material commitments to purchase capital assets; however, planned capital expenditures for the remainder of 2015 are estimated at approximately $100,000, which primarily relates to enhancements to our manufacturing equipment and product development and engineering tools. At March 31, 2015, we had approximately $45,000 of non-cancelable purchase commitments for inventory as part of the normal course of business. Our significant long-term obligations are operating leases on our facility and our phone system and a capital lease on our manufacturing equipment. We have not paid any dividends since our inception and do not anticipate paying any dividends in 2015.

 

Other

 

Management believes that cash generated from operations, the funds raised in the private placement of common stock, the results of restructuring activities, the success of various business initiatives, including increased revenue generation from penveu, together with cash on hand, will be sufficient to meet our business liquidity needs for working capital, capital expenditures and debt service for the next twelve months. On August 13, 2014 we raised approximately $3.3 million in additional funds, through a private placement of shares of our common stock, that are being used in large part to expedite and expand marketing and product launch activities associated with the introduction of penveu, for other working capital needs and for general corporate purposes. To the extent our actual operating results or other developments, including increased revenue generation from penveu, differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

 

We have incurred recurring losses, including a loss of $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015, have an accumulated deficit of $45.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and have used $1.3 million in net cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015. These factors, among others, have resulted in management taking steps to reduce costs through restructuring activities and to engage in various capital generating initiatives. Increased revenue generation from penveu is critical to our future success and management’s plans and activities are focused on generating the necessary capital to allow penveu to be a success in the market. If we are unable to achieve sufficient near-term revenue growth, we could be required to make near-term decisions to provide the liquidity needed to fund marketing and product launch activities related to the introduction of penveu. However, there can be no assurance that management will be able to successfully generate sufficient capital through these activities, nor that management will be successful in commercializing existing and new product and service offerings.

 

 
15

 

 

We periodically evaluate our liquidity requirements, alternative uses of capital, capital needs and available resources in view of, among other things, our capital expenditure requirements and estimated future operating cash flows. As a result of this process, we have in the past sought, and may in the future seek, to raise additional capital, refinance, initiate indebtedness, issue additional securities, or take a combination of such steps to manage our liquidity and capital resources. In the normal course of business, we may review opportunities for acquisitions, joint ventures or other business combinations. In the event of any such transaction, we may consider using available cash, issuing additional equity securities or increasing the indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries.   

 

Possible New Credit Facility

 

The Company is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement for a new revolving credit facility with another bank lender which would replace the existing credit facility and which management believes would include terms and conditions that, on the whole, are more favorable to the Company than the existing credit facility. Nevertheless, we cannot give any assurance that the new agreement will be completed. If the agreement for a new revolving credit facility is not completed, management will continue to evaluate its options and enter into a bank lending relationship that is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 9 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for more information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements, including the dates of adoption and estimated effects on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 3.      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

We are exposed to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates because we conduct business on a global basis and, in some cases, in foreign currencies. The Company’s operations in France were transacted in the local currency and converted into U.S. Dollars based on published exchange rates for the periods reported and were therefore subject to risk of exchange rate fluctuations. There were no charges for the Euro to U.S. Dollar translation during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The Euro to U.S. Dollar translation accounted for charges of $6,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

Market Price Risk

 

We had no equity hedge contracts outstanding as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our historical investments were subject to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected due to movements in interest rates. We previously invested our cash in a variety of interest-earning financial instruments, including bank time deposits, money market funds, and variable rate and fixed rate obligations of corporations and national governmental entities and agencies. Due to the demand nature of our money market funds and the short-term nature of our time deposits and debt securities portfolio, those assets were particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. We managed this risk through investments with shorter-term maturities and varying maturity dates.

 

A hypothetical 50 basis point increase in interest rates would have resulted in an approximate decrease of less than 1% in the fair value of our available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2014. This potential change was based on sensitivity analyses performed on our marketable securities at December 31, 2014.

 

 

 
16

 

 

We maintain a $5.0 million revolving bank credit facility that is scheduled to mature on December 19, 2016 with an applicable interest rate on any outstanding balances under the credit facility based on London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a 1.0% to 1.5% applicable margin rate based on certain factors included in our credit agreement. At December 31, 2014 the Company’s interest rate on the $3.5 million outstanding balance was 1.7%. The unused portion of the credit facility was subject to an unused facility fee ranging from .25% to .75% depending on total deposits with the creditor. A hypothetical 50 basis point increase in LIBOR would have increased annual interest expense on this credit facility by approximately $17,500. All borrowings under this facility were secured by marketable securities. The Company discontinued its investment in marketable securities during the three months ended March 31, 2015, when it paid off its borrowings under the credit facility during that period. The Company is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement for a new revolving credit facility with another bank lender which would replace the existing credit facility and which management believes would include terms and conditions that, on the whole, are more favorable to the Company than the existing credit facility.

 

Item 4.          CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report using the “Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)” created by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) framework. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed, and are effective, to give reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure and that information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

The Company maintains a system of internal controls that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that its books and records accurately reflect, in all material respects, the transactions of the Company and that its established policies and procedures are adhered to. From time to time the Company may experience changes to its internal controls due, for example, to employee turnover, re-balancing of workloads, extended absences and promotions of employees. However, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.          LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Twenty-five former employees (“Plaintiffs”) of Interphase SAS, a France domiciled subsidiary of Interphase Corporation, brought suit in France against Interphase SAS alleging various causes of action and rights to damages relating to claims of wrongful dismissal of employment, specific French employment indemnities, general economic losses, and contractual claims relating specifically to their employment relationship and contracts entered into between the individual and Interphase SAS. The lawsuits were filed between November 2010 and April 2011 in the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt, France and the Administrative Court of Cergy-Pontoise, France. The various claims and assertions arose from, and related to, the Plaintiffs’ release from employment as part of the restructuring actions taken during the third quarter of 2010. The current statement of claim, for the remaining two former employees, is for an aggregate payment of approximately €144,000 (which translated to approximately $156,000 at March 31, 2015). The Company believes that the Plaintiffs’ claims were without merit and has vigorously defended itself in these lawsuits.

 

 
17

 

 

On March 22, 2012, a hearing was conducted before the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt, France related to the claims of twenty-three of the twenty-five former employees. On May 31, 2012, the Court reported that the four judges’ votes were split; therefore, another hearing before the Labor Court took place on January 25, 2013. The same four judges heard the case again, along with a professional judge from another court to ensure that a majority decision would be reached.

 

The decision of the Labor Court regarding the claims of twenty-two former employees was rendered on March 22, 2013. All of those claims were rejected, because the Labor Court ruled that the redundancy procedure was regular and that redundancies were based on valid reasons, except claims of four Plaintiffs based on non-competition indemnity (amounting in total to approximately €265,000, which translated to approximately $340,000 at March 31, 2013). During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the three months ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $340,000 and $115,000 (to reflect payroll taxes corresponding to the allowed claims), respectively, classified as other loss on its condensed consolidated statements of operations and as a current liability on its condensed consolidated balance sheets in connection with the non-competition indemnity. All payments related to these claims, excluding payroll taxes, have been paid. In addition, one of these four Plaintiffs brought a case before the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt again claiming €5,700 (which translated to approximately $6,000 at March 31, 2015) of paid holiday indemnity and procedure costs attached to the non-compete indemnity. The Conciliation hearing before the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt took place on December 15, 2014. The parties refused to conciliate; therefore, the case is scheduled to be heard at a regular judgment hearing before the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt on October 8, 2015. Fourteen other former employees also filed an appeal, and the hearing before the Court of Appeal of Versailles took place on October 8, 2014. By judgments rendered on November 19, 2014, the Court of Appeals of Versailles confirmed the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt’s decisions and rejected all the claims of the Plaintiffs, ruling that the redundancy procedure was regular and that redundancies were based on valid reasons. The Court of Appeals also confirmed the Labor Court’s decision which ruled in the favor of one Plaintiff regarding his claim based on non-competition indemnity. The fifteen plaintiffs had two months from reception of the notification of the Court of Appeal’s decisions to challenge these decisions before the French Supreme Court (“Cour de cassation,” the final stage of appeal). None of the fifteen plaintiffs filed an appeal before the French Supreme Court.

 

On May 22, 2012, a hearing was conducted before the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt, France related to the claims of one of the twenty-five former employees with non-executive status. On July 31, 2012, the Court reported that the four judges’ votes were split; therefore, the Labor Court decided to join this case to the cases of the other twenty-three former employees described above in order to be heard again at the same hearing. Therefore, this case was heard again at the hearing on January 25, 2013 before the Labor Court. On March 22, 2013, the Labor Court rejected this former employee's claims. This former employee is one of the fourteen other former employees who filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal of Versailles, and whose claims were rejected, as described in the preceding paragraph.

 

Among the twenty-five cases described above, two former employees were made redundant related to a decision of the Labor Inspector to authorize their redundancy. Because of their protected status as employee representatives, their redundancy required the prior authorization of the French administration. Each of those former employees also filed a claim before the Administrative Tribunal in order to challenge the decision of the Labor Inspector which authorized their redundancy. Although each such claim or action is directed against the State, Interphase is also a party to these proceedings. The decision of the Administrative Tribunal regarding these two cases was rendered on February 3, 2014. The Administrative Tribunal dismissed these two former employees’ claims challenging the administrative decision authorizing their redundancy. Each of the former employees filed an appeal on April 3, 2014 of the Administrative Tribunal’s decision, and therefore each case will be scheduled and heard anew by the Administrative Court of Appeal of Versailles.

 

For one of the twenty-five former employees, who was an employee representative, the Labor Court granted the Company’s motion at the January 25, 2013 hearing; the Labor Court rejected the Plaintiff’s claim to hear the case on the merits, regarding the alleged irregularity of the information and consultation procedure, and postponed this case in deference to the pending case before the Administrative Tribunal as described above. This case was heard again on September 27, 2013, and the Labor Court rendered the same decision (to postpone the case to a hearing on September 5, 2014). This case was heard again on September 5, 2014, and the Labor Court rendered the same decision (to postpone the case to a hearing on May 15, 2015) and subsequently decided to further postpone the case to a hearing on December 4, 2015. It is likely that the case will not be heard on the merits on that hearing date and will be postponed if the case is still pending before the Administrative Court of Appeal of Versailles at that date, as described above.

 

 
18

 

 

On June 12, 2012, a hearing was conducted with the Labor Court of Boulogne-Billancourt, France related to the claims of one of the twenty-five former employees, who was also an employee representative. The Labor Court granted the Company’s motion and rejected the Plaintiff’s claim to hear the case on the merits, regarding the alleged irregularity of the information and consultation procedure, and decided to postpone this case in deference to the pending case before the Administrative Tribunal as described above. This case was heard again on May 28, 2013. The Labor Court rendered the same decision and again postponed the hearing until the Administrative Tribunal makes its decision. This case was heard again on June 17, 2014, and the Labor Court rendered the same decision (to postpone the case to a hearing on June 9, 2015). It is likely that the case will not be heard on the merits on that hearing date and will be postponed if the case is still pending before the Administrative Court of Appeal of Versailles at that date, as described above.

 

Item 1A. 

RISK FACTORS

 

Other than as described below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

We may be subject to greater than anticipated tax liabilities, and the results of tax audits or litigation could adversely affect our business.

 

Based on discussions between our French tax attorneys and the French Tax Administration, we expect to receive a tax bill from the French Tax Administration in May 2015. The adverse resolution of the tax audit or any related litigation could be significantly different from amounts reflected in our income tax provisions and accruals.

 

Item 2.   

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

Item 3. 

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

Item 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

Item 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

Item 6.  

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibits

 

31 (a) 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

31 (b)       Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32 (a)   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
32 (b) Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
101.INS  XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

        

 
19

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

 

 

INTERPHASE CORPORATION

 

  (Registrant)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 7, 2015  

By:

/s/ Thomas N. Tipton Jr.

 

 

Thomas N. Tipton Jr.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20