Spectrum Control, Inc. 10Q - August 31, 2001

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10Q


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

For the Period Ended August 31, 2001 Commission File Number 0-8796
 
Spectrum Control, Inc.
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter
 
Pennsylvania 25-1196447
(State of other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
8031 Avonia Road; Fairview, Pennsylvania 16415
(Address) (Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (814) 835-1650
 
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report
 
   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 the filing requirements for at least the past 90 days.
 
Yes   X     No       
   Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.
 
Class Number of Shares Outstanding
as of September 15, 2001
Common, no par value 13,204,110
 
 
SPECTRUM CONTROL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
INDEX
 
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
August 31, 2001 and November 30, 2000
 
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended and Nine Months Ended
August 31, 2001 and 2000
 
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended and Nine Months Ended
August 31, 2001 and 2000
 
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
   Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
 
   Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 
  Signature
 

SPECTRUM CONTROL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Dollar Amounts in Thousands
(Unaudited)

    August 31,   November 30,
    2001   2000
Assets        
Current Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents   $  10,585   $  5,977
    Accounts receivable, net of allowances   13,912   23,831
    Inventories   19,058   25,239
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   3,291   1,072
        Total current assets   46,846   56,119
         
Property, Plant And Equipment, at cost
    less accumulated depreciation of $ 24,764
    in 2001 and $ 20,908 in 2000   22,319   23,490
 
Other Assets        
    Goodwill, net   14,460   14,894
    Other noncurrent assets   610   720
        Total other assets   15,070   15,614
 
        Total Assets   $  84,235   $  95,223
         
Liabilities And Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities        
    Accounts payable   $  3,816   $  8,714
    Accrued salaries and wages   1,442   3,002
    Accrued interest   100   75
    Accrued other expenses   455   826
    Current portion of long-term debt   540   540
        Total current liabilities   6,353   13,157
         
Long-Term Debt   2,827   2,107
Deferred Income Taxes   1,605   3,413
         
Stockholders' Equity        
    Common stock, no par value, authorized
      25,000,000 shares, issued 13,538,810
      shares in 2001 and 13,448,052 in 2000   43,500   43,175
    Retained earnings   32,905   34,771
    Treasury stock, 334,700 shares in 2001
      and 70,000 shares in 2000, at cost   (1,992)   (294)
    74,413   77,652
    Accumulated other comprehensive income
      Foreign currency translation adjustment   (963)   (1,106)
       Total stockholders' equity   73,450   76,546
         
       Total Liabilities And Stockholders' Equity   $  84,235   $  95,223
         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Top of Report

SPECTRUM CONTROL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

 
(Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
 
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  August 31,   August 31,
  2001 2000   2001 2000
 
Net sales $  18,421 $  35,649   $  74,513 $  96,260
 
Cost of products sold 20,790 24,214   62,807 69,202
 
Gross margin (2,369) 11,435   11,706 27,058
 
Operating expenses          
    Selling, general and
      administrative expense 4,146 6,220   14,415 15,962
    Restructuring charges 485  -   485  -
  4,631 6,220   14,900 15,962
 
Income ( loss ) from operations (7,000) 5,215   (3,194) 11,096
 
Other income ( expense )
    Interest expense (69) (564)   (185) (1,743)
    Other income and expense, net 144 29   395 464
  75 (535)   210 (1,279)
 
Income ( loss ) before provision
    for income taxes (6,925) 4,680   (2,984) 9,817
 
Provision for income taxes (benefit) (2,616) 1,778   (1,118) 3,730
 
Net income ( loss ) $  (4,309) $  2,902   $  (1,866) $  6,087
 
Earnings (loss) per common share :
    Basic $  (0.32) $  0.25   $  (0.14) $  0.54
    Diluted $  (0.32) $  0.25   $  (0.14) $  0.53
 
Average number of common shares
    outstanding :
    Basic 13,260 11,423   13,354 11,136
    Diluted 13,260 11,733   13,354 11,424
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Top of Report

SPECTRUM CONTROL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

( Dollar Amounts in Thousands )
 
    Nine Months Ended
    August 31,
    2001   2000
Cash Flows From Operating Activities :
  Net income (loss)   $  (1,866)   $  6,087
  Adjustments to reconcile net income ( loss )
    to net cash provided by operating activities :
        Depreciation   3,842   3,514
        Amortization   668   895
        Deferred income taxes   (1,808)   687
        Restructuring and other charges   5,495    - 
        Changes in assets and liabilities :
          Accounts receivable   10,065   (4,409)
          Inventories   1,075   (2,415)
          Prepaid expenses and other assets   (2,157)   676
          Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (6,821)   3,766
  Net cash provided by operating activities   8,493   8,801
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities :
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment   (3,018)   (4,752)
  Payment for acquired businesses   (175)   (1,190)
  Net cash used in investing activities   (3,193)   (5,942)
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities :
  Net repayment of short-term debt    -    (4,876)
  Borrowings of long-term debt   950    - 
  Repayment of long-term debt   (230)   (20,230)
  Purchase of common stock   (1,697)    - 
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock:        
        Exercise of employee stock options   306   179
        Exercise of stock warrants   18   379
        Public stock offering    -    27,854
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (653)   3,306
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (39)   (36)
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   4,608   6,129
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   5,977   538
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $  10,585   $  6,667
 
Cash paid during the period for :
  Interest   $  160   $  1,616
  Income taxes   3,195   1,695
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

Top of Report

SPECTRUM CONTROL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
August 31, 2001

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments which are normal, recurring and necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year. 

The balance sheet at November 30, 2000 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Spectrum Control, Inc. and Subsidiaries annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2000. 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. 

Note 2 - Principles of Consolidation 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Spectrum Control, Inc. and its Subsidiaries (the "Company"). To facilitate timely reporting, the fiscal quarters of a foreign subsidiary are based upon a fiscal year which ends October 31. All significant intercompany accounts are eliminated upon consolidation. 

Note 3 - Inventories 

Inventories by major classification are as follows (in thousands): 

 

    August 31,   November 30,
    2001   2000
         
  Finished goods $  3,090   $  4,111
  Work - in - process 8,139   10,357
  Raw materials 7,829   10,771
    $  19,058   $  25,239

 

Note 4 -Restructuring and Other Charges 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company adopted a plan to restructure its operations and reduce operating expenses in response to a severe slowdown in the global telecommunications equipment market. The restructuring plan is intended to reduce excess manufacturing capacity, improve efficiencies, and align the Company's operations with current business expectations. The plan includes consolidating manufacturing facilities, writing-off slow moving inventories, and disposing of excess property and equipment. 

In connection with this plan, the Company recorded restructuring and other charges totaling $5,630,000 in the third quarter of 2001. The components of these charges, along with their related current period activity, are presented below (in thousands): 

 

    2001 Activity
Classification Description Restructuring
and Other
  Charges  
Cash Non-Cash Accrued
Liability
August 31,
  2001  
 
Cost of products sold Inventory write-offs $  5,145 $ -  $  5,145 $ - 
 
Restructuring charges Employee severance costs 135 25  -  110
 
Restructuring charges Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 350  -  350  - 
    $  5,630 $  25 $  5,495 $  110

 

Major components of the restructuring plan include the following: 

(1) The Company will close its two operating facilities in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Manufacturing in these facilities consists of certain wireless products, specialty ceramic capacitors, and other signal products. These operations will be consolidated into the Company's manufacturing facilities in Juarez, Mexico; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Fairview, Pennsylvania. As a result of consolidating operations, the Company expects to realize losses of $ 350,000 on the disposal of excess property, plant and equipment and incur employee severance costs of $135,000 associated with the elimination of approximately 50 salaried positions. The Company anticipates the closure of the Elizabethtown facilities, disposal of excess equipment, and payment of employee severance costs to be substantially completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001. Although the Company is aggressively marketing the closed Elizabethtown facilities for sale or lease, the time required to consummate a transaction under acceptable terms is not subject to reasonable estimation. 

(2) With the significant slowdown in the telecommunications equipment market, certain customers have canceled orders and the Company has experienced an overall decrease in demand for its products. As a result, the Company increased its reserves for excess and slow moving inventories by $ 5,145,000. 

A breakdown of the restructuring and other charges, by operating segment, is as follows (in thousands): 

 

  Operating Segment Inventory
Write-offs
Employee
Severance
Costs  
Loss on
Disposal
of Property,
Plant and
Equipment  
 
 
  Signal products $ 3,057 $  -  $  -   
  Power products 2,088  -   -   
  Unallocated amounts  -  135 350
 
    $  5,145 $  135 $  350  

 

Note 5 -Derivatives and Hedging Activities 

From time to time, the Company enters into forward currency exchange contracts in the regular course of business to manage its exposure against foreign currency fluctuations on sales denominated in foreign currencies. The terms of these contracts are generally six months or less. 

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS No. 133"). SFAS No. 133 requires the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income. If the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative is either offset against the change in fair value of assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The Company's adoption of SFAS No. 133 on December 1, 2000 did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the periods ended August 31, 2001. The impact of SFAS No. 133 on the Company's reported financial position at August 31, 2001 and other comprehensive income for the periods ended August 31, 2001 is not material. 

Note 6 -New Accounting Pronouncements 

In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements" ("SAB No. 101"), which clarifies the accounting rules for revenue recognition in financial statements. In accordance with the provisions of SAB No. 101, the Company will adopt the new accounting rules in the fourth quarter of fiscal year ending November 30, 2001. Management does not expect the adoption of SAB No. 101 to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. 

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations" ("SFAS No. 141"). SFAS No. 141 eliminates the pooling-of-interests method of accounting for business combinations and requires all business combinations to be accounted for under the purchase method. SFAS No. 141 also modifies the criteria to recognize intangible assets apart from goodwill. The requirements of SFAS No. 141 are generally effective June 30, 2001. The Company will immediately follow the guidance set forth in SFAS No. 141 for any future acquisitions. 

In June 2001, the FASB also issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS No. 142"). Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives will no longer be amortized, but will instead be subject to a periodic impairment test at least annually. Other intangible assets will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. SFAS No. 142 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, with earlier adoption permitted. The provisions of SFAS No. 142 must be adopted as of the beginning of a fiscal year. The Company expects to adopt the new accounting rules in the first quarter of fiscal year ending November 30, 2002. As a result of the non-amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142, the Company expects an increase of approximately $ 800,000 in pretax earnings during fiscal 2002 from this accounting change. The Company will perform the required transitional impairment test of goodwill during the first quarter of fiscal 2002 and has not yet determined what effect, if any, this test will have on the financial position and results of operations of the Company. 

Note 7 - Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the periods indicated: 

 

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  August 31,   August 31,
  2001 2000   2001 2000
Numerator for basic and
    diluted earnings (loss) per
    common share (in thousands):
 
        Net income (loss) $  (4,309) $  2,902   $  (1,866) $  6,087
 
Denominator for basic
    earnings (loss) per common
    share (in thousands):
 
        Weighted average
        shares outstanding 13,260 11,423   13,354 11,136
 
Denominator for diluted
    earnings (loss) per common
    share (in thousands):
 
        Weighted average
        shares outstanding 13,260 11,423   13,354 11,136
        Effect of dilutive securities:
         Stock options  -  287    -  249
         Stock warrants  -  23    -  39
 
  13,260 11,733   13,354 11,424
 
Earnings (loss) per common share:
 
    Basic $  (0.32) $  0.25   $  (0.14) $  0.54
    Diluted $  (0.32) $  0.25   $  (0.14) $  0.53

Options and warrants to purchase 736,437 shares of Common Stock, at a weighted average exercise price of $7.61 per share, were outstanding during 2001 but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. 

Note 8- Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

The following table sets forth the computation of comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated (in thousands): 

 

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  August 31,   August 31,
  2001 2000   2001 2000
Net income (loss) $  (4,309) $  2,902   $  (1,866) $  6,087
Foreign currency translation
    adjustment 10 (83)   143 (326)
 
Comprehensive income (loss) $  (4,299) $  2,819   $  (1,723) $  5,761

 

 

Note 9- Operating Segments 

The Company was founded as a solutions - oriented company, designing and manufacturing products to suppress or eliminate electromagnetic interference ("EMI"). In recent years, the Company has broadened its focus and product lines to become a control products and systems company, providing a wide range of components and systems used to condition, regulate, transmit, receive, or govern electronic performance.  

The Company's current operations are conducted in two segments: signal products and power products. The Company's Signal Products Group manufactures a broad range of low pass EMI filters, filtered arrays, filtered connectors, wireless products (coaxial ceramic resonators, patch antennas, bandpass filters, and duplexers), and specialty ceramic capacitors. The Power Technologies Group manufactures various power management and conditioning products including power distribution units, power line filters, and power entry devices. In addition, the Power Technologies Group has recently developed and introduced an advanced systems product offering to become a provider of more complex power management systems, including a line of digital radio-frequency control equipment for remote and automatic electronic systems management. The reportable segments are each managed separately because they manufacture and sell distinct products with different production processes.  

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources to its operating segments based upon numerous factors, including segment income or loss before income taxes. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those utilized in the 

preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements. However, substantially all of the Company's selling expenses, general and administrative expenses, and nonoperating expenses are not allocated to the Company's reportable operating segments and, accordingly, these expenses are not deducted in arriving at segment income or loss. In addition, reportable assets are comprised solely of property, plant, equipment, and inventories. 

For each period presented, the accounting policies and procedures used to determine segment income (loss) have been consistently applied. Reportable segment information for the periods ended August 31, 2001 and 2000 is as follows (in thousands): 

 

Three Months Ended August 31: Signal Power  
  Products Products Total
    2001
 
    Revenue from unaffiliated customers 13,751 4,670 18,421
    Segment income (loss) (1,396) (1,567) (2,963)
 
    2000
 
    Revenue from unaffiliated customers 27,137 8,512 35,649
    Segment income 9,060 2,147 11,207
 
Nine Months Ended August 31:
 
    2001
 
    Revenue from unaffiliated customers 57,665 16,848 74,513
    Segment income 9,795 352 10,147
 
    2000
 
    Revenue from unaffiliated customers 70,635 25,625 96,260
    Segment income 18,994 6,485 25,479

 

A reconciliation of total reportable segment income (loss) to consolidated income (loss) before provision for income taxes for the periods ended August 31, 2001 and 2000 is as follows (in thousands): 

 

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  August 31,   August 31,
  2001 2000   2001 2000
 
Total income (loss) for reportable
    segments $  (2,963) $  11,207   $  10,147 $  25,479
 
Unallocated amounts:
 
    Selling, general and
    administrative expense (3,552) (5,992)   (12,856) (14,383)
 
    Restructuring charges (485)  -    (485)  - 
 
    Interest expense (69) (564)   (185) (1,743)
 
    Other income 144 29   395 464
 
Consolidated income (loss) before
    provision for income taxes $  (6,925) $  4,680   $  (2,984) $  9,817

 

Top of Report

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

The following discussion and analysis may be understood more fully by reference to the consolidated financial statements, notes to the consolidated financial statements, and management's discussion and analysis contained in the Spectrum Control, Inc. and Subsidiaries annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2000. All references to "we", "us", "our", or the "Company" in the following discussion and analysis mean Spectrum Control, Inc. and its Subsidiaries. 

Overview 

We were founded as a solutions-oriented company, designing and manufacturing products to suppress or eliminate electromagnetic interference ("EMI"). In recent years, we broadened our focus and product lines to become a control products and systems company, providing a wide range of components and systems used to condition, regulate, transmit, receive, or govern electronic performance. Although our components and systems are used in many industries worldwide, our largest market is the telecommunications industry. In fiscal year 2000, approximately 64.0% of our sales were to customers in the telecommunications industry. Our products are used in numerous telecommunications systems including wireless base stations, fiber optic networks and switching equipment, wireless modems and LANs, Internet servers, and global positioning systems. Other markets for our products include military, aerospace, medical, instrumentation, industrial equipment, computer, and automotive. 

 

Our operations are currently conducted in two business segments: signal products and power products. Our Signal Products Group manufactures a broad line of discrete EMI filters, filtered arrays, filtered connectors, wireless products (coaxial ceramic resonators, patch antennas, bandpass filters, and duplexers), and specialty ceramic capacitors (single layer, temperature compensating, high voltage, and switch mode). Our Power Technologies Group manufactures various power management and conditioning products including power distribution units, power line filters, and power entry devices. Recently, our Power Technologies Group developed and introduced an advanced systems product offering to become a provider of more complex power management systems, including a line of digital radio-frequency control equipment for remote and automatic electronic systems management.  

 

Forward-Looking Information 

The following discussion includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding: (1) our belief as to future market conditions, (2) our anticipated capital expenditures and (3) our expected future operating requirements and financing needs. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed in "Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results", as well as those discussed elsewhere herein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. 

 

Results of Operations 

The following table sets forth certain financial data, as a percentage of net sales, for the three months and nine months ended August 31, 2001 and 2000: 

 

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  August 31,   August 31,
  2001 2000   2001 2000
 
Net sales 100.0% 100.0%   100.0% 100.0%
Cost of products sold 112.9 67.9   84.3 71.9
Gross margin (12.9) 32.1   15.7 28.1
Selling, general and
    administrative expense 22.5 17.5   19.3 16.6
Restructuring charges 2.6  -    0.7  - 
Income (loss) from operations (38.0) 14.6   (4.3) 11.5
Other income (expense)
    Interest expense (0.4) (1.6)   (0.2) (1.8)
    Other income and expense, net 0.8 0.1   0.5 0.5
Income (loss) before provision
    for income taxes (37.6) 13.1   (4.0) 10.2
Provision for income taxes (14.2) 5.0   (1.5) 3.9
Net income (loss) (23.4)% 8.1%   (2.5)% 6.3%

 

Third Quarter 2001 Versus Third Quarter 2000 

Net Sales 

Net sales decreased by $17.2 million during the period, with consolidated net sales of $18.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2001 and $35.6 million in the comparable quarter of 2000. This decrease reflects reduced shipment volume for substantially all of our product lines. Sales of signal products amounted to $13.7 million in the current quarter, compared to $27.1 million in the third quarter of last year. Sales of power products decreased by $ 3.8 million during the period, from $8.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2000 to $ 4.7 million in the current quarter. Overall demand for our products was very soft during the period, with total customer orders of $14.6 million received in the third quarter of fiscal 2001, a decrease of $23.0 million or 61.3% from the same period last year. In addition, we reduced our sales order backlog by $8.2 million during the current quarter to reflect previously recorded orders that our customers have requested to be postponed or cancelled.  

As a result, our backlog at August 31, 2001, was approximately $29.0 million, compared to $65.0 million at November 30, 2000. Throughout the third quarter of 2001, our sales and customer order rates continued to be negatively impacted by a severe slowdown in the telecommunications industry. This slowdown reflects several factors including: (1) reduced spending for infrastructure and network equipment by telephone companies, Internet service providers, and original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"); (2) excess component and systems inventories throughout the telecommunications industry; and (3) an overall economic slowdown in the United States and Europe. Although we believe the long-term growth potential for the telecommunications industry remains strong, we expect the current poor market conditions to continue throughout the remainder of fiscal year 2001 and first half of fiscal 2002. 

 

Restructuring Charges 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2001, we adopted a plan to restructure our operations and reduce operating expenses in response to the severe slowdown in the global telecommunications equipment market. The restructuring plan is intended to reduce excess manufacturing capacity, improve efficiencies, and align our operations with current business expectations. The plan includes consolidating manufacturing facilities, writing-off slow moving inventories, and disposing of excess property and equipment. In connection with this plan, we recorded restructuring charges of $ 485,000 in the current period. These restructuring charges consisted of employee severance costs and losses on the disposal of excess fixed assets. In addition, we increased our inventory reserves for excess and slow moving items by $ 5.1 million. These additional inventory reserves have been included in cost of products sold for the third quarter of fiscal 2001. 

 

Gross Margin 

For the third quarter of fiscal 2001, gross margin was $ 2.8 million or 15.1% of sales, excluding the additional inventory reserves of $ 5.1 million discussed above. In the third quarter of last year, gross margin was $11.4 million or 32.1% of sales. With the severe slowdown in the telecommunications industry, our sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2001 were significantly below previously planned levels. As a result, gross margin in the current quarter was negatively impacted by labor inefficiencies and lower absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead. At August 31, 2001, we had a total workforce of 869 employees, a reduction of 855 or 49.6% from November 30, 2000. In light of the current business conditions, we will continue to review our organization and cost structure to further reduce operating expenses and improve efficiencies. 

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2001, selling expense amounted to $ 2.4 million or 13.0% of sales, compared to $3.3 million or 9.3% of sales in the same quarter of 2000. The increase in selling expense, as a percentage of sales, principally reflects fixed selling expenses being absorbed over lower sales volume and higher effective commission rates on sales of product through distributors. General and administrative expense was approximately $ 1.7 million in the third quarter of 2001, compared to $2.9 million in the comparable quarter of 2000. The decrease in general and administrative expense primarily reflects reduced personnel costs. In addition, general and administrative expense in the third quarter of 2000 included a nonrecurring charge of $241,000 for debt issuance costs written-off upon the early retirement of certain indebtedness. 

 

Other Income and Expense 

As a result of reduced bank indebtedness, interest expense decreased by $ 495,000 during the period. In August 2000, we sold 2.3 million shares of our Common Stock in a public offering which resulted in net proceeds of $27.8 million, after deducting issuance costs. The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay $7.4 million of revolving line of credit indebtedness and $17.3 million of term loan debt, with the remaining proceeds added to cash and cash equivalents available for general corporate purposes. Primarily as a result of this follow-on stock offering, our total bank indebtedness at August 31, 2001 was reduced to $ 3.4 million. 

We realized interest income of $ 105,000 in the third quarter of 2001 from temporary cash investments. 

 

Income Taxes 

Our effective income tax rate was 37.8% in 2001 and 38.0% in 2000, compared to an applicable statutory federal and state income tax rate of approximately 40.0%. Differences between the effective tax rate and statutory income tax rate principally arise from state tax provisions and foreign income taxes. 

 

Nine Months 2001 Versus Nine Months 2000 

Net Sales 

For the first nine months of fiscal 2001, net sales decreased by $ 21.7 million or 22.6%, with consolidated sales of $ 74.5 million in 2001 and $96.2 million in 2000. Sales of signal products decreased by $ 12.9 million during the period, amounting to $ 57.7 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2001 and $70.6 million for the comparable period of 2000. Sales of power products amounted to $ 16.8 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2001, a decrease of $ 8.8 million from the same period last year. In 2001, power product sales included shipments of $ 2.0 million of our newly-introduced advanced systems product offering. The overall decrease in product sales primarily reflects current excess inventory levels for our signal and power products throughout the telecommunications industry. Total customer orders received in the first nine months of fiscal 2001 amounted to $55.8 million, a decrease of $57.9 million or 50.9% from the same period last year. Overall selling prices remained relatively stable throughout the period. 

 

Gross Margin 

For the first nine months of fiscal 2001, gross margin was $16.8 million or 22.6% of sales, excluding the additional inventory reserves of $ 5.1 million previously discussed. In the comparable period of last year, gross margin was $27.1 million or 28.1% of sales. The decline in gross margin primarily reflects lower sales volume and manufacturing inefficiencies caused by the abrupt downturn in product demand by our telecommunication customers.  

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense 

During the first nine months of fiscal 2001, selling expense amounted to $ 8.8 million or 11.8% of sales, compared to $9.1 million or 9.5% of sales for the same period last year. The increase in selling expense, as a percentage of sales, primarily reflects higher effective commission rates and the impact of fixed selling expenses and lower sales volume. General and administrative expense was approximately $5.6 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2001, compared to $6.8 million in the comparable period of 2000. The decrease in general and administrative expense reflects lower personnel costs and the elimination of certain discretionary charges and expenditures. 

 

Other Income and Expense 

Interest expense decreased by approximately $1.5 million during the period, from $1.7 million in 2000 to $185,000 in 2001. The decrease in interest expense primarily reflects reduced bank indebtedness. In addition, weighted average interest rates declined slightly during the period. 

We hold numerous United States and foreign patents relating to polymer multilayer ("PML") technology. We realized license fee income of $29,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2001 and $375,000 in the comparable period last year upon the granting of PML technology licenses. Although these licenses, as well as other PML licenses that we have previously granted, require certain royalties to be paid to us upon the sale of products utilizing PML technology, it is not known what future commercial value, if any, these patents and related licenses may have. 

We realized interest income of $316,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2001 from temporary cash investments. 

 

Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results 

In fiscal year 2000, approximately 64.0% of our sales were to customers in the telecommunications industry. During the first nine months of fiscal 2001, the telecommunications industry experienced a severe slowdown. If this slowdown continues or intensifies, it will have a material negative impact on our future operating performance. In addition, our results of operations may be negatively affected in the future by a variety of other factors including: competitive pricing pressures, new technologies which decrease the demand for our products, new product offerings by our competitors, product cost changes, changes in the overall economic climate, availability of raw materials, and changes in product mix. 

 

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Condition 

We maintain a $12.0 million line of credit with our principal lending institution, PNC Bank, N.A. of Erie, Pennsylvania, (the "Bank"). This revolving credit line is unsecured, with interest rates on borrowings at or below the prevailing prime rate. At August 31, 2001, no borrowings were outstanding under the line of credit. The line of credit agreement contains certain covenants, the most restrictive of which require us to maintain designated minimum levels of net worth and profitability and impose certain restrictions on us regarding additional indebtedness. Effective August 31, 2001, certain of these restrictive covenants were amended or waived by the Bank. As a result, we were in compliance with all debt covenants at August 31, 2001. Our ability to borrow in the future under this credit facility is dependent on our ongoing compliance with these covenants. Whether we continue to comply with these restrictive covenants is largely dependent on our ability to attain certain levels of operating performance and profitability in the future, for which there can be no assurance. The current line of credit agreement expires April 30, 2003. 

Our wholly-owned German subsidiary maintains unsecured Deutsche Mark lines of credit with several German financial institutions aggregating $1.6 million (DM 3.5 million). At August 31, 2001, no borrowings were outstanding under these lines of credit. Future borrowings, if any, will bear interest at rates below the prevailing prime rate and will be payable upon demand. 

With reduced sales volume, our working capital requirements decreased during the period. At August 31, 2001, we had net working capital of $40.4 million, compared to $43.0 million at November 30, 2000. Our current ratio remained strong throughout the first nine months of fiscal 2001. At August 31, 2001, current assets were 7.37 times current liabilities, compared to 4.27 at the end of fiscal 2000. 

During the first nine months of fiscal 2001, our capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment amounted to $3.0 million. These capital expenditures were primarily for manufacturing equipment and tooling to enhance operating efficiencies and increase capacity for certain product lines within our Signal Products Group and Power Technologies Group. At August 31, 2001, we had not entered into any material commitments for capital expenditures. 

We have initiated a stock repurchase program. Under this program, we may repurchase up to $6.0 million of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. Acquired shares are to be purchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions at prevailing market prices. Funding for these repurchases is expected to come from available cash reserves and borrowings under our revolving line of credit facility. The amount and timing of the shares repurchased are based on our ongoing assessment of the Company's capital structure, liquidity, and the market price of the Company's Common Stock. The repurchased shares are held as treasury stock. During the first nine months of fiscal 2001, 264,700 shares were repurchased at an aggregate cost of $1.7 million. Since the adoption of the stock repurchase program, 334,700 shares have been repurchased at a total cost of $2.0 million. 

In November 2000, we completed a 26,000 square foot expansion to our existing manufacturing facility in Wesson, Mississippi. Financing for this project was substantially provided by the State of Mississippi through general obligation bonds issued in December 2000. Accordingly, we received $950,000 of bond proceeds during the first nine months of fiscal 2001. The bonds have a term of 15 years and bear interest at 5.36%. 

Current financial resources, including working capital and existing lines of credit, and anticipated funds from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet operating cash requirements throughout fiscal year 2001, including scheduled long-term debt repayment, planned capital equipment expenditures and possible stock repurchases. There can be no assurance, however, that unplanned capital replacement or other future events will not require us to seek additional debt or equity financing and, if so required, that it will be available on terms acceptable to us. 

Despite current period operating losses, our overall cash flow remained strong. Net cash generated by operating activities amounted to $8.5 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2001, compared to $8.8 million in the same period of 2000. Operating cash flow was positively impacted by reduced working capital requirements. In particular, as a result of lower sales volume, accounts receivable decreased by $10.1 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2001. 

At August 31, 2001, goodwill represented 17.2% of total assets and 19.7% of stockholders' equity. A majority of this goodwill was recognized in 1999 in connection with our acquisition of substantially all of the assets of the Signal Conditioning Products Division of AMP Incorporated. We currently amortize goodwill on a straight-line basis over a period of 20 years and periodically review its carrying value for possible impairment. In the accompanying financial statements, no impairment losses have been recognized in any of the periods presented. 

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

 

Foreign Currency 

Certain of our European sales and related selling expenses are denominated in German Deutsche Marks, British Pounds, and other local currencies. In addition, certain of our operating expenses are denominated in Mexican Pesos. As a result, fluctuations in currency exchange rates may affect our operating results and cash flows. To manage our exposure to the Deutsche Mark and British Pound, we occasionally enter into forward currency exchange contracts. At August 31, 2001, no forward currency exchange contracts were outstanding. For each of the periods presented herein, currency exchange rate gains and losses were not material. In addition, an assumed 10.0% adverse change in all foreign currencies in which we currently transact business would not have a material impact on our operating results, financial position, or cash flows. 

 

Euro 

Certain member countries of the European Union have established fixed conversion rates between their existing currencies and the European Union's common currency, the Euro. We have implemented all the necessary enhancements to our sales order system, banking arrangements and operational procedures to ensure Euro compliance. We are able to process orders, invoice customers and accept payment in Euros throughout Europe. The introduction of the Euro has not had any material adverse impact upon us. We continue to monitor the risk of price erosion which could result from increased price transparency among countries using the Euro. 

 

Interest Rate Exposure 

We have market risk exposure relating to possible fluctuations in interest rates. From time to time, we utilize interest rate swap agreements to minimize the risks and costs associated with variable rate debt. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The interest rate swap agreements are entered into with major financial institutions thereby minimizing the risk of credit loss. At August 31, 2001, no interest rate swap agreements were outstanding. 

 

New Accounting Pronouncements 

In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements" ("SAB No. 101"), which clarifies the accounting rules for revenue recognition in financial statements. In accordance with the provisions of SAB No. 101, we will adopt the new accounting rules in the fourth quarter of fiscal year ending November 30, 2001. We do not expect the adoption of SAB No. 101 to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. 

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations" ("SFAS No. 141"). SFAS No. 141 eliminates the pooling-of-interests method of accounting for business combinations and requires all business combinations to be accounted for under the purchase method. SFAS No. 141 also modifies the criteria to recognize intangible assets apart from goodwill. The requirements of SFAS No. 141 are generally effective June 30, 2001. We will immediately follow the guidance set forth in SFAS No. 141 for any future acquisitions. 

In June 2001, the FASB also issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS No. 142"). Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives will no longer be amortized, but will instead be subject to a periodic impairment test at least annually. Other intangible assets will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. SFAS No. 142 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, with earlier adoption permitted. The provisions of SFAS No. 142 must be adopted as of the beginning of a fiscal year. We expect to adopt the new accounting rules in the first quarter of fiscal year ending November 30, 2002. As a result of the non-amortization provisions of SFAS No. 142, we expect an increase of approximately $800,000 in pretax earnings during fiscal 2002 from this accounting change. We will perform the required transitional impairment test of goodwill during the first quarter of fiscal 2002 and have not yet determined what effect, if any, this test will have on our financial position and results of operations. 

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Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(b) Reports on Form 8-K 

No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter for which this report is filed. 

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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.
 
  Spectrum Control, Inc.
(Registrant)
 
Date: October 8, 2001 By:      /s/ John P. Freeman
  John P. Freeman, Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting and
Financial Officer)
 

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