form10q_123107.htm


 


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q


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


For Quarter Ended December 31, 2007  Commission File No. 1-7939



Vicon Industries, Inc.

New York State
11-2160665
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
89 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, New York
11788
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (631) 952-2288 

 (Former name, address, and 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 such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                               Yes    X       No       


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ___   Accelerated filer ___  Non-accelerated filer X

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

                               Yes ___     No    X  


At December 31, 2007, the registrant had outstanding 4,809,470 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value.




 
 


 

VICON INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Part I. Financial Information
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three Months Ended December 31, 2007 and  2006
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
Part II. Other Information
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a  Vote of Security Holders
 
Item 5. Other Information
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 
Signatures

 
 

 
 
PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PART
VICON INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)



   
Three Months Ended
 
             
   
12/31/07
   
12/31/06
 
             
Net Sales
  $ 15,643,541     $ 17,883,234  
Cost of Sales
    8,716,178       10,681,773  
     Gross Profit
    6,927,363       7,201,461  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
  Selling, general and
    administrative expense
     5,017,423        4,816,359  
  Engineering & development expense
    1,393,063       1,239,261  
      6,410,486       6,055,620  
                 
    Operating income
    516,877       1,145,841  
                 
Interest expense
    32,070       38,790  
Interest and other income
    (88,104 )     (111,156 )
                 
    Income before income taxes
    572,911       1,218,207  
                 
Income tax expense
    228,000       103,000  
                 
    Net income
  $ 344,911     $ 1,115,207  
                 
                 
Earnings per share:
               
    Basic
  $ .07     $ .24  
                 
    Diluted
  $ .07     $ .24  
                 
                 
Shares used in computing
 earnings per share:
               
                 
            Basic
    4,801,782       4,615,704  
                 
            Diluted
    5,065,346       4,711,015  
                 

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 

 
 
 VICON INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS
 
12/31/07
   
9/30/07
   
(Unaudited)
     
CURRENT ASSETS
     
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 9,532,130     $ 8,808,110  
Marketable securities
    232,461       229,668  
Accounts receivable, net
    11,244,803       12,995,595  
Inventories:
               
   Parts, components, and materials
    3,760,735       3,768,972  
   Work-in-process
    2,904,106       2,274,661  
   Finished products
    6,432,232       6,951,619  
      13,097,073       12,995,252  
Deferred income taxes
    1,538,832       1,472,551  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    821,361       596,145  
     TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    36,466,660       37,097,321  
                 
Property, plant and equipment
    13,172,223       13,206,910  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (7,546,808 )     (7,445,405 )
      5,625,415       5,761,505  
Deferred income taxes
    1,933,817       2,058,177  
Other assets
    148,387       117,442  
     TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 44,174,279     $ 45,034,445  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 1,684,358     $ 1,747,744  
Accounts payable
    3,167,215       3,397,562  
Accrued compensation and employee benefits
    2,022,800       2,856,921  
Accrued expenses
    1,552,774       1,806,989  
Unearned revenue
    950,705       830,901  
Income taxes payable
    492,985       416,655  
     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    9,870,837       11,056,772  
                 
Unearned revenue
    359,248       408,229  
Other long-term liabilities
    766,923       516,088  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common stock, par value $.01
    50,725       50,535  
Additional paid in capital
    22,953,645       22,874,285  
Retained earnings
    9,840,683       9,620,772  
      32,845,053       32,545,592  
Less treasury stock, at cost
    (1,139,728 )     (1,139,728 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,471,946       1,647,492  
     TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    33,177,271       33,053,356  
     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 44,174,279     $ 45,034,445  
                 
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 

 

VICON INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
12/31/07
   
12/31/06
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
  Net income
  $ 344,911     $ 1,115,207  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to
   net cash provided by (used in)
   operating activities:
               
    Depreciation and amortization
    194,440       232,991  
    Amortization of deferred compensation
    2,675       2,675  
    Stock compensation expense
    20,767       45,129  
    Deferred income taxes
    122,613       -  
  Change in assets and liabilities:
               
      Accounts receivable, net
    1,620,318       (982,138 )
      Inventories
    (176,405 )     (559,006 )
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (204,676 )     (100,323 )
      Other assets
    (30,945 )     90,170  
      Accounts payable
    (188,745 )     (589,083 )
      Accrued compensation and employee benefits
    (824,790 )     (489,817 )
      Accrued expenses
    (186,495 )     85,958  
      Unearned revenue
    70,823       73,972  
      Income taxes payable
    79,591       102,855  
      Other liabilities
    25,835       31,448  
       Net cash provided by (used in)
         operating activities
     869,917       (939,962 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
  Capital expenditures
    (93,854 )     (130,480 )
  Net increase in marketable securities
    (446 )     (1,502 )
       Net cash used in investing activities
    (94,300 )     (131,982 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
  Repayments of debt
    (63,386 )     (87,620 )
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    56,108       35,975  
       Net cash used in financing activities
    (7,278 )     (51,645 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (44,319 )     (46,459 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    724,020       (1,170,048 )
Cash at beginning of year
    8,808,110       5,639,334  
Cash at end of period
  $ 9,532,130     $ 4,469,286  


See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.











 
 

 

VICON INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
December 31, 2007

Note 1:  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Note 2:  Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of mutual fund investments in U.S. government debt securities and holdings in an equity security.  Such mutual fund investments are stated at market value and are classified as available-for-sale under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, with unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income as a component of shareholders’ equity.  The cost of such securities at December 31, 2007 was $231,498, with $963 of cumulative unrealized gains reported at December 31, 2007.

Note 3:  Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable is stated net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,027,000 and $962,000 as of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007, respectively.

Note 4:  Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the maximum dilution that would have resulted from incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and under deferred compensation agreements.
 
The following tables provide the components of the basic and diluted EPS computations for the three month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:

   
Three Months
Ended December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Basic EPS Computation
           
Net income
  $ 344,911     $ 1,115,207  
Weighted average shares outstanding
     4,801,782        4,615,704  
Basic earnings per share
  $ .07     $ .24  


 
   
Three Months
Ended December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Diluted EPS Computation
           
Net income
  $ 344,911     $ 1,115,207  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding
    4,801,782       4,615,704  
Stock options
    236,818       47,389  
Stock compensation arrangements
    26,746       47,922  
Diluted shares outstanding
    5,065,346       4,711,015  
                 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ .07     $ .24  

The diluted weighted average shares outstanding do not include the antidilutive impact of 267,008 options for the three month period ended December 31, 2006 because the exercise price of the stock options exceeded the average market value of the stock in the period.

Note 5:   Comprehensive Income

The Company's total comprehensive income for the three month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was as follows:

   
Three Months
Ended December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Net income
  $ 344,911     $ 1,115,207  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
               
  Increase in unrealized gain/loss on securities
    2,347       60  
  Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
    57,413       (62,013 )
  Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (235,306 )     347,828  
Comprehensive income
  $ 169,365     $ 1,401,082  

The accumulated other comprehensive income balances at December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007 consisted of the following:

   
December 31,
2007
   
September 30,
2007
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ 1,451,977     $ 1,687,283  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
    19,006       (38,407 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities
    963       (1,384 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 1,471,946     $ 1,647,492  
                 

Note 6:   Derivative Instruments

At December 31, 2007, the Company had interest rate swaps and forward exchange contracts outstanding with notional amounts aggregating $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, whose aggregate fair value was an asset of approximately $33,000.  The change in the amount of the asset or liability for these instruments is shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.


Note 7:   Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains stock option plans that include both incentive and non-qualified options reserved for issuance to key employees, including officers and directors.  All options are issued at fair market value at the grant date and are exercisable in varying installments according to the plans.  The plans allow for the payment of option exercises through the surrender of previously owned mature shares based on the fair market value of such shares at the date of surrender.

Effective October 1, 2005, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, which requires that all share based payments to employees, including stock options, be recognized as compensation expense in the consolidated financial statements based on their fair values and over the requisite service period.  For the three-month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded non-cash compensation expense of $20,767 and $45,129, respectively, ($.004 and $.01 per basic and diluted share, respectively) relating to stock options.  The Company elected to utilize the modified-prospective application method, whereby compensation expense is recorded for all awards granted after October 1, 2005 and for the unvested portion of awards granted prior to this date.
 
Note 8:   Litigation

The Company is one of several defendants in a patent infringement suit commenced by Lectrolarm Custom Systems, Inc. in May 2003 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.  The alleged infringement by the Company relates to its camera dome systems and other products that represent significant sales to the Company.  Among other things, the suit seeks past and enhanced damages, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees.  In January 2006, the Company received the plaintiff’s claim for past damages through December 31, 2005 that approximated $11.7 million plus pre-judgment interest.  The Company and its outside patent counsel believe that the complaint against the Company is without merit.  The Company is vigorously defending itself and is a party to a joint defense with certain other named defendants.

In January 2005, the Company petitioned the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to reexamine the plaintiff’s patent, believing it to be invalid.  In April 2006, the USPTO issued a non-final office action rejecting all of the plaintiff’s patent claims asserted against the Company citing the existence of prior art of the Company and another defendant.  On June 30, 2006, the Federal District Court granted the defendants’ motion for continuance (delay) of the trial, pending the outcome of the USPTO’s reexamination proceedings.  In February 2007, the USPTO issued a Final Rejection of the six claims in the plaintiff’s patent asserted against the Company, which was reaffirmed in June 2007 after the plaintiff filed a response with the USPTO requesting reconsideration of its Final Rejection.  The plaintiff has appealed the examiner’s decision to the USPTO Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences and has an additional appeal available to it thereafter in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The Company is unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible loss, if any, at this time.  Although the Company has received favorable rulings from the USPTO with respect to the reexamination proceedings, there is always the possibility that the plaintiff’s patent claims could be upheld in appeal and the matter would proceed to trial.  Should this occur and the Company receives an unfavorable outcome at trial, it could result in a liability that is material to the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

In the normal course of business, the Company is a party to certain other claims and litigation.  Management believes that the settlement of such claims and litigation, considered in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Note 9:  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 clarifies that fair value is the amount that would be exchanged to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Further, the standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands certain disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  In February 2008, the FASB provided a one-year deferral for the implementation of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which gives companies the option to measure eligible financial assets, financial liabilities and firm commitments at fair value (i.e., the fair value option), on an instrument-by-instrument basis, that are otherwise not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other accounting standards. The election to use the fair value option is available when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability or upon entering into a firm commitment.  Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R will significantly change the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, contingencies, acquisition costs, IPR&D and restructuring costs.  In addition, under SFAS 141R, changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties in a business combination after the measurement period will impact income tax expense.  SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company has not yet evaluated the impact, if any, of adopting this pronouncement.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”).  SFAS 160 will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests (NCI) and classified as a component of equity.  This new consolidation method will significantly change the accounting for transactions with minority interest holders.  SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company has not yet evaluated the impact, if any, of adopting this pronouncement.

Note 10:  Income Taxes

The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) effective as of October 1, 2007.  The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

It is Company’s policy to include applicable interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

The Company files U.S. Federal and State income tax returns and foreign tax returns in the United Kingdom, Germany and Israel. The Company is generally no longer subject to tax examinations in such jurisdictions for fiscal years prior to 2003 in the U.S, 2001 in the U.K., 2005 in Germany and 2002 in Israel.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Results of Operations
Three Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared with December 31, 2006
 
Net sales for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 decreased 13% to $15.6 million compared with $17.9 million in the year ago period.  Domestic sales decreased 17% to $8.1 million compared with $9.7 million in the year ago period.  International sales for the quarter decreased 7% to $7.5 million compared with $8.2 million in the year ago period.  The sales decreases in these segments were due in part to weakening economic conditions in certain of the Company’s markets.  The backlog of unfilled orders was $4.2 million at December 31, 2007 compared with $3.8 million at September 30, 2007.

Gross profit margins for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 increased to 44.3% compared with 40.3% in the year ago period.  The margin increase included the benefit of favorable exchange rate changes in Europe and reduced product component costs on the Company’s digital video product line.

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 increased to $6.4 million compared with $6.1 million in the year ago quarter principally as a result of increases in sales related costs in Europe that included translation effects of strengthening European currencies and increased engineering and development expense.  The Company continued to invest in new product development in the current quarter, incurring $1.4 million of engineering and development costs compared with $1.2 million in the year ago period.

The Company generated operating income of $517,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 compared with operating income of $1.1 million in the year ago period.

Interest expense decreased to $32,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 compared with $39,000 in the year ago period principally as a result of the paydown of bank borrowings.  Interest and other income decreased to $88,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 compared with $111,000 in the year ago period. The year ago period included a $72,000 gain from life insurance proceeds upon the death of a retired executive.  Excluding the effect of this gain, interest and other income increased $49,000 principally as a result of increased cash balances during the current quarter.

Income tax expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 increased to $228,000 compared with $103,000 in the year ago period.  The current quarter tax expense includes a $162,000 provision for U.S. income taxes as compared with no tax provision in the year ago period.  The Company now records income tax expense on its U.S. income as a result of the recognition of previously unrecorded net deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.  No U.S. income tax expense was recognized in the prior year quarter as the Company was utilizing the benefit of previously reserved and unrecognized net operating loss carryforwards.

As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported net income of $345,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 compared with net income of $1.1 million in the year ago period.  Net income for the year ago period would have been $721,000 based upon the application of a normalized effective tax rate for the period.

 
 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities was $870,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, which included $345,000 of net income and $340,000 of non-cash charges for the period.  In addition, the $1.6 million decrease in accounts receivable resulting from lower sales was substantially offset by increases in other current assets and decreases in other current liabilities. Net cash used in investing activities was $94,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 due principally to $94,000 of general capital expenditures.  Net cash used in financing activities was $7,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, which included $63,000 of scheduled repayments of bank mortgage loans offset by $56,000 of proceeds received from the exercise of stock options.  As a result of the foregoing, cash increased by $724,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 after the effect of exchange rate changes on the cash position of the Company.

The Company’s U.K. based subsidiary maintains a bank overdraft facility that provides for maximum borrowings of one million Pounds Sterling (approximately $2,000,000) to support its local working capital requirements. At December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility.

The following is a summary of the Company’s debt and material lease obligations as of December 31, 2007:

Payments Due
 By Period
 
Debt
Repayments
   
Lease
Commitments
   
Total
 
Less than 1 year
  $ 1,684,000     $ 551,000     $ 2,235,000  
1-3 years
    -       222,000       222,000  
3-5 years
 
 -
   
   
 
  Total
  $ 1,684,000     $ 773,000     $ 2,457,000  

The Company believes that it will have sufficient cash to meet its anticipated operating costs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months.  The Company used its cash reserves to repay its $1.7 million mortgage obligation in January 2008.

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or obligations (including contingent obligations) that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

The Company is one of several defendants in a patent infringement suit commenced by Lectrolarm Custom Systems, Inc. in May 2003 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.  The alleged infringement by the Company relates to its camera dome systems and other products that represent significant sales to the Company.  Among other things, the suit seeks past and enhanced damages, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees.  In January 2006, the Company received the plaintiff’s claim for past damages through December 31, 2005 that approximated $11.7 million plus pre-judgment interest.  The Company and its outside patent counsel believe that the complaint against the Company is without merit.  The Company is vigorously defending itself and is a party to a joint defense with certain other named defendants.

In January 2005, the Company petitioned the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to reexamine the plaintiff’s patent, believing it to be invalid.  In April 2006, the USPTO issued a non-final office action rejecting all of the plaintiff’s patent claims asserted against the Company citing the existence of prior art of the Company and another defendant.  On June 30, 2006, the Federal District Court granted the defendants’ motion for continuance (delay) of the trial, pending the outcome of the USPTO’s reexamination proceedings.  In February 2007, the USPTO issued a Final Rejection of the six claims in the plaintiff’s patent asserted against the Company, which was reaffirmed in June 2007 after the plaintiff filed a response with the USPTO requesting reconsideration of its Final Rejection.  The plaintiff has appealed the examiner’s decision to the USPTO Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences and has an additional appeal available to it thereafter in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.


The Company is unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible loss, if any, at this time.  Although the Company has received favorable rulings from the USPTO with respect to the reexamination proceedings, there is always the possibility that the plaintiff’s patent claims could be upheld in appeal and the matter would proceed to trial.  Should this occur and the Company receives an unfavorable outcome at trial, it could result in a liability that is material to the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company's significant accounting policies are fully described in Note 1 to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in its September 30, 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.  As it relates to product sales, revenue is generally recognized when products are sold and title is passed to the customer.  Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.  Advance service billings under equipment maintenance agreements are deferred and recognized as revenues on a pro rata basis over the term of the service agreements.  The Company evaluates multiple-element revenue arrangements for separate units of accounting pursuant to EITF Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”, and follows appropriate revenue recognition policies for each separate unit.  Elements are considered separate units of accounting provided that (i) the delivered item has stand-alone value to the customer, (ii) there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item, and (iii) if a general right of return exists relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially within the control of the Company.  As applied to the Company, under arrangements involving the sale of product and the provision of services, product sales are recognized as revenue when the products are sold and title is passed to the customer, and service revenue is recognized as services are performed.  For products that include more than incidental software, and for separate licenses of the Company’s software products, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Position 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition”, as amended.

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments.  If the financial condition of its customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized.  While the Company engages in product quality programs and processes, including monitoring and evaluating the quality of its component suppliers, its warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure.  Should actual product failure rates, material usage or service delivery costs differ from its estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability may be required.

The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence and slow moving inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.  Technology changes and market conditions may render some of the Company's products obsolete and additional inventory write-downs may be required.  If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

The Company assesses the recoverability of the carrying value of its long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates the recoverability of such assets based upon the expectations of undiscounted cash flows from such assets.  If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows were less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss would be recognized for the difference between the fair value and the carrying amount.

The Company’s ability to recover the reported amounts of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient taxable income during the periods over which net temporary tax differences become deductible.

The Company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to labor, product and other matters.  The Company assesses the likelihood of an adverse judgment or outcomes for these matters, as well as the range of potential losses.  A determination of the reserves required, if any, is made after careful analysis.  The required reserves may change in the future due to new developments.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 clarifies that fair value is the amount that would be exchanged to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Further, the standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands certain disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  In February 2008, the FASB provided a one-year deferral for the implementation of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which gives companies the option to measure eligible financial assets, financial liabilities and firm commitments at fair value (i.e., the fair value option), on an instrument-by-instrument basis, that are otherwise not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other accounting standards. The election to use the fair value option is available when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability or upon entering into a firm commitment.  Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R will significantly change the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, contingencies, acquisition costs, IPR&D and restructuring costs.  In addition, under SFAS 141R, changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties in a business combination after the measurement period will impact income tax expense.  SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company has not yet evaluated the impact, if any, of adopting this pronouncement.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”).  SFAS 160 will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests (NCI) and classified as a component of equity.  This new consolidation method will significantly change the accounting for transactions with minority interest holders.  SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company has not yet evaluated the impact, if any, of adopting this pronouncement.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Statements in this Report on Form 10-Q and other statements made by the Company or its representatives that are not strictly historical facts including, without limitation, statements included herein under the captions "Results of Operations", "Liquidity and Capital Resources" and “Critical Accounting Policies” are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that should be considered as subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance and/or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements, express or implied, by the forward-looking statements.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and that in light of the significant uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, the inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives or plans of the Company will be achieved.  The Company also assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements or to advise of changes in the assumptions and factors on which they are based.



ITEM 3.  QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to various market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company has a policy that prohibits the use of currency derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The Company enters into forward exchange contracts to hedge certain foreign currency exposures and minimize the effect of such fluctuations on reported earnings and cash flow (see Note 6 “Derivative Instruments” to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements).  The Company’s ongoing foreign currency exchange risks include intercompany sales of product and services between subsidiary companies operating in differing functional currencies.

At December 31, 2007, the Company had $1.2 million of outstanding floating rate bank debt which was covered by an interest rate swap agreement that effectively converts the foregoing floating rate debt to a stated fixed rate (see “Note 5. Long-Term Debt” to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007).  Thus, the Company has substantially no net interest rate exposures on these instruments.  However, the Company had approximately $481,000 of floating rate bank debt that is subject to interest rate risk as it was not covered by interest rate swap agreements.  The Company does not believe that a 10% fluctuation in interest rates would have a material effect on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation referred to above that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Company’s size dictates that it conducts business with a minimal number of financial and administrative employees, which inherently results in a lack of documented controls and segregation of duties within the Company and its operating subsidiaries.  Management will continue to evaluate the employees involved and the control procedures in place, the risks associated with such lack of segregation and whether the potential benefits of adding employees to clearly segregate duties justifies the expense associated with such added personnel.  In addition, management is aware that many of the internal controls that are in place at the Company are undocumented controls.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

The Company believes that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is one of several defendants in a patent infringement suit commenced by Lectrolarm Custom Systems, Inc. in May 2003 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.  The alleged infringement by the Company relates to its camera dome systems and other products that represent significant sales to the Company.  Among other things, the suit seeks past and enhanced damages, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees.  In January 2006, the Company received the plaintiff’s claim for past damages through December 31, 2005 that approximated $11.7 million plus pre-judgment interest.  The Company and its outside patent counsel believe that the complaint against the Company is without merit.  The Company is vigorously defending itself and is a party to a joint defense with certain other named defendants.

In January 2005, the Company petitioned the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to reexamine the plaintiff’s patent, believing it to be invalid.  In April 2006, the USPTO issued a non-final office action rejecting all of the plaintiff’s patent claims asserted against the Company citing the existence of prior art of the Company and another defendant.  On June 30, 2006, the Federal District Court granted the defendants’ motion for continuance (delay) of the trial, pending the outcome of the USPTO’s reexamination proceedings.  In February 2007, the USPTO issued a Final Rejection of the six claims in the plaintiff’s patent asserted against the Company, which was reaffirmed in June 2007 after the plaintiff filed a response with the USPTO requesting reconsideration of its Final Rejection.  The plaintiff has appealed the examiner’s decision to the USPTO Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences and has an additional appeal available to it thereafter in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The Company is unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible loss, if any, at this time.  Although the Company has received favorable rulings from the USPTO with respect to the reexamination proceedings, there is always the possibility that the plaintiff’s patent claims could be upheld in appeal and the matter would proceed to trial.  Should this occur and the Company receives an unfavorable outcome at trial, it could result in a liability that is material to the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
 
ITEM 1ARISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes with respect to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.

ITEM 2 - CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

On April 26, 2001, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1 million of shares of the Company’s common stock, which represented approximately 9.8% of shares outstanding on the announcement date.  The Company did not repurchase any of its common stock during the three month period ended December 31, 2007.

ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None
 
ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION

None


ITEM 6EXHIBITS

        Exhibit
         Number     Description

          31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
                    Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

          31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
                    Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
                    18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
        of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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

 

Signatures

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



VICON INDUSTRIES, INC.





February 14, 2008


/s/ Kenneth M. Darby
/s/ John M. Badke
Kenneth M. Darby
John M. Badke
Chairman and
Senior Vice President, Finance
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer