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United States

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-Q

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or

 

 

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Commission File Number 0-2382

 

MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

14000 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

(Address of principal executive offices)      (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number:  (952) 937-4000

 

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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.

 

 

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):

 

 

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

 

 

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock as of February 2, 2007 was 18,271,072 shares.

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MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

 

REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2006

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.      Financial Statements

MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited – in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

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

 

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MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Income

(unaudited – in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

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

 

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MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited – in thousands)

 

 

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

 

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MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MTS Systems Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information furnished in these financial statements includes normal recurring adjustments and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The accompanying financial statements of the Company should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2006 Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Interim results of operations for the three-month period ended December 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Cash Flow Statement Revisions

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows, the net cash flows from operating activities reported in the consolidated cash flow statement for the three-month period ended December 31, 2005 have been revised to separately disclose the net cash flows attributable to the operating activities of discontinued operations. There were no cash flows attributable to investing or financing activities of discontinued operations.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies, the following are particularly important to the portrayal of the Company’s results of operations and financial position and may require the application of a higher level of judgment by the Company’s management and, as a result, are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty.

 

Revenue Recognition. Orders that are manufactured and delivered in less than six months with routine installations and no special acceptance protocol are considered to involve separable elements for revenue recognition purposes. Sufficient evidence of fair value of these elements exists to allow revenue recognition for these systems upon shipment, less the greater of the fair value associated with installation and training (if applicable) or the amount of revenue for which payment is deemed contingent upon delivery of these elements, which amount is deferred until customer acceptance. Fair value is determined based upon the sale price of similar products sold individually. In cases where special acceptance protocols exist, installation and training are not considered to be separable from the other elements of the arrangement. Accordingly, revenue for these systems is recognized upon the completion of installation and fulfillment of obligations specific to the terms of the arrangement.

 

Revenue on contracts requiring longer delivery periods, generally longer than six months (long-term contracts), is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method based on the cost incurred to date relative to estimated total cost of the contract. In most cases, orders with complex installations and/or unusual acceptance protocols involve long-term contracts for custom systems that follow the percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition through customer acceptance. However, when elements that would not separately fall within the scope of accounting literature prescribing percentage-of-completion accounting are included in an arrangement, the fair value of these elements is separated from the arrangement and accounted for as such services are provided.

 

The Company enters into long-term contracts for customized equipment sold to its customers. Under the terms of such contracts, revenue recognized using the percentage-of-completion method may not, in certain circumstances, be invoiced until completion of contractual milestones, upon shipment of the equipment, or upon installation and acceptance by the customer. Unbilled amounts for these contracts appear in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Unbilled Accounts Receivable.

 

Revenue for services is recognized as the service is performed or ratably over a defined contractual period for service maintenance contracts.

 

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Inventories. Inventories consist of material, labor and overhead costs and are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined under the first-in, first-out accounting method. Inventories at December 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006 were as follows:

 

 

Warranty Obligations. Sales of the Company’s products and systems are subject to limited warranty guarantees that are included in customer contracts. For sales that include installation services, warranty guarantees typically extend for a period of twelve months from the date of either shipment or acceptance. Product guarantees typically extend for a period of twelve to twenty-four months from the date of purchase. Under the terms of these warranties, the Company is obligated to repair or replace any components or assemblies it deems defective due to workmanship or materials. The Company reserves the right to reject warranty claims where it determines that failure is due to normal wear, customer modifications, improper maintenance, or misuse. The Company records warranty provisions monthly based on an estimated warranty expense percentage applied to current period revenue. The percentage applied reflects historical warranty claims experience over the preceding twelve-month period. Both the experience percentage and the warranty liability are evaluated on an ongoing basis for adequacy. Warranty provisions and claims for the periods ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows:

 

 

2. Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company compensates employees, officers, and directors with stock-based compensation under four plans approved by the Company’s shareholders and administered under the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors. Stock-based compensation awards are generally granted annually at pre-determined dates, with a minor amount granted upon hire date for new employees. The Company has awarded stock options, employee stock purchase plan shares, and restricted stock under these plans. At December 30, 2006, a total of 2,581,923 shares were available for future grant under these plans. Stock-based compensation expense is determined based on the grant-date fair value and is recognized proportionally over the vesting period of each grant, which is generally three years. Stock-based compensation expense for the three-month periods ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was $1.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

 

3. Discontinued Operations

 

On August 5, 2005, the Company sold substantially all of the net assets of its engine test business, which was based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and also maintained operations in Byfleet, United Kingdom, to A&D Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan. This sale represented the Company’s exit from the engine test business. The engine test business was historically included in the Company’s Test segment for financial reporting. The gain on the sale of the engine test business and its results of operations are excluded from the results of operations of the Test segment and are reported as discontinued operations.

 

Effective October 1, 2005, the Company closed its AeroMet subsidiary, a laser deposition technology business located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The AeroMet subsidiary was historically included in the Company’s Industrial segment (now the “Sensors” segment) for financial reporting. The loss on disposition of the AeroMet business and its results of operations have been excluded from results of operations of the Sensors segment and are reported as discontinued operations.

 

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The assets of discontinued operations at December 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006 were as follows:

 

 

4. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” FIN 48 defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained upon examination. The interpretation also provides guidance on the de-recognition, measurement and classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest and penalties. FIN 48 also includes guidance concerning accounting for income tax uncertainties in interim periods and increases the level of required disclosures associated with any recorded income tax uncertainties. The differences between the amounts recognized in the statements of financial position prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and the amounts reported after adoption are to be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and thus will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2008. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of FIN 48 to its consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. Under this statement, fair value measurements are required to be separately disclosed, by level, within the fair value hierarchy. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans” – an Amendment of SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” SFAS No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits,” SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” and SFAS No. 132(R), “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” SFAS No. 158 requires the recognition of the funded status of defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans in the balance sheet, as well as the recognition as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic retirement cost pursuant to SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 106. The provisions of SFAS No. 158 are effective as of the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB No. 108 provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The SEC staff believes that registrants should quantify errors using both a balance sheet and an income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. SAB No. 108 is effective as of the end of fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The adoption of SAB No. 108 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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5. Earnings Per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the daily weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable periods. Diluted earnings per share includes the potentially dilutive effect of common shares granted in connection with stock-based compensation using the treasury stock method. Stock options to acquire 0.5 million weighted common shares have been excluded from the diluted weighted shares outstanding calculation for both the three-month periods ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, as the exercise of these options would lead to a net reduction in common shares outstanding under the treasury stock method. A reconciliation of these amounts is as follows:

 

 

6. Short-Term Investments

 

At December 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006, the Company’s short-term investments consisted of U.S. municipal bonds with maturity dates ranging from 2010 through 2046. These bonds carry double-A or higher credit ratings from at least one of the three globally recognized credit rating services. The interest rates on these bonds are re-set every 7, 28, or 35 days in a market auction process such that yields typically reflect current market interest rates. The Company classifies these investments as available-for-sale, as it intends to liquidate them to fund current operations, acquisitions, or the return of capital to shareholders. All investments in available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income within Shareholders’ Investment on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At December 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006, there were no unrealized gains or losses associated with the Company’s short-term investments.

 

7. Business Segment Information

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its management regularly review financial information for the Company’s discrete business units. Based on similarities in the economic characteristics, nature of products and services, production processes, type or class of customer served, method of distribution and regulatory environments, the operating units have been aggregated for financial statement purposes into two reportable segments -- “Test” and “Sensors.” During the three-month period ended December 30, 2006, the former “Industrial” segment was re-named the “Sensors” segment. This change was a change in name only; there was no underlying change in the components of the segment. The Test segment provides testing equipment, systems, and services to the ground vehicles, aerospace, and infrastructure markets. The Sensors segment provides high-performance position sensors for a variety of industrial and vehicular applications.

 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements found in the Company’s 2006 Form 10-K. In evaluating each segment’s performance, management focuses on income from operations. This measure excludes interest income and expense, income taxes and other non-operating items. Corporate expenses, including costs associated with various support functions such as human resources, information technology, finance and accounting, and general and administrative costs, are allocated to the reportable segments primarily on the basis of revenue.

 

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Financial information by reportable segment for the periods ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was as follows:

 

 

8. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

The Company periodically enters into contracts with banks to exchange currencies at a set future date and rate to maintain the reporting currency value of specifically identified foreign currency exposures. Because the market value of these currency contracts is derived from current exchange rates, they are classified as derivative financial instruments. The Company does not use currency contracts for speculative or trading purposes.

 

Currency exchange contracts utilized to maintain the U.S. dollar value of expected financial transactions denominated in foreign currencies are designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges. Gains and losses related to changes in the market value of the contracts are recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income within Shareholders’ Investment on the Consolidated Balance Sheet until they are recognized in earnings at the time income or loss is recognized on the underlying expected transaction. The Company periodically assesses whether the contracts are effective in offsetting the changes in the U.S. dollar value of the expected transactions. When a contract is no longer effective as a hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively, and changes in the market value of the contract are recognized in Other Income, net on the Consolidated Statement of Income in the current period.

 

The Company also uses currency contracts to hedge the functional currency value of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. The gains and losses related to the changes in the market value of these contracts are included in Other Income, net on the Consolidated Statement of Income in the current period.

 

At December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding currency exchange contracts with gross notional U.S. dollar equivalent amounts of $138.4 million and $122.8 million, respectively. Netting offsetting contracts, net notional contracts outstanding in U.S. dollar equivalent amounts were $33.0 million and $23.0 million, respectively. At December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the market value of the foreign currency exchange contracts was $0.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The amount recognized in earnings as a result of the ineffectiveness of cash flow hedges was not material for the periods ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. At December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the amount projected to be reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into earnings in the next 12 months was $0.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The maximum remaining maturity of any currency exchange contract was 0.8 years at December 30, 2006 and 2.0 years at December 31, 2005.

 

9. Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss), a component of Shareholders’ Investment, consists of net income, minimum pension liability adjustment, unrealized gains or losses on investments classified as available-for-sale, derivative instrument gains or losses, and foreign currency translation adjustments. There were no unrealized gains or losses from available-for-sale securities at December 30, 2006 or December 31, 2005.

 

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Comprehensive income for the periods ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was as follows:

 

 

10. Retirement Benefit Plan

 

One of the Company’s German subsidiaries has a non-contributory, unfunded defined benefit retirement plan for eligible employees. This plan provides benefits based on the employee’s years of service and compensation during the years immediately preceding retirement, early retirement, termination, disability, or death, as defined in the plan. The Company uses a September 30 measurement date for this defined benefit retirement plan.

 

The cost for the plan for the periods ended December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 included the following components:

 

 

11. Restructuring and Other Charges:

 

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005, the Company decided to exit its noise and vibration business. The Company assessed the recoverability of the assets associated with this business using an undiscounted cash flow methodology. Based on this assessment, the Company reduced the assets to their fair market value. In addition, the Company recorded employee severance costs and software development expense that will not repeat in future years.

 

For the three-month period ended December 30, 2006 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, the Company’s provisions and write-offs associated with this restructuring activity were as follows:

 

 

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

 

MTS Systems Corporation is a leading global supplier of test systems and industrial position sensors. The Company’s testing hardware, software and service solutions help customers accelerate and improve their design, development and manufacturing processes and are used for determining the mechanical behavior of materials, products, and structures. MTS’ high-performance position sensors enhance control to improve the productivity and safety of fixed and mobile industrial equipment. MTS had 1,510 employees and revenue of $397 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.

 

Summary of Results

 

Three Months Ended December 30, 2006 (“First Quarter of Fiscal 2007”) Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2005 (“First Quarter of Fiscal 2006”)

 

Effective the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, the former “Industrial” segment has been re-named the “Sensors” segment.

 

Orders for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 increased 15.1% to $111.5 million, compared to $96.9 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, primarily driven by large custom orders in the Test segment in Asia and growth in the Sensors segment across all geographies, as well as an estimated $2.8 million favorable impact of currency translation. Backlog of undelivered orders at December 30, 2006 was approximately $208 million, an increase of 8.3% from backlog of approximately $192 million at September 30, 2006, due to higher order volume and an estimated $4.0 million favorable impact of currency translation. Backlog at the end of the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006 was approximately $216 million.

 

Revenue of $99.1 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 increased 8.0%, compared to revenue of $91.8 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, primarily due to increased short-cycle and service business in the Test segment, continued growth in the Sensors segment, and an estimated $3.5 million favorable impact of currency translation. Gross profit for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was $42.1 million, an increase of 3.7% compared to gross profit of $40.6 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. This increase was primarily due to increased volume in both segments and an estimated $1.2 million favorable impact of currency translation, partially offset by unfavorable product mix and increased manufacturing and support costs in the Test segment. Income from operations for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was $12.6 million, an increase of 2.4% compared to income from operations of $12.3 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, primarily due to higher gross profit and an estimated $0.5 million favorable impact of currency translation, partially offset by planned increases in operating expenses. Net income for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was $10.1 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, an increase of 26.3% compared to $8.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, driven by higher income from operations and decreased income tax expense of $1.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, primarily due to $1.7 million increased tax benefits associated with the enactment of favorable tax legislation in the quarter. Additionally, a lower share count positively impacted earnings per share by $0.03 for the quarter.

 

Detailed Financial Results

 

Orders and Backlog

 

First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 Compared to First Quarter of Fiscal 2006

 

Orders for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 aggregated $111.5 million, an increase of 15.1% compared to orders of $96.9 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, due to increased custom order volume in the Test segment in Asia and growth in the Sensors segment across all geographies, as well as an estimated $2.8 million favorable impact of currency translation.

 

Orders for the Test segment in the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 increased 14.7% to $93.7 million, compared to orders of $81.7 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. This increase was primarily due to large custom order bookings in Asia and an estimated $2.0 million favorable impact of currency translation, partially offset by decreased volume in North America. The Test segment accounted for 84.0% of total Company orders for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, compared to 84.3% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006.

 

Orders for the Sensors segment in the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 increased 17.1% to $17.8 million, compared to orders of $15.2 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, reflecting business growth in all geographies, and an estimated $0.8 million favorable impact of currency translation. The Sensors segment accounted for 16.0% of total Company orders for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, compared to 15.7% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006.

 

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Backlog of undelivered orders at December 30, 2006 was approximately $208 million, an increase of 8.3% from backlog of $192 million at September 30, 2006, primarily due to higher order volume and an estimated $4.0 million favorable impact of currency translation. Backlog at December 31, 2005 was approximately $216 million. While the Company’s backlog is subject to order cancellations, the Company seldom experiences an order cancellation larger than $1.0 million.

 

Results of Operations

 

First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 Compared to First Quarter of Fiscal 2006

 

Revenue for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was $99.1 million, an increase of $7.3 million, or 8.0%, compared to revenue of $91.8 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. Revenue from international customers for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 represented 61.9% of total revenue, compared to 68.3% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. Test segment revenue for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was $81.3 million, an increase of $4.5 million, or 5.9%, compared to revenue of $76.8 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, reflecting an increase in short-cycle and service business and an estimated $2.6 million favorable impact of currency translation. Sensors segment revenue for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was $17.8 million, an increase of $2.8 million, or 18.7%, compared to revenue of $15.0 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, driven by increased volume in Europe and Asia.

 

Gross profit for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 increased $1.5 million, or 3.7%, to $42.1 million, compared to gross profit of $40.6 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. Gross profit as a percent of revenue was 42.5% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, a decrease of 1.7 percentage points from 44.2% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. Test segment gross profit for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was $32.3 million, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 1.2%, compared to gross profit of $32.7 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. Gross profit as a percent of revenue for the Test segment decreased 2.9 percentage points, to 39.7%, for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, compared to 42.6% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. This decrease was primarily due to unfavorable product mix and increased manufacturing and support costs, partially offset by higher volume and an estimated $0.7 million favorable impact of currency translation. Sensors segment gross profit for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was $9.8 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 24.1%, compared to gross profit of $7.9 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. Gross profit as a percent of revenue for the Sensors segment increased 2.4 percentage points, to 55.1%, for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, compared to 52.7% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, primarily due to increased volume and improved capacity utilization.

 

Selling expense for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was $16.9 million, an increase of $0.9 million, or 5.6%, compared to $16.0 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, primarily due to $0.7 million increased expense associated with increased staffing expenses in the Test segment, $0.4 million increased staffing and commission expense in the Sensors segment, and an estimated $0.5 million unfavorable impact of currency translation, partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in expense associated with the exited noise and vibration business. Selling expense as a percent of revenue for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was 17.1%, compared to 17.4% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006.

 

General and administrative expense totaled $8.0 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 1.2%, compared to $8.1 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. This decrease was primarily due to a $1.2 million decrease in consulting expenses, largely offset by $0.7 million increased staffing and benefits expense, $0.4 million increased other expenses, and an estimated $0.1 million unfavorable impact of currency translation. General and administrative expense as a percent of revenue decreased to 8.1% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, compared to 8.8% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006.

 

Research and development expense totaled $4.5 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, an increase of $0.4 million, or 9.8%, compared to $4.1 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. This increase was primarily due to a planned increase in expenditures for new product development in both segments. Research and development expense as a percent of revenue for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was 4.5%, flat compared to the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. There was no significant impact on research and development expense from currency translation.

 

Income from operations for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 increased $0.3 million, or 2.4%, to $12.6 million, compared to income from operations of $12.3 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. Income from operations in the Test segment decreased $0.5 million, or 5.1%, to $9.4 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, compared to $9.9 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. This decrease was primarily attributable to planned increases in operating expenses, partially offset by an estimated $0.3 million favorable impact of currency translation. Income from operations in the Sensors segment for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 increased $0.8 million, or 33.3%, to $3.2 million, compared to $2.4 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, primarily due to increased gross profit and an estimated $0.2 million favorable impact of currency translation, partially offset by planned increases in operating expenses.

 

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Interest expense was $0.3 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, a decrease of $0.2 million compared to interest expense of $0.5 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, due to reduction in the Company’s long-term debt obligations.

 

Interest income was $0.9 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, an increase of $0.2 million compared to interest income of $0.7 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, reflecting higher average interest rates, partially offset by a lower average balance of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments during the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 compared to the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006.

 

Other income (expense), net was $0.1 million the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, essentially flat with the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006.

 

Provision for income taxes totaled $3.2 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 30.4%, compared to $4.6 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, primarily due to a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher income before taxes. The effective tax rate for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was 23.8%, a decrease of 12.9 percentage points compared to a tax rate of 36.7% for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, primarily due to the enactment of tax legislation in the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 that retroactively extended the United States research and development tax credits as well as legislation that entitles the Company to a corporate income tax refund in Germany.

 

Net income was $10.1 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, an increase of 26.3% compared to $8.0 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. The increase was primarily due to higher income before taxes, a reduction in the provision for income taxes, and an estimated favorable impact of currency translation of $0.4 million.

 

The reduction in number of shares outstanding, resulting from the Company’s share purchases, positively impacted earnings per share by $0.03 for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007.

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

Total cash and cash equivalents decreased $6.1 million in the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, primarily due to employee incentives and related benefits payments, increased accounts and unbilled receivables, decreased advance payments received from customers, purchases of the Company’s common stock, and dividend payments, partially offset by strong earnings, net proceeds generated from the conversion of short-term investments to cash and cash equivalents, and proceeds from the exercise of stock options. Total cash and cash equivalents increased $6.6 million in the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, primarily due to strong earnings, advance payments received from customers, net proceeds generated from the conversion of short-term investments to cash and cash equivalents, and proceeds from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by employee incentives and related benefits payments, increases in accounts and unbilled receivables, purchases of the Company’s common stock, and dividend payments. The Company believes that its anticipated operating cash flows, in addition to funds available from cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $115.0 million at December 30, 2006, are adequate to fund ongoing operations, capital expenditures, and share purchases, as well as to fund internal growth opportunities and strategic acquisitions.

 

Cash flows from operating activities required the use of cash totaling $3.8 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, compared to cash provided of $11.2 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. The cash usage for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 primarily resulted from net employee incentives and related benefits payments of $7.6 million, a $2.6 million increase in accounts and unbilled receivables, and a $2.0 million decrease in advance payments received from customers, partially offset by strong earnings. Operating cash flow for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006 primarily resulted from strong earnings and $18.1 million increased advance payments received from customers, partially offset by net employee incentives and related benefits payments of $10.2 million and an increase in accounts and unbilled receivables of $8.3 million.

 

Cash flows from investing activities required the use of cash totaling $1.4 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, compared to cash provided of $20.4 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. During the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, the Company received net proceeds of $0.5 million from the conversion of short-term investments to cash and cash equivalents and invested $1.9 million in property and equipment additions. During the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, the Company received net proceeds of $22.5 million from the conversion of short-term investments to cash and cash equivalents and invested $1.6 million in property and equipment additions.

 

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Cash flows from financing activities required the use of cash totaling $3.3 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, compared to a use of cash totaling $23.5 million for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006. The cash usage for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007 was due to the use of $2.1 million to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock and payment of cash dividends of $2.0 million, partially offset by $0.6 million received in connection with employee stock option exercises and $0.2 million equity compensation income tax benefits. The cash usage for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006 was due to the use of $22.2 million to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock and payment of cash dividends of $2.0 million, partially offset by $0.5 million received in connection with stock option exercises and $0.2 million equity compensation income tax benefits.

 

Under the terms of its long-term debt agreements, the Company has agreed to certain financial covenants. At December 30, 2006 the Company was in compliance with the financial terms and conditions of its debt and credit facility agreements.

 

During the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, the Company purchased 54,000 shares of its common stock for $2.1 million. During the First Quarter of Fiscal 2006, the Company purchased 622,935 shares of its common stock for $22.2 million.

 

Restructuring and Other Charges

 

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005, the Company decided to exit its noise and vibration business. The Company assessed the recoverability of the assets associated with this business using an undiscounted cash flow methodology. Based on this assessment, the Company reduced the assets to their fair market value. In addition, the Company recorded employee severance costs and software development expense that will not repeat in future years.

 

For the three-month period ended December 30, 2006 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, the Company’s provisions and write-offs associated with this restructuring activity were as follows:

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts, giving due consideration to materiality. The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies, the following are particularly important to the portrayal of the Company’s results of operations and financial position, may require the application of a higher level of judgment by the Company’s management, and as a result, are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Further information is provided in Note 1 in the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.

 

Revenue Recognition. Due to the diversity of its products, the Company is required to comply with a variety of technical accounting requirements in order to achieve consistent and accurate revenue recognition. This requires a certain amount of judgment in the evaluation of completed contract versus percentage-of-completion accounting, the determination of estimated costs to complete contracts, and evaluation of customer acceptance terms.

 

Inventories. The Company maintains a material amount of inventory to support its engineering and manufacturing operations, and a certain amount of judgment is required in determining the appropriate level of inventory valuation reserves. While the Company expects its sales to grow, a reduction in its sales could reduce the demand for the Company’s products, and additional inventory valuation adjustments may be required.

 

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Warranty Obligations. The Company is subject to warranty guarantees on sales of its products. A certain amount of judgment is required in determining appropriate reserve levels for anticipated warranty claims. While these reserve levels are based on historical warranty experience, they may not reflect the actual claims that will occur over the upcoming warranty period, and additional warranty reserves may be required.

 

Stock-Based Compensation. For purposes of determining estimated fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” the Company utilizes a Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating the fair value of stock option grants, which requires the input of certain assumptions requiring management judgment. Because the Company’s employee stock option awards have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the input assumptions can materially affect fair value estimates, existing models may not provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of employee stock options. Management will continue to assess the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate estimated fair value of stock-based compensation. Circumstances may change and additional data may become available over time that could result in changes to these assumptions and methodologies and thereby materially impact the fair value determination. If factors change and the Company employs different assumptions in the application of SFAS 123R in future periods, the compensation expense recorded under SFAS No. 123R may differ significantly from the stock-based compensation expense recorded in the current period. See Note 2 in the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q for more information regarding stock-based compensation.

 

New Accounting Principles

 

In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” FIN 48 defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained upon examination. The interpretation also provides guidance on the de-recognition, measurement and classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest and penalties. FIN 48 also includes guidance concerning accounting for income tax uncertainties in interim periods and increases the level of required disclosures associated with any recorded income tax uncertainties. The differences between the amounts recognized in the statements of financial position prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and the amounts reported after adoption are to be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and thus will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2008. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of FIN 48 to its consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. Under this statement, fair value measurements are required to be separately disclosed, by level, within the fair value hierarchy. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans” – an Amendment of SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” SFAS No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits,” SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” and SFAS No. 132(R), “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” SFAS No. 158 requires the recognition of the funded status of defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans in the balance sheet, as well as the recognition as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic retirement cost pursuant to SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 106. The provisions of SFAS No. 158 are effective as of the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB No. 108 provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The SEC staff believes that registrants should quantify errors using both a balance sheet and an income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. SAB No. 108 is effective as of the end of fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The adoption of SAB No. 108 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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Other Matters

 

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company manages exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates through its regular operating and financing activities and through the use of foreign currency exchange contracts. These contracts are used to hedge the Company’s overall exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, as the gains and losses on these contracts are intended to offset gains and losses on the Company’s assets, liabilities, and cash flows.

 

The Company’s dividend policy is to maintain a payout ratio that allows dividends to increase with the long-term growth of earnings per share, while sustaining dividends through economic cycles. The Company’s dividend payout ratio target is approximately 25% of earnings per share over the long term.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements included or incorporated by reference in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, and in the Company’s press releases and oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, which are not historical or current facts are “forward-looking” statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. The following important factors, among others, could affect the Company’s actual results in the future and could cause the Company’s actual financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in any forward-looking statements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

 

Item 3.        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Company’s investment portfolio at December 30, 2006 included $91.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $23.1 million of short-term investments. The cash equivalent portion of the Company’s investment portfolio is invested in money market funds and bank deposits. The short-term investment portfolio consisted of U.S. municipal bonds for which the interest rates are re-set every 7, 28, or 35 days in a market auction process such that yields typically reflect current market interest rates. Thus, changes in market interest rates will impact interest income on a current basis. A hypothetical 1.0 percentage point increase or decrease in market interest rates would have caused interest income to increase or decrease by $0.3 million for the period ending December 30, 2006.

 

The Company operates internationally and is subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. A hypothetical 10% appreciation or depreciation in foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, assuming all other variables were held constant, would have resulted in an estimated increase or decrease of $4.3 million in revenue for the three months ended December 30, 2006.

 

At December 30, 2006 the Company’s long-term debt consisted of notes payable with fixed interest rates ranging from 6.6% to 7.5%. As such, interest rate fluctuations would not have an impact on the Company’s interest expense or cash flows.

 

Item 4.        Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”)) as of December 30, 2006. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.          Legal Proceedings

 

None

 

Item 1A.       Risk Factors

 

No material changes.

 

 

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Item 2.      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Purchases of Company Equity Securities:

 

 

The Company purchases Company common stock to offset dilution from new shares created by employee equity compensation such as stock options, restricted stock awards, and the employee stock purchase plan and as a means of returning excess cash to shareholders. The Company executes all of its purchases of Company shares in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the 1934 Act.

 

During the First Quarter of Fiscal 2007, Company share purchases were executed under a 3.0 million share purchase authorization approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and announced on August 25, 2005. Authority over pricing and timing under the program has been delegated to management. The program has no expiration date.

 

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 6.      Exhibits

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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