Electro-Sensors, Inc. Form 10-Q for period ended September 30, 2008

Table of Contents

 
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549


Form 10-Q


x  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

OR

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to ______

Commission File Number 0-9587


ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota

 

41-0943459

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

6111 Blue Circle Drive

Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343-9108

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(952) 930-0100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 of 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 o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  

o

Accelerated filer  o

Non-accelerated filer  

o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No x 

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $0.10 par value, on November 12, 2008 was 3,366,880.

 
 


ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC.

Form 10-Q

For the Period Ended September 30, 2008

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet – As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations –

 

For the Three and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows –

 

For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007

5

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

 

 

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

10

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

13

Item 4(T).   Controls and Procedures

13

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

13

Item 1A.   Risk Factors

13

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

13

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities

13

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

13

Item 5.   Other Information

13

Item 6.   Exhibits

13

 

 

SIGNATURES

14

 

 

EXHIBITS

15










Table of Contents

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

September 30,
2008
(unaudited)

      

December 31,
2007

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5,617

 

$

5,779

 

Available for sale securities

 

 

2,880

 

 

3,892

 

Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6 and $17, respectively

 

 

867

 

 

818

 

Inventories

 

 

1,271

 

 

1,027

 

Other current assets

 

 

66

 

 

91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

10,701

 

 

11,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,368

 

 

1,458

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

12,069

 

$

13,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

167

 

$

107

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

251

 

 

270

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

82

 

 

83

 

Accrued income tax

 

 

92

 

 

345

 

Deferred income tax

 

 

1,003

 

 

1,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

1,595

 

 

2,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock par value $0.10 per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 3,366,880 and 3,365,463 shares, respectively

 

 

337

 

 

337

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

1,513

 

 

1,507

 

Retained earnings

 

 

6,901

 

 

6,716

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of income tax)

 

 

1,723

 

 

2,327

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

10,474

 

 

10,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

12,069

 

$

13,065

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents


ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

1,831

 

$

2,041

 

$

5,377

 

$

5,209

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

708

 

 

680

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,831

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,123

 

 

1,361

 

 

3,377

 

 

3,378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

358

 

 

366

 

 

1,148

 

 

1,034

 

General and administrative

 

 

260

 

 

303

 

 

884

 

 

878

 

Research and development

 

 

144

 

 

131

 

 

467

 

 

421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

762

 

 

800

 

 

2,499

 

 

2,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

361

 

 

561

 

 

878

 

 

1,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-operating income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (Loss) on disposal of investment securities

 

 

2

 

 

0

 

 

(33

)

 

0

 

Interest income

 

 

29

 

 

64

 

 

88

 

 

188

 

Other income

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

8

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total non-operating income

 

 

34

 

 

67

 

 

63

 

 

188

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

395

 

 

628

 

 

941

 

 

1,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

158

 

 

250

 

 

352

 

 

490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

237

 

$

378

 

$

589

 

$

743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized value of investments, net of income tax

 

$

144

 

$

(593

)

$

(605

)

$

(445

)

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

 

$

381

 

$

(215

)

$

(16

)

$

298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income per Share Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.22

 

Weighted average shares

 

 

3,366,864

 

 

3,361,785

 

 

3,366,363

 

 

3,423,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.21

 

Weighted average shares

 

 

3,397,644

 

 

3,397,515

 

 

3,397,143

 

 

3,459,391

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid per share

 

$

.04

 

$

.04

 

$

.12

 

$

.12

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents


ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

589

 

$

743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation recognized for stock option issuance

 

 

0

 

 

9

 

Depreciation

 

 

90

 

 

57

 

Provision for losses on trade receivables

 

 

0

 

 

(7

)

Realized loss on disposal of available for sale securities

 

 

33

 

 

0

 

(Increase)/decrease in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

 

 

(49

)

 

(314

)

Inventories

 

 

(244

)

 

(28

)

Other current assets

 

 

25

 

 

(63

)

Accounts payable

 

 

60

 

 

(2

)

Accrued expenses

 

 

(19

)

 

104

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

(1

)

 

12

 

Accrued income taxes

 

 

(253

)

 

206

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

0

 

 

(154

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash from operating activities

 

 

231

 

 

563

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of available for sale securities

 

 

5

 

 

0

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

 

0

 

 

(86

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

5

 

 

(86

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of stock

 

 

6

 

 

37

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(404

)

 

(403

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(398

)

 

(366

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(162

)

 

111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning

 

 

5,779

 

 

5,451

 

Cash and cash equivalents, ending

 

$

5,617

 

$

5,562

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized loss on available for sale securities

 

$

(605

)

$

(717

)

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

616

 

$

440

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents


ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

Note 1.  Nature of Business

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Electro-Sensors, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ESI Investment Company and Senstar Corporation. Senstar has no operations. Intercompany accounts, transactions and earnings have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated entity is referred to as “the Company”.

 

Electro-Sensors, Inc. operates two distinct businesses. The first is the Controls Division, which manufactures and markets a complete line of speed monitoring and motor control systems for industrial machinery. The Controls Division utilizes leading-edge technology to continuously improve its products and make them easier to use. The Controls Division’s goal is to manufacture the industry-preferred product for every market served. These products are sold through an internal sales staff, manufacturer’s representatives, and distributors to a wide variety of manufacturers, OEM’s and processors to monitor process machinery operations. The Controls Division markets its products to a number of different industries located throughout the United States and abroad.

 

The second business is AutoData Systems (ADS). ADS designs and markets a desktop software based system that reads hand printed characters, checkmarks and bar code information from scanned, faxed, or electronic forms. ADS products are designed to provide capabilities to automate data collection and are sold by internal sales staff to end users, resellers and developers in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

 

In addition, through its subsidiary ESI Investment Company (INV), the Company periodically makes strategic investments in other businesses and companies, primarily when the Company believes that such investments will facilitate development of technology complementary to the Company’s products. Although ESI, through INV, invests in other businesses or companies, ESI does not intend to become an investment company and intends to remain primarily an operating company. The Company’s primary investments are 343,267 shares of Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (“Rudolph”) and 551,759 shares of PPT Vision, Inc. (“PPT”). The Rudolph investment is accounted for using the available for sale method. The PPT investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. See Note 7 for additional information regarding its investments. The Company’s investments in securities are subject to normal market risks.

 

Note 2.  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 with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.

 

This report should be read together with the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007, including the audited financial statements and footnotes therein.

 

It is the opinion of management that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to fairly state the financial position and results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The results of interim periods may not be indicative of results to be expected for the year.

 

Note 3.  Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates may be adjusted as more information becomes available, and any adjustment could be significant. The impact of any change in estimates is included in the determination of earnings in the period in which the change in estimate is identified. The impact of changes in estimates could materially affect results.

 

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Table of Contents


Note 4.  Revenue Recognition

 

In recognizing revenue, the Company applies the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101 (as amended by SAB No. 104), Revenue Recognition. In some situations, the Company receives advance payments from its customers. Revenue associated with these advance payments is deferred until the product is shipped.

 

Revenue recognition of production monitoring equipment

 

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its production monitoring equipment when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered, the fee is fixed and determinable and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. The Company may offer discounts to its distributors or quantity discounts that are recorded at the time of sale. The Company recognizes revenue on products sold to customers and distributors upon shipment because the contracts do not include post-shipment obligations. In addition to exchanges and warranty returns, customers have refund rights. Our standard products are used in a wide variety of industries, returns for a refund are minimal and immaterial to the financial statements (currently approximately .6% of net sales) and are recognized when the returned product is received by the Company.

 

Software revenue recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of its character recognition software. The product is sold to the end user and risk of loss is transferred, and the Company has no continuing obligations, once its products are delivered to the shipper. To recognize revenue, it must also be probable that the Company will collect the accounts receivable from its customers. ADS customers pay an annual maintenance fee for software support, which is recognized as deferred revenue on the balance sheet and is recognized in income, on a monthly basis, over the life of the contract.

 

Note 5.  Stock-Based Compensation   The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) model. The Company uses historical data among other factors to estimate the expected price volatility, the expected option life and the expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the option. At September 30, 2008, the Company had one stock-based employee compensation plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, there were no stock options exercised. There were no option grants in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

Note 6.  Net Income Per Share

 

All common share equivalents relating to stock options and warrants are included in the diluted weighted average common shares.

 

Note 7.  Available for Sale Securities

 

INV’s investments consist of equity securities, primarily common stocks, government debt securities and money market funds. The estimated fair value of publicly traded equity securities (other than those accounted for based upon the equity method of accounting) is based on quoted market prices, and therefore subject to the inherent risk of market fluctuations. Shares of common stock for which there is no readily determinable value (i.e., no quoted market price) are accounted for on a historical cost method (unless accounted for based upon the equity method of accounting). Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the date individual investments are acquired, and evaluates the appropriateness of such classification at each balance sheet date.

 

Since the Company generally does not make investments in anticipation of short-term fluctuations in market prices, investments in equity securities are classified as available-for-sale (unless accounted for on the equity method of accounting). Available-for-sale securities with readily determinable values are stated at fair value, and unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related deferred tax effect, are reported as separate component of stockholders’ equity.

 

Realized gains and losses on securities, including losses from declines in value of specific securities determined by management to be other-than-temporary (unless accounted for on the equity method of accounting), are included in income in the period realized.

 

At September 30, 2008, the Company’s significant investment in equity securities is 343,267 shares of Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (“Rudolph”), accounted for under the available for sale method. As of September 30, 2008, the aggregate value of the Company’s Rudolph shares as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange was approximately $2,877,000 with an approximate cost of $45,000.

 

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Table of Contents


Investment Reported on Equity Method

 

At September 30, 2008, the Company owned 551,759 shares of PPT Vision, Inc. (“PPT”), which is 2.0% of PPT’s outstanding common stock. The fair value of its holdings based on the quoted market price at September 30, 2008 was approximately $77,000 with an approximate cost of $2,434,000.

 

Since the Company owns approximately 2.0% of PPT’s outstanding stock, and the Company’s Secretary owns a controlling interest in PPT, it has been determined that the Company has “significant influence” over the operations of PPT, and as a result its ownership interest should be reported using the equity method of accounting for investments.

 

Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s proportionate share of PPT’s net loss would ordinarily be directly reflected on the Company’s income statement, along with a corresponding reduction in the PPT investment account on the Company’s balance sheet. However, where net losses exceed the value of the initial investment, these losses are no longer recognized in the financial statements, but rather are suspended and applied against the investor’s proportionate share in any future net earnings for the investee. Accordingly, since the Company’s proportionate share of PPT’s previous net losses have already reduced the PPT investment account on its balance sheet to $0, the Company’s proportionate share of PPT’s net loss through September 30, 2008 has not been recognized on its current financial statements. At September 30, 2008, the Company had approximately $1,489,000 in suspended losses from its investment in PPT that will be used to offset future recognition of equity method earnings from the investment.

 

Note 8.  Fair Value Measurements

 

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157), as it applies to our financial instruments, and Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (SFAS 159). SFAS 157 defines fair value, outlines a framework for measuring fair value, and details the required disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 159 permits companies to irrevocably choose to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparison between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.

 

Under SFAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market. SFAS 157 establishes a hierarchy in determining the fair value of an asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable. SFAS 157 requires the utilization of the lowest possible level of input to determine fair value. Level 1 inputs include quoted market prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are market data, other than Level 1, that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted market prices in an inactive market, and other observable information that can be corroborated by market data. Level 3 inputs are unobservable and corroborated by little or no market data.

 

Except for those assets and liabilities which are required by authoritative accounting guidance to be recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, we have elected not to record any other assets or liabilities at fair value, as permitted by SFAS 159. No events occurred during the third quarter 2008 which would require adjustment to the recognized balances of assets or liabilities which are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

 

The following table provides information on those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

 

 

Carrying Amount
In Consolidated
Balance Sheet
September 30, 2008

 

Fair Value
September 30, 2008

 

Fair Value Measurement Using

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money Market Funds

 

$

167,000

 

$

167,000

 

$

167,000

 

$

 

$

 

Treasury Bills

 

$

5,175,000

 

$

5,175,000

 

$

5,175,000

 

$

 

$

 

Available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

$

2,880,000

 

$

2,880,000

 

$

2,880,000

 

$

 

$

 

 

The fair value of the money market funds and treasury bills are based on quoted market prices in an active market. Investments include equity securities that are traded in an active market. Closing stock prices are readily available from active markets and are used as being representative of fair value. The Company classifies these securities as level 1.

 

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Note 9.  Segment Information

 

The Company has three reportable operating segments based on the nature of its product lines: Production Monitoring, Character Recognition, and Investments. The Controls Division manufactures and markets a complete line of production monitoring equipment, in particular speed monitoring and motor control systems for industrial machinery. ADS designs and markets a desktop software-based character recognition system that reads hand printed characters, checkmarks, and bar code information from scanned, faxed, or electronic forms. Sales of this system include software and can include hardware. INV holds investments in marketable and non-marketable securities.

 

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1. In evaluating segment performance, management focuses on sales and income before taxes. The Company has no inter-segment sales.

 

The following is financial information relating to the continuing operating segments (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

External sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production monitoring (products)

 

$

1,684

 

$

1,929

 

$

4,959

 

$

4,842

 

Character recognition (software and related hardware)

 

 

147

 

 

112

 

 

418

 

 

367

 

Investments

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Total

 

$

1,831

 

$

2,041

 

$

5,377

 

$

5,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income/(Loss) before taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production monitoring

 

$

387

 

$

652

 

$

1,022

 

$

1,275

 

Character recognition

 

 

34

 

 

(24

)

 

35

 

 

(33

)

Investments

 

 

(26

)

 

0

 

 

(116

)

 

(9

)

Total

 

$

395

 

$

628

 

$

941

 

$

1,233

 

 

 







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

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. There are no significant accounting estimates described in the notes to the financial statements that are critical at this time. A more in-depth description of our accounting estimates can be found in the interim financial statements included in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008 decreased $210,000, or 10.3%, when compared to net sales for the same period in 2007. Net sales for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 increased $168,000, or 3.2%, when compared to net sales for the same period in 2007.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, the Controls Division had a decrease in net sales of $245,000, or 12.7%, and ADS contributed an increase in net sales of $35,000, or 31.3%.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, the Controls Division contributed an increase in net sales of $117,000, or 2.4%, and ADS contributed an increase in net sales of $51,000, or 13.9%.

 

The Controls Division has experienced a decrease in net sales for the third quarter of 2008 due in large part to fluctuations of commodity grain and feed product prices worldwide. We have also witnessed a slowing of capital spending on plant construction and expansion projects in 2008, which has affected all product categories. The recent turmoil in the equity markets has resulted in a slowdown in spending across all of our major market segments, which management expects to continue into 2009. The bulk of our sales volume is derived from the Speed Monitoring product lines to the grain, feed, biofuels, power generation, and mining industries, as well as other key industrial markets and equipment builders. Products sold into these markets include shaft speed sensors and switches, ratemeters and counters, motor controllers, vibration switches, and position monitors. In our sales and marketing efforts, we are developing additional channel partners in the form of distributors and independent representatives both domestically and internationally and expect to continue adding sales partners in key locations. We may also consider acquiring compatible businesses as part of our growth strategy.

 

The Controls Division has integrated our sensors for bearing temperature, belt misalignment, and shaft speed with a programmable logic controller and touch screen interface to create a complete system for hazard monitoring.  By doing this, we are enabling our customers to locate which part of the material handling system is operating incorrectly, typically in under ten seconds.  This is done by using visual diagrams on the touch screen.  We have received very positive feedback from customers and installed the first three systems at customer sites during the third quarter.

 

The ADS Division increase in net sales for the third quarter of 2008 is due to an increase in the sales of the ExpertScan product, which includes the on-line web module developed in 2007.  ExpertScan currently permits automated data collection from surveys, electronic forms, and other paper forms. The new web capability enables ExpertScan to automatically create an electronic version of a new or existing ExpertScan document, thereby allowing a combination of paper and electronic data collection using the same form.

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

Our cost of goods sold increased $28,000, or 4.1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008, the cost of goods sold increased $169,000, or 9.2%, compared to the same period in 2007. This increase was primarily a result of increased material costs and the additional costs for the Electro Sentry systems.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross margin for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008 was 61.3% versus 66.7% for the same period in 2007. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, gross margins were 62.8% and 64.9%, respectively. The primary cause of the decrease in the gross margin was due to the new Electro Sentry systems, which contained a significant amount of development items. The remaining variances were due to expenses rising slightly faster than sales over the three and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2008 versus the same periods last year.

 

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Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses decreased $38,000, or 4.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 when compared to the same period of 2007. Of this decrease, the Controls Division contributed a decrease of $8,000, or 1.2%, and ADS decreased by $30,000, or 23.6%.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 when compared to the same period of 2007, operating expenses increased $166,000, or 7.1%. Of this increase, the Controls Division contributed an increase of $190,000, or 9.6%, offset by a decrease in ADS of $24,000, or 6.7%.

 

Selling and marketing costs decreased $8,000, or 2.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 when compared to the same period in 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, selling and marketing costs increased $114,000, or 11.0%, when compared to the same period in 2007. Of the decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2008, ADS contributed a decrease of $10,000, or 21.3%, offset by an increase in the Controls Division of $2,000, or .6%. Of the increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Controls Division contributed an increase of $110,000, or 12.1%, and ADS had an increase of $4,000, or 3.1%. For the three months ended September 30, 2008, the decrease in ADS expenses was due to a decrease in salaries and wages and benefit expense due to a reduction in staff, offset by an increase in sales commissions. The increase in the Controls Division was due to an increase in salaries and wages and benefit expense because of a new hire, raises for existing employees, advertising, and travel expenses, offset by decreases in sales representative commissions, contractor personnel, and sales literature, graphic arts services, and direct mail expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, sales representative commissions, advertising, sales literature, media production, travel, tradeshow, salaries and wages for new hires, benefit expenses – offset by decreases in contract personnel which were replaced by new hires – and product launch expenses are the predominant expenses that increased in the Controls Division. The increase in selling and marketing costs at ADS was due to increased wages due to additional personnel, sales commissions, and advertising, offset by reduced expenses in direct mail expenses and computer supplies.

 

General and administrative costs decreased $43,000, or 14.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, general and administrative costs increased $6,000, or 0.7%, when compared to the same period in 2007. Of the decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Controls Division contributed a decrease of $26,000, or 9.6%, and ADS contributed a decrease of $17,000, or 53.1%. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was driven by an increase in costs of $31,000, or 3.9%, from the Controls Division, offset by a decrease in ADS costs of $25,000, or 30.5%. For the three months ended September 30, 2008, the decrease in general and administrative costs from the Controls Division was due to decreases in contract personnel which were replaced by new hires, legal and professional fees mostly related to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance documentation and testing, and a decline in allowance for doubtful accounts, offset by increases in depreciation on the upgrade of the enterprise software and related hardware, salaries and wages for new hires, and computer supplies and maintenance. The decrease in ADS was due to decreases in contract personnel, legal and professional fees mostly related to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance documentation and testing, and computer maintenance. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the increase in general and administrative costs from the Controls Division was due to increases in depreciation on the upgrade of the enterprise software and related hardware, salaries and wages for new hires, charitable contributions, computer supplies and maintenance, and general repairs and maintenance, offset by decreases in contract personnel which were replaced by new hires, legal and professional fees mostly related to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance documentation and testing, and a decline in allowance for doubtful accounts. The decrease in ADS was due to decreases in contract personnel expenses, legal and professional fees mostly related to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance documentation and testing, and a decline in the allowance for doubtful accounts, offset by an increase in computer supplies and maintenance.

 

Research and development costs increased $13,000, or 9.9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, research and development costs increased $46,000, or 10.9%, when compared to the same period in 2007. Of the increase for the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Controls Division contributed an increase of $16,000, or 19.3%, offset by a decrease in ADS of $3,000, or 6.3%. Of the increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Controls Division contributed an increase of $49,000, or 18.0%, offset by a decrease in ADS of $3,000, or 2.0%. For the three months ended September 30, 2008, the increase in the Controls Division was due to lab materials, prototypes, legal fees related to trademark/patents, and increases in wages and benefits. The decrease in ADS was due to a decrease in wages. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the increase in the Controls Division was due to lab materials, prototypes, travel, legal fees related to trademark/patents, and increases in wages and benefits, offset by a decrease in lab testing fees for product certification. The decrease in ADS was due to a decrease in wages and computer supplies, offset by an increase in contract personnel.

 

Non-Operating Income

 

Non-operating income decreased by $33,000, or 49.3%, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period for 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, non-operating income decreased $125,000, or 66.5%, when compared to the same period in 2007. The decrease for both the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 is driven by a decrease in interest income and INV’s recognized loss on a $35,000 investment in Minn Shares, Inc. (MSHS). Minn Shares, Inc. has been liquidated and we do not believe that we will receive any additional return of our investment.

 

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Interest income decreased $35,000, or 54.7%, when comparing the three months ended September 30, 2008 to the same period in 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, interest income decreased $100,000, or 53.2%, when compared to the same period in 2007. These decreases were due to the decreased interest rate on Treasury Bills, which was 1.774% at September 30, 2008, compared to 4.795% at September 30, 2007.

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

Income before income taxes decreased $233,000, or 37.1%, to an income before tax of $395,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 income before income tax decreased $292,000, or 23.7%, when compared to the same period in 2007.

 

The Controls Division had income before income taxes of $387,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to $652,000 for the same period in 2007, a decrease of $265,000, or 40.6%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Controls Division had income before income taxes of $1,022,000 compared to $1,275,000 for the same period in 2007, a decrease of $253,000, or 19.8%. The decrease in income before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was mainly due to a decrease in net sales (due in large part to fluctuations of commodity grain and feed product prices worldwide), a decrease in the gross margin (primarily due to the new Electro Sentry systems), an increase in the percentage of operating expenses to net sales (from 34.9% of net sales in 2007 to 39.5% of net sales in 2008), and a decrease in interest income (due to the decrease in interest rates on Treasury Bills). The decrease in net income before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was primarily due to a decrease in the gross margin, an increase in the percentage of operating expenses to net sales (from 40.8% of net sales in 2007 to 43.7% of net sales in 2008) and a decrease in interest income.

 

ADS had income before income taxes of $34,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to a net loss before income taxes of $24,000 for same period in 2007, an increase of $58,000, or 241.6%. This increase in income before income taxes was due primarily to an increase in sales (due to the increased sales of ExpertScan which includes the on-line module developed in 2007) and a decrease in the percentage of operating expenses to net sales (from 113.4% of net sales in 2007 to 66.0% of net sales in 2008). For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, ADS had income before income taxes of $35,000 compared to loss before income taxes of $33,000 for the same period in 2007, an increase of $68,000, or 206.1%. This increase in income before income taxes was due primarily to an increase in sales and a decrease in the percentage of operating expenses to net sales (from 97.5% of net sales in 2007 to 79.9% of net sales in 2008).

 

INV’S income before taxes was a loss of $26,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to a breakeven quarter for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007. INV’s income before taxes decreased $107,000 to a loss before income taxes of $116,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to the decrease in interest rates on Treasury Bills and the recognized loss on an investment held by the Company (see “Non-Operating Income”).

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash and cash equivalents were $5,617,000 at September 30, 2008, $5,779,000 at December 31, 2007, and $5,562,000 at September 30, 2007.

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $231,000 and $563,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease was primarily a result of our net operating income adjusted for depreciation expense on capital assets, accounts receivable, inventories, accrued expenses, accrued income tax activity, and realized loss on an investment.

 

Cash provided by investing activities was $5,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 and cash used in investing activities was $86,000 for the same period in 2007.  The increase was primarily due to purchases of property and equipment of $86,000 in 2007, while there were no purchases in 2008.

 

Cash used in financing activities was $398,000 and $366,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company paid aggregate dividends of $404,000 and $403,000, respectively. In 2007, an officer exercised a stock option which provided cash of $32,000. There were no such exercises of stock options in 2008. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company had $6,000 and $5,000, respectively, in stock purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

Our ongoing cash requirements will be primarily for capital expenditures, acquisitions, research and development in both the production monitoring and character recognition divisions, and working capital. Management believes that cash on hand and any cash provided by operations will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements through at least the next 12 months.

 

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INV’s primary investments are 343,267 shares of Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (“Rudolph”), listed on the Nasdaq stock market, and 551,759 shares of PPT Vision, Inc. (“PPT”), listed on the Pink Sheets. The Rudolph investment is accounted for using the available for sale method. The PPT investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. These stocks are subject to fluctuations in market price and could have a negative effect on our liquidity.

 

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of September 30, 2008, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements or transactions.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to management’s beliefs with respect to the spending slowdown in our market segments; our ongoing development of additional sales channel partners; our expectation to continue adding sales partners in key locations; the possibility of acquiring compatible businesses as part of our growth strategy; management’s intention that we not become an investment company; our expected use of cash on hand; our cash requirements; and the sufficiency of our cash flows. Any statement that is not based solely upon historical facts, including strategies for the future and the outcome of events that have not yet occurred, is considered a forward-looking statement.

 

All forward-looking statements in this document are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, other than as required by law. It is important to note that our actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements we make in this Quarterly Report are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause future results to differ materially from our recent results or those projected in the forward-looking statements, including those detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 4(T).  Controls and Procedures

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Based on an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) were effective as of September 30, 2008 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2008, which were identified in connection with management’s evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, 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 - Not Applicable.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds - None.

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

 

(a)

Exhibits - See Exhibit Index following signature page.

 

 

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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.

 

 

Electro-Sensors, Inc.

 

 

November 14, 2008

/s/ Bradley D. Slye

 

Bradley D. Slye

 

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

 







14




Table of Contents


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC.

 

FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

 

Exhibit

 

Description

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 







15