FORM 10-Q

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

ý

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

 

 

 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended August 28, 2005

 

Commission file number 0-12611

 

AULT INCORPORATED

 

MINNESOTA

 

41-0842932

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

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

 

7105 Northland Terrace

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55428-1028

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number:  (763) 592-1900

 

Indicate by check mark whether 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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YES    ý                                                                          NO    o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

 

YES    o                                                                          NO    ý

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class of Common Stock

 

Outstanding at
October 4, 2005

No par value

 

4,861,192 shares

 

 



 

PART 1.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AULT INCORPORATED & SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Amounts Per Share)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

August 28,
2005

 

Restated
August 29,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

$

9,198

 

$

10,336

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

6,593

 

7,575

 

Gross Profit

 

2,605

 

2,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing

 

798

 

784

 

Design Engineering

 

697

 

721

 

General & Administrative

 

1,571

 

1,299

 

 

 

3,066

 

2,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Loss

 

(461

)

(43

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non Operating Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense

 

(49

)

(88

)

Other

 

90

 

13

 

 

 

41

 

(75

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Before Income Taxes

 

(420

)

(118

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss From Continuing Operations

 

(422

)

(119

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued Operations

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

(422

)

(83

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock Dividends

 

(36

)

(36

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss Applicable to Common Stockholders

 

$

(458

)

$

(119

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share:

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Operations

 

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.03

)

Discontinued Operations

 

 

0.01

 

Loss Per Common Share

 

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.02

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

4,831,546

 

4,787,937

 

Diluted

 

4,831,546

 

4,787,937

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2



 

AULT INCORPORATED & SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

August 28,
2005

 

May 29,
2005

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

2,918

 

$

2,191

 

Trade Receivables, Less Allowance for Doubtful Accounts of $801 at August 28, 2005; $781 at May 29, 2005

 

6,197

 

5,766

 

Inventories

 

3,283

 

3,377

 

Note Receivable JEC – Current Portion

 

1,125

 

563

 

Prepaid and Other Expenses

 

796

 

741

 

Total Current Assets

 

14,319

 

12,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note Receivable JEC – Non-current portion

 

1,125

 

1,687

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property Equipment and Leasehold Improvements:

 

 

 

 

 

Building and Leasehold Improvements

 

764

 

764

 

Machinery and Equipment

 

5,302

 

5,314

 

Office Furniture

 

378

 

344

 

Data Processing Equipment

 

1,669

 

1,630

 

 

 

8,113

 

8,052

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less Accumulated Depreciation

 

5,718

 

5,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,395

 

2,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

92

 

106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

17,931

 

$

16,806

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3



 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

August 28,
2005

 

May 29,
2005

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt

 

$

296

 

$

290

 

Accounts Payable

 

6,495

 

4,892

 

Accrued Compensation

 

934

 

978

 

Accrued Commissions

 

239

 

272

 

Other

 

370

 

350

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

8,334

 

6,782

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, No Par Value, 2,074 Shares Issued and Outstanding; Liquidation Preference of $1,000 Per Share

 

2,074

 

2,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, No Par Value, Authorized, 1,000,000 Shares;

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares, No Par Value, Authorized 10,000,000 Shares; Issued and Outstanding 4,861,192 on August 28, 2005; and 4,806,116 on May 29, 2005;

 

21,520

 

21,390

 

Notes Receivable arising from the sale of common stock

 

(43

)

(44

)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

(45

)

55

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

(13,909

)

(13,451

)

 

 

7,523

 

7,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

17,931

 

$

16,806

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

4



 

AULT INCORPORATED & SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended

 

 

 

August 28,
2005

 

Restated
August 29,
2004

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$

(422

)

$

(83

)

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

114

 

158

 

Gain on Disposal of Assets

 

(62

)

 

 

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) Decrease In:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade Receivables

 

(415

)

(239

)

Inventories

 

35

 

80

 

Prepaid and Other Expenses

 

(31

)

(273

)

Increase (Decrease) in:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts Payable

 

1,457

 

1,104

 

Accrued Expenses

 

19

 

(102

)

Discontinued Operations

 

 

(61

)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

695

 

584

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

 

(74

)

(31

)

Net Cash Used in Investment Activities

 

(74

)

(31

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Borrowings on Revolving Credit Agreements

 

 

190

 

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock

 

94

 

70

 

Proceeds from Common Stock Receivable

 

1

 

 

Principal Payments on Long-Term Borrowings

 

(55

)

 

 

Discontinued Operations

 

 

(170

)

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

95

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

727

 

588

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

 

2,191

 

837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

 

$

2,918

 

$

1,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Cash Transaction:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of Common Stock to Pay Preferred Stock Dividends

 

$

36

 

$

36

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5



 

AULT INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

FIRST QUARTER ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

1. Summary of Consolidation Principles, Management Plans

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ault Incorporated, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Ault Electronics Shanghai Ltd., Ault International Trade Shanghai Co., Ltd., and Ault Xianghe Co. Ltd.  All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.  The foreign currency translation adjustment represents the translation into United States dollars of the Company’s investment in the net assets of its foreign subsidiaries in accordance with the provisions of FASB Statement No. 52.

 

The balance sheet of the Company as of August 28, 2005, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004 have been prepared without being audited.  In the opinion of the management, these statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the position of Ault Incorporated and subsidiaries as of August 28, 2005, and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted.  Therefore, these statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s May 29, 2005 Form 10-K.

 

The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that will be realized for the full fiscal year.

 

Management plans – The financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  The Company sustained net losses applicable to common stock of $5,129,917 in 2005 and $5,545,646 in 2004 and at May 29, 2005 had an accumulated deficit of $13,450,961.  The Company provided $1,479,695 of cash for operating activities in 2005.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company has recorded a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $458,000.  The Company has provided $695,000 of cash for operating activities in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006.  Future operations may require the Company to borrow additional funds.  The Company has a financing agreement, which includes a $7,000,000 line-of-credit agreement through December 4, 2006.  There was no outstanding balance on this line-of-credit at August 28, 2005.  The Company believes they can remain in compliance with covenants in the financing agreement, as amended, throughout fiscal 2006.

 

Based on available funds, current plans and business conditions management believes that the Company’s available cash, amounts available on its line-of-credit agreement, and amounts generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s cash requirements for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future.  Supporting this belief are several assumptions including that there will be no material adverse developments in the business or the general market.  There can be, however, no assurances regarding these assumptions.  If management’s plans are not achieved, there may be further negative effects on the results of operations and cash flows, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

6



 

2. Discontinued Operations

 

On May 20, 2005, the Company completed the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Korea Corporation (“Ault Korea”), to JEC Korea Co., Ltd (“JEC”) for $3.7 million.  The agreement includes the receipt of $1,472,000 in cash and a secured note in the amount of $2,250,000.  The transaction resulted in a loss of approximately $2,442,000 and the reclassification of the Korean subsidiary activity as “discontinued operations” for all periods presented.

 

The sale includes all assets and liabilities of Ault Korea Corporation and the use of the “Ault Korea” name in Korea for a period of three years.  Ault Korea includes the property in Seoul, South Korea and approximately 110 employees.  As part of the terms of the agreement, JEC has the rights to sell power conversion products in Korea while Ault will have rights to sell the same power conversion products throughout the rest of the world.  Prior to this transaction, JEC was a supplier of Ault, but otherwise no material relationship existed between Ault and JEC, or their respective affiliates, directors or officers, or any associates of their directors and officers.

 

The secured note receivable is scheduled to be paid in four equal installments of $562,500 in December 2005, June 2006, December 2006 and the final installment in June 2007.

 

Revenues and results of operations for the Korean subsidiary for the three months ended August 29, 2004 were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
August 29, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

$

2,916,523

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations

 

$

35,879

 

 

3. Restatement

 

The consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal quarter ended August 29, 2004 were restated as a result of the Company’s identification, in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005, of accounting errors at the Company’s China subsidiary related to inventory build-up and relief and inadequate reconciliation of intercompany accounts.  The accounting errors resulted in misstatements of sales, cost of goods sold, gross profit, general and administrative expense, total operating expenses, operating loss, loss before taxes, net loss, net loss applicable to common stockholders, and net loss per share.  There were also related adjustments to the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows and consolidated statement of stockholders’equity.  For additional information, see the Company’s Form 10-K filing for the year ended May 29, 2005.

 

Effects on Consolidated Statement of Operations for Quarter-ended August 29, 2004

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

As previously
reported

 

As restated

 

Sales

 

$

13,139

 

$

13,253

 

Cost of goods sold

 

9,576

 

9,898

 

Gross profit

 

3,563

 

3,355

 

General and administrative

 

1,433

 

1,461

 

Total operating expenses

 

3,271

 

3,299

 

Operating income

 

292

 

56

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

161

 

(75

)

Net income (loss)

 

153

 

(83

)

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

117

 

(119

)

Net earnings (loss) per share basic and diluted

 

0.02

 

(0.02

)

 

7



 

4. Stock Compensation

 

The Company’s 1986 and 1996 stock option plan has reserved 600,000 and 1,500,000 common shares, respectively, for issuance under qualified and nonqualified stock options for its key employees and directors.  Option prices are the market value of the stock at the time the option was granted.  Options become exercisable as determined at the date of grant by a committee of the Board of Directors.  Options expire ten years after the date of grant unless an earlier expiration date is set at the time of grant.

 

The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.  Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the stock option plan, as all options were issued with exercised prices at or above fair value.  Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards in 2005 and 2004 consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net loss and net loss per share would have changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below: 

 

Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts

 

 

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

Aug. 28
2005

 

Aug. 29
2004

 

Net loss applicable to stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

as reported

 

$

(458

)

$

(119

)

pro forma

 

(489

)

(150

)

per share, basic, as reported

 

(0.09

)

(0.02

)

per share, diluted, as reported

 

(0.09

)

(0.02

)

per share, basic, pro forma

 

(0.10

)

(0.03

)

per share, diluted, pro forma

 

(0.10

)

(0.03

)

 

5. Inventories

 

The components of inventory (in thousands) at August 28, 2005 and May 29, 2005 are as follows:

 

 

 

August 28,
2005

 

May 29,
2005

 

Raw Materials

 

$

2,110

 

$

1,701

 

Work-in-process

 

284

 

514

 

Finished Goods

 

889

 

1,162

 

 

 

$

3,283

 

$

3,377

 

 

6. Warranty

 

The Company offers its customers a three-year warranty on products.  Warranty expense is determined by calculating the historical relationship between sales and warranty costs and applying the calculation to the current period’s sales. Based on warranty repair costs and the rate of return, the Company periodically reviews and adjusts its warranty accrual. Actual repair costs are offset against the reserve.   The following table shows the fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 year-to-date activity for the Company’s warranty accrual (in thousands):

 

 

 

FY 2006

 

FY 2005

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

134

 

$

125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges and Costs Accrued

 

18

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less Repair Costs Incurred

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending Balance

 

$

152

 

$

140

 

 

8



 

7. Debt

 

The Company has a financing agreement, which includes a $7,000,000 revolving line-of-credit agreement through December 4, 2006.  Interest on advances is at the prime rate plus 2% (prime plus 5% default rate) for fiscal year 2006.  The rate at August 28, 2005 was 8.50% and on August 29, 2004 was 6.25%.  All advances are due on demand and are secured by all assets of the Company.   The Company’s financing agreement contains financial covenants, which require the Company, among other things, to maintain a minimum capital base, and also impose certain limitations on additional capital expenditures and the payment of dividends. At the end of fiscal 2005, the Company’s net worth and income before taxes did not meet the minimum of the credit agreement.  The Company received a waiver for these covenants.  Following the August 31, 2005 waiver, the Company believes the provisions imposed by this credit agreement are achievable based on the Company’s expected operating results for the next year.  The availability of the line is based on the outstanding receivables of the Company; the amount available at August 28, 2005 was $3,423,000.  There were no advances outstanding on the revolving line of credit at August 28, 2005 and May 29, 2005.

 

Current maturities long-term debt (in thousands) consist of the following:

 

 

 

August 28,
2005

 

May 29,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.3% uncollateralized term loan, due in January 2006

 

$

296

 

$

290

 

 

8. Stockholders’ Equity

 

Changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended August 28, 2005 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended August 28,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity – May 29, 2005

 

 

$

7,950

 

Net Loss

$

(422

)

 

 

Net change in Foreign currency translation adjustment

(100

)

 

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

 

(522

)

Preferred Stock Dividends Declared

 

 

(36

)

Preferred Stock Dividends Paid with Common Stock

 

 

36

 

Issue 41,003 shares of common stock in accordance with stock purchase plan

 

 

94

 

Payment of receivable from sale of common stock

 

 

1

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

$

7,523

 

 

9



 

9. Net Earnings Per Common Share

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share are presented in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, Earnings per Share.  The Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and stock options had no effect on diluted weighted average shares outstanding, as they were anti-dilutive.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

August 28, 2005

 

August 29, 2004

 

Loss Applicable to Common Shareholders (in thousands)

 

$

(458

)

$

(119

)

Basic – Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

4,831,546

 

4,787,937

 

Diluted – Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

4,831,546

 

4,787,937

 

Basic Loss per Share

 

(0.09

)

(0.02

)

Diluted Loss per Share

 

(0.09

)

(0.02

)

 

Net basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations includes the effects of the redeemable convertible preferred stock dividends.

 

10. Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a revision to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123 (SFAS 123(R)), Share-Based Payment. The revision requires all entities to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments granted to employees. The statement eliminates the alternative method of accounting for employee share-based payments previously available under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25. The Statement is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.  The Company has not completed the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting SFAS 123(R).

 

10



 

ITEM 2 -             MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

Ault’s power conversion products are used to adapt alternating current (AC) to provide a source of power at various levels up to more than one kilowatt of continuous power for a wide variety of electronic equipment.  A significant amount of the Company’s products are located outside the equipment they power as a wall plug-in or as in-line components.  Both of these styles are generally referred to as external power conversion products.  A smaller percentage of the Company’s products are located inside the equipment they power and are generally known as internal power conversion devices.  Each product configuration, external and internal, offers distinct advantages to the OEM buyer.  Internal power products are more generally accepted among design engineers across all segments of the electronic original equipment market (EOEM).  Internal power has traditionally been the norm in product design and, in terms of range, it provides greater latitude especially in applications beyond 100 watts.  External power still ranks as a high growth area in the power supply industry due to the increasing emphasis on smaller and portable products that perform increasingly sophisticated functions.  Ault’s business strategy is to offer OEMs in these markets an expanding line of high-quality power conversion products, diverse design engineering expertise and customized customer services.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based on the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Critical accounting policies are defined as those involving significant judgments and uncertainties which could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions.  Application of these policies is particularly important to the portrayal of the financial condition and results of operations.  The Company believes the accounting policies described below meet these characteristics.  All significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.

 

Revenue Recognition – The Company’s policy is to recognize revenue for product sales when title transfers and risk of loss has passed to the customer, which is generally upon acceptance of the product by the overseas freight carrier.  Judgments are required in evaluating the credit worthiness of our customers. Credit is not extended to customers and revenue is not recognized until the Company has determined that the risk of non-collection is minimal.

 

Inventory Valuation – Inventory is written down for estimated surplus and discontinued inventory items. The amount of the write-down is determined by analyzing historical and projected sales information, plans for discontinued products and other factors. Changes in sales volumes due to unexpected economic or competitive conditions are among the factors that would result in materially different amounts for this item.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – An allowance is established for estimated uncollectible accounts receivable. The required allowance is determined by reviewing customer accounts and making estimates of amounts that may be uncollectible. Factors considered in determining the amount of the reserve include the age of the receivable, the financial condition of the customer, general business, economic and political conditions, and other relevant facts and circumstances. Unexpected changes in the aforementioned factors would result in materially different amounts for this item.

 

Product Warranties – The Company’s products are sold with warranty provisions that require it to remedy deficiencies in quality or performance over a specified period of time, 36 months, at no cost to the Company’s customers. The Company’s policy is to establish warranty reserves at levels that represent its estimate of the costs that will be incurred to fulfill those warranty requirements at the time that revenue is recognized. The Company believes that its recorded liabilities are adequate to cover its future cost of materials, and overhead for the servicing of its products sold through that date. If there is an actual product failure, or material or

 

11



 

service delivery costs differ from the Company’s estimates, its warranty liability would need to be revised accordingly.

 

Deferred Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS NO. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities.  SFAS 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is likely that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized.  Based upon prior taxable income and estimates of future taxable income, the Company has determined that it is likely that a portion of the net deferred tax asset will not be fully realized in the future.  Thus a valuation allowance has been established.  If actual taxable income varies from these estimates, the Company may be required to change the valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets resulting in a change in income tax expense (benefit), which will be recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

MANAGEMENT PLANS

 

On May 27, 2005, the Company completed the sale of its Minneapolis headquarter building (64,000 square feet) and land to Dane Industries Inc. (Dane) for $3.85 million.  The agreement includes the receipt of $1,086,000 in cash and the payment of the mortgage balance of approximately $2,509,000 and transaction expenses, including realtors’ commissions, of approximately $255,000.  Prior to this transaction, no material relationship existed between Ault and Dane, or their respective affiliates, directors or officers, or any associates of their directors and officers.  Related to this sales transaction, Ault entered into an agreement to lease a portion (13,313 square feet) of its headquarter building for a period of twenty-seven months with a monthly rent payment of $18,860.

 

On May 20, 2005, the Company completed the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Korea Corporation (“Ault Korea”), to JEC Korea Co., Ltd. (JEC) for $3.7 million.  The agreement includes the receipt of $1,472,000 in cash and a secured note in the amount of $2,250,000.  The sale includes all assets and liabilities of Ault Korea Corporation and the use of the “Ault Korea” name in Korea for a period of three years.  Ault Korea includes the property in Seoul, South Korea and approximately 110 employees.  As part of the terms of the agreement, JEC has the rights to sell power conversion products in Korea while Ault will have rights to sell the same power conversion products throughout the rest of the world.  Prior to this transaction, JEC was a supplier of Ault, but otherwise no material relationship existed between Ault and JEC, or their respective affiliates, directors or officers, or any associates of their directors and officers.

 

In July 2003, Ault announced the decision to consolidate manufacturing operations.  Ault was one of the last power supply companies to maintain manufacturing in the United States.  The decision to consolidate was driven by a goal to return to profitability by the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 as well as the desire to continue a high level of service to global OEM customers.

 

The last two fiscal years have been spent on the execution of the consolidation plan.  The first phase of the consolidation went smoothly which included the closing of our US-based production in Minneapolis.  This phase was completed in February 2004.  The Company is benefiting in the following ways:

 

World Class Manufacturing – Ault Xianghe (China) is developing into a world-class facility.  China’s annual volume output has more than tripled due to the transition of many product families from North America over the past year and the transfer of the Power General internal power supplies resulting from the acquisition in fiscal 2003.  Ault has also worked diligently to build a strong infrastructure by enhancing global IT capabilities for purchasing, design engineering and manufacturing.  Ault Xianghe has also achieved ISO certification and had several successful audit visits from top OEM (original equipment manufacturer) customers.

 

Reduced Lead Times – Ault customers across all segments of the electronics industry appear to have one common need --- orders with JIT (just-in-time) delivery dates.  This trend prompted the Company to look for ways in all product categories to reduce lead times on top-selling power supplies.  The goal is to reduce lead times on standard part numbers in the switch-mode power supply category to an average of 5 weeks.  Most competitors are still averaging 8 weeks.  The Company believes meeting customers’ needs for quick-turn orders will earn Ault more business from current accounts as well as providing a competitive edge in earning new business.

 

12



 

Sales Review

 

Ault has traditionally been a major power supplier to the OEMs in the telecommunications market.  This market hit bottom in calendar 2002, it is now recovering with several niches performing well.  One of these niches is the Power over Ethernet market.  Dubbed PoE, Power over Ethernet is designed to supply power to any device on a local area network.

 

This technology has a broad range of applications including IP phones, security cameras, RFID tag readers, PDAs, access control systems and smart signs.

 

Ault has developed two single port, midspan power products to meet the needs of PoE users.  The Company anticipates that as Power over Ethernet technology grows, the demand for its products will continue to rise over the next 12-18 months.

 

Ault has also transitioned the China sales team.  There were two significant shifts in strategy: 1) Hire more seasoned salespeople that have contacts and experience in the local electronics market; and 2) focus efforts on Ault’s traditional segments of the communications and medical equipment markets.  Ault is pursuing and closing business for applications in the data communications/telecommunications market that include high-end set-top boxes, routers and video phones.  The future plan includes expanding business with current OEM customers as well as targeting other leaders in the growing communications and medical equipment market segments throughout China.  The intent is to leverage Ault’s global reputation, long history of power supply design success and local presence to win additional business.

 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  The Company sustained net losses applicable to common stock of $5,129,917 in 2005 and $5,545,646 in 2004 and at May 29, 2005 had an accumulated deficit of $13,450,961.  The Company provided $1,479,695 of cash for operating activities in 2005.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company has recorded a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $458,000.  The Company has provided $695,000 of cash for operating activities in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006.  Future operations may require the Company to borrow additional funds.  The Company has a financing agreement, which includes a $7,000,000 line-of-credit agreement through December 4, 2006.  There was no outstanding balance on this line-of-credit at August 28, 2005.  The Company believes they can remain in compliance with covenants in the financing agreement, as amended, throughout fiscal 2006.

 

Based on available funds, current plans and business conditions, management believes that the Company’s available cash, amounts available on its line-of-credit agreement, and amounts generated from operations will be sufficient to meet the Company’s cash requirements for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.  Supporting this belief are several assumptions including that there will be no material adverse developments in the business or the general market.  There can be, however, no assurances regarding these assumptions.  If management’s plans are not achieved, there may be further negative effects on the results of operations and cash flows, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

First Quarter Ended August 28, 2005 As Compared to Quarter Ended August 29, 2004

 

 

 

Fiscal

 

Fiscal

 

Favorable / (Unfavorable)

 

($000)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Net Sales

 

$

9,198

 

$

10,336

 

$

(1,138

)

(11

)%

Operating Loss

 

(461

)

(43

)

(418

)

(972

)%

 

Net sales were $9,198,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 down from $10,336,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2005.  Sales have decreased in the China market by $550,000.  This decrease is from the Company’s strategy to target data communications customers in China.  At this time, the sales are to a limited number of customers, so there is a high risk of variability from quarter to quarter.  The Company is attempting to reduce that risk by increasing the customer base in China, but may not be able to avoid the variability in the sales from China in the next several quarters.  Sales to North America and Europe decreased by $588,000.  This decrease is due to a large amount of late orders that were produced and shipped in the first quarter of fiscal 2005.  The Company is expecting sales to increase to North America and Europe through the end of fiscal 2006.  The

 

13



 

increase is due to an expected order increase in sales to two existing customers as their products are introduced into the market during the second quarter.

 

The gross margin for fiscal 2006 was 28.3%, compared to 26.7% for fiscal 2005. Margins increased primarily due to the lower amount of revenue coming from China.  Future margins may be adversely affected by the higher energy costs and the implementation of lead free initiatives required for our products.

 

Operating expenses increased in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 to $3,066,000 from $2,804,000 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2005.  Professional services were approximately $249,000 higher when comparing the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 to the first quarter of fiscal year 2005. The first quarter of fiscal year 2006 includes a severance payment of $78,000 to the former Chief Financial Officer. All of these expenses are part of the General & Administrative classification.

 

Order Backlog: The Company’s order backlog at August 28, 2005 totaled $11,213,000 compared to $9,678,000 at May 29, 2005.  The order backlog represents sales for approximately sixteen weeks.

 

Non-Operating Income and Expense:  Non-operating income is $41,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 compared to non-operating expense of $75,000 for the same period in fiscal 2005.  Other income is $90,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 compared to $13,000 for the same period in fiscal 2005.  The additional amount in the first quarter of 2006 is primarily related to the currency exchange rate gain in China.  The Company is anticipating a continuation of additional exchange gains as the Yuan continues to strengthen against the Dollar.  The Company incurred interest expenses of $49,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2006 and $88,000 in the same period of fiscal 2005, paid on bank credit facilities and long-term borrowings.  The Company’s credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank includes minimum annual interest expense, which is $37,500 of the $49,000 of interest expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006.

 

Income Tax: The Company had a pre-tax loss of $420,000 for the three-month period in fiscal 2006 on which it accrued $2,000 income tax expense relating to amounts due for state taxes.  For the three-month period in fiscal 2005 the Company had a pre-tax loss of $118,000 on which it accrued $1,000 income tax expense relating to amounts due for state taxes.  The Company did not take a benefit from the loss carryforwards the loss generated in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, and continues to have a full valuation allowance because it is likely the Company will be unable to use such losses.

 

Net Loss: The Company reported a basic and diluted per share loss of $0.09 for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 based on 4,832,000 outstanding weighted average shares, compared to basic and diluted per share loss of $0.02 for the first quarter of fiscal 2005, based on 4,788,000 outstanding weighted average shares.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The following table describes the Company’s liquidity and financial position on August 28, 2005, and on May 29, 2005:

 

 

 

August 28,

 

May 29,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

 

 

($000)

 

($000)

 

Working capital

 

$

5,985

 

$

5,856

 

Cash

 

2,918

 

2,191

 

Unutilized bank credit facilities

 

3,423

 

3,357

 

 

Current Working Capital Position

 

As of August 28, 2005, the Company had current assets of $14,319,000 and current liabilities of $8,334,000 representing working capital of $5,985,000 and a current ratio of 1.7.  This represents an increase in working capital from $5,856,000 at May 29, 2005.  The Company relies on its credit facilities as sources of working capital to support normal growth in revenue, capital expenditures and attainment of profit goals.  The Company has not committed any funds to capital expenditures as of August 28, 2005.

 

Cash and Investments: As of August 28, 2005, the Company had cash and securities totaling $2,918,000, up from $2,191,000 as of May 29, 2005.  This increase in cash was due to the sale of Ault Korea in May of 2005.

 

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Due to the sale, the payables to Ault Korea are currently being paid in 60 days compared to 20 days before the sale.  It is anticipated that the cash balance will decrease in the next quarter due to normal operations.

 

Credit Facilities:  The credit arrangement with Wells Fargo Bank is an asset-based credit facility of $7 million, secured by company assets.  At August 28, 2005 and May 29, 2005, there were no borrowings against this facility.  The financing agreement contains financial covenants. These covenants require the Company, among other things, to maintain a minimum capital base, and also impose certain limitations on additional capital expenditures and the payment of dividends. At the end of fiscal 2005, the Company’s actual net book worth and income before taxes did not meet the minimum of the credit agreement.  The Company received a waiver and amendment for this covenant.  Following the August 2005 amendment, the Company believes the provisions imposed by this credit agreement are achievable based on the Company’s expected operating results for the next year.

 

CASH FLOWS FOR FISCAL 2006

 

Operations:  Operations provided $695,000 of cash during the first three months of fiscal 2006 due principally to the following activities:

(a)          Net income and depreciation used cash of  $308,000.

(b)         Increases in accounts receivables used $415,000 of cash, primarily related to slowdown of collections activities due to the accounting staff working on the accounting issues of fiscal 2005.

(c)          Increases in accounts payable provided $1,457,000, primarily related to the timing of payments to Ault Korea.  After the sale of Ault Korea, the payment terms were changed from net 20 to net 60, which resulted in a higher accounts payable balance.

 

Investing Activities: Investing activities used net cash of $74,000 principally relating to the purchase of tooling in the Asia facilities.

 

Financing Activities: Financing activities provided cash of $95,000, primarily comprised of proceeds from the issuance of common stock for employee option exercise and the stock purchase plan.

 

Effect of Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations: The effect of translating the Chinese financial statements, which were prepared in Yuan to US dollars, had minimal effect on cash for the first three months of fiscal 2006.

 

Summary:  Based on available funds, current plans and business conditions management believes that the Company’s available cash, amounts available on its line-of-credit agreement, and amounts generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s cash requirements for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.  Supporting this belief are several assumptions including that there will be no material adverse developments in the business or the general market.  There can be, however, no assurances regarding these assumptions.  If management’s plans are not achieved, there may be further negative effects on the results of operations and cash flows, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Information about Products and Services:  The Company’s business operations are comprised of one activity—the design, manufacture and sale of equipment for converting electric power to a level used by OEMs in data communications/telecommunications and medical markets to charge batteries, and/or power equipment.  The Company supports these power requirements by making available to the OEM products that have various technical features.  These products are managed as one product segment under the Company’s internal organizational structure and the Company does not consider any financial distinctive measures, including net profitability and segmentation of assets to be meaningful to performance assessment.

 

15



 

Information About Revenue by Geography

 

Distribution of revenue from the US, from each foreign country that is the source of significant revenue and from all other foreign countries as a group are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED

 

 

 

August 28, 2005

 

August 29, 2004

 

 

 

($000)

 

($000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US

 

$

7,161

 

$

7,721

 

China

 

596

 

1,176

 

UK

 

681

 

494

 

Canada

 

380

 

282

 

Other Foreign

 

380

 

663

 

Total

 

$

9,198

 

$

10,336

 

 

The Company considers a country to be the geographic source of revenue if it has contractual obligations, including an obligation to pay for trade receivable invoices.

 

Impact of Foreign Operations and Currency changes:

 

The Company will experience normal valuation changes as the Chinese currencies fluctuate.  The effect of translating the Chinese financial statements resulted in net asset decrease of $100,000 for the first three months of fiscal 2006.  The Company recorded $83,000 of exchange gains in the same period.  The Company anticipates that it will continue to have exchange gains or losses in the future.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

From time to time, in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in other communications to shareholders or the investing public, the Company may make forward-looking statements concerning possible or anticipated future results of operations or business developments that are typically preceded by the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends” or similar expressions.  For such forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Shareholders and the investing public should understand that such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results or developments to differ significantly from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.  Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the overall level of sales by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the telecommunications, data communications, computer peripherals and the medical markets; buying patterns of the Company’s existing and prospective customers; the impact of new products introduced by competitors; delays in new product introductions; higher than expected expense related to sales and new marketing initiatives; availability of adequate supplies of raw materials and components; fuel prices; and other risks affecting the Company’s target markets.

 

ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company experiences foreign currency gains and losses, which are reflected in the financial statements, due to the strengthening and weakening of the U.S. dollar against currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. The Company anticipates that it will continue to have exchange gains or losses in the future.

 

The Company is exposed to certain market risks on the line of credit agreement because of the variable interest rate charged.  Market risk is the potential loss arising from the adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates.  Market risk is estimated as the potential increase in fair value resulting from a hypothetical one percent increase in interest rates which assuming an average outstanding debt balance of $5.0 million would result in an annual interest expense increase of approximately $50,000.

 

16



 

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)           Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management, with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rules 13a-15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.  Subject to the matters discussed below, management has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that the disclosure controls are also not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.  As of May 29, 2005, the Company did not maintain effective controls relating to transactions at its China subsidiary related to inventory build-up and relief and reconciliation of intercompany accounts.

 

In connection with its audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended May 30, 2004, Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”), the Company’s independent accountants, advised the Audit Committee and management of internal control matters with respect to certain inventory transactions that they considered to be a material weakness as that term is defined under standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).  The Company considered these matters in connection with the year-end closing process and the preparation of the May 30, 2004 consolidated financial statements included in its Form 10-K.  In response to the observations made by Grant Thornton, the Company will implement certain enhancements to its internal controls and procedures, which it believes address the matters raised by Grant Thornton.

 

China Subsidiary

 

The Company did not maintain effective controls over the preparation of and independent review of accounts at the China subsidiary.  The Company has concluded that these control deficiencies constitute material weaknesses.

 

Remediation of Material Weaknesses Related to China Subsidiary

 

Management has taken, or is in the process of taking the following steps with respect to the control deficiencies at its China subsidiary:

 

                  The transfer of a seasoned accountant with experience in Asian operations who will be headquartered in Minneapolis, and will be the primary liaison with our China accounting staff and operations.

 

                  Commencement of a training program to upgrade the skill sets of our China accounting staff.

 

                  The hiring of an experienced China-based controller to coordinate all financial reporting, monthly physical inventory counts and verification and also be a part of the weekly conference calls with all of our operations to improve communications.

 

Management believes that implementation of these actions will remediate the material weaknesses described above.  There have been no change in internal controls since May 29, 2005.

 

17



 

Warehouse Control Deficiencies

 

In a cost-cutting effort in the third quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company closed down a manufacturing facility in Minneapolis and terminated a third party warehouse facility in Ireland.  As part of the shutdown of the manufacturing in December 2003, certain personnel were terminated prior to the disposition of inventory at the location.  The Company’s haste in cost elimination resulted in having insufficient staffing to control the disposition of the inventory.  This was found to be a weakness of $25,569 in the counting of inventory that was discovered during the course of the audit by the Company’s external auditors.  This should have been recorded in the third quarter.

 

In addition to the manufacturing shut-down, the Company also closed a third party warehouse facility to cut costs in January 2004.  This too resulted in the terminations of personnel whose responsibilities included monitoring third party warehousing of customer stock inventory.  Approximately $57,581 of inventory was not adequately tracked.  This error was also discovered in the course of the audit, and should have been recorded in the third quarter.  Taken together the manufacturing and third party warehouse control deficiencies resulted in an adjustment of $83,150, which should have been recorded in the third quarter.  This $83,150 adjustment was extrapolated over the Company’s entire inventory, which resulted in a total adjustment of $279,987.  The Company believes that this adjustment is not material.

 

In connection with its audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended May 30, 2004, Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”), the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, advised the Company’s audit committee and management that the adjustments described with respect to inventory constituted a material weakness as that term is defined under standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).  In response to the observations made by Grant Thornton, the Company has implemented certain enhancements to its internal controls and procedures that the Company believes will address the matters raised by Grant Thornton.

 

Specifically, if the Company determines to enter into any future third party warehouse agreement, the Company will make sure that is has devoted adequate resources for necessary preventative and detective controls.  The third party warehouse will have a weekly reconciliation between the inventory in the warehouse and the Company’s inventory system.  The head of sales and the head of finance will review this reconciliation.  On a quarterly basis, the Company will physically count the inventory.

 

Similarly, before the Company closes another manufacturing location, the Company will make sure there are adequate resources in place for necessary preventative and detective controls.  If the Company closes a manufacturing location, it will have the necessary resources to maintain a cycle count system until the disposition of the inventory is complete.  Also there will be a physical inventory of the inventory before the end of each quarter until the disposition of the inventory is complete.

 

18



 

PART II

 

ITEM 1                                                        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS:

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 2                                                        CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

(c) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 3                                                        DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES:

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 4                                                        SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 5                                                        OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 6                                                        EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a)                                  The following exhibits are included herein:

 

31.1

 

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

31.2

 

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

32.

 

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

 

(b)                              Reports on form 8-K

 

A.

 

Form 8-K filed June 2, 2005 announcing the lease of 13,313 square feet of office space and the sale of the Minneapolis headquarter building to Dane Industries Inc.

B.

 

Form 8-K filed August 2, 2005 announcing the resignation of Donald L. Henry as Chief Financial Officer and the hiring of William J. Birmingham as Interim Chief Financial Officer.

C.

 

Form 8-K filed August 9, 2005 referencing a press release dated August 5, 2005 of financial results for the quarter and year ended May 29, 2005.

D.

 

Form 8-K filed August 12, 2005 providing a transcript of a conference call of August 9, 2005 between company management and interested parties.

E.

 

Form 8-K/A filed August 24, 2005 announcing additional details on restatements and adjustments to financial statement for (a) errors uncovered in its China operations and (b) adjustments to treat the recently sold Korean subsidiary as “discontinued operations”.

 

19



 

SIGNATURES

 

 

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

 

 

AULT INCORPORATED

(REGISTRANT)

 

 

DATED:

 October 10, 2005

 

/s/ Frederick M. Green, President

 

 

Frederick M. Green, President

 

 

Chief Executive Officer and

 

 

Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATED:

 October 10, 2005

 

/s/ William J. Birmingham

 

 

William J. Birmingham

 

 

Interim Chief Financial Officer

 

 

20