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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X]ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998,
or
[ ]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 0-3035
COGNITRONICS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEW YORK 13-1953544
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
3 Corporate Drive, Danbury, Connecticut 06810
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 830-3400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of each exchange on
Title of each class which registered
------------------- ------------------------
Common Stock, par value $0.20 per share American Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for at least the past 90 days. Yes x No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of March 1, 1999:
Common Stock, par value $0.20 per share -- $28,849,000
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
stock as of March 1, 1999:
Common Stock, par value $0.20 per share -- 3,680,923 shares
Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of the Proxy Statement for the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 13, 1999 are incorporated by
reference into Part III.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
ItemPage
1. Business 3
2. Properties 5
3. Legal Proceedings 5
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 5
Executive Officers of the Company 6
PART II
5. Market for Company's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters 8
6. Selected Financial Data 8
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 9
7a. Market Risk 12
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 12
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure 30
PART III
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Company 30
11. Executive Compensation 30
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 30
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 30
PART IV
14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
on Form 8-K 30
McIAS is a trademark of Cognitronics Corporation.
UNIX is a registered trademark of Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
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PART I
Item 1. Business
(a) Cognitronics Corporation (the "Company") was incorporated in January
1962 under the laws of the State of New York. The Company designs,
manufactures and markets voice processing systems.
(b) The Company operates in two segments of the voice processing
industry.
(c) (i) A description of the fields of voice processing in which the
Company operates and its products are as follows:
Domestic Operation. These products are sold directly to telephone service
providers or through switch manufacturers who distribute the Company's
products.
Passive Announcers. These announcers are used by the Incumbent Local
Exchange Carriers (ILECs) and Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) to
inform callers about network conditions or procedures to invoke the use of a
service. The Company has been a major supplier to the industry of passive
announcers and incorporates these features in products such as the Model 688
Automatic Number Announcer, McIAS™ 950, and the McIAS 16xx product
family. .
Intelligent Announcers. The Company's McIAS 16xx product family has been
primarily used by ILECs and CLECs to provide voice announcements in
connection with custom calling features (CLASS), such as selective call
forwarding and caller originator trace. Number change intercept is another
important feature provided.
The Company's current generation of network-based voice information
systems is known as the McIAS 16xx series. The 16xx is available in two
versions: a lower cost configuration which provides network announcement
functionality, is available as a 1607/68 (1 T-1 span capacity) and a 1610/68
(3 T-1 span capacity). The second version of this series is a UNIX®-based
platform which utilizes many of the same components as the /68 series and is
known as McIAS 16xx/IP. "IP" designates an Intelligent Peripheral, indicating
the ability to serve as a voice peripheral to any manufacturer's switch and
delivering multiple application capability.
The McIAS 16xx/IP is available as a 1607/IP, a 1610/IP, and a 1623/IP.
Features include an open architecture, scaleable processing power and disk
drives, and centralized administration. Application examples include, or will
include, number change with call completion, automated attendant, voice mail,
interactive voice response, prepaid calling cards, audiotext, and time and
temperature announcements. The evolution of this product line will continue
in 1999 with the introduction of an all-VME based 1623, providing greater
capacity for the advanced functionality of an AIN (Advanced Intelligent
Network) voice resource, known as an Intelligent Peripheral. Included are
capabilities such as SS7, the Company's new multi-resource line card, and T1,
E1 and ISDN Primary Rate interfaces, which can be utilized to deliver
additional capabilities such as voice activated dialing, voice recognition and
text to speech. The Company believes that this technology will provide for a
successful entry into the Advanced Intelligent Network market.
Call Processors. The Company's McIAS 950 is also an automated attendant
and audiotext system with the flexibility to offer the caller various choices
(dial an extension, revert to an operator, etc.). The system also offers a
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wide variety of menu-selected information to callers. The McIAS 950 is
designed for use in both telephone network environments and the commercial
business market.
European Distributorship Operations. Dacon Electronics Plc., based in
Hertfordshire, England, distributes call management and voice processing
products, including products manufactured by the Company, in Europe.
(ii) Status of publicly announced new products or industry segments
requiring material investment. Inapplicable.
(iii) The Company has adequate sources for obtaining raw materials,
components and supplies to meet production requirements and did not
experience difficulty during 1998 in obtaining such materials and
components.
(iv) The Company relies on technological expertise, responsiveness
to users' needs and innovations and believes that these are of greater
significance in its industry than patent protection. There can be no assurance
that patents owned or controlled by others will not be encountered and
asserted against the Company's voice processing products or that licenses or
other rights under such patents would be available, if needed. The Company has
registered trademarks and names which the Company considers important in
promoting the business of the Company and its products.
(v) Seasonality. Inapplicable.
(vi) The discussion of liquidity and sources of capital as set
forth in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations is included in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
and is incorporated herein by reference.
(vii) In 1998, revenues included sales of $6.8 million to Northern
Telecom, Inc. and sales of $5.2 million to Siemens Telecom Network. The
Company's U.K. operations had sales of $5.2 million to British
Telecommunications Plc in 1998. Over the past several years, a major portion
of the revenues of the domestic operations has come from two or three large
customers, and a significant portion of the revenues of the UK operations has
come from one customer. Accordingly, the loss of any of these customers
could have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations.
(viii) The dollar amount of orders believed by the Company to be
firm as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, amounted to $1.2 million and $1.6
million, respectively. Substantially all of the orders as of December 31,
1998, can reasonably be expected to be filled during 1999.
(ix) Business subject to renegotiation. Inapplicable.
(x) The Company competes, and expects to compete, in fields noted
for rapid technological advances and the frequent introduction of new
products and services. The Company's products are similar to those
manufactured, or capable of being manufactured, by a number of companies, some
of which are well-established corporations with financial, personnel and technic
al resources substantially larger than those of the Company. The Company's
ability to compete in the future depends on its ability to maintain the
technological and performance advantages of its current products and to
introduce new products and applications that achieve market acceptance. Future
research and development expenditures will be based, in part, on future
results of operations. There are no assurances that the Company will be able
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to successfully develop and market new products and applications.
(xi) Expenditures for research and development activities, as
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
amounted to $2.0 million in 1998, $1.8 million in 1997 and $1.6 million in
1996. In addition, the estimated dollar amount spent on the improvement of
existing products or techniques was $.2 million in 1998 and 1997 and $.1
million in 1996.
(xii) Material effects of compliance with Federal, State or local
provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or
otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. Inapplicable.
(xiii) At December 31, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries
employed 96 people.
(d) Sales to foreign customers primarily represent sales of Dacon
Electronics Plc. (incorporated in the United Kingdom) of $8.3 million in 1998,
$8.0 million in 1997 and $7.3 million in 1996. Additional information about
foreign operations is included in Note K to Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Further, there were export-type sales (primarily North America) of
approximately $2.4 million in 1998, $1.1 million in 1997 and $.1 million in
1996 . Export sales do not involve any greater business risks than do sales
to domestic customers and, in certain instances, the Company obtains an
irrevocable letter of credit or payment prior to shipment of products to the
customer. Selling prices and gross profit margins on export-type sales are
comparable to sales to domestic customers.
Item 2. Properties
The facilities of the Company and its subsidiaries are located as
follows:
Square Lease Expiration
Location Description Feet Date
- -------- ----------- ------ ----------------
Danbury, Connecticut: Office, engineering, 40,000 10/31/03
3 Corporate Drive production and
service facility
Hemel Hempstead Office, distribution 12,000 7/31/01
Hertfordshire, and service facility
United Kingdom
1 Enterprise Way
The Company considers each of these facilities to be in good condition
and adequate for the Company's business.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or
any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is the
subject.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Inapplicable.
6
Executive Officers of the Company
The executive officers of the Company, their positions with the Company and
ages as of March 1, 1999 are as follows:
Name Position(s) and Office(s) Age
Brian J. Kelley President and Chief Executive Officer;
Director 47
Kenneth G. Brix Vice President 52
Harold F. Mayer Secretary 69
Michael N. Keefe Vice President 43
Roy A. Strutt Vice President; Director 42
Garrett Sullivan Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 53
Emmanuel A. Zizzo Vice President 58
No family relationships exist between the executive officers of the
Company. Each of the executive officers was elected to serve until the next
annual meeting of the Board of Directors or until his successor shall have
been elected and qualified.
Mr. Kelley has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
since 1994. Prior to that he was Executive Vice President of
TIE/Communications, Inc. from 1991 to 1994 with responsibility for business
development, acquisitions and product management, President of CTG Inc., a
subsidiary of TIE/Canada, Inc., from 1990 to 1991 and President of TIE
National Accounts, Inc., a subsidiary of TIE/Communications, Inc., from 1986
to 1990.
Mr. Brix has been a Vice President of the Company since 1994 with
responsibility for U.S. sales and marketing. Prior to that he was Director of
Sales and Marketing of Syntellect Network Systems, Inc. from 1993 to 1994,
Regional Vice President of Voicetek Corp. from 1990 to 1993 and President of
Voicecom Associates, Inc. from 1987 to 1990.
Mr. Mayer has been Secretary of the Company since 1975. He was Treasurer
from 1974 to 1989 and a Vice President of the Company from 1986 to 1996.
Mr. Keefe has been a Vice President of the Company since 1993 with
responsibility for engineering, prior to which he was Manager of Software
Planning and Development from 1992 until 1993 and senior engineer for more
than five years. He has been employed by the Company since 1980.
Mr. Strutt has been a Vice President of the Company since 1994 with
responsibility for European operations. Since 1992, he has been Managing
Director of Dacon Electronics Plc, which was acquired by the Company in 1992,
and Director of Sales and Operations from 1990 to 1992. Prior to that he was
Managing Director of Automatic Answering Ltd. for four years.
Mr. Sullivan has been Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the
Company since 1989. Prior to that he was Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
of Fundsnet, Inc., an electronic funds transfer company, from 1986 until 1989.
He was employed by The Singer Co. from 1977 to 1986, where his most recent
position was Vice President-Finance, Asia Division.
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Mr. Zizzo has been a Vice President of the Company since 1995 with
responsibility for operations, primarily manufacturing, purchasing and
physical facilities, prior to which he had been Director of Operations since
1994. He was an independent consultant from 1993 to 1994. Prior to that he was
a Vice President of TIE/Communications, Inc. from 1991 to 1992, a Vice
President of CTG Inc., a subsidiary of TIE/Canada, Inc., from 1990 to 1991 and
Director of Customer Support Services of TIE/Communications, Inc. for more
than five years.
8
PART II
Item 5. Market for Company's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
(a) and (b) Cognitronics' stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange
under the symbol CGN. On March 1, 1999, there were 787 shareholders of record;
the Company estimates that the total number of beneficial owners was
approximately 3,100. Information on quarterly stock prices is set forth in
Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by
reference.
(c) The Company has never paid a cash dividend on its Common Stock and
has used its cash for the development of its business. In 1998, the Company
announced its intention to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of its Common
Stock. Through December 31, 1998, the Company had repurchased 100 shares of
its Common Stock. The Company has no present intention of paying a cash
dividend, and payment of any future dividends will depend upon the Company's
earnings, financial condition and other relevant factors.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Year ended December 31,
(in thousands except per share data)
---------------------------------------------
OPERATING RESULTS 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Revenues $28,917 $29,521 $17,343 $17,485 $14,576
Net income (loss) 4,689 3,622 1,099 1,321 (297)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic $1.27 $1.04 $.32 $.40 $(.09)
Diluted 1.17 .93 .31 .38 (.09)
Weighted average number of
basic shares outstanding 3,695 3,489 3,383 3,278 3,144
Weighted average number of
diluted shares outstanding 3,995 3,893 3,585 3,438 3,144
FINANCIAL POSITION
Working capital $18,281 $13,112 $ 8,745 $ 7,374 $ 4,956
Total assets 27,080 23,123 17,511 15,040 14,180
Common stock subject to repurchase 1,250
Stockholders' equity 20,033 15,014 10,612 9,044 7,042
Stockholders' equity per share $5.37 $4.09 $3.05 $2.63 $2.25
Cash dividends paid None None None None None
Included in 1997 is $956,000 (net of tax $598,000 or $.17 per basic share and
$.15 per diluted share) of settlement costs and legal fees related to class
action litigation.
The above Selected Financial Data should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, including the notes thereto,
and the unaudited quarterly financial data included in Item 8 of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
9
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
The Company reported net income of $4.7 million, $3.6 million and $1.1
million for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
In 1998, sales decreased 2% to $28.9 million from $29.5 million in 1997
due to decreased sales of $.9 million (4%) by the Company's domestic
operations, offset in part by increased sales of $.3 million (4%) by the
Company's UK distributorship operations. This decrease reflects lower direct
and indirect (OEM) sales in the United States of $2 million, offset by an
increase of $1.1 million in export sales (primarily to North America). The UK
distributorship operations increase is primarily attributable to exchange rate
fluctuation. The Company's backlog at December 31, 1998 was $1.2 million
versus $1.6 million at December 31, 1997. A major portion of the Company's
domestic revenue comes from two customers and a significant portion of its UK
distributorship revenue comes from one customer. The loss of any of these
customers would have a material adverse impact on the Company.
Gross margin percentage improved 1% to 55% in 1998 from 1997. The US
operations' gross margin percentage increased .5% in 1998 from 1997 due to
improved product management. The UK distributorship's gross margin percentage
increased 2.5% in 1998 as compared to 1997 due to favorable product mix and
favorable exchange rates.
In 1997, sales increased $12.2 million (70%) to $29.5 million from $17.3
million in 1996 primarily due to increased sales of $11.5 million (114%) by
the Company's domestic operations. Sales of the domestic operations to
original equipment manufacturers increased approximately $8.4 million in 1997
over 1996, due to increased sales to a switch manufacturer and large volume
sales to a second switch manufacturer. Direct sales to CLECs increased
approximately $2.9 million in 1997 as compared to 1996, as these
telecommunication providers commence to build out their networks. Sales by
the Company's UK distributorship operations increased $.7 million (9%) from
1996 to $8.0 million due to increased volume. Gross margin percentages for
1997 were comparable to 1996.
In 1998 and 1997, research and development increased $.2 million (11% and
13%, respectively) in each year versus the prior year due to higher personnel
costs.
In 1998, selling, general and administrative costs decreased from the
prior year $.4 million (6%) to $6.6 million due to a decrease of $.5 million
(10%) in the domestic operations primarily attributable to lower bonus expense
and sales commissions. In 1997, selling, general and administrative costs
increased $1.6 million (29%) to $7.0 million. The domestic operations
increased $.9 million (29%) to $4.2 million primarily due to higher sales
commissions and bonuses based on profitability. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for the UK distributorship operations increased $.6
million (30%) to $2.8 million primarily due to higher personnel and facilities
costs.
In 1997, litigation expense represents costs accrued to settle the class
action litigation and expenses incurred during the year in defending this
matter.
Other income was $.4 million in 1998 versus $.2 million in 1997 and $.1
million in 1996 due to higher interest income earned on available cash
balances and marketable securities and additionally in 1998 due to interest
on income realized on tax refunds.
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The Company's effective tax rate for 1998 was 36% versus 39% for 1997 and
41% for 1996. The reduction in the effective rate in 1998 from 1997 is
attributable to high US tax credits for R&D, higher amounts of tax-free
interest income and a higher proportion of income from foreign operations.
The reduction in the effective tax rate in 1997 from 1996 is primarily
attributable to the decreasing impact of the non-deductibility of goodwill on
the effective tax rate as pretax income increases. The provision for income
taxes is discussed in Note G to Consolidated Financial Statements. Under
Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 109, the Company
has recognized future tax benefits that management believes will be realized.
In order to realize these benefits, the Company, exclusive of the results of
Dacon Electronics Plc, will have to generate pretax income of $4.4 million.
The current deferred tax benefit of $.9 million is primarily attributable to
inventory provisions, the recognition of such loss, for tax purposes, is, in
large measure, within the control of the Company. The non-current tax benefit,
$.8 million, primarily relates to deferred compensation and benefit plans and,
as such, would be recognized over a long period of time. The Company's U.S.
pretax income was $6.0, $5.3 million and $.8 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Based on this, management anticipates that the Company will
generate sufficient taxable income in the future to realize these benefits.
The effect of inflation has not had a major impact on the operating
results of the Company over the past few years. However, technological
advances and productivity improvements are continually being applied to reduce
costs, thus reducing inflationary pressures on the operating results of the
Company.
Exchange rate changes will impact the reported dollar sales and cost of
sales of the Company's UK distributorship operations. In addition, at
December 31, 1998, the Company's UK distributorship operations had net assets
of $2.7 million, which would be impacted by changes in foreign exchange
rates. However, the impact of such rate change would be reflected in the
translation adjustment recorded in the equity section of the balance sheet.
The Company does not hedge this foreign currency net asset exposure.
Liquidity and Sources of Capital
Net cash flow from operations was $3.7 million, $4.5 million and $1.2
million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, primarily due to the results of
operations. Increases in accounts receivable and inventories and decreases in
accounts payable and other accrued expenses offset, in part, by lower tax
payments adversely impacted net cash flow from operations in 1998. Cash
provided by operating activities decreased in 1998 from 1997, in spite of
increased net income due to an increase in working capital. The increase in
1997 when compared to 1996 reflects the higher net income. Cash used by
investing activities was $1.0, $3.2 and $2.0 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Included in these amounts were $.5, $2.7 and $1.2 million,
respectively, for the net purchase of marketable securities. Cash provided by
financing activities was $.1 million in 1998 and in 1996.
Working capital increased to $18.3 million at December 31, 1998 from
$13.1 million at December 31, 1997 and $8.7 million at December 31, 1996. The
ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 4.9:1 at December 31, 1998
versus 3.3:1 at December 31, 1997 and 3.1:1 at December 31, 1996. The
increase in 1998 and 1997 is primarily due to the results of operations.
The Company anticipates making capital expenditures of approximately $.5
million, repurchasing up to 200,000 shares of its Common Stock and incurring
increased research and development expenditures in 1999. Management believes
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that the cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 1998 and the cash flow
from operations in 1999 will be sufficient to meet its needs.
Impact of Year 2000
The Year 2000 issue relates to possible failures in computer systems and
computer driven equipment due to the rollover to the year 2000.
Internal Systems. The Year 2000 problem could result in a system failure
or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations, including, among other
things, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or
engage in similar normal business activities. The Company has modified
existing software, converted to new software and replaced certain hardware to
make its systems Year 2000 compliant. The Company has begun to test these
new/modified systems to ensure that they are Year 2000 compliant. However, if
such systems are not Year 2000 compliant and additional modifications and
conversions are not made, or are not completed timely, the Year 2000 issue
could have a material impact on the operations of the Company.
Vendors. The Company has initiated formal communications with all of its
significant suppliers to determine the extent to which the Company is
vulnerable to suppliers' failure to remediate their own Year 2000 issues.
Most vendors have replied to our inquiries and have indicated that they expect
to be Year 2000 compliant on a timely basis.
Products. Currently, the products the Company ships are Year 2000
compliant; however, the Company has sold in the past products that could be
impacted. For the impacted products, the Company has made, or will make,
available, at a cost, upgrades that, among other things, correct this
problem.
The Company currently has no contingency plans in place in the event it
does not complete all phases of the Year 2000 program. The Company is
currently evaluating the status of the above programs to determine whether
such a plan is necessary. If such a plan is necessary, it would consist of
manual and computer work-arounds and increased inventory levels.
The Company will utilize both internal and external resources to
reprogram, or replace, and test the software for Year 2000 modifications. The
Company anticipates that total expenditures for these programs will be
approximately $.1 million.
The costs of the project and the date on which the Company believes it
will complete the Year 2000 modifications are based on management's best
estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future events,
including the continued availability of certain resources, third party
modification plans and other factors. However, there can be no guarantee that
these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated. Furthermore, the Company cannot estimate or predict
the potential adverse consequences, if any, that could result from a third
party's failure to effectively address the issue.
Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results
From time to time, information provided by the Company, statements made
by its employees or information included in its filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (including this Form 10-K) may contain statements
which are not historical facts, so-called "forward-looking statements". These
forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of
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the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's actual
future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward-
looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, product demand, pricing, market
acceptance, litigation, risk of dependence on significant customers, third
party suppliers and intellectual property rights, Year 2000 compliance risks in
product and technology development and other risk factors detailed in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's other Securities and Exchange
Commission filings. Further, the Company's sales volume may vary from quarter
to quarter as a result of a variety of factors. Because, in the short term, a
significant portion of the Company's expenses are fixed, sales variances would
have a significant effect on the results of operations.
Item 7.a Market Risk
The Company does not use derivative financial instruments. The Company
is exposed to changes in interest rates. The Company's marketable securities
consist of short-term and/or variable rate instruments and therefore a change
in interest rates would not have a material impact on the value of these
securities.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands except per share amounts)
1998 First Second Third Fourth
----- ------ ----- ------
Sales $7,540 $7,069 $7,029 $7,279
Gross profit 4,211 3,955 3,901 3,767
Net income 1,196 1,189 1,114 1,190
Net income per share:
Basic $.32 $.32 $.30 $.32
Diluted $.30 $.30 $.28 $.30
Common Stock price range:
High $21 $18 3/8 $14 1/4 $12
Low 15 1/8 12 9/16 8 7
1997 First Second Third Fourth
----- ------ ----- ------
Sales $5,548 $9,645 $7,245 $7,083
Gross profit 2,895 5,406 3,818 3,704
Net income 504 1,614 941 563
Net income per share:
Basic $.15 $.47 $.27 $.16
Diluted $.14 $.42 $.24 $.14
Common Stock price range:
High $5 3/8 $11 3/4 $19 1/8 $21 3/4
Low 3 11/16 4 9/16 11 7/16 13 11/16
Included in the fourth quarter of 1998 is $100,000 (net of tax - $.02 per
basic share and diluted share) related to interest income on tax refunds. In
addition, the effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 1998 was 28.5% versus
the estimated effective rate of 38.3% for the first nine months of 1998 and 25%
for the fourth quarter of 1997.
Included in the fourth quarter of 1997 is $915,000 (net of tax - $572,000,
$.16 per basic share and $.14 per diluted share) for settlement costs and legal
fees related to class action litigation. An Order and Final Judgement
approving the settlement was issued in 1998.
The above financial information should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes thereto.
13
Report of Independent Auditors
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Cognitronics Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cognitronics
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders'
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Cognitronics
Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
March 5, 1999
14
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
COGNITRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
1998 1997
---- ----
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,991 $ 4,188
Marketable securities 4,400 3,900
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $44 and $38 4,972 4,300
Inventories 5,012 4,386
Deferred income taxes 858 1,023
Other current assets 766 1,050
------- -------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 22,999 18,847
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net 1,334 1,223
GOODWILL, less amortization of $2,061 and $1,729 1,316 1,648
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 809 769
OTHER ASSETS 622 636
------- -------
$27,080 $23,123
======= =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 1,603 $ 2,378
Accrued compensation and benefits 1,066 1,051
Income taxes payable 974 317
Current maturities of debt 112 114
Other accrued expenses 963 1,875
------- -------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 4,718 5,735
LONG-TERM DEBT 140 111
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,189 2,263
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note I)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock, par value $.20 a share; authorized
10,000,000 shares; issued 3,732,023 and
3,667,351 shares 746 733
Additional paid-in capital 13,628 13,209
Retained earnings 5,733 1,067
Cumulative other comprehensive income 166 24
Unearned compensation (239) (19)
------- -------
20,034 15,014
Less cost of 100 common shares in treasury (1)
------- -------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 20,033 15,014
------- -------
$27,080 $23,123
======= =======
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.
15
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
COGNITRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(in thousands except per share data)
Year ended December 31,
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
SALES $28,917 $29,521 $17,343
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of products sold 13,083 13,698 8,227
Research and development 1,997 1,807 1,600
Selling, general and administrative 6,564 6,972 5,394
Amortization of goodwill 332 333 332
Class action litigation 956
Other (income) expense, net (404) (165) (80)
------- ------- -------
21,572 23,601 15,473
------- ------- -------
Income before income taxes 7,345 5,920 1,870
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 2,656 2,298 771
------- ------- -------
NET INCOME 4,689 3,622 1,099
Currency translation adjustment 142 (153) 248
------- ------- -------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 4,831 $ 3,469 $ 1,347
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
Basic $1.27 $1.04 $.32
Diluted $1.17 $.93 $.31
16
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998
(dollars in thousands)
Common Stock Additional Compre- Unearned Treasury
Shares Paid-In Retained hensive Compensa- Shares
Outstanding Amount Capital Earnings Income tion Amount
Balance at January 1, 1996 3,437,936 $687 $12,146 $(3,453) $(71) $(265) $ 0
Shares issued pursuant to
employee stock plans 37,637 8 104 109
Currency translation adjustment 248
Net income 1,099
--------- ---- ------- ------- ---- ----- ---
Balance at December 31, 1996 3,475,573 695 12,250 (2,354) 177 (156) 0
Shares issued pursuant to
employee stock plans 211,388 42 1,129 137
Shares returned to pay statutory
withholding tax (19,610) (4) (170) (201)
Currency translation adjustment (153)
Net income 3,622
--------- ---- ------- ------ ---- ----- ---
Balance at December 31, 1997 3,667,351 733 13,209 1,067 24 (19) 0
Shares issued pursuant to
employee stock plans 32,334 7 369 (220)
Shares returned to pay statutory
withholding tax (3,867) (1) (29) (23)
Repurchase of common shares (1)
Exercise of Warrants 36,205 7 79
Currency translation adjustment 142
Net income 4,689
--------- ---- ------- ------- ---- ----- ---
Balance at December 31, 1998 3,732,023 $746 $13,628 $ 5,733 $166 $(239) $(1)
========= ==== ======= ======= ==== ===== ===
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.
17
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
COGNITRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(in thousands) Year ended December 31,
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $4,689 $3,622 $1,099
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating
activities:
Income tax expense 2,656 2,298 771
Depreciation and amortization 769 758 690
Loss on disposition of assets 6 3 62
Shares issued as compensation 40 188 109
Net (increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable (605) (750) (667)
Inventories (569) (602) (741)
Other assets 284 (459) 15
Net increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable (802) 732 904
Accrued compensation and benefits (60) 191 (78)
Other accrued expenses (793) 1,218 (19)
------ ------ ------
5,615 7,199 2,145
Income taxes paid (1,956) (2,712) (974)
------ ------ ------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 3,659 4,487 1,171
------ ------ ------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of marketable securities (3,700) (5,750) (1,200)
Sale of marketable securities 3,200 3,050
Proceeds from disposition of assets 24 387 24
Additions to property, plant and equipment (539) (381) (846)
Purchase of software licenses (528)
------ ------ ------
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (1,015) (3,222) (2,022)
------ ------ ------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal payments on debt (174) (433) (213)
Issuance of debt 196 210 192
Shares issued pursuant to employee
stock plans 22 611 93
Shares issued pursuant to warrants 86
Shares repurchased for treasury (1)
Shares returned to pay statutory
withholding tax upon vesting of
restricted stock (53) (375)
------ ------ ------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 76 13 72
------ ------ ------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE DIFFERENCES 83 (59) 80
------ ------ ------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 2,803 1,219 (699)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF YEAR 4,188 2,969 3,668
------ ------ ------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR $6,991 $4,188 $2,969
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.
18
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
COGNITRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Note A. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization. The Company designs, manufactures and markets voice processing
products in the United States and, through a subsidiary, distributes call
management and voice processing equipment in Europe.
Risks and Uncertainties. A major portion of the Company's domestic revenues
is generated by sales to two customers, and a significant portion of its
European distributorship revenue comes from one customer. The loss of any of
these customers would have a material adverse impact on the Company. The
Company's receivables are primarily from major, well-established companies in
the telecommunications industry, and at December 31, 1998, three such
companies accounted for 35% of the Company's accounts receivable. In
addition, 39% of the Company's accounts receivable were supported by a letter
of credit. The Company's markets are subject to rapid technological change
and frequent introduction of new products. The Company's products are similar
to those manufactured, or capable of being manufactured, by a number of
companies, some of which are well-established with financial, personnel and
technical resources substantially larger than those of the Company. The
Company's ability to compete in the future depends on its ability to maintain
the technological and performance advantages of its current products and to
introduce new products and applications that achieve market acceptance.
Principles of Consolidation. The financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. Intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue. Revenue is recognized when products are shipped or when services are
rendered.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principals requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts of the Company's
financial instruments (trade receivables/payables and other short-term and
long-term debt) due to their terms and maturities approximate fair value.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers financial instruments with a
maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash
equivalents. At December 31, 1998, essentially all of the Company's cash and
cash equivalent balances were with three financial institutions.
Marketable Securities. Marketable securities are classified as available for
sale and are reported at cost. Due to their short maturities and/or reset
provisions, their carrying value approximates fair value.
Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out
method) or market.
Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment is carried at
cost less allowances for depreciation, computed in accordance with the
straight-line method based on estimated useful lives. The estimated lives for
machinery and equipment are 5 to 12 years and for furniture and fixtures 4 to
19
10 years.
Foreign Exchange. Results of operations for the Company's foreign subsidiary
were translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates during the
period, while assets and liabilities were translated using current rates at
the end of the period.
Stock Based Compensation. The Company grants stock options for a fixed number
of shares to employees with an exercise price equal to the fair value at the
date of grant. The Company accounts for stock option grants in accordance
with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees", and therefore recognizes no compensation expense
for stock options granted. In 1996, the Company adopted the disclosure
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" (see Note J).
Income Per Share. In December 1997, the Company adopted SFAS No. 128 and
restated prior periods. Under this statement, primary and fully diluted
earnings per share were replaced with basic and diluted earnings per share,
respectively. In computing basic earnings per share, the dilutive effect of
stock options and warrants are excluded, whereas for diluted earnings per
share they are included. The shares used in the basic earnings per share
calculations were 3,695,203, 3,488,943 and 3,382,603 and in the diluted
earnings per share were 3,995,385, 3,893,210 and 3,585,269 for 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
Goodwill. The Company has classified as goodwill the cost in excess of fair
value of the net assets of companies acquired in purchase transactions.
Goodwill is amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful
life (10 years). Goodwill in excess of associated expected operating cash
flows is considered to be impaired and is written down to fair value.
Note B. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
The allowance for doubtful accounts was increased (decreased) by $24,000,
$(12,000) and $35,000 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, by (credits)
charges to costs and expenses. The Company wrote off uncollectible accounts,
net of recoveries, of $18,000, $53,000 and $15,000 in 1998 and 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
Note C. Inventories (in thousands):
1998 1997
---- ----
Finished and in process $3,998 $3,450
Materials and purchased parts 1,014 936
------ ------
$5,012 $4,386
====== ======
Note D. Property, Plant and Equipment (in thousands):
1998 1997
---- ----
Machinery and equipment $1,780 $1,383
Furniture and fixtures 1,777 1,755
----- -----
3,557 3,138
Less allowances for depreciation 2,223 1,915
------ ------
$1,334 $1,223
====== ======
20
Note E. Other Non-current Liabilities (in thousands):
1998 1997
---- ----
Accrued officers' supplemental pension $ 630 $ 667
Accrued deferred compensation 316 324
Accrued pension 647 670
Accrued postretirement benefit 778 778
------ ------
2,371 2,439
Less current portion 182 176
------ ------
$2,189 $2,263
====== ======
Note F. Debt and Credit Arrangements
During 1998, the Company increased its line of credit from $2 million to $6
million. The line of credit matures in July, 1999. Borrowings under this
arrangement are subject to various financial covenants, are due on demand, are
based on the amount of eligible accounts receivable and inventory, as defined,
bear interest at the prime rate and are secured by substantially all of the
Company's assets. In 1998 and 1997, no amounts were borrowed under the
Company's lines of credit.
Dacon Electronics Plc has a bank line of credit of $165,000 expiring in 1999.
During 1998 and 1997, no amounts were borrowed under this facility.
Long term debt (in thousands):
1998 1997
---- ----
Installment finance agreements, interest at 8% to 12%
per annum expiring through 2003 $252 $225
Less current maturities of debt 112 114
---- ----
$140 $111
==== ====
Payments on the installment finance agreements in each of the five years in
the period ending December 31, 2003 are $112,000, $50,000, $43,000, $35,000 and
$12,000, respectively.
Interest of $42,000, $53,000 and $63,000 was paid in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
Note G. Income Taxes
At December 31, 1998, the consolidated retained earnings included
approximately $1.7 million of retained earnings applicable to Dacon
Electronics Plc, a foreign subsidiary. If the undistributed earnings were
remitted, any resulting federal tax would be substantially reduced by foreign
tax credits.
The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended
December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
21
1998 1997 1996
Current: ---- ---- ----
Federal $1,565 $2,023 $359
Foreign 377 310 480
State 370 310 71
------ ------ ----
Total current 2,312 2,643 910
------ ------ ----
Deferred:
Federal 344 (345) (135)
Foreign
State (4)
------ ------ ----
Total deferred 344 (345) (139)
------ ------ ----
$2,656 $2,298 $771
====== ====== ====
Not reflected in the 1998, 1997 and 1996 tax provisions are $94,000, $509,000
and $19,000, respectively, of income tax benefits related to employee stock
plans; such amounts were credited to additional paid-in capital.
Domestic and foreign pretax income for the years ended December 31 are as
follows (in thousands):
1998 1997 1996
Domestic operations $6,025 $5,313 $ 815
Foreign Operations 1,320 607 1,055
------ ------ ------
$7,345 $5,920 $1,870
====== ====== ======
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets as of December 31, 1998 and
1997 are as follows (in thousands):
1998 1997
---- ----
Deferred tax liabilities $ 79 $ 42
------- -------
Deferred tax assets:
Inventory valuation 700 705
Accrued liabilities and employee benefits 313 649
Accrued deferred compensation 351 368
Other post-retirement benefits 296 296
Separate return federal operating loss carryforwards
expiring in 2008 and 2009 445 445
Other 86 57
------ ------
Total deferred tax assets 2,191 2,520
Valuation allowance (445) (686)
------ ------
1,746 1,834
------ ------
Net deferred tax assets $1,667 $1,792
====== ======
Valuation allowance at January 1 $ (686) $ (646)
Credited (charged) to tax expense 22 (40)
Reclassified to taxes payable 219
------ ------
Valuation allowance at December 31 $ (445) $ (686)
====== ======
22
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax
rate on income for the years ended December 31, are as follows:
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Statutory federal income tax rate 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 3.6 3.5 2.4
Lower foreign tax rate (1.0) (0.2) (0.8)
Research & Development Credit (1.6) (0.7) (1.8)
Nontaxable interest income (0.7) (0.4)
Goodwill amortization 1.5 1.9 6.0
Other 0.4 0.7 1.4
---- ---- ----
36.2% 38.8% 41.2%
==== ==== ====
Note H. Other (Income) Expense, Net (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
1998 1997 1996
Interest expense $ 73 $ 74 $ 82
Interest income (477) (239) (164)
Foreign exchange gain 2
----- ----- ----
$(404) $(165) $(80)
===== ===== ====
Note I. Commitments
Leases. Total rental expense amounted to $465,000 in 1998, $449,000 in 1997
and $377,000 in 1996. Future annual payments for long-term noncancellable
leases for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2003 are
approximately $502,000, $473,000, $370,000, $260,000 and $216,000,
respectively, and no amounts thereafter.
Pension Plan. The Company and its domestic subsidiaries have a defined
benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. The benefits are
based on years of service and the employee's compensation. No additional
service cost benefits were earned subsequent to June 30, 1994. The Company's
funding policy is to contribute amounts to the plan sufficient to meet the
minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, plus such additional amounts as the Company may
determine to be appropriate from time to time.
The components of net cost of the plan for the years ended December 31 are as
follows (in thousands):
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation $115 $103 $103
Actual return on plan assets (120) (170) (117)
Net amortization and deferral 31 77 24
---- ---- ----
Net periodic pension cost $ 26 $ 10 $ 10
==== ==== ====
The following table sets forth the plan's funded status and the accrued
pension liability recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at
December 31 (in thousands):
23
1998 1997
---- ----
Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to date
Beginning of year $1,542 $1,412
(Gain)loss due to change in estimates 227 57
Interest cost 115 103
Less benefits paid (111) (108)
Obligation (gain)loss 0 78
------ -----
End of year $1,773 $1,542
------ ------
Plan assets at fair value
Beginning of year 1,200 1,085
Actual return on plan assets 120 169
Contribution 49 54
Benefits paid (111) (108)
------ ------
End of year 1,258 1,200
------ ------
Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation (515) (342)
Unrecognized net asset, less accumulated amortization
of $156 and $148 (25) (33)
Unrecognized net gain (107) (295)
------ ------
Accrued pension liability (included in other non-current
liabilities) $ (647) $ (670)
====== ======
The discount rate used in determining the projected benefit obligation was
6.75% in 1998 and 1997. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
used in determining the net periodic pension cost was 7% for all years
presented. In 1998, the Company changed the mortality assumptions causing an
increase in benefit obligations and a decrease in unrecognized gain of
$227,000.
The plan assets at December 31, 1998 and 1997 were principally invested in
corporate debt and equity securities.
401(k) Retirement Plan. The Company has a defined contribution plan covering
substantially all domestic employees. The Company's contribution is based upon
the participants' contributions. The expense was $52,000, $40,000 and $32,000
in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Officers' Supplemental Pension Plan. The Company has an unfunded,
noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain retired
officers.
The components of net pension cost of the plan for the years ended December 31
are as follows (in thousands):
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation $35 $39 $40
Amortization of actuarial gains (3) (6) (7)
--- --- ---
Net periodic pension cost $32 $33 $33
=== === ===
The following table sets forth the plan's status and the accrued pension
24
liability recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at December
31 (in thousands):
1998 1997
---- ----
Projected benefit obligations
Balance at beginning of period $548 $577
Loss on change in estimates 30
Interest expense 35 39
Less benefits paid (70) (68)
---- ----
Balance at end of period $543 $548
Unrecognized net gain 87 119
---- ----
Accrued pension liability (included in other non-current
liabilities) $630 $667
==== ====
The discount rates used in determining the projected benefit obligation was
6.75% in 1998 and 7.25% in 1997 and 1996. All participants are retired and
receiving benefits under the Plan and therefore future increases in
compensation are not applicable.
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. In addition to the Company's pension
plans, the Company has a contributory, unfunded defined benefit plan providing
certain health care benefits for domestic employees who retired prior to March
31, 1996. The participants' contributions are adjusted periodically and are
based on age and length of service at time of retirement. The assumed rate of
increase in the per capita cost of covered benefits was 7.8% decreasing to 6%
after 6 years. Increasing the health care cost trend rate by one percentage
point each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation by $52,000 at December 31, 1998 and the aggregate service and
interest cost component of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 1998
by $3,000. The corresponding impact for a 1% decrease are $(47,000) and
($3,000), respectively. The weighted average discount rate used in
determining the net periodic postretirement benefit cost and accumulated
benefit obligation was 7.0% for all periods presented.
The following sets forth the plan's status and accrued post-retirement benefit
liability recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at December
31 (in thousands):
1998 1997
---- ----
Actuarial present value of accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation: $635 $526
Unrecognized net gain 143 252
---- ----
Accrued postretirement benefit liability (included in
other non-current liabilities) $778 $778
==== ====
The components of post-retirement benefit cost for the years ended December
31, are as follows (in thousands):
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Interest cost $42 $36 $44
Net amortization (8) (18) (6)
--- --- ---
Net periodic cost $34 $18 $38
=== === ===
25
Deferred Compensation. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the liability relating
to a deferred compensation arrangement between the Company and a director and
former officer of the Company was $316,000 and $324,000, respectively.
Note J. Stock Plans
At December 31, 1998, the Company has reserved 30,349 shares of its common
stock for grant to key employees under the 1990 Stock Option Plan. The plan
provides for the grant, at fair market value on the date of grant, of
nonqualified stock options and incentive stock options. Options generally
become exercisable in three equal annual installments on a cumulative basis
commencing six months from the date of grant and expire five years (maximum
ten years) after the date granted.
The Company also has the 1967 Employee Stock Purchase Plan under which 34,847
shares were reserved for grant at December 31, 1998. The purchase price is 85%
of the fair market value of the stock on the date offered. Generally, rights
to purchase shares under this plan expire 12 months (maximum 27 months) after
the date of grant.
The Company also has a time accelerated restricted stock plan ("Restricted
Stock Plan") under which 14,058 shares are available for grant. The plan
provides for the award of shares to key employees; generally, the awards vest
in five equal annual installments commencing two years after the date of the
award. Vesting may be accelerated based on the achievement of certain
financial performance goals.
Share information pertaining to these plans is as follows:
Restricted
Option Purchase Stock
Plan Plan Plan
------ -------- ---------
Outstanding at January 1, 1996 352,932 20,156 97,300
Granted 90,000 37,545
Cancelled or expired (2,168) (1,527)
Vested
Exercised (17,481) (20,156)
------- ------ ------
Outstanding at December 31, 1996 423,283 36,018 97,300
Granted 89,500 12,000
Cancelled or expired (471) (1,058)
Vested (92,942)
Exercised (164,899) (35,547)
------- ------ ------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997 347,884 0 15,300
Granted 117,150 19,069 26,000
Cancelled or expired (1,333) 0
Vested (13,700)
Exercised (6,334) 0
------- ------ ------
Outstanding at December 31, 1998 457,367 19,069 27,600
======= ====== ======
The exercise price for options granted in 1996 was $3.63, for options granted
in 1997 ranged from $4.69 to $7.63 and for options granted in 1998 was
$10.00. The weighted average exercise price for the 457,367 options
outstanding under the Option Plan is $5.12 with expiration dates ranging from
1999 to 2003. Options were exercised under the Option Plan at weighted average
26
exercise prices of $2.70, $2.91 and $2.97 in 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
Shares exercisable under the Option Plan at December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998
were 224,237, 226,717 and 279,718, respectively.
Rights were granted under the Purchase Plan at an exercise price of $8.50 in
1998 and $3.72 in 1996. Shares were exercised under the Purchase Plan at a
weighted average price of $2.34 in 1996 and $3.72 in 1997.
Under the Restricted Stock Plan compensation expense was $30,000, $189,000 and
$109,000 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
During 1998, the Company established, subject to approval by stockholders, the
a stock option plan for non-employee directors and officers. The plan provides
for an initial grant of options to purchase 2,000 shares to each participant
(12,000 in total) at $8.25, the fair market value on the date of grant, and
additional grants of 1,000 shares for each participant on August 1st of
subsequent years at the then fair market value. At December 31, 1998, the
Company has reserved 23,000 shares of its Common Stock for grant.
The Company has elected to follow APB No. 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for its stock option plans, and has adopted the disclosure-only
provisions of SFAS No. 123. If the Company had elected to recognize
compensation expense for the 1990 Stock Option Plan and the 1967 Stock
Purchase Plan based on the fair value at the grant date , consistent with the
method presented by SFAS No. 123, the pro forma net income and net income per
share would be as follows (in thousands except per share information):
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Net income As reported $4,689 $3,622 $1,099
====== ====== ======
Pro forma $4,442 $3,461 $1,047
====== ====== ======
Net income per share As reported Basic $1.27 $1.04 $.32
===== ===== ====
Diluted $1.17 $ .93 $.31
===== ===== ====
Pro forma Basic $1.20 $ .99 $.31
===== ===== ====
Diluted $1.12 $ .89 $.29
===== ===== ====
Because SFAS 123 method of accounting has only been applied to options granted
subsequent to December 31, 1994, the resulting pro forma compensation cost may
not be representative of that to be expected in future years.
The fair value for the Stock Option and Stock Purchase Plans was estimated at
the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following weighted-average assumptions for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively:
risk-free interest rates of 4.5%, 5.0% and 5.8%; no dividend yields;
volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company's common stock
of 0.64 in all years; and a weighted-average expected life of the option of
3.8 years in 1998 and 4.2 years for 1997 and 1996 for the Option Plan and 9
months for all years for the Purchase Plan.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating
the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are
fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of
highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility.
Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in
27
the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value
estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily
provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock
options.
In 1998, warrants to purchase 36,205 shares of common stock at $2.375 per
share were exercised and 13,795 expired.
28
Note K. Operations by Industry Segment and Geographic Areas
The Company operates in two segments of the voice processing industry. In the
United States, the Company designs, manufactures and sells equipment for use
in telephone central offices. In Europe (United Kingdom), the Company
distributes equipment for use in customers' premises. Information about the
Company's operations by segment and geographic area for the years ended
December 31, is as follows (in thousands):
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
Net sales
United States:
Unaffiliated customers (North America) $20,603 $21,550 $10,051
Intercompany transfers 98 186 544
------ ------ ------
20,701 21,736 10,595
Europe 8,314 7,971 7,292
Eliminations (98) (186) (544)
------- ------- -------
$28,917 $29,521 $17,343
======= ======= =======
Operating profit
United States $ 7,247 $ 7,587 $ 1,977
Europe 878 594 1,067
Intercompany eliminations 18 17 (58)
-------- -------- --------
8,143 8,198 2,986
General corporate expenses 1,202 2,443 1,196
Other (income) expense, net (404) (165) (80)
-------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes $ 7,345 $ 5,920 $ 1,870
======== ======== ========
Total assets
United States $21,461 $17,086 $10,774
Europe 5,670 6,092 6,790
Intercompany eliminations (51) (55) (53)
------- ------- -------
$27,080 $23,123 $17,511
======= ======= =======
Long-lived assets
United States $ 1,531 $ 1,39 $ 874
Europe 1,757 2,144 2,970
Intercompany eliminations (16) (32) (37)
-------- -------- --------
$ 3,272 $ 3,507 $ 3,807
======== ======== ========
Expenditures for long-lived assets
United States $ 384 $ 775 $ 330
Europe 155 134 596
Intercompany eliminations 0 0 (80)
--------- --------- ---------
$ 539 $ 909 $ 846
========= ========= =========
Depreciation and amortization
United States $ 261 $ 251 $ 229
Europe 525 512 473
Intercompany eliminations (17) (5) (12)
--------- --------- ---------
$ 769 $ 758 $ 690
========= ========= =========
29
Gross profit margin on intercompany transfers are comparable to sales to third
parties. The United States operations had net sales of $6.8 million, $7.4
million and $4.0 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, to one major
customer; sales of $5.2 million, $5.4 million and $.5 million in 1998, 1997
and 1996, respectively, to another major customer; sales of $2.4 million in
1997 and 1996 to another customer and export sales of $2.0 million in 1998 to
another customer. The European operations had sales of $5.2, $5.0 million
and $5.4 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, to one customer.
30
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
1. (a) The identification of the directors of the Company as of
March 1, 1999 and persons nominated to become directors set forth under the
caption Information Concerning Nominees in the Proxy Statement for the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held on May 13, 1999 is incorporated herein by
reference.
(b) The identification of the executive officers of the Company
and their positions with the Company and ages as of March 1, 1999 is set forth
under the caption Executive Officers of the Company in Part I of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
2. The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 set forth under the caption Section 16(a)
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance in the Proxy Statement for the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 13, 1999 is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information on executive compensation set forth under the
caption Executive Compensation in the Proxy Statement for the annual meeting
of stockholders to be held on May 13, 1999 is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
(a) and (b) Security ownership of certain beneficial owners and
management set forth under the caption Security Ownership in the Proxy
Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 13, 1999 is
incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Changes in Control. None.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information on certain relationships and related transactions
set forth under the caption Certain Relationships and Related Transactions in
the Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May
13, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(a)(1) and (2) and (d) The response to this portion of Item 14 is
submitted as a separate section beginning on page 26 of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
31
(a)(3) and (c) The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a
separate section beginning on page 27 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(b) There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of
1998.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on March
30, 1999.
COGNITRONICS CORPORATION
Registrant
by /s/ Garrett Sullivan
Garrett Sullivan
Treasurer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 30, 1999.
Signature Title
Chief Executive Officer:
/s/ Brian J. Kelley President and Chief
Brian J. Kelley Executive Officer
Chief Financial and Accounting Officer:
/s/ Garrett Sullivan Treasurer
Garrett Sullivan
A Majority of the Board of Directors:
/s/ Edward S. Davis Director
Edward S. Davis
/s/ Jack Meehan Director
Jack Meehan
/s/ William A. Merritt Director
William A. Merritt
/s/ Timothy P. Murphy Director
Timothy P. Murphy
32
Form 10-K -- Item 14 (a) (1) and (2) and (d)
(a) (1) Financial Statements
The following financial statements of the Company are included in Item 8.
Financial Statements Covered by Report of Independent Auditors: Page
Report of Independent Auditors 13
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997 14
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Incomefor each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998 15
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998 16
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1998 17
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 18
(2) and (d) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation
of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related
instructions, are inapplicable, or the information has been included in the
Company's financial statements. and, therefore, have been omitted.
33
Item 14(a)(3) and (c)
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation as filed on January 2, 1962 (Exhibit 3-1-A
to Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 2-27439 and incorporated herein
by reference).
3.2 Amendment, dated June 28, 1965 (Exhibit 3-1-B to Form S-1 Registration
Statement No. 2-27439 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3 Amendment, dated October 3, 1966 (Exhibit 3-1-C to Form S-1 Registration
Statement No. 2-27439 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.4 Amendment, dated October 30, 1967 (Exhibit 3-1-D to Form S-1 Registration
Statement No. 2-27439 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.5 Amendment, dated July 27, 1981 (Exhibit 3.5 to Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1983 and incorporated herein
by reference).
3.6 Amendment, dated September 27, 1984 (Exhibit 3.6 to Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1984 and incorporated herein
by reference).
3.7 Amendment dated June 13, 1988 (Exhibit 3.7 to Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988 and incorporated herein by
reference).
3.8 Amendment dated November 3, 1994 (Exhibit 3.8 to Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by
reference).
3.9 By-laws of the Company (Exhibit 3.9 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference).
4. Specimen Certificate for Common Stock (Exhibit 4-1 to Form S-1
Registration Statement No. 2-27439 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1 1990 Stock Option Plan, as amended (Exhibit 10.1 to Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.2 Lease, dated April 30, 1993, between Seymour R.Powers and The Danbury
Industrial Corporation, landlord, and Cognitronics Corporation, tenant
(Exhibit 10.3 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3 Form of Indemnity Agreement, dated October 27, 1986, between each Director
(with equivalent form for each Officer) and Cognitronics Corporation
(Exhibit 10.7 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1986 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4 Supplemental Pension Plan for Officers, as amended November 2, 1993
(Exhibit 10.6 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).
34
Exhibit
10.5 1998 Executive Bonus Plan (attached as Exhibit 10.5 to this Annual Report
on Form 10-K).
10.6 Form of Warrant Agreement dated February 9, 1995 between Cognitronics
Corporation and each of the former shareholders (other than Inkel) of
Dacon Electronics Plc, granting warrants to purchase up to an aggregate
of 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock (Exhibit 10.9 to Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.7 Cognitronics Corporation Restricted Stock Plan (Exhibit 10.1 to Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.8 Form of Executive Severance Agreement between certain officers and
Cognitronics Corporation (attached as Exhibit 10.8 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.9 Commercial Revolving Loan and Security Agreement between Cognitronics
Corporation and Fleet National Bank dated July 31, 1997 (Exhibit 10.1 to
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997
and incorporated herein by reference).
10.10 First modification to Commercial Revolving Promissory Note and Commercial
Revolving Loan and Security Agreement (Exhibit 10.1 to Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 and incorporated
herein by reference).
22. List of subsidiaries of the Company as of December 31, 1998 (attached as
Exhibit 22 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
23. Consent of Independent Auditors, dated March 29, 1999 (attached as
Exhibit 23 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Copies of the Exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K are available
upon written request to the Secretary of the Company at 3 Corporate Drive,
Danbury, CT 06810-4130 and payment of $35.00 for a complete set of the
Exhibits or $.25 per page for any part thereof (minimum $5.00).