UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 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 1-9789
TECH/OPS SEVCON, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 04-2985631
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Incorporation or Organization)
155 NORTHBORO ROAD, SOUTHBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS 01772
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's Area Code and Telephone Number (508) 281 5510
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
(Title of Each Class) (Name of Exchange on Which Registered)
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.10 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 (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes 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 or any amendment to
this form 10-K.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) Yes No
As of March 31, 2003, 3,125,051 common shares were outstanding, and the
aggregate market value of the common shares (based upon the closing price on
the American Stock Exchange) held by non-affiliates was approximately
$10,400,000. As of December 12, 2003, 3,125,051 common shares were
outstanding.
Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of the Proxy Statement for
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held January 27, 2004 are incorporated by
reference into Part III of this report.
INDEX
ITEM
PART I PAGE
1. BUSINESS
General description 3
Marketing and sales 3
Patents 3
Backlog 3
Raw materials 3
Competition 3
Research and development 3
Environmental regulations 4
Employees and labor relations 4
2. PROPERTIES 4
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 4
4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS 4
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT 4
PART II
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 4
6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 5
7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 5
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 10
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2003 and 2002 11
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years ended
September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 12
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years
ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 12
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Investment for the Years
ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 13
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended
September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 14
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 15
Reports of Independent Certified Public Accountants 25
9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 26
9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 26
PART III
10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT 27
11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 27
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 27
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 27
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTS FEES AND SERVICES 27
PART IV
15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
Exhibits 28
Financial statements and schedules 28
Form 8-K 28
Signatures of registrant and directors 29
SCHEDULES
II RESERVES 32
Schedules other than the one referred to above have been omitted as
inapplicable or not required, or the information is included elsewhere in
financial statements or the notes thereto.
PART I
ITEM 1 BUSINESS
- - General Description
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. ("Tech/Ops Sevcon" or the "Company"), is a Delaware
corporation organized on December 22, 1987 to carry on the electronic controls
business previously performed by Tech/Ops, Inc. (Tech/Ops). Through wholly-
owned subsidiaries located in the United States, England, France and South
Korea the Company designs, manufactures, sells, and services, under the Sevcon
name, solid-state products which control motor speed and acceleration for
battery powered electric vehicles in a number of applications, primarily
electric fork lift trucks, aerial lifts and underground coal-mining equipment.
Through another subsidiary located in the United Kingdom, Tech/Ops Sevcon
manufactures special metallized film capacitors for electronics applications.
These capacitors are used as components in the power electronics, signaling
and audio equipment markets. Approximately 90% of the Company's revenues are
derived from the controls business, with the remainder derived from the
capacitor business. The largest customer accounted for 10% of sales in fiscal
2003 compared to 11% in fiscal 2002 and 15% in fiscal 2001.
In fiscal 2003 sales were $23,113,000, an increase of $1,241,000, or 6%,
compared to the previous year. Foreign currency fluctuations, principally the
strength of the Euro and the British pound compared to the US dollar,
accounted for an increase of $1,885,000, or 9%, in reported sales. Most of the
markets for the Company's products are cyclical and are currently depressed
compared to the levels of the five year period up to fiscal 2001. Research and
development expense increased by $561,000, or 23%, in fiscal 2003 to
$2,976,000. The increase in research and development expense was mainly due to
the Company's advanced new product development program using consultants to
speed up the development process and supplement the Company's own engineering
resources. Due to the depressed state of the Company's markets and the high
levels of engineering expense profitability was low. Operating income in
fiscal 2003 was $151,000, compared to $45,000 in the previous year. Net income
was $83,000, or $.03 per share, compared to $57,000, or $.02 per share, last
year. See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations for a more detailed analysis of fiscal 2003 performance.
- - Marketing and sales
Sales are made primarily through a small full-time marketing staff. Sales in
the United States were $8,141,000, $9,054,000 and $12,130,000, in fiscal years
2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, which accounted for approximately 35%, 41%
and 45%, respectively, of total sales. Approximately 54% of sales are made to
10 manufacturers of electric vehicles in the United States, Europe and the Far
East. Approximately 81% of the Company's sales are direct to end customers,
with 19% made to the Company's international dealer network. See Note 7 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements (Segment Information) in this Annual Report
for an analysis of sales by segment, geographic location and major customers.
- - Patents
Although the Company has international patent protection for its new product
ranges, the Company believes that its business is not significantly dependent
on patent protection. The Company is primarily dependent upon technical
competence, the quality of its products, and its prompt and responsive service
performance.
- - Backlog
Tech/Ops Sevcon's backlog at September 30, 2003 was $2,682,000 compared to
$2,460,000 at September 2002, and $2,631,000 at September 2001.
- - Raw materials
Tech/Ops Sevcon's products require a wide variety of components and materials.
The Company has many sources for most of such components and materials and
produces certain of these items internally. However, the Company relies on
certain suppliers and subcontractors for all of its requirements for certain
components, subassemblies, and finished products.
- - Competition
In the United States, the Company competes primarily with a division of the
General Electric Company, which has a significant share of the market and with
Curtis Instruments, Inc., a privately held company. Overseas, Tech/Ops Sevcon
has several international competitors, including General Electric Company and
Curtis Instruments, as well as a number of smaller competitors that operate
only in local markets. In addition, several large manufacturers of fork lift
trucks make their own controls, although their product is generally for
internal use only. The Company differentiates itself from its competitors
principally by technical innovation and its willingness to customize products
for specific applications. The Company believes that it is one of the largest
independent suppliers of such devices outside of the United States.
- - Research and development
Tech/Ops Sevcon's technological expertise is an important factor in its
business. The Company regularly pursues product improvements to maintain its
technical position. Research and development expenditure amounted to
$2,976,000 in 2003 compared to $2,415,000 in 2002 and $1,778,000 in 2001. The
increase in research and development spending of $561,000, or 23%, in fiscal
2003 was principally due to consultancy costs on advanced new product
development.
- - Environmental regulations
The Company complies, to the best of its knowledge, with federal, state and
local provisions which have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge
of materials into the environment or otherwise protecting the environment.
This compliance has not had, nor is it expected to have, a material effect on
the capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position of Tech/Ops
Sevcon.
- - Employees and labor relations
As of September 30, 2003, the Company employed 166 full-time employees, of
whom 17 were in the United States, 138 were in the United Kingdom, 8 were in
France, and 3 were in the Far East. Tech/Ops Sevcon believes its relations
with its employees are good. The number of employees decreased by 33, or 17%,
during fiscal 2003, principally due to the Company's program to outsource
certain manufacturing and engineering activities.
ITEM 2 PROPERTIES
The US subsidiary of the Company moved from Burlington, Mass., to
Southborough, Mass., during 2003. This subsidiary leases approximately 13,500
square feet in Southborough, Mass., under a lease expiring in 2013. The United
Kingdom electronic controls business of Tech/Ops Sevcon is carried on in two
adjacent buildings owned by it located in Gateshead, England, containing
40,000 and 20,000 square feet of space respectively. The land on which these
buildings stand are held on leases expiring in 2068 and 2121 respectively.
5,000 square feet of space is also rented near Paris, France under a lease
expiring in December 2009. The capacitor subsidiary of the Company owns a
9,000 square foot building, built in 1981, in Wrexham, Wales. The South Korean
subsidiary of the Company leases approximately 1,000 square feet of office
space in Bucheon City, near Seoul, under a lease due to expire in 2004. The
properties and equipment of the Company are in good condition and, in the
opinion of the management, are suitable and adequate for the Company's
operations.
ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings, but believes that these
matters will be resolved without a material effect on its financial position.
ITEM 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Name of Officer Age Position
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew Boyle 41 President & Chief Executive Officer
Paul A. McPartlin 58 Vice President, Treasurer &
Chief Financial Officer
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer
and any other director or executive officer of the Company.
All officers serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors
are elected and qualified. Mr. Boyle has been President and Chief Executive
Officer for more than five years. Mr. McPartlin has been Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company for more than five years and was
elected Treasurer in January 2000.
PART II
ITEM 5 MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
The Common Stock of the Company is traded on the American Stock Exchange under
the symbol TO. A summary of the market prices of, and dividends paid on, the
Company's Common Stock is shown below. At December 12, 2003, there were
approximately 263 shareholders of record.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Year
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 Quarters
Cash dividends per share $ .03 $ .03 $ .03 $ .03 $ .12
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common stock price per share
- High $ 5.20 $ 5.25 $ 5.95 $ 7.15 $ 7.15
- Low 4.25 4.40 4.00 5.20 4.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 Quarters
Cash dividends per share $ .09 $ .09 $ .09 $ .03 $ .30
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common stock price per share
- High $ 9.95 $10.30 $10.15 $ 8.20 $10.30
- Low 7.16 6.45 7.99 4.02 4.02
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
A summary of selected financial data for the last five years is set out below:
For the Years ended September 30 (in thousands except per share data)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $23,113 $21,872 $27,002 $30,360 $29,654
Operating income 151 45 1,652 4,108 4,640
Net income 83 57 1,101 2,805 3,125
Basic income per share $ .03 $ .02 $ .35 $ .90 $ 1.00
Cash dividends per share $ .12 $ .30 $ .72 $ .72 $ .72
Average shares outstanding 3,125 3,117 3,110 3,115 3,110
Stockholders' investment 9,648 9,453 9,959 11,272 11,411
Total assets $13,734 $13,521 $15,750 $17,209 $18,119
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this discussion and analysis about the Company's anticipated
financial results and growth, as well as those about the development of its
products and markets, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected. These include the risks discussed under 'Risk Factors' below and
throughout this Item 7.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Company has adopted the following new accounting pronouncements in fiscal
2003. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (1) P. for a more
detailed description of these new accounting pronouncements.
SFAS #143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" - Adoption did not
have a material effect on consolidated financial statements.
SFAS #144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" -
Adoption did not have a material effect on consolidated financial statements.
SFAS #146 "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" -
Adoption did not have a material effect on consolidated financial statements.
SFAS #148 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and
Disclosure" - Currently evaluating impact on consolidated financial statements
of transition provisions; disclosure provisions have been adopted.
SFAS #149 "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities" - Adoption did not have a material effect on consolidated
financial statements.
SFAS # 150 "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics
of Both Liabilities and Equity" - Adoption did not have a material effect on
consolidated financial statements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company's significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 of its
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report. While all these
significant accounting policies impact its financial condition and results of
operations, the Company views certain of these policies as critical. Policies
determined to be critical are those policies that have the most significant
impact on the Company's financial statements and require management to use a
greater degree of judgement and/or estimates. Actual results may differ from
those estimates.
The Company believes the following represent its critical accounting policies:
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when title transfers in accordance with its
normal trading terms, which is usually upon shipment of its products. Over 98%
of the Company's revenues are derived from product shipments. The Company's
only post shipment obligation relates to warranty in the normal course of
business for which reserves are maintained, which management believes are
adequate as described below.
Foreign Currencies and Hedging
Tech/Ops Sevcon translates the assets and liabilities of its foreign
subsidiaries at the current rate of exchange, and income statement accounts at
the average exchange rates in effect during the period. Gains or losses from
foreign currency translation are credited or charged to cumulative translation
adjustment included in the statement of comprehensive income and as a
component of cumulative other comprehensive income in stockholders' investment
in the balance sheet. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are
included in costs and expenses.
The Company sells to customers throughout the industrialized world. The
majority of the Company's products are manufactured in the United Kingdom. In
fiscal 2003 approximately 35% of the Company's sales were made in US dollars,
26% were made in British pounds and 39% were made in Euros. Over 85% of the
Company's cost of sales was incurred in British pounds. This resulted in the
Company's sales and margins being exposed to fluctuations due to the change in
the exchange rates of the US dollar, the British pound and the Euro.
Forward foreign exchange contracts are used primarily by the Company to hedge
the operational ("cash-flow" hedges) and balance sheet ("fair value" hedges)
exposures resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These
foreign exchange contracts are entered into to hedge anticipated intercompany
product purchases and third party sales and the associated accounts payable
and receivable made in the normal course of business. Accordingly, these
forward foreign exchange contracts are not speculative in nature. As part of
its overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of foreign
currency exchange rate fluctuations, the Company hedges a portion of its
foreign currency exposures anticipated over the ensuing 9-month period. The
length of the hedging period and the percentage of future transactions covered
are based on estimates of future transactions, which take into account all of
the estimates and judgments involved in projecting future sales, and external
advice on foreign currency trends.
Bad Debts
The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts based on factors
related to the credit risk of each customer. With the exception of a
significant loss of $562,000 in fiscal 2001 relating to one US customer,
credit losses have not been significant in the past ten years. Ten customers
account for approximately 54% of the Company's sales. If the financial
condition of any of the Company's customers is worse than estimated or were to
deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, the
Company's results may be adversely affected and additional allowances may be
required.
Inventories
Inventories are priced at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs include
materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead, and are relieved from
inventory on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company carries out a
significant amount of customization of standard products and also designs and
manufactures special products to meet the unique requirements of its
customers. This results in a significant proportion of the Company's inventory
being customer specific. The Company provides for estimated slow-moving and
obsolete inventory based on a comparison of inventory levels with forecast
future demand. If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable
than those projected by management, or if product designs change, additional
inventory write-downs may be required.
Warranty Costs
The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time
revenue is recognized based upon estimated costs and anticipated in-warranty
failure rates. While the Company engages in product quality programs and
processes, the Company's warranty obligation is affected by product failure
rates and repair or replacement costs incurred in correcting a product
failure. Such costs are affected by varying component and labor costs which
management takes into account in estimating warranty liability. Should actual
product failure rates and repair or replacement costs differ from estimates,
the Company's results may be adversely affected and revisions to the estimated
warranty liability may be required. In the event that the Company discovers a
product defect that impacts the safety of its products, then a product recall
may be necessary which could involve the Company in substantial unanticipated
expense. There were no significant safety related product recalls during the
past three fiscal years.
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the market risk factors relating to foreign currency and
interest rate risk set out in Item 7A on page 10, the Company believes that
the following represent the most significant risk factors for the Company:
Capital Goods Markets
The Company's customers are mainly manufacturers of capital goods such as fork
lift trucks, aerial lifts and railway signaling equipment. These markets are
cyclical and are currently depressed. Demand in these markets could decrease
further or customers could decide to purchase alternative products. In this
event the Company's sales could decrease below its current break even point
and there is no certainty that the Company would be able to decrease overhead
expenses to enable it to operate profitably.
Materials and subcontractors
The Company relies on certain suppliers and subcontractors for all of its
requirements for certain components, subassemblies and finished products. In
the event that such suppliers and subcontractors are unable or unwilling to
continue supplying the Company, or to meet the Company's cost and quality
targets or needs for timely delivery, there is no certainty that the Company
would be able to establish alternative sources of supply in time to meet
customer demand.
Buildings and Insurance
In the controller business the majority of product is produced in a single
plant in England. The capacitor business is located in a single plant in
Wales. In the event that either of these plants was to be damaged or destroyed
there is no certainty that the Company would be able to establish alternative
facilities in time to meet customer demand. The Company does carry property
damage and business interruption insurance but this may not cover certain lost
business due to the long-term nature of the relationships with many customers.
Litigation Risk
In fiscal 2002 the Company received a demand for repayment of an alleged
preference payment of $180,000 received from a customer in the 90 days prior
to their filing for protection under Chapter 11 during fiscal 2000. At the
time this customer filed for Chapter 11 protection it owed the Company $50,000
and this amount was fully reserved in the fiscal 2000 financial statements.
The Company is vigorously contesting this demand and believes that it has a
good defense and that its reserves for doubtful accounts are adequate to cover
its estimated exposure to this customer.
A) Results of Operations
The table below compares summarized results for the last 3 fiscal years. We
believe that the table below is helpful in enabling a better comparison with
fiscal 2001 results which are stated both as reported and excluding charges
incurred in that year of $1,695,000 before tax, equivalent to $.35 per share.
The charges in fiscal 2001 comprised $855,000 relating to the Chapter 11
filing by a major customer, $450,000 for product rectification costs and
$390,000 relating to the cost of workforce reductions.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars except per share data)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 2003 Fiscal 2002 Fiscal 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As As As Before
Reported Reported Reported Charges charges
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Sales $23,113 $21,872 $27,002 $ - $27,002
Cost of Sales 14,308 13,909 17,491 743 16,748
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Profit 8,805 7,963 9,511 (743) 10,254
Selling, research and
administrative expenses 8,654 7,918 7,859 952 6,907
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 151 45 1,652 (1,695) 3,347
Net income 83 57 1,101 (1,102) 2,203
Diluted income per share $ 0.03 $ 0.02 $ 0.35 $(0.35) $ 0.70
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 compared to 2002
Sales in fiscal 2003 were $23,113,000 an increase of $1,241,000, or 6%,
compared to last year. Revenues in the United States were $8,141,000, a
decrease in volumes of $913,000, or 10%, compared to $9,054,000 in fiscal
2002. In Europe and the Far East revenues of $14,972,000 were $2,153,000, or
17%, higher than the revenues of $12,818,000 reported last year. Because these
foreign sales were denominated in currencies other than the US dollar,
principally the Euro and the British Pound, they were subject to fluctuation
when translated into US dollars. Both the Euro and the British pound
strengthened compared to the dollar in 2003 and the net effect of these
changes in average foreign currency exchange rates was to increase fiscal 2002
foreign sales when measured in dollars by $1,885,000, or 15%. Therefore
shipment volumes in foreign markets were ahead of fiscal 2002 by $268,000, or
2%. On a global basis volumes were $645,000, or 3%, below last year.
In the controls business segment sales were $20,730,000, compared to
$20,100,000 last year, an increase in reported revenues of $630,000, or 3%.
Foreign currency changes increased reported controls segment revenues by
$1,695,000, or 8%. Therefore there was a decrease in shipment volumes of the
controls business segment of $1,065,000, or 5%. In the fork lift truck market,
the largest end user market for the controls business, sales volumes increased
by 3% compared to last year mainly due to business gains in Europe and the Far
East. Aerial lift volumes were down by 14% compared to fiscal 2002 and airport
ground support volumes decreased by 41% compared to the already depressed
conditions last year. In both of these end user markets the world-wide
slowdown in capital spending was the main cause of the decrease. Sales into
the mining equipment end user market in the United States decreased by 13% due
to lower demand for coal. Sales into other electric vehicle markets, such as
neighborhood electric vehicles, burden carriers and sweepers, increased by 13%
compared to the prior fiscal year. Growth in the other electric vehicle market
was adversely impacted by the end of production of the Ford Th!nk neighborhood
electric vehicle early in fiscal 2003.
In the capacitor business segment sales were $2,383,000 compared to $1,772,000
in last fiscal year, a gain of $611,000, or 34%. The change in the exchange
rate of the British pound compared to the US dollar increased sales measured
in dollars by $190,000, or 11%, compared to the previous year, therefore
capacitor shipment volumes were up by $421,000, or 24%. Both the railway
signaling and professional high-end audio equipment end markets recorded
higher volumes compared to last year.
Cost of sales was $14,308,000, compared to $13,909,000 in fiscal 2002 and
increase of $399,000, or 3%, compared to last year. This compares to an
increase in sales of $1,241,000, or 6%. Gross profit in fiscal 2003 was
$8,805,000, or 38.1% of sales, compared to $7,963,000, or 36.4% of sales, in
2002. Foreign currency fluctuations increased reported gross profit by
$780,000 compared to the prior year. Excluding the effects of foreign currency
changes, gross profit increased by $62,000 and gross profit was 37.0% of
sales, an increase of 0.6% compared to last year. Over the past several years
the Company has outsourced a significant proportion of its manufacturing to
Eastern Europe and this program is now complete. This has resulted in lower
product costs. In the fourth quarter of this fiscal year, there was an
increase in the reserves for slow moving and obsolete inventory of $205,000,
which adversely impacted gross profit. This resulted from a detailed review of
inventories in connection with the outsourcing program.
Selling, research and administrative expenses (operating expenses) were
$8,654,000 compared to $7,918,000 last year, an increase of $736,000, or 9%.
Foreign currency fluctuations resulted in an increase in reported operating
expenses of $470,000. Before the effects of foreign currencies operating
expenses increased by $266,000, or 3%. In fiscal 2003 the Company incurred
consultancy costs of $915,000 principally due to accelerated new product
engineering, which compares to $543,000 for new product engineering and new
computer systems consultancy last year. In fiscal 2002 the Company incurred an
additional expense of $209,000 relating to its UK pension plan. An analysis of
the year-to-year change in selling, research and administrative expenses is
set out below:
Selling, research and administrative expenses (in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reported expense in fiscal 2003 $ 8,654
Reported expense in fiscal 2002 7,918
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in expense 736
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) due to:
Effect of exchange rate changes 470
Additional consultancy costs in fiscal 2003 372
Additional pension expense recorded in fiscal 2002 (209)
Other increases in operating expense - net, 103
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total increase in selling research and administrative
expenses in fiscal 2003 736
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income in fiscal 2003 was $151,000 compared to $45,000 in fiscal
2002, an increase of $106,000. Foreign currency changes resulted in a $310,000
increase in operating income therefore there was a year-to-year decrease in
operating income of $204,000 before the impact of currencies. The decrease in
operating income before the currency impact was mainly due to a 5% decrease in
shipment volumes and higher operating expenses, less the small improvement in
gross profit percentage.
Interest expense in fiscal 2003 was $57,000 compared to $39,000 in the prior
year, due to higher short-term borrowing in Europe. Interest income was $2,000
compared to $9,000 in the prior year, due to lower cash balances. Other
income, mainly due to foreign currency gains, was $32,000 compared to $73,000
in the previous year.
Income before income taxes was $128,000 in fiscal 2003, an increase of $40,000
compared to last year. Income taxes were 35.2% of pre-tax income in both
fiscal 2003 and 2002. Net income in fiscal 2003 was $83,000, or $.03 per
share, both basic and diluted. In fiscal 2002 net income was $57,000, or $.02
per share, both basic and diluted. Net income increased by $26,000 or $.01 per
share compared to last year.
2002 compared to 2001
Sales in fiscal 2002 were $21,872,000 a decrease of $5,130,000, or 19%,
compared to fiscal 2001. Revenues in the United States were $9,054,000
compared to $12,132,000 in fiscal 2001, a decrease in volumes of 25%. In
Europe and the Far East revenues of $12,818,000 compared to $14,870,000 in
2001, a decrease of $2,052,000, or 14%. Because these foreign sales were
denominated in currencies other than the US dollar, principally the Euro and
the British Pound, they were subject to fluctuation when translated into US
dollars. Both the Euro and the British pound strengthened compared to the
dollar in 2002 and the net effect of these changes in average foreign currency
exchange rates was to increase fiscal 2002 sales when measured in dollars by
$500,000, or 2%. Therefore shipment volumes in foreign markets decreased by
$2,552,000, or 17%, compared to 2001.
In the controls business segment sales were $20,100,000, a decrease of
$4,736,000, or 19%, compared to the prior year when sales were $24,836,000. In
the fork lift truck market, the largest end user market for the controls
business, sales decreased by 18% compared to 2001. Aerial lift sales were down
by 38% compared to fiscal 2001. In both of these end user markets the world-
wide slowdown in capital spending was the main cause of the decrease. Sales
into the mining equipment end user market in the USA decreased by 11% due to
lower demand for coal. Sales into the airport ground support market,
principally for baggage handling vehicles, decreased sharply following the
tragic events of September 11, 2001, when airlines cut back sharply on
spending, and were down by 41% compared to the prior year. Sales into other
electric vehicle markets, such as neighborhood electric vehicles, burden
carriers and sweepers, increased by over 90%, mainly due to increased sales of
accessory products.
In the capacitor business segment sales were $1,772,000 compared to $2,166,000
in fiscal 2001, a decrease of 18%, mainly due to lower demand in most markets
served by ICW. Foreign currency fluctuations increased sales measured in
dollars by $50,000, or 2% compared to the previous year. Capacitor shipment
volumes were 20% lower than 2001. Both the railway signaling and professional
high-end audio equipment end markets were depressed compared to 2001.
Cost of sales in fiscal 2002 was $13,909,000, a decrease of $3,582,000, or 20%
compared to the prior year. Gross profit in fiscal 2002 was $7,963,000, or
36.4% of sales, compared to $9,511,000, or 35.2% of sales, in 2001. In fiscal
2001 the Company recorded charges which reduced gross profit by $743,000
relating to product rectification and the bankruptcy of a major customer.
Before these charges, gross profit in fiscal 2001 was 38.0% of sales. Thus the
gross profit percentage in fiscal 2002 was 1.6% of sales lower than gross
profit before charges in the prior year. Foreign currency fluctuations reduced
reported gross profit in fiscal 2002 by 0.4% of sales compared to the prior
year. The remaining year-to year decrease in gross profit percentage was
mainly due to adverse sales mix.
Selling, research and administrative expenses were $7,918,000 in 2002 compared
to $7,859,000 in 2001, an increase of $59,000, or 1%. In fiscal 2001 charges
of $952,000 relating to the bankruptcy of a major customer and the cost of a
20% workforce reduction were included in selling, research and administrative
expenses. Before these charges in fiscal 2001, selling, research and
administrative expenses amounted to $6,907,000. In fiscal 2002 the Company
incurred additional consultancy costs of $543,000 principally due to
accelerated new product engineering and new computer systems. Foreign currency
fluctuations resulted in a $150,000 increase in reported expense. In fiscal
2002 the Company incurred an additional expense of $209,000 relating to its UK
pension plan. An analysis of the year-to-year change in selling, research and
administrative expenses is set out below:
Selling, research and administrative expenses (in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reported expense in fiscal 2002 $ 7,918
Reported expense in fiscal 2001 7,859
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in expense 59
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) due to:
Charges in fiscal 2001 for customer bankruptcy and
workforce reduction (952)
Additional consultancy costs in fiscal 2002 543
Effect of exchange rate changes 150
Additional pension expense in the UK 209
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other increases in operating expense - net 109
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total increase in selling research and administrative
expenses in fiscal 2002 59
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income in fiscal 2002 was $45,000 compared to $1,652,000 in fiscal
2001, a decrease of $1,607,000. This decrease was mainly due to lower volumes
which decreased income by approximately $2,750,000, the decrease in income in
2002 of $543,000 due to additional consultancy expense which was partially
offset by the net impact of charges of $1,695,000 in fiscal 2001 relating to
customer bankruptcy, product rectification and workforce reduction costs.
Operating income was 0.2% of sales in 2002 compared to 6.1% of sales in the
prior year.
Interest expense in fiscal 2002 was $39,000 compared to $13,000 in the prior
year due to increased short-term borrowing in Europe. Interest income was
$9,000 compared to $26,000 in the prior year due to lower cash balances. Other
income, mainly due to foreign currency gains, was $73,000 compared to $49,000
in the previous year.
Income before income taxes was $88,000 in fiscal 2002, a decrease of
$1,626,000 compared to 2001. Income taxes were 35.2% of pre-tax income
compared to 35.8% in fiscal 2001. The decrease in the average tax rate was
mainly due to higher foreign tax credits in fiscal 2002. Net income was
$57,000, or $.02 per share, both basic and diluted. In fiscal 2001 net income
was $1,101,000, or $.35 per share, both basic and diluted. Net income per
share decreased by $.33 per share compared to 2001.
B) Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's cash flow from operating activities for fiscal 2003 was $447,000
compared to $1,407,000 last year. Acquisitions of property, plant and
equipment amounted to $564,000 compared to $287,000 in fiscal 2002. Quarterly
dividend payments were at the rate of $.03 per share throughout fiscal 2003.
In fiscal 2002 quarterly dividends were reduced twice, from $.18 per share to
$.09 per share in the first quarter and then to $.03 per share in the fourth
quarter. In fiscal 2003 dividend payments amounted to $375,000 compared to
$1,401,000 in 2002. Exchange rate changes increased cash by $321,000 in fiscal
2003 compared to $147,000 last year. In fiscal 2003 cash balances decreased by
$171,000. The main changes in working capital in fiscal 2003 which decreased
by $10,000, were an increase in receivables of $150,000 due to higher
shipments, and decreased inventories of $138,000. Accounts payable increased
by $84,000, and income taxes payable decreased by $8,000.
The Company has no long-term debt and has overdraft facilities in the United
Kingdom (UK) amounting to $1,827,000 and in France of $117,000. These
facilities were unused at September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002. During
fiscal 2003 the peak borrowing under these facilities was $1,131,000 and the
average level of borrowing was $544,000. The UK overdraft facilities are
secured by all of the Company's assets in the UK and are due for renewal in
September 2004 but, in line with normal practice in Europe, can be withdrawn
on demand by the bank. The French overdraft facilities are unsecured and are
due for renewal in September 2004 but, in line with normal practice in Europe,
can be withdrawn on demand by the bank.
At September 30, 2003 the Company's cash balances were $524,000 and there was
no short-term or long-term debt. The Company has, since January 1990,
maintained a program of regular cash dividends. The dividends amounted to
$94,000 per quarter in fiscal 2003. In the opinion of management, the
Company's requirements for working capital to meet future business growth can
be met by a combination of existing cash resources, future earnings and
existing borrowing facilities in Europe. The Company's capital expenditures
are not expected, on average over a two to three year period, to exceed the
depreciation charge which over the last three fiscal years averaged $546,000.
There were no significant capital expenditure commitments at September 30,
2003. Tech/Ops Sevcon's resources, in the opinion of management, are adequate
for projected operations and capital spending programs, as well as
continuation of cash dividends.
C) Off balance sheet arrangements
The Company does not have any off balance sheet financing or arrangements.
D) Contractual Obligations
Set out below are the Company's contractual obligations at September 30, 2003:
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than More than
Total 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years 5 years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt
obligations $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital lease
obligations - - - - -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating lease
obligations 2,864 202 384 384 1,894
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase obligations 1,385 1,385 - - -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other long term
liabilities - - - - -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company-s operations are sensitive to a number of market factors any one
of which could materially adversely affect its results of operations in any
given year. Other risks dealing with contingencies are described in Note 5 to
the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 and
other risks are described under the caption Risk Factors in Management's
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
above.
Foreign currency risk
The Company manufactures products principally in the United Kingdom and sells
products world-wide. Therefore the Company's operating results are subject to
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the translation
of the sales and income of foreign subsidiaries into US dollars is also
subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company
undertakes hedging activities to manage the foreign exchange exposures related
to forecast purchases and sales in foreign currency and the associated foreign
currency denominated receivables and payables. The Company does not engage in
speculative foreign exchange transactions. Details of this hedging activity
and the underlying exposures are contained in Note (1) J. to the Company's
consolidated financial statements included under Item 8.
Because the difference between the spot and hedged foreign exchange rates at
September 30, 2003 was less than 2%, and amounted to $16,000, the risk of
default by counterparties is not material to the Company.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company does not currently have any interest bearing debt. The Company
does invest surplus funds in instruments with maturities of less than 12
months at both fixed and floating interest rates. The Company incurs short-
term borrowings from time-to-time on its overdraft facilities in Europe at
variable interest rates. Due to the short-term nature of the Company's
investments at September 30, 2003 the risk arising from changes in interest
rates was not material.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
September 30, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands of dollars except per share data)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS 2003 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 524 $ 695
Receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts
of $295 in 2003 and $356 in 2002 4,088 3,938
Inventories 3,999 4,137
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 762 539
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 9,373 9,309
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
Land and improvements 23 22
Buildings and improvements 2,008 1,950
Equipment 6,069 5,941
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8,100 7,913
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 5,174 5,136
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net property, plant and equipment 2,926 2,777
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill 1,435 1,435
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $13,734 $13,521
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,490 $ 1,406
Dividend payable 94 94
Accrued compensation and related costs 792 720
Other accrued expenses 1,481 1,595
Accrued and deferred taxes on income 152 160
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 4,009 3,975
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred taxes on income 77 93
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and contingencies (note 5)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' investment
Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized -
1,000,000 shares; outstanding - none - -
Common stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized -
8,000,000 shares; outstanding 3,125,051 shares in
2003 and 2002 313 313
Premium paid in on common stock 4,047 4,047
Retained earnings 5,897 6,189
Cumulative other comprehensive loss (609) (1,096)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total stockholders' investment 9,648 9,453
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' investment $13,734 $13,521
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
For the Years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001
(in thousands except per share data)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $23,113 $21,872 $27,002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 14,308 13,909 17,491
Selling, research and administrative 8,654 7,918 7,859
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22,962 21,827 25,350
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 151 45 1,652
Interest expense (57) (39) (13)
Interest income 2 9 26
Other income, net 32 73 49
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 128 88 1,714
Income taxes (45) (31) (613)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 83 $ 57 $ 1,101
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic income per share $ .03 $ .02 $ .35
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted income per share $ .03 $ .02 $ .35
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
For the Years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 83 $ 57 $ 1,101
Foreign currency translation adjustment 481 473 (41)
Changes in fair market value of cash flow hedges 6 (104) (85)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ 570 $ 426 $ 975
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
For the Years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001
(in thousands of dollars except per share data)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premium
paid Cumulative Total
in on other stock-
Common Treasury common Retained comprehensive holders'
stock stock stock earnings income (loss) investment
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance September
30, 2000 $ 311 $ - $ 3,925 $ 8,375 $(1,339) $11,272
Net income - - - 1,101 - 1,101
Dividends ($.72
per share) - - - (2,239) - (2,239)
Purchase of
treasury stock - (49) - - - (49)
Currency trans-
lation adjustment - - - - (41) (41)
Change in fair
market value of
cash flow hedge - - - - (85) (85)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance September
30, 2001 311 (49) 3,925 7,237 (1,465) 9,959
Net income - - - 57 - 57
Dividends ($.30
per share) - - - (935) - (935)
Currency trans-
lation adjustment - - - - 473 473
Exercise of
stock options 2 49 136 (170) - 17
Tax effect of
exercise of
stock options - - (14) - - (14)
Change in fair
market value of
cash flow hedge - - - - (104) (104)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance September
30, 2002 313 - 4,047 6,189 (1,096) 9,453
Net income - - - 83 - 83
Dividends ($.12
per share) - - - (375) - (375)
Currency translation
adjustment - - - - 481 481
Change in fair
market value of
cash flow hedge - - - - 6 6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance September
30, 2003 $ 313 $ - $4,047 $5,897 $(609) $9,648
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
For the Years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income $ 83 $ 57 $ 1,101
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 575 544 518
Deferred tax provision / benefit (201) (124) (25)
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from
changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables (150) 1,207 987
Inventories 138 705 (1,158)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (32) 122 173
Accounts payable 84 (1,205) 226
Accrued compensation and expenses (42) 243 (275)
Accrued and deferred taxes on income (8) (142) (71)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash generated from operating activities 447 1,407 1,476
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow (used by) generated from investing
activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (564) (287) (431)
Acquisition and disposal of short-term
investments - - 591
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used by) generated from investing
activities (564) (287) 160
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow used by financing activities:
Purchase of common stock - (170) (49)
Exercise of stock options - 187 -
Dividends paid (375) (1,401) (2,240)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities (375) (1,384) (2,289)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 321 147 (77)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease in cash (171) (117) (730)
Beginning balance - cash and cash equivalents 695 812 1,542
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending balance - cash and cash equivalents $ 524 $ 695 $ 812
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes $ 237 $ 238 $ 590
Cash paid for interest $ 57 $ 39 $ 13
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing
activity:
Dividend declared $ 94 $ 94 $ 560
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A. Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. (Tech/Ops Sevcon), Sevcon, Inc., Sevcon Limited and
subsidiaries, Sevcon SA and Sevcon Asia Limited. All material intercompany
transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior year income statement amounts
have been reclassified to conform to the current classification of expenses.
B. Revenue recognition
The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of its products. The Company's
only post shipment obligation relates to warranty in the normal course of
business for which adequate ongoing reserves are maintained.
C. Research and development
The cost of research and development programs is charged against income as
incurred and amounted to approximately $2,976,000 in 2003, $2,415,000 in 2002
and $1,778,000 in 2001. This expense is included in selling, research and
administrative expense in the income statement. Research and development
expense was 12.9% of sales in 2003 compared to 11.0% in 2002 and 6.6% in 2001.
D. Depreciation and maintenance
Plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their
estimated useful lives, which are primarily fifty years for buildings and
seven years for equipment. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense and
renewals and betterments are capitalized.
E. Stock based compensation plans
SFAS # 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" as amended by SFAS #148
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure" defines
a fair value based method of accounting for employee stock options or similar
equity instruments and encourages all entities to adopt that method of
accounting. However, it also allows an entity to continue to measure
compensation costs using the method of accounting prescribed by APB #25
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees". The Company is evaluating the
transition options under SFAS #148 and continues to account for its stock-
based compensation plans under APB #25, under which no compensation cost has
been recognized. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined
consistent with SFAS #123, the Company's net income and earnings per share
would have equaled the following pro forma amounts:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars except per share data)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income As reported $ 83 $ 57 $ 1,101
Pro forma 17 4 1,037
Basic net income per share As reported $ .03 $ .02 $ .35
Pro forma $ .01 $ .00 $ .33
Diluted net income per share As reported $ .03 $ .02 $ .35
Pro forma $ .01 $ .00 $ .33
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions used for the grants in 2003: risk-free interest rate of 3%;
expected dividend yield of 2.7%; expected life of 7 years; expected volatility
of 47%.
F. Income taxes
Tech/Ops Sevcon files tax returns in the respective countries in which it
operates. The financial statements reflect the current and deferred tax
consequences of all events recognized in the financial statements or tax
returns.
G. Inventories
Inventories are priced at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs include
materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead, are relieved from
inventory on a first-in, first-out basis and are comprised of:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raw materials $ 1,963 $ 2,096
Work-in-process 207 594
Finished goods 1,829 1,447
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 3,999 $ 4,137
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H. Accounts receivable
In the normal course of business, the Company provides credit to customers,
performs credit evaluations of these customers, monitors payment performance,
and maintains reserves for potential credit losses in the allowance for
doubtful accounts which, when realized, have historically been within the
range of the Company's reserves. The only exception to this was a loss in
fiscal 2001 of $562,000 relating to the Chapter 11 filing of a major customer.
I. Translation of foreign currencies
Tech/Ops Sevcon translates the assets and liabilities of its foreign
subsidiaries at the current rate of exchange, and income statement accounts at
the average exchange rates in effect during the period. Gains or losses from
foreign currency translation are credited or charged to cumulative translation
adjustment included in the statement of comprehensive income and as a
component of cumulative other comprehensive income in stockholders' investment
in the balance sheet. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are
included in costs and expenses.
J. Derivative instruments and hedging
The Company accounts for derivative instruments and hedging under SFAS #133
which requires that all derivatives, including foreign currency exchange
contracts, be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that
are not hedges must be recorded at fair value through earnings. If a
derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the
fair value of the derivative are either offset against the change in fair
value of assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or
recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized
in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value is
immediately recognized in earnings.
The Company sells to customers throughout the industrialized world. The
majority of the Company's products are manufactured in the United Kingdom.
Approximately 35% of the Company's sales are made in US dollars, 26% are made
in British pounds and 39% are made in Euros. Over 80% of the Company's cost of
sales is incurred in British pounds. This results in the Company's sales and
margins being exposed to fluctuations due to the change in the exchange rates
of US dollar, the British pound and the Euro.
Forward foreign exchange contracts are used primarily by the Company to hedge
the operational ("cash-flow" hedges) and balance sheet ("fair value" hedges)
exposures resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates described
above. These foreign exchange contracts are entered into to hedge anticipated
intercompany product purchases and third party sales and the associated
accounts payable and receivable made in the normal course of business.
Accordingly, these forward foreign exchange contracts are not speculative in
nature. As part of its overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the
risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, the Company hedges a
portion of its foreign currency exposures anticipated over the ensuing 9-month
period. At September 30, 2003, the Company had effectively hedged
approximately 8% of its estimated foreign currency exposures that principally
relate to anticipated cash flows to be remitted to the UK over the next year,
using foreign exchange contracts that have maturities of twelve months or
less. The Company does not hold or transact in financial instruments for
purposes other than risk management.
Under hedge accounting, the Company records its foreign currency exchange
contracts at fair value in its consolidated balance sheet as other current
assets and a portion of the related gains or losses on these hedge contracts
related to anticipated transactions are deferred as a component of other
comprehensive income. These deferred gains and losses will be recognized in
income in the period in which the underlying anticipated transaction occurs.
Unrealized gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange
rate movements on forward foreign exchange contracts designated to offset
certain functional currency denominated assets are recognized as other income
or expense in the period in which the exchange rates change and offset the
foreign currency losses and gains on the underlying exposures being hedged.
The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when (1) it is
determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in
fair value or cash flows of a hedged item (including forecasted transactions);
(2) the derivative is sold or terminated; (3) the derivative is de-designated
as a hedge instrument, because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction
will occur or a balance sheet exposure ceases to exist; or (4) management
determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no
longer appropriate.
The following table provides information about the Company's foreign currency
derivative financial instruments outstanding as of September 30, 2003 and
2002. The information is provided in US dollar amounts, as presented in the
Company's consolidated financial statements. The table presents the notional
amount (at contract exchange rates) and the weighted average contractual
foreign currency exchange rates. All contracts mature within twelve months.
Foreign currency spot/forward contracts:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except average contract rates)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notional Average Notional Average
Amount Contract Rate Amount Contract Rate
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sell Euros for British
Pounds $ 699 1.43Euro = 1GBP $ - $ -
Sell US Dollars for
British Pounds $ 450 $1.60 = 1GBP $ 550 $1.56 =1GBP
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $1,149 $ 550
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated fair value * $ 9 $ 4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount recorded as other
comprehensive income $ 5 $ (104)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The estimated fair value is based on the estimated amount at which the
contracts could be settled based on forward exchange rates.
K. Cash equivalents and short-term investments
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of 90 days
or less to be cash equivalents. Highly liquid investments with maturities
greater than 90 days and less than one year are classified as short-term
investments.
Such investments are generally money market funds, bank certificates of
deposit, US Treasury bills and short-term bank deposits in Europe.
L. Earnings per share
Basic and diluted net income per common share for the three years ended
September 30, 2003 are calculated as follows:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands except per share data)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 83 $ 57 $ 1,101
Weighted average shares outstanding 3,125 3,117 3,110
Basic income per share $ .03 $ .02 $ .35
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding - common stock equivalents 4 7 16
Average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding 3,129 3,124 3,126
Diluted income per share $ .03 $ .02 $ .35
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M. Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements
The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements
and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods.
Operating results in the future could vary from the amounts derived from
management's estimates and assumptions.
N. Fair value of financial instruments
The Company's financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash
equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable.
The carrying amount of these financial instruments as of September 30, 2003,
approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
O. Goodwill
The amount by which the cost of purchased businesses included in the
accompanying financial statements exceeded the fair value of net assets at the
date of acquisition has been recorded as "goodwill". The Company assesses the
carrying value of this asset whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that this value has diminished. The Company considers the future
profitability of the business in assessing the value of this asset. The excess
related to acquisitions initiated prior to November 1, 1970 ($1,435,000) is
not being amortized, since in the opinion of management there has been no
diminution in the value of the excess related to these acquisitions.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS #142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets", which establishes new accounting and reporting standards for
goodwill. Under SFAS #142 goodwill is no longer amortized however companies
are required to assess the impairment of the goodwill at least annually based
on a fair-value analysis. The Company previously did not amortize its goodwill
since it relates to acquisitions initiated prior to November 1, 1970. The
Company adopted SFAS #142 effective October 1, 2001. The adoption of SFAS #142
did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results
of operations.
P. New Accounting Pronouncements [U1]
In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations". SFAS No. 143 requires entities to record the fair value of a
liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is
incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, an entity capitalizes a
cost by increasing the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Over time, the
liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized
cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement
of the liability, an entity either settles the obligation for its recorded
amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement. The standard is effective for
fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 143 did
not have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations
of the Company.
In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment
or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets". SFAS No. 144 addresses the financial
accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets.
It replaces SFAS No. 121. The accounting model for long-lived assets to be
disposed of by sale applies to all long-lived assets, including discontinued
operations. SFAS No. 144 requires that those long-lived assets be measured at
the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, whether reported
in continuing operations or in discontinued operations. Therefore,
discontinued operations will no longer be measured at net realizable value or
include amounts for operating losses that have not yet occurred. SFAS No. 144
also broadens the reporting of discontinued operations to include all
components of an entity with operations that can be distinguished from the
rest of the entity and that will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of
the entity in a disposal transaction. The provisions of this Statement are
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2001, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption
of SFAS No. 144 did not have a material effect on the financial position or
results of operations of the Company.
In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146 'Accounting for Costs Associated
with Exit or Disposal Activities', which became effective January 2003. SFAS
No. 146 requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal
activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of commitment. The
adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have a material effect on the financial
position or results of operations of the Company.
On December 31, 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, 'Accounting for Stock-
Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure', amending FASB Statement No.
123 (SFAS No. 123), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. This Statement
amends SFAS No. 123 to provide alternative methods of transition for an entity
that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for
stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure provisions of
that Statement to require prominent disclosure about the effects on reported
net income of an entity's accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-
based employee compensation. Finally, SFAS No. 148 amends APB Opinion No. 28,
Interim Financial Reporting, to require disclosure about those effects in
interim financial information. For entities that voluntarily change to the
fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation,
the transition provisions are effective for fiscal years ending after December
15, 2002. For all other companies, the disclosure provisions and the amendment
to APB No. 28 are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15,
2002. The Company continues to account for stock option plans under APB No. 25
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations while
evaluating the transition options under SFAS No. 148. The Company has adopted
the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148.[U2]
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". SFAS No. 149 amends Statement
133 for decisions made (1) as part of the Derivatives Implementation Group
process that effectively required amendments to Statement 133, (2) in
connection with other Board projects dealing with financial instruments, and
(3) in connection with implementation issues raised in relation to the
application of the definition of a derivative. The Statement clarifies under
what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the
characteristics of a derivative discussed in paragraph 6(b) of Statement 133,
clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, amends the
definition of underlying to conform it to language used in FASB Interpretation
No. 45, Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees,
Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, and amends certain
other existing pronouncements. Those changes will result in more consistent
reporting of contracts as either derivatives or hybrid instruments. This
statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30,
2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The
adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material effect on the financial
position or results of operations of the Company.
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial
Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity". SFAS No. 150
establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain
financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. In
addition, the Statement requires an issuer to classify certain instruments
with specific characteristics described in it as liabilities. This Statement
is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31,
2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period
beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a
material effect on the financial position or results of operations of the
Company.
(2) CAPITAL STOCK
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. has two classes of capital stock, preferred and common.
There are authorized 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.10 par value and
8,000,000 shares of common stock, $.10 par value.
In connection with the exercise of employee stock options, the Company
repurchased 18,569 'mature' shares from employees in fiscal 2002.
In fiscal 2001 the Company purchased 5,200 shares of its common stock for
treasury stock at a total cost of $49,000. No such shares were purchased in
fiscal years 2003 or 2002. These shares were issued to satisfy options
exercised by employees in fiscal 2002.
(3) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
There were 116,000 shares reserved under the Company's 1996 Equity Incentive
Plan at September 30, 2003. In January 2003 shareholders approved an
additional 150,000 shares under the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan. Options for
77,000 shares were granted in fiscal 2003 and options for 10,000 shares were
granted in fiscal 2002. Options for 34,000 shares were exercised in fiscal
2002 and in connection with the exercise of these options the Company
repurchased 18,569 mature shares from employees resulting in a net increase in
issued shares of 15,431. No options were granted or exercised in fiscal 2001.
Recipients of grants or options must execute a standard form of non-
competition agreement. Options granted are exercisable at a price not less
than fair market value on the date of grant. This plan also provides for the
grant of Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs), either separately, or in relation
to options granted, and for the grant of bonus shares. No SARs or bonus shares
have been granted.
In January 1998 the stockholders approved the 1998 Directors Option Plan
reserving 50,000 shares for issue under the plan. Options for 5,000 shares
were granted to a new director in July 2003 and are outstanding. Options for a
total of 25,000 shares granted to 5 directors in 1998 are also outstanding.
Option transactions under the plans for the three years ended September 30,
2003 were as follows:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares under Weighted average
option exercise price
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at September 30, 2000 170,500 $ 11.25
Cancelled in 2001 (27,000) 11.53
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at September 30, 2001 143,500 11.20
Granted in 2002 10,000 9.60
Cancelled in 2002 (5,000) 13.97
Exercised in 2002 (34,000) 4.97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at September 30, 2002 114,500 12.79
Granted in 2003 82,000 4.47
Cancelled in 2003 (3,500) 10.91
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at September 30, 2003 193,000 $ 9.29
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable at September 30, 2003 52,700 $ 13.19
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Details of options outstanding at September 30, 2003 were as follows:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Weighted average
Price range under option remaining contractual life
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 4.37 - $ 6.56 82,000 10 years
$ 6.57 - $ 9.85 10,000 8 years
$ 9.86 - $14.79 76,000 5 years
$14.80 - $22.20 25,000 4 years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
193,000 6 years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) INCOME TAXES
The domestic and foreign components of income before income taxes are as
follows:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic $ (497) $ 215 $ 815
Foreign 625 (127) 899
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 128 $ 88 $ 1,714
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The components of the provision / (benefit) for income taxes for the years
ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Deferred Total
Federal $ 0 $ (151) $ (151)
State 5 (31) (26)
Foreign 241 (19) 222
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 246 $ (201) $ 45
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Deferred Total
Federal $ 80 $ (31) $ 49
State 35 (6) 29
Foreign 40 (87) (47)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 155 $ (124) $ 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Deferred Total
Federal $ 250 $ - $ 250
State 72 - 72
Foreign 310 (19) 291
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 632 $ (19) $ 613
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The provision for income taxes in each period differs from that which would be
computed by applying the statutory US Federal income tax rate to the income
before income taxes. The following is a summary of the major items affecting
the provision:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory Federal income tax rate 34% 34% 34%
Computed tax provision at statutory rate $ 44 $ 30 $ 583
Increases (decreases) resulting from:
Foreign tax rate differentials (23) (5) (25)
State taxes net of federal tax benefit (17) 19 48
Foreign tax credits and other 41 (23) 7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax provision in the Statement of Income $ 45 $ 31 $ 613
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax
rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those
temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on
deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in
income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance
is provide for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that these
items will either expire before the Company is able to realize the benefit, or
that future deductibility is uncertain. The significant items comprising the
domestic and foreign deferred tax accounts at September 30, 2003 and 2002 are
as follows:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Foreign Foreign
current current long-term
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Pension accruals (prepaid) $ 257 $ (2) $ -
Inventory basis differences 107 37 -
Warranty reserves 62 - -
Foreign tax credit carry forwards 123 - -
Other (net) 124 22 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
673 57 -
Liabilities:
Property basis differences - - (77)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset (liability) 673 57 (77)
Valuation allowance (220) - -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ 453 $ 57 $ (77)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Foreign Foreign
current current long-term
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Pension accruals $ 222 $ 8 $ -
Inventory basis differences 114 28 -
Warranty reserves 62 - -
Other (net) 93 18 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
491 54 -
Liabilities:
Property basis differences - - (93)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset (liability) 491 54 (93)
Valuation allowance (220) - -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ 271 $ 54 $ (93)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In fiscal 2002 the Company received a demand for repayment of an alleged
preference payment of $180,000 received from a customer in the 90 days prior
to their filing for protection under Chapter 11 during fiscal 2000. At the
time this customer filed for Chapter 11 protection it owed the Company $50,000
and this amount was fully reserved in the fiscal 2000 financial statements.
The Company is vigorously contesting this demand and believes that it has a
good defense and that its reserves for doubtful accounts are adequate to cover
its estimated exposure to this customer.
Tech/Ops Sevcon is involved in various other legal proceedings but believes
that it is remote that the outcome will be material to operations.
The Company maintains a directors' retirement plan which provides for certain
retirement benefits to non-employee directors. Effective January 1997 the plan
was frozen and no further benefits are being accrued. While the cost of the
plan has been fully charged to expense, the plan is not separately funded. The
estimated maximum liability which has been recorded based on the cost of
buying deferred annuities at September 30, 2003 was $205,000.
Minimum rental commitments under all non-cancelable leases are as follows for
the years ended September 30: 2004 - $202,000; 2005 - $192,000; 2006 -
$192,000; 2007 - $192,000; 2008 - $192,000 and $1,894,000 thereafter. Net
rentals of certain land, buildings and equipment charged to expense were
$195,000 in 2003, $178,000 in 2002, and $177,000 in 2001.
The UK subsidiaries of the Company have given to a bank a security interest in
all of their assets as security for overdraft facilities of $1,827,000.
(6) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Tech/Ops Sevcon has defined benefit plans covering the majority of its US and
UK employees. There is also a small defined contribution plan. The following
table sets forth the estimated funded status of these defined benefit plans
and the amounts recognized by Tech/Ops Sevcon.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $11,010 $ 8,951
Service cost 432 394
Interest cost 773 667
Plan participants contributions 194 171
Actuarial (gain) loss (373) 396
Benefits paid (109) (190)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes 559 621
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit obligation at end of year 12,486 11,010
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 9,828 7,024
Return on plan assets (a) (57) 1,770
Employer contributions 452 491
Plan participants contributions 201 171
Benefits paid (112) (190)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes 485 562
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 10,797 9,828
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status (1,689) (1,182)
Unrecognized transition obligation (asset) (6) (8)
Unrecognized prior service cost 656 669
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss 613 136
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost $ (426) $ (385)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Return on plan assets includes an adjustment for changes in fair value
related to prior years and an increase from the conversion of the UK plan from
a conventional with profits policy to a unitized with profits policy.
The Tech/Ops Sevcon net pension cost included the following components as
defined by SFAS #132.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost $ 432 $ 394 $ 437
Interest cost 773 667 632
Expected return on plan assets (775) (563) (576)
Amortization of transition obligation (2) (35) (53)
Amortization of prior service cost 49 44 -
Recognized net actuarial gain (loss) - 17 18
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic benefit cost (b) $ 477 $ 524 $ 458
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cost of defined contribution plans $ 27 $ 24 $ 24
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Pension expense in the accompanying statement of income for 2002 includes
the net periodic benefit cost plus an additional expense of $209,000 related
to the UK pension plan.
Plan assets include marketable equity securities, corporate and government
debt securities, deferred annuities (primarily insurance contracts in the UK),
cash and other short-term investments. The average discount rate was 6.26% in
2003 and 6.75% in 2002. The rate of increase in future compensation levels
used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefit
obligation was 4.25% in 2003 and 4.75% in 2002. The expected long-term rate of
return on assets was 7.0% in 2003 and 8% in 2002. The reductions in these
assumptions reflect actuarial advice and changing market conditions and
experience.
(7) SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company has two reportable segments: electronic controls and capacitors.
The electronic controls segment produces control systems for battery powered
vehicles. The capacitor segment produces electronic components for sale to
electronic equipment manufacturers. Each segment has its own management team,
manufacturing facilities and sales force.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in
Note 1. Intersegment sales are accounted for at current market prices. The
Company evaluates the performance of each segment principally based on
operating income. The Company does not allocate income taxes, interest income
and expense or foreign currency translation gains and losses to segments.
Information concerning operations of these businesses is as follows:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Controls Capacitors Corporate Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales to external customers $20,730 $ 2,383 $ - $23,113
Inter-segment revenues - 326 - 326
Operating income (53) 476 (272) 151
Depreciation and amortization 488 87 - 575
Identifiable assets 11,989 1,238 507 13,734
Capital expenditures 549 15 - 564
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Controls Capacitors Corporate Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales to external customers $20,100 $ 1,772 $ - $21,872
Inter-segment revenues - 662 - 662
Operating income 79 199 (233) 45
Depreciation and amortization 457 87 - 544
Identifiable assets 11,789 1,406 326 13,521
Capital expenditures 279 8 - 287
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Controls Capacitors Corporate Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales to external customers $24,836 $ 2,166 $ - $27,002
Inter-segment revenues - 342 - 342
Operating income 1,444 442 (234) 1,652
Depreciation and amortization 433 85 - 518
Identifiable assets 14,067 1,284 399 15,750
Capital expenditures 323 108 - 431
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company has businesses located in the United States, the United Kingdom,
France and Korea. The analysis of revenues set out below is by the location of
the business selling the products rather than by destination of the products.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales:-
US sales $ 8,141 $ 9,054 $12,132
Foreign sales:
United Kingdom 11,687 9,560 10,950
France 3,274 3,252 3,910
Korea 11 6 10
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Foreign 14,972 12,818 14,870
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total sales $23,113 $21,872 $27,002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-lived assets:
USA $ 1,571 $ 1,514 $ 1,563
United Kingdom 2,740 2,624 2,623
France 46 68 94
Korea 4 6 13
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 4,361 $4,212 $ 4,293
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The business located in the United States services customers in North and
South America. The business located in France services customers in France,
Spain, Portugal, Belgium and North Africa. The business located in Korea
supports customers in Asia, however, sales to these customers are made from
the United Kingdom. The businesses located in the United Kingdom service
customers in the rest of the world, principally Europe and the Far East.
In fiscal 2003 Tech/Ops Sevcon's largest customer accounted for 10% of sales
and for 5% of receivables. In 2002 the largest customer accounted for 11% of
sales and 9% of receivables. In 2001 the largest customers accounted for 15%
of sales and 12% of receivables.
(8) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Selected quarterly financial data for fiscal years 2003 and 2002 is set out
below:
(in thousands except per share data)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Second Third Fourth Total
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 Quarters
Net sales $ 5,645 $ 6,138 $ 5,961 $ 5,369 $23,113
Gross profit * 2,127 2,416 2,347 1,915* 8,805
Operating income * 14 303 161 (327)* 151
Net income 6 211 98 (232) 83
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic income per share $ .00 $ .07 $ .03 $ (.07) $ .03
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted income per share $ .00 $ .07 $ .03 $ (.07) $ .03
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 Quarter
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $ 5,402 $ 5,575 $ 5,355 $ 5,540 $21,872
Gross profit 1,981 2,147 1,935 1,900 7,963
Operating income ** 92 301 (18) (330)** 45
Net income 51 192 19 (205) 57
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic income per share $ .02 $ .06 $ .01 $ (.07) $ .02
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted income per share $ .02 $ .06 $ .01 $ (.07) $ .02
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes additional inventory obsolescence expense in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2003 of $205,000.
* * Includes additional pension expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002
of $209,000 related to the UK pension plan.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tech/Ops
Sevcon, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2003 and 2002 and the
related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders'
investment and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits. The accompanying consolidated statements of
income, comprehensive income, stockholders' investment and cash flows for the
year ended September 30, 2001 were audited by other auditors who have ceased
operations. Those auditors expressed an unqualified opinion on those
consolidated financial statements in their report dated November 6, 2001.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position
of Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2003 and 2002
and the results of their consolidated operations and their consolidated cash
flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. Schedule II is presented for purposes
of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not
part of the basic financial statements. The financial data in this schedule as
of and for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 has been subjected to
the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements
and, in our opinion, fairly states, in all material respects, the financial
data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial
statements taken as a whole.
/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
November 6, 2003
THE FOLLOWING REPORT OF AUTHUR ANDERSEN LLP ("ANDERSEN") IS A COPY OF THE
REPORT PREVIOUSLY ISSUED BY ANDERSEN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2001. THE REPORT OF
ANDERSEN IS INCLUDED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K PURSUANT TO RULE 2-
02(E) OF REGULATION S-X. AFTER REASONABLE EFFORTS THE COMPANY HAS NOT BEEN
ABLE TO OBTAIN A REISSUED REPORT FROM ANDERSEN. ANDERSEN HAS NOT CONSENTED TO
THE INCLUSION OF ITS REPORT IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K. BECAUSE
ANDERSEN HAS NOT CONSENTED TO THE INCLUSION OF ITS REPORT IN THIS ANNUAL
REPORT, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO SEEK REMEDIES AGAINST ANDERSEN AND THE ABILITY
TO SEEK RELIEF AGAINST ANDERSEN MAY BE IMPAIRED.
To Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tech/Ops
Sevcon, Inc. (a Delaware Corporation) as of September 30, 2001 and 2000, and
the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income,
stockholders' investment, and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended September 30, 2001. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based upon our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. 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 financial position of Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. as of
September 30, 2001 and 2000, and the results of its operations and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2001 in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in the index of
financial statements is presented for purposes of complying with the
Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of the basic
financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our
opinion, fairly states, in all material respects, the financial data required
to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as
a whole.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
November 6, 2001
ITEM 9 CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
The Company dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen") as its independent
accountants on May 30, 2002. The Company's Audit Committee and Board of
Directors approved this action, which was reported in the Company's Form 8-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2002, Item 4 of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
On June 26, 2002, the Company engaged Grant Thornton LLP as its new
independent accountant. The Company's Audit Committee and Board of Directors
approved this action, which was reported in the Company's Form 8-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 2, 2002, Item 4 of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9 A CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company's
principal executive officer and principal financial officer, after evaluating
the effectiveness of the Company's 'disclosure controls and procedures' (as
defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(e)) have concluded
that, as of September 30, 2003, the disclosure controls and procedures were
adequate and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed
in the reports filed or submitted by the Company under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the
requisite time periods.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting. The Company's
principal executive officer and principal financial officer have identified no
change in the Company's "internal control over financial reporting" (as
defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred
during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over
financial reporting.
PART III
ITEM 10 DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The requisite information regarding the Company's directors, executive
officers and audit committee members is contained in part under the caption
"Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Part I hereof and the remainder is
incorporated by reference from the discussion responsive thereto under the
captions "Election of Directors" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting and Compliance" in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.
We have adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Officers that applies to our chief
executive officer, chief financial officer, and controllers. A copy of this
Code of Ethics is available without charge upon request from the Chief
Financial Officer at Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc., 155 Northboro Road, Southborough,
MA 01772. If we make any substantive amendments to this Code of Ethics or
grant any waiver from a provision of the Code, we will disclose the nature of
such amendment or waiver on our website at www.techopssevcon.com or in a
report on Form 8-K.
ITEM 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This information is incorporated by reference from the information under the
captions "Election of Directors - Director Compensation," "Executive
Compensation," "Compensation Committee Report" and "Performance Graph" in the
Company's Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 12 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The requisite information concerning security ownership is incorporated by
reference from the information responsive thereto under the captions
"Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock" and "Election of Directors" in the
Company's Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The following table sets out the status of Securities authorized for issuance
under equity compensation plans at September 30, 2003.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan Category Number of Weighted- Number of Number of
securities average securities securities
to be exercise remaining remaining
issued upon price of available available
exercise of outstanding for future for future
outstanding options, issuance issuance
options warrants under equity under equity
warrants and rights compensation compensation
and rights plans plans
(excluding (excluding
securities securities
reflected in reflected in
column (a) at column (a) at
end of year beginning of
year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) (b) (c) (d)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders:
1996 Equity
Incentive Plan 163,000 $8.51 116,000 39,500
1998 Director Stock
Option Plan 30,000 $13.56 20,000 25,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub Total 193,000 $9.29 136,000 64,500
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders - - - -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 193,000 $9.29 136,000 64,500
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 13 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
This information (if any) is incorporated by reference from the discussion
responsive thereto under the caption "Election of Directors" in the Company's
Proxy Statement relating to the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 14 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTS FEES AND SERVICES
This information is incorporated by reference from the discussion responsive
thereto under the caption "Auditors" in the Company's Proxy Statement relating
to the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
PART IV
ITEM 15 EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
The exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed
on the Exhibit Index below.
(b) Financial statements and schedule
The financial statements and financial statement schedule listed under
Item 8 in the index following the cover page are filed as part of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(c) Form 8-K
A Current Report on Form 8-K was furnished on July 23, 2003 (item12).
The report contained information announcing the Company's earnings
release issued on July 21, 2003.
A Current Report on Form 8-K was furnished on November 13, 2003
(item 12). The report contained information announcing the Company's
earnings release issued on November 13, 2003.
The descriptions of these Forms 8-K in this Item 15 is for informational
purposes only, and the press releases furnished thereon shall not be deemed
"filed" with the Commission.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
*(3)(a) Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (3)(a) to Annual Report for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1994).
*(3)(b) By-laws of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
(3)(b) to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 2000).
*(4)(a) Specimen common stock of registrant (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (4)(a) to Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September
30, 1994).
*(10)(a) Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement
on form S-8 File No. 333-02113).
(10)(b) Form of Option for 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10)(b) to Annual Report for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2002).
*(10)(c) Form of Indemnification Agreement dated January 4, 1988 between the
registrant and each of its directors (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (10)(e) to Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September
30, 1994).
*(10)(d) Board resolution terminating Directors' Retirement Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(e) to Annual Report for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997).
*(10)(e) Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. 1998 Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998).
*(21) Subsidiaries of the registrant (incorporated by reference to exhibit
(21) to Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001).
(23) Consent of Grant Thornton LLP (attached herewith).
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP is not available as they have
discontinued operations.
(31.1) Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to section 302
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith)
(31.2) Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to section 302
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith)
(32.1) Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial
Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(Furnished herewith)
*(99.1) Item 4 of Form 8-K filed on June 5, 2002 (incorporated by reference
thereto).
*(99.2) Item 4 of Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2002 (incorporated by reference
thereto).
* Indicates exhibit previously filed and incorporated by reference. Exhibits
filed with periodic reports were filed under File No. 1-9789.
Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements:
Exhibits (10)(a), (10)(b), 10(d) and (10)(e) are management contracts or
compensatory plans or arrangements in which the executive officers or
directors of the registrant participate.
A Copy of these exhibits may be obtained on the SEC's EDGAR database (at
www.sec.gov) or will be furnished without charge to any stockholder upon
written request to Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. attention Paul A. McPartlin, Chief
Financial Officer, 155 Northboro Road, Southborough MA 01772, Telephone: (581)
281 5510.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TECH/OPS SEVCON, INC.
By /s/ Matthew Boyle December 12, 2003
--------------------
Matthew Boyle
President and Chief
Executive Officer
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 and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/s/ Matthew Boyle President, Chief Executive December 12, 2003
- ----------------- Officer and Director
Matthew Boyle (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Paul A. McPartlin Vice President, Treasurer December 12, 2003
- --------------------- and Chief Financial Officer
Paul A. McPartlin (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Maarten D. Hemsley Director December 12, 2003
- ----------------------
Maarten D. Hemsley
/s/ Paul B. Rosenberg Director December 12, 2003
- ---------------------
Paul B. Rosenberg
s/ Marvin G. Schorr Director December 12, 2003
- -------------------
Marvin G. Schorr
/s/ Bernard F. Start Director December 12, 2003
- --------------------
Bernard F. Start
/s/ David R. A. Steadman Director December 12, 2003
- ------------------------
David R. A. Steadman
/s/ C. Vincent Vappi Director December 12, 2003
- --------------------
C. Vincent Vappi
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Matthew Boyle, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
prepared;
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the
period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control
over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's fourth fiscal
quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control
over financial reporting.
Date: December 12, 2003
/s/ Matthew Boyle
- -----------------
Matthew Boyle
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Paul A. McPartlin, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
prepared;
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the
period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control
over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's fourth fiscal
quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control
over financial reporting.
Date: December 12, 2003
/s/ Paul A. McPartlin
- ---------------------
Paul A. McPartlin
Chief Financial and Accounting Officer
EXHIBIT 32.1
Certification of Periodic Financial Report
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Each of the undersigned officers of Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. (the "Company")
certifies, under the standards set forth in and solely for the purposes of 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year
ended September 30, 2003 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in
that Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: December 12, 2003
/s/ Matthew Boyle
- -----------------
Matthew Boyle
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: December 12, 2003
/s/ Paul A. McPartlin
- ---------------------
Paul A. McPartlin
Chief Financial Officer
SCHEDULE II
TECH/OPS SEVCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reserves for the three years ended September 30, 2003
(in thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for doubtful accounts 2003 2002 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at beginning of year 356 809 241
Additions charged to costs and expenses 24 77 607
Deductions from reserves:
Accounts collected - - (6)
Write off of uncollectible accounts (91) (537) (33)
Foreign currency translation adjustment 6 7 -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year 295 356 809
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TECH/OPS SEVCON, INC
Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants
- ---------------------------------------------------
We have issued our report dated November 6, 2003, accompanying the
consolidated financial statements and schedule included in the Annual Report
of Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003.
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of said report in the
Registration Statements of Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. on Forms S-8 (File No. 333-
42960, File No. 333-02113, File No. 333-61229 and File No. 333-104785).
/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
- ------------------------
Boston, Massachusetts
December 26, 2003