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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(X) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 2, 1998
OR
( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to ___________
Commission File Number: 0-18645
TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
California 94-2802192
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
645 North Mary Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94088
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (408) 481-8000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock
(Title of Class)
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 X No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the registrant's Common Stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $430,009,338 as of March 13,
1998, based upon the closing sale price of the common stock on the Nasdaq Stock
Market for that date.
There were 23,243,748 shares of the registrant's Common Stock issued and
outstanding as of March 13, 1998.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Part III incorporate information by reference
from the registrant's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 5, 1998. Except with respect to information
specifically incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K, the Proxy Statement
is not deemed to be filed as a part hereof.
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results could differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set
forth in, or incorporated by reference into, this report. The Company has
attempted to identify forward-looking statements in this report by placing an
asterisk (*) in the left-hand margin of paragraphs containing such material.
PART I
Item 1. Business
General
Trimble Navigation Limited, a California corporation (Trimble or the
Company), is a leader in the emerging markets for satellite-based navigation,
position and communication data products using the Global Positioning System
(GPS). Trimble designs, manufactures and markets electronic products that
determine precise geographic location. The Company's principal products, which
utilize substantial amounts of proprietary software and firmware, are integrated
systems for collecting, analyzing and displaying position data in forms
optimized for specific end-user applications.
* Trimble has defined and currently addresses a number of markets
for its GPS products: surveying, mapping, marine navigation, mining and
construction, tracking systems, aviation, military systems, OEM and cellular and
mobile computing platforms. The Company has developed or is developing systems
for seismology, geographic information systems, delivery fleets, buses, ships,
airplanes, automobiles and hand-held units. Trimble anticipates that additional
markets will emerge to make use of the highly accurate position data obtainable
from GPS.
Background
Precise determination of locations both on and above the earth's surface is
a fundamental requirement for many human activities. For example, position data
is used for navigation on land, sea and air, and to conduct surveys and draw
maps. Previous technologies have limited users to simultaneous determination of
only two dimensions-latitude and longitude-while altitude and time required
separate measurements with different equipment. GPS technology provides users
with all of these measurements using one instrument. GPS is a system of 24
orbiting Navstar satellites established and funded by the U.S. Government. On
April 27, 1995, GPS was declared to have achieved Full Operational Capability by
the U.S. Air Force Space Command. The U.S. Government intends for GPS to
complement or replace many other forms of electronic navigation and position
data systems. GPS offers major advantages over previous technologies in
precision and accuracy with worldwide coverage in three dimensions (in addition
to providing time and velocity measurement capabilities).
GPS positioning is based on a triangulation technique that precisely
measures distances from three or more Navstar satellites. The satellites
continuously transmit precisely timed radio signals using extremely accurate
atomic clocks. A GPS receiver calculates distances from the satellites in view
by determining the travel time of the satellites' signals. The receiver then
triangulates its position using its known distance from various satellites and
calculates latitude, longitude and altitude. Under normal circumstances, a
stand-alone GPS receiver is able to calculate its position at any point on
earth, in the earth's atmosphere, or in lower earth orbit, to within 100 meters,
24 hours a day. When a GPS receiver is coupled with a known precise position,
accuracies of less than one centimeter are possible. In addition, GPS provides
highly accurate time measurement.
* The usefulness of GPS is dependent on the number and locations of GPS
satellites that are above the horizon at any given time. The current deployment
of 24 satellites permits three-dimensional worldwide coverage 24 hours a day.
However, reception of GPS signals requires line-of-sight visibility between the
Navstar satellites and the receiver, which can be blocked by buildings, hills
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and dense foliage. For the receiver to collect a sufficient signal, each
satellite must be above the horizon and the receiver must have a line of sight
to at least three satellites to determine its location in two
dimensions-latitude and longitude-and at least four satellites to determine its
location in three dimensions-latitude, longitude, and altitude. The accuracy of
GPS may also be limited by distortion of GPS signals from ionospheric and other
atmospheric conditions, and intentional or inadvertent signal interference or
Selective Availability (SA). Selective Availability, the largest component of
GPS distortion, is controlled by the Department of Defense and is a currently
activated, intentional system-wide degradation of stand-alone GPS accuracy from
approximately 25 meters to approximately 100 meters. Selective Availability may
be implemented by the Department of Defense in order to deny hostile forces the
highly accurate position, time and velocity information supplied by GPS. In
certain military applications, classified devices are utilized to decode the SA
degradation and return accuracies to their original levels.
By using a technique called "differential GPS" involving two or more GPS
receivers, accuracies can currently be improved to approximately one to five
meters for navigation and one centimeter for survey applications, even in the
presence of SA. This technique compensates for a number of potential measurement
distortions, including distortions caused by ionospheric and other atmospheric
conditions, as well as distortions intentionally introduced into the satellite
data itself, such as SA. Differential GPS involves placing one receiver at a
known location and continuously comparing its calculated location with its known
location to measure distortions in the signal transmission and errors in the
satellite data. At any one time, such distortions and errors are reasonably
constant over large areas, so that one or more remote GPS receivers can use
these measurements to correct their own position calculations. Measurement
corrections can be transmitted either in real-time over a suitable communication
link such as radio or telephone, or integrated later with accumulated data, as
is frequently the practice in survey applications.
Each of Trimble's GPS products is based on proprietary GPS receivers.
Trimble's GPS receivers are capable of tracking all satellites in view and
automatically selecting the optimum combination of satellites necessary to
provide the most accurate set of measurements possible. Communications and
computational modules, such as databases, database management systems, radio and
other communication equipment and various user interfaces, are added to these
receivers to create fully integrated application solutions.
Navstar satellites and their ground support systems are complex electronic
systems subject to electronic and mechanical failures and possible sabotage. The
satellites have design lives of 7.5 years and are subject to damage by the
hostile space environment in which they operate. To repair damaged or
malfunctioning satellites is not economically feasible. If a significant number
of satellites were to become inoperable, there could be a substantial delay
before they are replaced with new satellites. A reduction in the number of
operating satellites would impair the current utility of the GPS system and the
growth of current and additional market opportunities. In addition, there can be
no assurance that the U.S. government will remain committed to the operation and
maintenance of GPS satellites over a long period of time, or that the policies
of the U.S. Government for the use of GPS without charge will remain unchanged.
However, the 1996 Presidential Decision Directive marks the first time in the
evolution of GPS that access and use for the consumer, civilian and commercial
use has a solid foundation in law. Because of ever-increasing commercial
applications of GPS, other U.S. Government agencies may become involved in the
administration or the regulation of the use of GPS signals. Any of the foregoing
factors could affect the willingness of buyers of the Company's products to
select GPS-based systems instead of products based on competing technologies.
Any resulting change in market demand for GPS products would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial results. In 1995, certain European
government organizations expressed concern regarding the susceptibility of GPS
equipment to intentional or inadvertent signal interference. Such concern could
translate into reduced demand for GPS products in certain geographic regions in
the future.
Business Strategy
The Company sees GPS as an information utility. In order to exploit the
wide range of applications made possible by this information utility, the
Company has implemented the following strategies:
* Targeted markets. The Company targets specific markets for its GPS
products based on end-user applications. The Company believes that by adding
application-specific features and functionality to its GPS technology, it can
deliver value-added products into its targeted markets. To date, the Company has
identified markets that it believes represent significant economic opportunities
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due to the broad range of potential applications for accurate and cost-effective
position, velocity and time information. The Company also continuously seeks to
identify new markets into which GPS products and systems can be introduced. The
Company believes that its continued growth will depend in large part on its
ability to identify and penetrate new markets for GPS applications.
Differentiated Product Solutions. The Company seeks to establish and
sustain leadership in its targeted markets by offering products that are
differentiated through software, firmware, customized user interfaces and the
Company's service and support. Where feasible, the Company emphasizes
application-specific systems that solve specific sets of problems in its various
markets. The Company believes that a substantial portion of the value of its
products is derived from the firmware that is embedded in the product or
software provided, along with the product for post-processing applications. In
addition, the Company incorporates other technologies into some of its products,
such as communications, computational capabilities and non-GPS positioning
technologies in order to optimize product features for specific markets.
Time-to-Market Advantage. The modular design of Trimble's products enables
the Company to create and maintain a broad line of products without necessarily
repeating development efforts or requiring extensive redesigns for product
upgrades. To facilitate fast product introduction while minimizing manufacturing
costs and maximizing quality, the Company has acquired advanced automated
manufacturing equipment that allows rapid turnaround of prototypes during
development and rapid changeovers between product lines during production.
Trimble further believes that its approach of providing many product software
features enables the Company to respond quickly to the needs of rapidly evolving
markets through software upgrades.
* Multichannel Distribution. The Company seeks direct communication with
its customers in order to develop and modify its product designs as necessary to
maximize utility and payback to the user. Trimble has built a worldwide sales
and service organization of Company employees, distributors and dealers for each
major market it addresses. In addition, the Company intends to continue to
develop new, and to strengthen existing, alliances and OEM relationships with
established foreign and domestic companies as part of its strategy to penetrate
certain targeted markets. The Company has pursued such alliances with several
companies in various markets, including Philips Car Systems, Pioneer Electronics
Corporation, Delco Electronics and Xanavi Informatics Corporation in car
navigation; Honeywell Inc. in aviation and military; E-systems, Inc. in transit;
PRC Public Sector, Inc. in public safety; Adobe Systems Incorporated and Intel
Corporation in the emerging consumer applications area; American Mobile
Satellite Corporation in long-haul fleet management; Caterpillar, Inc. in mining
and construction; and Case Corporation for agricultural applications.
Integration with Communication Technologies. GPS technology is increasingly
being integrated with wireless communication technologies, offering economic and
strategic advantages in areas such as navigation, vehicle fleet management,
long-haul trucking and public safety. Accordingly, the Company is currently
devoting research and development efforts to products that integrate the
Company's proprietary GPS receivers with wireless communication technologies.
Markets
Trimble currently addresses multiple markets for the application of GPS
technology, which the Company has divided into three business units: Commercial
Systems, Software and Component Technologies (including OEM) and Aerospace.
Though the Company believes that these markets have growth potential for sales
of GPS products, there can be no assurance that such markets will continue to
develop, particularly given that GPS-based systems are still in an early stage
of adoption in some of these markets. The Company's future growth will depend on
the timely development of the markets in which the Company currently competes,
and on the Company's ability to continue to identify and exploit new markets for
its products. Each business unit is managed by a vice president who has
responsibility for strategy, marketing, manufacturing, product development and
financial performance. The business units are further split into vertical
markets that address specific product markets.
4
Commercial Systems
The Commercial Systems business unit consists of the following vertical
markets: Land Survey; Mapping and GIS Systems; Mobile Positioning and
Communications; Marine; and Precise Positioning.
Land Survey. Surveying involves establishing precise points and boundaries
for legal and construction purposes. It consists primarily of collecting and
processing position information. Typically, surveying accuracy is expected to be
within a centimeter. The Company believes that its products substantially reduce
the cost, time, and number of people required to obtain and process surveying
and mapping data points for a given level of accuracy, compared to optical and
laser products. Applications, which the Company addresses in the surveying
market, include control surveying, construction and engineering surveying, route
surveying and geodetic research. GPS does not require line-of-sight between
land-based reference points and is not affected by most adverse weather
conditions (as compared to traditional methods such as optical or laser
measurements), providing advantages in many survey applications.
The Company's GPS surveying products lead the control surveying
instrumentation market. Control surveying is the precise determination of the
location of local geodetic reference points from which further local surveying
can be based. The GPS technique has reduced the cost of establishing control
points, compared to conventional techniques, and has become the preferred
technology for conducting control surveying.
The Company's surveying products are also used in large-scale construction
projects, such as new housing developments or public works projects, in which
the position of a large number of points needs to be cost-effectively
established. Trimble products are particularly efficient for applications in
areas with ground-level obstructions to visibility. Trimble also supplies route
surveying markets, which require a cost-and time-effective means of precisely
locating a large number of points and physical features along routes and
rights-of-way, such as roads, pipelines, and telephone and power lines. The
Company has introduced a product with kinematic data collection features, which
provides the capabilities for surveying applications while the equipment is in
motion. This kinematic product is targeted at the engineering and topographic
surveying markets, which represent a major portion of the overall surveying
market. Through the use of the kinematic GPS surveying technique, large numbers
of points can be rapidly measured to accuracies approaching those for control
surveying. The kinematic product allows one surveyor, on foot, to collect data
enabling creation of a construction-grade topographic map.
With conventional post-processed GPS techniques, GPS satellite signal data
are collected at the point, but the point coordinates aren't actually determined
until later, back in the office on a personal computer with specialized
software. In 1993 the Company introduced "real-time" GPS surveying
instrumentation. With real-time GPS surveying, the point coordinates are
generated virtually instantaneously as the surveyor surveys or "occupies" the
point. Compared to traditional post-processed GPS surveying and conventional
optical-based land surveying techniques (which can also generate
centimeter-level coordinates as the point is surveyed), real-time GPS surveying
allows surveyors to enjoy the many field logistics advantages of GPS, such as
saving time by eliminating the data processing step in the office. The
advantages and cost savings of real-time GPS surveying results in large
productivity gains for surveyors when compared to both traditional
post-processed GPS and conventional surveying techniques.
In addition to serving the commercial surveying market, GPS has become a
standard technique for geodetic research. Research geodesists have found that
long baseline accuracies using GPS are significantly greater than those
obtainable with optical and electronic distance-measuring equipment. This
capability has led to programs to remeasure previous geodetic control points to
sharply increase precision and eliminate errors. High accuracy has also created
a significant market for GPS in seismic research where earth movements of less
than one centimeter can now be measured and monitored.
In the surveying market, the Company faces growing competition from other
GPS vendors, such as Ashtech, Inc. (now part of Magellan via Orbital Sciences
Corp), and NovAtel Inc.; and from vendors of traditional optical surveying
products, such as Leica AG, Sokkia Company, Ltd., Karl Zeiss, and Spectra
Precision of which all have entered the GPS surveying market and are introducing
GPS products of their own.
5
Mapping and GIS Systems. For mapping applications, large amounts of
position and attribute data (such as color, size and condition of the object)
must be obtained. Compared to surveying, mapping involves more extensive but
less precise location and plotting of geographical and man-made features.
Mapping applications include large-scale mapping of geographic and man-made
features, data collection for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases,
natural resource management and ground contour mapping. Required accuracies are
typically from twenty-five centimeters to three meters.
Currently, large-scale accurate mapping is usually accomplished by
photogrammetric analysis of aerial photographs, a complex and expensive
technique. The Company supplies the mapping market with its products, enabling
the user to capture position data while in aircraft, or traversing terrain on
foot or in a vehicle. The Company is also developing additional products for the
mapping market. The Company believes that these products can lower the cost of
position and attribute data collection.
GIS databases are used by federal, state, county, and city governments and
by utility companies for a variety of applications requiring accurate
information on the location of natural resources and municipal infrastructure,
such as utilities and transport networks. Currently, building such a database
requires time-consuming compilation of data from numerous existing maps and
digitized photographs, as well as costly physical surveys. The Company's
products, used in connection with commercially available databases, have the
potential to reduce substantially the cost of constructing GIS databases and to
increase their accuracy.
In the mapping market, the Company faces competition from Ashtech, Inc.
(now part of Magellan via Orbital Sciences Corp), NovAtel Inc., CMT, Inc.,
Garmin Corporation, Magellan Corporation (a subsidiary of Orbital Sciences
Corporation), Motorola, Inc., Sokkia Company, Ltd., and others. Competition in
the mapping market has increased as competitors have introduced new products.
Mobile Positioning and Communications. The Company is an established leader
in providing tracking and communications products in the public safety, long
haul trucking, and marine markets. These products typically include GPS,
combined with conventional radios or satellite communications, and application
software for use in the vehicles and at a base station. The software generally
addresses the need for map displays, communications control, vehicle monitoring,
and messaging. These products are used in a variety of fleets, such as transit
buses, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, trucking, and ships. In some
instances the Company provides additional services such as training,
installation, custom features, and program management. More recently, the
Company has introduced similar products for trunked radio and cellular
communications which are addressing productivity and security needs in the
commercial fleet markets.
In some instances, the Company markets its products directly to end-users,
but the large majority of its products are sold through resellers. Direct sales
to end-users are focused on opportunities in which the Company's standard
products closely match the customer's requirements. Public sector sales often
require significant customization, and the Company uses integrator partners such
as E-Systems, IBM, and Motorola to interface directly with the end-user. Other
tracking and communication products are sold through OEM integrators and
value-added resellers, some of whom address the international market.
The public sector customers are highly dependent on government funding for
fleet modernization. Capital equipment funding for U.S. public transit operators
comes primarily from congressional appropriations under the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act. Public safety organizations are dependent largely
on local government funding. Failure of the funding authorities to appropriate
funds for these purposes could have substantial impact on the Company's future
revenue.
Because the availability of GPS is still new, its use and subsequent
benefits have not been understood by the broad vehicle tracking market. The
Company must therefore devote considerable resources to communicating these GPS
benefits and to educating the market. This market education requirement could
result in a delay in market development and growth.
In addition, because the Company is involved in these market segments at
the component, subsystem, and system level, other companies, such as Motorola
and Qualcomm, have at various times been both customers and competitors. The
Company believes that its GPS and data communications management technologies
6
are superior to those of its competitors in these market segments. The Company
intends to leverage its GPS technology to continue to supply these market
segments at the component, subsystem and system levels. However, there is
significant competition, and since the markets and products are in the early
phases of their maturity, with competition that has far greater resources and is
well established in these markets, there is no assurance that the Company will
be successful in its effort.
In the Mobile Positioning and Communications market, the Company faces
competition from Rockwell International Corp., AutoTrac, Thrane & Thrane,
Motorola, Inc., Coded Communication, QUALCOMM Incorporated, Orbital Sciences
Corporation, and others.
Marine. Trimble has pioneered GPS in many marine markets and is an active
leader in the marine navigation, marine survey and marine construction markets.
Trimble's GPS receivers are used on recreational, commercial, research, and
military vessels to provide real-time latitude, longitude, time, course and
speed information. This data may be displayed on digital readouts or graphic
displays and may be integrated with other on-board electronic mapping databases
to indicate vessel position and performance in an easily understood manner. The
Company's navigation products conform to a number of international standards,
making them capable of providing navigation information to other on-board
equipment such as radars and autopilots. The Company faces competition in the
GPS commercial and recreational marine navigation market from manufacturers such
as Northstar (subsidiary of Canadian Marconi Corp.) and Leica AG.
Marine survey, which is concerned with precise, dynamic positioning,
includes such activities as oil exploration, hydrographic surveys, environmental
surveys, marine construction, cable and pipe laying, dredging, barge
positioning, ship trialing and many others. The Company provides complete
software solutions that utilize its GPS sensors, often in conjunction with other
equipment, for many of these applications. Trimble's marine survey activities
also include the design and marketing of MSK Radiobeacon Differential GPS (DGPS)
reference stations, and equipment to monitor the integrity of DGPS broadcasts.
In marine survey and marine construction applications, the Company faces
competition from CSI, Sercel, Leica, Ashtech, Inc. (now part of Magellan via
Orbital Sciences Corp), and Coastal Engineering.
Precise Positioning. Trimble's GPS receivers and data communications
products are used on machine-type vehicles to provide real-time positioning and
other key information for the vehicle operator. This information may be
displayed on digital readouts or graphic displays and may be integrated with
other on-board electronic information systems to guide and indicate machine
position and performance in an easily understood manner. As the availability of
highly accurate, cost-effective and robust real-time GPS solutions has
increased, numerous potential machine guidance and control applications have
been identified. Among the emerging applications on large, mobile field machines
are precision farming equipment, mining equipment, construction machinery and
aerial spraying.
Guidance and control of large, mobile field machines has traditionally been
done by the machine operator without the aid of advanced navigation and
positioning technology. Lasers have been used on a limited, though increasing,
basis for some applications. These traditional techniques have frequently proven
less than optimal because they are limited to positioning in elevation, or have
complex methods for horizontal guidance. Lasers, for example, provide good
vertical height information but are not inherently well-suited to three
dimensional position information and rely on line-of-sight to function
effectively. As field machinery is very expensive to own and operate, maximizing
efficiency is paramount and even small productivity gains can have significant
economic returns. GPS has the potential to provide more accurate and robust
positioning information. When this information is used in conjunction with other
critical information about the materials being worked on, such as location of
target ores, overall operational efficiency can increase.
Products, including sensors and systems, are marketed to OEMs, systems
integrators and directly to end-users. Because some mobile machine markets are
dominated by a relatively small number of OEMs, success can be influenced by the
ability to maintain favorable relationships with selected OEMs. Currently,
Trimble has established a relationship with many of these OEMs, including
Caterpillar Inc. and Case Corporation. However, this type of dependency on key
OEMs results in a measure of risk in this type of business.
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Since the applicability of GPS for these types of applications is still
new, its use and subsequent benefits are not yet widely understood or adapted.
The Company must, therefore, devote significant efforts to educating the market
and evangelizing the advantages of GPS in these applications. This can result in
a delay in market development.
The Company faces competition from traditional GPS manufacturers such as
Ashtech, Inc. (now part of Magellan via Orbital Sciences Corp), Leica AG, and
NovAtel Inc., as well as from established, laser-based integrated system
providers.
Software and Component Technologies (including OEM)
The Software and Component Technologies (SCT) business unit consists of
four vertical markets: Embedded GPS, Automotive, Timing, and Consumer. In
addition, this business unit is responsible for developing software licenses and
other rights for the use of GPS to third parties.
The Company's SCT group has built a leadership position in the worldwide
market for embedded GPS products. Already in its seventh-generation design, SCT
products provide full-function, high-performance embedded GPS engines for
systems integrators. The extensive range of GPS products is used in such diverse
applications as car navigation, vehicle and high-value cargo tracking, precision
agriculture, mobile computing, and synchronization of communications networks.
Trimble's SCT Group has a reputation for providing high-performance
products, high-level technical support, and custom product engineering. Trimble
continues to maintain leadership in the embedded GPS board market for tracking
applications, thus securing a strong position through partnerships with key
customers. In the tracking market, new applications such as safety, loss
prevention, and emergency assistance systems continue to emerge as a result of
the increased availability of smaller-sized and lower power boards. Trimble's
SCT group provides key technology for these applications.
* According to the U.S. GPS Industry Council, the car navigation market is
expected to grow to $3 billion by 2000. Trimble with approximately 30 percent of
the world-wide market is at the center of this fast growing sector of the GPS
industry. Trimble supplies GPS boards, chipsets, and licenses technology to some
of the leading automotive electronics suppliers, including Xanavi Informatics
Corporation; Philips Car Systems; Pioneer Electronics; Magneti Marelli; VDO Car
Communication (a division of the Mannesmann Group); and Blaupunkt (a wholly
owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GMBH). Trimble is also part of the reference
design for Intel's initiative to develop in-car Pentium processor-based
computing, and Microsoft's Auto PC platform.
The growth and expansion of data and wireless communication networks has
increased the need for GPS timing products. Trimble's timing products are
popular with system integrators who require reliable, precise synchronization of
wireless network infrastructure. By accessing the cesium clocks on board the GPS
satellites, a GPS receiver can provide atomic clock accuracy at a fraction of
the cost of rubidium. Trimble's SCT group provides technically advanced timing
products to major infrastructure providers in this market, such as Nortel. Such
timing products range from smart antennas, a GPS receiver combined with an
antenna in one enclosure, to a time and frequency output device, Thunderbolt GPS
disciplined clock.
Competitors in the embedded GPS board market are Motorola, Inc., Japan
Radio Corporation, Rockwell International Corporation, and others.
Aerospace
The Aerospace business unit consists of the Commercial Avionics Systems,
General Aviation Avionics Systems and Military and Advanced Systems businesses.
During 1994, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) adopted a policy
establishing GPS as the future standard for aviation navigation and initiated
the Wide Area Augmented System (WAAS) program to allow the use of GPS for
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primary navigation and precision approaches by 1998. This followed the December
1992 FAA publication of certification procedures that allow the use of GPS as a
supplemental source of navigation information for aircraft operating under
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). In 1995, the FAA published procedures for
approving GPS as a primary means of navigation for oceanic flights.
Commercial Avionics Systems. The Company was the first to certify its
equipment under the regulations, as discussed above. The Company also has
certified equipment that is used in conjunction with other FAA certified
navigation systems incorporating Omega and LORAN-C capabilities. Currently, the
Company believes it has received FAA Certification for the Technical Standard
Order C-129, covering more products than any competitor.
The Company believes that GPS has significant advantages in terms of
accuracy and coverage over current primary and supplemental systems. During
1994, the U.S. Government issued statements to the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) guaranteeing the GPS signal for a minimum of 10 years. In
addition, GPS technology faces competition from more mature and established
technologies that are currently in widespread use and have in place the
infrastructure required for administering these systems.
* Currently, the primary FAA required navigation system is the VOR/DME
system, a ground-based transmitter network. The Company believes GPS has the
potential to replace VOR/DME as the primary FAA and ICAO-required navigation
system. The range for VOR/DME is limited to 50 to 150 miles, line of sight from
a transmitter, leaving large areas of the world uncovered, including significant
portions of the airspace within the U.S. Though VOR/DME accuracy is adequate for
two-dimensional navigation, GPS provides greater accuracy while also providing
precise timing information.
* Aviation navigation also currently utilizes supplemental technologies to
VOR/DME, including LORAN C, Omega, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and GPS.
The Company believes GPS will eventually replace all these technologies as the
primary and sole means of aircraft navigation. The Omega system was
decommissioned during 1997 and LORAN C is scheduled for decommission by the end
of this decade. INS units are useable anywhere in the world, but they cost as
much as $150,000 per unit and multiple units are often required. GPS provides
greater accuracy than INS and provides worldwide coverage as well. In addition,
GPS has the additional advantages of having lower maintenance costs than
existing navigation systems, and GPS can be used in remote regions of the globe
without additional infrastructure investment.
The Company has recognized the potential of GPS for aviation and, in
addition to airborne navigation and flight management units, is also pursuing
GPS technology in flight trajectory truth systems, tracking systems, sensors and
other aviation applications. During 1995, the Company began an alliance with
Honeywell Incorporated, a major supplier of aviation equipment, to produce
GPS-based equipment for the air transport, commercial and business aviation
markets.
* The Company's strategy for Commercial Avionics Systems is to build on its
advanced position in GPS navigation as the foundation for developing full lines
of avionics products. Trimble acquired the assets of Terra Corporation in 1996,
and continues to market those products under the brand Terra by Trimble. In
addition, technology acquired in the Terra acquisition is helping the Company to
build new avionics product lines, including TrimLine, which was announced during
1997. This new line of aircraft audio panels, communication radios, navigation
radios, transponders, and displays will be targeted to OEM and retrofit
customers of general aviation aircraft. The Company also expects to develop a
leadership position in future advances in aircraft communications and
surveillance. These two areas, in combination with the navigation revolution
enabled by GPS, is changing the fundamental architecture of airspace management
worldwide. The Company expects product innovation and market growth to continue
well into the next century as modern Communication/Navigation/Surveillance (CNS)
is implemented.
Competition in the Commercial Avionics Systems market comes from
manufacturers of GPS products, as well as traditional navigation and flight
management system manufacturers. Competing manufacturers of GPS products include
Rockwell Collins, AlliedSignal Aerospace (through its Electronics & Avionics
Systems Division), Universal Navigation Corporation, Canadian Marconi Company (a
subsidiary of the General Electric Company plc), Garmin Corporation, Northstar
Avionics (a subsidiary of Canadian Marconi), IIMorrow, Inc. (a division of
United Parcel Service of America, Inc.), and Magellan Corporation (a subsidiary
of Orbital Sciences Corporation). Traditional navigation and flight management
system manufacturers include Honeywell Incorporated, AlliedSignal Aerospace
(through its Air Transport Avionics Division) and Smiths Industries. Competition
in the flight trajectory truth system is from Ashtech, Inc. (now part of
Magellan via Orbital Sciences Corp), and in the tracking system from ARNAV.
9
Military and Advanced Systems. The Company has been developing GPS
receivers for aerospace and military applications since 1986. The Company's
approach to the market has been as a commercial manufacturer of GPS electronics,
modified and enhanced for military use. The Aerospace business unit designs and
manufactures GPS equipment capable of utilizing the civilian C/A code, as well
as the P(Y) code reserved for users authorized by the United States Department
of Defense. These Precise Positioning Service (PPS) receivers provide authorized
users with GPS equipment that removes the effects of Selective Availability
(allowing higher accuracy), and includes anti-spoofing protection and additional
immunity from jamming signals. The Company sells equipment to the United States
Department of Defense, aerospace prime contractors, and foreign military
organizations.
Applications of GPS in aerospace and military markets include ground
vehicles, handheld units, military aircraft, missiles, unmanned air vehicles,
and navy vessels. Military GPS equipment efficiently provides accurate position,
velocity, and timing information to and from battlefield management systems that
coordinate and control the deployment of equipment and personnel.
The Company's Military and Advanced Systems strategy is to build on its
advanced position in GPS technology as the foundation for developing
partnerships with major military manufacturers and to offer complete airborne
and ground- based, time and positioning solutions for military and aerospace
applications. In these markets, Trimble competes, partners, and subcontracts
with a number of companies, some of which have substantially greater financial
and marketing resources, and substantial experience and resources devoted to
military sales. Interstate Electronics (subsidiary of Figgie International),
Magnavox (subsidiary of Hughes), Raytheon, Litton Industries, and Rockwell
International Corp., as well as a number of European companies, manufacture
products that are competitive with the Company's military products.
Military sales are subject to various uncertainties, including the timing
and availability of funding for U.S. and foreign military contracts, and the
competitive nature of government contracting in general. There is no assurance
that the Company will be awarded future U.S. military contracts. In addition,
the U.S. government retains the right to impose restrictions on the sale of GPS
products to foreign military organizations at any time.
Products
The following is a list of the Company's principal products, organized by
its strategic markets:
Commercial Systems Products
Land Survey Products
- --------------------
4000 Series. Historically one of the Company's most successful product
lines, the 4000 series GPS receivers and their associated GPS antennas are
instruments that, in the survey mode, provide position information that is
accurate down to 5mm. The Company offers survey grade 4000 series receivers that
use the L1 frequency (i.e., single frequency receivers) and both the L1 and L2
frequencies (i.e., dual frequency receivers) broadcast by the Navstar
satellites. Dual frequency receivers offer users greater productivity and, in
some cases, better accuracy, especially over longer distances. Single frequency
receivers are less costly and include the 4600 and 4000Si receivers. Dual
frequency receivers include the 4000SSi, 4400, and 4800. Products differ from
one another in their form factor and in certain specific functions that they
provide the surveyor. The units can be used in either a real-time mode
(positions are generated virtually instantaneously for the surveyor as he or she
surveys a point), or in a post-processing mode (in post-processing, raw
satellite data are collected and stored for subsequent processing on a computer
utilizing specialized software).
GPS Total Station. In 1994 Trimble introduced the GPS Total Station
surveying system. This complete surveying system consists of two or more survey
grade GPS receivers (for example 4000SSi's), GPS antennas, a handheld Survey
Controller for managing the real-time GPS survey and collecting coordinates as a
land survey is conducted, plus radio modems for transmitting data between the
GPS receivers. One receiver is used as a base station and the other as a "rover"
that a surveyor carries around in order to survey individual points. The system
10
incorporates advanced features that make real-time GPS surveying practical as an
everyday surveying technique. The GPS Total Station 4800, introduced in 1997, is
a highly compact system that integrates all of its rover elements onto a single
lightweight pole, thereby eliminating the need for a backpack and any cables
strung between the surveyor and the survey pole. The GPS Total Station 4400 and
4000 each utilize a separate GPS antenna that can offer logistical advantages in
certain situations. The system's advanced handheld controller, the TSC1, is
designed and manufactured by the Company.
GPSurvey, Trimble Survey Office, Survey Controller and TRIMMAP software.
GPSurvey, Trimble Survey Office and TRIMMAP are PC-based office software suites
that provide surveyors with the tools they need to complete their GPS surveying
projects. GPSurvey post-processes data collected in the field and provides the
user with finished data sets and reports. GPSurvey also includes project
planning and network adjustment capabilities. Trimble Survey Office manages data
collected by real-time GPS and conventional optical survey methods, and reduces
the data into finished data sets. TRIMMAP software includes many specific
surveying modules that use the finished data for such applications as drawing
contour maps or creating profiles. Survey Controller software resides on the
TSC1 handheld and is used to control and manage survey tasks in the field. All
of these products are generally sold as part of survey product systems.
Trimble Exchange. Trimble Exchange for Microsoft Windows based software is
an aid for civil engineers, project engineers, and surveyors to achieve high
levels of accuracy and productivity when staking out with Trimble's GPS systems.
The Trimble Exchange software converts design data from highway design systems
into a suitable format for loading into a Trimble handheld Survey Controller,
which is then combined with a Trimble GPS Total Station system for higher
productivity. The Trimble Exchange software offers significant improvements in
efficiency by dramatically reducing the time spent transferring data from the
client's construction design package to a usable GPS format.
TRIMTALK and TRIMMARK Radios. These radio modems are used for real-time GPS
applications. They provide broadcast and receive functions for VHF, UHF and 900
MHz spread spectrum data transmission, and they operate at baud rates sufficient
to carry the data needed for real-time GPS survey applications. These products
are sold as part of survey product systems.
Mapping and GIS Products
- ------------------------
Mapping and GIS Systems. The Company's products are typically used for
mapping and GPS/GIS data collection in such markets as utilities, natural
resources, urban and municipal government, environmental and scientific
monitoring, and public safety.
Pathfinder Pro Family. The GPS Pathfinder Pro XR/XRS system's integrated
real-time positioning capabilities allow the user to collect, relocate and
update geographic information with an accuracy of better than one meter. When
combined with Trimble's handheld Asset Surveyor or pen computer-based ASPEN
software, the Pro XR/XRS offers a complete system for real-time mapping and
GPS/GIS data collection.
Pathfinder Card. The GPS Pathfinder Card is a GPS receiver, in an
industry-standard PC Card format, that is capable of collecting data with an
accuracy of 1 to 3 meters. The GeoExplorer II is a self-contained handheld
system offering submeter mapping and GPS/GIS data collection at a reduced cost.
The GPS positions and descriptive information collected by each of these
systems are downloaded to a personal computer using Trimble's Pathfinder Office
software, where the information can be processed, edited, and plotted or output
into standard GIS, CAD and database formats.
Mobile Positioning and Communications Products
The Company offers a line of products designed to meet many of the needs of
customers desiring to track mobile assets using wireless communications. These
products include GPS receivers, and GPS receivers integrated with other
technologies such as dead reckoning, industry specific applications processors,
mobile radio modems, cellular telephones, satellite communications, mobile data
terminals, communications control software, and automatic vehicle location (AVL)
display software.
11
GPS Receivers. The Company's tracking product line includes the Placer GPS
400 (a stand-alone receiver) and the Placer 450 family (receivers configurable
for fleet tracking applications). The Placer 455 is a GPS receiver integrated
with a gyroscope and an odometer interface.
Integrated GPS and Cellular Phone Products. The Company offers a line of
GPS/cellular products known as GPS Cellular Messenger, targeted at small fleets
and transportation of high-value cargo.
Communications Control Software. The Company offers a software program
designed to manage communications between its Intelligent Communications
Controller mobile units and a customer's command center.
AVL Display Software. AVL Manager displays the locations of vehicles in
tabular form. FleetVision displays vehicle locations for small fleets
graphically on scanned maps.
Public Sector Services. In some public safety opportunities, the Company
provides certain services including training, equipment installations,
integration of third party radios and computers and program management.
Galaxy Inmarsat-C/GPS. Galaxy is the first system to combine Inmarsat-C
with GPS to provide rapid digital global communication with precise global
positioning. Inmarsat-C provides worldwide, two-way store-and-forward text
communication via Packet Switched Data Network (PSDN) or Public Switched
Telephone Network, and fax delivery of inbound messages. Galaxy is designed for
use by truck, rail and other land applications, as well as merchant ships,
commercial fishing boats, yachts and other vessels requiring cost-effective
two-way communication links plus precise position information for emergency,
safety, navigation and tracking needs.
Marine Products
- ---------------
NT Series. This is a series of three marine GPS navigation products that
provide position and graphical steering information on a high-resolution LCD
display. The models in the NT Series provide a range of price and performance to
satisfy the needs of a wide range of customers. The high-end version of this
product includes a built-in differential receiver. The NT 200D receives
international standard differential corrections that are broadcast on the marine
beacon band, and which greatly improve the accuracy of the position and velocity
solution. The NT Series GPS is sold to recreational boaters, coast guards,
navies, workboat operators, shipping lines and operators of commercial fishing
fleets.
NT300D. This product is a high resolution display which can be added to the
single frequency GPS and dual channel DGPS receivers, which provides navigation
and positioning features. The NT300D is ideal for many marine survey
applications.
7400RSi/DSi. The marine versions of the 7400 series products bring
centimeter level accuracy to the marine environment for the first time. The 7400
series products utilize Trimble's Real-Time Kinematic/On The Fly (RTK/OTF)
technology to achieve high accuracy even in the dynamic and fluid marine
environment by removing the need for static calibration stations. The dynamic
performance of the 7400 RSi/DSi GPS sensors makes it suited for applications
such as the control and docking of high-speed ferries and the positioning of
large marine structures, such as bridge spans for marine construction.
4000RSi/DSi. The 4000 series products provide sub-meter accuracy and are
suited to marine survey applications that do not require the performance of the
7400 series products described above. The 4000 series GPS sensors address a
broad segment of the marine survey market and provide customers with a choice of
price and performance in GPS sensors. The 4000 series products also integrate
well with total solutions, such as Hydro and Target: Structures products,
discussed below. The 4000 series products also form the basis of Trimble's DGPS
MSK Reference Station and Integrity Monitoring offerings, which comply with
internationally accepted Radio Technical Committee Marine (RTCM) standards for
broadcast on radio beacon frequencies. Trimble equipment is in use in more than
20 countries, broadcasting DGPS corrections and monitoring their integrity.
12
DSM. These products are GPS sensors and reference stations targeted mainly
to value-added resellers. They provide a source of accurate GPS data in the form
of a "black box". The DSM allows for comprehensive custom solutions developed by
third parties.
Hydro. This software program provides total solutions for many marine
survey applications. It provides the capability to integrate the best of Trimble
designed and built GPS sensors with additional equipment, such as depth
sounders, to provide customers with highly customizable solutions to a wide
range of marine survey and construction challenges. The newest program in this
line is HydroPro, which is a Windows 95 and Windows NT software suite.
Target: Structures. This Windows and Windows NT based program provides for
precise positioning of large mobile offshore structures or platforms. Utilizing
real-time GPS receivers such as the 7400RSi and 7400DSi, this innovative
software enables barge and crane operators to efficiently and safely guide large
structures to any target location for marine contruction.
Precise Positioning Products
- -----------------------------
7400MSi. The rugged 7400MSi is designed specifically for dynamic machine
guidance and control applications. Centimeter-level position updates are
computed five times per second, ensuring the response and accuracy necessary for
precise dynamic applications on moving equipment.
Eurocard DSM. The Eurocard DSM is based on Trimble's advanced low-power,
low-noise, high-accuracy Maxwell chip technology. Advanced carrier-aided
filtering techniques applied to exceptionally low-noise C/A code measurements
are used to generate real-time, sub-meter differential (DGPS) positions at a
maximum rate of 10 Hz, even under challenging conditions.
BenchGuide. The Trimble BenchGuide system provides mining machine operators
with precision GPS-based guidance in locating correct bench or terrain
elevations without using survey stakes. It can be used with Trimble radio
modems, and it provides accurate, low-latency GPS positions in a local
coordinate system. BenchGuide provides numerous benefits over traditional bench
elevation systems. It is maintenance free and operates in bad weather or under
dusty conditions that limit the range of other systems.
TRIMCOMM 900. The rugged TRIMCOMM 900 is a high-speed data radio link for
real-time differential and real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS solutions, and is ideal
for machine guidance applications. It provides a versatile means of establishing
a wireless broadcast network, supporting up to four repeaters for extended
coverage. A dual port TRIMCOMM 900 makes it possible to maintain two-way
communications throughout the coverage area, allowing real-time machine position
and office design information updates.
TrimFlight. TrimFlight is a sub-meter guidance, logging, and mapping system
for aircraft that provides assurance of proper application of farm chemicals
when used in crop spraying. TrimFlight eliminates the need for human flaggers
and it generates reports and maps providing flight information and the exact
location of application. TrimFlight's computer interface allows for integration
to other applications, such as photogrammetry and remote sensing. TrimFlight
data is compatible with most major GIS software.
AgGPS 122. The AgGPS 122 is a combined MSK beacon and differential GPS
receiver for sub-meter agricultural positioning applications. The system
integrates with other devices such as harvest yield monitors.
AgGPS 132. The AgGPS 132 is a combined MSK beacon and differential GPS
receiver plus an L-band satellite differential receiver, all in one system. The
system integrates with other devices, such as harvest yield monitors, and can
provide sub-meter positions which can be output to yield monitors, variable rate
planters, application controllers and field computers. A Parallel Swathing
Option further enhances productivity, especially in low-visibility conditions
and reduces operator fatigue.
13
Software And Component Technologies Products
Embedded and Automotive Products
- --------------------------------
ACE GPS Module. The newest miniature board product is the ACE GPS Module.
This powerful 8-channel architecture, with the popular Core Module form factor,
is designed for applications requiring high performance at low cost. ACE GPS
delivers fast GPS signal acquisition and low power consumption, making it ideal
for mobile and battery-powered applications.
Lassen-SK8. The Lassen-SK8 board, based on the Sierra GPS technology, is
used in the automotive and embedded markets. Two-thirds the size of a business
card, this miniature 8-channel GPS board provides high performance, fast
acquisition and reacquisition time, low power consumption and two-meter
accuracy.
Sierra GPS Chipset. The Sierra GPS Chipset features state-of-the-art
performance, small size, low power consumption and low cost. The chipset
consists of two ASICs, fully developed software and unmatched technical support.
The two ASICs are composed of Trimble's GPS DSP ASIC and RF/IF down-converter
chip.
SveeSix. SVeeSix is a family of GPS boards and assemblies designed for
high-performance embedded GPS applications for tracking. The family includes
SVeeSix and Sveesix-CM3.
SCT Antennas. Trimble offers a variety of miniature GPS antennas for mobile
or vehicle applications. These antennas include the Miniature GPS Antenna, a
compact, active micropatch antenna with a 5-meter cable and magnetic mount; the
Hard-mount Antenna, a compact, hard mount, active micropatch antenna with
single-hole 0.75" threaded mount and TNC connector; and the Rooftop Antenna,
consisting of the Bullet II HE antenna with 23-meter cable and SMB adapter.
These antennas are widely used for vehicle tracking, car navigation systems, and
harsh timing environments.
SCT Starter Kits. Trimble offers Starter Kits for developers who want to
evaluate and integrate GPS receivers and antennas. The kits contain all
components required to evaluate the receiver's features and to begin integration
into the user's application. Generally, a starter kit will include a GPS
receiver, a GPS antenna, documentation and required cables and software.
Timing Products
- ---------------
SCT Timing Products. The newest generation of GPS synchronization devices
is the Company's Thunderbolt GPS disciplined clock. This clock combines an
8-channel GPS receiver, control circuitry and a high quality ovenized oscillator
on a single board. This level of integration provides superior performance to
precise timing applications, such as CDMA wireless infrastructure, Enhanced 911
(E911) positioning and wireless local loop.
Smart Antennas. Trimble's family of smart antennas includes Palisade and
AcutimeII. Smart antennas combine a GPS receiver and an antenna in one package.
They provide OEMs and system integrators with a "plug-in" GPS module, allowing
them to quickly and easily add GPS capability to their product lines. AcutimeII
offers integrators a stand alone GPS time source with one micro-second-level
accuracy at a fraction of the cost of other time sources with similar
performance. Palisade, based on Trimble's Sierra GPS technology, is an 8-channel
receiver designed to provide accurate synchronization and frequency control for
wireless voice and data networks.
Consumer Products
- -----------------
ScoutMaster GPS. The ScoutMaster is a handheld GPS receiver designed
exclusively for land users to provide an affordable GPS solution in a broad
range of professional and recreational applications. The ScoutMaster has many
features some of which are patented. Features include Over and Up which enables
users to pinpoint their location on any topographical map and to calculate
specific map locations without having to interpolate latitude/longitude
coordinates. Target Track is a function which displays distance, direction,
speed and estimated time of arrival (ETA). ScoutMaster can store up to 250
14
locations and display navigation information in familiar terms. In addition the
ScoutMaster is a real-time differential-capable receiver which records location
data within 2-5 meters. The ScoutMaster can also tell the user where the sun and
moon will be at any time of day, anywhere on Earth, and when they will rise and
set. The ScoutMaster Library Utility (SMLTU) provides the ability to upload
location data from a computer to ScoutMaster or download data collected in the
field from the ScoutMaster to a computer.
Aerospace Products
Commercial Aviation Products
- ----------------------------
Trimble 2000 A and 2000 Approach Plus. This product family is an aviation
navigation system available for VFR or IFR navigation. The 2000 Approach Plus
was introduced in 1997. It is certified to FAA TSO C129-A1 for IFR operations,
including non-precision approaches. In addition, it was the first product in its
class to support the new European Basic Area Navigation Requirements. These
products are targeted toward general aviation customers worldwide.
Trimble 2101 Plus and 2101 I/O Plus. These new products were introduced in
1997. Both feature certification to FAA TSO C129-A1 allowing IFR operations,
including non-precision approaches. In addition, both products support new
European Basic Area Navigation Requirements. The 2101 I/O Plus provides
extensive interfacing to other aircraft systems to drive flight instruments and
other aircraft systems in integrated digital and analog cockpits. The 2101 I/O
Plus is also approved for primary navigation in remote/oceanic areas.
Trimble 8100. This product family is an IFR certified C129-A1 aviation
navigation system and provides GPS position, velocity and course data, plus
flight management information for the business, commercial and air transport
markets. It incorporates an electronically replaceable navigation database. The
system is capable of extensive interface with other compatible aircraft systems
to drive flight and other instruments. The Trimble 8100 is approved for Primary
Oceanic Navigation and non-precision IFR Approaches.
Honeywell/Trimble HT9100/HT9000. These products are developed and marketed
in partnership with Honeywell Incorporated and are true GPS FMS systems, which
enable air transport customers to upgrade existing analog air transport and
commercial aircraft to modern GPS navigation. Used by many of the world's
leading airlines, these products are in continuous service around the world on a
daily basis.
Other aviation products. Trimble also provides training tools for advanced
GPS navigation systems. Trimble introduced Computer Based Training for its
HT9100, 2000 Approach and 2000 Approach Plus, and 2101 Plus and 2101 I/O Plus.
These products allow initial pilot training and recurrent training in a
classroom setting, and have received excellent acceptance among customers, the
aviation press, and the editorial community.
General Aviation Products
- -------------------------
Terra by Trimble. This product line provides sport and general aviation
customers with advanced and feature-rich audio panels, communication radios,
navigation radios, transponders, radar altimeters, and navigation displays. This
long standing product line is a market leader in the sport aviation field, and
is now in production in the Company's Austin factory.
TrimLine Avionics System. This comprehensive IFR avionics suite provides
the general aviation community with the most innovative technology in the
industry while maintaining its ease of use. TrimLine includes the communications
transceiver, IFR approved GPS navigator, audio system, nav receiver with
glideslope, Mode C transponder and altitude digitizer. Overall, the full cockpit
solution offers significant benefits in space, weight and power consumption that
are unmatched in the industry.
TrimConnect 3100D. A high quality, cost-effective communications solution
for corporate aviation, this Flight Telephone System provides airborne wireless
voice and data communications and full compatibility with a wide spectrum of
15
U.S. ground mobile networks. TrimConnect 3100D is a versatile tool for business
aircraft users who want to equip their aircraft with state-of-the art
telecommunications without sacrificing cost-effectiveness.
Military and Advanced Systems Products
- --------------------------------------
Cargo Utility GPS Receiver (CUGR). Introduced in 1997, this product is a
Dzus-mount P(Y) GPS navigational system for world-wide military aviation
operations. It provides U.S. military helicopter pilots Precise Positioning
Service GPS navigation and capabilities similar to Trimble's FAA certified 2101
I/O Approach, and meets the performance standards for Instrument Flight Rules
for en route, terminal and non-precision approach phases of flight.
TRIMPACK. The TRIMPACK, a four-pound, portable, ruggedized, handheld GPS
product, is approximately the size of a pair of binoculars (120 cubic inches).
Position information is displayed on a four-line, 20-character-per-line,
back-lit LCD screen. Troops deployed in Operation Desert Storm used TRIMPACK
units to determine their location in the featureless desert.
CENTURIAN. The CENTURIAN is a precision positioning version of the
Trimpack, developed for vehicle applications. The sale and distribution of this
set is restricted to the U.S. Armed Forces and selected allies.
MUGR. MUGR (Military Underwater GPS Receiver) is a handheld product
developed under contract to the U.S. Navy. It is marketed primarily for Navy and
Marine special forces activities. The receiver is reduced in size and sealed so
that it can be carried by shallow water divers.
TANS Series. The Trimble Advanced Navigation System (TANS) series of
products includes a ruggedized sensor consisting of the basic GPS receiver, an
antenna, and a digital interface to transmit GPS information to various other
devices; a further ruggedized version with enhanced tolerance for vibration; and
a version that is upgradable to PPS. The TANS series has been sold primarily to
the military for vehicles piloted from a remote station. The system was designed
to replace Omega systems currently used in such vehicles and its primary purpose
is to add GPS capabilities to other existing systems.
TASMAN. A PPS version of the TANS III, TASMAN is used where high
anti-jamming and spoof requirements exist. It is sold primarily to U.S. Armed
Forces and selected allies.
"FORCE" GPS Module Series. The "FORCE" family of military GPS modules has
been developed for integration into higher tier navigation system equipment. A
series of custom designs has been developed and delivered into numerous military
programs for the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as foreign military
organizations.
Sales and Marketing
The Company recognizes that selling, marketing, and product distribution
are critical to its future success. The Company currently has nine regional
sales offices in the United States and six in Europe, and offices in Australia,
Brazil, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia and Singapore. The Company
has developed its sales and marketing capabilities to anticipate and respond to
customer needs as they arise in its multiple markets. Each market requires
specific attention to the needs of its sales and distribution channels, which
are rapidly changing. The Company must continue to manage its future growth
effectively, otherwise, customer support and operating results may be adversely
affected.
Domestic. The Company sells its products in the United States primarily
through dealers, distributors and authorized representatives, supplemented and
supported by the Company's direct sales force. The Company has also pursued
alliances and OEM relationships with established foreign and domestic companies
to assist it in penetrating certain markets.
International. Trimble markets to end-users through a network of more than
150 dealers and distributors in more than 85 countries. Distributors carry one
or more product lines and are generally limited to selling either in one country
or in a portion of a country. Trimble occasionally grants exclusive rights to
market certain products within specified countries.
16
Sales to unaffiliated customers in foreign locations represents
approximately 45%, 47%, and 53% of Trimble's total revenue in fiscal years 1997,
1996, and 1995, respectively. Sales to unaffiliated customers from shipments to
Europe represented 22%, 21%, and 23% of net revenue in such periods, and sales
to unaffiliated customers from shipments to the Far East represented 15%, 19%,
and 23% of total revenue in such periods, respectively. See Note 2 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Support. The Company's general terms and conditions for sale of its
products include a one-year warranty. Aviation navigation products, however, are
generally sold with a three-year warranty period, while select military programs
may require extended warranty periods. The Company supports its products on a
board replacement level from locations in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan,
and Sunnyvale, California. The Company's dealers and distributors also provide
factory-trained third-party maintenance, including warranty and nonwarranty
repairs. The Company reimburses dealers and distributors for all authorized
warranty repairs they perform. The Company does not derive a significant portion
of its revenues from support activities.
Competition
* In the markets currently being addressed by the Company, competition is
intense. Within each of its markets, the Company has encountered direct
competition from both foreign and domestic GPS suppliers, and expects that
competition will continue to intensify. Specific competitors in each of the
markets the Company currently addresses are mentioned in the section "Markets."
Due to competitive pressure, prices of certain of the Company's products have
declined substantially since their introduction, and increased competition is
likely to result in further price reduction and loss of market share, which
could adversely affect the Company's net revenue.
A number of these markets are also served primarily by non-GPS
technologies, many of which are currently more accepted and less expensive than
GPS-based systems. The success of GPS-based systems against these competing
technologies depends in part on whether GPS systems can offer significant
improvements in productivity, accuracy, and reliability in a cost-effective
manner.
The principal competitive factors in the markets that the Company addresses
include ease of use, physical characteristics (including size, weight, and power
consumption), product features (including differential GPS), product
performance, product reliability, price, size of installed base, vendor
reputation and financial resources. The Company believes that its products
currently compete favorably with other products on most of the foregoing
factors, though the Company may be at a competitive disadvantage against other
companies having greater financial, marketing, service and support resources.
* The Company believes that its ability to compete successfully in the
future against existing and additional competitors will depend largely on its
ability to execute its strategy to provide systems and products having
significantly differentiated features which are more responsive to customer
needs. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to implement
this strategy successfully, or that the Company's competitors, many of whom have
substantially greater resources than the Company, will not apply those resources
to compete successfully against the Company on the basis of systems and product
features.
Research and Development
The Company's leadership position in commercial GPS technology is the
result, in large part, of its strong commitment to research and development. The
Company invests heavily in developing GPS technology, including the design of
proprietary software and integrated circuits for GPS receivers. Moreover,
Trimble develops substantial systems expertise and user interfaces for a variety
of applications. Below is a table showing how much Trimble has spent on research
and development over the last three years.
17
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------
1997 * 1996 1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Research and development $ 40,662 $ 36,705 $ 31,895
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998. See Note 1 of the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Often a new product is initially developed for an individual customer who
is willing to purchase development stage products. The Company has used feedback
from such initial customers as a primary source of information in designing and
refining its products, and in defining, with greater precision, customer needs
in emerging market areas. During 1996, the Company created Trimble Labs, where
it devotes a portion of its corporate research and development expenditures to
advance core GPS technology and its integration into synergistic technologies
such as communications, sensors, and computing technologies. These technological
advances are often financially supported through strategic alliances and
partnerships.
* The Company expects that a significant portion of future revenues will be
derived from sales of newly introduced products. Consequently, the Company's
future success depends on its ability to continue to develop and manufacture new
competitive products with timely market introduction. Advances in product
technology will require continued substantial investment in research and
development in order to maintain and enhance the Company's market position and
achieve high gross profit margins. Development and manufacturing schedules for
technology products are difficult to predict, and there can be no assurance that
the Company will achieve timely initial customer sales of new products. The
timely availability of these products in volume, and their acceptance by
customers, are important to the future success of the Company. In addition,
certain of the Company's products are subject to governmental and similar
certifications before they can be sold. For example, FAA certification is
required for all aviation products. An inability or delay in obtaining such
certifications could have an adverse effect on the Company's operating results.
Manufacturing
The Company seeks to be a low-cost producer and to serve the growth in
demand for GPS-based products and systems through flexible automation of
assembly lines, semiconductor integration, and the design of products around a
common core of receivers.
The Company's manufacturing operations consist primarily of assembly and
testing of products, material and procurement management, quality assurance and
manufacturing engineering. The Company first installed surface mount technology
(SMT) assembly equipment in a dedicated facility in 1991. This facility was
upgraded in 1995, increasing its capacity by thirty percent. The Company's
experience with SMT has allowed it not only to reduce the reliance on
independent third parties for printed circuit board assembly, but also to
significantly reduce the turnaround time to produce prototype printed circuit
board assemblies.
The Company maintains quality control procedures for its products,
including testing during design, prototype, and pilot stages of production,
inspection of incoming raw materials and subassemblies, and testing of finished
products using automated test equipment in strife chambers.
The Company has historically manufactured its products in relatively small
quantities. However, the Company must successfully manage the transition to
higher volume manufacturing, including the establishment of adequate facilities,
the control of overhead expenses and inventories, and the management and
training of its employee base. Although the Company has substantially increased
the number of its senior manufacturing personnel and significantly expanded its
manufacturing capacity, there can be no assurance that the Company will not
experience manufacturing or other delays which could adversely affect the
Company's operating results.
18
The Company takes a modular and upgradable approach to its products,
building around a common core of GPS receivers with customized software and
hardware systems to analyze and present position data. The Company's core
receiver technology has evolved since the development of its first GPS receiver
product in 1984, as the Company has worked to reduce the size, weight, power
consumption, and cost of the basic GPS receiver. In this process, the Company
has designed its own semi-custom, single-chip GPS processor, but, when possible,
the Company attempts to utilize standard parts and components, including RAM and
ROM devices that are available from multiple vendors.
The Company believes that there are a number of acceptable vendors for most
of the parts and components used in its products. However, a significant number
of components are available only from sole sources. Furthermore, despite the
availability of multiple sources, the Company may in many cases select a single
source in order to maintain quality control and to develop a strategic
relationship with the supplier. Components for which the Company currently does
not have multiple sources include application-specific integrated circuits
manufactured to the Company's proprietary design by Lucent Technologies and
Motorola Inc.; displays manufactured by Optrex Corporation, Kyocera Corporation
and Hosiden Corporation; and filters supplied by Murata Electronics of North
America, Inc., Tokyo America, Inc., and Transtech, Inc. and microprocessors
supplied by Motorola. The Company is taking steps to protect its supply of
component parts, either by qualifying alternative sources or by creating a
strategic stocking plan. However, if the Company is unable to obtain a
sufficient supply of components from its current vendors, it is likely the
Company could experience a delay or interruption in product shipments, adversely
affecting the Company's operating results and damaging customer relationships.
Furthermore, a significant increase in the price of one or more of these
components could adversely affect the Company's operating results. In the past,
the Company has experienced delays in production caused by insufficient supply
of certain components, but to date, such delays have not caused significant
adverse effects on the Company's operating results.
The Company has experienced problems with the quality of certain high
volume electronic components that have required modification of products both in
manufacturing and in the field. Although the Company has instituted vendor audit
programs, there can be no assurance that the Company will not in the future face
problems with the quality of components, problems that could cause delays in
supplies, interrupt shipments and require modification of products already sold
by the Company, any of which could adversely affect the Company's operating
results.
Backlog
The Company believes that backlog is not a meaningful indicator of future
business prospects due to the volume of products delivered from shelf
inventories and the shortening of product delivery schedules. Therefore, the
Company believes that backlog information is not material to an understanding of
its business.
Patents, Trademarks, and Licenses
The Company currently holds 146 U.S. patents and 16 related foreign patents
that expire at various dates no earlier than 2005, and also has numerous U.S.
and foreign patent applications pending. The Company currently licenses certain
peripheral aspects of its technology from Spectrum Information Technologies.
Although the Company believes that its patents and trademarks may have
value, there can be no assurance that those patents and trademarks, or any
additional patents and trademarks that may be obtained in the future, will
provide meaningful protection from competition. The Company believes its success
will depend primarily on the experience, creative skills, technical expertise,
and marketing and sales ability of its personnel.
The Company does not believe that any of its products infringe patent or
other proprietary rights of third parties, but it cannot be certain that they do
not do so. (See Note 14 to Consolidated Financial Statements.) If infringement
is alleged, legal defense costs could be material, and there can be no assurance
that the necessary licenses could be obtained on terms or conditions that would
not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
In 1992, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with
Pioneer Electronic Corporation, pursuant to which the Company licensed certain
19
of the technology contained in its TANS product for inclusion in in-vehicle
navigation products sold in Japan to entities that integrate such products into
other products sold within or outside Japan under Japanese trademarks. In the
third quarter of 1995, a $1,333,000 licensing fee was received from Pioneer
Electronics Corporation in connection with expansion of the original 1992
license for in-vehicle navigation technology. In the second quarter of 1997, a
$2,222,000 licensing fee was received from Pioneer Electronics Corporation in
connection with expansion of the original 1992 license for in-vehicle navigation
technology.
The Company has also granted a license to DMT Marinetechnik GmbH, formerly
AEG Aktiengesellschaft, to design, manufacture, sell, and repair products
incorporating an improved version of the Company's TANS technology. The license
is exclusive as to such activities in Germany, and is nonexclusive in Austria
and Switzerland. The license terminates automatically (except as to the
licensee's right to replace, repair, and service existing products) after the
production of 10,000 units of such products, and may also be terminated by
either party upon six months prior notice.
In 1993, the Company entered into a contract with Space Systems/Loral,
pursuant to which the Company licensed certain technology based on its TANS
product. The license is irrevocable, exclusive and limited to certain space
flight market applications.
The Company expects that it will continue to enter into licensing
arrangements relating to its technologies.
Trimble with the sextant logo, "TrimbleNavigation," "GeoExplorer,"
"Flightmate," "GPS Total Station," "Scout GPS," and "Aspen" are trademarks of
Trimble Navigation Limited, registered in the United States and other countries.
Additional trademarks are pending. Trimble Navigation Limited acknowledges the
trademarks of other organizations for their respective products or services
mentioned in this document.
Employees
As of December 31, 1997, the Company employed 1,292 persons: 345 in
research and product development, 385 in sales and marketing, 407 in
manufacturing, and 155 in administration and finance. Of these, 72 were located
in Europe, 155 in New Zealand, 23 in Japan, 9 in Singapore, 5 in Australia, and
1,028 in the U.S. The Company also currently employs temporary and contract
personnel. Use of such personnel has increased over the last three years, and is
not included in the above headcount numbers. Competition in recruiting personnel
is intense. The Company believes that its continued ability to attract and
retain highly skilled management, marketing, and technical personnel is
essential to its future growth and success. None of the Company's employees is
represented by a labor union, and the Company has experienced no work stoppages.
The Company's future success depends in large part on the continued
availability and participation of Charles R. Trimble, its President and Chief
Executive Officer. Mr. Trimble founded the Company and continues to be the only
executive with full responsibility for all aspects of the Company's operations,
including marketing and manufacturing strategies and resource allocation among
the Company's strategic business units. The loss of Mr. Trimble, for any reason,
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company's success also depends on the continued contribution and
long-term effectiveness of its other executive officers and key technical,
sales, marketing, support, research and development, manufacturing, and
administrative personnel, many of whom would be difficult to replace.
20
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The names, ages, and positions of the Company's executive officers are as
follows:
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
Charles R. Trimble.................. 56 President, Chief Executive Officer,
and Director
Dennis R. Ing....................... 50 Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Charles E. Armiger, Jr. ............ 43 Vice President, Sales
Ralph F. Eschenbach................. 52 Vice President, Chief Technical
Officer
Michael P. Gagliardi................ 40 Vice President, Aerospace
David M. Hall....................... 49 Vice President, Software & Component
Technologies
James L. Sorden..................... 60 Executive Vice President,
Commercial Systems
David E. Vaughn .................... 52 Executive Vice President, Business
Development
Mary Ellen Genovese ................ 38 Vice President, Finance, and
Corporate Controller
All officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There are
no family relationships between any of the directors or executive officers of
the Company.
Charles R. Trimble has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a
director of the Company since 1981 and was one of the founders and the senior
executive officer of the predecessor limited partnership organized in November
1978 and has strategically guided Trimble to its dominant role in the GPS
information technology market. Prior to founding the Company, Mr. Trimble was
Manager of Integrated Circuit Research and Development at Hewlett Packard's
Santa Clara division. He holds four patents in signal processing and one in GPS,
and is currently serving as the Chairman of the United States GPS Industry
Council (USGIC). Mr. Trimble received his B.S. degree in Engineering (Physics)
with honors in 1963 and an M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964 from
the California Institute of Technology.
Dennis R. Ing joined Trimble in May 1996 as Vice President, Corporate
Controller. In September 1996 he was appointed Vice President of Finance, and
Chief Financial Officer and appointed Executive Vice President in November 1997.
Prior to Trimble, Mr. Ing was employed by Amdahl Corporation, a high technology
company based in Sunnyvale, California, most recently serving in Amdahl's
Corporate Alliances and Acquisitions group. Prior to that, Mr. Ing served as
Chief Financial Officer of Open Enterprise Systems, a $200 million division of
Amdahl. He also served as Vice President of Finance and Administration for both
Amdahl Canada Limited and Amdahl Communications Inc. Before joining Amdahl
Corporation in 1979, Mr. Ing worked at Touche Ross & Co., Chicago & NorthWestern
Transportation, and the Chicago Hospital Council. He currently serves on the
Board of Directors of Lexa Software Corporation. Mr. Ing received his MBA from
DePaul University in 1977 and a B.S. in Engineering from the University of
Illinois in 1972.
Charles E. Armiger, Jr. joined Trimble in January 1989 as Sales and
Marketing Manager for aviation products. From January 1991 to December 1993, he
served as Director of U.S. Domestic Sales. Mr. Armiger held the post of Director
of Sales for North American West from January 1993 to November 1994. Then in
December 1994 he moved to Trimble's European office in Hook, England, to serve
as Director of Sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In September 1996
he was appointed to serve as Vice President for Commercial Systems Sales. Prior
to joining Trimble, Mr. Armiger was Director of Sales and Marketing for ARNAV
Systems, Inc. He received a B.S. degree in Business from the University of the
State of New York, Regents College, in 1996.
Ralph F. Eschenbach joined Trimble as Vice President of Research and
Development in 1983. From November 1989 to February 1993 he served as Vice
President of Avionics and Sensor Products, and from February 1993 to July 1994
as Vice President of Navigation Products. In July 1994, Mr. Eschenbach was
appointed to the position of Vice President of Business Development, where he
was responsible for defining and developing business opportunities to create new
solutions for the GPS market in areas not covered by Trimble's current product
lines. In September 1996 he was appointed to the post of Vice President, Chief
21
Technology Officer. Prior to joining the Company, he was an engineering manager
with Hewlett-Packard Company from June 1968, where he was responsible for the
development of a low-cost GPS receiver. In 1997, Mr. Eschenbach was appointed
Chairman of the Federal Aviation Administration's Research, Engineering and
Development (RE&D) Advisory Committee. He is also a member of NASA's Research &
Development Advisory Committee. Mr. Eschenbach currently serves on the Boards of
Directors of ProShot Golf, Inc., Pinpoint Golf Advertising, and Powerstream
Technologies. He received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the
University of California at Berkeley in 1968 and an M.S. degree in Electrical
Engineering from Stanford University in 1970.
Michael P. Gagliardi joined Trimble in January 1997 as Vice President and
General Manager of the Aerospace Business Unit based in Austin, Texas. He came
to Trimble from BFGoodrich Company where, he served as Group Vice President of
the Water Systems and Services Group; President of Arrowhead Industrial Water,
Inc.; and President of FlightSystems, Inc. Prior to his tenure at BFGoodrich, he
worked for 11 years at The General Electric Company in several management
positions, including technical engineering assignments, then progressing through
critical marketing roles, and on to general management and executive positions.
Mr. Gagliardi received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the
University of Pittsburgh in 1979, an M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from
Southern Methodist University in 1981, and an MBA from Duke University in 1989.
David M. Hall joined Trimble in February 1994 as Managing Director, OEM
products. In November 1996 he was appointed Vice President and General Manager
of the Software and Component Technologies business unit. He previously worked
for Raychem Corporation for twenty-one years in a variety of positions and
divisions. He served as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Automotive
Division, National Distribution Manager for the Electronics Sector, and Director
of Marketing and Product Management for the Interconnect Systems Division, as
well as District Sales Manager, Area Sales Manager, and Operations Manager. Mr.
Hall received his B.S. degree in Industrial Technology in 1971 and his MBA in
Marketing and Finance in 1973 from the California Polytechnic State University
in San Luis Obispo, California.
James L. Sorden joined Trimble as Vice President of Product Development in
May 1987. From February 1993 to 1994, he served as Vice President of Surveying
and Mapping. In November 1994, Mr. Sorden was appointed to the position of
Executive Vice President of Surveying, Mapping, Military and Marine
Instrumentation Systems. In September 1996, he was appointed Executive Vice
President of Commercial Systems, which consolidates Surveying & Mapping and
Tracking & Communications. Prior to joining Trimble, Mr. Sorden worked in
various engineering, marketing and management positions at Hewlett-Packard
between 1964 and 1987. He holds U.S. and foreign patents in the fields of
electronic measurement, surveying instrumentation, and vehicle safety. Mr.
Sorden currently serves on the Board of Directors of Datacom Software Research,
New Zealand, and Aquila Mining Systems Ltd, Canada. He received his BSEE from
the University of Wisconsin in 1962 and undertook engineering graduate studies
at Wisconsin and Stanford University.
David E. Vaughn joined Trimble as Vice President of Operations in May 1991.
From 1993 to 1994, he served as Vice President of Tracking Systems and
Communications. In November 1994 he became Executive Vice President of Tracking
Systems and Communications. In September 1996 he was appointed to the post of
Executive Vice President of Business Development, which includes Trimble's newly
formed Trimble Labs. Prior to joining Trimble, Mr. Vaughn was President and
Chief Executive Officer of Magnesys, a manufacturer of integrated circuits, from
1987 to 1991. From 1985 to 1987 he was Vice President of Manufacturing for Asyst
Technologies, a manufacturer of clean room material handling robots. Prior to
1985, he worked in manufacturing management positions with Apple Computer and
Hewlett-Packard. Mr. Vaughn currently serves on the Board of Directors of TEN (
The Enterprise Network), a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and
expansion of start up corporations in Silicon Valley. Mr. Vaughn received his
B.S. degree in Electronics in 1971 and an MBA in Operations Research in 1973
from California Polytechnic State University.
Mary Ellen Genovese joined Trimble as Controller of Manufacturing
Operations in December 1992. From 1994 to 1997, she served as Business Unit
Controller for Software and Component Technologies, and Tracking and
Communications Business Unit. In December 1997 she was appointed Vice President,
Finance and Corporate Controller. Prior to joining Trimble, Ms. Genovese was CFO
for Minton Company, a distributing company to the commercial building market,
from 1991 to 1992. Prior to 1991, she worked for 10 years with General Signal
Corporation in several management positions including European Financial
Controller for the Semiconductor Equipment Group International, Director of
Finance for Semiconductor Systems, and Materials Manager for Ultratech Stepper.
Ms. Genovese is a Certified Public Accountant and received her B.S. degree in
accounting in 1981 from Fairfield University in Connecticut.
22
Item 2. Properties
The Company currently leases and occupies 14 buildings in Sunnyvale,
California, totaling approximately 387,000 square feet. The leases on these
buildings expire at various dates through 2003. In addition, the Company leases
and occupies three buildings in Austin, Texas, approximately 50,600 square feet,
to manufacture GPS-based aviation products; the leases expire at various dates
through 2001. The Company also leases a 47,000 square-foot facility in
Christchurch, New Zealand, for software development. The Company's two largest
international sales offices are those in the United Kingdom (16,800 square feet)
and Japan (5,900 square feet). In addition the Company leases sales offices in
Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Singapore, and Russia, and in
various cities throughout the United States. The Company's international office
leases expire at various dates through 2005. Certain of the leases have renewal
options. The Company believes that its facilities are adequate to support its
current and anticipated near-term future operations.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The information with respect to legal proceedings required by this item is
included in Part II, Item 8, Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements,
hereof under the caption "Pending Matters."
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol TRMB. The following table sets forth, for the quarter indicated, the
range of high and low closing sales prices for the Company's Common Stock on the
Nasdaq National Market:
High Low
---- ---
1996:
First 24 15 3/4
Second 26 1/4 18 3/8
Third 21 3/8 14 3/4
Fourth 16 5/8 10 7/8
1997:
First 14 3/4 11 1/4
Second 19 10 7/8
Third 21 5/8 16 1/2
Fourth 24 5/16 18 1/8
The Company had 1,686 shareholders of record as of March 13, 1998.
The Company's stock price is subject to significant volatility. If revenues
or earnings fail to meet the expectations of the investment community, there
could be an immediate and significant impact on the trading price for the
23
Company's stock. Due to stock market forces that are beyond the Company's
control, and due also to the nature of the Company's business, such shortfalls
can be sudden.
The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock. The Company
presently intends to retain earnings to finance the development of the Company's
business and does not presently intend to declare any cash dividends in the
foreseeable future. Under the Company's current $50,000,000 revolving line of
credit agreement, the Company is restricted from paying dividends without the
lender's consent. Under the Company's Subordinated Promissory Notes Agreement,
pursuant to which the Company issued $30,000,000 of its subordinated promissory
notes in June 1994, the Company is also restricted from paying dividends. See
Notes 4 and 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8.
24
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
HISTORICAL FINANCIAL REVIEW
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
Years ended December 31, 1997 * 1996 1995 1994 1993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenue $ 272,305 $ 233,660 $ 235,360 $ 175,694 $ 149,491
------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales 132,104 112,596 102,666 69,294 67,814
Research and development 40,662 36,705 31,895 24,763 23,070
Sales and marketing 60,327 64,391 62,672 51,621 37,409
General and administrative 28,785 30,142 24,824 14,735 13,414
Restructuring charges - 2,134 - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses 261,878 245,968 222,057 160,413 141,707
------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss) 10,427 (12,308) 13,303 15,281 7,784
Nonoperating income (expense), net 1,172 706 773 (3,057) (3,580)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes 11,599 (11,602) 14,076 12,224 4,204
Income tax provision (benefit) 2,320 (300) 2,815 2,200 755
------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 9,279 $ (11,302) $ 11,261 $ 10,024 $ 3,449
==================================================================
==================================================================
Basic net income (loss) per share $ 0.42 $ (0.51) $ 0.56 $ 0.55 $ 0.20
==================================================================
Shares used in calculating basic
earnings per share 22,293 22,005 19,949 18,340 17,665
==================================================================
Cash dividends per share $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
==================================================================
==================================================================
Diluted net income (loss) per share $ 0.40 $ (0.51) $ 0.53 $ 0.53 $ 0.19
==================================================================
Shares used in calculating diluted
earnings per share 22,947 22,005 21,318 19,053 18,408
==================================================================
Cash dividends per share $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
==================================================================
Selected Balance Sheet Data
As of December 31, 1997 * 1996 1995 1994 1993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Working capital $ 136,708 $ 124,545 $ 135,896 $ 70,207 $ 29,251
Total assets 207,663 189,841 196,763 109,363 67,647
Bank borrowings - - - - 1,311
Noncurrent portion of long-term debt 29,600 29,507 29,739 31,736 4,539
Shareholders' equity $ 139,483 $ 124,045 $ 129,937 $ 53,574 $ 38,890
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
25
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
During fiscal year 1997, the Company changed its fiscal year from a
calendar year ending on December 31 to an annual period which varies from 52 to
53 weeks and which always ends on the Friday nearest to December 31, effective
for the Company's 1997 fiscal year end, such that the actual date of the
Company's fiscal year-end for 1997 is January 2, 1998. For ease of financial
statement presentation, comparison and consistency, the Company has continued to
present each prior fiscal year as ending on December 31 and has not otherwise
restated or adjusted its prior financial statements on this new fiscal year
basis. (See Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements).
In 1997, the Company's annual revenues increased by 17% to $272.3 million.
In 1997, the Company had net income of $9.3 million, or $0.40 diluted earnings
per share, compared to a net loss of $11.3 million, or ($0.51) diluted loss per
share, in 1996.
In September 1996, the Company implemented a workforce reduction of
approximately 10% and consolidated certain manufacturing facilities and
services. These actions reduced sales and general and administrative expenses by
approximately 10% in the fourth quarter of 1996, compared to the third quarter
of 1996.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain
financial data as a percentage of total revenue:
Years ended December 31 1997 * 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue 100% 100% 100%
----------- ------------ ------------
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales 49 48 44
Research and development 15 16 13
Sales and marketing 22 27 27
General and administrative 10 13 10
Restructuring charges 0 1 0
----------- ------------ ------------
Total operating expenses 96 105 94
----------- ------------ ------------
Operating income (loss) 4 (5) 6
Nonoperating income (expense), net 0 0 0
----------- ------------ ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes 4 (5) 6
Income tax provision 1 0 1
------------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) 3% (5%) 5%
=========== ============ ============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
26
Revenue. In 1997, total revenue increased to $272.3 million from $233.7
million in 1996, which represents a percentage increase of 17%. Total revenue
decreased in 1996 to $233.7 million from $235.4 million in 1995, which
represents a percentage decrease of less than 1%. The following table breaks out
the Company's revenues by business unit:
Years Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Total % Total % Total
1997 * Revenue 1996 Revenue 1995 Revenue
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Commercial Systems $ 168,606 62% $ 158,273 68% $ 162,393 69%
Software & Component Technologies 43,417 16% 38,054 16% 35,416 15%
Aerospace 60,282 22% 37,333 16% 37,551 16%
---------------- ------------ --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------
Total revenue $ 272,305 100% $ 233,660 100% $ 235,360 100%
---------------- ------------ --------------- ------------ --------------- ------------
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
Commercial Systems
The Commercial Systems business unit revenues had a growth rate of 7% in
1997 over 1996, and a decrease of 3% in 1996 from 1995. The 1997 increase
compared to 1996 is primarily in the GIS Systems, Precise Positioning, and
Mobile Positioning and Communications vertical markets. The decrease in 1996
compared to 1995 was primarily in the Land Survey and Mobile Positioning and
Communications vertical markets.
The increase in the GIS Systems market came from strong sales of the
Pathfinder product line, where unit sales increased 50% in 1997 compared to
1996. Precise Positioning products continued to grow from the prior year and
were up 51% on an annual basis.
Mobile Positioning and Communications revenues also increased in 1997
compared to 1996, due to the resumption of shipments in March 1997 to American
Mobile Satellite Corporation (AMSC), a company based in Reston, Virginia, that
provides a variety of voice and data services via satellite. In March 1995, the
Company signed a large contract for the supply of Galaxy/GPS land mobile
satellite terminals to AMSC. AMSC contracted for delivery of product beginning
in mid-1995 and continuing through 1996. Late in the fourth quarter of 1995,
AMSC requested that the Company cease delivery, in part due to delays in AMSC's
completion of software. Shipments under the original contract were halted in the
fourth quarter of 1995 and the contract was amended. On February 20, 1997, an
agreement was signed between Trimble and AMSC to resume shipments of its
Galaxy/GPS terminals at the rate of 500 units per month, beginning in March
1997. On August 28, 1997, an amendment to the February 1997 agreement was
signed, to reduce the number of units shipped from 500 units to 250 units per
month. Mobile Positioning and Communications revenues in 1997 included
$6,400,000 in sales to AMSC on 3,750 units shipped. Revenues from shipments to
Systems under this contract during 1995 were $4,176,000 in the second quarter
and $3,125,000 in the third quarter. Contract renegotiation fees of $1,080,000
were recognized in the first quarter of 1996. The amended contract between the
Company and AMSC calls for production line shutdown fees for the time that
Trimble is not manufacturing product for shipment to AMSC. Due to the
uncertainty about AMSC's ability to pay, revenues for products shipped and
contractual shutdown fees were not recognized until collection was considered
probable. In the second quarter of 1996, the Company recognized $1,700,000 in
revenue from products shipped in December 1995 and March 1996, and $1,000,000 of
shutdown fees, all of which have been paid. During the second half of 1996, the
Company recognized $400,000 of shutdown fees after the payments were received.
The decrease in the Land Survey vertical market sales in 1997 compared to
1996 and 1996 compared to 1995 is primarily due to a continued slowdown in sales
in Japan. Shipments of the higher-end Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) survey product
27
in Japan have slowed due to the Japanese Government's decision to evaluate RTK
survey methods before certifying its use for official surveys. The Company is
now selling at the low cost end of the market as opposed to the high cost end of
the market. Also, new product introductions for Land Survey occurred late in
third quarter, therefore, customers held off on placing orders until the new
product introductions. Shipments of these products in the U.S., Europe, and
Latin America were higher than last year.
* In September 1996, the Company entered into a contract with Caterpillar
Inc. to develop and market products for the construction and mining markets. The
Company agreed to develop, without funding from Caterpillar, customized
equipment starting in the fourth quarter of 1996, and to sell it exclusively to
Caterpillar for use in this market. Shipments began in 1997. The Company had
sales of $1,910,000 in 1997 to Caterpillar.
The Company also expects that average selling prices will likely decline
with increased competition. In addition to the markets the Company currently
addresses in the surveying and mapping arena (primarily land survey), the
Company is addressing new markets, including the mining and construction market.
If the Company cannot adequately compete in new markets through the development
and manufacture of new products, there can be no assurance that growth will
continue.
In 1995, Commercial Systems revenue was supplemented by $1.0 million
received under a contract with a customer, whereby the Company agreed not to
compete, and sold exclusive distribution rights.
Software and Component Technologies
The Software and Component Technologies business unit revenues have
increased 14% in 1997 over 1996, and 7% in 1996 from 1995. The increase in 1997
from 1996 is primarily due to the Company's receiving $1.8 million from a
development agreement in connection with an irrevocable non-refundable and
non-recurring engineering fee recorded in the third quarter of 1997, and a $2.2
million technology license from Pioneer Electronics Corporation in connection
with the expansion of the original 1992 licensee for in-car navigation
technology, which was recorded in the second quarter of 1997. In 1995, Software
and Component Technologies revenue was supplemented by technology licenses of
$1.3 million. The Software and Component Technologies market consists of OEM
(original equipment manufacture) and consumer products.
Aerospace
* Aerospace product sales increased 61% in 1997 from 1996, and had a slight
decrease in 1996 from 1995. The increase in 1997 was primarily due to shipments
to the government under the CUGR program, as well as strong sales for the
Honeywell-Trimble product (HT9100) and strong sales for the Military and
Advanced Systems market. The slight decrease in 1996 from 1995 was due to weak
sales for military products in 1996. The Company considers its Aerospace
products to be a long-term growth opportunity. It believes that success in this
area will be dependent upon the success of a current strategic alliance with
Honeywell. On September 18, 1996, the Company received FAA certification of the
HT9100 product, allowing production and installation to begin late in the third
quarter of 1996.
* Military sales are highly dependent on contracts that are subject to
government approval and are, therefore, expected to continue to fluctuate from
period to period. The Company believes that opportunities in this market have
been substantially reduced by cutbacks in U.S. and foreign military spending.
Export Sales
* Export sales from domestic operations, as a percentage of total revenue,
were 28% in 1997, 25% in 1996, and 21% in 1995. Sales to unaffiliated customers
in foreign locations, as a percentage of total revenue, were 45% in 1997, 47% in
1996, and 53% in 1995. (See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
The Company anticipates that export revenue and sales made by its subsidiaries
in locations outside the U.S. will continue to account for a significant portion
of its revenue, and, therefore, the Company is subject to the risks inherent in
these sales, including unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, exchange
rates, governmental approval, and tariffs or other barriers. Even though the
U.S. government announced on March 29, 1996, that it would support and maintain
28
the GPS system, as well as eliminate the use of Selective Availability (S/A) (a
method of degrading GPS accuracy), there may be a reluctance to purchase
products based on GPS technology in certain foreign markets, given the control
of GPS by the U.S. Government. The Company's results of operations could be
adversely affected if the Company were unable to continue to generate
significant sales in locations outside the U.S.
No single customer, including the U.S. Government and its agencies,
accounted for 10% or more of total revenue of the Company in 1997, 1996 or 1995.
It is possible, however, that in future periods the failure of one or more large
customers to purchase products in quantities anticipated by the Company may
adversely affect the results of operations.
Gross Margin. Gross margin varies due to a number of factors, including
product mix, domestic versus international sales, customer type, the effects of
production volumes and fixed manufacturing costs on unit product costs, and new
product start-up costs. In 1997, the gross margin percentage on product sales
was 51%, compared with 52% in 1996 and 56% in 1995. The 1997 margins were
enhanced by the positive impact of non-product revenues recognized from Pioneer
Electronic Corporation of $2.2 million and from a development agreement in
connection with an irrevocable non-refundable, non-recurring engineering fee of
$1.8 million. (See "RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-REVENUE" for more details.) In 1996
and 1995 the Company also recorded non-recurring items, including revenues
recognized from AMSC of $2.48 million in 1996 and $2.3 million in 1995; however,
there can be no assurance that similar items will recur in the future. The
decrease in the gross margin percentages primarily reflects a shift in product
mix from higher margin commercial systems sales to lower margin avionics
products, and decreases in the margins obtained on sales of commercial system
products. In addition, because of mix changes within and among the business
units, market pressures on unit selling prices, fluctuations in unit
manufacturing costs, and other factors, there is no assurance that current
margins will be sustained. While commercial systems products have the highest
gross margins of all the Company's products, their margins have decreased,
primarily due to the need to lower prices in response to competition. The
Company expects competition to increase in its commercial system markets, and it
is therefore likely that further price erosion will occur, with consequent lower
gross margin percentages.
* The Company expects that in the future a higher percentage of its
business will be conducted through alliances with strategic partners such as
Honeywell and Caterpillar. As a result of volume pricing and the assumption of
certain operating costs by the partner, margins on this business are likely to
be lower than sales directly to end-users.
Operating Expenses. The following table shows operating expenses for the
periods indicated, it should be read in conjunction with the narrative
descriptions of those operating expenses below:
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------
1997 * 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Research and development $ 40,662 $ 36,705 $ 31,895
Sales and marketing 60,327 64,391 62,672
General and administrative 28,785 30,142 24,824
Restructuring charges - 2,134 -
------------- -------------- --------------
Total $ 129,774 $ 133,372 $ 119,391
------------- -------------- --------------
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
Research and Development. Research and development spending increased in
absolute dollars during 1997, representing 15% of revenue, compared with 16% in
1996 and 13% in 1995. The dollar increase from 1996 to 1997 is due primarily to
an increase in personnel and the related expenses that accompany such an
increase in the number of employees. There was also an increase in the number of
specialized engineering consultants and temporary employees. The increase in
research and development is part of the Company's continuing aggressive
development of future products.
29
* Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses decreased during 1997,
representing 22% of revenue, compared with 27% in both 1996 and 1995. The
primary reason for the dollar decreases in expenses since 1995 is a decrease in
personnel due to the Company's restructuring in 1996 and advertising costs.
Other less significant reasons for the decreases are lower marketing related and
field service support costs. Selling and marketing expenses are expected to be
approximately 20% in the future as a percentage of revenue, as a result of
continued cost containment programs. In 1996, sales offices in China, Egypt,
Italy and Poland were closed, and the sizes of certain offices in the U.S. have
been reduced.
* The Company's future growth will depend on the timely development and
continued viability of the markets in which the Company currently competes, and
on the Company's ability to continue to identify and exploit new markets for its
products. In addition, the Company has encountered significant competition in
selected markets, and expects such competition to intensify as the market for
GPS applications receives acceptance. Several of the Company's competitors are
major corporations with substantially greater financial, technical, marketing
and manufacturing resources. Increased competition is likely to result in
reduced market share and in price reductions of GPS-based products, which could
adversely affect the Company's revenues and profitability.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased
in absolute dollars during 1997, representing 10% of revenue, compared with 13%
in 1996, and remained flat as a percentage of revenue compared to 1995 at 10%.
The dollar decrease from 1996 to 1997 is due primarily to decreases in outside
services related to legal fees associated with certain arbitration and
litigation matters during 1996. The increase in 1996 over 1995 is primarily a
result of the higher litigation and legal settlement costs incurred in the first
six months of the year, compared to the same period in 1995, as well as an
increase in the bad debt expense and amortization of goodwill related to the
Terra acquisition.
Restructuring Charges. During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company
recorded a restructuring charge of $2,134,000. Components of this restructuring
reserve included employee severance packages, the costs of redundant office
space and write-downs of idle assets. The Company took this action in order to
bring operating expenses into line with revenues and to restructure existing
operations in a more efficient manner.
Nonoperating income (expense), net. Nonoperating income (expense), net,
includes interest income and expense, as well as gains and losses on foreign
currency transactions.
Foreign exchange gains were $234,000 in 1997, compared with a loss of
$4,000 in 1996 and a gain of $1.1 million in 1995. In the second quarter of
1995, the Company adopted a policy of hedging its exposure to foreign currency
transactions to minimize the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange
rates on consolidated results of operations. Gains and losses arising from
foreign currency forward contracts offset gains and losses resulting from the
underlying hedged transactions. Most of the foreign exchange gains recorded in
1995 were incurred in the period before this policy was in place.
Interest income decreased in 1997 from 1996 due to lower interest income
received on cash and short term investments due to lower average balances for
the year. Interest income increased in 1996 over 1995, primarily due to higher
interest income received on cash and short term investments in the first half of
1996, compared with the first half of 1995, primarily from the Company's
secondary public offering proceeds in August 1995.
Interest expense increased slightly in 1997 due to higher fees on unused
lines of credit. Interest expense includes interest on a $30 million note issued
in August 1995, and fees on unused lines of credit. (See Notes 4 and 7 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for details of long-term debt and lines of
credit.)
Income Tax Provision The Company's effective tax rates of 20% in 1997 and
20% in 1995 are less than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the
realization of previously reserved deferred tax assets. The 1996 income tax
benefit rate of 3% is less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to
limitations on the utilization of the 1996 operating loss.
Inflation. The effects of inflation on the Company's financial results have
not been significant to date.
30
LITIGATION
* The Company is involved in a number of legal matters that occupy
management time and expense. These matters are more fully discussed in Note 14
to the Consolidated Financial Statements. While the Company does not expect to
suffer significant adverse effects from this litigation, or from unasserted
claims, the nature of litigation is unpredictable, and there can be no assurance
that it will not do so.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
* In 1997, the cash used in operating activities was $2.1 million. Cash
provided by sales of common stock in 1997 represents proceeds from purchases
made pursuant to the Company's stock option and employee stock purchase plans,
and totaled $9.0 million. During 1997, the Company has relied primarily on cash
provided by financing activities and net sales of short-term investments to fund
operations, capital expenditures and other investing activities. The Company's
ability to generate cash from operations will depend in large part on revenues,
the rate of collections of accounts receivable, and management of inventory
levels.
In August 1997, the Company entered into a three year $50,000,000 unsecured
revolving credit facility with four banks (the "Credit Agreement"). This credit
facility replaced the previous two year $30,000,000 unsecured line that expired
in August 1997. The Credit Agreement enables the Company to borrow up to
$50,000,000, provided that certain financial and other covenants are met. Under
a separate agreement the Company has an additional $5,000,000 line of credit
provided only by the lead bank under the Credit Agreement for "Letter of Credit"
purposes, and this is also subject to the covenants in the main facility. The
Credit Agreement provides for payment of a commitment fee of 0.25% and
borrowings to bear interest at 1% over LIBOR if the total funded debt to EBITDA
is less than or equal to 1.00 times, 0.3% and borrowings to bear interest at
1.25% over LIBOR if the ratio is greater than 1.00 times and less than or equal
to 2.00 times, or 0.4% and borrowings to bear interest at 1.75% over LIBOR if
the ratio is greater than 2.00 times. In addition to borrowing at the specified
LIBOR rate, the Company has the right to borrow with interest at the higher of
(i) one of the bank's annual prime rate and (ii) the federal funds rate plus
0.5%. To date, the Company has not made any borrowings under the lines. In
addition, the Company is restricted from paying dividends under the terms of the
Credit Agreement.
In 1996, the cash used in operating activities was $3.9 million. Cash
provided by sales of common stock in 1996 represents proceeds from purchases
made pursuant to the Company's stock option and employee stock purchase plans,
and totaled $5.8 million. During 1996, the Company relied primarily on cash
provided by financing activities and net sales of short-term investments to fund
operations, capital expenditures and other investing activities.
* In February 1996, the Company announced that it had approved a
discretionary program whereby up to 600,000 shares of its common stock may be
repurchased on the open market to offset the potential dilutive effects to
earnings per share from the issuance of stock options. The Company intends to
use existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to finance any
stock repurchases under this program. In 1996, 250,000 shares were purchased at
a cost of $3,545,000. In 1997, 139,500 shares were purchased at a cost of
$1,834,000, and the Company intends to continue repurchasing its common stock
under this program.
* The Company presently expects 1998 capital expenditures to be
approximately $19.0 million, primarily for production equipment, computer
equipment, software, and leasehold improvements associated with business
expansion.
* At January 2, 1998, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $20.0
million and $53.2 million in short term investments. Its long-term debt
consisted primarily of a $30.0 million note obligation due in 2001, and the
Company had no debt outstanding under its line of credit. The Company believes
that its current cash balances, available bank financing, and cash flow from
operations will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash needs in the
foreseeable future.
31
YEAR 2000 ISSUE
Issues involving the year 2000 are the result of computer programs being
written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Any of
the Company's computer programs that have time-sensitive software may recognize
a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could result
in a system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations,
including, among other things, a temporary inability to process transactions,
send invoices, or engage in similar normal business activities.
* Based on a recent assessment, the Company determined that it will be
required to modify or replace significant portions of its software so that its
computer systems will function properly with respect to dates in the year 2000
and thereafter. The Company presently believes that with modifications to
existing software and conversions to new software, the Year 2000 Issue will not
pose significant operational problems for its computer systems. However, if such
modifications and conversions are not made, or are not completed in a timely
manner, the Year 2000 Issue could have a material impact on the operations of
the Company.
The Company has formulated a plan and methodology for addressing year 2000
problems and is currently implementing such plan. The Company anticipates
completing the year 2000 project within the year but no later than December 31,
1998 which is prior to any anticipated impact on its operating systems.
* Anticipated spending for the modifications will be expensed as incurred
and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's on-going results
of operations.
CERTAIN OTHER RISK FACTORS
The Company's revenue has tended to fluctuate on a quarterly basis due to
the timing of shipments of products under contracts and the sale of licensee
rights. A significant portion of quarterly revenues occurs from orders received
and immediately shipped to customers in the last few weeks and days of a
quarter. If orders are not received, or if shipments were to be delayed a few
days at the end of a quarter, the operating results and reported earnings per
share for that quarter could be significantly impacted. Future revenues are
difficult to predict, and projections are based primarily on historical models,
which are not necessarily accurate representations of the future.
* The Company has a relatively fixed cost structure in the short term which
is determined by the business plans and strategies the Company intends to
implement in the three markets it addresses. This effective leveraging means
that increases or decreases in revenues have more than a proportional impact on
net income or losses. The Company estimates that a change in product revenue of
$1 million would change earnings per share by 2 to 3 cents.
* In the longer term, the Company believes that the Software and Component
Technologies business unit will produce a significant portion of the Company's
business. The Software and Component Technologies business unit differs in
nature from most of the Company's markets because volumes are high and margins
relatively low. Software and Component Technologies customers are extremely
price sensitive. As costs decrease through technological advances, these
advances will be passed on to the customer. To compete in the Software and
Component Technologies market requires high-volume production and manufacturing
techniques. Customers expect high quality standards with very low defect rates.
Compared to competitors which have far greater resources in such high-volume
manufacturing and associated support activities, the Company is relatively
inexperienced.
The Company's stock price is subject to significant volatility. If revenues
and/or earnings fail to meet the expectations of the investment community, there
could be an immediate and significant impact on the trading price of the
Company's stock.
32
The value of the Company's products relies substantially on its technical
innovation in fields in which there are many current patent filings. The Company
recognizes that as new patents are issued or are brought to the Company's
attention by the holders of such patents, it may be necessary for the Company to
withdraw products from the market, take a license from such patent holders, or
redesign its products. The Company does not believe that any of its products
infringe patents or other proprietary rights of third parties, but cannot be
certain that they do not. (See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.) In addition, the legal costs and engineering time required to
safeguard intellectual property or to defend against litigation could become a
significant expense of operations. Such events could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's revenues or profitability.
The Company is continuously evaluating alliances and external investments
in technologies related to its business, and has already entered into alliances
and made relatively small investments in a number of GPS related technology
companies. Acquisitions of companies, divisions of companies, or products and
alliances entail numerous risks, including (i) the potential inability to
successfully integrate acquired operations and products or to realize
anticipated synergies, economies of scale, or other value; (ii) diversion of
management's attention; and (iii) loss of key employees of acquired operations.
Any such problems could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition, and results of operations. No assurances can be
given that the Company will not incur problems from current or future alliances,
acquisitions, or investments. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the
Company will realize value from any such alliances, acquisitions, or
investments.
Information with respect to GPS Navstar satellite system is included in
Part I of this report, under the caption "Background," paragraph 6.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No. 128, (SFAS 128) "Earnings Per Share," which the Company was required to
adopt on December 31, 1997. In preparing its financial statements for the
current fiscal year, the Company has been required to change the method
previously used to compute earnings per share, and to restate all prior periods.
Under the new requirements, primary earnings per share has been replaced by a
simpler calculation called "basic" earnings per share. This calculation excludes
all common stock equivalents and other dilutive securities (i.e., options,
warrants and convertible instruments). Under the new requirements, "dilutive"
earnings per share replaces the existing fully diluted earnings per share
calculation. The new diluted earnings per share includes the effect of all
dilutive instruments if they meet certain requirements. The impact of SFAS 128
on the calculation of basic and dilutive earnings per share for the fiscal years
reported is not material.
In July 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Accounting Standards No. 130 (SFAS 130), "Reporting Comprehensive Income", which
requires a separate financial statement showing changes in comprehensive income
and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1997. SFAS 130 requires reclassification of all prior-period
financial statements for comparative purposes. The Company is evaluating
alternative formats for presenting this information, but does not expect this
pronouncement to materially impact the Company's results of operations.
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, (SFAS 131) "Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information," which is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS 131 establishes standards for the way
that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in
annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports. It also
establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas, and major customers. Because SFAS 131 is effective for
financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997, the
Company will adopt the new requirements for reporting in fiscal year 1998 and
retroactively restate fiscal year 1997. Management has not completed its review
of SFAS 131, but does not anticipate that the adoption of this statement will
have a significant effect on the Company's reported segments.
33
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31 1997 * 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 19,951 $ 22,671
Short-term investments 53,171 59,867
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $2,464 and $2,393 49,101 34,374
Inventories 47,773 38,858
Other current assets 4,195 3,633
------------- -------------
Total current assets 174,191 159,403
Property and equipment, at cost less accumulated
depreciation 21,965 21,504
Intangible assets less accumulated amortization 3,725 4,493
Deferred income taxes 356 383
Other assets 7,426 4,058
------------- -------------
Total assets $ 207,663 $ 189,841
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 44 $ 316
Accounts payable 18,724 13,763
Accrued compensation and benefits 5,830 6,552
Customer advances 830 3,000
Accrued liabilities 9,391 10,358
Income taxes payable 2,664 869
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 37,483 34,858
Noncurrent portion of long-term debt and other liabilities 30,697 30,938
------------- -------------
Total liabilities 68,180 65,796
------------- -------------
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 3,000 shares
authorized; none outstanding - -
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares
authorized; 22,813 and 22,063 outstanding, respectively 132,655 125,535
Common stock warrants 700 700
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 6,676 (2,603)
Unrealized gain on short-term investments 8 20
Foreign currency translation adjustment (556) 393
------------- -------------
Total shareholders' equity 139,483 124,045
------------- -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 207,663 $ 189,841
============= =============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
34
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Years ended December 31 1997 * 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenue $ 272,305 $ 233,660 $ 235,360
------------- ------------- -------------
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales 132,104 112,596 102,666
Research and development 40,662 36,705 31,895
Sales and marketing 60,327 64,391 62,672
General and administrative 28,785 30,142 24,824
Restructuring charges - 2,134 -
------------- ------------- -------------
Total operating expenses 261,878 245,968 222,057
------------- ------------- -------------
Operating income (loss) 10,427 (12,308) 13,303
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest and investment income 4,462 4,635 3,594
Interest and other expense (3,524) (3,925) (3,909)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) 234 (4) 1,088
------------- ------------- -------------
Total nonoperating income (expense) 1,172 706 773
------------- ------------- -------------
Income (loss) before income taxes 11,599 (11,602) 14,076
Income tax provision (benefit) 2,320 (300) 2,815
------------- ------------- -------------
Net income (loss) $ 9,279 $ (11,302) $ 11,261
============= ============= =============
Basic net income (loss) per share $ 0.42 $ (0.51) $ 0.56
============= ============= =============
Shares used in calculating basic
net income (loss) per share 22,293 22,005 19,949
============= ============= =============
Diluted net income (loss) per share $ 0.40 $ (0.51) $ 0.53
============= ============= =============
Shares used in calculating diluted
net income (loss) per share 22,947 22,005 21,318
============= ============= =============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
35
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Common stock Notes Unrealized Foreign
and warrants receivable Retained loss on currency Total
-------------------- from earnings short term translation shareholders
Shares Amount shareholders (deficit) investments adjustment equity
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 1994 18,731 $ 56,458 $ (215) $ (2,562) $ (71) $ (36) $ 53,574
Issuances of stock under employee plans 811 7,283 - - - - 7,283
Issuance of stock under common stock offering 2,100 57,248 - - - - 57,248
Tax benefit from stock option exercises - 160 - - - - 160
Collection of notes receivable - - 215 - - - 215
Net income - - - 11,261 - - 11,261
Translation adjustments - - - - - 23 23
Unrealized gain (loss) on short term investments - - - - 173 - 173
-------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------------
Balance at December 31, 1995 21,642 121,149 - 8,699 102 (13) 129,937
Issuances of stock under employee plans 530 5,774 - - - - 5,774
Issuance of stock in connection with acquisition 141 2,857 - - - - 2,857
Repurchases of common stock (250) (3,545) - - - - (3,545)
Net income - - - (11,302) - - (11,302)
Translation adjustments - - - - - 406 406
Unrealized gain (loss) on short term investments - - - - (82) - (82)
-------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------------
Balance at December 31, 1996 22,063 126,235 - (2,603) 20 393 124,045
Issuances of stock under employee plans 890 8,954 - - - - 8,954
Repurchases of common stock (140) (1,834) - - - - (1,834)
Net income - - - 9,279 - - 9,279
Translation adjustments - - - - - (949) (949)
Unrealized gain (loss) on short term investments - - - - (12) - (12)
======== =========== =========== ========== =========== ========== ============
Balance at December 31, 1997 * 22,813 $ 133,355 $ - $ 6,676 $ 8 $ (556) $ 139,483
======== =========== =========== ========== =========== ========== ============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
36
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended December 31 1997 * 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 9,279 $ (11,302) $ 11,261
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
to cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense 12,208 10,140 8,042
Deferred revenue amortization - - (79)
Rental inducement receipts - - (111)
Other (1,283) 178 673
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable, net (14,727) 5,501 (10,519)
Inventories (8,915) (7,073) (7,618)
Other current and noncurrent assets (1,537) (2,603) (3,020)
Deferred income taxes 27 1,191 248
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable 4,961 (2,102) 5,180
Accrued compensation and benefits (722) 807 1,909
Customer advances (2,170) 1,920 1,080
Accrued liabilities (967) 1,608 2,777
Income taxes payable 1,795 (2,133) 1,561
------------- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities (2,051) (3,868) 11,384
------------- ------------ ------------
Cash flow from investing activities:
Equity investments (1,889) - -
Acquisition of property and equipment (10,991) (10,359) (14,553)
Costs of capitalized patents (910) (762) (915)
Purchase of short-term investments (63,854) (75,663) (115,527)
Maturities of short-term investments 70,538 83,247 68,600
------------- ------------ ------------
Net cash used by investing activities (7,106) (3,537) (62,395)
------------- ------------ ------------
Cash flow from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock 8,954 5,774 7,283
Net proceeds from common stock offering - - 57,248
Repurchase of common stock (1,834) (3,545) -
(Payment)/collection of notes receivable (504) 66 145
(Payments)/proceeds on long-term debt and
revolving credit facilities (179) (1,930) (1,597)
------------- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 6,437 365 63,079
------------- ------------ ------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (2,720) (7,040) 12,068
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 22,671 29,711 17,643
============= ============ ============
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 19,951 $ 22,671 $ 29,711
============= ============ ============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
37
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies:
Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Due to the inherent nature of those
estimates, actual results could differ from expectations.
Basis of presentation. During fiscal year 1997, the Company changed its
fiscal year from a calendar year ending on December 31 to an annual period that
varies from 52 to 53 weeks and that always ends on the Friday nearest to
December 31, effective for the Company's 1997 fiscal year end, such that the
actual date of the Company's fiscal year-end for 1997 is January 2, 1998. For
ease of financial statement presentation, comparison and consistency, the
Company has continued to present each prior fiscal year as ending on December 31
and has not otherwise restated or adjusted its prior financial statements on
this new fiscal year basis. In addition, because the change in fiscal year was
made effective only as of the end of fiscal year 1997, the Company's prior three
reporting quarters continue to be accounted for as ending on a calendar year
basis (i.e., March 31, June 30 and September 30.)
The effect of changing to a 52-53 week fiscal year for 1997, resulted in
the Company reporting an extra two days when compared to the same calendar year
period. The effect of any differences due to the change in the fiscal year-end
dates are not expected to be material; specifically, the effect of changing to a
52-53 week fiscal year for 1997 was that the Company recorded an additional
$3,176,000 of revenue and gross margin impact of $1,524,000 for shipments from
January 1, 1998 to January 2, 1998, inclusive.
In the future, the Company's fiscal year will normally consist of four
equal quarters of 13 weeks each, or 52 weeks; however, due to the fact that
there are not exactly 52 weeks in a calendar year and that there is slightly
more than one additional day per year (not including the effects of leap year)
in each calendar year as compared to a 52 week fiscal year, the Company will
have a fiscal year composed of 53 weeks in certain fiscal years, as determined
by how Friday falls closest to December 31 in consecutive calendar years.
In those resulting fiscal years which have 53 weeks, the Company will
record an extra week of revenues, costs and related financial activity.
Therefore, the financial results of those fiscal years, and the associated
quarter, having the extra week, will not be exactly comparable to the prior and
subsequent 52 week fiscal years, and the associated quarters having only 12
weeks. Thus, due to the inherent nature of adopting a 52-53 week fiscal year,
the Company, analysts, shareholders, investors and others will have to make
appropriate adjustments to any analysis performed when comparing the Company's
activities and results in fiscal years that contain 53 weeks to those that
contain the standard 52 weeks.
Principles of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of Trimble Navigation Limited (the Company) and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany balances and
transactions.
Foreign currency translation. Assets and liabilities of the Company's
foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates
and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing during the
year. Local currencies are considered to be the functional currencies for the
Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries. Translation adjustments are deferred in a
separate component of shareholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains
and losses are included in results of operations as incurred.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts The Company's policy is to
hedge its known exposure to foreign currency transactions to minimize the effect
of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on consolidated results of
operations. The Company enters into simple forward foreign exchange contracts to
either buy or sell currency if the net position exceeds $400,000. The forward
foreign exchange contract obligates the Company to exchange predetermined
amounts of specified foreign currencies at specified exchange rates on specified
dates or to make an equivalent U.S. dollar payment equal to the value of such
exchange. For contracts that are designated and effective as hedges, discounts
or premiums (the difference between the spot exchange rate and the forward
exchange rate at inception of the contract) are accreted or amortized to other
38
operating expenses over the contract lives using the straight-line method while
realized and unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in the spot
exchange rate (including those from open, matured, and terminated contracts),
are included in results of operations. The related amounts due to or from
counterparties are included in other assets or other liabilities. Contract
amounts are marked to market, with changes in market value recorded in earnings
as foreign exchange gains or losses. To date, the Company has entered into
simple forward foreign currency exchange contracts to offset the effects of
changes in exchange rates on foreign-denominated intercompany receivables. At
January 2, 1998, the Company had forward foreign currency exchange contracts to
sell $5,337,000 of Japanese Yen and $561,000 of German Marks, and to buy
$1,572,000 of New Zealand dollars and $1,425,000 of British Pound Sterling, at
contracted rates that mature over the next five months.
Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and
highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The
carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because of
the short maturity of those instruments.
Short-term investments. The Company has classified all its short-term
investments as "available for sale." Available-for-sale securities are carried
at fair value, with the unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax effects,
reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity. Fair value is based on
quoted market prices. The cost of debt securities in this classification is
adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity.
Such amortization, as well as interest, dividends, and realized gains and
losses, is included in interest and investment income. The cost of securities
sold is based on the specific identification method.
At January 2, 1998, the Company's short-term investments consisted of U.S.
Treasury securities totaling $53,171,000 at cost, which had unrealized gains of
$8,000 and had original maturities of less than one year from the date of
purchase. At December 31, 1996, the Company's short-term investments in U.S.
Treasury securities and Federal Government Agencies had a cost of $59,867,000
and had unrealized gains of $20,000.
Concentration of credit risk. In entering into forward foreign exchange
contracts, the Company has assumed the risk that might arise from the possible
inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The
counterparties to these contracts are major multinational commercial banks, and
the Company does not expect any losses as a result of counterparty defaults. The
Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does
not require collateral. The expenses recorded for doubtful accounts receivable
were $315,000 in 1997, $1,159,000 in 1996, and $352,000 in 1995.
Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost or
market. Standard costs approximate average actual costs.
In December 1995, the Company announced that it had temporarily halted
shipments of certain tracking and communications products deliverable under a
large contract with a single customer. Shipments under this contract resumed in
March 1997, accordingly, the Company has not provided any reserves against the
products included in inventory Inventories included approximately $2,170,000 of
materials at January 2, 1998, and $3,348,000 of materials at December 31, 1996,
that have been received in anticipation of making shipments to this customer.
Revenue recognition. The Company recognizes revenue from product sales at
the time of shipment, except as to revenue deferred for extended warranty
obligations. Substantially all technology licenses and research revenue have
consisted of initial license fees and royalties, which were recognized when
earned.
Product warranty. The Company provides for estimated warranty costs at the
time of sale. The warranty period is generally for one year from date of
shipment, except for aviation products, for which the period is generally three
years; select military programs may require extended warranty periods.
Advertising Costs. The Company expenses the production costs of advertising
as incurred. Advertising expenses were $6,328,000, $7,587,000, and $7,683,000 in
1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
39
Stock Compensation. In accordance with the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," the Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25) and related Interpretations
in accounting for its stock option plans and stock purchase plan. Accordingly,
it does not recognize compensation cost for stock options granted at or above
market. Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements describes the plans
operated by the Company, and contains a summary of the pro forma effects to
reported net income and earnings per share for 1997 and 1996 as if the Company
had elected to recognize compensation cost based on the fair value of the
options granted at grant date, as prescribed by SFAS No. 123.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of property and equipment owned
or under capitalized leases is computed using the straight-line method over the
shorter of the estimated useful lives or the lease terms. Useful lives range
from three years for machinery and equipment to five years for furniture and
fixtures. Amortization of intangibles is computed using the straight-line method
over periods of four years or less.
Interest. All interest costs incurred have been charged to interest
expense.
Net income (loss) per share. In 1997, the Financial Accounting and
Standards Board issued Statement No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". Statement 128
replaced the calculation of primary and fully diluted earnings per share with
basic and diluted earnings per share. Unlike primary earnings per share, basic
earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants and
convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share is very similar to the
previously reported fully diluted earnings per share. All earnings per share
amounts for all periods have been presented, and where appropriate, restated to
conform to the Statement 128 requirements.
Note 2 - The Company, industry segment, geographic, and customer information:
The Company operates in a single industry segment as a leading supplier of
products that determine precise geographic location and time using the Global
Positioning System (GPS). The Company develops, manufactures and markets its
products for applications in surveying and mapping, tracking and communications,
OEM, avionics and military markets. The Company sells its products through a
direct salesforce located in twelve countries, as well as through a worldwide
network of dealers, distributors and authorized representatives. Research and
development activities are conducted at the Company's facilities in Sunnyvale,
California; Austin, Texas; and Christchurch, New Zealand. Manufacturing is
performed primarily in Sunnyvale, California, and to a lesser extent in Austin,
Texas.
The following table sets forth revenue by market. Revenues in 1995 have
been reclassified to conform with the Company's organization structure in 1996
and 1997.
1997 * 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Commercial Systems $168,606 $ 158,273 $ 162,393
Software & Component Technologies 43,417 38,054 35,416
Aerospace 60,282 37,333 37,551
-------------- ------------- -----------
Total revenue $272,305 $ 233,660 $ 235,360
-------------- ------------- -----------
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
40
Information regarding geographic areas is as follows:
Geographic Area
----------------------------------------------
Europe / Pac. Rim, Asia
Domestic Middle East and Japan Eliminations Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
1997 *
Sales to unaffiliated customers $ 211,781 $ 45,769 $ 14,755 $ - $ 272,305
Intergeographic transfers 29,481 2,482 1,198 (33,161) $ -
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total revenue $ 241,262 $ 48,251 $ 15,953 $ (33,161) $ 272,305
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Operating income (loss) $ 5,349 $ 14,093 $ (9,284) $ 269 $ 10,427
Identifiable assets $ 185,915 $ 11,830 $ 10,584 $ (666) $ 207,663
1996
Sales to unaffiliated customers $ 164,663 $ 47,972 $ 21,025 $ - $ 233,660
Intergeographic transfers 70,366 - 1,474 (71,840) $ -
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total revenue $ 235,029 $ 47,972 $ 22,499 $ (71,840) $ 233,660
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Operating income (loss) $ (18,670) $ 14,917 $ (8,382) $ (173) $ (12,308)
Identifiable assets $ 166,405 $ 14,355 $ 10,037 $ (956) $ 189,841
1995
Sales to unaffiliated customers $ 158,800 $ 51,040 $ 25,520 $ - $ 235,360
Intergeographic transfers 42,621 - 1,361 (43,982) $ -
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total revenue $ 201,421 $ 51,040 $ 26,881 $ (43,982) $ 235,360
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Operating income (loss) $ 3,902 $ 19,000 $ (8,858) $ (741) $ 13,303
Identifiable assets $ 170,390 $ 14,112 $ 13,105 $ (844) $ 196,763
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
Transfers between domestic and foreign geographic areas are made at prices
based on total costs and contributions of the supplying geographic area. The
Company's subsidiaries in the Pacific Rim, Asia and Japan have derived revenue
from commissions from domestic operations in each of the periods presented.
These commission revenues and expenses are excluded from total revenue and
operating income (loss) in the preceding table. Since April 1995, sales to
unaffiliated customers in Japan have been made by the Company's Japanese
subsidiary. Previously, such sales were treated as domestic export sales.
Export revenue (defined as sales to unaffiliated customers in foreign
countries, made by the Company's domestic operations) as a percentage of total
revenue was as follows:
1997 * 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Europe/Middle East 7 % 2 % 2 %
Pacific Rim, Asia and Japan 10 13 12
Other 11 10 7
------------- ------------ -----------
28 % 25 % 21 %
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
No single customer accounted for 10% or more of total revenues in 1997,
1996 or 1995.
41
The geographic distribution of sales to unaffiliated customers by customer
location as a percentage of total revenue was as follows:
1997 * 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States 55 % 53 % 47 %
Europe/Middle East 22 21 23
Pacific Rim, Asia and Japan 15 19 23
Other 8 7 7
------------- ------------ -----------
100 % 100 % 100 %
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
Note 3 - Balance sheet components:
December 31, 1997 * 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Inventories
Raw materials $ 32,123 $ 24,145
Work-in-process 7,123 5,174
Finished goods 8,527 9,539
------------- ------------
$ 47,773 $ 38,858
============= ============
Property and equipment
Machinery and equipment $ 60,674 $ 52,277
Furniture and fixtures 5,060 4,758
Leasehold improvements 6,451 6,231
------------- ------------
72,185 63,266
Less accumulated depreciation 50,220 41,762
------------- ------------
$ 21,965 $ 21,504
============= ============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
Note 4 - Bank line of credit:
In August 1997, the Company entered into a three year $50,000,000 unsecured
revolving credit facility with four banks (the "Credit Agreement"). This credit
facility replaced the previous two year $30,000,000 unsecured line that was
expiring. The Credit Agreement enables the Company to borrow up to $50,000,000,
provided that certain financial and other covenants are met. Under a separate
agreement the Company has an additional $5,000,000 line of credit provided only
by the lead bank for "Letter of Credit" purposes which is also subject to the
covenants in the main facility. The Credit Agreement provides for payment of a
commitment fee of 0.25% and borrowings to bear interest at 1% over LIBOR if the
total funded debt to EBITDA is less than or equal to 1.00 times, 0.3% and
borrowings to bear interest at 1.25% over LIBOR if the ratio is greater than
1.00 times and less than or equal to 2.00 times, or 0.4% and borrowings to bear
interest at 1.75% over LIBOR if the ratio is greater than 2.00 times. In
addition to borrowing at the LIBOR rate, the Company has the right to borrow
with interest at the higher of (i) one of the banks' annual prime rate and (ii)
the federal funds rate plus 0.5%. No borrowings were made under the line of
credit during 1997 and 1996. Under the line of credit the Company is restricted
from paying dividends.
42
At January 2, 1998, the Company was contingently liable to a Japanese bank
for $43,500 at a year end exchange rate of 130.57 yen per dollar arising from
customers' notes receivable which the Company sold with recourse to the bank. In
the event of a customer's default, the Company must repurchase the receivable
from the bank. Losses resulting from defaults have not been significant.
Note 5 - Acquisition:
On July 2, 1996, the Company purchased certain assets and assumed certain
liabilities of Terra Corporation (Terra), a New Mexico corporation that
manufactured components for the aviation market, in exchange for 140,860 shares
of the Company's common stock and options to purchase 12,000 shares of the
Company's common stock. The Company's results of operations include the results
of operations of Terra Corporation from July 2, 1996. The Company recorded
$3,189,000 of goodwill on the acquisition. The Company is amortizing this
goodwill over five years. As of January 2, 1998, the Company had recorded
accumulated amortization of $956,700.
Prior to its acquisition by the Company, Terra had limited revenues and
operated at a loss. As of July 2, 1996, Terra had cumulative losses of
approximately $255,000. The amount of the loss is not determinable with respect
to individual periods. If the acquisition had occurred at January 1, 1995, based
on the purchase price recorded, the Company would have recorded amortization of
goodwill and a reduction of net income before taxes of $637,800 in 1995, or
$0.03 per share and additional amortization of goodwill and an increase in net
loss before income taxes of $318,900 in 1996, or $ 0.01 per share.
Note 6 - Restructuring:
During 1996, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $2,134,000.
Components of this restructuring reserve included employee severance packages,
the costs of redundant office space, write-downs of idle assets, and the costs
of moving people.
Note 7 - Long-term debt and other noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt consists of the following:
December 31, 1997 * 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Subordinated notes $ 29,600 $ 29,507
Capitalized leases (Note 8) - -
Equipment financing obligations - 316
Other 1,141 1,431
------------ ------------
30,741 31,254
Less-current portion 44 316
------------ ------------
Noncurrent portion $ 30,697 $ 30,938
============ ============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
Scheduled payments of equipment loan obligations are as follows: $0 in
1998.
During June 1994, the Company issued $30 million of subordinated promissory
notes bearing interest at an annual rate of 10% , with principal due on June 15,
2001. Interest payments are due monthly in arrears. The notes are subordinated
to the Company's senior debt, which is defined as all pre-existing indebtedness
for borrowed money and certain future indebtedness for borrowed money
(including, subject to certain restrictions, secured bank borrowings and
borrowed money for the acquisition of property and capital equipment) and trade
debt incurred in the ordinary course of business. If the Company prepays any
portion of the principal, it is required to pay additional amounts if U.S.
Treasury obligations of a similar maturity exceed a specified yield. Under the
agreement the Company is restricted from paying dividends.
43
The issuance of the notes also included warrants entitling holders to
purchase 400,000 shares of common stock at a price of $10.95 per share at any
time through June 15, 2001. The warrants are included in shareholders' equity at
their appraised fair value of $700,000 at the time of issue. The net proceeds of
the notes were $29,348,000 after issuance costs of $652,000. The notes are shown
under noncurrent liabilities, net of appraised fair value attributed to the
warrants. The value of the warrants and the issuance costs are being amortized
and included in interest expense using the interest rate method over the term of
the subordinated promissory notes. The effective annual interest rate on the
notes is 11.5%. Under the terms of the note, the Company is required to, among
other things, meet certain specified amounts of tangible net worth.
Other long-term debt primarily represents deferred rent obligations and
rental inducements on certain of the Company's leased facilities. The lease
agreements provide for scheduled increases in lease payments over the terms of
the leases.
Note 8 - Lease obligations and commitments:
The Company's principal facilities in the United States are leased under
noncancelable operating leases that expire at various dates from 1998 through
2001. The Company has options to renew these leases for an additional five
years. The Company's United Kingdom subsidiary leases a facility under an
operating lease that expires in 2015.
At January 2, 1998, the Company had no outstanding equipment lease
obligations.
Future minimum payments required under noncancelable operating leases
are as follows:
Operating
Leases
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
1998 $ 6,480
1999 4,991
2000 4,131
2001 1,752
2002 1,372
Thereafter 1,595
=============
Total $ 20,321
=============
Rent expense under operating leases was $5,472,400 in 1997, $6,004,800 in
1996, and $5,577,000 in 1995.
44
Note 9 - Fair value of financial instruments:
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair
Value of Financial Instruments," requires disclosure of the following
information about the fair value of certain financial instruments for which it
is practicable to estimate that value. None of the financial instruments are
held or issued for trading purposes. The carrying amounts and fair values of the
Company's financial instruments are as follows:
Carrying Fair
Amount Value
--------- -----------
December 31, 1997 *
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1) $ 19,951 $ 19,951
Short-term investments (Note 1) 53,171 53,171
Forward foreign exchange contracts (Note 1) 294 294
Liabilities:
Subordinated notes (Note 7) 29,600 29,451
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
The fair value of the subordinated notes has been estimated using an
estimate of the interest rate the Company would have had to pay on issuance of
notes with a similar maturity, and discounting the cash flows at that rate. The
fair values do not give an indication of the amount that the Company would have
to pay to extinguish any of this debt.
The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is estimated based on
quoted market prices of comparable contracts and these contracts are restated at
the end of every month to the fair value.
Note 10 - Income taxes:
The income tax provision (benefit) consists of the following:
Years ended December 31, 1997 * 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Federal:
Current $ 1,168 $ (2,557) $ 1,380
Deferred - 1,208 389
------------- ------------- -------------
1,168 (1,349) 1,769
------------- ------------- -------------
State:
Current 10 5 4
Deferred - - -
------------- ------------- -------------
10 5 4
------------- ------------- -------------
Foreign:
Current 1,116 1,060 1,183
Deferred 26 (16) (141)
------------- ------------- -------------
1,142 1,044 1,042
------------- ------------- -------------
Income tax provision (benefit) $ 2,320 $ (300) $ 2,815
============= ============= =============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
The domestic income (loss) before income taxes (including royalty income
subject to foreign withholding taxes) was approximately $9,400,00,
($13,300,000), and $12,800,000, in 1997, 1996, and 1995.
45
The income tax provision (benefit) differs from the amount computed by
applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before taxes. The
sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:
Years ended December 31, 1997 * 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Expected tax at 35% in all years $ 4,060 $ (4,061) $ 4,926
Tax account valuation adjustments (2,390) (1,630) (2,464)
Operating loss not utilized - 4,577 -
Foreign withholding taxes 403 170 242
Foreign tax rate differential (28) 277 356
State income taxes 10 5 4
Benefit of Foreign Sales Corporation, net - - (312)
Other 265 362 63
----------- ---------- ----------
Income tax provision (benefit) $ 2,320 $ (300) $ 2,815
=========== ========== ==========
Effective tax rate (20%) (3%) 20%
=========== ========== ==========
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
The components of deferred taxes consist of the following:
December 31,
---------------------------
1997 * 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill $ 866 $ 1,139
Other individually immaterial items 290 229
------------- ------------
Total deferred tax liabilities 1,156 1,368
------------- ------------
Deferred tax assets:
Inventory valuation differences 6,480 6,645
Federal credit carryforwards 6,316 5,793
State credit carryforwards 2,099 1,626
Warranty 1,234 752
Federal net operating loss (NOL) carryforward - 1,410
Deferred revenue 134 1,371
Other individually immaterial items 4,871 4,095
------------- ------------
Total deferred tax assets 21,134 21,692
Valuation allowance (19,622) (19,941)
------------- ------------
Total deferred tax assets 1,512 1,751
------------- ------------
Total net deferred tax assets $ 356 $ 383
============= ============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
The NOL and credit carryforwards listed above expire in the years 1999
through 2012.
The valuation allowance increased by $7.3 million in 1996. Approximately
$6.9 million of the valuation allowance at December 31, 1997, relates to the tax
benefits of stock option deductions which will be credited to equity when
realized.
46
Note 11 - Shareholders' equity:
Employees and others have been granted options to purchase common shares
under stock option plans adopted in 1990, 1992 and 1993. Details of these plans,
the 1988 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and similar compensation plans are set
out below.
1993 Stock Option Plan In 1992, the Company's Board of Directors adopted
the 1993 Stock Option Plan to replace the 1983 Stock Option Plan which expired
in January 1993. The 1993 Stock Option Plan provides for the granting of
incentive and nonstatutory stock options for up to 3,200,000 shares of Common
Stock to employees, consultants and directors of the Company. Incentive stock
options may be granted for exercise prices that are not less than 100% of the
fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant. All options granted have
63 month terms, and vest at a rate of 20% at the first anniversary of grant, and
monthly thereafter at an annual rate of 20%, with full vesting occurring at the
fifth anniversary of grant. The exercise price of nonstatutory stock options
must be at least 85% of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of
grant. As of December 31, 1997, options to purchase 2,548,430 shares were
outstanding and 222,922 shares were available for future grant under the 1993
Stock Option Plan. The 1983 Stock Option Plan expired in 1997.
1990 Director Stock Option Plan In December 1990, the Company adopted a
Director Stock Option Plan under which the Company has reserved 280,000 shares
of Common Stock for options to be granted to nonemployee directors. At December
31, 1997, options to purchase 138,333 shares were outstanding and 165,833 shares
were available for future grants under the Director Stock Option Plan.
1992 Management Discount Stock Option Plan In 1992 the Company's Board of
Directors and shareholders approved the 1992 Management Discount Stock Option
Plan ("Discount Plan"). Under the Discount Plan, 300,000 nonstatutory stock
options were reserved for grant to management employees at exercise prices that
are significantly discounted from the fair market value of Common Stock on the
dates of grant. Options are generally exercisable six months from the date of
grant. As of December 31, 1997, there were 129,974 shares available for future
grants. For accounting purposes, compensation cost is measured by the excess
over the discounted exercise prices of the fair market value of Common Stock on
the dates of option grant. Noncash compensation cost related to options
exercised in 1997 amounted to $274,572. As of December 31, 1997, all shares had
been exercised.
1988 Employee Stock Purchase Plan In 1988, the Company established an
employee stock purchase plan under which 1,700,000 shares of common stock were
reserved for issuance. The plan permits full-time employees to purchase Common
Stock through payroll deductions at 85% of the lower of the fair market value of
the Common Stock at the beginning or at the end of each six-month offering
period. In 1997, 223,858 shares were issued under the plan for aggregate
proceeds of $2,674,989. At December 31, 1997, the number of shares reserved for
future purchases was 81,921.
As stated in Note 1, the Company has elected to follow APB 25 and related
Interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options and stock purchase
plans. The alternative fair value accounting provided for under SFAS 123
requires use of option pricing models that were not developed for use in valuing
employee stock options. Under APB 25, because the exercise price of the
Company's employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock
on date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by SFAS 123 and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for
its employee stock options and purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
using the fair value method of that Statement. The fair value for these options
was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model
with the following weighted-average assumptions for 1997, 1996, and 1995:
47
1997 * 1996 1995
------- -------- -------
Expected dividend yield $ - $ - $ -
Expected stock price volatility 58.07% 58.76% 59.48%
Risk-free interest rate 6.36% 6.29% 6.79%
Expected life of options after vesting 1.19 0.77 0.77
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in
estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions
and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the
input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price
volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the
subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in
management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable
single measure of its employee stock options.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The estimated
fair value of purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is expensed in
the year of purchase. The Company's pro forma information (in thousands except
for per share data) is as follows:
1997 * 1996 1995
-------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) - as reported $ 9,279 $ (11,302) $ 11,261
Net income (loss) - pro forma $ 2,899 $ (15,806) $ 9,166
Basic income (loss) per share - as reported $ 0.42 $ (0.51) $ 0.56
Basic income (loss) per share - pro forma $ 0.13 $ (0.72) $ 0.46
Diluted income (loss) per share - as reported $ 0.40 $ (0.51) $ 0.53
Diluted income (loss) per share - pro forma $ 0.13 $ (0.72) $ 0.43
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
Because the fair value method is applicable only to options granted
subsequent to December 31, 1994 pro forma effects will not be fully reflected
until 1998. Accordingly, these figures are unlikely to be representative of the
effects on reported net income for future years.
Exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 1997 ranged from
$8.00 to $23.00. The weighted average remaining contractual life of those
options is 3.86 years. In view of the wide range of exercise prices, the Company
considers it appropriate to provide the following additional information in
respect of options outstanding:
48
Total Currently exercisable
Number Weighted-average Weighted- average Number Weighted- average
Range (in thousands) exercise price remaining contractul life (in thousands) exercise price
- ----------------------- --------------- ------------------- ------------------------- ------------- -----------------
$8.000-$10.000 328 $9.37 2.13 254 $9.29
$11.000-$12.500 354 $12.17 3.89 52 $11.40
$13.125-$13.125 143 $13.13 2.12 81 $13.13
$15.375-$15.375 999 $15.38 3.96 196 $15.38
$16.875-$17.000 47 $17.00 3.37 19 $17.00
$17.500-$17.500 481 $17.50 4.96 0 $0.00
$17.875-$21.000 269 $19.27 4.15 81 $18.32
$22.250-$22.250 9 $22.25 2.92 4 $22.25
$22.750-$22.750 8 $22.75 3.11 3 $22.75
$23.000-$23.000 58 $23.00 6.42 10 $23.00
- ----------------------- -------------- ------------------ ------------------------- ---------------- -----------------
$8.000-$23.000 2,696 $15.10 3.86 700 $13.20
Activity during 1997, 1996 and 1995 under the combined plans was as
follows:
1997 * 1996 1995
Weighted average Weighted average Weighted average
Options exercise price Options exercise price Options exercise price
------------- ---------------- ------------ ------------------ ---------- ---------------
Outstanding at beginning of year 2,577 $13.06 2,525 $13.49 2,392 $8.98
Granted 962 $16.45 1,522 $16.57 907 $21.19
Exercised (635) $8.78 (316) $9.35 (663) $7.49
Canceled (208) $15.40 (1,154) $19.61 (111) $14.80
Outstanding at end of year 2,696 $15.10 2,577 $13.06 2,525 $13.49
Exercisable at end of year 700 $13.20 886 $9.99 764 $9.13
Weighted-average fair value of options
granted during year $8.30 $5.24 $10.21
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
During 1996, under a program approved by the Board of Directors all
employees, with the exception of officers, were offered an exchange option to
replace the stock options previously issued to them, with new stock options (at
an exchange ratio of 1 to 1, with a vesting period commencing on the date of
exchange) at a new lower price. Options on 825,456 shares were canceled
(reported above as cancellations) and replaced (reported above as options
granted).
401(k) Plan Under the Company's 401(k) Plan, U.S. employee participants may
direct the investment of contributions to their accounts among certain mutual
funds and the Trimble Navigation Limited Common Stock Fund. The Fund purchased
35,661 shares of Common stock for an aggregate of $532,293 in 1997. The Company,
at its discretion, matches individual employee 401(k) Plan contributions up to
$100 per month. The Company's matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan were
$1,033,000 in 1997, $1,031,000 in 1996 and $827,000 in 1995.
Profit Sharing Plan In 1995, the Company introduced an employee profit
sharing plan in which all employees, excluding executives, participate. The plan
distributes to employees approximately 5% of quarterly income before taxes.
Payments under the plan during 1997, 1996, and 1995 were $549,000, $43,000, and
$722,000 respectively.
Common shares reserved for future issuances As of December 31, 1997, the
Company has reserved 3,441,103 common shares for issuance upon exercise of
options outstanding and options available for grant under the 1993 Stock Option,
49
1990 Director Stock Option, and 1992 Management Discount Stock Option plans, and
available for issuance under the 1988 Employee Stock Purchase plan.
Note 12 - Earnings Per Share:
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." The Registrant
adopted this standard, as required for its December 31, 1997 Financial
Statements. For the years presented, the Registrant presents both basic and
diluted earnings per share.
The following data show the amounts used in computing earnings per share
and the effect on the weighted-average number of shares of dilutive potential
common stock.
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------------
1997 * 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands except per share amounts)
Numerator:
Income available to common shareholders
used in basic and diluted income (loss) per share $ 9,279 $ (11,302) $ 11,261
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of Common
Shares used in basic income (loss) per share 22,293 22,005 19,949
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock options 530 - 1,169
Common stock warrants 124 - 200
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Weighted-average number of Common
Shares and dilutive potential Common Shares
used in diluted income (loss) per share 22,947 22,005 21,318
=============== =============== ===============
Basic income (loss) per share 0.42 (0.51) 0.56
=============== =============== ===============
Diluted income (loss) per share 0.40 (0.51) 0.53
=============== =============== ===============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
50
Note 13 - Statement of cash flows data:
Years ended December 31 1997 * 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Supplemental schedule of noncash financing activities:
Tax benefit from stock options exercises $ - $ - $ 160
------------ ------------ -------------
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities:
Common stock issued for Terra Corporation $ - $ 2,857 $ -
------------ ------------ -------------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid $ 3,313 $ 3,457 $ 3,678
------------ ------------ -------------
Income taxes paid $ 167 $ 483 $ 1,032
------------ ------------ -------------
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
Note 14 - Litigation:
Settled Matters. In November 1994, the Company was named as a defendant in
an action commenced in the United States District Court for the District of
Rhode Island, NovAtel Communication Ltd. v. Trimble Navigation Limited, C.A. No.
94-0498 (ML). Plaintiff NovAtel sought preliminary and permanent injunctive
relief, unspecified damages and interest thereon, costs and disbursements,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, based on the Company's alleged
infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,101,416 (the '416 patent).
On April 21, 1995, the Company filed suit against NovAtel for infringement
of the Company's U.S. Patent No. 4,754,465 (the '465 patent) in the United
States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division,
Trimble Navigation v. NovAtel Communications Ltd, C.A. No. C95-2405 SI. On
February 27, 1996, Trimble filed a Complaint against NovAtel at the
International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., alleging unfair acts in the
importation of goods, namely, infringement of its '465 patent, and seeking a
permanent exclusion order to interdict the importation by or on behalf of
NovAtel into this country of infringing GPS receivers manufactured and sold by
NovAtel.
On July 16, 1996, the Company and NovAtel entered into an agreement
resolving all matters in dispute and cross-licensing certain technologies. The
agreement ends all litigation between the parties.
In February 1995, DAC International Inc. (DAC), then a distributor and
sales representative of the Company, terminated its sales representative
agreement with the Company and thereafter filed an arbitration claim against the
Company in Palo Alto, California, seeking damages of approximately $2,100,000.
On July 15, 1996, the Arbitrator issued a Final Liability and Opinion Award that
called for the Company to pay a total of $1,021,000, including interest, all of
which has now been paid.
On March 26, 1996, DAC filed a lawsuit titled DAC International, Inc. v
Trimble Navigation Ltd., Case No. 96-02032, filed in the District Court of
Travis County, Texas. In April 1996, the Company removed this case to the
Federal District Court for the Western District of Texas. On August 6, 1996,
Trimble agreed to pay DAC $500,000, which was charged to income in the second
quarter of 1996. As a result of this agreement, all litigation between the
Company and DAC has been settled.
51
In March 1995, the Company signed a large contract for the supply of
Galaxy/GPS land mobile satellite terminals to American Mobile Satellite
Corporation (AMSC), a Reston, Virginia, based company that provides a variety of
voice and data services via satellite. AMSC contracted for delivery of product
beginning in mid-1995 and continuing through 1996. Late in the fourth quarter of
1995 AMSC requested that the Company cease delivery, due in part to delays in
the completion of software. Shipments under the original contract were halted in
the fourth quarter of 1995, and the contract was modified.
In October 1996, the Company filed a complaint against AMSC in the Superior
Court of California in Santa Clara County. The complaint alleges that AMSC
breached its March 1995 contract with the Company by refusing to accept
additional deliveries of Galaxy product. The complaint also alleges that AMSC
fraudulently induced the Company to execute a modification to the March 1995
contract. The complaint seeks unspecified damages, including lost profits and
exemplary damages. AMSC acknowledged receipt of the complaint but did not file a
responsive pleading. On February 20, 1997, the Company and AMSC signed an
agreement to resume shipments of product to AMSC, and as a result of this
agreement the complaint has been dropped by the Company.
In September 1996, the British Technology Group (BTG) brought suit for
alleged infringement of its RE.34,004 patent. BTG has also brought suit against
two other defendants over the same patent. Trimble terminated its litigation
with BTG over U.S. Patent RE. 34,004 ('004 patent). After a series of pre-trial
rulings favorable to Trimble, BTG agreed to dismiss its complaint with
prejudice. BTG also agreed to release Trimble's receiver architecture that was
the subject matter of the lawsuit from liability with respect to any other
infringement allegations that BTG might have made in a lawsuit. In return,
Trimble agreed to dismiss its counterclaim against BTG. The agreement does not
require either party to pay any money to the other and each party is to bear its
own costs. An order dismissing BTG's case against Trimble has been entered by
Judge Bartle of the federal court of Philadelphia.
Pending Matters. On December 6, 1995, two shareholders filed a class action
lawsuit against the Company and certain directors and officers of the Company.
Subsequent to that date, additional lawsuits were filed by other shareholders.
The lawsuits were subsequently amended and consolidated into one complaint which
was filed on April 5, 1996. The amended consolidated complaint sought to bring
an action as a class action consisting of all persons who purchased the common
stock of the Company during the period April 18, 1995, through December 5, 1995
(the "Class Period"). The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants sought to
induce the members of the Class to purchase the Company's common stock during
the Class Period at artificially inflated prices. The plaintiffs seek recissory
or compensatory damages with interest thereon, as well as reasonable attorneys'
fees and extraordinary equitable and/or injunctive relief. The Company filed a
motion to dismiss, which was heard by the Court on August 16, 1996. The court
rejected the plaintiffs' lawsuit, but allowed thirty days to resubmit its
complaint. On September 24, 1996, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. On
April 28, 1997, the Court granted in part, and denied in part, the Company's
motion to dismiss. The Court further granted the plaintiffs leave to replead
certain dismissed claims. On June 19, 1997, the plaintiffs filed a third amended
and consolidated complaint. The Company has answered the complaint by denying
all liability. The Company does not believe that it is possible to predict the
outcome of this litigation.
On January 31, 1997, counsel for one Philip M. Clegg wrote to Trimble
asserting that a license under Clegg's U.S. Patent No. 4,807,131, which was
issued February 21, 1989, would be required by Trimble because of a joint
venture Trimble had entered into with Caterpillar Corporation concerning the use
of Trimble GPS products in combination with earth moving equipment. To date, no
infringement action has been initiated on behalf of Mr. Clegg. The Company does
not believe that there will be any adverse consequences to the Company as a
result of this inquiry.
In July 1993, an individual filed a complaint against the Company in which
the individual alleges the Company has an obligation to him for commissions
earned and services provided in an amount in excess of $1,500,000. In June 1995
the Company's motion for summary judgment on all claims was granted by the
court. The individual filed an appeal with the California Court of Appeals for
the Sixth District. On November 26, 1996, the summary judgment was affirmed by
the California Court of Appeals for the Sixth District. On January 8, 1997, the
individual petitioned for review by the Supreme Court of California. The
petition for review was denied by the Supreme Court. The judgment in the
Company's favor is now final and nonappealable.
52
A former shareholder has filed an action against the Company claiming
rights to shares that were previously canceled on the Company's stock records
pursuant to lost stock certificate indemnification agreements. The complaint was
dismissed for a lack of jurisdiction. The Company does not believe that there
will be any adverse consequences to the Company as a result of this case.
In October 1995, an employee who was terminated by the Company in 1992
filed a complaint against the Company, alleging that his incentive stock options
continued to vest subsequent to his termination. He sought damages of
approximately $1,000,000. The Company filed a general denial in answer to the
complaint. The trial was concluded on September 25, 1997, and the jury rendered
its verdict in favor of the Company on all causes of action. It is unclear
whether the time for appeal has past, although no appeal has been filed to date.
The Company does not believe that an appeal, if any, would be successful.
The Company is also a party to other disputes incidental to its business.
The Company believes the ultimate liability of the Company as a result of such
disputes, if any, would not be material to its overall financial position,
results of operations, or liquidity.
Note 15 - Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited):
First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)
1997 *
Total revenue $ 60,551 $ 68,944 $ 64,719 $ 78,091
Gross margin $ 31,506 $ 36,689 $ 34,199 $ 37,807
Operating income (loss) $ 1,751 $ 4,354 $ 1,573 $ 2,749
Net income (loss) $ 1,429 $ 3,865 $ 1,592 $ 2,393
Basic net income (loss) per share $ 0.06 $ 0.18 $ 0.07 $ 0.11
============= ============= ============= =============
Dilutive net income (loss) per share $ 0.06 $ 0.17 $ 0.07 $ 0.10
============= ============= ============= =============
1996
Total revenue $ 56,722 $ 58,602 $ 54,086 $ 64,250
Gross margin $ 30,707 $ 31,565 $ 26,632 $ 32,160
Operating income (loss) $ (1,594) $ (3,480) $ (8,466) $ 1,232
Net income (loss) $ (1,146) $ (2,585) $ (8,834) $ 1,263
Basic net income (loss) per share $ (0.05) $ (0.12) $ (0.40) $ 0.06
============= ============= ============= =============
Dilutive net income (loss) per share $ (0.05) $ (0.12) $ (0.40) $ 0.06
============= ============= ============= =============
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
Significant quarterly items include the following: (i) in the first quarter
of 1996 the Company recorded revenue of $1,080,000 from AMSC related to contract
renegotation fees; (ii) in the second quarter of 1996 the Company recorded
$1,000,000 from AMSC related to contractual shutdown fees; (iii) in the third
quarter of 1996 the Company recorded $2,046,000 of restructuring charges and
recorded an additional $88,000 in the fourth quarter of 1996; (iv) in the second
quarter of 1997 the Company recorded revenue of $2,222,000 from a technology
license; (v) in the third quarter of 1997 the Company recorded revenue of
$1,800,000 from a development agreement in connection with an irrevocable
non-refundable non-recurring engineering fee.
53
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors and Shareholders Trimble Navigation Limited
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Trimble
Navigation Limited as of January 2, 1998 and December 31, 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended January 2, 1998. Our audits also
included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 14(a).
These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and schedule referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Trimble Navigation Limited at January 2, 1998 and December 31, 1996, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each the three
years in the period ended January 2, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as
a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth
therein.
/s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Palo Alto, California
January 27, 1998
54
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The section titled "Nominees" and the section titled "Compliance with
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1998
annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 5, 1998, ("Proxy Statement")
with respect to directors of the Company and compliance of the directors and
executive officers of the Company with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
required by this item are incorporated herein by reference.
The information with respect to the executive officers of the Company
required by this item is included in Part I hereof under the caption "Executive
Officers of the Registrant."
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The following sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by
reference: "Compensation of Executive Officers," "Compensation of Directors,"
"Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation," and "Compensation
Committee Report' and "Company Performance."
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The section titled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management" of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The section titled "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" of the
Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
55
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) 1. Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements required by this item are
included in Part II Item 8 hereof under the caption "Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data."
Page In This
Annual Report
On Form 10-K
Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 2,
1998 and December 31, 1996................. 34
Consolidated Statements of Operations for
each of the three fiscal years in the period
ended January 2, 1998...................... 35
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders'
Equity for the three fiscal years
ended January 2, 1998...................... 36
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for
each of the three fiscal years in the period
ended January 2, 1998....................... 37
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 38-53
2. Financial Statement Schedules
The following financial statement schedule is filed as part of this report:
Page In This
Annual Report
On Form 10-K
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying
Accounts........................... S-1
All other schedules have been omitted as they are either not required or
not applicable, or the required information is included in the consolidated
financial statements or the notes thereto.
56
3. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company filed June 25, 1986.(1)
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of the Company filed
October 6, 1988. (1)
3.3 Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of the Company filed
July 17, 1990. (1)
3.7 Bylaws of the Company, as amended. (14)
4.1 Specimen copy of certificate for shares of Common Stock of the Company. (1)
10.1(a)+ 1983 Stock Option Plan. (4)
10.1(b)+ Forms of Incentive and Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreements under the
1983 Stock Option Plan. (8)
10.2+ 1988 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, and form of Subscription
Agreement. (8)
10.3 Form of Employee Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement. (1)
10.4 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its officers
and directors. (1)
10.5 Loan Agreement dated December 21, 1984, between the Company and
certain lenders. (1)
10.6 Note Purchase Agreement dated July 7, 1986, between the Company and
certain purchasers. (1)
10.7 Form of Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 1989 between the
Company and certain investors.(1)
10.8* Memorandum of Understanding dated March 11, 1988, and License
Agreement dated September 5, 1988, between the Company and AEG
Aktiengesellschaft, with Amendments No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 thereto,
and Letter Agreement dated December 22, 1989, between Trimble and
Telefunken Systemtechnik GmbH. (1)
10.9 Note Purchase Agreement dated December 6, 1988, between the Company
and AEG Aktiengesellschaft. (1)
10.10 Master Equipment Lease Agreement dated April 26, 1990, between the
Company and MATSCO Financial Corporation, and schedule of lease
extensions. (1)
10.11* Agreement dated February 6, 1989, between the Company and Pioneer
Electronic Corporation. (1)
10.15 International OEM Agreement dated May 30, 1989, between the Company
and Geotronics AB. (1)
10.16 Patent License Agreement dated January 18, 1990, between the Company
and the United States Navy. (1)
10.18 Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 19, 1990, between the Company;
TR Navigation Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company; and Tracor
Aerospace, Inc. (1)
10.19 Promissory Note dated April 20, 1990, for the principal amount of
$400,000 issued by TR Navigation Corporation to DAC International,
Inc. (1)
10.20 Guarantee dated April 20, 1990, between the Company and DAC
International, Inc. (1)
10.21 Indemnification Agreement dated April 20, 1990, between the Company;
TR Navigation Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company; DAC
International, Inc.; and Banner Industries, Inc. (1)
57
10.22 Distributor Agreement dated April 20, 1990, between TR Navigation
Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company, and DAC International,
Inc. (1)
10.23 Distributor Agreement dated December 6, 1989, between the Company and
DAC International, Inc. (1)
10.24 Lease Agreement dated April 26, 1990, between the Company and NCNB
Texas National Bank, Trustee for the Company's offices located at
2105 Donley Drive, Austin, Texas. (1)
10.32 1990 Director Stock Option Plan, as amended, and form of Outside
Director Non statutory Stock Option Agreement. (8)
10.35 Sublease Agreement dated January 2, 1991, between the Company, Aetna
Insurance Company, and Poqet Computer Corporation for property
located at 650 North Mary Avenue, Sunnyvale, California. (2)
10.36 Lease Agreement dated February 20, 1991, between the Company, John
Arrillaga Separate Property Trust , and Richard T. Peery Separate
Property Trust for property located at 880 West Maude, Sunnyvale,
California. (2)
10.37 Share and Asset Purchase Agreement dated February 22, 1991, among the
Company and Datacom Group Limited and Datacom Software Research
Limited. (3)
10.38 License Agreement dated June 29, 1991 between the Company and Avion
Systems, Inc. (3)
10.40 Industrial Lease Agreement dated December 3, 1991 between the Company
and Aetna Life Insurance Company for property located at 585 North
Mary Avenue, Sunnyvale, California. (5)
10.41 Industrial Lease Agreement dated December 3, 1991 between the Company
and Aetna Life Insurance Company for property located at 570
Maude Court, Sunnyvale, California. (5)
10.42 Industrial Lease Agreement dated December 3, 1991 between the Company
and Aetna Life Insurance Company for property located at 580
Maude Court, Sunnyvale, California. (5)
10.43 Industrial Lease Agreement dated December 3, 1991 between the Company
and Aetna Life Insurance Company for property located at 490
Potrero Avenue, Sunnyvale, California. (5)
10.44 Master Lease Agreement dated September 18, 1991 between the Company
and United States Leasing Corporation. (5)
10.45 Equipment Financing Agreement dated May 15, 1991 between the Company
and Corestates Bank, N.A. (5)
10.46+ 1992 Management Discount Stock Option and form of Nonstatutory Stock
Option Agreement (5).
10.48 Equipment Financing Agreement dated April 27, 1992 with AT&T Systems
Leasing Corporation. (7)
10.49** Memorandum of Understanding dated December 24, 1992 between the
Company and Pioneer Electronics Corporation.(7)
10.50+ 1993 Stock Option Plan, as amended, and Forms of Incentive and
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreements. (14)
10.51 Revolving Credit Agreement for $15,000,000 dated January 27, 1993
with Barclays Business Credit, Inc. (7)
10.52 $30,000,000 Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated June 13, 1994
with John Hancock Life Insurance Company. (9)
10.53 Revolving Credit Agreement for $20,000,000 and $10,000,000, dated
August 4, 1995, with The First National Bank of Boston and Mellon
Bank N.A., respectively. (11)
10.54 Revolving Credit Agreement - First Amendment (12)
10.55 Revolving Credit Agreement - Second Amendment (12)
58
10.56 Revolving Credit Agreement - Third Amendment (13)
10.57 Revolving Credit Agreement - Fourth Amendment (14)
10.58 Revolving Credit Agreement for $50,000,000 dated August 27, 1997,
with Fleet National Bank, Bank of Boston N.A., Sanwa Bank of
California, and ABN Amro Bank N.V., respectively. (15)
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company. (16)
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors (see page 66).
24.1 Power of Attorney (included on page 61).
27 Financial Data Schedule (16)
* Confidential treatment has been previously granted for certain portions
of this exhibit pursuant to an order dated July 11, 1990.
** Confidential treatment has been previously granted for certain portions
of this exhibit pursuant to an order dated March 2, 1995.
+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be
filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Item 14(c)
thereof.
(1) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 16(a), "Exhibits," of the registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 33-35333), which became
effective July 19, 1990.
(2) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 14(a), "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990.
(3) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 16, "Exhibits and Forms 8-K," of the registrant's
Report on 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1991, as amended
on Form 8 filed February 11, 1992.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 filed in response to Item
8, "Exhibits," of the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8
(File No. 33-45167), which became effective January 21, 1992.
(5) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 16(a) "Exhibits," of the registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-45990), which was filed
February 18, 1992.
(6) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 filed in
response to Item 8, "Exhibits," of the registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-57522), which was filed on
January 28, 1993.
(7) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 14(a), "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992.
(8) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 14(a), "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993.
(9) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 6A, "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994.
(10) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 14(a), "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
(11) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 14(a), "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
(12) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 6A, "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.
59
(13) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 6A, "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996.
(14) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 6A, "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997.
(15) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed in
response to Item 6A, "Exhibits," of the registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.
(16) Filed herewith.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the registrant during the
fourth quarter ended January 2, 1998.
60
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 on Form 10-K to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
By:/s/CHARLES R. TRIMBLE
Charles R. Trimble,
President and Chief
Executive Officer
March 30, 1998
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know all persons by these presents, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Charles R. Trimble as his
attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him in any and all
capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the
same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
61
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature Capacity in which Signed Date
--------- ------------------------ ----
/s/CHARLES R. TRIMBLE President, Chief Executive March 30, 1998
- ------------------------ Officer (principal executive
Charles R. Trimble officer) and Director
/s/DENNIS R. ING Executive Vice President, and March 30, 1998
- ------------------------ Chief Financial Officer
Dennis R. Ing (principal financial and principal
accounting officer)
/s/ROBERT S. COOPER Director March 25, 1998
- ------------------------
Robert S. Cooper
/s/JOHN B. GOODRICH Director March 30, 1998
- ------------------------
John B. Goodrich
/s/WILLIAM HART Director March 23, 1998
- ------------------------
William Hart
/s/BRADFORD W. PARKINSON Director March 16, 1998
- ------------------------
Bradford W. Parkinson
62
SCHEDULE II
TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
VALUATION AND QUALIFIYING ACCOUNTS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
Balance at Balance at
beginning of (Reductions) end of
Allowance for doubtful accounts: period Additions Write-Offs ** period
--------------- -------------- -------------- ------------
Year ended December 31, 1995 $1,092 $165 $183 $1,074
Year ended December 31, 1996 1,074 1,595 276 2,393
Year ended December 31, 1997 * 2,393 205 134 2,464
Balance at Balance at
beginning of (Reductions) end of
Inventory Reserves: period Additions Write-Offs ** period
--------------- -------------- -------------- ------------
Year ended December 31, 1995 $5,131 $1,126 $688 $5,569
Year ended December 31, 1996 5,569 6,189 1,876 9,882
Year ended December 31, 1997 * 9,882 2,389 2,862 9,409
- -----------------------------------------
* Actual year end for 1997 is January 2, 1998.
** Net of recoveries
S-1
63
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NUMBER EXHIBIT PAGE
------ ------- ----
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company 64
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP,
Independent Auditors 65
27.1 Financial Data Schedule for the
years ended January 2, 1998 and
December 31, 1996 66
64