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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002
Commission file number 0-15938
FARMSTEAD TELEPHONE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 06-1205743
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
22 Prestige Park Circle, East Hartford, CT 06108-3728
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (860) 610-6000
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of each Exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.001 par value American Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report), 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]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant, computed by reference to the last sale price on June 28,
2002, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed
second fiscal quarter, was $2,115,485.
As of February 28, 2003, the registrant had 3,298,958 shares of $0.001 par
value Common Stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 12, 2003 are incorporated
by reference in Items 10 through 13 of Part III of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS TO FORM 10-K
PART I
Page
----
ITEM 1. BUSINESS 3
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES 7
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 7
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS 7
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 7
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 8
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 8
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 18
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 18
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 18
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT 19
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 19
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 19
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 19
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 19
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K 20
2
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. ("Farmstead", the "Company", "we", or
"our") was incorporated in Delaware in 1986 and has been a publicly held
company since May 1987. Our main offices are located at 22 Prestige Park
Circle, East Hartford, CT 06108, and our telephone number is (860) 610-
6000. We are principally engaged as a provider of new and used Avaya, Inc.
("Avaya") business telecommunications parts and complete systems. We
provide used "Classic Avaya(TM) " telecommunications equipment pursuant to
an " Authorized Remarketing Supplier Program" with Avaya, under which we
are one of only five companies nationwide so authorized. We also offer the
full-line of new telecommunications parts and complete systems as an Avaya
"Diamond Dealer". Our product offerings are primarily customer premises-
based private switching systems and peripheral products, including voice
processing systems. We also provide telecommunications equipment
installation, repair and refurbishing, short-term rental, inventory
management, and related value-added services. We sell our products and
services to large and mid-sized, multi-location businesses as well as to
small businesses, government agencies, and other equipment resellers.
Effective February 1, 2001, Farmstead entered into a joint venture
agreement with TriNET Business Trust ("TriNET"), forming a limited
liability corporation operating under the name of InfiNet Systems, LLC
("InfiNet"). Under the agreement, Farmstead had a 50.1% ownership interest,
and TriNET had a 49.9% ownership interest. Formed under the laws of the
State of Delaware, and with operations based in East Hartford, Connecticut,
InfiNet was organized for the purpose of selling new Avaya
telecommunications systems primarily to customers within the State of
Connecticut and various counties in the State of New York. Effective
January 1, 2002, Farmstead acquired TriNET's 49.9% ownership interest in
InfiNet. During 2002, however, Farmstead changed its business strategy
concerning the use of InfiNet, downsizing its operating activities by
eliminating its entire workforce and fulfilling systems sales orders
directly through Farmstead, which acquired its own systems dealer license
in 2002. As a result, InfiNet was inactive for most of 2002.
PRODUCT OFFERINGS
EQUIPMENT
---------
We sell a wide range of Avaya product offerings, including Avaya's
most advanced enterprise voice communications system marketed under the
DEFINITY(R) product line. The DEFINITY product line provides reliable voice
communications and offers integration with an enterprise's data network.
DEFINITY servers support a wide variety of voice and data applications such
as call and customer contact centers, messaging and interactive voice
response. This product also facilitates the ongoing transition at many
enterprises from traditional voice telephony systems to advanced systems
that integrate voice and data traffic and deploy increasingly sophisticated
communications applications. We offer Avaya's, medium to small user voice
communications products, marketed under the MERLIN MAGIX(TM), SPIRIT(R) and
PARTNER(R) Communications Systems product families. We also market Avaya
voice messaging products such as OCTEL(R) Messaging and INTUITY(TM)
AUDIX(R) Messaging, and network support products such as Avaya Cajun(R).
Equipment sales consist of both sales of complete systems and
software applications, and sales of new and refurbished parts (commonly
referred to as "aftermarket" sales). Refurbished products are primarily
sold under the Classic Avaya(TM) label pursuant to a licensing agreement
with Avaya.
Equipment sales revenues accounted for approximately 91% of total
revenues in 2002 and 93% of total revenues in both 2001 and 2000.
SERVICES
--------
We are committed to respond to our customers' service or project-
oriented telecommunications needs, and believe these services help
differentiate us from our competitors, as well as contribute to longer-
lasting customer relationships and incremental equipment sales. Services
include:
3
Installation Services: We use Avaya and other equipment installation
companies on a subcontract basis to install telecommunication parts and
systems, as well as equipment moves, adds and changes.
Repair and Refurbishing: We perform fee-based repair and refurbishing
services for our customers through our in-house facilities and use of
subcontract repair shops. The in-house work primarily consists of cleaning,
buffing and minor repairs. The Company outsources major repairs of
equipment.
Equipment Rentals: We provide rentals of equipment on a month-to-
month basis, servicing those customers that have temporary, short-term
equipment needs.
Other Services: Our technical staff currently provide system
engineering and configuration, and technical "hot line" telephone support
services.
Our combined service revenues accounted for 9% of revenues in 2002
and 7% of revenues in 2001 and 2000. Installation Services accounted for 8%
of total revenues in 2002. No individual service category accounted for
more than 5% of revenues during 2001 and 2000.
RELATIONSHIP WITH AVAYA INC. (PREVIOUSLY A BUSINESS SEGMENT OF LUCENT
TECHNOLOGIES)
Lucent Technologies ("Lucent") was formed in 1995 from the systems
and technology units that were formerly a part of AT&T Corp., including the
research and development capabilities of Bell Laboratories. In April 1996,
Lucent completed the initial public offering of its common stock and on
September 30, 1996, became independent of AT&T when AT&T distributed to its
shareholders all of its Lucent shares. On September 30, 2000, Lucent
completed the spin-off of its Enterprise Networks Group business segment
(essentially its PBX business, and within which market segment we
participate), as well as its SYSTIMAX(R) cabling and LAN-based data
businesses to Lucent shareholders, forming Avaya which focuses directly and
independently on the enterprise networking market. Avaya is a leading
provider of telecommunications products in the U.S.
Since 1985, AT&T, Lucent, and now Avaya, have provided support to the
aftermarket by offering installation and maintenance services for its
products purchased by end-users through equipment resellers. Equipment
resellers such as the Company may also, with various restrictions, utilize
Avaya documentation, technical information and software. Avaya also
generally provides up to a one-year warranty on its products. Maintenance
of Avaya equipment sold by us is generally provided by Avaya. We use either
Avaya, authorized Avaya subcontractors, or the Company's own network of
subcontract installers throughout the U.S. to handle our customers'
equipment installation needs.
We operate in an Avaya-sponsored Authorized Remarketing Supplier
("ARS") aftermarket program as an ARS Dealer (the "ARS Agreement"), selling
Classic Avaya(TM) products to end-users nationwide. The ARS Agreement
expires December 31, 2003. Classic Avaya(TM) products are defined as used
Avaya PBX system and key system parts that have been refurbished by us
under Avaya quality standards, and sold with a Classic Avaya label. We are
currently one of only five appointed ARS Dealers, none of whom has been
granted an exclusive territory. The ARS Agreement also allows us to sell
certain new Avaya PBX products and voice processing products to end-users,
including government agencies. In January, 2002, we additionally became a
Diamond Dealer, authorized by Avaya to sell complete voice and data systems
and applications.
Under a license agreement with Avaya that expires December 31, 2003,
we are required to pay fees to Avaya based upon a percentage of the sales
price of Classic Avaya(TM) products that we sell. Over the period of the
agreement, these fees have ranged from 10% to 6.5% (currently). We are also
required to pay fees to Avaya based upon a percentage of the sales price of
Avaya products sold through our call center. These fees have ranged from
25% to 15% (currently). We recorded in cost of revenues approximately
$507,000, $1,341,000, and $2,097,000 of fee expense in 2002, 2001 and 2000,
respectively.
We believe that our relationship with Avaya is satisfactory and we
have received no indication that Avaya has any intention of terminating or
not renewing the ARS Agreement, or any other agreement, with us. We would
be materially adversely affected should Avaya decide to terminate or not
renew these agreements.
4
MARKETING AND CUSTOMERS
We market our product offerings nationally through a direct sales
staff, which includes salespersons located throughout the Eastern seaboard,
Indiana, Texas and California. In February 2002, we opened a sales office
in New York City. Since 1999, we have also marketed Avaya products through
a call center operation. Our customers range from large and mid-sized,
multi-location corporations, to small companies, and to equipment
wholesalers, dealers, and government agencies and municipalities. End-user
customers accounted for approximately 83% of our total revenues in 2002,
86% of revenues in 2001and 91% of revenues in 2000, while sales to dealers
and other resellers accounted for approximately 17%, 14% and 9% of revenues
during the same respective periods. We have thousands of customers and,
during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001and 2000, no single customer
accounted for more than 10% of revenues. We do not consider our business to
be seasonal.
COMPETITION
We operate in a highly competitive marketplace. Over the years, our
marketplace has become subject to more rapid technological change as
communications systems have been evolving from stand-alone voice systems to
more highly integrated, software-driven systems. Since we principally sell
Avaya products, our competitive position in the marketplace is highly
dependent upon Avaya's ability to continue to be a market leader in the
product lines that we sell. Our competitors currently include Avaya and
other new equipment manufacturers, other new telecommunications equipment
distributors, as well as other telecommunications equipment resellers. In
the sale of Classic Avaya(TM) products, we compete with the other Avaya-
designated ARS Dealers. We believe that key competitive factors in our
market are price, timeliness of delivery, service and product reliability.
Due to economic conditions, and the reduction in capital spending on
telecommunications products, which have developed in the U.S. over the past
two years, competitive pressures have intensified. We also anticipate
intensified competition from larger companies having substantially greater
technical, financial and marketing resources, as well as larger customer
bases and name recognition. As the industry further develops voice and data
convergence products, we anticipate encountering a broader variety of
competitors, including new entrants from related computer and communication
industries.
SUPPLIERS
Our agreement with Avaya requires us to purchase new equipment from a
designated "master distributor", and accordingly we have used Catalyst
Telecom ("Catalyst") as our primary supplier over the last several years.
The performance of this distributor in meeting our product and delivery
demands has been satisfactory to date. Should there be an adverse change in
Catalyst's performance, we would have the ability to contract with another
"master distributor" to supply us with new Avaya telecommunications
equipment.
We acquire used equipment from a variety of sources, depending upon
price and availability at the time of purchase. These sources include other
secondary market equipment dealers, leasing companies and end-users. The
equipment so acquired may be in a refurbished state and ready for resale,
or it may be purchased "as-is", requiring repair and/or refurbishing prior
to its resale. We are not, therefore, dependent upon any single supplier
for used equipment. The Company believes that the availability of used
equipment in the marketplace is presently sufficient to allow the Company
to meet its customers' used equipment delivery requirements.
PATENTS, LICENSES AND TRADEMARKS
No patent is considered material to our continuing operations.
Pursuant to agreements in effect with Avaya, we may utilize, during the
term of these agreements, certain Avaya designated trademarks, insignia and
symbols in our advertising and promotion of Avaya products. We operate
under a license agreement with Avaya, in which we were granted a non-
exclusive license to use the Classic Avaya(TM) trademark in connection with
the refurbishing, marketing and sale of Avaya products sold under the ARS
Agreement. Under this agreement, we are required to pay fees to Avaya based
upon a percentage of the sales price of Classic Avaya(TM) products that we
sell. Over the period of the agreement, these fees have ranged from 10% to
6.5% (currently). We are also required to pay fees to Avaya based upon a
percentage of the sales price of Avaya products sold through our call
center. These fees have ranged from 25% to 15% (currently). We recorded in
cost of revenues approximately $507,000, $1,341,000, and $2,097,000 of fee
expense in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The license agreement expires
December 31, 2003. We have
5
received no indication that Avaya has any intention of terminating or non-
renewing the license agreement. We would be materially adversely affected
should Avaya decide to terminate or not renew the license agreement.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
We did not incur any research and development expenses during the
three years ended December 31, 2002, and research and development
activities are not material to our business.
BACKLOG
The backlog of unshipped orders believed to be firm was approximately
$1,010,000 at December 31, 2002 and $1,732,000 at December 31, 2001.
EMPLOYEES
At December 31, 2002, we had 64 full-time employees. Our employees
are not represented by any organized labor union and are not covered by any
collective bargaining agreements.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
First
Became An
Executive
Name Age (1) Officer in Position(s) Held
- ------------------ ------- ---------- --------------------------------------------------
George Taylor, Jr. 60 1984 Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive
Officer
Michael R. Johnson 56 2001 Executive Vice President
Robert G. LaVigne 51 1988 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary, Treasurer
- --------------------
As of January 1, 2003.
George J. Taylor, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company (including its predecessors) since 1984,
and President since 1989. Member of the Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors (until February 24, 1998). President of Lease Solutions, Inc.
(formerly Farmstead Leasing, Inc.), a business products and automobile
leasing company, from 1981 to 1993. Vice President - Marketing and Sales
for National Telephone Company from 1977 to 1981. Mr. Taylor was one of the
founders of the National Association of Telecommunication Dealers, has been
a member of, or advisor to, its Board of Directors since its inception in
1986, and for two years served as its President and Chairman. Brother of
Mr. Hugh M. Taylor, a Director of the Company.
Michael R. Johnson, Executive Vice President since August, 2001.
Sales Vice President, Avaya Inc. from 2000 to 2001; Vice President - Global
Accounts, Lucent Technologies, from 1996 to 2000. From 1979 though 1996,
Mr. Johnson held various product management and sales management positions
with AT&T Corporation. While employed by Avaya, Lucent and AT&T, Mr.
Johnson was assigned sales management responsibilities covering many of
their largest commercial customers located in New York.
Robert G. LaVigne, Executive Vice President since July 1997. Chief
Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer since 1988. Vice
President - Finance & Administration from 1988 until July 1997. Director of
the Company from 1988 to 2001. Controller of Economy Electric Supply, Inc.,
a distributor of electrical supplies and fixtures, from 1985 to 1988.
Corporate Controller of Hi-G, Inc., a manufacturer of electronic and
electromechanical components, from 1982 to 1985. Certified Public
Accountant.
6
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
At December 31, 2002, we occupied two facilities under long-term
lease agreements, utilizing in excess of 49,000 square feet of warehouse
and office space in East Hartford, CT. The lease agreements expire December
31, 2004. We also lease 1,700 square feet of office space in New York, NY
under a non-cancelable lease expiring March 31, 2005. We believe that these
facilities are adequate for our present needs and suitable for our intended
uses. If new or additional space is required, we believe that adequate
facilities are available at competitive prices in the immediate areas of
our current operations.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time we are involved in legal proceedings arising in the
ordinary course of business. There is no litigation pending that could
have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders in the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our Common Stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange, under the
symbol "FTG". The following securities were traded on the American Stock
Exchange under the following symbols until June 30, 2002, at which time
they expired and were delisted: Warrants issued in our 1987 initial public
offering ("IPO Warrants") - "FTG.WS"; Redeemable Class A Common Stock
Purchase Warrants - "FTG.WS.A"; Redeemable Class B Common Stock Purchase
Warrants - "FTG.WS.B". The following sets forth the range of quarterly high
and low sales prices for these securities, for the two years ended December
31, 2002 (there was no trading in periods where no prices are indicated):
Common Stock IPO Warrants
------------------------------- ----------------------------
2002 2001 2002 2001
------------- -------------- ------------ ------------
Quarter Ended High Low High Low High Low High Low
------------- ---- --- ---- --- ---- --- ---- ---
March 31 $ .92 $.66 $2.13 $1.13 - - $.25 $.25
June 30 1.14 .57 2.00 1.02 $.01 $.01 .40 .10
September 30 .79 .21 1.35 .65 - - .40 .10
December 31 .37 .21 .85 .56 - - .20 .05
Class A Warrants Class B Warrants
------------------------------- ----------------------------
2002 2001 2002 2001
------------- -------------- ------------ ------------
Quarter Ended High Low High Low High Low High Low
------------- ---- --- ---- --- ---- --- ---- ---
March 31 - - $.33 $.06 $.04 $.04 $.25 $.07
June 30 $.02 $.01 .06 .02 .02 .02 .06 .02
September 30 - - .20 .02 - - .04 .01
December 31 - - .04 .01 - - .04 .01
There were 3,298,958 common shares outstanding at December 31, 2002
and 3,272,579 common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2001. There were
183,579 IPO Warrants, 1,137,923 Class A Warrants and 1,137,923 Class B
Warrants outstanding at the time of their June 30, 2002 expiration. As of
December 31, 2002 there were 519 holders of record of the common stock
representing approximately 2,700 beneficial stockholders, based upon the
number of proxy materials distributed in connection with our 2002 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. We have paid no dividends and do not expect to pay
dividends in the foreseeable future as we intend to retain earnings to
finance the growth of our operations. Pursuant to a revolving credit
agreement with Business Alliance
7
Capital Corporation, we are prohibited from declaring or paying any
dividends or making any other distribution on any of the shares of our
capital stock, without the prior consent of the lender.
Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as
of December 31, 2002:
Number of securities
remaining available
Number of for future issuance
securities to be Weighted-average under equity
issued upon exercise price of compensation plans
exercise of outstanding (excluding securities
outstanding options, options, warrants reflected in column
warrants and rights and rights (a))
Plan Category (a) (b) (c)
--------------------------------- -------------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders 1,852,306 $1.81 1,234,000
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security holders - - -
------------------------------------------------------
Total 1,852,306 $1.81 1,234,000
======================================================
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In thousands, except per share amounts) Years ended December 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Revenues $19,150 $33,339 $42,786 $32,871 $27,738
Income (loss) from continuing operations (2,530) (1,708) 1,753 57 780
Income (loss) from continuing operations
per common share:
Basic and diluted (.77) (.52) .54 .02 .23
Total Assets 5,873 10,342 15,494 15,657 13,498
Long term debt - - 1,726 4,578 1,916
Stockholders' equity 4,029 6,531 8,202 6,417 6,344
Dividends paid - - - - -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The discussions set forth below and elsewhere in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K contain certain statements, based on current expectations,
estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate
and management's beliefs and assumptions, which are not historical facts
and are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Act"). Forward-
looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may
predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or
achievements, and may contain the words "believe," "will be," "will
continue," "will likely result," "anticipates," "seeks to," "estimates,"
"expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," and similar words,
expressions or phrases of similar meaning. Our actual results could differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a
result of certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult
to predict. Many of these risks and uncertainties are described under the
heading "Risk, Uncertainties and Other Factors That May Affect Future
Results" below. All forward-looking statements included in this document
are based upon information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake
no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,
8
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In
addition, other written or oral statements made or incorporated by
reference from time to time by us or our representatives in this report,
other reports, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"),
press releases, conferences, or otherwise may be forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Act.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 COMPARED WITH 2001
OVERVIEW. For the year ended December 31, 2002, we reported a net
loss of $2,530,000 or $.77 per share on revenues of $19,150,000. This
compares with a net loss of $1,708,000 or $.52 per share on revenues of
$33,339,000 recorded for the year ending December 31, 2001. The net loss
for 2002 included (i) a $455,000 charge to fully reserve for all deferred
tax assets; (ii) $333,000 in inventory valuation charges and (iii) a
$101,000 charge to write off all recorded goodwill arising from the
acquisition of InfiNet.
The operating results for 2002 reflect the continued decline in
corporate spending for telecommunications products in the U.S., which
commenced during the first quarter of 2001, and which continued throughout
2002. Since the second quarter of 2001, we have attempted to offset the
financial impact of a reduced revenue stream by reducing and more tightly
controlling operating costs and expenses, which has included several
workforce reductions and pay reductions enacted during 2002 and 2001. Our
overall strategy during these difficult times has been to lower our
breakeven point and return to profitability, through a combination of
operating expense reductions, and product purchasing initiatives to improve
gross profit margins, and to generate cash to help sustain our working
capital needs by better managing assets, principally accounts receivable
and inventories.
For 2003, our business focus will revolve around (1) strategies to
increase sales volume by increasing our sales force so as to provide more
coverage of existing and potential customers located within the market
areas which we serve, (2) broadening our product offerings, (3) continuing
efforts to lower our breakeven point by focusing on gross margin
improvements through improved product purchasing and outsourcing where
possible, and (4) bringing improved scalability to our business through
reducing fixed expenses where possible, so that our operating expenses are
more variable and can more quickly adjust to changes in sales volume.
Should there be continued softness in the market conditions in the
telecommunications equipment industry, however, we may experience continued
decreases in revenues and deterioration in operating results. Additional
information on major components of our operating performance for the year
ended December 31, 2002 follows below.
REVENUES
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) 2002 % 2001 %
----------------------------------------------------------------
End-user equipment sales $14,146 74 $26,362 79
Equipment sales to resellers 3,205 17 4,519 14
Services 1,799 9 2,458 7
----------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated revenues $19,150 100 $33,339 100
================================================================
Equipment Sales
---------------
During the year ended December 31, 2002, end-user equipment sales
revenues, consisting of sales of both new and refurbished parts and systems
sales, decreased by $12,216,000 or 46% from the comparable 2001 period.
Additionally, equipment sales to resellers ("wholesale sales") decreased by
$1,314,000 or 29% from the comparable 2001 period. Management attributes
these sales declines primarily to the deteriorated market conditions in the
U.S. economy which has resulted in reduced capital spending by businesses
on telecommunications equipment. These conditions have, in turn, led to
increased competition and downward pressure on sales prices. Another factor
affecting sales levels has been the transitioning of our sales force.
During 2002, we continued a strategy of developing a systems sales
business, begun in 2001 with the formation of InfiNet, and continuing with
Farmstead's appointment as a systems dealer by Avaya in January 2002. This
is a growth strategy, designed to augment our long-established aftermarket
parts business that continues as our primary source of revenues. This
strategy necessitated the hiring of sales, service and technical design
personnel experienced in systems and applications design and sales. As a
result, we have increased our focus on selling new systems and system
upgrades, which coupled with the turnover of certain experienced parts
salespersons over the last two years, has contributed to the reduction in
aftermarket parts sales. Management remains committed to the continuing
growth of its systems business and is
9
currently implementing strategies to increase its parts business, which
will include the development of on-line ordering processes and other
direct-marketing approaches.
Significant portions of our sales revenues are derived from "Business
Partner" relationships with Avaya. For the past several years, Avaya has
been pursuing a strategy of more fully utilizing its dealer channel as a
revenue source. Through our relationships with various Avaya sales
personnel, we are often referred business by Avaya. Such referrals however,
have been subject to fluctuation as Avaya's direct sales business itself
fluctuates.
Services
--------
During the year ended December 31, 2002, service revenues decreased
by $659,000 or 27% from the comparable 2001 period. The decrease was
primarily attributable to lower installation revenues and secondarily to
lower equipment rentals. Installation revenues are generated primarily from
the sale of systems and system upgrades which as noted above, have been
negatively affected by the market downturn.
Management continues to remain cautious about the telecommunications
product marketplace going forward. We still expect that our future sales
revenues will improve in all of our current sales channels when corporate
spending for telecommunication products improves, although no assurances
can be given as to the timing of when this will occur.
COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT. Total cost of revenues for the
year ended December 31, 2002 was $15,527,000, a decrease of $11,154,000 or
42% from the comparable 2001 period. The gross profit for the year ended
December 31, 2002 was $3,623,000, a decrease of $3,035,000 or 46% from the
comparable 2001 period. As a percentage of revenue, the gross profit margin
was 19% for 2002, as compared to 20% for the comparable 2001 period. These
recorded gross profit margins were negatively affected by inventory
valuation charges of $333,000 in 2002, and $1,443,000 in 2001 necessitated
by industry market conditions. Excluding these adjustments, the gross
profit margin in each year would have been 20% for 2002 and 24% for 2001.
Our gross profit margins are dependent upon a variety of factors
including (1) product mix - gross margins can vary significantly among
parts sales, system sales and our various service offerings. The parts
business, for example, involves hundreds of parts that generate
significantly varying gross profit margins depending upon their
availability, competition, and demand conditions in the marketplace; (2)
customer mix - we sell parts to both end-users and to other equipment
resellers. In our partnering relationship with Avaya, certain customers
receive pre-negotiated discounts from Avaya which could lower our gross
margins as we do business with these customers; (3) the level and amount of
discounts and purchase rebates available to us from Avaya and its master
distributors and (4) the level of overhead costs in relation to sales
volume. Overhead costs consist primarily of materials handling, purchasing,
and facility costs. The combined effect of all of these factors will result
in varying gross profit margins from period to period.
The reduction in gross profit dollars during the year ended December
31, 2002 was primarily attributable to lower sales levels, for the reasons
discussed above. The gross profit margin for 2002, excluding the effect of
the inventory valuation charges noted above, was affected by (1) increased
sales competition, and downward pressure on sales pricing in our
aftermarket end-user parts sales channel; (2) increased wholesale sales as
a percent of total sales revenues. Wholesale sales generate margins that
are lower than end-user margins and for 2002 were 17% of revenue compared
with 14% in 2001; and (3) overhead costs, consisting principally of higher
overhead costs as a percent of revenues. As a partial offset, we recorded
improved gross profit margins on both systems sales and installation
services in 2002, as compared with the comparable prior year periods, and
also benefited from license fee reductions implemented by Avaya during
2002.
Management believes that there will continue to be pressure on gross
profit margins until market conditions and product demand in the
telecommunications industry improves, and we currently expect fiscal year
2003 profit margins to be similar to those earned in 2002. For 2003, we
expect to reduce overhead costs through expanded outsourcing of equipment
repair and refurbishing operations.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ("SG&A") EXPENSES. SG&A expenses
for the year ended December 31, 2002 were $5,753,000, a decrease of
$2,366,000 or 29% from the comparable 2001 period. SG&A expenses were 30%
of revenues in 2002 as compared to 24% of revenues in 2001. Of the total
decrease in SG&A, $909,000 was attributable to the downsizing of the
operations of InfiNet. This was the result of the acquisition by Farmstead
of its own systems dealer license in January 2002, and a change in strategy
concerning the
10
business use of InfiNet. As a result, InfiNet was inactive for most of
2002. The remaining $1,457,000 decrease in SG&A expenses was attributable
to the operations of Farmstead and included (i) an $880,000 (20%) reduction
in payroll expenses as a result of lower employment levels than the prior
year period, lower sales commissions due to lower sales levels, and
management and director pay reductions; (ii) cost-reduction initiatives in
response to lower sales levels, which has resulted in reduced marketing,
travel, legal, consulting and other office and employment-related expenses;
(iii) $201,000 in reduced bad debt expense resulting from a $33,000 reserve
reduction due to better than expected receivable collections, a $15,234 bad
debt recovery and lower sales volume and (iv) lower depreciation expense.
In connection with the downsizing of InfiNet, we wrote off $101,000 of
goodwill associated with its acquisition.
For 2003, we are continuing with our efforts to more tightly control
SG&A expenses and, where possible, make certain expenses more variable in
relation to sales volume.
INTEREST EXPENSE, OTHER INCOME AND MINORITY INTEREST. Interest
expense for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $24,000, compared with
$144,000 for the comparable 2001 period. The decrease in interest expense
was attributable to both lower average borrowings and lower borrowing
costs.
Other income for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $97,000,
compared with $42,000 for 2001. Other income for 2002 included $81,727
representing the net proceeds from the sale of common stock of Anthem,
Inc., which we received at no cost, as part of the conversion of Anthem
Insurance Companies, Inc. from a mutual insurance company to a stock
insurance company, with the balance consisting primarily of interest earned
on invested cash. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2001
consisted primarily of interest earned on invested cash.
Minority interest in income of subsidiary of $128,000 for the year
ended December 31, 2001, represented the 49.9% share of the net income of
InfiNet earned by TriNET. Effective January 1, 2002, we acquired all of
TriNET's ownership interest in InfiNet for an aggregate cash purchase price
of $153,334.
PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME TAXES. We recorded tax expense of
$473,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002, compared with tax expense of
$17,000 for 2001. Tax expense in 2002 consisted of a provision for
estimated minimum state taxes of $18,000 and a $455,000 charge to increase
the valuation allowance against the Company's net deferred tax assets at
December 31, 2002. Our net deferred tax assets consist primarily of net
operating loss and capital loss carryforwards, and timing differences
between the book and tax treatment of inventory and other asset valuations.
Realization of these net deferred tax assets is dependent upon our ability
to generate future taxable income. Given the significant losses that we
incurred in 2002 and 2001, management determined that it was prudent to
provide a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets. Tax
expense in 2001 consisted of estimated minimum required state taxes.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001 COMPARED WITH 2000
OVERVIEW. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2001 was
$1,708,000 on revenues of $33,339,000, compared to net income of $1,753,000
on revenues of $42,786,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000. The 2001
net loss included $1,443,000 in inventory valuation charges, of which
$1,050,000 was recorded in the fourth quarter, and $104,000 in employee
termination costs in connection with workforce reductions during 2001. The
2001 net loss included $128,000 of income attributable to our 50.1 %
ownership interest in InfiNet. See the notes to consolidated financial
statements contained elsewhere herein, for further information on InfiNet.
These results reflect the recessionary market conditions which prevailed in
2001 in the US economy in general, and in particular, the technology
sector. As a part of these conditions, we experienced a reduction in
capital spending by our customers. In response to these conditions, we
immediately began taking measures to reduce our operating costs and to
improve our operating efficiencies.
REVENUES
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) 2001 % 2000 %
----------------------------------------------------------------
End-user equipment sales $26,362 79 $36,172 85
Equipment sales to resellers 4,519 14 3,817 9
Services 2,458 7 2,797 6
----------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated revenues $33,339 100 $42,786 100
================================================================
11
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2001 were $33,339,000, a
decrease of $9,447,000 or 22% from the comparable 2000 period. End-user
equipment sales revenues in 2001 decreased by $9,810,000 or 27% from the
comparable 2000 period, while equipment sales to resellers increased by
$702,000 or 18% from the comparable 2000 period. Service revenues decreased
by $339,000 or 12% from the comparable 2000 period. End-user equipment
sales revenues accounted for 79% of revenues in 2001 (85% in 2000), while
equipment sales to resellers accounted for 14% of revenues in 2001 (9% in
2000) and service revenues accounted for 7% of revenues in 2001 (6% in
2000). The operations of InfiNet during 2001 generated $4,228,000 in
equipment sales and installation revenues, net of intercompany sales to the
Company.
The decrease in end-user equipment sales revenues was primarily a
reflection of economic conditions and the reduction in capital spending for
telecommunications products, and, to a lesser extent, the result of a
reduction in our sales force due to turnover in the first quarter of 2001.
Incremental sales of systems generated by InfiNet helped offset the
slowdown in parts sales. The increase in equipment sales to resellers
reflected our efforts to more aggressively develop this sales channel, both
as a means to increase our overall sales and profitability, and to create
an additional outlet to sell off excess inventory in situations of shifting
end user product demand. The decrease in service revenues was primarily due
to lower equipment repair revenues as a result of the termination of an
unprofitable equipment repair and refurbishing contract with Lucent
Technologies in 2000. Installation revenues, a component of service
revenues, increased by 18% due to the operations of InfiNet.
COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT. Total cost of revenues for the
year ended December 31, 2001 were $26,681,000, a decrease of $6,035,000 or
18% from the comparable 2000 period. The gross profit for the year ended
December 31, 2001 was $6,658,000, a decrease of $3,412,000 or 34% from the
comparable 2000 period. As a percentage of revenue, the gross profit margin
was 20% for 2001, as compared to 24% for 2000. Approximately 2 percentage
points of the decrease in the gross profit margin from the prior year was
attributable to inventory valuation charges necessitated by economic
conditions and resulting slowdown in capital spending for
telecommunications products, significant price reductions implemented by
Avaya during the fourth quarter on certain products, and changes in our
inventory stocking requirements. The remaining 2 percentage point decrease
in gross profit margin from the prior year was attributable to several
factors including: (i) the capital spending slowdown had the effect of
increasing the supply of equipment in the marketplace and of increasing
competition, thereby putting downward pressure on sales pricing in order to
stimulate sales; (ii) product sales mix, primarily a higher ratio of new
equipment sales to end-users than used equipment sales; (iii) sales
promotional programs enacted by us to sell-off certain overstocked
inventory at reduced, or below cost, sales prices, and (iv) lower margins
from subcontract installation services. These decreases were partly offset
by lower labor and overhead costs as a percentage of revenues.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ("SG&A") EXPENSES. SG&A expenses
for the year ended December 31, 2001 were $8,119,000, a decrease of
$335,000 or 4% from the comparable 2000 period. SG&A expenses were 24% of
revenues in 2001 as compared to 20% of revenues in 2000. The operations of
InfiNet during 2001 generated $652,000 in SG&A expense, consisting
principally of employee and subcontracted technical support compensation
costs. Excluding InfiNet's 2001 SG&A, SG&A otherwise decreased by $987,000
or 12% from the year 2000 level. The decrease in SG&A was primarily
attributable to a 12% reduction in compensation expenses (17% excluding
InfiNet) attributable to workforce reductions during the current year, to
lower sales commissions due to the reduced sales level, and to reduced
business travel expenses. We also incurred lower depreciation expense and
business consulting fees than the prior year period. These decreases were
partially offset by (i) incremental SG&A expense associated with the
operation of InfiNet as noted above, (ii) increased bad debt expense; (iii)
higher legal fees from the use of outside counsel in day-to-day business
and contract negotiation matters, as well as incremental legal fees
incurred during the first six months of the current year in connection with
amending our By-laws and Certificate of Incorporation, establishing an
employee stock purchase plan which was approved by stockholders at the June
14, 2001 annual meeting, and in various other corporate governance matters;
and (iv) increased insurance costs. We also incurred $104,000 of employee
termination expenses during the second quarter of the current year in
connection with workforce reductions.
INTEREST EXPENSE, OTHER INCOME AND MINORITY INTEREST. Interest
expense for the year ended December 31, 2001 was $144,000, as compared to
$302,000 for the comparable 2000 period. The decrease in interest expense
was attributable to both lower average borrowings and lower borrowing
costs. During the year ended December 31, 2001, average bank borrowings
approximated $1.9 million at an average borrowing rate of approximately
6.7%, compared with average bank borrowings of approximately $2.7 million
at an average borrowing rate of approximately 10.1% for the comparable 2000
period.
12
Other income for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 consisted
primarily of interest earned on invested cash. Minority interest of
$128,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 represents the 49.9% share of
the net income of InfiNet accruing to its minority partner.
PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME TAXES. We recorded a tax
provision of $17,000 in 2001, as compared to a net tax benefit of $395,000
in 2000. Due to our net loss for 2001, the tax provision consisted of
minimum required state income taxes. Our deferred tax assets consist
primarily of net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards, and timing
differences between the book and tax treatment of inventory and other asset
valuations. During 2001, the deferred tax assets increased by $584,000,
however we increased our deferred tax valuation allowance by the same
amount. This increase was deemed prudent due to the net loss for 2001, and
the historical volatility of earnings.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities,
was $3,745,000 at December 31, 2002, a decrease of $2,085,000 from
$5,830,000 at December 31, 2001. The working capital ratio was 3.5 to 1 at
December 3, 2002, compared with 2.7 to 1 at December 31, 2001.
Operating activities used $104,000 during 2002, compared with the
generation of $3,001,000 in 2001. Net cash used by operating activities in
2002 consisted of a net loss of $2,530,000 adjusted for non-cash items of
$895,000, and net cash generated by changes in operating assets and
liabilities of $1,531,000. Net cash generated by changes in operating
assets and liabilities was primarily attributable to improved collections
on accounts receivable and planned reductions in inventory stocking levels.
Investing activities used $257,000 during 2002, compared with
$130,000 in 2001. Net cash used by investing activities in 2002 consisted
of (i) the $153,000 purchase price for the acquisition of TriNET's 49.9%
ownership interest in InfiNet, and (ii) $104,000 in capital expenditures.
During 2002, we started the development of an e-business platform, to
enable customers to transact business with us electronically. Capitalized
costs as of December 31, 2002 amounted to $44,000. Management currently
estimates that total project costs will approximate $150,000 as various
independent phases of the project are performed during 2003. There are
currently no other material capital expenditures planned.
Financing activities used $124,000 during 2002, compared with
$1,766,000 in 2001. Net cash used by financing activities in 2002 consisted
of $37,000 in capital lease payments to fully pay-off a lease obligation, a
$100,000 capital distribution to TriNET out of the accumulated earnings of
InfiNet, and $13,479 from 26,379 common shares issued to employees under
our employee stock purchase plan. Net cash used by financing activities in
2001 consisted primarily of net repayments under a revolving credit
facility and repayments under a capital lease obligation.
Since September 2000, we have had a revolving credit facility with
Wachovia Bank, National Association (f/k/a First Union National Bank)
("Wachovia"). As a result of the losses that we incurred and continued
defaults on the tangible net worth and certain other financial covenants,
the Wachovia loan agreement was amended three times during 2002. These
amendments had the cumulative effect as of December 31, 2002, of reducing
the credit facility to $500,000, increasing the interest rate on borrowings
to LIBOR plus 6%, modifying the advance formula on inventory to 50% of
eligible inventory with a revised cap equal to 50% of eligible accounts
receivable, and lowering the minimum tangible net worth requirement to
$4,750,000. In addition, to allow us time to procure replacement financing,
Wachovia agreed to extend the modified credit facility until February 28,
2003. As of December 31, 2002, there were no borrowings under the credit
facility. The average and highest amounts borrowed during the year ended
December 31, 2002 were approximately $469,000 and $1,531,000, respectively.
On February 19, 2003 we entered into a one-year, $1.5 million
revolving loan agreement (the "BACC Agreement") with Business Alliance
Capital Corporation ("BACC"), replacing the Wachovia loan agreement. Under
the terms of the BACC Agreement, borrowings are advanced at 75% of eligible
accounts receivable, as defined (primarily receivables that are less than
90 days old and, in the case of system sales, the receivable does not
become "eligible" until the system has been installed), and at 25% of the
value of eligible inventory, as defined (primarily inventory that was
purchased pursuant to a firm customer order), provided that the amount
advanced against eligible inventory shall not exceed $200,000 or 30% of all
outstanding advances under the BACC Agreement. Interest is charged at the
per annum rate of one and one-half percentage points (1.5%) above the prime
13
rate, but not less than 5.75%, subject to a minimum interest charge based
on an average daily loan balance of $250,000 regardless of the actual
average loan balance. Under the BACC Agreement, we are charged an annual
facility fee of 1% of the facility ($15,000) and a monthly servicing fee
equal to .25% of the average outstanding loan balance, subject to a minimum
average daily loan balance of $250,000. As additional security to BACC, we
issued a $300,000 standby letter of credit in favor of BACC, secured by
cash, which can be drawn upon 90 days after an event of default. The BACC
Agreement restricts us from the payment of dividends and limits capital
expenditures during the term of the agreement to $150,000, without the
consent of BACC. The BACC Agreement contains no specific financial
covenants however, it defines certain circumstances under which the
agreement can be declared in default and subject to termination, including
among others if (i) there is a material adverse change in our business or
financial condition; (ii) an insolvency proceeding is commenced; (iii) we
default on any of our material agreements with third parties; (iv) the
Company fails to comply with the terms, representations and conditions of
the agreement, and (v) there are material liens or attachments levied
against our assets. In the event the BACC Agreement is terminated prior to
its expiration date, we shall pay a fee in an amount equal to 5% of the
advance limit of $1.5 million if such termination occurs on or prior to
August 19, 2003; or 4% of the advance limit if such termination occurs
thereafter. At the closing of the Loan Agreement, we had $467,853 in
availability under our borrowing formula.
We are dependent upon our operating cash flow and credit facility to
provide cash to satisfy our working capital requirements. If we should
default on our loan covenants, the lender could elect to terminate the
credit facility prior to its February 19, 2004 maturity date. No assurances
can be given that we will have sufficient cash resources to finance
possible future growth, and it may become necessary to seek additional
financing sources for such purpose.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 146, "Accounting for
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS 146"), which
addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit
or disposal activities, and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination
Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity including Certain Costs
Incurred in a Restructuring" which previously governed the accounting
treatment for restructuring activities. SFAS 146 applies to costs
associated with an exit activity that does not involve an entity newly
acquired in a business combination or with a disposal activity covered by
SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived
Assets". These costs include, but are not limited to, the following: (1)
termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily
terminated under the terms of a benefit arrangement that, in substance, is
not an on-going benefit arrangement or an individual deferred-compensation
contract, (2) costs to terminate a contract that is not a capital lease,
and (3) costs to consolidate facilities or relocate employees. SFAS 146
does not apply to costs associated with the retirement of long-lived assets
covered by SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations".
SFAS 146 will be applied prospectively and is effective for exit or
disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These
accounting principles require management to make a number of assumptions
and estimates about future events that affect the reported amounts of
assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses in our consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on
historical experience and various other assumptions about future events
that are believed to be reasonable. These estimates are based on
management's best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact
the Company in the future. Actual results could differ from these
estimates, and any such differences could be material to the financial
statements. We believe that the following policies may involve a higher
degree of judgment and complexity in their application and represent the
critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial
statements.
Revenue recognition: Revenue from sales of equipment is generally
recognized when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, shipment has
occurred, the sales price is fixed and determinable, and collection of the
resulting receivable is probable. Additionally, for sales of systems where
installation requirements are our responsibility, revenue is recognized on
the equipment portion of the transaction upon shipment of the equipment,
and revenue is recognized on the installation portion of the transaction
upon completion of the installation. Revenues on other
14
services are recognized when the services are rendered. We record
reductions to revenue for estimated product returns, based on historical
experience.
Inventory valuation: We periodically assess the valuation of
inventory and adjust the value for estimated excess and obsolete inventory
based upon assumptions about current and future demand and market
conditions. Such estimates are difficult to make under current volatile
economic conditions. Reviews for excess inventory are done periodically
during the year and required reserve levels are calculated with reference
to the projected ultimate usage of that inventory. In order to determine
the ultimate usage, we take into account recent sales history, forecasts,
projected obsolescence and our current inventory levels. The excess balance
determined by this analysis becomes the basis for our excess inventory
charge. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected
by management, additional write-downs may be required. If actual market
conditions are more favorable than anticipated, inventory previously
written down may be sold, resulting in lower cost of sales and higher
earnings from operations than expected in that period.
Collectibility of Accounts Receivable: The allowance for doubtful
accounts is based upon our assessment of the collectibility of specific
customer accounts and the aging of the accounts receivable. Reviews of our
receivables are performed continuously during the year, and reserve levels
are adjusted when determined necessary. If there were a deterioration of a
major customer's creditworthiness, or actual defaults were higher than our
historical experience, we could be required to increase our allowance and
our earnings could be adversely affected.
Long-Lived Assets: We have recorded property and equipment and
intangible assets at cost less accumulated depreciation. The determination
of useful lives and whether or not those assets are impaired involves
significant judgment. We conducted the required annual goodwill impairment
review during the fourth quarter of 2002. In considering the facts that our
wholly-owned subsidiary, InfiNet, was downsized during the year, was
inactive at year-end with no operating employees, and that management had
no current plans for generating business through InfiNet, we recorded a
goodwill impairment charge of $101,000 as an operating expense, fully
writing off all previously recorded goodwill from the acquisition of this
entity.
Income Taxes and Deferred Tax Assets: Significant judgment is
required in determining our provision for income taxes and in determining
whether deferred tax assets will be realized in full or in part. The
deferred tax valuation allowance was calculated in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", which places
primary importance on a company's cumulative operating results for the
current and preceding years. Additionally, when it is more likely than not
that all or some portion of specific deferred tax assets such as net
operating loss carryovers will not be realized, a valuation allowance must
be established for the amount of the deferred tax assets that are
determined not to be realizable. In our judgment, the significant losses
incurred in 2002 and 2001 represented sufficient evidence to require a
valuation allowance, and for 2002 we established a full allowance against
our deferred tax assets at December 31, 2002, recording a charge to income
tax expense of $455,000 in the fourth quarter.
RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
Our prospects are subject to certain uncertainties and risks.
Management recognizes the challenges that it faces, particularly during
these uncertain economic times, and has adopted a number of strategies and
action steps to deal with its current operating environment. Disclosure of
our strategies and action steps is contained in the discussions set forth
in Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations", and elsewhere herein. These risks and uncertainties
are also detailed from time to time in reports we file with the SEC,
including Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K, and include, among other factors, the
following principal risks:
* Our revenues have significantly declined over the past two years and,
if business capital spending for telecommunications products does not improve,
or if economic conditions in the U.S. do not improve, our revenues may
continue to decline and our operating results will be adversely affected.
Our reported 2002 revenues were 55% lower than the record-setting
revenues we recorded in 2000, declining by 43% from 2001 levels. Our
revenues and results of operations are significantly affected by general
economic conditions prevailing in the U.S. and the impact those conditions
have on the level of business activity of our customers, which in turn is
affected by the levels of activity in the industries and markets that they
serve. As a result of the economic downturn that commenced in 2001, many
businesses have reduced or deferred expenditures
15
for telecommunications equipment. In addition, this situation has resulted
in increased pricing and competitive pressures, which have eroded our
revenues. Should the significant economic downturn continue to affect the
levels of business activity, and capital expenditure plans, of our
customers, it could continue to adversely affect our revenues. We remain
cautious about the telecommunications product marketplace going forward,
and cannot predict whether the level of capital spending for the Company's
products will improve in the near term. As a result, we believe that there
will be continued pressure on our ability to generate revenue.
* Our business is heavily dependent upon Avaya.
We primarily sell Avaya telecommunications products through various
Dealer and license agreements with Avaya. The Company is dependent upon the
quality of current Avaya products as well as Avaya's continued development
of new products in order to compete. The Company's current sales levels
could be adversely impacted should market demand for these Avaya products
significantly decline. Avaya has reported that its revenues have declined
significantly during the past several quarters and it has reported a net
loss in each of the three fiscal years ended September 30, 2002. Should
Avaya's financial condition deteriorate to the point that it either cannot
continue to introduce technologically new products or effectively compete
with other equipment manufacturers, our long-term business strategy to
continue as an Avaya dealer could be adversely affected.
Our parts and systems sales levels would also be adversely impacted
if the Avaya dealer and license agreements were terminated, or if Avaya
eliminates its "Business Partner" programs. It is Avaya's current intent to
generate a larger percentage of its revenues from its dealer base, of which
we are one. On some of its major accounts, companies such as Farmstead are
selected to participate in the fulfillment of certain parts of the
customer's orders through a "partnering " arrangement with the local Avaya
sales team. Through these "partnering" arrangements, we are referred
opportunities to supply both parts and systems, for which the Avaya sales
team receives compensation from Avaya. Revenues generated by us through
this program are significant to our overall revenues and our operating
results are dependent upon this program continuing.
* Our gross profit margins may be adversely affected, which in turn
could adversely affect our operating results.
Our gross profit margins have decreased over the last two years as a
result of a number of factors including:
(1) product mix - gross margins can vary significantly among parts
sales, system sales and our various service offerings. The parts business,
for example, involves hundreds of parts which generate significantly
varying gross profit margins depending upon their availability,
competition, and demand conditions in the marketplace;
(2) customer mix - we sell parts to both end-users and to other
equipment resellers. In addition, in our partnering relationship with
Avaya, certain customers receive pre-negotiated discounts from Avaya which
could lower our gross margins as we do business with these customers;
(3) excess capacity - as sales volume falls, overhead costs become a
higher percentage of sales dollars;
(4) competitive pressures - as a result of the economic downturn over
the last two years and reduced product demand, the intensity of competition
has significantly increased. We anticipate intensified competition from
larger companies having substantially greater technical, financial and
marketing resources, as well as larger customer bases and name recognition.
As the industry further develops voice and data convergence products, we
anticipate that we will encounter a broader variety of competitors,
including new entrants from related computer and communication industries;
and
(5) obsolescence charges;
* Our gross profit margins and operating results could be adversely
affected by a reduction in purchase discount and other rebate or incentive
programs currently offered by Avaya.
As an Avaya Dealer, we receive substantial rebates and other cash
incentives from Avaya, based upon volume levels of certain product
purchases, which are material to our operating results and which help
reduce product purchase costs, market development and marketing expenses.
These incentive programs are subject to change
16
annually, and no assurances can be given that they would not be altered so
as to adversely impact our profit margins or operating expenses.
* We may not have adequate cash or credit lines to finance the
Company's working capital requirements.
As discussed under "Liquidity and Capital Resources", our operating
losses over the past two fiscal years have significantly reduced the amount
of credit available to us from our lender, and increased the cost of
borrowed funds. We are dependent upon cash generated from operations, and
borrowings under a revolving credit facility, to satisfy our working
capital requirements. Our revolving credit borrowings are currently based
upon the generation of eligible accounts receivable. As our revenues have
declined, so too have our receivables and borrowing availability. A
material adverse change in our business going forward could result in a
covenant default, which could lead to an early termination of the credit
facility. In addition, continued losses could consume our current cash
reserves, and negatively affect our ability to obtain replacement financing
until we could demonstrate improved operating results or a return to
profitability. No assurances can be given that we will have sufficient cash
resources to finance future growth, and it may become necessary to raise
additional funds through public or private debt or equity financings, which
may also not be available to us until operating performance improves, and
which may dilute stockholder ownership in us.
* If we are unable to attract and retain key management and sales
employees, we will not be able to compete effectively and our business may
not be successful.
Our success is highly dependent upon our ability to hire and retain
key technical, sales and executive personnel. Competition for such
personnel is currently intense in our industry, and our deterioration in
revenues over the past two years has been partly due to turnover of such
key employees. If we fail to hire and retain a sufficient number of high-
quality personnel, we may not be able to maintain or expand our business.
We have been attempting to expand our systems sales business, which
requires more highly skilled technical and sales personnel than our
aftermarket parts business, and a failure to hire and retain such personnel
would restrict our ability to effectively develop this sales growth
strategy.
* We could be delisted by the American Stock Exchange
Should we continue to record operating losses, fall below minimum
required levels of stockholders' equity, fall below required minimum
shareholder or market capitalization levels and /or if our common stock
continues to trade at a "low price per share", we could be subject to
delisting by the American Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"). In considering
whether a security warrants continued trading and/or listing on the
Exchange, many factors are taken into account, such as the degree of
investor interest in the company, its prospects for growth, the reputation
of its management, the degree of commercial acceptance of its products, and
whether its securities have suitable characteristics for auction market
trading. Thus, any developments which substantially reduce the size of a
company, the nature and scope of its operations, the value or amount of its
securities available for the market, or the number of holders of its
securities, may occasion a review of continued listing by the Exchange. The
determination as to whether a security warrants continued trading is not
based on any precise mathematical formula rather, each case is considered
on the basis of all relevant facts and circumstances and in light of the
objectives of the Exchange's policies regarding continued listing.
* Other risks
In addition to the specific risks and uncertainties discussed above,
our future operating performance can also be affected by: performance and
reliability of products; the maintenance of our level of customer service
and customer relationships; adverse publicity; business disruptions;
additional acts of terrorism within the U.S., and the impact of those acts
on the U.S. economy; and other risk factors detailed in this report,
described from time to time in the Company's other SEC filings, or
discussed in the Company's press releases.
The risks included here are not exhaustive. Other sections of this
report may include additional factors, which could adversely affect our
business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very
competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from
time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk
factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on its
business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may
cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any
17
forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a
prediction of actual results.
Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time,
communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose
to them any material information unless such information shall have been
previously or is simultaneously disclosed in a manner intended to provide
broad, non-exclusionary distribution of the information to the public.
Accordingly, shareholders should not assume that we agree with any
statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of
the statement or report. Furthermore, we have a policy against issuing or
confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to
the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any
projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our
responsibility.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risks which have the potential to affect our earnings and cash
flows result primarily from changes in interest rates. Our cash
equivalents, which consist of an investment in a money market fund
consisting of high quality short term instruments, principally U.S.
government and agency issues and commercial paper, are subject to
fluctuating interest rates. A 10 percent change in such current interest
rates would not have a material effect on our results of operations or cash
flow.
We are also exposed to market risk from changes in the interest rate
related to our revolving credit facility, which is based upon the Prime
Rate, which is a floating interest rate. Assuming an average borrowing
level of $469,000 (which amount approximated the average amount borrowed
under our revolving credit facility during the year ended December 31,
2002), each 1 percentage point increase in the Prime Rate would result in
$4,690 of additional annual interest charges. We do not currently use
interest rate derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate
changes.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule in
Item 15.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
On October 17, 2001, we dismissed Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte")
as our independent accountant. Deloitte's report on our financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2000 did not contain any adverse
opinion or disclaimer of opinion nor was it qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. The decision to change
accountants was approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
During the year ended December 31, 2000 and the subsequent interim
period preceding Deloitte's dismissal, there have been no disagreements
between Deloitte and the Company on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure,
which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would
have caused it to make a reference to the subject matter of the
disagreement(s), in connection with its report. During the year ended
December 31, 2000 and the subsequent interim period preceding Deloitte's
dismissal, no event occurred that is required to be disclosed pursuant to
paragraph (a)(1)(v) of Item 304 of Regulation S-K.
On October 17, 2001, we retained DiSanto Bertoline & Company, P.C.
("DiSanto Bertoline") as our independent accountant to audit our financial
statements. We did not consult DiSanto Bertoline regarding any matter to be
disclosed pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 304 of Regulation S-K. On
October 16, 2002, DiSanto Bertoline resigned as our independent public
accountants. This resignation resulted solely from the acquisition of
DiSanto Bertoline by the accounting firm Carlin, Charron & Rosen LLP
("CC&R") effective October 16, 2002. Effective October 16, 2002, our Board
of Directors, based upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee,
approved the retention of CC&R as our independent public accountants to
provide attestation, audit and tax services. We did not consult CC&R
regarding any matter to be disclosed pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item
304 of Regulation S-K.
DiSanto Bertoline's reports on our consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2001 did not contain an adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit
18
scope or accounting principles. During the year ended December 31, 2001 and
through the date of its resignation, there were no disagreements with
DiSanto Bertoline on any matter of accounting principle or practice,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if
not resolved to DiSanto Bertoline's satisfaction, would have caused them to
make reference to the subject matter of any such disagreements in
connection with their report on our consolidated financial statements for
such year; and there were no reportable events as defined in Item
304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by Item 10 is included in Item 1, "Executive
Officers of the Registrant", and in our definitive proxy statement which
will be filed pursuant to regulation 14A on or before April 30, 2003. Such
information is incorporated herein by reference, pursuant to General
Instruction G(3).
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 11 is included in our definitive
proxy statement which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or before
April 30, 2003. Such information is incorporated herein by reference,
pursuant to General Instruction G(3).
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by Item 12 is included in our definitive
proxy statement which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or before
April 30, 2003. Such information is incorporated herein by reference,
pursuant to General Instruction G(3).
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by Item 13 is included in our definitive
proxy statement which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or before
April 30, 2003. Such information is incorporated herein by reference,
pursuant to General Instruction G(3).
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-
14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act") as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on such evaluation, such officers
have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in
alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to our
company required to be included in our reports filed or submitted under the
Exchange Act.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls. There were no significant changes in our
internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect such
controls subsequent to the date of their most recent evaluation.
19
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule
Page
----
Report of Carlin, Charron & Rosen LLP 24
Report of DiSanto Bertoline & Company, P.C. 25
Report of Deloitte & Touche LLP 26
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2002 and 2001 27
Consolidated Statements of Operations -
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 28
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity -
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 28
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 29
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 30
Financial Statement Schedule:
Report of Carlin, Charron & Rosen LLP 40
Report of DiSanto Bertoline & Company, P.C. 41
Report of Deloitte & Touche LLP 42
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 42
(b) Exhibits: See Index to Exhibits on page 44.
(c) Reports on Form 8-K: On October 4, 2002, we filed Form 8-K to report
that (i) on August 30, 2002, we were granted a covenant waiver by Wachovia
under the following conditions: (1) the $4 million line of credit was
reduced to a $1 million facility; (2) the borrowing rate was increased to
LIBOR plus 6% effective August 1, 2002; and (3) the minimum tangible net
worth covenant was revised from $5,500,000 to $5,150,000. In addition, we
agreed to pay a $5,000 fee, and reimburse the bank for legal fees incurred
in connection with documenting the waiver agreement; and (ii) on September
30, 2002, Wachovia and the Company agreed to an extension of the credit
facility until February 28, 2003, to allow us to procure external,
replacement financing. In the event we have procured a commitment from a
lender prior to February 28, 2003, then the maturity date may be extended
until March 31, 2003. As a condition of the extension, the aggregate line
of credit was reduced to $500,000, and the minimum tangible net worth
covenant was further revised from $5,150,000 to $4,750,000. In addition, we
agreed to pay a $5,000 fee, and reimburse the bank for legal fees incurred
in connection with documenting the extension agreement. Except for the
tangible net worth covenant, there are no other financial covenants during
the extension period.
On October 18, 2002, we filed Form 8-K to report the resignation of
DiSanto Bertoline & Company, P.C. as our independent auditors effective
October 16, 2002, and the concurrent appointment of Carlin, Charron and
Rosen LLP as our independent auditors.
20
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March
21, 2003.
FARMSTEAD TELEPHONE GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ George J. Taylor, Jr.
-------------------------
George J. Taylor, Jr.
Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated as of March 21, 2003.
Signature Title(s)
- --------- --------
/s/ George J. Taylor, Jr. Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
- ---------------------------- and President
George J. Taylor, Jr. (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Robert G. LaVigne Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
- ---------------------------- Officer, Secretary and Director
Robert G. LaVigne (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Harold L. Hansen Director
- ----------------------------
Harold L. Hansen
/s/ Hugh M. Taylor Director
- ----------------------------
Hugh M. Taylor
/s/ Joseph J. Kelley Director
- ----------------------------
Joseph J. Kelley
/s/ Ronald P. Pettirossi Director
- ----------------------------
Ronald P. Pettirossi
21
CERTIFICATION
I, George J. Taylor, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and President, certify
that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. ("Registrant");
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to
the period covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in
this annual report;
4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the Registrant
and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the Registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this
annual report is being prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date");
and
c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based
on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based
on our most recent evaluation, to the Registrant's auditors and the
audit committee of Registrant's board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the Registrant's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data
and have identified for the Registrant's auditors any material
weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's
internal controls; and
6. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in
this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in
internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect
internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent
evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: March 21, 2003
/s/ George J. Taylor, Jr.
- -------------------------
George J. Taylor, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer, President
I, Robert G. LaVigne, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. ("Registrant");
22
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to
the period covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in
this annual report;
4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the Registrant
and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the Registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this
annual report is being prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date");
and
c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based
on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based
on our most recent evaluation, to the Registrant's auditors and the
audit committee of Registrant's board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the Registrant's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data
and have identified for the Registrant's auditors any material
weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's
internal controls; and
6. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in
this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in
internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect
internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent
evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: March 21, 2003
/s/ Robert G. LaVigne
- ---------------------
Robert G. LaVigne
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
23
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2002, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders'
equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2002, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
CARLIN, CHARRON & ROSEN LLP
Glastonbury, Connecticut
February 28, 2003
24
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31,
2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with U.S. generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on
a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2001, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
DISANTO BERTOLINE & COMPANY, P.C.
Glastonbury, Connecticut
February 21, 2002
25
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc.
East Hartford, Connecticut
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations,
changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year ended December
31, 2000 of Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and subsidiary (the "Company").
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe
that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and subsidiary for the year ended December
31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
February 21, 2001
26
FARMSTEAD TELEPHONE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2002 and 2001
(In thousands, except share amounts) 2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 994 $ 1,479
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $47 in 2002 and $150 in 2001 1,869 3,133
Inventories, net (Note 3) 2,309 4,427
Deferred income taxes (Note 13) - 91
Other current assets 69 98
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Assets 5,241 9,228
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property and equipment, net (Note 4) 394 505
Deferred income taxes (Note 13) - 364
Other assets 238 245
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $ 5,873 $10,342
===========================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,111 $ 2,794
Debt maturing within one year (Note 6) - 37
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Note 5) 385 567
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities 1,496 3,398
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other liabilities (Note 12) 348 260
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities 1,844 3,658
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minority Interest in Subsidiary (Note 8) - 153
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000,000 shares
authorized; no shares issued and outstanding - -
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 30,000,000 shares
authorized; 3,298,958 and 3,272,579 shares issued and outstanding
at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively 3 3
Additional paid-in capital 12,313 12,285
Accumulated deficit (8,287) (5,757)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 4,029 6,531
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 5,873 $10,342
===========================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
27
FARMSTEAD TELEPHONE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 2002 2001 2000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues $19,150 $33,339 $42,786
Cost of revenues 15,527 26,681 32,716
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 3,623 6,658 10,070
Selling, general and administrative expenses 5,753 8,119 8,454
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss) (2,130) (1,461) 1,616
Interest expense (24) (144) (302)
Other income 97 42 44
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority
interest in income of subsidiary (2,057) (1,563) 1,358
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 473 17 (395)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before minority interest in income
of subsidiary (2,530) (1,580) 1,753
Minority interest in income of subsidiary - 128 -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $(2,530) $(1,708) $ 1,753
=======================================================================================
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share $ (.77) $ (.52) $ .54
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average common shares 3,289 3,272 3,272
Dilutive effect of stock options - - 3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic and diluted weighted average common and
common equivalent shares 3,289 3,272 3,275
=======================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FARMSTEAD TELEPHONE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000
Common Stock Additional Accum-
---------------- Paid-in ulated
(In thousands) Shares Amount Capital Deficit Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1999 3,272 $3 $12,216 $(5,802) $6,417
Compensatory stock options issued - - 32 - 32
Net income - - - 1,753 1,753
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000 3,272 3 12,248 (4,049) 8,202
Compensatory stock options issued - - 37 - 37
Net loss - - - (1,708) (1,708)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 3,272 3 12,285 (5,757) 6,531
Compensatory stock options issued - - 15 - 15
Issuance of common stock 26 - 13 - 13
Net loss - - - (2,530) (2,530)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2002 3,298 $3 $12,313 $(8,287) $4,029
=========================================================================================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
28
FARMSTEAD TELEPHONE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
(In thousands) 2002 2001 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss) $(2,530) $(1,708) $ 1,753
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities:
(Reversal of) provision for doubtful accounts receivable (33) 104 92
Provision for losses on inventories 143 1,443 947
Depreciation and amortization 215 257 305
Provision for impairment of goodwill 101 - -
Minority interest in income of subsidiary - 128 -
Deferred income taxes 455 - (455)
Value of compensatory stock options issued 15 37 32
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in accounts receivable 1,297 3,290 46
Decrease (increase) in inventories 1,975 1,311 (589)
Decrease (increase) in other assets 36 (18) (92)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable (1,683) (995) 1,338
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities (95) (848) 728
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (104) 3,001 4,105
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (104) (130) (163)
Acquisition of InfiNet (153) - -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (257) (130) (163)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing Activities:
Repayments under inventory finance agreement - - (1,175)
Repayments under revolving credit lines - (1,689) (2,750)
Repayments of capital lease obligation (37) (102) (89)
Capital (distribution to) contribution from minority interest partner (100) 25 -
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 13 - -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities (124) (1,766) (4,014)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (485) 1,105 (72)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,479 374 446
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 994 $ 1,479 $ 374
========================================================================================================
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 25 $ 155 $ 302
Income taxes 16 87 15
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
29
FARMSTEAD TELEPHONE GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business Operations
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. ("Farmstead" or the "Company") is
principally engaged as a provider of new and used Avaya, Inc. ("Avaya")
business telecommunications parts and complete systems. The Company
provides used, "Classic Avaya TM " telecommunications equipment parts
pursuant to an " Authorized Remarketing Supplier Program" with Avaya, and
offers the full-line of new telecommunications parts and systems as an
Avaya Dealer. Its products are primarily customer premises-based private
switching systems and peripheral products, including voice processing
systems. The Company also provides telecommunications equipment
installation, repair and refurbishing, short-term rental, inventory
management, and related value-added services. The Company sells its
products and services to large and mid-size, multi-location businesses as
well as to small businesses, government agencies, and other equipment
resellers. During the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, no
single customer accounted for more than 10% of revenues.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements presented herein consist of the
accounts of Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, FTG Venture Corporation (inactive) and InfiNet Systems, LLC
(which became wholly-owned effective January 1, 2002; prior thereto the
Company owned a 50.1% interest. See Note 8). Since the Company owned
greater than a 50% interest in, and exercised significant control over,
InfiNet, the financial statements of InfiNet have been consolidated herein
for all applicable years. All intercompany balances and transactions have
been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and
related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Actual
results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used in accounting
for the allowances for uncollectible receivables, inventory obsolescence,
warranty reserves, depreciation, taxes and contingencies, among others.
Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of
revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the
period they are determined to be necessary.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from sales of equipment is generally recognized when
persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, shipment has occurred, the
sales price is fixed and determinable, and collection of the resulting
receivable is probable. Additionally, for sales of systems where
installation services are the responsibility of the Company, revenue is
recognized on the equipment portion of the transaction upon shipment of the
equipment to the installation location, and revenue is recognized on the
installation portion of the transaction upon completion of the
installation. Revenues on other services are recognized when the services
are rendered. Reductions to revenues are recorded for estimated product
returns, based on historical experience.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an
initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, and are valued
on an average cost basis. The Company periodically assesses the valuation
of inventory and will adjust the value for estimated excess and obsolete
inventory based upon assumptions about current and future demand and market
conditions.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed
using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
related assets, which range from three to ten years, except for leasehold
improvements, which are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful
life or the remaining lease term. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals
are charged to operations as incurred. When assets are retired or sold, the
cost of the assets and
30
the associated accumulated depreciation is removed from the accounts and
any resulting gain or loss is recorded that period.
Stock Compensation Plans
The Company accounts for stock option awards granted to officers,
directors and employees (collectively "employees") under the recognition
and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25"). Under APB 25, no
stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all
options granted to employees under these plans have been granted at no less
than fair market value on the date of grant. The Company applies the
disclosure only provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-based Compensation"
("SFAS 123") and SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation -
Transition and Disclosure ("SFAS 148") for such employee stock option
awards. The Company accounts for stock option awards granted to consultants
under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123. Under this method,
options are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing method, and the
calculated option value is recorded as an expense in the financial
statements.
Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option plans been
determined in accordance with the fair value-based method prescribed under
SFAS 123, the Company's net income (loss) and basic and diluted net income
(loss) per share would have approximated the pro forma amounts indicated
below (dollars in thousands except per share amounts):
Year ended December 31,
------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss), as reported $(2,530) $(1,708) $1,753
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation
expense determined under fair value based method
for all awards, net of related tax effects (178) (250) (373)
------------------------------
Pro forma net income (loss) $(2,708) $(1,958) $1,380
==============================
The fair value of stock options used to compute pro forma net income
(loss) and net income (loss) per share disclosures was estimated on the
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the
following weighted average assumptions: dividend yield of 0% for 2002,
2001and 2000; expected volatility of 113% for 2002, 115% for 2001and 117%
for 2000; average risk-free interest rate of 3.68% for 2002, 4.3% for 2001
and 5.7% for 2000; and an expected option holding period of 5.6 years for
2002, and 5 years for 2001 and 2000. The weighted-average fair value of
options granted during 2002, 2001and 2000 was $.62, $1.24, and $1.17,
respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company provides for income taxes under the asset and liability
method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for
the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the
financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and
their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in
tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment
date.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic net income (loss) per common share was computed by dividing net
income (loss) (the numerator) by the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding (the denominator) during the period. Diluted net income
(loss) per common share was computed by increasing the denominator by the
weighted average number of additional shares that could have been
outstanding from securities convertible into common stock, such as stock
options and warrants, unless their effect on net income (loss) per share is
antidilutive. The following table shows securities outstanding as of
December 31 that could potentially dilute basic earnings per common share
in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings
per common share because to do so would have been antidilutive. The amounts
presented below for the Warrants and the Underwriter Options and Warrants
(which represent options to acquire Units convertible into common stock and
warrants) for 2001and 2000, reflect the maximum common shares issuable upon
their full conversion (Note 10).
31
(In thousands) 2002 2001 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Options 1,852 1,875 1,948
Warrants * - 2,472 2,472
Underwriter Options and Warrants * - 339 339
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total 1,852 4,686 4,759
=============================================================
- --------------------
* expired unexercised on June 30, 2002.
Segment Information
In the opinion of management, the Company operates in one industry
segment, which is the sale of telecommunications equipment.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications were made to the Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows for 2001 and 2000 to conform to the 2002 presentation.
2. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $994,000 and $1,479,000 at December
31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Included in each period are investments in
a money market fund consisting of high quality short term instruments,
principally U.S. Government and Agency issues and commercial paper. The
carrying amounts approximate their fair value at December 31, 2002 and
2001.
3. INVENTORIES, NET
As of December 31, the components of inventories were as follows (in
thousands):
2002 2001
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Finished goods and spare parts $2,362 $4,442
Work in process 456 1,323
Rental equipment 53 44
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2,871 5,809
Less: reserves for excess and obsolete inventories (562) (1,382)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventories, net $2,309 $4,427
=======================================================================
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
As of December 31, the components of property and equipment, net were
as follows (in thousands):
Estimated
Useful Lives (Yrs.) 2002 2001
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer and office equipment 3 - 5 $ 1,318 $ 1,262
Furniture and fixtures 5 - 10 290 76
Leasehold improvements 10 190 127
Capitalized software development costs 3 44 -
Leased equipment under capital lease 3 - 10 - 381
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,842 1,846
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization (1,448) (1,341)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property and equipment, net $ 394 $ 505
=============================================================================================
The Company has capitalized software development costs incurred by
subcontract programmers in the development of on-line product catalogs and
ordering processes. Leased equipment under capital lease at December 31,
2001 consisted principally of office furniture, equipment and computer
equipment. During 2002, the capital lease obligation was fully paid, and
the assets have been reclassified into their related property and equipment
components in the above table. Depreciation and amortization expense for
the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 totaled $215,000, $257,000
and $305,000, respectively.
32
5. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
As of December 31, the components of accrued expenses and other
current liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
2002 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries, commissions and benefits $241 $420
License fees payable to Avaya (Note 11) 24 42
Other 120 105
--------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $385 $567
==============================================================
6. DEBT OBLIGATIONS
As of December 31, debt obligations, all of which mature within one
year, consisted of the following (in thousands):
2002 2001
--------------------------------------------------
Revolving credit agreement (a) $ - $ -
Obligation under capital lease (b) - 37
--------------------------------------------------
Debt obligations $ - $37
==================================================
(a) Since September 2000, the Company has had a revolving credit
facility with Wachovia Bank, National Association (f/k/a First Union
National Bank) ("Wachovia"). Under the facility, borrowings were based upon
certain percentages of accounts receivable and inventories. As a result of
the losses incurred by the Company during 2001 and 2002, and continued
defaults on the tangible net worth and certain other financial covenants,
the Wachovia loan agreement was amended once during 2001 and three times
during 2002. These amendments had the cumulative effect as of December 31,
2002, of reducing the credit facility to $500,000, increasing the interest
rate on borrowings to LIBOR plus 6%, modifying the advance formula on
inventory to 50% of eligible inventory with a revised cap equal to 50% of
eligible accounts receivable, and lowering the minimum tangible net worth
requirement to $4,750,000. In addition, to allow the Company time to
procure replacement financing, Wachovia agreed to extend the modified
credit facility until February 28, 2003. As of December 31, 2002, there
were no borrowings under the credit facility. The average and highest
amounts borrowed during the year ended December 31, 2002 were approximately
$469,000 and $1,531,000, respectively.
On February 19, 2003 the Company entered into a one-year, $1.5
million revolving loan agreement (the "BACC Agreement") with Business
Alliance Capital Corporation ("BACC"), replacing the Wachovia Loan
Agreement. Under the terms of the BACC Agreement, borrowings are advanced
at 75% of eligible accounts receivable, as defined (primarily receivables
that are less than 90 days old and, in the case of system sales, the
receivable does not become "eligible" until the system has been installed),
and at 25% of the value of eligible inventory, as defined (primarily
inventory that was purchased pursuant to a firm customer order), provided
that the amount advanced against eligible inventory shall not exceed
$200,000 or 30% of all outstanding advances under the BACC Agreement.
Interest is charged at the per annum rate of one and one-half percentage
points (1.5%) above the prime rate, but not less than 5.75%, subject to a
minimum interest charge based on an average daily loan balance of $250,000
regardless of the actual average loan balance. Under the BACC Agreement,
the Company is charged an annual facility fee of 1% of the facility
($15,000) and a monthly servicing fee equal to .25% of the average
outstanding loan balance, subject to a minimum average daily loan balance
of $250,000. As additional security to BACC, the Company issued a $300,000
standby letter of credit in favor of BACC, secured by cash, which can be
drawn upon 90 days after an event of default. The BACC Agreement restricts
the Company from the payment of dividends and limits capital expenditures
during the term of the agreement to $150,000, without the consent of BACC.
The BACC Agreement contains no specific financial covenants however, it
defines certain circumstances under which the agreement can be declared in
default and subject to termination, including among others if (i) there is
a material adverse change in the Company's business or financial condition;
(ii) an insolvency proceeding is commenced; (iii) the Company defaults on
any of its material agreements with third parties; (iv) the Company fails
to comply with the terms, representations and conditions of the agreement,
and (v) there are material liens or attachments levied against the
Company's assets. In the event the BACC Agreement is terminated prior to
its expiration date, the Company shall pay a fee in an amount equal to 5%
of the advance limit of $1.5 million if such
33
termination occurs on or prior to August 19, 2003; or 4% of the advance
limit if such termination occurs thereafter. At the closing of the Loan
Agreement, the Company had $467,853 in availability under its borrowing
formula.
(b) Debt maturing within one year at December 31, 2001 consisted of
remaining payments of $37,556 under a capital lease obligation, which was
fully repaid during 2002. The carrying value of this debt approximated its
fair values at December 31, 2001.
7. RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") Nos. 141 and 142, "Business Combinations" and
"Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", respectively. SFAS 141 requires all
business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 to be accounted for
using the purchase method. Under the provisions of SFAS 142, goodwill
recorded as a part of a business combination is no longer amortized, but
instead will be subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by
applying a fair-value-based test. Also, SFAS 142 requires that in future
business combinations, all acquired intangible assets should be separately
stated on the balance sheet if the benefit of the intangible asset can be
sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, regardless of the
acquirer's intent to do so. These intangible assets would then be amortized
over their useful lives, resulting in amortization expense. The Company has
applied the provisions of these new accounting pronouncements in its
accounting for the acquisition of its minority partner's ownership interest
in InfiNet, as discussed in Note 8.
8. FORMATION AND ACQUISITION OF INFINET SYSTEMS, LLC
Effective February 1, 2001, the Company entered into a joint venture
agreement with TriNet Business Trust ("TriNET"), forming a limited
liability corporation operating under the name of InfiNet Systems, LLC
("InfiNet"). Under the agreement, the Company had a 50.1% ownership
interest, and TriNET had a 49.9% ownership interest. With operations based
in East Hartford, CT, InfiNet is an Avaya dealer, authorized to sell new
Avaya telecommunications systems primarily to customers within the State of
Connecticut and various counties in the State of New York. InfiNet was
initially funded by an aggregate capital contribution of $50,000.
Effective January 1, 2002, the Company acquired TriNET's 49.9%
ownership interest in InfiNet for an aggregate cash purchase price of
$153,334. The Company acquired TriNET's interest for several reasons
including its trained workforce in systems design and sales and the
opportunity to further leverage InfiNet's customer contacts with
Farmstead's existing and future product offerings. The acquisition has been
accounted for as a purchase, under SFAS 141 as described in Note 7. The
$100,512 excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets
acquired was initially allocated to goodwill, in accordance with SFAS 142
as described in Note 6. Due to the downsizing of InfiNet's operating
activities during the year, which included the reduction of its entire
workforce and a business decision to fulfill systems sales orders directly
through Farmstead, the entire $100,512 balance of goodwill was written off
as an operating expense in December 2002.
The following pro forma information presents the Company's
consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2001 as
if the acquisition had been completed as of the beginning of that year. The
consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2002
include the effects of the acquisition from January 1, 2002.
Year ended
December 31, 2001
------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data) As Reported Pro forma
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues $33,339 $33,339
Loss before minority interest in
income of subsidiary (1,580) (1,580)
Minority interest in income of subsidiary 128 -
Net loss $(1,708) $(1,580)
Loss per share: basic $ (.52) $ (.48)
diluted $ (.52) $ (.48)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
34
9. STOCK OPTIONS
On April 3, 2002, the Board of Directors adopted the Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan (the "2002 Plan"), which was
approved by stockholders at the June 13, 2002 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. The 2002 Plan replaces the 1992 Stock Option Plan that
terminated in May 2002. Options previously granted under the 1992 Plan, of
which there are 1,786,306 options outstanding at December 31, 2002, may
continue to be exercised in accordance with the terms of the individual
grants. The 2002 Plan permits the granting of options to employees,
directors and consultants of the Company, which shall be either incentive
stock options ("ISOs") as defined under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code, or non-qualified stock options ("NSOs"). ISOs may be granted at no
less than market value at the time of grant, with a maximum term of ten
years except, for a 10% or more stockholder, the exercise price shall not
be less than 110% of market value, with a maximum term of five years. NSOs
may be granted at no less than 50% of market value at the time of granting,
with a maximum term of 10 years. Any option granted pursuant to this Plan
which for any reason fails to qualify as an ISO shall be deemed to have
been granted as an option not qualified under Section 422 of the Code. The
maximum number of shares issuable under the 2002 Plan, which expires April
3, 2012, are 1,300,000, of which there were 66,000 options outstanding at
December 31, 2002. Options currently granted expire on various dates
through 2012. A summary of stock option transactions for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2002 is as follows:
Weighted
Average
Number Exercise Exercise
of Shares Price Range Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1999 1,792,346 $1.12 - 11.80 $2.02
Granted 366,900 1.19 - 2.00 1.42
Exercised - - -
Canceled or expired (208,210) 1.12 - 2.69 1.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 2000 1,951,036 $1.12 - 11.80 $1.92
Granted 379,300 .68 - 2.04 1.53
Exercised - - -
Canceled or expired (455,530) 1.12 - 3.12 1.65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 2001 1,874,806 $ .68 - 11.80 $1.91
Granted 254,500 .29 - 1.50 .79
Exercised - - -
Canceled or expired (277,000) .68 - 2.04 1.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 2002 1,852,306 .29 - 11.80 1.81
=========================================================================
As of December 31, 2002:
Exercisable 1,606,306 $ .70 - 11.80 $1.94
Available for future grant 1,234,000
The following summarizes information about stock options outstanding
and exercisable as of December 31, 2002:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Weighted Avg.
Range of Number Remaining Weighted Avg. Number Weighted Avg.
Exercise Prices Outstanding Contractual Life (Yrs) Exercise Price Exercisable Exercise Price
- --------------- ----------- ---------------------- -------------- ----------- --------------
$ .29 - 1.00 177,250 9.2 $ .76 52,500 $ .84
$1.01 - 1.50 268,900 8.3 1.27 159,900 1.39
$1.51 - 2.00 1,371,306 5.0 1.96 1,359,806 1.96
$2.01 - 5.00 20,500 3.2 3.24 19,750 3.27
$5.01 - 11.80 14,350 1.4 8.55 14,350 8.55
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 1,852,306 5.8 $1.81 1,606,306 $1.94
===========================================================================================================
10. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
On June 30, 2002, the following securities expired unexercised: all
1,137,923 of the Class A Redeemable Common Stock Purchase warrants ("Class
A Warrants"); all 1,137,923 of the Class B Redeemable Common Stock
35
Purchase warrants ("Class B Warrants"); all 183,579 of the Warrants issued
in connection with the Company's 1987 initial public offering ("IPO
Warrants"); all 33,136 of the Underwriter Options to purchase 33,136 Units,
issued in connection with the Company's 1987 initial public offering
("Underwriter Options"); all 89,948 Representative Warrants to purchase
89,948 Units ("Representative Warrants") issued in 1996 to the Company's
underwriter in connection with a secondary offering of securities.
During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company issued 26,379
shares of Common Stock under its 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (see
Note 12). Proceeds from the issuance were $13,479.
11. LEASES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
------
The Company leases 49,897 square feet of office and warehouse space
in East Hartford, CT under non-cancelable leases expiring December 31,
2004. The leases contain two, three-year renewal options. The Company also
leases 1,700 square feet of office space in New York, NY under a non-
cancelable lease expiring March 31, 2005. The lease contains one, two-year
renewal option. As of December 31, 2002, aggregate future minimum annual
rental payments under the initial terms of the leases were as follows:
$312,117 for 2003, $313,692 for 2004 and $14,250 for 2005. Rent expense,
which included short-term rentals of warehouse space in 2000, was $285,946
in 2002, $250,146 in 2001 and $277,624 in 2000.
Employment Agreement
--------------------
The Company has an employment agreement with the Chief Executive
Officer ("CEO") dated January 1, 1998 and as amended August 1, 2001 and
January 1, 2003 (the "Agreement"). Under the Agreement, the CEO will
continue to be employed on a full-time basis during the period from January
1 through December 31, 2003 (the "Active Period") at an annualized base
salary of $160,000. The Agreement also contemplates a limited employment
period commencing January 1, 2004, during which the CEO will be employed on
a limited basis for a five-year period expiring December 31, 2008 (the
"Limited Period"). During the Limited Period, the CEO will be paid an
annual base salary equal to $100,000, as consideration for up to fifty days
of active service per year. In addition, during the first year of the
Limited Period, the CEO will receive an additional payment of $142,423,
which amount represents the total amount of salary reductions imposed upon
the CEO during 2002 and 2001,except for any reductions below an annualized
base salary of $200,000. The CEO will also be eligible for an annual bonus
of up to 50% of base salary during the term of the Agreement. The Agreement
provides severance pay for the CEO should the CEO terminate the Agreement
for "good cause", as defined, or should the Company terminate the Agreement
without cause, or in the event of a change in control of the Company, as
defined. During the Active Period, severance pay will equal three times (i)
the amount of the then-current base pay (deemed to be $300,000 for purposes
of severance pay calculations), plus (ii) the average bonus paid during the
three most recent calendar years. During the Limited Period, severance pay
will equal the total amount that would have been due for the time remaining
in the Limited Period. The CEO will not be entitled to any severance or
other compensation during the Active Period or Limited Period if he
voluntarily terminates his employment or if the Company terminates the
Agreement "for cause", as defined.
Fees payable to Avaya
---------------------
Under a license agreement with Avaya, which expires December 31,
2003, the Company is required to pay fees to Avaya based upon a percentage
of the sales price of Classic AvayaTM products sold by the Company. Over the
period of the agreement, these fees have ranged from 10% to 6.5%
(currently). The Company is also required to pay fees to Avaya based upon a
percentage of the sales price of Avaya products sold through the Company's
call center. These fees have ranged from 25% to 15% (currently). The
Company recorded in cost of revenues approximately $507,000, $1,341,000,
and $2,097,000 of fee expense in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company maintains a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
("SERP") for the benefit of its CEO. The SERP is a "target" benefit plan,
structured to provide the CEO with an annual retirement benefit, payable
over 15 years beginning at age 65, in an amount equal to one-third of the
CEO's average final three-year salary, however in no event less than
$100,000 per year. The SERP is being funded through a Company-owned life
insurance policy which has a projected $50,000 annual premium for ten
years. The cash surrender value of this policy was $151,584 and $140,340 at
December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company used the Projected
Unit Credit Method
36
and a 6.5% interest rate in determining the amount of benefit obligation
expense to accrue each year. The following table shows the changes in the
benefit obligation in each of the two years ended December 31 (in
thousands):
2002 2001
-------------------------------------------------------
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $260 $182
Service cost 65 61
Interest cost 23 17
-------------------------------------------------------
Benefit obligation at end of year $348 $260
=======================================================
The Company provides a split dollar life insurance program for
certain officers as a means of providing a life insurance benefit and a
future retirement benefit. Under this program, the Company may make
discretionary contributions of up to 10% of each participant's annual
compensation, and such contributions amounted to $19,259 in 2002, $49,506
in 2001 and $71,167 in 2000. The Company recognized expense of $19,655 in
2002, $34,231 in 2001 and $45,849 in 2000 in connection with this program.
The accumulated value of each participant's account vests with the
participant over a ten year period, based on years of service, with each
participant 100% vested upon the later of attainment of age 65 or the
completion of five years of service with the Company.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP")
-------------------------------------
In September 2001, the Company established an ESPP, following
stockholder approval, under which an initial 250,000 shares of common stock
could be sold to employees. The shares issuable pursuant to the ESPP were
registered on Form S-8 (No. 333-69290) dated September 11, 2001. Beginning
in 2003, an annual increase of the lesser of (i) 100,000 shares of common
stock, (ii) 2% of the Company's issued and outstanding capital stock on
January 1 of such year, and (iii) an amount determined by the Company's
board of directors, can be added to the ESPP. The ESPP covers all employees
working more than 20 hours per week, excluding employees owning 5% or more
of the combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or its
subsidiary corporations. The ESPP provides for six-month "offering periods"
beginning September 14, 2001, with a final offering period beginning March
1, 2011, and during such periods employees can participate through payroll
deductions of up to 10% of their earnings. At the end of each offering
period, participating employees are able to purchase stock at a 15%
discount to the market price of Company stock at either the beginning or
end of the offering period, whichever is lower. Shares purchased through
the ESPP cannot exceed $25,000 in fair market value per person per calendar
year. The shares purchased are allocated to an account established for each
participant at a brokerage firm. During the year ended December 31, 2002,
the Company issued 26,379 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the ESPP, the
proceeds of which totaled $13,479.
13. INCOME TAXES
The following table provides a summary of the current and deferred
components of the provision for (benefit from) federal and state income
taxes attributable to earnings before income taxes for the three years
ended December 31 (in thousands):
2002 2001 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal income tax expense (benefit):
Current $ - $ - $ 37
Deferred 436 - (406)
State income tax expense (benefit):
Current 18 17 23
Deferred 19 - (49)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes $473 $ 17 $(395)
==================================================================
Differences between the tax (benefit) expense reflected in the
financial statements and the amounts calculated at the federal statutory
income tax rate of 34% for the three years ended December 31 are as follows
(in thousands):
37
2002 2001 2000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate (699) $(581) $ 458
Increase (reduction) in income taxes
resulting from:
State and local income taxes, net of federal
income tax benefit (12) (11) (66)
Non-deductible life insurance 30 25 24
Non-deductible meals and entertainment 17 19 26
Utilization of net operating loss - - (690)
Change in valuation allowance 1,177 565 (148)
Other (40) - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 473 $ 17 $(395)
=============================================================================
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2002 and
2001 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
2002 2001
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 17 $ 60
Inventory capitalization and allowances 204 552
Accrued vacation 10 57
Other 209 103
Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards 1,776 722
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax assets 2,216 1,494
Less: valuation allowance (2,216) (1,039)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax assets $ - $ 455
========================================================================
The Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $4,583,000 that expire through 2022. In 2002, the valuation
allowance was increased by an amount which fully offsets the Company's
deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2002. Management believes that the
present valuation allowance is prudent due to the recent volatility of
earnings.
14. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Summarized quarterly financial data for 2002 and 2001 is as follows
(in thousands except earnings (loss) per share):
Quarter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 First Second Third Fourth(a)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues $6,027 $4,764 $4,766 $3,593
Gross Profit 1,306 755 1,065 497
Net loss (301) (660) (284) (1,285)
Basic and diluted:
Loss per common share (.09) (.20) (.09) (.39)
Weighted average common shares outstanding 3,281 3,289 3,290 3,299
================================================================================================
Quarter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 First Second Third Fourth(a)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues $9,294 $8,016 $8,762 $7,267
Gross Profit 2,425 1,331 1,989 913
Net income (loss) 154 (1,133) 10 (739)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share .05 (.35) - (.22)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic 3,272 3,272 3,272 3,272
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted 3,357 3,302 3,272 3,272
================================================================================================
38
- --------------------
(a) Includes a $101,000 write-off of goodwill, $333,000 of inventory
valuation charges, and a $455,000 charge to increase the deferred
tax asset valuation allowance.
(b) Includes $1,050,000 of inventory valuation charges.
15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the three years ended December 31, 2002, the Company engaged
PFS Venture Group LLC ("PFS") to assist the Company with its strategic
reorganization initiatives. PFS provides business consulting services to
small to mid-sized companies. Mr. Bruce S. Phillips who, in June 2001,
became a director of the Company, and remained a director until his death
in August 2002, was the principal owner of PFS. During 2002 PFS earned
$51,000 in fees, and Mr. Phillips received 11,250 options to acquire common
stock at exercise prices of $1.00 to $1.50 per share. During 2001, PFS
earned $84,000 in fees, and Mr. Phillips received 21,000 stock options at
an exercise price of $1.50 per share. During 2000, PFS earned $65,000 in
fees, and Mr. Phillips received 16,250 stock options at exercise prices of
$1.50 to $2.00 per share.
16. MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
During the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, no single
customer accounted for more than 10% of revenues.
The Company extends credit to its customers in the normal course of
business. As of December 31, 2002, one customer accounted for 11% of
accounts receivable. One customer also accounted for 11% of accounts
receivable as of December 31, 2001. Although the Company is subject to
changes in economic conditions which may impact its overall credit risk,
the Company sells to a wide variety of customers, and does not focus on any
particular industry sector. The Company establishes its allowance for
doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of
specific customers, historical trends and experience, and other information
available to it. Management considers the Company's credit risk to be
satisfactorily diversified and believes that its allowance for doubtful
accounts is adequate to absorb estimated losses as of December 31, 2002.
39
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc.
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2002, and for the
year then ended, and have issued our report thereon dated February 28,
2003; such consolidated financial statements and report are included
elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our audit also includes the financial
statement schedule of Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc., listed in Item 15.
This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audit.
In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
CARLIN, CHARRON & ROSEN LLP
Glastonbury, Connecticut
February 28, 2003
40
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc.
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31,
2001, and for the year then ended, and have issued our report thereon dated
February 21, 2002; such consolidated financial statements and report are
included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our audit also includes the financial
statement schedule of Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and subsidiaries,
listed in Item 15. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
based on our audit. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken
as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set
forth therein.
DISANTO BERTOLINE & COMPANY, P.C.
Glastonbury, Connecticut
February 21, 2002
41
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc.
East Hartford, Connecticut
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. and subsidiary (the "Company") for the year ended
December 31, 2000, and have issued our report thereon dated February 21,
2001; such report is included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our audit also
included the financial statement schedule of Farmstead Telephone Group,
Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2000, listed in Item 15. This
financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audit.
In our opinion, such 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.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Hartford , Connecticut
February 21, 2001
42
SCHEDULE II: VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(In thousands)
Column C- Additions
------------------------------
(1) (2)
Column B- Charged Charged Column E-
Balance at (credited) to (credited) to Balance at
beginning of costs and other Column D- End of
Column A- Description period expenses accounts Deductions period
--------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ---------- ----------
Year 2002
- ---------
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 150 $ (33) - $ 70(1) $ 47
Inventory valuation reserves 1,382 143 - 963(1) 562
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance 1,039 1,177 - - 2,216
Year 2001
- ---------
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 244 $ 104 $ - $198(1) $ 150
Inventory valuation reserves 935 1,443 - 996(1) 1,382
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance 455 584 - - 1,039
Year 2000
- ---------
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 266 $ 92 $ - $114(1) $ 244
Inventory valuation reserves 128 947 - 140(1) 935
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance 1,293 (455) - 383(2) 455
- --------------------
Represents write-offs of inventories and uncollectible accounts
receivable.
Reduction in deferred tax assets.
43
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
The following documents are filed as Exhibits to this report on Form
10-K or incorporated by reference herein. Any document incorporated by
reference is identified by a parenthetical referencing the SEC filing which
included such document.
3(a) Certificate of Incorporation [Exhibit 3(a) to the S-18
Registration Statement of the Company's securities declared
effective on April 13, 1987 (File No. 3-9556B)]
3(b) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation
[Exhibit 3(a) to Amendment No. 2 to SB-2 Registration
Statement dated July 22, 1996 (Registration No. 333-5103)]
3(c) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc., dated July 10, 1991 [Exhibit
10.12 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1991]
3(d) Amended and Restated By-Laws [Exhibit 3(d) to the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000]
3(e) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. dated July 9, 2001 [Exhibit
3(e) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2001]
4(a) Form of Unit Warrant [ Exhibit 4(a) to the S-18 Registration
Statement of the Company's securities declared effective on
April 13, 1987 (File No. 3-9556B)]
4(b) Amended Form of Underwriter's Option [ Exhibit 4(b) to the S-
18 Registration Statement of the Company's securities
declared effective on April 13, 1987 (File No. 3-9556B)]
4(c) Resolutions adopted by Unanimous Written Consent of the
Company's Board Of Directors dated as of July 9, 1992
amending terms of Warrants and Underwriter's Options [Exhibit
4(a) to the Form S-3 Registration Statement of the Company's
securities declared effective on October 29, 1992
(Registration No. 33-50432)]
4(d) Amended 1992 Stock Option Plan [Exhibit to the Proxy
Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 14, 1998 (File No.
001-12155)]
4(e) Form of Underwriter's Warrant Agreement (including Form of
Underwriter's Warrant) [Exhibit 4.2 to the SB-2 Registration
Statement dated June 3, 1996 (Registration No. 333-5103)]
4(f) Form of Warrant Certificate [Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 2
to SB-2 Registration Statement dated July 22, 1996
(Registration No. 333-5103)]
4(g) Form of Warrant Agreement [Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 2 to
SB-2 Registration Statement dated July 22, 1996 (Registration
No. 333-5103)]
4(h) Form of Unit Certificate [Exhibit 4.4 to Amendment No. 2 to
SB-2 Registration Statement dated July 22, 1996 (Registration
No. 333-5103)]
4(i) Resolutions adopted by the Company's Board of Directors June
18, 1998, amending terms of Warrants and Underwriter's
Options [Exhibit 4(I) to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for
the year ended December 31, 1998]
4(j) Resolutions adopted by the Company's Board of Directors July
19, 2001, amending terms of warrants and Underwriter's
Options. [Exhibit 4(j) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2001]
4(k) Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan
[Appendix A to the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed
April 19, 2002 for the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders]
10(a) Form of Underwriter's Consulting Agreement [ Exhibit 10.1 to
the SB-2 Registration Statement dated June 3, 1996
(Registration No. 333-5103)]
10(b) Letter of Agreement dated June 3, 1996 between Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc. and Lucent Technologies, Inc. [Exhibit
10.2 to Amendment No. 1 to SB-2 Registration Statement dated
July 22, 1996 (Registration No. 333-5103)]
10(c) Agreement of Lease By and between Tolland Enterprises and
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc., dated November 5, 1996
[Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the
quarter ended September 30, 1996]
10(d) Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998 between
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and George J. Taylor, Jr.
[Exhibit 10.5 to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
year ended December 31, 1997]
10(e) Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective as of
January 1, 1998 [Exhibit 10.6 to the Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1997]
10(f) ARS Dealer Agreement Between Lucent Technologies and
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. For
44
Business Communications Systems [Exhibit 10(s) to the Annual
Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1998]
10(g) ARS License Agreement Between Lucent Technologies and
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. For Authorized Remarketing
Supplier Program [Exhibit 10(t) to the Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1998]
10(h) Rider #1 to Lease Dated November 5, 1996 By and Between
Tolland Enterprises ("Landlord") and Farmstead Telephone
Group, Inc. ("Tenant"), attached as of May 27, 1999 [Exhibit
10(cc) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1999]
10(i) First Amendment of Lease, dated June 30, 1999, By and Between
Tolland Enterprises ("Landlord") and Farmstead Telephone
Group, Inc. ("Tenant") [Exhibit 10(dd) to the Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999]
10(j) Loan Agreement, dated September 27, 2000 between First Union
National Bank and Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. [Exhibit
10(ee) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2000]
10(k) Promissory Note, dated September 27, 2000 between First Union
National Bank and Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. [Exhibit
10(ff) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2000]
10(l) Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2000 between
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and Robert G. LaVigne
[Exhibit 10(ee) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2000]
10(m) Amendment to Lucent ARS License Agreement Between Lucent
Technologies Inc. and Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc., dated
February 2, 2001. [Exhibit 10(ff) to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000]
10(n) Amendment to Lucent ARS Dealer Agreement Between Lucent
Technologies Inc. and Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc., dated
February 2, 2001. [Exhibit 10(gg) to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000]
10(o) Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan
[Appendix B to the to the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
filed April 13, 2001 for the 2001 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders]
10(p) Limited Liability Company Agreement of InfiNet Systems LLC,
effective February 1, 2001 [Exhibit 10(dd) to the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001]
10(q) First Modification to Loan Agreement, entered into December
19, 2001 [Exhibit 10(ee) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2001]
10(r) Restated First Addendum To That Certain Employment Agreement
Between Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and George J. Taylor,
Jr., effective August 1, 2001 [Exhibit 10(ff) to the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001]
10(s) Third Modification to Loan Agreement, dated September 23,
2002 between Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and Wachovia
Bank, National Association (f/k/a First Union National Bank).
[Exhibit 10(a) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2002]
10(t) Modification Number One To Promissory Note, dated October 9,
2002 between Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and Wachovia
Bank, National Association. [Exhibit 10(b) to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002]
10(u) Fourth Modification to Loan Agreement, dated October 9, 2002
between Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and Wachovia Bank,
National Association (f/k/a First Union National Bank).
[Exhibit 10(c) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2002]
10(v) Loan and Security Agreement dated February 19, 2003 by and
between Business Alliance Capital Corp. and Farmstead
Telephone Group, Inc.
10(w) Revolving Credit Master Promissory Note dated February 19,
2003 between Business Alliance Capital Corporation and
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc.
10(x) Second Addendum to That Certain Employment Agreement Between
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. and George J. Taylor, Jr.,
Dated as of January 1, 1998, as Amended by That Certain
Restated First Addendum Dated as of August 1, 2001
16 Letter re change in certifying accountants
21 Subsidiaries
23(a) Consent of DiSanto Bertoline & Company, P.C.
23(b) Consent of Carlin, Charron & Rosen LLP
23(c) Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
99.1 Certification of George J. Taylor, Jr. pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.2 Certification of Robert G. LaVigne pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
45