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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004,

 

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                          to                         

 

Commission File No. 001-15143

 


 

IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   91-1039211
(State of Incorporation)   (IRS Employer I.D. No.)

 

16804 Gridley Place, Cerritos, CA 90703

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (562) 860-6666

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No ¨

 

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of April 20, 2004:

 

18,584,149 shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share.

 



Table of Contents

IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

INDEX

 

Part I.

   Financial Information     
     Item 1.    Financial Statements    3
          Condensed consolidated balance sheets—December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004 (unaudited)    3
          Condensed consolidated statements of operations (unaudited)—Three months ended March 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004    5
          Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)—Three months ended March 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004    6
          Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited)—March 31, 2004    7
     Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    18
     Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk    34
     Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    34

Part II.

   Other Information     
     Item 2.    Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds    35
     Item 5.    Other Information    35
     Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8–K    36

Signatures

   37

Exhibits

    


Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Financial Statements

 

IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     December 31,
2003


   March 31,
2004


          (Unaudited)

ASSETS

             

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 9,524    $ 9,144

Restricted cash

     724      388

Accounts receivable, net

     14,051      24,561

Inventories:

             

Raw materials and parts

     9,347      11,259

Work-in-process

     277      397

Finished goods

     8,275      6,965
    

  

Total inventories

     17,899      18,621

Deferred tax assets

     283      293

Other current assets

     1,648      1,329
    

  

Total current assets

     44,129      54,336

Equipment and leasehold improvements:

             

Dies, molds and patterns

     6,572      6,911

Machinery and equipment

     7,792      7,825

Office furnishings and equipment

     8,545      8,030

Automobiles and trucks

     402      399

Leasehold improvements

     3,597      3,642
    

  

       26,908      26,807

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     18,589      18,531
    

  

Net equipment and leasehold improvements

     8,319      8,276

Net goodwill and intangibles

     10,106      10,075

Deferred tax assets, net

     9,476      9,476

Investment in affiliates

     25,500      25,631

Other assets

     3,606      4,048
    

  

Total Assets

   $ 101,136    $ 111,842
    

  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     December 31,
2003


    March 31,
2004


 
           (Unaudited)  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 9,082     $ 14,767  

Accrued payroll obligations

     2,762       2,745  

Other accrued expenses

     4,195       3,806  

Current revolving line of credit

     5,238       9,675  

Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases

     713       629  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     21,990       31,622  

Term loans

     17,617       17,817  

Capital leases

     95       96  

Other liabilities

     1,483       1,335  

Minority interest

     2,822       3,159  

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock, $.001 par value, authorized 500,000 shares; none issued and outstanding at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003

     —         —    

Common stock, $.001 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares 18,568,721 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 18,584,149 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2004

     19       19  

Additional paid-in capital

     132,190       132,290  

Shares held in treasury

     (312 )     (360 )

Accumulated deficit

     (74,993 )     (74,485 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     225       349  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     57,129       57,813  
    


 


Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 101,136     $ 111,842  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004

(In thousands except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2003

   2004

Revenue

   $ 19,572    $ 28,603

Costs and expenses:

             

Cost of revenue

     13,013      21,060

Research and development expense

     986      942

Selling, general and administrative expense

     4,432      4,170
    

  

Total costs and expenses

     18,431      26,172

Operating income

     1,141      2,431

Interest expense, net

     231      1,155
    

  

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity share in income of unconsolidated affiliates

     910      1,276

Equity share in loss of unconsolidated affiliates

     —        40

Income tax expense

     364      434
    

  

Income from continuing operations before minority interests

     546      802

Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries

     95      286
    

  

Net income

   $ 451    $ 516
    

  

Net income per share:

             

Basic net income

   $ 0.03    $ 0.03
    

  

Diluted net income

   $ 0.03    $ 0.03
    

  

Number of shares used in per share calculation:

             

Basic

     16,434      18,576
    

  

Diluted

     16,517      19,986
    

  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2003

    2004

 

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities from continuing operations

     2,171       (4,744 )

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements

     (245 )     (465 )

Business acquisition cost

     (1,546 )     (37 )

Proceeds from sale of equipment

     —         1  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,791 )     (501 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

(Decrease) increase in revolving line of credit

     (410 )     4,437  

Payments on term loans

     (1,557 )     (84 )

Proceeds from notes payable

     —         65  

Payments of capital lease obligation

     (51 )     1  

Dispose (acquire) common shares held in treasury

     14       (143 )

Increase in restricted cash

     926       335  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     —         100  
    


 


Net cash (used) provided by financing activities

     (1,078 )     4,711  

Net cash used by continuing operations

     (698 )     (534 )

Translation adjustment

     598       154  
    


 


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (100 )     (380 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,996       9,524  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 1,896     $ 9,144  
    


 


 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2004

 

1.    Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position and operating results for the interim periods. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, together with management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and the results of operations, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. The consolidated financial statements of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (“IMPCO” or the “Company”) as of March 31, 2004 include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries IMPCO-BERU Technologies B.V. (“IMPCO BV”) and Grupo I.M.P.C.O. Mexicano, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“IMPCO Mexicano”), its wholly-owned subsidiaries IMPCO Technologies, Pty. Limited (“IMPCO Pty”) and IMPCO Tech Japan K.K. (“IMPCO Japan”), and its majority-owned joint ventures Minda IMPCO Technologies Limited and CNGC-IMPCO Technologies, LLC (“CNGC”). The Company has a 40% interest in a joint venture, Minda IMPCO Limited, and uses the equity method for reporting the results of this entity. In July 2003, the Company purchased 50% of B.R.C. Societá a Responsabilitá Limitata (“BRC”). The Company uses the equity method to recognize the assets and liabilities of BRC in the Company’s consolidated results. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004, or for any future period.

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, (“FIN 46”). FIN 46 introduces a new consolidation model, the variable interests model, which determines control (and consolidation) based on potential variability in gains and losses of the entity being evaluated for consolidation. The requirements for FIN 46, including its disclosures, apply immediately.

 

FIN 46 provides guidance for determining whether an entity qualifies as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) by considering, among other considerations, whether the entity lacks sufficient equity or its equity holders lack adequate decision-making ability. If the entity does not qualify as a VIE, then the consolidation criteria is based on previously established accounting standards.

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Qualifying VIEs are covered by FIN 46 and are individually evaluated for consolidation based on their variable interests. FIN 46 requires consideration and estimates of a significant number of possible future outcomes of the VIE as well as the probability of each outcome occurring. Based on the allocation of possible outcomes, a calculation is performed to determine which party, if any, has a majority of potential negative outcomes (expected losses) or a majority of the potential positive outcomes (expected residual returns), with an emphasis on negative outcomes. That party, if any, is the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate the VIE. The Company has evaluated the potential effect of FIN 46 as of March 31, 2004 and there was no effect on its consolidated financial statements at adoption.

 

2.    Debt Payable

 

The Company’s debt payable is summarized as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

     December 31,
2003


   March 31,
2004


(a) Senior subordinated secured promissory note—Bison Capital Structured Equity Partners, LLC

     17,483      17,618

(b) Revolving promissory note—LaSalle Business Credit, LLC

     5,238      9,675

(c) Term loan—The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. 

     598      606

(d) Minda Ltd. term loans

     134      199

(e) Other loans

     72      —  

Other capital leases

     138      119
    

  

     $ 23,663    $ 28,217

Less: current portion

     5,951      10,304
    

  

Non-current portion

   $ 17,712    $ 17,913
    

  

 

(a)    Senior Subordinated Secured Promissory Note—Bison Capital Structured Equity Partners, LLC

 

On July 18, 2003 the Company entered into an agreement with Bison Capital Structured Equity Partners, LLC to sell to Bison a senior subordinated secured promissory note in the amount of $20.0 million bearing interest at a rate of 11.25%. Interest payments are due monthly over the term of the note and the principal amount of the note is due in full on July 18, 2007. The net proceeds of the note were approximately $17.3 million and resulted in a loan

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

discount of approximately $2.7 million, which is amortized to interest expense over the term of the note. At March 31, 2004 the carrying value of the note was approximately $17.6 million. Approximately $1.0 million was recognized as interest expense in the three months ended March 31, 2004. The Bison note is secured by a pledge of the equity securities of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. At December 31, 2003, the Company was in default for not meeting certain financial measurement covenants at the end of the fourth quarter of 2003. The Company obtained a waiver of its covenants at December 31, 2003, and certain covenant amendments for the remainder of 2004. The Company paid the default rate of interest for the first quarter of 2004 (3% over the stated rate) in cash amounting to $150,000. The default rate of interest thereafter will be paid-in-kind and increase 150 basis points each quarter (up to a maximum of 18.75% per annum) as long as the Company does not perform up to the covenants established at the inception of the loan. At March 31, 2004, the Company is

in compliance with the revised covenant amendments as contained in the amended agreement, dated March 12, 2004.

 

In conjunction with the initial issuance of the promissory note agreement, the Company issued warrants to Bison to purchase 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $2.00 per share. In September 2003, Bison exercised the warrants and acquired 500,000 shares of common stock.

 

(b)    Revolving Promissory Note—LaSalle Business Credit, LLC

 

On July 18, 2003 the Company entered into a revolving promissory note with LaSalle Business Credit, LLC for a maximum amount of $12.0 million bearing interest at a rate of prime plus 1%. The note is payable in full on July 18, 2006. The Company’s availability under this facility is determined by a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances as defined by the asset-based lending agreement. As of March 31, 2004, approximately $9.7 million was outstanding under the line of credit and approximately $2.3 million was unused and available under the line. Approximately, $0.2 million was recognized as interest expense in the first quarter of 2004. At December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004, the Company was in default for not meeting certain financial measurement covenants at the end of the fourth quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004. The Company obtained waivers of its covenants at December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004. During the first quarter of 2004, the Company requested and was granted an amendment whereby two large customer accounts were granted up to 40% availability in the borrowing base (previously 15%) resulting in greater access to the credit facility.

 

(c)    The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd.

 

In April 2002, IMPCO Japan secured a ¥64.0 million ($0.6 million) line of credit facility with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd.

 

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(“HSBC”), Osaka Branch. This line of credit was renewed in March 2003 with a fixed interest rate of 1.685% for a period of 12 months and matured in April 2004. The line of credit is cash secured from a restricted account with National Australian Bank Limited, which issued a stand-by letter of credit to HSBC as collateral for the line of credit. At March 31, 2004, the outstanding loan balance was $0.6 million bearing interest at a rate of 1.685%. In April 2004, the line of credit was repaid in full.

 

(d)    Minda IMPCO Ltd. Notes Payable

 

During the fourth quarter of 2003, Minda IMPCO Ltd., a majority owned subsidiary in India entered into several loan agreements and obtained a total of INR6.0 million ($134,000) in loans with an average interest rate of 14% and mature in two years. During the first quarter of 2004, additional amounts were borrowed totaling $65,000 and the amount owed at March 31, 2004 totaled approximately $199,000.

 

(e)    Other finance loans

 

In February, May, and September of 2003, the Company financed certain insurance policies through a third party lender. These loans were paid down in full during the first quarter of 2004.

 

3.    Earnings Per Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands of dollars except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2003

   2004

Numerator:

             

Net income

   $ 451    $ 516
    

  

Denominator:

             

Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted average number of shares

     16,434      18,576

Effect of dilutive securities:

             

Employee stock options

     63      982

Warrants

     3      389

Shares held in treasury

     17      39
    

  

Dilutive potential common shares

     16,517      19,986

Basic income per share

   $ 0.03    $ 0.03
    

  

Diluted income per share

   $ 0.03    $ 0.03
    

  

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2004, options to purchase 52,869 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the period ended March 31, 2003, options to purchase 1,120,074 shares of common stock and 300,000 warrants to acquire shares of common stock, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, requires pro forma information regarding net income and net income per share to be disclosed for new options granted after fiscal year 1996. The fair value of these options was determined at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2003

     2004

 

Expected dividend yield

   0.0 %    0.0 %

Calculated annual volatility

   74.1 %    83.3 %

Risk free interest rate

   3.9 %    4.0 %

Expected life of the option (years)

   10.0      6.0  

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period for pro forma disclosures. The per share “pro forma” for the effects of SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS 148, is not indicative of the effects on reported net income/loss for future years. The Company’s “reported” and “pro forma” information for the three ended March 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands of dollars except per share data):

 

    

Three Months
Ended

March 31,


 
     2003

    2004

 

Net income as reported

   $ 451     $ 516  

Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related taxes

     (503 )     (589 )
    


 


Proforma net loss

   $ (52 )   $ (73 )
    


 


Basic earnings per share:

                

Net income as reported

   $ 0.03     $ 0.03  
    


 


Proforma loss

   $ (0.00 )   $ (0.00 )
    


 


Diluted earnings per share:

                

Net income as reported

   $ 0.03     $ 0.03  
    


 


Proforma loss

   $ (0.00 )   $ (0.00 )
    


 


 

4.    Comprehensive Income

 

The components of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004 are as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

    

Three Months
Ended

March 31,


     2003

   2004

Net income

     451      516

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     598      124

Unrealized gain on marketable securities available-for-sale

     3      —  
    

  

Comprehensive income

   $ 1,052    $ 640
    

  

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

5.    Business Segment Information

 

The Company classifies its business into two operating segments: United States Operations (“U.S. Operations”) and International Operations. U.S. Operations sells products, including complete certified engines, fuel systems, parts and conversion systems, for applications in the transportation and industrial markets. International Operations in Australia, Europe, Japan, India, China and Mexico provide distribution for the Company’s products, predominantly from U.S. Operations and some product assembly.

 

The Company recognizes revenue for product sales when title is transferred or the earnings process is otherwise complete, ordinarily when product is shipped, and when management is reasonably assured of collectibility. Corporate expenses represent a sub-category of selling, general and administrative expense. Intersegment eliminations are primarily the result of intercompany sales from U.S. Operations to International Operations. End markets for the Company’s products include the transportation and industrial markets, which includes the material handling and power generation industries.

 

The Company expenses all research and development when incurred. Research and development expense includes both contract-funded research and development and Company sponsored research and development.

 

Net revenue and operating income for the Company’s business segments for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004 are as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

    

Revenues

Three Months Ended
March 31,


    Operating Income
Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 

U.S. Operations

   $ 14,202     $ 22,793     $ 2,168     $ 2,929  

International Operations

     9,664       9,452       562       1,273  

Corporate Expenses (1)

     —         —         (1,499 )     (1,676 )

Intersegment Elimination

     (4,294 )     (3,642 )     (90 )     (95 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 19,572     $ 28,603     $ 1,141     $ 2,431  
    


 


 


 



(1) Represents corporate expenses not allocated to any of the operating segments.

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

6.    Income Taxes

 

Income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were computed using the effective tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year without giving effect to any change with respect to the valuation allowance on deferred income taxes. The effective tax rate and amount of the valuation allowance are subject to ongoing review and evaluation by management.

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes. The Company believes, based on its history of prior operating earnings, its completed spin-off of Quantum in 2002 and its expectations of future earnings, that operating income of the Company will more likely than not be sufficient to recognize fully these net deferred tax assets. In December 2002, the Company recognized a $24.0 million valuation allowance based on the weight of available evidence that a portion of these deferred tax assets would not be realized within the next three years, notwithstanding that some of these assets may have longer lives under applicable tax laws. In December 2003, the valuation allowance was increased by $2.5 million to $26.5 million attributable to the increase in deferred tax assets, primarily due to the increase of net operating loss carryforwards. At December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004, the total amounts recognized as net deferred tax assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $9.8 million, respectively, which were net of valuation allowances of $26.5 million, respectively.

 

7.    Business Acquisition

 

On October 3, 2002, the Company entered into an option agreement with the equity holders of B.R.C. Societá a Responsabilitá Limitata (“BRC”) under which the Company was granted an option to acquire a 50% ownership interest in BRC of Italy for approximately $23.8 million, which included the issuance of approximately 2.3 million shares of Company common stock (which the parties acknowledged and agreed were valued at $10.0 million). The Company announced on May 8, 2003 that the purchase of 50% of BRC was completed pending a $7.0 million payment that represented the deferred portion of the purchase price due on September 30, 2003. On July 22, 2003, in conjunction with the refinancing of the Company, the deferred payment of $7.0 million was paid to the equity holders of BRC consequently completing the 50% acquisition of BRC. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had incurred acquisition costs of approximately $24.7 million, which is shown on the consolidated balance sheet as part of investment in affiliates. The Company uses the equity method of accounting to recognize the investment in and the results of BRC in the

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Company’s consolidated results. The unaudited condensed balance sheets for BRC as of March 31, 2004 follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

     March 31,
2004


     (Unaudited)

Current assets

   $ 26,912

Long-term assets

     8,806
    

Total Assets

   $ 35,718
    

Current liabilities

   $ 9,779

Long-term liabilities

     3,980

Shareholders’ equity

     21,959
    

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 35,718
    

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, unaudited revenues were $10.5 million and $10.7 million, respectively, and net income was $2,000 and $287,000, respectively.

 

Related Party Transaction

 

In July 2003, the Company made the final deferred payment to the BRC equity holders, which completed the $23.8 million acquisition of a 50% equity interest in BRC. Mr. Mariano Costamagna is the Chief Executive Officer of MTM S.r.l., an Italian corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of BRC and, prior to the transaction, directly or indirectly held a 50% equity interest in BRC. In connection with this purchase, the Company paid $6.9 million and issued 1,039,262 shares of common stock to Mr. Costamagna or his spouse, representing payment for one-half of the 50% interest he held directly or indirectly in BRC. Mr. Costamagna was elected to a three-year term as a Company director beginning June 12, 2003. Mr. Costamagna presently owns 20% equity interest in BRC, and other members of his immediate family own between 5% and 20% of the equity interest in BRC.

 

Since 2002, BRC has leased buildings from IMCOS2, S.r.l., a related company. During 2003, BRC paid 450,000 in rental payments.

 

8.    Stockholders’ Equity

 

In February 2003, the Board of Directors adopted the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (“Plan”), which was approved by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 12, 2003. The Plan provides for the issuance of stock options initially covering up to 800,000 shares of the

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

common stock of the Company. As of March 31, 2004, none of these options have been exercised and none of the underlying shares of common stock have been issued.

 

On March 28, 2003, the Company granted 200,000 warrants to purchase common stock at a price of $2.51, 120% over market price, in connection with an $8.0 million standby loan commitment from a director expiring May 31, 2003 and subsequently extended to July 31, 2003. The warrants expire in four years. The commitment was not exercised and was cancelled during 2003. During 2003, the Company utilized the Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value of the warrants of approximately $0.3 million and recognized the entire amount as interest expense during 2003.

 

On April 14, 2003, the Company issued warrants, fully vesting with a five-year expiration period, to lenders to acquire 305,000 shares of IMPCO common stock at a price 120% over the market price of $2.05 in connection with bridge loans totaling approximately $3.1 million. The loans were repaid in full by December 2003. During 2003, the Company utilized the Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value of the warrants of approximately $0.4 million and recognized the entire amount as interest expense during 2003.

 

On July 21, 2003, the Company granted 500,000 warrants to Bison to acquire common stock of the Company at a price of $2.00 in connection with the senior subordinated secured promissory note with Bison in the amount of $20.0 million due in July 2007. The warrants were fully exercised during September 2003 and the corresponding number of shares of common stock is included in the number of shares outstanding as of March 31, 2004. In July 2003, the Company recognized the fair value of the warrants totaling approximately $2.6 million as part of additional paid in capital on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and has amortized as part of interest expense on a ratable basis over the four-year term of the loan approximately $0 and $160,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

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IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

9.    Warranty

 

Estimated future warranty obligations related to certain products are provided by charges to operations in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. Estimates are based, in part, on historical experience. Changes in the Company’s product warranty liability during the three months ended March 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

Warranty reserve for the three
months ended:
   Balance at
Beginning
of Period


   New
Warranties
Issued


    Warranties
Settled


    Balance at
the End
of Period


March 31, 2003

   $ 452    $ 23     (56 )   $ 419

March 31, 2004

   $ 674    $ (25 )   (58 )   $ 591

 

10.    Related Party Transactions

 

In December 2000, the Company loaned an officer of the Company $100,000. The loan initially bore interest at a rate of 5% per annum and, since June 30, 2001, bears interest at a rate of 9% per annum. The loan became due and payable in full on July 31, 2002. As of March 31, 2004 the loan was repaid in full.

 

In September 2001, the Company loaned this officer $175,000. The loan bears interest at a rate of 9% per annum and became due and payable on July 31, 2002. The amount outstanding at March 31, 2004 was approximately $218,000. The Company is negotiating with this officer to recover the amounts due under the loan.

 

On June 30, 2003, the 10% minority holder of IMPCO Mexicano exercised his put option for $0.5 million. The Company entered into an agreement whereby a Company director agreed to purchase the 10% interest for $0.5 million and would allow the Company to repurchase the 10% interest at cost. In December 2003, the Company repaid the director $0.5 million, plus accrued interest of approximately $50,000, for his 10% interest and the Company owns 100% of IMPCO Mexicano.

 

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Item  2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward-looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations that follows, contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, our beliefs and assumptions. We use words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate” and variations of these words and similar expressions in part to help identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or promises of specific courses of action and instead are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: we are highly leveraged and are operating under waivers of covenant defaults under certain of our debt obligations, and if we remain in default or are unable to obtain continuing waivers, our lenders may foreclose our assets; our leverage creates interest expense that makes it difficult for us to reinvest our earnings into future growth. Further risk factors include the fact that we have a significant deferred tax asset on our balance sheet, some or all of which may be unrecognizable and which may give rise to further valuation adjustments; we may be unable to raise additional capital necessary to fund our operations and capitalize on market opportunities; our business depends on the growth of the alternative fuel market, particularly in international markets; our recent spin-off of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (“Quantum”) is subject to tax risks for us and our stockholders, including restrictions on our issuance of equity securities in order to maintain the tax-free status of the spin-off; we face significant competition, which could decrease our revenue and market share; we face risks of operating internationally, including potential foreign currency exposure, difficulty and expense of complying with foreign laws and regulations and political instability; new technologies could render our products obsolete; we may be unable to adequately protect our intellectual property rights; we depend on third-party suppliers to supply materials and components for our products; we may be subject to increased warranty claims due to lengthened warranty periods being offered by our OEM customers; the market for our products could be adversely affected by changes in environmental and other policies and regulations; we may be subject to litigation if our stock price is volatile; and changes in general economic conditions could materially affect our results of operations. This list of factors is not intended to be exhaustive. Reference should also be made to the factors set forth from time to time in our

 

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SEC reports, including but not limited to, those set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our view only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Overview

 

We design, manufacture and supply components, complete certified engine systems and fuel systems that include fuel metering, electronic control and fuel storage products that enable internal combustion engines to run on clean burning alternative fuels such as propane and natural gas instead of gasoline. Based on over 45 years of technology development and expertise in producing cost-effective, safe and durable fuel technology systems for engines, we believe that we are positioned to provide enabling products and technologies in the rapidly expanding alternative fuel industry.

 

We classify our business into two business segments: U.S. Operations and International Operations. Our U.S. Operations sells products, including complete certified engines, parts and conversion systems, for applications in the transportation, material handling, stationary and portable power generator and general industrial markets. Our International Operations in Australia, Europe, India, Japan, China and Mexico provide distribution for our products, predominantly from U.S. Operations and some product assembly on engines.

 

We recognize revenue for product sales when title is transferred or when the earnings process is otherwise complete, ordinarily when products are shipped, and when management is reasonably assured of collectibility. Corporate expenses represent a sub-category of selling, general and administrative expense. Intersegment eliminations are primarily the result of intercompany sales from U.S. Operations to International Operations. End markets for our products include the transportation and industrial markets, which includes the material handling, industrial and power generation industries.

 

Net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased by approximately $9.0 million to $28.6 million from $19.6 million for the same period of 2003. Net income for the comparative periods was $0.5 million, or $0.03 per share, respectively. We attribute the increase in revenue to deliveries of our certified complete engine systems in response to new federal regulations requiring that certain “off-road” vehicles meet new and more stringent emissions standards.

 

Recent Developments

 

Business Acquisition.    On October 3, 2002, we entered into an option agreement with the equity holders of B.R.C. Societá a Responsabilitá Limitata

 

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(“BRC”) under which we were granted an option to acquire a 50% ownership interest in BRC for approximately $23.8 million, which included the issuance of approximately 2.3 million shares of our common stock (which the parties acknowledged and agreed were valued at $10.0 million). We announced on May 8, 2003 that the purchase of 50% of BRC was completed pending a $7.0 million payment that represented a deferred portion of the purchase price due on September 30, 2003. On July 22, 2003, in conjunction with the refinancing of our Company, the deferred payment of $7.0 million was paid to the equity holders of BRC consequently completing the 50% acquisition of BRC. As of December 31, 2003, we incurred acquisition costs of approximately $24.6 million and are shown on the consolidated balance sheet as part of investment in affiliates. We use the equity method of accounting to recognize the investment in and the results of BRC in our consolidated financial results. The unaudited condensed balance sheet for BRC as of March 31, 2004 follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

     March 31,
2004


     (Unaudited)

Current assets

   $ 26,912

Long-term assets

     8,806
    

Total Assets

   $ 35,718
    

Current liabilities

   $ 9,779

Long-term liabilities

     3,980

Shareholders’ equity

     21,959
    

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 35,718
    

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004, unaudited revenues for this operating unit were $10.5 million and $10.7 million, respectively, and net income was $2,000 and $287,000, respectively.

 

Refinancing.    In July 2003, we entered into a senior subordinated secured promissory note with Bison Capital Structured Equity Partners, LLC (“Bison”) and a revolving promissory note with LaSalle Business Credit (“LaSalle”) for $20.0 million and $12.0 million, respectively. The proceeds from these lending arrangements were used to refinance approximately $11.3 million of Bank of America credit facilities; to finance the $7.0 million deferred payment to complete the 50% acquisition of BRC; and to provide for working capital.

 

At December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004, we were in default on the LaSalle loan for not meeting certain financial measurement covenants at the end of the fourth quarter of 2003. We obtained waivers of our covenants at December 31,2003 and March 31, 2004. We are currently paying a default rate of interest that is equal to the LaSalle Bank prime rate plus 2%.

 

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At December 31, 2003, we were in default on the Bison loan for not meeting certain financial measurement covenants at the end of the fourth quarter of 2003. We obtained a waiver of its covenants at December 31, 2003, and certain covenant amendments for the remainder of 2004. We paid the default rate of interest for the first quarter of 2004 (3% over the stated rate) in cash amounting to $150,000. The default rate of interest thereafter will be paid in kind and increase 150 basis points each quarter (up to a maximum of 18.75% per annum) as long as we do not perform up to the covenants established at the inception of the loan. At March 31, 2004, we were in compliance with the revised covenant amendments as contained in the amended agreement, dated

March 12, 2004.

 

Equity Offering.    On December 19, 2003, we sold 1,500,000 shares of our common stock to certain institutional investors at $6.40 per share, yielding net proceeds of approximately $9.0 million after discounts and commissions. The offering was conducted as a private placement under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and rule 506 as promulgated thereunder. The proceeds were used to retire short-term debt and for working capital.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debts, goodwill, taxes, inventories, warranty obligations, long-term service contracts, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

 

We recognize revenue for product sales when title is transferred or when the earnings process is otherwise complete, ordinarily when products are shipped, and when management is reasonably assured of collectibility. The costs of shipping and handling, when incurred, are recognized in the cost of goods sold. We expense all research and development when incurred.

 

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We provide for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. While we engage in product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of our component suppliers, our warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Should actual product failure rates, material usage or service delivery costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability may be required.

 

We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

 

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

 

We operate wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. We record goodwill at the time of purchase for the amount of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired. Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underlying investments could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the goodwill, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future.

 

We recorded a net deferred tax asset, which we believe is more likely than not to be realized. While we consider future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an additional valuation allowance would be recognized and charged to income in the period such a determination was made.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Net revenue and operating income for our business for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004 are as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

    

Revenues

Three Months Ended
March 31,


    Operating Income
Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 

U.S. Operations

   $ 14,202     $ 22,793     $ 2,168     $ 2,929  

International Operations

     9,664       9,452       562       1,273  

Corporate Expenses (1)

     —         —         (1,499 )     (1,676 )

Intersegment Elimination

     (4,294 )     (3,642 )     (90 )     (95 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 19,572     $ 28,603     $ 1,141     $ 2,431  
    


 


 


 



(1) Represents corporate expenses not allocated to any of the operating segments.

 

Net revenue increased approximately $9.0 million, or 46.1%, to $28.6 million in the first quarter of 2004 from $19.6 million in the first quarter of 2003. The net revenue in the first quarter of 2004 is the highest quarterly revenue total since 2000. The first quarter 2004 increase was due to an $11.5 million increase in net sales of our products to the industrial market and a $2.5 million decline in net sales of our products to the transportation market. The $11.5 million increase in revenue in the industrial market was attributed primarily to a significant increase in revenues to the U.S. industrial market and an increase in the European industrial market, which we believe is following the U.S. industrial market recovery. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003 and continuing into 2004, we expect to realize incremental revenues for deliveries of new products including certified engine packages and fuel systems in response to new federal regulations, effective January 1, 2004, requiring that certain “off-road” vehicles and industrial applications meet more stringent exhaust emissions standards.

 

Operating income increased during the first quarter of 2004 by approximately $1.3 million, or 113.1%, from a $1.1 million profit in the first quarter of 2003 to $2.4 million profit in the first quarter of 2004. The increase in operating income was associated primarily with an increase in gross margin of $1.0 million attributable primarily to the revenue increase of $9.0 million and a decrease of $0.3 million in operating expenses.

 

U.S. Operations Division.    For the three months ended March 31, 2004, revenue increased by approximately $8.6 million, or 61.5% as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in sales during the first quarter of 2004 was due primarily to a $10.1 million increase in the industrial market offset by $1.5 million decrease in the transportation market. The increase in

 

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revenues to the industrial market is directly related to the EPA regulations effective January 2004 imposing more stringent emissions requirements on certain “off-road” vehicles. We expect the higher level of shipments to continue for the balance of 2004 and we anticipate that 2004 will result in a significantly higher revenue level than 2003.

 

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was $0.7 million higher than the same period in fiscal year 2003. The increase in gross profit is attributable primarily to higher revenues of $8.6 million.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2004, operating income increased by more than $0.8 million, or 35.1%, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase was mainly due to $8.6 million in higher revenues and a reduction of $0.1 million in operating expenses.

 

International Operations.    For the three months ended March 31, 2004, revenue decreased by approximately $0.2 million, or 2.2%, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in sales during the first quarter of 2004 was caused by a $1.6 million increase in the industrial market offset by a $1.8 million revenue decline in the transportation market. Revenue performance in the European industrial market was stronger than expected and the transportation segment in Mexico was less than expected.

 

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased approximately $0.3 million, as compared to the same period in fiscal year 2003. For the three-month period, approximately $0.4 million of the increase in gross profit was due to changes in product mix partially offset by approximately $0.1 million due to the decrease in revenue.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2004, operating income increased by approximately $0.7 million, or 126.5%, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase for the three-month period was mainly due to the increase in gross profit of $0.3 million and by $0.4 million in lower operating expenses.

 

Corporate Expenses.    Corporate expenses consist of general and administrative expenses at the corporate level to support our operating segments in areas such as executive management, finance, human resources, management information systems, legal services and investor relations. Corporate expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were $1.8 million or $0.2 million higher than the same period of fiscal year 2003. Higher operating expenses included higher depreciation expense in connection with recently implemented information systems, additional travel and outside services costs.

 

Interest Expense.    Net interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was approximately $1.2 million compared to net interest

 

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expense of approximately $0.2 million for the corresponding period of 2003, or an increase of $1.0 million, or 400.0%. This increase is attributed to the carrying value of our debt increasing from approximately $12.2 million at March 31, 2003 to approximately $28.2 million at March 31, 2004. In July 2003, we replaced the Bank of America debt with the LaSalle senior debt of $12.0 million and the subordinated Bison debt for $20.0 million. Interest costs for the first quarter for the Bison and the LaSalle loans were approximately $1.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively. In connection with our fourth quarter 2003 defaults with both loan agreements of certain financial covenant measurements, we are currently paying a default rate of interest for both loans at a rate of 3% per annum over the stated rate of 11.25% for the Bison loan up to a maximum of 18.75% until our performance meets the original Bison covenants, and 2% over the LaSalle Bank prime until the LaSalle covenants are renegotiated. We can offer no assurances that the covenants can be renegotiated or that continuing waivers of covenant defaults will be forthcoming.

 

Losses in Unconsolidated Affiliates.    On July 22, 2003, we completed the 50% acquisition of BRC and we use the equity method of accounting for reporting our share of the unconsolidated results of BRC into our consolidated financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004. We recorded a pre-tax benefit of approximately $0.1 million corresponding to our share of BRC net income for the quarter. BRC revenue in the first quarter of 2004 was $10.7 million as compared to $10.5 million in the same period of 2003. In addition, we recognized depreciation expense of approximately $0.1 million associated with our share of the excess of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the carrying value of BRC according to the purchase method of accounting for business combinations. In addition, $0.1 million was recognized as an expense corresponding to our share in the loss of our unconsolidated joint venture in India.

 

Provision For Income Taxes.    During 2002, we established a $24.0 million valuation allowance for deferred taxes on the basis that we believed that it is more likely than not that a portion of our deferred tax asset will not be realized and established a valuation allowance for those assets that are not likely to be utilized over the next three years. During 2003, we increased the valuation allowance to $26.5 million and recognized no tax benefit for the pretax losses for the domestic business. For the three month period ended March 31, 2004, a tax provision of approximately $0.4 million was recognized attributed to the pretax profits of our foreign operations. For the domestic business, we did not recognize a tax provision or a tax benefit nor did we adjust the valuation allowance for net deferred tax asset.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our ongoing operations are funded by cash generated from operations, debt financings and sales of our equity securities. In addition, these sources of cash provide for capital expenditures and research and development, as well as to invest in and operate our existing operations and prospective new lines of business.

 

On October 3, 2002, we entered into an option agreement with the equity holders of BRC under which we were granted an option to acquire a 50% ownership interest in BRC of Italy for approximately $23.8 million, which included the issuance of approximately 2.3 million shares of Company common stock (which the parties acknowledged and agreed were valued at $10.0 million). We announced on May 8, 2003 that the purchase of 50% of BRC was completed pending a $7.0 million payment that represented a deferred portion of the purchase price due on September 30, 2003. On July 22, 2003, in conjunction with the refinancing of our Company, the deferred payment of $7.0 million was paid to the equity holders of BRC consequently completing the 50% acquisition of BRC. As of March 31, 2004, we incurred acquisition costs of approximately $24.7 million and are shown on the consolidated balance sheet as part of investment in affiliates. We use the equity method of accounting to recognize the investment in and the results of BRC in our consolidated financial results.

 

On December 19, 2003, we sold 1,500,000 shares of our common stock to certain institutional investors at $6.40 per share, yielding net proceeds of approximately $9.0 million after discounts and commissions. The offering was conducted as a private placement under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and rule 506 as promulgated thereunder. The proceeds were used to retire short-term debt and for working capital.

 

As of March 31, 2004, our cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $9.1 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of approximately $9.5 million at December 31, 2003. During July 2003, we entered into an asset-based lending facility with a maximum credit limit of $12.0 million with LaSalle Business Credit, LLC and a senior subordinated secured note for $20.0 million with Bison Capital Structured Equity Partners, LLC. The proceeds from the debt facilities were used to pay off approximately $11.3 million Bank of America debt, to finance the deferred $7.0 million payment to complete the BRC acquisition and to provide additional working capital. On July 21, 2003, the Bank of America debt and accrued interest were paid in full, and on July 22, 2003, the $7.0 million deferred payment due to the equity holders of BRC was paid to complete the acquisition of BRC. In addition, in July and August of 2003, approximately $1.0 million was paid in principal and accrued interest to certain holders of short-term bridge loans.

 

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Advances made under the asset-based credit facility are based on a percentage of eligible inventory and accounts receivable balances. This line of credit has an initial three-year term and bears interest at a stated rate of prime plus 1%. There is no assurance that we will be able to consistently borrow the maximum amount under the line of credit of $12.0 million, presently, or over the term of the facility. The lender has a secured interest in substantially all the U.S. assets of the Company. The senior subordinated secured note of $20.0 million has a four-year term and bears a fixed interest rate of 11.25%. The net proceeds from the loan were approximately $17.3 million. The discount amount of $2.7 million is accounted for as a loan discount and is amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan. The Bison note is secured by a pledge of the equity securities of our non-U.S. subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2004 approximately $17.6 million and $9.7 million were outstanding under the Bison and LaSalle facilities, respectively. As of March 31, 2004, there was approximately $2.3 million of unused availability under the LaSalle facility.

 

At December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004, we were in default on the LaSalle loan for not meeting certain financial measurement covenants at the end of the fourth quarter of 2003. We obtained waivers of our covenants at December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004. During the first quarter of 2004, we requested and were granted an amendment whereby two large customer accounts were granted up to 40% availability in the borrowing base (previously 15%) resulting in greater access to the credit facility.

 

At December 31, 2003, we were in default on the Bison loan for not meeting certain financial measurement covenants at the end of the fourth quarter of 2003. We obtained a waiver of its covenants at December 31, 2003, and certain covenant amendments for the remainder of 2004. We paid the default rate of interest for the first quarter of 2004 (3% over the stated rate) in cash amounting to $150,000. The default rate of interest thereafter will be paid-in-kind and increase 150 basis points each quarter (up to a maximum of 18.75% per annum) as long as we do not perform up to the covenants established at the inception of the loan. At March 31, 2004, we were in compliance with the revised covenant amendments as contained in the amended agreement, dated March 12, 2004.

 

As a result of the refinancing of the Bank of America debt and the 50% acquisition of BRC, we have assumed additional long-term debt, which has increased our financial leverage. Interest costs over the next year are expected to be higher than in prior years. The Bison and LaSalle notes have loan terms of four and three years, respectively. Under the Bison agreement, we are obligated to pay off the note in July 2007 in the amount of $20.0 million plus any accrued interest classified as paid-in-kind resulting from our failure to comply with the covenants. Under the LaSalle agreement, which has a termination date of July 2006, we will be obligated to repay the balance owed at that time under the revolving line of credit, the maximum borrowing amount of which is limited to $12.0 million.

 

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Our ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.7:1.0 at March 31, 2004 and 2.0:1.0 at December 31, 2003. At March 31, 2004, our total working capital had increased by $0.6 million to $22.7 million from $22.1 million at December 31, 2003. This increase is due primarily to the $10.6 million increase in accounts receivable associated with the $10.4 million increase in revenue for the first quarter over the fourth quarter of 2003. The increase in accounts receivable was partially offset by increases in accounts payable and the LaSalle debt facility of $5.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

 

Net cash used by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was $4.7 million, compared to $2.2 million provided by operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003. The cash flow used by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2004 of $4.7 million resulted primarily from net income of $0.5 million, adjusted for non-cash charges against income for depreciation and amortization of $1.1 million, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries of $0.3 million and offset by our share in income of unconsolidated affiliates of $0.2 million. Changes in working capital that affected cash flows were an increase of accounts payable that resulted in a positive cash flow of $5.7 million offset partially by negative cash flows of $10.6 million and $0.6 million associated with increases of accounts receivable and inventory, respectively. For the comparable three months ended March 31, 2003, cash provided by operating activities was $2.2 million consisting of net income of $0.5 million, adjusted for non-cash charges for minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries of $0.1 million and depreciation expense of $0.6 million. Working capital changes that negatively affected cash were increases in other assets and accounts receivable totaling $2.9 million offset by positive effects on cash flow totaling $3.8 million for increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses and a decrease in inventory.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2004 was $0.5 million, a decrease of $1.3 million from the three months ended March 31, 2003. This decrease is due primarily to payments made to BRC shareholders of $1.5 million as part of the 2003 50% acquisition of BRC.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was $4.7 million or an increase of $5.8 million from $1.1 million used in financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2003. This increase was due primarily to the $4.4 million increase during the first quarter of 2004 of borrowings under the LaSalle line of credit and payments of $2.0 million under the Bank of America line of credit and term loans during the same period of 2003. During the first quarter of 2003, approximately $1.0 million was reclassified from restricted cash to other assets.

 

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For the three months ended March 31, 2004, net cash decreased by $0.4 million after the effect of translation adjustments of $0.1 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2003, the net cash decreased by $0.1 million after the effect of a favorable $0.6 million attributed to foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

Our subsidiary in the Netherlands has a 2.3 million credit facility with Fortis Bank. At March 31, 2004, there was no outstanding balance under this credit facility.

 

Our subsidiary in Japan has a ¥64 million ($0.6 million outstanding at March 31, 2004) short-term loan facility with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd., Osaka Branch. At March 31, 2004, a balance of $0.6 million was outstanding. This credit facility was repaid in April 2004.

 

It is possible that we may require additional sources of financing in order to capitalize on opportunities that we believe currently exists in the alternative fuel market and to invest in long-term business opportunities. These additional sources of financing may include bank borrowings or public or private offerings of equity or debt securities. No assurance can be given that such additional sources of financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

 

We are also seeking to revise our financial covenants to reflect more current estimates of future financial performance. However, we cannot assure readers that the lenders will agree to amend our financial covenants or grant further or continuing waivers in the future. If we cannot obtain the necessary waivers or amendments, or return to compliance with these and all other loan covenants, our lenders may accelerate our debt, foreclose on our assets, or take other legal actions against us which, alone or in the aggregate, may have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Should we be unable to obtain waivers or amendments, we believe that our current cash balances, available cash drawn from our subsidiaries, other financing alternatives, our history of being able to raise equity, cost reductions, and our ability to obtain bridge loans will result in adequate liquidity to continue operations through March 31, 2005.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

The following table contains supplemental information regarding total contractual obligations as of March 31, 2004. The capital lease obligations are undiscounted and represent total minimum lease payments.

 

     Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations


   Total

   Less
than One
Year


   2-3 Years

   4-5 Years

   More
Than 5
Years


Revolving lines of credit

   $ 10,281    $ 606    $ 9,675    $ —      $ —  

Term loans payable

     20,000      —        —        20,000      —  

Notes payable

     199      —        199      —        —  

Capital lease obligations

     119      23      96      —        —  

Operating lease obligations

     4,952      1,384      1,068      925      1,575

Other and miscellaneous

     80      80      —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

Totals

   $ 35,631    $ 2,093    $ 11,038    $ 20,925    $ 1,575
    

  

  

  

  

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

The preceding discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We face a number of risks and uncertainties in any forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

We have substantial debt that we may be unable to service.

 

We are highly leveraged and have significant debt service obligations. As of March 31, 2004, we had aggregate outstanding indebtedness of $43.0 million and total stockholders’ equity of $57.8 million.

 

Our substantial debt could have important consequences, including the following:

 

  we will be required to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay interest on our debt, thereby reducing our ability to fund working capital, capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances and other general corporate requirements;

 

  our substantial leverage may increase our vulnerability to general economic downturns and adverse competitive and industry conditions and may place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to those of our competitors that are less leveraged;

 

  our debt service obligations may limit our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

  our level of debt may make it difficult for us to raise additional financing on satisfactory terms; and

 

  if we were unable to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our debt instruments, any such failure could, if not cured or waived, have a material adverse effect on our ability to fulfill our obligations and on our business or prospects generally, including the possibility that our lenders might foreclose on our assets.

 

 

we currently are operating under waivers of financial covenants in both the Bison and the LaSalle agreements relating to our EBITDA Covenants, Leverage Ratio Covenant and Fixed Charge Covenant. These waivers relate to non-compliance as of December 31, 2003 and in Bison’s case continuing to December 31, 2004. The events of default under these loans will cause our applicable interest rates to increase as long as the circumstances unless we are successful in renegotiating amendments to these covenants. The LaSalle loan increases the interest rate to prime plus 2%, which will increase our interest costs by $25,000 per quarter. Under the Bison loan, the applicable interest rate increased at January 1, 2004 by the default rate of interest of 3% and may increase

 

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additionally by 1.5% per quarter up to a maximum of 4.5% during 2004, depending on our performance against the original covenants. We expect that the increase in the Bison interest rate will increase our interest expense by $150,000 per quarter during 2004, although in certain circumstances we are permitted to capitalize those interest costs by adding them to the principle balance outstanding under the Bison loan. We are also seeking to revise our financial covenants in both loans to reflect more current estimates of future financial performance. However, we cannot assure readers that the lenders will agree to amend our financial covenants or grant further or continuing waivers in the future. If we cannot obtain the necessary waivers or amendments, or return to compliance with these and all other loan covenants, or lenders may accelerate our debt, foreclose on our assets, or take other legal actions against us which, alone or in the aggregate, may have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

The terms of our debt may severely limit our ability to plan for or respond to changes in our business.

 

Our debt agreements contain a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on the company. Among other things, these restrictions limit our ability to:

 

  incur liens or make negative pledges on our assets;

 

  merge, consolidate or sell our assets;

 

  incur additional debt;

 

  pay dividends or redeem capital stock and prepay other debt;

 

  make investments and acquisitions;

 

  make capital expenditures; or

 

  amend our debt instruments and certain other material agreements.

 

Our debt also requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and meet specific financial tests. Our failure to comply with these covenants would result in events of default that, if not cured or waived, could result in us being required to repay these borrowings before their due date. If we were unable to make a required repayment or refinance these borrowings, our lenders could foreclose on our assets. If we were unable to refinance these borrowings on favorable terms, our business could be adversely impacted.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

We have used derivative financial instruments for the purpose of reducing our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates. While these hedging instruments are subject to fluctuations in value, such fluctuations are generally offset by the value of the underlying exposures being

 

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hedged. We are not a party to leveraged derivatives and do not hold or issue financial instruments for speculative purposes.

 

The results and financial condition of our international operations are affected by changes in exchange rates between certain foreign currencies and the U.S. Dollar. Our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates has increased as a result of the growth of our international subsidiaries. The functional currency for all of our international subsidiaries is the local currency of the subsidiary. An increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar increases costs incurred by the subsidiaries because most of our international subsidiaries’ inventory purchases are U.S. Dollar denominated. We monitor this risk and attempt to minimize the exposure through forward currency contracts and the management of cash disbursements in local currencies. At March 31, 2004, we had no currency forward contracts outstanding.

 

We seek to hedge our foreign currency economic risk by minimizing our U.S. Dollar investment in foreign operations using foreign currency term loans to finance the operations of our foreign subsidiaries. The term loans are denominated in local currencies and translated to U.S. Dollars at period end exchange rates.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, (“FIN 46”). FIN 46 introduces a new consolidation model, the variable interests model, which determines control (and consolidation) based on potential variability in gains and losses of the entity being evaluated for consolidation. The requirements for FIN 46, including its disclosures, apply immediately.

 

FIN 46 provides guidance for determining whether an entity qualifies as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) by considering, among other considerations, whether the entity lacks sufficient equity or its equity holders lack adequate decision-making ability. If the entity does not qualify as a VIE, then the consolidation criteria is based on previously established accounting standards. Qualifying VIEs are covered by FIN 46 and are individually evaluated for consolidation based on their variable interests. FIN 46 requires consideration and estimates of a significant number of possible future outcomes of the VIE as well as the probability of each outcome occurring. Based on the allocation of possible outcomes, a calculation is performed to determine which party, if any, has a majority of potential negative outcomes (expected losses) or a majority of the potential positive outcomes (expected residual returns), with an emphasis on negative outcomes. That party, if any, is the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate the VIE. We have evaluated the potential impact of FIN 46 as of March 31, 2004 and have concluded that there is no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Item  3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Information relating to Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk appear under the heading “Derivative Financial Instruments” which is included in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Item  4. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, to the best of their knowledge, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that all material information required to be filed in this quarterly report has been made known to them in a timely fashion. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item  2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

(a) – (b) Not applicable.

 

(c) On December 19, 2003, we sold 1,500,000 shares of our common stock to certain institutional investors at $6.40 per share, yielding net proceeds of approximately $9.0 million after discounts and commissions. The offering was conducted as a private placement under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and rule 506 as promulgated thereunder. The proceeds were used to retire short-term debt and for working capital.

 

(d) Not applicable.

 

(e)

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period   Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased


  Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)


  Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs


  Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value)
of Shares (or Units) that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs


January 1–31, 2004

         

February 1–29, 2004

  12,725   $ 7.69    

March 1–31, 2004

         

Total

  12,725        

 

NOTE:

 

Treasury shares acquired during the first quarter of 2004 in connection with the Company’s deferred compensation plan.

 

Item  5: Other Information

 

(a) None

 

(b) There have been no material changes in the procedures for shareholders to nominate directors to the board.

 

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Item  6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)  Exhibits:

 

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Quarterly Report:

 

10.69    Waiver and Agreement dated May 7, 2004
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (furnished with this report in accordance with SEC Rel. No. 33-8238 (June 5, 2003))
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (furnished with this report in accordance with SEC Rel. No. 33-8238 (June 5, 2003))

 

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K.

 

On January 16, 2004, the Company filed a Form 8-K reporting the resignation of Timothy S. Stone as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and the appointment of Nickolai A. Gerde as Chief Financial Officer (and Mr. Gerde’s resignation as a director).

 

On May 5, 2004, the Company filed a Form 8-K reporting the financial results of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

   

IMPCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Date:  May 7, 2004   By:   /s/    NICKOLAI A. GERDE        
         
           

Nickolai A. Gerde

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

[Authorized Signatory]

 

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