Back to GetFilings.com



Table of Contents

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 September 30, 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 number 000-22418

 


 

ITRON, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Washington   91-1011792
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

2818 North Sullivan Road

Spokane, Washington 99216-1897

(509) 924-9900

(Address and telephone number of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Title of each class

Common stock, no par value

Preferred share purchase rights

 


 

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

 

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

 

As of October 31, 2004, there were outstanding 21,147,637 shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, which is the only class of common stock of the registrant.

 



Table of Contents

Itron, Inc.

 

Table of Contents

 

     Page

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

    

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

   1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

   2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   3

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   4

ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   26

ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   39

ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   41

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

    

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   42

ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   42

ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION

   42

ITEM 6: EXHIBITS

   42

SIGNATURE

   43


Table of Contents

PART 1: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

ITRON, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Revenues

                                

Sales

   $ 107,327     $ 70,672     $ 230,358     $ 204,530  

Service

     15,177       11,407       37,390       32,458  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     122,504       82,079       267,748       236,988  

Cost of revenues

                                

Sales

     61,428       33,810       127,259       97,300  

Service

     11,591       8,741       24,874       23,944  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     73,019       42,551       152,133       121,244  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     49,485       39,528       115,615       115,744  

Operating expenses

                                

Sales and marketing

     12,045       10,672       31,971       30,961  

Product development

     11,893       10,841       32,669       31,774  

General and administrative

     9,201       6,866       24,479       20,743  

Amortization of intangibles

     7,217       2,391       11,271       7,044  

Restructurings

     1,571       —         4,005       2,208  

In-process research and development

     —         —         —         900  

Litigation accrual

     —         500       —         500  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     41,927       31,270       104,395       94,130  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     7,558       8,258       11,220       21,614  

Other income (expense)

                                

Equity in affiliates

     13       110       13       162  

Interest income

     24       68       152       265  

Interest expense

     (5,147 )     (832 )     (8,162 )     (2,217 )

Other income (expense), net

     248       458       (487 )     422  
    


 


 


 


Total other income (expense)

     (4,862 )     (196 )     (8,484 )     (1,368 )
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     2,696       8,062       2,736       20,246  

Income tax provision

     (1,026 )     (3,034 )     (986 )     (8,129 )
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 1,670     $ 5,028     $ 1,750     $ 12,117  
    


 


 


 


Earnings per share

                                

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.08     $ 0.25     $ 0.08     $ 0.60  
    


 


 


 


Diluted net income per share

   $ 0.08     $ 0.23     $ 0.08     $ 0.56  
    


 


 


 


Weighted average number of shares outstanding

                                

Basic

     20,978       20,478       20,827       20,364  

Diluted

     22,050       21,880       22,005       21,699  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1


Table of Contents

ITRON, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     At September 30,
2004


    At December 31,
2003


 
     (in thousands)  
ASSETS                 

Current assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,324     $ 6,240  

Accounts receivable, net

     80,018       70,782  

Inventories

     50,946       16,037  

Deferred income taxes, net

     13,600       11,673  

Other

     7,080       4,557  
    


 


Total current assets

     162,968       109,289  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     61,268       42,818  

Intangible assets, net

     108,763       22,979  

Goodwill

     191,712       90,385  

Prepaid debt fees

     11,719       —    

Deferred income taxes, net

     31,055       31,755  

Other

     1,810       6,263  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 569,295     $ 303,489  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                 

Current liabilities

                

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 34,127     $ 26,236  

Wages and benefits payable

     15,841       10,711  

Short-term borrowings

     —         10,000  

Current portion of debt

     2,632       38,245  

Current portion of warranty

     6,950       13,939  

Unearned revenue

     10,886       12,004  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     70,436       111,135  

Long-term debt

     296,802       —    

Project financing debt

     3,432       4,024  

Warranty

     6,336       3,536  

Other obligations

     6,730       7,550  
    


 


Total liabilities

     383,736       126,245  

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 7 and 12)

                

Shareholders' equity

                

Preferred stock

     —         —    

Common stock

     206,902       200,567  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     94       (136 )

Accumulated deficit

     (21,437 )     (23,187 )
    


 


Total shareholders' equity

     185,559       177,244  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

   $ 569,295     $ 303,489  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

ITRON, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
     2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands)  

Operating activities

                

Net income

   $ 1,750     $ 12,117  

Non-cash charges (credits) to income:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     18,926       14,090  

Stock option and employee stock purchase plan income tax benefits

     1,366       988  

Amortization of prepaid debt fees

     1,165       505  

Impairment of investments

     775       —    

Impairment of intangibles

     334       —    

Acquired in-process research and development

     —         900  

Equity in affiliates

     (13 )     (162 )

Realized currency translation gain

     (279 )     —    

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

     (1,278 )     6,960  

Other, net

     798       576  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

                

Accounts receivable

     25,711       (2,146 )

Inventories

     (9,013 )     (371 )

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and current portion of warranty

     (10,216 )     2,717  

Wages and benefits payable

     437       (6,979 )

Unearned revenue

     (1,130 )     (6,525 )

Long-term warranty and other obligations

     (663 )     (5,553 )

Other, net

     (1,126 )     (873 )
    


 


Cash provided by operating activities

     27,544       16,244  

Investing activities

                

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

     12       10  

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

     (10,001 )     (7,477 )

Issuance of note receivable

     —         (405 )

Acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents

     (251,829 )     (71,110 )

Pre-acquisition activities

     —         (1,649 )

Payment of contingent purchase price for RER acquisition

     (1,957 )     —    

Other, net

     525       244  
    


 


Cash used by investing activities

     (263,250 )     (80,387 )

Financing activities

                

New borrowings

     309,081       50,000  

Change in short-term borrowings, net

     (10,000 )     —    

Payments on debt

     (49,591 )     (8,842 )

Issuance of common stock

     4,776       2,874  

Prepaid debt fees

     (13,470 )     (1,893 )

Other, net

     (6 )     (11 )
    


 


Cash provided by financing activities

     240,790       42,128  

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     5,084       (22,015 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     6,240       32,564  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 11,324     $ 10,549  
    


 


Non-cash transactions:

                

Acquisition of RER, taxes on contingent purchase price payable

   $ 113     $ —    

Reclassification of prepaid debt fees

     485       —    

Common stock received in partial settlement of related party note receivable

     —         21  

Cash paid for:

                

Income taxes

   $ 431     $ 896  

Interest

     4,396       3,455  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

ITRON, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2004

(Unaudited)

 

In this Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Itron” and the “Company” refer to Itron, Inc.

 

Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Consolidation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements presented in this Form 10-Q are unaudited and reflect, in the opinion of management, entries necessary for the fair presentation of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, of Itron and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All such entries are of a normal recurring nature. Inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation. We consolidate all entities in which we have a greater than 50% ownership interest and over which we have control. We account for entities in which we have a 50% or less investment and exercise significant influence under the equity method of accounting. Entities in which we have less than a 20% investment and do not exercise significant influence are accounted for under the cost method. Any variable interest entity of which we are the primary beneficiary is also considered for consolidation. We are not the primary beneficiary of any variable interest entities.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding interim results. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2003 audited financial statements and notes included in our Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2004, which updates Item 7 and Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, to include consolidating financial information and reflect the new segment reporting structure. Our Form 10-K was filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any other fiscal period.

 

On July 1, 2004, we completed the acquisition of Schlumberger’s Electricity Metering Business (SEM). The SEM acquisition includes Schlumberger’s electricity meter manufacturing and sales operations in the United States and the electricity meter operations of certain foreign affiliates of Schlumberger in Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and France. Refer to Note 4: Business Combinations for a discussion of the effects of the acquisition. The condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, include the operating activity of the SEM acquisition from July 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical experience of bad debts and is adjusted for estimated uncollectible amounts.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method. Cost includes raw materials and labor, plus applied direct and indirect costs. Service inventories consist primarily of sub-assemblies and components necessary to support post-sale maintenance. A large portion of our low-volume manufacturing and all of our repair services for our domestic handheld meter reading units are provided by an outside vendor in which we have a 30% equity interest. Consigned inventory at this outside vendor totaled $1.6 million at September 30, 2004 and $538,000 at December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter as of October 1st, or more frequently if a significant event occurs. Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized based on estimated discounted cash flows over estimated useful lives and tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

 

Warranty

 

We offer a one-year standard warranty on most of our hardware products and a three-month standard warranty on most of our software products. An accrual for estimated warranty costs is recorded at the time of sale and periodically adjusted to reflect actual

 

4


Table of Contents

experience. The long-term warranty accrual includes estimated warranty costs for warranties beyond one year. Warranty expense was approximately $2.1 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Warranty expense was approximately $3.6 million and $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

A summary of the warranty accrual account activity is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands)  

Beginning balance

   $ 11,763     $ 11,304     $ 17,475     $ 9,439  

SEM acquisition opening balance

     5,022       —         5,022       —    

Product warranties issued

     267       2,925       1,261       6,223  

Adjustments to pre-existing items

     1,839       120       2,336       1,076  

Utilization of accrual

     (5,605 )     (1,916 )     (12,808 )     (4,305 )
    


 


 


 


Ending balance

     13,286       12,433       13,286       12,433  

Less: current portion of warranty

     6,950       7,267       6,950       7,267  
    


 


 


 


Long-term warranty

   $ 6,336     $ 5,166     $ 6,336     $ 5,166  
    


 


 


 


 

Contingencies

 

An estimated loss for a contingency is charged to income if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. Changes in these factors could materially impact our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Sales consist of hardware, software license fee, custom software development, field and project management service and engineering, consulting and installation service revenues. Service revenues include post-sale maintenance support and outsourcing services. Outsourcing services encompass the installation, operation and maintenance of meter reading systems to provide meter information to a customer for billing and management purposes. Outsourcing services can be provided for systems we own as well as those owned by our customers.

 

Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, entered into subsequent to June 30, 2003, are divided into separate units of accounting if the delivered item(s) have value to the customer on a standalone basis, there is objective and reliable evidence of fair value of the undelivered item(s) and delivery/performance of the undelivered item(s) is probable. The total arrangement consideration is allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values and the applicable revenue recognition criteria is considered for each unit of accounting. For our standard contract arrangements that combine deliverables such as hardware, meter reading system software, installation and maintenance services, each deliverable is generally considered a single unit of accounting. The amount allocable to a delivered item(s) is limited to the amount that we are entitled to bill and collect and is not contingent upon the delivery/performance of additional item(s).

 

We generally recognize revenues from hardware at the time of shipment, receipt by customer, or, if applicable, upon completion of customer acceptance provisions. Revenues for software licenses, custom software development, field and project management services, engineering and consulting, installation, outsourcing and maintenance services are recognized when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. For software arrangements with multiple elements, revenue recognition is dependent upon the existence of vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value for each of the elements. The availability of VSOE affects the timing of revenue recognition, which can vary from recognizing revenue at the time of delivery of each element, to the percentage of completion method, or ratably over the performance period. If implementation services are essential to a software arrangement, revenue is recognized using the percentage of completion methodology. Under outsourcing arrangements, revenue is recognized as services are provided. Hardware and software post-contract customer support fees are recognized over the life of related service contracts.

 

Unearned revenue is recorded for products or services that have not been provided but have been invoiced under contractual agreements or paid for by a customer, or when products or services have been provided but the criteria for revenue recognition have not been met. Unbilled receivables are recorded when revenues are recognized upon product shipment or service delivery and invoicing occurs at a later date.

 

5


Table of Contents

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated using net income divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS except that the weighted average common shares outstanding are increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive options had been exercised. Diluted EPS assumes that common shares were issued upon the exercise of stock options for which the market price exceeded the exercise price, less shares that could have been repurchased with the related proceeds (treasury stock method).

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because of various factors affecting future costs and operations, actual results may differ from estimates.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, allows companies to either expense the estimated fair value of stock options or to continue to follow the intrinsic value method set forth in Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, but disclose the pro forma effects on net income had the fair value of the options been expensed. We elected to continue to apply APB No. 25 in accounting for our stock-based compensation plans and disclose the pro forma effects of applying the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123.

 

Had the compensation cost for our stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the method prescribed in SFAS No. 123, our net income and net income per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,

    Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Net income

                                

As reported

   $ 1,670     $ 5,028     $ 1,750     $ 12,117  

Deduct: Total fair value of stock-based compensation expense, net of related tax effect

     (1,803 )     (866 )     (4,038 )     (3,257 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ (133 )   $ 4,162     $ (2,288 )   $ 8,860  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per share

                                

As reported

   $ 0.08     $ 0.25     $ 0.08     $ 0.60  
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.20     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.44  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per share

                                

As reported

   $ 0.08     $ 0.23     $ 0.08     $ 0.56  
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.19     $ (0.11 )   $ 0.41  
    


 


 


 


 

6


Table of Contents

The weighted average fair value of options granted was $22.64 and $20.06 during the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The weighted average fair value of options granted was $21.00 and $18.16 during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Dividend yield

   —       —       —       —    

Expected volatility

   71.1 %   77.8 %   72.4 %   77.3 %

Risk-free interest rate

   4.3 %   3.0 %   4.1 %   2.9 %

Expected life (years)

   4.5     4.3     4.5     4.6  

 

Volatility measures the amount that a stock price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate during a period. The risk-free interest rate is the rate available as of the option date on zero-coupon United States government issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the option. The expected life is the weighted average expected life for the entire award based on the fixed period of time between the date the option is granted and the date the option is fully exercised. Factors to be considered in estimating the expected life are the vesting period of the option and the average period of time similar options have remained outstanding in the past.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts in 2003 have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation. As a result of a review of certain of our operating expenses, we have made some reclassifications between historical sales and marketing, product development and general and administrative expenses in order to conform to our current period presentation.

 

New Accounting Pronouncement:

 

On March 31, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ratified the consensus on Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments, which provides guidance on when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary and the measurement of an impairment loss. The guidance also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments. The provisions of this guidance are applicable to reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004, except for those provisions covered by FASB Staff Position No. 03-1-1, which delayed the effective date. We have no investments at September 30, 2004 to which this guidance would apply.

 

Note 2: Earnings Per Share and Capital Structure

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,

   Nine Months Ended September 30,

     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

     (in thousands, except per share data)

Basic earnings per share:

                           

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 1,670    $ 5,028    $ 1,750    $ 12,117

Weighted average shares outstanding

     20,978      20,478      20,827      20,364
    

  

  

  

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.08    $ 0.25    $ 0.08    $ 0.60
    

  

  

  

Diluted earnings per share:

                           

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 1,670    $ 5,028    $ 1,750    $ 12,117

Weighted average shares outstanding

     20,978      20,478      20,827      20,364

Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock options

     1,072      1,402      1,178      1,335
    

  

  

  

Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding

     22,050      21,880      22,005      21,699
    

  

  

  

Diluted net income per share

   $ 0.08    $ 0.23    $ 0.08    $ 0.56
    

  

  

  

 

We have granted options to purchase shares of our common stock to directors and employees at fair market value on the date of grant.

 

The dilutive effect of options is calculated using the treasury stock method. Under this method, earnings per share is computed as if the options were exercised at the beginning of the period (or at time of issuance, if later) and as if the funds obtained thereby were

 

7


Table of Contents

used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution, include the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of stock options. At September 30, 2004 and 2003, we had stock options outstanding of approximately 4.1 million and 4.0 million at average option exercise prices of $12.73 and $13.14 respectively. Approximately 1.6 million and 388,000 stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive. Approximately 1.2 million and 464,000 stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive. These options could be dilutive in future periods.

 

In November 2002, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of our common stock. No shares have been repurchased under this repurchase authorization. The repurchase of common stock would require ratification from our Board of Directors.

 

In December 2002, we amended and restated our Articles of Incorporation to authorize ten million shares of preferred common stock with no par value. The amendment brings the total number of authorized common and preferred shares to 85 million. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the preferred stock at the time outstanding will be entitled to be paid the preferential amount per share to be determined by the Board of Directors prior to any payment to holders of common stock. Shares of preferred stock may be convertible into common stock based on terms, conditions, rates and subject to such adjustments set by the Board of Directors. There was no preferred stock issued or outstanding at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003.

 

Note 3: Certain Balance Sheet Components

 

    

At September 30,

2004


   

At December 31,

2003


 
     (in thousands)  

Accounts receivable, net

                

Trade (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $541 and $695)

   $ 72,409     $ 62,770  

Unbilled revenue

     7,609       8,012  
    


 


Total accounts receivable, net

   $ 80,018     $ 70,782  
    


 


Inventories

                

Materials

   $ 18,022     $ 4,081  

Work in process

     6,878       777  

Finished goods

     24,354       11,006  
    


 


Total manufacturing inventories

     49,254       15,864  

Service inventories

     1,692       173  
    


 


Total inventories

   $ 50,946     $ 16,037  
    


 


Property, plant and equipment, net

                

Machinery and equipment

   $ 43,040     $ 30,905  

Equipment used in outsourcing

     16,094       16,093  

Computers and purchased software

     36,528       33,268  

Buildings, furniture and improvements

     29,571       21,349  

Land

     3,391       1,735  
    


 


Total cost

     128,624       103,350  

Accumulated depreciation

     (67,356 )     (60,532 )
    


 


Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 61,268     $ 42,818  
    


 


 

8


Table of Contents

Depreciation expense was $3.3 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Depreciation expense was $8.0 million and $7.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts was adjusted through the provision by approximately $(193,000) and $(31,000) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. There was no provision to increase the allowance for doubtful accounts during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003. There were no recoveries of previously charged-off accounts during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 or 2003.

 

Note 4: Business Combinations

 

On July 1, 2004, we completed the acquisition of Schlumberger’s Electricity Metering Business (SEM). The SEM acquisition included Schlumberger’s electricity meter manufacturing and sales operations in the United States and the electricity meter operations of certain foreign affiliates of Schlumberger in Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and France. We also completed the purchase of the remaining 49% of the Taiwan subsidiary, not previously owned by Schlumberger, which is included in the purchase price below. This acquisition added electricity meter manufacturing and sales, and now represents our Hardware Solutions Electricity Metering operating segment.

 

The purchase price was $248.6 million, not including direct transaction costs, subject to a post closing working capital adjustment. The working capital adjustment was finalized in October 2004, resulting in a payment of $109,000 to Schlumberger. Itron used proceeds from a new $240 million senior secured credit facility and a private placement of $125 million in Senior Subordinated Notes to finance the acquisition, pay related fees and expenses and repay approximately $50.2 million of outstanding Itron debt under an existing credit facility.

 

The following condensed financial information reflects a preliminary allocation of the purchase price based on estimated fair values of assets and liabilities. The valuations of the assets and liabilities acquired are currently being performed and are subject to future adjustments. The preliminary value of intangible assets, and therefore the value of goodwill, are based on a high level analysis completed prior to closing the acquisition of SEM. We are in the process of completing a more comprehensive valuation analysis that is based on more detailed information that was not available to us prior to the closing. The initial indication from that analysis is that a significantly higher amount will be allocated to identifiable intangible assets, with a significantly lower amount allocated to goodwill. In addition, a portion of the purchase price could be allocated to in-process research and development, which would be expensed. Allocating a higher amount of the purchase price to identifiable intangible assets, and the allocation to in-process research and development, will have a material impact on the amount of our reported net income and earnings per share. We expect to make adjustments to the SEM purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2004 when the more detailed valuation analysis is finalized.

 

     Fair Value

   Useful Life

     (in thousands)    (in months)

Fair value of net assets assumed

   $ 58,358     

Identified intangible assets - amortizable

           

Core-developed technology

     70,000    60

Contract backlog

     3,000    12

Customer relationships/contracts

     23,000    120

Trademarks and trade names

     1,000    96

Other

     52    120

Goodwill

     100,827     
    

    

Net assets acquired

   $ 256,237     
    

    

 

The preliminary values assigned to the identified intangible assets were estimated using the income approach. Under the income approach, the fair value reflects the present value of the projected cash flows that are expected to be generated. The intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated useful lives of the estimated discounted cash flows assumed in the valuation models.

 

The preliminary purchase price, which includes estimated direct transaction costs and other consideration, is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash paid

   $ 248,577

Estimated direct transaction costs

     7,660
    

Total acquisition costs

   $ 256,237
    

 

The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets are allocated to our new Hardware Solutions Electricity Metering segment in accordance with SFAS 142.

 

9


Table of Contents

The following pro forma results are based on the individual historical results of Itron, Inc. and SEM (prior to the acquisition on July 1, 2004) with adjustments to give effect to the combined operations as if the acquisition had been consummated January 1, 2003. The significant adjustments relate to an increase in amortization expense related to the acquired identified intangible assets, adjustments to depreciation expense due to fair value adjustments of the acquired fixed assets, the additional interest expense related to the debt incurred upon acquisition and a change in the income tax provision. The pro forma results are intended for information purposes only and do not purport to represent what the combined companies’ results of operations or financial position would actually have been had the transaction in fact occurred at an earlier date or project the results for any future date or period.

 

     Pro Forma

    Pro Forma

 
     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Revenues

   $ 122,504     $ 151,902     $ 419,679     $ 450,551  

Gross profit

     49,697       64,625       173,429       185,832  

Operating expenses

     41,143       45,575       128,268       159,731  

Other income (expense)

     (4,609 )     (4,364 )     (16,413 )     (14,030 )

Net income

     2,406       8,958       17,536       10,571  

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.11     $ 0.44     $ 0.84     $ 0.52  
    


 


 


 


Diluted net income per share

   $ 0.11     $ 0.41     $ 0.80     $ 0.49  
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares assumed outstanding

                                

Basic

     20,978       20,478       20,827       20,364  

Diluted

     22,050       21,880       22,005       21,699  

 

In connection with our acquisition of SEM, we will be moving the newly acquired manufacturing operations located in Quebec, Canada to the South Carolina facility. We intend to sell the Quebec facility once the relocation of the manufacturing operations is complete, which is anticipated to be complete in mid-2005. We have recorded an accrual of approximately $900,000 as an adjustment to goodwill for the expected employee severance costs associated with the relocation. The accrual was recorded using the guidance provided by EITF 95-3, Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase Business Combination, which requires that acquisition expenses, which are not associated with the generation of future revenues and have no future economic benefit, be reflected as assumed liabilities in the allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired.

 

Note 5: Identified Intangible Assets

 

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets, other than goodwill, as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 were as follows:

 

     At September 30, 2004

     At December 31, 2003

     Gross Assets

   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net

     Gross Assets

   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net

     (in thousands)

Core-developed technology

   $ 87,430    $ (12,251 )   $ 75,179      $ 18,330    $ (5,553 )   $ 12,777

Patents

     7,088      (4,229 )     2,859        7,088      (3,952 )     3,136

Capitalized software

     5,065      (5,065 )     —          5,065      (5,065 )     —  

Distribution and production rights

     3,935      (2,922 )     1,013        3,935      (2,711 )     1,224

Customer contracts

     28,650      (2,951 )     25,699        5,650      (1,237 )     4,413

Other

     9,156      (5,143 )     4,013        5,101      (3,672 )     1,429
    

  


 

    

  


 

Total identified intangible assets

   $ 141,324    $ (32,561 )   $ 108,763      $ 45,169    $ (22,190 )   $ 22,979
    

  


 

    

  


 

 

Amortization expense on identified intangible assets was approximately $7.2 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Amortization expense on identified intangible assets was approximately $11.3 million

 

10


Table of Contents

and $7.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Total amortization expense to be recognized over the remaining three months in 2004 is approximately $6.8 million. Estimated future annual amortization expense is as follows:

 

Years ending December 31,


   Estimated
Amortization


     (in thousands)

2005

   $ 23,706

2006

     19,676

2007

     18,318

2008

     17,805

Beyond 2008

     22,458

 

During the third quarter of 2004, we ceased investing in development and sales related to our transmission and substation design tools due to current market conditions. As a result of our discontinuation of the transmission and substation design tools, we assessed all of the intangible assets associated with our LineSoft Corporation (LineSoft) acquisition for impairment. As a result of our assessment, an impairment charge of $334,000 was recorded as additional amortization expense during the third quarter of 2004.

 

Note 6: Goodwill

 

Goodwill increased in 2004 primarily due to the acquisition of SEM on July 1, 2004 and adjustments to goodwill balances associated with the Silicon Energy Corp. (Silicon) and Regional Economic Research, Inc. (RER) acquisitions made during 2003 and 2002. Goodwill increased in 2003 primarily due to the acquisition of Silicon on March 4, 2003 and adjustments to goodwill balances associated with the LineSoft, RER and eMobile Data Corporation acquisitions made during 2002. In addition, the goodwill balance can increase or decrease, with a corresponding change in other comprehensive income (loss), due to changes in currency exchange rates from the beginning of the period. Goodwill was allocated to our defined reporting units in 2003 based on the forecasted revenue attributed to each reporting unit. As a result of our organizational change that began in January 2004, we will reallocate goodwill to our new reporting segments during the fourth quarter as of October 1, 2004. The change in goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 is as follows:

 

     Total Company

     (in thousands)

Goodwill balance at December 31, 2003

   $ 90,385

Goodwill acquired

     100,196

Goodwill adjustments

     952

Effect of change in exchange rate

     179
    

Goodwill balance at September 30, 2004

   $ 191,712
    

Goodwill balance at December 31, 2002

   $ 44,187

Goodwill acquired

     41,324

Goodwill adjustments

     1,613

Effect of change in exchange rate

     916
    

Goodwill balance at September 30, 2003

   $ 88,040
    

 

Note 7: Debt

 

On March 4, 2003, we entered into a secured credit facility for $105 million and terminated our former $35 million credit line. The credit facility also provided a $55 million revolving credit line with a three-year term, which was available for general use. On July 1, 2004, the outstanding balances of the secured credit facility and revolving credit line were repaid from borrowings utilized to finance the acquisition of SEM along with related fees and expenses.

 

Prior to July 1, 2004, our credit facility consisted of a $50 million three-year term loan to finance a portion of the Silicon acquisition, which had an outstanding balance of $37.5 million at December 31, 2003. The term loan was payable with equal quarterly principal payments. The annual interest rate on the term loan varied according to market rates and our consolidated leverage ratio. The revolving credit line had outstanding borrowings of $10.0 million at December 31, 2003. The credit facility contained financial covenants that required us to maintain certain liquidity and coverage ratios on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2003, our fixed

 

11


Table of Contents

charge coverage ratio covenant was below the minimum required according to our loan agreement. We received waivers of compliance for the December 31, 2003 covenants from our lenders for December 31, 2003. However, at December 31, 2003, we anticipated that we would not be in compliance with all of our loan agreement covenants through 2004, due substantially to a four quarter rolling calculation of a component of our covenant requirements. Consequently, the $20.8 million long-term portion of our term loan was classified as a current liability at December 31, 2003.

 

In connection with our acquisition of SEM on July 1, 2004, we replaced our credit facility with $365 million of new debt facilities for a net increase in our debt facilities of approximately $280.8 million. On July 1, 2004, we closed a $240 million senior secured credit facility comprised of a $55 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility and a $185 million seven-year senior secured term loan. The senior secured term loan is payable in minimum quarterly principal payments of $462,500 for the first six years ($1.85 million annually) and $43,475,000 for each of the quarters in the last year (totaling $173.9 million). Additional mandatory prepayments, based on 75% of defined excess cash flows, optional prepayments, the issuance of capital stock or the sale of assets as defined by the borrowing agreement, would all decrease the minimum payments in the last four quarters. The classification between current and long-term debt is based on the minimum principal payments as defined in the borrowing agreement. The remaining portion of the debt, including mandatory and optional prepayments, is classified as long-term. The annual interest rates under the new facility will vary depending on market rates. For the revolving credit facility, initial interest rates are based on the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.75%, or the Wells Fargo Bank, National Association’s prime rate (Prime) plus 1.75%. For the term loan, initial interest rates are based on LIBOR plus 2.25%, or Prime plus 1.25%. Certain existing unamortized debt issuance costs and the new debt issuance costs will be amortized over the life of the credit facility using the effective interest method. The senior secured credit facility contains financial covenants that require us to maintain certain consolidated leverage and coverage ratios on a quarterly basis, as well as customary covenants, which place restrictions on the incurrence of debt, the payment of dividends, certain investments and mergers. At September 30, 2004, there were no borrowings outstanding under the five-year senior secured revolving credit facility and $23.3 million was utilized by outstanding standby letters of credit resulting in $31.7 million available for additional borrowings. We made an optional prepayment on the term loan of approximately $10 million during September 2004. The senior secured term loan had an outstanding balance of $174.5 million at September 30, 2004 with an interest rate at September 30, 2004 of 4.25%. On October 18, 2004, we made an additional optional prepayment on the term loan of approximately $10.0 million.

 

Our senior secured credit facility required us to enter into an interest rate agreement within 90 days after the closing to substantially fix or limit the interest rate on at least 50% of our aggregate principal amount of debt for a period of not less than three years. On October 1, 2004, we completed a $30 million interest rate swap whereby we will receive variable interest payments based on the three-month LIBOR and pay fixed interest payments based on a rate of 3.26%, over a three-year term. There were no origination fees or other significant up-front costs in connection with this financing instrument. In addition, on October 1, 2004, we purchased a 4.00% three-month LIBOR interest rate cap pertaining to an additional $10 million of floating rate debt. The interest rate cap commences on October 1, 2005 and matures on September 30, 2007. The origination fee in connection with the interest rate cap was $103,000, which will be amortized over the term of the interest rate cap. The $30 million interest rate swap increased the percentage of fixed rate debt to 52% at October 1, 2004, which is above the minimum requirement of 50%. The interest rate cap was not required pursuant to the secured credit facility. These derivative instruments have been designated as cash flow hedges and the after-tax effect of the mark-to-market valuation will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) with the offset included in accrued interest.

 

In addition, on May 10, 2004, we completed a private placement of $125 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes, discounted to a price of 99.265 to yield 7.875%, due in 2012. The discount on the Notes will be accreted and the debt issuance costs will be amortized over the life of the credit facility. Fixed annual interest payments are required every six months, commencing in November 2004. The Notes are subordinated to our new $240 million senior secured credit facility and are guaranteed by all of our operating subsidiaries (except for our foreign subsidiaries and an outsourcing project subsidiary), all of which are wholly owned. The Notes contain covenants, which place restrictions on the incurrence of debt, the payment of dividends, certain investments and mergers. Some or all of the Notes may be redeemed at our option at any time on or after May 15, 2008, at certain specified premium prices. At any time prior to May 15, 2007, we may, at our option, redeem up to 35% of the Notes with the proceeds of certain sales of our common stock.

 

Note 8: Restructurings

 

In 2004, we recorded restructuring charges of $2.4 million in the first quarter and $1.6 million in the third quarter. In January 2004, we took actions to reduce expenses and eliminate certain unprofitable activities resulting in a reduction of approximately 75 employees, or 5% of our workforce. At March 31, 2004, substantially all of the 75 employees were terminated and severance payments had been made. During the third quarter of 2004, we discontinued the development and sales of our transmission and substation design tools and made other organizational changes, resulting in a reduction of approximately 60 employees and an expense for related severance of approximately $1.6 million. As of September 30, 2004, substantially all of the affected employees were terminated and severance payments had been made. The discontinuance of the development and sales of our transmission and substation design tools does not meet the requirements to be presented as a discontinued operation.

 

During the first quarter of 2003, we initiated a restructuring of our Energy Information Systems group located in Raleigh, North Carolina, which included a workforce reduction of approximately 40 employees and recognized a charge of approximately $2.0 million related to severance during 2003. As of March 31, 2003, substantially all of the 40 employees were terminated and severance payments were made. The restructuring was complete in 2003. The European restructuring activity in 2002 included an additional $259,000 of restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from the write-down of fixed assets and lease termination charges. The international restructuring activities were substantially complete by mid-2003.

 

12


Table of Contents

Accrued liabilities associated with Company-wide restructuring efforts were approximately $323,000 and $153,000 at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively and consisted of the following:

 

     Severance and
Related Costs


    Lease Termination
and Related Costs


 
     (in thousands)  

Accrual balance at December 31, 2003

   $ 28     $ 125  

Addition/adjustments to accruals

     3,977       73  

Cash payments

     (3,870 )     (10 )
    


 


Acrual balance at September 30, 2004

   $ 135     $ 188  
    


 


Accural balance at December 31, 2002

   $ 1,263     $ 1,177  

Addition/adjustments to accruals

     1,961       43  

Cash payments

     (3,173 )     (1,031 )
    


 


Accrual balance at September 30, 2003

   $ 51     $ 189  
    


 


 

The liability for lease terminations is recorded within accrued expenses and the liability for employee severance is recorded within wages and benefits payable. Lease termination and related costs are dependent on our ability to sublease vacant space and are recorded in general and administrative. Restructuring charges are not allocated to our operating segments.

 

Note 9: Income Taxes

 

We currently estimate our annual effective income tax rate to be approximately 38.5% for fiscal year 2004. The expected annual effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes, extraterritorial income exclusion tax benefits and changes in valuation allowances.

 

Our effective income tax rate can vary from period to period due to fluctuations in operating results, changes in valuation allowances for deferred tax assets (which adjust tax assets to an amount that will likely be realized), new or revised tax legislation and changes in the level of business performed in domestic and international tax jurisdictions. The effective income tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were approximately 38%. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were 36% and 40%, respectively. The 2003 rate exceeds the statutory rate because there was no tax benefit recognized for the $900,000 in-process research and development (IPR&D) expense, which is not tax deductible. Excluding the impact of the non-tax deductible IPR&D charge in the first quarter of 2003, the adjusted effective tax rate was 38% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

The Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 and the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 were signed into law in October 2004. There are several key provisions in the Act which will affect the Company, such as the extension of the research credit, the phase out of the extraterritorial income tax regime and the phase in of relief for manufacturers. We expect the net result of the Acts to have a net positive, but not material, impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Note 10: Long Term Performance Plan

 

In February 2003, a Long Term Performance Plan (LTPP) for executive officers was established with awards contingent on the attainment of multi-year performance goals designed to drive the long-term financial success and growth of the Company. At the beginning of each performance period, goals and performance objectives are established by the Chief Executive Officer, approved by the Compensation Committee and presented to the Board of Directors. At the end of each performance period, payouts are determined based on actual performance against goals. Payouts will be made in the Company’s common stock (50%) and in cash (50%). Business results for the LTPP will be measured over three-year periods with new overlapping award cycles beginning each year. In order to phase in the LTPP, three performance cycles began on January 1, 2003: a one-year cycle, a two-year cycle and a three-year cycle. Thereafter a new three-year cycle will begin on January 1 of each year. Revenue and earnings growth, subject to a performance hurdle of return on capital, were the performance measures used for the first three performance cycles. In future cycles, other measures may be recommended and approved by the Compensation Committee.

 

13


Table of Contents

As of September 30, 2004 current and expected performance does not indicate achievement of the goals for the two-year cycle that began January 1, 2003. Therefore, an accrual of $150,000 recorded in the second quarter of 2004 was reversed in the third quarter of 2004, resulting in no accrual for the year to date period. The performance goals for the one-year cycle that began January 1, 2003 were not met and therefore, no payouts were earned in 2003.

 

Note 11: Related Party Transactions

 

We have a 30% equity interest in Servatron, Inc. (Servatron), a company that serves both as a contract manufacturer for our low volume products and as our handheld service repair depot. We sublease a portion of our Spokane facility to Servatron. The lease agreement commenced in May 2000 was renewed in 2004 and currently runs through 2006. The base monthly lease payments under the lease are approximately $16,000 and are based on current market rates. Servatron pays us for its share of operating costs of the subleased premises. The costs payable by Servatron to us are based on the square footage of the leased premises.

 

We lease a facility from former owners of RER, of which one continues to be an employee. The lease agreement was renewed in March 2004 and will terminate in February 2008. The monthly lease expense is approximately $37,000. We also lease a facility from a current employee, which was renewed in August 2004 and runs through August 2006. The monthly lease expense is approximately $5,000.

 

During 2003 and 2002, we loaned a total of $2.4 million to Home EcoSystems, Inc., dba Lanthorn Technologies, Inc. (Lanthorn), which was developing internet-based energy monitoring and management software and services. The form of the loans are convertible notes with terms of four to five years, accrue interest at 7% and are convertible at any time into common stock of Lanthorn. If we had converted our notes into equity at September 30, 2004, they would have converted into approximately 22% of Lanthorn’s common stock assuming that all granted stock options and other convertible debt of the firm were exercised or converted. We entered into a distribution and licensing agreement with Lanthorn, which gave us non-exclusive distribution and licensing rights. Lanthorn has not produced any significant revenue.

 

In December 2003, due to consideration of the estimated fair market value of Lanthorn as indicated by Lanthorn’s last round of financing, we recorded a $1.9 million impairment to the loans and accrued interest, which consisted of a $176,000 reversal of interest income recognized in the first three quarters of 2003 and a $1.7 million charge to other income (expense), net, for the principal. During the second quarter of 2004, we recorded an additional impairment of $775,000 to other income (expense), net, for the remaining loan balance and accrued interest as Lanthorn substantially ceased operations in May 2004. At September 30, 2004, there was no remaining net loan or accrued interest balances. At December 31, 2003, the loan balances were included within other noncurrent assets.

 

During 2003, an officer of one of our customers was a member of our Board of Directors. During the second quarter of 2004, this individual resigned from our Board of Directors.

 

Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies

 

Guarantees and Indemnifications

 

Under Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, we record a liability for certain types of guarantees and indemnifications for agreements entered into or amended subsequent to December 31, 2002. No liabilities were required for agreements entered into during the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

 

We maintain bid and performance bonds for certain customers. Bonds in force were $7.4 million and $41.7 million at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Bid bonds guarantee that we will enter into a contract consistent with the terms of the bid. Performance bonds provide a guarantee to the customer for future performance, which usually covers the installation phase of a contract and may on occasion cover the operations and maintenance phase of outsourcing contracts.

 

We also have standby letters of credit to guarantee our performance under certain contracts. The outstanding amounts of standby letters of credit were $23.3 million and $15.0 million at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

We generally provide an indemnification related to the infringement of any patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property right on software or equipment within our sales contracts, which indemnifies the customer from and pays the resulting costs, damages and attorney fees awarded against a customer with respect to such a claim provided that (a) the customer promptly notifies us in writing of the claim and (b) we have the sole control of the defense and all related settlement negotiations. The terms of the indemnification normally do not limit the maximum potential future payments. We also provide an indemnification for third party claims resulting from damages caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of our employees/agents in connection with the performance of certain contracts. The terms of the indemnification generally do not limit the maximum potential payments.

 

14


Table of Contents

Legal Matters

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims of which the outcomes are subject to significant uncertainty. Our policy is to routinely assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes related to legal matters, as well as ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after thoughtful analysis of each known issue in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, and related pronouncements. Reserves are recorded when we determine that a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. At September 30, 2004, we determined that no such losses were probable. However, we identified a few matters for which a loss was reasonably possible but less than probable. We have estimated the range for total possible losses in these matters to be between $125,000 and $340,000, however, in accordance with SFAS No. 5, no liability has been recorded.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2004, a judgment was entered against us in a Belgium commercial court, which found that Itron unlawfully terminated a distribution agreement with the plaintiff. The court did not rule on damages but appointed a special examiner to gather further evidence and determine for the court the amount of the damages. We do not believe this determination will be made until 2005. Our Belgium lawyers are examining the court’s decision to determine whether the decision should be appealed. We have determined a nominal damage award is probable.

 

Note 13: Segment Information

 

In January 2004, we began to implement an organizational change that resulted in a change in our segment reporting from five market facing business units (Electric, Natural Gas, Water & Public Power, International and End User Solutions) to two operating groups (Hardware Solutions and Software Solutions). In July 2004, we made additional refinements to our operating groups, which changed our historical segment reporting. Our Hardware Solutions operating group is further defined between Meter Data Collection and Electricity Metering. The segment information in this Form 10-Q is based on the new segment reporting structure. Historical segment information in this Form 10-Q has been restated.

 

Management has three primary measures for each of the operating groups: revenue, gross profit (margin) and operating income. Revenues for each operating group are reported according to product lines. There are no inter-operating group revenues. Within each operating group, costs of sales include materials, direct labor and an overhead allocation, as well as variances from standard costs. Service related cost of sales are based on actual time and materials incurred, warranty expense and an allocation of miscellaneous service related costs. Operating expenses directly associated with each operating group may include sales, marketing, product development or administrative expenses.

 

Corporate operating expenses, interest revenue, interest expense, equity in the income (loss) of investees accounted for by the equity method, amortization expense and income tax expense are not allocated to the operating groups, nor included in the measure of segment profit or loss. Assets and liabilities are not allocated to the operating groups, except for the new Hardware Solutions Electricity Metering operating group, which is individually maintained and reviewed. At September 30, 2004, Electricity Metering had total assets of $294.4 million. Approximately 50% of depreciation expense is allocated to the operating groups.

 

Operating Segment Products

 

Operating Segment


 

Major Products


Hardware Solutions - Meter Data Collection:   Residential and commercial automatic meter reading (AMR) retrofit and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) modules, mobile and network AMR data collection technologies, SmartSynch meter systems, handheld computers for meter data collection or mobile workforce applications and related installation and implementation services.
Hardware Solutions - Electricity Metering:   Residential solid-state and electromechanical electricity meters, AMR enabled meters, commercial and industrial solid-state electricity meters and generation, transmission and distribution meters.
Software Solutions:   Software applications for commercial, industrial and residential meter data collection and management distribution systems design and optimization, energy and water management, asset optimization, mobile workforce solutions, and forecasting and related implementation, forecasting and consulting services.

 

15


Table of Contents

Operating Segment Information

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


       Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

       2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands)  

Revenues

                                   

Hardware Solutions

                                   

Meter Data Collection

   $ 56,798     $ 68,876        $ 178,714     $ 199,516  

Electricity Metering

     54,195       —            54,195       —    
    


 


    


 


Total Hardware Solutions

     110,993       68,876          232,909       199,516  

Software Solutions

     11,511       13,203          34,839       37,472  
    


 


    


 


Total Company

   $ 122,504     $ 82,079        $ 267,748     $ 236,988  
    


 


    


 


Gross profit

                                   

Hardware Solutions

                                   

Meter Data Collection

   $ 24,129     $ 35,495        $ 82,215     $ 104,223  

Electricity Metering

     21,183       —            21,183       —    
    


 


    


 


Total Hardware Solutions

     45,312       35,495          103,398       104,223  

Software Solutions

     4,173       4,033          12,217       11,521  
    


 


    


 


Total Company

   $ 49,485     $ 39,528        $ 115,615     $ 115,744  
    


 


    


 


Operating income (loss)

                                   

Hardware Solutions

                                   

Meter Data Collection

   $ 18,925     $ 29,800        $ 66,767     $ 86,936  

Electricity Metering

     17,285       —            17,285       —    

Unallocated costs

     (281 )     (70 )        (604 )     (208 )
    


 


    


 


Total Hardware Solutions

     35,929       29,730          83,448       86,728  

Software Solutions

     (3,817 )     (4,559 )        (12,982 )     (16,196 )

Corporate unallocated

     (24,554 )     (16,913 )        (59,246 )     (48,918 )
    


 


    


 


Total Company

     7,558       8,258          11,220       21,614  

Total other income (expense)

     (4,862 )     (196 )        (8,484 )     (1,368 )
    


 


    


 


Income before income taxes

   $ 2,696     $ 8,062        $ 2,736     $ 20,246  
    


 


    


 


 

No single customer represented more than 10% of total Company or Software Solutions revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 or 2003. For Hardware Solutions Electricity Metering, one customer represented 12% of segment revenues for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004. For Hardware Solutions Meter Data Collection, one customer represented 11% of segment revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and another customer represented 10% and 11% of segment revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003. No single customer represented more than 10% of Hardware Solutions Meter Data Collection revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004.

 

Note 14: Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Comprehensive income adjustments are reflected as an increase or (decrease) to shareholders’ equity and are not reflected in results of operations. Operating results adjusted to reflect comprehensive income items during the period, net of tax, were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


     2004

   2003

     2004

   2003

     (in thousands)

Net income

   $ 1,670    $ 5,028      $ 1,750    $ 12,117

Change in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

     558      220        230      1,098
    

  

    

  

Total comprehensive income

   $ 2,228    $ 5,248      $ 1,980    $ 13,215
    

  

    

  

 

Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment was the sole component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003. The accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, was approximately $94,000 and $(136,000) at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

16


Table of Contents

Note 15: Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

 

The Senior Subordinated Notes are guaranteed by all of our operating subsidiaries (except for our foreign subsidiaries and an outsourcing project subsidiary), all of which are wholly-owned. The guarantees are joint and several, full, complete and unconditional. There are currently no restrictions on the ability of the subsidiary guarantors to transfer funds to the parent company. The following condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered.”

 

Prior to the SEM acquisition, we had three wholly owned domestic guarantor subsidiaries, which were established for various business purposes. Two of these subsidiaries have no assets or operations. The third subsidiary held $7.0 million of an investment in a non-guarantor subsidiary at December 31, 2003. The net income from this investment was $62,000 and $160,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively. The guarantor subsidiary’s investment in and results of operations from the non-guarantor subsidiary are shown within the Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries column for 2003.

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

     Parent
Company


    Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Combined Non-
guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 
     (in thousands)  

Revenues

                                        

Sales

   $ 57,648     $ 48,286     $ 6,652     $ (5,259 )   $ 107,327  

Service

     9,890       4,150       1,895       (758 )     15,177  
    


 


 


 


 


Total revenues

     67,538       52,436       8,547       (6,017 )     122,504  

Cost of revenues

                                        

Sales

     31,768       29,702       5,344       (5,386 )     61,428  

Service

     7,159       3,764       1,267       (599 )     11,591  
    


 


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     38,927       33,466       6,611       (5,985 )     73,019  
    


 


 


 


 


Gross profit

     28,611       18,970       1,936       (32 )     49,485  

Operating expenses

                                        

Sales and marketing

     8,568       2,396       704       377       12,045  

Product development

     9,989       1,937       481       (514 )     11,893  

General and administrative

     7,802       1,038       256       105       9,201  

Amortization of intangibles

     2,361       4,856       —         —         7,217  

Restructurings

     1,558       —         13       —         1,571  
    


 


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     30,278       10,227       1,454       (32 )     41,927  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     (1,667 )     8,743       482       —         7,558  

Other income (expense)

                                        

Equity in affiliates

     13       —         —         —         13  

Interest income

     126       —         3       (105 )     24  

Interest expense

     (1,215 )     (3,844 )     (193 )     105       (5,147 )

Other income (expense), net

     120       (38 )     166       —         248  
    


 


 


 


 


Total other income (expense)

     (956 )     (3,882 )     (24 )     —         (4,862 )
    


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

     (2,623 )     4,861       458       —         2,696  

Income tax (provision) benefit

     1,143       (1,926 )     (243 )     —         (1,026 )

Equity in earnings (losses) of guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries

     3,150       (24 )     —         (3,126 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 1,670     $ 2,911     $ 215     $ (3,126 )   $ 1,670  
    


 


 


 


 


 

17


Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

 

     Combined
Parent and
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Combined Non-
guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 
     (in thousands)  

Revenues

                                

Sales

   $ 69,823     $ 1,377     $ (528 )   $ 70,672  

Service

     10,524       1,671       (788 )     11,407  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     80,347       3,048       (1,316 )     82,079  

Cost of revenues

                                

Sales

     33,599       739       (528 )     33,810  

Service

     8,159       1,266       (684 )     8,741  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     41,758       2,005       (1,212 )     42,551  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     38,589       1,043       (104 )     39,528  

Operating expenses

                                

Sales and marketing

     10,116       575       (19 )     10,672  

Product development

     10,810       113       (82 )     10,841  

General and administrative

     6,869       —         (3 )     6,866  

Amortization of intangibles

     2,391       —         —         2,391  

Litigation accrual

     500       —         —         500  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     30,686       688       (104 )     31,270  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     7,903       355       —         8,258  

Other income (expense)

                                

Equity in affiliates

     110       —         —         110  

Interest income

     171       5       (108 )     68  

Interest expense

     (734 )     (206 )     108       (832 )

Other income (expense), net

     381       77       —         458  
    


 


 


 


Total other income (expense)

     (72 )     (124 )     —         (196 )
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     7,831       231       —         8,062  

Income tax provision

     (2,958 )     (76 )     —         (3,034 )

Equity in earnings (losses) of non-guarantor subsidiaries

     155       —         (155 )     —    
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 5,028     $ 155     $ (155 )   $ 5,028  
    


 


 


 


 

18


Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

     Parent
Company


    Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Combined Non-
guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 
     (in thousands)  

Revenues

                                        

Sales

   $ 179,309     $ 48,286     $ 8,365     $ (5,602 )   $ 230,358  

Service

     30,031       4,150       5,557       (2,348 )     37,390  
    


 


 


 


 


Total revenues

     209,340       52,436       13,922       (7,950 )     267,748  

Cost of revenues

                                        

Sales

     97,268       29,702       6,018       (5,729 )     127,259  

Service

     19,131       3,764       4,113       (2,134 )     24,874  
    


 


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     116,399       33,466       10,131       (7,863 )     152,133  
    


 


 


 


 


Gross profit

     92,941       18,970       3,791       (87 )     115,615  

Operating expenses

                                        

Sales and marketing

     27,088       2,396       2,110       377       31,971  

Product development

     30,964       1,937       337       (569 )     32,669  

General and administrative

     22,657       1,038       679       105       24,479  

Amortization of intangibles

     6,415       4,856       —         —         11,271  

Restructurings

     3,955       —         50       —         4,005  
    


 


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     91,079       10,227       3,176       (87 )     104,395  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating income

     1,862       8,743       615       —         11,220  

Other income (expense)

                                        

Equity in affiliates

     13       —         —         —         13  

Interest income

     461       —         7       (316 )     152  

Interest expense

     (4,048 )     (3,844 )     (586 )     316       (8,162 )

Other income (expense), net

     (393 )     (38 )     (56 )     —         (487 )
    


 


 


 


 


Total other income (expense)

     (3,967 )     (3,882 )     (635 )     —         (8,484 )
    


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

     (2,105 )     4,861       (20 )     —         2,736  

Income tax (provision) benefit

     1,649       (1,926 )     (709 )     —         (986 )

Equity in earnings (losses) of guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries

     2,206       48       —         (2,254 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 1,750     $ 2,983     $ (729 )   $ (2,254 )   $ 1,750  
    


 


 


 


 


 

19


Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

 

     Combined
Parent and
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Combined Non-
guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 
     (in thousands)  

Revenues

                                

Sales

   $ 202,129     $ 3,007     $ (606 )   $ 204,530  

Service

     30,099       4,561       (2,202 )     32,458  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     232,228       7,568       (2,808 )     236,988  

Cost of revenues

                                

Sales

     96,394       1,512       (606 )     97,300  

Service

     21,511       4,329       (1,896 )     23,944  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     117,905       5,841       (2,502 )     121,244  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     114,323       1,727       (306 )     115,744  

Operating expenses

                                

Sales and marketing

     29,315       1,704       (58 )     30,961  

Product development

     31,696       316       (238 )     31,774  

General and administrative

     20,753       —         (10 )     20,743  

Amortization of intangibles

     7,044       —         —         7,044  

Restructurings

     1,949       259       —         2,208  

In-process research and development

     900       —         —         900  

Litigation accrual

     500       —         —         500  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     92,157       2,279       (306 )     94,130  
    


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     22,166       (552 )     —         21,614  

Other income (expense)

                                

Equity in affiliates

     162       —         —         162  

Interest income

     515       44       (294 )     265  

Interest expense

     (1,908 )     (603 )     294       (2,217 )

Other income (expense), net

     163       259       —         422  
    


 


 


 


Total other income (expense)

     (1,068 )     (300 )     —         (1,368 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

     21,098       (852 )     —         20,246  

Income tax provision

     (7,982 )     (147 )     —         (8,129 )

Equity in earnings (losses) of non-guarantor subsidiaries

     (999 )     —         999       —    
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 12,117     $ (999 )   $ 999     $ 12,117  
    


 


 


 


 

20


Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

At September 30, 2004

 

     Parent
Company


    Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Combined
Non-
guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 
     (in thousands)  
ASSETS                                        

Current assets

                                       

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,699     $ 4,741    $ 3,884     $ —       $ 11,324  

Accounts receivable, net

     47,214       24,213      8,591       —         80,018  

Intercompany accounts receivable

     2,689       2,536      18,068       (23,293 )     —    

Inventories

     25,413       19,444      6,089       —         50,946  

Deferred income taxes, net

     15,473       —        407       (2,280 )     13,600  

Other

     4,765       1,477      838       —         7,080  

Intercompany other

     137       9,881      —         (10,018 )     —    
    


 

  


 


 


Total current assets

     98,390       62,292      37,877       (35,591 )     162,968  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     41,174       12,068      8,026       —         61,268  

Intangible assets, net

     16,564       92,144      55       —         108,763  

Goodwill

     83,753       97,437      10,522       —         191,712  

Prepaid debt fees

     3,542       8,177      —         —         11,719  

Deferred income taxes, net

     30,252       609      1,340       (1,146 )     31,055  

Investment in subsidiaries

     26,638       7,578      —         (34,216 )     —    

Intercompany notes receivable

     19,507       —        —         (19,507 )     —    

Other

     1,796       —        14       —         1,810  
    


 

  


 


 


Total assets

   $ 321,616     $ 280,305    $ 57,834     $ (90,460 )   $ 569,295  
    


 

  


 


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                        

Current liabilities

                                       

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 20,294     $ 13,161    $ 2,952     $ (2,280 )   $ 34,127  

Intercompany accounts payable and accrued expenses

     17,955       959      4,379       (23,293 )     —    

Wages and benefits payable

     10,326       3,753      1,762       —         15,841  

Current portion of debt

     351       1,499      782       —         2,632  

Current portion of warranty

     4,776       1,309      865       —         6,950  

Short-term intercompany advances

     6,291       —        3,727       (10,018 )     —    

Unearned revenue

     9,938       83      865       —         10,886  
    


 

  


 


 


Total current liabilities

     69,931       20,764      15,332       (35,591 )     70,436  

Long-term debt

     56,394       240,408      —         —         296,802  

Project financing debt

     —         —        3,432       —         3,432  

Intercompany notes payable

     —         —        19,507       (19,507 )     —    

Warranty

     3,747       2,589      —         —         6,336  

Deferred income taxes, net

     —         —        1,146       (1,146 )     —    

Other obligations

     6,730       —        —         —         6,730  
    


 

  


 


 


Total liabilities

     136,802       263,761      39,417       (56,244 )     383,736  

Shareholders' equity

                                       

Preferred stock

     —         —        —         —         —    

Common stock

     206,902       13,502      20,297       (33,799 )     206,902  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (651 )     —        745       —         94  

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

     (21,437 )     3,042      (2,625 )     (417 )     (21,437 )
    


 

  


 


 


Total shareholders' equity

     184,814       16,544      18,417       (34,216 )     185,559  
    


 

  


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

   $ 321,616     $ 280,305    $ 57,834     $ (90,460 )   $ 569,295  
    


 

  


 


 


 

21


Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

At December 31, 2003

 

     Combined
Parent and
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Combined
Non-
guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 
     (in thousands)  
ASSETS                                 

Current assets

                                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,088     $ 1,152     $ —       $ 6,240  

Accounts receivable, net

     65,797       4,985       —         70,782  

Intercompany accounts receivable

     7,409       15,075       (22,484 )     —    

Inventories

     14,179       1,858       —         16,037  

Deferred income taxes, net

     11,673       —         —         11,673  

Other

     4,335       222       —         4,557  
    


 


 


 


Total current assets

     108,481       23,292       (22,484 )     109,289  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     39,224       3,594       —         42,818  

Intangible assets, net

     22,979       —         —         22,979  

Goodwill

     83,431       6,954       —         90,385  

Deferred income taxes, net

     31,055       1,703       (1,003 )     31,755  

Investment in non-guarantor subsidiaries

     8,506       —         (8,506 )     —    

Intercompany notes receivable

     11,531       —         (11,531 )     —    

Other

     6,238       25       —         6,263  
    


 


 


 


Total assets

   $ 311,445     $ 35,568     $ (43,524 )   $ 303,489  
    


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                 

Current liabilities

                                

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 25,302     $ 934     $ —       $ 26,236  

Intercompany accounts payable and accrued expenses

     15,075       7,409       (22,484 )     —    

Wages and benefits payable

     10,270       441       —         10,711  

Short-term borrowings

     10,000       —         —         10,000  

Current portion of debt

     37,506       739       —         38,245  

Current portion of warranty

     13,630       309       —         13,939  

Unearned revenue

     11,274       730       —         12,004  
    


 


 


 


Total current liabilities

     123,057       10,562       (22,484 )     111,135  

Project financing debt

     —         4,024       —         4,024  

Intercompany notes payable

     —         11,531       (11,531 )     —    

Warranty

     3,536       —         —         3,536  

Deferred income taxes, net

     —         1,003       (1,003 )     —    

Other obligations

     7,550       —         —         7,550  
    


 


 


 


Total liabilities

     134,143       27,120       (35,018 )     126,245  

Shareholders' equity

                                

Preferred stock

     —         —         —         —    

Common stock

     200,567       10,402       (10,402 )     200,567  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (78 )     (58 )     —         (136 )

Accumulated deficit

     (23,187 )     (1,896 )     1,896       (23,187 )
    


 


 


 


Total shareholders' equity

     177,302       8,448       (8,506 )     177,244  
    


 


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

   $ 311,445     $ 35,568     $ (43,524 )   $ 303,489  
    


 


 


 


 

22


Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

     Parent
Company


    Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Combined Non-
guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 
     (in thousands)  

Operating activities

                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,750     $ 2,983     $ (729 )   $ (2,254 )   $ 1,750  

Non-cash charges (credits) to income:

                                        

Depreciation and amortization

     12,791       5,698       437       —         18,926  

Stock option & employee stock purchase plan income tax benefits

     1,366       —         —         —         1,366  

Amortization of prepaid debt fees

     1,165       —         —         —         1,165  

Impairment of investments

     775       —         —         —         775  

Impairment of intangibles

     334       —         —         —         334  

Equity in earnings (losses) of guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries

     (2,206 )     (48 )     —         2,254       —    

Interest expense as a result of pushdown of debt

     (3,820 )     3,820       —         —         —    

Equity in affiliates

     (13 )     —         —         —         (13 )

Realized currency translation gain

     (279 )     —         —         —         (279 )

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

     (927 )     (609 )     258       —         (1,278 )

Other, net

     798       —         —         —         798  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

                                        

Accounts receivable

     18,584       6,984       143       —         25,711  

Inventories

     (11,234 )     2,783       (562 )     —         (9,013 )

Accounts payable, accrued expenses & current portion of warranty

     (12,320 )     1,109       995       —         (10,216 )

Wages and benefits payable

     57       324       56       —         437  

Unearned revenue

     (1,348 )     83       135       —         (1,130 )

Long-term warranty and other obligations

     (597 )     (66 )     —         —         (663 )

Intercompany transactions, net

     7,600       2,087       (9,687 )     —         —    

Other, net

     (836 )     47       (337 )     —         (1,126 )
    


 


 


 


 


Cash provided (used) by operating activities

     11,640       25,195       (9,291 )     —         27,544  

Investing activities

                                        

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

     12       —         —         —         12  

Acquisition/transfer of property, plant and equipment

     (9,246 )     (666 )     (89 )     —         (10,001 )

Acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents

     (253,230 )     1       1,400       —         (251,829 )

Payment of contingent purchase price for RER acquisition

     (1,957 )     —         —         —         (1,957 )

Cash transferred to parent

     —         (16,200 )     —         16,200       —    

Cash transfer to non-guarantor subsidiaries/intercompany notes payable

     (9,653 )     (3,590 )     —         13,243       —    

Cash received from non-guarantor subsidiaries

     1,540       —         —         (1,540 )     —    

Other, net

     (115 )     1       639       —         525  
    


 


 


 


 


Cash provided (used) by investing activities

     (272,649 )     (20,454 )     1,950       27,903       (263,250 )

Financing activities

                                        

New borrowings

     309,081       —         —         —         309,081  

Change in short-term borrowings, net

     (10,000 )     —         —         —         (10,000 )

Payments on debt

     (47,961 )     —         (1,630 )     —         (49,591 )

Issuance of common stock

     4,776       —         —         —         4,776  

Prepaid debt fees

     (13,470 )     —         —         —         (13,470 )

Cash received from guarantor subsidiaries

     16,200       —         —         (16,200 )     —    

Intercompany notes payable

     —         —         13,243       (13,243 )     —    

Cash paid to parent

     —         —         (1,540 )     1,540       —    

Other, net

     (6 )     —         —         —         (6 )
    


 


 


 


 


Cash provided by financing activities

     258,620       —         10,073       (27,903 )     240,790  

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,389 )     4,741       2,732       —         5,084  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     5,088       —         1,152       —         6,240  
    


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 2,699     $ 4,741     $ 3,884     $ —       $ 11,324  
    


 


 


 


 


Non-cash transactions:

                                        

Acquisition of RER, taxes on contingent purchase price payable

   $ 113     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 113  

Pushdown of debt and related costs from Parent Company to Guarantor Subsidiary

     (240,321 )     240,321       —         —         —    

Reclassification of prepaid debt fees

     485       —         —         —         485  

Cash paid for:

                                        

Income taxes

   $ 415     $ —       $ 16     $ —       $ 431  

Interest

     4,138       —         258       —         4,396  

 

23


Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

 

     Combined
Parent and
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Combined Non-
guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 
     (in thousands)  

Operating activities

                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 12,117     $ (999 )   $ 999     $ 12,117  

Non-cash charges (credits) to income:

                                

Depreciation and amortization

     13,670       420       —         14,090  

Deferred income tax provision

     6,833       127       —         6,960  

Stock option & employee stock purchase plan income tax benefits

     988       —         —         988  

Acquired in-process research and development

     900       —         —         900  

Amortization of prepaid debt fees

     505       —         —         505  

Equity in earnings (losses) of non-guarantor subsidiaries

     999       —         (999 )     —    

Equity in affiliates

     (162 )     —         —         (162 )

Other, net

     576       —         —         576  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

                                

Accounts receivable

     (729 )     (1,417 )     —         (2,146 )

Inventories

     (329 )     (42 )     —         (371 )

Accounts payable, accrued expenses & current portion of warranty

     3,699       (982 )     —         2,717  

Wages and benefits payable

     (5,555 )     (1,424 )     —         (6,979 )

Unearned revenue

     (6,703 )     178       —         (6,525 )

Long-term warranty and other obligations

     (5,553 )     —         —         (5,553 )

Intercompany transactions, net

     1,028       (1,028 )     —         —    

Other, net

     (882 )     9       —         (873 )
    


 


 


 


Cash provided (used) by operating activities

     21,402       (5,158 )     —         16,244  

Investing activities

                                

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

     10       —         —         10  

Acquisition/transfer of property, plant and equipment

     (7,620 )     143       —         (7,477 )

Issuance of note receivable

     (405 )     —         —         (405 )

Acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents

     (71,110 )     —         —         (71,110 )

Pre-acquisition activities

     (1,649 )     —         —         (1,649 )

Cash transfer to non-guarantor subsidiaries/intercompany notes payable

     (5,492 )     —         5,492       —    

Cash received from non-guarantor subsidiaries

     1,517       —         (1,517 )     —    

Other, net

     1,171       (927 )     —         244  
    


 


 


 


Cash used by investing activities

     (83,578 )     (784 )     3,975       (80,387 )

Financing activities

                                

New borrowings

     50,000       —         —         50,000  

Payments on debt

     (8,327 )     (515 )     —         (8,842 )

Issuance of common stock

     2,874       —         —         2,874  

Prepaid debt fees

     (1,893 )     —         —         (1,893 )

Cash transfer to parent

     —         (1,517 )     1,517       —    

Cash transfer to non-guarantor subsidiaries/intercompany notes payable

     —         5,492       (5,492 )     —    

Other, net

     (11 )     —         —         (11 )
    


 


 


 


Cash provided by financing activities

     42,643       3,460       (3,975 )     42,128  

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (19,533 )     (2,482 )     —         (22,015 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     29,095       3,469       —         32,564  
    


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 9,562     $ 987     $ —       $ 10,549  
    


 


 


 


Non-cash transactions:

                                

Common stock received in partial settlement of related party note receivable

   $ 21     $ —       $ —       $ 21  

Intercompany capital reduction due to transfer of notes receivable

     1,120       (1,120 )     —         —    

Intangible assets received in partial settlement of intercompany note receivable

     (4,017 )     4,017       —         —    

Cash paid for:

                                

Income taxes

   $ 896     $ —       $ —       $ 896  

Interest

     3,157       298       —         3,455  

 

24


Table of Contents

Note 16: Subsequent Events

 

On October 1, 2004, we completed a $30 million interest rate swap whereby we will receive variable interest payments based on the three-month LIBOR and will pay fixed interest payments based on a rate of 3.26%, over a three-year term of the swap agreement. There were no origination fees or other significant up front costs in connection with this financing instrument. In addition, on October 1, 2004, we purchased a 4.00% three-month LIBOR interest rate cap pertaining to an additional $10 million of floating rate debt. The interest rate cap commences on October 1, 2005 and matures on September 30, 2007. The origination fee in connection with the interest rate cap was $103,000, which will be amortized over the term of the interest rate cap.

 

This interest rate swap was entered into pursuant to our $240 million senior secured credit facility agreement completed on July 1, 2004, which required us to enter into interest rate agreements within 90 days after the closing of the senior credit facility to substantially fix or hedge the interest rate on at least 50% of our aggregate principal amount of debt for a period of not less than three years. The $30 million interest rate swap increased the percentage of fixed rate debt to 52% at October 1, 2004 which is above the minimum requirement of 50%. The interest rate cap was not required pursuant to the secured credit facility.

 

On October 7, 2004, we entered into an agreement with Pondera Engineers, LLC, a company formed by former Itron employees, to transfer to Pondera certain assets related to our transmission and substation design business. We entered into the agreement to ensure that our past transmission and substation customers continue to benefit from the products and support they need to design and construct their power grid infrastructure. Initially, Pondera will have exclusive licenses to certain of our substation and transmission technology. We will transfer to Pondera, upon completion of financial requirements outlined in the agreement, ownership of certain software related to the business. We do not have any existing or continuing financial interest in Pondera. We do not believe the results of this transaction will have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

On October 18, 2004, we made a $10 million optional prepayment on our senior secured credit facility term loan, bringing the outstanding balance on that date to $164.5 million.

 

25


Table of Contents

ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in this report, and with the 2003 audited financial statements and notes included in our Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2004, which updates Item 7 and Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, to include consolidating financial information and reflect the new segment reporting structure. Our Form 10-K was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 12, 2004.

 

Our SEC filings are available free of charge under the Investor Relations section of our website at www.itron.com as soon as practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. In addition, our filings are available at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) and at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549, or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

Certain Forward-Looking Statements

 

This document contains forward-looking statements concerning our operations, financial performance, sales, earnings growth, cost reduction programs and other items. These statements reflect our current plans and expectations and are based on information currently available as of the date of this Form 10-Q. When included in this discussion, the words “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projects,” “estimates,” “future” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates, which could be inaccurate, and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to vary materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, 1) the rate and timing of customer demand for our products, 2) potential disruptions in operations associated with the further integration of the acquisition of the electricity metering business of Schlumberger, 3) rescheduling of current customer orders, 4) changes in estimated liabilities for product warranties, 5) changes in laws and regulations (including Federal Communications Commission licensing actions) and 6) other factors. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We do not have any obligation or undertaking to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. For a more complete description of these and other risks, see “Certain Risks Relating to Our Business” included in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004.

 

Executive Highlights

 

On July 1, 2004, we completed the acquisition of Schlumberger’s Electricity Metering Business (SEM). As a result of the acquisition, we are now the largest supplier of electricity meters in the U.S. The purchase price was approximately $249 million. We used proceeds from a new $240 million senior secured credit facility and a private placement of $125 million in Senior Subordinated Notes to finance the acquisition, pay related fees and expenses and repay outstanding debt. The acquisition significantly changes many aspects of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows which are described in detail in each applicable area within the discussion that follows.

 

In January 2004, we began to implement an organizational change that resulted in a change in our segment reporting from five market facing business units (Electric, Natural Gas, Water & Public Power, International and End User Solutions) to two operating groups (Hardware Solutions and Software Solutions). Our Hardware Solutions operating group is further defined between Meter Data Collection and Electricity Metering.

 

Third quarter revenues were $122.5 million compared with $82.1 million in the third quarter of 2003. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, revenues were $267.7 million compared with $237.0 million for the same period in 2003. Hardware Solutions Electricity Metering revenues in the quarter were $54.2 million. The Hardware Solutions Meter Data Collection business and our Software Solutions business continued to reflect the trend we have experienced over the past eighteen months – that order activity has slowed compared to prior periods, primarily due to financial constraints at utilities and a general reluctance on the part of utilities to spend capital. Meter Data Collection revenues declined 18% and 10% in the third quarter and year-to-date periods in 2004, compared with 2003. Software Solutions revenues declined 13% and 7% in the third quarter and year-to-date periods in 2004, compared with 2003.

 

Despite the lower revenues so far this year, sales and RFP activity remains active for both the Meter Data Collection and Software Solutions businesses. While smaller sized orders for automated meter reading (AMR) are being processed and are resulting in increased business, large orders for AMR, particularly from investor owned utilities, are continuing to take longer to close. New order bookings for Meter Data Collection and Software Solutions were $45 million for the quarter and $177 million for the first nine months of 2004, compared with $67 million and $168 million for the same periods last year. In the first week of October 2004, we signed a $15 million follow-on order for AMR and meters with a large investor owned electric and gas utility which will begin to contribute to our financial results starting in the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

26


Table of Contents

Our historical Meter Data Collection and Software Solutions businesses are primarily project based sales, and as a result, our historical financial results have varied from period to period, primarily as a result of the timing of large orders. In future periods, we believe this variability will be partially offset by our new Electricity Metering business, which predominately consists of purchase orders that are typically more predictable, in connection with long-term agreements.

 

Revenues and Gross Margin

 

Total Company Revenues and Gross Margin

 

We currently derive the majority of our revenues from sales of products and services to utilities. The following tables summarize our revenues and gross margin for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,

   Nine Months Ended September 30,

     2004

   2003

   % Change

   2004

   2003

   % Change

     (in millions)         (in millions)     

Revenues

                                     

Sales

   $ 107.3    $ 70.6    52%    $ 230.3    $ 204.5    13%

Service

     15.2      11.5    32%      37.4      32.5    15%
    

  

       

  

    

Total revenues

   $ 122.5    $ 82.1    49%    $ 267.7    $ 237.0    13%
    

  

       

  

    

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Gross Margin

                        

Sales

   43 %   52 %   45 %   52 %

Service

   24 %   23 %   33 %   26 %

Total gross margin

   40 %   48 %   43 %   49 %

 

Revenues

 

The $36.7 million increase in sales revenues for the third quarter of 2004 results from our Electricity Metering acquisition. Electricity Metering revenues in the third quarter were $54.2 million. Offsetting that were decreases in Meter Data Collection and Software Solutions revenues. For the first nine months of 2004, sales revenues increased $25.8 million compared with 2003, again due to the Electricity Metering acquisition, offset by decreases in Meter Data Collection and Software Solutions. Service revenues increased for the quarter and year-to-date periods in 2004, compared with 2003, due to Electricity Metering services and increased maintenance services for handheld meter data collection systems and software.

 

No customer represented more than 10% of total Company revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. The top ten customers for the three months ended September 30 accounted for approximately 31% of revenues in 2004 compared with approximately 41% of revenues in 2003. For the nine months ended September 30, the top ten customers accounted for approximately 31% of revenues in 2004 compared with approximately 46% of revenues in 2003.

 

Gross Margin

 

As a percentage of revenue, sales gross margin for the third quarter and year-to-date periods in 2004 decreased 9% and 7%, respectively, compared with 2003, primarily due to lower Hardware Solutions gross margins. Software Solutions sales gross margin remained stable for the comparable third quarter and year-to-date periods.

 

27


Table of Contents

Third quarter service gross margins remained level in 2004 with 2003 for both operating groups. As a percentage of revenue, service gross margins for the first nine months of 2004 increased 7%, compared with the same period in 2003, due to increases in both Hardware Solutions and Software Solutions service gross margins.

 

For a more detailed discussion, see the Segment Revenues, Gross Margin and Operating Income (Loss) section.

 

Segment Revenues, Gross Margin and Operating Income (Loss)

 

In January 2004, we began to implement an organizational change that resulted in a change in our segment reporting from five market facing business units (Electric, Natural Gas, Water & Public Power, International and End User Solutions) to two operating groups (Hardware Solutions and Software Solutions). In July 2004, we made additional refinements to our operating groups, which changed our historical segment reporting. Our Hardware Solutions operating group is further defined between Meter Data Collection and Electricity Metering. The segment information in this Form 10-Q is based on the new segment reporting structure. Historical segment information in this Form 10-Q has been restated.

 

Management has three primary measures for each of the operating groups: revenue, gross profit (margin) and operating income. Revenues for each operating group are reported according to product lines. There are no inter-operating group revenues. Within each operating group, costs of sales include materials, direct labor and an overhead allocation, as well as variances from standard costs. Service related cost of sales are based on actual time and materials incurred, warranty expense and an allocation of miscellaneous service related costs. Operating expenses directly associated with each operating group may include sales, marketing, product development or administrative expenses.

 

Corporate operating expenses, interest revenue, interest expense, equity in the income (loss) of investees accounted for by the equity method, amortization expense and income tax expense are not allocated to the operating groups, nor included in the measure of segment profit or loss. Assets and liabilities are not allocated to the operating groups, except for the new Hardware Solutions Electricity Metering operating group, which is individually maintained and reviewed. Approximately 50% of depreciation expense is allocated to the operating groups.

 

Operating Segment Products

 

Operating Segment


  

Major Products


Hardware Solutions - Meter Data Collection:    Residential and commercial AMR retrofit and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) modules, mobile and network AMR data collection technologies, SmartSynch meter systems, handheld computers for meter data collection or mobile workforce applications and related installation and implementation services.
Hardware Solutions - Electricity Metering:    Residential solid-state and electromechanical electricity meters, AMR enabled meters, commercial and industrial solid-state electricity meters and generation, transmission and distribution meters.
Software Solutions:    Software applications for commercial, industrial and residential meter data collection and management, distribution system design and optimization, energy and water management, asset optimization, mobile workforce solutions, and forecasting and related implementation, forecasting and consulting services.

 

28


Table of Contents

The following tables and discussion highlight significant changes in trends or components of revenues and gross margin for each segment.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,

   Nine Months Ended September 30,

     2004

   2003

   % Change

   2004

   2003

   % Change

     (in millions)         (in millions)     

Segment Revenues

                                     

Hardware Solutions

                                     

Meter Data Collection

   $ 56.8    $ 68.9    -18%    $ 178.7    $ 199.5    -10%

Electricity Metering

     54.2      —      100%      54.2      —      100%
    

  

       

  

    

Total Hardware Solutions

     111.0      68.9    61%      232.9      199.5    17%

Software Solutions

     11.5      13.2    -13%      34.8      37.5    -7%
    

  

       

  

    

Total Company

   $ 122.5    $ 82.1    49%    $ 267.7    $ 237.0    13%
    

  

       

  

    

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Segment Gross Margin

                        

Hardware Solutions

                        

Meter Data Collection

   42 %   52 %   46 %   52 %

Electricity Metering

   39 %   N/A     39 %   N/A  

Total Hardware Solutions

   41 %   52 %   44 %   52 %

Software Solutions

   36 %   31 %   35 %   31 %

Total Company

   40 %   48 %   43 %   49 %

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,

   Nine Months Ended September 30,

     2004

    2003

    %
Change


   2004

    2003

    %
Change


     (in millions)          (in millions)      

Segment Operating Income (Loss)

                                         

Hardware Solutions

                                         

Meter Data Collection

   $ 18.9     $ 29.8     -37%    $ 66.7     $ 86.9     -23%

Electricity Metering

     17.3       —       100%      17.3       —       100%

Unallocated costs

     (0.3 )     (0.1 )   -200%      (0.6 )     (0.2 )   -200%
    


 


      


 


   

Total Hardware Solutions

     35.9       29.7     21%      83.4       86.7     -4%

Software Solutions

     (3.8 )     (4.6 )   17%      (13.0 )     (16.2 )   20%

Corporate unallocated

     (24.6 )     (16.9 )   -46%      (59.2 )     (48.9 )   -21%
    


 


      


 


   

Total Company

   $ 7.5     $ 8.2     -9%    $ 11.2     $ 21.6     -48%
    


 


      


 


   

 

Meter Data Collection: Meter Data Collection revenues decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared with the 2003 periods, due to fewer handheld meter reading system upgrades and lower AMR shipments. We shipped approximately 944,000 AMR modules in the third quarter of 2004, compared with approximately 1.1 million for the same period in 2003. During the first nine months of 2004 and 2003 we shipped approximately 3.0 million and 3.2 million AMR modules, respectively. One customer represented 11% of segment revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and another customer represented 10% and 11% of segment revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003. No single customer represented more than 10% of Meter Data Collection revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004.

 

Meter Data Collection gross margins declined for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 due to a shift in the mix of hardware products, including the mix of AMR units sold and fewer handheld unit sales. Also resulting in lower margins in 2004 were increased sales through indirect channels. Indirect sales were 36% and 32% of total Meter Data Collections revenues for the third quarter and year-to-date periods in 2004, compared with 27% and 25% in the same periods in 2003.

 

Meter Data Collection operating expenses decreased $500,000 and $1.8 million in the quarter and year to date periods in 2004, compared with 2003, primarily due to spending reductions in marketing and product development, offset slightly by increases in sales expense. However, as a percentage of revenue, operating expenses increased slightly and were 9% of revenues for the third quarter of 2004, compared with 8% for the same period in 2003. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues remained constant at 9% for the year-to-date periods in 2004 and 2003.

 

29


Table of Contents

Electricity Metering: Electricity Metering was newly acquired as of July 1, 2004. Sales of meters and related services resulted in $54.2 million of revenues for the quarter. In addition to meter sales, we had $4.2 million of revenues during the quarter from manufacturing support services to a former affiliate of Schlumberger, which services we are phasing out by the end of 2004. One customer represented 12% of segment revenues for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004.

 

Electricity Metering gross margin for the third quarter of 2004 was 39%. Margins on meter sales and related services were approximately 42% during the quarter while margins on the former affiliate manufacturing support services were 4%. Third quarter Electricity Metering gross margins would have been approximately 4% higher, however purchase accounting required that we value finished goods inventory at the sales price less cost to complete and a reasonable profit allowance for the selling effort (which had already taken place prior to the acquisition).

 

Operating expenses for Electricity Metering were $3.9 million for the third quarter of 2004, or 7% of Electricity Metering revenues resulting in operating income of $17.3 million. The lower operating expenses as a percentage of revenue in Electricity Metering, compared with Meter Data Collection, reflect lower product development and marketing expenses due to a more narrowly focused product offering.

 

Unallocated costs: General and administrative expenses not directly associated with either the Meter Data Collection or Electricity Metering operations are classified as “Hardware Solutions unallocated costs.” These operating expenses increased approximately $200,000 for the third quarter and approximately $400,000 for the first nine months of 2004, compared with 2003, primarily due to the increased operating expenses associated with Electricity Metering.

 

Software Solutions: The decrease in Software Solutions revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, compared with the same periods in 2003, resulted from lower license fees for certain commercial and industrial software products and decreases in implementation and consulting. In addition, the first quarter of 2003 included approximately $2.1 million in license revenues from one customer for our distribution line design software.

 

Gross margins increased for both the three and nine months ended 2004, compared with 2003, primarily as a result of lower software implementation costs due to headcount reductions earlier this year and higher maintenance revenue due to a larger software install base.

 

Revenues for Software Solutions are not yet sufficient to cover current operating expenses. However, headcount and facility reductions during 2003 and 2004, have contributed to lower operating losses in 2004. Software Solutions operating expenses decreased $600,000 and $2.7 million in the quarter and year to date periods in 2004, compared with 2003. However, as a percentage of revenue, operating expenses remained relatively constant at 70% and 72% of revenues for the third quarter and the year-to-date periods in 2004.

 

Corporate unallocated: Operating expenses not directly associated with an operating group are classified as “Corporate unallocated.” The expenses increased for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, compared with 2003, primarily due to the increased operating expenses associated with the SEM acquisition, professional services and restructuring charges.

 

Backlog of Orders

 

Project sales involve annual or multi-year contracts and are subject to rescheduling and cancellation by customers due to the long-term nature of the contracts. Routine sales include follow-on or add-on orders with existing customers and initial orders with new customers.

 

The information in the table below refers only to our Hardware Solutions Meter Data Collection and Software Solutions businesses, which are largely project based sales but also include some portion of routine sales. Our Hardware Solutions Electricity Metering segment is reported separately as the order flow for Electricity Metering is different.

 

Bookings for a reported period represent contracts signed during a specified period except for those related to annual maintenance and joint use services (utility pole surveys). Annual maintenance contracts are not included in bookings or backlog. Revenues from joint use services contracts are included in bookings during the quarter in which the revenues are earned.

 

Total backlog represents undelivered contractual orders, excluding annual maintenance and joint use services. Twelve-month backlog represents the portion of total backlog that we estimate will be earned over the next twelve months. Backlog is not a complete measure of our future business as a growing portion is book-and-ship, and as bookings and backlog can be highly variable from period to period primarily due to the nature and timing of large project sales.

 

30


Table of Contents

Bookings and backlog information for our Meter Data Collection and Software Solutions businesses is summarized by quarter as follows:

 

Quarter Ended


   Total
Bookings


   Total
Backlog


   12-Month
Backlog


     (in millions)

September 30, 2004

   $ 45    $ 140    $ 67

June 30, 2004

     66      153      76

March 31, 2004

     66      155      79

December 31, 2003

     45      145      62

September 30, 2003

     67      169      69

June 30, 2003

     41      173      79

March 31, 2003

     60      203      102

December 31, 2002

     61      197      100

 

Note that beginning total backlog, plus current quarter bookings, less current quarter sales and service revenues will not always equal ending total backlog due to miscellaneous contract adjustments and other factors.

 

At September 30, 2004, our Hardware Solutions Electricity Metering segment had meter purchase orders in hand of $36.9 million for shipment through the first quarter of 2005. The amount of these purchase orders is not necessarily equivalent to booked business or purchase agreements. Long-term agreements are fulfilled as utility customers release purchase orders against those agreements. Purchase orders are subject to changes in volumes and time periods.

 

Operating Expenses

 

As a result of a review of certain of our operating expenses, we have made some reclassifications between historical sales and marketing, product development and general and administrative expenses in order to conform to the current period presentation. The following table details our total operating expenses in dollars and as a percent of revenues.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,

    Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
     2004

   % of
Revenue


    2003

   % of
Revenue


    2004

   % of
Revenue


    2003

   % of
Revenue


 
     (in millions)          (in millions)          (in millions)          (in millions)       

Operating Expenses

                                                    

Sales and marketing

   $ 12.0    10 %   $ 10.7    13 %   $ 31.9    12 %   $ 31.0    13 %

Product development

     11.9    10 %     10.9    13 %     32.7    12 %     31.8    13 %

General and administrative

     9.2    8 %     6.8    8 %     24.5    9 %     20.7    9 %

Amortization of intangibles

     7.2    6 %     2.3    3 %     11.3    4 %     7.0    3 %

Restructurings

     1.6    1 %     —      —         4.0    1 %     2.2    1 %

In-process research and development

     —      —         —      —         —      —         0.9    0 %

Litigation accrual

     —      —         0.5    1 %     —      —         0.5    0 %
    

        

        

        

      

Total operating expenses

   $ 41.9    34 %   $ 31.2    38 %   $ 104.4    39 %   $ 94.1    40 %
    

        

        

        

      

 

Sales and marketing expenses increased $1.3 million and $900,000 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, compared with 2003, primarily as a result of additional expense from our new Electricity Metering operations. The decrease in sales and marketing as a percentage of revenues in 2004 periods compared with 2003 primarily reflects lower marketing expenses for Electricity Metering, as well as minimal bonus for 2004 periods compared with $121,000 and $569,000 of bonus in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003.

 

Product development expenses increased by $1.0 million and $900,000 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, compared with 2003. We added approximately $2.0 million of product development from our new Electricity Metering operations, offset by a decrease in materials spending, and staff reductions from the discontinuance of development and sales of transmission and substation design tools. In addition, there was a minimal bonus for 2004 periods compared with $214,000 and $695,000 of bonus in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003. The decrease in product development as a percentage of revenue in 2004 periods compared with 2003 primarily reflects the lower level of product development spending required for Electricity Metering.

 

31


Table of Contents

General and administrative expenses increased $2.4 million and $3.8 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, compared with 2003. Electricity Metering operations added $1.2 million of expenses. Additional expense increases included professional services related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, planning for the SEM integration, increased audit and tax fees, the write-off of internal software no longer in use and an increase in headcount. Partially offsetting those increases was a minimal bonus in the 2004 periods compared with $400,000 and $1.1 million of bonus in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003.

 

Amortization of intangible assets increased as a result of our acquisition of SEM on July 1, 2004, which resulted in the recognition of $97.1 million of certain intangible assets. The preliminary value of intangible assets are based on a high level analysis completed prior to closing the acquisition of SEM. We are in the process of completing a more comprehensive valuation analysis that is based on more detailed information that was not available to us prior to closing. The initial indication from that analysis is that a significantly higher amount will be allocated to identifiable intangible assets resulting in higher amortization expense in future periods. We also recognized an impairment of $334,000 on certain of our LineSoft Corporation (LineSoft) acquisition software intangible assets during the third quarter of 2004. This increase was partially offset by certain intangible assets acquired in previous acquisitions being fully amortized.

 

Restructuring expenses were $1.6 million and $4.0 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004 due to several actions during 2004 to reduce spending. In January 2004, we took actions to reduce expenses and eliminate certain unprofitable activities resulting in a reduction of approximately 75 employees, or 5% of our workforce with restructuring charges totaling $2.4 million. During the third quarter of 2004, we discontinued the development and sales of transmission and substation design tools, and made other organizational changes, resulting in a reduction of approximately 60 employees and an expense for related severance of approximately $1.6 million.

 

During the first quarter of 2003, we initiated a restructuring of our Energy Information Systems group located in Raleigh, North Carolina, which included a workforce reduction of approximately 40 employees and recognized a charge of approximately $2.0 million related to severance during 2003. In addition, international restructuring activities from 2002 resulted in additional charges of approximately $259,000 in 2003.

 

During March 2003, we recorded a $900,000 charge for in-process research and development (IPR&D) related to the acquisition of Silicon Energy Corp. (Silicon). At the time of the acquisition, Silicon was in the process of developing new software products that had not yet reached technological feasibility. The in-process technology was substantially completed in 2003.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

The following table shows the components of other income (expense).

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,

   Nine Months Ended September 30,

     2004

    2003

    % Change

   2004

    2003

    % Change

     (in thousands)          (in thousands)      

Equity in affiliates

   $ 13     $ 110     -88%    $ 13     $ 162     -92%

Interest income

     24       68     -65%      152       265     -43%

Interest expense

     (5,147 )     (832 )   -519%      (8,162 )     (2,217 )   -268%

Other income (expense), net

     248       458     -46%      (487 )     422     -215%
    


 


      


 


   

Total other income (expense)

   $ (4,862 )   $ (196 )   -2381%    $ (8,484 )   $ (1,368 )   -520%
    


 


      


 


   

 

Equity in affiliates represents income or loss related to our 30% equity interest in Servatron, Inc., a company that performs contract manufacturing and repair services for us.

 

Interest income decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared with the same periods in 2003, due to a reduction of interest income associated with an impairment of loans provided to Home EcoSystems, Inc., dba Lanthorn Technologies, Inc. (Lanthorn).

 

The increase in interest expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared with the same periods in 2003, is primarily due to interest and the amortization of prepaid debt fees from the issuance of our private placement of $125 million Senior Subordinated Notes on May 10, 2004 and our Senior Secured Credit Facility of $185 million on July 1, 2004. Cash interest obligations for the third quarter and nine month period in 2004 were approximately $4.4 million and $7.0 million, compared with $600,000 and $1.7 million in 2003. The remaining amount of interest expense in each period is related to amortization of debt fees and debt discount.

 

The $210,000 decrease in other income (expense), net, during the third quarter of 2004, compared with the same period in 2003, was primarily the result of a one-time state tax refund received in 2003. On a year-to-date basis, other expense of $487,000 in 2004

 

32


Table of Contents

compared with other income of $422,000 in 2003 results primarily from an impairment charge in the second quarter of 2004 of $775,000 to the remaining loan balance and accrued interest on the Lanthorn loans, as Lanthorn substantially ceased operations in May 2004.

 

Income Taxes

 

We currently estimate our annual effective income tax rate to be approximately 38.5% for fiscal year 2004. The expected annual effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% due to state income taxes, extraterritorial income exclusion tax benefits and changes in valuation allowances.

 

Our effective income tax rate can vary from period to period due to fluctuations in operating results, changes in valuation allowances for deferred tax assets (which adjust tax assets to an amount that will likely be realized), new or revised tax legislation and changes in the level of business performed in domestic and international tax jurisdictions. The effective income tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were approximately 38%. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were 36% and 40%, respectively. The 2003 rate exceeds the statutory rate because there was no tax benefit recognized for the $900,000 IPR&D expense, which is not tax deductible. Excluding the impact of the non-tax deductible IPR&D charge in the first quarter of 2003, the adjusted effective tax rate was 38% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

The Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 and the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 were signed into law in October 2004. There are several key provisions in the Act which will affect the Company, such as the extension of the research credit, the phase out of the extraterritorial income tax regime and the phase in of relief for manufacturers. We expect the net result of the Acts to have a net positive, but not material, impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Financial Condition

 

Cash Flow Information:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
     2004

    2003

 
     (in millions)  

Net income

   $ 1.7     $ 12.1  

Non-cash items

     21.8       23.8  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

     4.0       (19.7 )
    


 


Operating activities

     27.5       16.2  

Investing activities

     (263.2 )     (80.3 )

Financing activities

     240.8       42.1  
    


 


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5.1     $ (22.0 )
    


 


 

Operating activities: The largest component of non cash items in 2004 was depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $18.9 million, net of a $334,000 impairment of intangibles. By comparison, in 2003, depreciation and amortization was approximately $14.1 million. The other major component of non cash items in 2003 was an increase in deferred income taxes of approximately $7.0 million. By comparison, in 2004, there was a decrease in deferred income taxes of approximately $1.3 million. There were no other significant changes for the components of non-cash items between 2004 and 2003.

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions, provided $4.0 million in cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. High cash collections on accounts receivable were partially offset by cash used to build inventories and cash used to perform warranty related activities. The $25.7 million decrease in accounts receivable resulted from strong cash collections of accounts receivable from year-end, which were higher due to the timing of shipments late in the fourth quarter of 2003. Inventories increased by approximately $9.0 million as we built inventory for an expected increase in demand in the second half of 2004 and because the mix of hardware shipments in the first nine months of 2004 was different than initially forecasted. Accounts payable, accrued expenses and short term warranty accruals decreased approximately $10.2 million primarily due to the use of $9.9 million in cash related to warranty activities for a specific electric AMR module product failure that was accrued for at year-end 2003.

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions, during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 resulted in a use of cash of $19.7 million. That use resulted from a $7.0 million decrease in wages and benefits payable most of which resulted from

 

33


Table of Contents

$7.1 million in bonus and profit sharing payments, net of a $3.7 million bonus accrual. In addition, unearned revenue decreased by $6.5 million due to a reduction in the number of customers with large milestone billing arrangements. Last, we made a $4.0 million payment during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to Duquesne Light Company in accordance with an amendment to our long-term warranty and maintenance agreement, which was charged against the accrued loss for that contract.

 

Investing activities: We used $251.8 million for the SEM acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared with $71.1 million in cash for the Silicon acquisition in 2003 and $1.6 million in 2003 for SEM pre-acquisition activities. In 2004 we made cash payments totaling $2.0 million to Regional Economic Research, Inc. (RER) shareholders as the earnout revenue target for RER was exceeded in 2003. We are required to pay additional amounts to certain RER shareholders to the extent that a defined revenue target in 2004 is exceeded. We expect that no additional earnout will be required for 2004.

 

We used $10.0 million in cash for property, plant and equipment purchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared with $7.5 million during the same period in 2003. The increase resulted primarily from the expansion of our manufacturing facility in Waseca, Minnesota, and software purchases for internal use.

 

Financing activities: The principal financing activities in 2004 included the issuance of approximately $309.1 million in new debt to finance the SEM acquisition partially offset by payments on debt of approximately $59.6 million. By comparison, in 2003, we issued $50 million in new debt related to the acquisition of Silicon, partially offset by payments on debt of approximately $8.8 million.

 

In connection with the SEM acquisition on July 1, 2004, we closed a $185 million seven-year senior secured term loan. In addition, we issued Senior Subordinated Notes in May 2004 for which we received $124.1 million in net proceeds. We paid $13.5 million in debt origination fees associated with the senior secured term loan and the Senior Subordinated Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. In connection with the Silicon acquisition in March 2003, we received $50.0 million in proceeds from a term loan under a new credit facility and paid debt origination fees of $1.9 million. We paid off the outstanding term loan balance for Silicon on July 1, 2004 which was approximately $29.2 million. On September 30, 2004, we made a $10.0 million optional repayment on our new term loan, in addition to the $462,000 minimum principal payment. In 2003, repayments of the Silicon term loan were approximately $8.3 million. We made net payments of $10.0 million on our revolving line of credit during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared with no net borrowings or payments during the same period in 2003.

 

We had no off-balance sheet financing agreements at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, except for operating lease commitments.

 

Investments: As of September 30, 2004, we had a fully reserved loan totaling $2.4 million to Lanthorn. The form of the loans are convertible notes, which are due in March 2007, accrue interest at 7% and are convertible at any time into common stock of Lanthorn. If we had converted our notes into equity at September 30, 2004, they would have converted into approximately 22% of Lanthorn’s common stock on a fully diluted basis. We entered into a distribution and licensing agreement with Lanthorn, which gave us non-exclusive distribution and licensing rights. Lanthorn has not produced any significant revenue. In December 2003, we recorded a $1.9 million impairment charge related to the Lanthorn notes, which consisted of a $176,000 reversal of interest income recognized in the first three quarters of 2003 and a $1.7 million charge to other income (expense), net, for principal. In May 2004, we recorded an additional impairment charge of $775,000 to other income (expense), net, for the remaining loan balance and accrued interest as Lanthorn substantially ceased operations in May 2004. At September 30, 2004, there were no remaining net loan or accrued interest balances.

 

Liquidity, Sources and Uses of Capital:

 

We have historically funded our operations and growth with cash flow from operations, borrowings and sales of our stock. At September 30, 2004, we had $11.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents and short-term investments historically have been invested in investments rated A or better by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s and have market interest rates. We are exposed to changes in interest rates on cash equivalents and short-term investments.

 

In connection with our acquisition of SEM on July 1, 2004, we replaced our credit facility with $365 million of new debt facilities for a net increase in our debt facilities of approximately $280.8 million. On July 1, 2004, we closed a $240 million senior secured credit facility comprised of a $55 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility and a $185 million seven-year senior secured term loan. The senior secured term loan is payable in minimum quarterly principal payments of $462,500 for the first six years ($1.85 million annually) and $43,475,000 for each of the quarters in the last year (totaling $173.9 million). Additional mandatory prepayments, based on 75% of defined excess cash flows, optional prepayments, the issuance of capital stock or the sale of assets as defined by the borrowing agreement, would all decrease the minimum payments in the last four quarters. The classification between current and long-term debt is based on the minimum principal payments as defined in the borrowing agreement. The remaining portion of the debt, including mandatory and optional prepayments, is classified as long-term. The annual interest rates under the new facility will vary depending on market rates. For the revolving credit facility, initial interest rates are based on the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.75%, or the Wells Fargo Bank, National Association’s prime rate (Prime) plus 1.75%. For the term loan, initial interest rates are based on LIBOR plus 2.25%, or Prime plus 1.25%. Certain existing unamortized

 

34


Table of Contents

debt issuance costs and the new debt issuance costs will be amortized over the life of the credit facility using the effective interest method. The senior secured credit facility contains financial covenants that require us to maintain certain consolidated leverage and coverage ratios on a quarterly basis, as well as customary covenants, which place restrictions on the incurrence of debt, the payment of dividends, certain investments and mergers. At September 30, 2004, there were no borrowings outstanding under the five-year senior secured revolving credit facility and $23.3 million was utilized by outstanding standby letters of credit resulting in $31.7 million available for additional borrowings. We made an optional prepayment on the term loan of approximately $10 million during September 2004. The senior secured term loan had an outstanding balance of $174.5 million at September 30, 2004 with an interest rate at September 30, 2004 of 4.25%. On October 18, 2004, we made an additional optional prepayment on the term loan of approximately $10.0 million.

 

Our senior secured credit facility required us to enter into an interest rate agreement within 90 days after the closing to substantially fix or limit the interest rate on at least 50% of our aggregate principal amount of debt for a period of not less than three years. On October 1, 2004, we completed a $30 million interest rate swap whereby we will receive variable interest payments based on the three-month LIBOR and pay fixed interest payments based on a rate of 3.26%, over a three-year term. There were no origination fees or other significant up-front costs in connection with this financing instrument. In addition, on October 1, 2004, we purchased a 4.00% three-month LIBOR interest rate cap pertaining to an additional $10 million of floating rate debt. The interest rate cap commences on October 1, 2005 and matures on September 30, 2007. The origination fee in connection with the interest rate cap was $103,000, which will be amortized over the term of the interest rate cap. The $30 million interest rate swap increased the percentage of fixed rate debt to 52% at October 1, 2004, which is above the minimum requirement of 50%. The interest rate cap was not required pursuant to the secured credit facility, but was considered prudent interest rate risk mitigation. These derivative instruments have been designated as cash flow hedges and the after-tax effect of the mark-to-market valuation will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) with the offset included in accrued interest.

 

In addition, on May 10, 2004, we completed a private placement of $125 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes, discounted to a price of 99.265 to yield 7.875%, due in 2012. The discount on the Notes will be accreted and the debt issuance costs will be amortized over the life of the credit facility. Fixed annual interest payments are required every six months, commencing in November 2004. The Notes are subordinated to our new $240 million senior secured credit facility and are guaranteed by all of our operating subsidiaries (except for our foreign subsidiaries and an outsourcing project subsidiary), all of which are wholly owned. The Notes contain covenants, which place restrictions on the incurrence of debt, the payment of dividends, certain investments and mergers. Some or all of the Notes may be redeemed at our option at any time on or after May 15, 2008, at certain specified premium prices. At any time prior to May 15, 2007, we may, at our option, redeem up to 35% of the Notes with the proceeds of certain sales of our common stock.

 

We maintain bid and performance bonds for certain customers. Bonds in force were $7.4 million and $41.7 million at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Bid bonds guarantee that we will enter into a contract consistent with the terms of the bid. Performance bonds provide a guarantee to the customer for future performance, which usually covers the installation phase of a contract and may on occasion cover the operations and maintenance phase of outsourcing contracts.

 

We also have standby letters of credit to guarantee our performance under certain contracts. The outstanding amounts of standby letters of credit were $23.3 million and $15.0 million at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

Our net deferred tax assets consist of accumulated net operating losses, tax credits and Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (Section 382) limited deferred tax assets acquired in connection with the acquisitions of Silicon, LineSoft and RER. We expect to utilize tax loss carryforwards and available tax credits to offset taxes otherwise due on regular taxable income in upcoming years. During 2004, we expect to pay approximately $1.8 million in cash for federal alternative minimum tax, international taxes and various state tax obligations. We expect to begin making significant cash payments for federal tax purposes beginning in 2006 as net operating loss carryforwards not limited by Section 382 will be fully utilized in 2005 and our remaining tax credits not limited by Section 382 will be fully utilized in 2005 and 2006.

 

Working capital at September 30, 2004 was $92.5 million compared with a $1.8 million working capital deficit at December 31, 2003. The change in working capital primarily results from the acquisition of SEM and the classification of our 2003 term debt on the balance sheet. At December 31, 2003, we anticipated that we would not be in compliance with all of our loan agreement covenants through 2004, due substantially to a four quarter rolling calculation of a component of our covenant requirements and the large product warranty accruals in late 2003. Consequently, the $20.8 million long-term portion of our term loan was classified as a current liability at December 31, 2003. On July 1, 2004, we replaced our credit facility with a seven-year senior secured term loan and repaid the existing term loan.

 

The days sales outstanding (DSO) for billed and unbilled accounts receivable totaled 60 days for the third quarter of 2004 compared with DSO of 65 days for the third quarter of 2003, and 59 days for the second quarter of 2004. Our DSO ratio is driven more by specific contract billing terms rather than collection issues.

 

We expect to continue to expand our operations and grow our business through a combination of internal new product development, licensing technology from or to others, distribution agreements, partnership arrangements and acquisitions of technology or other companies. We expect these activities to be funded from existing cash, cash flow from operations, borrowings and the issuance of common stock or other securities. We believe existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our existing operations and

 

35


Table of Contents

obligations for the foreseeable future, but offer no assurances. Our liquidity could be affected by the stability of the energy and water industries, competitive pressures, international risks, intellectual property claims and other factors described under “Certain Risks Relating to Our Business” within Item 1 and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” within Item 7A, included in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004.

 

Contingencies

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims of which the outcomes are subject to significant uncertainty. Our policy is to routinely assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes related to legal matters, as well as ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after thoughtful analysis of each known issue in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, and related pronouncements. Reserves are recorded when we determine that a loss is probable, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. At September 30, 2004, we determined that no such losses were probable. However, we identified a few matters for which a loss was reasonably possible but less than probable. We have estimated the range for total possible losses in these matters to be between $125,000 and $340,000, however, in accordance with SFAS No. 5, no liability has been recorded.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2004, a judgment was entered against us in a Belgium commercial court, which found that Itron unlawfully terminated a distribution agreement with the plaintiff. The court did not rule on damages but appointed a special examiner to gather further evidence and determine for the court the amount of the damages. We do not believe this determination will be made until 2005. Our Belgium lawyers are examining the court’s decision to determine whether the decision should be appealed. We have determined a nominal damage award is probable.

 

We generally provide an indemnification related to the infringement of any patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property right on software or equipment within our sales contracts, which indemnifies the customer from and pays the resulting costs, damages and attorney fees awarded against a customer with respect to such a claim provided that (a) the customer promptly notifies us in writing of the claim and (b) we have the sole control of the defense and all related settlement negotiations. The terms of the indemnification normally do not limit the maximum potential future payments. We also provide an indemnification for third party claims resulting from damages caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of our employees/agents in connection with the performance of certain contracts. The terms of the indemnification generally do not limit the maximum potential payments.

 

During 2003, we made warranty accruals totaling approximately $12.3 million for planned electric AMR module product replacements due to higher than normal estimated failures. The higher estimated failures resulted from a change in an integrated circuit component’s encapsulation material from a supplier to our component supplier for certain lots of a specific electric AMR module that were manufactured with this defective component. The warranty accruals reflected various estimates for the material, labor and other costs we expected to incur to replace the majority of affected units. Some of the replacement work was performed in 2003 and at December 31, 2003, the remaining warranty accrual was approximately $9.5 million. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, we incurred costs of $4.7 million and $9.9 million, respectively, for product replacements, which were charged against the warranty accrual. During the third quarter of 2004, the warranty accrual was increased by $1.8 million to reflect an increase in the number of product replacements, and the remaining warranty accrual at September 30, 2004 was $1.5 million. While we believe we have adequately reserved for this issue, as we have reserved for approximately 97% of the affected population and claims are running close to our initial estimates for previously identified customer situations, our actual costs may differ from our estimates.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Revenue Recognition: The majority of our revenues are recognized when products are shipped to or received by a customer or when services are provided. We have certain customer arrangements with multiple elements, including hardware, software and services. For such arrangements, we determine the fair value of each element and then allocate the total arrangement consideration among the separate elements under the provisions of EITF 00-21. Revenues for each element are then recognized based on the type of element, such as 1) when the products are shipped, 2) when services are delivered, 3) the use of percentage of completion when implementation services are essential to the software performance or 4) upon customer acceptance provisions. Under outsourcing arrangements, revenue is recognized as services are provided. Hardware and software support fees are recognized over the life of the related service contracts. Revenue can vary significantly from period to period based on the timing of orders and the application of revenue recognition criteria. Use of the percentage of completion method for revenue recognition requires estimating the cost to complete a project. Actual costs may vary from estimates.

 

Unearned revenue is recorded for products or services when the criteria for revenue recognition has not been met. The majority of unearned revenue relates to annual advance billing terms for post-sale maintenance and support agreements.

 

Accounts Receivable: The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our historical experience of bad debts and is adjusted for estimated uncollectible amounts.

 

Inventories: Inventories consist primarily of sub-assemblies and components necessary to support maintenance contracts. Inventory amounts include the cost to manufacture the item, such as the cost of raw materials, labor and other applied direct and indirect costs. If the market value of the inventory falls below the original cost, the inventory value is reduced to the market value. Items are removed from inventory using the first-in, first-out method. Inventory is subject to rapidly changing technologies.

 

36


Table of Contents

Goodwill and Intangible Assets: Goodwill and intangible assets are primarily the result of our acquisitions in 2002 and 2003. We use estimates in determining the value of goodwill and intangible assets, including estimates of useful lives of intangible assets, discounted future cash flows and fair values of the related operations. We test annually in the fourth quarter to determine whether goodwill, as of October 1st, has been impaired, under the guidance of SFAS No. 142. We forecast discounted future cash flows at the reporting unit level, which consists of our operating groups, based on our historical and best estimates of future revenues and operating costs, which take into consideration factors such as existing backlog, expected future orders, supplier contracts and general market conditions. Changes in our forecasts or cost of capital may result in asset value write-downs, which could have a significant impact on our current and future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized based on estimated discounted cash flows over estimated useful lives and are tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

 

Warranty: We offer a one-year standard warranty on most of our hardware products and a three-month standard warranty on most of our software products. The warranty accrual includes the cost to manufacture or purchase parts from our suppliers as well as the cost to install or repair equipment. Our accrual is based on historical product performance trends, business volume assumptions, supplier information and other business and economic projections. Thorough testing of new products in the development stage helps to identify and correct potential warranty issues prior to manufacturing. Continuing quality control efforts during manufacturing limit our exposure to warranty claims. We track warranty claims in order to identify any potential warranty trends. If our quality control efforts fail to detect a fault in one of our products, we could experience an increase in warranty claims. Management continually evaluates the sufficiency of warranty provisions and makes adjustments when necessary. Actual warranty costs may fluctuate and may be different than amounts accrued.

 

Contingencies: We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims of which the outcomes are subject to significant uncertainty. Our policy is to routinely assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes related to legal matters, as well as ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after thoughtful analysis of each known issue in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, and related pronouncements. Reserves are recorded when we determine that a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

 

New Accounting Pronouncement:

 

On March 31, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ratified the consensus on Emerging Issues Task Force 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments, which provides guidance on when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary and the measurement of an impairment loss. The guidance also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments. The provisions of this guidance are applicable to reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004, except for those provisions covered by FASB Staff Position No. 03-1-1, which delayed the effective date. We have no investments at September 30, 2004 to which this guidance would apply.

 

Subsequent Events

 

On October 1, 2004, we completed a $30 million interest rate swap whereby we will receive variable interest payments based on the three-month LIBOR and will pay fixed interest payments based on a rate of 3.26%, over a three-year term of the swap agreement. There were no origination fees or other significant up front costs in connection with this financing instrument. In addition, on October 1, 2004, we purchased a 4.00% three-month LIBOR interest rate cap pertaining to an additional $10 million of floating rate debt. The interest rate cap commences on October 1, 2005 and matures on September 30, 2007. The origination fee in connection with the interest rate cap was $103,000, which will be amortized over the term of the interest rate cap.

 

This interest rate swap was entered into pursuant to our $240 million senior secured credit facility agreement completed on July 1, 2004, which required us to enter into interest rate agreements within 90 days after the closing of the senior credit facility to substantially fix or hedge the interest rate on at least 50% of our aggregate principal amount of debt for a period of not less than three years. The $30 million interest rate swap increased the percentage of fixed rate debt to 52% at October 1, 2004 which is above the minimum requirement of 50%. The interest rate cap was not required pursuant to the secured credit facility, but was considered prudent interest rate risk mitigation.

 

On October 7, 2004, we entered into an agreement with Pondera Engineers, LLC, a company formed by former Itron employees, to transfer to Pondera certain assets related to our transmission and substation design business. We entered into the agreement to ensure that our past transmission and substation customers continue to benefit from the products and support they need to design and construct their power grid infrastructure. Initially, Pondera will have exclusive licenses to certain of our substation and transmission technology. We will transfer to Pondera, upon completion of financial requirements outlined in the agreement, ownership of certain software related to the business. We do not have any existing or continuing financial interest in Pondera. We do not belive the results of this transaction will have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

37


Table of Contents

On October 18, 2004, we made a $10 million optional prepayment on our senior secured credit facility term loan, bringing the outstanding balance on that date to $164.5 million.

 

38


Table of Contents

ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Interest Rate Risk: The table below provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Weighted average variable rates in the table are based on implied forward rates in the LIBOR yield curve as of October 1, 2004 and our estimated ratio of funded debt to EBITDA, which determines our rate margin. The table below illustrates the scheduled minimum repayment of principal over the remaining lives of our debt at September 30, 2004:

 

     2004

    2005

    2006

    2007

    2008

    Beyond 2008

 
     (in millions)  

Fixed Rate Debt

                                                

Project financing debt

   $ 0.2     $ 0.8     $ 0.9     $ 0.9     $ 1.0     $ 0.4  

Average interest rate

     7.60 %     7.60 %     7.60 %     7.60 %     7.60 %     7.60 %

Senior Subordinated Notes (1)

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 125.0  

Average interest rate

     —         —         —         —         —         7.75 %

Variable Rate Debt

                                                

Revolving credit line

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Average interest rate

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Term loan debt

   $ 0.5     $ 1.9     $ 1.9     $ 1.9     $ 1.9     $ 166.4  

Average interest rate

     4.25 %     5.20 %     6.03 %     6.54 %     6.95 %     7.29 %

(1) The private placement of $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes was discounted at 99.265 to yield 7.875%, due in 2012.

 

Our variable rate debt is exposed to changes in interest rates. We are required to enter into an interest rate agreement within 90 days after the closing of our senior secured term loan to substantially fix or limit the interest rate on at least 50% of our aggregate principal amount of debt for a period of not less than three years. At September 30, 2004, approximately 43% of our aggregate principal amount of debt was at fixed rates. The forecasted interest rates provided in the tabular format above do not include the benefits of an interest rate swap or cap agreements, which were entered into subsequent to the date of this document.

 

Based on a sensitivity analysis as of September 30, 2004, we estimate that if market interest rates average one percentage point higher than in the table above in 2004, our earnings before income taxes in 2004 would decrease by approximately $446,000.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk: We conduct business in a number of foreign countries and, therefore, face exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. International revenues were 5% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Since we do not typically use derivative instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate risks, the consolidated results of operations in U.S. dollars are subject to fluctuation as foreign exchange rates change. In addition, our foreign currency exchange rate exposures may change over time as business practices evolve and could have a material impact on our financial results.

 

Our primary exposure is related to non-U.S. dollar denominated sales, cost of sales and operating expenses in our international subsidiary operations. This means we are subject to changes in the consolidated results of operations expressed in U.S. dollars. Other international business, consisting primarily of shipments from the U.S. to international distributors and customers in the Pacific Rim and Latin America, is predominantly denominated in U.S. dollars, which reduces our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. In some cases where sales from the U.S. are not denominated in U.S. dollars, we have and may hedge our foreign exchange risk by selling the expected foreign currency receipts forward. There have been and there may continue to be large period-to-period fluctuations in the relative portions of international revenues that are denominated in foreign currencies.

 

Risk-sensitive financial instruments in the form of inter-company trade receivables are mostly denominated in U.S. dollars, while inter-company notes may be denominated in local foreign currencies. As foreign currency exchange rates change, inter-company trade receivables may impact current earnings, while inter-company notes may be re-valued and result in unrealized translation gains or losses that are reported in other comprehensive income.

 

Because our earnings are affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, we have performed a sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the value of the dollar relative to the currencies in which our

 

39


Table of Contents

transactions are denominated. At September 30, 2004, the analysis indicated that such market movements would not have had a material effect on our consolidated results of operations or on the fair value of any risk-sensitive financial instruments. The model assumes foreign currency exchange rates will shift in the same direction and relative amount. However, exchange rates rarely move in the same direction. This assumption may result in the overstatement or understatement of the impact of changing exchange rates on assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency. Consequently, the actual effects on operations in the future may differ materially from results of the analysis for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. We may, in the future, experience greater fluctuations in U.S. dollar earnings from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact of currency fluctuations and may institute hedging alternatives.

 

40


Table of Contents

ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2004.

 

(b) Changes in internal controls. We completed the acquisition of Schlumberger’s Electricity Products Business (SEM) on July 1, 2004. This business represents a separate segment, Hardware Solutions – Electricity Metering, with total assets of $528.9 million as of September 30, 2004 and revenues of $54.2 million for the three months then ended. It is also a separate control environment. The evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures referred to in Item 4 (a) above included Electricity Metering. However, we will exclude this segment from management’s report on internal control over financial reporting, as permitted by SEC guidance, to be included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

In preparation for management’s first report on internal controls over financial reporting, we are in the process of evaluating their design and operating effectiveness. While this assessment has been underway for more than a year and is not yet complete, we have identified the following significant deficiencies, which we believe do not constitute a material weakness either individually or in the aggregate, and have made and are planning to make certain improvements as described below that have materially affected, or are likely to material affect, our internal controls over financial reporting:

 

  1. Revenue recognition – Revenue accounting has become significantly more complex as a result of our acquisition of software companies and new accounting rules concerning multiple element arrangements. We determined that it was necessary to hire additional personnel with the requisite knowledge and experience to deal with the added complexity. In addition, we determined that our order processing personnel had incompatible duties. We plan to implement controls in the fourth quarter to address the incompatible duties.

 

  2. Policies and procedures – We have revised and implemented new accounting policies and procedures in key areas including revenue recognition, intercompany transactions, warranty and journal entries.

 

  3. Segregation of duties – We have strengthened computer access controls regarding our key financial systems.

 

  4. Credit process – We do not have a formal credit function because we do not think it is cost justified given the credit history of our customer base and our very low bad debt experience. However, we have implemented a credit policy applicable to past due customers and certain international shipments. We will continue to evaluate the necessity of changing or modifying our credit policy and procedures.

 

  5. System complexity – Over time our chart of accounts and accounting systems have become very complex requiring multiple interfaces. We have taken steps to reduce complexity in some areas and will continue to look for opportunities for simplification.

 

  6. Manual calculations – Due to complex accounting rules and a lack of computer system functionality in certain areas, we make extensive use of financial spreadsheets and manual calculations. We will ensure that all manual calculations are independently reviewed and seek automated solutions.

 

As noted above our assessment of controls is not complete and therefore we may identify additional weaknesses in the future.

 

The Company’s disclosure controls, including the Company’s internal controls, are designed to provide a reasonable level of assurance that the stated objectives are met. The Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls or internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the fact that judgments in decision-making can be faulty. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. Because of the inherent limitations in a control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be prevented or detected.

 

Other than the items noted above there have been no changes that occurred during the quarter that have materially affected, or are likely to material affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

41


Table of Contents

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims of which the outcomes are subject to significant uncertainty. Our policy is to routinely assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes related to legal matters, as well as ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after thoughtful analysis of each known issue in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, and related pronouncements. Reserves are recorded when we determine that a loss is probably, or likely to occur, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. At September 30, 2004, we determined that no such losses were probable. However, we identified a few matters for which a loss was reasonably possible but less than probable. We have estimated the range for total possible losses in these matters to be between $125,000 and $1 million, however, in accordance with SFAS No. 5, no liability has been recorded.

 

ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of shareholders of Itron during the third quarter of 2004.

 

ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION

 

(a) No information was required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the third quarter of 2004 that was not reported.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6: EXHIBITS

 

(a) Exhibits:

 

31.1   Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32   Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

42


Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

 

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, in the City of Spokane, State of Washington, on the 5th day of November, 2004.

 

ITRON, INC.
By:  

/S/ DAVID G. REMINGTON


   

David G. Remington

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

43