SEVCON, INC. - FORM 10-K - December 20, 2011

Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - SEVCON, INC.Financial_Report.xls
EX-23 - CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM - SEVCON, INC.exhibit23.htm
EX-21 - SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT - SEVCON, INC.exhibit21.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION - SEVCON, INC.exhibit31_1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION - SEVCON, INC.exhibit31_2.htm
EX-32.1 - CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT - SEVCON, INC.exhibit32_1.htm
EX-10 - SUMMARY OF DIRECTOR & EXECUTIVE OFFICER NON PLAN COMPENSATION - SEVCON, INC.exhibit10_l.htm

 
 
 

 
 
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-K
                    (Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 or                            

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

                                                                                                 For the transition period from _______________________ to ______________________.

Commission File Number 1-9789
 

SEVCON, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
04-2985631
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

155 Northboro Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                                                                (Zip Code)

Registrant's Area Code and Telephone Number (508) 281 5510

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

(Title of Each Class)
(Name of Exchange on Which Registered)
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.10 PER SHARE
NASDAQ CAPITAL MARKET

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o                                                        No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o                                                        No x

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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company x
   
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Yes o  No x

As of April 2, 2011, 3,360,322 common shares were outstanding, and the aggregate market value of the common shares (based upon the closing price on the Nasdaq Stock Market) held by non-affiliates was $14,360,000. As of December 6, 2011, 3,360,322 common shares were outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of the Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held January 24, 2012 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

 
 
 

INDEX

ITEM
PAGE
 
1.          BUSINESS
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
1A.          RISK FACTORS
3
2.          PROPERTIES
5
3.          LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
5
4.          [REMOVED AND RESERVED]
5
 
 
5
 
6
12
14
14
15
15
16
17
18
32
 
33
9A        CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
33
9B.        OTHER INFORMATION
33
 
34
11.         EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
34
 
34
35
35
 
 
Exhibits
36
Financial statement schedules
36
37
 
II               Reserves
41

Schedules other than the one referred to above have been omitted as inapplicable or not required, or the information is included elsewhere in financial statements or the notes thereto.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each reference to “year” in this Annual Report is to the fiscal year ending on the respective September 30.

 
- 1 -
 




Sevcon, Inc. (or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation organized on December 22, 1987 to carry on the electronic controls business previously performed by Tech/Ops, Inc. (Tech/Ops). Through wholly-owned subsidiaries located in the United States, England, France, South Korea and Japan, the Company designs and sells, under the Sevcon name, microprocessor based controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles. The Company’s products efficiently convert the electrical energy from the power source and control its use by the electric motors. They are used to vary the speed and movement of vehicles, to integrate specialized functions and to prolong the shift life of vehicles’ power source. The Company’s customers are manufacturers of on-road, off-road and industrial vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, buses, fork lift trucks, aerial lifts, mining vehicles, airport ground support vehicles, utility vehicles, sweepers and other battery powered vehicles. Since 2009, the Company has become increasingly involved in developing products for the on-road electric vehicle (“EV”) market. The Company outsources the manufacturing of its controllers to independent subcontractors headquartered in Poland and the U.S.; the U.S. subcontractor has plants in Mexico and China in which the Company’s product is assembled. Through another subsidiary located in Wales, Sevcon, Inc. manufactures special metalized film capacitors for electronics applications. These capacitors are used as components in the power electronics, signaling and audio equipment markets. Approximately 93% of the Company’s revenues in 2011 were derived from the controls business and 7% from the capacitor business. The largest customer accounted for 9% of sales in 2011 compared to 7% in 2010.

In 2011, sales totaled $32,286,000 compared to $26,053,000 in the previous year. Foreign currency fluctuations accounted for an increase of $541,000 or 2% in reported sales. Excluding the foreign currency impact, sales volumes increased by 22% compared to 2010. There was an operating profit of $1,070,000 in 2011, after a gain on the sale of a surplus property in the U.K. and other assets of $447,000, compared to an operating profit of $329,000 in the previous year after a gain of $507,000 from freezing a pension plan. There was a net profit for the year after income tax of $712,000, or $.21 per diluted share, compared to a net profit after income tax benefit of $866,000, or $.26 per diluted share, last year. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a more detailed analysis of 2011 performance.


Sales are made primarily through a full-time marketing staff. Sales in the United States were $15,178,000 and $13,585,000 or 47% and 52% of total sales respectively in years 2011 and 2010. Approximately 50% of sales are made to ten manufacturers of electric vehicles in the United States, Europe and the Far East. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Segment Information) in this Annual Report for an analysis of sales by segment, geographic location and major customers, and the risk factors beginning on page 3 regarding sales and operations outside the United States, which are incorporated by reference herein.


Although the Company has international patent protection for some of its product ranges, which is generally effective for up to 20 years from filing an application, the Company believes that its business is not significantly dependent on patent protection. The Company is primarily dependent upon technical competence, the quality of its products, and its prompt and responsive service performance.


Sevcon, Inc.'s backlog at September 30, 2011 was $5,847,000 and $6,121,000 at September 30, 2010. The Company does not believe that the backlog is necessarily indicative of future sales levels.


Sevcon, Inc.'s products require a wide variety of components and materials. The Company has many sources for most of such components and materials. However, the Company relies principally on two main suppliers for all of its requirements for certain components, sub-assemblies, and finished products. One of the two main suppliers is based in Poland and the other is in the U.S. The U.S. supplier manufactures the Company’s components at two separate plants, in Mexico and China. The Company is taking steps to diversify its risk and reduce its reliance on any single subcontractor by duplicating certain test facilities at the manufacturing locations of both the Polish and U.S. supplier. During the recent global recession, the Company’s suppliers of raw materials and key components suspended manufacturing operations due to reduced demand. As economic conditions have improved, some of them have not yet resumed production at pre-recession levels. The resulting shortages vary across types of raw materials and components depending on many fluctuating factors.

 
- 2 -
 



The Company has global competitors which are divisions of larger public companies, including Danaher’s Motion division, Sauer Danfoss, Hitachi and the motors division of General Electric. It also competes on a worldwide basis with Curtis Instruments Inc., Zapi SpA. and Iskra, private companies based in the U.S., Italy and Slovenia, respectively that have international operations. In its new on-road markets the Company also competes with Unique Mobility Inc., a U.S. public company, and divisions of Siemens, Continental and Eaton Corporation. In addition, some large fork lift truck and on-road vehicle manufacturers make their own controls and system products. The Company differentiates itself by providing highly reliable, technically innovative products, which the Company is prepared to customize for a specific customer or application. The Company believes that it is one of the largest independent suppliers of controls for electrically powered and hybrid vehicles.


Sevcon, Inc.'s technological expertise is an important factor in its business. The Company regularly pursues product improvements to maintain its technical position. Research and development expenditure amounted to $3,669,000 in 2011, compared to $3,187,000 in 2010 and was partially reimbursed by U.K. government grants of $600,000 and $145,000 in 2011 and 2010 respectively, which was recorded as a reduction of research and development expense.  Excluding the impact of grant income received, research and development expense increased by $482,000 or 15% compared to 2010.

· Environmental regulations

The Company complies, to the best of its knowledge, with federal, state and local provisions which have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise protecting the environment. This compliance has not had, nor is it expected to have, a material effect on the capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position of Sevcon, Inc. In 2010 the Company achieved accreditation to ISO14001, the international standard for Environmental Management Systems.
 
· Executive Officers

Information about our executive officers is incorporated by reference from Part III, Item 10 of this report.
 
· Employees and labor relations

As of September 30, 2011, the Company employed 113 full-time employees, of whom 14 were in the United States, 88 were in the United Kingdom (of whom 24 were employed by the capacitor business), 7 were in France, and 4 were in the Far East. Sevcon, Inc. believes its relations with its employees are good.


In addition to the market risk factors relating to foreign currency and interest rate risk set out in Item 7A on page 12, the Company believes that the following represent the most significant risk factors for the Company, the occurrence of any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and share price:

Capital markets are cyclical and weakness in the United States and international economies may harm our business

The Company’s traditional customers are mainly manufacturers of capital goods such as fork lift trucks, aerial lifts and railway signaling equipment. These markets are cyclical and depend heavily on worldwide transportation, shipping and other economic activity. They experienced a significant decline in demand due to the recent global economic recession which significantly reduced sales in 2009, and demand still remains substantially lower than the peak in 2007 and 2008. Further, as our business has expanded globally, we have become increasingly subject to the risks arising from adverse changes in global economic conditions. The recent recession caused a general tightening in the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy, and extreme volatility in credit and equity markets, and the current instability in the Eurozone may cause these conditions to continue. These developments have had an adverse impact on the Company’s business and may continue to materially negatively affect the Company’s business, operating results or financial condition in a number of additional ways. For example, current or potential customers may be unable to fund purchases or manufacturing of products, which could cause them to delay, decrease or cancel purchases of our products or not to pay the Company or to delay paying for previously purchased products. In addition, the effect of these crises on the Company’s banks and other banks may cause the Company to lose its current overdraft facilities and be unable otherwise to obtain financing for operations as needed.


 
- 3 -
 

The global shortage of components and raw materials may continue to increase our costs and hurt our ability to meet customer demand

During the recent global recession, the Company’s suppliers of raw materials and key components suspended manufacturing operations due to reduced demand. As economic conditions have improved, some of them have not yet resumed production at pre-recession levels. The resulting shortages vary across types of raw materials and components depending on many fluctuating factors. As a result, we have had difficulty meeting our customers’ demands for our products, which has had an adverse impact on our business. The shortages have also led to increased costs as we have competed with others for the limited supply. We cannot predict with certainty how quickly any of our suppliers will be able to increase their production to meet our needs. If we are unable to compete successfully for the components and materials we need, or identify alternative suppliers, the adverse impact on our ability to grow revenues, our operating results, and our financial condition will continue and may be material.

Demand for on-road electric vehicles incorporating our products may not materialize

The Company has become increasingly involved in developing products for the on-road electric vehicle market. We have relationships with several customers that incorporate our products into their EV products. Our competitors and others are also developing products for other entrants in the EV market, with similar and competing technologies. If our customers’ products or technology are not successful commercially, or if worldwide demand for EVs fails to grow as much as we hope, we may not realize the anticipated demand for our products in the EV market, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

The Company relies on a small number of key customers for a substantial portion of its revenues

Ten customers accounted for 50% of the Company’s revenues in 2011 and the largest customer accounted for 9% of revenues. Although we have had business relationships with these customers for many years, there are no long-term contractual supply agreements in place. Accordingly our performance could be adversely affected by the loss of one or more of these key customers.

The Company has substantial sales and operations outside the United States that could be adversely affected by changes in international markets

A significant portion of our operations and business are outside the United States. Accordingly, our performance could be adversely affected by economic downturns in Europe or the Far East as well as in the United States. A consequence of significant international business is that a large percentage of our revenues and expenses are denominated in foreign currencies that fluctuate in value versus the U.S. Dollar. Significant fluctuations in foreign exchange rates can and do have a material impact on our financial results, which are reported in U.S. Dollars. Other risks associated with international business include: changing regulatory practices and tariffs; staffing and managing international operations, including complying with local employment laws; longer collection cycles in certain areas; and changes in tax and other laws.

Single source materials and sub-contractors may not meet the Company’s needs

The Company relies on a few suppliers and sub-contractors for its requirements for most components, sub-assemblies and finished products. In the event that such suppliers and sub-contractors are unable or unwilling to continue supplying the Company, or to meet the Company’s cost and quality targets or needs for timely delivery, there is no certainty that the Company would be able to establish alternative sources of supply in time to meet customer demand.

Damage to the Company’s or sub-contractors’ buildings would hurt results

In the electronic controls segment the majority of the Company’s finished product is produced in three separate plants in Poland, Mexico and China; these plants are owned by sub-contractors. The capacitor business is located in a single plant in Wales. In the event that any of these plants was to be damaged or destroyed, there is no certainty that the Company would be able to establish alternative facilities in time to meet customer demand. The Company does carry property damage and business interruption insurance but this may not cover certain lost business due to the long-term nature of the relationships with many customers.




 
- 4 -
 

Product liability claims may have a material adverse effect

The Company’s products are technically complex and are installed and used by third parties. Defects in their design, installation, use or manufacturing may result in product liability claims against the Company. Such claims may result in significant damage awards, and the cost of any such litigation could be material.

Failure to comply with financial covenants in our loan agreement could adversely affect us.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company's subsidiary in the United States,  Sevcon USA, Inc. had approximately $1,700,000 of outstanding indebtedness under a revolving credit facility with RBS Citizens, National Association.  This indebtedness is secured by all of Sevcon USA, Inc.’s assets and a pledge of all the capital stock of Sevcon USA, Inc.  The loan agreement includes financial covenants which require us to maintain compliance with certain financial ratios during the term of the agreement.  See “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Liquidity and Capital Resources”.  Failure to comply with the financial covenants would be an event of default under the loan agreement that would give the lender the right to cease making additional advances, accelerate repayment of all sums due and take action to collect the monies owed to it, including foreclosing on its security interest, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.  



The U.S. subsidiary of the Company leases approximately 13,500 square feet in Southborough, Mass., under a lease expiring in 2013. The U.K. electronic controls business of Sevcon, Inc. is carried on in a building owned by it located in Gateshead, England, containing 40,000 square feet of space. The land on which this building stands is held on a ground lease expiring in 2068. The capacitor subsidiary of the Company owns a 9,000 square foot building, built in 1981, in Wrexham, Wales. The properties and equipment of the Company are in good condition and, in the opinion of the management, are suitable and adequate for the Company's operations.

ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

ITEM 4 [REMOVED AND RESERVED]


ITEM 5 MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company’s Common Stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol SEV. A summary of the market prices of the Company’s Common Stock is shown below. At December 6, 2011, there were approximately 1,154 shareholders of record.
 

 
    Quarter 1
   Quarter 2
    Quarter 3
     Quarter 4
     Year
2011 Quarters
          
Common stock price per share   - High
$7.18
$9.35
$7.47
$    7.64
$9.35
    - Low
$4.96
$4.87
$4.89
$    4.69
$4.69
2010 Quarters
          
Common stock price per share           - High
$      3.67
$      5.20
$      5.30
$     5.53
$       5.53
- Low
$      2.11
$      2.20
$      4.39
$     4.25
$       2.11
 
ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this discussion and analysis about the Company’s anticipated financial results and growth, as well as those about the development of its products and markets, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These include the risks discussed in Item 1A to this Annual Report, entitled ‘Risk Factors’, and others discussed in this report.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The Company's significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 of its Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report. While these significant accounting policies impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, certain of these policies require management to use a significant degree of judgment and/or make estimates, consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Since these are judgments and estimates, they are sensitive to changes in business and economic realities, and events may cause actual operating results to differ materially from the amounts derived from management’s estimates and judgments.

The Company believes the following represent the most critical accounting judgments and estimates affecting its reported financial condition and results of operations:

Bad Debts

The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts based on known factors related to the credit risk of each customer and management’s judgment about the customer’s business. Ten customers account for approximately 50% of the Company’s sales. At September 30, 2011, the allowance for bad debts amounted to $49,000, which represented 1% of receivables.

Because of the Company’s long term relationships with the majority of its customers, in most cases, the principal bad debt risk to the Company arises from the insolvency of a customer rather than its unwillingness to pay. In addition, in certain cases the Company maintains credit insurance covering up to 90% of the amount outstanding from specific customers. The Company also carries out some of its foreign trade, particularly in the Far East, using letters of credit.

The Company reviews all accounts receivable balances on a regular basis, concentrating on any balances that are more than 30 days overdue, or where there is an identified credit risk with a specific customer. A decision is taken on a customer-by-customer basis as to whether a bad debt reserve is considered necessary based on the specific facts and circumstances of each account. In general, the Company would reserve 100% of the receivable, net of any recoverable value added taxes or insurance coverages, for a customer that becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, and lesser amounts for less imminent defaults. The Company maintains a small bad debt reserve to cover the remaining balances based on historical default percentages.

If the financial condition of any of the Company's customers is worse than estimated or were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of its ability to make payments, the Company’s results may be adversely affected and additional allowances may be required.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs include materials and overhead, and are relieved from inventory on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company carries out a significant amount of customization of standard products and also designs and manufactures special products to meet the unique requirements of its customers. This results in a significant proportion of the Company’s inventory being customer specific. The Company’s reported financial condition includes a provision for estimated slow-moving and obsolete inventory that is based on a comparison of inventory levels with forecasted future demand. Such demand is estimated based on many factors, including management judgments, relating to each customer’s business and to economic conditions. The Company reviews in detail all significant inventory items with holdings in excess of estimated normal requirements. It also considers the likely impact of changing technology. It makes an estimate of the provision for slow moving and obsolete stock on an item-by-item basis based on a combination of likely usage based on forecasted customer demand, potential sale or scrap value and possible alternative use. This provision represents the difference between original cost and market value at the end of the financial period. In cases where there is no estimated future use for the inventory item and there is no estimated scrap or resale value, a 100% provision is recorded. Where the Company estimates that only part of the total holding of an inventory item will not be used, or there is an estimated scrap, resale or alternate use value, then a proportionate provision is recorded. Once an item has been written down, it is not subsequently revalued upwards. The provision for slow moving and obsolete inventories at September 30, 2011 was $437,000, or 6% of the original cost of gross inventory. If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, or if product designs change more quickly than forecast, additional inventory write-downs may be required, which may have a material adverse impact on reported results.

Warranty Costs

The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. While the Company engages in product quality programs and processes, the Company's warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates and repair or replacement costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Accordingly, the provision for warranty costs is based upon anticipated in-warranty failure rates and estimated costs of repair or replacement. Anticipating product failure rates involves making judgments about the likelihood of defects in materials, design and manufacturing errors, and other factors that are based in part on historical failure rates and trends, but also on management’s expertise in engineering and manufacturing. Estimated repair and replacement costs are affected by varying component and labor costs. Should actual product failure rates and repair or replacement costs differ from estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability may be required and the Company’s results may be materially adversely affected. In the event that the Company discovers a product defect that impacts the safety of its products, then a product recall may be necessary, which could involve the Company in substantial unanticipated expense significantly in excess of the reserve. There were no safety related product recalls during the past three years.

Goodwill Impairment

At September 30, 2011, the Company’s balance sheet reflected $1,435,000 of goodwill relating to the controls business. The Company carries out an assessment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances change, to determine if its goodwill has been impaired. The assessment is based on three separate methods of valuing the controls business based on expected free cash flows, the market price of the Company’s stock and an analysis of precedent transactions. These valuation methods require estimates of future revenues, profits, capital expenditures and working capital requirements which are based on evaluation of historical trends, current budgets, operating plans and industry data. Based on all of these valuation methods, management concluded in 2011 that the goodwill had not been impaired. If, in future periods, the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or the market price of the Company’s stock were to decrease significantly, then it may be necessary to record an impairment charge relating to goodwill of up to $1,435,000.

Pension Plan Assumptions

The Company makes a number of assumptions relating to its pension plans in order to measure the financial position of the plans and the net periodic benefit cost. The most significant assumptions relate to the discount rate, the expected long term return on plan assets and the rate of future compensation increase. If these assumptions prove to be incorrect then the Company may need to record, and may actually incur, additional expense or liabilities relating to the pension plans, which could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. At September 30, 2011 there was a pension liability on the Company’s balance sheet of $7,634,000. The Company’s pension plans are significant relative to the size of the Company. At September 30, 2011, pension plan assets were $15,557,000, plan liabilities were $23,191,000, and the total assets of the Company were $22,947,000. In accordance with FASB guidance, changes in the funded status of the pension plans (plan assets less plan liabilities) are recorded in the Company’s balance sheet and could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.

The funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans improved from a deficit of $8,203,000 at September 30, 2010 to a deficit of $7,634,000 at September 30, 2011.  The reduction in the deficit of $569,000 was due to several factors.  The most significant factor was a change in the inflation index used, from the Retail Prices Index to the Consumer Prices Index, to calculate the annual increase in accrued benefits for deferred pension plan members of the U.K. defined benefit plan.  As a result of this change, the Company had a one-time decrease in the liability of $854,000, net of a tax benefit.  This reduction in the estimated pension liability was partially offset by an actuarial loss of $405,000 arising from a reduction in the discount rate of the U.S. pension plan from 5.56% at September 30, 2010 to 4.55% at September 30, 2011.


 
- 5 -
 

The table below sets out the approximate impact on the funded status of the Company’s pension plans at September 30, 2011 that the Company estimates would arise from the following respective changes in significant plan assumptions:


Plan Assumption
Change in Assumption
Favorable (unfavorable) Impact on Funded Status
(in thousands of dollars)
Change in funded status
Assumptions impacting accumulated benefit obligation:
      
Discount rate
(0.1)%
$ (483)
6%
Inflation rate
0.1%
(260)
3%
Salary increase
0.5%
(503)
7%
Mortality rate
1 Year
(605)
8%

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate is dependent on many factors, including the impact of enacted tax laws in jurisdictions in which the Company operates, the amount of earnings by jurisdiction, varying tax rates in each jurisdiction and the Company’s ability to utilize foreign tax credits related to foreign taxes paid on foreign earnings that will be remitted to the U.S.

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequence of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or income tax returns. Income taxes are recognized during the period in which the underlying transactions are recorded. Deferred taxes are provided for temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities as recorded for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured by tax laws. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset arising from temporary differences is not likely to be utilized, the Company will establish a valuation allowance against that asset to record it at its expected realizable value. If the Company later determines, based on the weight of available evidence, that the deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized in the future, the allowance may be reversed in whole or in part. Management considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets, including recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income, the carry-forward periods available for tax reporting purposes and other factors. The range of possible estimates relating to the valuation of the Company’s deferred tax assets is very wide. Significant judgment is required in making these assessments and it is very difficult to predict when, if ever, management may conclude that any portion of the deferred tax assets is realizable. As of September 30, 2011, there is a partial valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets. If future experience is significantly different from that which was projected in making these assessments, there could be significant additional adjustments to the Company’s deferred tax assets and income tax expense.

The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by relevant taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Although the Company believes that its tax positions are appropriate, the final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could result in material changes in the underlying estimates.


 
- 6 -
 

· A) Results of Operations

2011 compared to 2010

The following table compares the 2011 results, for both the controls and capacitor segments, with the prior year, showing separately the percentage variances due to currency exchange rate changes and volume.

     
(in thousands of dollars)
    
Favorable (unfavorable) % change due to:
  
        2011       2010    
Total
    
Currency
    
Volume
  
                                             
Sales
                                          
Controls - to external customers
     $ 30,039     $ 24,434       23       2       21  
Capacitors- to external customers
       2,247       1,619       39       4       35  
Capacitors - inter-segment
       26       30       (15 )     2       (17 )
Capacitors – total
       2,273       1,649       38       4       34  
Total sales to external customers
       32,286       26,053       24       2       22  
Gross Profit
                                          
Controls
       10,191       8,347       22       (2 )     24  
Capacitors
       1,108       773       43       4       39  
Total
       11,299       9,120       24       (1 )     25  
Selling, research and administrative expenses, gain on sale of fixed assets and pension curtailment gain
                                          
Controls
       (9,405 )     (8,215 )     (14 )     (3 )     (11 )
Capacitors
       (716 )     (697 )     (3 )     (3 )     -  
Gain on sale of fixed assets
       447       -       100       -       100  
Pension curtailment gain
       -       507       (100 )     -       (100 )
Unallocated corporate expense
       (555 )     (386 )     (44 )     -       (44 )
Total
       10,229       8,791       (16 )     (3 )     (13 )
Operating income
                                          
Controls
       1,233       639       93       (56 )     149  
Capacitors
       392       76       416       21       395  
Unallocated corporate expense
       (555 )     (386 )     (44 )     -       (44 )
Total
       1,070       329       225       (104 )     329  
Other income and expense
       (101 )     177       (157 )     (97 )     (60 )
Income before income taxes
       969       506       92       (102 )     194  
Income taxes (provision) benefit
       (257 )     360       (171 )     28       (199 )
Net income
     $ 712     $ 866       (17 )     (47 )     30  

The Company’s main customers in the controls segment manufacture electric vehicles for on-road, off-road and industrial applications, including automotive, construction, distribution, mining, airport ground support and utility applications. Following the significant economic turmoil of 2008 and 2009, which led to some of the Company’s customers experiencing between 60% and 85% reduction in demand for new vehicles, there was a modest recovery in demand for the Company’s products in 2010 and this has continued into 2011. The increase in sales in 2011 has also been the result of new product introduction which has led to customer gains in on-road vehicle applications.

In 2011, sales were $32,286,000, an increase of $6,233,000, or 24%, compared to 2010. In 2011, approximately 53% of the Company’s sales were made outside the United States and were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, principally the Euro and the British Pound; accordingly, those revenues are subject to fluctuation when translated into U.S. Dollars. In 2011, the average U.S. Dollar exchange rate was 3% higher compared to both the British Pound and the Euro, than in 2010. As a result, foreign currency sales denominated in British Pounds and Euros translated into more U.S. Dollars. The overall impact to 2011 was that reported sales increased by $541,000, or 2%, due to currency rate changes.

Excluding the currency impact, volumes shipped in the controls business segment were $5,128,000 or 21% higher than in 2010. Volumes shipped were higher in Europe and North America by 89% and 12% respectively, but were 36% lower in the Far East due largely to lower domestic demand in Japan and South Korea, compared to the same period last year. The decrease in demand in Japan was due to the impact of the earthquake in 2011 and in South Korea to the demise of a significant customer in the automotive sector. The increase in sales volume in Europe and North America is in part due to continued customer gains in a range of on-road and off-road EV applications. In addition, the Company’s traditional markets of industrial applications for construction, distribution, mining, airport ground support and utility applications have seen healthy recovery from the significant reduction in customer demand experienced in the recession of 2009 with volumes shipped up 27% over last year.

In the capacitor business, reported sales to external customers increased by $628,000, or 39%, compared to 2010. Currency exchange rate changes increased sales by $64,000, or 4% and capacitor volumes shipped were $564,000, or 35%, higher than last year due principally to higher demand in the railway signaling market and the industrial sector.

 
- 7 -
 


Cost of sales was $20,987,000 compared to $16,933,000 in 2010, an increase of $4,054,000. As the gross profit percentage in 2011 of 34.5% was broadly the same as in 2010 when it was 35.0%, the increase in cost of sales was principally due to the 22% increase in volumes shipped in 2011 compared to the prior year.

Foreign currency fluctuations had a net unfavorable impact on gross profit of $98,000. This was due to the U.S. Dollar being marginally weaker in 2011 than in 2010 compared with the British Pound and the Euro, which had a favorable impact on sales of $541,000 but an unfavorable impact on cost of sales of $639,000. In the controls segment, gross profit of $10,191,000 or 34.0%, was $1,844,000 or 22% higher than last year which was due to the 21% increase in volumes shipped in 2011 compared to last year. In the capacitor segment gross profit of $1,108,000 was significantly higher than the 2010 gross profit of $773,000. The gross profit was 49% of sales in 2011 compared to 47% of sales in 2010. The increase in the capacitor business gross profit percentage was mainly due to an increase in the proportion of sales to higher margin industrial and railway signaling customers. The table below analyzes the year-to-year change in sales, cost of sales and gross profit.

     
(in thousands of dollars)
  
       
Sales
    
Cost of sales
    
Gross Profit
  
                             
Actual 2010
     $ 26,053     $ 16,933     $ 9,120  
Change in 2011 due to:
                          
Foreign currency fluctuations
       541       (98 )     639  
Increased volume, assuming 2010 gross profit percentage
       5,692       3,700       1,992  
All other cost of sales changes, net
       -       452       (452 )
                             
Actual 2011
     $ 32,286     $ 20,987     $ 11,299  
                             

Selling, research and administrative expenses, excluding a one-time gain of $447,000 on the sale of fixed assets in 2011 and a pension curtailment gain of $507,000 in 2010, increased by $1,378,000, or 15%, compared to 2010. Unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations increased reported operating expenses by $244,000, or 3%, due to the weaker U.S. Dollar in 2011 compared to both the British Pound and the Euro in the prior year. The increase in selling, research and administrative expenses was due largely to higher salary and fringe costs compared to the same period last year, due to the hiring of additional sales and marketing and engineering staff to support the current and future growth of the business and also the award of a general pay increase in the first quarter of 2011. The Company received U.K. government grants of $600,000 in the first two quarters of 2011 associated with research and development expense of $1,714,000 in the same period. The grants received were recorded as a reduction of research and development expense in the period. The Company also recorded in selling, research and administrative expenses in 2011, a one-time gain of $447,000 from the sale of fixed assets which included a gain of $451,000 on the sale of a surplus U.K. facility offset by a $4,000 write down of other fixed assets in the business.

An analysis of the year-to-year change in selling, research and administrative expenses, before gain on sale of fixed assets and pension curtailment gain, is set out below:

Selling, research and administrative expenses, before gain on sale of fixed assets and pension curtailment gain
    
(in thousands of dollars)
  
             
Reported expense in 2011
     $ 10,676  
Reported expense in 2010
       9,298  
Increase in expense
       1,378  
Increase due to:
          
Effect of exchange rate changes
       244  
Higher research and sales and marketing expense, net of currency effect
       331  
Higher administrative expense, net of currency effect
       803  
Total increase in selling, research and administrative expenses, before gain on sale of fixed assets in 2011 and pension curtailment gain in 2010
     $ 1,378  

In 2010 the Company took the decision to freeze the defined benefit pension plan for U.S. employees effective September 30, 2010. This decreased the projected benefit obligation by $507,000 as of September 30, 2010 and as this eliminated all future service for the purposes of benefit accrual, this amendment was treated as a curtailment under  Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") authoritative guidance. Accordingly, the entire effect of the amendment was recognized as a gain in 2010 in the consolidated statement of operations.

There was operating income for the year of $1,070,000 compared to $329,000 in 2010, an improvement of $741,000. This was due to several factors including the significant increase in sales volumes shipped and the receipt of U.K. government grants, offset by higher operating expenses. The controls business reported operating income of $1,232,000 compared to $639,000 in 2010. Operating income in the capacitor business was $392,000 compared with $76,000 in 2010.


 
- 8 -
 

Other income and expense was an expense of $101,000 in 2011 compared to $177,000 of income in the previous year. The change year on year was largely due to a foreign currency exchange loss of $39,000 in 2011, compared to a foreign currency gain of $158,000 in 2010. Interest expense was $64,000, which was $15,000 higher than the prior year, due to higher borrowing in 2011. Interest income was $66,000 lower at $2,000 compared to $68,000 in 2010, due to lower average surplus cash balances during 2011 compared with 2010.

Income before income taxes in 2011 was $969,000 compared to income before income taxes of $506,000 in 2010, an improvement year on year of $463,000. Foreign currency fluctuations decreased pre-tax income by $514,000 in 2011; the pre-tax result, before the effect of the favorable currency fluctuations, was $977,000 higher than the prior year.

The Company recorded a provision for income tax of $257,000 or 26.5% of the pre-tax income for the year compared to an income tax benefit of $360,000 in 2010. The income tax provision of 26.5% of pre-tax income was lower than the statutory Federal income tax rate of 34% for several reasons. There was a net reversal of $177,000 of deferred tax valuation allowances in 2011 following a review of the Company’s realizability of its deferred tax assets. In addition, the Company recorded $232,000 of additional research and development tax credits arising from the research activity in the Company’s U.K. operations. The reduction in the effective tax rate associated with these items was partly offset by an increased tax charge of $373,000 arising from a reduction in the U.K. tax rate which resulted in a write down in the value of the Company’s U.K. deferred tax assets. The income tax benefit of $360,000 in 2010 arose largely from $412,000 of research and development tax credits in the Company’s U.K. operations and $150,000 arising from the partial reversal of a deferred tax valuation allowance in the U.S.

The Company recorded net income after income taxes of $712,000 compared to net income after income taxes of $866,000 last year, a decrease of $154,000. Basic and diluted income per share was $.22 and $.21, respectively, in 2011 compared to a basic and diluted income per share of $.26 in 2010.

· B) Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s operating activities used $1,492,000 of cash during 2011 compared with cash generated from operating activities for 2010 of $938,000. Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment amounted to $635,000 compared to $848,000 in 2010 and the Company received $1,278,000 from the sale of the surplus U.K facility in the second quarter of the fiscal 2011. The Company’s U.S. subsidiary Sevcon USA, Inc.  borrowed $1,700,000 in the third quarter to fund working capital. Exchange rate changes increased cash by $181,000 in 2011 compared to a decrease of $109,000 last year. At September 30, 2011 the Company’s cash balances were $1,797,000 compared to $803,000 last year.

The main changes in operating assets and liabilities in 2011 were an increase in accounts receivable of $745,000 and an increase in inventories of $2,541,000.  The increase in inventory in 2011 is the result of a number of factors. A large part of the increase was due to the Company’s decision at the end of the first quarter of 2011 not to ship a substantial order for controls to a large public company in the Far East that had experienced a substantial deterioration in its financial condition. This led to a temporary increase in inventory of a current product, finished goods, sub assemblies and raw material, the finished goods element of which shipped to other customers in the fourth quarter of 2011. A further cause of the inventory increase has been the continuing global shortage of components and raw materials which has required the Company to purchase additional quantities of certain component parts to ensure continuity of supply to our customers.

The Company had a U.K. bank loan of $152,000, of which $39,000 was short-term and $113,000 long-term debt at September 30, 2011. It has overdraft facilities in the United Kingdom amounting to $1,420,000 which were unused as of September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010. The overdraft facility of the U.K. capacitor subsidiary is secured by a legal charge over the facility owned and occupied by that company. The overdraft facility of the U.K. controls subsidiary is secured by a legal charge over a facility owned by that company. Both facilities were renewed in the second quarter of 2011 for a further period of twelve months but, in line with normal practice in Europe, can be withdrawn on demand by the bank. Management believes that, if these facilities were withdrawn, adequate alternative credit resources would be available. However, this would depend on the Company’s situation and the economic environment at the time. Accordingly, management does not rely on their availability in projecting the adequacy of the Company’s capital resources.

In June 2011, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Sevcon USA, Inc., entered into a $3,500,000 secured revolving credit facility with RBS Citizens, National Association for working capital and general corporate purposes. The obligations under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and are secured by all of the assets of Sevcon USA, Inc. and a pledge of all of the capital stock of Sevcon USA, Inc.  The facility imposes customary limitations on Sevcon USA, Inc.’s ability to, among other things, pay dividends, make distributions, and incur additional indebtedness.  Under the facility, Sevcon USA, Inc. must maintain, on a quarterly basis, a debt to tangible net worth ratio of no more than 2:1 and a debt service coverage ratio of no less than 1.25:1 for each rolling twelve-month period.  At September 30, 2011, the Company was in compliance with these covenants. Upon entering into the revolving credit facility, Sevcon USA, Inc. drew down $1,700,000, which was the total amount outstanding at September 30, 2011. The revolving credit facility will expire on June 14, 2014 when all outstanding principal and unpaid interest will be due and payable in full.

There were no significant capital expenditure commitments at September 30, 2011. The Company’s capital expenditures are not expected, on average over a two to three year period, to significantly exceed the depreciation charge, which averaged $602,000 over the last three years. It is estimated that the Company will make contributions to its U.K. and U.S. defined benefit pension plans of approximately $523,000 in 2012; should the Company suffer a material reduction in revenues in 2012 this commitment could adversely impact the Company’s financial position. In the opinion of management, the Company’s requirements for working capital to meet projected operational and capital spending needs in both the short and long-term can be met by a combination of existing cash resources, future earnings and existing borrowing facilities. However, the outlook remains uncertain, given the slow recovery in certain geographic markets from the worldwide economic deterioration and fiscal austerity measures in place in some of the Company’s geographic territories. Any material reduction in revenues will have a materially adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, which would be exacerbated if any of the Company’s lenders withdraws or reduces available credit. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash from operations and if the bank overdraft facilities are withdrawn, the Company would need to raise additional debt or equity capital from other sources to avoid significantly curtailing its business and materially adversely affecting its results.  
 
· C) Off balance sheet arrangements

The Company does not have any off balance sheet financing or arrangements.

ITEM 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s operations are sensitive to a number of market factors, any one of which could materially adversely affect its results of operations in any given year.

Foreign currency risk

The Company sells to customers throughout the industrialized world. In 2011 approximately 49% of the Company’s sales were made in U.S. Dollars, 19% were made in British Pounds and 32% were made in Euros. In the controller business the majority of the product is produced in three separate plants in Poland, Mexico and China and cost of sales is incurred in a combination of British Pounds, Euros and U.S. Dollars. This resulted in the Company’s sales and margins being exposed to fluctuations due to the change in the exchange rates of the U.S. Dollar, the British Pound and the Euro.

In addition, the translation of the sales and income of foreign subsidiaries into U.S. Dollars is subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

The Company had no foreign currency derivative financial instruments outstanding as of September 30, 2011.

The following table provides information about the Company’s foreign currency accounts receivable, accounts payable and firmly committed sales contracts as of September 30, 2011. The information is provided in U.S. Dollar amounts, as presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 
- 9 -
 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     (in thousands of dollars)
  
   
Expected maturity or transaction date
  
   
Fiscal 2012
Fair Value
  
On balance sheet financial instruments:
          
In $ U.S. Functional Currency
          
Accounts receivable in British Pounds
   532   532  
Accounts receivable in Euros
   2,679   2,679  
Accounts payable in British Pounds
   399   399  
Accounts payable in Euros
   2,551   2,551  
Anticipated Transactions
          
In $ U.S. Functional Currency
          
Firmly committed sales contracts
          
In British Pounds
   585   585  
In Euros
   2,341   2,341  


Interest Rate Risk

The Company currently has $152,000 of interest bearing debt related to a U.K. bank loan for the purchase of capital equipment by the Company’s U.K. metalized film capacitor business.   In addition, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Sevcon USA, Inc., has $1,700,000 of interest bearing debt related to a secured revolving credit facility which was entered into for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Company invests surplus funds in instruments with maturities of less than 12 months at both fixed and floating interest rates. The Company incurs short-term borrowings from time-to-time on its overdraft facilities in Europe at variable interest rates. Due to the short-term nature of the Company’s investments at September 30, 2011 the risk arising from changes in interest rates was not material.

 
- 10 -
 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries

September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
(in thousands of dollars except per share data)
  
   
September 30,
2011
    
September 30,
2010
  
ASSETS
                
Current assets:
                
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 1,797     $ 803  
Trade receivables net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $49 in 2011
and $53 in 2010
     5,315       4,678  
Other receivables
     637       599  
Inventories
     7,478       5,048  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
     1,281       1,410  
Total current assets
     16,508       12,538  
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
                
Land and improvements
     22       22  
Buildings and improvements
     710       1,878  
Equipment
     9,916       9,426  
      10,648       11,326  
Less: accumulated depreciation
     (8,401 )     (8,232 )
Net property, plant and equipment
     2,247       3,094  
Long-term deferred tax assets
     2,699       2,806  
Goodwill
     1,435       1,435  
Other long-term assets
     58       11  
Total assets
   $ 22,947     $ 19,884  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
                
Current liabilities:
                
Current portion of long-term debt
   $ 39     $ 84  
Accounts payable
     3,800       3,717  
Accrued expenses
     2,106       1,591  
Accrued and deferred taxes on income
     65       40  
Total current liabilities
     6,010       5,432  
Liability for pension benefits
     7,634       8,203  
Long-term debt
     1,813       153  
Total liabilities
     15,457       13,788  
Stockholders’ equity:
                
Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share – authorized – 1,000,000 shares;
outstanding – none
     -       -  
Common stock, par value $.10 per share – authorized – 8,000,000 shares;
Outstanding 3,360,322 shares at September 30, 2011 and 3,340,322 shares at
September 30, 2010
       336         334  
Premium paid in on common stock
     5,295       5,132  
Retained earnings
     8,467       7,755  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
     (6,608 )     (7,125 )
Total stockholders’ equity
     7,490       6,096  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
   $ 22,947     $ 19,884  

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

 
- 11 -
 


CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries

For the Years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 (in thousands of dollars except per share data)
     
2011
    
2010
  
Net sales
     $ 32,286     $ 26,053  
Cost of sales
       (20,987 )     (16,933 )
Gross profit
       11,299       9,120  
Selling, research and administrative expenses
       (10,676 )     (9,298 )
Gain on sale of fixed assets
       447       -  
Pension curtailment gain
       -       507  
Operating income
       1,070       329  
Interest expense
       (64 )     (49 )
Interest income
       2       68  
Foreign currency (loss) gain
       (39 )     158  
Income before income taxes
       969       506  
Income taxes (provision) benefit
       (257 )     360  
Net income
     $ 712     $ 866  
Basic income per share
     $ .22     $ .26  
Fully diluted income per share
     $ .21     $ .26  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries

For the Years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 (in thousands of dollars)
     
2011
    
2010
  
Net income
     $ 712     $ 866  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
       (125 )     (191 )
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax
       642       (934 )
Comprehensive income (loss)
     $ 1,229     $ (259 )

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

 
- 12 -
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries

For the Years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
         
                                                                                                                   (in thousands of dollars except number of shares data)
  
     
Common Stock
$.10 par value
              
       
 
Number of
 Shares
  
 
Common
Stock
  
Premium paid in on common stock
  
 
Retained Earnings
  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  
Total stockholders’ equity
  
Balance September, 30 2009
       3,326,322   $ 333   $ 5,033   $ 6,889   $ (6,000 ) $ 6,255  
Net income
                         866           866  
Currency translation adjustment
                               (191 )   (191 )
Issuance of restricted stock
       14,000     1     (1 )               -  
Stock-based compensation, net of tax
                   100                 100  
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit of $410
                               (934 )   (934 )
Balance September 30, 2010
       3,340,322   $ 334   $ 5,132   $ 7,755   $ (7,125 ) $ 6,096  
                                           
Net income
                         712           712  
Currency translation adjustment
                               (125 )   (125 )
Issuance of restricted stock
       20,000     2     (2 )               -  
Stock-based compensation, net of tax
                   165                 165  
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit of $91
                               642     642  
Balance September 30, 2011
       3,360,322   $ 336   $ 5,295   $ 8,467   $ (6,608 ) $ 7,490  

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


 
- 13 -
 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries

For the Years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 (in thousands of dollars)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Cash flow from operating activities:
              
Net income
   $ 712   $ 866  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used by) generated from operating activities:
              
Depreciation
     654     581  
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets
     (447 )   -  
Stock-based compensation
     186     113  
Pension contributions less than pension expense
     220     283  
Pension curtailment gain
     -     (507 )
Deferred tax benefit
     (146 )   (66 )
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities:
              
Receivables
     (745 )   (1,950 )
Inventories
     (2,541 )   (383 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
     (135 )   (693 )
Accounts payable
     74     1,998  
Accrued expenses
     640     (73 )
Accrued and deferred taxes on income
     36     769  
Net cash (used by) generated from operating activities
     (1,492 )   938  
Cash flow used by investing activities:
              
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
     (635 )   (848 )
Proceeds of sale of fixed assets
     1,278     -  
Net cash generated from (used by) investing activities
     643     (848 )
Cash flow generated from financing activities:
              
Repayment of long term debt
     (38 )   -  
Proceeds of long term debt
     1,700     190  
Net cash generated from financing activities
     1,662     190  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
     181     (109 )
Net increase in cash
     994     171  
Beginning balance - cash and cash equivalents
     803     632  
Ending balance - cash and cash equivalents
   $ 1,797   $ 803  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
              
Cash paid for income taxes
   $ 77   $ -  
Cash paid for interest
   $ 62   $ 49  

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

 
- 14 -
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A. Basis of presentation

Sevcon, Inc. is a Delaware corporation organized on December 22, 1987 to carry on the electronic controls business previously performed by Tech/Ops. Through wholly-owned subsidiaries located in the United States, England, France, South Korea and Japan, the Company designs and sells, under the Sevcon name, microprocessor based controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles. The controls are used to vary the speed and movement of vehicles, to integrate specialized functions and to prolong the shift life of vehicles’ power source. The Company’s customers are manufacturers of on-road, off-road and industrial vehicles including automobiles, motorcycles, buses, fork lift trucks, aerial lifts, mining vehicles, airport ground support vehicles, utility vehicles, sweepers and other battery powered vehicles.  Through another subsidiary located in Wales, Sevcon manufactures special metalized film capacitors that are used as components in the power electronics, signaling and audio equipment markets.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sevcon, Inc. (Sevcon), Sevcon USA, Inc., Sevcon Limited and subsidiary, Sevcon SAS, Sevcon Asia Limited and Sevcon Japan KK. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

B. Revenue recognition

Revenue from the sales of products is recognized at the time title and risks and rewards of ownership pass to the customer (either when the products reach the free-on-board shipping point or destination depending on the contractual terms), there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed and determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Shipping, handling, purchasing, receiving, inspecting, warehousing, and other costs of distribution are presented in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company classifies amounts charged to its customers for shipping and handling in net sales in its consolidated statement of operations. The Company’s only post-shipment obligation relates to warranty in the normal course of business for which ongoing reserves, which management believes to be adequate, are maintained. The movement in warranty reserves was as follows:
 (in thousands of dollars)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Warranty reserves at beginning of year
    $ 96   $ 217  
Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the year
     (37 )   (194 )
Other changes to pre-existing warranties
     (25 )   16  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
     (1 )   (4 )
Net increase in warranty reserves for products sold during the year
     56     61  
Warranty reserves at end of year
   $ 89   $ 96  

The Company recognizes revenue in certain circumstances before delivery has occurred (commonly referred to as bill and hold transactions). In such circumstances, among other things, risk of ownership has passed to the buyer, the buyer has made a written fixed commitment to purchase the finished goods, the buyer has requested the finished goods be held for future delivery as scheduled and designated by them, and no additional performance obligations exist by the Company.  For these transactions, the finished goods are segregated from inventory and normal billing and credit terms are granted.

Infrequently the Company enters into fixed-price non-recurring engineering contracts.  Revenue from these contracts is recognized in accordance with the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.

C. Research and development

The cost of research and development programs is charged against income as incurred and amounted to approximately $3,069,000 in 2011 and $3,042,000 in 2010, net of U.K. governments grants received. This expense is included in selling, research and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Research and development expense, net of grants received, was 10% of sales in 2011 and 12% of sales in 2010.

The Company was awarded research and development grants by One North East, the Regional Development Agency responsible for the support of business in the North East of England, to accelerate the development of two new products. These two projects were completed in March 2011 as required by the grant awards. The Company recorded grant income of $600,000 and $145,000 in 2011 and 2010, respectively, associated with research and development expense of $1,714,000 and $415,000 in 2011 and 2010, respectively, on these two projects. The grant income was recorded as a reduction of research and development expense.  The grant income is subject to audit through 2016 and may be subject to adjustment if it is determined that the costs incurred did not meet the specifications of the grant award. 

D. Depreciation and maintenance

Plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are primarily fifty years for buildings, seven years for equipment and four years for computer equipment and software. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense and renewals and betterments are capitalized.

E. Stock based compensation plans

The Company’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) provides for the granting of stock options, restricted stock and other equity-based awards to officers, key employees, consultants and non-employee directors of the Company.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company has not granted stock options since 2003.

Since 2004 the Company has granted restricted stock to certain officers, key employees and non- employee directors in exchange for services provided to the Company over the vesting period of the stock. The vesting period of the restricted stock (i.e. when the restrictions lapse) is normally five years in respect of officers and key employees and one year in respect of non-employee directors. For officers and key employees, the Company recognizes compensation expense in respect of restricted stock grants on a straight line basis over the vesting period of the restricted stock based on the closing stock price on the grant date and an expected forfeiture rate of awards of 4%. For non-employee directors, the Company recognizes compensation expense in respect of restricted stock grants on a straight line basis over the vesting period of the restricted stock based on the closing stock price on the grant date.

F. Income taxes

The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes.  Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the impact of temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured under enacted tax laws.  A valuation allowance is required to offset any net deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Sevcon, Inc. files tax returns in the respective countries in which it operates. The financial statements reflect the current and deferred tax consequences of all events recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. We account for income tax uncertainties according to guidance on the recognition, de-recognition and measurement of potential tax benefits associated with tax positions.  We recognize interest and penalties relating to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. See Note 4.

G. Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs include materials, direct labor and overhead, and are relieved from inventory on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company’s reported financial condition includes a provision for estimated slow-moving and obsolete inventory that is based on a comparison of inventory levels with forecast future demand. Such demand is estimated based on many factors, including management judgments, relating to each customer’s business and to economic conditions. The Company reviews in detail all significant inventory items with holdings in excess of estimated normal requirements. It also considers the likely impact of changing technology. It makes an estimate of the provision for slow moving and obsolete stock on an item-by-item basis based on a combination of likely usage based on forecast customer demand, potential sale or scrap value and possible alternative use. This provision represents the difference between original cost and market value at the end of the financial period. In cases where there is no estimated future use for the inventory item and there is no estimated scrap or resale value, a 100% provision is recorded. Where the Company estimates that only part of the total holding of an inventory item will not be used, or there is an estimated scrap, resale or alternate use value, then a proportionate provision is recorded. Once an item has been written down, it is not subsequently revalued upwards. The reserve for slow moving and obsolete inventories at September 30, 2011 was $437,000 or 6% of gross inventory. At September 30, 2010 the reserve was $414,000, or 8% of gross inventory.

 
- 15 -
 

Inventories were comprised of:
 (in thousands of dollars)
 
2011
  
2010
  
Raw materials
 $ 1,281   $ 536  
Work-in-process
   99     68  
Finished goods
   6,098     4,444  
    $ 7,478   $ 5,048  

H. Accounts receivable

In the normal course of business, the Company provides credit to customers, performs credit evaluations of these customers, monitors payment performance, and maintains reserves for potential credit losses in the allowance for doubtful accounts which, when realized, have historically been within the range of the Company’s reserves.

I. Translation of foreign currencies

Sevcon, Inc. translates the assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries at the current rate of exchange, and income statement accounts at the average exchange rates in effect during the period. Gains or losses from foreign currency translation are credited or charged to cumulative translation adjustment included in the statement of comprehensive income and as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders' equity in the consolidated balance sheet. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are shown in the consolidated income statements.

J. Derivative instruments and hedging

The Company sells to customers throughout the industrialized world. In the controls segment the majority of the Company’s product is produced in three separate plants in Poland, Mexico and China. Approximately 49% of the Company’s sales are made in U.S. Dollars, 19% are made in British Pounds and 32% are made in Euros. Approximately 21% of the Company’s cost of sales is incurred in British Pounds and 60% is incurred in Euros. This results in the Company’s sales and margins being exposed to fluctuations due to the change in the exchange rates of U.S. Dollar, the British Pound and the Euro.

The Company had no foreign currency derivative financial instruments during the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

K. Cash equivalents and short-term investments

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Highly liquid investments with maturities greater than 90 days and less than one year are classified as short-term investments.

Such investments are generally money market funds, bank certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury bills and short-term bank deposits in Europe.

L. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to the computation of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased for the assumed exercise of dilutive options and other potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method unless the effect is anti-dilutive.

Basic and diluted net income per common share for the two years ended September 30, 2011 are calculated as follows:

 (in thousands except per share data)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Net income
   $ 712   $ 866  
Weighted average shares outstanding
     3,303     3,273  
Basic income per share
   $ .22   $ .26  
Common stock equivalents
     34     22  
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
     3,337     3,295  
Diluted income per share
   $ .21   $ .26  


 
- 16 -
 

M. Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates and assumptions made by management include bad debt, inventory and warranty reserves, goodwill impairment assessment, pension plan assumptions and income tax assumptions. Operating results in the future could vary from the amounts derived from management's estimates and assumptions.

N. Fair value measurements

The FASB has issued authoritative guidance, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance does not require any new fair value measurements, but provides guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a fair value hierarchy used to classify the source of the information. In accordance with this guidance, financial assets and liabilities have been categorized, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy as set forth below. If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.
The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in non-active markets, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. The Company currently does not have any Level 2 financial assets or liabilities.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the input used in pricing the asset or liability. The Company currently does not have any Level 3 financial assets or liabilities.

At September 30, 2011, the fair value measurements affect only the Company’s consideration of pension plan assets as disclosed in Note 7, Employee Benefit Plans.

O. Fair value of financial instruments

The Company's financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The carrying amount of these financial instruments as of September 30, 2011 approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s long term debt at September 30, 2011, was $1,813,000 (the carrying value on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011) based on recent financial market pricing.

P. Goodwill

The amount by which the cost of purchased businesses included in the accompanying financial statements exceeded the fair value of net assets at the date of acquisition has been recorded as "goodwill".

In accordance with FASB accounting guidance regarding goodwill and other intangible assets, the Company performs an assessment of goodwill impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value has been impaired. The Company has designated September 30 as the date it performs the annual review of goodwill impairment. Goodwill impairment testing is performed at the segment (or “reporting unit”) level.

In evaluating goodwill for impairment, the reporting unit’s fair value was first compared to its carrying value. The fair value of the reporting unit was estimated by considering (1) market capitalization, (2) market multiple and recent transaction values of similar companies and (3) projected discounted future cash flows, if reasonably estimable. Key assumptions in the estimation of projected discounted future cash flows include the use of an appropriate discount rate, estimated future cash flows and estimated run rates of sales, gross profit and operating expenses. In estimating future cash flows, the Company incorporates expected growth rates, as well as other factors into its revenue and expense forecasts. If the reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying value, no further testing is required. If, however, the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, the amount of the impairment charge is determined, if any. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. At each of September 30, 2011 and 2010, there was $1,435,000 of goodwill on the balance sheet of the Company which related wholly to one business segment, the controls segment, and the estimated fair value of the reporting unit significantly exceeded its carrying value under each method of calculation performed.

Q. New Accounting Pronouncements

On November 8, 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance regarding the options for the presentation of the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income. These components may be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The proposed Accounting Standards Update is, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on either the Company’s consolidated results from operations or its financial position.

On September 15, 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance in respect of the simplification of the testing of goodwill impairment. The Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") is, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. This ASU gives an entity the option in its annual goodwill impairment test to first assess revised qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. In certain cases this will allow an entity to forego the existing two-step goodwill impairment test. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on either the Company’s consolidated results from operations or its financial position.

R. Employee Benefit Plans

Sevcon, Inc. recognizes its pension plans’ over-funded or under-funded status in its balance sheets and recognizes the change in a plan’s funded status in comprehensive income in the year which the changes occur.

(2) CAPITAL STOCK

Sevcon, Inc. has two classes of authorized capital stock, preferred and common. There are authorized 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.10 par value and 8,000,000 shares of common stock, $.10 par value.

(3) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

Under the Company’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan there were 238,000 shares reserved and available for grant at September 30, 2011. There were 258,000 shares reserved and available for grant at September 30, 2010.  There were no options exercised in 2011 or in 2010. 
The Company issued 20,000 shares of restricted common stock to directors in 2011.  In 2010 the Company issued 14,000 shares of restricted common stock to directors.

Recipients of grants or options must execute a standard form of non-competition agreement. The plan provides for the grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Options, and Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs"). SARs may be awarded either separately, or in relation to options granted, and for the grant of bonus shares. Options granted are exercisable at a price not less than fair market value on the date of grant.

 
- 17 -
 

Option transactions under the plans for the two years ended September 30, 2011 were as follows:

 
 
Shares under option
  
 
 
Weighted average exercise price
  
 
 
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
  
 
 
Aggregate Intrinsic value
  
Outstanding at September 30, 2009
   63,500   $ 7.03  
2 years
   $ -  
Exercised in 2010
   -   $ -     -     -  
Cancelled in 2010
   (17,500 ) $ 10.75     -     -  
Outstanding at September 30, 2010
   46,000   $ 5.62  
2 years
   $ 25,400  
Exercisable at September 30, 2010
   36,500   $ 5.62  
2 years
   $ 20,400  
Exercised in 2011
   -   $ -     -     -  
Cancelled in 2011
   -   $ -     -     -  
Outstanding at September 30, 2011
   46,000   $ 5.62  
1 year
   $ 65,500  
Exercisable at September 30, 2011
   41,000   $ 5.75  
1 year
   $ 56,700  

The aggregate intrinsic value included in the table above represents the difference between the exercise price of the options and the market price of the Company’s common stock for the options that had exercise prices that were lower than the $6.33 market price of the Company’s common stock at September 30, 2011.

Details of options outstanding at September 30, 2011 were as follows:

 
Price range
 
Shares under option
 
Weighted average remaining contractual life
$   4.37 - $  6.56
36,000
 1.6 years
$   6.57 - $  9.85
10,000
 0.1 years
 
46,000
 1.1 years

In January 2011, the Company granted 20,000 shares of restricted stock to eight non-employee directors which will vest on the day before the 2012 annual meeting provided that the grantee remains a director of the Company, or as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee. The aggregate fair value of the stock measured on the date of grant was $175,000 based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. Compensation is being charged to income on a straight line basis over the period during which the forfeiture conditions lapse. The charge to income for these restricted stock grants in 2011 was $117,000 and the subsequent charge will be approximately $44,000 on a quarterly basis. 
 
For the purposes of calculating average issued shares for basic earnings per share these shares are only considered to be outstanding when the forfeiture conditions lapse and the shares vest.

Restricted stock transactions under the plans for the two years ended September 30, 2011 were as follows:

 (in thousands of shares)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Beginning Balance – Non-vested
     60     79  
Granted to employees – 5 year vesting
     -     -  
Granted to non-employee directors – 1 year vesting
     20     14  
Vested
     (30 )   (33 )
Forfeited
     -     -  
Ending Balance – Non-vested
     50     60  
Weighted-average fair value for shares granted during the year
   $ 8.75   $ 2.60  
Weighted-average fair value for shares vested during the year
   $ 3.56   $ 3.94  
Weighted-average fair value for ending balance - non-vested
   $ 5.21   $ 3.20  

As of September 30, 2011, there was $126,000 of compensation expense related to non-vested awards not yet recognized, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years.

Stock-based compensation expense was $186,000 and $113,000 for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
- 18 -
 

(4) INCOME TAXES

The domestic and foreign components of income before income taxes are as follows:
 (in thousands of dollars)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Domestic
   $ (250 ) $ 461  
Foreign
     1,219     45  
    $ 969   $ 506  

The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes and deferred taxes for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
     
2011
  
       
Current
    
Deferred
  
Federal
     $ -     $ (222 )
State
       17       (60 )
Foreign
       141       381  
        $ 158     $ 99  
     
2010
  
     
Current
    
Deferred
  
Federal
     $ -     $ 39  
State
       10       8  
Foreign
       37       (454 )
        $ 47     $ (407 )

The provision (benefit) for income taxes in each period differs from that which would be computed by applying the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate to the income before income taxes. The following is a summary of the major items affecting the provision:

 (in thousands of dollars)
     
2011
    
2010
  
Statutory Federal income tax rate
       34 %     34 %
Computed tax provision at statutory rate
     $ 322     $ 173  
Increases (decreases) resulting from:
                  
Foreign tax rate differentials
       (82 )     (7 )
State taxes net of federal tax benefit
       8       4  
Change in deferred tax valuation allowance
       (177 )     (118 )
Foreign research incentives
       (230 )     (412 )
U.K. rate change
       370       -  
Other
       46       -  
Income tax provision (benefit) in the consolidated income statements
     $ 257     $ (360 )

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize the benefit, or that future deductibility is uncertain. The significant items comprising the domestic and foreign deferred tax accounts at September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 
- 19 -
 

 
       
2011
          
     
Domestic current
  
Domestic long-term
  
Foreign current
  
Foreign
long-term
  
Total
  
Assets:
                                
Pension accruals
   $ -   $ 449   $ -   $ 1,668   $ 2,117  
Inventory basis differences
     49     -     -     -     49  
Warranty reserves
     19     -     -     -     19  
Foreign tax credit carry forwards
     -     275     -     -     275  
Accrued compensation expense
     33     -     -     -     33  
Net operating losses
     130     239     522     -     891  
Other (net)
     1     241     56     51     349  
        232     1,204     578     1,719     3,733  
Liabilities:
                                
Property basis differences
     -     31     -     (98 )   (67 )
Net asset
     232     1,235     578     1,621     3,666  
Valuation allowance
     -     (157 )   -     -     (157 )
Net deferred tax asset
   $ 232   $ 1,078   $ 578   $ 1,621   $ 3,509  
 
 
         
2010
          
     
Domestic current
    
Domestic long-term
  
Foreign current
  
Foreign
long-term
  
Total
  
Assets:
                                  
Pension accruals
   $ -     $ 221   $ -   $ 2,195   $ 2,416  
Inventory basis differences
     38       -     -     -     38  
Warranty reserves
     18       -     -     -     18  
Foreign tax credit carry forwards
     -       142     -     -     142  
Accrued compensation expense
     29       -     -     44     73  
Net operating losses
     144       306     754     -     1,204  
Other (net)
     3       205     -     -     208  
        232       874     754     2,239     4,099  
Liabilities:
                                  
Property basis differences
     -       43     -     (67 )   (24 )
Net asset
     232       917     754     2,172     4,075  
Valuation allowance
     (51 )     (283 )   -     -     (334 )
Net deferred tax asset
   $ 181     $ 634   $ 754   $ 2,172   $ 3,741  

During the year, the Company re-evaluated the realizability of its deferred tax assets as a result of recent economic conditions, the Company's recent operating results, and the Company's revised estimate of pre-tax income in the near-term. Based on this review, the Company reversed, in 2011, $177,000 of the $379,000 deferred tax valuation allowance recognized in 2009. The valuation allowance at September 30, 2011 relates to the realizability of foreign tax credit carryforwards in the U.S.

In assessing the continuing need for a valuation allowance the Company has assessed the available means of recovering its deferred tax assets, including the ability to carryback net operating losses, the existence of reversing temporary differences, the availability of tax planning strategies, and available sources of future taxable income, including a revised estimate of future sources of pre-tax income.

The Company has generated domestic federal and state net operating losses of $905,000 which will expire in 2028 and 2013, respectively. The Company has generated foreign net operating losses of approximately $2,258,000 which have an indefinite carry forward period.


 
- 20 -
 

Uncertain tax positions

Effective October 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB authoritative guidance regarding the recognition and measurement of all tax positions taken or to be taken by the Company and its subsidiaries. The adoption of this guidance followed a review by the Company of all potential uncertain tax positions. As a consequence of that review, it was concluded that no provision was required in respect of the adoption of this guidance and consequently the Company has not recorded a liability for uncertain tax positions and the Company has recorded no cumulative effect to retained earnings pursuant to the adoption of this guidance.  The Company's tax returns are open to audit from 2008 and forward.

(5) ACCRUED EXPENSES

The analysis of accrued expenses at September 30, 2011 and 2010, showing separately any items in excess of 5% of total current liabilities, was as follows:
(in thousands of dollars)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Accrued compensation and related costs
   $ 1,090   $ 884  
Warranty reserves
     89     96  
Other accrued expenses
     927     611  
      $ 2,106   $ 1,591  

(6) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Sevcon, Inc. is involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business but believes that it is remote that the outcome will be material to operations.

The Company maintains a directors' retirement plan which provides for certain retirement benefits to non-employee directors. Effective January 1997 the plan was frozen and no further benefits are being accrued. While the cost of the plan has been fully charged to expense, the plan is not separately funded. The estimated maximum liability which has been recorded based on the cost of buying deferred annuities at September 30, 2011 was $179,000.

Minimum rental commitments under all non-cancelable leases are as follows for the years ended September 30: 2012 - $231,000; 2013 - $155,000; 2014 - $76,000; 2015 - $76,000; 2016 - $76,000 and $3,055,000 thereafter. Net rentals of certain land, buildings and equipment charged to expense were $243,000 in 2011 and $233,000 in 2010.

The U.K. subsidiaries of the Company have given to a bank a security interest in certain leasehold and freehold property assets as security for overdraft facilities of $1,420,000. There were no amounts outstanding on the overdraft facilities at September 30, 2011 or 2010. The obligations under a secured revolving credit facility entered into in 2011 by the U.S. subsidiary of the Company, are guaranteed by the Company and are secured by all of the assets and a pledge of all of the capital stock, of Sevcon USA, Inc. As at September 30, 2011 there was $1,700,000 outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

(7) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Sevcon, Inc. has defined benefit plans covering the majority of its U.S. and U.K. employees. There is also a small defined contribution plan covering senior managers in the capacitor business. The Company uses a September 30 measurement date for its pension plans.

The following table sets forth the estimated funded status of these defined benefit plans and the amounts recognized by Sevcon, Inc.:

 
- 21 -
 


(in thousands of dollars)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Change in benefit obligation:
              
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
   $ 23,637   $ 21,541  
Service cost
     331     321  
Interest cost
     1,268     1,189  
Plan participants contributions
     198     152  
Actuarial (gain) loss
     (202 )   1,639  
Prior service credit
     (1,133 )   -  
Gains on curtailments
     -     (507 )
Benefits paid
     (689 )   (435 )
Foreign currency exchange rate changes
     (219 )   (263 )
Benefit obligation at end of year
     23,191     23,637  
Change in plan assets:
              
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
     15,434     14,375  
Return on plan assets
     233     931  
Employer contributions
     545     592  
Plan participants contributions
     198     152  
Benefits paid
     (689 )   (435 )
Foreign currency exchange rate changes
     (164 )   (181 )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
     15,557     15,434  
Funded status
     (7,634 )   (8,203 )
Liability for pension benefits recorded in the balance sheet
   $ (7,634 ) $ (8,203 )

The funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans improved from a deficit of $8,203,000 at September 30, 2010 to a deficit of $7,634,000 at September 30, 2011.  The reduction in the deficit of $569,000 was due to several factors.  The most significant factor was a change in the inflation index used, from the Retail Prices Index to the Consumer Prices Index, to calculate the annual increase in accrued benefits for deferred pension plan members of the U.K. defined benefit plan.  As a result of this change, the Company had a one-time decrease in the liability of $854,000, net of a tax benefit.  This reduction in the pension liability was partially offset by an actuarial loss of $405,000 arising from a reduction in the discount rate of the U.S. pension plan from 5.56% at September 30, 2010 to 4.55% at September 30, 2011.

Amounts recognized in the balance sheets consist of:
 (in thousands of dollars)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Non current liabilities
   $ 7,634   $ 8,203  

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of:
 (in thousands of dollars)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Actuarial loss, net of tax benefit
   $ (194 ) $ (968 )
Prior service gain, net of tax benefit
     836     34  
      $ 642   $ (934 )


 
- 22 -
 

The Sevcon, Inc. net pension cost included the following components:
 (in thousands of dollars)

 
- 23 -
 

   
2011
  
2010
  
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
              
Service cost
   $ 331   $ 321  
Interest cost
     1,268     1,189  
Expected return on plan assets
     (1,126 )   (914 )
Gains on curtailments
     -     (507 )
Amortization of prior service cost
     (18 )   48  
Amortization of net loss
     310     231  
Net periodic benefit cost
   $ 765   $ 368  
Net cost of defined contribution plans
   $ 77   $ 42  

The weighted average assumptions used to determine plan obligations and net periodic benefit cost for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were as set out below:

   
2011
  
2010
  
Plan obligations:
              
Discount rate
     5.34 %   5.25 %
Rate of compensation increase
     2.79 %   3.32 %
Net periodic benefit cost:
              
Discount rate
     5.34 %   5.25 %
Expected long term return on plan assets
     7.26 %   7.14 %
Rate of compensation increase
     2.79 %   3.32 %

The changes in these assumptions reflect actuarial advice and changing market conditions and experience.

The Company’s investment strategy is to build an efficient, well-diversified portfolio based on a long-term strategic outlook of the investment markets. The investment markets outlook utilizes both historical-based and forward-looking return forecasts to establish future return expectations for various asset classes. These return expectations are used to develop a core asset allocation based on the specific needs of the plan. The core asset allocation utilizes multiple investment managers to maximize the plan’s return while minimizing risk.

The assumed rate of return on plan assets represents an estimate of long-term returns on an investment portfolio consisting of a mixture of equities, fixed income and alternative investments. In determining the expected return on plan assets, the Company considers long-term rates of return on the asset classes (historically and forecasted) in which the Company expects the pension funds to be invested.

At September 30, 2011 the assets of the U.S. plan were invested 38% in equity securities, 62% in cash and cash equivalents. The U.S. plan was frozen effective September 30, 2010 and in consequence there will be no future accrual earned by U.S. employees under this defined benefit arrangement. The U.S. plan had a deficit of $960,000, or 33% of the total benefit obligation, as at September 30, 2011. The Company has committed to future annual contributions to the defined benefit plan to pay down this deficit within the next seven years. The Company established a 401(k) defined contribution plan for current and future U.S. employees effective October 1, 2010.


 
- 24 -
 

In the second quarter of 2011, the Company changed the inflation index used to calculate the annual increase in accrued benefits for deferred pension plan members of the U.K. defined benefit pension plan.  The change in inflation index was from the Retail Prices Index (“RPI”) to the Consumer Prices Index (“CPI”).   Deferred pension plan members are current or former employees of the Company who have left the pension plan, retaining a right to future pension benefits, but not having yet brought those benefits into payment. The change of inflation index was for this one class of pension plan member only.  As a result of this change, the Company recorded a one-time decrease in the liability for pension benefits of $806,000, net of a tax benefit.  This decrease was recorded in the second quarter of 2011 through other comprehensive loss as a reduction to remaining prior service costs of $212,000 and the remaining $594,000 is being amortized as a component of net period benefit costs over 34 years, this being the estimated life expectancy of deferred members of the U.K. pension plan.

The overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets has been based on the expected returns on equities, bonds and real estate based broadly on the current and proposed future asset allocation.

The table below presents information about our plan assets measured and recorded at fair value as of September 30, 2011, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the inputs utilized by the Company to determine the fair values (see Fair value measurements in Note 1).
 (in thousands of dollars)
 
 
 
Level 1*
(Quoted prices in active markets)
 
 
Level 2**
(Significant observable inputs)
 
 
Level 3***
(Unobservable inputs)
Mutual Funds
  
 
 
Standard Life Pension Global Absolute Returns Strategies Fund
 5,207
-
-
Standard Life UK Indexed Linked Fund
 1,452
-
-
Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund
 1,297
-
-
CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund
 5,554
-
-
Vanguard Index Fund
 749
-
-
Other Types of Investments
  
 
 
Cash
 1,298
-
-
Total
 15,557
-
-

*
Level 1 investments represent mutual funds for which a quoted market price is available on an active market. These investments will primarily hold stocks or bonds, or a combination of stocks and bonds.

**
The Company currently does not have any Level 2 pension plan financial assets.

***
The Company currently does not have any Level 3 pension plan financial assets.

The following estimated benefit payments, which reflect future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 (in thousands of dollars)
2012
$        406
2013
 371
2014
 513
2015
 658
2016
 726
2017 – 2021
 3,910

 
- 25 -
 

In 2012 it is estimated that the Company will make contributions to the plans of $523,000, and that there will be employee contributions to the U.K. plan of $187,000. Actual payment obligations with respect to the pension plan liability come due over an extended period of time and will depend on changes in the assumptions described above.

(8) SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has two reportable segments: electronic controls and capacitors. The electronic controls segment produces microprocessor based control systems for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles. The capacitor segment produces special metalized film capacitors for sale to electronic equipment manufacturers. Each segment has its own management team, manufacturing facilities and sales force.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1. Intersegment sales are accounted for at current market prices. The Company evaluates the performance of each segment principally based on operating income. The Company does not allocate income taxes, interest income and expense or foreign currency translation gains and losses to segments. Information concerning operations of these businesses is as follows:

 (in thousands of dollars)
           
2011
      
     
Controls
  
Capacitors
  
Corporate
  
Total
  
Sales to external customers
   $ 30,039   $ 2,247   $ -   $ 32,286  
Inter-segment revenues
     -     26     -     26  
Operating income (loss)
     1,232     392     (555 )   1,070  
Depreciation
     574     78     2     654  
Identifiable assets
     21,382     1,291     274     22,947  
Capital expenditures
     571     64     -     635  
 
           
2010
    
   
Controls
  
Capacitors
  
Corporate
  
Total
  
Sales to external customers
   $ 24,434   $ 1,619   $ -   $ 26,053  
Inter-segment revenues
     -     30     -     30  
Operating income (loss)
     639     76     (386 )   329  
Depreciation
     524     52     2     578  
Identifiable assets
     18,027     1,053     804     19,884  
Capital expenditures
     562     286     -     848  

The Company has businesses located in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Korea and Japan. The analysis of revenues set out below is by the location of the business selling the products rather than by destination of the products.

 (in thousands of dollars)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Sales:-
              
U.S. sales
   $ 15,178   $ 13,585  
Foreign sales:
              
United Kingdom
     8,787     8,385  
France
     8,321     4,083  
Total Foreign
     17,108     12,468  
Total sales
   $ 32,286   $ 26,053  
Long-lived assets:
              
U.S.A.
   $ 2,617   $ 2,105  
Foreign:
              
United Kingdom
     3,744     5,150  
France
     75     44  
Korea and Japan
     3     13  
Total Foreign
     3,822     5,207  
Total
   $ 6,439   $ 7,312  

 
- 26 -
 

In the controls business segment the revenues were derived from the following products and services:

 (in thousands of dollars)
   
2011
  
2010
  
Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles
   $ 22,394   $ 13,818  
Accessory and aftermarket products and services
     7,645     10,616  
Total controls segment revenues
   $ 30,039   $ 24,434  

The business located in the United States services customers in North and South America. The business located in France services customers in France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and North Africa. The businesses located in Korea and Japan support customers in Asia, however, sales to these customers are made from the United Kingdom. The businesses located in the United Kingdom service customers in the rest of the world, principally Europe and the Far East.

In 2011 Sevcon, Inc.'s largest customer accounted for 9% of sales and for 7% of receivables. In 2010 the largest customer accounted for 7% of sales and 4% of receivables.

(9) DEBT

At September 30, 2011 the Company had $152,000 outstanding under a U.K. bank loan entered into in April 2010, with a fixed interest rate of 6.8%. The loan, which was entered into by the U.K. metalized film capacitor subsidiary to purchase an item of capital equipment, is denominated in British Pounds. The loan agreement provides for equal monthly installments comprising interest and principal for a five year period commencing in May 2010. Of the total amount outstanding at September 30, 2011, $39,000 is shown in the current liabilities section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheet under current debt, representing the principal element of the loan installments in the year ending September 30, 2012. Included in other long term liabilities at September 30, 2011, is $113,000 which represents the principal element of the loan installments for the years 2013 to 2015. The fair market value of the debt at September 30, 2011 was $152,000.

On June 15, 2011, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Sevcon USA, Inc., entered into a $3,500,000 secured revolving credit facility with RBS Citizens, National Association for working capital and general corporate purposes. The loan and security agreement will expire on June 14, 2014 when all outstanding principal and unpaid interest will be due and payable in full.  The facility may be paid before maturity in whole or in part at the option of Sevcon USA, Inc., without penalty or premium.  Interest on the loan is payable monthly, and in 2011, was calculated at a margin over LIBOR.  Upon entering into the revolving credit facility, Sevcon USA, Inc. drew down $1,700,000, which was the total amount outstanding at September 30, 2011.  This $1,700,000 is shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet under long-term debt. The carrying value of the debt approximated to fair value based on current interest rates.

In March 2011, the Company’s U.K. bank renewed the overdraft facilities of the Company’s U.K. controls and capacitor subsidiaries. The Company’s U.K. controls and capacitor subsidiaries each have multi-currency overdraft facilities which together total $1,420,000 and which are secured against real estate owned by those companies. In common with bank overdrafts in Europe, the renewal of the facilities is for a twelve month period although in line with normal practice in Europe, they can be withdrawn on demand by the bank. The facilities were unused at September 30, 2011.

Annual principal payments on long term debt at September 30, 2011 are as follows:
 (in thousands of dollars)
2012
 $ 39  
2013
   41  
2014
   1,745  
2015
   27  
 Total   1,852   


(10) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In preparing these consolidated financial statements, the Company has evaluated, for the potential recognition or disclosure, events or transactions subsequent to the end of the fiscal year and through the date these financial statements were available to be issued. No material subsequent events were identified that require recognition or disclosure in these financial statements.

 
- 27 -
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Sevcon, Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sevcon, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended.  Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Sevcon Inc. and subsidiaries listed in Item 15(a).  These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sevcon Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
 
/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
December 20, 2011






 
- 28 -
 


ITEM 9 CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(e)), have concluded that, as of September 30, 2011, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

·  
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

·  
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

·  
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011 using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment and those criteria, our management concluded that, as of September 30, 2011, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have identified no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B OTHER INFORMATION

None.


 
- 29 -
 

PART III

ITEM 10 DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The requisite information regarding the Company’s directors, executive officers and audit committee members is incorporated by reference from the discussion responsive thereto under the captions “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

We have adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Officers that applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and controllers. We have also adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including, but not limited to, our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, and controllers. A copy of either Code is available without charge upon request from the Chief Financial Officer at Sevcon, Inc., 155 Northboro Road, Southborough, MA 01772. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Ethics for Senior Officers or grant any waiver from a provision of such Code, or if we make any substantive amendment to a provision of the Code of Conduct that applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or controllers, or if we grant any waiver from a provision of such Code for any such persons, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver in a report on Form 8-K.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Name of Officer
Age
Position
Matthew Boyle
49
President & Chief Executive Officer
Paul N. Farquhar
49
Vice President, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer

There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer and any other director or executive officer of the Company.

All officers serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. Mr. Boyle has been President and Chief Executive Officer since 1997 and was Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from 1996 to 1997. Mr. Farquhar became Chief Financial Officer in January 2008, having served as Principal Accounting Officer since April 2007. Mr. Farquhar is a British Chartered Accountant and from January 2005 to March 2007 was European Financial Controller for AAF International, a global company providing products for air filtration.

ITEM 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This information is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Director Compensation,” and “Executive Compensation” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ITEM 12 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The requisite information concerning security ownership and related stockholder matters is incorporated by reference from the information responsive thereto under the captions “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock”, and “Proposal 1: Election of Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 
- 30 -
 

 The following table sets out the status of shares authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans at September 30, 2011:

Plan Category
 
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options warrants and rights
 
 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) at end of year
 
(a)
(b)
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
1996 Equity Incentive Plan
1998 Director Stock Option Plan
 
 41,000
 5,000
 
$ 5.65
$ 5.40
 
238,000
 -
Sub Total
 46,000
$ 5.62
238,000
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
 -
 -
 -
Total
 46,000
$ 5.62
238,000


ITEM 13 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

This information is incorporated by reference from the information responsive thereto under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Director Independence” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ITEM 14 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

This information is incorporated by reference from the discussion responsive thereto under the caption “Proposal 2: Ratification of the Selection of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2012” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 
- 31 -
 


ITEM 15 EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)
Financial statements and schedule
 
The financial statements and financial statement schedule are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(b)
Exhibits
 
The exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed on the Exhibit Index below.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

*(3)(a)
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2011).
*(3)(b)
Amended and Restated By-laws of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2011).
*(10)(a)
Sevcon, Inc. 1996 Equity Incentive Plan and amendment thereto (incorporated by reference to 2004 Proxy Statement filed on December 29, 2003 and Exhibit 10.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 3, 2010, respectively).
*(10)(b)
Form of Option for 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) to Annual Report for the year ended September 30, 2002).
*(10)(c)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for employees for 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (c) to Annual Report for the year ended September 30, 2004).
*(10)(d)
Form of Indemnification Agreement dated January 4, 1988 between the registrant and each of its directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) to Annual Report for the year ended September 30, 1994).
*(10)(e)
Directors’ Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) to Annual Report for the year ended September 30, 1990).
*(10)(f)
Board resolution terminating Directors’ Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) to Annual Report for the year ended September 30, 1997).
*(10)(g)
Sevcon, Inc. 1998 Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998).
*(10)(h)
Service Agreement dated as of July 1, 2010, between Mathew Boyle and Sevcon Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2010).
*(10)(i)
Noncompetition/Nonsolicitation Agreement dated as of July 1, 2010, between Matthew Boyle and Sevcon, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2010).
*(10)(j)
Service Agreement dated as of July 1, 2010, between Paul N. Farquhar and Sevcon Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2010).
*(10)(k)
Noncompetition/Nonsolicitation Agreement dated as of July 1, 2010, between Paul N. Farquhar and Sevcon, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2010).
  (10)(l)
*(10)(m)
*(10)(n)
Summary of Director and Executive Officer Non-Plan Compensation (filed herewith).
Loan and Security Agreement by and between Sevcon USA, Inc. and RBS Citizens, National Association, dated June 15, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2011).
Unlimited Guaranty by Sevcon, Inc. in favor of RBS Citizens, National Association, dated June 15, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2011).
(21)
Subsidiaries of the registrant (filed herewith).
(23)
Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP (filed herewith).
(31.1)
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
(31.2)
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (filed herewith).
(32.1)
101
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
The following materials formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Income Statements, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  These materials are furnished and not “filed” herewith.

*Indicates exhibit previously filed and incorporated by reference. Exhibits filed with periodic reports were filed under File No. 1-9789.

 
- 32 -
 

Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements:

Exhibits (10) (a) - (l) are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements in which the executive officers or directors of the registrant participate.

A copy of these exhibits may be obtained on the SEC’s EDGAR database (at www.sec.gov) or will be furnished without charge to any stockholder upon written request to Sevcon, Inc., attention Paul N. Farquhar, Treasurer, 155 Northboro Road, Southborough MA 01772, Telephone: (581) 281-5510.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
SEVCON, INC.
  
     
 
By /s/ Matthew Boyle
December 20, 2011
 
 
 
Matthew Boyle
  
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ Matthew Boyle
President, Chief Executive
December 20, 2011
Matthew Boyle
Officer and Director
  
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
  
     
/s/ Paul N. Farquhar
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
December 20, 2011
Paul N. Farquhar
(Principal Accounting Officer)
December 20, 2011
     
/s/ Maarten D. Hemsley
Director
December 20, 2011
Maarten D. Hemsley
    
     
/s/ Paul B. Rosenberg
Director
December 20, 2011
Paul B. Rosenberg
    
     
/s/ Marvin G. Schorr
Director
December 20, 2011
Marvin G. Schorr
    
     
/s/ Bernard F. Start
Director
December 20, 2011
Bernard F. Start
    
     
/s/ David R. A. Steadman
Director
December 20, 2011
David R. A. Steadman
    
     
/s/ Paul O. Stump
Director
December 20, 2011
Paul O. Stump
    
     
/s/ Frederick.A.Wang
Director
December 20, 2011
Frederick. A. Wang
    
     
/s/ William J. Ketelhut
Director
December 20, 2011
William J. Ketelhut
    




 
- 33 -
 


SCHEDULE II
SEVCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Reserves for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
 (in thousands of dollars)
Allowance for doubtful accounts
2011
2010
  
Balance at beginning of year
   53   92  
Additions charged to costs and expenses
   15   35  
Deductions from reserves:
          
Reduction in reserve
   (1   (22 )
Write off of uncollectible accounts
   (18   (52 )
Balance at end of year
   49   53  

 


 
- 34 -
 

SEVCON, INC. Reports

Also read