Table of Contents

Table of Contents
 

UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 


Form 10-K


 

x

ý

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

2011
or

o

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

Commission file number 0-9587

 


Commission file number 0-9587

ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota

41-0943459

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6111 Blue Circle Drive
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343-9108

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(952) 930-0100

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock, $0.10 par value, registered on the NASDAQ (Capital) Market

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:  None


 

6111 Blue Circle Drive
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343-9108

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(952) 930-0100

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Common Stock, $0.10 par value, registered on the NASDAQ (Capital) Market

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange 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 15(d) of the Exchange Act.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.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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes    No 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers in response 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 filero

Accelerated filero

Non-accelerated filero (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting companyx

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates (persons other than officers, directors, or holders of more than 5% of the outstanding stock) of the registrant was approximately $3,509,000$6,300,000 based upon the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market® on March 16, 2009.June 30, 2011.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.10 par value, on March 16, 200922, 2012 was 3,368,450.3,390,785.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information called for by Part III of this Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

 


 



ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC.


Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2008

2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PARTI

Item 1. Business.

3

Item 1A. Risk Factors.Factors

8

Item 2. Properties.

8

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

8

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.Mine Safety Disclosures

8

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

9

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

9

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

9

7

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

12

10

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

13

11

Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

32

30

Item 9A(T).9A Controls and Procedures.

32

30

Item 9B. Other Information.

32

30

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

33

31

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

33

31

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

33

31

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

34

31

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

34

31

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

35

32

SIGNATURES

3633

2

PART I

 

2



Table of Contents


PART I

Item 1.Business.

 

Item 1.IntroductionBusiness.

Introduction

 

Electro-Sensors, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our”, the “Company” or “ESI”) is engaged in two distinct operating segments: (1) the manufacture and distribution of industrial production monitoring and process control systems through our Production Monitoring Division, and (2) the development and distribution of PC-based software for both automated survey processing and hand printed character recognition through our AutoData Systems Division. The operating segments are based on the markets that we serve and the products that we provide to those markets.systems.

 

In addition, through our subsidiary ESI Investment Company, we periodically make strategic investments in other businesses and companies, primarily when we believe that such investments will facilitate development of technology complementary to our existing products. Although we invest in other businesses and companies through our subsidiary ESI Investment Company, we do not intend to become an investment company and intend to remain primarily an operating company. Our primary investments areinvestment is 343,267 shares of Rudolph Technologies, Inc. and 551,759 shares of PPT Vision, Inc. The Rudolph Technologies, Inc. investmentInc which is accounted for using the available-for-sale method.The PPT Vision investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

 

Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “Company” and “ESI” when used herein, includesinclude Electro-Sensors, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2008,2011, ESI had two consolidated subsidiaries: ESI Investment Company and Senstar Corporation. Senstar Corporation does not have any business operations.

 

ESI, incorporated in Minnesota in July 1968, has executive offices located at 6111 Blue Circle Drive, Minnetonka, Minnesota, 55343 and55343-9108. Our telephone number is (952) 930-0100.

 

Operating Segments/Principal Products/MarketsProducts

We have three reportable operating segments based on the nature of our product lines: Production Monitoring, AutoData Systems Division (formerly referred to as “Character Recognition”), and Investments. Detailed financial results and segment information are provided below in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 11, Segment Information.

 

Production Monitoring Division

Our Production Monitoring Division manufacturesWe manufacture and sellssell several different types of monitoring systems that measure actual machine production and operation rates, as well as systems that regulate the speed of related machines in production processes.

 

Speed Monitoring Systems. Our original products, products—speed monitoring systems, systems—compare machine revolutions per minute or speed against acceptable rates as determined by the customer. The monitors generally have the same relative operating principle and use a non-contacting sensing head that translates the speed of a rotating shaft into analog readouts. The systems include a signal-generating pulser disc or wrap that attaches to a rotating shaft, the sensing device, and a control unit. The systems vary in complexity, from a simple system that detects slow-downs or stoppages, to more sophisticated systems that warn of deviations from precise tolerances and that permit various subsidiary operations to be determined through monitoring the shaft speed.

 

The speed monitoring systems include a line of digital products that translate sensor impulses from its production monitoring systems into digital readouts indicating production counts or rates, such as parts, gallons, or board feet. The speed monitoring systems also include alarm systems, tachometers, and other devices that translate impulses from the sensors into alarm signals, computer inputs, or digital displays that are usable by the customer.

 

Three production monitoring devices that do not operate by measuring shaft speeds are also in the speed monitoring systems product line. These devices are the tilt switch, vibration monitor, and slide gate position monitor. A tilt switch is designed to alert the operator when a storage bin or production system reaches a certain capacity (e.g., when grain fills a silo). A vibration monitor will alert an operator when the vibration of a machine in a production system exceeds or is below a specified level. The slide gate position monitor is used in plant operations to provide feedback of the position of a slide gate. As part of our Electro-Sentry Hazard Monitoring system, we also have temperature sensors that are used to monitor bearing temperature and belt misalignment.

 

Drive Control Systems. In 1987, we expanded our speed monitoringWe have several products used in drive control systems product line to include products that regulate and synchronize machine speeds. Drive control system products not only monitor machine operation levels, but also regulate the speed of motors on related machines in a production sequence to ensure that the performances of various operations are coordinated. In the past, these distinct features allowed us to market theseThe products under the Drive Control Systems name. The product line consistsconsist of a line of digital control products for motors that require a complete closed loop PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) control. The closed loop controllers coordinate production speed among process motors and reduce waste.

 

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In 1988, we entered intoWe have a sales agreement with Motrona GmbH (formerly MKS Maschinen Kontroll Systeme GmbH), the(the West German manufacturer of a Synchronous Drive Controller (“SDC”) product line,control and interface devices), giving us rights to distribute in the United States the drive control products manufactured by Motrona GmbH. The SDC product line manufactured by Motrona GmbH coordinates motors in a production machineThese products interface with other parts of the machine process. The SDCour products were designed as a precision speed reference for use with variable speed drives and to enable manufacturers to match speed/velocity and phase/position of independently driven machines so they operate together. Applications include synchronizing overhead and floor conveyors and load sharing of multiple motors.on various applications.

 

We believe that manufacturing companies can achieve significant savings in both time and materials by adding production monitoring and drive control technology to existing manufacturing processes to coordinate operation of related machines. We intend to continue to market our products to this “retro-fit” market and also to companies building new manufacturing machinery or processing systems.

 

3

In 2008, we introduced our Electro-Sentry Hazard Monitoring System, which integrates our sensors for bearing temperature, belt misalignment, and shaft speed with a programmable logic controller and touch screen interface to create a complete system for hazard monitoring. By doing this, we are enabling our customer to locate which part of the material handling system is operating incorrectly, typically in underless than ten seconds. This is done by using visual diagrams on the touch screen.

 

We expect to continue to expend resources in new product development and the marketing of new and existing products for use in production monitoring applications. We continue to expand our various Production Monitoring Systems throughout 2009.line of hazard monitoring products with new system displays and sensors to meet the requirements of a wider customer base. In 2011, we introduced the Electro-Sentry 1, a complete hazard monitoring and alarm system for individual bucket elevators and conveyors.

 

AutoData Systems DivisionOur customers have diverse applications for our products in the grain, feed, bio-fuels, power generation, water utilities and waste water treatment, mining, chemical, and other processing areas. We are continuing to look for new industries to expand sales and may also consider acquiring compatible businesses as part of our growth strategy. Our corporate web site provides significant information and product application knowledge to existing and prospective customers and also direct knowledge to our sales partners. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein and is not a part of this Form 10-K.

 

We initially began development of the AutoData Systems Division (“AutoData”) as a development project chartered to create opportunities using proprietary pattern recognition technology. The current outcome of the project is two Microsoft® Windows®-based software programs that automate the collection of data from surveysMarketing and other forms. AutoData software reads hand-printed characters, checkmarks, and barcodes from images of scanned forms or from forms filled out online.Distribution

 

By automatically extracting information from paper forms and converting it into a format compatible with most computer databases, AutoData offers an alternative to manual data entry. This intelligent data entry alternative saves time, strain, and money compared to the manual method of data entry. The basis of the handprint reading capability is Associative Pattern Memory™ (APM), a patented pattern recognition algorithm. APM is a trainable, neural network-based memory that was incorporated in a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) and is used in the products currently sold by AutoData. The APM patent is owned by PPT Vision and AutoData has been granted an exclusive open-ended license to use the patent.

AutoData became an operating segment in January 1993. The first software package, AutoData® Pro™, was released in May 1993. This software package was designed for the end user. AutoData Pro served as a utility software package designed to process only checkmark and handprint information from scanned forms. The software allowed the user to export the data in an ASCII file format.

In September 1993, AutoData Pro II™ was released as an upgrade, along with AutoData SDK™. The SDK allowed Windows developers to embed the AutoData DLL into their applications in order to provide automated data collection from scanned or faxed forms. Pro II software evolved into the AutoData PRO™ product.

In 1996, AutoData Survey™ was released. Survey was AutoData’s first software package to include an analysis and report generation feature, greatly enhancing the salability of AutoData technology. This product was directed at the healthcare market, where it gained a foothold in patient satisfaction measurement. AutoData released two upgrades to the original Survey software, AutoData Survey Plus™ and AutoData Survey Plus 2000™.

AutoData released AutoData Scannable Office™ software in March 2000. Scannable Office was the product replacement for PRO and provided an upgrade path for PRO customers. Scannable Office offered a key enhancement: integration with the MicrosoftOffice Suite. Scannable Office allows the user to create scannable forms in Microsoft Word. The software reads data from images of completed forms and automatically places the extracted data directly into Microsoft® Excel, Access, or any ODBC-compliant database, setting data up for analysis. Scannable Office has the widest recognition capabilities of the AutoData end-user products; it contains hand print (ICR), optical character (OCR), optical mark (OMR) and barcode recognition engines, and image capture capability.

In December 2002, we released AutoData ExpertScan™. ExpertScan has hand print (ICR), optical mark (OMR) and barcode recognition engines, and image capture capability. Like Survey Plus 2000, ExpertScan automates survey and form processing, as well as tabulation of results. The product offers several form design and reporting enhancements. It has also been sold as an upgrade to Survey Plus 2000, which was retired in January 2005. ExpertScan provides a mid-range option for AutoData prospects, and the most recent software, NetE-nable™, a web add-on to ExpertScan released in August 2007, rounds out the Company’s product offerings. Prospective customers frequently call AutoData in search of a single software program that combines both paper and web data collection, while existing ExpertScan customers have expressed a desire for web functionality. ExpertScan with NetE-nable fulfills both of these needs, and provides a single database (paper and web data combined) from which ExpertScan creates reports and analysis. ExpertScan with NetE-nable continues to be a successful addition to the AutoData product line.

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NetE-nable offers a more convenient way for people to respond on a survey or form to what an organization needs to know, in ways the customer or respondent might not if provided with only paper forms.

A major advantage of this new product is that it allows data from both paper and electronic forms to be collected by the same software in one easy-to-use package. Another big advantage is that no additional hardware is needed. Online forms are stored on the NetE-nable server in a secure environment along with any data that is collected.

The NetE-nable Wizard permits the user to transform any survey or form already created in ExpertScan into an online form. It only takes about seven clicks of the mouse to complete the process of publishing a form or survey to the Web. In four clicks, NetE-nable retrieves the data from the online form into the Access database that ExpertScan built automatically when the form was originally designed. Paper and Web form data automatically populates the same Access database, and the ExpertScan reports generator analyzes that data and creates a variety of reports.

The typical customer for NetE-nable is any current ExpertScan customer, as well as any future customers of ExpertScan software, which is a prerequisite for purchasing NetE-nable.

Marketing and Distribution

Production Monitoring Division. The Production Monitoring Division sells itsWe sell our products primarily through home office sales people who deal directly with customers and a number of manufacturer’s representatives with exclusive territories and non-exclusive distributors located throughout the United States, Mexico, China, Korea, Canada, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Thailand, Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, Great Britain, and South Africa. The sensing and control units are sold under the Electro-Sensors, Inc. brand as a range of products from simple sensors to complex motor speed controllers. These products are sold to businesses in all major standard industrial classifications, including grain, feed, biofuels, food processing, chemicals, agricultural, mining, utility, forest products, steel, tire, glass and electronics. Any business that uses machinery with a rotating shaft is a potential customer.

 

We advertise in national industrial periodicals that cover a wide range of industrial products and attend several local, national and international tradeshows designated for the industry throughout the year. A corporate website and other related industry websites are also used for advertising and marketing purposes. We expect to continue to market our products in this and related markets.

 

AutoDataSystems Division. CompetitionThe AutoData Systems Division markets its products primarily through home office sales personnel who deal directly with end-users and a limited number of Value-Added Resellers (VARs). This division primarily sells in the United States, Canada and Western Europe, and currently actively markets only in the U.S.

 

Competition

Production Monitoring Division.Competition for our monitoring products arises from a broad range of industrial and commercial businesses. Design, quality and multiplicity of application, rather than price, are the focus of competition in selling these products. We haveface substantial competition for our production monitoring systems. Many of these competitors are well established and larger than us in terms of total sales volume. Among our larger competitors are:are Danaher Controls, Red Lion Controls, Control Concepts, 4B Elevator Components Ltd., Durant Corporation, and Contrex, Inc. We believe our competitive advantages include that our products are sold as ready-to-install units and that our products have a wide range of applications. Our major disadvantages include the fact that our major competitors are much larger, have a broader variety of sensing instruments, and have larger sales forces and established names.

 

AutoDataSystems Division. SuppliersCompetition for the market segment primarily ranges from substitute products such as Data Entry suppliers, to directly competitive software suppliers, and more recently, suppliers of web-based survey software and services. We believe that few direct competitors have as sophisticated recognition capabilities as our products. However, our products face direct competition from both ends of the spectrum: larger competitors offering a broader array of software products and services, and firms similar in size that offer a low-priced, more limited product.

 

The market is segmented based primarily on price and capabilities, with the larger firms, notably Cardiff Software and Captiva Software, offering enterprise-wide systems with broad information capture capabilities. Our products are focused on desktop, rather than enterprise-wide, solutions, positioning our products as most appropriate to small offices and departments of larger organizations.

Because price is a primary competitive factor, we are subject to increasing pressures to make price adjustments to remain competitive. Such downward price adjustments, if any, may have an adverse impact on our results of operations if not offset by an increase in revenues and/or a reduction in expenses.

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Suppliers

Production Monitoring Division. The Production Monitoring Division purchases partsWe purchaseparts and materials for itsour production monitoring systems from various manufacturers and distributors. In some instances, these materials are manufactured in accordance with proprietary designs. Multiple sources of these supplies and materials are readily available, and the Controls Division iswe are not dependent on any single source for these supplies and materials. This Division hasWe have not experienced any problem of short supply or delays from itsour suppliers.

 

AutoDataSystems Division. CustomersThe AutoData Systems Division purchases a variety of supplies and materials from various vendors and is not dependent upon any one source.

We purchase a variety of parts, components, and other supplies from a variety of vendors for both of our operating divisions. While we usually have more than a single source of supply for those various parts, components and supplies, it is possible occasionally that there will be only one supplier for any single part, component or supply. Should a supplier be unwilling or unable to supply such an item in a timely manner, our business could be materially adversely affected.

Customers

 

We are not dependent upon a single or a few customers for a material (10% or more) portion of our sales in any of our operating divisions.sales.

Patents, Trademarks and Licenses

 

The namesname “Electro-Sensors” and “AutoData” are trademarksis trademark registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, respectively as Reg. No. 1,142,310 and Reg. No. 1,874,543.1,142,310. We believe our trademarks havetrademark has been and will continue to be useful in developing and protecting market recognition for our products.

 

We hold four patents relating to our Production Monitoring Systems, and have obtained six patents relatedproduction monitoring systems. Pursuant to our character recognition technology. We have also entered into an open-ended licensea sales agreement with Motrona GmbH, a West-German manufacturer of a Synchronous Drive Controller (“SDC”) product line, which grants uscontrol and interface devices, we hold rights to distribute in the United States the drive control products manufactured by Motrona GmbH.

PPT Vision, Inc. has granted us an exclusive open-ended license that allows us to incorporate a patented neural network algorithm in our products. AutoData Systems Division uses this algorithm in its character recognition technology.

 

4

Governmental Approvals

 

We are not required to obtain governmental approval of our products.

 

Effect of Governmental Regulations

 

We do not believe that any existing or proposed governmental regulations will have a material effect on our business.

 

Research and Development

 

We invest in research and development programs to develop new products in related markets and to integrate state of the art technology into existing products.

Research We incurred research and development expense (by division)expenses attributable to our production monitoring systems of $470,000 and $436,000 during the past two fiscal years was:

Production Monitoring Division:

2008: $431,000

2007: $370,000

2011 and 2010, respectively. Our development projects for this division are undertaken based upon the identified specific needs of our customer base.

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AutoData Systems Division:

2008: $199,000

2007: $202,000

We have continued to fund the AutoData Systems Division’s development activities. The goal is to create low-cost software-based systems that enable accurate reading of hand-printed characters and other form elements used on paper forms, as well as software that allows creation of forms that are completed online when participants click on a URL generated by the software, with storing of the form data on an AutoData secure server and retrieval by the software to a database for built-in reports and analysis.

 

Our future success is dependent in part upon our ability to develop new products in our varying segments. Difficulties or delays in our ability to develop, produce, test and market new products could have a material adverse effect on future sales growth.

 

Compliance with Environmental Laws

 

Compliance with federal, state and local environmental provisionslaws has only a nominal effect on current or anticipated capital expenditures and has had no material effect on earnings or on our competitive position.

 

Employees

 

As of March 4, 2009,22, 2012, we had 3228 employees, of which 3127 are full-time and one is part-time. We believe that our relations with our employees are good. None of our employees are members of unions.

 

Our ability to maintain a competitive position and to continue to develop and market new products depends, in part, on our ability to retain key employees and qualified personnel. If we are unable to retain and/or recruit key employees, product development, marketing and sales could be negatively impacted.

 

Fluctuations in Operating Results.

We have experienced fluctuations in our operating results in the past, and may experience fluctuations in the future, which may affect the market price of our Common Stock. Sales can fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Some of thesesthese factors are: product competition and acceptance, timing of customer orders, cancellation of orders, the mix of products sold, downturns in the market and economic disruptions. Because fluctuations can happen, we caution investors that results of our operations for preceding periods may not be indicative of how we will perform in the future. There can be no assurance that we will experience continued earnings growth.

 

Further, investments held by our subsidiary, ESI Investment Company, are subject to significant positive and negative changes in value. In particular, our significant investmentsinvestment in PPT Vision, Inc. and Rudolph Technologies, Inc. havehas experienced substantial value fluctuations, both negative and positive, which are expected to continue. Our current intention is to continue to gradually liquidate our investment securities to finance our working capital needs as required.

 

Expending Funds for Changes in Industry Standards, Customer Preferences or Technology.

Our business depends upon periodically introducing new and enhanced products and solutions for customer needs. The development of products requires us to commit financial resources, personnel and time, usually in advance of significant market demand for such products. In order to compete, we must anticipate both future demand and the technology available to meet that demand. There can be no assurance that our research and development efforts will lead to new products or product innovations that can be made available to or will be accepted by the market.

 

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Cautionary Statements

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. We have made, and may continue to make, forward-looking statements with respect to our business and financial matters, including statements contained in this document, other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and reports to shareholders. Forward-looking statements generally include discussion of current expectations or forecasts of future events and can be identified by the use of terminology such as “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “will,” and similar words or expressions. Any statement that does not relate solely to historical fact should be considered forward-looking. Our forward-looking statements generally relate to our growth strategy, future financial results, product development and sales efforts. Forward-looking statements are made throughout this Annual Report, but primarily in this Item 1 and Item 7 -Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and include statements relating to management’s intentions that we not become an investment company, our expectations and intentions with respect to growth, statements relating to management’s beliefs with respect to the spending slowdown in our market segments, marketing and product development, our expectations and beliefs with respect to the value of our intellectual property, our beliefs with respect to our competitive position in the marketplace, our beliefs with respect to the effect of governmental regulations on our business, our beliefs with respect to our employee relations, our intention with respect to gradually liquidating our investment securities to finance working capital needs, our expectations and beliefs with respect to the future performance of our investment securities, the adequacy of our facilities, expansion of the number of our manufacturer’s representatives and exclusive distributors, our intention to develop new products,the possibility of acquiring compatible businesses as part of our growth strategy, and our expectations with respect to our cash requirements and use of cash, and our expectations with respect to the continuance of our quarterly dividend payments.cash. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially due to the uncertainties and risks, known and unknown, associated with such statements, including our ability to successfully develop new products and manage our cash requirements. We undertake no obligations to update any forward-looking statements. We wish to caution investors that the following important factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our actual results of operations and cause such results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements made in this document and elsewhere by us or on our behalf. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historical results. As such, investors should not consider any list of such factors to be an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties or potentially inaccurate assumptions. These factors include:

 

our ability to successfully develop new products;

our ability to successfully develop new products;
our ability to quickly and successfully adapt to changing industry technological standards;
our ability to comply with existing and changing industry regulations;
our ability to manage cash requirements;
our ability to attract and retain new manufacturer’s representatives and exclusive distributors;
our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including senior management;
our ability to adapt to changing economic conditions and manage downturns in the economy in general; and
our ability to keep pace with competitors, some of whom are much larger and have substantially greater resources than us.

 

our ability to quickly and successfully adapt to changing industry technological standards;

our ability to comply with existing and changing industry regulations;

our ability to manage cash requirements;

our ability to attract and retain new manufacturer’s representatives and exclusive distributors;

our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including senior management;

our ability to adapt to changing economic conditions and manage downturns in the economy in general; and

our ability to keep pace with competitors, some of whom are much larger and have substantially greater resources than us.

Item 1A.Risk Factors.

Item 1A.Risk Factors.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 2.

Properties.

 

We own and occupy a 25,400 square foot facility at 6111 Blue Circle Drive, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343.55343-9108. All operating entitiesoperations are locatedconducted within this facility. The facility is in excellent condition and we continue to maintain and update the facility as necessary. The facility is anticipated to be adequate for our needs in 2009.2012.

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings.

 

We wereare not the subject of any legal proceedings as of the date of this filing. We are not aware of any threatened litigation.

 

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

6

Item 4.SubmissionTable of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Contents

 

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the last quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.PART II

 

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PART II

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Our Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market®Market® under the symbol “ELSE”. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low reported last sales prices for our Common Stock for each period indicated as reported on the Nasdaq system.

 

 

 

Period

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

First Quarter

 

$

5.92

 

$

4.27

 

 

 

Second Quarter

 

$

5.53

 

$

4.25

 

 

 

Third Quarter

 

$

4.96

 

$

3.71

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

3.99

 

$

2.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

First Quarter

 

$

6.28

 

$

4.95

 

 

 

Second Quarter

 

$

6.94

 

$

5.10

 

 

 

Third Quarter

 

$

6.66

 

$

3.00

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

6.03

 

$

5.45

 

  Period High Low 
        
2011 First Quarter $5.14 $4.12 
  Second Quarter $4.76 $4.14 
  Third Quarter $4.63 $3.30 
  Fourth Quarter $4.38 $3.31 
          
2010 First Quarter $4.00 $3.16 
  Second Quarter $4.25 $3.60 
  Third Quarter $4.63 $3.93 
  Fourth Quarter $4.54 $3.96 

 

Based on data provided by our transfer agent, management believes that as of March 9, 2009,22, 2012, the number of share owner accounts of record was approximately 120.101.

 

We paid annual cash dividends on our Common Stock of $0.16 per share in 20082011 and 2007.2010.

 

From time to time, we may be required to repurchase some of our equity securities as a result of obligations described in Note 9 to our 20082011 consolidated financial statements. We did not repurchase any equity securities during the years ended December 31, 20082011 and 2007.2010.

Item 6.Selected Financial Data.

Item 6.Selected Financial Data.

 

Not applicable.

Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors discussed under "Forward-Looking Statements" and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of Fiscal Year 2011 vs. Fiscal Year 2010

 

Item 7.Net RevenuesManagement’s Discussion

Net revenues for fiscal year 2011 increased $321,000 to $6,115,000, or 5.5%, when compared to net revenues for fiscal year 2010. The increase was primarily due to growth in the agricultural-related industries that we serve. Throughout 2012, we expect to continue to expand the number of our manufacturer’s representatives and Analysisinternational distributors. New products developed and added to the product line in 2011 include the Electro-Sentry 1, ION Modbus Nodes for analog inputs and also discrete inputs and outputs. New mounting systems were also developed for speed sensors and switches, and product upgrades were made to our tachometer and counter product lines. Development continues on the Electro-Sentry product line and expansion of Financial Conditionthe software capability and Resultsrelated accessories for our customers.

Cost of Operations.Sales

Our cost of sales increased from $2,442,000 to $2,613,000, a difference of $171,000, or 7.0%, when comparing fiscal year 2011 to fiscal year 2010. This increase was primarily a result of increased sales. We continue our efforts to maintain or reduce production costs by manufacturing products in the most cost effective manner.

7

Gross Margins

Gross margin for the fiscal year 2011 was 57.3% compared to 57.9% for the prior fiscal year. The slight decrease in the gross margin was due to the mix of products sold.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased by $129,000, or 4.9%, when comparing fiscal year 2011 to fiscal year 2010.

Selling and marketing costs increased by $228,000, or 20.0%, when comparing fiscal year 2011 to fiscal year 2010. The increase was due to an increase in wages and benefit expense (due to changes in the compensation package and two new hires), advertising and marketing expenses, travel (due to attendance at additional tradeshows and industry association events), trade shows (due to additional local and regional shows) and outside sales representatives’ commissions related to the increase in sales.

General and administrative costs decreased by $66,000, or 6.5%, in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in wages and benefits (due to an open position that will not be filled) and depreciation expense on software and related hardware. These decreases were offset by increases in expenses relating to repairs and maintenance of our building and public reporting fees (including XBRL reporting requirements).

Research and development costs decreased $33,000, or 7.0%, in fiscal year 2011 when compared with fiscal year 2010. The decrease in research and development costs was due to a decrease in prototypes and travel expense related to service calls. These decreases were offset by increases in salaries and wages due to the addition of a part-time employee. The decreased prototype expenses were due to printed circuit board layouts associated with new products and changes to existing products in 2010 which did not occur in 2011.

Operating Income

Operating income for fiscal year 2011 was $740,000, compared to operating income of $719,000 in 2010, an increase of $21,000 or 2.9%. The increase in operating income was mainly due to the increase in net sales.

Non-Operating Income

ESI Investment Company continues to provide us with an alternative source of earnings through investments in available-for-sale securities and other investments; however, our intent is to remain an operations-based company. Our investments in available-for-sale securities are subject to significant positive and negative changes in value. In addition to income from the sale of investments, we also realize interest income from our short-term holdings.

Investment income for fiscal year 2011 increased by $58,000 to $69,000. The increase was driven by an increase in the gain on the sale of investments. In December 2011, the Company’s investment in PPT Vision was liquidated, which resulted in a gain of $72,000. This gain from investments was offset by a loss of $18,000 on disposal of property and equipment related to the replacement of flooring in our building.

Interest income increased $4,000, or 200%, when comparing fiscal year 2011 to the same period in 2010. The change in interest income was due to the interest recognized on Treasury Bills.

Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value, and unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related deferred tax effect, are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Dividends on marketable equity securities are recognized in income when declared.

Realized gains and losses, including losses from declines in value of specific securities determined by management to be other-than-temporary, are included in income. Realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of the specific securities sold.

Loss From Discontinued Operations

On September 16, 2011, the Company sold its entire interest in its AutoData Systems Division to Auto Data Inc. (ADI). The purchase price will be paid as an earn-out based on three percent of the software, hardware, and maintenance contracts that ADI sells over the next five years (four percent while ADI continues to occupy our building). The transaction was intended to allow us to focus on our core markets.

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the AutoData Systems Division had an operating loss, net of income taxes, of $50,000 and $13,000, respectively. The increase in the net losses, net of income taxes, for both periods was primarily due to a decrease in sales, which we believe can be attributed to uncertainties in the healthcare industry.

8

Net Income After Tax

We reported net income after tax for fiscal year 2011 of $548,000, as compared to net income of $527,000 in 2010, an increase of $21,000, or 4.0%. Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.17 in 2011, compared to basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.16 and $0.15, respectively in 2010.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We are not a party to any off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or obligations that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material effect on our financial condition, changes in the financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents were $5,476,000 and $583,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase was mainly from investing activities, as described below.

Cash from operating activities of $309,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 was primarily a result of our net income adjusted for depreciation expense on capital assets, gain on the sale of an investment, and changes in accounts receivable and income tax activity. Cash from operating activities decreased $309,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. The net change in trade receivables was due a decrease of $118,000 in the balance at December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year and an increase of $202,000 in the balance at December 31, 2010 when compared to the prior year. This was due to an increase in outstanding accounts receivable balances as of December 31, 2011. The net change in income taxes was due to a decrease in the receivable balance of $37,000 at December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year and an increase in the receivable balance of $69,000 at December 31, 2010 when compared to the prior year. This decrease was due to a decrease in estimated tax payments made in fiscal year 2011 when compared to fiscal year 2010.

Cash from investing activities was $5,106,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to cash used in investing of $253,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The significant increase in cash from investing activities was due to an increase in net proceeds of Treasury Bills with maturity dates of more than three months, with net proceeds of $5,200,000 during 2011, compared to net purchases of $215,000 during 2010. During 2011, the Company had $9,500,000 in Treasury Bills mature and purchased $4,300,000 in Treasury Bills. During 2010, the Company purchased $14,545,000 in Treasury Bills and had $14,330,000 in Treasury Bills mature. The Company purchased $82,000 and $38,000 of property and equipment in the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Cash used in financing activities was $522,000 and $528,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we paid aggregate dividends of $543,000 and $540,000, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had $10,000 and $12,000, respectively, in stock purchases under the Company’s 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Also, in the year ended December 31, 2011, $11,000 in stock options were exercised.

We intend that our ongoing cash requirements will be primarily used for capital expenditures, researching potential acquisitions, acquisitions, research and development, and working capital.  Management believes that cash on hand and any cash provided by operations will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements through at least the next 12 months.

Our primary investment is 343,267 shares of Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (“Rudolph”), listed on the Nasdaq stock market. The Rudolph investment is accounted for using the available-for-sale method. The fair value of the Rudolph investment totaled $3,134,000 and $2,825,000 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our Rudolph shares are subject to fluctuations in price and could have a negative effect on our liquidity. Liquid securities are periodically sold as deemed appropriate by management. The market value of the Rudolph stock as of March 21, 2012 was $3,783,000.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make decisions based upon estimates, assumptions, and factors it considers relevant to the circumstances. Such decisions include the selection of applicable accounting principles and the use of judgment in their application, the results of which impact reported amounts and disclosures. Changes in economic conditions or other business circumstances may affect the outcomes of management’s estimates and assumptions.

 

9

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of Fiscal Year 2008 vs. Fiscal Year 2007

Net Revenues

Net revenues for fiscal year 2008 decreased $363,000 to $6,729,000, or 5.1%, when compared to net revenues for fiscal year 2007.

Net revenues forSignificant estimates, including the Production Monitoring Division decreased to $6,193,000, a decreaseunderlying assumptions, consist of $301,000, or 4.6%, when comparing fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2007. The Production Monitoring Division experienced a decrease in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008 due in large part to fluctuations of commodity grain and feed product prices worldwide, which has decreased the demand for biofuels. We have also been impacted by a slowing of capital spending on plant construction and expansion projects in 2008, which has affected all product categories. The recent economic turmoil has resulted in a slowdown in spending across all of our major market segments, which management expects to continue into 2009. In 2008, two new exclusive distributors were added internationally and, effective January 1, 2009, a new manufacturer’s representative was added and assigned two states to continue to develop our sales and marketing channel. We have continued to expand the joint sales calls and training with all of our partners in order to increase their knowledge and effectiveness. Throughout 2009, we expect to continue to expand the number of manufacturer’s representatives and exclusive distributors. Our corporate web sites provide significant information and product application knowledge to prospects and customers and also direct knowledge to our sales partners. New products developed and added to the product line in 2008 include the Electro-Sentry system, shaft tach speed sensor, rub block inspection doors, and new versions of several sensors for hazardous location installations. The Electro Sentry system integrates a touch screen and programmable logic controller with our sensors to allow users to very quickly identify where a problem is occurring in the customer’s production systems.

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We will continue to develop new products that broaden the line and provide complete monitoring solutions to our customers. The customers for our Production Monitoring Division have diverse applications for our products in the grain, feed, biofuels, power generation, mining, chemical, and other processing areas. We are continuing to look for new industries to expand sales for our Production Monitoring Division. We may also consider acquiring compatible businesses as part of our growth strategy.

Net revenues for the AutoData Systems Division decreased to $536,000, a decrease of $62,000, or 10.4%, when comparing fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2007. This decrease is primarily due to decreased sales of the ExpertScan and Scannable Office software products and related hardware needs.

NetE-nable, the web add-on to ExpertScan software, was released at the end of August 2007. ExpertScan with NetE-nable makes automated data collection faster, easier and more cost-effective. Because of a number of established online form competitors, sales of NetE-nable began slowly during the last four months of 2007 and sales remained steady throughout 2008. However, NetE-nable has the competitive advantage of offering one software program for both paper and electronic forms, and AutoData expects additional revenue from sales of NetE-nable to gradually increase during 2009, augmenting revenue from the ExpertScan and Scannable Office software programs.

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales decreased from $2,569,000 to $2,546,000, a difference of $23,000, or 0.9%, when comparing fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2007. This decrease was primarily a result of decreased sales offset by an increase in material costs and the additional development costs for the Electro Sentry systems. We continue our efforts to maintain or reduce production costs by manufacturing products in the most cost effective manner. We continually look for lower cost sources of raw materials and outsource PC Board assembly when appropriate.

Gross Margins

Gross margin for the fiscal year 2008 was 62.2% versus 63.8% for the prior fiscal year. This slight decrease in margin was due to higher material and shipping costs. Gross margin for the Production Monitoring Division for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 and 2007 was 59.8% and 62.5%, respectively. The primary cause of the decrease in the gross margin was due to the new Electro Sentry systems, which contained a significant amount of costs related to customer training and internal staff development. The remaining variances were due to raw material expenses rising slightly faster than sales. Gross margin for the AutoData Systems Division for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 and 2007 was 89.1% and 77.6%, respectively. The increase was due to a smaller hardware sales dollar volume in fiscal year 2008. Gross margins on hardware are smaller than the gross margins on software.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased by $93,000, or 2.9%, when comparing fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2007. Of this increase, the Production Monitoring Division contributed an increase in operating expenses of $145,000, or 5.4%, when comparing fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2007. The AutoData Systems Division had a decrease in operating expenses of $52,000, or 10.5%, when comparing fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2007.

Selling and marketing costs increased by $91,000, or 6.6%, when comparing fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2007. Of this increase, the Production Monitoring Division had an increase of $101,000, or 8.4%. The AutoData Systems Division had a decrease of $10,000, or 5.6%. The increase from the Production Monitoring Division was due to an increase in salaries and wages and benefit expense because of a new hire and increased efforts in marketing our products through manufacturer’s representatives, additional advertising in trade publications and websites, and trade shows and related marketing. We increased the number of sales trips to customers, including outside sales representatives when possible. We continue to grow our email product update notification in order to generate awareness and interest. The decrease from the AutoData Systems Division was due to decreases in salaries and wages and benefit expense due to a decrease in personnel in marketing.

General and administrative costs decreased by $56,000, or 4.6%, in fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal year 2007. Of this decrease, the Production Monitoring Division had a decrease of $18,000, or 1.6%. This decrease was primarily due to contractor expenses (which were replaced by new hires), recruitment expenses, and accounting and other professional fees, including fees associated with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 documentation and testing. This was offset by increases in wages and benefits because of a new hire, depreciation expense on the upgrade of the enterprise software and related hardware, and computer maintenance and supplies. The AutoData Systems Division had a decrease of $38,000, or 33.9%. The decrease for the AutoData Systems Division was due to decreased use of contract personnel, accounting and other professional fees, including fees associated with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 documentation and testing and a decline in the allowance for doubtful accounts, offset by an increase in computer supplies and maintenance.

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Research and development costs increased $58,000, or 10.1%, in fiscal year 2008 when compared with fiscal year 2007. The Production Monitoring Division research and development costs increased $62,000, or 16.8%, and AutoData Systems Division had a decrease of $4,000, or 2.0%. The increase in research and development costs in the Production Monitoring Division was due to additional product prototypes, mainly for the Electro Sentry system, wage and benefit increases in the engineering department, and legal fees related to patents. The decrease in the AutoData Systems Division was due to a decrease in computer maintenance and supplies.

Operating Income (Loss)

Operating income for fiscal year 2008 was $918,000, compared to last year’s operating income of $1,351,000, a decrease of $433,000 or 32.1%.

The Production Monitoring Division had operating income of $882,000 compared to operating income of $1,380,000 in 2007, a decrease of $498,000, or 36.1%. The decrease in operating income was mainly due to a decrease in net sales (due in large part to fluctuations of commodity grain and feed product prices worldwide), a decrease in the gross margin (from 62.5% to 59.8%, primarily due to the new Electro Sentry systems), and an increase in the percentage of operating expenses to net sales (from 41.3% of net sales in 2007 to 45.6% of net sales in 2008).

The AutoData Systems Division had 2008 operating income of $36,000 compared to an operating loss of $29,000 for 2007, an increase of $65,000, or 224.1%. This increase in operating income was due primarily to an increase in the gross margin percentage due to increased sales of software and support and decreased sales of hardware.

Non-Operating Income

ESI Investment Company continues to provide us with an alternative source of earnings through investments in available-for-sale securities; however, our intent is to remain an operations-based company. Our investments in available-for-sale securities are subject to significant positive and negative changes in value. In addition to income from the sale of investments, we also realize interest income from our short-term holdings.

Investment income for fiscal year 2008 decreased by $178,000 to $72,000. The decrease was driven by a decrease in interest income and the recognized loss on a $35,000 investment in Minn Shares, Inc, (MSHS). Minn Shares, Inc. has been liquidated and we do not believe that we will receive any additional return of our investment. The decrease of 60.8% or $146,000 in interest income earned on temporary cash investments was a result of decreased interest rates on Treasury Bills, which were 4.89% in January 2007 and 0.06% in December 2008.

Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value, and unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related deferred tax effect, are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Dividends on marketable equity securities are recognized in income when declared. Investments in unregistered securities are reported at original cost.

Realized gains and losses, including losses from declines in value of specific securities determined by management to be other-than-temporary, are included in income. Realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of the specific securities sold.

Net Income After Tax

We reported net income after tax for fiscal year 2008 of $606,000, as compared to net income of $1,196,000 in 2007, a decrease of $590,000, or 49.3%. Income per share was $0.18 in 2008 compared to earnings per share of $0.36 in 2007.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We are not a party to any off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or obligations that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material effect on our financial condition, changes in the financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

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Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The net decrease in our cash and cash equivalents was $250,000 during fiscal year 2008.

Cash from operating activities of $278,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 was primarily a result of our net income adjusted for depreciation expense on capital assets, accounts receivable, inventories, accrued expenses, income tax activity and realized loss on an investment. Cash from operating activities decreased $810,000 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2008 when compared to the twelve month ended December 31, 2007 due to a decrease of $590,000 in net income and a $518,000 decrease in accrued income taxes, offset by a $473,000 increase in trade receivables.

Cash provided by investing activities was $5,000 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 compared to cash used in investing activities of $269,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Cash used for capital expenditures was $269,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. There were no capital expenditures during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008.

Cash used in financing activities was $533,000 and $491,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, we paid aggregate dividends of $539,000 and $538,000, respectively. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had $6,000, each year, in stock purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Also, in the year ended December 31, 2007, $41,000 in stock options were exercised.

Our ongoing cash requirements will be primarily for capital expenditures, acquisitions, research and development in both the Production Monitoring and AutoData divisions, and working capital.  Management believes that cash on hand and any cash provided by operations will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements through at least the next 12 months.

Our primary investments are 343,267 shares of Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (“Rudolph”), listed on the Nasdaq stock market and 551,759 shares of PPT Vision, Inc (“PPT”), listed on the Pink Sheets. The Rudolph investment is accounted for using the available-for-sale method. The PPT investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The fair value of the Rudolph investment totaled $1,212,000 and $3,886,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The fair value of the PPT investment totaled $33,000 and $66,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. These stocks are subject to fluctuations in price and could have a negative effect on our liquidity. Liquid securities are periodically sold as deemed appropriate by management. The market value of PPT and Rudolph stock as of February 27, 2009 was $28,000 and $930,000, respectively.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. As described in the notes to the financial statements, significant accounting estimates which are critical at this time are the economic lives of property and equipment, realizability of accounts receivable, valuation of deferred tax assets/liabilities, valuation of inventory and valuation of investments. It is at least reasonably possible that these estimates may change in the near term.

Economic lives of property and equipment

We estimate the economic useful life of property and equipment used in the business. Expected asset lives may be shortened or an impairment recorded based on a change in the expected use of the asset.

Realizability of accounts receivable

We estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts based on prior history and the aging of our accounts receivable. We are unable to predict which, if any, of our customers will be unable to pay their open invoices at a future date.

Valuation of deferred tax assets/liabilities

We estimate our deferred tax assets and liabilities based on current tax laws and rates. The tax laws and rates could change in the future to either disallow the deductions or increase/decrease the tax rates.

Valuation of inventory

We purchase inventory based on estimated demand of products. It is possible that the inventory we have purchased will not be used in the products that our customers need or meet future technological requirements.

Valuation of investments

Our investments in equity securities are valued at market prices in an open market. The prices are subject to the normal fluctuations that could be either negative or positive.

Additional information regarding our significant accounting policies is provided below in Part II, Item 8,Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1, Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies.

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Not applicable.

 

10

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Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm

14

12

Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance SheetSheets

15

13

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

16

14

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity

17

15

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

18

16

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1917

11

 







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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors

Electro-Sensors, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Minnetonka, Minnesota

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsheets of Electro-Sensors, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 20082011 and 2007,2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. These2011. The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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 audit 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 purposes of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includesstatements, 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 Electro-Sensors, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 20082011 and 2007,2010, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008 and 2007,2011, in conformity with U.S.accounting principles generally accepted accounting principles.in the United States of America.

/s/ Boulay, Heutmaker, Zibell & Co. P.L.L.P.
Certified Public Accountants

Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 29, 2012

 

 

/s/ Boulay, Heutmaker, Zibell & Co. P.L.L.P.

12

Certified Public Accountants

Table of Contents

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 23, 2009

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Table of Contents

ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

December

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5,529

 

$

5,779

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

1,215

 

 

3,892

 

Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $8 and $17, respectively.

 

 

575

 

 

818

 

Inventories

 

 

1,239

 

 

1,027

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

117

 

 

0

 

Other current assets

 

 

87

 

 

91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

8,762

 

 

11,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,336

 

 

1,458

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

10,098

 

$

13,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

59

 

$

107

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

155

 

 

270

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

86

 

 

83

 

Accrued income tax

 

 

0

 

 

345

 

Deferred income tax

 

 

475

 

 

1,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

775

 

 

2,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock par value $0.10 per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 3,366,880 and 3,365,463 shares, respectively

 

 

337

 

 

337

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

1,513

 

 

1,507

 

Retained earnings

 

 

6,783

 

 

6,716

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of income tax)

 

 

690

 

 

2,327

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

9,323

 

 

10,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

10,098

 

$

13,065

 

  December 31 
  2011  2010 
ASSETS        
         
Current assets        
         
Cash and cash equivalents $5,476  $583 
Treasury Bills  0   5,197 
Available-for-sale securities  3,181   2,830 
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $9  731   577 
Inventories  1,228   1,057 
Income tax receivable  17   54 
Other current assets  116   81 
         
Total current assets  10,749   10,379 
         
Property and equipment, net  1,179   1,174 
         
Total assets $11,928  $11,553 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current liabilities        
         
Accounts payable $110  $75 
Accrued expenses  214   195 
Deferred revenue  0   70 
         
Total current liabilities  324   340 
         
Deferred income tax liability  1,225   1,078 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Stockholders’ equity        
         
Common stock par value $0.10 per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares;  issued and outstanding: 3,389,577 and 3,381,999  shares, respectively  339   338 
Additional paid-in capital  1,561   1,541 
Retained earnings  6,570   6,565 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of income tax)  1,909   1,691 
         
Total stockholders’ equity  10,379   10,135 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $11,928  $11,553 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

13

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ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 Years ended December 31 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2011 2010 

Net Sales

 

$

6,729

 

$

7,092

 

 $6,115  $5,794 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

2,546

 

 

2,569

 

  2,613   2,442 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Gross Profit

 

 

4,183

 

 

4,523

 

  3,502   3,352 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Selling and marketing

 

 

1,467

 

 

1,376

 

  1,369   1,141 

General and administrative

 

 

1,168

 

 

1,224

 

  956   1,022 

Research and development

 

 

630

 

 

572

 

  437   470 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

3,265

 

 

3,172

 

  2,762   2,633 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Operating Income

 

 

918

 

 

1,351

 

  740   719 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Non-operating Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Loss on investment securities

 

 

(33

)

 

0

 

Gain on sale of investment securities  73   0 

Interest income

 

 

94

 

 

240

 

  6   2 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets  (18)  0 

Other income

 

 

11

 

 

10

 

  8   9 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Total Non-operating Income

 

 

72

 

 

250

 

  69   11 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Income before Income Taxes

 

 

990

 

 

1,601

 

Federal and State Income Taxes

 

 

384

 

 

405

 

Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes  809   730 
        
Income Taxes  211   190 
Income before Discontinued Operations  598   540 
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes  (50)  (13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Net Income

 

$

606

 

$

1,196

 

  548   527 
        
Other Comprehensive Income:        
Change in Unrealized Value of Available for Sale Securities, Net of Tax  218   321 
Total Comprehensive Income  766   848 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Net Income per share data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share continuing operations  0.17   0.16 
Net loss per share discontinued operations  (0.01)  0.00 

Net income per share

 

$

.18

 

$

.36

 

  0.16   0.16 

Weighted average shares

 

 

3,366,493

 

 

3,361,663

 

  3,387,192   3,381,905 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share continuing operations  0.17   0.15 
Net loss per share discontinued operations  (0.01)  0.00 

Net income per share

 

$

.18

 

$

.35

 

  0.16   0.15 

Weighted average shares

 

 

3,397,273

 

 

3,395,903

 

  3,405,738   3,404,443 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Dividends paid per common share

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.16

 

  0.16   0.16 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

14

 

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Table of Contents

ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Common Stock Issued

 

Additional
paid-in
capital

 

Retained
earnings

 

Comprehensive
income/(loss)

 

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income

 

Total
Stockholders’
equity

 

Shares

 

Amount

Balance, January 1, 2007

 

 

3,345,639

   

$

335

   

$

1,453

   

$

6,058

   

 

 

   

$

3,307

   

$

11,153

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options

 

 

18,450

 

 

2

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41

 

Stock option grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

Unrealized losses on investments net of reclassification adjustment and taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(980

)

 

(980

)

 

(980

)

Stock issued through the employee stock purchase plan

 

 

1,374

 

 

0

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Dividend on common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(538

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(538

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,196

 

 

1,196

 

 

 

 

 

1,196

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2007

 

 

3,365,463

 

 

337

 

 

1,507

 

 

6,716

 

 

 

 

 

2,327

 

 

10,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized losses on investments net of reclassification adjustment and taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,637

)

 

(1,637

)

 

(1,637

)

Stock issued through the employee stock purchase plan

 

 

1,417

 

 

0

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Dividend on common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(539

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(539

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

606

 

 

606

 

 

 

 

 

606

 

Total comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,031

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2008

 

 

3,366,880

 

$

337

 

$

1,513

 

$

6,783

 

 

 

 

$

690

 

$

9,323

 

   Common Stock Issued  Additional     Accumulated
other
  Total  
  Shares  Amount  paid-in
capital
  Retained
earnings 
  comprehensive
income
  Stockholders’
equity
 
Balance, January 1, 2010  3,376,794  $338  $1,529  $6,578  $1,370  $9,815 
                         
Unrealized gains on investments net of  taxes                  321   321 
Stock issued through the employee stock purchase plan  5,205   0   12           12 
Dividend on common stock              (540)      (540)
Net income              527       527 
                         
Balance, December 31, 2010  3,381,999   338   1,541   6,565   1,691   10,135 
                         
Exercise of stock options  4,500   1   10           11 
Unrealized gains on investments net of taxes                  218   218 
Stock issued through the employee stock purchase plan  3,078   0   10           10 
Dividend on common stock              (543)      (543)
Net income              548       548 
                         
Balance, December 31, 2011  3,389,577  $339  $1,561  $6,570  $1,909  $10,379 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

17



Table of Contents

15

ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

 

Years ended
December 31,

 

 Years ended
December 31,
 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 2011  2010 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Net Income

 

$

606

 

$

1,196

 

 $548  $527 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from (used in) operating activities:        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Depreciation

 

 

122

 

 

82

 

  57   92 

Realized loss of investments

 

 

33

 

 

0

 

Realized gain on sale of investments  (73)  0 
Interest accrued on investments  (3)  (2)

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

0

 

 

3

 

  18   0 

Issuance of stock options

 

 

0

 

 

9

 

Change in allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(9

)

 

0

 

  0   (2)

Deferred income taxes

 

 

104

 

 

(88

)

  14   3 

(Increase)/decrease in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:        

Trade receivables

 

 

252

 

 

(221

)

  (118)  202 

Inventory

 

 

(212

)

 

(28

)

Inventories  (188)  (149)

Other current assets

 

 

4

 

 

(16

)

  (35)  3 

Increase/(decrease) in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(48

)

 

(32

)

  35   (4)

Accrued expenses

 

 

(115

)

 

109

 

  29   23 

Deferred revenue

 

 

3

 

 

18

 

  (12)  (6)

Accrued income taxes

 

 

(462

)

 

56

 

  37   (69)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Net cash from operating activities

 

 

278

 

 

1,088

 

  309   618 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities:        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Proceeds from investments

 

 

5

 

 

0

 

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities  2   0 
Purchase of treasury bills  (4,300)  (14,545)
Proceeds from the sale of treasury bills  9,500   14,330 
Amount paid on the sale of the AutoData Systems Division  (14)  0 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

 

0

 

 

(269

)

  (82)  (38)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

5

 

 

(269

)

Net cash from (used in) investing activities  5,106   (253)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Proceeds from issuance of stock

 

 

6

 

 

47

 

  21   12 

Dividends paid

 

 

(539

)

 

(538

)

  (543)  (540)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(533

)

 

(491

)

  (522)  (528)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(250

)

 

328

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  4,893   (163)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning

 

 

5,779

 

 

5,451

 

  583   746 

Cash and cash equivalents, ending

 

$

5,529

 

$

5,779

 

 $5,476  $583 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Net change in unrealized gain on investments, net of tax

 

$

(1,637

)

$

980

 

 $218  $321 

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

 

$

753

 

$

440

 

 $152  $252 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

18



Table of Contents

16

ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010

 

Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of business:

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Electro-Sensors, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ESI Investment Company and Senstar Corporation. Senstar has no operations. Intercompany accounts, transactions and earnings have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated entity is referred to as “the Company” or “ESI”.

 

Electro-Sensors, Inc. operates two distinct businesses. The first is the Production Monitoring Division, which manufactures and markets a complete line of speed monitoring and motor control systems for industrial machinery. The divisionCompany utilizes leading-edge technology to continuously improve its products and make them easier to use. The division’suse, with the ultimate goal is to manufactureof manufacturing the industry-preferred product for every market served. TheseThe Company’s products are sold through an internal sales staff, manufacturer’s representatives, and distributors to a wide variety of manufacturers, OEM’s and processors to monitor process machinery operations. The divisionCompany markets its products to a number of different industries located throughout the United States, Asia, Central America, Canada, and abroad.Europe.

 

The second business is the AutoData Systems Division (“AutoData”). AutoData designs and markets desktop software based systems that read handprinted characters, checkmarks and bar code information from scanned or faxed forms, in addition to collecting and reporting data from web forms. AutoData products are designed to provide capabilities to automate data collection and are sold by internal sales staff to end users, resellers and developers in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

In addition, through its subsidiary ESI Investment Company, the Company periodically makes strategic investments in other businesses and companies, primarily when the Company believes that such investments will facilitate development of technology complementary to the Company’s products. Although ESI, through its subsidiary ESI Investment Company, invests in other businesses or companies, ESI does not intend to become an investment company and intends to remain primarily an operating company. The Company’s primary investments areinvestment is 343,267 shares of Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (“Rudolph”) and 551,759 shares of PPT Vision, Inc (“PPT”). The Rudolph investmentwhich is accounted for using the available-for-sale method.The PPT investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Seemethod.See Note 2 for additional information regarding its investments. The Company’s investments in securities are subject to normal market risks.

 

Significant accounting policies of the Company are summarized below:

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted principles in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates, including the underlying assumptions, consist of the economic lives of property and equipment, realizability of accounts receivable, valuation of deferred tax assets/liabilities, valuation of inventory and valuation of investments. It is at least reasonably possible that these estimates may change in the near term.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash Equivalentsequivalents are invested in money market accounts and may also be invested in three month Treasury Bills. Cash equivalents are carried at cost plus accrued interest which approximates fair value.

 

The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in primarily one bank deposit accounts,account, which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.

 

Trade receivables and credit policies

 

Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within 30 days from the invoice date. Accounts receivables are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Customer account balances with invoices over 90 days are considered delinquent. The Company does not accrue interest on delinquent accounts receivable.

 

Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer’s remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices.

 

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Table of Contents

The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management individually reviews all accounts receivable balances that exceed 90 days from the invoice date and based on an assessment of current creditworthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. Management uses this information to estimate the allowance.

 

17

Available-for-sale securities

 

The Company’s investments consist of marketable equity securities, primarily common stocks, government debt securities and money market funds, and unregistered equity securities.funds. The estimated fair value of marketablepublicly traded equity securities (other than those accounted for based upon the equity method of accounting) is based on quoted market prices, and therefore subject to the inherent risk of market fluctuations.

 

Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the date individual investments are acquired, and evaluates the appropriateness of such classification at each balance sheet date.

 

Since the Company does not buy and sell investments with the objective of generating profits on short-term fluctuations in market price, the investments in marketable equity securities have been classified as available-for-sale.available-for-sale (unless accounted for on the equity method of accounting). Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value, and unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related deferred tax effect, are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.equity and within comprehensive income. Dividends on marketable equity securities are recognized in income when declared. Investments in unregistered securities are reported at original cost.

 

Realized gains and losses, including losses from declines in value of specific securities determined by management to be other-than-temporary (unless accounted for on the equity method of accounting), are included in income. Realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of the specific securities sold.

 

Fair Value Measurements

The Company’s policies incorporate the guidance for accounting for fair value measurements of financial assets and financial liabilities and for fair value measurements of nonfinancial items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. The Company’s policies also incorporate the guidance for fair value measurement related to nonfinancial items that are recognized and disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a nonrecurring basis. The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company currently has no nonfinancial or financial items that are measured on a nonrecurring basis.

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, treasury bills, investments, trade receivables, accounts payable, and other working capital items approximate fair value at December 31, 2011 and 2010 due to the short term maturity nature of these instruments.

Inventories

 

Inventories include material, labor and overhead and are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.

 

Fair value of financial instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments, short-term trade receivables and payables for which current carrying amounts approximate fair market value.

Property and equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided over estimated useful lives by use of the straight line method. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major improvements and betterments are capitalized.

 

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including, but not limited to, discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals.

 

18

Software costs

The Company capitalizes software production costs after technological feasibility has been established and prior to general release to clients. Annual amortization of capitalized software will be based on the greater amount computed using the straight-line method over the estimated 36-month economic product life or using the ratio that current gross revenue for the software product bears to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues for that product. Software maintenance and modification costs are expensed as incurred.

Revenue recognition

In recognizing revenue, the Company applies the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101 (as amended by SAB No. 104), Revenue Recognition. In some situations, the Company receives advance payments from its customers. Revenue associated with these advance payments is deferred until the product is shipped.

Revenue recognition of production monitoring equipment

 

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its production monitoring equipment when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered, the fee is fixed and determinable and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. The Company may offer discounts to its distributors or quantity discounts that are recorded at the time of sale. The Company recognizes revenue on products sold to customers and distributors upon shipment because the contracts do not include post-shipment obligations. In addition to exchanges and warranty returns, customers have refund rights. Our standard products are used in a wide variety of industries, returns for a refund are minimal and immaterialinsignificant to the financial statements (currently approximately .7% of net sales) and are recognized when the returned product is received by the Company.

20



Table of Contents

Software revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of its automated data collection software. The product is sold to the end user and risk of loss is transferred, and In some situations, the Company has no continuing obligations, once its products are delivered to the shipper. To recognize revenue, it must also be probable that the Company will collect the accounts receivablereceives advance payments from its customers. AutoData customers pay an annual maintenance fee for software support, whichRevenue associated with these advance payments is recognized as deferred revenue onuntil the balance sheet andproduct is recognized in income, on a monthly basis, over the life of the contract.shipped or services performed.

 

Advertising costs

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Total advertising expense was $233,000$184,000 and $201,000$166,000 for the years ended December 31, 20082011 and 2007,2010, respectively.

 

Research and development

 

Expenditures for research and development are expensed as incurred.

 

Depreciation

 

The cost of property and equipment is depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives.

 

Estimated useful lives are as follows

 

Years

Equipment

3-10

Furniture and Fixtures

3-10

Building

7-40

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 20082011 and 20072010 was $122,000$57,000 and $82,000,$92,000, respectively.

 

Income taxes

 

Deferred income taxes are provided on an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. The difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities is determined annually. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for those differences that have future tax consequences using the currently enacted tax laws and rates that apply to the periods in which they are expected to affect taxable income. Income tax expense is the current tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the net change in the deferred tax assets and liabilities, excluding the portion of the deferred liability allocated to other comprehensive income. Deferred taxes are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent that realization of the related deferred tax asset is not assured. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not to be sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.

 

21



Table of ContentsThe Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

19

Net income per common share

 

EPS excludes dilution and is determined by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities and other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

 

The following information presents the Company’s computations of basic and diluted EPS for the periods presented in the statements of operations.

 

 

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per share amount

 

2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

$

606,000

 

3,366,493

 

$

0.18

 

Effect of dilutive employee stock options

 

 

 

 

30,780

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

$

606,000

 

3,397,273

 

$

0.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

$

1,196,000

 

3,361,663

 

$

0.36

 

Effect of dilutive employee stock options

 

 

 

 

34,240

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

$

1,196,000

 

3,395,903

 

$

0.35

 

  Income  Shares  Per share amount 
       
2011:            
Basic EPS from continuing operations $598,000   3,387,192  $0.17 
Effect of dilutive employee and director stock options      18,546     
Diluted EPS from continuing operations $598,000   3,405,738  $0.17 
             
2010:            
Basic EPS from continuing operations $540,000   3,381,905  $0.16 
Effect of dilutive employee and director stock options      22,538     
Diluted EPS from continuing operations $540,000   3,404,443  $0.15 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income includes the Company’s net income plus other comprehensive income (loss) items that are excluded from net income. The Company’s other comprehensive income consists of unrealized gains (losses), net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments for gains and losses included in net income.

 

 

Years ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net income

 

$

606,000

 

$

1,196,000

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized gain on investments, net of tax

 

 

(1,637,000

)

 

(980,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(1,031,000

)

$

216,000

 

The Company does not have any additional transactions or other economic events that qualify as comprehensive income as defined under SFAS No. 130.

22



Table of Contents

Stock Compensation

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS No. 123R”), Share-Based Payment, which addresses the accounting for stock-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. In January 2005, the SEC issued SAB No. 107, which provides supplemental implementation guidance for SFAS No. 123R. SFAS No. 123R eliminates the ability to account for stock-based compensation transactions using the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and instead generally requires that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method. In accordance with the modified-prospective transition method, the Company’s financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect the impact of SFAS No. 123R. The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option-pricing model to determine the fair-value of stock-based awards.

 

The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the BSM model with the assumptions included in the table below.Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) model. The Company uses historical data among other factors to estimate the expected price volatility, the expected option life and the expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the option. At December 31, 2008,2011, the Company had one stock-based employee compensation plan.plan, the 1997 Stock Option Plan. There were no option grants during 2008.in 2011 or 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2007,2011, two employees exercised options to purchase a total of 4,500 share of common stock. During the Company issued 5,000 common share options.year ended December 31, 2010, one employee forfeited 3,300 shares.

 

The assumptions made in estimating the fair value of the options on the grant date based upon the BSM option-pricing model are as follows for 2007:

Dividend yield

0.00%

Expected volatility

36.74%

Risk free interest rate

4.93%

Expected lives

10 years

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2007,June 2011, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 160 (“SFAS 160”), Noncontrolling InterestsStandards Board (FASB) issued a new standard covering Presentation of ComprehensiveIncome.  The standard requires that all nonowner changes in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51. SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling intereststockholders’ equity be presented either in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidationsingle continuous statement of a subsidiary. Among other requirements, SFAS 160 clarifies that a noncontrolling interestcomprehensive income or in a subsidiary, whichtwo separate but consecutive statements.  In either case, an entity is sometimes referredrequired to as minority interest, is to be reported as a separatepresent each component of equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 also requires consolidated net income to include the amounts attributable to both the parentalong with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and the noncontrolling interest and to disclose those amounts on the face of the consolidated statement ofa total amount for comprehensive income.  SFAS 160 must be applied prospectivelyThe standard is effective retrospectively for fiscal years, and is effective for fiscalinterim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2008, except for2011, with early adoption permitted.  The Company implemented the new presentation and disclosure requirements, which will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. Asrules with the provisions of SFAS 160 are applied prospectively, the impact cannot be determined until a transaction occurs, if any.current statements.

 

Reclassifications

23



Table of Contents

Certain items related to discontinued operations in the 2010 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to 2011 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on stockholders’ equity, net income or cash flows.

20

Note 2. Investments

 

The cost and estimated fair value of the investments (other than an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting) are as follows:

 

 

Cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gain

 

Gross
unrealized
loss

 

Fair
value

 

 Cost  Gross
unrealized
gain
  Gross
unrealized
loss
  Fair
value
 

December 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011 
Money Market Funds $5,373,000  $0  $0  $5,373,000 
Equity Securities  101,000  3,134,000  (54,000)  3,181,000 
  5,474,000  3,134,000  (54,000)  8,554,000 
Less Cash Equivalents  5,373,000  0  0  5,373,000 
Total Investments, December 31, 2011 $101,000 $3,134,000 $(54,000) $3,181,000 
         
 
December 31, 2010 

Treasury Bills

 

$

3,904,000

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

$

3,904,000

 

 $5,197,000 $0 $0 $5,197,000 

Money Market Funds

 

 

1,365,000

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

1,365,000

 

 170,000 0 0 170,000 

Equity Securities

 

 

139,000

 

 

3,846,000

 

��

(93,000

)

 

3,892,000

 

  101,000  2,783,000  (54,000)  2,830,000 

 

 

5,408,000

 

 

3,846,000

 

 

(93,000

)

 

9,161,000

 

  5,468,000  2,783,000  (54,000)  8,197,000 

Less Cash Equivalents

 

 

5,269,000

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

5,269,000

 

  170,000  0  0  170,000 

Total Investments, December 31, 2007

 

$

139,000

 

$

3,846,000

 

$

(93,000

)

$

3,892,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury Bills

 

$

5,180,000

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

$

5,180,000

 

Money Market Funds

 

 

169,000

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

169,000

 

Equity Securities

 

 

101,000

 

 

1,169,000

 

 

(55,000

)

 

1,215,000

 

 

 

5,450,000

 

 

1,169,000

 

 

(55,000

)

 

6,564,000

 

Less Cash Equivalents

 

 

5,349,000

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

5,349,000

 

Total Investments, December 31, 2008

 

$

101,000

 

$

1,169,000

 

$

(55,000

)

$

1,215,000

 

Total Investments, December 31, 2010 $5,298,000 $2,783,000 $(54,000) $8,027,000 

 

Realized gains and losses on investments are as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Gross Realized Gains

 

$

2,000

 

$

0

 

Gross Realized Losses

 

 

(35,000

)

 

0

 

Net Realized Loss

 

$

(33,000

)

$

0

 

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2011  2010 
         
Gross Realized Gains $73,000  $0 
Gross Realized Losses  0   0 
Net Realized Gain $ 73,000  $0 

 

At December 31, 20082011 and 2007,2010, the Company’s significant investment in equity securities is 343,267 shares of Rudolph Technologies (Rudolph), accounted for under the available-for-sale method. As of December 31, 2008,2011, the aggregate value of the Company’s Rudolph shares as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange was approximately $1,212,000$3,134,000 with an approximate cost of $45,000.

 

As of December 30, 2011, the shareholders of PPT Vision (PPT) voted to accept an offer to merge with Datalogic Scanning Holdings, Inc. (Datalogic). The terms of the merger required Datalogic to purchase all of the shares outstanding. Electro-Sensors, Inc. recognized a $72,000 gain on the sale of its PPT shares to Datalogic. The Company received the funds for their shares of PPT in January 2012.

Investment Reported on Equity Method

 

At December 31, 2008,2010, the Company owned 551,759 shares of PPT, which is 2.0%was 1.4% of PPT’s outstanding common stock. The fair value of its holdings based on the quoted market price at December 31, 20082010 was approximately $33,000$99,000 with an approximate cost of $2,434,000.

 

SinceBecause the Company ownsowned approximately 2.0%1.4% of PPT’s outstanding stock and the Company’s Secretary ownsowned a controlling interest in PPT, it hashad been determined that the Company hashad “significant influence” over the operations of PPT, and as a result its ownership interest should be reported using the equity method of accounting for investments.

Under In the equity methodfirst quarter of accounting,2011, it was determined that the Company’s proportionate share of PPT’s net loss would ordinarily be directly reflected on the Company’s income statement, along with a corresponding reduction in the PPT investment account on the Company’s balance sheet. However, where net losses exceed the value of the initial investment, these losses areCompany no longer recognized inhad “significant influence” over the financial statements, but rather are suspendedoperations of PPT and applied against the investor’s proportionate share in any future net earnings for the investee. Accordingly, since the Company’s proportionate share of PPT’s previous net losses have already reduced the PPT investment account on its balance sheet to $0, the Company’s proportionate share of PPT’s net loss through December 31, 2008 has not been recognized on its current financial statements. At December 31, 2008,accordingly, the Company had approximately $1,499,000 in suspended losses frombegan accounting for its investment in PPT as an available for sale security. Upon conversion to available-for-sale classification, the Company recorded the stock at its adjusted basis of $0 which reflected its carrying amount at that will be used to offset future recognition of equity method earnings from the investment.date.

21

Changes in Other Comprehensive Income

 

24Changes in Other Comprehensive Income are as follows:



Table of Contents

  December 31, 
  2011  2010 
         
Unrealized Gains        
Unrealized Holding Gains arising during the Period $424,000  $519,000 
Less: reclassification of gains included in net income  (72,000)  0 
   352,000   519,000 
         
Deferred Taxes on Unrealized Gains:        
Increase in Deferred Taxes on Unrealized Gains arising during the Period  161,000   198,000 
Less: Reclassification of taxes on gains included in net income  (27,000)  0 
   134,000   198,000 
         
Net Change in Other Comprehensive Income $218,000  $321,000 

Note 3. Fair Value Measurements

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157), as it applies to our financial instruments, and Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (SFAS 159). SFAS 157 defines fair value, outlines a framework for measuring fair value, and details the required disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 159 permits companies to irrevocably choose to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparison between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.

Under SFAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market. SFAS 157 establishes a hierarchy in determining the fair value of an asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable. SFAS 157 requires the utilization of the lowest possible level of input to determine fair value. Level 1 inputs include quoted market prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are market data, other than Level 1, that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted market prices in an inactive market, and other observable information that can be corroborated by market data. Level 3 inputs are unobservable and corroborated by little or no market data.

Except for those assets and liabilities which are required by authoritative accounting guidance to be recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, we have elected not to record any other assets or liabilities at fair value, as permitted by SFAS 159. No events occurred during the year ended December 31, 2008 which would require adjustment to the recognized balances of assets or liabilities which are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

 

The following table provides information on those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurement Using

 

                

 

Carrying Amount
In Consolidated
Balance Sheet
December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 Carrying amount
in consolidated
balance sheet
December 31,  
 Fair Value
December 31,
 
 Fair Value Measurement Using 

 

Fair Value
December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2011 2011 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         
Cash and cash equivalents:           

Money Market Funds

 

$

169,000

     

$

169,000

      

$

169,000

     

$

     

$

 

 $5,373,000 $5,373,000 $5,373,000 $ $ 

Treasury Bills

 

$

5,180,000

 

$

5,180,000

 

$

5,180,000

 

$

 

$

 

Available-for-sale: Investments

 

$

1,215,000

 

$

1,215,000

 

$

1,215,000

 

$

 

$

 

Available-for-sale:           
Securities $3,181,000 $3,181,000 $3,181,000 $ $ 

                 
  Carrying amount
in consolidated
balance sheet
December 31,
 Fair Value
December 31, 
 Fair Value Measurement Using 
  2010 2010 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents:                
Money Market Funds $170,000 $170,000 $170,000 $ $ 
Treasury Bills $5,197,000 $5,197,000 $5,197,000 $ $ 
Available-for-sale:                
Securities $2,830,000 $2,830,000 $2,830,000 $ $ 

 

The fair value of the money market funds and treasury bills are based on quoted market prices in an active market. InvestmentsAvailable for sale securities include equity securities that are traded in an active market. Closing stock prices are readily available from active markets and are used as being representative of fair value. The Company classifies these securities as level 1.

 

22

Note 4. Inventories

 

Inventories used in the determination of cost of goods sold are as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Raw Materials

    

$

840,000

    

$

694,000

 

Work In Process

 

 

195,000

 

 

170,000

 

Finished Goods

 

 

204,000

 

 

163,000

 

Total Inventories

 

$

1,239,000

 

$

1,027,000

 

25



Table of Contents

        
  December 31, 
  2011 2010 
Raw Materials $791,000 $714,000 
Work In Process  247,000  186,000 
Finished Goods  190,000  157,000 
Total Inventories $1,228,000 $1,057,000 

Note 5. Property and Equipment

 

The following is a summary of property and equipment:

 

       

 

December 31,

 

 December 31, 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 2011 2010 

Equipment

    

$

316,000

    

$

316,000

 

 $260,000 $287,000 
Construction in Progress 14,000 0 

Furniture and Fixtures

 

 

501,000

 

 

501,000

 

 393,000 497,000 

Building

 

 

1,370,000

 

 

1,370,000

 

  1,360,000  1,338,000 

Land

 

 

415,000

 

 

415,000

 

  415,000  415,000 

 

 

2,602,000

 

 

2,602,000

 

  2,442,000  2,537,000 

Less Accumulated Depreciation

 

 

1,266,000

 

 

1,144,000

 

 1,263,000 1,363,000 

Total Property and Equipment

 

$

1,336,000

 

$

1,458,000

 

 $1,179,000 $1,174,000 

 

Note 6. Accrued Expenses

 

Accrued expenses include the following:

 

       

 

December 31,

 

 December 31, 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 2011 2010 

Wages and Commissions

    

$

127,000

    

$

219,000

 

 $163,000 $162,000 

Other

 

 

28,000

 

 

51,000

 

  51,000  33,000 

Total Accrued Expenses

 

$

155,000

 

 

270,000

 

 $214,000 $195,000 

 

Note 7. Commitments

 

Lease commitments

 

The Company is leasing office equipment under operating leases expiring at various dates through 2010.2013.

 

Minimum lease payments required under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:

 

    

Year

 

Amount

 

 Amount 

 

 

 

 

  

2009

 

$

21,000

 

2010

 

 

21,000

 

2012 $25,000 
2013  8,000 

Total Minimum Lease Payments

 

$

42,000

 

 $33,000 

 

Rental expense charged to operations was $32,000 annually$27,000 and $28,000 for the years ended December 31, 20082011 and 2007.2010, respectively.

26



Table of Contents

23

Note 8. Common Stock Options and Stock Purchase Plan

 

Stock-based compensation

The Company has a stock option plan and an employee stock purchase and bonus plan. Under the 1997 Stock Option Plan, the Company is authorized to grant up to 450,000 shares of its Common Stock. The Company granted one stock option, to a director, for 5,000 shares under this plan during 2007, and at December 31, 2008, 30,780 shares were granted and exercisable under this plan. Under the Employee Stock Purchase and Bonus Plan, the Company is authorized to sell and issue up to 150,000 shares of its Common Stock to its full-time employees. During 2008 and 2007, shares of 1,417 and 1,374 respectively, were issued under this plan. At December 31, 2008, shares of 86,488 were available for future issuance.

Stock options

 

The 1997 Stock Option Plan includes both nonqualified and incentive stock options. Payment for the shares may be made in cash, shares of the Company’s Common Stock or a combination thereof. Under the terms of the plan, incentive stock options are granted at 100% of fair market value on the date of grant and may be exercised at various times depending upon the terms of the option. The nonqualified stock options were granted to directors to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock. All existing options expire 10 years from the date of grant or one year from the date of death.

 

The following table summarizes the activity for outstanding incentive stock options:options to employees of the company:

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

 Options Outstanding 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(1)

 

 Number of
Shares
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)
 Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(1)
 

Balance at January 1, 2007

 

45,730

     

$

2.77

     

3.9

      

 

 

 

             
Balance at January 1, 2010 19,780 $3.75 3.3    

Granted

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 0        

Exercised

     

(18,450

)

 

2.22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 0        

Canceled/forfeited/expired

 

(1,500

)

 

2.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

  3,300  4.16      

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

25,780

 

 

3.19

 

5.2

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010 16,480 3.06 2.2    

Granted

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 0        

Exercised

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 4,500 2.37      

Canceled/forfeited/expired

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  0         

Balance at December 31, 2008

 

25,780

 

$

3.19

 

4.2

 

$

266

 

Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2008

 

25,780

 

$

3.19

 

4.2

 

$

266

 

Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2008

 

25,780

 

$

3.19

 

4.2

 

$

266

 

Balance at December 31, 2011  11,980 $4.16 2.6  0 
Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2011 11,980 $4.16 2.6  0 

 

(1)

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as approximately the difference between the weighted average exercise price of the underlying awards and the Company’s estimated current fair market value at December 31, 2008.2011.

24

27



Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the activity for outstanding director stock options:

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(1)

 

Balance at January 1, 2007

 

0

     

$

0

     

 

      

 

 

 

Granted

 

5,000

 

 

5.36

 

9.3

 

 

 

 

Exercised

     

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canceled/forfeited/expired

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

5,000

 

 

5.36

 

9.3

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canceled/forfeited/expired

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2008

 

5,000

 

$

5.36

 

8.3

 

$

0

 

Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2008

 

5,000

 

$

5.36

 

 

 

$

0

 

Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2008

 

5,000

 

$

5.36

 

 

 

$

0

 

  Options Outstanding 
  Number of
Shares
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)
 Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(1)
 
              
Balance at January 1, 2010  5,000 $5.36 7.3     
Granted  0          
Exercised  0          
Canceled/forfeited/expired  0          
Balance at December 31, 2010  5,000  5.36 6.3     
Granted  0          
Exercised  0          
Canceled/forfeited/expired  0          
Balance at December 31, 2011  5,000 $5.36 5.3  0 
Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2011  5,000 $5.36    0 

(1)The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as approximately the difference between the weighted average exercise price of the underlying awards and the Company’s estimated current fair market value at December 31, 2011.

 

(1) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as approximately the difference between the weighted average exercise price of the underlying awards and the Company’s estimated current fair market value at December 31, 2008.

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $9,000 during the year ending December 31, 2007 as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. As of December 31, 20082011 and 2007,2010, respectively there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options that is expected to be recognized over a period of 1-2 years. To the extent the forfeiture rate is different than we have anticipated, stock-based compensation related to these awards will be different from our expectations.

 

Stock-based compensation

Pursuant to the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”), the Company is authorized to grant options to purchase up to 450,000 shares of its Common Stock. As of December 31, 2011, options to purchase an aggregate of 16,980 shares were outstanding and exercisable under the Option Plan, and 10,250 shares were available for issuance pursuant to awards that may be granted under the Option Plan in the future.

Stock purchase plan

 

The 1996 Employee Stock Purchase and Bonus Plan (the “Employee Stock Plan”“ESPP”) allows employees to set aside up to 10% of their earnings for the purchase of shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The purchase price is the lower of 85% of the market value at the date of the grant or the exercise date, which is six months from the date of the grant. Under the ESPP, the Company is authorized to sell and issue up to 150,000 shares of its Common Stock to its full-time employees. During 2011 and 2010, 3,078 shares and 5,205 shares, respectively, were issued under the ESPP. At December 31, 2011, 74,291 shares were available for future issuance pursuant to the ESPP.

 

25

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Table of Contents

Note 9. Benefit Plans

 

Employee stock ownership plan

 

The Company sponsors an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) that covers substantially all employees who work 1,000 or more hours during the year. The ESOP has, at various times, secured financing from the Company to purchase the Company’s shares on the open market. When the Plan purchases shares with the proceeds of the Company loans, the shares are pledged as collateral for its debt. The shares are maintained in a suspense account until released and allocated to participant accounts. The Plan owns 148,088150,088 shares of the Company’s stock at December 31, 2008.2011. All shares held by the Plan have been released and allocated. The dividends paid by the Company on shares held by the Plan are allocated to the participant accounts. The Plan had no debt to the Company at December 31, 2008.2011.

 

ESOPThe Company had compensation expense wasfor contributions of $18,000 and $0 and $18,000to the ESOP plan for the years ended December 31, 20082011 and 2007,2010, respectively.

 

In the event a terminated ESOP participant desires to sell his or her shares of the Company’s stock and the shares are not readily tradable, the Company may be required to purchase the shares from the participant at their fair market value. At December 31, 2008, 148,0882011, 150,088 shares of the Company’s stock, with an aggregate fair market value of approximately $474,000,$590,000, are held by ESOP participants who, if terminated, would be subject to the repurchase requirement.

 

Profit sharing plan and savings plan

 

The Company has a salary reduction and profit sharing plan which conforms to IRS provisions for 401(k) plans. The Company may make profit sharing contributions with the approval of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors decided to make no contribution for the years 20082011 and 20072010 other than its matching of 401(k) salary reductions, which totaled $59,000$64,000 and $52,000$63,000 for 20082011 and 2007,2010, respectively.

 

26

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Table of Contents

Note 10. Discontinued Operations

On September 16, 2011, the Company sold its entire interest in its AutoData Systems Division to Auto Data Inc. (ADI). The purchase price will be paid as an earn-out based on three percent of the software, hardware, and maintenance contracts that ADI sells over the next five years (four percent while ADI continues to occupy our building). As of December 30, 2011, ADI owed the Company approximately $3,000 under the earn-out. The amount is included in other assets on the balance sheet.

The division, a separate operating segment as described in Note 12, designed and marketed desktop software based systems that read hand printed characters, checkmarks and bar code information from scanned or faxed forms, in addition to collecting and reporting data from web forms.

The financial results of the discontinued operation are as follows:

  Years Ended
December 31,
 
  2011  2010 
     
Net sales $246,000  $407,000 
Expenses  (314,000)  (424,000)
Net loss before income taxes  (68,000)  (17,000)
Income tax benefit  18,000   4,000 
Net loss of discontinued operations $(50,000) $(13,000)

The effect of the discontinued operation on the financial position of the Company, as of December 31, 2011, is as follows:

Property and equipment $2,000
Inventories  17,000
Accounts receivable  35,000
Net assets disposed $54,000
    
Accrued expenses $10,000
Deferred revenue  58,000
Net liabilities disposed $68,000
Net cash paid to ADI $14,000

27

Note 11. Income Taxes

 

The components of the income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 20082011 and 20072010 are as follows:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 2011  2010 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Federal

 

$

291,000

 

$

469,000

 

 $179,000  $183,000 

State

 

12,000

 

24,000

 

 0 0 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

     

Federal

 

73,000

 

(88,000

)

 12,000 3,000 

State

 

 

8,000

 

 

0

 

  2,000  0 

Total Federal and State Income Taxes

 

$

384,000

 

$

405,000

 

 $193,000  $186,000 

 

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 20082011 and 20072010 differs from the amount obtained by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to pretax income due to the following:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 2011  2010 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Computed “Expected” Federal Tax Expense

 

$

337,000

 

$

496,000

 

 $251,000  $242,000 

Increase (Decrease) in Taxes Resulting From:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

State Income Taxes, net of Federal Benefit

 

 

9,000

 

 

31,000

 

 12,000 16,000 

Credits

 

 

(43,000

)   

 

(34,000

)

 (51,000) (53,000)

Deferred Taxes

 

 

81,000

 

 

(88,000

)

Domestic Production Activities Deduction (22,000) (21,000)
Permanent Differences  3,000   2,000 

Total Federal and State Income Taxes

 

$

384,000

 

$

405,000

 

 $193,000 $186,000 

 

The components of the net deferred tax asset (liability)liability consist of:

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Tax Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vacation Disallowance

 

$

27,000

 

$

24,000

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

 

3,000

 

 

7,000

 

Investment in Equity Method Investee

 

 

962,000

 

 

927,000

 

Valuation Allowance

 

 

(962,000

)   

 

(927,000

)

Total Deferred Tax Assets

 

$

30,000

 

$

31,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid Expenses

 

$

31,000

 

$

30,000

 

Depreciation

 

 

51,000

 

 

66,000

 

Net Unrealized Gain on Investments

 

 

423,000

 

 

1,308,000

 

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

 

$

505,000

 

 

1,404,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)

 

$

(475,000

)

$

(1,373,000

)

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the requirements of SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, relating to the recognition of income tax benefits. FIN 48 provides a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring tax benefits when realization of the benefits is uncertain. The first step is to determine whether the benefit meets the more-likely-than-not condition for recognition and the second step is to determine the amount to be recognized based on the cumulative probability that exceeds 50%.

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48, which requires that the Company recognize in its consolidated financial statements only those tax positions that are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained as of the adoption date, based on the technical merits of the position. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company performed a comprehensive review of its material tax positions in accordance with recognition and measurement standards established by FIN 48.

  2011  2010 
     
Deferred Tax Assets:        
Vacation Disallowance $24,000  $26,000 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts  4,000   4,000 
State Carryforward R&D Credit  3,000   3,000 
Investment in Equity Method Investee  0   976,000 
Valuation Allowance  0   (976,000)
Total Deferred Tax Assets $31,000  $33,000 
         
Deferred Tax Liabilities:        
Prepaid Expenses $26,000  $29,000 
Depreciation  60,000   45,000 
Net Unrealized Gain on Investments  1,170,000   1,037,000 
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities $1,256,000  $1,111,000 
         
Net Deferred Tax Liability $(1,225,000) $(1,078,000)

 

The Company is subject to the following material taxing jurisdictions: U.S. and Minnesota. The tax years that remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service are 20052008 through 2008.2011. The tax years that remain open to examination by the Minnesota Department of Revenue are 20042007 through 2008. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits in income tax expense.2011. We have no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions as of January 1, 20072011 or December 31, 2008.2011.

 

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28

Note 11.12. Segment Information

 

ThePrior to September 16, 2011, the Company hashad three reportable operating segments based on the nature of its product lines: Production Monitoring, AutoData Sytems,Systems, and Investments. The AutoData Systems segment was sold on September 16, 2011 as described in Note 10. The operations of that segment are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements and are excluded from the presentation of segment information from continuing operations in this note. The reclassification of AutoData Systems to discontinued operations had no impact on the results of operations presented for the Production Monitoring or Investments segments.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company has two reportable operating segments: Production Monitoring and Investments. The Production Monitoring Division manufactures and markets a complete line of production monitoring equipment, in particular speed monitoring and motor control systems for industrial machinery. The AutoData Systems Division designs and markets desktop software based systems that read handprinted characters, checkmarks and bar code information from scanned or faxed forms, in addition to collecting and reporting data from web forms. Sales of these systems include software and can include hardware. ESI Investment Company holds investments in marketable and non-marketable securities.

 

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1. In evaluating segment performance, management focuses on sales and income before taxes. The Company has no inter-segment sales.

 

The following is financial information relating to the continuing operating segments:

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 2011  2010 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Production Monitoring (products)

 

$

6,193,000

 

$

6,494,000

 

 $6,115,000  $5,794,000 

AutoData Systems (software and related hardware)

 

 

536,000

 

 

598,000

 

ESI Investment Company

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

  0   0 

Total

 

 

6,729,000

 

 

7,092,000

 

  6,115,000   5,794,000 

Sales in foreign countries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Production Monitoring

 

 

477,000

 

 

397,000

 

 633,000  536,000 

AutoData Systems

 

 

15,000

 

 

30,000

 

ESI Investment Company

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

  0   0 

Total

 

 

492,000

 

 

427,000

 

  633,000   536,000 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Production Monitoring

 

 

18,000

 

 

44,000

 

 2,000  0 

AutoData Systems

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

ESI Investment Company

 

 

76,000

 

 

196,000

 

  4,000   2,000 

Total

 

 

94,000

 

 

240,000

 

  6,000   2,000 

Depreciation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Production Monitoring

 

 

117,000

 

 

76,000

 

 57,000  91,000 

AutoData Systems

 

 

5,000

 

 

6,000

 

ESI Investment Company

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

  0   0 

Total

 

 

122,000

 

 

82,000

 

  57,000   91,000 

Capital purchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Production Monitoring

 

 

0

 

 

269,000

 

 82,000  38,000 

AutoData Systems

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

ESI Investment Company

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

  0   0 

Total

 

 

0

 

 

269,000

 

  82,000   38,000 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Production Monitoring

 

 

2,105,000

 

 

2,271,000

 

 2,488,000  2,337,000 

AutoData Systems

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

ESI Investment Company

 

 

7,993,000

 

 

10,794,000

 

  9,440,000   9,216,000 

Total

 

 

10,098,000

 

 

13,065,000

 

  11,928,000   11,553,000 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Production Monitoring

 

 

1,116,000

 

 

1,638,000

 

 736,000  728,000 

AutoData Systems

 

 

36,000

 

 

(29,000

)

ESI Investment Company

 

 

(162,000

)

 

(8,000

)

  73,000   2,000 

Total

 

 

990,000

 

 

1,601,000

 

  809,000   730,000 

 

29

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Table of Contents

Item 9.Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

Item 9.Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

None.

 

Item 9A(T).Controls and Procedures.

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The person serving as our principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, the person serving as the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 20082011 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our management is required to assess the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of the end of each fiscal year and report, based on that assessment, whether the Company's internal control over financial reporting is effective.

 

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of the Company's financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, internal control over financial reporting determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Moreover, 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.

 

The Company's management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.2011. In making this assessment, the Company used the criteria established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework.” These criteria are in the areas of control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring. The Company's assessment included extensive documenting, evaluating and testing the design and operating effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, the person serving as the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer has concluded that the Company’s internal controls were effective as of December 31, 2008.2011.

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to the attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2008,2011, which were identified in connection with management’s evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.Other Information.

Item 9B.Other Information.

 

None.

 

30

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Table of Contents

PART III

 

Certain information required by Part III is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement pursuant to Regulation 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 22, 200918, 2012 (“Annual Meeting”).

Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

The information required by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Corporate Governance – Code of Ethics and Business Conduct” and “Corporate Governance – Audit Committee” that appear in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting. Information concerning the Company’s executive officers Bradley D. Slye and Peter R. Peterson is included in the sections referred to above.

Item 11.Executive Compensation.

Item 11.Executive Compensation.

 

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Executive Compensation” that appears in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting.

Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The information required by Item 12 relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” that appears in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting.

 

The following table provides information as of December 31, 20082011 about the Company’s equity compensation plans.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

 

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))

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

(b)

(c)

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

30,780

$3.54

102,990(1)

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

Total

30,780

$3.54

102,990(1)

(1) Includes 10,250 shares issuable pursuant to the 1997 Stock Option Plan and 92,740 shares issuable pursuant to the 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan.

 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))
    
 (a)(b)(c)
    
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders16,980$4.5184,541(1)
    
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    
Total16,980$4.5184,541(1)

 

(1)Includes 10,250 shares issuable pursuant to the 1997 Stock Option Plan and 74,291 shares issuable pursuant to the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

33



Table of Contents

Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Corporate Governance – Independence,” “Election of Directors” and “Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons” that appear in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting.

Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

The information required by Item 14 relating to principal accounting fees and services is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Disclosure of Fees Paid to Independent Auditors” that appears in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 







31

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Table of Contents

PART IV

Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

 

Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

Financial Statements.

 

Reference is made to the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing on Page 1311 hereof.

 

Financial Statement Schedules.

 

The Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted either because they are not required or because the information has been included in the financial statements or the notes thereto included in this Annual Report.

 

Exhibits.

 

See “Exhibit Index” on the page following the signatures.







35



Table of Contents

 

32

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.

 

ELECTRO-SENSORS, INC.
(“Registrant”)

By:

/s/ BRADLEY D. SLYE­

SLYE

Bradley D. Slye

President, and Chief Executive Officer,

and Chief Financial Officer

Date:

March 23, 2009

29, 2012

 

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.

 

(Power of Attorney)

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints BRADLEY D. SLYE and PETER R. PETERSON as his true and lawful attorneys-in-factattorney-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-factattorney-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-factattorney-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

 

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ Bradley D. Slye

Chairman, President and Director (CEO and CFO)

March 23, 2009

29, 2012

/s/ Peter R. Peterson

Director and Secretary

March 23, 2009

/s/ Joseph A. Marino

Director

March 23, 2009

29, 2012

/s/ Geoffrey W. Miller

Director

March 23, 2009

29, 2012

/s/ Robert W. Heller

Director

March 23, 200929, 2012

/s/ Jeffrey D. PetersonDirectorMarch 29, 2012

33

 

36



Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

EXHIBIT INDEX TO FORM 10-K

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2008

2011

Commission File No. 0-9587

 

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description

^3.1

Registrant’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended—incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s 1991 Form 10-KSB

^3.2

Registrant’s Bylaws, as amended to date—incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s 1997 Form 10-KSB

4.1

Specimen Common Stock Certificate
^*10.1

Electro-Sensors, Inc.’s 19871996 Employee Stock Option Plan—Purchase Plan — incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s 1996 Proxy Statement dated April 21, 1987 for the Company’s 19871996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

^*10.2

Electro-Sensors, Inc.’s 1997 Stock Option Plan and forms of Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Option Agreements thereunder—incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s 1997 Form 10-KSB

*10.3

Summary of Compensation Arrangements with Directors

*10.4

Summary of Compensation Arrangements with Executive Officers

21

Subsidiaries of Registrant (Name and State of Incorporation):
ESI Investment Company—Minnesota
Senstar Corporation—Minnesota

24.1

Power of Attorney (see Signature page)

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

99.1

Letter to Shareholders dated March 4, 2009

8, 2012

99.2

Investor Information

101

The following financial information from Electro-Sensors, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2011, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, (iv) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.**

 

 

^

Incorporated by reference to a previously filed report or document—SEC File No. 0-9587

*

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

**Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files in Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed part of a registration statement, prospectus or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filings.

 

 







37



34