UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
¨REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
xForANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20092011
OR
¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
¨SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-14542
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE
CORPORATION LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Bermuda
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
7/Fl. B, No. 132, Sec. 3
Min-Sheng East Road
Taipei, 105, Taiwan
Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.None
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
Common Shares, par value 0.01 per share | NASDAQ Capital Market |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.Common Shares(Title of Class)
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
13,830,769 Common Shares
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yeso¨Noþx
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yeso¨Noþx
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. YesþxNoo¨
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). YesoxNo¨ No
o
Large accelerated Filer¨Accelerated filer¨ Non-accelerated filerx
|
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17o¨Item 18o¨
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso¨Noþx
Our disclosure and analysis in this Annual Report on Form 20-F contain some forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current beliefs or expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.
Such statements are not promises or guarantees and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include our ability to maintain and develop market share for our products; global, regional or national economic and financial conditions, including events such as the financial crisis that commenced in 2008 and the consequent economic recession, and their individual or collective impact on demand for our products and services; the introduction of competing products or technologies; our inability to successfully identify, consummate and integrate acquisitions; our potential exposure to liability claims; the uncertainty and volatility of the markets in which we operate; changes in laws or regulations applicable to the Company in the markets in which we conduct business; the availability and price of copper, our principal raw material; our ability to negotiate extensions of labor agreements on acceptable terms and to successfully deal with any labor disputes; our ability to service, and meet all requirements under, our debt, and to maintain adequate credit facilities and credit lines; our ability to make payments of interest and principal under our existing and future indebtedness; our ability to increase manufacturing capacity and productivity; the fact that we have operations outside the United States that may be materially and adversely affected by acts of terrorism, war and political and social unrest, or major hostilities; increased exposure to political and economic developments, crises, instability, terrorism, civil strife, expropriation and other risks of doing business in foreign markets; economic consequences arising from natural disasters and other similar catastrophes, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis; the fact that Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Limited (“APWC” or the “Company”) is a holding company that depends for income upon distributions from operating subsidiaries, most of which are not wholly-owned and for which there may be restrictions on the timing and amount of distributions; price competition and other competitive pressures; the impact of climate change on our business and operations and on or customers; our ability to avoid limitations on utilization of net losses for income tax purposes; fluctuations in currency, exchange and interest rates, operating results and the impact of technological changes and other factors that are discussed in this report and in our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or the “Commission”).
In particular, these statements include, among other things, statements relating to:
• our business strategy;
• our prospects for future revenues and profits in the markets in which we operate;
• the impact of political, legal or regulatory changes or developments in the markets in which we do business;
• our dependence upon the level of business activity and investment by our customers for the generation of our sales revenue;
• the fact that our Common Shares are now traded on a national exchange in the United States;
• our dependence on a limited number of suppliers for our raw materials and our vulnerability to fluctuations in the cost of our raw materials; and
• our liquidity.
We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or other information contained in this Annual Report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we make in our filings with the
1
This discussion is permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
OTHER CONVENTIONS
Unless otherwise specified, all references in this Annual Report to ���Thailand”“Thailand” are to the Kingdom of Thailand, all references to “Singapore” are to The Republic of Singapore, all references to “Taiwan” are to Taiwan, The Republic of China, all references to “China” and to the “PRC” are to The People’s Republic of China (for the purpose of this Annual Report, excluding Hong Kong and Macau), all references to “Australia” are to the Commonwealth of Australia and all references to the “U.S.” are to the United States of America.
Most measurements in this Annual Report are given according to the metric system. Standard abbreviations of metric units (e.g., “mm” for millimeter) have been employed without definitions. All references in this Annual Report to “tons” are to metric tons, which are equivalent in weight to 2,204.6 pounds.
With respect to measurements relating to the manufacture of wire and cable products, references to “pkm” are to kilometers of twisted pairs of copper wire.
2
Dollar amounts in this Annual Report are expressed in thousands ($000), except where otherwise indicated or with respect to earnings per share.
Item 1: Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
(Not applicable)
Item 2: Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
(Not applicable)
Item 3: Key Information
3.1 Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The following selected consolidated financial data is derived from the consolidated financial statements of Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Limited (the “Company”)the Company for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2009,2011, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The selected data set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the discussion in “Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in “Item 18: Financial Statements.”
(Figures in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 were restated to reflect the results of discontinued operations of Shandong Pacific Fiber Optics Co. Ltd. (“SPFO”). For details, see “Item 5.3: Operating Results”)
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| (in US$ thousands) | ||||
Income Statement Data: |
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Net sales | $497,848 | $484,218 | $326,238 | $446,594 | $471,946 |
Cost of sales | (453,734) | (473,911) | (285,595) | (389,571) | (428,051) |
Gross profit | 44,114 | 10,307 | 40,643 | 57,023 | 43,895 |
Operating expenses | (28,351) | (26,586) | (24,151) | (28,371) | (33,220) |
Impairment loss | — | — | (77) | — | — |
Impairment of goodwill | — | — | — | — | (8,791) |
Operating profit (loss) | 15,763 | (16,279) | 16,415 | 28,652 | 1,884 |
Exchange gain (loss) | 864 | (1,712) | 507 | 3,041 | (1,346) |
Net interest expense | (5,715) | (4,107) | (1,139) | (872) | (808) |
Share of net income (loss) of equity investees | 124 | (142) | (40) | (21) | (58) |
Gain on liquidation of subsidiary | — | — | 568 | — | — |
Gain (loss) on sale of investment | 35 | — | — | — | (68) |
Impairment of investment | (95) | — | — | — | — |
Others | 2,066 | 2,861 | 2,111 | 1,032 | 1,032 |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 13,042 | (19,379) | 18,422 | 31,832 | 636 |
Income taxes | (6,298) | (2,132) | (4,647) | (6,441) | (4,566) |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | 6,744 | (21,511) | 13,775 | 25,391 | (3,930) |
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued SPFO | 118 | (689) | 1,150 | 446 | 1,075 |
Income tax expenses | 0 | 0 | (697) | (450) | (229) |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | 118 | (689) | 453 | (4) | 846 |
Net income (loss) | 6,862 | (22,200) | 14,228 | 25,387 | (3,084) |
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | 2,029 | (8,551) | 4,139 | 11,247 | 2,355 |
Net income (loss) attributable to APWC | $4,833 | $(13,649) | $10,089 | $14,140 | $(5,439) |
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations(1) | $0.35 | $(0.96) | $0.71 | $1.02 | $(0.49) |
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations(1) | $0.00 | $(0.03) | $0.02 | $(0.00) | $0.10 |
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share(1) | $0.35 | $(0.99) | $0.73 | $1.02 | $(0.39) |
For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income Statement Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 337,262 | $ | 468,117 | $ | 510,841 | $ | 500,798 | $ | 362,231 | ||||||||||
Cost of sales | (300,656 | ) | (410,823 | ) | (465,165 | ) | (488,048 | ) | (315,840 | ) | ||||||||||
Gross profit | 36,606 | 57,294 | 45,676 | 12,750 | 46,391 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | (26,553 | ) | (27,612 | ) | (29,451 | ) | (29,044 | ) | (27,855 | ) | ||||||||||
Impairment loss | (3,223 | ) | (86 | ) | (95 | ) | — | (77 | ) | |||||||||||
Operating profit/(loss) | 6,830 | 29,596 | 16,130 | (16,294 | ) | 18,459 | ||||||||||||||
Exchange gain/(loss) | (3,137 | ) | 5,464 | 864 | (1,712 | ) | 528 | |||||||||||||
Net interest (expense) | (2,747 | ) | (5,181 | ) | (6,063 | ) | (4,779 | ) | (2,139 | ) | ||||||||||
Share of net income/(loss) of equity investees | 170 | 73 | 124 | (142 | ) | (40 | ) | |||||||||||||
Gain on liquidation of subsidiary | — | 1,801 | — | — | 568 | |||||||||||||||
(Loss)/gain on sale of investment | (259 | ) | (729 | ) | 35 | — | — | |||||||||||||
Others | 829 | 1,536 | 2,070 | 2,859 | 2,196 | |||||||||||||||
Income/(loss) before income taxes and minority interests | 1,686 | 32,560 | 13,160 | (20,068 | ) | 19,572 | ||||||||||||||
Income taxes | (3,860 | ) | (10,257 | ) | (6,298 | ) | (2,132 | ) | (5,344 | ) | ||||||||||
Non-controlling interests | (2,783 | ) | (9,330 | ) | (2,029 | ) | 8,551 | (4,139 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income/(loss) attributable to APWC | $ | (4,957 | ) | $ | 12,973 | $ | 4,833 | $ | (13,649 | ) | $ | 10,089 | ||||||||
Earnings/(loss) per share(1) | $ | (0.36 | ) | $ | 0.94 | $ | 0.35 | $ | (0.99 | ) | $ | 0.73 |
(1) The calculation of the earnings (loss) per share is based on 13,830,769 basic and diluted weighted Common Shares issued and outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
| As of December 31, | ||||
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
(in thousands) | |||||
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Balance Sheet Data: |
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Cash and cash equivalents | $29,127 | $37,510 | $41,534 | $63,217 | $76,672 |
Working capital | 132,409 | 100,428 | 127,139 | 170,653 | 170,956 |
Total assets | 396,116 | 309,798 | 296,052 | 386,923 | 337,289 |
Total debt | 104,146 | 59,694 | 38,917 | 69,083 | 54,545 |
Total APWC shareholders’ equity. | 136,783 | 114,129 | 127,392 | 153,194 | 146,510 |
3
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 20,748 | $ | 24,664 | $ | 29,127 | $ | 37,510 | $ | 41,534 | ||||||||||
Working capital | 80,350 | 108,084 | 132,409 | 100,428 | 127,139 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets | 262,938 | 364,565 | 396,116 | 309,798 | 296,052 | |||||||||||||||
Total debt | 58,438 | 100,195 | 104,146 | 59,694 | 38,917 | |||||||||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 97,622 | 118,765 | 136,783 | 114,129 | 127,392 |
Unless otherwise specified, all references in this Annual Report to “$,” “U.S. dollars” or “US$” are to United States dollars; all references to “Bt,” “Thai Baht” or “Baht” are to Baht, the legal tender currency of Thailand; all references to “S$” are to Singapore dollars, the legal tender currency of Singapore; all references to “A$” are to Australian dollars, the legal tender currency of Australia; and all references to “RMB” are to Chinese Renminbi, the legal tender currency of China.
Unless otherwise noted, for the convenience of the reader, translations of amounts from Baht, Singapore dollars, Renminbi and Australian dollars to U.S. dollars have been made at the respective noon buying rates in New York City for cable transfers in those currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Noon Buying Rate”) on December 31, 2009.2011. The respective Noon Buying Rates on December 31, 200930, 2011 were US$1.00 = Bt 33.33;31.51; S$1.404; 1.295; RMB 6.826;6.294; and A$1.11.0.976. The respective Noon Buying Rates on May 5, 2010,April 13, 2012, the latest practicable date before publication of this Annual Report, were US$1.00 = Bt 32.35;30.730; S$1.392;1.247; RMB 6.826 6.302 and A$1.10. 0.964. No representation is made that the foreign currency amounts could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars on these dates at these rates or at any other rates.
Sources: Federal Reserve Bulletin, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.10(512), from the website of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System athttp://www.federalreserve.gov.
Thailand
The Thai Baht is convertible into foreign currencies and is subject to a managed float against a basket of foreign currencies, the most significant of which is the U.S. dollar. The composition of the basket for determining the value of the Baht is not made public by the Bank of Thailand. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, certain information concerning the Noon Buying Rate of the Thai Baht. No representation is made that the Baht or U.S. dollar amounts referred to herein could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Baht, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
Year Ended December 31, | At Period End | Average(1) | High | Low |
| (Bt per $1.00) | |||
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2007 | 29.50 | 32.02 | 35.96 | 29.28 |
2008 | 34.72 | 33.13 | 35.72 | 29.36 |
2009 | 33.33 | 34.30 | 36.25 | 33.10 |
2010 | 30.16 | 31.66 | 33.18 | 29.49 |
2011 | 31.51 | 30.46 | 31.76 | 29.68 |
Year Ended December 31, | At Period End | Average(1) | High | Low | ||||||||||||
(Bt per $1.00) | ||||||||||||||||
2005 | 40.99 | 40.34 | 42.08 | 38.21 | ||||||||||||
2006 | 36.10 | 37.68 | 40.76 | 35.19 | ||||||||||||
2007 | 29.50 | 32.02 | 35.96 | 29.28 | ||||||||||||
2008 | 34.72 | 33.13 | 35.72 | 29.36 | ||||||||||||
2009 | 33.33 | 34.30 | 36.25 | 33.10 |
4
(1) Average means the average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last day of each month during a year.
Month | High | Low |
October 2011 | 31.24 | 30.48 |
November 2011 | 31.38 | 30.65 |
December 2011 | 31.76 | 30.75 |
January 2012 | 31.81 | 30.97 |
February 2012 | 30.93 | 30.29 |
March 2012 | 30.91 | 30.50 |
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Month | High | Low | ||||||
November 2009 | 33.46 | 33.11 | ||||||
December 2009 | 33.37 | 33.10 | ||||||
January 2010 | 33.18 | 32.85 | ||||||
February 2010 | 33.18 | 33.00 | ||||||
March 2010 | 32.84 | 32.28 | ||||||
April 2010 | 32.38 | 32.16 |
Singapore
The Singapore dollar is convertible into foreign currencies and floats against a trade-weighted basket of foreign currencies, the composition of which is not made public by Singapore’s central bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, but of which the U.S. dollar is a component. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, certain information concerning the Noon Buying Rate of the Singapore dollar. No representation is made that the Singapore dollar or U.S. dollar amounts referred to herein could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Singapore dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
Year Ended December 31, | At Period | Average(1) | High | Low |
| (S$ per $1.00) | |||
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2007 | 1.436 | 1.501 | 1.543 | 1.436 |
2008 | 1.438 | 1.410 | 1.529 | 1.347 |
2009 | 1.404 | 1.452 | 1.557 | 1.380 |
2010 | 1.289 | 1.359 | 1.423 | 1.282 |
2011 | 1.295 | 1.260 | 1.314 | 1.202 |
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At | ||||||||||||||||
Period | ||||||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | End | Average(1) | High | Low | ||||||||||||
(S$ per $1.00) | ||||||||||||||||
2005 | 1.663 | 1.665 | 1.706 | 1.618 | ||||||||||||
2006 | 1.534 | 1.580 | 1.652 | 1.534 | ||||||||||||
2007 | 1.436 | 1.501 | 1.543 | 1.436 | ||||||||||||
2008 | 1.438 | 1.410 | 1.529 | 1.347 | ||||||||||||
2009 | 1.404 | 1.452 | 1.557 | 1.380 |
(1) Average means the average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last day of each month during a year.
The high and low exchange rates for the six months preceding the date of this Annual Report were:
Month | High | Low | ||||||
November 2009 | 1.402 | 1.380 | ||||||
December 2009 | 1.408 | 1.380 | ||||||
January 2010 | 1.406 | 1.388 | ||||||
February 2010 | 1.423 | 1.405 | ||||||
March 2010 | 1.406 | 1.393 | ||||||
April 2010 | 1.399 | 1.368 |
Month | High | Low |
October 2011 | 1.314 | 1.242 |
November 2011 | 1.312 | 1.268 |
December 2011 | 1.309 | 1.278 |
January 2012 | 1.297 | 1.253 |
February 2012 | 1.265 | 1.242 |
March 2012 | 1.269 | 1.251 |
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5
China
The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies and through restrictions on foreign trade. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, certain information concerning the Noon Buying Rate of the Renminbi. No representation is made that the Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts referred to herein could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renmimbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
Year Ended December 31, | At Period End | Average(1) | High | Low |
| (RMB per $1.00) | |||
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2007 | 7.295 | 7.581 | 7.813 | 7.295 |
2008 | 6.823 | 6.919 | 7.295 | 6.780 |
2009 | 6.826 | 6.830 | 6.847 | 6.818 |
2010 | 6.600 | 6.760 | 6.833 | 6.600 |
2011 | 6.294 | 6.460 | 6.636 | 6.294 |
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Year Ended December 31, | At Period End | Average(1) | High | Low | ||||||||||||
(Rmb per $1.00) | ||||||||||||||||
2005 | 8.070 | 8.183 | 8.277 | 8.070 | ||||||||||||
2006 | 7.804 | 7.958 | 8.070 | 7.804 | ||||||||||||
2007 | 7.295 | 7.581 | 7.813 | 7.295 | ||||||||||||
2008 | 6.823 | 6.919 | 7.295 | 6.780 | ||||||||||||
2009 | 6.826 | 6.830 | 6.847 | 6.818 |
(1) Average means the average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last day of each month during a year.
The high and low exchange rates for the six months preceding the date of this Annual Report were:
Month | High | Low |
October 2011 | 6.383 | 6.353 |
November 2011 | 6.384 | 6.340 |
December 2011 | 6.373 | 6.294 |
January 2011 | 6.333 | 6.294 |
February 2012 | 6.312 | 6.294 |
March 2012 | 6.332 | 6.298 |
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Month | High | Low | ||||||
November 2009 | 6.830 | 6.826 | ||||||
December 2009 | 6.830 | 6.824 | ||||||
January 2010 | 6.830 | 6.826 | ||||||
February 2010 | 6.833 | 6.826 | ||||||
March 2010 | 6.827 | 6.825 | ||||||
April 2010 | 6.828 | 6.823 |
Sources: Federal Reserve Bulletin, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.10(512)H.10 (512), from the website of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System at http://www.federalreserve.gov.
Australia
The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, certain information concerning the Noon Buying Rate of the Australian dollar. No representation is made that the Australian dollar or U.S. dollar amounts referred to herein could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Australian dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
Year Ended December 31, | At Period End | Average(1) | High | Low |
| (A$ per $1.00) | |||
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2007 | 1.139 | 1.184 | 1.295 | 1.067 |
2008 | 1.141 | 1.177 | 1.647 | 1.021 |
2009 | 1.114 | 1.252 | 1.587 | 1.067 |
2010 | 0.988 | 1.087 | 1.224 | 0.985 |
2011 | 0.976 | 0.968 | 1.058 | 0.907 |
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Year Ended December 31, | At Period End | Average(1) | High | Low | ||||||||||||
(A$ per $1.00) | ||||||||||||||||
2005 | 1.362 | 1.312 | 1.377 | 1.254 | ||||||||||||
2006 | 1.268 | 1.319 | 1.417 | 1.264 | ||||||||||||
2007 | 1.139 | 1.184 | 1.295 | 1.067 |
6
Year Ended December 31, | At Period End | Average(1) | High | Low | ||||||||||||
(A$ per $1.00) | ||||||||||||||||
2008 | 1.141 | 1.177 | 1.647 | 1.021 | ||||||||||||
2009 | 1.114 | 1.252 | 1.587 | 1.067 |
Month | High | Low |
October 2011 | 1.071 | 0.945 |
November 2011 | 1.032 | 1.037 |
December 2011 | 1.010 | 1.030 |
January 2012 | 0.979 | 0.939 |
February 2012 | 0.941 | 0.925 |
March 2012 | 1.080 | 1.033 |
Month | High | Low | ||||||
November 2009 | 1.113 | 1.067 | ||||||
December 2009 | 1.139 | 1.079 | ||||||
January 2010 | 1.127 | 1.075 | ||||||
February 2010 | 1.160 | 1.112 | ||||||
March 2010 | 1.111 | 1.084 | ||||||
April 2010 | 1.091 | 1.069 |
Sources: Federal Reserve Bulletin, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.10(512)H.10 (512), from the website of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System at http://www.federalreserve.gov.
3.3 Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the following risks before you decide to buy our Common Shares. If any one of these risks or uncertainties were to occur, our business, financial condition, results and performance could be seriously harmed and/or the price of our Common Shares might significantly decrease. The risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that currently are not known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may adversely affect our businesses and operations.
3.3.1 Risks Related to PCAOB Inspection
Our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in Hong Kong, is not permitted to be subject to inspection by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), and as such, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and applicable professional standards. Because our auditor is located in Hong Kong, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the relevant local authority, our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in Hong Kong, is currently not inspected by PCAOB.
Inspections of other firms that PCAOB has conducted outside of Hong Kong have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The inability of PCAOB to conduct inspections of independent registered public accounting firms operating in Hong Kong makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.
3.3.2 Risks Related toFailure to Comply with Loan Covenants
Our credit facility agreement with Bangkok Bank Hong Kong Branch (the “Bank”) was entered into on March 17, 2011 with a total cash loan of $14 million and a trade facility of $8 million. The cash loan carries an interest rate of Singapore Inter-bank Borrowing Rate (“SIBOR”) plus 2.5%, with a term of 5.5 years. This agreement requires us to maintain at all times certain financial covenants and non-financial covenants for both the guarantor, APWC, and borrower, Crown Century Holdings Ltd. (“CCH HK”). As of December 31, 2011, CCH HK was not in compliance with certain financial covenant ratios and APWC was not in compliance with a certain non-financial covenant relating to its disposal of a certain subsidiary when the Company failed to provide formal notification and to obtain the Bank’s consent. As such, the cash loan would become callable on demand if the bank were to declare an event of default (which it has not to date). The outstanding loan balance was therefore classified as current liability as of December 31, 2011. The Company started negotiations with the Bank on revision of the loan agreement and possibility of issuance of waivers with regard to those covenants. Up to date of this annual report, the negotiation is still on going.
However, in addition to certain financial covenants relating to our financial position, operating performance and liquidity, the restrictions contained in our loan agreement may limit our ability to, among other things:
Ÿincur additional indebtedness for CCH HK for factory expansions, if any;
Ÿcreate liens on CCH HK’s assets
Ÿenter into business combinations (if it would be interpreted as major change in our business) or disposal of subsidiaries under CCH HK and under APWC; and
Our ability to comply with the requirements of the loan agreement is subject to certain risks, including:
Ÿviolation of a covenant that stipulates that we must maintain our listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) and cannot be suspended for more than ten days, in the remote likelihood that APWC’s stock price falls under $1 for consecutive thirty 30 days on NASDAQ;
Ÿ our ability to sustain the net worth requirements for CCH HK and APWC, if our organic growth in future years for CCH HK and for APWC is not sufficient;
Ÿ our ability to meet the proposed waivers which are still under negotiation with the Bank if our actual operational performance is not sufficient; and
Ÿ future covenant compliance issues, in the event of a rise in copper prices that leads to an increase in the Company’s indebtedness
Our ability to comply with the loan covenants may also be affected by economic, financial and industry conditions, commodity prices such as copper and other factors beyond our control.
3.3.13.3.3 Risks Related to the Global Economic and Financial Crisis
A number of economists forecast global growth to average 3.4% in early 2008, numerous cataclysmic economic2012, with the performance differential between the generally weaker developed economies and the generally stronger developing economies continuing. The downward revision (0.2 percentage points) from the January 2012 forecast reflects the deepening recessions in the southern peripheral nations of the euro zone. Advances in the faster-growing emerging nations are being constrained by both the trade shocks rippling around the world and by prior tightening moves to contain domestic inflationary pressures. This is most notable in the Asia-Pacific region where growth forecasts for China, South Korea, and Australia have moved to a lower trajectory. India too has recently experienced a diminished rate of growth, although this largely reflects past tightening moves to contain domestically generated inflationary pressures. A more moderate pace of rebuilding in Japan has also contributed to the reduced growth momentum in the Asia-Pacific region.
There is still considerable risk of further downward revisions to the forecast, in particular due to the euro zone’s festering sovereign debt problem. Although the European Central Bank has extended an important financial lifeline to the region’s ailing banking institutions, the delay in implementing the much-needed structural and fiscal reforms risks further contagion and financial events roiled globalmarket shocks. Such developments would aggravate already unsustainable debt burdens in many of the affected countries, and national financial marketsexacerbate existing economic strains. Also of concern is the potential for a sharp reversal in historically low government bond yields, driven by increasing investor angst if the expected improvement in the quality of government balance sheets fails to materialize. A sharply rising debt burden would force many governments among the developed nations to implement further reductions in government expenditures that could eventually result in much weaker economic performances. The decline in China’s speed of growth could also accelerate, with a bigger slide in exports triggering broader production and employment cuts that would undermine consumer spending, the country’s buoyant real estate market, and the international business community, includingdemand for commodities. Recurring geopolitical problems remain an important threat to global stability as well. Any disruption to the sudden collapse of certain leading financial institutions, widespread default on various credit instruments, the collapse of the U.S. and other housing markets, a dramatic de-leveraging of capital investment and other business activities and a marked reductionworld’s oil supply chain in the availability of credit for businesses. These events unfolded quite quicklyMiddle or Far East could send gas pump prices sharply higher and unexpectedly and are widely considered to be key factors in the deep economic recession that adversely impacted the global economy generally and the Company in particular.
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The deteriorationfluctuation of economic conditions resulting fromcopper prices in 2011 has further impacted the current globalCompany’s ability to improve its overall financial and credit crisis and economic downturn has and may well continue to adversely affect each of the markets in which the Company sells and distributes its products and provide services. In certain markets, sales have stagnated or even decreased as there has been a reduction in infrastructure development by governmental entities in certain instances and in capital expenditures and construction by private companies in anticipation of the fall in demandperformance, particularly in the residentiallatter part of 2011. The increase in average London Metal Exchange (“LME”)copper price over 2010 was higher than the increase in our prevailing selling price for manufactured products, resulting in a gross margin lower than in 2010 for operations in China. Elsewhere in Thailand, the net sales were slightly lower than that of last year as our production and commercial building markets. Many customers haveour ability to ship our products was curtailed by the nationwide flooding that affected Thailand and severely disrupted many business operations in that country. In Australia and Singapore, we witnessed an increase in net sales, as the copper price rose during the first three quarters of 2011 and production volume also delayed their construction projects in the current weak market environment. The reduction in the manufacture of electronic products for export or local consumption has also reduced our sales of enameled wire. increased by 29.8% and 31.2%, respectively.
Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) fell from an average monthly high of $8,685 per metric ton in April 2008 to only $3,072 per metric ton in December 2008. In addition, sales towardsLME dropped at the end of 2008 and into 2009 decreased duelast quarter 2011 to worldwide economic downturn, thereby increasing$7,500. Consistent with industry practice, customers would expect that the selling prices of our inventory levels at year end. Nevertheless, subsequently as a resultproducts, particularly of the commodity market’s dynamic nature, thecopper based wires, would therefore be lower than that in 2010. The decrease in copper prices on the LME have bounced back to $6,648 average in 2009, resultingand other commodity prices also resulted in a betterdecreased turnover for the second halflast part of the year. Withyear, as customers delayed placing orders with the fallCompany or reduced the quantity of such orders in anticipation of a possible further reduction in copper and commodityprices. A further decrease in copper prices inwould likely have an adverse effect on the past, customers have sometimes been withholding orders in the expectation that prices may drop further.
When compared with 2010 sales, sales in the second half of 2008 and into first half of 2009, which included lower sales and lower gross margins as compared to the first half of 2008 and the second half of 2007. The lower results2011 increased by 5.7%, boosted by an increase in 2009 were primarily due to reduced order flow from customers However, with the re-bound of copper price in 2009, the customers were willing to accept a higher sales price from APWC in the beginning. Revenue for 2009 was $362.2 million, representing a 27.7% decline from 2008. Gross margin in the second half of 2009 decreased slightly by 1.2% as compared to the first half of 2009, primarily due to some pre-determined supply contracts to the customers in the first half. However, sales in the second halfpower wire category by 35.3%, which was partially offset by decreases in sales of 2009 increasedenameled wire and fiber optic out of Thailand by $60.8 million or 40% as compared to the first half10.9% and 36.4%, respectively. Sales of 2009.
The Company is unable to determine the precise impact of the Euro zone fiscal crises, and the fragile state of the global economic crisisrecovery, on its operations and cash flow, since its operating results are also affected by factors that are, or may be, unrelated to the economic crisis,turmoil, such as the completion of routine purchase cycles by customers and the completion, suspensionexpansion or terminationcontraction of large infrastructure projects. However, the Company has concluded that thecurrent economic uncertaintyinstability has negatively affected and will likely continue to have a significant impact on the Company’s operations and cash flow. Specifically, the operating subsidiaries may encounter greater difficulty in raising new banking facilities and loans to support their working capital requirements in the current environment where banks are less willing to offer new facilities. Governments in certain countries, such as China, Thailand and Singapore, have pledged to increase infrastructure and construction spending to boost or maintain economic growth. Assuming those pledges are acted upon, those developments will likely have a favorable impact on our sales of manufactured products. However, the Company’s results for the first half of 2009 indicate that actual or planned governmental increases in allocations for expenditures on infrastructure development have not yielded any sustainable increase in sales of the Company’s products, particularly when the government’s focus was on additional housing and mass public transportation projects such as, among other things, cross-island passage ways. In addition, the re-bound in the trading prices of many public companies and the increases in major indices on a number of national exchanges since the lows of March 2009 have not translated into a material increase in customer behaviors with either private or government sponsored projects. The Company believes that any efforts to forecast likely future performance with any degree of specificity would be fraught with uncertainty due to the suddenness and severity of the financial crisis. In addition, the apparent recent stabilization of the
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Macroeconomic events and those specific to the Companyconditions may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business operations until such time as the global financial crisis has substantially abated and financial and economic conditions have materially improved. The Company notes, however, that the foregoing is subject to a number of unknown variables, including the impact of actions taken or that may be taken in the future by governmental entities to address the capital needs of banks and other financial institutions and to increase the flow of credit to businesses.
3.3.23.3.4 Risks Related to the Common Shares and Corporate Governance
Consolidation of Charoong Thai Group Accounts
As of December 31, 2009,2011, the Company effectively owned 50.93% of the issued and outstanding shares of Charoong Thai Wire and Cable Public Company Limited (“Charoong Thai” or “CTW”). That percentage ownership constitutes, a decrease from the Company’s initial ownership percentage andwhich is attributable to the exercise of warrants or conversion of convertible securities by third parties. The Company’s present intention is to maintain majority ownership of the voting securities of Charoong Thai. However, there may be circumstances under which the Company cannot maintain majority ownership of Charoong Thai. In the event Charoong Thai determinedwere to make a further offering of voting securities, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
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Potential Illiquidity of Common Shares
Approximately 75.4% of our Common Shares are either unregistered securities or registered securities held by affiliates, which are subject to restrictions on trading. Accordingly, approximately three quarters75% of our Common Shares are not fully liquid investments. In the recent past,Since April 2011, when APWC was listed on NASDAQ, the volume of trading in our Common Shares has not been substantial. This illiquidity may negatively impactpicked up fractionally. However, the value of our Common Shares may be impacted negatively by their relative illiquidity when compared to the Common Shares.
Control of the Company Rests with Majority Shareholder; Controlled Company Exemption; Risks Related to PEWC
As the majority shareholder, Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co., Ltd. (“PEWC”) has sufficient votes to control the outcome of any matters presented for a shareholder vote, including the election of the members of the Board of Directors. PEWC may vote its shares in the Company in the manner that it sees fit. In addition, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, PEWC may sell, convey or encumber all or a portion of its ownership interest in the Company without regard to the best interests of the other shareholders of the Company except to the extent that it may beis: (i) prohibited from engaging in conduct oppressive to minority interests under applicable law and (ii) required to comply with the terms of the Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Agreement dated March 27, 2009 among the Company, PEWC andMSD CREDIT OPPORTUNITY Master Fund, L.P. (“COF”) (as the assignee ofSOF Investments, L.P. (“SOF”) in July 2011), a Delaware limited partnership which owns beneficially 9.8% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares (the “Amended and except that it may not engage in conduct oppressive to minority interests under applicable law.
The Company’s plans include seeking a listingCommon Shares of the Company are traded on a national securities exchange, such as Nasdaq or NYSE Amex Equities (formerly knownthe NASDAQ Capital Markets tier. However, as the American Stock Exchange), as and whenCompany has a more than fifty percent (50%) shareholder, the Company meets the listing criteria for one of those exchanges. In the event of a listing on a national securities exchange, the Company intendsis entitled to rely upon thea “controlled company exemption” which will exemptto the Company fromrequirement that a requirement tocompany have a board of directors that has a majority of independent directors. The Company may also rely upon Nasdaq Rule 4350(a) or AMEX Company Guide Section 110, each of which would permit the Company to rely in certain instances upon the rules of its home country, Bermuda, which do not require that the board of directors be comprised of a majority of independent directors. Accordingly, even assuming a listingdirectors in order to be listed on a national securities exchange,NASDAQ. At present, a majority of the Company’s Board may not be comprisedboard of directors independent from any affiliation with the majority shareholder, PEWC.
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Limited Trading Volume on the OTC BB
Although our Common Shares are traded on the over-the-counter bulletin board (the “OTC BB”). TradingNASDAQ Capital Markets tier, trading in, and demand for, our Common Shares has been limited and there may not exist from time to time an active trading market for our Common Shares.limited. As a consequence, shareholders may find that their ability to sell their Common Shares quickly or in substantial amounts is adversely affected by the limited public trading market. Thinly-traded equity can be more volatile than equity securities traded in an active trading market. The high and low daily closing price for our Common Shares during the past 24 months (March 2010 – March 2012) has been $6.45$7.85 and $0.50,$1.92, respectively. In the future, our Common Shares may experience significant price fluctuations which could adversely affect the value of your ownership interest in the Common Shares.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control Overover Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and procedures and itsmaintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined under Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Based on the Company’s evaluation under the applicable framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), our management concluded that a material weakness in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting was identified.
In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements as of and remediating allfor the year ended December 31, 2011, our independent registered public accounting firm determined also the existence of a material weaknesses, and asweakness. A material weakness is a result, both disclosure controls and procedures anddeficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the registrant’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by the company’s internal controls.
Deficiencies were classified as effective asnoted in our controls over complex and non-routine transactions in our financial statement closing process, including the accounting of December 31, 2008, butrevenue recognition under bill-and-hold arrangements and consignment arrangement whereby the revenue was inappropriately recognized; the calculation and recording of income tax, deferred tax assets (and the related valuation allowance), inventory and related impairment accounts, and the misclassification of a number of intercompany balances. These deficiencies were attributable to our decentralized reporting structure, our complex and manual consolidation process and inadequate reviews over account balances at the reporting date. The aggregate effect of these deficiencies represented a material weakness. Based on this assessment, the Company’s management, including its CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2009 due to the development of material weaknesses. While the Company is taking steps to remediate the material weakness identified as of December 31, 2009, the Company cannot provide any assurances that other material weaknesses will not be identified upon further investigation, such that either disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting may be rendered ineffective for a period of time.
Delinquency in Reporting Obligations; Reporting of Financial Results
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Potential Conflict of Certain Officers and Directors
In March 2011, the Company appointed twoa third independent directors on September 28, 2007.director as required by NASDAQ. Other than those twoour three independent directors, all of the members of the Board of Directors are also directors or officers or otherwise affiliated with PEWC, the majority shareholder. Certain of our officers are also affiliated with PEWC. In each case, they may be subject to potential conflicts of interest. In addition, certain of our officers and directors who are also officers and/or directors of PEWC may be subject to conflicts of interest in connection with, for example, pursuing corporate opportunities in which we and PEWC or one of its affiliates have competing interests, and the performance by us and PEWC of our respective obligations under existing agreements, including the Composite Services Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement (discussed below)in section 10.3). In addition, some of these persons will devote time to the business and affairs of PEWC and its affiliates as is appropriate under the circumstances, which could reduce the amount of time available for overseeing or managing our business and affairs. Notwithstanding any such potential conflicts, however, such individuals, in their capacities as our directors and officers, are subject to fiduciary duties to our shareholders.
The Bermuda Companies Act 1981, as amended (the “Companies Act”), subjects our officers and directors to certain fiduciary standards in the exercise of their executive and management duties on behalf of the Company. Under the Companies Act, an officer of ours (which term includes our directors) is subject to a duty of care requiring him to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company in the discharge of his duties and to, among other things, give notice to the Board of Directors at the first opportunity of any interest he has in any material contract or proposed material contract with us or any of our subsidiaries. The Companies Act also prohibits us, subject to certain exceptions, from making loans to any directors without first obtaining the consent of shareholders holding in the aggregate not less than nine-tenths of the total voting rights of all the shareholders having the right to vote at any shareholders meeting. We do not make any loans to our directors or executive officers in accordance with the provisions of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Obligations under the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement
Pursuant to the original shareholders agreement dated June 28, 2007 SOF Investments, L.P. (“SOF”(the “Shareholders Agreement”), a Delaware limited partnership, acquired 2,766,154 Common Shares, representing 20% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares (the “SOF Shares”), from Sino-JP Fund Ltd (“Sino-JP”). Following that sale, Sino-JP ceased to have any ownership interest in the Company and its three designees on the Board of Directors and the Company officers selected by it each resigned with immediate effect. On that same date, the Company entered into the Shareholders Agreement with PEWC and SOF, pursuant to which the Company granted to SOF certain rights and protections.protections (now held by COF, as successor-in-interest to SOF, as explained below). Under the Shareholders Agreement, the Company agreed to indemnify SOF and its partners and certain of its affiliates (the “SOF Indemnified Persons”), for any additional taxes, interest, penalties and other costs that might be imposed upon or incurred by the SOF Indemnified Persons in the event that the Company is determined by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) to be a “controlled foreign corporation” (a “CFC”) or a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”), as such terms are interpreted and defined under IRS rules and regulations. The Company has determined that it was not a CFC or PFIC at any time during the 2011 fiscal year and does not believe that it is now or is likely to become a CFC or a PFIC; however, the Company cannot provide any assurances that it will not become a CFC or a PFIC in the future.
In addition, the Company granted certain registration rights to SOF with respect to the SOFits Common Shares (the “Registrable Securities”) in the Shareholders Agreement. In particular, the Company agreed to use its
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Under the terms of the Shareholders Agreement, if the Company failed to fulfill its obligations thereunder, SOF maywould have a claim for damages against the Company. No such claim has been made. In addition, if the Company fulfilled its reasonable best efforts undertakings but failed to meet one or more of the stated goals, SOF maywould have a put right of their Common Shares to PEWC. In accordance with those terms, on February 2, 2009, SOF delivered to PEWC notice of its exercise of the put right under the Shareholders Agreement due to the fact that the Common Shares were not listed on a national Securities Market as of January 31, 2009. On March 27, 2009, SOF sold 51% of its Common Shares to PEWC pursuant to the terms of a share purchase agreement between those parties. Upon the consummation of that share purchase agreement, SOF held 1,355,415 registered Common Shares of the Company and PEWC held 1,410,739 registered Common Shares, respectively, representing 9.8% and 10.2% of the outstanding Common Shares, with PEWC holding an additional 7,664,615 unregistered Common Shares, giving it an aggregate of 65.6% of the total issued and outstanding Common Shares. In connection with this transaction, the Company, PEWC and SOF entered into anthe Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, which among other things, granted to the Company an extension for listing the Common Shares on a national Securities Market until February 2011 and maintainsmaintained for SOF the right to sell its remaining Common Shares to PEWC in the event the Company doesdid not list its Common Shares on a national Securities Market by February 2011. such time. In April 2011, the Common Shares of the Company were approved for trading on the NASDAQ Capital Markets tier, which tier does not fit within the definition of a national “Securities Market”, as provided in the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement. As of July 1, 2011, SOF transferred its Common Shares to COF, at which time COF executed a joinder agreement and became a party to the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement and succeeded to the rights and interests of SOF thereunder. The Company is not aware that COF has taken any action with respect to the Common Shares held by it.The Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement also provides for those put, registration and indemnification rights set forth above in the description of the Shareholders Agreement.Agreement and such rights now apply to COF in place of SOF. While the sale of Common Shares by SOF to PEWC resulted in PEWC holding a higher concentration of Common Shares which may impact liquidity for the other shareholders, the Company does not believe that any definitive impact can be forecasted or determined.
In addition, sales of Common Shares held by SOFCOF and registered under the shelf registration statement, or any registration statement that goes effective following an exercise of demand registration rights, will increase theincreasethe number of Common Shares available for purchase in the public market and may adversely affect the value of the Common Shares held by other shareholders. Even without substantial sales by SOFCOF or PEWC of their respective Registrable Securities, the possibility of such sales may create a “market overhang” that has the effect of depressing the trading price of the Common Shares.
The Company has also granted to SOFCOF preemptive rights in the event of any issuance of additional equity securities (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities) by the Company, such that SOFCOF may subscribe for additional securities in order to maintain its then percentage ownership interest in the issued and outstanding equity securities of the Company.
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We have no direct business operations other than our ownership of the capital stock of our subsidiaries and joint venture holdings. While we have no present intention to pay dividends, should we decide in the future to do so, as a holding company our ability to pay dividends and meet our other obligations will depend upon the amount of distributions, if any, received from our operating subsidiaries and other holdings and investments. Our operating subsidiaries and other holdings and investments, from time to time, may be subject to restrictions on their ability to make distributions to us, including as a result of restrictive covenants contained in loan agreements, restrictions on the conversion of local currency earnings into U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions. For example, PRC legal restrictions permit payments of dividends by our business entities in the PRC only out of their retained earnings, if any, determined in accordance with relevant PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, such entities are also required to set aside a portion of their net income each year to fund certain reserve funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The foregoing restrictions may also affect our ability to fund operations of one subsidiary with dividends and other payments received from another subsidiary.
Requirement to Maintain Effectiveness of the Registration Statement and to List on a National Securities Exchange; Effect of the Put of the SOFCOF Shares to PEWC
Under the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, SOFCOF has retained the right to sell its remaining Common Shares (the “SOF“COF Shares”) to PEWC if the Company does not achieve a listing on a national Securities Market within the time frame provided in the agreement. The Company’s Common Shares are currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Markets tier. The Company intends to apply to list the Common Shares on the Global Markets tier after the Company is satisfied that it qualifies in all respects for that tier. However, there are no assurances that the Common Shares will qualify for the Global Markets tier or that the Company’s application, when filed, will be approved. In addition, the Company has agreed to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-1,F-3, for the benefit of SOF,COF, and if the Company fails to do so for any period of thirty (30) consecutive trading days or an aggregate of sixty (60) trading days during any twelve month period, then SOFCOF may, subject to compliance with notice and other procedural requirements, exercise a right to sell its remaining Common Shares to PEWC. At all times, the Company must exercise its reasonable best efforts to comply with its covenants under the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement. Otherwise, the Company could be subject to a damages claim by SOF. The Company is using its diligent efforts to bring and maintain current the financial disclosure in the registration statement on Form F-1 covering the SOF Shares and the registered Common Shares held by PEWC.
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We are incorporated in and organized pursuant to the laws of Bermuda. In addition, all of our directors and officers reside outside the United States and our material assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or to realize against them in courts of the United States upon judgments predicated upon civil liabilities under the United States federal securities laws. Even if investors are successful in realizing against such persons in courts of the United States, the laws of Taiwan may render such investors unable to enforce the judgment against the Company’s assets or the assets of its officers and directors. Also, investors may have difficulty in bringing an original action based upon the United States federal securities law against such persons in the Taiwan courts. Additionally, we have been advised by our legal counsel in Bermuda, Appleby (Bermuda) Limited, that there is doubt as to the enforcement in Bermuda, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of liabilities predicated upon U.S. federal securities laws, although BermudaalthoughBermuda Courts will enforce foreign judgments for liquidated amounts in civil matters subject to certain conditions and exceptions. As a result, shareholders may encounter more difficulties in enforcing their rights and protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, the Board of Directors or controlling shareholders than they would if the Company were organized under the laws of the United States or one of the states therein, or if the Company had material assets located within the United States or some of the directors and officers were resident within the United States. See “Enforceability of Certain Civil Liabilities” for additional information.
3.3.33.3.5 Risks Relating to Our Business
Risks Relating to Copper
Copper is the principal raw material we use, accounting for a majority of the cost of sales. We purchase copper at prices based on the average prevailing international spot market prices on the London Metal Exchange (the “LME”)LME for copper for the one month prior to purchase. The price of copper is affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including international economic and political conditions, supply and demand, inventory levels maintained by suppliers, actions of participants in the commodities markets and currency exchange rates. As with other costs of production, changes in the price of copper may affect the Company’s cost of sales. Whether this has a material impact on our operating margins and financial results depends primarily on the Company’s ability to adjust selling prices to its customers, such that increases and decreases in the price of copper are fully reflected in those selling prices. Most of our sales of manufactured products reflect the cost of copper used to manufacture those products at the time the products are ordered. In the ordinary course of business we maintain inventories of raw materials and finished products reasonably necessary for the conduct of our business. These inventories typically reflect the cost of copper prevailing in the market at the time of purchase. A long-term decrease in the price of copper would require the Company to revalue its inventory at periodic intervals to the then net realizable value, which could be below cost. Copper prices have been subject to considerable volatility and it is not always possible to manage our copper purchases and inventory so as to neutralize the impact of copper price volatility. Accordingly, significant volatility in copper prices could have an adverse effect on our operations. In the fourth quarter of 2011, there was a dramatic decline in the price of copper on global markets. This decline impacted adversely on the Company’s fourth quarter and year-end results, as much of the Company’s copper inventory was procured prior to the fourth quarter price decline. No assurance can be given that such volatility will not recur.
Risks related to our Customer Base and our Geographic Markets
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Risks relating to Force Majeure Events
Operations and other business conducted at our plants and other facilities are at risk to acts of god consisting of uncontrollable natural and climatic events (often referred to as force majeure events), such as the 2011 flooding in much of Thailand that severely disrupted our manufacturing operations at our Thai plant controlled by our subsidiary, Charoong Thai. The severe flooding affected much of our Thai operations and forced the suspension of operations for a period of 5 months. The temporary suspension of operations at Siam Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Company Limited (“Siam Pacific”), which is 100% owned by Charoong Thai impacted adversely on its 2011 sales, which experienced a 20% reduction in product sales in 2011 compared with that of 2010. With the help of its affiliated companies such asPacific Electric Wire & Cable (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“PEWS”)andShanghai Yayang Electric Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Yayang” or “SYE”), together with our parent company, PEWC, Siam Pacific partially restored its operations in January and February with shipments of 281 tons and 588 tons, respectively. Full production is expected to resume in the second quarterof 2012. The insurance coverage includes flood, fire, and theft but does not include losses due to business interruption.
Risks Relating to China
We conduct substantial business operations in China. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects are likely to be materially impacted by economic, legal and other developments in China.
Economic Reform Measures in the PRC May Adversely Affect the Company’s Operations or Financial Condition
The PRC government has gradually moved away from a planned economic model and implemented economic reform measures emphasizing decentralization, utilization of market forces in the development of the economy and a high level of management autonomy. While such economic reform measures are generally viewed as a positive development for foreign businesses investing or establishing operations in China, many of the reforms are at an early stageunprecedented and theremay be subject to revision, modification or termination based on the outcome of such economic changes and other considerations, such as their social impact. There is not sufficient administrative or judicial precedent to permit the Company to determine with any degree of certainty how the reforms will impact our business in China.
PRC Civil Law System May Limit the Company’s Remedies
The Chinese legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979,the late 1970s, the central government has promulgated laws and regulations dealing with economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade. In particular, since 1979, the PRC legislation over the past decades hasand regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investment in China. As foreignForeign investment laws and regulations in China are relatively newevolving and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their non-binding nature, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform anduniform. Accordingly, enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties, which may limit the remedies available to us in the event of any claims or disputes with third parties. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
PRC Control over the Convertibility of Currency May Restrict the Payment of Dividends
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from SAFE or its local branch is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency andis remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies.currencies unless SAFE has pre-approved the amortization schedule of the foreign currency loan in question. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrictput restrictions on access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. Shortages in
Pursuant to the availabilityForeign Exchange Administration Regulation promulgated on January 29, 1996, as amended on January 14, 1997 and August 5, 2008, and various regulations issued by the SAFE and other relevant PRC government authorities, the Renminbi is freely convertible only with respect to current account items, such as trade-related receipts and payments, interest and dividends. Capital account items, such as direct equity investments, loans and repatriations of investments, require the prior approval of the SAFE or its local branches for conversion of Renminbi into foreign currency, such as U.S. dollars, and remittance of the foreign currency outside the PRC. Payments for transactions that take place within the PRC must be made inRenminbi. Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account are still subject to limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, the SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities, or their competent local branches.
On August 29, 2008, the SAFE promulgated SAFE Circular No. 142, a notice regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested company of foreign currency into Renminbi by restricting how converted Renminbi may restrictbe used. This notice requires that Renminbi converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments within the PRC unless specifically provided for otherwise in its business scope. In addition, the SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of Renminbi funds converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company. The use of such Renminbi may not be changed without SAFE’s approval and may not be used to repay Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not yet been used for purposes within the Company’s approved business scope. Violations of SAFE Circular No. 142 may result in severe penalties, including substantial fines as set forth in the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulation. As a result, SAFE Circular No. 142 may impose an additional layer of bureaucratic compliance and could, under certain circumstances, limit our ability ofto transfer the proceeds from our subsidiaries innon-RMB denominated borrowing arrangements outside of the PRC to remit sufficient foreign currencyour PRC subsidiaries, which may, absent the requisite approvals from SAFE, adversely affect the continued growth of our business.
Pursuant to pay dividendsSAFE Circular No. 75, (i) a PRC resident must register with the local SAFE branch before establishing or other payments to us,controlling an overseas special purpose vehicle(“SPV”), for the purpose of obtaining overseas equity financing using the assets of or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency-denominated obligations.
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Political or Social Instability in the PRC May Adversely Affect the Company’s Operations or Financial Condition
Political or social instability in China could also adversely affect our business operations or financial condition. In particular, adverse public health epidemics or pandemics in China could not only interfere with our ability to operate our PRC subsidiaries, but could also affect the country’s overall economic growth, which could in turn affect the sales of our products in China. In addition, as our corporate headquarters are located in Taipei, any escalation in political tensions between the PRC and the government of Taiwan could impact adversely our ability to manage our Chinese operations efficiently or without third party interference.
Inflation in the PRC May Adversely Affect the Company’s Operations or Financial Condition
The rapid growth of the PRC economy has historically resulted in high levels of inflation. Ifinflation, coupled with a rise in the value of RMB against U.S. dollars. The PRC government trieshas publicly announced its commitment to control inflation, itand the anti-inflation policies of the PRC government may have an adverse effect on the business climate and growth of private enterprise in the PRC. An economic slowdown may increase our costs. If inflation is significant, our costs would likely increase, and there can be no assurance that we would be able to increase our prices to an extent that would offset the increase in our expenses.
PRC Power Shortages and Lack of Insurance May Adversely Affect the Company’s Operations or Financial Condition
We consume substantial amounts of electricity in our manufacturing processes at our production facilities in China. Certain parts of China have been subject to power shortages in recent years. We have experienced a number of power shortages at our production facilities in China to date.date, particularly in Shenzhen where numerous clusters of factories are situated. We are sometimes given advance notice of power shortages and in relation to this we currently have a backup power system at certain of our production facilities in China. However, there can be no assurance that in the future our backup power system will be completely effective in the event of a power shortage, particularly if that power shortage is over a sustained period of time and/or we are not given advance notice thereof. Any power shortage, brownout or
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The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development.development and foreign insurance companies are limited to operate only in a certain number of big cities. In particular, PRC insurance companies do not offer extensive business insurance products. As a result, we do not have anylimited business liability orand disruption insurance coverage for our operations in China. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of resources.
PRC Tax Treatments May Adversely Affect the Company’s Operations or Financial Condition
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of the PRC, or NPC, passed the new PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “New EIT Law”). Under the New EIT Law, effective January 1, 2008, China adopted a uniform tax rate of 25% for all enterprises (including foreign-invested enterprises) and revoked the then current tax exemption, reduction and preferential treatments applicable to foreign-invested enterprises. However, there is a transition period for enterprises, whether foreign-invested or domestic, that were receiving preferential tax treatments granted by relevant tax authorities at the time the New EIT Law became effective. Enterprises that are subject to an enterprise income tax, or EIT, rate lower than 25% may continue to enjoy the lower rate and gradually transition to the new tax rate within five years after the effective date of the New EIT Law. Enterprises that are currently entitled to exemptions or reductions from the standard income tax rate for a fixed term may continue to enjoy such treatment until the fixed term expires. Preferential tax treatments will continue to be granted to industries and projects that are strongly supported and encouraged by the state, and enterprises otherwise classified as such “encouraged” high-tech enterprises will be entitled to a 15% EIT rate. On April 14, 2008, the Measures for the Recognition and Administration of New and High-tech Enterprises (the “Measures”), were promulgated jointly by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the PRC, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC and the State Administration of Taxation of the PRC and became retroactively effective from January 1, 2008. Under the Measures, the term “high-tech enterprise” is defined as a resident enterprise that has been registered in the PRC (excluding Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan) for more than one year, conducts business in the new and high-tech fields encouraged by government as listed in an appendix to the Measures, continuously undertakes research and development and technology conversion, and relies on self-owned intellectual property rights as the basis of its business operation. Such new and high-tech enterprises may apply for tax incentives. Pacific Electric Wire & Cable (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“PEWS”)PEWS is the only subsidiary of the Company in the PRC that qualifies for thesestill enjoys a reduced tax incentives providedrate under the Measures.transitional period. The preferential income tax rate of PEWS under the revised tax incentive regulations was 20% in 2009, and is scheduled to be 22% in 2010 and 24% in 2011, and is 25% in 2012.
Recent
Labor Law Legislation in the PRC May Adversely Affect the Company’s Operations or Financial Condition
The Labor Contract Law which became effective on January 1, 2008. It formalizes workers’ rights concerning
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Exposure to Foreign Exchange Risks
Changes in exchange rates influence our results of operations. Our principal operations are located in Thailand, Australia, Singapore and China, and a substantial portion of our revenues is denominated in Baht, Australian dollars, Singapore dollars or Renminbi. Nearly all of the raw materials for these operations are imported and paid for in U.S. dollars and a substantial portion of our future capital expenditures are expected to be in U.S. dollars. We require a significant amount of U.S. dollars for our ongoing equipment upgrade and maintenance programs. Any devaluation of the Baht, the Australian dollar, the Singapore dollar or the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would increase the effective cost of foreign manufacturing equipment and the amount of foreign currency denominated expenses and liabilities and would have an adverse impact on our operations. Forward foreign exchange contracts are used on a selective basis to hedge foreign exchange risk, but they do not provide any assurance that we will not incur substantial losses in the event of a devaluation of the Baht, Singapore dollar or Renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
Although our reporting currency is U.S. dollars, the functional currency of our Thai operations, which accounted for 32.6%42.0% of our sales in 2009,2011, is the Baht, the functional currency of our Chinese operations (except for PEWS and CCH HK which are in US$ and account for 17.8%), which accounted for 13.6% of our sales in 2009, is the Renminbi, and theThai Baht. The functional currency of our Singapore operations, which accounted for 26.6%15.7% of Companyour sales (including sales of Distributed Products and revenues from SDI project engineering) in 2009,2011, is the Singapore dollar. The functional currency of our Australian operations, which accounted for Australian operation is in Australian dollar and account for 9.4%13.0% of total Companyour sales in 2009.2011, is the Australian dollar. The functional currencies for our China operations, in total accounted for 29.3% of our sales in 2011, are divided into two groups: for Shandong Pacific Rubber Cable Company, Ltd. (“SPRC”, equity investee with 25% equity owned by APWC, accounting under equity method for consolidation purpose),SPFO (which was disposed of on December 1, 2011) and SYE, their functional currency is Renminbi, while for CCH HK, PEWS and Epan Industries Pte. Ltd (“Epan Industries”) in Singapore, their functional currency is U.S. dollars. Accordingly, the functional currency accounts of these operations are all translated into U.S. dollars utilizing, for the year, the balance sheet exchange rate for balance sheet accounts, and an average exchange rate for the year for the income statement accounts. Such translation of the functional currency accounts is recognized as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Any devaluation of the Baht, the Australian dollar, the Singapore dollar, or the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would adversely affect our financial performance measured in U.S. dollars.
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The wire and cable industry in the Asia Pacific region is highly competitive. Our competitors include a large number of independent domestic and foreign suppliers. Certain competitors in each of our markets have substantially greater manufacturing, sales, research and financial resources than we do. We and other wire and cable producers increasingly compete on the basis of product quality and performance, reliability of supply, customer service and price. To the extent that one or more of our competitors is more successful with respect to the primary competitive factors, our business could be adversely affected.
Risks associated with Required Productivity Increases
Our business strategy includes a focus on increasing profitability through increased efficiency and productivity. In the event we are not able to implement measures to increase efficiencies and productivity, we may be limited in achieving increased profitability or may become less profitable. Moreover, productivity increases are linked to capacity utilization rates. A drop in the utilization rate of our manufacturing capacity would adversely impact productivity.
Indebtedness
As of December 31, 2009,2011, the Company had a total of $279.8$316.4 million in credit line available to itself, spreading over 22or one or more of its operating subsidiaries. The available credit is provided by a total of 14 banks aggregated for allin the various regions/territories in which we operate. Out of $279.8 million intotal available credit, $211.2$224.6 million was unused. The Company, collectively and on individual basis, is not highly leveraged and management does not consider it is notto be likely tothat the Company will become highly leveraged just because it has over 75% of the credit facilities unutilized.leveraged. Weighted average borrowing rate, for all the outstandingtheoutstanding loans combined, would sum up to be 2.6%3.71%, which runs slightly lowerhigher than like-kind borrowing rates in the marketplace, i.e., three month LIBOR (data of 0.33%April 24, 2012) of 0.47% plus 2.5%. None of the loan agreements would prohibit the companies from making acquisitions or paying dividends.
Composite Services Agreement with PEWC
We engage in transactions in the ordinary course of business with PEWC, including the purchase of certain raw materials and the distribution of PEWC products in various countries in the Asia Pacific region. We and PEWC have entered into a composite services agreement dated November 7, 1996, as amended and supplemented (the “Composite Services Agreement”), which contains provisions that define our relationship and the conduct of our respective businesses and confers certain preferential benefits on us. The Composite Services Agreement is renewable at our option and is currently in force. However, we are unable to predict whether PEWC would, at some future date, seek to limit, or be unable to perform in whole or in part, the business it conducts with the Company pursuant to the terms of the Composite Services Agreement.
Risks Relating to Thailand
A substantial portion of our Thai operations, which accounted for approximately 32.9%42.0% of our net sales in 2009,2011, consists of the manufacture of telecommunications and power cable and sales of those products for use in large-scale telecommunications projects and various construction projects in Thailand. As a result, our future performanceresults will depend in part on the political situation in Thailand and the general state of the Thai
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While the political upheavalturmoil in Thailand has resulted,subsided since 2010, the continuing political uncertainty and the risk of further social unrest lessens the attractiveness of the local market for foreign investment, and diminishes the focus of the government on infrastructure development, both of which considerations may continue to result,adversely impact on the volume of business of the Company’s actual and potential customers in a reduced volume, or cancellation or suspension, of contracts with the Thai government, a significant customer of the Company.market. The Company’s Thai operations are increasinglyremain vulnerable to uncertainties with regard to payment for current sales and the award of future contracts in view of the ongoing political crisisinstability in Thailand. Additionally, in recent years the Thai economy has been highly cyclical and volatile, depending for economic growth in substantial part on a number of government initiatives for economic expansion. However,Moreover, the Baht remains volatile and subject to significant fluctuations in relation to the U.S. dollar. Such fluctuations in the value of the Baht may negatively impact our performance.
Environmental Liabilities
We are subject to certain environmental protection laws and regulations governing our operations and the use, handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances used by us. A risk of environmental liability could arise from our manufacturing activities in the event of a release or discharge by us of a hazardous substance. Under certain environmental laws, we could be held responsible for the remediation of any hazardous substance contamination at our facilities and at third party waste disposal sites and could also be held liable for any consequences arising out of human exposure to such substances or other environmental damage. There can be no assurance that the costs of complying with environmental, health and safety laws and requirements in our current operations or the liabilities arising from past releases of, or exposure to, hazardous substances, will not result in future expenditures by us that could materially and adversely affect our financial results, cash flows or financial condition.
Alternative Transmission Technologies
Our fiber optic and copper-based telecommunications business is subject to competition from other transmission technologies, principally wireless-based technologies. Fiber optic cable is presently being used in telecommunications trunks and feeder cable businesses and minimally in the access cable business. In November 2011 we sold our entire 51% equity interest in SPFOto a group of buyers in China for a cash consideration of $2.9 million, due to its low profit margin generation and fierce competition in the local fiber optic cable market. In the Asia Pacific markets where we compete, wireless telecommunications businesses have sometimes made substantial inroads in early emerging markets where sufficient funding may not then be available to install the infrastructure necessary for market-wide fixed line telecommunications. In addition, the ease of use of wireless telecommunications may make that medium an attractive alternative in circumstances where access to fixed line telecommunications is limited. While these technologies do present significant competition in the markets in which we conduct or plan to conduct business, the Company believes that demand for its fixed wire products will remain strong. However, no assurance can be given that the future development and use of such alternative technologies will not adversely affect our results of operations.
International Business Risks
We are subject to risks specific to our international business operations, including: the risk of supply disruption,disruption; production disruption or other disruption arising from events of force majeure, such as the severe weather and climatic events that caused the 2011 floods in Thailand; the outbreak of highly infectious or communicable diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, swine influenza or pandemics of a similar nature; the risk of potential conflict and further instability in the relationship between Taiwan and the PRC; risks related to national and international political instability, such as disruptions to business activities and investment arising out of the political unrest and turmoil currently occurring in Thailand; risks related to the recent global economic turbulence and adverse economic developments in a number of Asian markets; unpredictable consequences on the economic conditions in the U.S. and the rest of the world arising from terrorist attacks, such as the attacks of September 11, 2001 in the U.S. and other military or security operations; unexpected changes in regulatory requirements or legal uncertainties regarding tax regimes; tariffs and other trade barriers, including current and future import and export restrictions; difficulties in staffing and managing international operations in countries such as Australia, Singapore, the PRC, Thailand and Taiwan; risks that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will make our products comparatively more expensive; limited ability to enforce agreements and other rights in foreign countries; changes in labor conditions; longer payment cycles and greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable; burdens and costs of compliance with a variety of foreign laws; limitation on imports or exports and the possible expropriation of private enterprises; and
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Item 4:4 Information on the Company
4.1 History and Development of the Company
General
Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Limited was formed on September 19, 1996 as a Bermuda exempted limited liability company under the Companies Act. The address of the Company’s principal place of business is 7/Fl. B, No. 132, Sec. 3, Min-Sheng East Road, Taipei, 105, Taiwan, Republic of China, and its telephone number is (886) 2-2712-2558. Puglisi & Associates, located at 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware 19711, is the Company’s agent for service of process in the United States.
The Company is principally engaged in the manufacture and distribution of telecommunications (copper and fiber optic) and power cable and enameled wire products in the Asia Pacific region, primarily in Thailand, China, Singapore and Australia. The Company manufactures and distributes its own wire and cable products (“Manufactured Products”) and also distributes wire and cable products (“Distributed Products”) manufactured bymanufacturedby its principal shareholder, Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Company, a Taiwanese company (“PEWC”).PEWC. The Company also provides project engineering services in the supply, delivery and installation (“SDI”) of power cables to certain of its customers.
Principal Capital Expenditures and Divestitures
Total purchases of property, plant and equipment amounted to $2.7 million in 2007, $3.4 million in 2008 and $3.3 million in 2009. Those purchases related mainly to the capacity expansion of certain subsidiaries2009, $3.7 million in Thailand2010, and China, particularly Charoong Thai,$8.9 million in 2011, mostly for old machinery replacements for Australia Pacific Electric Cable Pty Limited (“APEC”) and to the replacement of oldSigma Cable Company (Private) Limited (“Sigma Cable”), and for newly purchased production machinery and equipment at various operating facilities.
4.2
4.2.1 Certain Recent Events
On April 30, 2012, the Company replacing Mr. Samuel See who had served as interim chiefannounced certain of its financial officer. Mr. Tseng was previously the Deputy CFO for ABB Taiwan.
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On March 21, 2012, the Company announced that it has been awarded three new supply contracts in Singapore valued at approximately $87 million.
On February 9, 2012, the Company announced the appointment of MZ-HCI as APWC’s new investor relations firm. The contract with MZ-HCI would provide APWC with total solution in terms of investor relations work, investor relations website design, press releases and XBRL report printing with reduced costs.
On October 22, 20097, 2011, the Company’s shareholders passed a resolution at the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) adopting the third amended and restated bye-laws of the Company (the “Bye-Laws”), which allowthe Company to purchase its own shares for cancellation or acquire them to be held as treasury shares, as provided for in Section 42B of the Companies Act, and to be applied or allotted for any of the purposes permitted by said Section 42B. At the AGM, the shareholders also elected to the Board each of the Directors named in Item 6 of this Annual Report.
On September 7, 2011, the Commission declared effective the Company’s Post‑Effective Amendment No. 8 to a registration statement on Form F‑1 reporting on and converting to Form F‑3, covering 2,766,154 Common Shares, of which 1,410,739 Common Shares are held by PEWC and 1,355,415 Common Shares are held by COF.
On April 29, 2011, the Common Shares of the Company commenced trading on the NASDAQ Capital Markets tier.
On March 17, 2011, the Board passed resolutions whereby 1) it accepted the resignation of an existing director, Mr. Lee Gai Poo, 2) it appointed a resolution whereby in connection withnew member to the restructuring plan, Crown Century Holdings Limited (“CCH HK”),Board, Dr. Lambert Ding, as an independent director, who also serves as a wholly-owned subsidiarymember of the Company, plannedAudit Committee, and 3) it passed on amendment to acquire 51%the Audit Committee charter, to clarify that the appointment of the shares Asia Pacific Electric Cable, Pty, Ltd., an Australian company owned 13.79% by APWCindependent auditors is subject to shareholder approval.
4.2.2 Managing Our Business in Current Market Conditions
In order to address the continuing market challenges facing our business, the Company has taken and 86.21% by Sigma Cable Co. (Pte) Limited (“Sigma Cable”). The plan would call forplans to continue to implement a transfernumber of shares from Sigma Cable for a consideration of $9,958,917,measures in order to offsetmaintain efficient operations.
Specifically, the Company has continued to focus on increased efforts to collect its receivables on a timely basis. The days of sales outstanding in 2011 have improved from 102 days to 92 days. The Company continues to focus on working actively with all of its significant customers to reduce collection times and minimize write-offs. The Company has also reduced its inventory levels through planned reductions in raw material purchases while negotiating with suppliers to reduce costs of raw materials and supplies. The Company has focused also on reducing operating costs where practicable. Overall the Company has decreasedits headcount by 92 since the beginning of 2011, which reflected management’s view that the business of APWC would experience some slowness in 2011, which would also cause an erosion on net income for the fiscal year. ��Accordingly, headcount reduction became one of the cost containment measures taken by the Company. The Company has entered into certain copper futures contracts in Singapore and at CTW in several instances in order to reduce the effect of the current volatility in copper prices on its operations. The Company has also negotiated and finalized arrangements with banks for additional loans being extendedand credit facilities to be applied against construction of NPC’s plant.
We believe that the successful implementation of these actions has had a positive effect on our cash resources, and we intend to continue these measures in order to preserve our liquidity and maintain a strong cash position. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had available and unused lines of credits from suppliers, banks and other lenders totaling, in the aggregate, approximately $224.6 million, an increase of $38.6 million from a year ago. We believe however that available and unused amounts of credit are sufficient to support our current working capital needs. The total bank loans and trust receipts outstanding as of year-end 2011 were also reduced to the lowest level in some time, from $67.4 million in 2010 to $52.8 million in 2011, reflecting the downward trend of copper price at end of fourth quarter 2011 and also our effort in controlling the raw material stock level.
4.2.3 Recent Business Trends
APWC experienced a 5.7% growth in overall revenues in 2011 over 2010, but suffered a decrease in gross margins of 3.5% in 2011 when compared with that of 2010. Operating profit was down from $28.7 million in 2010 to $1.9 million in 2011, due to the fact that the Company wrote off goodwill in the amount of $8.8 million and Siam Pacific incurred flood damage of $3.9 million. The gross margin erosion in 2011 can be attributed primarily to two factors: 1) the copper price per tonnage in 2011 increased by CCH HK17% whereas our average selling price only increased by 11.7% and 2) our factory machinery utilization rate was below the optimal level. The cost of sales increased as a result of the 2011 drop in our factory utilization rate. The material decline in gross margin, and the other factors that impacted adversely on our results, yielded loss per share of $0.49 per share in 2011 compared to Sigma Cable. This transaction was completed on March 3,earnings per share of $1.02 in 2010.
4.3 Business Overview
The Company is a holding company that operates its business through operating subsidiaries and joint ventures, principally located in Thailand, China, Singapore and Australia.
The following chart shows the organizational structure of the Company and its principal operating subsidiaries, including joint venture ownerships, and the percentage of ownership interest and voting power in each case. The location of the headquarters of each company is indicated in parentheses under the company’s name (“S” for Singapore, “T” for Thailand, “A” for Australia and “C” for China or Hong Kong).
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Charoong Thai is a publicly-traded Thai corporation, the shares of which are listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (“SET”). It manufactures aluminum and copper electric wire, medium and high voltage power cable and telecommunications cable. It has subsidiaries and affiliates in the businesses of optic fiber cable manufacturing and telecommunication and network services. Charoong Thai was established in Thailand in 1967 as a limited public company. As of December 31, 2009,2011, the Company effectively owned 50.93% of the issued and outstanding shares of Charoong Thai. The Company’s present intention is to maintain majority ownership of the voting securities of Charoong Thai. The board of directors of Charoong Thai may authorize the issuance of additional shares of common stock of Charoong Thai. The Company has preemptive rights to purchase an amount of additional shares equal to its pro rata share of theany additional authorized shares, less amounts reserved for directors, officers and employees. In the event the board of Charoong Thai decides to cause it to issue those additional shares, the Company may decide not to exercise its preemptive right,rights, in which case the Company’s interest may be diluted.
Siam Pacific was established in 1988 as a joint venture between PEWC and Ital-Thai,Italian-Thai Development Plc (“Ital-Thai”), a third party, which at the time was the largest diversified construction company in Thailand, principally engaged in the design, engineering, construction and project management of large-scale civil engineering and telecommunications projects in Thailand. Capitalizing on PEWC’s wire and cable manufacturing expertise and Ital-Thai’s significant presence in the local market, Siam Pacific was able to establish its presence in this market and gain knowledge of business opportunities in Thailand. Siam-Pacific is now a 100%-owned subsidiary of Charoong Thai and it
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Pacific Thai (now transferred into Siam Pacific) was established in 1989 and isas a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siam Pacific. Pacific Thai producesproduced enameled wire for export only and has a special tax status which exempts it from import duties on raw materials used in export manufacturing. This special tax status must be renewed each year.
Based on information published by the Thai Ministry of Commerce on sales by dollar value, the Company believes that Siam Pacific and Charoong Thai are two of leading telecommunications and power cable and wire manufacturers in Thailand and are two of a fewvery limited number of the government-approved suppliers of telecommunications cablecables for major public telecommunications projects.
In a restructuring exercise,that included the transfer of the business of Pacific Thai into Siam Pacific, the Company has merged its Thai operations,achieved a reorganization, which has generated cost savings while improving overall efficiency. The Company believes the synergistic effect of merging these operations will continue to produce significant savings in overhead cost as it facilitates the centralization of decision making and resource allocation for the Thai operations. The management mergerManagement of Pacific Thai and Siam Pacific was consolidated into CTW group would bring synergyCharoong Thai in order to enhance synergies and expertiseprovide greater sharing of expertise. For example, each of Charoong Thai and Siam Pacific manufactures and distributes enameled wire and they are now in a better position to share among themselves. For example, Siam Pacific’s own concentration on producing enameled wire, together with CTW producingtechnical expertise and resources. Under the same product, may bring market integration in the local market and export business overseas. For now,restructuring, APWC still owns 50.93% of CTW shareholder structure without dilution concern, and SP and PT continueCharoong Thai, which owns 100% of Siam Pacific. However, Siam Pacific continues to report theirits results separately to APWC headquarters.
China
The Company’s China operations are conducted through sixseven business entities.entities – Shanghai Yayang, CCH HK, PEWS, NPC, SPFO (which was disposed of in December 2011), SPRC (equity investee), and SHP (equity investee). The operating entities include Shanghai Yayang, Electric Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Yayang”), formerly known as Shanghai Pacific Electric Co., Ltd., a joint venture in Shanghai incorporated in June 1998 to manufacture enameled wire.wires. The Company’s effective holding in Shanghai Yayang is 54.41%. Shanghai Yayang is also partly held by Pacific Thai. Shanghai Yayang manufactures enameled wirewires with a diameter between 0.05mm and 2.5mm for sale and distribution in the eastern part of China, including to local and Taiwanese based manufacturers.end-users. Sitting inon the board are six directors, either came frommembers of management of Shanghai Yayang who are expatriated from Taiwan or Thai representatives, also expatriated fromor designated by APWC or PEWC.
The Company owns Crown Century Holdings Limited (“100% of CCH HK”),HK, a Hong Kong registered company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary company, Pacific Electric Wire & Cable (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“PEWS” or “PEWSC”).PEWS. PEWS manufactures enameled wirewires for electronic,electric, video and audio products primarily for export and with a little portion sold domestically. Since a restructuring in the first quarter of 2010, CCH HK is no longer the trading arm of PEWS. The contributions of CCH HK/PEWS, as it transferred its distribution role to the Company’s annual operating results traditionally have been substantial.Epan Industries in Singapore. The Company believes that CCH HK/PEWS is one of the leadingmajor manufacturers and distributors of enameled wire products in the southsouthern Chinese market.
Until 2006, the Company’s China operations included NPC, a telecommunications cable manufacturing joint venture located in Ningbo Yin County, Zhejiang Province in eastern China. The other owner of NPC is China Ningbo City Yin Jiang County Yin Jiang Town Industrial Corporation. NPC used to manufacture a range of telecommunications cable and local area network (“LAN”) electronic cables for sale and distribution in the Chinese domestic market and export market. In 2006, the Company decided to cease operations at NPC, as it concluded that the prospects for reversing the losses and achieving profitability were too remote. Thereafter, the Company liquidated certain machinery and equipment through sales to third parties. The land, building and some leftover machinery and equipment remained with NPC. In December 2009, the Company started a series of discussions with Bangkok Bank Hong Kong branch on a possible loan which would provide a cash infusion and a trade finance facility, each aimed at re-building NPC to be a viable operation focusing on producing electronic wiring. The new business draws upon the experience of, and technology from, our parent company, PEWC. The loan facility agreement was finalized in March 2011, thereby allowing for a total cash contribution of $14 million and a trade credit line of $8 million, with the first tranche of capital funding of $5 million infused to NPC at the end of May 2011, increasing APWC’s ownership to 95.80%. Theconstruction of NPC’s factory is divided in two phases with the existing plant finished in October 2011 and the new plant targeted to be completed by the end of 2012.
In November 2011, the Company sold its 51% interest in SPFO, a joint venture company in Yanggu County, Shandong Province, China. SPFO was established to manufacture fiber optic cables for the China market. The Company ownsdetermined that its resources in the China market are better deployed in further developing its core wire and cable business, rather than seeking to establish itself in the fiber optic business.
The Company holds a 51.0%25.0% interest in SPFO, withSPRC, which manufactures rubber cable for the China market. The remaining interest75% is owned by the joint venture partner, Shandong Yanggu Wire & Cable CompanyCorp. Ltd. (“Shandong Yanggu”), an established cable manufacturer in Shandong Province that produces a wide range of cable products and is considered one of the leadingmajor cable producers in China.
The Company holds a 25.0% interest in Shandong Pacific Rubber Cable Company, Ltd. (“SPRC”), which manufactures rubber cable for the China market. The remaining 75% is owned by Shandong Yanggu.
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Singapore
The Company’s Singapore operations are principally conducted through its 98.3%-owned subsidiary, Sigma Cable Company (Private) Limited (“Sigma Cable”). Based on information on sales by dollar value provided by the Cable Association in Singapore, theCable. The Company believes that Sigma Cable is one of the largest or second largest suppliermajor suppliers of power cable products in Singapore. Sigma Cable manufactures and sells a range of low voltage power cable products, used mainly in infrastructure projects and commercial and residential developments. Sigma Cable is also the exclusive distributor in Singapore of medium and high voltage wire and cable products manufactured by PEWC.
Sigma Cable also has project engineering operations in Singapore to supply, deliver and install (“SDI”) primarily medium and high voltage cable to power transmission projects. While the Company currently obtains its supply of medium and high voltage power cable for its SDI operations from PEWC, other suppliers are also available if necessary. The Company anticipates that there will be increasingmodest demand for medium and high voltage power cable and related turnkey installation projects insponsored by Singapore and the Company is seeking to increase its business volume in its project engineering business segment.
The Company also holds a 100% interest in Sigma-Epan InternationalIndustries, Pte. Ltd. (“Sigma-Epan”), a group of companies with its headquarters and limited operations in Singapore and Malaysia. Sigma-Epan group has its headquarters in Singapore. Prior to ceasing manufacturing operations in May of 2007, Sigma-Epan manufactured specialty cables and assembled cable harnesses for the electronics, computer, building automation, audio and communication industries. Sigma-Epan continues to trade specialty electronic and other types of cables.
26 After the Company’s restructuring, which was completed in April 2010, Epan Industries, one of the subsidiaries of Sigma-Epan, became the trading arm for PEWS products in the South China market.
Australia
4.3.1 Products and Services
The Company engages in three principal business lines consisting of the manufacture of wire and cable products, the distribution of its own manufactured products and of certain wire and cable products manufactured by PEWC, as well as some third party products, and the provision of project engineering services to certain of its customers. The Company manufactures and sells a wide variety of wire and cable products primarily in fourthree general categories: telecommunications cable, power transmission cable, and enameled wire and, until May 2007, electronic cables, which the Company ceased to manufacture as of that date. wires.The Company’s telecommunications and power cables are used in a range of infrastructure projects and in commercial and residential developments. The Company’s enameled wire is used in the manufacturing of components and sub-components of household appliances and small machinery. The electronic cables, which include cable harnesses, are used in the electronics, computer, building automation, audio and communication industries. In addition, the Company acts as the Singapore distributor of wire and cable products manufactured by PEWC. The Company also offers SDI project engineering services of medium and high voltage cable for power transmission projects in Singapore.
Distribution Products
The Company has a sales and marketing force for the distribution of its manufactured productsManufactured Products in the markets where it has manufacturing facilities and in certain other Asian markets. In addition, the Company is a distributor of wire and cable products manufactured by PEWC. The leading PEWC products sold by the Company are medium and high voltage power cable (with capacities ranging from 3.3 kilovolts to 69 kilovolts), with the vast majority of such sales made in Singapore. The PEWC products sold by the Company do not compete with the Company’s manufactured products.
Services
SDI Project Engineering Services
Based on trendsupon the needs of government and the private sector expansion and upgrading ofwith regard to residential and commercial buildings and infrastructure projects in Singapore, the Company anticipates modest demand for medium and high
27
4.3.2 Manufacturing
Copper rod is the base component for most of the Company’s products. The manufacturing processes for these products require that the rod be “drawn” and insulated. In the “drawing” process, copper rod is drawn through a series of dies to reduce the copper to a specific diameter. For certain applications, the drawn copper conductor is then plated with tin. Copper used in cable is covered with various insulating materials that are applied in an extrusion process. The insulated wires are then combined, or “cabled” to produce the desired electrical properties and transmission capabilities. Then, depending upon the cable, some form of protective coverprotectivecover is placed over the cabled wires. A summary of the manufacturing process used for the Company’s primary wire and cable products is set forth below.
Telecommunications Cable
The Company produces a wide range of bundled telecommunications cable for telephone and data transmissions with different capacities and insulations designed for use in various internal and external environments principally as access cable to connect buildings and residents to trunk cables. Telecommunications cables produced by the Company include copper-based and fiber optic cables.
Production of copper-based telecommunications cable begins by drawing a copper rod until it has reached the desired diameter, after which the drawn wires are subjected to a process called “annealing” in which the wires are heated in order to make the wires softer and more pliable. Utilizing an extrusion process, which involves the feeding, melting and pumping of a compound through a die to shape it in final form as it is applied to insulate the wire, the wires are then covered by a polyethylene (“PE”) or polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) compound and foam skin, suitable for different installations and environmental conditions. In order to reduce the cross-talk between pairs of communication wires, the insulated wires are then “twinned” or twisted so that two insulated single wires are combined to create a color-coded twisted pair. The twisted pairs of wire are then “cabled” or “stranded” into units of 25 twisted pairs for combination with other 25 pair units to form cable of various widths and capacities. The appropriate number of units areis cabled together after stranding to form a round cable core. Depending upon the planned environment, a petroleum jelly compound may then be added to fill the cable core to seal out moisture and water vapor. Aluminum or copper tape is used to “shield” the cable and, finally, the shielded cable core is covered by plastic outer sheathing. The Company manufactures telecommunications cable with capacities and sizes ranging from 25 to 3,000 pairs of 0.4 mm-diameter wire to 10 to 600 pairs of 0.9 mm-diameter wire.
Power Cable
The Company produces a range of armored and unarmored low voltage power transmission cable. Low voltage power cable, generally considered to be cable with a capacity of 1 to 3.3 kilovolts, is typically used to transmit electricity to and within commercial and residential buildings, as well as to outdoor installations such as street lights, traffic signals and other signs. Armored low-voltage power cable is usually used for public lighting and power transmission running to buildings and installed either above or below ground. Unarmored low voltage cable is mainly used as lighting and power supply cable inside and outside of buildings. The voltage capacity of the Company’s power cables range from 300 volts to one kilovolt.
28
Unarmored cable is composed of one or more cores of copper wire, insulated by substances such as PVC. Armored cable is produced in the same manner and the same range of configurations as unarmored cable, but with the addition of an outer layer of galvanized steel or iron wires to protect the cable from damage.
Enameled Wire
The Company also produces several varieties of enameled wire. Enameled wire is copper wire varnished, in an enameling process, by insulating materials. The enameling process makes the wire more resistant to oil, heat, friction and fusion, and therefore suitable for use in machinery and components and sub-components of manufactured goods. The Company manufactures enameled wire in sizes that range from 0.02 mm to 4.00 mm in diameter, varnished by various types of petroleum insulation materials including polyvinyl formal, polyurethane wire and polyester, among others. Enameled wire products are used in the assembly of a wide range of electrical products, including oil-filled transformers, refrigerator motors, telephones, radios, televisions, fan motors, air conditioner compressors and other electric appliances.
4.3.3 Raw Materials
Copper is the principal raw material used by the Company accounting for approximately 70% of the total 2009 cost of sales of copper-based products. The Company purchases copper at prices based on the average prevailing international spot market prices on the London Metal Exchange (the “LME”)LME for copper for the one month prior to purchase. The price of copper is influenced heavily by global supply and demand as well as speculative trading. As with other costs of production, changes in the price of copper may affect the Company’s cost of sales. Whether this has a material impact on the Company’s operating margins and financial results depends primarily on the Company’s ability to adjust selling prices to its customers, such that increases and decreases in the price of copper are fully reflected in those selling prices. Most sales of Company manufactured productsthe Company’s Manufactured Products reflect copper prices prevailing at the time the products are ordered. A long-term decrease in the price of copper would require the Company to revalue the value of its inventory at periodic intervals to the then net realizable value, which could be below cost.
The Company purchases copper in the form of rods and cathodes. Copper cathodes are thin sheets of copper purified from copper ore. Copper purchased by the Company in the form of cathodes must be sent to subcontractors to be melted and cast into the copper rods necessary for the manufacturing processes, for a processing fee equal to approximately 3.5% (based on the Company’s past experience) of the copper cathode purchase price. The Company presently relies on the services of Thai Metal Processing Co., Ltd., the Company’s long term equity investment, to process its copper cathodes into copper rods in Thailand, although the Company has a variety of processing companies from which to obtain these services. Construction of such a processing facility could also be an additional source of revenues and profit, to the extent that sales are made to unaffiliated parties. Copper rods are drawn into copper wire for the production of telecommunications cable, power cable and enameled wire.
29
The Company purchases both copper cathodes which are subjectsubjected to a 1.0% import tariff, and copper rods which normally are subject to a 5.0% import tariff for use at its Thailand operations in order to avoid the higher import tariff of 5.0% on copper rods.operations. The Company obtains copper cathodes from three major suppliers which import cathodes into the Thai market. Thesekey suppliers are Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd - India, PEWC-Taiwan, Prime Global Corp.-Korea, Lanexang Mineral Ltd.-Laos and the Mitsubishi Corporation Mitsui & Co (Thailand)Unimetal Ltd.-Japan, Mitsubishi Corporation, Glencore International AG., and Marubeni Corporation. The Company has regularly signed one-year contracts with each of itsthe copper cathode suppliers, pursuant to which the Company agrees to purchase a set quantity of copper cathodes each month. Under the terms of such contracts, the price of copper cathodes is usually “pegged”pegged to the monthly average of the spot price of copper on the LME for the delivery month (M-0), or 1 month before delivery month (M-1) plus a premium. The Company believes itshas almost two decades of good relationships with its threemany copper cathodesuppliers, and currently believes that the copper suppliers will allow access to alternative supplies inbe capable of providing an adequate supply of copper for the event one or more of such suppliers was unable or unwilling to renew a supply contract on terms satisfactory to the Company, although theCompany’s requirements. The Company does not anticipate any change in relations with its copper suppliers in the near term.
The Company attempts to maintain approximately a three to five week supply of copper rods and cathodes for its Thai operations and approximately a two to four week supply in Singapore. In PEWS, the Company was able to maintaingenerally maintains one to two weeks of supply of copper rods and cathodes. In APEC, the copper supply was maintained at one to two weeks during 2011. In Epan Industries whose copper is purchased through CCH HK, approximately three weeks of copper supply is preserved for manufacturing purposes. The Company has never experienced a material supply interruption or difficulty obtaining a sufficient supply of copper rod or cathode.
Other raw materials used by the Company include aluminum used as a conductor in power cable and petroleum-based insulation materials such as PE, PVC and jelly compounds for insulating covers on cables and varnishes on enameled wire; aluminum foils for sheathing of communication cable; and galvanized steel wire for the production of armored wire. The Company has not had any difficulty in maintaining adequate supplies ofsuppliesof these raw materials and expects to continue to be able to purchase such raw materials at prevailing market prices.
Other than import tariffs in Thailand, the Company does not face any restriction or control on the purchase or import of its raw materials. The Company may freely choose its suppliers and negotiate the price and quantity of material with its suppliers. The Company formulates consumption plans for raw materials regularly and continually monitors market conditions in respect of the supply, price and quality of raw materials.
Inflation would increase the cost of raw materials and operating expenses for the Company. The Company would try to maintain its gross margins by increasing the prices of its products.
4.3.4 Quality Control
The Company places a significant emphasis on product quality. The Company has implemented a range of quality control procedures with stringent quality standards under the supervision of a dedicated quality control staff. Quality control procedures are implemented from the raw material to the finished product stages at each of the Company’s major production facilities. Raw materials are inspected to ensure they meet the necessary level of quality before production begins. During the manufacturing process, quality control procedures are performed at several stages of production. Upon completion, finished goods are brought to quality control centers set up in the factory for inspection and testing of different electrical and physical properties.
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All the major companies in the group have attained International Standards Organization (“ISO”) 9002 certification for quality management and assurance standards in the manufacture of electric wire and cable and have maintained that certification for at least the last ten years. The certifications mean that the companies have in place quality assurance systems and the capability to consistently manufacture products of quality.
4.3.5 Sales and Marketing
The Company’s telecommunications cable and power cable products are primarily sold in the domestic markets of the countries where they are manufactured, whereas most of the enameled wire manufactured by the Company in Thailand is exported. Enameled wire sold by Epan Industries in Singapore is manufactured by PEWS in Shenzhen, China. The enameled wire is also exported to take advantage of Pacific Thai’s tax status exempting it from paying import duties on raw materials used in the manufacture of export product.customers throughout Southeast Asia. The following table sets forth the Company’s sales revenues for the periods indicated among its three business segments — i.e., Manufactured Products, Distributed Products, and SDI and, within the manufactured productsManufactured Products segment, by geographic market,locations of manufacturing, together with their respective percentage share of total sales revenue for such periods:periods.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollar figures ($) are in thousands of US$) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | % | $ | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Manufactured Products: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thailand | 249,337 | 48.9 | 149,544 | 43.1 | 117,954 | 32.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Singapore | 31,762 | 6.2 | 35,318 | 7.1 | 34,583 | 9.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Australia | 55,789 | 10.9 | 61,167 | 12.2 | 33,935 | 9.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
China | 157,917 | 30.9 | 134,999 | 27.0 | 113,649 | 31.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | 494,805 | 96.8 | 447,848 | 89.4 | 300,121 | 82.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Distributed Products(1) | 10,783 | 2.1 | 32,415 | 6.5 | 28,102 | 7.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
SDI Project Engineering(2) | 5,253 | 1.0 | 20,535 | 4.1 | 34,008 | 9.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total net sales | 510,841 | 100.0 | 500,798 | 100.0 | 362,231 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
(Figures in 2009 and 2010 were restated to reflect the results of discontinued operations of SPFO. For details, see “Item 5.3: Operating Results”)
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| Years ended December 31, | |||||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 | |||
|
| $ | % |
| $ | % |
| $ | % |
Manufactured Products: |
|
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|
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|
Thailand |
| 117,954 | 36.2% |
| 190,364 | 42.6% |
| 186,034 | 39.4% |
Singapore |
| 34,583 | 10.6% |
| 34,248 | 7.7% |
| 52,353 | 11.1% |
Australia |
| 33,935 | 10.4% |
| 45,053 | 10.1% |
| 58,932 | 12.5% |
China |
| 77,656 | 23.8% |
| 126,394 | 28.3% |
| 132,155 | 28.0% |
Total |
| 264,128 | 81.0% |
| 396,059 | 88.7% |
| 429,475 | 91.0% |
Distributed Products (1) |
| 28,102 | 8.6% |
| 26,935 | 6.0% |
| 25,500 | 5.4% |
SDI Project Engineering (2) | 34,008 | 10.4% |
| 23,600 | 5.3% |
| 16,972 | 3.6% | |
Total Net Sales |
| 326,238 | 100.0% |
| 446,594 | 100.0% |
| 471,946 | 100.0% |
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(1) Distributed products are sold in Singapore, Thailand, and Australia. | |||||||||
(2) All SDI project Engineering is supplied in Singapore. |
Sales within Thailand and Singapore are made directly by the sales department of the Company’s local subsidiaries in accordance with terms and pricing set by the local subsidiaries. The local subsidiaries are also responsible for sales planning, marketing strategy and customer liaison. The Company’s sales staff is knowledgeable about the Company’s products and frequently must render technical assistance, consulting services and repair and maintenance services to the Company’s customers. In order to ensure quality service and maintain sensitivity to market conditions, the Company does not conduct sales through independent sales agents on a commission basis but uses its own sales employees located at the operating subsidiaries.
As copper constitutes the costliestmost significant component of the Company’s wire and cable products, the price of the Company’s products depends primarily upon the price of copper. In order to minimize the impact of copper
31
Payment methods for the Company’s products vary with markets and customers. The majority of sales by the Company of its manufactured products requireManufactured Products requires payment within 90 days, but may vary depending on the customer and payment record. Sales pursuant to a successful project tender or sales to governmental or public utilities are conducted in accordance with the tender or other applicable regulations. In connection with the distribution of medium and high voltage power cable manufactured by PEWC, the Company is required to pay PEWC 90% of the cost of the products either within 30 days of receipt of the product or, in the case of SDI products, upon installation, with the remaining 10% in either case to be paid within one year. In connection with the purchase of copper rod, the Company is required to pay PEWC the cost of the copper rod within 30 days from obtaining the products from PEWC. For the export market, payment is usually made by prior delivery of an irrevocable letter of credit. Neither the Company nor its local subsidiaries offeroffers financing for purchases of the Company’s products. The Company sells itsExcept for PEWS, CCH HK and Epan Industries, the Company’s subsidiaries sell their products in the local currency of the country of sale. Company employees engaged in sales and marketing are paid a salary and may also receive a bonus based on performance.
Products are marketed under the respective names of each company. For instance, products manufactured by Siam Pacific are marketed under the “Siam Pacific” and “PTEWC” brands, both registered trademarks in Thailand; products. Products manufactured by Sigma Cable are sold under the “Sigma Cable” brand.
Thailand
The Company produces and sells telecommunicationstelecommunication cable, enameled wire and power cable in Thailand. Sales of telecommunications cables, the Company’s leading product in Thailand, are conducted either by tender for participation in large scale telecommunications projectsCharoong Thai is one of the TOT Corporation Ple. (“TOT”), or directlyleading cable manufacturers in Thailand. Our distribution channels are both direct sell and agencies to subcontractorsthe government and private sectors. The major customers of TT&Tthe Company are many prominent clients working with the government and contractors (True Corporation Ple.Plc (“True”), TT&T (“Triple T”), etc.), subcontractors, and distributors for the two private telephone line contractors which would be licensed by TOT with regard to particular projects. Power cable (and a limited quantity of telecommunications cable) is generally sold to construction firms or contractorssector. Charoong Thai successfully concluded many projects, for use in infrastructure, commercialinstance, Suwannabhumi International Airport, Government Center, PTT Maptaput, and residential construction projects. The Company generally sells enameled wire directly to manufacturers of electric motors for use in various consumer appliances. Enameled wire purchasers tend to be smaller businesses than those that purchase telecommunications and power cable. A small quantity of power and telecommunications cable and enameled wire is sold to general electrical products supply companies which then resell to end users.
Singapore
The Company produces and sells low voltage power cable in Singapore. In addition, the Company sells a wide range of wire and cable products produced by PEWC. Power cables manufactured by the Company and PEWC are primarily sold to SP Powerassets, a quasi-public entity responsible for power delivery in Singapore, and to a large number of private contractors and construction firms. The Company also offers project engineering services for the SDI of medium and high voltage power cable to power transmission projects in Singapore.
In Singapore alone, sales of manufactured productsManufactured Products in 20092011 accounted for 36.5%70.6% of the net sales in Singapore; sales of Distributed Products in 20092011 accounted for 28.9% with7.8%, the remaining 34.6% comprised of21.6% representing SDI project engineering services. In 2009, sales to SP Powerassets alone accounted for approximately 71.42% of the Company’s total sales in Singapore and 18.1% of the Company’s total aggregate sales. While the Company is seeking to increase the volume of business in its SDI business segment, in 20092011, sales of SDI project engineering services to SP Powerassets Ltd. accounted for 100% of the Company’s SDI sales. Approximately 34.5% of the sales to SP Powerassets in 2009 were sales of Distributed Products, which sales have a low profit margin. Such sales are not made under a continuingcomprehensive contract, but pursuant towith purchase orders
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| Years ended December 31, | ||
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
Manufactured Product: |
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|
|
Power Cable | 34,583 | 34,248 | 52,353 |
Total | 34,583 | 34,248 | 52,353 |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(figures are in thousands of US$) | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Manufactured Product: | ||||||||||||
Power Cable | 7,109 | 6,435 | 11,519 | |||||||||
Electronic Wire | 3,493 | 194 | 692 | |||||||||
Total | 10,602 | 6,629 | 12,211 | |||||||||
China
The Company produces and sells copper-based telecommunication cable fiber optic cables and enameled wire in China. The Company’s China operations are conducted through six fivebusiness entities. Copper-based telecommunication cables and fiber optic cables are generally sold to the national, provincial or local offices of the fixed-line and mobile telecommunications network operators or sub-contactorssub-contractors of such agencies. The Company generally sells enameled wire directly to manufacturers of electric motors for use in various consumer appliances.
4.3.6 Competition
The wire and cable industry in the Asia Pacific region is highly competitive. The Company’s competitors include a large number of independent domestic and foreign suppliers. Certain competitors in each of the Company’s markets have substantially greater manufacturing, sales, research and financial resources than the Company. The Company and other wire and cable producers increasingly compete on the basis of product quality and performance, reliability of supply, customer service and price. To the extent that one or more of the Company’s competitors is more successful with respect to the primary competitive factors, the Company’s business could be adversely affected.
Thailand
The wire and cable industry in Thailand is highly competitive. In its various product lines, the Company competes with a total of approximately thirty local wire and cable manufacturers and, to a lesser extent, with foreign producers for sales in Thailand of telecommunications cable, power cable and enameled wire. Based on information published by the Thai Ministry of Commerce on sales by dollar value, theThe Company believes
33
Singapore
The Company believes itthat Sigma Cable is one of the largest or second largest suppliermajor suppliers of power cable in Singapore based on information on sales by dollar value provided by the Cable Associationproducts in Singapore, it experiences significant competition from other local producers.
Australia
Currently, besides APEC, there are two major wire and cable producers in Australia: Olex Cables (owned by Nexans) and Prysmian Cables, with factories in the states of Victoria and New South Wales, respectively. Also, Advance Cable, a cable producer with a factory in Victoria, has recently obtained a bigger market share. In addition, a significant portion of the Australian market is serviced by two importers: (i) General Cables Australia, which imports cables from its parent company General Cables, which manufactures cables in New Zealand and (ii) Electra Cables, which imports cables from factories in China. These companies are APEC’s principal competitors. During fiscal year 2009, APEC washowever is the only power cable producer in Queensland and therefore soughtseeks to take advantage of its comparative proximity to customers in contrast to competitors that wereare required to transport their products into Queensland from other states in Australia.APEC has also opened sales offices with warehousing facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth in order to attract and service the customers in those regions. In February 2011, APEC entered into a distribution agreement with one of the regional suppliers with the hope that this collaboration will bring extra business to Australia operations. Foreign competition barriers exist with import duties and the more stringent Australian cable specifications standards. Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) Free Trade Area (AFTA) Agreements are in effect with Singapore and Thailand.
China
PEWS manufactures enameled wirewires in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in Guangdong Province for electronic, video and audio products for the South China market and for export. CCH HK isAfter a restructuring, Epan Industries, one of the subsidiaries of Sigma-Epan, became the trading arm of PEWS. Based on information provided by customers and suppliers, the Company believes that, based on production capacity, PEWS is one of the largest enameled wire manufacturers amongst the six manufacturers in Shenzhen. It supplies mainly to overseas transformer, motor and coil manufacturers in and around Shenzhen.manufacturers. It faces competition principally from overseas imports and local manufacturers.
Shanghai Yayang is the only major enameled wire producer in Shanghai and it supplies mainly to transformer, motor and coil manufacturers in Shanghai.the eastern part of China. It faces competition principally from overseas imports and manufacturers from other provinces.
In 2011, the Company made a strategic decision to exit the Optical Cables Trade Association, SPFO is one of the largest manufacturers of fiber optic cablescable market in Shandong Province based on sales by dollar value. It supplies mainly to government controlleddisposing of our 51% equity interest in SPFO. We observed increasing consolidation, and licensed telecommunications network operators such as China Netcom, China Telecom, China Mobile, China Railcom, China Unicom and China Powercom. It faces competition, principally from a number ofin the larger domestic fiber optic cable manufacturers.
34business in Shandong and concluded that our resources were better deployed by concentrating on our principal lines of copper-based Manufactured Products in that market.
The principal Asian markets in which we do business have displayed exceptional overall economic growth in recent years compared to the United States and a number of other more developed markets, subject to occasional episodes of economic and currency exchange volatility attributable to various factors including the increased risks of emerging market investment, actual or potential political instability and pandemics such as the SARS health crisis several years ago. In some countries, the IMFInternational Monetary Fund (the “IMF”) exerts considerable influence over economic policy and provides support to stabilize the domestic economy. In general, the Asian markets in which we do business have been export-driven in recent years and have in the case of China and Singapore, for example, accumulated considerable capital reserves, which contributes to a more stable business environment.
Thailand
A substantial portion of the Company’s Thai operations, whichwhose Manufactured Products accounted for approximately 32.9%39.4% of the Company’s net sales in 2009,2011, consists of the manufacture of telecommunications and power cable and sales of those products for use in large-scale telecommunications projects and various construction projects in Thailand. The volume of sales of these products tends to correlate with the general level of economic activity in Thailand. As a result, the performance of the Company’s Thai operations depends in significant part on the general state of the Thai economy. Infrastructure development and related construction projects in Thailand depend significantly upon government sponsored initiatives. In recent years, the level of government involvement in infrastructure development has tended to track increases or contractions in Thailand’s gross domestic product (“GDP”). Overall, the construction industry and infrastructure projects have slowed considerably, thereby affecting local sales, placing competitive pressure on prices and prompting the Company to rationalize Thai operations and actively seek overseas export markets.
Telecommunications
Sales of the Company’s telecommunication products in Thailand have depended to a significant degree on the substantial investment in and development of the telecommunications sector by the Thai government. In particular, the Company’s sales of manufactured productsManufactured Products are affected by the dollar value of contracts awarded by the government for telecommunications and other infrastructure projects.
The Company produces and sells copper core telecommunications cable, enameled copper wire and enameled aluminum wire to Thailand market, and also export enameled wire to overseas markets. Sales of telecommunications cable, one of the telecommunications sectorCompany’s leading product in Thailand, includingare conducted either by tender for participation in large scale telecommunications project of theTelephone Organization of ThailandCorporation Plc. (“TOT”), or direct to subcontractors of Triple T and True, the right to grant concessions for the installation and operation of telecommunications services, has rested with state owned enterprises. There are currently three public agencies responsible for communications in Thailand: TOT,two private telephone line contractors which controls domestic telephone service, the CAT Telecom Plc. (“CAT”), which handles postal and international telephone service, and the Thailand Post Co., Ltd. (a state enterprise), which controls and regulates the use of frequencies for radio communication stations and satellite communication networks. Telecommunications services in Thailand have traditionally been developed and expanded through grantswould be licensed by TOT with regard to particular projects. The Company generally sells enameled wire directly to electrical appliance manufacturers or an OEM for both the local and CAT of concessionsexport market, and in smaller units that are sold to private operators to install and operate telecom projects on a build-transfer-operate basis, where the government enterprise involved would maintain control over the award of the concession and receive a profit share from the operations of the project.
Power
In Thailand, the prevailing historical trend has been that economic growth would stimulate rapid growth in the demand for electric power, and annual rates of growth in electricity demand would outpace annual economic growth rates. Despite the rapid growth in electricity demand, electricity consumption in Thailand
35
Singapore
The Company’s distribution and project engineering business segments are concentrated in the Singapore market. In 2011, the Company realized$17.0 millionin revenues from SDI projects, on one hand, are blessed withcompared to$23.6
The Singapore government has established targets to increase the population from 4.6 million in 2007 to approximately 6 million by the end of 2020. This planned growth in population is expected to result in an increase in demand for residential property and construction.
China
The economy of China differs from that of most developed free-market economies in a number of respects, including structure, degree of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, capital reinvestment, allocation of resources, rate of inflation and balance of payments position. In recent years, the PRC government has implemented economic reform measures which emphasize decentralization, utilization of market forces and the development of foreign investment projectsof which SPFO and Shanghai Yayang are examples.
4.4Property, Plant and Pacific Update published by the World Bank, the Chinese GDP growth projection was 8.7% in 2009 as compared to 9.0% in 2008. According to that update, the World Bank has forecasted China GDP growth in 2010 to be approximately 9.5%.
The Company’s manufactured productsManufactured Products are produced at facilities located on premises owned or leased by Siam Pacific, Pacific Thai, Charoong Thai, Sigma Cable, APEC, Shanghai Yayang, SPFOPEWS, NPC and, PEWS.through November 2011, SPFO. As of December 1, 2011, the Company disposed of its 51% equity interest in SPFO. The following is a summary of the Company’s material facilities and operations as of December 31, 2009.
Siam Pacific owns a 7.45 acre production facility near Bangkok, Thailand, located on a 26.79 acre site that it also owns. Telecommunications cable and enameled wire are manufactured here. The production facility constitutes a portion of certain property and assets which are part ofpledged to a mortgage to Bangkok Bank as security for a $242,000 line of credit. Pacific Thai operates a separate 92,800 square meter enameled wire production facility located at the same site, which it leases from Siam Pacific.
Charoong Thai owns a 24.7 acre production facility in Chachoengsao province, near Bangkok, Thailand, where telecommunications cable and power cable are manufactured. The production facility is located on a 57.9 acre site which Charoong Thai also owns. Neither the production facility nor the land is mortgaged.
Sigma Cable produces power cable on a 19,373 square meter site in Singapore leased from the Jurong Town Corporation (“JTC”) for 30 years from September 16, 2000 to September 16, 2030. JTC is a government-linked corporation and is Singapore’s largest industrial landlord.
36
Shanghai Yayang operates a factory that produces enameled wire,wires, located in an area of approximately 27,839 square meters of state-owned land in an industrial district in Fengxian, Shanghai. The entire factory is mortgagedAssets consisting of buildings of $0.8 million are pledged to the Agricultural Bank of China for a bank credit line of $6.6 million.
PEWS manufactures enameled wire in a facility on 36,000 square meters of state-owned land with a built-up area of 20,367 square meters in Long Gang, Shenzhen, China. A leasehold right of industrial land use for the land has been granted for 49 years. The facilityland and building of $0.8 million is mortgagedpledged to Agricultural Bank of China as security for a RMB 50$7.9 million bank loan granted in 2003 and extended through 2009.
Sigma-Epan leasesan office space from Sigma Cable in Singapore where it employs nine individuals in its trading operations.
NPC manufactured telecommunications cable on 10.9 acresceased to be operational in 2006 due to unsatisfactory results and incompetent management team. The Board passed a resolution in October 2009 to re-construct NPC’s facilities to be used for production of state-ownedelectronic wires. The factory now occupies 44,000 total square meters, with a land usage right expiring July, 2044. NPC is situated in Ing-Chiang Township in Ningbo Yinjiang, ZhejianCity inZhè Jiāng Province, China, with a factory area of 3.3 acres. A leasehold right of industrial land use for the land was granted for 50 years. Manufacturing operations at NPC were terminated in 2006. NPC continues to hold the leasehold right of the land and maintains ten employees. The company, thru previously mentioned bank loan opportunity, is expecting to revitalize NPC’s production facilities and is planning to introduce a brand new product category. The management has undergone a series of discussion meetings and the entire program is set to go once the loan agreement is signed in the near future.
All of the Company’s facilities in Thailand, Singapore, Australia and China use production processes and equipment of international standard imported from Europe, the United States, Taiwan, and Japan.
The production capacity and extent of utilization of the Company’s facilities varies from time to time and such information is considered to be commercially sensitive and proprietary information.
4.5 Insurance
The Company maintains insurance policies covering certain buildings, machinery and equipment against specified amounts of damage or loss caused by fire, flooding, other natural disasters and burglary and theft. The Company does not carry insurance for consequential loss arising from business interruptions or political disturbances and does not carry product liability insurance. In addition, the availability of insurance in China is limited, and the Company does not have business liability or disruption insurance for our operations in China. The Company believes that it maintains insurance coverage commensurate with the nature of and risks associated with its business, to the extent that appropriate insurance is available in the markets in which we conduct business.
4.6 Environmental Matters
The Company is subject to a variety of laws and regulations covering the storage, handling, emission and discharge of materials into the environment. The Company believes that all of its operations are in compliance with, and in certain circumstances exceed, all applicable environmental laws and regulations. The Company has not been subject to any legal, regulatory or other action alleging violations or breaches of environmental standards. While it is difficult to accurately estimate future environmental compliance costs and potential liabilities, if
37
Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto incorporated by reference herein.(the “Financial Statements”) presented in Item 18 of this Annual Report. Because around 83%91.0% of the Company’s revenues arewere derived from its manufactured productsManufactured Products segment for the year ended December 31, 2011, the following discussion is not presented on a segment basis.
5.1 Disclosures of Critical Accounting Policies
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations discusses the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The Company’s investments for which its ownership exceeds 20%, but which are not majority-owned or controlled, are accounted for using the equity method if the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the companies’ operating and financial policies. When the Company’s carrying value in an equity investee company is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements unless the Company has guaranteed obligations of the investee company or has committed additional funding. When the investee company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of its share of losses not previously recognized.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates, judgements, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, useful lives and residual values of long-lived assets, impairment assessment of long-lived assets and goodwill, allowance for accounts and other receivable, accounting for deferred income tax, income tax position, inventory valuation, valuation allowance of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, bank deposits and all short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months and are readily convertible to known amounts of cash.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value.market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out or weighted average method.
If the expected salesselling price less completion costs and costs to execute sales (net realizable value)(market) is lower than the carrying amount, a write-down is charged to expenses in cost of sales for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its net realizable value.market. When the finished goods that were previously written down to net realizable valuemarket are subsequently sold at above net realizable value,market, a recovery is credited to cost of sales. See Note 9 — Valuation
Income Taxes
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Under this method, deferred tax assets and Qualifying Accounts.liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are expected to reverse.
Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable for the current year. Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. ASC 740, requires that deferred tax assets be evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent the Company believes a portion will not be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of its deferred tax assets, including its recent cumulative earnings experience and expectations of future taxable income by taxing jurisdiction, the carry-forward periods available to the Company for tax reporting purposes, and other relevantfactors. Deferred income tax expense (benefit) is the net change during the year in the deferred income tax asset or liability.
The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), “AccountingASC 740 to account for Uncertaintyuncertainties in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” (codified within FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740, “Income Taxes”). FASBincome taxes. ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount, which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating and estimating its tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately anticipate actual outcomes. OurThe Company’s policy is to recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense.
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Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less depreciation and any impairment losses. Asset leases qualifying as capital leases are also included in property, plant and equipment. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance, and repair expenses are charged to current operations as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the respective lease term, whichever is shorter, as follows:
Land Land | ||
use rights Buildings | ||
Machinery and Motor vehicles Office equipment | Nil 15 - 50 years | |
5 - 30 years | ||
5 - 10 years 3 - 10 years 3 - 10 years |
No depreciation expense is charged for construction in progress and machinery and equipment under installation.
Capitalized interest on construction in progress is added to the cost of the underlying asset and is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset in the same manner as the underlying asset. NoInterest capitalized for 2010 and 2011 amounted to $nil and $9, respectively. The capitalized interest is capitalizedwas related to and has been included as part of the cost of Ningbo Pacific’s construction in 2008 and 2009.
When property and equipment are retired, sold or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in operations.
In 2006, the Company terminated the NPCNingbo Pacific joint venture and liquidated its major equipment at the NPCNingbo Pacific facility. In October 2009, the Company has made a resolution to acquire an additional 5.42% shareholding of NPCNingbo Pacific from the Republic of China (“PRC”) joint venture partner. The Company plans to resume manufacturing operationsoperation with new constructed facilities at the NPCNingbo Pacific site. The acquisition of the additional shareholding is expected to be completed in July 2010.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of purchased business over the fair value of the underlying net assets.assets acquired. Goodwill, including goodwill associated with equity method investments, is not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. The Company determined it has three reporting units in which the entire goodwill was allocated to manufactured product segment.
In accordance with ASC 350 “Intangible – Goodwill and Others”, (“ASC 350”), the Company performed a two-step test to assess goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2011. First, the Company identifies potential goodwill impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company determines fair value using a discounted cash flow approach. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwillapproach and makes reference tothe market capitalization of the reporting unit is not considered impaired.Company. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the amountsecond step of the goodwill impairment loss, if any, must be measured. The Company measurestest is performed to measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized as an operating expense.
39loss.
Investments
Management determines the appropriate classification of its investmentinvestments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date.
The Company accounts for its long-term investments in equity securities of privately-held companies as cost method investment in accordance to ASC 325, “Investments – Others” as these securities do not have readily determinable fair value. Investments in which the Company does not have a controlling interest or an ownership voting interest to exert significant influence, and which are not publicly traded are accounted for at cost
The Company accounts for its investments in equity securities that represent less than 20 percent ownershiphave readily determinable fair value using ASC 320, “Investments —– Debt and Equity Securities” (ASC 320). Equity securities are classified as available-for-sale, as the Company does not trade in these securities, but rather they are held as longer term investments due to business relationships with the entities. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in values judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in investment income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in investment income.
Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence but does not haveown a controllingmajority equity interest or an ownership voting interest to exert significant influence, and which are not publicly tradedcontrol are accounted for at cost.
A judgmental aspect of accounting for investments (including investments in equity investees) involves determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value of the investment has been sustained. If it has been determined that an investment has sustained an other-than-temporary decline in its value, the investment is written down to its fair value, by a charge to earnings. Such evaluation is dependent on the specific facts and circumstances. Factors that are considered by the Company in determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred include: the market value of the security in relation to its cost basis; the financial condition of the investee; and the intent and ability to retain the investment for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery in the market value of the investment.
In 2007, 20082009, 2010 and 2009,2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $117, $nil, $346 and $nil, respectively, related to investment in certain equity investees.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company accounts for impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In such instances, the Company estimates the undiscounted future cash flows that result from the use of the asset and its ultimate disposition. If the sum of the undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value, the Company recognizes an impairmentanimpairment loss, measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset group, determined principally using discounted cash flows.
40
There was no impairment charge in 2010. In 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $25 related to the damage to Siam Pacific’s machinery due to the flooding in Thailand. The impairment is stated as a line item, “Charges related to flooding” within operating expenses.
Account ReceivableReceivables and Allowanceallowance for Doubtful doubtful accounts
Accounts
Lease obligations
In accordance with ASC 840, Leases, leases for a lessee are classified at the inception date as either a capital lease or an operating lease. The Company assesses a lease to be a capital lease if any of the following conditions exist: a) ownership is transferred to the lessee by the end of the lease term, b) there is a bargain purchase option, c) the lease term is at least 75% of the property’s estimated remaining economic life or d) the present value of the minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease term is 90% or more of the fair value of the leased property to the lessor at the inception date. A capital lease is accounted for as if there was an acquisition of an asset and an incurrence of an obligation at the inception of the lease. The capitalized lease obligation reflects the present value of future rental payments, discounted at the appropriate interest rates. The cost of the asset is amortized over the lease term. However, if ownership is transferred at the end of the lease term, the cost of the asset is amortized as set out below under property, plant and equipment.
Operating lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue represents the invoiced value of goods sold, net of value added tax and returns, commission income earnedinvoiced value on distribution activities, and service fee income on installation activities. Revenue is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before revenue is recognized.
Sales of manufactured goods and distribution activitiesdistributed products
The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of manufactured goods and distribution activitiesdistributed products upon passage of title to the customer that coincides with their delivery and acceptance. This method ofThese revenue recognition isare recognized in accordance with ASC 650-15, “Revenue Recognition-Products”.
The Company classifies shipping and handling costs incurred inwithin cost of sales.
Supply, Delivery and Installation
The Company’s supply, delivery and installation services are considered as multiple elements arrangements and are accounted for in accordance with ASC subtopic 605-25, Revenue Recognition: Multiple-Element Arrangements (“ASC 605-25”). Elements such as installation service and sale of cables are considered as separate elements contained in a single arrangement, or in related arrangements with the same customer. The Company allocates revenue to each element based on its relative fair value. The allocation of the fair value to the delivered elements is limited to the amount that is not contingent on future delivery of services or subject to customer-specified return or refund privileges. The Company prospectively adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”), a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force that amends ASC 605-25, on January 1, 2011.
In accordance with ASU 2009-13, certain delivered items in multiple-element arrangements, which previously would not qualify for separate units of accounting due to the lack of vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price, are accounted for as separate units of accounting, to which the total consideration of the arrangements is allocated based on management’s best estimate of the selling price (“BESP”). We consider all reasonably available information in determining the BESP, including both market and entity-specific factors. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 does not have a material effect on our financial statements, the units of accounting and the pattern and timing of revenue recognition is not changed materially.
The Company recognizes revenue from installation activities using the percentage-of-completion method, based on the customer certification of the distance of cable laid with respect to the estimated total contract revenue, and in accordance with ASC 650-35,605-35, “Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts”.
Bill-and-hold arrangements
The Company recognizes revenue of sale of cables are containedunder bill-and-hold arrangements requested by certain customers in a single arrangement, or in related arrangements with the same customer, the Company allocates revenue to each element based on its relative fair valueThailand, in accordance with ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition-Multiple-Element Arrangements”. The allocation ofSAB 104.
As at December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the fair value torevenue recognized under bill-and-hold arrangements where the cables were not yet delivered elements is limited to the amount that is not contingent on future delivery of services or subject to customer-specified return or refund privileges.
41
The Company providesoffers sales incentives in connection with power cable sales to wholesalers and distributors. These incentives include both rebates offered to customers for the estimated costpurchasing a certain volume of product warranties based onduring the warranty policyyear and historical experience, and accruessettlement discounts for specific items at the time their existence is known and the amountsearly payment of sales invoices. Both forms of incentives are determinable. Historical warranty liability and related costs have not been significantrecognized as a reduction to the Company’s operations.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
The functional currency of the Company’s international subsidiaries is generally the local currency or U.S. Dollars. For these subsidiaries, the Company translates the assets and liabilities at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and income and expense accounts at average exchange rates during the year. Resulting currency translation adjustments are recorded directly to accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from transactions in non-functional currencies are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.
Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at the transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at that date. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the consolidated statementstatements of operations.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
The Company recognizes derivative financial instruments in the consolidated financial statements at fair value regardless of the purposes or intent for holding the instrument. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically in income or in shareholders’ equity as a component of comprehensive income depending on whether the derivative financial instruments qualify for hedge accounting, and if so, whether they qualify as a fair value or cash flow hedge.
Generally, changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges are recorded in income along with the portions of the changes in the fair value of the hedged items that relate to the hedged risks. Changes in fair value of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive income net of deferred taxes. Changes in fair value of derivatives used as hedges of the net investment in foreign operations are reported in other comprehensive income as part of the cumulative translation adjustment. Changes in fair values of derivatives not qualifying as hedges are reported in income.
The Company’s subsidiaries use forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce their exposure to foreign currency risk for liabilities denominated in foreign currency. A forward foreign exchange contract obligates the Company to exchange predetermined amounts of specified foreign currencies at specified exchange rates on specified dates or to make an equivalent U.S. dollar payment equal to the value of such exchange. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts are included as foreign exchange gains or losses in the consolidated statements of operations as such contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting.
As of December 31, 2007, 20082010 and 2009,2011, the Company has entered intohad outstanding forward exchange salepurchase contracts with notional values of $12,674, $3,500$nil and $nil,$2,317, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the Company has entered into forward exchange purchase contracts with a notional value of $15,458. The forward exchange contracts matured in January, February, March and May 2009. There were no outstanding foreign forward exchange contracts as of December 31, 2009.2011 matured in January 2012. The Company records these contracts at fair value with the related gains and losses of $nil, $nil and $64, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively in its statementthe consolidated statements of operations.
Copper Future Contracts
Copper future contracts are designed to manage the Company’s consolidated exposure to change in inventory value due to fluctuations in market prices for selected operating units. Within the ordinary course of business the Company routinely enters into purchase transactions for copper. The majority of these transactions take the form of contracts that were entered into and continue to be held for the purpose of receipt or delivery of the copper in accordance with the Company’s expected sales or production timing or usage requirements. Such contracts are not within the scope of hedging accounting, or derivatives. To date, these contract positions have not had a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flow.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share”. There are no dilutive equity instruments.
42
Effective from January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” for financial assets and liabilities. Under ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that would have been received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the observability of inputs as follows:
• Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
• Level 2 - Valuations based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
• Level 3 - Valuations based on unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from investment to investment and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of investment, the liquidity of markets and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment and the investments are categorizes as Level 3.
The carrying amounts of financial instruments, carried at cost, including cash and cash equivalents, bank deposits, trade receivables, other current assets, trade payables, related party balances and other liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturities of such instruments.
Recent Pronouncements
In May 2011, the FASB issued an additional guidance ASU 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs” which clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, changes certain fair value measurement principles and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)updated guidance is effective on a prospective basis for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The ASC is an aggregation of previously issued authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in one comprehensive set of guidance organized by subject area. In accordance with the ASC, references to previously issued accounting standards have been replaced by ASC references. Subsequent revisions to GAAP will be incorporated into the ASC through Accounting Standards Updates (ASU).
43
44
In October 2009,June 2011, the FASB issued an ASU No. 2009-13, “Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements -2011-05“Presentation of Comprehensive Income” which amended guidance for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance requires the presentation of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a consensussingle continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amended guidance also requires presentation of adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (ASU 2009-13) (codified within ASC Topic 605 “Revenue Recognition”). ASU 2009-13 addressesstatement where the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. ASU 2009-13components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amended guidance is effective prospectivelyon a retrospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified infinancial statements issued for fiscal
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In December 2011, ASU No. 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05”. This ASU defers the changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments and supersedes certain pending paragraphs. ASU 2011-12 will be applied retrospectively. ASU 2011-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification resulting from ASU 2010-06 may have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
46interim period ended March 31, 2012.
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto (the “Financial Statements”)Financial Statements presented in Item 18 of this Annual Report.
Results are analyzed and reported along the lines of our three principal business segments, consisting of manufactured products,Manufactured Products, SDI project engineering, and distribution.Distributed Products. The operating data that senior management collects and analyzes from our operating subsidiaries include, in certain cases, certain limited information regarding results along product lines that are components within our manufactured productsManufactured Products segment. For the benefit of our shareholders, included in the summary table below are certain results for product lines within our manufactured productsManufactured Products segment with regard to net sales, gross profit and gross profit margin for the periods covered. The following table sets forth selected summary data for the periods indicated (dollar ($) amounts in thousands of US$):
(Figures in 2009 and 2010 were restated to reflect the results of discontinued operations of SPFO. For details, see “Item 5.3: Operating Results”)
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
Net Sales: |
|
|
|
Manufactured Products: |
|
|
|
Telecommunications wire and cable | $26,011 | $44,917 | 28,580 |
Power cable | 102,972 | 148,300 | 200,673 |
Enameled wire | 135,145 | 202,842 | 200,221 |
|
|
|
|
Total Manufactured Products | 264,128 | 396,059 | 429,474 |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and |
|
|
|
cables | 34,008 | 23,600 | 16,972 |
Distributed Products | 28,102 | 26,935 | 25,500 |
Total net sales | 326,238 | 446,594 | 471,946 |
Gross profit: |
|
|
|
Manufactured Products: |
|
|
|
Telecommunications wire and cable | 3,593 | 13,417 | 6,529 |
Power cable | 8,602 | 25,233 | 26,487 |
Enameled wire | 2,093 | 14,778 | 9,860 |
|
|
|
|
Total Manufactured Products | 14,288 | 53,428 | 42,876 |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and |
|
|
|
cables | 889 | 242 | 57 |
Distributed Products | 1,517 | 1,379 | 2,955 |
Inventory Impairment | 23,949 | 1,974 | (1,993) |
Total gross profit | 40,643 | 57,023 | 43,895 |
Gross profit margin: |
|
|
|
Manufactured Products: |
|
|
|
Telecommunications wire and cable | 13.8% | 29.9% | 22.8% |
Power cable | 8.4% | 17.0% | 13.2% |
Enameled wire | 1.5% | 7.3% | 4.9% |
|
|
|
|
Total Manufactured Products | 5.4% | 13.5% | 10.0% |
SDI Project engineering | 2.6% | 1.0% | 0.3% |
Distributed Products | 5.4% | 5.1% | 11.6% |
Total gross margin | 12.5% | 12.8% | 9.3% |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Net Sales: | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products: | ||||||||||||
Telecommunications wire and cable | $ | 46,444 | $ | 46,955 | $ | 62,004 | ||||||
Power cable | 188,818 | 179,794 | 102,972 | |||||||||
Enameled wire | 258,470 | 221,099 | 135,145 | |||||||||
Electronic cable | 1,073 | — | — | |||||||||
Total manufactured products | 494,805 | 447,848 | 300,121 | |||||||||
SDI project engineering | 5,253 | 20,535 | 34,008 | |||||||||
Distributed Products | 10,783 | 32,415 | 28,102 | |||||||||
Total net sales | 510,841 | 500,798 | 362,231 | |||||||||
Gross profit: | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products: | ||||||||||||
Telecommunications wire and cable | 7,712 | 5,120 | 9,341 | |||||||||
Power cable | 33,916 | 29,369 | 8,602 | |||||||||
Enameled wire | 2,995 | 2,778 | 2,093 | |||||||||
Electronic cable | 48 | — | — | |||||||||
Total manufactured products | 44,671 | 37,267 | 20,036 | |||||||||
SDI project engineering | (347 | ) | (956 | ) | 889 | |||||||
Distributed Products | 80 | 1,584 | 1,517 | |||||||||
Recovery (allowance) for inventory reserve | 1,272 | (25,145 | ) | 23,949 | ||||||||
Total gross profit | 45,676 | 12,750 | 46,391 | |||||||||
Gross profit margin: | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products: | ||||||||||||
Telecommunications wire and cable | 16.6 | % | 10.9 | % | 15.1 | % | ||||||
Power cable | 18.0 | % | 16.2 | % | 8.4 | % | ||||||
Enameled wire | 1.2 | % | 1.3 | % | 1.5 | % | ||||||
Electronic cable | 4.5 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||||
Total manufactured products | 9.0 | % | 8.3 | % | 6.7 | % | ||||||
SDI Project engineering | (6.6 | )% | (4.7 | )% | 2.6 | % | ||||||
Distributed Products | 0.7 | % | 4.9 | % | 5.4 | % | ||||||
Total gross margin | 8.9 | % | 2.5 | % | 12.8 | % | ||||||
Note: Inventory impairment is separated from calculation of total manufactured gross profit margin by manufactured products excludes recovery or allowance for inventory reserve, but that recovery or allowance for inventory reserve is included in the total gross margin.
47profit.
The Company is 65.6% owned and controlled by PEWC, a Taiwanese company. An additional 9.8% of the Common Shares are owned and controlled by a U.S.-based private equity fund. The remaining 24.6% of the outstanding Common Shares are publicly-traded in the United Statesand listed on the OTC BB.NASDAQ. Based upon a review of Schedule 13D and 13G filings made with the Commission by shareholders, and a review of the share register maintained by the Company’s transfer agents in Bermuda and the U.S., the Company is not aware that it has any shareholders resident in the jurisdictions where the Company has business operations. While the Company’s operations and results are impacted by economic, fiscal, monetary and political policies of the respective governments in the countries where the Company operates, that impact is not a function of the shareholder base of the Company.
5.3.1Year Ended December 31, 20092011 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 20082010
General
Results of operations are determined primarily by market demand and government infrastructure projects, market selling prices of our products, our ability to manufacture high quality products efficiently in quantities sufficient to meet demand and to control production and operating costs. Our results are also influenced by a number of factors, including currency stability in the countries in which our operations are located, competition and the cost of raw materials, especially copper, which accounted for approximately 70%majority of the cost of sales in 2009.2011.
In order to minimize the impact of copper price fluctuations, we attempt to “peg” the prices of our products to the prevailing market price of copper and pass changes in the cost of copper through to customers as much as possible. In certain circumstances, however, we remain affected by fluctuations in the price of copper. A recent rise or decline in copper prices may not be fully reflected under this pricing scheme for several months.
Average copper prices per metric ton have increased by 17% from $7,534 in 2010 to $8,826 in 2011 (four quarters average). Gross profit margins for Manufactured Products in 2010 were on average at 13.5% compared to 10.0% in 2011.
Copper prices indicated in this report are quoted from the LME index. The 2010 and 2011 copper prices are as follows:
|
| 2011 | 2010 |
Average LME copper price ($/Ton) | 1Q | 9,641 | 7,232 |
| 2Q | 9,314 | 7,027 |
| 3Q | 8,710 | 7,242 |
| 4Q | 7,641 | 8,636 |
| Year | 8,826 | 7,534 |
The average copper price in February 2012 on the LME was $8,591 per metric ton.
Net Sales
Total sales of manufactured product increased by $33.4 million, or 8.4%, from $396.1 million in 2010 to $429.5 million in 2011. Sales of power cable increased by $52.4 million in 2011, or 35.3%, due to an increasing demand in Thailand and Australia as a result of expanded government and private construction contracts. Sales of enameled wire on the other hand decreased by $2.6 million, due to reduced customer demand in all of the enameled wire manufacturing sites, i.e., Charoong Thai, Siam Pacific, PEWS, and Shanghai Yayang. Sales of telecommunication cable were reduced by $16.3 million, as the government projects in Thailand shrank.
Revenue from supply, delivery and installation of wires and products in Singapore decreased in 2011 by $6.6 million, or 28.1% due to reduced Singapore government budget. However, we do perceive some positive signs that the government’s spending is getting back on track and more tenders are expected in 2012 and beyond.
Revenue from Distributed Products was at $25.5 million in 2011, down from $26.9 million in 2010. An overall strategy to boost sales and gross margin is underway beginning the second quarter 2012.
The following table shows the percentage share and dollar value (in thousands) of net sales of the respective geographical locations of manufacturing plant of Manufactured Products only and all products and services with respect to our total sales in 2011:
| Manufactured | All products | ||
Thailand | 43.3% | $186,034 | 42.0% | $198,077 |
Singapore | 12.2% | $52,353 | 17.6% | $74,227 |
Australia | 13.7% | $58,932 | 13.0% | $61,457 |
China | 30.8% | $132,155 | 27.4% | $138,185 |
Total | 100.0% | $429,474 | 100.0% | $471,946 |
Gross Profit
Gross profit for 2011 was $43.9 million, representing a decrease of $13.1 million, or 23.0% down compared to $57.0 million in 2010. The decrease was primarily attributable to the raw material (copper) cost that we were unable to pass on fully to our customers. In addition, our factory utilization was less than that of 2010, and thus we were unable to pass on the increased cost to our customers.
Apart from the inventory impairment of $2.0 million, gross profit contributed by sales of manufactured products was $42.9 million in 2011 compared to $53.4 million in 2010, a decrease of 19.7%, for the reason given above. The relative contribution to gross profit from Manufactured Products for 2010 and 2011 is as follows:
| 2010 | 2011 |
Manufactured Products: |
|
|
Telecommunications wire and cable | 25.1% | 15.2% |
Power cable | 47.2% | 61.8% |
Enameled wire | 27.7% | 23.0% |
|
|
|
Total | 100.0% | 100.0% |
The contribution to gross profit from each segment line (and the components within the manufactured products segment) for 2010 and 2011 is as follows:
| 2010 | 2011 |
Manufactured Products: |
|
|
Telecommunications wire and cable | 23.5% | 14.9% |
Power cable | 44.3% | 60.3% |
Enameled wire | 25.9% | 22.5% |
Total | 93.7% | 97.7% |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables | 0.4% | 0.1% |
Distributed Products | 2.4% | 6.7% |
Inventory impairment | 3.5% | (4.5%) |
Total | 100.0% | 100.0% |
Overall gross profit margins decreased from 12.8% in 2010 to 9.3% in 2011 (reason as given above). Gross profit margins for Manufactured Products also decreased from 13.5% in 2010 to 10.0% in 2011. Manufactured Products and SDI project segments posted lower gross margin (reason as given before), as the competition from four Korean contractors, i.e., ILJIN Electric Co. Singapore Branch, LS Cable & System Ltd. Singapore Branch, Taihan Electric Wire Co., Ltd., and Hi Power Pte. Ltd., are bidding at the lowest price possible, thus driving down the gross margin generation for this sector. Gross profit from telecommunication cables posted a lower margin, as the price competition has become more and more intense.
Operating Profit
In 2011, we recorded a reversal of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1.5 million, owing to the fact that one of the major customers of Siam Pacific, A.S. Associated Engineering (1964) Co., Ltd. continued to settle the long outstanding trade receivables. Our internal controls provide that we perform a detailed review of our outstanding receivables, and make adjustments to our estimate to reflect significant delinquent accounts receivable. The Company is not aware of any significant delinquent accounts receivable that have not already been adequately reserved. In addition, we believe that our periodic allowance for doubtful accounts will continue to not have a material impact on our liquidity.
Overall Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by $1.8 million, mainly due to the increase in transportation charges in APEC by $0.8 million resulted from the increase in fuel cost. The remaining variance was owing to currency translation adjustment.
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, decreased by $46.1 million from December 31, 2010 of $144.5 million to $98.3 millionas of December 31, 2011. The decrease in accounts receivable reflects our continuous effort in collecting outstanding debt in a time of global economic uncertainty. The overall Day of Sales Outstanding stands at approximately 92 days, improved as compared to that of 2010 where the number showed 102 days to get the sales proceeds collected.
Exchange Gain/Loss
The exchange rates at end of December 31, 2010 and 2011 are listed below, based on the Noon Buying Rate. However, they do not actually reflect the ongoing rates during the year when transactions actually took place.
| December 31, | December 31, |
Foreign currency to US$1: |
|
|
Thai Baht | 30.16 | 31.51 |
Singapore $ | 1.29 | 1.295 |
Australian $ | 1.00 | 0.976 |
Chinese RMB | 6.60 | 6.294 |
Based on the above rates, the revaluation of assets and liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies in the Company resulted in unrealized and realized foreign exchange loss of $1.3 million in 2011.
Impairment of Investment
There have been no investment impairment losses recorded in 2011.
Other Income
Other income refers to scrap sales of copper as a result of testing and quality control process and dividend income received.
Bill-and Hold Transactions
During 2011, Charoong Thai entered into bill-and-hold arrangements with certain customers in Thailand. The Company recognized the revenue under such bill-and-hold arrangements in accordance withSAB Topic 13A.3.a,“Bill-and-hold Arrangements”. As of December 31, 2011, the revenue recognized under bill-and-hold arrangements where the cables were yet delivered was $8.6 million, compared to $17.9 million as of December 31, 2011.
Discontinued Operations
The divesture of Shandong Pacific Fiber Optics Co. Ltd (“SPFO”) was an important goal, and accomplishment, of the Company’s board of directors and management to enable the Company to focus on its core wire and cable businesses that are more profitable and thereby increase shareholder value.
While SPFO has been one of the larger manufacturers of fiber optic cable in Shangdong Province, the Company believes that an oversupply of fiber-optic cable products limits the opportunities for sustained development of what is a non-core product line for the Company. In addition, the fiber-optic cable sector throughout China has been dominated by a few large players, who together account for more than 80% of sales of fiber-optic cable products. This market concentration has made competition difficult for companies, such as the Company, that have not committed substantial resources to the fiber optic industry, and SPFO faces additional challenges, such as obtaining raw materials like optical fiber at prices that are competitive in the market place. Moreover, the Chinese government is encouraging further consolidation of fiber and cable manufacturers, and it is not part of the Company’s current business strategies to put substantial investment in this market sector.
The Company successfully entered into an agreement to sell its 51% interest in the SPFO joint venture to a group of third party investors in exchange for a total cash consideration of RMB 18.5 million (approximately $2.9 million), effective upon the directors approval on September 7, 2011. The share transfer was completed on December 1, 2011. Consequently, the Company’s deconsolidated SPFO effective December 2011. The Company recognized $2.0 million gain on disposal of a subsidiary in the consolidated of operations.
Goodwill Impairment
Goodwill of $8.8 million as of December 31, 2010 relating to the manufactured products segment and the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
Balance, December 31, 2010 | $ 8,801 | |||
Disposal of a subsidiary | (10) | |||
Impairment | (8,791) | |||
Balance, December 31, 2011 | $ – |
In accordance with ASC 350, the Company assessed the fair value of the reporting unit as of December 31, 2011. The Company adopted the discounted cash flow approach and, considering that the reporting unit constituted the majority of the overall consolidated group, by reference to the closing price of its Common Shares on that date as well as an assumed control premium. From January 2011 to December 2011, the stock market downturn caused a decline in the Company’s stock price by 54.8%, which resulted in a significant reduction in the Company’s market capitalization. As of December 31, 2011, the assessed fair value was below the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company then performed a hypothetical purchase price allocation using the fair value of reporting unit and determined that the goodwill was fully impaired. As a result, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 as a separate item in the consolidated statements of operations.
Thailand Flood Losses
Siam Pacific suspended operations temporarily in the fourth quarter of 2011 due to damage sustained from the region’s recent flooding. The Siam Pacific facility, located 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) north of Bangkok, manufactures enameled wire and communication wire. The facility sustained water damage, as the water level reached approximately 1.5 meters which damaged some of the machinery and equipment in the plant, as well as some of the inventory in the warehouse. As a result, the Company recorded $3.9 million of flood-related charges, including fixed asset impairments, recovery charges and a write-down of damaged inventory and recognized $0.9 million of deferred tax asset related to the charges in 2011. These charges are separately stated as a line item, “Charges related to flooding” within operating expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company’s insurance policy covers the flood damage to the building, machinery, and inventory; however, it does not cover losses due to the business disruption. The process of submitting claims to the Company’s insurers is in its early stages and the Company is unable to determine how much of its losses will be covered by insurance.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $4.6 million in 2011 compared to $6.4 million in 2010. The fluctuation was mainly due to the decrease in pre-tax income and non-deductible expense of goodwill impairment.
5.3.2Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2009
General
Results of operations are determined primarily by market demand and government infrastructure projects, market selling prices of our products, our ability to manufacture high quality products efficiently in quantities sufficient to meet demand and to control production and operating costs. Our results are also influenced by a number of factors, including currency stability in the countries in which our operations are located, competition and the cost of raw materials, especially copper, which accounted for majority of the cost of sales in 2010.
In order to minimize the impact of copper price fluctuations, we attempt to “peg” the prices of our products to the prevailing market price of copper and pass changes in the cost of copper through to customers as much as possible. In certain circumstances, however, we remain affected by fluctuations in the price of copper. For example, the price of telecommunications cable sold for use in public projects in Thailand is determined semi-annually and is based upon the average spot market price of copper on the LME during the six-month period commencing on January 1 and July 1 prior to the month of order. Thus, a recent rise or decline in copper prices may not be fully reflected under this pricing scheme for several months.
Average copper prices per metric ton have decreasedincreased by 25.9%48.9% from $6,956 in 2008 to $5,150 in 2009 to $7,534 in 2010 (four quarters average). Gross profit margins for manufactured products in 2009 were on average at 12.8% compared to 2.5%13.1% in 2008.
Copper prices indicated in this report are quoted from the London Metals Exchange (LME) index. The 20092010 and 20082009 copper prices are as follows:
|
| 2010 | 2009 |
Average LME copper price ($/Ton) | 1Q | 7,232 | 3,428 |
| 2Q | 7,027 | 4,663 |
| 3Q | 7,242 | 5,859 |
| 4Q | 8,636 | 6,648 |
| Year | 7,534 | 5,150 |
2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||
Average LME copper price ($/Ton) | 1Q | 3,428 | 7,796 | |||||||||
2Q | 4,663 | 8,443 | ||||||||||
3Q | 5,859 | 7,680 | ||||||||||
4Q | 6,648 | 3,905 | ||||||||||
Year | 5,150 | 6,956 | ||||||||||
The average copper price in April 20102011 on the LME was $7,745$9,483 per metric ton.
48
Sales of manufactured product decreasedincreased by $147.7$131.9 million, or 33.0%50.0%, from $447.8 million in 2008 to $300.0 million in 2009. Sales in power cable decreased by $76.8$264.1 million in 2009 to $396.1 million in 2010. Sales of power cable increased by $45.3 million in 2010, or 42.7%44%, due to a decrease in salesan increasing demand in Thailand as a result of reducedexpanded government and private construction contracts, coupled with decreasesincrease in Australia due to a much lower market price. On the contrary, in Singapore pricing increased marginally.higher sales prices. Sales inof enameled wire decreasedalso increased, by 38.9%50.1% to $135.1$202.8 million. In Thailand, enameled wire sales decreasedincreased by $55$28.9 million due to much lessmore demand locally. Elsewhere enameled wire sales in CCH HK encountered a similar problem where its export business fell by $26also increased to produce over $86.8 million duringin 2010 compared to $64.3 million in 2009. Shanghai Yayang oneven increase its sales of enameled wire up to nearly $40.0 million in 2010 compared to $23.3 million in 2009 due to the other hand, was tied up with shortageheavy demand from eastern part of operating funds to keep the steam going, and because of that, it did not reach its full capacity of producing at 600 tons per month. Although the Company had ample unused credit lines elsewhere in other subsidiaries, they were no use to SYE as Chinese Foreign exchange policies and bank regulations at other operating sites would prevent SYE from utilizing or borrowing additional funds within the group.China customers. Sales of telecommunication cable, onhowever in Thailand, the contrary, showed signs of a strong recovery after two years of stalled business. SPFO increased sales to $36 million, a material increase from $16.6 million a year ago due to a significant demand for telecommunication infrastructure certain markets in eastern China. These are all government related projects where SPFO supplies fiber optic cablesbusiness (i.e. telecommunication cable) picked up to the contractors. Other markets such as Thailand still showed a sluggish business where the sales decreased by $4.3 million.
Revenue from SDI project engineering in Singapore increaseddecreased in 20092010 by $12.3$9.2 million, or 59.8% due to28.1% down as phase I of the build out of government sponsored casino projects. Such business will likely be concludedprojects came to an end in May 2010 and the projected turnover in 2010 for Sigma Cable has been revised down because of the anticipated completion of those projects.
Revenue from Distributed Products suffered a setback as demand related to Singapore government-related housing projects has been delayedwas at $27.1 million in part or suspended because of the financial downturn. Sales decreased by $4.3 million to2010, down from $28.1 million from sales a year ago of $32.4 million.
The following table shows the percentage share and dollar value (in thousands) of net sales of the respective operationsgeographical locations of manufacturing plant of Manufactured Products and provision of Distributed Products and SDI services with respect to our total sales in 2009:2010:
| Manufactured | All products | ||
Thailand | 48.0% | $190,364 | 45.6% | $203,758 |
Singapore | 8.7% | $34,248 | 14.5% | $64,783 |
Australia | 11.4% | $45,053 | 10.4% | $46,289 |
China | 31.9% | $126,394 | 29.5% | $131,764 |
Total | 100.0% | $396,059 | 100.0% | $446,594 |
Manufactured | All products | |||||||||||||||
products only | and services | |||||||||||||||
Thailand | 39.3 | % | $ | 117,954 | 32.9 | % | $ | 119,225 | ||||||||
Singapore | 11.5 | % | $ | 34,583 | 26.2 | % | $ | 94,782 | ||||||||
Australia | 11.3 | % | $ | 33,935 | 9.6 | % | $ | 34,574 | ||||||||
China | 37.9 | % | $ | 113,649 | 31.4 | % | $ | 113,650 | ||||||||
Total | 100.0 | % | $ | 300,121 | 100.0 | % | $ | 362,231 | ||||||||
* Figures in 2010 were restated to exclude revenue of SPFO which was presented as discontinued operations. See ”Item 5.3.1.”
Gross Profit
Gross profit for 20092010 was $46.4$57.0 million, representing an increase of $33.6$16.4 million, or 362.5%40.3% compared to $12.8$40.6 million for 2008.in 2009. The increase was primarily attributable to the recoveryraw material cost increases and which we were able to pass on to our customers, while some of allowance for inventory reserve provided for in 2008 of $25.1 million due to the significant fall in copper prices towardsfixed costs would stay at the end of 2008. LME copper prices increased from an average of $3,428 per metric ton in the first quarter of 2009 to $6,648 per metric ton in the fourth quarter of 2009, representing an increase of 93.9%.same level. The upward adjustment of copper prices was in line with the general increase over the course of 20092010 in commodity prices.
Apart from recoverythe write-back of copper price adjustment,inventory impairment of $2.0 million, gross profit contributed by sales of manufactured productsManufactured Products was $20.0$53.4 million in 2010 compared to $14.3 million in 2009, compared to $37.3 million in 2008,a decreasean increase of 46.4%273.4%. The decreaseincrease in gross profit from sale of manufactured productsManufactured Products is due to the lowerhigher sales volume for power cable and enameled
49
| 2009 | 2010 |
Manufactured Products: |
|
|
Telecommunications wire and cable | 25.1% | 25.1% |
Power cable | 60.2% | 47.2% |
Enameled wire | 14.7% | 27.7% |
|
|
|
Total | 100.0% | 100.0% |
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Manufactured Products: | ||||||||
Telecommunication cable | 13.7 | % | 46.62 | % | ||||
Power cable | 78.8 | % | 42.93 | % | ||||
Enameled wire | 7.5 | % | 10.45 | % | ||||
Electronic cable | — | — | ||||||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
The contribution to gross profit from each segment line (and the components within the manufactured products segment) for 20082009 and 20092010 is as follows:
| 2009 | 2010 |
Manufactured Products: |
|
|
Telecommunications wire and cable | 8.8% | 23.5% |
Power cable | 21.2% | 44.3% |
Enameled wire | 5.2% | 25.9% |
Total | 35.2% | 93.7% |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables | 2.2% | 0.4% |
Distributed Products | 3.7% | 2.4% |
Recovery of inventory impairment | 58.9% | 3.5% |
Total | 100.0% | 100.0% |
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Manufactured Products: | ||||||||
Telecommunication cable | 40.2 | % | 20.1 | % | ||||
Power cable | 230.3 | % | 18.6 | % | ||||
Enameled wire | 21.8 | % | 4.5 | % | ||||
Electronic cable | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||
Total | 292.3 | % | 43.2 | % | ||||
SDI Project Engineering Services | (7.5 | )% | 1.9 | % | ||||
Distributed Products | 12.4 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||
Recovery (allowance) for inventory reserve | (197.2 | )% | 51.6 | % | ||||
�� | ||||||||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
Overall gross profit margins slightly increased from 2.5%12.5% in 20082009 to 12.8% in 2009.2010. Gross profit margins for manufactured products decreased slightlyManufactured Products greatly increased from 8.3%5.4% in 20082009 to 6.7%13.5% in 2009. Increased2010. Both CTW and PEWS all suffered setback in terms of losing gross margins for telecommunication cables, was offset largely by decreases in margins for power and enameled cables.when compared with that of last year’s due to pricing issues. Gross profit margin forof power cable increased to 17.0% in Singapore increased by 0.43% due to slightly elevated sales prices2010 from 8.4% in that market. CCH HK and PEWS, however, experienced an increase in enameled wire gross margin by a significant 2.43% , due to tightened inventory and shop floor control. Gross profit margins for telecommunications cables increased in both Shangdong and in Thailand’s Siam Fiber Optics, (SFO), due largely to the significant incremental demand for telecommunication cables as government’s attention to building up telecom infrastructure intensified. SPFO in Shangdong increased by 1.24% while SFO experienced another 4.49% increase in gross profits, although the sales dropped by $4.3 million.
Operating Profit
In addition to estimating an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical sales and collection data, we perform a detailed review of our outstanding receivables, and make adjustments to our estimate to reflect significant delinquent accounts receivable. The Company is not aware of any significant delinquent accounts receivable that have not already been adequately reserved. In addition, our periodic allowance for doubtful accounts will continue to not have a material impact on our liquidity.
Other than allowance for bad debt,doubtful accounts, overall SG&A expenses decreasedincreased by $0.3$4.7 million, or 1.1%, which is attributableas a portion of the corporate expenditure went to management’s effortsattending the road shows and investor relationship related activities in cutting expenses and tightening control on non-production related expenditures. The2010. In addition, when business picks up, the headcount inevitably will increase, headcount number went downhas increased by 90 people102, up from a year ago. Bad debt allowance recovered (reduced)1,602 from beginning of 2010. Total SG&A expenses, when compared with that of 2009, increased by 19.4%. Recovery for doubtful accounts in 2010 was amounted to $0.9 million, includingmostly relating to a reversal of $0.3 million by our Australian operations which were over-accruedtrade receivable in the past, and Signvale Pte. Ltd., a company organized under APWC General Holdings, reversed its accrual of $0.6 millionThailand as the debt is to be transferred into Sigma Epan International as capital contribution.
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, increased by $5.8$42.7 million from $96December 31, 2009 of $101.8 million to $144.5 millionas of December 31, 2008 to $101.8 million as of December 31, 2009.2010. The increase in accounts receivable was attributable principally
50
The exchange rates at end of December 31, 2009 and 20082010 are listed below, based on the Noon Buying Rate. However, they do not actually reflect the ongoing rates during the year when transactions actually took place.
| December 31, | December 31, |
Foreign currency to US$1: |
|
|
Thai Baht | 33.33 | 30.16 |
Singapore $ | 1.40 | 1.29 |
Australian $ | 1.11 | 1.00 |
Chinese RMB | 6.83 | 6.60 |
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Foreign currency to US$1: | ||||||||
Thai Baht | 33.33 | 34.72 | ||||||
Singapore $ | 1.40 | 1.44 | ||||||
Australian $ | 1.11 | 1.41 | ||||||
Chinese RMB | 6.83 | 6.82 |
Based on the above rates, the revaluationforeign currency transactions which took place in 2010 in all of assets and liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies in the Company resulted in unrealized andall operating units reported a realized foreign exchange gains of $0.6$3.0 million. The realized exchange gains, mainly arising from Thailand operations, was due to 1) the appreciation of Thai Baht during 2010 and 2) the early settlement of trust receipts denominated in Thai Baht, when the trust receipts were bought in at a lower exchange rate.
Impairment of Investment
The impairment of investment in 2010 represents the impairment loss in TT&T securities in Thailand, owned by Siam Pacific. In the past, the unrealized loss, net of tax, was reported in separate component of shareholders’ equity. In 2010, the Company considered the continuing decrease in fair value was other-than-temporary and recognized such impairment loss in theconsolidated statements of operations.
Other Income
Other income in 2010 decreased by $1.08 million, compared with that of 2009 at $2.1 million. The decrease in 2010 consisted of less scrap sales, and less dividend from other long-term investment when compared with that of 2009.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $6.4 million in 2010 compared to $4.6 million in 2009. The exchange gains were realized across various of the operating companies, where each contributed some gain.
51
2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||
Average LME copper price ($/Ton) | 1Q | 7,796 | 5,933 | |||||||||
2Q | 8,443 | 7,642 | ||||||||||
3Q | 7,680 | 7,712 | ||||||||||
4Q | 3,905 | 7,188 | ||||||||||
Year | 6,956 | 7,119 | ||||||||||
52
Manufactured | All products | |||||||||||||||
products only | and services | |||||||||||||||
Thailand | 48.3 | % | $ | 216,364 | 43.2 | % | $ | 216,364 | ||||||||
Singapore | 7.9 | % | $ | 35,318 | 17.3 | % | $ | 86,625 | ||||||||
Australia | 13.7 | % | $ | 61,167 | 12.5 | % | $ | 62,810 | ||||||||
China | 30.1 | % | $ | 134,999 | 27.0 | % | $ | 134,999 | ||||||||
Total | 100.0 | % | $ | 447,848 | 100.0 | % | $ | 500,798 | ||||||||
53
2007 | 2008 | |||||||
Manufactured Products: | ||||||||
Telecommunication cable | 17.3 | % | 13.7 | % | ||||
Power cable | 75.9 | % | 78.8 | % | ||||
Enameled wire | 6.7 | % | 7.5 | % | ||||
Electronic cable | 0.1 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
2007 | 2008 | |||||||
Manufactured Products: | ||||||||
Telecommunication cable | 16.9 | % | 40.2 | % | ||||
Power cable | 74.2 | % | 230.3 | % | ||||
Enameled wire | 6.6 | % | 21.8 | % | ||||
Electronic cable | 0.1 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||
Total | 97.8 | % | 292.3 | % | ||||
SDI Project Engineering Services | (0.8 | )% | (7.5 | )% | ||||
Distributed Products | 0.2 | % | 12.4 | % | ||||
Recovery (allowance) for inventory reserve | 2.8 | % | (197.2 | )% | ||||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
54
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Foreign currency to US$1: | ||||||||
Thai Baht | 34.72 | 29.50 | ||||||
Singapore $ | 1.44 | 1.44 | ||||||
Australian $ | 1.43 | 1.14 | ||||||
Chinese RMB | 6.82 | 7.30 |
55
As of December 31, 20092011 we had $41.5$76.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, primarily in money marketbank accounts and cash on hand, and none of which was in unrestricted or restricted short-term bank deposits. Our current sources of cash are our cash on hand, cash generated by our operations and our credit facilities. Our primary financing needneeds will continue to be available to fund the growth in our operations, the purchase and replacement of property, plant and equipment and future acquisitions.
We have no direct business operations other than our ownership of the capital stock of our subsidiaries and joint venture holdings. Consequently, our subsidiaries have been and will continue to be the primary source of funds generated by operations. Corporate needs are funded primarily through distributions from our subsidiaries. Although we have no current intention to pay dividends, we would rely upon distributions of dividends from our subsidiaries in order to do so. As noted in our risk factors, our operating subsidiaries and other holdings and investments, from time to time, may be subject to restrictions on their ability to make distributions to us. Such restrictions could result from restrictive covenants contained in our loan agreements, restrictions on the conversion of local currency earnings into U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions. For example, PRC legal restrictions permit payments of dividends by our business entities in the PRC only out of their retained earnings, if any, determined in accordance with relevant PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, such entities are also required to set aside a portion of their net income each year to fund certain reserve funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The foregoing restrictions may also affect our ability to fund operations of one subsidiary with dividends and other payments received from another subsidiary. We are not aware of any other restrictions in other countries in which we do business other than those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section. Distributions may also be restricted as the result of objections by minority shareholders of our subsidiaries and current cash
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We maintain several working capital and overdraft credit facilities with various commercial bank groups and financial institutions. Under our line of credit arrangements for short-term debt with our banks, we may borrow up to approximately $279.8$316.4 million, including letters of credit for commodity purchases, on such terms as we and the banks mutually agreeagreed upon. These arrangements do not have termination dates but are reviewed annually for renewal. As of December 31, 2009,2011, the unused portion of the credit lines was approximately $211.2$224.6 million. That total borrowing amount includes $172.1 million in amounts available for trust receipts and issuances of letters of credit, of which $141.2 million was unused and available as of December 31, 2009. Letters of credit are issued on our behalf in the ordinary course of business by our banks as required by certain supplier contracts. As of December 31, 2009,2011, the Company had open letters of credit totaling $30.8$49.6 million. Liabilities relating to the letters of credit are included in current liabilities. There is no seasonality to the company’s borrowing, nor is there any restriction on the use of such borrowing.
Net cash generated fromprovided by operating activities in the fiscal year ended December 31, 20092011 was $18.4$22.6 million, as compared to $60$2.6 million of net cash generated fromused by operating activities in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Our net cash from operations continues to be impacted significantly by our sales and raw material purchases, which have a direct impact on changes in our accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable.2010. Days of sales outstanding (DSO)(“DSO”) is a measure of the average collection period of accounts receivable, and although the calculation is influenced by the period used and the timing of sales within that period, it canprovide insight into the variances in collections from period to period. Our days of sales outstanding as December 31, 20092011 were 9992 days, as compared to 70102 days as of December 31, 2008.2010. The deteriorationimprovement in DSOsDSO as of December 31, 20092011 is due to re-enforcing collection efforts based on various company policies across the continued impact of the global economic recession on the businesses of our customers.group. Also contributing to the net cash provided by operations in 2009 was a $30.1 million decrease in our inventories, as compared to 2008. The decrease was a result2011 were two non-cash items 1) Impairment of management’s efforts to reduce inventory levels in anticipationgoodwill of lower sales as a result of weakening market conditions. Our accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities increased by $8.8 million and 2) depreciation of $6.5 million, and one cash item: reduction in 2009 which was attributable to lower annual sales volume and demandsaccounts receivable of suppliers for quicker cash payment in light of the risks associated with the financial crisis.
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On December 1, 2011, the Company has invested an aggregateexited from a non-core business in Shandong Province, China with the sale for approximately $2.9 million of $2.8 million in Shangdong Pacific Fiber Optics Cable Co., Ltd. (“SPFO”), in which the Company possesses a 51.0% shareholders’ interest. The Company’s joint venture partner, Shandong Yanggu, possesses the remaining 49% shareholders’its 51% interest in SPFO. Investments in SPFO, have been directed at capacity expansion and thea fiber optic cable joint venture has shown increased sales and improved results for the first time in 2009.venture. The Company has also contributed $0.2had previously invested a total of $2.5 million to Shandong Huayu Pacific Fiber Optics Communication Co., Ltd. (“SHP”).
We believe funds generated by our operating activities, our cash on hand and amounts available to us under our credit facilities will provide adequate cash to fund our requirements through at least the next twelve months. We continue to have sufficient liquidity to meet our anticipated working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate requirements, and other short-term and long-term obligations as they come due. We may further enhance our liquidity in the future, as needs arise, by establishing additional lines of credit, with the support of one or more of our principal shareholders if necessary and available. We currently anticipate that we will retain all of our earnings to fund our operations and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
5.5 Research and Development
The Company does not currently engage in its own research and development. Under the Composite Services Agreement with PEWC described herein, the Company benefits from research and development conducted by PEWC at little or no cost to the Company. Most recently, the Company utilized technology from its parent company, PEWC, to assist in developing the Company’s new business line of electronic wire being manufactured in NPC’s facility. Accordingly, the Company has not made material expenditures on or commitments to research and development since formation.
5.6 Trend Information
We are not aware of any trend, commitment, event or uncertainty that can reasonably be expected to have a material effect on our current or future business other than the following, each of which has materially impacted our financial results in the past and may do so in the future:
·Uncertainty arising from the volatility in the cost of copper, our principal raw material. In 2011, the copper prices have gone from $9,555 per metric ton in the beginning of the year to less than $7,600 per metric ton at end of year. This decrease caused the Company to provide more of its inventory impairment, which amounted $2 million in year 2011. The copper price however bounced back in the beginning of 2012 and reached over $8,400 per metric ton. Our impairment will be completely consumed if the price remains stable for first half year of 2012.
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5.7 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
There have been no off-Balance Sheet arrangements for the Companyyear ended December 31, 2011 and up to have any material off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, resultsdate of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that would be material to investors.
5.8 Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts and other commitments as of December 31, 2009:2011:
| Payments due by period | ||||
Contractual obligations | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years |
Bank loans and overdrafts | $67,351 | $67,351 | - | - | - |
Capital lease obligations (principal amount only) | $1,135 | $882 | $253 | - | - |
Finance charges on capital lease obligations | $57 | $40 | $17 | - | - |
Operating lease obligations | $4,662 | $866 | $1,093 | $349 | $2,354 |
Capital commitment relating to installation of equipment and acquisition of machinery | $1,000 | $1,000 |
|
|
|
Capital commitment relating to repair and maintenance consulting service | $3,200 | $3,200 |
|
|
|
Purchase obligations for copper cathodes | $242,958 | $242,958 | - | - | - |
| $320,363 | $316,297 | $1,363 | $349 | $2,354 |
Payments due by period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less | More | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual obligations | than 1 | than 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands of US$) | Total | year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | years | ||||||||||||||||||||
Capital lease obligations (principal amount only) | $ | 338 | $ | 154 | $ | 181 | $ | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||||
Finance charges on capital lease obligations | 35 | 19 | 16 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease obligations | 5,290 | 654 | 1,734 | 370 | 2,532 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase obligations for copper cathodes | 195,173 | 195,173 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 200,836 | $ | 196,000 | $ | 1,931 | $ | 373 | $ | 2,532 | ||||||||||||||||
For more details on financial commitments and contingencies, please refer to our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in Item 18: “Financial Statements”.
Item 6: Directors, Senior Management and Employees
6.1 Directors and Senior Management
There is only one class of directorships and no one or more directors possesses any veto power over matters presented to the Board or any other special or enhanced voting rights. Until September 7, 2007, the Bye-laws provided for a classified Board consisting of up to three Class A Directors and up to seven Class B Directors. At an annual meeting of shareholders (“AGM”) held on September 7, 2007, the shareholders
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Name | ||||
Date of Birth | Position | |||
Appleby | N/A | Assistant Resident Secretary | ||
Anson Chan | November 3, 1963 | Independent director, Audit Committee Chairman | ||
Andy C.C. Cheng | April 29, 1958 | Director and Non-Executive Chairman of the Board | ||
Fang Hsiung Cheng | May 31, 1942 | Director | ||
Alex Erskine | September 7, 1963 | Resident Secretary in Bermuda | ||
Daphne Hsu | August 12, 1962 | Financial Controller | ||
Lambert L. Ding | October 12, 1959 | |||
Independent director, Audit Committee Member | ||||
Michael C. Lee | September 28, 1951 | Director | ||
Yichin Lee | January 4, 1961 | Independent director, Audit Committee Member | ||
Ching Rong Shue | March 4, 1950 | Director | ||
David Sun | December 22, 1953 | Director | ||
Yuan Chun Tang | November 26, 1960 | Director, Chief Executive Officer | ||
Carson Tien | May 16, 1945 | Chief Operating Officer | ||
Frank Tseng | March 17, 1957 | Chief Financial Officer; Non-Resident Secretary |
Certain officers and directors of the Company are or were also officers and directors of PEWC and/or PEWC affiliates, as described below. A brief professional summary for each member of the Board of Directors and senior management is as follows:
Mr. Anson Chan has been an independent member of the Company’s Board of Directors and a member and Chairman of the Audit Committee and compensation committee since 2007. Mr. Chan is also a Managing Director of the Bonds Group of Companies and was a Senior Advisor to Elliott Associates from 2005 to 2008.
Mr. Andy C.C. Cheng was a member of the Company’s Board of Directors from 2004 to 2005 and was re-elected in 2007. Mr. Cheng was appointed as Chairman of the Board in 2009. From 1987 to 2003, Mr. Cheng served as Vice President in charge of procurement at PEWC. Mr. Cheng has been an Executive Vice President at PEWC since 2004 and Chairman of each of the investment divisions of PEWC, Tai Ho Investment Co., Ltd. and You Chi Investment Co., Ltd., since June 2008. Mr. Andy C.C. Cheng is not related to Mr. Fang Hsiung Cheng.
Mr. Fang Hsiung Cheng has been a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since 2006. He also serves as Assistant Vice President of PEWC. Mr. Fang Hsiung Cheng is not related to Mr. Andy C.C. Cheng.
Mr. Alex Erskine was appointed as resident Secretary in Bermuda in October 2008. Mr. Erskine is a partner in the Bermuda law firm of Appleby, where he is the local team leader of the funds and investment services practice group, which group he joined in 1999. From March 2007 until October 2008, Mr. Erskine was the managing partner of the British Virgin Islands office of Appleby. Prior to joining Appleby, Mr. Erskine was Deputy Legal and Compliance Director of the Asset Management Division of UBS AG.
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Dr. Lambert Ding was appointed March 17, 2011 as an independent member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Ding is the president and CEO of Union Environmental Engineering Services and before that, he was an associate professor at Yuan Ze University.Dr. Ding holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Southern California, awarded in 1989. He is also a Registered Environment Assessor and holds several patents. Dr. Ding serves as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since 2006. He also served as a Vice President of PEWC until April 2008. Mr. Gai Poo Lee is not related to Mr. Michael C. Lee or Dr. Yichin Lee.
Mr. Michael C. Lee has been a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since 2004 and is also Chief Executive Officer of PEWC and Chairman of Pacific USA Holdings, Ltd. Mr. Michael C. Lee is not related to Mr. Gai Poo Lee or Dr. Yichin Lee.
Dr. Yichin Lee has been an independent member of the Company’s Board of Directors and served on the Audit Committee since 2007. He is also a member of the compensation committee. Dr. Lee is also the Managing Director of Giant Management Consulting LLCFCC partners, Inc. and an independent directorCEO of Giga Media Limited. Dr. Yichin Lee holds a doctorate degree in resource planningResource Planning and managementManagement from Stanford University. Dr. Yichin Lee is not related to Mr. Michael C. Lee or Mr. Gai Poo Lee.
Mr. Ching Rong Shue has been a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since 2006. He also serves as Vice President of PEWC.
Mr. David Sun has been a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since 2007. He also serves as President of PEWC and Managing Director of Charoong Thai Wire and Cable Public Company Limited. Mr. David Sun is the younger brother of Mr. Jack Sun.
Mr. Yuan Chun Tang has been a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since 2004 and Chief Executive Officer since 2005. Mr. Yuan served as the Company’s Chairman from 2005 to 2009. He has also served as Chairman of PEWC since 2004 and has been the Director of Pacific Construction Corp. Ltd since 2002. Mr. Yuan served as the Director of Taiwan Co-generation Corp from 2005 to 2008. Mr. Yuan has also been the Chairman of Taiwan Electric Wire & Cable Industries Association since 2004. He has served as the Supervisor to Taipei Importers/Exporters Association as well as the Director of Chinese National Federation of Industries in Taiwan since 1998 and 2004, respectively.
Mr. Carson Tien has been with PEWC or one of its affiliates such as APWC for his entire career. He started out as engineer in PEWC’s Tao Yuan, Taiwan plant in 1969 and later was promoted to plant manager in 1977. In 1990 Carson again was promoted to Assistant VP responsible for Engineering and Manufacturing in PEWC. He then in 1996 was transferred from PEWC to APWC to head the Shenzhen, China plant as President of PEWSC.PEWS. In 2005, he was appointed as Chief Operating Officer at APWC headquarters.
Mr. Frank Tseng was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Non-Resident Company Secretary effective October 22, 2009. Mr. Tseng previously served as the Deputy CFO for ABB Taiwan. Prior to that, he served as the Financial Controller of the Asia Pacific region of Phoenix Technologies Co., a Nasdaq-listedNASDAQ-listed California Silicon Valley-based high-tech company.
On March 15, 2011, Mr. Gai Po Lee resigned from the above named individuals, in their capacities as directors and officers of the Company, are subject to fiduciary duties to the Company.
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The Company’s Common Shares are traded on NASDAQ. Notwithstanding that, the Board of Directors is not composed of a majority of independent directors. In the event that theThe Company seeks to list its Common Shares on a national exchange, the Company may choose to relyis relying upon the “controlled company exemption” that is available to issuers on a numberunder the rules of national exchanges.NASDAQ. In effect, the “controlled company exemption” provides that an issuer listing on a national exchange that recognizes the exemption is not required to have its Board of Directors consist of a majority of independent directors if a shareholder, or two or more shareholders who constitute a group, have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the issuer.
No service contract exists between any director and the Company or any of its subsidiaries providing for benefits upon termination of employment.
The Company has no arrangements or understandings with any major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any person referred to above was selected as a director or member of senior management.
6.2 Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors primarily functions to assist the Board in its oversight of: (i) the reliability and integrity of accounting policies and financial reporting and disclosure practices and (ii) the establishment and maintenance of processes to ensure that there is compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and company policy and an adequate system of internal control, management of business risks and safeguard of assets.
The Audit Committee is currently composed of Mr. Anson Chan, Dr. Yichin Lee and Dr. Lee,Lambert Ding, with Mr. Chan serving as the committee’s chairman.
The Audit Committee, as currently constituted, complies with the requirements of Regulation 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. InAct and the absencecorporate governance requirements of an audit committee, the full Board of Directors may fulfill the functions of an audit committee pursuant to Section 3(a)(58) of the Exchange Act. Until the appointment of Mr. Chan and Dr. Lee to the Audit Committee on September 28, 2007, the full Board of Directors fulfilled the functions of an audit committee.
6.3 Compensation Committee
On June 13, 2008, the Board authorized the formation of a Compensation Committee to assist the Company in determining the compensation to be paid to the executive directors of the Company. According to the terms of reference under which it operates, the Compensation Committee is authorized to: (i) review and recommend to the Board, or determine, the annual salary, bonus, stock options, and other benefits, direct and indirect, of the senior management of the Company and its principal operating subsidiaries; (ii) review new executive compensation programs, review on a periodic basis the operationoperations of the Company’s executive compensation programs to determine whether they are properly coordinated, establish and periodically review policies for the administration of executive compensation programs, and take steps to modify any executive compensation programs that yield payments and benefits that are not reasonably related to executive performance; (iii) engage outside auditors and consultants to advise on market compensation; and (iv) establish and periodically review policies in the area of management perquisites.
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6.4 Compensation
The aggregate amount of compensation paid by the Company to all of the Company’s directors and executive officers, as a group, for services in all capacities during 20092011 was approximately $1.26$1.70 million. As ofMarch 31, 2009,2012, our directors and executive officers beneficially owned approximately 50,000 Common Shares representing approximately0.4% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. The Company is not required to disclose the annual compensation of its executive officers and directors on an individual basis is not a disclosure item under the laws of Bermuda or Taiwan.
The fee payable to independent directors is $20,000 per year and the fee payable to directors who are executive officers of the Company or PEWC is $10,000 per year, together with, in each case, reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses for attendance of meetings of the Board of Directors.
No funds or provisions have been set aside to directors or management except for government mandated programs. The aggregate number of shares held by directors and executive officers is 50,000 shares.
6.5 Employees
The Company employed a total of 1,6151,369 employees as of December 31, 2009,2011 (the headcount number of SPFO is excluded as it was disposed of in December 2011), of which about 17%18.2% were administrative and management personnel. Approximately 52%49% of employees were located in Thailand, 30%36% in China, 9% in Singapore and 4%4.8% in Australia. Production workers are usually organized into two 12-hour shifts or three 8-hour shifts to allow continuous factory operation.
The Company offers a range of employee benefits, which it believes are comparable to industry practice in its local markets. Such benefits include performance-based pay incentives, medical benefits, vacation, pension, housing for a small number of workers in Singapore and in Thailand, and a small housing supplement to other workers. The Company also provides training programs for its personnel designed to improve worker productivity and occupational safety.
Presently, there is no group bonus, profit-sharing or stock option plan. However, some of the Company’s subsidiaries have bonus or profit-sharing plans based on individual performance and the profitability of the
The Company has several defined benefit and defined contribution plans covering its employees in Thailand, Australia, the PRC and Singapore. Contributions to the plans are made on an annual basis and totaled $0.7$1.1 million in 2009.2011. Additionally, the Company has several defined benefit plans in accordance with Thailand labor law. In its Thai subsidiaries, the companiesCompany must pay a retiring employee from one to ten times such employee’s salary rate during his or her final month, depending on the length of service. During 2009,2011, the Company’s total expenses under this labor law were $0.5$0.3 million. These plans are not funded and the amount is recognized and included in Other Current Liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet. The Company settles it obligations as and when employees retire. The accumulated benefit obligations under this plan amounted to $2.0$2.9 million as at December 31, 2009.
Approximately 60%27% of the employees of Sigma Cable are members of the United Workers of Electronics & Electrical Industries, an employees’ union in Singapore. Under the terms of a collective agreement signed in June 2003, the Company is required to negotiate salary and wage increases yearly. All other worker benefits and employment terms are included in the collective agreement. The Company believes that
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The Company has never experienced a strike or other disruption due to labor disputes. The Company considers its employee relations to be satisfactory and has not experienced difficulties attracting and retaining qualified employees. In Singapore, employee turnover is approximately 30.4%27% of total employees annually. In Thailand, employee turnover is approximately 8.7% of total employees annually.
Item 7: Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
7.1 Major Shareholders
On March 27, 2009, PEWC acquired 1,410,739 Common Shares of the Company. On June 28, 2007, Sino-JP sold allCompany from SOF, which amount represented 51% of itsthe Common Shares to SOF Investments, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“SOF”). From September 15, 2005 until March 27, 2009, PEWCthen held 7,664,615 Common Shares, representing 55.4% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company. On March 27, 2009, SOF sold 1,410,739, or 51%, of its Common Shares to PEWC. Sinceby SOF. Following that sale,transaction, PEWC and SOF have held 65.6% and 9.8% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company, respectively. As of July 1, 2011, SOF transferred and conveyed its ownership interest in the 1,355,415 Common Shares held by it to COF. The remaining 24.6% of the issues and outstanding Common Shares are publicly traded in the U.S. on the over-the-counter bulletin board (the “OTC BB”).
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of the Company’s capital stockCommon Shares as of March 31, 20102012 by (i) all persons who are known to the Company to own beneficially more than five percent of the Common Shares of the Company and (ii) the officers and directors of the Company as a group. The information set forth in the following table is derived from public filings made by holders and information obtained from directors and officers. The voting rights attaching to the Common Shares below are the same as those attaching to all other Common Shares.
Identity of Person or Group | Number of | Percent of Class |
Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co., Ltd.(1) | 9,075,354 | 65.617% |
MSD Credit Opportunity Master Fund, L.P.(2) | 1,355,415 | 9.800% |
Directors and Officers of the Company | 50,000 | 0.362% |
(1) PEWC owns 1,410,739 shares directly and owns its remaining shares indirectly, as a result of PEWC’s control of its direct wholly‑owned subsidiary, Moon View Ventures Limited, a BVI company, which beneficially owns 7,307,948 Common Shares, and as a result of PEWC’s control of its indirect wholly‑owned subsidiary, Pacific Holdings Group, a Nevada corporation, which beneficially owns 356,667 Common Shares.
Number of | ||||||||
Identity of Person or Group | Shares | Percent of Class | ||||||
Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co., Ltd. (1) | 9,075,354 | 65.600 | % | |||||
SOF Investments, L.P. (2) | 1,355,415 | 9.800 | % | |||||
Directors and Officers of the Company | 50,000 | 0.362 | % |
(2) MSD Credit Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. is the record and direct beneficial owner of the securities. MSDC Management, L.P. is the investment manager of, and may be deemed to have or share voting and dispositive power over, and/or beneficially own securities owned by, MSD Credit Opportunity Master Fund. MSDC Management (GP), LLC is the general partner of, and may be deemed to have or share voting and dispositive power over, and/or beneficially own securities owned by, MSDC Management, L.P. Each of Glenn R. Fuhrman, John C. Phelan and Marc R. Lisker is a manager of MSDC Management (GP) and may be deemed to have or share voting and/or dispositive power over, and beneficially own, the common shares beneficially owned by MSDC Management. Each of Mr. Fuhrman, Mr. Phelan and Mr. Lisker disclaim beneficial ownership of such common shares, except to the extent of the pecuniary interest of such person in such shares.
The Company has 6,166,154 Common Shares that are registered securities, of which 3,400,000 Common Shares are publicly-traded on the OTC BB,NASDAQ Capital Markets tier, which represents 24.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. The remaining registered securities, 2,766,154 Common Shares, are held by PEWC and SOF,COF, and are subject to trading restrictions under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. Other than the approximately 50,000 Common Shares held by directors or officers who are not resident in the United States
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7.2 Related Party Transactions
The Company (Private) Limited (“Sigma Cable”), a subsidiary in Singapore, were converted into a loan from PEWC. Such loan is repayable in quarterly installments and bears interest at the Singapore Interbank Offered Rate plus 1.52%. As of December 31, 2009 and the latest practicable date, the principal amount of the loan was completely paid off by Sigma Cable. Sigma Cable continues to incurincurs ordinary course trade payables with PEWC in connection with copper purchases under the Composite Services Agreement and the sale by the Company of distributed productsDistributed Products on behalf of PEWC.
As of December 31, 20092011 and the latest practicable date, the Company, including its subsidiaries, had a net principal balance outstanding of $1.7$10.4 million borrowed from subsidiaries of PEWC, including Moon View Venture Limited (“Moon View”).PEWC. This short-term indebtedness is payable on a demand basis and does not accrue interest.
The Company used the proceeds from each of the related party loans described above for working capital and purchases of capital equipment.
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Under the terms of the Composite Services Agreement, APWC pays a management fee to PEWC in connection with the secondment, or temporary assignment and relocation, of certain PEWC managers to APWC facilities in Shenzhen and Thailand. The assigned managers assist APWC in implementing the results of certain research and development conducted by PEWC and made available by PEWC to the Company under the terms of the Composite Services Agreement. The assigned managers also assist APWC in the procurement of raw materials, primarily copper, which is also provided for under the Composite Services Agreement. The amount of such annual management fee was $183,000$239,000 as of December 31, 2009.
Additional details regarding related party balances as of December 31, 20092011 and related party transactions, including copper purchases from PEWC, are disclosed in Note 1517 of our audited consolidated financial statements in Item 18: Financial Statements.
There have been no other related party transactions or contracts entered into between PEWC and APWC in 2009.
Item 8: Financial Information
8.1 Legal Proceedings
There are currently no material proceedings in which any director, senior manager, or affiliate is adverse to the Company or has an adverse material interest. The followingThere are no legal proceedings to which the Company is a summary of recent legal proceedings of the Companyparty which may have, or have had in the recent past, significant effects on the Company’s financial position or profitability.
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To date, the Company, a Bermuda company formed in 1996, has not paid any dividends. While the Company has no present intention to pay dividends, should it decide in the future to do so, as a holding company the Company’s ability to pay dividends, as well as to meet its other obligations, will depend upon the amount of distributions, if any, received from the Company’s operating subsidiaries and other holdings and investments. The Company’s operating subsidiaries and other holdings and investments, from time to time, may be subject to restrictions on their ability to make distributions to the Company, including as a result of restrictive covenants contained in loan agreements, restrictions on the conversion of local currency earnings into U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions. The foregoingCompany. Those restrictions may also affect the Company’s ability to fund operations of one subsidiary with dividends and other payments received from another subsidiary.
8.3 Significant Changes
There have been no material or significant changes in the Company’s affairs since the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 20092011 that have not been described herein.
Item 9: The Offer and Listing
9.1 Historical Trading Information
The high and low market prices for Common Shares on the Pink Sheets (from January 2007 until April 2008), and on the over-the-counter bulletin board (the “OTC BB”) (until August 2005)(from April 2008 until April 2011), and on the Pink Sheets (from August 2005 untilNASDAQ since April 2008), and again on the OTC BB (since April 2008)29, 2011, for each period specified are as follows:
| Price per Share ($) | |
| High | Low |
Five most recent full financial years: |
|
|
2007 | 7.19 | 2.50 |
2008 | 6.45 | 0.80 |
2009 | 3.39 | 0.50 |
2010 | 7.85 | 2.20 |
2011 | 7.05 | 1.92 |
|
|
|
Two most recent full financial years: |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
First Quarter | 3.00 | 2.20 |
Second quarter | 3.40 | 2.46 |
Third quarter | 5.25 | 2.94 |
Fourth quarter | 7.85 | 4.70 |
2011 | ||
First quarter | 7.05 | 4.50 |
Second quarter | 6.85 | 3.50 |
Third quarter | 4.98 | 2.62 |
Fourth quarter | 3.30 | 1.92 |
Most recent six months: |
|
|
October 2011 | 3.30 | 1.92 |
November 2011 | 3.25 | 2.60 |
December 2011 | 3.05 | 2.54 |
January 2012 | 3.99 | 2.85 |
February 2012 | 3.55 | 2.47 |
March 2012 | 3.60 | 2.97 |
Price per Share | ||||||||
($) | ||||||||
High | Low | |||||||
Five most recent full financial years: | ||||||||
2005 | 4.75 | 1.20 | ||||||
2006 | 3.20 | 0.80 | ||||||
2007 | 7.19 | 2.50 | ||||||
2008 | 6.45 | 0.80 | ||||||
2009 | 3.39 | 0.50 | ||||||
Two most recent full financial years: | ||||||||
2008 | ||||||||
First Quarter | 6.10 | 4.55 | ||||||
Second Quarter | 6.45 | 5.50 | ||||||
Third Quarter | 5.50 | 2.65 | ||||||
Fourth Quarter | 5.10 | 0.80 | ||||||
2009 | ||||||||
First Quarter | 1.50 | 0.50 | ||||||
Second Quarter | 1.98 | 0.90 | ||||||
Third Quarter | 2.90 | 1.45 | ||||||
Fourth Quarter | 3.39 | 2.15 | ||||||
2010 | ||||||||
First Quarter | 3.00 | 2.25 | ||||||
Most recent six months: | ||||||||
November 2009 | 3.00 | 2.65 | ||||||
December 2009 | 2.95 | 2.15 | ||||||
January 2010 | 2.99 | 2.25 |
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Price per Share | ||||||||
($) | ||||||||
High | Low | |||||||
February 2010 | 2.85 | 2.50 | ||||||
March 2010 | 3.00 | 2.55 | ||||||
April 2010 | 3.00 | 2.55 |
The Company’s Common Shares have been listed on NASDAQ Capital Markets tier since April 2011 under the symbol “APWC”. Prior to that, the Company has beenwas listed on the OTC BB since April 2008 under the symbol “AWRCF,” immediately prior to which the Common Shares were traded on the Pink Sheets. See the risk factor entitled “Potential“Potential Illiquidity of Common Shares.Shares.” The Common Shares are not listed on any other exchanges or otherwise publicly traded within or outside the United States. The Company intends to apply for a listing on either the Nasdaq or NYSE Amex Equities (formerly known as the American Stock Exchange), as and when the Company meets the listing criteria for one of those exchanges.
Item 10: Additional Information
10.1 Share Capital
As of December 31, 20082011 and as of the date of the filing of this Annual Report, the Company has an authorized share capital of 50,000,000 Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share, and there were and are 13,830,769 Common Shares issued and outstanding. No capital of the Company is under option or agreed conditionally or unconditionally to be put under option. The Company does not have any classes of capital stock option plan established by the Company in 1996 prior toother than its initial public offering was terminated by the Board of Directors in 2006. No options were ever exercised and no Common Shares were ever issued under that terminated stock option plan.
10.2 Memorandum of Association and Bye-lawsBye-Laws
10.2.1 General
For a detailed description of the Company’s principal activities, see Section 4.1: “History and Development of the Business.” On September 7, 2007, the Company’s Bye-Laws were amended to delete provisions providing for a classified Board of Directors and to allow the shareholders to set the number of directors. At the annual general meeting held on September 7, 2007, the shareholders provided that the Board shall consist of up to ten (10) directors of a single class. Pursuant to the Company’s Bye-laws,Bye-Laws the Board of Directors consists of a single class of directors, each director has one vote on all matters put to the Board, and a quorum shall consistconsists of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office. The Company’s Bye-laws, as so amended, were filed with the annual report of the Company on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. The Company’s Bye-Laws were further amended on September 8, 2008October 7, 2011 to increaseallow the authorized share capital. The Company’s Bye-laws,Company to purchase its own shares for cancellation or acquire them to be held as so furthertreasury shares. Such amended wereBye-Laws are filed on February 18, 2009herein as Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 filed on February 18, 2009.
10.2.2 Description of Shareholder Rights Attaching to Our Common Shares
The Company was incorporated in Bermuda on September 19, 1996 under the Companies Act. The rights of our shareholders are governed by Bermuda law and our memorandum of association and Bye-laws.
The following discussion of our Common Shares and the laws governing the rights of our shareholders is based upon the advice of Appleby (Bermuda) Limited, our Bermuda counsel.
Our authorized share capital as of December 31, 20092011 was $500,000 consisting of 50,000,000 Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share, of which, as of December 31, 20092011 and as of the date of the filing of this Annual Report, there were and are 13,830,769 Common Shares issued and outstanding.
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• Holders of the Common Shares have no preemptive, redemption, conversion or sinking fund rights.
• Holders of the Common Shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a poll vote of holders of Common Shares and do not have any cumulative voting rights.
• In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up and subject to any alternative resolution that may be pursued by our shareholders, the holders of Common Shares are entitled to share ratably in our assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all our debts and liabilities.
• Additional authorized but unissued Common Shares may be issued by the Board without the approval of the shareholders.
The holders of Common Shares will receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for such purposes. We may not declare or pay a dividend, or make a distribution out of contributed surplus, if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:
• we are, or after the payment would be, unable to pay our liabilities as they become due; or
• the realizable value of our assets after such payment or distribution would be less than the aggregate amount of our liabilities and our issued share capital and share premium accounts.
The following is a summary of provisions of Bermuda law and our organizational documents, including our memorandum of association and Bye-laws.Bye-Laws. We refer you to our memorandum of association, and Bye-laws, copiesa copy of which havehas been filed with the SEC.SEC and our Bye-Laws, a copy of which is filed herein. You are urged to read these documents in their entirety for a complete understanding of the terms thereof.
10.2.3 Share Capital
Our authorized capital consists of one class of Common Shares. Under our Bye-laws,Bye-Laws, our Board of Directors has the power to issue any authorized and unissued shares on such terms and conditions as it may determine. Any shares or class of shares may be issued with such preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights or any restrictions with regard to such matters, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise, as we may from time to time by resolution of the shareholders prescribe, or in the absence of such shareholder direction, as the Board of Directors may determine. This provision in the Bye-lawsBye-Laws could be used to prevent a takeover attempt, or to make a takeover attempt prohibitively expensive, and thereby preclude shareholders from realizing a potential premium over the market value of their shares.
10.2.4 Voting Rights
Generally, under Bermuda law and our Bye-laws,Bye-Laws, questions brought before a general meeting are decided by a simple majority vote of shareholders present or represented by proxy, with no provision for cumulative voting. Matters will be decided by way of votes cast by way of show of hands unless a poll is demanded.
If a poll is demanded, each shareholder who is entitled to vote and who is present in person or by proxy has one vote for each Common Share entitled to vote on such question. A poll may only be demanded under the Bye-lawsBye-Laws by:
• the chairman of the meeting;
• at least three shareholders present in person or represented by proxy;
• any shareholder or shareholders present in person or represented by proxy and holding between them not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all shareholders having voting rights; or
• a shareholder or shareholders present in person or represented by proxy holding Common Shares conferring the right to vote on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all Common Shares.
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10.2.5 Dividend Rights
Under Bermuda law, a company may declare and pay dividends unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company is, or would, after the payment, be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due or that the realizable value of the company’s assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and issued share capital and share premium accounts.
Under our Bye-laws,Bye-Laws, the Board may from time to time declare dividends or distributions out of contributed surplus to be paid to the shareholders according to their rights and interests. With the sanction of a shareholders resolution, the Board of Directors may determine that any dividend may be paid in cash or by distribution of specific assets, including paid-up shares or debentures of any other company. The Board of Directors may also pay any fixed cash dividend which is payable on any of our Common Shares half-yearly or on other dates, whenever our position, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, justifies such payment.
Dividends, if any, on our Common Shares will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors, and will depend on our future operations and earnings, capital requirements, surplus and general financial condition as our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
10.2.6 Purchases by the Company of its own Common Shares
Under Bermuda law and as authorized by the Company’s memorandum of association, we may purchase our own Common Shares out of the capital paid up on the Common Shares in question or out of funds that would otherwise be available for dividend or distribution or out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of Common Shares made for the purposes of the purchase. We may not purchase our shares if, on the date on which the purchase is to be effected, there are reasonable grounds for believing that the Company is, or after the purchase would be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due.
However, to the extent that any premium is payable on the purchase, the premium must be provided out of the funds of the Company that would otherwise be available for dividend or distribution or out of the Company’s share premium account. Any Common Shares purchased by the Company are treated as cancelled and the amount of the Company’s issued capital is diminished by the nominal value of the shares accordingly but shall not be taken as reducing the amount of the Company’s authorized share capital.
10.2.7 Preemptive Rights
Our Bye-lawsBye-Laws generally do not provide the holders of our Common Shares preemptive rights in relation to any issues of Common Shares by us or any transfer of our shares.
However, the Company has in the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement granted to SOFCOF preemptive rights in the event of any issuance of additional equity securities (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities) by the Company, such that SOFCOF may subscribe for additional securities in
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10.2.8 Variation of Rights
We may issue more than one class of shares and more than one series of shares in each class. The rights attached to any class of shares may be altered or abrogated either:
• with the consent in writing of the holders of more than fifty percent of the issued shares of that class; or
• pursuant to a resolution of the holders of such shares.
The Bye-lawsBye-Laws provide that the necessary quorum shall be two or more persons present in person or by proxy holding shares of the relevant class. The Bye-lawsBye-Laws specify that the creation or issuance of shares ranking pari passu with existing shares will not, subject to any statement to the contrary in the terms of issuance of those shares or rights attached to those shares, vary the special rights attached to existing shares.
10.2.9 Transfer of Common Shares
Subject to the “Transfer Restrictions” section below, a shareholder may transfer title to all or any of his shares by completing an instrument of transfer in the usual common form or in such other form as the Board of Directors may approve. The form of transfer is required to be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and also the transferee where any share is not fully paid. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of Members.
10.2.10 Transfer Restrictions
The Board of Directors may, in its absolute discretion and without assigning any reason therefor,therefore, decline to register any transfer of any share which is not a fully paid share. The Board of Directors may also refuse to register an instrument of transfer of a share unless the instrument of transfer:
• is duly stamped, if required by law, and lodged with us;
• is accompanied by the relevant share certificate and such other evidence of the transferor’s right to make the transfer as the Board of Directors shall reasonably require;
• is in respect of one class of shares; and
• has obtained, where applicable, permission of the Bermuda Monetary Authority.
Our Common Shares are no longer listedtraded on theNASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. as of April 2011, which qualifies as an “appointed stock exchange” for purposes of the Companies Act and therefore, do not qualify forthe Bermuda Exchange Control Act and regulations made thereunder, in particular a “blanket” authorizationnotice to the public dated 1 June 2005. Accordingly, our Common Shares benefit from a general permission for free transferability from the Bermuda Monetary Authority for all transfers of our Common Shares between persons who are not resident in Bermuda for exchange control purposes. purposes, for as long as such Common Shares remain listed on an appointed stock exchange.
The Bermuda Monetary Authority has informed us that it has no objectionCompany, PEWC and COF (as successor-in-interest to SOF), are parties to the continued free transferability of our Common Shares on the same basis as when the Company was listed on the NYSE, except that the Bermuda Monetary Authority has requested it be informed of any shareholders holding five percent or more of the Common Shares in issue or any proposals to transfer five percent or more of the issuedAmended and outstanding Common Shares.
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10.2.11 Transmission of Shares
In the event of the death of a shareholder, the survivor or survivors, where the deceased shareholder was a joint holder, and the estate representative, where the deceased shareholder was sole holder, shall be the only persons recognized by us as having any title to the shares of the deceased. “Estate representative” means the person to whom probate or letters of administration has or have been granted in Bermuda, or failing any such person, such other person as the Board of Directors may in its absolute discretion determine to be the person recognized by us for this purpose.
10.2.12 Disclosure of Interests
Under the Companies Act, a director who has an interest in a material contract or a proposed material contract, or a 10% or more interest (directly or indirectly) in an entity that is interested in a contract or proposed contract or arrangement with us, is obligated to declare the nature of such interest at the first opportunity at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or by writing to the Board of Directors. If the director has complied with the relevant sections of the Companies Act and the Bye-lawsBye-Laws with respect to the disclosure of his interest, the director may vote at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof on a contract, transaction or arrangement in which that director is interested, in which case his vote shall be counted and he shall be taken into account in ascertaining whether a quorum is present.
10.2.13 Rights in Liquidation
Under Bermuda law, in the event of liquidation dissolution or winding-up of a company, after satisfaction in full of all claims of creditors and subject to the preferential rights accorded to any series of preferred stock, the proceeds of such liquidation dissolution or winding-up are distributed among the holders of shares in accordance with a company’s bye-laws.
Under our Bye-laws,Bye-Laws, if we are wound up, the liquidator may, pursuant to a resolution of the shareholders and any approval required by the Companies Act, divide among the shareholders in cash or other assets the whole or part of our assets, whether such assets shall consist of property of the same kind or not, and may for such purposes set such values as such liquidator deems fair upon any property to be divided and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the shareholders.
10.2.14 Meetings of Shareholders
Under Bermuda law, a company, unless it elects to dispense with the holding of annual general meetings, is required to convene at least one general meeting per calendar year. The directors of a company, notwithstanding anything in such company’s bye-laws, shall, on the requisition of the shareholders holding at the date of the deposit of the requisition not less than one-tenth of the paid-up capital of the company carrying the right of vote, duly convene a special general meeting. Our Bye-lawsBye-Laws provide that the Board of Directors may, whenever it thinks fit, convene a special general meeting.
Bermuda law requires that shareholders be given at least five days’ notice of a meeting of the Company. Our Bye-lawsBye-Laws extend this period to provide that not less than 20 days’ written notice of a general meeting must
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Our Bye-lawsBye-Laws state that no business can be transacted at a general meeting unless a quorum of at least two shareholders representing a majority of the issued shares of the Company are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote.
Under our Bye-laws,Bye-Laws, notice to any shareholders may be delivered either personally or by sending it through the post, by airmail where applicable, in a pre-paid letter addressed to the shareholder at his address as appearing in the share register or by delivering it to, or leaving it at, such registered address. Any notice sent by post shall be deemed to have been served seven (7) days after dispatch. A notice of a general meeting is deemed to be duly given to the shareholder if it is sent to him by cable, telex or telecopiertele-copier or other mode of representing or reproducing words in a legible and non-transitory form and such notice shall be deemed to have been served twenty-four (24) hours after its dispatch.
10.2.15 Access to Books and Records and Dissemination of Information
Under Bermuda law, members of the general public have the right to inspect the public documents of a company available at the office of the Bermuda Registrar of Companies. These documents include the memorandum of association and any amendment to the memorandum of association.
Under Bermuda law, the minutes of shareholder meetings will be open for inspection by any shareholder or director without charge for not less than two hours during business hours each day, subject to any reasonable restrictions that we may impose. The shareholders shall be entitled to receive a copy of every balance sheet and statement of income and expenditure before a general meeting as required under the Bye-laws.
Under our Bye-laws,Bye-Laws, unless the Board otherwise determines, the register of shareholders of the Company is required to be open for inspection between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon each working day without charge to members of the general public. A company is required to maintain its share register in Bermuda but may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, establish a branch register outside of Bermuda. We have established a branch register with our transfer agent, Computershare Limited, which is based in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Under Bermuda law,Law, a company is required to keep at its registered office a register of its directors and officers that is open for inspection for not less than two hours in each day by members of the public without charge. Under our Bye-laws,Bye-Laws, the register of directors and officers is available for inspection by the public between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon every working day.
Bermuda law does not provide a general right for shareholders to inspect or obtain copies of any other corporate records, except for the Bye-lawsBye-Laws of the Company.
10.2.16 Election or Removal of Directors
The Bye-lawsBye-Laws provide that the number of directors will be such number, not less than two, as our shareholders by resolution may from time to time determine. A director will serve until re-elected or his successor is appointed at the next annual general meeting or his prior removal in the manner provided by the Companies Act or the Bye-laws.Bye-Laws. There is no requirement under Bermuda law, the Company’s memorandum of association or its Bye-lawsBye-Laws that a majority of the Company’s directors be independent.
The amendment to the Bye-laws establishedBye-Laws provide that the number of directors would be set by the shareholders, with each director havingshall have one vote on all matters submittedpresented to the Board. At that meeting, eight members of the Board of Directors were elected, with two seats
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The shareholders may by resolution determine that one or more vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be deemed casual vacancies for the purposes of the Bye-laws.Bye-Laws. The Board, so long as a quorum of directors remains in office, shall have the power at any time and from time to time to appoint any individual to be a director so as to fill a casual vacancy. The shareholders may approve the appointment of alternate directors or may authorize the Board to appoint them. Directors may also appoint and remove their own alternates.
We may, in a special general meeting called for this purpose, remove a director, provided notice of such meeting is served upon the director concerned not less than fourteen days before the meeting and he shall be entitled to be heard at that meeting.
The office of a director will be vacated in the event of any of the following:
• if he resigns his office by notice in writing to be delivered to our registered office or tendered at a meeting of the Board of Directors;
• if he becomes of unsound mind or a patient for any purpose under any statute or applicable law relating to mental health and the Board of Directors resolves that his office is vacated;
• if he becomes bankrupt or enters into a general settlement with his creditors;
• if he is prohibited by law from being a director; or
• if he ceases to be a director by virtue of the Companies Act or is removed from office pursuant to the Bye-Laws.
10.2.17 Amendment of Memorandum of Association and Bye-Laws
Bermuda law provides that the memorandum of association of a company may be amended by resolution passed at a general meeting of which due notice has been given. An amendment to a memorandum of association does not require the consent of the Minister of Finance save for specific circumstances, for example, the adopting of any authority to carry on restricted business activities.
Under Bermuda law, the holders of:
• an aggregate of not less than twenty percent in par value of a company’s issued share capital or any class thereof; or
• not less in the aggregate than twenty percent of the company’s debentures entitled to object to amendments to its memorandum of association,
have the right to apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda for an annulment of any amendment of the memorandum of association. Where such an application is made, the amendment becomes effective only to the extent that it is confirmed by the Bermuda Supreme Court. An application for an annulment of an amendment of the memorandum of association must be made within twenty-one days after the date on which the resolution amending the memorandum of association is passed and may be made on behalf of the persons entitled to make the application by one or more of their number as they may appoint in writing for the purpose.
Our Bye-lawsBye-Laws may be amended in the manner provided for in the Companies Act, which provides that the directors may amend the Bye-laws,Bye-Laws, provided that any such amendment shall be effective only to the extent approved by the shareholders.
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The Companies Act provides that subjecttwo or more Bermuda companies may merge and their undertaking, property and liabilities shall best in one of such companies as the surviving company (referred to the terms ofas a company’s bye-laws, the merger or consolidation of“merger” under Bermuda law). The Companies Act also provides that a Bermuda company may amalgamate with another company and continue as an amalgamated company (referred to as an “amalgamation” under Bermuda law). A merger or amalgamation requires an merger or amalgamation agreement which must be approved by the board of directors and at a meeting of the shareholders by seventy-five percent of the shareholders present and entitled to vote at such meeting in respect of which the quorum shall be two persons holding or representing by proxy more than one-third of the issued shares of the company. These provisions do not apply where a holding company is merging or amalgamating with one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries or where two or more wholly-owned companies of the same holding company are merging or amalgamating.
Under Bermuda law, in the event of a merger or an amalgamation of a Bermuda company, a shareholder who did not vote in favor of the transaction and who is not satisfied that fair value has been offered for the shares, may apply to athe Supreme Court of Bermuda court within one month of notice of the meeting of shareholders to appraise the fair value of those shares.
10.2.19 Class Actions and Derivative Actions
Class actions, as they are commonly understood in the United States, are not available to shareholders under Bermuda law. Derivative actions are generally only available to shareholders under Bermuda law in very limited circumstances. A shareholder may commence an action in the name of a company to remedy a wrong done to the company where the wrongdoers are in control of the company and the act complained of is of a fraudulent character, oppressive, beyond the corporate power of the company, illegal or would have required the approval of a greater percentage of the company’s shareholders than those that actually approved it. A shareholder may not commence such an action where the wrong complained of is capable of ratification by the company in a general meeting by ordinary resolution.
When one or more shareholders believes the affairs of a company are being conducted in a manner which is oppressive or prejudicial to the interest of some of the shareholders, athe Supreme Court of Bermuda, court, upon petition, may make such order as it sees fit, including an order regulating the conduct of the company’s affairs in the future or ordering the purchase of the shares of any shareholders by other shareholders or by the company, and in the case of a purchase of the shares by the company, for the reduction accordingly of the company’s capital or otherwise.
10.2.20 Personal Liability of Directors and Indemnity
The Companies Act requires every officer, including directors, of a company in exercising powers and discharging duties, to act honestly in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company, and to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. The Companies Act further provides that any provision, whether in the bye-laws of a company or in any contract between the company and any officer or any person employed by the company as auditor, exempting such officer or person from liability, or indemnifying him against any liability which by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to him, in respect of any fraud or dishonesty of which he may be guilty in relation to the company, shall be void.
Every director, officer and committee member shall be indemnified out of our funds against all civil liabilities, loss, damage or expense including liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal and other costs and expenses properly payable, incurred or suffered by him as director, officer or committee member; provided that the indemnity contained in the Bye-lawsBye-Laws will not extend to any matter which would render it void under the Companies Act as discussed above.
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We have been designated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority as a non-resident under the Exchange Control Act of 1972 (the “Exchange Control Act”). This designation allows us to engage in transactions in currencies other than the Bermuda dollar.
The transfer of Common Shares between persons regarded as resident outside Bermuda for exchange control purposes and the issue of Common Shares to such persons may be effected without specific consent under the Exchange Control Act and regulations thereunder, provided that the Bermuda Monetary Authority is promptly notified of all instances in which the Company becomes aware that a new shareholder has obtained five percent or more of the Company’s shares.
Notwithstanding the recording of any special capacity, we are not bound to investigate or incur any responsibility in respect of the proper administration of any estate or trust.
We will take no notice of any trust applicable to any of our Common Shares whether or not we had notice of such trust.
As an “exempted company,” we are exempt from Bermuda laws which restrict the percentage of share capital that may be held by non-Bermudians. However, as an exempted company we may not participate in certain designated business transactions, which we do not consider relevant to our present or planned business activities.
10.3 Material Contracts
Composite Services Agreement (“CSA”)
The Company engages in transactions in the ordinary course of business with PEWC, including the purchase of certain raw materials and the distribution of PEWC products in various countries in the Asia Pacific region. In 2009 there have been no material changes to the CSA between APWC and PEWC. The Company and PEWC are parties to a composite services agreement dated November 7, 1996 (the “Composite Services Agreement” or “CSA”), which the Company has renewed annually, at its option. The Composite Services Agreement contains provisions that define the relationship and the conduct of the respective businesses of the Company and PEWC and confers certain preferential benefits on the Company. In 2011 there were no material changes to the CSA between APWC and PEWC. Pursuant to the Composite Services Agreement:
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• The Company has the right to distribute any wire or cable product manufactured by PEWC in all markets in which the Company presently distributes or develops the capability to distribute in the future such products on such terms as have historically been in effect or on terms at least as favorable as PEWC grants to third parties that distribute such products in such markets. However, PEWC is not required to grant to the Company the right to distribute products manufactured by PEWC in the future in markets where the Company does not currently have the capability to distribute unless and until PEWC has no pre-existing contractual rights which would conflict with the grant of such right to the Company.
• Each of PEWC and the Company will notify the other party prior to entering into any negotiations with a third party concerning the establishment of any facility or similar venture to manufacture or distribute any wire or cable product outside of the markets where the Company currently manufactures or distributes, or intends to develop the capability to manufacture or distribute, any wire or cable product. Unless the Company and PEWC mutually agree otherwise, the Company has the right of first refusal to enter into any definitive agreement with such third party. If, however, such third party would not agree to the substitution of the Company for PEWC or such substitution would prevent the successful completion of the facility or venture, PEWC has agreed to arrange for the Company to participate to the extent possible.
• PEWC agrees to make available to the Company, upon the Company’s request and on terms to be mutually agreed between PEWC and the Company from time to time, certain services with respect to the design and manufacture of wire and cable products, computerization, inventory control, purchasing, internal auditing, quality control, emergency back-up services, and recruitment and training of personnel; such services may include the training of the Company’s employees and managers at PEWC facilities and the secondment of PEWC employees and managers to the Company.
• Without the consent of the Company, PEWC will not compete with respect to the manufacture or distribution of wire and cable products in any market in which the Company is manufacturing or has taken significant steps to commence manufacturing.
• For purposes of the Composite Services Agreement, each province in China is considered the equivalent of a country.
To the extent that transactions occur in the future between the Company and PEWC or affiliates of PEWC other than under the Composite Services Agreement, such transactions will be entered into on an arm’s length basis on terms no less favorable than those available from unaffiliated third parties.
Indemnification Agreement
In connection with the 2007 acquisition by SOF of alltwenty percent (20%) of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares, previously held by Sino-JP, the Company, PEWC and SOF entered into a shareholders agreement dated as of June 28, 2007 (the “Shareholders Agreement”),Shareholders Agreement, pursuant to which the Company granted to SOF certain rights and protections. Under the Shareholders Agreement, the Company agreed to indemnify the SOF and its partners and certain of its affiliates (the “SOF Indemnified Persons”),Persons for any additional taxes, interest, penalties and other costs that might be imposed upon or incurred by the SOF Indemnified Persons in the event that the Company is determined by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”)IRS to be a “controlled foreign corporation” (a “CFC”)CFC or a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”)PFIC as such terms are interpreted and defined under IRS rules or regulations. In addition, under the Shareholders Agreement, the Company granted to SOF certain registration rights with respect to the Common Shares owned by it, including the undertaking by the Company to prepare and file a
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10.4 Taxation
The following is a summary of the material tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares based on the tax laws of the United States and Bermuda, subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations in our discussion below. Such summary is subject to changes in United States and Bermuda law, including changes that could have retroactive effect. The following summary does not take into account the individual circumstances of an investor, nor does it purport to be a complete technical analysis or examination of all potential tax effects relevant to a decision to purchase Common Shares, including without limitation, the tax laws of the various states or localities within the United States.
10.4.1 United States Taxation
The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares by a U.S. Holder (as defined below) and a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined below), in each case, subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations in our discussion below. Such summary is subject to changes in United States law, including changes that could have retroactive effect. The summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all possible tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase Common Shares. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) (including proposed and temporary regulations), rulings, current administrative interpretations and official pronouncements of the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Such change could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences described below. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. Further, this summary does not discuss any foreign, state or local tax consequences.
In particular, this summary deals only with Common Shares held as capital assets and does not address the United States tax treatment of U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to special treatment under the Code, such as dealers in stocks, securities, or currencies, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, and other tax deferred accounts, expatriates of the United States, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons holding shares as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle, or other integrated transaction, persons who acquired Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation for services, or persons whose functional currency is notisnot the United States dollar or who own (directly, indirectly or by attribution) 10% or more of the stock of the Company. This discussion is limited to investors who hold their shares as capital assets. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed herein. Counsel to the Company has not rendered any legal opinion regarding any tax consequences to the Company or an investment in the Company. Consequently, prospective purchasers who are U.S. Holders or Non-U.S. Holders are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall United States federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of their acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares by consulting their own tax advisors.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Common Shares that is (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (including any entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or any state (or the District of Columbia), (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal
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The term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Common Shares that is not a U.S. Holder. As described in “Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders” below, the consequences to a Non-U.S. Holder may differ substantially from the tax consequences to a U.S. Holder.
If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of Common Shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder of Common Shares that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Company
The Company expects that it will be treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it will make no election to the contrary. As a foreign corporation, subject to the rules discussed below, the income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses of the Company will not be passed through to the investors, and all distributions by the Company to the investors will be treated as dividends, return of capital, and/or capital gains.
The Company currently does not conduct activities in the United States and expects that it will continue to conduct activities in a manner so as not to constitute the conduct of a trade or business in the United States or, invest in securities the income from which is treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as arising from a U.S. trade or business. As a result, the income of the Company generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis. However, gains realized from certain investments in United States real property interests by foreign persons, such as the Company, may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, withholding tax and a branch profits tax. Debt instruments with an equity component linked to a United States real property interest and stock in certain United States corporations holding significant real property interests may be considered United States real property interests taxable as described above.
Taxation of U.S. Holders
The discussion in “Taxation of Dividends” and “Taxation of Capital Gains” below assumes that the Company will not be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For a discussion of the rules that apply if the Company is treated as a PFIC, see the discussion in “Passive Foreign Investment Company” below.
Taxation of Dividends
The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends and dodoes not presently anticipate paying dividends in 2010.dividends. A U.S. Holder receiving a distribution with respect to Common Shares generally will be required to include such distribution in gross income (as ordinary income subject to regular, and not reduced, tax rates) on the day received as foreign-source dividend income to the extent such distribution is paid from the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under United States federal income tax principles). Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction (generally allowed to certain United States corporations in respect of dividends received from United States corporations). U.S. Holders that are corporations and directly own 10% or more of the voting stock of the Company may be entitled to claim a foreign tax credit for United States federal income tax purposes in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Company and certain subsidiaries.
Under U.S. federal income tax laws, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, 2013,a dividend paid to an individual U.S. shareholder from either a domestic corporation or a “qualified foreign corporation” is subject to tax at the reduced rates applicable to certain capital gains. A qualified foreign corporation includes certain foreign corporations that are eligible for benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which the Secretary of the Treasury determines is satisfactory for purposes of this provision and which includes an exchange of information program. In addition, a foreign corporation not otherwise treated as a qualified foreign corporation is so treated with respect to any dividend it pays if the stock with respect to which it pays such dividend is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States.
In the absence of a comprehensive income tax treaty between the United States and Bermuda, the Company will not be treated as a “qualified foreign corporation” under the treaty test. So long as the Company is not a PFIC (as discussed below), dividends paid by the Company to individual shareholders would qualify for these reduced rates if its stock was treated as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States.
In Notice 2003-71, 2003-2 C.B. 922, the IRS determined that common or ordinary stock, or an American depositary receipt in respect of such stock, is considered readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if it is listed on a national securities exchange that is registered under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f) or on the Nasdaq Stock Market. As stated in the SEC’s
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For so long as the Treasury and the IRS were continuingCommon Shares continue to consider, for subsequent years, the treatment of dividends with respect to stock listed only in a manner that did not meet this definition, such asbe traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (the “OTC BB”)NASDAQ, or on the electronic Pink Sheets. In particular, the notice indicated that the Treasury and the IRS were considering whether or to what extent treatment of stock that was listed only in such manner as “readilyare readily tradable on anany other established securities market in the United States” should be conditioned on the satisfaction of parameters regarding minimum trading volume, minimum number of market makers, maintenance and publication of historical trade or quotation data, issuer reporting requirements under SEC or exchange rules, or issuer disclosure or determinations regarding PFIC status. The IRS has not yet provided further guidance on whether or in what circumstances, a company like the Company, which is traded on the OTC BB, will be treated as a qualified foreign corporation. Should the Company be relisted on a registered national exchange,States, any dividends paid by the Company should qualify for the reduced rates referred to above.
To the extent any distribution exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company for a taxable year, the distribution will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares with respect to which the distribution is made, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of the Common Shares (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by the U.S. Holder on a subsequent disposition of the Common Shares). To the extent such distribution exceeds the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares, such excess will be treated as capital gain.
Taxation of Capital Gains
A U.S. Holder will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Shares (including a liquidation, dissolution or as a result of a non-pro rata redemption of Common Shares that qualified for treatment as a sale or exchange for United States federal income tax purposes) in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized for the Common Shares and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares. Such gain or loss generally will be treated as capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year on the date of the sale, exchange or other disposition thereof, and will be short-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for one year or less on the date of the sale or exchange thereof. Any gain recognized by a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as United States source income. In general, an individual’s short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income and an individual’s long-term capital gains are subject to U.S. federal income tax at preferential rates.
Long-term capital gains of corporations generally are subject to the U.S. federal income tax at a current maximum marginal rate of 35%. Short-term capital gain generally is taxable at ordinary income rates. Although capital gains of corporations currently are taxed at the same rates as ordinary income, the distinction between capital gain and ordinary income or loss is relevant for purposes of, among other things, limitations on the deductibility of capital losses. Corporations may deduct capital losses only to the extent of capital gains and generally may carry back capital losses to each of the preceding three years and carry forward capital losses to each of the succeeding five years. Individuals may deduct capital losses to the extent of capital gains plus up to $3,000 ($1,500 for married individuals filing separate returns) and may carry forward capital losses indefinitely.
Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements may be applicable to dividend payments (or other taxable distributions) made in respect of Common Shares to non-corporate U.S. Holders, and “backup withholding” at the rate of 28% (which rate is scheduled to increase to 31% after 2010)2012) will apply to such payments (i) if the
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Passive Foreign Investment Company
In general, the Company will be treated as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of the gross income of the Company is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) of the Company’s assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. The Company believes, based on its current operations and assets, that it is not a PFIC and does not expect to become a PFIC in the future. This conclusion is a factual determination based on, among other things, a valuation of the Company’s assets, which will likely change from time to time.
If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held Common Shares, the U.S. Holder would be subject to special tax rules with respect to (i) any “excess distribution” by the Company to the U.S. Holder (generally any distribution received by the U.S. Holder in a taxable year that is greater than 125% of the average annual distribution received by the U.S. Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Common Shares, if shorter) and (ii) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of Common Shares.
Under these special tax rules, (i) the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Common Shares, (ii) the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s current taxable year and to any period prior to the first taxable year in which the Company was a PFIC would be includible as ordinary income in the U.S. Holder’s current taxable year and (iii) the amount allocated to a prior year during which the Company was a PFIC would be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for that year, and an interest charge would also be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such prior year. The interest charge is computed using the applicable rates imposed on underpayments of United States federal income tax for the relevant periods.
The above rules will not apply if a “mark-to-market” election is available and a U.S. Holder validly makes such an election by filing a properly completed IRS Form 8621. If such election were made, a U.S. Holder generally would be required to take into account the difference, if any, between the fair market value and its adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares at the end of each taxable year as ordinary income or ordinary loss (to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains previously included in income). Thus, the U.S. Holder may recognize taxable income without receiving any cash to pay its tax liability with respect to such income. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Common Shares would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. In addition, any gain from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the Common Shares would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss would be treated as ordinary loss (to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains previously included in income). A mark-to-market election is available to a U.S. Holder only if the Common Shares are considered “marketable stock” for these purposes. Generally, shares of a PFIC will be considered marketable stock if they are “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange” within the meaning of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations.
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The special tax rules described above will also not apply to a U.S. Holder if the U.S. Holder elects to have the Company treated as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF election”) and the Company provides certain information to U.S. Holders. If the Company is treated as a PFIC, it will notify the U.S. Holders and provide such holders with the information necessary to make an effective QEF election, including information as to the procedures for making such an election. The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and can ordinarily be revoked only with the consent of the IRS.
A U.S. Holder that makes a valid QEF election will be currently taxable on its pro rata share of the Company’s ordinary earnings and net capital gain (at ordinary income and capital gains rates, respectively) for each taxable year that the Company is classified as a PFIC, regardless of whether distributions are received. Thus, the U.S. Holder may recognize taxable income without receiving any cash to pay its tax liability with respect to such income. The U.S. Holder’s basis in the Common Shares will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed income. Distributions of income that have been previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction of basis in the Common Shares and will not be taxed again as a distribution to the U.S. Holder.
A U.S. Holder owning Common Shares during any year that the Company is a PFIC must file IRS Form 8621. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of holding Common Shares and of making a mark-to-market or QEF election if the Company is treated as a PFIC in the future.
Controlled Foreign Corporation
A non-U.S. corporation generally will be a CFC for U.S. tax purposes if United States shareholders collectively own more than 50 percent of the total combined voting power or total value of the corporation’s stock on any day during any taxable year. For this purpose, United States shareholders are limited to those U.S. persons who own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the non-U.S. corporation. In general, ifIf a corporation is a CFC then, for eachan uninterrupted period of 30-days in any tax year, itsevery United States shareholders will be required to recognizeshareholder that owns stock on a current basis their respective sharesthe last day of the CFC’s taxyear, must include in gross income such shareholder’s pro rata share of the CFC’s “subpart F income” and income from investments in certain types of U.S. property (limited, however,(i.e., tangible personal property located in the United States, stock of a United States corporation, an obligation of a United States person, or a right to their respective shares ofuse patents, copyrights, and other similar property in the CFC’s earnings and profits, as computed for U.S. tax purposes, for such tax year)United States) even if the income has not been distributed to the shareholders in the form of dividends or otherwise. Subpart F income consists of certain specified categories of income including, among others, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, net gains from the sale of property giving rise to such income and income from certain types of transactions involving “related persons” as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Income from investments in certain types of U.S. property to be included by United States shareholders on a current basis includes, among others, income from tangible property physically located in the U.S., income from stock of U.S. domestic corporations, and income from any right to use a patent or copyright in the U.S.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
Taxation of Dividends
Subject to the discussion in “Backup Withholding” below, Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, on distributions received on Common Shares, unless the distributions are effectively connected with a trade or business conducted in the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires, attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States).
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Taxation of Capital Gains
Gain realized by Non-U.S. Holders upon the sale or exchange or complete redemption of Common Shares held as a capital asset generally willshould not be subject to U.S.United States federal income tax including withholding tax, on any gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares, unless (i)provided that the gain is not effectively connected with a trade or business conducted in the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires, attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States), or (ii) a Non-U.S. Holder is an individual and. However, in the case of nonresident alien individuals, such gain will be subject to the 30% (or lower tax treaty rate) U.S. flat tax if (i) such person is present in the United States for at least 183 days inor more during the taxable year of(on a calendar year basis unless the disposition,nonresident alien individual has previously established a different taxable year) and certain other conditions are present.
Generally, the source of gain upon the sale or exchange or complete redemption of Common Shares is determined by the place of residence of the shareholder. For purposes of determining the source of gain, the Code defines residency in a Non-U.S. Holder meetsmanner that may result in an individual who is otherwise a nonresident alien with respect to the testUnited States being treated as a United States resident for purposes of determining the source of income only. Each potential individual investor who anticipates being present in clausethe United States for 183 days or more (in any taxable year) should consult a separate, outside tax advisor with respect to the possible application of this rule.
Special rules may apply in the case of shareholders (i) above, such Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to tax on any gain that is effectively connected with his conducthave an office or fixed place of a trade or business in the United States to which a distribution or gain in respect of the Common Shares is attributable; or (ii) that are former citizens or residents of the United States, CFCs, foreign personal holding companies or corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid United States federal income tax. Such persons in particular are urged to consult their United States tax advisors before investing in the same manner as a U.S. Holder, as described in “TaxationCompany.
Backup Withholding
In the case of U.S. Holders — Taxation of Capital Gains” above. Effectively connected gain realizedCommon Shares held by a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder may be credited against his U.S. federal income tax liability and a Non-U.S. Holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information in a timely manner.
Future Tax Legislation
Future amendments to the Code, other legislation, new or amended U. S. Treasury Regulations, administrative rulings or guidance by the IRS, or judicial decisions may adversely affect the federal income tax aspects of an investment in the Company, with or without advance notice, and retroactively or prospectively.
U.S. Treasury Circular 230 Notice
Any United States federal tax advice included in this communication (a) was not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding United States federal tax penalties, and (b) was not written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed in the written advice. The taxpayer should seek advice based upon the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax adviser.
10.4.2 Bermuda Taxation
In the opinion of Appleby, the following discussion correctly describes the material tax consequences of the ownership of Common Shares under Bermuda law, subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations in the discussion below. Such summary is subject to changes in Bermuda law, including changes that could have retroactive effect.
Under current Bermuda law, there are no taxes on profits, income or dividends nor is there any capital gains tax. Furthermore, the Company has received from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act of 1966, as amended, an undertaking that, in the event that Bermuda enacts any legislation imposing tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of any such tax shall not be applicable to the Company or to any of its operations, or the shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, until March 28, 2016. This undertaking does not, however, prevent the
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As an exempted company, the Company must pay to the Bermuda government an annual registrationgovernment fee calculated on a sliding-scale basis by reference to its assessable capital, that is, its authorized share capital plus any share premium.
There is no stamp duty or other transfer tax payable upon the transfer of shares in the Company by shareholders.
The United States does not have a comprehensive income tax treaty with Bermuda.
10.5 Documents on Display
We are required to comply with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), applicable to a foreign private issuer. We are currently required to file annually a Form 20-F no later than sixfour months after the close of our fiscal year, which is December 31. Any time the Company is delinquent in filing timely any periodic reports, including an Annual Report on Form 20-F,20‑F, with the SEC, that delinquency may adversely affect the Company’s status on any exchange or quotation service on which its shares are listed or quoted and the Company may not be entitled to use certain abbreviated registration statements with the SEC in connection with the registration of any of its securities. We have previously been delinquent in filing our annual reports. As a result, the Company was delisted from the OTC BB and traded on the Pink Sheets. On April 9, 2008,trading in the Common Shares of the Company was restored to the OTC BB under the trading symbol “AWRCF.”“AWRCF”.On April 29, 2011, the Common Shares of the Company commenced trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market tier under the trading symbol “APWC”.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
Our reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected and copied (at prescribed rates) at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)SEC at Judiciary Plaza, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information. In addition, the SEC maintains a web site that contains information filed electronically with the SEC, which can be accessed over the Internet athttp://www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov. We have filed all our reports electronically since November 4, 2002. Such reports can be accessed over the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
In addition, we post certain information regarding the Company and its operations on our website located at www.apwcc.com. Summary information regarding the Company posted on our website should not be considered to be a substitute for, or a restatement of, the more complete information regarding the Company, its results of operations and financial condition set forth in this Annual Report or other documents or information which we may file with the SEC.
Item 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks
The Company has exposure to several quantitative market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and the pricing of commodities, principally copper, the Company’s main raw material. Risk management measures undertaken by the Company include entering into derivative agreements covering interest rates, foreign exchange rates and copper pricing, as well as copper forward pricing agreements. The Company does not purchase or sell derivative instruments for trading purposes. The Company does not engage in trading activities involving copper contracts for which a lack of marketplace quotations would necessitate the use of fair value estimation techniques.
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The company hasCompany is not entered nor usedcurrently a party to any derivative instruments to manage interest rate exposure. As in our line of business, derivative instrumentinstruments would normally applymore commonly be employed to hedging commodity, i.e.,hedge the price of commodities, copper and not the interest rate hedging as we have seen in other practice.
11.2 Foreign Currency Risk
The Company has exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The Company’s revenues are generated primarily in the local currency in its principal operating jurisdictions; namely Thailand, China, Singapore and Australia. However, nearly all of the costs associated with the purchase of the Company’s raw materials, including copper, and its capital expenditures, including ongoing equipment upgrade and maintenance programs, are in U.S. dollars. In order to limit the risks that would otherwise result from changes in currency exchange rates, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments on a selective basis from time to time which are foreign exchange forward exchange contracts that are cash flow hedges intended to hedge the currency fluctuations relating tothat impact the dollar value of sales revenues generated in the local markets of our operating subsidiaries. The fair value of foreign currency contracts represents the amount required to enter into offsetting contracts with similar remaining maturities based upon quoted market prices. The company as a whole did not enter into any forward contract in 2009. AtAs of December 31, 2008,2011, the net unrealized loss on the net foreign currency contracts was $133,000. In general, significant volatility in foreign currency exchanges rates will increase the risks to the Company’s results, which we attempt to mitigate through cash flow hedging withCompany had outstanding forward exchange contracts.purchase contracts with notional values of $2.3 million.
As the Company’s operating subsidiaries incur operating costs in the local currency where they operate, the Company believes it is prudent that those operating subsidiaries incur indebtedness in the local currency when debt financing is necessary. The amount of indebtedness incurred by our operating subsidiaries from time to time is a function of our business strategy, the attractiveness of borrowing as opposed to other methods of financing operations and tax implications, among other considerations. The Company has exposure to currency exchange risk when the results of its operating subsidiaries are translated from the local currency into the U.S. dollar. At December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2011, the cumulative other comprehensive gain (loss) account included in the total equity section of the consolidated balance sheet included a cumulative gain (loss)currency translation adjustments of $3.1 m$1.8 million and ($9.0 million),$0.9 million, respectively. This sensitivity analysis is inherently limited in that it assumes that multiple foreign currencies will always move in the same direction and to the same degree relative to the U.S. dollar.
In 20082011, we entered into derivative financial instruments on a selective basis throughout the year to mitigate foreign currency fluctuation risks arising from operating activities. The application of these instruments was primarily for currency hedging purposes and not for trading purposes. The Company uses Thai Baht forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk for liabilities denominated in foreign currency. A forward foreign exchange contract obligates the Company to exchange predetermined amounts of specified foreign currencies at specified exchange rates on specified dates or to make an equivalent U.S. dollar payment equal to the value of such exchange. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts are included in incomeconsolidated statements of operations as foreign exchange gains or losses. The Company entered into forward exchange contracts with a notional value of approximately $12 million that matured in January, February, March, May and June 2008 and $19 million that matured in January, February, March and May 2009. The Company did not enter into any foreign currency forward contracts in 2009.
11.3 Market Risks Relating to Copper
Copper is the principal raw material we use, accounting for approximately 70%a majority portion of the cost of sales in 2009.2011. We purchase copper at prices based on the average prevailing international spot market prices on the London Metal Exchange (the “LME”)LME for copper for the one month prior to purchase. The price of copper is influenced heavily by global supply and demand as well as speculative trading. As with other costs of production, changes in the price of copper may affect our cost of sales. Whether this has a material impact on our operating margins and financial results depends primarily on our ability to adjust our selling prices to our
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In an effort to mitigate the market risks associated with volatility in copper pricing, from time to time the Company enters into copper forward pricingpurchase contracts in order to minimize fluctuations of its cost of copper. These instruments permit the Company to hedge its cost of copper for periods from 10 months to 12 months. These forwardpurchase contracts were entered into with the purpose of securing the source of the copper. The Company did not enterentered into forwardingcertain copper purchase contracts with any copper suppliers in 2009.
11.4 Fair Value of Designated Market-Sensitive Derivative Contracts
(Not applicable)
Item 12: Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
(Not applicable)
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Item 13: Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
The Company has experienced no material default in the payment of principal, interest, a sinking or purchase fund installment, or any other material default not cured within 30 days relating to the Company’s or any of its consolidated subsidiaries’ indebtedness.
Item 14: Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
(Not applicable)
Item 15: Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. BasedBased upon that evaluation and for the CEO andreasons stated in the CFOmanagement’s report on internal control over financial reporting below, our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of December 31, 2009.
Management’s report on Internal Control Overover Financial Reporting
Our management including our CEO and CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. We do not expect thatreporting, as defined under Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Based on the Company’s evaluation under the applicable framework issued by COSO, our internal control will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011, our independent registered public accounting firm also determined the existence of a material weakness. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting assuch that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of December 31, 2009 (the “Assessment Date”). In making its assessment, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issuedregistrant’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by the Committeecompany’s internal controls.
Deficiencies were noted in our controls over complex and non-routine transactions in our financial statement closing process, including the accounting of Sponsoring Organizations (“COSO”)revenue recognition under bill-and-hold arrangements and consignment arrangement whereby the revenue was inappropriately recognized; the calculation and recording of income tax, deferred tax assets (and the Treadway Commission.related valuation allowance), inventory and related impairment accounts, and the misclassification of a number of intercompany balances. These criteria includedeficiencies were attributable to our decentralized reporting structure, our complex and manual consolidation process and inadequate reviews over account balances at the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication and monitoringreporting date. The aggregate effect of each of the above criteria.these deficiencies represented a material weakness. Based on this assessment, the Company’s management, including its CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2011.
Management is in the Assessment Date.
1) engaging qualified accounting professionals with in-depth experience in U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements as well as local GAAP at subsidiary level to ensure local financial information on the Company’s evaluation underreporting package is compliant with US GAAP;
2) improving communications between local subsidiaries’ finance team and local external auditors on existing and new U.S. GAAP issues before submitting U.S. GAAP package to headquarters; and
3) arranging regular constructive training sessions on an ongoing basis for the COSO framework, management concludedaccounting personnel of headquarters’ finance team that cover a material weakness, existed in the Company’s internal control overbroad range of accounting and financial reporting astopics and tightening the operation of the Assessment Date.
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Except as indicated in management’s report on internal control over financial reporting,for the remedial measures described above, there were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting, identified in connection with the evaluation of such internal control that occurred during ourthe last fiscal year, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
During 2010 and until April 29, 2011, the Common Shares areof the Company were traded on the OTC BB,over-the-counter bulletin board (“OTCBB”). As of April 29, 2011, the Common Shares of the Company istrade on NASDAQ Capital market tier. While the Company’s Common Shares were traded on the OTCBB, the Company was not required to have an audit committee that meetsmet the requirements of, nor iswas it required to have an audit committee financial expert as contemplated by, Regulation 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. During those periods of time when the Company did not have any independent directors, our full Board of Directors fulfilled the functions of an audit committee pursuant to Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act. On September 28, 2007, our Board appointed Mr. Anson Chan and Dr. Yichin Lee as independent directors to fill the two casual vacancies on the Board, and on March 17, 2011, a third independent Director – Dr. Lambert L. Ding was appointed, to constitute the members of the Audit Committee, with Mr. Chan serving as the Audit Committee’s chairman.
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
On April 26, 2005, the Company adopted a code of ethics applicable to its Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers. A copy of the Company’s code of ethics for senior executives is on file with the SEC.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit Fees
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Audit-Related Fees
No fees were billed for fiscal year 20092011 or 20082010 for assurance and audit-related services by the principal accountant other than as included in the figures provided in the preceding paragraph.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed for fiscal years 20092011 and 20082010 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning totaled approximately $19,000$34,000 and $94,000,$121,000 respectively.
All Other Fees
There were no other fees billed for fiscal year 20092011 or 20082010 for products and services provided by the principal accountant, or other than those services described in the preceding paragraphs of this Item 16C.
Audit Committee Approval
The engagement of the accountant to render audit, audit-related and non-audit services is entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established in the Charter of the Audit Committee of the Company. Each of the services described in this Item 16C werewas approved by the Audit Committee.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for the Audit Committees
The Company does not haveAudit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors consists of three directors, each of whom is independent, as such term is defined in Regulation 10A-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and one of whom is a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or with a national securities association.
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
During 2009,2011, there were no purchases of equity securities made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” for the purposes of this Item 16E.
Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
(Not applicable)
Item 16G. Corporate Governance
The Company’s independent accountant for fiscal years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, Mazars (“Mazars”) resigned and did not stand for re-election by shareholders after the completion of the 2008 audit. None of Mazars’ reports on the financial statementsCommon Shares of the Company contained an adverse opinion orare traded on the NASDAQ Capital Markets tier. However, as the Company has a disclaimermore than fifty percent (50%) shareholder, the Company is entitled to rely upon a “controlled company exemption” that exempts it from having a board of opinion, or was qualified or modifieddirectors comprised of a majority of independent directors. At present, a majority of the board of directors of the Company is affiliated with PEWC. The Company also relies on the NASDAQ’s allowance for Foreign Private Issuers to follow home country practices in lieu of the requirement that listed companies have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present (“executive sessions”). The independent directors of the Company meet periodically in executive session in their capacity as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. The decision to change accountants was put forth and approved bymembers of the Audit Committee.
Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure
(Not applicable)
89
90
Item 17: Financial Statements
The Company has elected to provide the financial statements and related information specified in Item 18 in lieu of Item 17.
Item 18: Financial Statements
See pages F-1 — F-49.
Item 19: Exhibits
19.1 | Index to Audited Financial Statements | |
Reports of independent registered accounting firms | ||
Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, | ||
Consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, | ||
Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, | ||
Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, | ||
Notes to consolidated financial statements | ||
19.2 | Index to Exhibits | |
3.1 | Memorandum of Association of Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2001). | |
4.1 | Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Agreement dated March 27, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2009). | |
4.2 | Shareholders’ Agreement | |
4.3 | ||
Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of (i) Shares in Crown Century Holdings Limited and (ii) Shareholder’s Loan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5.1 of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2002). | ||
4.4 | Settlement Agreement between Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation, Ltd. and Sino-JP Fund Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2007). | |
10.1 | Composite Services Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 1996). | |
10.2 | Summaries of Joint Venture Agreements (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 2008). |
91
10.3 | Loan Facility Agreement between Crown Century Holdings Limited and Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited dated March 17, 2011(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Form F-1 on Form F-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2011). | |
14 | Code of | |
15(a) | Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.G of the Form 20-F filed on May 13, 2011. | |
21 | List of significant subsidiaries (see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements). | |
101 | Interactive Data Files submitted pursuant to | |
92
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE | ||||
Date: | /s/ Yuan Chun Tang | |||
Yuan Chun Tang | ||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||
93
Audited Financial Statements Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Limited As of December 31, 2010 and 2011 Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 |
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTENTS
Page | ||
Report of independent registered public accounting firms | F-2 | |
2011 | F-3 | |
2011 | F-5 | |
2011 | F-7 | |
2011 | F-8 | |
F-9 |
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and StockholdersShareholders of Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Limited:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Limited (the “Company”) and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “APWC”) as of December 31, 2009,2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the year then ended.three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
F-2
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Limited and subsidiaries as ofat December 31, 2008,2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the twothree years in the period ended December 31, 2008,2011, in conformity with accounting principlesU.S. generally accepted in the United States of America.accounting principles.
Ernst & Young
Hong Kong SAR
April 30, 2012
F-3
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data)
| As of December 31 | |
| 2010 | 2011 |
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 63,217 | $ 76,672 |
Unrestricted short-term bank deposits (note 5) | − | 2,529 |
Restricted short-term bank deposits (note 5) | 17,422 | 12,024 |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,886 and $4,614 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively (note 10) | 144,454 | 98,329 |
Amounts due from related parties (note 17) | 8,246 | 5,227 |
Inventories (note 10) |
|
|
Distributed products | 639 | 2,243 |
Finished products | 32,781 | 35,786 |
Consignment inventory | 3,051 | − |
Work-in-progress | 19,108 | 16,434 |
Raw materials and supplies | 30,401 | 24,552 |
| 85,980 | 79,015 |
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets (note 11) | 3,320 | 5,185 |
Prepaid expenses | 5,514 | 7,157 |
Other current assets | 1,308 | 2,559 |
Total current assets | 329,461 | 288,697 |
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment: |
|
|
Land | 6,291 | 5,964 |
Land use rights | 2,999 | 2,900 |
Buildings | 50,199 | 49,749 |
Machinery and equipment | 126,906 | 118,984 |
Motor vehicles | 4,431 | 4,203 |
Office equipment | 6,915 | 6,675 |
Construction in progress | 212 | 2,547 |
| 197,953 | 191,022 |
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (154,052) | (148,108) |
| 43,901 | 42,914 |
|
|
|
Investments (note 7) | 744 | 618 |
Investments in equity investees (note 21) | 3,242 | 4,435 |
Goodwill (note 6) | 8,801 | − |
Other assets | 97 | 108 |
Deferred tax assets (note 11) | 677 | 517 |
| 13,561 | 5,678 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets | $ 386,923 | $ 337,289 |
As of December 31 | ||||||||
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data) | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 37,510 | $ | 41,534 | ||||
Unrestricted short-term bank deposits (note 5) | 7,756 | — | ||||||
Restricted short-term bank deposits (note 5) | 15,033 | 13,145 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,644 and $8,694 at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively (note 9) | 95,901 | 101,849 | ||||||
Amounts due from related parties (note 15) | 6,922 | 5,664 | ||||||
Inventories, net of allowance for inventories of $26,715 and $3,995 at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively (note 9) | ||||||||
Distributed products | 8,227 | 5,295 | ||||||
Finished products | 24,060 | 31,949 | ||||||
Products in process | 14,563 | 17,318 | ||||||
Raw materials and supplies | 25,712 | 14,485 | ||||||
72,562 | 69,047 | |||||||
Available-for-sale investments (note 6) | 68 | 106 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets (note 10) | 3,064 | 2,595 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 4,942 | 3,928 | ||||||
Other current assets | 2,515 | 1,180 | ||||||
Total current assets | 246,273 | 239,048 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment: | ||||||||
Land | 4,381 | 5,470 | ||||||
Land use rights | 3,778 | 2,936 | ||||||
Buildings | 42,406 | 45,130 | ||||||
Machinery and equipment | 103,266 | 108,711 | ||||||
Motor vehicles | 3,303 | 3,724 | ||||||
Office equipment | 10,060 | 10,280 | ||||||
167,194 | 176,251 | |||||||
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (118,568 | ) | (132,611 | ) | ||||
48,626 | 43,640 | |||||||
Available-for-sale investments (note 6) | 544 | 580 | ||||||
Investment in equity investees (note 18) | 4,103 | 3,263 | ||||||
Goodwill | 8,801 | 8,801 | ||||||
Other assets | 269 | 107 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets (note 10) | 1,182 | 613 | ||||||
14,899 | 13,364 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 309,798 | $ | 296,052 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data)
| December 31, | |
| 2010 | 2011 |
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
Bank loans and overdrafts (note 8) | $ 67,351 | $ 52,813 |
Accounts payable | 41,989 | 22,148 |
Accrued expenses | 13,197 | 10,737 |
Amounts due to related parties (note 17) | 17,140 | 14,693 |
Short-term loans from the immediate holding company (note 17) | 1,732 | 1,732 |
Income tax liabilities (note 11) | 10,627 | 9,835 |
Other current liabilities | 6,772 | 5,783 |
Total current liabilities | 158,808 | 117,741 |
Non-current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Other non-current liabilities | 822 | 3,678 |
Deferred tax liabilities (note 11) | 1,581 | 1,181 |
Total non-current liabilities | 2,403 | 4,859 |
Total liabilities | 161,211 | 122,600 |
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (notes 13) |
|
|
|
|
|
APWC shareholders’ equity: |
|
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value: |
|
|
Authorized shares of 50,000,000 shares at December 31, 2010 and 2011 |
|
|
Issued and outstanding shares – 13,830,769 shares (note 9) | 138 | 138 |
Additional paid-in capital | 111,541 | 111,541 |
Retained earnings | 40,229 | 34,545 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 1,286 | 286 |
Total APWC shareholders’ equity | 153,194 | 146,510 |
Non-controlling interests | 72,518 | 68,179 |
Total shareholders’ equity | 225,712 | 214,689 |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ 386,923 | $ 337,289 |
December 31, | ||||||||
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data) | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Bank loans and overdrafts (note 7) | $ | 57,962 | $ | 37,185 | ||||
Accounts payable | 46,367 | 33,706 | ||||||
Accrued expenses | 4,550 | 9,244 | ||||||
Amounts due to related parties (note 15) | 25,811 | 17,487 | ||||||
Short-term loans from the immediate holding(note 15) | 1,732 | 1,732 | ||||||
Income tax liabilities (note 10) | 5,710 | 7,059 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities (note 10) | 65 | — | ||||||
Other current liabilities | 3,648 | 5,496 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 145,845 | 111,909 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 464 | 546 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities (note 10) | 782 | 1,005 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 147,091 | 113,460 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (notes 12 and 14) | ||||||||
APWC shareholders’ equity (note 8): | ||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value: | ||||||||
Authorized shares of 50,000,000 shares was effective on December 31, 2008 and 2009 | ||||||||
Issued and outstanding shares – 13,830,769 shares | 138 | 138 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 111,541 | 111,541 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 15,819 | 25,908 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (note 11) | (13,369 | ) | (10,195 | ) | ||||
Total APWC shareholders’ equity | 114,129 | 127,392 | ||||||
Non-controlling interests | 48,578 | 55,200 | ||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 162,707 | 182,592 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 309,798 | $ | 296,052 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data)
| Year ended December 31, | ||
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|
|
|
|
Net sales |
|
|
|
Manufactured products (including sales to related parties amounting to $4,144, $3,806 and $3,663 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively (note 17)) | $ 264,128 | $ 396,059 | $ 429,474 |
Distributed products | 28,102 | 26,935 | 25,500 |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables | 34,008 | 23,600 | 16,972 |
| 326,238 | 446,594 | 471,946 |
Costs of sales |
|
|
|
Manufactured products(including purchases from related parties amounting to $36,327, $45,925 and $46,953 for the years ended December 31,2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively (note 17)) | (249,840) | (342,630) | (386,598) |
Distributed products (including purchases from related parties amounting to $23,458, $4,056 and $7,484 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively (note 17)) | (26,585) | (25,557) | (22,545) |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables | (33,119) | (23,358) | (16,915) |
Inventory impairment | 23,949 | 1,974 | (1,993) |
| (285,595) | (389,571) | (428,051) |
Gross profit | 40,643 | 57,023 | 43,895 |
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (24,259) | (28,965) | (30,760) |
Recovery for doubtful accounts | 108 | 940 | 1,487 |
Impairment of long-lived assets | (77) | − | − |
Impairment of investments | − | (346) | − |
Impairment of goodwill (note 6) | − | − | (8,791) |
Charges related to flooding (note 14) | − | − | (3,947) |
Income from operations | 16,415 | 28,652 | 1,884 |
|
|
|
|
Exchange gain (loss), net | 507 | 3,041 | (1,346) |
Interest income | 458 | 492 | 1,409 |
Interest expenses | (1,597) | (1,364) | (2,217) |
Share of net loss of equity investees | (40) | (21) | (58) |
Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries | 568 | − | − |
Loss on disposal of available-for-sale securities (note 7) | − | − | (68) |
Other income, net | 2,111 | 1,032 | 1,032 |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 18,422 | 31,832 | 636 |
Income taxes (note 11) | (4,647) | (6,441) | (4,566) |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | 13,775 | 25,391 | (3,930) |
Discontinued operations (note 19) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations of discontinued SPFO (including gain on disposal of $1,962 for the year ended December 31, 2011, purchases from related parties amounting to $nil, $4 and $317, and sales to related parties amounting to $nil, $54 and $693 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively (note 17)) |
1,150 |
446 |
1,075 |
Income taxes | (697) | (450) | (229) |
(Loss) Income from discontinued operations | 453 | (4) | 846 |
Net income (loss) | 14,228 | 25,387 | (3,084) |
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 4,139 | 11,247 | 2,355 |
Income (loss) attributable to APWC | $ 10,089 | $ 14,140 | $ (5,439) |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data) | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |||||||||
Net sales | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products (sales to related parties amounted to $9,110 in 2007, $5,855 in 2008 and $4,144 in 2009 (note 15)) | $ | 494,805 | $ | 447,848 | $ | 300,121 | ||||||
Distributed products | 10,783 | 32,415 | 28,102 | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | 5,253 | 20,535 | 34,008 | |||||||||
510,841 | 500,798 | 362,231 | ||||||||||
Costs of sales (purchases from related parties amounted to $69,240 in 2007, $57,401 in 2008 and $59,785 in 2009) | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | (450,134 | ) | (410,581 | ) | (280,085 | ) | ||||||
Distributed products | (10,703 | ) | (30,831 | ) | (26,585 | ) | ||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | (5,600 | ) | (21,491 | ) | (33,119 | ) | ||||||
Recovery (allowance) for inventory reserve | 1,272 | (25,145 | ) | 23,949 | ||||||||
(465,165 | ) | (488,048 | ) | (315,840 | ) | |||||||
Gross profit | 45,676 | 12,750 | 46,391 | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (26,156 | ) | (29,032 | ) | (28,715 | ) | ||||||
Recovery (allowance) for doubtful accounts | (3,295 | ) | (12 | ) | 860 | |||||||
Impairment of long-lived assets | — | — | (77 | ) | ||||||||
Income (loss) from operations | 16,225 | (16,294 | ) | 18,459 | ||||||||
Exchange gain (loss), net | 864 | (1,712 | ) | 528 | ||||||||
Interest income | 1,517 | 990 | 458 | |||||||||
Interest expense | (7,580 | ) | (5,769 | ) | (2,597 | ) | ||||||
Share of net (loss) gain of equity investees | 124 | (142 | ) | (40 | ) | |||||||
Impairment of investments | (95 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
Gain on sale of investments | 35 | — | — | |||||||||
Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries | — | — | 568 | |||||||||
Other income, net | 2,070 | 2,859 | 2,196 | |||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 13,160 | (20,068 | ) | 19,572 | ||||||||
Income taxes (note 10) | (6,298 | ) | (2,132 | ) | (5,344 | ) | ||||||
Net income (loss) | 6,862 | (22,200 | ) | 14,228 | ||||||||
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests | (2,029 | ) | 8,551 | (4,139 | ) | |||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to APWC | $ | 4,833 | $ | (13,649 | ) | $ | 10,089 | |||||
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share | $ | 0.35 | $ | (0.99 | ) | $ | 0.73 | |||||
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 13,830,769 | 13,830,769 | 13,830,769 | |||||||||
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data)
|
|
|
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations | $ 0.71 | $ 1.02 | $ (0.49) |
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations | 0.02 | (0.00) | 0.10 |
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ 0.73 | $ 1.02 | $ (0.39) |
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 13,830,769 | 13,830,769 | 13,830,769 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data)
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||
other | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common | Additional | Retained | comprehensive | |||||||||||||||||
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data) | Stock | paid-in capital | earnings | income (loss) | Total | |||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2007 | $ | 138 | $ | 111,541 | $ | 26,524 | $ | (19,438 | ) | $ | 118,765 | |||||||||
Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | – | – | 4,833 | — | 4,833 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | ||||||||||||||||||||
Currency translation adjustment | – | – | – | 15,179 | 15,179 | |||||||||||||||
Pension liability adjustments (note 16) | – | – | – | (71 | ) | (71 | ) | |||||||||||||
Gain realized on sale of available-for sale securities net of income tax of $6 | – | – | – | (28 | ) | (28 | ) | |||||||||||||
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities – net of income tax of $6 | – | – | – | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | 15,074 | |||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | 19,907 | |||||||||||||||||||
Adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48 effective as of January 1, 2007 (codified within ASC 740, “Income Taxes”) (note 10) | – | – | (1,889 | ) | – | (1,889 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2007 | 138 | 111,541 | 29,468 | (4,364 | ) | 136,783 | ||||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | – | – | (13,649 | ) | — | (13,649 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | ||||||||||||||||||||
Currency translation adjustment | – | – | – | (8,994 | ) | (8,994 | ) | |||||||||||||
Pension liability adjustments (note 16) | – | – | – | 7 | 7 | |||||||||||||||
Unrealized loss on sale of available- for-sale securities – net of income tax of $27 | – | – | – | (18 | ) | (18 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | (9,005 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss | (22,654 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2008 | 138 | 111,541 | 15,819 | (13,369 | ) | 114,129 | ||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | – | – | 10,089 | — | 10,089 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | ||||||||||||||||||||
Currency translation adjustment | – | – | – | 3,177 | 3,177 | |||||||||||||||
Pension liability adjustments (note 16) | – | – | – | (4 | ) | (4 | ) | |||||||||||||
Unrealized loss on sale of available-for- sale securities – net of income tax of $-18 | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | 3,174 | |||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | 13,263 | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2009 | $ | 138 | $ | 111,541 | $ | 25,908 | $ | (10,195 | ) | $ | 127,392 | |||||||||
| Common Stock | Additional paid-in capital |
Retained earnings | Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | Total APWC shareholders’ equity | Non-controlling interests | Total Shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2009 | $ 138 | $ 111,541 | $ 15,819 | $ (13,369) | $ 114,129 | $ 48,578 | $ 162,707 |
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income | – | – | 10,089 | − | 10,089 | 4,139 | 14,228 |
Currency translation adjustment | – | – | – | 3,177 | 3,177 | 2,483 | 5,660 |
Pension liability adjustments (note 18) | – | – | – | (4) | (4) | – | (4) |
Unrealized loss on sale of available-for- sale securities – net of income tax expense of $18 | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | – | 1 |
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
| 13,263 | 6,622 | 19,885 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2009 | 138 | 111,541 | 25,908 | (10,195) | 127,392 | 55,200 | 182,592 |
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income | – | – | 14,140 | − | 14,140 | 11,247 | 25,387 |
Currency translation adjustment |
– |
– |
– |
12,027 |
12,027 |
6,064 |
18,091 |
Pension liability adjustments (note 18) |
– | – |
– | (472) | (472) | – | (472) |
Increase in shareholding in a subsidiary | – | – | 181 | − | 181 | (181) | – |
Transfer to impairment of investment – unrealized loss on sale of available-for-sales securities, net of income tax of $84 | – | – | – | (74) | (74) | 188 | 114 |
Comprehensive income |
|
| 25,802 | 17,318 | 43,120 | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2010 | 138 | 111,541 | 40,229 | 1,286 | 153,194 | 72,518 | 225,712 |
Comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss | – | – | (5,439) | − | (5,439) | 2,355 | (3,084) |
Currency translation adjustment |
– |
– |
– |
(931) |
(931) |
(2,795) |
(3,726) |
Pension liability adjustments(note 18) | – | – | – | (69) | (69) | – | (69) |
Unrealized loss of available-for-sale securities |
|
|
| (68) | (68) | – | (68) |
Reclassification of unrealized loss of available-for-sale securities upon disposal |
|
|
| 68 | 68 | – | 68 |
Increase in shareholding in a subsidiary | – | – | (245) | − | (245) | 245 | – |
Dividend paid to non-controlling shareholders of subsidiaries |
|
|
| − | − | (3,195) | (3,195) |
Disposal of a subsidiary |
|
|
| − | − | (949) | (949) |
Comprehensive loss |
|
| (6,684) | (4,339) | (11,023) | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Balance at December 31, 2011 | $ 138 | $ 111,541 | $ 34,545 | $ 286 | $ 146,510 | $ 68,179 | $ 214,689 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of US Dollars, except share data)
Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | ||||||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data) | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||||
Operating activities: |
| ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 4,833 | $ | (13,649 | ) | $ | 10,089 | $ 14,228 | $ 25,387 | $ (3,084) | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net |
| ||||||||||||||
cash provided (used in) by operating activities: |
| ||||||||||||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment | (802 | ) | (4 | ) | 6 | 6 | (93) | (158) | |||||||
Loss on disposal of available-for-sale securities | – | 68 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation | 9,079 | 7,646 | 8,941 | 8,941 | 6,857 | 6,462 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes | (1,969 | ) | (145 | ) | 1,196 | 1,196 | (213) | (2,273) | |||||||
(Recovery) allowance for doubtful accounts | 3,295 | 12 | (860 | ) | |||||||||||
(Recovery) allowance for inventory reserve | (1,272 | ) | 25,145 | (23,949 | ) | ||||||||||
Share of net loss (gain) of equity investees | (124 | ) | 142 | 40 | |||||||||||
Recovery for doubtful accounts | (860) | (1,317) | (1,555) | ||||||||||||
Inventory impairment | (23,949) | (1,974) | 1,993 | ||||||||||||
Share of net loss of equity investees | 40 | 21 | 58 | ||||||||||||
Impairment of long-lived assets | – | – | 77 | 77 | – | ||||||||||
Impairment of investments | 95 | – | – | – | 346 | – | |||||||||
Gain on sale of investments | (35 | ) | – | ||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill | – | 8,791 | |||||||||||||
Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries | – | – | (568 | ) | (568) | – | |||||||||
Gain on disposal of a subsidiary | – | (1,962) | |||||||||||||
Pension liability adjustments | (71 | ) | 7 | (4 | ) | (4) | 14 | 1 | |||||||
Adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48 (codified within ASC 740) as of January 1, 2007 | (1,889 | ) | – | – | |||||||||||
Non-controlling interests | 2,029 | (8,551 | ) | 4,139 | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (7,662 | ) | 2,889 | 623 | |||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of acquisitions of business: | |||||||||||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange difference, net | 623 | (284) | 974 | ||||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
| ||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable | (13,613 | ) | 36,193 | (552 | ) | (552) | (31,779) | 34,052 | |||||||
Inventories | 4,854 | 7,724 | 30,069 | 30,069 | (8,595) | (5,539) | |||||||||
Other current assets | 2,372 | 406 | 2,470 | 2,470 | (1,510) | (7,508) | |||||||||
Amounts due to related parties | (1,609 | ) | (4,274 | ) | (7,303 | ) | (7,303) | (4,026) | 580 | ||||||
Other long term assets | 740 | 1,165 | (343) | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 4,395 | 6,506 | (6,007 | ) | (6,747) | 13,365 | (7,933) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,906 | 60,047 | 18,407 | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 18,407 | (2,636) | 22,624 | ||||||||||||
Investing activities: |
| ||||||||||||||
Decrease (increase) in restricted short-term bank deposits | (3,156 | ) | 1,941 | 2,428 | |||||||||||
Increase (decrease) in unrestricted short-term bank deposits | 518 | (5,906 | ) | 7,756 | |||||||||||
Placement of unrestricted short-term bank deposits to financial institutions |
– |
(2,625) | |||||||||||||
Maturity of unrestricted short-term bank deposits from financial institutions |
7,786 |
− | |||||||||||||
Placement of restricted short-term bank deposits to financial institutions |
(2,251) |
(12,638) |
(13,906) | ||||||||||||
Maturity of restricted short-term bank deposits from financial institutions |
4,656 |
9,696 |
11,326 | ||||||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (2,650 | ) | (3,383 | ) | (3,260 | ) | (3,260) | (3,653) | (8,888) | ||||||
Proceed from disposal of an available-for-sale securities | – | 24 | |||||||||||||
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment | 1,414 | 416 | 153 | 153 | 147 | 165 | |||||||||
Decrease in investment in equity investee | — | — | 800 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from disposal of investments | 65 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from disposal of other assets | — | 2,368 | — | ||||||||||||
Purchases of other assets | (239 | ) | (592 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Decrease in investment in equity investees | 800 | − | |||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (4,048 | ) | (5,156 | ) | 7,877 | 7,884 | (6,448) | (13,904) | |||||||
Financing activities: |
| ||||||||||||||
Repayments of long-term debt | (2,237 | ) | (240 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Dividend paid during the year | − | (3,195) | |||||||||||||
Repayments of bank loans | (21,671 | ) | (54,643 | ) | (30,733 | ) | (30,733) | (19,608) | (22,503) | ||||||
Proceeds from bank loans | 28,275 | 10,431 | 9,023 | 9,023 | 46,021 | 31,319 | |||||||||
Net decrease in overdrafts | (416 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | 3,951 | (44,452 | ) | (21,710 | ) | (21,710) | 26,413 | 5,621 | |||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 2,654 | (2,056 | ) | (550 | ) | (557) | 4,354 | (886) | |||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 4,463 | 8,383 | 4,024 | 4,024 | 21,683 | 13,455 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 24,664 | 29,127 | 37,510 | 37,510 | 41,534 | 63,217 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 29,127 | $ | 37,510 | $ | 41,534 | $ 41,534 | $ 63,217 | $ 76,672 | ||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |||||||||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | 7,187 | $ | 6,037 | $ | 2,918 | $2,918 | $ 2,056 | $ 1,861 | ||||||
Cash paid for income taxes | 10,772 | 5,177 | 1,900 | 1,900 | 3,547 | 7,412 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
Asia Pacific Wire & Cable Corporation Limited (“APWC” or the “Company”), which is a subsidiary of Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co., Ltd. (“PEWC”), a Taiwanese company, was incorporated as an exempted company in Bermuda on September 19, 1996 under the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda (as amended) for the purpose of acting as a holding company. The Company is principally engaged in owning operating companies engaged in the power cable, telecommunication cable, enameled wire and electronic cable industry.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries (the “Operating Subsidiaries”) are engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of telecommunications, power cable and enameled wire products in Singapore, Thailand, Australia, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and other markets in the Asia Pacific region. Major customers of the Operating Subsidiaries include government organizations, electric contracting firms, electrical dealers, and wire and cable factories. The Company’s operating subsidiariesOperating Subsidiaries also engage also in the distribution of certain wire and cable products manufactured by PEWC.PEWC and third parties. In certain markets, the Company also provides project engineering services to customers through its SDI (Supply, DistributionDelivery and Installation) business segment.
Percentage of | ||||||||
Equity interest | ||||||||
As of December 31, | ||||||||
Place of incorporation and operations | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||
The British Virgin Islands | ||||||||
Asia Pacific Wire & Cable General Holdings Ltd | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
PRC (APWC) Holding Ltd. | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Samray Inc. | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Siam (APWC) Holdings Ltd. | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Moon View Ltd. | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Trigent Investment Holdings Limited | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Crown Century Holdings Ltd. | 100 | % | 100 | % |
F-9
Percentage of | ||||||||
Equity interest | ||||||||
As of December 31, | ||||||||
Place of incorporation and operations | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||
Singapore | ||||||||
Sigma Cable Company (Private) Limited (“Sigma Cable”) | 98.3 | % | 98.3 | % | ||||
Sino-Sin Trading Pte. Ltd. (“Sino-Sin”) ** | 100 | % | 0 | % | ||||
Sigma-Epan International Pte Ltd. (“Sigma-Epan”) | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Epan Industries Pte Ltd. | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Epan Data-Comm System Pte Ltd | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Singvale Pte Ltd (“Singvale”) | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Malaysia | ||||||||
Elecain Industry Sdn. Bhd. | 92.6 | % | 92.6 | % | ||||
Sigma-Epan Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
The People’s Republic of China | ||||||||
Ningbo Pacific Cable Co., Ltd. (“Ningbo Pacific”) | 94.31 | % | 94.31 | % | ||||
Shanghai Yayang Electric Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Yayang”) | 54.41 | % | 54.41 | % | ||||
Shandong Pacific Fiber Optics Co.Ltd (“SPFO”) | 51 | % | 51 | % | ||||
Pacific Electric Wire & Cable (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd (“PEWS”) | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Hong Kong | ||||||||
�� | ||||||||
Crown Century Holdings Limited (“CCH HK”) | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Australia | ||||||||
Australia Pacific Electric Cable Pty Limited (“APEC”) | 98.53 | % | 98.53 | % | ||||
Thailand | ||||||||
Charoong Thai Wire and Cable Public Company Limited (“Charoong Thai”)* | 50.93 | % | 50.93 | % | ||||
Siam Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Company Limited (“Siam-Pacific”) | 50.93 | % | 50.93 | % | ||||
Pacific-Thai Electric Wire & Cable Company Limited (“Pacific-Thai”) | 50.93 | % | 50.93 | % | ||||
Hard Lek Limited (“Hard Lek”) | 73.98 | % | 73.98 | % | ||||
APWC (Thailand) Co., Ltd | 99.48 | % | 99.48 | % |
F-10
Percentage of | ||||||||
Equity interest | ||||||||
As of December 31, | ||||||||
Place of incorporation and operations | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||
Thailand | ||||||||
PEWC (Thailand) Co., Ltd | 99.48 | % | 99.48 | % | ||||
CTW Beta Co. Ltd. | 50.89 | % | 50.89 | % | ||||
Siam Fiber Optics Co. Ltd | 30.56 | % | 30.56 | % | ||||
Myanmar | ||||||||
Myanmar Sigma Cable Co., Ltd. (Not active) | 78.59 | % | 78.59 | % |
Percentage of | ||||||||
Equity interest | ||||||||
As of December 31, | ||||||||
Place of incorporation and operations | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||
The People’s Republic of China | ||||||||
Shandong Huayu Pacific Fibre Optics Communications Co., Ltd. (“Shandong Huayu”) | 48.73 | % | 48.73 | % | ||||
Shandong Pacific Rubber Cable Co., Ltd. (“SPRC”) | 25.00 | % | 25.00 | % | ||||
Thailand | ||||||||
Siam Pacific Holding Company Limited (“SPHC”) | 49.00 | % | 49.00 | % | ||||
Loxley Pacific Co., Ltd. (“Lox Pac”) | 21.39 | % | 21.39 | % |
F-11
On June 28, 2007, SOF Investment, L.P. (“SOF”), a Delaware limited partnership controlled by MSD Capital, L.P. acquired 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company from a private equity investor and entered into a shareholders’ agreement with the Company and PEWC.
On April 9, 2008, the Company was listed again and began trading its common sharesstock on the OTC BB after completing all reporting requirements and filing all outstanding financial reports with the SEC.US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company iswas subject to the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
On March 30, 2009, SOF sold 10.2% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company to PEWC. PEWC is currently holding 65.6% of the equity of the Company and COF is holding 9.8%. The remaining 24.6% of the issued and outstanding common stock were publicly traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (“OTC BB”) prior to that date.
On April 29, 2011, the Company’s common stock commenced trading on NASDAQ (Capital Markets).
As of July 1, 2011, SOF transferred its 9.8% interest in the Company to MSD Credit Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. (“COF”), which became a party to the shareholders agreement, as amended and restated on March 27, 2009 (“Amended Shareholders Agreement”), and succeeded to all of the right, title, and interest in the common stock previously held by SOF.
Share Capital
On September 8, 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved an increase to the authorized share capital from 20,000,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share, to 50,000,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES(continued)
The subsidiaries of the Company are set out below:
Place of incorporation and operations | Percentage of equity interest As of December 31, | |
| 2010 | 2011 |
The British Virgin Islands |
|
|
|
|
|
Asia Pacific Wire & Cable General Holdings Ltd | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
PRC (APWC) Holding Ltd. | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Samray Inc. | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Siam (APWC) Holdings Ltd. | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Moon View Ltd. | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Trigent Investment Holdings Limited | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Crown Century Holdings Ltd. | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Singapore |
|
|
|
|
|
Sigma Cable Company (Private) Limited (“Sigma Cable”) | 98.3% | 98.3% |
|
|
|
Sigma-Epan International Pte Ltd. (“Sigma-Epan”) | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Epan Industries Pte Ltd. | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Epan Data-Comm System Pte Ltd | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Singvale Pte Ltd (“Singvale”) | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Malaysia |
|
|
|
|
|
Elecain Industry Sdn. Bhd. | 92.6% | 92.6% |
|
|
|
Sigma-Epan Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
The People’s Republic of China |
|
|
|
|
|
Ningbo Pacific Cable Co., Ltd. (“Ningbo Pacific”) | 94.31% | 95.80% |
|
|
|
Shanghai Yayang Electric Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Yayang”) | 54.41% | 54.41% |
|
|
|
Shandong Pacific Fiber Optics Co. Ltd (“SPFO”)** | 51% | 0% |
|
|
|
Pacific Electric Wire & Cable (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd (“PEWS”) | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
Hong Kong |
|
|
|
|
|
Crown Century Holdings Limited (“CCH (HK)”) | 100% | 100% |
|
|
|
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (continued)
Place of incorporation and operations | Percentage of equity interest As of December 31, | |
| 2010 | 2011 |
Australia |
|
|
|
|
|
Australia Pacific Electric Cable Pty Limited (“APEC”) | 99.40% | 99.40% |
|
|
|
Thailand |
|
|
|
|
|
Charoong Thai Wire and Cable Public Company Limited(“Charoong Thai”)* | 50.93% | 50.93% |
|
|
|
Siam Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Company Limited(“Siam-Pacific”) | 50.93% | 50.93% |
|
|
|
Pacific-Thai Electric Wire & Cable Company Limited(“Pacific-Thai”)*** | 50.93% | 0% |
|
|
|
Hard Lek Limited (“Hard Lek”) | 73.98% | 73.98% |
|
|
|
APWC (Thailand) Co., Ltd | 99.48% | 99.48% |
|
|
|
Thailand |
|
|
|
|
|
PEWC (Thailand) Co., Ltd | 99.48% | 99.48% |
|
|
|
CTW Beta Co. Ltd. | 50.89% | 50.89% |
|
|
|
Siam Fiber Optics Co. Ltd | 30.56% | 30.56% |
|
|
|
Myanmar |
|
|
|
|
|
Myanmar Sigma Cable Co., Ltd.(inactive) | 78.59% | 78.59% |
* Charoong Thai is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and is engaged in the manufacturing of wire and cable products for the power and telecommunications industries in Thailand.
** SPFO was disposed of to independent third parties on December 1, 2011. See note 1(d) and 19.
*** Pacific-Thai transferred its business into its parent company, Siam-Pacific, on January 5, 2011 and registered its dissolution with the Ministry of Commerce on January 5, 2011. The Company anticipates the dissolution will be completed in 2012.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (continued)
ii) The equity investees of the Company are set out below:
Place of incorporation and operations | Percentage of equity interest As of December 31, | |
| 2010 | 2011 |
The People’s Republic of China |
|
|
|
|
|
Shandong Huayu Pacific Fiber Optics Communications Co., Ltd. (“Shandong Huayu”) | 48.73% | 48.73% |
|
|
|
Shandong Pacific Rubber Cable Co., Ltd. (“SPRC”) | 25.00% | 25.00% |
|
|
|
Thailand |
|
|
|
|
|
Siam Pacific Holding Company Limited (“SPHC”) | 49.00% | 49.00% |
|
|
|
Loxley Pacific Co., Ltd. (“Lox Pac”) | 21.39% | 21.39% |
Acquisitions accounted for as purchases and disposals undertaken by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 included the following:
(a)In 2002, three wholly owned subsidiaries of Sigma-Epan were placed into liquidation. In April 2009, the liquidator received the clearance letters from government authorities of Singapore relating to the dissolution of three subsidiaries of Sigma-Epan. On May 22, 2009, Sigma-Epan conducted a final meeting to dissolve the subsidiaries. As at December 31, 2002, the Company’s balance sheet includes liabilities of $568 resulting from these subsidiaries which was recognized as gain on liquidation of subsidiaries in 2009.
(b)On March 31, 2010, CCH acquired 51% of APEC shares from Sigma Cable, thereby increasing the Company’s interest in APEC from 98.53% to 99.40%. On April 14, 2010, CCH acquired 100% of Sigma Epan from Samray, the Company’s interest in Sigma-Epan has not changed and Sigma-Epan remains as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
(c)On May 31, 2011, the Company contributed additional capital in Ningbo Pacific in the form of a cash injection of $5 million. The Company’s interest in Ningbo Pacific increased from 94.31% to 95.80%.
(d)On December 1, 2011, the Company disposed its entire 51% equity interest in SPFO. Proceeds from the disposal of SPFO were $2.9 million (RMB18.5 million). The Company recorded a gain on disposal amounting to $1.96 million in thestatement of operations.
Put Right and Option
Under the terms of the Amended Shareholders’ Agreement, SOFCOF has the right and option (but not the obligation) to sell to PEWC upon the occurrence of a Put Event (defined below), and PEWC agreed to purchase from SOFCOF upon the occurrence of a Put Event, all Registrable Securities then owned by SOFCOF (the “ Put Shares “)”), for an amount equal to the Put Price (defined below) together with interest (calculated on the basis of a 360 day year) on the Put Price, computed (x) from June 28, 2007 through May 31, 2010 at a rate per annum that shall be equal to the Libor Rate plus fifty (50) basis points (compounded annually), and (y) from June 1, 2010 until the Put Closing (defined below) at a rate per annum that shall be equal to the Libor Rate plus one hundred and fifty (150) basis points (compounded annually) (the “ Put Right “)”). If the Put Event terminates prior to the closing of such Put Right, the exercise of the Put Right is deemed rescinded and the transaction relating to the Put
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
1.ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (continued)
Right is deemed cancelled, but this will not terminate the existence of a future Put Right upon the triggering of a future Put Event.
A “Put Event” means any date (i) after March 11, 2009 whereby an Event has occurred and continues to occur, or (ii) after February 1, 2011 whereby the shares are not listed on a US Securities Market, which means any of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (Global Market or Global Select Market), the NYSE Alternext U.S. (f/k/a the American Stock Exchange LLC), the New York Stock Exchange LLC or in conjunction with a dual listing on, or a transfer from, a US Securities Market to one or more of the principal or secondary exchanges for the public trading of equity securities in any of Hong Kong, Tokyo or Singapore. The “Put Price” means for (i) shares purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, an aggregate amount equal to the product of (a) the number of shares being sold and (b) US$4.35 and (ii) Shares purchased under preemptive right provisions of the Amended Shareholders’ Agreement, and aggregate amount equal to the purchase price thereof.
The Shareholders’ Agreement does not contain any provisions that impose any purchase, reimbursement or financing obligations on the Company in the event that SOF exercises the Put Right. The Put Right is an obligation solely of PEWC and not of the Company. However, for the avoidance of doubt and as a re-affirmation that the financial and other obligation to SOF in the event
F-12
The Shareholders’ Agreement provides, and the Non-recourse Confirmation Agreement confirms, that the Put Right is solely the obligation of PEWC. The Company has no purchase, reimbursement or financing obligations in the event that SOF exercises the Put Right. As such, the Company has classified the Put Shares as equity in the accompanying financial statements.
The Company received an approval letter from Nasdaq on April 13, 2011 for the listing of its common stock on Nasdaq, with “APWC” as the trading symbol and, as noted, on April 29, 2011, the Company’s common stock commenced trading on NASDAQ (Capital Markets), which tier does not fit within the definition of a national “Securities Market”, as provided in the Shareholders’ Agreement. The Company intends to apply to list the common stock on the Global Markets tier after the Company is satisfied that it qualifies in all respect for that tier. The Company is not aware of that COF has taken any action with respect to the common stock held by it up to date.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The basis of accounting differs from that used in the statutory financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries and equity investee companies, which are prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in their respective countries of incorporation. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements have reflected all costs incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries in operating the business.
All dollar amounts in the financial statements and in the notes herein are U.S. Dollars (“US$”) unless otherwise designated.
3. CHANGES IN PRESENTATION OF COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SPFO was consolidated prior to its disposal and it met the current year’s presentation,criteria for reporting as discontinued operations. Therefore, the assets held for useresults of $3,501 previously presentedoperations of SPFO and the gain of the disposal have been classified as “Income from operations of discontinued SPFO” in the 2008 financial statementconsolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 and prior periods amounts have been reclassified to the respective property, plant, and equipment asset categories. Also, the land not being used for operation of $540 previously presented in the 2008 financial statements has been reclassified to the land category. The reclassifications had no effect on financial condition, gross profit, income (loss) from operations or net income (loss).
F-13accordingly.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
4.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The Company’s investments for which its ownership exceeds 20%, but which are not majority-owned or controlled, are accounted for using the equity method if the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the companies’ operating and financial policies. When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method investee company is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements unless the Company has guaranteed obligations of the investee company or has committed additional funding. When the Investeeinvestee company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of its share of losses not previously recognized.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates, judgements, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, useful lives and residual values of long-lived assets, impairment assessment of long-lived assets and goodwill, allowance for accounts and other receivable, accounting for deferred income tax, income tax position, inventory valuation, valuation allowance of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, bank deposits and all short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchasedand are readily convertible to be cash equivalents.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value.market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out or weighted average method.
If the expected salesselling price less completion costs and costs to execute sales (net realizable value)(market) is lower than the carrying amount, a write-down is charged to expenses in cost of sales for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its net realizable value.market. When the finished goods that were previously written down to net realizable valuemarket are subsequently sold at above net realizable value,market, a recovery is credited to cost of sales. See Note 9note 10 – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are expected to reverse.
Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable for the current year. Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. ASC 740, requires that deferred tax assets be evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent the Company believes a portion will not be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of its deferred tax assets, including its recent cumulative earnings experience and expectations of future taxable income by taxing jurisdiction, the carry-forward
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In 2007,thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
4.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Income Taxes (cont’d)
periods available to the Company for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors. Deferred income tax expense (benefit) is the net change during the year in the deferred income tax asset or liability.
The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), “AccountingASC 740 toaccount for Uncertaintyuncertainties in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” (codified within FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740, “Income Taxes”). FASBincome taxes. ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount, which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating and estimating its tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately anticipate actual outcomes. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense.
F-14
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less depreciation and any impairment losses. Asset leases qualifying as capital leases are also included in property, plant and equipment. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance, and repair expenses are charged to current operations as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the respective lease term, whichever is shorter, as follows:
Land | ||
Nil | ||
Land use rights | 15 | |
Buildings | 5 | |
Machinery and equipment | 5 | |
Motor vehicles | 3 | |
Office equipment | 3 |
No depreciation expense is charged for construction in progress and machinery and equipment under installation.
Capitalized interest on construction in progress is added to the cost of the underlying asset and is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset in the same manner as the underlying asset. NoInterest capitalized for 2010 and 2011 amounted to $nil and $9, respectively. The capitalized interest is capitalizedwas related to and has been included as part of the cost of Ningbo Pacific’s construction in 2008 and 2009.
When property and equipment are retired, sold or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in operations.
In 2006, the Company terminated the Ningbo Pacific joint venture and liquidated its major equipment at the Ningbo Pacific facility. In October 2009, the Company has made a resolution to acquire an additional 5.42% shareholding of Ningbo Pacific from the Republic of China (“PRC”) joint venture partner. The Company plans to resume manufacturing operation with new constructed facilities at the Ningbo Pacific site. The acquisition of additional shareholding is expected to be completed in July 2010.early 2013.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
4.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES(continued)
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of purchased business over the fair value of the underlying net assets.
In accordance with ASC 350“Intangible – Goodwill and Others”, (“ASC 350”), the Company performed a two-step test to assess goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2011. First, the Company identifies potential goodwill impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company determines fair value using a discounted cash flow approach. Ifapproach and makes reference to the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwillmarket capitalization of the reporting unit is not considered impaired.Company. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the amountsecond step of the goodwill impairment loss, if any, must be measured. The Company measurestest is performed to measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized as an operating expense.
F-15
Investments
Management determines the appropriate classification of its investmentinvestments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date.
The Company accounts for its long-term investments in equity securities of privately-held companies as cost method investment in accordance to ASC 325, “Investments – Others” as these securities do not have readily determinable fair value. Investments in which the Company does not have a controlling interest or an ownership voting interest to exert significant influence, and which are not publicly traded are accounted for at cost.
The Company accounts for its investments in equity securities that represent less than 20 percent ownershiphave readily determinable fair value using ASC 320, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities” (ASC 320). Equity securities are classified as available-for-sale, as the Company does not trade in these securities, but rather they are held as longer term investments due to business relationships with the entities. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in values judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in investment income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in investment income.
Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence but does not haveown a controllingmajority equity interest or an ownership voting interest to exert significant influence, and which are not publicly tradedcontrol are accounted for at cost.using the equity method of accounting under ASC sub-topic 323-10,“Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Overall”(“ASC 323-10”), and included as investment in equity investees in the balance sheets. Under the equity method, the Company’s proportionate share of each equity investee’s net income or loss is included as share of income (losses) in equity investees in the statements of operations. An investor shall record its proportionate share of the investee’s equity adjustments for other comprehensive income (e.g. foreign currency items, etc) as increase or decrease to the investment account with corresponding adjustment in equity. The Company evaluated the investment in equity investee for impairment under ASC 323-10. An impairment loss on the investment in equity investee is recognized in the statements of operations when the decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
4.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES(continued)
Investments (cont’d)
A judgmental aspect of accounting for investments (including investments in equity investees) involves determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value of the investment has been sustained. If it has been determined that an investment has sustained an other-than-temporary decline in its value, the investment is written down to its fair value, by a charge to earnings. Such evaluation is dependent on the specific facts and circumstances. Factors that are considered by the Company in determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred include: the market value of the security in relation to its cost basis; the financial condition of the investee; and the intent and ability to retain the investment for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery in the market value of the investment.
In 2007, 20082009, 2010 and 2009,2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $117, $nil, $346 and $nil, respectively, related to investment in certain equity investees.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company accounts for impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In such instances, the Company estimates the undiscounted future cash flows that result from the use of the asset and its ultimate disposition. If the sum of the undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss, measured as the amount by which the
F-16
In 2009, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $77 related to the impairment of a factory in Thailand (included in the manufactured products segment) that is not being used for operation. The impairment charge was recorded to reduce the carrying value of the identified assets to fair values. Fair values were derived using a variety of methodologies, including cash flow analysis, estimates of sales proceeds and independent appraisals. Where cash flow analyses were used to estimate fair values, key assumptions employed, included estimates of future growth, estimates of gross margins and estimates of the impact of inflation. The charges were primarily the result of management’s revised outlook due to the prolonged unfavorable market conditions.
There was no impairment charge in 2010. In 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $25 related to the damage to Siam Pacific’s machinery due to the flooding in Thailand. The impairment is stated as a line item, “Charges related to flooding” within operating expenses. See note 14.
Trade Account ReceivableReceivables and Allowanceallowance for Doubtful doubtful accounts
Accounts
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
4.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES(continued)
Lease obligations
In accordance with ASC 840, Leases, leases for a lessee are classified at the inception date as either a capital lease or an operating lease. The Company assesses a lease to be a capital lease if any of the following conditions exist: a) ownership is transferred to the lessee by the end of the lease term, b) there is a bargain purchase option, c) the lease term is at least 75% of the property’s estimated remaining economic life or d) the present value of the minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease term is 90% or more of the fair value of the leased property to the lessor at the inception date. A capital lease is accounted for as if there was an acquisition of an asset and an incurrence of an obligation at the inception of the lease. The capitalized lease obligation reflects the present value of future rental payments, discounted at the appropriate interest rates. The cost of the asset is amortized over the lease term. However, if ownership is transferred at the end of the lease term, the cost of the asset is amortized as set out below under property, plant and equipment.
Operating lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue represents the invoiced value of goods sold, net of value added tax and returns, commission income earnedinvoiced value on distribution activities, and service fee income on installation activities. Revenue is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before revenue is recognized.
Sales of manufactured goods and distribution activitiesdistributed products
The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of manufactured goods and distribution activitiesdistributed products upon passage of title to the customer that coincides with their delivery and acceptance. This method ofThese revenue recognition isare recognized in accordance with ASC 605-15, “Revenue Recognition-Products”.
The Company classifies shipping and handling costs incurred within cost of sales.
Supply, Delivery and Installation
The Company’s supply, delivery and installation services are considered as multiple elements arrangements and are accounted for in accordance with ASC subtopic 605-25,“Revenue Recognition: Multiple-Element Arrangements”(“ASC 605-25”). Elements such as installation service and sale of cables are considered as separate elements contained in a single arrangement, or in related arrangements with the same customer. The Company allocates revenue to each element based on its relative fair value. The allocation of the fair value to the delivered elements is limited to the amount that is not contingent on future delivery of services or subject to customer-specified return or refund privileges. The Company prospectively adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”), a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force that amends ASC 605-25, on January 1, 2011.
In accordance with ASU 2009-13, certain delivered items in multiple-element arrangements, which previously would not qualify for separate units of accounting due to the lack of vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price, are accounted for as separate units of accounting, to which the total consideration of the arrangements is allocated based on management’s best estimate of the selling price (“BESP”). We consider all reasonably available information in determining the BESP, including both market and entity-specific factors. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 does not have a material effect on our financial statements, the units of accounting and the pattern and timing of revenue recognition is not changed materially.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
4.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES(continued)
Revenue Recognition (cont’d)
The Company recognizes revenue from installation activities using the percentage-of-completion method, based on the customer certification of the distance of cable laid with respect to the estimated total contract revenue, and in accordance with ASC 605-35, “Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts”.
Bill-and-hold arrangements
The Company recognizes revenue of sale of cables are containedunder bill-and-hold arrangements requested by certain customers in a single arrangement, or in related arrangements with the same customer, the Company allocates revenue to each element based on its relative fair valueThailand, in accordance with ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition-Multiple-Element Arrangements”. The allocation ofSAB 104.
As at December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the fair value torevenue recognized under bill-and-hold arrangements where the cables were yet delivered elements is limited to the amount that is not contingent on future delivery of services or subject to customer-specified return or refund privileges.
F-17
The Company providesoffers sales incentives in connection with power cable sales to wholesalers and distributors. These incentives include both rebates offered to customers for the estimated costpurchasing a certain volume of product warranties based onduring the warranty policyyear and historical experience, and accruessettlement discounts for specific items at the time their existence is known and the amountsearly payment of sales invoices. Both forms of incentives are determinable. Historical warranty liability and related costs have not been significantrecognized as a reduction to the Company’s operations.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
The functional currency of the Company’s international subsidiaries is generally the local currency or U.S. Dollars. For these subsidiaries, the Company translates the assets and liabilities at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and income and expense accounts at average exchange rates during the year. Resulting currency translation adjustments are recorded directly to accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from transactions in non-functional currencies are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.
Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at the transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at that date. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the consolidated statementstatements of operations.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
The Company recognizes derivative financial instruments in the consolidated financial statements at fair value regardless of the purposes or intent for holding the instrument. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically in income or in shareholders’ equity as a component of comprehensive income depending on whether the derivative financial instruments qualify for hedge accounting, and if so, whether they qualify as a fair value or cash flow hedge.
Generally, changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges are recorded in income along with the portions of the changes in the fair value of the hedged items that relate to the hedged risks. Changes in fair value of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive income net of deferred taxes. Changes in fair value of derivatives used as hedges of the net investment in foreign operations are reported in other comprehensive income as part of the cumulative translation adjustment. Changes in fair values of derivatives not qualifying as hedges are reported in income.the consolidated statements of operations.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
4.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES(continued)
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts (cont’d)
The Company’s subsidiaries use forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce their exposure to foreign currency risk for liabilities denominated in foreign currency. A forward foreign exchange contract obligates the Company to exchange predetermined amounts of specified foreign currencies at specified exchange rates on specified dates or to make an equivalent U.S. dollar payment equal to the value of such exchange. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts are included as foreign exchange gains or losses in the consolidated statements of operations as such contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting.
As of December 31, 2007, 20082010 and 2009,2011, the Company has entered intohad outstanding forward exchange salepurchase contracts with notional values of $12,674, $3,500$nil and $nil,$2,317, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the Company has entered into forward exchange purchase contracts of $15,458. The forward exchange contracts matured in January, February, March and May 2009. There were no outstanding foreign forward exchange contracts as of December 31, 2009.2011 matured in January 2012. The Company records these contracts at fair value with the related gains and losses of $nil, $nil and $64, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively in statementthe consolidated statements of operations.
F-18
Copper future contracts are designed to manage the Company’s consolidated exposure to change in inventory value due to fluctuations in market prices for selected operating units. Within the ordinary course of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share”. There are no dilutive equity instruments.instruments for all periods presented.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
4.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES(continued)
Fair Value Measurements
Effective from January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” for financial assets and liabilities. Under ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that would have been received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the observability of inputs as follows:
• Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
• Level 2 - Valuations based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
• Level 3 - Valuations based on unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from investment to investment and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of investment, the liquidity of markets and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment and the investments are categorizes as Level 3.
The carrying amounts of financial instruments, carried at cost, including cash and cash equivalents, bank deposits, trade receivables, other current assets, trade payables, related party balances and other liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturities of such instruments.
F-19
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
4.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES(continued)
Recent Pronouncements
In May 2011, the FASB issued an additional guidance ASU 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs” which clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, changes certain fair value measurement principles and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)updated guidance is effective on a prospective basis for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The ASC is an aggregation of previously issued authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in one comprehensive set of guidance organized by subject area. In accordance with the ASC, references to previously issued accounting standards have been replaced by ASC references. Subsequent revisions to GAAP will be incorporated into the ASC through Accounting Standards Updates (ASU).
F-20
F-21
In October 2009,June 2011, the FASB issued an ASU No. 2009-13, “Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements —2011-05“Presentation of Comprehensive Income” which amended guidance for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance requires the presentation of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a consensussingle continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amended guidance also requires presentation of adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (ASU 2009-13) (codified within ASC Topic 605 “Revenue Recognition”). ASU 2009-13 addressesstatement where the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. ASU 2009-13components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amended guidance is effective prospectivelyon a retrospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified infinancial statements issued for fiscal years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification resulting from ASU 2009-13 may have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2011, ASU No. 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05”. This ASU defers the changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments and supersedes certain pending paragraphs. ASU 2011-12 will be applied retrospectively. ASU 2011-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years.years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact thatbelieves the adoption of this update will change the amendmentsorder in which certain financial statements are presented and provide additional detail on those financial statements when applicable, but will not have any other impact on its financial statements or results of operations. The Company plans to adopt this standard during the FASB Accounting Standards Codification resulting from ASU 2010-06 may have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.interim period ended March 31, 2012.
F-22
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
5.SHORT-TERM BANK DEPOSITS
|
| As of December 31 | ||
|
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
Unrestricted short-term bank deposits |
| $– |
| $ 2,529 |
Restricted short-term bank deposits |
| 17,422 |
| 12,024 |
|
| $ 17,422 |
| $ 14,553 |
As of December 31 | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Unrestricted short-term bank deposits | $ | 7,756 | $ | – | ||||
Restricted short-term bank deposits | 15,033 | 13,145 | ||||||
$ | 22,789 | $ | 13,145 | |||||
Short-term bank deposits represent bankare deposits which do not qualify as cash equivalents.with maturities of more than three months but less than one year. Restricted short-term bank deposits represent the amounts of cash pledged by fourtwo subsidiaries in Thailand to secure credit facilities granted by financial institutions.
These bank deposits bear interest rates ranging from 0.325% to 4.6% and 0.15%0.06% to 1.98% and 0.3% to 3.7% per annum as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.
6.GOODWILL
Goodwill of $8,801 as of December 31, 2010 relating to the manufactured products segment and the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
Balance as of December 31, 2010 | $ 8,801 |
Disposal of a subsidiary | (10) |
Impairment charge | (8,791) |
Balance as of December 31, 2011 | $ – |
In accordance with ASC 350, the Company assessed the fair value of the reporting unit as of December 31, 2011. The Company adopted the discounted cash flow approach and, considering that the reporting unit constituted the majority of the overall consolidated group, by reference to the closing price of its common stock on that date as well as an assumed control premium. From January 2011 to December 2011, the stock market downturn caused a decline in the Company’s stock price by 54.8%, which resulted in a significant reduction in the Company’s market capitalization. As of December 31, 2011, the assessed fair value was below the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company then performed a hypothetical purchase price allocation using the fair value of reporting unit and determined that the goodwill was fully impaired. As a result, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $8,791 for the year 2008 and 2009, respectively.
7.INVESTMENTS
A summary of the carrying values and 2009, the Company heldbalance sheet classification of all investments in privately-held equity securities and available-for-sale securities issued by a minority shareholderwas as follows:
|
| As of December 31 | ||||
|
| 2010 |
| 2011 | ||
|
|
|
|
| ||
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value |
| $ | 92 |
| $ | – |
Equity securities in privately-held companies, at cost |
| 652 |
| 618 | ||
Total investments |
| $ | 744 |
| $ | 618 |
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of twoU.S. Dollars, except share data)
7.INVESTMENTS (continued)
The investments in equity securities in privately-held companies are recorded at cost as their market value is not readily determinable. It consists of the Operating Subsidiaries.
The following is a summary of theseinvestments in available-for-sale securities:
Available-for-sale securities | ||||||||||||||||
Gross | Gross | Estimated | ||||||||||||||
Unrealized | Unrealized | Fair | ||||||||||||||
Cost | Gains | Losses | Value | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2008 Quoted equity securities | $ | 392 | $ | – | $ | (324 | ) | $ | 68 | |||||||
December 31, 2009 Quoted equity securities | $ | 413 | $ | – | $ | (307 | ) | $ | 106 | |||||||
F-23
As of December 31 | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Available-for-sale securities | $ | 68 | $ | 106 | ||||
Short-term investments | 68 | 106 | ||||||
Equity securities in privately-held companies and other investments | 544 | 580 | ||||||
Long-term investments | 544 | 580 | ||||||
Total investments | $ | 612 | $ | 686 | ||||
7. 8.BANK LOANS AND OVERDRAFTS
Bank loans and overdrafts consist of the following:
| ||
As of December 31, | ||
| 2010 | 2011 |
Bank loans and overdrafts | $ 25,259 | $13,886 |
Trust receipts | 42,092 | 38,927 |
Total bank loans and overdrafts | $ 67,351 | $ 52,813 |
Under line of credit arrangements for short-term debt with the Company’s bankers, the Company may borrow up to approximately $279,863 (2008: $248,749)$316,369 (2010: $292,833) on such terms as the Company and the banks may mutually agree upon. These arrangements do not have termination dates but are reviewed annually for renewal. As of December 31, 2009,2011, the unused portion of the credit lines was approximately $211,244 (2008: $140,756)$224,640 (2010:$209,634), which included unused letters of credit amounting to $141,235 (2008: $93,499)$128,409 (2010: $128,211). Letters of credit are issued by the Company in the ordinary course of business through major financial institutions as required by certain vendor contracts. As of December 31, 2009,2011, the Company had open letters of credit totaling $30,870 (2008: $57,976)$49,596 (2010: $53,724). Liabilities relating to the letters of credit are included in current liabilities.
The credit lines of the Company were collateralized by:
F-24
(ii) �� Pledge of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
(iii)Pledge of not fewer than 112 million shares of Charoong Thai; and
(iv)Corporate guarantee issued by the Company and a subsidiary of the Company.
(v)A trading facility was secured by the assets with total carrying amount of $31,414 of a subsidiary as at December 31, 2011 (2010:$28,484).
The weighted average interest rates on bank loans and overdrafts as of December 31, 2007, 20082009, 2010 and 20092011 were 6.1%4.4%, 5.3%3.6% and 4.4%3.7% per annum, respectively.
F-25
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
8.BANK LOANS AND OVERDRAFTS (continued)
During 2011, CCH (HK) entered into a bank loan agreement with Bangkok Bank Hong Kong Branch with a total cash loan of US$ 14 million and a trade facility of US$ 8 million. The cash loan carries an interest rate of SIBOR (Singapore Inter-bank Borrowing Rate) plus 2.5% for a period of 5.5 years, adjusted quarterly as the SIBOR fluctuates. The bank loan is guaranteed by the Company, as guarantor. As of December 31, 2011, CCH (HK) was not in compliance with certain financial and non-financial loan covenants and the cash loan would become callable on demand. The outstanding balance was classified as a current liability as of December 31, 2011. The Company started negotiation in December 2011 with the Bank on revising the loan covenants and issuing waiver for the default. Up to the date of these financial statements, the negotiation is still in process.
9.EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
The Company computes earnings (loss) per share in accordance with ASC 260 “Earning Per Share”. Basic net earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and if dilutive, the potential common shares outstanding during the period.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders per share:
Years ended December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) attributable to APWC from continuing operations |
| $ 9,858 |
| $ 14,142 |
| $ (6,832) |
Income (loss) attributable to APWC from discontinued operations |
| 231 |
| (2) |
| 1,393 |
Net income (loss) attributable to APWC |
| $ 10,089 |
| $ 14,140 |
| $ (5,439) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator (in number of shares): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted |
| 13,830,769 |
| 13,830,769 |
| 13,830,769 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) per share - basic and diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
| $ 0.71 |
| $ 1.02 |
| $ (0.49) |
Discontinued operations |
| 0.02 |
| (0.00) |
| 0.10 |
Total earnings (loss) per share - basic and diluted |
| $ 0.73 |
| $ 1.02 |
| $ (0.39) |
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
9.
10.VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Description | Balance at beginning of year | Net charge (credit) to income | Deduction | Currency translation adjustment |
Balance atend of year |
Year ended December 31, 2009: |
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 9,644 | $ (860) | $ (326) | $ 236 | $ 8,694 |
Inventory impairment |
|
|
|
|
|
- Lower of cost or market | 26,282 | (24,268) | 42 | 1,158 | 3,214 |
- Obsolescence | 433 | 319 | (6) | 35 | 781 |
Allowance for deferred tax assets | 6,683 | (4,781) | – | 587 | 2,489 |
| $ 43,042 | $ (29,590) | $ (290) | $ 2,016 | $ 15,178 |
Year ended December 31, 2010: |
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 8,694 | $ (1,317) | $ (1,063) | $ 572 | $ 6,886 |
Inventory impairment |
|
|
|
|
|
- Lower of cost or market | 3,214 | (2,219) | – | 201 | 1,196 |
- Obsolescence | 781 | 245 | – | 93 | 1,119 |
Allowance for deferred tax assets | 2,489 | 2,460 | – | (132) | 4,817 |
| $ 15,178 | $ (831) | $ (1,063) | $ 734 | $ 14,018 |
Year ended December 31, 2011: |
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 6,886 | $ (1,555) | $ (664) | $ (53) | $ 4,614 |
Inventory impairment |
|
|
|
|
|
- Lower of cost or market | 1,196 | 1,725 | (888) | (14) | 2,019 |
- Obsolescence | 1,119 | 268 | – | (81) | 1,306 |
- Charges related to flooding | – | 3,572 | – | (130) | 3,442 |
Allowance for deferred tax assets | 4,817 | (3,942) | – | – | 875 |
| $14,018 | $ 68 | $ (1,552) | $ (278) | $ 12,256 |
Balance at | Net charge (credit) | Currency translation | Balance at end of | |||||||||||||||||
Description | beginning of year | to income | Deduction | adjustment | year | |||||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2007: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 9,290 | $ | 3,295 | $ | (2,172 | ) | $ | 1,072 | $ | 11,485 | |||||||||
Allowance for inventories | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Net realizable value | 3,508 | (363 | ) | — | 102 | 3,247 | ||||||||||||||
- Obsolescence | 2,484 | (909 | ) | — | 200 | 1,775 | ||||||||||||||
Allowance for deferred tax assets | 4,341 | (3,158 | ) | — | 302 | 1,485 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 19,623 | $ | (1,135 | ) | $ | (2,172 | ) | $ | 1,676 | $ | 17,992 | |||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2008: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 11,485 | $ | 12 | $ | (1,031 | ) | $ | (822 | ) | $ | 9,644 | ||||||||
Allowance for inventories | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Net realizable value | 3,247 | 25,144 | (142 | ) | (1,967 | ) | 26,282 | |||||||||||||
- Obsolescence | 1,775 | 1 | (1,164 | ) | (179 | ) | 433 | |||||||||||||
Allowance for deferred tax assets | 1,485 | 5,227 | — | (29 | ) | 6,683 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 17,992 | $ | 30,384 | $ | (2,337 | ) | $ | (2,997 | ) | $ | 43,042 | |||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2009: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 9,644 | $ | (860 | ) | $ | (326 | ) | $ | 236 | $ | 8,694 | ||||||||
Allowance for inventories | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Net realizable value | 26,282 | (24,268 | ) | 42 | 1,158 | 3,214 | ||||||||||||||
- Obsolescence | 433 | 319 | (6 | ) | 35 | 781 | ||||||||||||||
Allowance for deferred tax assets | 6,683 | (4,781 | ) | — | 587 | 2,489 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 43,042 | $ | (29,590 | ) | $ | (290 | ) | $ | 2,016 | $ | 15,178 | |||||||||
During 2008,2009, the decreasescopper prices on London Metal Exchange (the “LME”) gradually rose from $3,220 in January 2009 to $6,981 in December 2009. The previous recognized impairment of $24,268 due to lower of cost or market was credited to cost of sales for those finished goods which were sold at above market in 2009.
During 2010, the Company exercised rigorous controls over raw-material inventory and through long-term copper future contacts reduced its exposure to the fluctuations in market prices for copper, which resulted in a significant reduction in the inventory impairment.
During 2011, the decrease in commodity prices, including that of copper, resulted in a write-down of the carrying cost of the Company’s inventory as of December 31, 2008.2011. Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (the “LME”)LME fell from an average monthly price high of $8,685 per metric ton$9,555 in April 2008January 2011 to only $3,072 per metric ton$7,657 in December 2008. In addition, sales towards the end of 2008 decreased due to the worldwide economic slowdown, which resulted in2011. As a higher inventory level at year end. The decline in commodity prices and our high inventory levels at December 31, 2008 resulted in an allowance of $25,144 forresult, inventory write-down to net realizable value, whichmarket of $1,725 was included in thecharged to cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2011.
The impairment charge of $3,572 was related to flooding in 2008. The allowance for inventory write-down to net realizable value is based on the Company’s best estimates of product sales prices and customer demands. During 2009, the copper prices on the LME have gradually risen from $3,220 in January 2009 to $6,981 in December 2009.
F-26Thailand (note 14).
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
10.
11.INCOME TAXES
Under current Bermuda law, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains, nor is withholding tax of Bermuda imposed upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders.
The Company’s investments in the Operating Subsidiaries are held through subsidiaries incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”). Under current BVI law, dividends from the BVI subsidiaries’ investments are not subject to income taxes and no withholding tax is imposed on payments of dividends by the BVI subsidiaries to the Company.
The Operating Subsidiaries and equity investees are governed by the income tax laws of Singapore, Thailand, Australia and the People’s Republic of China and Myanmar.China. The corporate income tax rate in Singapore was 18%, 18% and 17% for 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively,each of the three years ended December 31, 2011, and there is nowithholding tax on dividends applicable to the Company. For Thailand, the corporate income tax rate was 30% for each of the threeyears ended December 31, 20092011 and a withholding tax of 10% is levied on dividends received by the Company. CTW is listed on Stock Exchange of Thailand (“SET”), its applicable corporate income rate was 25% for the first 300 million Baht of net profit and 30% for the amount exceeding 300 million Baht. The reduced rate of taxation applied for listed companies for three accounting periods from 2008 to 2010.As a part of an initiative to promote Thailand’s competitiveness, the Thai Government announced in Royal Decree (No. 530) to provide for a reduction of corporate income tax on December 21, 2012: (1) Reduction of corporate tax from 30% to 23% for accounting period from January 1, 2012; (2) Further reduction of corporate income tax to 20% for the subsequent two accounting periods from January 1, 2013. The tax reduction is valid for three years from 2012 to 2014. In Australia, the corporate income tax rate was 30% for 2007/2008, 2008/20092009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2009/20102011/2012 tax years. The applicable corporate income tax rate for the subsidiaries in the People’s Republic of China was 33% for 2007, and 25% for 2008 and 2009. The corporate income tax rate for Myanmar was 30% for 2007/2008, 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 tax years.
Pursuant to the Corporate Income Tax Law (the CIT Law) of the PRC that came into effect on January 1, 2008, all the enterprises generally are subject to corporate income tax at an effective rate of 25% on income as reported in their statutory accounts (2007: 33%).accounts. An enterprise located in specially-designated regions or cities and eligible for the preferential policy in the form of a reduced tax rate shall have five years from the time when the CIT Law takes effect to transition progressively to the legally prescribed tax rate. During this period, an enterprise that enjoyed the 15% corporate income tax rate shall be subject to the 18% tax rate for the year 2008, 20% for the year 2009, 22% for the year 2010, 24% for the year 2011, and 25% for the year 2012.
PEWS is located in Shenzhen, which is a region where preferential tax rates apply and currently qualifies for a reduced rate of taxation of 15%20%, 18%22%, and 20%24% for the years 2007, 2008,2009, 2010, and 2009,2011, respectively. PEWS qualified for a further reduced rate of 10% if export revenues exceed 70% of its total revenues for 2007. PEWS is the only subsidiary of the Company in the PRC that qualifies for the preferential tax rates under the CIT Law.
F-27Under the CIT law, dividend distributions of profits earned prior to January 1, 2008 to foreign investor(s) are exempt from withholding tax; distribution of the profits earned after January 1, 2008 is subject to withholding tax of 10%, reduced to 5% under the Arrangement between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income provided that the Hong Kong holding company, CCH(HK), is qualified as the “beneficial owner” of the dividend income under Cuoshuiban [2009] No.601.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
10.
11.INCOME TAXES(continued)
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations was taxed in the following jurisdictions:
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thailand |
| $ 10,921 |
| $ 24,750 |
| $ 8,760 |
Singapore |
| 3,149 |
| 1,671 |
| (80) |
Australia |
| 3,020 |
| 2,176 |
| 3,130 |
The People’s Republic of China |
| 3,690 |
| 6,921 |
| 985 |
Others |
| (2,318) |
| (3,665) |
| (12,101) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 18,462 |
| 31,853 |
| 694 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity investees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The People’s Republic of China |
| (40) |
| (21) |
| (58) |
|
| $ 18,422 |
| $ 31,832 |
| $ 636 |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Thailand | $ | 7,973 | $ | (14,453 | ) | $ | 10,921 | |||||
Singapore | 1,230 | (712 | ) | 3,149 | ||||||||
Australia | 6,255 | 2,731 | 3,020 | |||||||||
The People’s Republic of China | 2,723 | (5,293 | ) | 4,840 | ||||||||
Others | (5,145 | ) | (2,199 | ) | (2,318 | ) | ||||||
13,036 | (19,926 | ) | 19,612 | |||||||||
Equity investees | ||||||||||||
Thailand | (6 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
The People’s Republic of China | 130 | (142 | ) | (40 | ) | |||||||
124 | (142 | ) | (40 | ) | ||||||||
$ | 13,160 | $ | (20,068 | ) | $ | 19,572 | ||||||
Significant components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows:
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocated to net income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thailand |
| $ 813 |
| $ 4,069 |
| $ 4,869 |
Singapore |
| – |
| – |
| – |
The People’s Republic of China |
| 814 |
| 1,324 |
| 679 |
Australia |
| 680 |
| 956 |
| 1,291 |
Total current |
| 2,307 |
| 6,349 |
| 6,839 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thailand |
| 1,723 |
| 170 |
| (1,446) |
Singapore |
| 100 |
| 59 |
| (154) |
The People’s Republic of China |
| 389 |
| 197 |
| (43) |
Australia |
| 128 |
| (262) |
| (316) |
Total deferred |
| 2,340 |
| 164 |
| (1,959) |
The benefits of operating loss carried forwards |
|
–
|
|
(72)
|
|
(314)
|
|
| $ 4,647 |
| $ 6,441 |
| $ 4,566 |
Allocated to other comprehensive income (loss) |
| $ 18 |
| $ 84 |
| $ – |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Allocated to net income (loss) | ||||||||||||
Current: | ||||||||||||
Thailand | $ | 5,701 | $ | 1,514 | $ | 813 | ||||||
Singapore | 194 | 132 | — | |||||||||
The People’s Republic of China | 662 | (679 | ) | 1,511 | ||||||||
Australia | 1,710 | 1,310 | 680 | |||||||||
Total current | 8,267 | 2,277 | 3,004 | |||||||||
Deferred: | ||||||||||||
Thailand | (2,128 | ) | (865 | ) | 1,723 | |||||||
Singapore | (3 | ) | — | 100 | ||||||||
The People’s Republic of China | (56 | ) | 1,135 | 389 | ||||||||
Australia | 218 | (415 | ) | 128 | ||||||||
Total deferred | (1,969 | ) | (145 | ) | 2,340 | |||||||
$ | 6,298 | $ | 2,132 | $ | 5,344 | |||||||
Allocated to other comprehensive loss | $ | (6 | ) | $ | (27 | ) | $ | 18 | ||||
F-28
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
10.
11.INCOME TAXES(continued)
The parent company’s tax is filed in Bermuda, which does not have a statutory tax rate. The provision for income taxes differs based on the taxes incurred by the Operating Subsidiaries, in their respective jurisdiction. The Company determines its statutory tax rate based on its major commercial domicile that is its subsidiary in Thailand. The reconciliation of the statutory tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
Income tax at statutory tax rate in: |
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax provision at statutory rate (30%) |
| $ 5,755 |
| $ 9,608 |
| $ 191 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign income taxed at different rate |
| (455) |
| 881 |
| 1,350 |
Expenses not deductible for tax purpose | 2,437 | 1,684 | 753 | |||
Impairment of goodwill not deductible for tax |
| – |
| – |
| 2,637 |
Written-off deferred tax assets arising fromliquidation of a subsidiary |
| – |
| – |
| 3,633 |
Reversal of valuation allowance arising fromliquidation of a subsidiary |
| – |
| – |
| (3,633) |
Utilization of prior year tax losses |
| – |
| (6,186) |
| – |
Changes in valuation allowance |
| (3,959) |
| 2,473 |
| (291) |
Written-off deferred tax |
| 1,473 |
| 215 |
| - |
Tax exempt on income |
| (1,573) |
| (2,583) |
| (1,453) |
Difference due to effect of tax holidays |
| (141) |
| (583) |
| – |
Unrecognized tax benefits |
| 708 |
| 354 |
| 1,026 |
Deferred tax liability arising from undistributed earnings |
| 402 |
| 578 |
| 193 |
Effect of temporary tax rate changes on deferred tax assets |
| – |
| – |
| 862 |
Others |
| – |
| – |
| (702) |
Total tax income for the year |
| $ 4,647 |
| $ 6,441 |
| $ 4,566 |
Pacific Thai had deferred tax assets (mainly from prior year net operating loss carry forwardslosses) of approximately $5,970, $16,643$3,633 with a 100% valuation allowance as of December 31, 2010. Following the de-registration of Pacific Thai on January 5, 2011, its deferred tax assets could no longer be realized and $34,750, respectively. thus were written off. The corresponding valuation allowance was reversed during the year.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
11.INCOME TAXES(continued)
Deferred tax liabilities and assets comprised the following:
|
| As of December 31 | ||
|
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outside basis differences |
| $ (1,973) |
| $ (2,172) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax liabilities |
| (1,973) |
| (2,172) |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets: |
|
|
|
|
Unused tax losses |
| 4,480 |
| 1,181 |
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
| 1,454 |
| 682 |
Inventory impairment |
| 649 |
| 744 |
Allowance for impairment in investment |
| 1,203 |
| 933 |
Rebates and other accrued liabilities |
| 1,420 |
| 1,980 |
Unpaid retirement benefits |
| – |
| 854 |
Charges related to flooding |
| – |
| 874 |
Deferred revenue and cost of sales |
| – |
| 320 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax assets |
| 9,206 |
| 7,568 |
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (note 10) |
| (4,817) |
| (875) |
|
| |||
Total deferred tax assets |
| 4,389 |
| 6,693 |
|
| |||
Net deferred tax assets |
| $ 2,416 |
| $ 4,521 |
The amount of deferred tax liabilities and assets at December 31, 2010 and 2011 were as follows:
|
| As of December 31, | ||
|
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gross current deferred tax liabilities |
| $ (43) |
| $ (49) |
|
|
|
|
|
Gross current deferred tax assets |
| 3,763 |
| 5,234 |
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets |
| (400) |
| – |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3,363 |
| 5,234 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net current deferred tax assets |
| 3,320 |
| 5,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross non-current deferred tax liabilities |
| (1,930) |
| (2,123) |
|
|
|
|
|
Gross non-current deferred tax assets |
| 5,443 |
| 2,334 |
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets |
| (4,417) |
| (875) |
|
|
| ||
|
| 1,026 |
| 1,459 |
|
| |||
Net non-current deferred tax assets |
| (904) |
| (664) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Net deferred tax assets |
| $ 2,416 |
| $ 4,521 |
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
11.INCOME TAXES(continued)
The deferred tax liabilities and assets are presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:
|
| As of December 31, | ||
|
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets | �� | $ 3,320 |
| $ 5,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total current |
| 3,320 |
| 5,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current |
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets |
| 677 |
| 517 |
Deferred tax liabilities |
| (1,581) |
| (1,181) |
Total non-current |
| (904) |
| (664) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Net deferred tax assets |
| $ 2,416 |
| $ 4,521 |
As of December 31, 2011, the Company has available unused net operating losses that may be applied against future taxable income and that expire as follows:
|
|
|
| |
Date of expiration |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
| $ 3,089 |
| $– |
2012 |
| 5,399 |
| 656 |
2013 |
| 3,115 |
| 461 |
2014 |
| 5,069 |
| 853 |
2015 |
| 353 |
| 356 |
2016 |
| – |
| 839 |
No expiration |
| 1,396 |
| 1,801 |
|
| $ 18,421 |
| $ 4,966 |
The remaining net operating losses can be carried forward, subject to any condition to be met under the relevant tax laws of the respective jurisdictions. The utilization of these net operating loss carry forwards is subject to agreement by the income tax authorities in the respective jurisdictions.
As of December 31, 2010 and 2011, the Company is subject to taxation in The parent company’sPeople’s Republic of China, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore. The Company’s tax is filed in Bermuda, which does not have a statutory tax rate. Therefore the provision for income taxes differs based on the taxes incurredyears from 2006 and forward are still open examination by the Operating Subsidiaries,tax authorities in their respective jurisdiction. The principal reasons for the differences are listed in the following table:various tax jurisdictions.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Income tax (benefit) at statutory tax rate in: | ||||||||||||
Thailand | $ | 1,966 | $ | (3,887 | ) | $ | 3,238 | |||||
Singapore | 634 | (128 | ) | 562 | ||||||||
Australia | 1,899 | 830 | 915 | |||||||||
People’s Republic of China | 305 | (763 | ) | 1,520 | ||||||||
4,804 | (3,948 | ) | 6,235 | |||||||||
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes | 4,163 | 894 | 2,385 | |||||||||
Changes in valuation allowance | (2,856 | ) | 5,198 | (4,194 | ) | |||||||
Deferred tax liability arising from undistributed earnings under APB 23 (codified in ASC 740) | — | — | 402 | |||||||||
Others | 187 | (12 | ) | 516 | ||||||||
Total charge for the year | $ | 6,298 | $ | 2,132 | $ | 5,344 | ||||||
As of December 31 | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||||
Tax over book depreciation | $ | (275 | ) | $ | — | |||
Book over tax basis in subsidiaries | (1,022 | ) | (1,007 | ) | ||||
Undistributed earnings under APB 23 (codified in ASC 740) | — | (402 | ) | |||||
Total deferred tax liabilities | (1,297 | ) | (1,409 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||
Unused tax losses and unused tax credits | 837 | 2,024 | ||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | 2,540 | 2,353 | ||||||
Allowance for inventories | 7,365 | 1,109 | ||||||
Allowance for impairment in investment | 540 | 523 | ||||||
Others | 97 | 92 | ||||||
Total deferred tax assets | 11,379 | 6,101 | ||||||
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (note 9) | (6,683 | ) | (2,489 | ) | ||||
Total deferred tax assets | 4,696 | 3,612 | ||||||
Net deferred tax assets | $ | 3,399 | $ | 2,203 | ||||
F-29
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
10.
11.INCOME TAXES(continued)
A reconciliation of deferredthe beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax liabilities and assets at December 31, 2008 and 2009 werebenefits is as follows:
Change in Uncertain Tax Positions | As of December 31, | |||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
Balance at January 1 |
| $ 2,055 |
| $ 2,198 |
| $ 2,332 |
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year |
| 143 |
| 134 |
| 308 |
Additions for tax positions of prior years |
| – |
| – |
| – |
Settlements |
| – |
| – |
| – |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31 |
| $ 2,198 |
| $ 2,332 |
| $ 2,640 |
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Gross current deferred tax liabilities | $ | (72 | ) | $ | (57 | ) | ||
Gross current deferred tax assets | 10,092 | 3,720 | ||||||
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets | (7,028 | ) | (1,068 | ) | ||||
3,063 | 2,652 | |||||||
Net current deferred tax assets | 2,991 | 2,595 | ||||||
Gross non-current deferred tax liabilities | (1,225 | ) | (1,352 | ) | ||||
Gross non-current deferred tax assets | 1,633 | 2,381 | ||||||
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets | — | (1,421 | ) | |||||
1,632 | 960 | |||||||
Net non-current deferred tax assets | 408 | (392 | ) | |||||
Net deferred tax assets | $ | 3,399 | $ | 2,203 | ||||
The deferred tax liabilities and assets are presentedCompany is not expecting there would be any reasonably possible change in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:
December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Current | ||||||||
Deferred tax assets | $ | 3,064 | $ | 2,595 | ||||
Deferred tax liabilities | (65 | ) | — | |||||
Total current | 2,999 | 2,595 | ||||||
Non-current | ||||||||
Deferred tax assets | 1,182 | 613 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | (782 | ) | (1,005 | ) | ||||
Total non-current | 400 | (392 | ) | |||||
Net deferred tax assets | $ | 3,399 | $ | 2,203 | ||||
F-30
The Company recognized interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of December 31, 2008 and 2009, the Company is subject to taxation inincome tax expense. The People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore. The Company’s tax years for 1999 and forward are subject to examination by the tax authorities in the jurisdictions where the Company is subject to taxation.
December 31, | ||||||||
Change in Uncertain Tax Positions | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||
Balance at January 1 | $ | 475 | $ | 422 | ||||
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year | — | — | ||||||
Additions for tax positions of prior years | 5 | — | ||||||
Settlements | (58 | ) | — | |||||
Balance at December 31 | $ | 422 | $ | 422 | ||||
F-31
| As of December 31, | |||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
Accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits |
| $ 1,299 |
| $ 1,373 |
| $ 1,783 |
Accrued penalties onunrecognized tax benefits |
| 1,806 |
| 1,948 |
| 2,256 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total accrued interest and penalties on Unrecognized tax benefits |
| $ 3,105 |
| $ 3,321 |
| $ 4,039 |
December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Unrecognized tax benefits | $ | 422 | $ | 422 | ||||
Less: valuation allowance | (346 | ) | (346 | ) | ||||
If recognized, affect the effective tax rate | $ | 76 | $ | 76 | ||||
Accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits | $ | 1,661 | $ | 1,806 | ||||
Accrued penalties on unrecognized tax benefits | 879 | 1,299 | ||||||
Total accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits | $ | 2,540 | $ | 3,105 | ||||
The bases for interest and penalties are of December 31, 20080.05% per day (18.25% annually) and 2009,100% respectively of the amount of unrecognizedrelevant income tax benefits included in the balance sheet that would, if recognized, affect the effective tax rate is $76 and $76, respectively.liabilities. The Company recognized $391$74 and $565$142 in interest and penalties during 20082010 and 2009.$410 and $308 in interest and penalties during 2011. As of December 31, 20082010 and 2009,2011, the Company recognized $2,540$3,321 and $3,105,$4,039, respectively, ofin interest and penalties.
Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||
gains | ||||||||||||||||
(losses) on | ||||||||||||||||
Currency | available- | |||||||||||||||
translation | for- sale | |||||||||||||||
adjustments | securities | Others | Total | |||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2007 | $ | (19,563 | ) | $ | 125 | $ | — | $ | (19,438 | ) | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 15,179 | (34 | ) | (71 | ) | 15,074 | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2007 | (4,384 | ) | 91 | (71 | ) | (4,364 | ) | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (8,994 | ) | (18 | ) | 7 | (9,005 | ) | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2008 | (13,378 | ) | 73 | (64 | ) | (13,369 | ) | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 3,177 | 1 | (4 | ) | 3,174 | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2009 | $ | (10,201 | ) | $ | 74 | $ | (68 | ) | $ | (10,195 | ) | |||||
F-32
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
12.VALUE ADDED TAX (“VAT”)
According to the value-added tax policy from the relevant tax authorities, the sales are subject to an output VAT, while the purchase of products is subject to an input VAT. VAT payable or receivable is the net difference between periodic output VAT and deductible input VAT. The revenue, expenses and assets are recognized net of the amount of VAT except where the VAT incurred in a purchase of assets or services is not recoverable from taxation authority, in which case the VAT is recognized as part of the cost of acquisition of the assets or as part of the expenses item as applicable. Receivable and payable that are stated with the VAT incurred. The net amount of VAT recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivable or payable in the balance sheet.
The VAT rates of our Operating Subsidiaries in various tax jurisdictions are:
China | 17% | |
Singapore | 7% | |
Thailand | 6% | |
Australia | 10% | |
12.
13.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(a)Leases
The Company leases certain machinery and equipment under capital leases for 20082010 and 2009.
The Company leases a piece of land in Singapore and certain buildings under non-cancellable operating lease arrangements for terms from 5 to 30 years.
Future minimum payments under capital leases and non-cancellable operating leases with initial terms of one year or more consisted of the following as of December 31, 2009:2011:
|
| Capital Leases |
| Operating Leases |
|
|
|
|
|
2012 |
| $ 882 |
| $ 866 |
2013 |
| 173 |
| 663 |
2014 |
| 46 |
| 430 |
2015 |
| 30 |
| 177 |
2016 |
| 4 |
| 172 |
Thereafter |
| – |
| 2,354 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net minimum lease payments |
| $ 1,135 |
| $ 4,662 |
|
|
|
|
|
Less: amount representing interest |
| (57) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present value of net minimum lease payments |
| $ 1,078 |
|
|
Less: non-current portion included in other non-current liabilities |
| (842) |
|
|
Current portion included in other current liabilities |
| 236 |
|
|
Capital Leases | Operating Leases | |||||||
2010 | $ | 173 | $ | 654 | ||||
2011 | 83 | 604 | ||||||
2012 | 60 | 589 | ||||||
2013 | 54 | 540 | ||||||
2014 | 3 | 370 | ||||||
Thereafter | — | 2,532 | ||||||
Total minimum lease payments | $ | 373 | $ | 5,289 | ||||
Amounts representing interest | (35 | ) | ||||||
Present value of net minimum lease payments | $ | 338 | ||||||
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
13.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES(continued)
(a)Leases (continued)
Rental expense consisted of the following:
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rentals under operating leases |
| $ 1,013 |
| $ 937 |
| $ 911 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Rentals under operating lease | $ | 766 | $ | 658 | $ | 1,013 |
The capital lease liabilities are secured by the leased machinery and equipment at cost of $407$330 and $316$195 as of December 31, 20082010 and 2009,2011, respectively. The accumulated depreciation of these leased assets as of December 31, 20082010 and 20092011 amounted to $219$264 and $191,$97, respectively.
The average discount interest rate implicit in the lease is 9.25%in the range of 6.58% to 8.78% and 9.34%6.5% to 8.73% for 20082010 and 2009,2011, respectively.
F-33
(c)As of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
As of December 31, 2010, two subsidiaries of Charoong Thai had commitments to provide cross guarantees for credit lines of $66.2 million. There was no such commitment as of December 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the | |||
As of December 31, 2011, there were outstanding bank guarantees of $18 million (2010: $19.8 million) issued by the banks on behalf of Charoong Thai and its subsidiaries in respect of certain performance bonds as required in the normal course of business of the companies. These guarantees generally expire within 1 year.
(d)As of December 31, 2011, the Company and its subsidiaries had capital commitment relating to the installation of equipment and acquisition of machinery, totaling $1 million (2010: $0.1 million).
(e)As of December 31, 2011, the Company and its subsidiaries had commitments in respect of repair and maintenance consulting service with unrelated parties and related parties totaling $0.1 million (2010: $0.2 million) and $3.1 million (2010: $0.2 million) respectively.
(f)As of December 31, 2011, the Company pledged 112 million shares of Charoong Thai to reserve a $14 million term loan facility and a $8 million trade facilities of CCH HK.
As of December 31, 2010, SPFO pledged account receivables of $3.9 million against a bank loan.
F-34
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
12.
13.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES(continued)
(g)As disclosed in note 1, on June 28, 2007 SOF entered into a shareholders’ agreement with the Company and PEWC (the “Shareholders Agreement”). On March 27, 2009, SOF sold 10.2% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company to PEWC. On July 1, 2011, SOF transferred its remaining 9.8% interest in the Company to COF, which became a party to the Company an extension for listing its common shares on a national exchange until February 2011 andAmended Shareholders Agreement, which provides for the following:
Indemnification
The Company must certify to SOF (now became COF) whether or not it is considered a Controlled Foreign Corporation or a Passive Foreign Investment Company as of each fiscal year end. Should this certification be challenged by the taxing authorities and found to be incorrect, the Company must indemnify SOF (now became COF) and its shareholders against interest and penalties that may be imposed and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred.
It is management’s opinion that this indemnification will not result in any adverse material financial consequence to the Company.
Controlled Foreign Corporation (“CFC”) is any foreign corporation of which more than 50
percent of either -
(1) The total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the corporation entitled to vote; or
(2) The total value of the stock of the corporation, is owned by United States shareholders on any day during the taxable year of such foreign corporation.
Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) has one of the following attributes:
(1) At least 75% of the corporation’scorporation's income is considered “passive”"passive", which is based on investments rather than standard operating business.
(2) At least 50% of the company’scompany's assets are investments that produce interest, dividends and/or capital gains.
PFICs include foreign-based mutual funds, partnerships and other pooled investment vehicles that have at least one U.S. shareholder.
Registration Rights
The Company has prepared and filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 covering the resale of the “Registrable Securities” for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, which registration statement was declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC on March 11, 2009,but requires the filing of a post-effective amendment to include the most recent annual audited financial statements, and, from time to time, unaudited financial statements for the six month period then ended.ended. “Registrable Securities” includes the shares beneficially owned by SOF.
Subject to the Amended Shareholders’ Agreement, the Company must use its reasonable best efforts to keep such registration statement continuously effective until (i) all Registrable Securities either have been sold or may be sold without volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 and (ii) SOFCOF receives freely transferable shares from the Company’s transfer agent.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
13.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES(continued)
Registration Rights (cont’d)
If any such registration statement ceases to remain continuously effective for any reason after the effectivenesseffective date and during any time when the registration statement is required to be effective, or SOF (now became COF) is otherwise not permitted to utilize the prospectus therein to resell such Registrable Securities, in either case, for more than thirty (30) consecutive trading days or more than an aggregate of sixty (60) trading days during any twelve month period (an “ Event “)”), then the “Put Right” (defined below)(as explained in note 1) will become immediately exercisable and will continue until such event has been cured.
F-35
14.FLOODING IN THAILAND
Siam Pacific, a wholly owned subsidiary of Charoong Thai, suspended operations temporarily in 2011 due to damage sustained from the region’s recent flooding. The facility of Siam Pacific, located 30 kilometers north of Bangkok, manufactures enameled wire and communication wire. The facility sustained water damage, as the water level reached approximately 1.5 meters which damaged some of the machinery and equipment in the plant, as well as some of the inventory in the warehouse. As a result, the Company recorded $3,947 of flood-related charges, including property, plant and equipment, impairments, repairing charges and a write-down of damaged inventory and recognized $874 of deferred tax asset related to the charges in 2011. These charges are separately stated as a line item, “Charges related to flooding” included in operating expense on the consolidated statement of operations.
The Company’s insurance policy covers the flood damage to the building, machinery, and inventory; however, it does not cover losses incurred due to the business disruption. The process of submitting claims to the Company’s insurers is still ongoing and the Company is unable to determine of the amount of losses to be recovered from the insurance company.
The following table summarizes the flood related charges for the year ended December 31, 2011:
Inventory write-down | $ 3,572 |
Property, plant and equipment impairment | 25 |
Repairing charges | 350 |
Total charges | $ 3,947 |
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
15. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Bank deposits: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for bank deposits approximates its fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Accounts receivable and accounts payable: The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Related party balances: The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for related party balances approximate their fair values because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Short-term debt: The carrying amounts of the Company’s borrowings under its short-term revolving credit arrangements approximate their fair values. The fair value of the non-interest bearing short-term debt from related parties approximates to its carrying amount as it is repayable on demand.
Investment securities: The fair values of marketable equity securities are based on quoted market prices, details of which are set out in note 7. In accordance with ASC 820, the marketable securities are classified within Level 1 of fair value hierarchy. It is not practicable to estimate the fair values of the equity investments that do not have a quoted market price, without incurring excessive costs. In accordance with ASC 820, such instruments are classified in the Level 3 of fair value hierarchy.
Forward exchange contracts: The fair values of forward exchange contracts are estimated by reference to market quotations for forward contracts with similar terms, adjusted where necessary for maturity differences. The foreign currency forward contracts are classified within Level 2 as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments.
16. CONCENTRATIONS OF RISKS
(a)Concentrations of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, bank deposits, investments, investment securities and trade accounts receivable.
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various financial institutions. These financial institutions are located in Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China. The Company’s policy is designed to limit its exposure to any one institution. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of those financial institutions that are considered in the Company’s investment strategy.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base. The Company carefully assesses the financial strength of its customers and generally does not require any collateral. At December 31, 2009, one Thailand subsidiary’s2011, no single group or customer accounted for 10.5%represents greater than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable. The Company’s exposure to credit risk arises from default of counterparty, with maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of these financial instruments.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
16. CONCENTRATIONS OF RISKS
(a)Concentrations of credit risk (cont’d)
The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by counter parties on foreign exchange contracts, but the Company does not anticipate non-performance by any counter parties.
(b) Fair Value Disclosures
One customer accounted for financial instruments:
F-36
December 31, 2009 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Available-for-sale investment (listed securities) | $ | 106 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 106 | ||||||||
Available-for-sale investments (equity securities in privately-held companies) | — | — | 580 | 580 | ||||||||||||
Investment in equity investee companies | — | — | 3,263 | 3,263 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 106 | $ | — | $ | 3,843 | $ | 3,949 | ||||||||
December 31, 2008 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Available-for-sale investment (listed securities) | $ | 68 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 68 | ||||||||
Available-for-sale investments (equity securities in privately-held companies) | — | — | 544 | 544 | ||||||||||||
Investment in equity investee companies | — | — | 4,103 | 4,103 | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency forward contracts net payable | — | (107 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 68 | $ | (107 | ) | $ | 4,647 | $ | 4,608 | |||||||
F-37
Available-for-sale | ||||||||
investments (equity | ||||||||
securities in | Investment in | |||||||
privately-held | equity investee | |||||||
companies) | companies | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2008 | $ | 544 | $ | 4,103 | ||||
Realized loss included in earnings | — | (40 | ) | |||||
Decrease in investment in equity investees | — | (800 | ) | |||||
Currency translation adjustments | 36 | — | ||||||
Balance at December 31, 2009 | $ | 580 | $ | 3,263 | ||||
Available-for-dales | ||||||||
(equity securities | Investment in | |||||||
in privately-held | equity investee | |||||||
companies) | companies | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2007 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Transfer to Level 3 | 544 | 4,245 | ||||||
Realized loss included in earnings | — | (142 | ) | |||||
Balance, at December 31, 2008 | $ | 544 | $ | 4,103 | ||||
(c)Risk related to copper and supplier
Copper is the principal raw material used by the Company. The Company purchases copper at prices closely related to the prevailing international spot market prices on the London Metal Exchange for copper. The price of copper is influenced heavily by global supply and demand as well as speculative trading. Consequently, a change in the price of copper will have a direct effect on the Company’s cost of sales.
Substantially all of the Company’s copper rods are supplied by PEWC. In addition to copper rod, the Company purchases high voltage power cable from PEWC for distribution purposes.
(d)Foreign exchange risk
Changes in exchange rates influence the Company’s results of operations. The Company’s principal operations are located in Thailand, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and Singapore and a substantial portion of its revenues are denominated in Thai Baht, U.S. Dollars or Singapore Dollars, whereas a substantial portion of the Company’s cost of sales are denominated in U.S. Dollars. Any devaluation of the Thai Baht or Singapore dollar against the US dollar would have an adverse impact on the operations of the Company.
F-38
The Company conducts substantial business operations in the PRC. The results of operations and prospects are likely tomay be materially impactedadversely affected by significant economic, legal and other developments in the PRC.
(f) Concentration in the geographic area
The Company conducts substantial business operations in the Thailand, PRC, Singapore and Australia. See note 20 – Segment Financial Information for current account transactions.details.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
15.
17. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
The related parties are defined as affiliates of the Company; entities for which investments are accounted for by the equity method by the Company; the principal owners of the Company; its management; members of the immediate families of the principal owners of the Company and its management.
December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Due from: | ||||||||
PEWC | $ | 639 | $ | 755 | ||||
PEWC, Singapore Branch | 1,000 | 996 | ||||||
Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (“Italian-Thai”) and its affiliates | 3,176 | 1,934 | ||||||
SPHC | 1,390 | 1,469 | ||||||
A director of Siam Pacific | 12 | 12 | ||||||
Shandong Yanggu Wire & Cable Corp Ltd (“Shandong Yanggu”) | 699 | 441 | ||||||
Others | 6 | 57 | ||||||
$ | 6,922 | $ | 5,664 | |||||
Due to: | ||||||||
PEWC | $ | 19,140 | $ | 12,131 | ||||
PEWC, Singapore Branch | 890 | 891 | ||||||
PEWC Singapore Co. (Pte) Ltd. | 1,230 | 1,249 | ||||||
Shandong Yanggu | 383 | 4 | ||||||
Fujikura Limited | 292 | — | ||||||
Thai Metal Processing Co., Ltd. | 27 | 109 | ||||||
SPHC | 2,642 | 2,713 | ||||||
Shandong Huayu | 1,170 | 385 | ||||||
Shandong Rubber Cable | 14 | 5 | ||||||
Others | 23 | — | ||||||
$ | 25,811 | $ | 17,487 | |||||
Short-term loans from: | ||||||||
Moon View Ventures Limited (“Moon View”) | $ | 1,732 | $ | 1,732 | ||||
Pacific Overseas Investment Management Ltd | — | — | ||||||
$ | 1,732 | $ | 1,732 | |||||
F-39
|
| December 31, | ||
|
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
Due from: |
|
|
|
|
PEWC |
| $ 1,628 |
| $ 1,797 |
PEWC, Singapore Branch |
| 1,030 |
| 1,071 |
Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (“Italian-Thai”) and its affiliates |
| 3,346 |
| 1,180 |
SPHC |
| 1,631 |
| 1,179 |
Shandong Yanggu Wire & Cable Corp Ltd (“Shandong Yanggu”) |
| 514 |
| – |
Others |
| 97 |
| – |
|
| $ 8,246 |
| $ 5,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
Due to: |
|
|
|
|
PEWC |
| $ 11,389 |
| $ 9,490 |
PEWC, Singapore Branch |
| 891 |
| 893 |
PEWC Singapore Co. (Pte) Ltd. |
| 1,262 |
| 1,276 |
Shandong Yanggu |
| 9 |
| – |
Fujikura Limited |
| 224 |
| 184 |
Thai Metal Processing Co., Ltd. |
| 112 |
| 60 |
SPHC |
| 2,858 |
| 2,384 |
Shandong Huayu |
| 395 |
| 406 |
|
| $ 17,140 |
| $ 14,693 |
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term loan from: |
|
|
|
|
Moon View Ventures Limited (“Moon View”) |
| $ 1,732 |
| $ 1,732 |
|
| $ 1,732 |
| $ 1,732 |
The long term loansinterest rates on the above balances with related parties range from PEWC Singapore Co. (Pte) Ltd have a term of three years and were due in March 20071.25% to 1.38% and are uncollateralized. Partial repayment was made in 2007 and the remaining balancerepayable upon demand. All balances with related parties are unsecured.
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of $240 was repaid in 2008.
17. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS (continued)
The transactions undertaken with related parties are summarized as follows:
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of copper from PEWC |
| $ 33,426 |
| $ 42,236 |
| $ 44,466 |
Purchases of power cables from PEWC |
| 12,211 |
| 3,846 |
| 7,164 |
Purchases of raw materials from Thai Metal Processing Co. Ltd |
| 955 |
| 1,153 |
| 1,139 |
Purchases of goods from PEWC |
| 11,247 |
| 210 |
| 320 |
Purchases of goods from Fujikura Limited |
| 1,946 |
| 2,536 |
| 1,348 |
Sales to Italian Thai and its affiliates |
| 4,144 |
| 3,741 |
| 3,663 |
Sales to PEWC |
| – |
| 65 |
| – |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense paid to PEWC |
| 135 |
| – |
| – |
Interest expense paid to PEWC Singapore Co. (Pte) Ltd |
| 19 |
| 14 |
| 13 |
Interest income from Italian Thai Development Public Co Ltd |
|
3 |
|
– |
|
– |
Management fee paid to PEWC |
| 147 |
| 204 |
| 239 |
Management fee received from PEWC |
| – |
| – |
| 19 |
Management fee received from PEWC, Singapore Branch |
| 13 |
| 14 |
| 14 |
Management fee received from Italian Thai Development Public Co., Ltd |
| 63 |
| 34 |
| – |
Dividend income from Thai Metal Processing Co. Ltd. |
| 65 |
| 106 |
| – |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information technology service fee paid to PEWC |
| 36 |
| 35 |
| 38 |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Purchases of copper from PEWC | $ | 55,360 | $ | 46,882 | $ | 33,426 | ||||||
Purchases of power cables from PEWC | 11,442 | 6,631 | 12,211 | |||||||||
Sales to Ital-Thai and its affiliates | 8,538 | 5,427 | 4,144 | |||||||||
Sales to Shandong Yanggu | 572 | 428 | — | |||||||||
Purchases of raw materials from Thai Metal Processing Co. Ltd | 1,222 | 1,456 | 955 | |||||||||
Purchases of goods from Fujikura Limited | 766 | 1,133 | 1,946 | |||||||||
Interest expense paid to PEWC | 472 | 275 | 135 | |||||||||
Interest expense paid to PEWC Singapore Co. (Pte) Ltd | 64 | 47 | 19 | |||||||||
Interest income from Italian Thai Development Public Co Ltd | — | 75 | 3 | |||||||||
Management fee paid to PEWC | 98 | 189 | 183 | |||||||||
Management fee received from PEWC, Singapore Branch | 12 | 13 | 13 | |||||||||
Management fee received from Italian Thai Development Public Co., Ltd | — | — | 63 | |||||||||
Purchases of goods from PEWC | — | 713 | 11,247 | |||||||||
Purchases of goods from Shandong Yanggu | 450 | 586 | — | |||||||||
Dividend income from Thai Metal Processing Co. Ltd. | 104 | 130 | 65 |
F-40
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
15.
17. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS(continued)
Copper is the major raw material of the Company’s wire and cable products. The Company purchases copper in the form of copper rods and copper cathode. Copper cathode is purchased by Siam Pacific to avoid the high import tarifftariffs levied on copper rods. Copper cathode needs to be processed into copper rods prior to the manufacturing of wire and cable products.
Substantially all of the Company’s copper rods are supplied by PEWC while copper cathodes are supplied by unrelated third parties. The price of copper rods purchased from PEWC is determined by reference to the quoted copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (the “LME”) plus a certain premium.
In addition to copper rods, the Company purchases high voltage power cable from PEWC for distribution purposes. The purchase price of power cable from PEWC is determined by reference to the quoted copper prices on the LME. No sales commission was received from PEWC during the years 2007, 20082009, 2010 and 2009.
Pursuant to the composite services agreement:
(a) PEWC will sell copper rod to the Company, upon the Company’s request, (i) at a price consisting of the average spot price of copper on the LME for the one month prior to purchase plus an agreed upon premium, (ii) at prices and on terms at least as favorable as it provides copper rod to other purchasers of similar amounts of copper rod in the same markets as PEWC and (iii) will give priority in the supply of copper rod to the Company over other purchasers of copper rod from PEWC.
(b) PEWC grants to the Company the right to distribute any wire or cable product manufactured by PEWC in all markets in which the Company presently distributes or develops the capability to distribute in the future, such products on such terms as have historically been in effect or on terms at least as favorable as PEWC grants to third parties that distribute such products in such markets. However, PEWC shall not be required to grant to the Company the right to distribute products manufactured by PEWC in the future in markets where the Company does not currently have the capability to distribute unless and until PEWC has no pre-existing contractual rights which would conflict with the grant of such right to the Company.
(c) PEWC will make available to the Company, upon the Company’s request and on terms to be mutually agreed between PEWC and the Company from time to time, access to certain of PEWC’s technology (and PEWC personnel necessary to use such technology) with respect to the design and manufacture of wire and cable products, including, without limitation, certain fiber optic technology.
(d) PEWC will make available to the Company, upon the Company’s request and on terms to be mutually agreed between PEWC and the Company from time to time, certain services with respect to the design and manufacture of wire and cable products, computerization, inventory control, purchasing, internal auditing, quality control, emergency back-up services, and recruitment and training of personnel; such services may include the training of the Company’s employees and managers at PEWC facilities and the secondment of PEWC employees and managers to the Company.
(e) Each of PEWC and the Company will offer the other party the right to participate in any negotiations with a third party concerning the establishment of any facility or similar venture to manufacture or distribute any wire or cable product outside of the markets where the Company currently manufactures or distributes, or intends to develop the capability to manufacture or distribute, any wire or cable product. Unless the Company and PEWC mutually agree otherwise, the Company shall have the right of first refusal to enter into any definitive agreement with such third party. If, however, such third party would not agree to the substitution of the Company for PEWC or such substitution would prevent thesuccessful completion of the facility or venture, PEWC will arrange for the Company to participate to the extent possible.
F-41
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
15.
17. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS(continued)
(f) Without the consent of the Company, PEWC will not compete with respect to the manufacture of wire and cable products in any market in which the Company is manufacturing or has taken significant steps to commence manufacturing.
(g) For purposes of the composite services agreement, each province in China is considered the equivalent of a market.
(h) The composite services agreement dated November 7, 1996 has a three-year term. The Agreement originally expired on November 7, 1999. The Company gave a notice to extend the Agreement by successive one-year periods commencing on April 20, 2001. The notice is treated as a standing notice for successive one-year period renewals until further written notice from the Company.
To the extent that transactions occur in the future between the Company and PEWC or affiliates of PEWC other than under the Composite Service Agreement, such transactions will be entered into on an arm’s length basis on terms no less favorable than those available from unaffiliated third parties.
16.18. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND BENEFIT PLANS
The Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of ASC 715-30, “Defined Benefit Plans-Pension,” effective December 31, 2006, which changed the manner in whichrecords the funded status of the Company’s defined benefit plans is reported in the consolidated balance sheet. Under ASC 715-30, actuarialActuarial gains and losses and prior service costs continue to be deferred and recognized in expense ratably over appropriate future periods, but the overfunded or underfunded status of the defined benefit plans is now measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”). This difference is recorded as an asset (if overfunded) or a liability (if underfunded), with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax. To reflect the funded status of its plans in the consolidated balance sheet upon adopting ASC 715-30, the Company recorded an adjustment to increase its liability for pension and other postretirement benefits by $71. Following adoption, as theThe net unrecognized actuarial loss and unrecognized prior service costs are recognized in net periodic benefit cost in the consolidated statements of operations, those amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss.
In accordance with the Thailand labor law, Charoong Thaiis obliged to make payment to retiring employees, at rates of 1 to 10 times of their final month’s salary rate, depending on the length of service. During the financial year 2009,2011, the Company’s total expense included $451 (2008: $191; 2007: $193)$288 (2010: $539; 2009: $451). The plan is not funded and the amount is recognized in Other Current Liabilities in the balance sheet. The Company pays to settle the obligations as and when employees retire.
F-42
The Company has several defined contribution plans covering its employees in Australia, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and Singapore. Contributions to the plan are made annually. Total charges of continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 were $615, $708, and $891, respectively and for years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 and period ended November 30, 2011 that of discontinued operations were $77, $138 and $205, respectively.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
16.
18. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND BENEFIT PLANS(continued)
In conformity with ASC 715-30,715“Compensation – Retirement Benefits” (“ASC 715”), the following table sets forth the Plan’s funded status and pension amounts recognized as at December 31, 20082010 and 20092011 based on the latest actuarial valuation:
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|
|
|
|
Change in benefit obligation: |
|
|
|
Benefit obligation at beginning of year |
| $ 2,012 | $ 2,761 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| 285 | (136) |
Service cost |
| 302 | 181 |
Interest cost |
| 223 | 106 |
Benefits paid |
| (61) | (219) |
Actuarial loss |
| – | 244 |
Curtailment |
| – | (2) |
Benefit obligation at end of year |
| $ 2,761 | $ 2,935 |
|
|
|
|
Change in plan assets: |
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |
| $– | $– |
Employer’s contribution |
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |
| – | – |
Funded status |
| $ (2,761) | $ (2,935) |
Unrealized net transition obligation |
| – | – |
Unrecognized net actuarial loss (gain) |
| – | – |
Accrued benefit cost |
| $ (2,761) | $ (2,935) |
|
|
|
|
Components of net periodic benefit cost: |
|
|
|
Service cost | $ 374 | $ 302 | $ 181 |
Interest cost | 85 | 223 | 106 |
Amortizations of: |
|
|
|
Unrecognized net prior service cost (credit) | (8) | (8) | (8) |
Unrecognized actuarial loss | – | 22 | 9 |
Net periodic benefit cost | $ 451 | $ 539 | $ 288 |
|
|
|
|
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of the following: (recognized under ASC 715) |
|
|
|
Actuarial loss | $ 68 | $ 669 | $ 602 |
Prior service (credit) cost | – | (129) | 7 |
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss | $ 68 | $ 540 | $ 609 |
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Change in benefit obligation: | ||||||||
Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 1,868 | $ | 1,773 | ||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (279 | ) | 61 | |||||
Service cost | 107 | 374 | ||||||
Interest cost | 88 | 85 | ||||||
Benefits paid | (11 | ) | (281 | ) | ||||
Actuarial loss (gain) | — | — | ||||||
Plan amendments | — | — | ||||||
Benefit obligation at end of year | $ | 1,773 | $ | 2,012 | ||||
Change in plan assets: | ||||||||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Employer’s contribution | ||||||||
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | — | — | ||||||
Funded status | $ | (1,773 | ) | $ | (2,012 | ) | ||
Unrealized net transition obligation | — | — | ||||||
Unrecognized net actuarial loss (gain) | — | — | ||||||
Accrued benefit cost | $ | (1,773 | ) | $ | (2,012 | ) | ||
Components of net periodic benefit cost: | ||||||||
Service cost | $ | 107 | $ | 374 | ||||
Interest cost | 88 | 85 | ||||||
Amortizations of: | ||||||||
Unrecognized net prior service cost (credit) | (6 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||
Unrecognized actuarial loss | 2 | 2 | ||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 191 | $ | 451 | ||||
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of the following: (recognized under ASC 715-30) | ||||||||
Actuarial loss | $ | 163 | $ | 68 | ||||
Prior service cost (credit) | (99 | ) | — | |||||
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss | $ | 64 | $ | 68 | ||||
The accumulated benefit obligations amounted to $1,773$2,761 and $2,012$2,935 as atof December 31, 20082010 and 2009,2011, respectively.
The estimated net loss and prior service cost (credit) for the defined benefit plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year are $19$(27) and $(6),$8, respectively.
F-43
The actuarial loss increased in 2011 due to the change in assumption:
-Discount rate was changed from 4.8% per annum to 3.8% for 2012 to reflect prevailing bond yield.
-The mortality rate have been updated from TMO97 table (Thailand Mortality Ordinary Lite Tables 1997) to TMO98 table (Thailand Mortality Ordinary Lite Tables 2008) reflect the latest available mortality study.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
16.
18. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND BENEFIT PLANS(continued)
The significant assumptions used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligations as atof December 31, 2008, 20072010 and 20062011 are as follows:
| 2010 |
| 2011 | |
Discount Rate |
| 4.8% |
| 4.2% |
Rate of Increase in Compensation Levels |
| 6.0% |
| 6.0% |
Employee turnover rates:- |
|
|
|
|
Prior to age 35 |
| 4.0% - 15.0% |
| 4.0% - 15.0% |
Age 35 to 50 |
| 2.0% - 7.0% |
| 2.0% - 7.0% |
Age 51 to 60 |
| - |
| 0.0% - 2.0% |
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Discount Rate | 5.5 | % | 5.5 | % | ||||
Rate of Increase in Compensation Levels | 5.0 | % | 5.0 | % | ||||
Employee turnover rates:- | ||||||||
Prior to age 35 | 2.0% - 10.0 | % | 4.0% - 15.0 | % | ||||
Age 35 to 50 | 2.0% - 5.0 | % | 2.0% - 7.0 | % | ||||
Age 51 to 60 | — | — |
The following pension benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:
Year ended December 31
|
|
2012 | $ 24 |
2013 | 221 |
2014 | 33 |
2015 | 257 |
2016 | 121 |
2017 - 2021 | 1,171 |
| $ 1,827 |
Year ended December 31 | ||||
2010 | 255 | |||
2011 | 69 | |||
2012 | 38 | |||
2013 | 49 | |||
2014 | 212 | |||
2015 - 2019 | 1,157 | |||
$ | 1,780 | |||
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
19. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The Company entered into an agreement to dispose its 51% equity interest in the SPFO joint venture to a group of investors in exchange for a total cash consideration of RMB18.5 million (approximately $2.9 million), effective upon the directors’ approval on September 7, 2011. The purpose of the disposal is to focus on the Company’s core wire and cable business that are more profitable by divesting its non-core fiber-optics cable, of which the market in china has very competitive. The share transfer was completed on December 1, 2011, consequently, the Company’s deconsolidated SPFO effective December 1, 2011. The Company recognized $1,962 gain on disposal of a subsidiary in consolidated statement of operations.
SPFO was consolidated prior to its disposal and it met the criteria for reporting as discontinued operations. Therefore, the results of operations of SPFO and the gain of the disposal have been classified as “Income from operations of discontinued SPFO” in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 and prior periods' amounts have been reclassified accordingly.
Results from discontinued operations related to SPFO for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 and period ended November 30, 2011 are as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | ||
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|
|
|
|
Net sales | $ 35,993 | $ 22,736 | $ 30,210 |
Cost of sales | (30,244) | (18,072) | (25,111) |
Gross profit | 5,749 | 4,664 | 5,099 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (4,456) | (3,545) | (4,809) |
Recovery of doubtful accounts | 752 | 377 | 68 |
Income from discontinued operations | 2,045 | 1,496 | 358 |
Exchange gain, net | 20 | - | - |
Interest income | - | 110 | 129 |
Interest expenses | (1,000) | (1,197) | (1,336) |
Other income (expenses) | 85 | 37 | (38) |
Income (loss) before income tax | 1,150 | 446 | (887) |
Gain on disposal of SPFO | - | - | 1,962 |
Income from operations of discontinued SPFO | 1,150 | 446 | 1,075 |
Income tax | (697) | (450) | (229) |
Net income (loss) of discontinued operations | $ 453 | $ (4) | $ 846 |
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | 222 | (2) | (547) |
Net income (loss) attributable to APWC | 231 | (2) | 1,393 |
The transactions undertaken with related parties are summarized as follows:
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of goods from Shandong Yanggu |
| – |
| 17 |
| 317 |
Sales to Shandong Yanggu |
| – |
| 96 |
| 536 |
Sales to SPRC |
| – |
| 160 |
| 157 |
Interest expense paid to Shandong Yanggu |
| – |
| 63 |
| – |
Management fee paid to Shandong Yanggu |
| – |
| – |
| 387 |
ASIA PACIFIC WIRE & CABLE CORPORATION LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
17.
20. SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Description of Products by Segment
t57 ititivein china has very re than 10% of the total reveune 4 (2010:$28,484) of a subsidiary as at Decebsidiary as at DeceentsIn accordance with ASC 280,“Segment Reporting”, the Group chief operating decision maker has been identified as the chief operating officer, who reviews consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. According to the management approach, the Company currently operates in three operating segments: (1) manufacturing of wire and cable products (“Manufactured products”), (2) distribution of copper and cable products manufactured by PEWC (“Distributed products”) and (3) sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables.
Measurement of Segment Profit or Loss and Segment Assets
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations before interest, gains and losses on the Company’s investment portfolio, and income taxes. The accounting policies of the reportable segments, including transactions entered between reportable segments, are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting polices.policies.
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues from external customers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ 264,128 |
| $ 396,059 |
| $ 429,474 |
Distributed products |
| 28,102 |
| 26,935 |
| 25,500 |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables |
| 34,008 |
| 23,600 |
| 16,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues from external customers |
| $ 326,238 |
| $ 446,594 |
| $ 471,946 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intersegment revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ 12,235 |
| $ 3,143 |
| $ 3,283 |
Distributed products |
| – |
| 9,898 |
| 13,960 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total intersegment revenues |
| $ 12,235 |
| $ 13,041 |
| $ 17,243 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total segment revenues |
| $ 338,473 |
| $ 459,635 |
| $ 489,189 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciling item |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elimination of intersegment revenues |
| (12,235) |
| (13,041) |
| (17,243) |
|
|
| ||||
Total revenues |
| $ 326,238 |
| $ 446,594 |
| $ 471,946 |
F-44
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
17.
20. SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION(continued)
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ 14,288 |
| $ 53,429 |
| $ 42,876 |
Distributed products |
| 1,517 |
| 1,378 |
| 2,955 |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables |
| 889 |
| 242 |
| 57 |
Inventory impairment |
| 23,949 |
| 1,974 |
| (1,993) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total segment profit |
| $ 40,643 |
| $ 57,023 |
| $ 43,895 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciling items |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate and other expenses |
| (24,228) |
| (28,371) |
| (42,079) |
Exchange gain (loss) |
| 507 |
| 3,041 |
| (1,346) |
Interest income |
| 458 |
| 492 |
| 1,409 |
Interest expense |
| (1,597) |
| (1,364) |
| (2,217) |
Share of net loss of equity investees |
| (40) |
| (21) |
| (58) |
Gain on liquidation of subsidiary |
| 568 |
| – |
| – |
Other income |
| 2,111 |
| 1,032 |
| 1,032 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
|
$ 18,422 |
|
$ 31,832 |
|
$ 636 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ 280,179 |
| $ 374,634 |
| $ 326,960 |
Distributed products |
| 6,363 |
| 8,195 |
| 4,369 |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables |
| 864 |
| 359 |
| 357 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total segment assets |
| $ 287,406 |
| $ 383,188 |
| $ 331,686 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciling items |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate and other assets |
| 5,383 |
| 493 |
| 1,168 |
Investment in equity investee companies |
| 3,263 |
| 3,242 |
| 4,435 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
| $ 296,052 |
| $ 386,923 |
| $ 337,289 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ 3,260 |
| $ 3,650 |
| $ 8,775 |
Distributed products |
| – |
| – |
| – |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables |
|
– |
|
– |
|
– |
Corporate |
| – |
| 3 |
| 113 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenditure for additions to long-lived assets |
| $ 3,260 |
| $ 3,653 |
| $ 8,888 |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||
Revenues from external customers: | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | 494,805 | $ | 447,848 | $ | 300,121 | ||||||
Distributed products | 10,783 | 32,415 | 28,102 | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | 5,253 | 20,535 | 34,008 | |||||||||
Total revenues from external customers | $ | 510,841 | $ | 500,798 | $ | 362,231 | ||||||
Intersegment revenues: | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | 2,648 | $ | 348 | $ | 12,235 | ||||||
Total segment revenues | $ | 513,489 | $ | 501,146 | $ | 374,466 | ||||||
Reconciling item | ||||||||||||
Elimination of intersegment revenues | (2,648 | ) | (348 | ) | (12,235 | ) | ||||||
Total revenues | $ | 510,841 | $ | 500,798 | $ | 362,231 | ||||||
F-45
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
17.
20. SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION(continued)
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ (8,165) |
| $ (6,474) |
| $ (6,014) |
Distributed products |
| – |
| – |
| – |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables |
| – |
| – |
| – |
Corporate |
| (14) |
| (14) |
| (52) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expenses of continuing operations |
| $ (8,179) |
| $ (6,488) |
| $ (6,066) |
Depreciation expenses of discontinued operations |
| (762) |
| (369) |
| (396) |
Total depreciation expenses |
| (8,941) |
| (6,857) |
| (6,462) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment loss of long-lived assets and goodwill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ – |
| $ – |
| $ (8,816) |
Distributed products |
| – |
| – |
| – |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables |
| – |
| – |
| – |
Corporate |
| (77) |
| – |
| – |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total impairment loss |
| $ (77) |
| $ – |
| $ (8,816) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ 408 |
| $ 454 |
| $ 1,305 |
Distributed products |
| 21 |
| 27 |
| 81 |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables |
| 29 |
| 11 |
| 3 |
Corporate |
| – |
| – |
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest income of continuing operations |
| $ 458 |
| $ 492 |
| $ 1,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ (1,414) |
| $ (1,203) |
| $ (2,050) |
Distributed products |
| (59) |
| (73) |
| (88) |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables |
| (87) |
| (39) |
| (39) |
Corporate |
| (37) |
| (49) |
| (40) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest expense of continuing operations and discontinuing operations |
| $ (1,597) |
| $ (1,364) |
| $ (2,217) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share of net loss of equity investees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured products |
| $ – |
| $ – |
| $ – |
Distributed products |
| – |
| – |
| – |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables |
| – |
| – |
| – |
Corporate |
| (40) |
| (21) |
| (58) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total share of net loss of equity investees |
| $ (40) |
| $ (21) |
| $ (58) |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Segment profit (loss) | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | 44,671 | $ | 37,267 | $ | 20,036 | ||||||
Distributed products | 80 | 1,584 | 1,517 | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | (347 | ) | (956 | ) | 899 | |||||||
Recovery (allowance) for inventory reserve | 1,272 | (25,145 | ) | 23,949 | ||||||||
Total segment profit | $ | 45,676 | $ | 12,750 | $ | 46,391 | ||||||
Reconciling items | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other expenses | (29,511 | ) | (29,044 | ) | (27,932 | ) | ||||||
Exchange gain (loss) | 864 | (1,712 | ) | 528 | ||||||||
Interest income | 1,517 | 990 | 458 | |||||||||
Interest expense | (7,580 | ) | (5,769 | ) | (2,597 | ) | ||||||
Share of net (loss) gain of equity investees | 124 | (142 | ) | (40 | ) | |||||||
Gain on liquidation of subsidiary | — | — | 568 | |||||||||
Other income | 2,070 | 2,859 | 2,196 | |||||||||
Total income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 13,160 | $ | (20,068 | ) | $ | 19,572 | |||||
Segment assets | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | 373,057 | $ | 283,528 | $ | 280,179 | ||||||
Distributed products | 5,117 | 10,499 | 6,363 | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | 1,649 | 416 | 864 | |||||||||
Total segment assets | $ | 379,823 | $ | 294,443 | $ | 287,406 | ||||||
Reconciling items | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other assets | 12,047 | 11,252 | 5,383 | |||||||||
Investment in equity investee companies | 4,246 | 4,103 | 3,263 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 396,116 | $ | 309,798 | $ | 296,052 | ||||||
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | 2,650 | $ | 3,383 | $ | 3,261 | ||||||
Distributed products | — | — | — | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | — | — | — | |||||||||
Corporate | — | — | — | |||||||||
Total expenditure for additions to long-lived assets | $ | 2,650 | $ | 3,383 | $ | 3,261 | ||||||
F-46
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
17.
20. SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION(continued)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Depreciation expenses | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | (9,050 | ) | $ | (7,645 | ) | $ | (8,927 | ) | |||
Distributed products | — | — | — | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | — | — | — | |||||||||
Corporate | (29 | ) | (1 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||||
Total depreciation expenses | $ | (9,079 | ) | $ | (7,646 | ) | $ | (8,941 | ) | |||
Impairment loss | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||
Distributed products | — | — | — | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | — | — | — | |||||||||
Corporate | $ | (95 | ) | $ | — | $ | (77 | ) | ||||
Total impairment expense | $ | (95 | ) | $ | — | $ | (77 | ) | ||||
Interest income | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | 1,406 | $ | 803 | $ | 408 | ||||||
Distributed products | 66 | 107 | 21 | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | 45 | 75 | 29 | |||||||||
Corporate | — | 5 | — | |||||||||
Total interest income | $ | 1,517 | $ | 990 | $ | 458 | ||||||
Interest expense | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | (7,184 | ) | $ | (5,368 | ) | $ | (2,414 | ) | |||
Distributed products | (250 | ) | (273 | ) | (59 | ) | ||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | (62 | ) | (128 | ) | (87 | ) | ||||||
Corporate | (84 | ) | — | (37 | ) | |||||||
Total interest expense | $ | (7,580 | ) | $ | (5,769 | ) | $ | (2,597 | ) | |||
Share of net (loss) gain of equity investees | ||||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||
Distributed products | — | — | — | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | — | — | — | |||||||||
Corporate | $ | 124 | $ | (142 | ) | $ | (40 | ) | ||||
Total share of net (loss) gain of equity investees | $ | 124 | $ | (142 | ) | $ | (40 | ) | ||||
F-47
2009 | ||
Manufactured products | $ 10,398 | |
Distributed products | 22,746 | |
Supply, delivery and installation of wires and cables | 32,806 | |
$ 65,950 | ||
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Manufactured products | $ | 7,114 | $ | 11,973 | $ | 10,398 | ||||||
Distributed products | 6,710 | 27,162 | 22,746 | |||||||||
Sales, delivery and installation of wires and cables | 5,064 | 20,535 | 32,806 | |||||||||
$ | 18,888 | $ | 59,670 | $ | 65,950 | |||||||
Geographic Area Data
Revenue from external customers is attributed to individual countries based on the customer’s country of domicile and is summarized as follows:
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues from external customers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thailand |
| $ 96,799 |
| $ 165,191 |
| $ 176,011 |
Singapore |
| 94,782 |
| 70,154 |
| 86,474 |
Australia |
| 34,574 |
| 46,288 |
| 61,457 |
The People’s Republic of China |
| 90,768 |
| 146,529 |
| 138,970 |
Vietnam |
| 4,550 |
| 9,752 |
| 5,106 |
Others (Southeast Asia) |
| 4,765 |
| 8,680 |
| 3,928 |
| $ 326,238 |
| $ 446,594 |
| $ 471,946 | |
Revenue from discontinued operations |
| $ 35,993 |
| $ 22,736 |
| $ 30,210 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-lived assets by the country of domicile are summarized as follow:
| ||||||
Long-lived assets by area: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thailand |
| $ 28,002 |
| $ 27,926 |
| $ 19,894 |
Singapore |
| 8,069 |
| 8,987 |
| 10,339 |
Australia |
| 3,515 |
| 3,520 |
| 6,119 |
The People’s Republic of China |
| 12,837 |
| 12,261 |
| 6,500 |
Others |
| 18 |
| 8 |
| 62 |
Total long-lived assets |
| $ 52,441 |
| $ 52,702 |
| $ 42,914 |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Revenues from external customers | ||||||||||||
Thailand | $ | 249,337 | $ | 216,364 | $ | 119,225 | ||||||
Singapore | 47,798 | 86,625 | 94,782 | |||||||||
Australia | 55,789 | 62,810 | 34,574 | |||||||||
The People’s Republic of China | 157,917 | 134,999 | 113,650 | |||||||||
Total revenues from external customers | $ | 510,841 | $ | 500,798 | $ | 362,231 | ||||||
Long-lived assets by area: | ||||||||||||
Thailand | $ | 37,037 | $ | 29,027 | $ | 28,002 | ||||||
Singapore | 8,485 | 8,090 | 8,069 | |||||||||
Australia | 3,965 | 2,841 | 3,515 | |||||||||
The People’s Republic of China | 16,800 | 16,819 | 12,837 | |||||||||
Others | 32 | 30 | 18 | |||||||||
Total long-lived assets | $ | 66,319 | $ | 56,807 | $ | 52,441 | ||||||
F-48
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
18.
21. SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF EQUITY INVESTEES
The following tables present summarized financial information of the Company’s principal equity investees, Lox Pac, SPHC, Shandong Huayu and SPRC.
|
| As of December 31, | ||
|
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
| Unaudited |
| Unaudited |
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
| $ 51,305 |
| $ 54,968 |
Non-current assets |
| 19,348 |
| 17,961 |
Current liabilities |
| (40,162) |
| (44,870) |
Non-current liabilities |
| (2,023) |
| (1,156) |
|
| |||
Total shareholders’ equity |
| $ 28,468 |
| $ 26,903 |
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||||
|
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
|
| Unaudited |
| Unaudited |
| Unaudited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales |
| $28,090 |
| $44,866 |
| $55,727 |
Gross Profit |
| 6,582 |
| 10,457 |
| 13,543 |
Net income (loss) |
| (629) |
| (1,347) |
| (1,360) |
As o of December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | |||||||
Current assets | $ | 31,760 | $ | 36,591 | ||||
Non-current assets | 18,804 | 22,467 | ||||||
Current liabilities | (21,271 | ) | (29,441 | ) | ||||
Non-current liabilities | (1,731 | ) | (1,824 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders’ equity | $ | 27,562 | $ | 27,793 | ||||
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | ||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 24,332 | $ | 34,771 | $ | 28,090 | ||||||
Sales less cost of sales | 6,469 | 9,470 | 6,582 | |||||||||
Net income/ (loss) | 127 | (1,271 | ) | (629 | ) |
F-49