Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in this Form 10-Q Report are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K\A. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-Q Report. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
We are a designer and manufacturer of technologically advanced thin-film coatings that selectively absorb, reflect or transmit light and electromagnetic and infrared emissions. Our products are used in a number of electronic, automotive and building products to enhance optical and thermal performance characteristics, improve user comfort and reduce energy costs. From our founding in 1979 through the early 1990's, we developed and produced thin-film coated substrates primarily for residential and commercial buildings, and for military applications. In the early 1990's, we began to develop products for the electronic display and automotive markets.
In 1996, we realized our first material revenue from the electronic display and automotive markets. For the three months ended April 1, 2001 the automotive sector account for 45% of our revenues, with the electronic display products contributing 38% of our revenues. We expect most of our revenue growth to come from the electronic display and automotive markets.
Several factors affect our gross margins, including manufacturing efficiencies, product mix, product differentiation, inventory management, volume pricing, and the start-up of equipment and new plants. Over the past several years, each of these factors has contributed to margin volatility as we have added new capacity to meet the demand of our electronics and automotive markets.
Three Months Ended April 2, 2000 Compared with Three Months Ended April 1, 2001
Net revenues
Net revenues increased by $0.6 million, or 3.5%, from $17.1 million for the first quarter of 2000 to $17.7 million for the first quarter of 2001. Sales to the Automotive market increased by $3.0 million, or 60.0%, from $5.0 million for the first quarter of 2000 to $8.0 million for the first quarter of 2001. In the first quarter of 2001, the Company realized revenues of $2.0 million from its German operations, which began limited production of commercial product in December 2000. Sales to the Electronic Display market decreased by $1.6 million, or 19.3%, from $8.3 million for the first quarter of 2000 to $6.7 million for the first quarter of 2001. The decrease was the result of a worldwide slowdown in sales of personal computers. Sales to the Architectural market decreased $0.9 million, or 23.1%, from $3.9 million for the first quarter of 2000 to $3.0 million for the first quarter of 2001. The decrease was primarily the result of the loss of a North American manufacturer that represented approximately 6% of the Company’s Heat Mirror sales.
Cost and expenses
Cost of sales. Cost of sales expense consists primarily of materials, production labor and machine overhead. Cost of sales remained essentially flat in the first quarter of 2001, at $14.8 million, when compared to the first quarter of 2000. As a percentage of net revenues, cost of sales decreased from 86.6% of net revenues in the first quarter of 2000, to 83.6% of net revenues in the similar period of 2001. The higher costs in 2000, as a percentage of revenues, was due to greater start-up costs in the Company's Tempe and German operations, and higher display revenues, which yield lower margins as a result of outside processing costs.
Research and development expenses. Research and development spending decreased $0.1 million, or 6.7%, from $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2000 to $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2001. Research and development expenses decreased from 8.8% of net revenues for the first quarter of 2000, to 7.9% of net revenues for the similar period in 2001, principally due to cost control measures introduced by the Company.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses normally consist primarily of corporate and administrative overhead, selling commissions, advertising costs and occupancy costs. These expenses increased $0.7 million, or 35.0%, from $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2000 to $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2001. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 11.7% of net revenues for the first quarter of 2000 to 15.3% of net revenues for the similar period of 2001. The increase in the first quarter 2001, over last year, was due to higher personnel costs in the Company’s German operations and higher consulting costs.
Income (loss) from operations
Loss from operations was $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2000 compared to a loss of $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2001 due to profitable operations of the German operations, offset by increased reserves for product returns and doubtful accounts, and severance payments resulting from the reduction in force of the Tempe and Palo Alto operations.
Interest (expense), net
The Company incurred interest expense on borrowings of $0.80 million and $1.15 million in the first quarter of 2001 and 2000, respectively, and capitalized interest incurred in connection with construction in process of $0.04 million and $0.74 million in the first quarter of 2001 and 2000, respectively. The increase in interest expense principally results from completion of construction in process related to the German and Tempe plants in late 2000.
Other income (expense), net
Other income (expense), net includes rental income, interest income, and foreign exchange transaction gains and losses. The Company recorded other income of $0.86 million in the quarter ended April 1, 2001 compared with other expense of $0.06 million in the corresponding 2000 period, principally due to foreign exchange gains. Certain transactions with foreign suppliers are denominated in foreign currencies rather than U.S. dollars. As exchange rates fluctuate relative to the U.S. dollar, exchange gains and losses occur.
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
The Company reported a pre-tax loss of $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2000, compared to a pre-tax loss of $1.1 million for the corresponding period in 2001 due to the additional revenue generated by the Company's German operations and foreign currency gains.Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital expenditures
Since 1998, we have used borrowings, German government grants and cash from operations to fund our capital expenditures, and working capital requirements have been funded using lines of credit. During 1999, we invested approximately $24.0 million in capital expenditures, including approximately $13.5 million of progress payments for our new manufacturing facility and first production machine (PM8) in Germany, approximately $7.5 million for two new production machines (PM6 and PM7) and leasehold improvements for our Tempe facility, and approximately $2.5 million for the upgrade of two production machines (PM1 and PM2) in Palo Alto. These investments were financed by $13.6 million of short and long-term debt, $4.9 million in German government grants, $4.5 million of cash from operations, and cash on hand. The German government grants subject us to a number of covenants (See Note 5 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.).
We spent approximately $12.9 million for capital expenditures in 2000, of which $7.0 million represented final progress payments on our two new production machines (PM8 and PM9) in Germany and the completion of our German facility. We financed our capital expenditures in Germany primarily through the receipt of $4.0 million of additional bank loans and $1.0 million of subsidies from the German government and the release of $2.6 million of cash restricted by the German government to use in financing the completion of our German facility. The German government may reclaim the grants if we fail to meet any of the covenants (See Note 5 to Notes of the Consolidated Financial Statements.). In 2000, the Company invested approximately $9.8 million in its German facility including the above described progress payments. We invested an additional $3.1 million in our Tempe and Palo Alto operations for leasehold improvements, computer equipment and improvements on our production machines.
In the first quarter of 2000, our second machine at Tempe (PM6) began to produce limited amounts of film for commercial use. An additional machine (PM7) was delivered to Tempe in the third quarter of 2000. Additionally, we took possession of our new facility in Germany in May 2000, where PM8 was installed in the third quarter and the PM9 installation will be completed in 2001. PM8 commenced production of commercial product in December, and we expect PM9 to commence commercial production in the second quarter of 2001. The remaining installments on the machines will be paid from committed German bank loans. The Company does not currently have financing in place to purchase a third machine in Germany and it has postponed the placing of this order until financing can be secured. Presently, the Company can not determine the ultimate total investment that will be made in the German facility and is in the process of reviewing the total investment and timing thereof with the Saxony government. The Company is unable to determine the outcome of discussions with the Saxony government, and the impact, if any, on the Company's obligations under the grant.
In the first quarter of 2001, the Company spent approximately $0.4 million in capital expenditures, primarily in its German operations. The expenditures were incurred on PM8 and to complete the certification of PM9. In 2001, the Company’s capital expenditures are expected to be less than $4.0 million, and the expenditures will be used to expand production capacity, acquire personal computers for additional employees and upgrade its computer network
Liquidity
Operating activities used $2.9 million during the first quarter of 2000, but generated $2.2 million in net cash during the first quarter of 2001. Included in capital lease obligations on the balance sheets is $1.0 million of proceeds from a sale-leaseback transaction in 1999. This amount was withheld by the lessor and classified in "Other assets", and will not be released until the Company meets certain financial covenants. Furthermore, 50% of the proceeds from a $1.6 million loan from a German bank are restricted in an escrow account for the duration of the loan period and are classified in "Other assets." The Company has reclassified to "Restricted cash" that portion of cash, $0.5 million, that is restricted to payments for the facility in Germany.
The following table sets forth the material terms of our short and long- term indebtedness at April 1, 2001:
Description
| Rate
| Maturity
|
Balance at
April 1, 2001
| Annual
Principal
Amortization
|
Start
Date
|
| | | | $7,306 | | |
| | | | | | |
| Long-term debt | | | | | |
| Promissory note dated May 6, 1997 | LIBOR +.4375 | (1) | 10,000 | $2,500 | May 2001 |
| Sales-leaseback agreement dated July 19, 1999 | 13.0% | (2) | 2,321 | 711 | April 2000 |
| Sales-leaseback agreement dated October 19, 1999 | 13.0% | (3) | 2,446 | 1,374 | March 2000 |
| German bank loan dated May 12, 1999 | 6.1% | (4) | 2,607 | 223 | March 2001 |
| German bank loan dated May 28, 1999 | 7.1% | (5) | 2,185 | - | December 2009 |
| German bank loan dated May 28, 1999 | 3.8% | (6) | 1,373 | 125 | March 2001 |
| German bank loan dated December 1, 1999 | 7.2% | (7) | 1,855 | 52 | December 2001 |
| German bank loan dated August 14, 1999 | 5.8% | (8) | 1,475 | - | June 2009 |
| German bank loan dated June 29, 2000 | 5.8% | (9) | 492 | 115 | June 2001 |
| German bank loan dated July 20, 2000 | 7.1% | (10) | 447 | 112 | June 2001 |
| Other equipment financings | | | 18
| 4
| |
| Total long-term debt | | 25,219 | 5,216 | |
| Less current portion | | 6,276 | | |
| Less long-term portion-reclassified to current (11) | | | 18,943
| | |
| Long-Term Debt | | ($0)
| | |
| (1) | We are required to make equal semi-annual repayments from May 2001 through November 2004. |
| (2) | We are required to make equal monthly principal payments over the 36-month term of this financing. |
| (3) | We are required to make equal monthly principal payments over the 24-month term of this financing. |
| (4) | We are required to make equal quarterly principal payments over the 9-year repayment term of this financing starting March 31, 2001. |
| (5) | We are required to make equal semi-annual principal payments for ten years from December 2009 through June 2019. |
| (6) | We are required to make semi-annual principal payments for six years from March 2001 through September 2006. |
| (7) | We are required to make equal quarterly principal payments for nine years from December 2001 through September 2010. |
| (8) | We are required to make one principal payment on June 2009. |
| (9) | We are required to make equal quarterly principal payments for three years from April 2001 through June 2005. |
| (10) | We are required to make equal quarterly principal payments for three years from June 2001 through April 2004. |
| (11) | Represents the portion of long-term debt that has been reclassified into current liabilities as a result of lenders not granting waivers or failure to meet certain covenants. |
We have granted the lender of the financing line of credit a security interest in our receivables, inventory and other assets not otherwise collateralized. Our loans from German banks also subject us to covenants, including covenants relating to the progress of the development of our Dresden facility and the minimum number of our employees at Dresden by 2003. We have granted the German banks security interests in our Dresden facility and the assets located at the facility.
The promissory note dated May 6, 1997 is payable to a bank and guaranteed by Teijin Limited, a stockholder and one of our suppliers. The Teijin guarantee is collateralized by certain equipment in the Company's Tempe manufacturing facility, and our inventory to the extent necessary to cover 120% of the outstanding loan balance based on the net book value of the inventory. The guarantee subjects us to certain financial and other covenants, including covenants relating to our tangible net worth, our debt to tangible net worth, profitability, and the ratio of our cash, cash equivalents and short term investments to our total current liabilities. At December 31, 2000, we were not in compliance with the financial covenants relating to our minimum net worth, the ratio of our debt to equity, the ratio of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to current liabilities, and the requirement that Company be profitable. The Company received a waiver for failure to comply with these covenants through October 1, 2001. Teijin did not extend the waiver. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified the long-term balance from long-term debt to current liabilities in the balance sheet. The Company is obligated to make two principal payments of $1.25 million each in May and November, 2001. The Company will also make principal payments of $2.5 million each in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
We have provided the lessor under our sales-leaseback financings a $0.5 million irrevocable standby letter of credit to collateralize our obligations under the sales-leaseback agreements. The letter of credit will not expire before January 1, 2002. In addition, $1.0 million of the amount to be received from the lessor was withheld pending our meeting certain financial conditions.
Loan Covenants
Pursuant to the guaranty, the German bank loans, and lease agreements listed above, and related terms, conditions and covenants the Company requested waivers from Teijin, Limited, the German banks and the leasing company as discussed below, related to the Company's default, or event of default pursuant to these respective agreements or otherwise arising in connection with the Company's requirement to restate prior financial periods, the financial position of the Company reflected in such restated financial statements, the Company's failure to file its Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2000 in a timely manner and trading halts or other actions taken or threatened to be taken by NASDAQ, or any law suits filed or threatened to be filed in connection with such restatements or late filings.
On September 7, 2000, Teijin provided Southwall with a letter waiving any defaults through October 1, 2001 arising out of the Company's failure to comply with the Minimum Quick Ratio and Maximum Debt-to-Tangible Net Worth financial covenants. Further, Teijin waived any Event of Default related to the Company's requirement to restate prior financial periods, the financial position of the Company to be reflected in such restated financial statements, the Company's failure to file its Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2000 in a timely manner, any trading halts or other actions taken or threatened by NASDAQ, or any lawsuits filed or threatened in connection with such restatements or late filings or otherwise. Teijin has not agreed to extend this waiver beyond the October 1, 2001 date. As a result, the Company has reclassified the Sanwa Loan, to which this guaranty applies, from long-term to current liabilities in the balance sheet.
The Company received in October 2000 from the German banks a waiver of the Events of Default pursuant to the agreements but the German banks did not provide a waiver of the Events of Default or any rights it may have with respect to any further material adverse change in the financial condition of the Company resulting from the Events of Default and the German banks have reserved the right to terminate the loan agreements after the third and fourth quarter of 2000 if the expectations relating to turnover and profit as provided by the Company don't occur and provide a cause for termination. The Company cannot currently determine with reasonable certainty whether it will be able to comply with these provisions and accordingly has reclassified these loans from long-term to current liabilities in the balance sheet.
In November 2000, the Company received from the leasing company for the sale-leaseback agreements dated July 19, 1999 and October 19, 1999 a partial waiver of the Events of Default pursuant to the agreements. However it reserved its right to declare an Event of Default based on the company's financial condition. Accordingly the Company has reclassified these agreements from long-term to current liabilities in the balance sheet.
Going Concern
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has experienced recurring losses from operations, has significant current and long-term debt containing certain covenants, with which the Company has not complied, requiring the Company to obtain waivers and to classify, as a current liability, the debt for which waivers have not been obtained. The Company must meet certain commitments for debt service payments that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. As a result of this uncertainty, the Company may not be able to meet its debt service obligations without additional financing. However, the Company can give no assurances it will be successful in obtaining the required additional financing and cash from operations.
Item 3–Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations, and changes in the market values of its investments.
FINANCING RISK. The Company's exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the Company's term loans which are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and bank line of credit which is tied to the prime rate. The Company's German subsidiary also has several fixed-rate term loans that are denominated and repayable in Deutschemarks. Fluctuations in interest rates may adversely impact the interest expense expected for the Company. At April 1, 2001, the Company had one loan with a variable interest rate. The effect of a 10% increase in the interest rate for this loan would have an adverse impact of less than ($0.1) million. The effect of interest rate fluctuations on the Company during the first quarter of 2001 was not material.
INVESTMENT RISK. The Company invests its excess cash in certificates of deposit and money market accounts and, by policy, limits the amount of exposure to any one institution. Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carries a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall.
FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK. International revenues amounted to 82% of the Company's total sales in the first quarter of 2001 and, by policy, the Company limits foreign currency risk by requiring all sales to be denominated in U.S. dollars. Sales from the German subsidiary will likely be denominated in EUROs. Certain purchases of raw materials and services from foreign suppliers are denominated in foreign currencies; the Company does not hedge these transactions. The Company's international business is subject to risks typical of an international business, including, but not limited to differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions, and foreign exchange rate volatility. Accordingly, the Company's future results could be materially adversely impacted by changes in these or other factors.
RISK FACTORS
Our quarterly revenue and operating results are volatile and difficult to predict. If we fail to meet the expectations of public market analysts or investors, the market price of our common stock may decrease significantly.
Our quarterly revenue and operating results have varied significantly in the past and will likely vary significantly in the future. Our revenue and operating results may fall below the expectations of securities analysts or investors in future periods. Our failure to meet these expectations would likely adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our quarterly revenue and operating results may vary depending on a number of factors, including:
• manufacturing and operational difficulties that may arise due to, among other things, expansion of our production capacity, the transfer of equipment and personnel to our international manufacturing facility, and the hiring and training of additional staff;
• our possible ability to introduce new products and technologies on a timely basis, and the increased research, development and engineering costs and marketing expenses associated with new product introductions;
• fluctuating customer demand, which is influenced by a number of factors, including general economic conditions in the sputtered thin-film coatings industry, market acceptance of our products and the products of our customers and end-users, changes in the product mix demanded and offered, and the timing, cancellation or delay of customer orders and shipments;
• competition, including the introduction or announcement of new products by competitors, the adoption of competitive technologies by our customers, the addition of new production capacity by competitors and competitive pressures on prices of our products and those of our customers;
• the timing of our recognition of revenues from product orders which can materially affect our operating results on a quarterly basis due to the size of a particular order; and
• obligations to foreign suppliers denominated in foreign currencies, which are not hedged, exposing us to foreign currency fluctuation risk.
Future growth of our business may place a strain on our financial, management and production resources.
In order to grow, we must expand our manufacturing capacity by adding additional production machines, which will place a strain on our financial resources. Unless the Company secures additional financing, it will not be able to expand its manufacturing capacity. We will need to finance a large portion of these future expenditures through external sources, including borrowings. We do not have credit facilities in place to provide this financing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to secure credit facilities or other sources of financing that will address our future capital needs or that such credit facilities will not be on terms less favorable to us than we have budgeted.
In addition, growth of our business will increase the work load and responsibilities of our existing management and require us to expand our management team. We cannot assure you that the present size of our management team will enable us to expand our business or that we will be able to recruit enough experienced managers.
Many of our machines are the only manufacturing sources for certain of our products and are running at or near capacity. We do not have plans to develop redundancy for much of our production capability. Therefore, a breakdown or catastrophic damage to certain machines would severely and adversely affect our business. In addition, it can take up to 12-18 months to replace certain production machines. If our plans to expand our manufacturing capacity are not implemented on a timely basis, we could face production shortfalls. Rapid increases in production levels to meet unanticipated demand could result in higher costs and other expenses. These higher expenditures could lower our profit margins. Further, if production is increased rapidly, there may be decreased manufacturing yields, which may also lower our margins.
We may not be able to bring new machines online effectively in our manufacturing operations to meet increasing capacity requirements.
We expanded our manufacturing capacity through the purchase of two new productions machines for our Tempe facility in 1999, one of which began production in the first quarter of 2000 and the other of which is scheduled to begin production in the second half of 2001. The first machine in our new Dresden manufacturing facility began commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2000. We expect the second machine to begin production in the second quarter of 2001. In the past, we have experienced significant problems during the initial phases of operating a new machine. We have taken substantial write-offs of inventory and incurred substantial expenses in connection with the resolution of these problems. If we encounter similar problems with new machines, our production capability and our operating results will suffer.
Our success will depend on our ability to service our borrowings and maintain credit facilities.
We have financed a large portion of our capital expenditures and working capital requirements through borrowings and expect to continue to do so. Our inability to make timely payments of interest or principal under these facilities could materially adversely affect our ability to borrow money under existing credit facilities or to secure additional borrowings. In addition, our current credit facilities contain, and our future credit facilities will contain, financial and operating covenants that will limit our discretion with respect to business matters. Among other things, these covenants will restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens or other encumbrances, and make certain payments including dividends and investments. These credit facilities will also contain financial covenants and events of default that could require us to pay off indebtedness before its scheduled maturity. The restrictions imposed by these credit facilities or the failure of lenders to advance funds under these facilities could adversely affect us. You should read the sections entitled "Loan Covenants"; "Liquidity"; and "Going Concern" in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for more information.
We depend on a small number of customers for a substantial portion of our sales, and the loss of a large customer could hurt our revenues or operating results.
Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 74%, 69% and 85% of net product sales in 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively. During 2000, our three largest customers were Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Sekurit St. Gobain and Samsung, each of which accounted for more than 10% of our net product sales. We expect to continue to derive a significant portion of our net product sales from a relatively small number of customers. Accordingly, the loss of a large customer could materially hurt our business, and the deferral or loss of anticipated orders from a small number of customers could materially damage our revenue and operating results in any period. In addition, we do not have long-term contracts or purchase orders with many of our customers, and customers may cancel their orders, change production quantities from forecast volumes or delay production for any reason.
We depend on our OEM customers for the sale of our products and for information relating to the development of new products.
We sell a substantial portion of our products to a relatively small number of original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs. The timing and amount of sales to these customers ultimately depend on sales levels and shipping schedules for the OEM products into which our products are incorporated. We have no control over the shipping dates or volume of products shipped by our OEM customers, and we cannot be certain that our OEM customers will continue to ship products that incorporate our products at current levels or at all. Failure of our OEM customers to achieve significant sales of products incorporating our products and fluctuations in the timing and volume of such sales could be harmful to our business. Failure of these customers to inform us of changes in their production needs in a timely manner could also hinder our ability to effectively manage our business.
In addition, we rely on our OEM customers to inform us of opportunities to develop new products that serve end-user demands. If our OEM customers do not present us with market opportunities early enough for us to develop products to meet end-user needs in a timely fashion, or if the OEMs fail to anticipate end-user needs at all, we may fail to develop new products or modify our existing products for our end-user markets. In addition, if our OEM customers fail to accurately anticipate end-user demands, we may spend resources on products that are not commercially successful.
We are dependent on key suppliers of materials which may prevent us from delivering product in a timely manner.
We manufacture all of our products using materials procured from third-party suppliers. Certain of these materials are obtained from a limited number of sources. For example, the substrates we use in the manufacture of our Heat Mirror product is only currently available only from one qualified source, Teijin, holder of approximately 8.2% of our common stock. The substrates used in the manufacture of our anti-reflective film is currently available from only two qualified sources, Teijin and Di Nippon Printing. The loss of either of these current sources could adversely affect our ability to meet our scheduled product deliveries to customers. In addition, any interruption in the operations of vendors of certain other materials could also adversely affect our ability to meet our scheduled product deliveries to customers. If we are unable to obtain a sufficient supply of materials from our current sources, we could experience difficulties in obtaining alternative sources quickly or in altering product designs to use alternative materials. In the case of several materials, it takes a great deal of time to qualify new suppliers. Delays or reductions in product shipments could damage our relationships with our customers. Further, a significant increase in the price of one or more of these materials could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We are dependent on key suppliers of production machines which may prevent us from delivering an acceptable product on a timely basis.
Our production machines are large, complex and difficult to manufacture. It can take up to a year from the time we order a machine until it is delivered. Following delivery, it can take us, with the assistance of the manufacturer, up to six additional months to test and prepare the machine for commercial production. There are a very limited number of companies that are capable of manufacturing these machines. Our inability in the future to have new production machines manufactured and prepared for commercial production in a timely manner would have a material adverse effect on our business.
We must continue to develop new products or enhance existing products on a timely basis to compete successfully in a rapidly changing marketplace.
The market for thin-film coated glass and coating equipment is characterized by rapid change, especially in the electronic display market. Our future success depends upon our ability to introduce new products, improve existing products and processes to keep pace with technological and market developments, and to address the increasingly sophisticated and demanding needs of our customers. Technological changes, process improvements, or operating improvements that could adversely affect us include:
• the development of new technologies that improve the manufacturing efficiency of our competitors;
• changes in product requirements of our customers;
• changes in the way coatings are applied to alternative substrates such as tetra acetate cellulose, or TAC;
• the development of new materials that improve the performance of thin-film coated glass; and
• improvements in the alternatives to the sputtering technology we use to produce our products,
such as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, or PECVD.
We may not have sufficient funds to devote to research and development, or our research and development efforts may not be successful in developing products in the time, or with the characteristics, necessary to meet customer needs. If we do not adapt to technological changes, or process or operating improvements, our competitive position, operations and prospects would be materially adversely affected.
We face intense competition, which could affect our ability to increase our revenue, maintain our margins and increase our market share.
The market for each of our products is intensely competitive and we expect competition to increase in the future. Competitors vary in size and in the scope and breadth of the products they offer. Many of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we have. In addition, many of our competitors have well-established relationships with our current and potential customers and have extensive knowledge of our industry. Current and potential competitors have established or may establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties to increase the ability of their products to address customer needs.
Electronic Information Display Market. Competitors in the anti-reflective coatings market include customers who have the capability to use wet coating technology, as well as competitors, who supply sputter coated films similar to those produced by us. One of the largest manufacturers of flat-face computer display tubes, or CDTs, Sony Corporation of Japan, has its own sputter coating film technology which is used to provide anti-reflective characteristics on its own CDTs. Customers' selection of anti-reflective products is driven by quality, price and capacity.
Automotive Glass Market. Solar control products in the automotive OEM market are provided by large, worldwide glass laminators who typically have divisions also selling products to the commercial flat glass industry. Several of these companies, such as PPG, Pilkington PLC, Sekurit St. Gobain, Asahi, Guardian, and Glaverbel, have direct to glass sputtering capability. In the applied film segment of the automotive market, companies such as 3M, Material Sciences Corporation, CP Films, and Courtaulds PLC produce competitive solar control products that are widely accepted in the market.
Residential and Commercial Window Market. Products that provide solar control and energy conservation have been available to this market for almost 20 years. Since our introduction of our Heat Mirror suspended film product in 1979, large glass producers like Guardian, PPG, Viracon, Glaverbel, and Asahi, have produced their own direct-to-glass sputtered products that perform similarly to our Heat Mirror product.
If we fail to recruit and retain a significant number of qualified technical personnel, we may not be able to develop, enhance and introduce our products on a timely basis, and our business will be harmed.
We require the services of a substantial number of qualified technical personnel. The market for skilled technical personnel is characterized by intense competition and aggressive recruiting, as well as a high-level of employee mobility. These characteristics make it particularly difficult for us to attract and retain the qualified technical personnel we require. We have experienced, and we expect to continue to experience, difficulty in hiring and retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate technical qualifications. It is especially difficult to recruit qualified personnel to move to the location of our in Palo Alto, California, offices because of the high-cost of living. If we are unable to recruit and retain a sufficient number of qualified technical employees, we may not be able to complete the development of, or enhance, our products in a timely manner. As a result, our business may be harmed and our operating results may suffer.
We may be unable to attract or retain the other highly skilled employees that are necessary for the success of our business.
In addition to our dependence on our technical personnel, our success also depends on our continuing ability to attract and retain other highly skilled employees. We depend on the continued services of our senior management, particularly Thomas G. Hood, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Robert Freeman, our Chief Financial Officer, and other personnel. We do not have any key person life insurance covering any officer or employee. Competition for personnel in our industry where we operate is intense. We have experienced, and we expect to continue to experience difficulty in hiring and retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate qualifications. If we do not succeed in attracting or retaining the necessary personnel, our business could be adversely affected.
Our success depends in part upon our ability to protect our intellectual property, but we may not be able to do so adequately.
Our success depends in large part upon our proprietary technology. We rely on our know-how, as well as a combination of patent, trademark and trade secret protection, to establish and protect our intellectual property rights. In addition, we seek to avoid disclosure of our know-how and trade secrets through a number of means, including requiring those persons with access to our proprietary information to execute nondisclosure agreements with us. We seek to protect our technology, documentation and other written materials under trade secret and copyright laws, which afford only limited protection. We have 28 patents and 6 patent applications pending in the United States that cover materials, processes, products and production equipment. We also have patents and patent applications pending in various foreign countries covering the same technology. Some foreign countries in which we may do business provide significantly less patent and proprietary rights protection than the United States.
Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Policing unauthorized use of our products is difficult. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the United States. Our means of protecting our proprietary rights may not be adequate. In addition, our competitors may independently develop similar technology, duplicate our products, or design around our proprietary intellectual property.
Our business is susceptible to numerous risks associated with international operations.
We have expanded our operations and hired additional personnel to address international markets for the thin-film coatings industry. International revenues amounted to 68%, 77% and 86% of our net revenues during 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively. The distance between California and Dresden create logistical and communications challenges. In addition, to achieve acceptance in international markets, our products must be modified to handle a variety of factors specific to each international market as well as local regulations. We may also be subject to a number of other risks associated with international business activities. These risks include:
• unexpected changes in and the burdens and costs of compliance with a variety or foreign laws
and regulatory requirements;
• currency exchange rate fluctuations;
• tariffs, export controls and other trade barriers;
• longer accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;
• difficulties in managing and staffing international operations;
• potentially adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on the repatriation of earnings; and
• global economic turbulence and political instability.
Our international sales are currently invoiced and collected in U.S. dollars. A strengthening in the dollar relative to the currencies of those countries in which we do business would increase the prices of our products as stated in those currencies and could hurt our sales in those countries. Significant fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies could cause us to lower our prices and thus reduce our profitability. These fluctuations could also cause prospective customers to delay orders because of the increased relative cost of our products.
We expect that, within the next twelve months, the customers of our Dresden operation will begin to make payments in EUROs or other foreign currencies. In addition, in the future, other of our customers may also make payments in foreign currencies. Such transactions may require us to begin to hedge foreign currencies in order to reduce the risk to us of fluctuating exchange rates.
Performance, reliability or quality problems with our products may cause our customers to reduce their orders.
We manufacture our electronic display and automobile glass products based on specific, technical requirements of each of our customers. We believe that future orders of our products will depend in part on our ability to maintain the performance, reliability and quality standards required by our customers. If our products have performance, reliability or quality problems, then we may experience:
• delays in collecting accounts receivable;
• reduced orders;
• additional warranty and service expenses; and
• higher manufacturing costs.
We may face costly damages or litigation costs if a third party claims that we infringe its intellectual property.
It is possible that third parties may claim that we or our current or potential future products infringe upon their intellectual property. Any claims, with or without merit, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, cause product shipment delays or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements. Royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all, which could seriously harm our business.
If we fail to comply with environmental regulations, our operations could be suspended.
We use hazardous chemicals in producing our products. As a result, we are subject to a variety of local, state and federal governmental regulations relating to the storage, discharge, handling, emission, generation,manufacture and disposal of toxic or other hazardous substances used to manufacture our products, compliance with which is expensive. Our failure to comply with current or future regulations could result in the imposition of substantial fines on us, suspension of production, alteration of our manufacturing processes or cessation of operations.
We rely on our international and domestic sales representatives, without whom our sales may suffer.
We sell our products in Japan, China and Korea through sales representatives. We also market and sell our Heat Mirror products in North America primarily through sales representatives. These sales representatives could reduce or discontinue sales of our products. They may not devote the resources necessary to provide effective sales and marketing support to us. In addition, we depend upon the continued viability and financial resources of these representatives, many of which are small organizations with limited working capital. These representatives, in turn, depend substantially on general economic conditions and other factors affecting the markets for the products they sell. We believe that our success will continue to depend upon these sales representatives. If some or all of our sales representatives experience financial difficulties, or otherwise become unable or unwilling to promote and sell our products, our business could be harmed.
Our stock price could fluctuate widely in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control.
The trading price of our common stock may be highly volatile. Our stock price could fluctuate widely in response to factors such as the following:
• actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly revenues or operating results;
• announcements of new products or services by us or our competitors, or new competing technologies;
• our addition or loss of significant customers;
• changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;
• announcements by us of significant acquisitions or strategic partnerships;
• additions or departures of our key personnel;
• future equity or debt offerings by us or our announcements of such offerings; and
• general market and economic conditions.
In addition, in recent years the stock markets in general, and the Nasdaq National Market and the market for technology companies in particular, have experienced large price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations have often been seemingly unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these technology companies. These market and industry factors may materially and adversely affect our stock price, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its stock. As described herein, we are subject to such a stockholder lawsuit (see "Legal Proceedings" Item 3 above). We may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs or large judgments against us and divert management's attention and resources.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,"Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). SFAS 133 was effective for all fiscal quarters beginning with the quarter ending June 30, 1999. SFAS 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards of derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. In July 1999, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 137 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133" ("SFAS 137"). SFAS 137 deferred the effective date until the first fiscal quarter for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. The Company has not engaged in hedging activities or invested in derivative instruments.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 Legal Proceedings and Other Matters
Litigation filed against the Company was described under Item 3 in the Company's Form 10-K\A filed on April 11, 2001. Subsequent to such filing, no material developments have occurred with respect to the litigation described therein.
In addition, the Company is involved in certain other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes, however, that none of these actions, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business or its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Item 2 Changes in Securities
On April 23, 2001, the Company issued to GMX Associates, a Singapore company, 422,119 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock for $1.0 million in cash in reliance on the exemption to registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (“the Act”). The securities represented by this transaction have not been registered under the Act, or under the securities laws of any other jurisdictions. The securities are subject to restrictions on transferability and resale and may not be transferred or resold except as permitted under the Act and the applicable state securities laws, pursuant to registration or exemption therefrom. This investment represents an ownership percentage of 5.2% of the Company.
Item 3 Defaults upon Senior Securities
Not applicable
Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Stockholders
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended April 1, 2001.
Item 5 Other Information
Not applicable
Item 6 Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit Item
Number
10 GMX Purchase Agreement
(b) Reports on Form 8-K–None
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: May 16, 2001 Southwall Technologies Inc.
| | By: | /s/ Thomas G. Hood
| |
| | | Thomas G. Hood
President and
Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | | |
| | By: | /s/ Robert R. Freeman
| |
| | | Robert R. Freeman
Sr. Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| Exhibit | Description |
| | |
| 10 | GMX Purchase Agreement |
| | |
