UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [ x ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended December 31, 1997 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _________ to _____________ Commission file number 0-18083 Williams Controls, Inc. ------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 84-1099587 - -------------------------------- -------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 14100 SW 72nd Avenue Portland, Oregon 97224 - --------------------------------------- ------------------- (Address of principal executive office) (zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (503) 684-8600 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of January 31, 1998: 17,932,040 Williams Controls, Inc. Index Page Number Part I. Financial Information Item 1. Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheet, December 31, 1997 (unaudited) and September 30, 1997 3 Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity, three months ended December 31, 1997 4 Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Operations, three months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 5 Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, three months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 6 Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 7-9 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 10-13 Part II. Other Information Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 14 Item 5. Other Information 14 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 14 Signature Page 15 2 Williams Controls Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheet (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share information) December 31, September 30, 1997 1997 (unaudited) -------------- --------------- ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 961 $ 700 Trade and other accounts receivable, less allowance of $127 and $185 at December 31 and September 30, respectively 8,682 8,468 Inventories 14,717 14,517 Prepaid expenses 1,181 713 Net assets held for disposition 307 638 Other current assets 1,098 1,098 -------------- --------------- Total current assets 26,946 26,134 Investment in affiliate 201 559 Property plant & equipment, net 17,644 18,080 Receivables from affiliate 3,611 3,645 Net assets held for disposition 1,919 1,610 Other assets 1,321 1,348 --------------- -------------- Total assets $ 51,642 $ 51,376 ============== =============== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 5,719 $ 5,070 Accrued expenses 2,599 3,008 Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases 1,425 1,428 Estimated loss on disposal 109 500 -------------- -------------- Total current liabilities 9,852 10,006 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 22,427 22,857 Other liabilities 1,331 1,215 Commitments and contingencies - - Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries 442 463 Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock ($.01 par value, - - 50,000,000 authorized) Common stock ($.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized;18,062,240 and 17,912,240 issued at December 31, 1997 and September 30,1997, respectively) 180 179 Additional paid-in capital 9,882 9,822 Retained earnings 8,096 7,402 Unearned ESOP shares (191) (191) Treasury stock (130,200 and 195,200 shares at December 31, 1997 and September 30, 1997, respectively) (377) (377) -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' equity 17,590 16,835 ============== ============== Total liabilities and shareholders'equity $ 51,642 $ 51,376 ============== ============== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 3 Williams Controls, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Dollars in thousands) (unaudited) Issued Common stock ------------------ Additional Retained Unearned Treasury Shareholders' Shares Amount Paid in Earnings ESOP Shares Equity Capital Shares ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, September 30, 1997 17,912,240 $ 179 $ 9,822 $7,402 $ (191) $ (377) $ 16,835 Net earnings - - - 694 - - 694 Common stock issued pursuant to exercise of warrant/options 150,000 1 60 - - - 61 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, December 31, 1997 18,062,240 $ 180 $ 9,882 $8,096 $ (191) $ (377) $ 17,590 ======================================================================================= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 4 Williams Controls, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share information) (unaudited) Three months Three months Ended Ended December December 31, 1997 31, 1996 -------------- ------------- Sales $ 14,944 $ 13,521 Cost of sales 10,789 10,136 -------------- ------------- Gross margin 4,155 3,385 Operating expenses: Research and development 559 471 Selling 691 676 Administration 1,078 909 -------------- ------------- Total operating expenses 2,328 2,056 -------------- ------------- Earnings from continuing operations 1,827 1,329 Other expenses: Interest expense 376 517 Equity interest in loss of affiliate 358 130 -------------- ------------- Total other expenses 734 647 -------------- ------------- Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense 1,093 682 Income tax expense, net 421 272 -------------- ------------- Earnings from continuing operations before minority interest 672 410 Minority interest in net (earnings) loss of consolidated subsidiaries 22 (18) -------------- ------------- Net earnings from continuing operations 694 392 Discontinued operations: Loss from operations of automotive accessories segment - (380) -------------- ------------- Loss from discontinued operations - (380) -------------- ------------- Net earnings $ 694 $ 12 ============== ============= Basic and diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations $ 0.04 $ 0.02 Basic and diluted loss per common share from discontinued operations - $ (0.02) -------------- ------------- Basic and diluted net earnings per common share $ 0.04 $ 0.00 ============== ============= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 5 Williams Controls, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Dollars in thousands) (unaudited) Three months Three months Ended Ended December 31, December 31, 1997 1996 ------------- -------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 694 $ 12 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from continuing operations: Loss from discontinued operations - 380 Depreciation and amortization 360 343 Minority interest in earnings (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries (22) 18 Equity interest in loss of affiliate 358 130 Changes in working capital of continuing operations: Receivables (180) 124 Inventories 128 246 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 240 (2,082) Prepaid expenses and other (467) (530) ------------- -------------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations 1,111 (1,359) Cash flows from investing activities: Payments for property, plant and equipment (239) (173) ------------- -------------- Net cash used for investing activities of continuing operations (239) (173) Cash flows from financing activities: Repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (400) (40) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 61 ------------- -------------- Net cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations (339) (40) Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations (272) 1,869 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 261 297 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 700 1,379 ------------- -------------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 961 $ 1,676 ============= ============== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 6 Williams Controls, Inc. Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements Three Months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Cautionary Statement: This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those statements relating to development of new products, the financial condition of the Company, the ability to increase distribution of the Company's products, integration of businesses the Company acquires, disposition of any current business of the Company, including its Kenco division. These forward-looking statements are subject to the business and economic risks faced by the Company. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors described above and other factors described elsewhere in this report. 1. Organization Williams Controls, Inc., including its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Williams Controls Industries, Inc. ("Williams"); Aptek Williams, Inc. ("Aptek"); Premier Plastic Technologies, Inc. ("PPT"); Williams Automotive, Inc.; GeoFocus, Inc. ("GeoFocus"); NESC Williams, Inc. ("NESC"); Williams Technologies, Inc. ("Technologies"); Williams World Trade, Inc. ("WWT"); Kenco/Williams, Inc. ("Kenco"); Techwood Williams, Inc. ("TWI"); Agrotec Williams, Inc. ("Agrotec") and its 80% owned subsidiaries Hardee Williams, Inc. ("Hardee") and Waccamaw Wheel Williams, Inc. ("Waccamaw") is hereinafter referred to as the "Company" or "Registrant." 2. Interim Consolidated Financial Statements The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company and, in the opinion of management, reflect all material adjustments which are necessary to a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosure made in the last annual report on Form 10-K have been condensed or omitted for the interim consolidated statements. Certain costs are estimated for the full year and allocated to interim periods based on activity associated with the interim period. Accordingly, such costs are subject to year-end adjustment. It is the Company's opinion that, when the interim consolidated statements are read in conjunction with the September 30, 1997 annual report on Form 10-K, the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. 3. Earnings (loss) per Share As required, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 during the quarter ended December 31, 1997. This statement requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) with a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the EPS computations. Basic per share amounts are based on the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share assume the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential common stock instruments such as options, warrants and convertible securities, unless the effect is to reduce a loss or increase earnings per share. Accordingly, this presentation has been adopted for all periods presented. The basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are as follows: Three Months Three Months Ended Ended December 31, December 31, 1997 1996 --------------- --------------- Weighted average shares outstanding 17,832,040 17,674,787 Less unallocated ESOP shares 86,000 140,000 --------------- --------------- Weighted average outstanding shares used for basic EPS 17,746,040 17,534,787 Plus incremental shares from assumed issuance of stock options and other contingent issuances 753,960 465,213 --------------- --------------- Weighted average outstanding shares used for diluted EPS 18,500,000 18,000,000 =============== =============== 7 Williams Controls, Inc. Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements Three Months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 4. Year 2000 Conversion The Company recognizes the need to ensure its operations will not be adversely impacted by Year 2000 software failures. Software failures due to processing errors potentially arising from calculations using the Year 2000 date are a known risk. The Company is addressing this risk to the availability and integrity of financial systems and the reliability of the operational systems. The Company has established processes for evaluating and managing the risks and cost associated with this problem, including communicating with suppliers, dealers and others with which it does business to coordinate Year 2000 conversion. The total cost of compliance and its effect on the Company's future results of operations is being determined as part of the detailed conversion planning process. 5. Inventories Inventories consisted of the following: December 31, September 30, 1997 1997 ------------ ------------ Raw material $ 9,130 $ 8,173 Work in process 1,679 2,035 Finished goods 3,908 4,309 ------------ ------------ $ 14,717 $14,517 ============ ============ Finished goods include component parts and finished product ready for shipment. 6. Sale Leaseback In April 1997 the Company sold its Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility in a sale-leaseback transaction for $4,524, less $250 withheld in an escrow fund for possible environmental cleanup costs. The Company may be required to repurchase the property within one year if it cannot cure possible environmental problems at the sold property and may be required to finance part of the purchaser's price in the second or third quarter of fiscal 1998 if the purchaser cannot obtain permanent financing from a lender who would accept the environmental condition of the property. The acquisition agreement between the Company and the previous building owner contains provisions for indemnification of any environmental cleanup costs after the Company spends $25 towards such cleanup. The Company intends to seek indemnification from the prior property owner for permanent monitoring or cleanup costs, if any. The purchaser previously informed the Company that it had entered into a purchase and sale agreement with a third party who would purchase the building without any contingent repurchase obligation subject to third party due diligence. In January, 1998, the purchaser informed the Company that the third party declined to purchase the building. 8 Williams Controls, Inc. Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements Three Months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 7. Segment Information Three months Three months Ended Ended December 31, December 31, 1997 1996 -------------- ------------- Net sales by classes of similar products from continuing operations Vehicle components $ 11,697 $ 9,464 Agricultural equipment 2,247 3,104 Electrical components and GPS 1,000 953 ------- -------- 14,944 13,521 ======= ======== Earnings (loss) from continuing operations Vehicle components 2,394 1,337 Agricultural equipment (177) 212 Electrical components and GPS (390) (220) ------- -------- 1,827 1,329 ======= ======== Identifiable assets Vehicle components 21,975 19,457 Agricultural equipment 10,541 13,114 Electrical components and GPS 8,388 7,583 ------- -------- Total assets - continuing operations 40,904 40,154 Automotive accessories-discontinued operations 10,738 12,836 ------- -------- Total assets 51,642 52,990 ======= ======== Capital expenditures Vehicle components 45 65 Agricultural equipment 109 76 Electrical components and GPS 85 32 -------- -------- Total capital expenditures-continuing operations 239 173 Automotive accessories-discontinued operations 38 50 -------- -------- Total capital expenditures 277 223 ======== ======== Depreciation and amortization Vehicle components 230 215 Agricultural equipment 50 67 Electrical components and GPS 80 61 -------- -------- Total depreciation and amortization- continuing operations 360 343 Automotive accessories-discontinued operations 59 54 -------- -------- Total depreciation and amortization $ 419 $ 397 ======== ======== 9 Williams Controls, Inc. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) See "Cautionary Statement" contained at the beginning of this report. Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company's principal sources of liquidity during the three months ended December 31, 1997 were funds generated from continuing operations of $1,111 compared to cash used in operations of $1,359 for the same period in fiscal 1997. At December 31, 1997 the Company's working capital improved to $17,094 compared to $16,128 at September 30, 1997. The current ratio at December 31, 1997 also improved to 2.7 compared to 2.6 at September 30, 1997. The Company used cash for discontinued operations of $272 during the first quarter ended December 31, 1997 compared to cash provided by discontinued operations of $1,869 for the first quarter in fiscal 1997. Cash flow from discontinued operations decreased due to operating losses in the current year quarter. The prior year quarter benefited from higher collections of accounts receivable and inventory reductions. The Company anticipates that cash generated from continuing operations and borrowings will be sufficient to satisfy working capital for its continuing operations; however, the Company will require additional financing to fund certain research and development projects, an additional investment in Ajay, new equipment purchases and moving of the PPT facility. The Company intends to raise the additional capital through the sale of Kenco, which is expected to occur in the second quarter of fiscal 1998, a possible sale/leaseback of its Aptek manufacturing and research facility in Deerfield Beach, Florida and a private placement or public offering of common or preferred stock. The Company is in discussions with investment bankers regarding these transactions; however, there is no assurance that the Company can raise new capital on terms acceptable to the Company. The Company had $1,505 of loan availability under the revolving loan as of December 31, 1997. The proceeds of the sale of Kenco are expected to be approximately $1,600 and a $1,500 retained equity investment in the acquiring company plus the assumption of certain liabilities. In addition, the sale of Kenco inventory during the nine months following the sale are expected to generate an additional $3,000 to $4,000 of cash. The proceeds from the sale of Kenco, if completed, will be used to repay bank debt of approximately $1,600. Any excess proceeds from inventory sales will be used first to repay the $2,340 bridge loan provided to Ajay by a previous lender. In April 1997 the Company sold its Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility in a sale-leaseback transaction for $4,524. The Company may be required to repurchase the property in April 1998 if it cannot cure possible environmental problems at the sold property or may be required to finance $3,200 of the purchaser's price if the purchaser cannot obtain permanent financing from a lender who would accept the environmental condition of the property. The acquisition agreement between the Company and the previous building owner contains provisions for indemnification of any environmental cleanup costs after the Company spends $25 towards such cleanup. The Company intends to seek indemnification from the prior property owner for permanent monitoring or cleanup costs, if any. The purchaser previously informed the Company that it entered into a purchase and sale agreement with a third party who would purchase the building without any contingent repurchase obligation subject to third party due diligence. In January 1998 the purchaser informed the Company that the third party declined to purchase the building. 10 Williams Controls, Inc. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources (continued) In fiscal 1997 the Company and Ajay agreed to a plan (the "Ajay Recapitalization") whereby Ajay plans to obtain permanent bank financing independent of the Company's loan which, management of Ajay has informed the Company, when combined with a final investment by the Company, would result in adequate working capital and eliminate any requirements for further advances or guarantees from the Company. Ajay management informed the Company it has signed a proposal letter with a lender for an asset based loan, which Ajay management informed the Company that it believes that based on expected loan advance rates would result in an approximately $2,000 shortfall of its projected working capital needs. The Company intends to invest up to $2,000 to provide Ajay adequate working capital, of which approximately $1,000 would be required no later than the end of the second quarter of fiscal 1998. If Ajay successfully completes its bank financing, the Company has also proposed to exchange up to $4,000 of loans and advances into convertible voting preferred stock which Ajay management has informed the Company that it believes would allow Ajay to meet the minimum net worth criteria for continued listing on the NASDAQ. The preferred stock would pay a dividend rate of 9% and would be convertible into up to 12,000,000 shares of Ajay common stock. As presently proposed, the dividend rate would increase two percentage points each in the year 2002 and 2003 if Ajay does not achieve pre-tax earnings of at least $500 in the two consecutive years prior to 2002 and 2003. The Company has also agreed to purchase in fiscal 1998 approximately $1,000 of notes payable by Ajay to affiliated parties which had provided loans to Ajay to help Ajay finance operations during the financial restructuring; such notes payable have not yet been purchased. 11 Williams Controls, Inc. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Results of Operations Three months ended December 31, 1997 compared to the three months ended December 31, 1996 Overview Net sales from continuing operations increased 10.5% to $14,944 for the first quarter ended December 31, 1997 from $13,521 in the same period in fiscal 1997. Increased sales are attributed to higher unit sales volumes in the Company's vehicle component segment, which were partially offset by declining unit sales volumes in the agricultural equipment segment. Net earnings from continuing operations increased 77.0% to $694 in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 from $392 in the same fiscal 1997 quarter due to increases in unit sales volumes in the Company's vehicle component segment, which were partially offset by declining unit sales volumes in the agricultural equipment segment and additional equity interest in losses of affiliate (Ajay Sports, Inc.). Net income increased to $694 in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 from $12 in the comparable fiscal 1997 quarter due to higher profitability in the vehicle component segment and elimination of losses in the Company's discontinued operations which were offset by increased losses in the Company's agricultural equipment segment and additional equity interest in losses of affiliate (Ajay Sports, Inc.). Net Sales Net sales from continuing operations in the vehicle components segment increased 23.6% to $11,697 in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to $ 9,464 in the same quarter in fiscal 1997. Sales increases were due to higher ETC unit sales volumes in the Class 7 and 8 truck OEM markets. Sales increases in the vehicle component segment were partially offset by decreases in sales of 27.6% in the Company's agricultural equipment segment. Sales declines in the agricultural equipment segment are attributed primarily to excess dealer inventory. Gross margin Gross margin from continuing operations increased 22.7% to $4,155 in the first quarter in fiscal 1998 compared to the prior year quarter. Gross margins as a percentage of net sales from continuing operations were 27.8% in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 and 25.0% in the same fiscal 1997 quarter. Increases in dollar amount in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 resulted primarily from higher unit sales volumes in the vehicle component segment offset by gross margin decreases of 67.2% in the Company's agricultural equipment segment due to lower sales volumes. Operating expenses Operating expenses for continuing operations increased 13.2% during the first quarter ended December 31, 1997 compared to amounts in the same quarter in fiscal 1997. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales from continuing operations decreased in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 to 15.6% from 15.2% in the same fiscal 1997 quarter. Operating expenses increased 11.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 in the vehicle component segment to $1,305 and 61.6% in the electronic components and GPS segment to $564. Increases in operating expenses were attributed to higher sales volumes of the Company's ETC and GPS products. Operating expenses decreased 14.0% in the agricultural equipment segment to $459 compared to amounts in the first quarter of fiscal 1997. Decreases in this segment are attributed to lower sales volumes. 12 Williams Controls, Inc. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Results of Operations (continued) Research and development expenses for continuing operations increased 18.7% to $559 during the first quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to amounts in the same quarter in fiscal 1997. As a percentage of net sales from continuing operations, research and development expenses increased to 3.7% from 3.5%. In 1997 the Company curtailed research and development activities in all business segments during the Company's bank refinancing negotiations in fiscal 1997. Selling expenses for continuing operations increased 2.2% to $691 in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to amounts in the same quarter in fiscal 1997. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales from continuing operations decreased to 4.6% in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to 5.0% in the same 1997 quarter. Selling expenses decreased as a percentage of sales due to increased sales volumes in the vehicle components segment. General and administrative expenses for continuing operations increased 18.6% in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 to $1,078 compared to amounts in the same quarter in fiscal 1997. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales from continuing operations increased to 7.2% in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 from 6.7% in the same quarter in fiscal 1997. Increases were primarily due to additional personnel required for current and future growth activities. Earnings from continuing operations Earnings from continuing operations increased $498, or 37.5%, to $1,827 in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 from $1,329 in the same quarter of fiscal 1997 due to a $1,057 increase in operating income in the automotive components segment offset by a $389 decrease in the agricultural equipment segment and a $170 decrease in the electrical components and GPS business segments. Other Expenses Other expenses increased 13.4% to $734 in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 from $647 in the same quarter of fiscal 1997. Increases were primarily attributed to increased equity interest in losses of affiliate (AJAY Sports, Inc.). Discontinued operations Net losses from the discontinued automotive accessories segment were $391 net of tax benefits of $201 for the first quarter ended December 31, 1997, compared to $582 net of tax benefits of $302 in the same quarter of fiscal 1997. Estimated future losses from discontinued operations were accrued in fiscal 1997; therefore, there was no net loss effect in the first quarter of 1998. Net sales from the discontinued segment declined $1,581, or 50%, in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 to $1,582 compared to levels achieved in the fiscal 1997 quarter. The decline in automotive accessory sales was due to lower unit sales and lower prices resulting from strong downward price pressure generated by competitors who are more vertically integrated and have lower cost structures than the Company's automotive accessories segment. At December 31, 1997 the Company had estimated losses on disposal of $109 remaining as a current liability. The Company expects the sale of Kenco to occur in the second quarter of fiscal 1998. The Company may be required to increase its estimate of losses on disposal if the sale does not occur by that date. 13 Williams Controls, Inc. Part II Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders None Item 5. Other Information None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K None 14 Williams Controls, Inc. Signature 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. WILLIAMS CONTROLS, INC. /s/Thomas W. Itin ------------------------------------ Thomas W. Itin, Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer /s/Gerard A. Herlihy ------------------------------------- Gerard A. Herlihy, Chief Financial Officer Date: February 13, 1998