UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ---------------------- FORM 10-QSB [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 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 No.: 0-11353 CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS, INC. (Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter) ARIZONA 86-0344671 (State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 1330 W. Auto Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85284 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (602) 438-0888 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. [X] Yes [ ] No The number of shares outstanding of each class of our common equity as of November 14, 2003 is as follows: Class of Common Equity Number of Shares - ---------------------- ---------------- Common Stock, par value $.10 4,144,253 Circuit Research Labs, Inc. Index to Form 10-QSB Filing For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2003 Table of Contents Page PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ............................................3 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ..........................................3 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2003 (unaudited) and December 31, 2002 .............3 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)...............5 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited) ......6 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements .............8 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS .........................15 ITEM 3. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES .....................................27 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ...............................................28 ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEDINGS ............................................28 ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES .......................................28 ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K ............................29 SIGNATURE ...................................................................30 2 PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS September 30, December 31, 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- (Unaudited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash $321,712 $214,401 Accounts receivable, trade, net 939,785 645,655 Inventories 2,288,093 2,305,194 Other current assets 187,233 105,161 ----------- ----------- Total current assets 3,736,823 3,270,411 ----------- ----------- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 579,779 750,206 ----------- ----------- OTHER ASSETS: Goodwill, net 7,476,008 7,476,008 Other 328,186 287,582 ----------- ----------- 7,804,194 7,763,590 TOTAL $12,120,796 $11,784,207 =========== =========== 3 (continued) CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS September 30, December 31, 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- (Unaudited) LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable $1,309,712 $1,196,967 Notes payable to shareholders 130,000 0 Notes payable 8,004,494 8,520,150 Current portion of long-term debt 1,386,171 1,053,254 Accrued salaries and benefits 571,809 373,603 Customer deposits 67,407 255,281 Other accrued expenses and liabilities 1,274,290 565,014 ----------- ----------- Total current liabilities 12,743,884 11,964,269 LONG-TERM DEBT, LESS CURRENT PORTION 22,991 461,242 ----------- ----------- Total Liabilities 12,766,875 12,425,511 ----------- ----------- STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT: Preferred stock, $100 par value - authorized 500,000 shares, none issued Common stock, $.10 par value - (authorized 20,000,000 shares, 3,916,420 issued as of September 30, 2003 and 3,767,404 as of December 31, 2002) 391,643 376,741 Additional paid-in capital 5,496,090 5,434,785 Accumulated deficit (6,533,811) (6,452,830) ----------- ----------- Total stockholders' deficit (646,078) (641,304) ----------- ----------- TOTAL $12,120,796 $11,784,207 =========== =========== See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements. 4 CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NET SALES $3,240,224 $2,537,576 $9,406,216 $8,267,951 COST OF GOODS SOLD 1,420,144 1,287,500 4,118,855 4,250,553 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Gross profit 1,820,080 1,250,076 5,287,361 4,017,398 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- OPERATING EXPENSES: Selling, general and administrative 1,080,814 1,049,737 3,271,247 3,318,680 Research and development 309,900 416,384 1,022,672 1,077,728 Depreciation 28,998 86,453 177,218 258,638 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total operating expenses 1,419,712 1,552,574 4,471,137 4,655,046 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 400,368 (302,498) 816,224 (637,648) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Sundry income (expense) (31,591) 35,954 (35,471) 41,733 Interest expense (282,773) (287,877) (861,727) (858,483) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total other expense (314,364) (251,923) (897,198) (816,750) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX $86,004 ($554,421) (80,974) (1,454,398) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 0 0 0 0 NET INCOME (LOSS) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- $86,004 ($554,421) ($80,974) ($1,454,398) ========== ========== ========== ========== Basic EPS $0.02 ($0.15) ($0.02) ($0.40) Diluted EPS $0.02 ($0.15) ($0.02) ($0.40) Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 3,892,823 3,706,880 3,839,161 3,629,635 Dilutive Options 1,250,000 Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 5,142,823 3,706,880 3,839,161 3,629,635 See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements. 5 CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 2002 -------- -------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss ($80,974) ($1,454,398) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation 242,688 322,599 Provision for uncollectable accounts (267) Stock compensation 76,207 50,000 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (294,130) (203,518) Inventories 17,101 910,331 Other assets (122,676) (85,451) Accounts payable and accrued expenses 832,346 735,511 -------- -------- Net cash provided by operating activities 670,562 274,807 -------- -------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (72,261) (22,979) -------- -------- Net cash used in investing activities (72,261) (22,979) -------- -------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from shareholder advances 298,000 Repayment of shareholder advances (168,000) Principal payments on notes payable (515,656) (84,991) Principal payments on long-term debt (105,334) (323,104) Proceeds from sale of common stock 18,000 -------- -------- Net cash used in financing activities (490,990) (390,095) -------- -------- NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH 107,311 (138,267) CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 214,401 280,895 -------- -------- CASH AT END OF PERIOD $321,712 $142,628 ======== ======== See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements. 6 (continued) CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) Nine Month Ended September 30, 2003 2002 ---------- ---------- Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Cash paid for interest $134,995 $675,995 ========== ========== Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: Fair value of assets acquired including goodwill $2,034,563 Debt issued to seller (750,000) Common Stock issued to seller (1,250,000) ---------- Costs paid in 2001 (34,563) Common stock issued for consulting services rendered $0 $50,000 ========== ========== Conversion of accounts payable to note payable $0 $11,038 ========== ========== Solectron inventory purchase financed with long term debt $0 $829,328 ========== ========== Common stock issued for compensation $76,207 $0 ========== ========== See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements. 7 CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) 1. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included herein have been prepared by Circuit Research Labs, Inc. ("CRL" or the "Company"), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2003 and the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 have been prepared without audit. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2002. In the opinion of management, the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the unaudited interim periods presented herein include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present a fair statement of the results of operations for such interim periods. Net operating results for any interim period may not be comparable to the same interim period in previous years, nor necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. 2. Significant Accounting Policies are as follows: a. Net loss per share In calculating earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, the effects of 1,995,005 and 3,245,005 shares, respectively, relating to options to purchase common stock and 1,395,690 shares relating to a warrant to purchase common stock were not used for computing diluted earnings per share because the option and the warrant exercise prices are greater than the market price of the underlying stock. The 1,395,690 shares related to the Harman warrant ( see Note 5 ) expired May 31, 2003. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 the options and warrants to purchase 1,565,005 and 1,279,775 shares respectively, of common stock were not used in computing diluted earnings because the result would be anti-dilutive. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per Share," establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share. It also requires the dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share on the face of the statements of operations. Earnings per share is calculated as follows: 8 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 --------- --------- -------- --------- Numerator Net Income (loss) 86,004 (554,421) (80,974) (1,454,398) ========= ========= ========= ========= Denominator Weighted average shares - basic 3,892,823 3,706,880 3,839,161 3,629,635 ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted average shares - diluted 5,142,823 3,706,880 3,839,161 3,629,635 ========= ========= ========= ========= Basic income (loss) per share $0.02 ($0.15) ($0.02) ($0.40) ========= ========= ========= ========= Diluted income (loss) per share $0.02 ($0.15) ($0.02) ($0.40) ========= ========= ========= ========= b. New accounting pronouncements In December 2002 the FASB issued SFAS 148 "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation". This SFAS amends SFAS 123 and provides new guidance regarding the transition should an entity change from the intrinsic value method to the fair value method of accounting for employee stock based compensation cost. Additional information is now required to be disclosed regarding such cost in the financial statements of public companies. The Company does not presently plan to adopt fair value accounting for employee stock based compensation cost. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments for certain decisions made by the Financial Accounting Standards Board identified during the implementation of Statement 133 and amends Statement 133 to clarify the definition of a derivative. This statement is not expected to impact the Company's financial reporting. In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity" ("SFAS 150"). SFAS 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). The requirements of this statement apply to issuers' classification and measurement of freestanding financial instruments, including those that comprise more than one option or forward contract. SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of adopting SFAS 150 on its results of operations, financial position or consolidated cash flows. 9 3. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002: September 30, December 31, 2003 2002 ---------- ---------- (Unaudited) Raw materials and supplies $2,366,251 $2,388,922 Work in process 1,006,064 993,160 Finished goods 457,172 464,506 ---------- ---------- Total 3,829,487 3,846,588 Less obsolescence reserve (1,541,394) (1,541,394) ---------- ---------- Inventories, net $2,288,093 $2,305,194 ========== ========== 4. LONG-TERM DEBT Long term-debt at September 30, 2003 consisted of the following: Note to stockholder $178,905 Avocet Instruments, Inc. 41,154 Dialog4 Engineering GmbH (see Note 6) 597,055 Solectron GmbH (see Note 6) 555,712 Vendor note 26,086 Employee note 10,250 ---------- Total long-term debt $1,409,162 Less current portion (1,386,171) ----------- Total long-term debt, less current portion $22,991 ========== In connection with the acquisition of the assets of Orban, the Company issued a note with an original principal amount of $205,000 to a stockholder in consideration for his role in such acquisition. The note bears and continues to bear interest at 7.5 percent per annum, with principal and interest due monthly beginning August 1, 2000 for four years. Based on a verbal agreement with the note holder, the Company made payments in 2001 to be sufficient for interest and some principal repayment. On November 12, 2001, the Company and the stockholder agreed to defer the payments to January 2002 with interest accruing at the rate of 7.5% per annum. As of September 30, 2003, the Company has made partial payments on the accrued interest, and the outstanding principal balance of this debt was $178,905, plus accrued interest of $1,463. 10 On June 12, 2000, the Company borrowed $68,387 from an employee to assist it in the purchase of the assets of Orban. The unsecured promissory note evidencing the debt bears interest at 12 percent per annum. The note was originally due September 12, 2000 but was extended to September 30, 2001 without payment of a fee. In order to further extend the note, the Company agreed to make 12 monthly installment payments of principal and interest over a one-year period commencing September 1, 2001. The Company did not pay a fee in connection with this extension. As part of the agreement, the note continues to bear interest at 12 percent per annum, but is compounded monthly. As of September, 2003, the Company had paid a total of $55,447 on the note and the remaining unpaid balance was $10,250. On May 31, 2001, CRL acquired the assets of Avocet Instruments, Inc. for $82,980 plus other costs of $3,350. In conjunction with the Asset Sale Agreement between the Company and Avocet Instruments, Inc. and Eric B. Lane (Sellers), the Company and the Sellers entered into a Credit Agreement to establish the terms and conditions of the purchase price. The loan is evidenced by an agreement whereby the Company paid the Sellers $25,000 interest-free, paid $5,000 on the Closing Date, and $5,000 in each of the following four months. Thereafter, the balance ($57,980) is being paid in monthly installments of $1,200, including interest at the rate of five percent per annum for 54 months. In the fourth quarter of 2001, the Company converted various trade payables into notes payable and long-term debt totaling $179,903, of which $90,076 was short-term debt and $89,827 was long-term debt. Accounts payable converted to notes payable in 2002 amounted to $27,553. As of September 30, 2003 the balance of the notes payable and long-term debt has been reduced to $26,087, all of which is current. 5. NOTES PAYABLE On May 31, 2000, CRL Systems, Inc. and Harman Acquisition Corp. (formerly known as Orban, Inc.) entered into a Credit Agreement to establish the terms and conditions of the $8,500,000 loan from Harman to CRL Systems. The agreement was executed in conjunction with the Asset Sale Agreement between Harman and CRL Systems. The loan is evidenced by two promissory notes, the Senior Subordinated Tranche A Note (the "Tranche A Note") and the Senior Subordinated Tranche B Note (the "Tranche B Note"). The Tranche A Note, in the amount of $5,000,000, originally bore interest at 8 percent per annum and required quarterly principal payments beginning March 31, 2001, with a balloon payment of $3,000,000 due on March 31, 2003. The Tranche B Note, in the amount of $3,500,000, originally bore interest at 8 percent per annum for the period from June 1, 2000 to July 31, 2000 and 10 percent per annum from August 1, 2000 up to its September 30, 2000 maturity date. The notes are collateralized by, among other things, all receivables, inventory and equipment, investment property, including CRL's capital stock in CRL Systems, and intellectual property of CRL and CRL Systems, as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. In addition, all proceeds of debt or equity or sales of assets are to be first applied to the remaining balance due on the notes, with the exception of proceeds from the sale of stock to the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Jayson Brentlinger, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and Mr. Brentlinger which was entered into prior to the date of the Orban acquisition. The Company received several payment extensions on the Tranche A and B notes. First, in exchange for $150,000 cash and an increase in the interest rates to 12 percent per annum for both the Tranche A and Tranche B notes, Harman extended the maturity date of the Tranche B note to November 30, 2000. The maturity date of the Tranche B note was subsequently extended several additional times 11 without fees or other significant changes to the original terms of the note and was due in full on April 30, 2002. Also, the first principal payment on the Tranche A note of $250,000, originally due March 31, 2001, was extended to September 30, 2001 with the remaining quarterly principal payments deferred until April 30, 2002. Interest only payments are payable monthly for both notes. On October 1, 2001, the Company and Harman entered into an Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the "Amended Credit Agreement") under which both the short-term and the long-term promissory notes were amended and restated. Under the Amended Credit Agreement, both promissory notes were converted to demand notes payable upon the demand of Harman. Interest is paid monthly at 12 percent per annum. Additionally, under the Amended Credit Agreement, the first principal payment on the Tranche A Note of $250,000, the due date of which had been extended to September 30, 2001, was increased to $1,250,000 and the maturity date was extended to April 30, 2002. On May 1, 2002, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to Credit Agreement with Harman under which the long- and short-term demand notes were amended and restated to remove the requirement for quarterly payments on the long-term note and to extend the maturity dates for the notes to December 31, 2003, unless Harman demands payment at an earlier date. Interest only payments remain payable monthly at 12 percent per annum for both notes and are also due on demand. On August 19, 2002 the Company executed a Letter of Agreement to extend the interest payments due July 15, 2002, August 1, 2002 and August 15, 2002 each in the amount of $42,410, for a total of $127,230 to be payable to Harman on or before November 15th, 2002. In November, 2002, the Company and Harman verbally agreed (which was later formalized) to further extend the interest payments due July 15, 2002, August 1, 2002 and August 15, 2002 each in the amount of $42,410 and added the interest payments due September 15, 2002 along with the semi-monthly payments due in October and November, each in the amount of $42,410 for a total that amounts to $339,280 to be payable to Harman on or before December 6, 2002. The formalized agreement amended the verbal agreement to require the Company to pay $100,000 of interest in arrears on or before December 20, 2002 and to continue to make timely payments. Management for some time has been negotiating with Harman Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Harman International Industries, Inc., with respect to restructuring the existing debt of the Company to Harman of $7,982,000, which currently bears interest of 12% per annum. If such a restructuring occurs under the terms presently being discussed, the Company will need to make a principal payment of $1,000,000 (which can be made in installments), following which the interest rate on the unpaid balances will be reduced to 6% per annum retroactive to April 1, 2003. The Company will restate the principal debt amount to reflect the retroactive balance of $8,482,000 as stated on April 1, 2003. $3,500,000 of the unpaid balance will be converted into 19% of the common stock of the Company, and the remaining unpaid balance will be payable over five years in accordance with a payment schedule. No agreement has yet been entered into with Harman, and if no agreement is reached, the principal balance of $7,982,000 plus interest at the rate of 12% per annum will continue to be payable on demand. There is no assurance that the Company can reach a final agreement with Harman for restructuring of the debt, nor that the agreement, if entered into, will contain the same terms presently being discussed. We made a total of $500,000 in payments to Harman during the nine months ended September 30 2003 to reduce the amount of principal to $ 7,982,000. The $500,000 may be re allocated to interest depending on the ongoing negotiations with Harman. As of September 30, 2003, we are in arrears on interest installments on the Harman obligation in an aggregate amount of $995,119 (at a rate of 12% per annum). 12 On January 23, 2003, Jayson Russell Brentlinger, the father of the Company's president, Charles Jayson Brentlinger, loaned the Company $100,000 for its short term working capital needs. On May 9, 2003, the loan was paid in full. To induce Jayson Russell Brentlinger to make the loan, the Company issued options to him to purchase 1,250,000 shares of common stock of the Company for a purchase price of $0.55 per share, the market price of the shares on the date the option was issued. Jayson Russell Brentlinger may exercise the options at any time prior to January 23, 2006. Jayson Russell Brentlinger has not exercised any of the options as of September 30, 2003. On February 20, 2003, Robert Orban, the Company's Vice President and Chief Engineer, loaned the Company $68,000 for short term working capital needs. The loan was paid in full on May 20, 2003 with interest at the rate of 16 percent per annum. To induce Mr. Orban to make the loan the company gave him a choice to receive options to purchase 68,000 shares of common stock or to receive 1 (one) share of common stock per dollar loaned. As of November 14, 2003, Mr. Orban to date has not made a decision under his right to elect. On May 19, 2003, Phillip T Zeni, the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, loaned the Company $100,000 to be applied to the Harman debt restructure. The loan is due August 19, 2003, with interest at a rate of 16 percent per annum. To induce Mr. Zeni to make the loan, the Company will issue 2 (two) shares of common stock per dollar loaned. The Company will also issue options to Mr. Zeni to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock of the Company for a purchase price of $0.45 per share. These options will be issued up to one year after the maturity date of the note, or when and if a private placement is offered to raise the $1,000,000 to satisfy the terms of the Harman debt restructure, whichever last occurs. As of September 30, 2003 the Company has a balance of $100,000 in principal plus interest owed to Mr. Zeni. Two other shareholders loaned the company $10,000 and $20,000 respectively, both signing one year notes accruing interest at rate of 9% per annum. The notes will be due and payable with interest in June 2004. The proceeds from these notes were used to reduce the Harman debt. 6. ACQUISITION OF DIALOG4 ASSETS On January 18, 2002, the Company acquired the assets of Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH ("Dialog4"). Dialog4, a German corporation based in Ludwigsburg, Germany, was a worldwide leader in ISO/MPEG, audio, ISDN, satellite transmission, networking and storage. The Company purchased the assets of Dialog4 pursuant to an Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement for $2 million, comprised of 1,250,000 shares of restricted common stock, valued at $1.00 per share, and $750,000 cash to be paid at a later date either by the Company from its working capital or by the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Jayson Brentlinger. On April 8, 2002, the Company executed an amendment to the Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement with Dialog4. The amended agreement extends the term of the Company's payments to Dialog4 over twenty months while reducing the amount of the monthly payment installments to $37,500 plus interest on the remaining principal balance at a rate of 10 percent per annum. The monthly installments of principal and interest are due and payable on the twentieth day of each month commencing April 20, 2002. The Company still owes Dialog4 approximately $597,000, payable $37,500 monthly plus interest, for the purchase of the Dialog4 assets and the Company may be obligated to register the 1,250,000 shares issued to Dialog4 for the purchase of the assets. Creditors of Dialog4 have claimed that under German law, the Company is liable to pay debts owed them by Dialog4. The Company has not made any payments since August 2002 due to disputes with Dialog4 and other companies that have claims against Dialog4. The Company made an effort and failed to negotiate with the Dialog4's creditors 13 to assume some of Dialog4's liabilities in lieu of making payments directly to Dialog4. Dialog4 has given notice of payment default, accelerated the note and demanded that the Company register the 1,250,000 shares issued to Dialog4 for the purchase of the assets. On April 29, 2003, the Company was notified that Dialog4 has filed a demand for arbitration. The Company responded on June 30, 2003 within the required time limits as set forth by the Arbiter. The response citied various claims against the representations and warranties made by Dialog4 in the Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company then filed a formal statement of defense along with counter claims against Dialog4 on August 25, 2003 within the required time limits as set forth by the Arbiter. Dailog4 filed its response on October 16, 2003. The Company is required to file its response to Dialog4's October 16th filing by December 5, 2003. No date has been set for the arbitration hearing. There is no assurance that the Company can achieve a satisfactory settlement with Dialog4. If we are unable to do so, we will need to satisfy or settle the demands of Dialog4 for payment under the original Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company believes it has defenses and claims against Dialog4 arising from the asset sale. The acceleration by Dialog4 of the amounts due constitutes a default under the existing credit agreements between the Company and Harman International, Inc. and would continue to constitute a default even if our recent agreement is finalized with Harman relating to the restructuring of the $8.5 million in notes that we currently owe Harman. On August 9, 2002, the Company agreed to purchase all existing inventory of parts related to its Sountainer product from Solectron GmbH for a total price of $829,328, payable in 24 equal monthly installments including interest. Solectron had purchased the inventory pursuant to an agreement with Dialog4 approximately two years prior to the purchase of the assets of Dialog4 by the Company. The price was equal to the amount paid by Solectron for the inventory of which the Company expects to realize from future sales of that inventory. The agreement settled a dispute between the Company and Solectron in which Solectron claimed the Company became liable for the obligation of Dialog4 to purchase the inventory when the Company acquired the assets of Dialog4. The Company maintains it did not undertake the obligation of Dialog4, but to settle the dispute, agreed to purchase the inventory, which it will use in the manufacture of Sountainer products. An amount of $233,000 is reported in other assets pending delivery of that amount of inventory by Solectron. The Company is obligated to pay Solectron GmbH $34,555 per month through July 2004. The first monthly payment of $34,555 was made August 14, 2002 with subsequent payments due and payable on the 15th of every month. On November 11, 2002, the Company and Solectron executed a letter of understanding in connection with a Settlement Agreement under which Solectron has allowed the company to defer the October 15, 2002, November 15, 2002 and the December 15, 2002 payments. The three deferred payments were to be made over the period of one year beginning in January 2003, increasing the installments to $43,194 per month over the same period of time (through July 2004). Beginning in January 2004, the installments were to revert to $34,555 per month until the balance is paid in full in July 2004. Mr. Brentlinger signed a personal guarantee under the revised Settlement Agreement. The Company agreed to indemnify Mr. Brentlinger should he be required to make any payment under this guarantee. On March 11, 2003, the Board of Directors resolved that Mr. Brentlinger be compensated for his guaranteeing the Solectron note and the Dialog4 note. His compensation of $143,995 (including $32,219 unpaid at September 30, 2003) was determined by calculating the difference between the stated interest rates of the notes and the interest rate we would have to pay for a high risk loan bearing interest at 20% per annum. Mr. Brentlinger has been given the right to elect to receive his compensation in the form of cash, shares, options or any combination there of. On March 4, 2003, the Company and Solectron GmbH agreed to defer the payments on the note until March 15, 2003, when the Company would commence making principal and interest payments in 14 $15,000 monthly installments through August 15, 2003. Beginning September 15, 2003, the Company will increase its principal and interest monthly installments to $40,068. Subsequent monthly installments will be reduced each month by $194 effectively discounting the monthly principal and interest payments due and payable until December 15, 2004, when the company will make its final installment of $7,403.20. On October 8th the Company and Solectron agreed to defer the August and September payments and resume payments beginning with $15,000 due on October 15, 2003. The Company will be required to make subsequent payments of $20,000 and $25,000 on November 15, 2003 and December 15, 2003 respectively. Beginning January 15, 2004 the Company will increase its principal and interest monthly installments to $44,384. Subsequent monthly installments will be reduced each month by $217 effectively discounting the monthly principal and interest payments due and payable until December 15, 2004, when the company will make its final installment of $51,341. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION. The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains statements about future events, expectations, risks and uncertainties that constitute forward-looking statements, as do discussions elsewhere in this report. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future economic performance, taking into account the information currently available to management. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or financial condition to differ materially from the expectations of future results, performance or financial condition we express or imply in any forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "objective," "seek," "strive" or similar words, or the negative of these words, identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those described below under this Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation - Risk Factors." We qualify any forward-looking statements entirely by these cautionary factors. OVERVIEW AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS We develop, manufacture and market high-quality electronic audio processing, transmission encoding and noise reduction equipment for the worldwide radio, television, cable, Internet and professional audio markets. In recent periods, we have acquired the assets of other companies within our industry or in related industries into which we desire to expand. On May 31, 2000, we acquired the assets of Orban, Inc., a producer of audio editing and processing equipment. On May 31, 2001, we acquired the assets of Avocet Instruments, Inc., a supplier of quality audio receivers and coders for the television and post-production industry. On January 18, 2002, we acquired the assets of Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH, a producer of ISO/MPEG, audio, ISDN, satellite transmission, networking and storage. Harman Debt Management for some time has been negotiating with Harman Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Harman International Industries, Inc., with respect to restructuring the existing debt of the Company to Harman of $7,982,000, which currently bears interest of 12% per annum. If such a restructuring occurs under the terms presently being discussed, the Company will need to make a principal payment of $1,000,000 (which can be made in installments), and the interest rate on 15 the unpaid balances will be reduced to 6% per annum retroactive to April 1, 2003. The Company will restate the principal debt amount to reflect the retroactive balance of $8,482,000 as stated on April 1, 2003. $3,500,000 of the unpaid balance will be converted into shares equal to 19% of the common stock of the Company, and the remaining unpaid balance will be payable over five years in accordance with a payment schedule. No agreement has yet been entered into with Harman, and if no agreement is reached, the principal balance of $7,982,000 plus interest at the rate of 12% per annum will continue to be payable on demand. There is no assurance that the Company can reach a final agreement with Harman for restructuring of the debt, nor that the agreement, if entered into, will contain the same terms presently being discussed. We made a total of $500,000 in payments to Harman during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to reduce the amount of principal to $ 7,982,000. The $500,000 may be re allocated to interest depending on the ongoing negotiations with Harman. As of September 30, 2003, we are in arrears on interest installments on the Harman obligation in an aggregate amount of $995,119 (at a rate of 12% per annum). Dialog4 The Company still owes Dialog4 approximately $597,000, which was payable $37,500 monthly plus interest, for the purchase of the Dialog4 assets and we still need to register the 1,250,000 shares issued to Dialog4 for the purchase of the assets. The Company has not made any payments since August 2002 due to disputes with Solectron and other companies that have claims against Dialog4. The company made an unsuccessful effort to negotiate with the Dialog4's creditors to assume some of Dialog4's liabilities in lieu of making payments directly to Dialog4. Dialog4 has since given notice of default for not completing payments and has accelerated all amounts due. On February 14, 2003, Dialog4 demanded the Company register the 1,250,000 shares issued to Dialog4 for the purchase of the assets. On April 29, 2003, the Company was notified that Dialog4 has filed a demand for arbitration. The Company responded on June 30, 2003 within the required time limits as set forth by the Arbiter. The response citied various claims against the representations and warranties made by Dialog4 in the Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company then filed a formal statement of defense along with counter claims against Dialog4 on August 25, 2003 within the required time limits as set forth by the Arbiter. Dailog4 filed its response on October 16, 2003. The Company is required to file its response to Dialog4's October 16th filing by December 5, 2003. No date has been set for the arbitration hearing. There is no assurance that the Company can achieve a satisfactory settlement with Dialog4. If we are unable to do so, we will need to satisfy or settle the demands of Dialog4 for payment under the original Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company believes it has defenses and claims against Dialog4 arising from the asset sale. The acceleration by Dialog4 of the amounts due constitutes a default under the existing credit agreements between the Company and Harman International, Inc. and would continue to constitute a default even if our recent agreement is finalized with Harman relating to the restructuring of the $8.0 million in notes that we currently owe Harman. We are still in the process of integrating the operations of our most recently acquired operations, including integration of our financial accounting and management information systems. Once this integration is complete, we expect to benefit from cost savings produced by combined research and development, marketing, sales and administration, manufacturing efficiencies and cross-selling opportunities. Our acquisition of the Dialog4 product line has led to the establishment of our new Orban Europe division offices in Ludwigsburg, Germany. We continue to work through the challenge of integrating our financial accounting and management information systems with those of Dialog4 as well as the challenge of overcoming obstacles produced as a result of different corporate cultures, a difficult 16 legal system and different accounting and reporting regulations. We will also face new risks arising from foreign currency fluctuations. The events of September 11, 2001, have had a significant impact on the market for audio processing equipment. We have experienced a reduction in orders for new audio equipment from many radio and television stations. We believe this reduction is due in part to the decrease in advertising revenue realized by these stations. The market for audio processing equipment has been slowly showing increased demand throughout 2003, effectively beginning to reverse the trend caused by September 11, 2001. We incurred losses of $2,135,039 and $2,046,640 during the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Our deteriorating financial results and reduced liquidity caused us to renegotiate our $8.5 million loan agreement with Harman in 2002. Under the terms of the debt restructure agreement; Harman can demand at any time that we immediately pay in full the outstanding balance. Should this happen, we would immediately be forced to file for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Our inability to pay the $8.5 million debt to Harman should payment be demanded, our difficulties in meeting our financing needs and our negative working capital position have resulted in our independent public accountants adding a going concern emphasis paragraph to their report by including a statement that such factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. In addition to our efforts to reduce costs and increase sales, we are currently seeking sources of long-term financing. However, the inclusion of a going concern emphasis paragraph generally makes it more difficult to obtain trade credit or additional capital through public or private debt or equity financings. We have currently engaged HD Brous & Co., Inc. to advise and assist us in capital raising efforts. We cannot offer any assurances that we will be able to attract additional capital or that additional financing, if obtained, will be sufficient to meet our current obligations. If we cannot meet our current obligations, our ability to continue as a going concern will be jeopardized. On May 19, 2003, Phillip T Zeni, the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, loaned the Company $100,000 to be applied to the Harman debt restructure. The loan was due August 19, 2003, with interest at a rate of 16 percent per annum. To induce Mr. Zeni to make the loan, the Company will issue 2 (two) shares of common stock per dollar loaned. The Company will also issue options to Mr. Zeni to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock of the Company for a purchase price of $0.45 per share. These options will be issued up to one year after the maturity date of the note, or when and if a private placement is offered to raise the $1,000,000 to satisfy the terms of the Harman debt restructure, whichever last occurs. As of September 30, 2003 the Company has a balance of $100,000 in principal plus interest owed to Mr. Zeni. Two other shareholders loaned the company $10,000 and $20,000 respectively, both signing one year notes accruing interest at a rate of 9% per annum. The notes will be due and payable with interest in June 2004. The proceeds from these notes were used to reduce the Harman debt. 17 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain summary operating results: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Revenues: Net sales $3,240,224 $2,537,576 $9,406,216 $8,267,951 Other income (expense) (31,591) 35,954 (35,471) 41,733 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total revenues $3,208,633 $2,573,530 $9,370,745 $8,309,684 ========== ========== ========== ========== Gross profit on net sales $1,820,080 $1,250,076 $5,287,361 $4,017,398 Gross profit margin 57% 49% 56% 49% Net cash provided by operating activities $220,515 $169,039 670,562 274,807 Net cash used in investing activities ($60,053) ($9,079) (72,261) (22,979) Net cash used in financing activities ($128,632) ($137,547) ($490,990) ($390,095) Net income (loss) 86,004 (554,421) (80,974) (1,454,398) Net income (loss) as a percent of net sales 3% (22%) (1%) (18%) Income (loss) per share - basic $0.02 ($0.15) ($0.02) ($0.40) Income (loss) per share - diluted $0.02 ($0.15) ($0.02) ($0.40) 18 THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 COMPARED TO THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 Net Sales. Net sales during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $3.2 million and $9.4 million, respectively, compared to $2.5 million and $8.3 during the comparable periods in 2002 respectively, reflecting an increase of 22% and a 13% respectively. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to an increase in demand for our product. Our Orban division reported net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 of $2.9 million and $8.5 million, respectively, compared to $2.1 million and $6.9 million for the same periods in 2002. This increase was primarily a result of an increased demand from our single largest customer by 30% during the three months ended September 30,, 2003 and 48% for the nine months ended September 30 2003 as compared to the same periods in 2002. Our CRL division reported net sales for the three and nine months ended of $107,000 and $369,000, respectively, compared to $176,000 and $500,000 for the same periods in 2002, representing a decrease of 39% and decrease of 26%, respectively. This overall decrease relates to a decrease in demand. Net sales for Orban Europe during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $226,000 and $488,000 respectively, as compared to $281,000 and $851,000 for the same periods in 2002 reflecting a decrease of 20% and 43%. The decrease was attributable to the change in suppliers for its Codec products. Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three and nine months September 30, 2003 was 56% and 56% respectively, compared to 49% and 49% for the same periods in 2002. The increase of 14% and 14% respectively in the gross profit rate is primarily due to increased production runs in the San Leandro facility effectively reducing the indirect costs associated with set up and labor. The higher production volume while maintaining the same fixed overhead allows for a reduced the "per unit" cost. Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $1,081,000 and $3,271,000 respectively representing an increase of 3% and a decrease 1% respectively compared to $1,050,000 and $3,319,000 reported the same periods during 2002. As a percentage of net revenue, SG&A decreased from 41% for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to 33% for the same period in 2003. SG&A as a percentage of net revenue decreased from 40% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to 35% for the period in 2003. The decrease in SG&A expense is due in part to the variable component of SG&A relating to our domestic and international sales and marketing expenses and is associated with the reduction in our market costs. The fixed component of SG&A has also decreased due to employee attrition. Research and Development. Research and development expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $310,000 and $1,023,000 respectively, compared to $416,000 and $1,078,000 during the comparable periods for 2002, respectively, reflecting a decrease of 25% and 5%. The overall decrease is due to a decrease in contract personnel performing these services. Other (Income) Expense. Other expense, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $314,000 and $897,000, respectively, of which $247,000 and $756,000, respectively, represents interest to Harman International Industries, Inc. in connection with the seller carry-back loan that financed a portion of our purchase price for the Orban assets. Other expense, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 was $252,000 and $817,000, respectively, of which $254,000 and $763,000, respectively, was interest to Harman. Interest expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $283,000 and $862,000, respectively, compared to $288,000 and $858,000 for the same periods in 2002, respectively, reflecting a decrease of 2% and an increase of 1% respectively. The decrease for the three months ended is due to the reduction of the Harman principal by $500,000. 19 The 1% increase represents the interest expense associated with the Second Amendment to the Asset purchase of Dialog4 assets and the agreement with Solectron. Net Income (loss). Net income (loss) was for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $86,000 and ($81,000) respectively compared to net loss of $554,000 and $1,454,000 for the same periods in 2002. Included in the net loss figures for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 were stock compensation and depreciation expenses totaling $318,895 and $308,371, respectively. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES We had negative net working capital of approximately $9.0 million at September 30, 2003, and the ratio of current assets to current liabilities was ..29 to 1. At September 30, 2002, we had net negative working capital of approximately $7.9 million and a current ratio of .34 to 1. The decrease in working capital is due to an increase of approximately $726,000 in accrued interest. Our substantial debt obligation to Harman may have important consequences for us, including the following: * Our ability to continue as a going concern will depend in part on whether Harman demands payment on the $8.0 million debt, or any portion thereof; * A significant portion of our cash flow from operations will be dedicated to servicing our debt obligations and will not be available for other business purposes; * The terms and conditions of our indebtedness limit our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business, and in making strategic acquisitions; * Our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures and other purposes may be substantially impaired; and * Our substantial leverage may make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and competitive pressures. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and reduce our total indebtedness to Harman depends in part on our future operating performance. Our future operating performance will depend on 20 our ability to expand our business operations by growing our core audio processing business, expanding our product offerings and penetrating new and emerging markets, which we anticipate will require additional financing. In addition, our future operating performance will depend on economic, competitive, regulatory and other factors affecting our business that are largely beyond our control. If we are unable to expand our business operations as planned, we may not be able to service our outstanding indebtedness to Harman. The terms of the Harman debt restrict our ability to obtain financing for these types of expansion expenditures, as well as financing for other purposes. Accordingly, our ability will primarily depend on our ability to generate sufficient working capital from operations. We will closely monitor our working capital in 2003 as we evaluate any expenditures related to expansion. Accounts receivable net was $940,000 at September 30, 2003 compared to $646,000 at December 31, 2002 representing a net increase of $294,000 or 46%. The increase is primarily due to an increase in sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Total inventories were $2,288,000 at September 30, 2003 compared to total inventories of $2,305,000 at December 31, 2002. The value of inventory decreased $17,000 or 1% due in part to the use of some raw material. For the year ending December 31, 2003, our principal working capital requirements will be the payment of normal recurring operating costs. Management believes that these requirements can be met from the operating cash flows. RISK FACTORS You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this report in evaluating us and our business. You should also keep these risk factors in mind when you read and consider the forward-looking statements in this report and other reports we file with the SEC. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently deem less material, also may become important factors that affect us. AS A RESULT OF OUR LARGE OUTSTANDING DEBT OBLIGATIONS, WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT ONGOING DEBT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS WHICH MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL AND OPERATING FLEXIBILITY. On May 31, 2000, we acquired the assets of Orban, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harman International Industries, Inc. Including the $250,000 previously paid to Harman as non-refundable deposits in 1999, the total stated purchase price was $10.5 million, of which $2 million was paid in cash and the balance of which was paid by means of a combination of short-term and long-term promissory notes that we issued to Harman. As of September 30, 2001, our total indebtedness was approximately $8.5 million. Effective October 1, 2001, this indebtedness was converted to demand notes payable on the demand of Harman or, if no demand is sooner made, on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the amended Credit Agreement that we entered into with Harman. Our substantial leverage may have important consequences for us, including the following: 21 * our ability to continue as a going concern will depend in part on whether Harman demands payment on the $8.0 million debt, or any portion thereof; a significant portion of our cash flow from operations will be dedicated to servicing our debt obligations and will not be available for other business purposes; * the terms and conditions of our indebtedness limit our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business, and in making strategic acquisitions; * our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, and other purposes may be substantially impaired; and * our substantial leverage may make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and competitive pressures. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and reduce our total indebtedness to Harman depends in part on our future operating performance. Our future operating performance will depend on our ability to expand our business operations by growing our core audio processing business, expanding our product offerings and penetrating new and emerging markets, which we anticipate will require additional financing. In addition, our future operating performance will depend on economic, competitive, regulatory and other factors affecting our business that are beyond our control. If we are unable to expand our business operations as planned, we may not be able to service our outstanding indebtedness to Harman. THE EXISTENCE OF AN UNQUALIFIED OPINION CONTAINING A GOING CONCERN EMPHASIS PARAGRAPH MAY MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO OBTAIN CREDIT OR ADDITIONAL CAPITAL AND MAY JEOPARDIZE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH EXISTING AND NEW CUSTOMERS. Our inability to pay the $8.0 million debt to Harman should payment be demanded, our difficulties in meeting our financing needs and our negative working capital position created by the demand notes have resulted in our independent public accountants adding a going concern emphasis paragraph in their report by including a statement that such factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The inclusion of a going concern emphasis paragraph generally makes it more difficult to obtain trade credit, insurance or additional capital through public or private debt or equity financings. We may also find it more difficult to maintain existing customer relationships and to initiate new customer relationships. WE WILL NEED ADDITIONAL DEBT OR EQUITY TO SERVICE THE DEBT PAYABLE AS A RESULT OF OUR ACQUISITION OF ORBAN, AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THIS FINANCING ON ACCEPTABLE TERMS. Upon our acquisition of the assets of Orban, we issued a $3.5 million short-term note and a $5 million long-term note payable to Harman. Effective October 1, 2001, both of these notes were converted to demand notes payable on the demand of Harman or, if no demand is sooner made, on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the amended Credit Agreement that we entered into with Harman. Our ability to service this debt will depend on our ability to obtain either additional debt or equity financing, or a combination thereof. We cannot be sure, however, that we will be able to obtain the necessary debt or equity financing on acceptable terms. Also, additional debt financing or the sale of additional equity securities may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. If we are unable to obtain additional debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, we may have to negotiate further restructuring of the debt with Harman. If Harman is unwilling to restructure the debt, we may default on the debt and our ability to continue as a going concern would be jeopardized. 22 OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN AN OUTSIDE LINE OF CREDIT IS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF OUR CURRENT CREDITORS AND, IF SUCH APPROVAL IS WITHHELD, OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY IN OUR INDUSTRY COULD BE JEOPARDIZED. In connection with our acquisition of Orban, we entered into a Credit Agreement with Harman. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, we are bound by certain covenants that prevent us from obtaining additional credit facilities without the prior written approval of Harman. This limitation on our ability to obtain additional outside lines of credit may curtail our ability to make strategic acquisitions and to conduct research and development. This in turn could jeopardize our competitive position within our industry. FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. On January 18, 2002, we acquired the assets of Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH. Our acquisition of this new product line has led to the establishment of our new Orban Europe offices in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Transactions and expenses of our Orban Europe operations will be conducted in Euros which will expose us to market risks related to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations that could adversely affect our operating results. For instance, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro could reduce the amount of cash and income we receive and recognize from Orban Europe. Furthermore, it is likely that for accounting purposes we will recognize foreign currency gains or losses arising from our operations in Europe on weighted average rates of exchange in the period incurred and translate assets and liabilities of these operations into U.S. dollars based on year-end foreign currency exchange rates, both of which are subject to currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Euro. As foreign exchange rates vary, our results from operations and profitability may be adversely affected. We expect to derive approximately 5% of our total revenues from our Orban Europe operations. This percentage may increase in future years as we further develop and expand our operations in Europe. We cannot predict the effects of exchange rate fluctuations on our operating results. We do not currently intend to engage in foreign currency exchange hedging transactions to manage our foreign currency exposure. If and when we do engage in foreign currency exchange hedging transactions, we cannot assure you that our strategies will adequately protect our operating results from the effects of exchange rate fluctuations. WE SERVE A MARKET IN WHICH THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS AND OUR FINANCIAL WELL-BEING IS DIRECTLY TIED TO THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THESE CUSTOMERS. In recent years, the radio and television industry in the United States has experienced a great deal of consolidation of ownership. As a result, several corporations each now own a substantial number of radio and television stations. These corporations are the largest purchasers of our audio processing and post-production equipment. Moreover, a significant amount of our revenue is derived from audio processing replacement orders that come from these customers. Our financial stability and well-being is thus directly tied to the financial health of these customers. If these customers experience financial difficulty, regardless of the cause, they may delay, reduce or cancel orders for new audio processing or post-production equipment. If this occurs, our results of operations could decline and we could experience difficulty in servicing our debt obligations. 23 WE MUST ADAPT TO RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND INCREASED COMPETITION IF WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY IN OUR INDUSTRY. While audio processing has been and will continue to be our core business, we are using our existing technologies to enter the emerging markets of digital audio broadcasting, cable television and Internet-related audio delivery. These markets are characterized by rapid technological change and require a significant commitment of capital and human resources. We intend to engage continually in research and development activities so that we can improve our current products and develop new products. However, our significant debt obligations may limit the amount of resources, both capital and human, that we can commit to research and development. This could jeopardize the success and reception of our products in these emerging markets. In addition, because of the rapid pace of change and the intense competition that characterizes these markets, our products may become unmarketable or obsolete by a competitor's more rapid introduction to the marketplace. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RETAIN OUR EXISTING PERSONNEL OR HIRE AND RETAIN THE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL THAT WE NEED TO SUSTAIN AND GROW OUR BUSINESS. Our future success will depend on our ability to attract, retain and motivate employees with the necessary skills and expertise required by our business. Competition for employees who possess the technical expertise to develop and manufacture our products is intense. A shortage in available skilled labor could require us to increase our wages and benefits to attract and retain enough employees. An increase in our labor costs, or our inability to attract, retain and motivate employees, would likely harm our growth plans and may adversely affect our business and results of operations. WE DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF VENDORS TO SUPPLY US WITH COMPONENT PARTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO THE PRODUCTION OF OUR AUDIO PROCESSING AND POST-PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT. We rely on certain vendors to provide component parts for use in the manufacturing of our audio processing and post-production equipment. As technology improves, some of these parts have become obsolete and vendors have discontinued their production of such parts. When this occurs, we must either obtain these necessary parts from alternative sources, or design around these parts so that we are able to continue producing our audio processing and post-production equipment. If any of the component parts that we require become unavailable and we are not able to design around these parts, we may not be able to offer some of our products and our sales revenues may decline. OUR PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD EXERCISES SIGNIFICANT CONTROL OVER US. Charles J. Brentlinger, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, currently owns 822,035 shares of our common stock and holds options to purchase approximately 1,365,005 additional shares. Based on a total of 3,916,420 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2003, if Mr. Brentlinger exercises all of his options he will own of record and beneficially approximately 41.4% of our issued and outstanding shares. This means that Mr. Brentlinger exercises, and will continue to exercise, significant control over the business and affairs of our company. Mr. Brentlinger's exercise of this control may, in certain circumstances, deter or delay a 24 merger, tender offers, other possible takeover attempts or changes in our management, which may be favored by some or all of our minority shareholders. WE DEPEND ON A FEW KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONS. We are substantially dependent on the personal efforts and abilities of Charles Jayson Brentlinger, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Robert Orban, our Vice President and Chief Engineer. The loss of either of these officers or our other key management persons could harm our business and prospects for growth. As a result, we have obtained key man life insurance policies on the lives of each of these officers. THE LOCATION OF OUR ORBAN DIVISION SUBJECTS US TO A NUMBER OF RISKS THAT ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN PRODUCTION INTERRUPTIONS. Our business depends on the efficient and uninterrupted production of our audio processing equipment and other products. Our Orban division is currently located in San Leandro, California, and we expect to maintain our operations at this facility for the foreseeable future. While we have taken precautions against production interruptions, interruptions could nevertheless result from natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires or floods. In addition, the power shortages which occur in California from time to time have resulted in planned and unplanned power outages and increased energy costs which we may not be able to pass on to our customers. Power outages, which last beyond our backup and alternative power arrangements, could harm our customers and our business. Finally, our location in the Silicon Valley corridor of California subjects us to increased operating costs and labor shortages which could adversely affect our production capabilities and result in reduced revenues. THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK HAS BEEN VOLATILE AND THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT MAY DECLINE. The volatility of the market price of our common stock may cause wide fluctuations in the price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board. The market price of our common stock is likely to be affected by: * changes in general conditions in the economy or the financial markets; * variations in our quarterly operating results; * changes in financial estimates by securities analysts; * other developments affecting us, our industry, customers or competitors; * the operating and stock price performance of companies that investors deem comparable to us; and * the number of shares available for resale in the public markets under applicable securities laws. THE LIQUIDITY OF OUR COMMON STOCK COULD BE RESTRICTED BECAUSE OUR COMMON STOCK FALLS WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF A PENNY STOCK. Under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as long as the trading price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board is less than $5 per share, our common stock will come within the definition of a "penny stock." On September 30, 2003, the last sale price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board was $0.65per share. Generally speaking, the definition of a "penny stock" does not include stock that is traded on Nasdaq or on a national securities exchange. Since our common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board, rather than on Nasdaq or a national securities exchange, our common stock falls within the definition of a "penny stock" while it is trading below $5 per share. As a result, the trading of our common stock is subject to certain "penny stock" rules and regulations. 25 The SEC rules and regulations require that broker-dealers, prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock, satisfy certain disclosure and procedural requirements with respect to the prospective customer. These requirements include delivery to the customer of an SEC-prepared risk disclosure schedule explaining the nature and risks of the penny stock market, disclosure to the customer of the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and any other salesperson in connection with the transaction, and disclosure to the customer of the current quotations for the stock to be purchased. In addition, if the broker-dealer is the sole market maker, it must disclose this fact and the broker-dealer's presumed control over the market. Finally, prior to effecting any penny stock transaction, broker-dealers must make individualized written suitability determinations and obtain a written agreement from customers verifying the terms of the transaction. Subsequent to any sale of penny stock, broker-dealers must send monthly statements disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the customer's account and certain other information relating to the limited market in penny stocks. These rules, regulations and procedural requirements may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell our common stock or discourage them from doing so. As a result, purchasers may find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations for, our common stock. BECAUSE OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS IN PART ON OUR ABILITY TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INFRINGEMENT ON OUR PROPRIETARY RIGHTS COULD LEAD TO COSTLY LITIGATION AND DECREASED REVENUES. Our copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets and similar intellectual property are critical to our success. To establish and protect our proprietary rights, we rely on a combination of copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements and contractual provisions with employees and third parties, and license agreements with consultants, vendors and customers. Despite such protections, there can be no assurance that these steps will be adequate, that we will be able to secure trademark registrations for all of our marks in the United States or other countries or that third parties will not infringe upon or misappropriate our copyrights, patents, trademarks and similar proprietary rights. In addition, effective copyright, patent and trademark protection may be unenforceable or limited in certain countries. In the future, litigation may be necessary to enforce and protect our trade secrets, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights. We may also be subject to litigation to defend against claims of infringement of the rights of others or to determine the scope and validity of the intellectual property rights of others. Any such litigation could cause us to incur substantial expenses and would adversely affect our financial condition. 26 ITEM 3. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. Within the 90-day period prior to the filing date of this report, we evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that Circuit Research Labs's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Circuit Research Labs's reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Subsequent to the date of our evaluation, there were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the disclosure controls. 27 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEDINGS On April 29, 2003, the Company was notified that Dialog4 has filed a demand for arbitration. The Company responded on June 30, 2003 within the required time limits as set forth by the Arbiter. The response citied various claims against the representations and warranties made by Dialog4 in the Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company then filed a formal statement of defense along with counter claims against Dialog4 on August 25, 2003 within the required time limits as set forth by the Arbiter. Dailog4 filed its response on October 16, 2003. The Company is required to file its response to Dialog4's October 16th filing by December 5, 2003. No date has been set for the arbitration hearing. There is no assurance that the Company can achieve a satisfactory settlement with Dialog4. If we are unable to do so, we will need to satisfy or settle the demands of Dialog4 for payment under the original Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company believes it has defenses and claims against Dialog4 arising from the asset sale. The acceleration by Dialog4 of the amounts due constitutes a default under the existing credit agreements between the Company and Harman International, Inc. and would continue to constitute a default even if our recent agreement is finalized with Harman relating to the restructuring of the $8.0 million in notes that we currently owe Harman. As of February 14, 2003, Berthold Burkhardtsmaier ceased to be an employee of the company. Mr. Burkhardtsmaier remains a member of the Board of Directors. Berthold Burkhardtsmaier was Dialog4's managing director, and had become our Vice President of European Operations and was appointed to our board of directors in connection with the acquisition of the assets of Dialog4. We terminated Mr. Burkhardtsmaier for cause and he has appealed his termination to the labor court in Ludwigsburg, Germany, the location of our European office. There is no assurance that the Company can achieve a satisfactory settlement with Mr. Burkhardtsmaier. ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES Set forth below is information concerning sales of our common stock (or transactions deemed to be sales) during the quarter ended September 30, 2003 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). All such securities are restricted securities and the certificates bear restrictive legends. On January 18, 2002, our wholly owned subsidiary, CRL Systems, Inc. doing business as Orban, Inc., acquired the assets of Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH, a worldwide leader in ISO/MPEG, audio, ISDN, satellite transmission, networking and storage. Orban/CRL purchased the assets of Dialog4 pursuant to an Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement for $2 million, comprised of 1,250,000 shares of our common stock, valued at $1.00 per share, and $750,000 cash. In connection with this transaction, we relied on the exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Act. Mr. Phil Zeni was issued an aggregate of 44,489 shares during the quarter ended September 30, 2003. Under his employment contract, Mr. Zenis' monthly base compensation is paid to him in shares of stock. The value of the stock for purposes of these payments is the monthly average closing price for the month in which the salary is earned. Mr. Robert McMartin, our principal financial officer was issued an aggregate of 13,500 shares during the quarter ended September 30, 2003. The shares were issued as compensation for a short-term loan provided by Mr. McMartin. At the time the shares were issued the closing bid price was $ 0.43 per share. 28 ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits Exhibit Number Description 2.1(1) Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2001, among Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH, Berthold Burkhardtsmaier, Cornelia Burkhardtsmaier, Friedrich Maier, Circuit Research Labs, Inc. and CRL Systems, Inc. 10.1(1) Amendment to Existing Agreements and Closing Declaration, dated as of January 18, 2002, among Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH, Berthold Burkhardtsmaier, Cornelia Burkhardtsmaier, Friedrich Maier, Circuit Research Labs, Inc., CRL Systems, Inc. and Charles Jayson Brentlinger 10.2(2) Second Amendment to Existing Agreements and Closing Declaration, dated as of March 26, 2002, among Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH, Berthold Burkhardtsmaier, Cornelia Burkhardtsmaier, Friedrich Maier, Circuit Research Labs, Inc., CRL Systems, Inc. and Charles Jayson Brentlinger 10.3(3) Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2002, by and among Circuit Research Labs, Inc., as Parent, CRL Systems, Inc. as Borrower, and Harman Acquisition Corporation (formerly known as Orban, Inc.), as Lender 10.4(3) Second Amended and Restated Tranche A Note, dated as of May 1, 2002, from CRL Systems, Inc. to Harman Acquisition Corporation (formerly known as Orban, Inc.) in the amount of $5,000,000 10.5(3) Second Amended and Restated Tranche B Note, dated as of May 1, 2002, from CRL Systems, Inc. to Harman Acquisition Corporation (formerly known as Orban, Inc.) in the amount of $3,500,000 10.6(4) Form of Circuit Research Labs, Inc. Stock Option Agreement 99.1(5) Letter Agreement between Circuit Research Labs, Inc. and Harman Acquisition Corp. dated as of March 27, 2003 99.2(6) Letter Agreement among Circuit Research Labs, Inc., CRL Systems, Inc. and Harman Acquisition Corp. dated as of May 16, 2003 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-B. (Filed herewith). 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-B. (Filed herewith). 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-B. (Filed herewith). 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-B. (Filed herewith). (1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated February 4, 2002. (2) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. (3) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated May 13, 2002. (4) Previously filed with the Registrant's Form 10-QSB for the first quarter ended March 31, 2002. (5) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated April 1, 2003. (6) Previously filed with the Registrant's Form 10-QSB for the first quarter ended March 31, 2003. 29 SIGNATURES In accordance with 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. CIRCUIT RESEARCH LABS, INC. Dated: November 14, 2003 By: /s/ Robert W. McMartin -------------------------------- Robert W. McMartin Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 30 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Description Number 2.1(1) Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2001, among Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH, Berthold Burkhardtsmaier, Cornelia Burkhardtsmaier, Friedrich Maier, Circuit Research Labs, Inc. and CRL Systems, Inc. 10.1(1) Amendment to Existing Agreements and Closing Declaration, dated as of January 18, 2002, among Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH, Berthold Burkhardtsmaier, Cornelia Burkhardtsmaier, Friedrich Maier, Circuit Research Labs, Inc., CRL Systems, Inc. and Charles Jayson Brentlinger 10.2(2) Second Amendment to Existing Agreements and Closing Declaration, dated as of March 26, 2002, among Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH, Berthold Burkhardtsmaier, Cornelia Burkhardtsmaier, Friedrich Maier, Circuit Research Labs, Inc., CRL Systems, Inc. and Charles Jayson Brentlinger 10.3(3) Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2002, by and among Circuit Research Labs, Inc., as Parent, CRL Systems, Inc. as Borrower, and Harman Acquisition Corporation (formerly known as Orban, Inc.), as Lender 10.4(3) Second Amended and Restated Tranche A Note, dated as of May 1, 2002, from CRL Systems, Inc. to Harman Acquisition Corporation (formerly known as Orban, Inc.) in the amount of $5,000,000 10.5(3) Second Amended and Restated Tranche B Note, dated as of May 1, 2002, from CRL Systems, Inc. to Harman Acquisition Corporation (formerly known as Orban, Inc.) in the amount of $3,500,000 10.6(4) Form of Circuit Research Labs, Inc. Stock Option Agreement 99.1(5) Letter Agreement between Circuit Research Labs, Inc. and Harman Acquisition Corp. dated as of March 27, 2003 99.2(6) Letter Agreement among Circuit Research Labs, Inc., CRL Systems, Inc. and Harman Acquisition Corp. dated as of May 16, 2003 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-B. (Filed herewith). 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-B. (Filed herewith). 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-B. (Filed herewith). 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-B. (Filed herewith). (1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated February 4, 2002. (2) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. (3) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated May 13, 2002. (4) Previously filed with the Registrant's Form 10-QSB for the first quarter ended March 31, 2002. (5) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated April 1, 2003. (6) Previously filed with the Registrant's Form 10-QSB for the first quarter ended March 31, 2003. 31