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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM 10-Q
------------------------
(MARK ONE)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 31, 1999,
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: 0-26942
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SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CALIFORNIA 77-0200166
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
4305 CUSHING PARKWAY
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA 94538
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (510) 623-1231
------------------------
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 [ ]
At February 28, 1999, there were 45,178,468 shares of the Registrant's
common stock, no par value, outstanding.
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SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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PAGE
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets --
As of January 31, 1999 and October 31, 1998............... 3
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income --
For the Three Months Ended January 31, 1999 and 1998...... 4
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows --
For the Three Months Ended January 31, 1999 and 1998...... 5
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements........ 6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................. 9
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk...................................................... 22
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings........................................... 23
Item 2. Changes in Securities....................................... 23
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities............................. 23
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......... 23
Item 5. Other Information........................................... 23
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................ 23
Signatures........................................................... 24
</TABLE>
2
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JANUARY 31, OCTOBER 31,
1999 1998
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 75,136 $ 75,478
Short term investments.................................... 83,507 99,822
Accounts receivable, net.................................. 133,705 89,203
Inventories............................................... 53,352 40,138
Deferred income taxes..................................... 5,080 5,080
Prepaid expenses and other................................ 10,392 10,262
-------- --------
Total current assets.............................. 361,172 319,983
Property and equipment, net................................. 47,169 47,920
Other....................................................... 1,060 1,089
-------- --------
Total assets...................................... $409,401 $368,992
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable.......................................... $ 87,194 $ 64,335
Accrued bonuses........................................... 1,466 4,545
Other accrued expenses.................................... 7,905 8,255
Income taxes payable...................................... 15,040 11,557
-------- --------
Total current liabilities......................... 111,605 88,692
Long-term Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes and other........................... 668 679
-------- --------
Total liabilities................................. 112,273 89,371
-------- --------
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock, no par value
Authorized -- 200,000,000 shares
Outstanding -- 45,228,140 and 44,714,589 shares,
respectively.......................................... 138,348 132,941
Retained earnings........................................... 158,780 146,680
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity........................ 297,128 279,621
-------- --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity........ $409,401 $368,992
======== ========
</TABLE>
See the accompanying notes to these consolidated condensed financial statements.
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SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31,
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales................................................... $264,088 $202,840
Cost of sales............................................... 234,091 167,758
-------- --------
Gross profit................................................ 29,997 35,082
-------- --------
Operating Expenses:
Research and development.................................... 2,456 2,146
Sales, general and administrative........................... 11,500 10,706
-------- --------
Total operating expenses.......................... 13,956 12,852
-------- --------
Income from operations...................................... 16,041 22,230
Other income, net........................................... 1,745 1,927
-------- --------
Income before provision for income taxes.................... 17,786 24,157
Provision for income taxes.................................. 5,686 7,735
-------- --------
Net income.................................................. $ 12,100 $ 16,422
======== ========
Diluted net income per share................................ $ 0.26 $ 0.35
======== ========
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding............................................... 47,170 47,216
======== ========
Basic net income per share.................................. $ 0.27 $ 0.39
======== ========
Weighted average common shares outstanding.................. 44,983 42,472
======== ========
</TABLE>
See the accompanying notes to these consolidated condensed financial statements.
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SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31,
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES......... $(17,013) $ 20,570
-------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of investments available-for-sale............... (62,532) (44,888)
Maturities of investments available-for-sale.............. 78,847 3,900
Purchases of property and equipment....................... (2,571) (9,677)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment.............. -- 23
-------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities...................................... 13,744 (50,642)
-------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from line of credit.............................. 16,000 --
Payments on line of credit................................ (16,000) --
Payments of capital lease obligations..................... (94) (340)
Proceeds from sale of common stock........................ 4,244 1,028
Purchases of common stock................................. (1,223) --
-------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities......... 2,927 688
-------- --------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS................... (342) (29,384)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period.............. 75,478 111,331
-------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period.................... $ 75,136 $ 81,947
======== ========
</TABLE>
See the accompanying notes to these consolidated condensed financial statements.
5
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SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Basis of Presentation
The Interim Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of SMART Modular
Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, and subsidiaries (the "Company")
have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and
footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted
pursuant to such rules and regulations. These Interim Consolidated Condensed
Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial
statements and notes thereto included in the Company's fiscal 1998 Report on
Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29,
1999.
The Interim Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the first
quarter of fiscal 1999 reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments
(which include only the normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair
presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for
such period. The Interim Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for fiscal
1998 are provided for information purposes only. The results of operations for
the three month period ended January 31, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of
the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year ending October 31,
1999, or any other future periods.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized upon shipment to the customer. The Company provides
for estimated future returns for inventory rebalancing, stock rotation,
established price protection arrangements and the estimated costs of warranty at
the time of sale.
Net Income Per Share
The Company computes net income per share in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." SFAS No.
128 requires companies to compute net income per share under two different
methods, basic and diluted, and present per share data for all periods in which
a statement of operations is presented. Basic net income per share is computed
by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock
outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using
the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock
equivalents outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents consist of
stock options (using the treasury stock method) and are excluded from the
computation of diluted net income per share if their effect is anti-dilutive.
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The following table reconciles the amounts used in the computation of basic
and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
JANUARY 31,
------------------
1999 1998
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Net income available to common shareholders.............. $12,100 $16,422
======= =======
Diluted net income per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding............. 44,983 42,472
Weighted average common stock options outstanding...... 2,187 4,744
------- -------
Total weighted average common and common
equivalents outstanding...................... 47,170 47,216
======= =======
Diluted net income per share................... $ 0.26 $ 0.35
======= =======
Basic net income per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding............. 44,983 42,472
------- -------
Total weighted average common shares
outstanding.................................. 44,983 42,472
======= =======
Basic net income per share..................... $ 0.27 $ 0.39
======= =======
</TABLE>
Comprehensive Income
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income," which establishes standards for reporting and
display of comprehensive income and its individual components. The statement
requires the disclosure of all changes in equity of an enterprise that result
from transactions and other economic events of the period other than
transactions with owners ("comprehensive income"). Effective November 1, 1998,
the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 130. For the three months ended
January 31, 1999 and 1998, the Company had no material differences between net
income and comprehensive income. Accordingly, comprehensive income is the same
as net income for all periods presented.
Effect of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 131,
"Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," which
establishes annual and interim reporting standards for an enterprise's business
segments and related disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas
of operations and major customers. The Company is required to adopt the
provisions of SFAS No. 131 beginning with its annual report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1999 and for all subsequent interim periods. The
Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 131 to have a material effect
on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Investments and Hedging Activities." The statement
establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative
instrument be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability
measured at its fair value. The statement also requires that changes in the
derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific
hedge accounting criteria are met. SFAS No. 133 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 1999. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS
No. 133 to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
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Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market
and include material, labor and manufacturing costs. Inventories consist of the
following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JANUARY 31, OCTOBER 31,
1999 1998
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Raw materials......................................... $32,540 $24,210
Work-in-process....................................... 9,140 7,379
Finished goods........................................ 11,672 8,549
------- -------
Total....................................... $53,352 $40,138
======= =======
</TABLE>
2. LINE OF CREDIT:
In June 1997, the Company entered into an unsecured revolving bank line of
credit agreement that expires in May 1999. Borrowings under this agreement are
limited to $20.0 million and bear interest at either the bank's prime rate (7.8%
at January 31, 1999) or a spread over LIBOR (5.0% at January 31, 1999), at the
Company's option. The Company is required to maintain specified levels of
tangible net worth and comply with certain other covenants. As of January 31,
1999 and October 31, 1998, no borrowings were outstanding under this agreement.
3. STOCK REPURCHASE:
On May 25, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase
from time to time of up to 4,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
through open market purchases. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the Company repurchased 620,000 shares of its Common Stock in the open market at
an average purchase price of $14.80 per share and a total cost of approximately
$9.2 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company repurchased
50,000 shares of its Common Stock in the open market at an average purchase
price of $24.46 per share and a total cost of approximately $1.2 million.
4. LITIGATION:
The Company and certain of its officers and directors have been named as
defendants in six securities class action lawsuits filed in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California, Boren v. SMART Modular
Technologies, Inc., et al., No. C 98 20692 JW (PVT) (filed July 1, 1998),
Woszczak v. SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., et al., No. C 98 2617 JL (filed
July 2, 1998), Bisson v. SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., et al., No. C 98
20714 JF (filed July 8, 1998), D'Amato v. SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., et
al., No. C 98 2804 PJH (filed July 16, 1998), Cha v. SMART Modular Technologies,
Inc., et al., No. C 98 2833 BZ (filed July 17, 1998) and Chang v. SMART Modular
Technologies, Inc., et al., No. C 98 3151 SI (filed August 13, 1998)
(collectively, the "Federal Actions"). The plaintiffs in the Federal Actions
allege that defendants made material misrepresentations and omissions during the
period from July 1, 1997 through May 21, 1998 in violation of Section 10(b) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The
Federal Actions were consolidated on October 9, 1998, and a consolidated
complaint was filed on November 30, 1998 (the "Federal Complaint").
On October 22, 1998, a putative securities class action lawsuit, captioned
Reagan v. SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., et al., Case No. H204162-5 (the
"State Complaint"), was filed against the Company and certain of its officers
and directors in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of
Alameda (the "Superior Court"). The State Complaint alleges violations of
Sections 25400 and 25500 of the California Corporations Code and seeks
unspecified damages on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of SMART common
stock during the period from July 1, 1997 through May 21, 1998. The factual
allegations of the State Complaint are nearly identical to the factual
allegations contained within the Federal Complaint. On February 22, 1999, the
Superior Court granted the Company's motion to stay the State Complaint pending
the resolution of the Federal Complaint.
The Company believes that all claims related to the state and federal
securities actions are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously
against these actions. Currently, the Company is unable to estimate the
financial impact of the state and federal securities actions.
8
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
In addition to other areas of this Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the fourth and sixth paragraphs
of the Overview Section, the Gross Profit Section, the Research and Development
Section, the Sales, General and Administrative Section, the Provision for Income
Taxes Section and the first and third paragraphs of the Liquidity and Capital
Resources Section contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of
the factors set forth in "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Factors that May Affect Future
Results." In particular, note the factors entitled "Significant Customer
Concentration," "Product Concentration; Dependence on Memory Market,"
"Dependence on Semiconductor, Computer, Telecommunications and Networking
Industries," "Intense Competition," "Fluctuations in Operating Results,"
"Dependence on Sole or Limited Sources of Supply," "Rapid Technological Change"
and "International Sales." The discussion of those factors is incorporated
herein by this reference as if said discussion was fully set forth at this
point.
OVERVIEW
The Company commenced operations in 1989 and initially focused on the
design and manufacture of standard memory modules for OEMs and semiconductor
manufacturers. Standard memory modules implement industry standard
specifications, primarily utilize DRAM and are designed to be incorporated into
a wide variety of electronic equipment. In 1991, the Company expanded its
design, manufacturing and marketing efforts to offer specialty memory modules
and PC card memory products. The Company expanded its PC card communication
product line through the acquisition of Apex Data, Inc. ("Apex") in July 1995.
The Company further expanded its product line to include embedded computer
modules through the acquisition of RISQ Modular Systems, Inc. ("RISQ") in July
1996.
Over the last eight fiscal quarters, SMART's gross margin has ranged from
11.4% to 17.3%. One of the primary factors affecting gross margin has been the
proportion of the Company's memory products manufactured on either a turnkey or
consignment basis. Products manufactured on a turnkey basis are designed and
manufactured by the Company with purchased memory devices. Products manufactured
on a consignment basis are generally designed and manufactured by the Company
with memory devices which are owned and supplied by the customer. While products
manufactured on a turnkey basis typically have lower gross margin than products
manufactured on a consignment basis, products manufactured on a turnkey basis
generally contribute greater net sales and higher gross profit per unit than
products manufactured on a consignment basis. Currently, a substantial majority
of the Company's net sales is derived from sales of products manufactured on a
turnkey basis.
The other primary factors affecting the Company's gross margin have been
the mix between sales of specialty memory modules, standard memory modules,
communication card products and embedded computer modules as well as changes in
average memory densities used in the Company's memory products. Currently, a
significant majority of the Company's net sales are derived from the sales of
standard memory modules which typically have lower gross margin than the
Company's specialty memory modules. The Company's embedded computer modules
currently generate the Company's highest gross margin, followed by the Company's
PC card communication products. Both of these product lines currently contribute
a relatively small portion of the Company's net sales.
The Company expects that its net sales and gross margin will continue to
vary significantly based on these and other factors, including the mix of
products sold and the manufacturing services provided, the channels through
which the Company's products are sold, changes in product selling prices and
component costs, the level of manufacturing efficiencies achieved and pricing by
competitors. The selling prices of the Company's products have declined in the
past and the Company expects that prices could continue to decline in the
future. In particular, during fiscal 1998, the selling prices of the Company's
products declined due to significant declines in DRAM semiconductor prices and
declines in SRAM and Flash semiconductor prices. Because a substantial portion
of the Company's net sales are attributable to the resale of semiconductor
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memory devices, a continued decline in the prices of these components would have
a material adverse effect on the Company's net sales and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. Accordingly, the Company's ability to maintain or increase net sales
will be highly dependent upon its ability to increase unit sales volumes of
existing products and to introduce and sell new products in quantities
sufficient to compensate for the anticipated declines in selling prices.
Declining product selling prices may also materially and adversely affect the
Company's gross margin unless the Company is able to reduce its cost per unit to
offset declines in product selling prices. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to increase unit sales volumes, introduce and sell new
products or reduce its cost per unit. In addition, the Company's business has in
the past been subject to seasonality, although the Company believes such
seasonality has been masked by its growth. The Company expects that its business
will experience more significant seasonality to the extent it continues to sell
a material portion of its products in Europe and to the extent its exposure to
the personal computer market remains significant.
The Company primarily sells its products to OEMs and semiconductor
manufacturers in the computer, networking and telecommunications industries. A
relatively small number of customers have accounted for a significant percentage
of the Company's net sales. For fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996, the
Company's ten largest customers accounted for 87%, 86% and 71% of net sales,
respectively. For fiscal 1998, the Company's largest customer was Compaq
Computer Corporation ("Compaq"), which accounted for 62% of net sales. For
fiscal 1997, the Company's three largest customers were Compaq, Cisco Systems,
Inc. ("Cisco") and Hewlett-Packard Company ("Hewlett-Packard"), which accounted
for 53%, 12% and 11% of net sales, respectively. In fiscal 1996, the Company's
three largest customers were Cisco, Hewlett-Packard and IBM Corporation ("IBM"),
which accounted for 19%, 15% and 12% of net sales, respectively. During these
periods, no other customers accounted for more than 10% of net sales.
The Company expects that sales to relatively few customers will continue to
account for a significant percentage of its net sales in the foreseeable future.
However, there can be no assurance that any of these customers or any of the
Company's other customers will continue to utilize the Company's products at
current levels, if at all. The Company has experienced significant changes in
the composition of its major customer base and expects that this variability
will continue in the future. For example, sales to Compaq, which represented
less than 10% of net sales in fiscal 1996, represented 62% and 53% of the
Company's net sales in fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997, respectively. The loss of
any major customer or any reduction in orders by any such customer would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
The following table sets forth certain consolidated condensed statements of
income data of the Company expressed as a percentage of net sales:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
JANUARY 31,
--------------
1999 1998
----- -----
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales................................................... 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales............................................... 88.6 82.7
----- -----
Gross profit................................................ 11.4 17.3
Operating expenses:
Research and development.................................. 0.9 1.1
Sales, general and administrative......................... 4.4 5.3
----- -----
Total operating expenses.......................... 5.3 6.3
----- -----
Income from operations...................................... 6.1 11.0
Other income, net........................................... 0.7 1.0
----- -----
Income before provision for income taxes.................... 6.7 11.9
Provision for income taxes.................................. 2.2 3.8
----- -----
Net income.................................................. 4.6% 8.1%
===== =====
</TABLE>
Net Sales
Net sales consist of sales of specialty and standard memory products, PC
cards, embedded computer modules and communication card products, less returns
and discounts. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 increased 30.2% to
$264.1 million from $202.8 million for the same period of fiscal 1998. The
increase in net sales for the three months ended January 31, 1999 was primarily
due to an increase in the average memory densities incorporated into the
Company's standard memory products as compared to the same period of fiscal
1998. In addition, an increase in net sales of communication card products
further contributed to the increase in net sales as compared to the same period
of fiscal 1998. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in net sales
of specialty memory products as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 1998.
Gross Profit
Cost of sales includes the costs of semiconductor devices and other
components and materials purchased by the Company for its products, as well as
the direct labor and overhead costs associated with manufacturing. Gross profit
decreased 14.5% to $30.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 from $35.1
million for the same period of fiscal 1998. Gross margin decreased to 11.4% for
the first quarter of fiscal 1999 from 17.3% for the comparable period of fiscal
1998. The decrease in gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 was
principally due to an increase in the proportion of the Company's products
manufactured on a turnkey basis versus those manufactured on a consignment basis
as compared to the same period of fiscal 1998. Gross margin also decreased due
to certain ramp-up costs associated with the introduction of a new communication
card product. An increase in the proportion of the Company's net sales derived
from its higher density standard memory products further contributed to the
decrease in gross margin as compared to the same period of fiscal 1998. The
Company expects gross margin to continue to be affected in future periods by,
among other things, changes in the cost of memory devices used in the production
of the Company's products, changes in the sales mix of the Company's products
and changes in the proportion of products manufactured on a turnkey basis versus
those manufactured on a consignment basis.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses consist primarily of the costs associated
with the design and testing of new products. These costs relate primarily to
compensation of personnel involved with development efforts, materials and
outside design and testing services. Research and development expenses increased
14.4% to
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$2.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 from $2.1 million during the
same period of fiscal 1998 and totaled 0.9% and 1.1% of net sales for the first
quarter of fiscal 1999 and fiscal 1998, respectively. The Company expects that
its research and development expenses will increase in absolute dollars in
future periods to the extent that the Company expands its research and
development efforts.
Sales, General and Administrative
Sales, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel
costs (including salaries, performance-based bonuses, commissions and employee
benefits), facilities and equipment costs, costs related to advertising and
marketing and other support costs including utilities, insurance and
professional fees. Sales, general and administrative expenses incurred during
the first quarter of fiscal 1999 totaled $11.5 million, representing an increase
of 7.4% from $10.7 million for the same period of fiscal 1998. Sales, general
and administrative expenses totaled 4.4% and 5.3% of net sales for the first
quarter of fiscal 1999 and fiscal 1998, respectively. The increases in sales,
general and administrative expenses in absolute dollars for the three months
ended January 31, 1999 was due in part to growth in the Company's staffing and
infrastructure, particularly in its international operations. The Company
expects that its sales, general and administrative expenses will increase in
absolute dollars in future periods to the extent that the Company expands its
staffing, information systems and other systems and personnel in connection with
the expansion of the Company's infrastructure.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net consists primarily of interest income, less interest
expense. Interest expense is attributable to the Company's utilization of its
line of credit and interest paid on certain capital lease obligations. Interest
income results from investment of cash balances. As compared to the same period
of fiscal 1998, interest income earned during the three months ended January 31,
1999 decreased due to a reduction in cash available for investment resulting
from an increase in the proportion of the Company's working capital being used
to finance higher net sales as compared to the same period of fiscal 1998.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provisions for income taxes were $5.7 million and $7.7 million for the
first quarter of fiscal 1999 and fiscal 1998, respectively, resulting in an
effective tax rate of 32.0% in both periods. The Company expects its effective
tax rate in future periods to be affected by, among other things, changes in the
proportion of income contributed to the Company by its foreign operations.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Since inception, SMART has used funds generated primarily from operations,
certain borrowings, capital leases and equity financings to support its
operations, acquire capital equipment and finance inventory and accounts
receivable. For the first three months of fiscal 1999, the Company used cash
from operating activities totaling $17.0 million. For the first three months of
fiscal 1998, the Company generated cash from operating activities totaling $20.6
million. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities primarily
resulted from a reduction in net income generated during the period, an increase
in accounts receivable and inventories, and a decrease in accrued bonuses. The
decrease in cash provided by operations was partially offset by increases in
accounts payable, depreciation on capital equipment and income taxes payable. At
January 31, 1999, the Company had $158.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments, and $249.6 million in working capital. At October 31,
1998, the Company had $175.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments and $231.3 million in working capital. The Company primarily funds
its liquidity requirements from utilization of existing cash balances and
amounts borrowed under its existing line of credit. The Company expects to fund
any future liquidity requirements from a combination of available cash balances
and certain short-term borrowings under its line of credit. The Company
currently anticipates that its working capital requirements will continue to
increase in future periods to the extent that the Company's operations continue
to expand.
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The Company has a revolving line of credit agreement (the "Credit Line")
with a term expiring in May 1999. Borrowings under the Credit Line are limited
to $20.0 million. Borrowings under the Credit Line bear interest at either the
bank's prime rate or a spread over LIBOR, at the Company's option. The Company
is required to maintain specified levels of tangible net worth and comply with
certain other covenants. As of January 31, 1999, the Company was in compliance
with all covenants related to the line of credit. The Credit Line is unsecured
and no borrowings were outstanding under the Credit Line as of January 31, 1999.
Capital expenditures totaled $2.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal
1999 and $33.3 million for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998. These
expenditures were primarily for manufacturing and test equipment and the
expansion of the Company's existing manufacturing operations. SMART anticipates
spending between $35.0 million and $40.0 million on capital expenditures during
all of fiscal 1999 related to the continued expansion of the Company's
manufacturing operations and related equipment.
SMART has entered into certain capital lease arrangements. The outstanding
principal on these obligations was approximately $82,000 and $176,000 at January
31, 1999 and October 31, 1998, respectively.
On May 25, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase
from time to time of up to 4,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
through open market purchases. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the Company repurchased 620,000 shares of its Common Stock in the open market at
an average purchase price of $14.80 per share and a total cost of approximately
$9.2 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company repurchased
50,000 shares of its Common Stock in the open market at an average purchase
price of $24.46 per share and a total cost of approximately $1.2 million.
Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure; Information Technology Transition
Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded
to accept only two digit entries in the date code field. Beginning with 21st
century dates, these date code fields will need to accept four digit entries to
distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. As a result, computer
systems and software used by many companies may need to be upgraded to comply
with such Year 2000 requirements. Significant uncertainty exists concerning the
potential effects associated with such compliance. The Company has licensed a
new management information system that is Year 2000 compliant. In February 1999,
the Company replaced its existing management information system at its
headquarters in Fremont, California with the new management information system.
By mid 1999, the Company intends to replace its existing management information
systems at its other worldwide facilities with the new information system. The
implementation of the new system will impact almost all phases of the Company's
operations (e.g., planning, manufacturing, finance and accounting).
Implementation of the new system and transition from the existing system to the
new system will require substantial financial resources, time and personnel.
There can be no assurance that the new system will be completely implemented in
time to avoid any Year 2000 compliance problems, or that the Company will not
experience problems, delays or unanticipated additional costs in implementing
the new management information system that could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations,
particularly during the periods in which the new system is brought online. The
new system will be centrally operated from one location for all of the Company's
facilities worldwide. Each of the Company's facilities will remotely access the
new system via a wide area network. There can be no assurance that the Company
will not experience interruption of use of the new system due to
telecommunications problems or otherwise that could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
During the second quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company began a Year 2000
assessment of its management information system, other information technology
systems, non-information technology systems, products and key suppliers. Items
identified and under review include manufacturing and test equipment,
telecommunications systems and equipment and computer systems and equipment. In
addition, the Company is assessing the Year 2000 compliance of its products. The
Company intends to have its Year 2000 assessment, testing, remediation efforts
and development of necessary contingency plans complete by the year 2000, the
total cost of which has not yet been determined. To date, however, costs
incurred to address Year 2000 compliance issues have not been material. Costs
related to Year 2000 compliance issues continue to be funded through
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operating cash flows. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
complete its Year 2000 assessment, testing, remediation efforts and development
of necessary contingency plans by the year 2000. Any failure to complete the
Year 2000 assessment, testing, remediation efforts and development of necessary
contingency plans prior to the year 2000 could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
During the third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company initiated formal
communications with its key suppliers of raw materials and services. Although a
number of respondents indicated that their products are or will be Year 2000
compliant prior to the year 2000 and that they expect their operations and
services will continue uninterrupted, there can be no assurance that the
Company's key suppliers have, or will have information technology systems,
non-information technology systems and products that are Year 2000 compliant.
Similarly, there can be no assurance that the Company's customers have or will
have information technology systems, non-information technology systems and
products that are Year 2000 compliant. Any Year 2000 compliance problem facing
the Company, its customers or suppliers could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
The Company's business, financial condition and results of operations could
be impacted by a number of factors including without limitation the following
factors.
Significant Customer Concentration
A relatively small number of customers have accounted for a significant
percentage of the Company's net sales. For fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997 and fiscal
1996, the Company's ten largest customers accounted for 87%, 86% and 71% of net
sales, respectively. For fiscal 1998, the Company's largest customer was Compaq,
which accounted for 62% of net sales. In fiscal 1997, the Company's three
largest customers were Compaq, Cisco and Hewlett-Packard, which accounted for
53%, 12% and 11% of net sales, respectively. In fiscal 1996, the Company's three
largest customers were Cisco, Hewlett-Packard and IBM, which accounted for 19%,
15% and 12% of net sales, respectively. During these periods, no other customers
accounted for more than 10% of net sales. The Company expects that sales to
relatively few customers will continue to account for a significant percentage
of its net sales in the foreseeable future. However, there can be no assurance
that any of these customers or any of the Company's other customers will
continue to utilize the Company's products at current levels, if at all. The
Company has experienced significant changes in the composition of its major
customer base and expects that this variability will continue in the future. For
example, sales to Compaq, which represented less than 10% of net sales in fiscal
1996, represented 62% and 53% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 1998 and
fiscal 1997, respectively. The loss of any major customer or any reduction in
orders by any such customer would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company has no firm long-term volume commitments from any of its major
customers and generally enters into individual purchase orders with its
customers, in certain cases under master agreements governing the terms and
conditions of the relationship. The Company has experienced cancellations of
orders and fluctuations in order levels from period to period and expects it
will continue to experience such cancellations and fluctuations in the future.
Customer purchase orders may be canceled and order volume levels can be changed,
canceled or delayed with limited or no penalties. The replacement of canceled,
delayed or reduced purchase orders with new business cannot be assured.
Moreover, the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations
will depend in significant part on its ability to obtain orders from new
customers, as well as on the financial condition and success of its customers.
Therefore, any adverse factors affecting any of the Company's customers or their
customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
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Product Concentration; Dependence on Memory Market
A substantial majority of the Company's net sales is derived from memory
products. The market for memory products is characterized by frequent
transitions in which products rapidly incorporate new features and performance
standards. A failure to develop products with required feature sets or
performance standards or a delay as short as a few months in bringing a new
product to market could significantly reduce the Company's net sales for a
substantial period, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
The market for semiconductor memory devices has been cyclical. The industry
has experienced significant economic downturns at various times, characterized
by diminished product demand, accelerated erosion of average selling prices and
production overcapacity. During fiscal 1998, there were significant declines in
DRAM semiconductor prices and declines in SRAM and Flash semiconductor prices.
Because a substantial portion of the Company's net sales are attributable to the
resale of semiconductor memory devices, a continued decline in the prices of
these components would have a material adverse effect on the Company's net sales
and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Dependence on Semiconductor, Computer, Telecommunications and Networking
Industries
The Company may experience substantial period-to-period fluctuations in
future operating results due to factors affecting the semiconductor, computer,
telecommunications and networking industries. From time to time, each of these
industries has experienced downturns, often in connection with, or in
anticipation of, declines in general economic conditions. A decline or
significant shortfall in growth in any one of these industries could have a
material adverse impact on the demand for the Company's products and therefore a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. Moreover, changes in end user demand for the products
sold by any individual OEM customer can have a rapid and exaggerated effect on
demand for the Company's products from that customer in any given period,
particularly in the event that the OEM customer has accumulated excess
inventories of products purchased from the Company. There can be no assurance
that the Company's net sales and results of operations will not be materially
and adversely affected in the future due to changes in demand from individual
customers or cyclical changes in the semiconductor, computer,
telecommunications, networking or other industries utilizing the Company's
products.
Intense Competition
The memory module, communication card and embedded computer subsystem
industries are intensely competitive. Each of these markets includes a large
number of competitive companies, several of which have achieved a substantial
market share. Certain of the Company's competitors in each of these markets have
substantially greater financial, marketing, technical, distribution and other
resources, greater name recognition, lower cost structures and larger customer
bases than the Company. In the memory module market, the Company competes
against semiconductor manufacturers that maintain captive memory module
production capabilities, including Samsung. The Company also competes with
independent memory module manufacturers, including Celestica Inc., MCMS, Inc.,
PNY Electronics, Inc. and Simple Technology Incorporated. In the computer
systems reseller market for memory modules, the Company primarily competes with
companies such as Kingston Technology, Inc., Viking Technology, Inc. and Vision
Tek, Inc. In the communication card market, the Company competes with GVC, TDK
and U.S. Robotics, Inc. (a subsidiary of 3Com Corporation), among others. In the
embedded computer subsystem market, the Company competes with Force Computers
Inc. (a subsidiary of Solectron Corporation), Motorola and Radisys Corporation,
among others. The Company faces competition from current and prospective
customers that evaluate the Company's capabilities against the merits of
manufacturing products internally. In addition, certain of the Company's
competitors, such as Samsung, are significant suppliers to the Company. These
suppliers have the ability to manufacture competitive products at lower costs
than the Company as a result of their higher levels of integration and therefore
have the ability to sell competitive products at lower prices than the Company's
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products. The Company also faces competition from new and emerging companies
that have recently entered or may in the future enter the markets in which the
Company participates.
The Company expects its competitors to continue to improve the performance
of their current products, to reduce their current product sales prices and to
introduce new products that may offer greater performance and improved pricing,
any of which could cause a decline in sales or loss of market acceptance of the
Company's products. There can be no assurance that enhancements to or future
generations of competitive products will not be developed that offer better
prices or technical performance features than the Company's products. To remain
competitive, the Company must continue to provide technologically advanced
products and manufacturing services, maintain quality levels, offer flexible
delivery schedules, deliver finished products on a reliable basis, reduce
manufacturing and testing costs and compete favorably on the basis of price. In
addition, increased competitive pressure has led in the past and may continue to
lead to intensified price competition, resulting in lower prices and gross
margin, which could materially adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to compete successfully in the future.
Fluctuations in Operating Results
The Company's results of operations and gross margin have fluctuated
significantly from period to period in the past and may in the future continue
to fluctuate significantly from period to period. The primary factors that have
affected and may in the future affect the Company's results of operations
include the partial or complete loss of a principal customer or the reduction in
orders from a customer due to, among other things, excess product inventory
accumulation by such customer, adverse changes in the mix of products sold by
the Company, and the inability to procure required components. Other factors
that have affected and may in the future affect the Company's results of
operations include fluctuating market demand for and declines in the selling
prices of the Company's products, decreases or increases in the costs of the
components of the Company's products, market acceptance of new products and
enhanced versions of the Company's products, the Company's competitors selling
products that compete with the Company's products at lower prices or on better
terms than the Company's products, delays in the introduction of new products
and enhancements to existing products, manufacturing inefficiencies associated
with the start up of new product introductions, and the Company's semiconductor
customers manufacturing memory modules, internally or with other third parties,
outside of the United States due to concerns about United States antidumping
investigations and laws.
The Company's operating results may also be affected by the timing of new
product announcements and releases by the Company or its competitors, the timing
of significant orders, the ability to produce products in volume, delays,
cancellations or reschedulings of orders due to customer financial difficulties
or other events, inventory obsolescence, including the reduction in value of the
Company's inventories due to price declines, unexpected product returns, the
timing of expenditures in anticipation of increased sales, cyclicality in the
Company's targeted markets, and expenses associated with acquisitions. In
particular, declines in DRAM, SRAM and Flash semiconductor prices could affect
the valuation of the Company's inventory which could result in adverse changes
in the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. The
concentration of the Company's assets in its Fremont, California facility could
make the Company's exposure to business disruptions greater than if the
Company's assets were more geographically dispersed.
The Company's net sales and gross margin have varied and will continue to
vary significantly based on a variety of factors, including the mix of products
sold, the manufacturing services provided, the average memory densities
incorporated into the Company's memory products, the channels through which the
Company's products are sold, changes in product selling prices and component
costs, the level of manufacturing efficiencies achieved and pricing by
competitors. The selling prices of the Company's products have declined in the
past and the Company expects that prices could continue to decline in the
future. In particular, during fiscal 1998, the selling prices of the Company's
products declined due to significant declines in DRAM semiconductor prices and
declines in SRAM and Flash semiconductor prices. Because a substantial portion
of the Company's net sales are attributable to the resale of semiconductor
memory devices, a continued decline in the prices of these components would have
a material adverse effect on the Company's net sales and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
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<PAGE> 17
Accordingly, the Company's ability to maintain or increase net sales will be
highly dependent upon its ability to increase unit sales volumes of existing
products and to introduce and sell new products in quantities sufficient to
compensate for the anticipated declines in selling prices. Declining product
selling prices may also materially and adversely affect the Company's gross
margin unless the Company is able to reduce its cost per unit to offset declines
in product selling prices. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to increase unit sales volumes, introduce and sell new products or reduce
its cost per unit. In addition, the Company's business has in the past been
subject to seasonality, although the Company believes such seasonality has been
masked by its growth. The Company expects that its business will experience more
significant seasonality to the extent it continues to sell a material portion of
its products in Europe and to the extent its exposure to the personal computer
market remains significant.
Sales of the Company's individual products and product lines toward the end
of a product's life cycle are typically characterized by steep declines in
sales, pricing and gross margin, the precise timing of which may be difficult to
predict. The Company has experienced and could continue to experience unexpected
reductions in sales of products as customers anticipate new product purchases.
In addition, to the extent that the Company manufactures products in
anticipation of future demand that does not materialize, or in the event a
customer cancels outstanding orders during a period of either declining product
selling prices or decreasing demand, the Company could experience an
unanticipated decrease in sales of products. These factors could give rise to
charges for obsolete or excess inventory, returns of products by distributors,
or substantial price protection charges or discounts. In the past, the Company
has had to write-down and write-off excess or obsolete inventory. To the extent
that the Company is unsuccessful in managing product transitions, its business,
financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely
affected.
The need for continued significant expenditures for capital equipment
purchases, research and development and ongoing customer service and support,
among other factors, will make it difficult for the Company to reduce its
operating expenses in any particular period if the Company's expectations for
net sales for that period are not met. The Company has significantly increased
its expense levels to support its recent growth, and there can be no assurance
that the Company will maintain its current level of net sales or rate of growth
for any period in the future. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to continue to be profitable. The Company believes that
period-to-period comparisons of the Company's financial results are not
necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of future
performance. Due to the foregoing factors, it is likely that in some future
period the Company's operating results will be below the expectations of public
market analysts or investors. In such event, the market price of the Company's
securities would be materially and adversely affected.
Dependence on Sole or Limited Sources of Supply
The Company is dependent on certain suppliers, including limited and sole
source suppliers, to provide key components used in the Company's products. In
particular, the Company is dependent in significant part upon certain limited or
sole source suppliers for critical components in the Company's memory module,
communication card and embedded computer products. The Company also depends on
sole source third party manufacturers to produce certain of the Company's
embedded computer products. The electronics industry has experienced in the
past, and may experience in the future, shortages in semiconductor devices,
including DRAM, SRAM and Flash memory. The Company has experienced and may
continue to experience delays in component deliveries and quality problems with
respect to certain component deliveries which have caused and could in the
future cause delays in product shipments and have required and could in the
future require the redesign of certain products. The Company generally has no
written agreements with its suppliers. There can be no assurance that the
Company will receive adequate component supplies on a timely basis in the
future. The inability to continue to obtain sufficient supplies of components as
required, or to develop alternative sources if required, could cause delays,
disruptions or reductions in product shipments or require product redesigns
which could damage relationships with current or prospective customers, could
increase costs and/or prices and could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Management of Growth; Expansion of Operations
The Company has significantly expanded its operations over the last several
years. This growth has resulted in a significant increase in responsibility for
existing management which has placed, and may continue to place, a significant
strain on the Company's limited personnel and management, manufacturing and
other resources. The Company's ability to manage the recent and any possible
future growth will require an expansion of its manufacturing capacity,
accounting and other internal management systems and the implementation of a
variety of procedures and controls. There can be no assurance that significant
problems in these areas will not occur. Any failure to expand these systems and
implement such procedures and controls in an efficient manner and at a pace
consistent with the Company's business could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company has licensed a new management information system that is Year
2000 compliant. In February 1999, the Company replaced its existing management
information system at its headquarters in Fremont, California with the new
management information system. By mid 1999, the Company intends to replace its
existing management information systems at its other worldwide facilities with
the new information system. The implementation of the new system will impact
almost all phases of the Company's operations (e.g., planning, manufacturing,
finance and accounting). Implementation of the new system and transition from
the existing system to the new system will require substantial financial
resources, time and personnel. There can be no assurance that the new system
will be completely implemented in time to avoid any Year 2000 compliance
problems, or that the Company will not experience problems, delays or
unanticipated additional costs in implementing the new management information
system that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations, particularly during the periods
in which the new system is brought online. The new system will be centrally
operated from one location for all of the Company's facilities worldwide. Each
of the Company's facilities will remotely access the new system via a wide area
network. There can be no assurance that the Company will not experience
interruption of use of the new system due to telecommunications problems or
otherwise that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
In connection with the Company's growth over the last several years, the
Company's operating expenses have increased significantly, and the Company
anticipates that operating expenses will continue to increase in absolute
dollars in the future. In particular, in order to continue to provide quality
products and customer service and to meet any anticipated demand of its
customers, the Company will be required to continue to increase staffing and
other expenses, including expenditures on capital equipment, sales and
marketing. Should the Company increase its expenditures in anticipation of a
future level of sales that does not materialize, the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely
affected. Certain customers have required and may continue to require rapid
increases in production and accelerated delivery schedules which have placed and
may continue to place a significant burden on the Company's resources. In order
to achieve anticipated sales levels and profitability, the Company will continue
to be required to manage its assets and operations efficiently. In addition,
should the Company continue to expand geographically, it may experience certain
inefficiencies from the management of geographically dispersed facilities.
In fiscal 1998, the Company opened a new manufacturing facility in Penang,
Malaysia, which has resulted and will continue to result in higher operating
expenses. There can be no assurance that enough future sales will exist to
support the operating expenses of the new facility or that the production lines
of the new facility will be efficient or that they will result in an increase in
output. Any delay or difficulties arising from the start-up of the new facility
could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure; Information Technology Transition
Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded
to accept only two digit entries in the date code field. Beginning with 21st
century dates, these date code fields will need to accept four digit entries to
distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. As a result, computer
systems and
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software used by many companies may need to be upgraded to comply with such Year
2000 requirements. Significant uncertainty exists concerning the potential
effects associated with such compliance. The Company has licensed a new
management information system that is Year 2000 compliant. In February 1999, the
Company replaced its existing management information system at its headquarters
in Fremont, California with the new management information system. By mid 1999,
the Company intends to replace its existing management information systems at
its other worldwide facilities with the new information system. The
implementation of the new system will impact almost all phases of the Company's
operations (e.g., planning, manufacturing, finance and accounting).
Implementation of the new system and transition from the existing system to the
new system will require substantial financial resources, time and personnel.
There can be no assurance that the new system will be completely implemented in
time to avoid any Year 2000 compliance problems, or that the Company will not
experience problems, delays or unanticipated additional costs in implementing
the new management information system that could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations,
particularly during the periods in which the new system is brought online. The
new system will be centrally operated from one location for all of the Company's
facilities worldwide. Each of the Company's facilities will remotely access the
new system via a wide area network. There can be no assurance that the Company
will not experience interruption of use of the new system due to
telecommunications problems or otherwise that could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
During the second quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company began a Year 2000
assessment of its management information system, other information technology
systems, non-information technology systems, products and key suppliers. Items
identified and under review include manufacturing and test equipment,
telecommunications systems and equipment and computer systems and equipment. In
addition, the Company is assessing the Year 2000 compliance of its products. The
Company intends to have its Year 2000 assessment, testing, remediation efforts
and development of necessary contingency plans complete by the year 2000, the
total cost of which has not yet been determined. To date, however, costs
incurred to address Year 2000 compliance issues have not been material. Costs
related to Year 2000 compliance issues continue to be funded through operating
cash flows. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to complete
its Year 2000 assessment, testing, remediation efforts and development of
necessary contingency plans by the year 2000. Any failure to complete the Year
2000 assessment, testing, remediation efforts and development of necessary
contingency plans prior to the year 2000 could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
During the third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company initiated formal
communications with its key suppliers of raw materials and services. Although a
number of respondents indicated that their products are or will be Year 2000
compliant prior to the year 2000 and that they expect their operations and
services will continue uninterrupted, there can be no assurance that the
Company's key suppliers have, or will have information technology systems,
non-information technology systems and products that are Year 2000 compliant.
Similarly, there can be no assurance that the Company's customers have or will
have information technology systems, non-information technology systems and
products that are Year 2000 compliant. Any Year 2000 compliance problem facing
the Company, its customers or suppliers could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Rapid Technological Change
The semiconductor, computer, telecommunications and networking industries
are subject to rapid technological change, short product life cycles, frequent
new product introductions and enhancements, changes in end user requirements and
evolving industry standards. The Company's ability to be competitive in these
markets will depend in significant part upon its ability to invest significant
amounts of resources for research and development efforts, to successfully
develop, introduce and sell new products and enhancements on a timely and
cost-effective basis and to respond to changing customer requirements that meet
evolving industry standards. For example, the semiconductor memory market is
expected to transition from SDRAM to Direct RDRAM. The Company is currently
focusing its research and development resources on the development of Rambus
DRAM, DDR, SDRAM, Flash and SRAM products, 56 kbps asynchronous modem
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products and various embedded computer products. The success of the Company in
developing new and enhanced products will depend upon a variety of factors,
including integration of various elements of complex technology, timely and
efficient completion of product design, timely and efficient implementation of
manufacturing and assembly processes, availability of production capacity,
achievement of acceptable manufacturing yields and product performance, quality
and reliability. The Company has experienced, and may in the future experience,
delays from time to time in the development and introduction of new products.
Moreover, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
selecting, developing, manufacturing and marketing new products or enhancements.
There can be no assurance that defects or errors will not be found in the
Company's products after commencement of commercial shipments, which could
result in the delay in market acceptance of such products. The inability of the
Company to introduce new products or enhancements that contribute to net sales
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Dependence on Key Personnel
The Company's future operating results depend in significant part upon the
continued contributions of its key technical and senior management personnel,
many of whom would be difficult to replace. None of such persons, including the
executive officers, has an employment agreement with the Company. The Company's
future operating results also depend in significant part upon its ability to
attract, train and retain qualified management, manufacturing and quality
assurance, engineering, marketing, sales and support personnel. The Company is
actively recruiting such personnel. However, competition for such personnel is
intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
attracting, training or retaining such personnel now or in the future. There may
be only a limited number of persons with the requisite skills to serve in these
positions and it may be increasingly difficult for the Company to hire such
persons over time. The loss of any key employee, the failure of any key employee
to perform in his or her current position, the Company's inability to attract,
train and retain skilled employees as needed or the inability of the officers
and key employees of the Company to expand, train and manage the Company's
employee base could materially and adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
International Sales
International sales accounted for 30%, 18% and 8% of net sales in fiscal
1998, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996, respectively. The Company anticipates that
international sales will continue to be material in future periods. As a result,
a material portion of the Company's sales may be subject to certain risks,
including changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other barriers, timing
and availability of export licenses, political and economic instability,
difficulties in accounts receivable collections, natural disasters, difficulties
in staffing and managing foreign subsidiary and branch operations, difficulties
in managing distributors, difficulties in obtaining governmental approvals for
telecommunications and other products, foreign currency exchange fluctuations,
the burden of complying with a wide variety of complex foreign laws and
treaties, potentially adverse tax consequences and uncertainties relative to
regional, political and economic circumstances. In particular, recent
instability in certain Asian economies and financial markets could have an
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations in future quarters. In fiscal 1998, the Company's net sales to
customers in Asia accounted for less than one percent of all net sales. In
addition to net sales to customers in Asia, the Company maintains strategic
supply relationships with companies located in Asia. Moreover and as a result of
currency changes and other factors, certain of the Company's competitors may
have the ability to manufacture competitive products in Asia at lower costs than
the Company. There can be no assurance that current economic instability in Asia
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's net sales, its ability
to compete or its ability to receive raw materials for its products.
The Company is also subject to the risks associated with the imposition of
legislation and regulations relating to the import or export of high technology
products. The Company cannot predict whether quotas, duties, taxes or other
charges or restrictions upon the importation or exportation of the Company's
products will be implemented by the United States or other countries. Because
sales of the Company's products have been denominated to date primarily in
United States dollars, increases in the value of the United States dollar
20
<PAGE> 21
could increase the price of the Company's products so that they become
relatively more expensive to customers in the local currency of a particular
country, leading to a reduction in sales and profitability in that country.
Future international activity may result in increased foreign currency
denominated sales. Gains and losses on the conversion to United States dollars
of accounts receivable, accounts payable and other monetary assets and
liabilities arising from international operations may contribute to fluctuations
in the Company's results of operations. Some of the Company's customer's
purchase orders and agreements are governed by foreign laws, which may differ
significantly from United States laws. Therefore, the Company may be limited in
its ability to enforce its rights under such agreements and to collect damages,
if awarded. There can be no assurance that any of these factors will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Uncertainty Regarding Protection of Proprietary Rights
In the semiconductor, computer, telecommunications and networking
industries, it is typical for companies to receive notices from time to time
alleging infringement of patents, copyrights or other intellectual property
rights of others. The Company is currently being sued by a party who alleges
that certain of the Company's communication card products have infringed and
continue to infringe upon the party's intellectual property rights. The Company
is also currently being sued by a party who alleges that the Company's
manufacturing operations and processes have infringed and continue to infringe
upon the party's intellectual property rights. Moreover, the Company has been
and may from time to time continue to be notified of claims that it may be
infringing patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights owned by
other third parties. There can be no assurance that these or other companies
will not in the future pursue claims against the Company with respect to the
alleged infringement of patents, copyrights or other intellectual property
rights. In addition, litigation may be necessary to protect the Company's
intellectual property rights and trade secrets, to determine the validity of and
scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against third party
claims of invalidity. The current litigation or any other litigation could
result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
There can be no assurance that additional infringement, invalidity, right
to use or ownership claims by third parties or claims for indemnification
resulting from infringement claims will not be asserted in the future. The
Company has entered into license agreements in the past regarding certain
alleged infringement claims asserted by third parties. In response to the
current litigation or if any other claims or actions are asserted against the
Company, the Company may again seek to obtain a license under a third party's
intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance, however, that a license
will be available under reasonable terms or at all. The failure to obtain a
license under a patent or intellectual property right from a third party for
technology used by the Company could cause the Company to incur substantial
liabilities and to suspend the manufacture of products. In addition, should the
Company decide to litigate the current claims or such other claims, such
litigation could be extremely expensive and time consuming and could materially
and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations, regardless of the outcome of the litigation.
The Company attempts to protect its intellectual property rights through a
variety of measures including non-disclosure agreements, trademarks, trade
secrets and to a lesser extent, patents. There can be no assurance, however,
that such measures will provide adequate protection for the Company's trade
secrets or other proprietary information, that disputes with respect to the
ownership of its intellectual property rights will not arise, that the Company's
trade secrets or proprietary technology will not otherwise become known or be
independently developed by competitors or that the Company can otherwise
meaningfully protect its intellectual property rights.
Risks Associated with Acquisitions
As part of its business strategy, the Company expects to acquire or make
significant investments in businesses that offer complementary products and
technologies. Any such future acquisitions or investments would expose the
Company to the risks commonly encountered in acquisitions of businesses. Such
risks
21
<PAGE> 22
include, among others, difficulty of assimilating the operations, information
systems and personnel of the acquired businesses, the potential disruption of
the Company's ongoing business, the inability of management to maximize the
financial and strategic position of the Company through the successful
incorporation of acquired employees and customers, the maintenance of uniform
standards, controls, procedures and policies and the impairment of relationships
with employees and customers as a result of any integration of new management
personnel. There can be no assurance that any potential acquisition will be
consummated or, if consummated, that it will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Volatility of Stock Prices
There has been a history of significant volatility in the market prices of
the common stock of technology companies, including the Common Stock of the
Company, and it is likely that the market price of the Company's Common Stock
will continue to be subject to significant fluctuations. Factors such as the
timing and market acceptance of new product introductions by the Company, demand
for products of the Company's customers, the introduction of new products by the
Company's competitors, variations in quarterly operating results, changes in
securities analysts' recommendations regarding the Company's Common Stock,
developments in the technology industry and general economic conditions may have
a significant impact on the market price of the Company's Common Stock. In
addition, the equity markets in recent years have experienced significant price
and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices of technology
companies and that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of
such companies.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relate
primarily to the Company's investment portfolio. Currently, the Company does not
use derivative financial instruments in its investment portfolio. The Company
invests in high-credit quality issuers and, by policy, limits the amount of
principal exposure to any one issuer. As stated in the Company's policy, the
Company seeks to ensure the safety and preservation of its invested principal
funds by limiting default and market risk.
The Company seeks to mitigate default risk by investing in high-credit
quality securities and by positioning its investment portfolio to respond to a
significant reduction in a credit rating of any investment issuer, guarantor or
depository. The Company seeks to mitigate market risk by limiting the principal
and investment term of funds held with any one issuer and by investing funds in
marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets.
The table below presents principal amounts and related weighted average
interest rates by year of maturity for the Company's investment portfolio as of
October 31, 1998 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 THEREAFTER TOTAL
-------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS:
Fixed-rate investments....... $113,061 $20,885 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $133,946
Average interest rate........ 3.93% 4.19% -- -- -- -- 3.97%
</TABLE>
As of January 31, 1999, there were no changes in the Company's investment
portfolio that would materially impact the Company's exposure to interest rate
risk.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
The Company transacts business in various foreign countries. The Company's
primary foreign currency cash flows are in certain European countries. As of
January 31, 1999 and October 31, 1998, the Company did not employ a foreign
currency hedge program with respect to transactions and expenditures originating
in these or any other foreign countries. The Company believes that its foreign
currency exchange risk is currently immaterial.
22
<PAGE> 23
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company and certain of its officers and directors have been named as
defendants in six securities class action lawsuits filed in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California, Boren v. SMART Modular
Technologies, Inc., et al., No. C 98 20692 JW (PVT) (filed July 1, 1998),
Woszczak v. SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., et al., No. C 98 2617 JL (filed
July 2, 1998), Bisson v. SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., et al., No. C 98
20714 JF (filed July 8, 1998), D'Amato v. SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., et
al., No. C 98 2804 PJH (filed July 16, 1998), Cha v. SMART Modular Technologies,
Inc., et al., No. C 98 2833 BZ (filed July 17, 1998) and Chang v. SMART Modular
Technologies, Inc., et al., No. C 98 3151 SI (filed August 13, 1998)
(collectively, the "Federal Actions"). The plaintiffs in the Federal Actions
allege that defendants made material misrepresentations and omissions during the
period from July 1, 1997 through May 21, 1998 in violation of Section 10(b) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The
Federal Actions were consolidated on October 9, 1998, and a consolidated
complaint was filed on November 30, 1998 (the "Federal Complaint").
On October 22, 1998, a putative securities class action lawsuit, captioned
Reagan v. SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., et al., Case No. H204162-5 (the
"State Complaint"), was filed against the Company and certain of its officers
and directors in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of
Alameda (the "Superior Court"). The State Complaint alleges violations of
Sections 25400 and 25500 of the California Corporations Code and seeks
unspecified damages on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of SMART common
stock during the period from July 1, 1997 through May 21, 1998. The factual
allegations of the State Complaint are nearly identical to the factual
allegations contained within the Federal Complaint. On February 22, 1999, the
Superior Court granted the Company's motion to stay the State Complaint pending
the resolution of the Federal Complaint.
The Company believes that all claims related to the state and federal
securities actions are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously
against these actions. Currently, the Company is unable to estimate the
financial impact of the state and federal securities actions.
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES
Not applicable
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits:
For a list of exhibits to this Form 10-Q see the exhibit index located on
pages 25-27.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the three months ended
January 31, 1999.
23
<PAGE> 24
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID B. MULLIN
------------------------------------
David B. Mullin
Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
Date: March 16, 1999
24
<PAGE> 25
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBITS
- ---------- --------
<C> <S>
2.1(1) Agreements and Plan of Reorganization among the Registrant,
Apex Data, Inc. and SMART Acquisition Inc. dated April 24,
1995
3.1(7) Registrant's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
3.2(1) Registrant's Amended Bylaws
4.1(1) Registration Rights Agreement dated July 26, 1995
4.2(1) Registrant's specimen stock certificate
4.3(3) Termination to the Registration Rights Agreement dated July
26, 1995
10.1(1) 1989 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended, and forms of
agreements attached thereto
10.2(1) 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and forms of agreements
attached thereto
10.3(1) 1995 Director Option Plan, and forms of agreements attached
thereto
10.4(1) 1995 Stock Plan, and forms of agreements attached thereto
10.5(1) Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and
its officers, directors and certain significant employees
10.6(1) Standard Triple Net Industrial Lease between the Registrant
and Pactel Properties dated November 18, 1991
10.7(1) First Amendment to Lease between the Registrant and Pactel
Properties dated July 19, 1993
10.8(1) Second Amendment to Lease between the Registrant and Riggs
National Bank of Washington, D.C. as Trustee of the
Multi-Employer Property Trust Northport Business Park, a
National Banking Association dated May 31, 1994
10.9(1) Third Amendment to Lease between the Registrant and Riggs
National Bank of Washington, D.C. as Trustee of the
Multi-Employer Property Trust Northport Business Park, a
National Banking Association dated November 1994
10.10(1) Standard Triple Net Industrial Lease between the Registrant
and Riggs National Bank of Washington, D.C., as Trustee of
the Multi-Employer Property Trust, dated June 18, 1995
10.11(1) Lease Contract between the Registrant and The Puerto Rico
Industrial Development Company dated April 24, 1995
10.12(1) Note, Loan and Security Agreement between the Registrant and
Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. dated May 19,
1993
10.13(1) Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Merrill Lynch
Business Financial Services Inc. dated December 28, 1994
10.14(1) Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Merrill Lynch
Business Financial Services Inc. dated June 27, 1995
10.15(1) Intercreditor Agreement among the Registrant, Merrill Lynch
Business Financial Services Inc. and Imperial Bank dated
June 27, 1995
10.16(1) Security and Loan Agreement between the Registrant and
Imperial Bank dated July 19, 1995
*10.17(1) License and Supply Agreement between the Registrant and
Krypton Isolation, Inc. dated July 22, 1994
</TABLE>
25
<PAGE> 26
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBITS
- ---------- --------
<C> <S>
10.18(1) Warrant Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and
Krypton Isolation, Inc. dated July 27, 1994
10.19(1) Holders' Agreement dated July 27, 1994 by and among Krypton
Isolation, Inc. and certain individuals and entities
identified on Exhibit A attached thereto
10.20(1) Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated July 27, 1994 by and
among Krypton Isolation, Inc. and the individuals identified
on Exhibit A attached thereto
10.21(1) First Amendment to the Krypton Isolation, Inc. Warrant to
Purchase 2,000,000 Shares of Series A Preferred Stock
between the Registrant and Krypton Isolation, Inc. dated
October 24, 1995
10.22(1) Letter of Intent dated as of October 24, 1995 by and among
Krypton Isolation, Inc., the Registrant and certain
individuals identified on the signature pages thereto
**10.23(2) License and Supply Agreement between the Registrant and
Krypton Isolation, Inc. dated January 29, 1996
10.24(2) Warrant Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and
Krypton Isolation, Inc. dated January 29, 1996
10.25(2) First Amended and Restated Holders' Agreement dated January
29, 1996 by and among Krypton Isolation, Inc. and certain
individuals and entities identified on Exhibit A attached
thereto
10.26(2) Common Stock Agreement dated January 29, 1996 by and among
Krypton Isolation, Inc. and the entities identified on
Exhibit A attached thereto
10.27(2) First Amendment to the License and Supply Agreement between
the Registrant and Krypton Isolation, Inc. dated January 29,
1996
10.28(3) 1989 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended, dated March 25, 1996
10.29(4) Fourth Amendment to Lease between the Registrant and Riggs
Bank N.A. dated September 27, 1996
10.30(5) Revolving Line of Credit Note between the Registrant and
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association dated May 29, 1997
10.31(5) Credit Agreement between the Registrant and Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association dated May 29, 1997
10.32(5) Subfeature Note between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association dated May 29, 1997
10.33(6) Lease Contract between the Registrant and The Puerto Rico
Industrial Development Company dated October 9, 1997
10.34(6) Second Amendment to the Krypton Isolation, Inc. Warrant to
Purchase 2,000,000 Shares of Series A Preferred Stock
between the Registrant and Krypton Isolation, Inc. dated
January 21, 1998
10.35(7) Revolving Line of Credit Note between the Registrant and
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association dated May 1, 1998
10.36(7) Credit Agreement between the Registrant and Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association dated May 1, 1998
10.37(7) Subfeature Note between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association dated May 1, 1998
10.38(8) Sublease Contract between the Registrant and Philips
Consumer Communications, L.P. dated June 30, 1998
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE> 27
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBITS
- ---------- --------
<C> <S>
10.39(9) First Amendment to the License and Supply Agreement between
the Registrant and Krypton Isolation, Inc. dated June 22,
1998
10.40(9) Second Amendment to the License and Supply Agreement between
the Registrant and Krypton Isolation, Inc. dated June 22,
1998
16.1(1) Letter Regarding Change in Certifying Accountant
16.2(1) Letter Regarding Change in Certifying Accountant
16.3(1) Letter Regarding Change in Certifying Accountant
16.4(1) Letter Regarding Change in Certifying Accountant
27.1 Financial Data Schedule for the Quarter Ended January 31,
1999
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-97748) filed October 4, 1995,
Amendment No. 1 thereto filed October 24, 1995, Amendment No. 2 thereto
filed November 6, 1995, Amendment No. 3 thereto filed November 14, 1995 and
Amendment No. 4 thereto filed November 16, 1995, which Registration
Statement became effective November 16, 1995.
(2) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-Q filed March 16, 1996.
(3) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-Q filed June 14, 1996.
(4) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-Q filed June 16, 1997.
(5) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-Q filed August 28, 1997.
(6) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-K filed January 29, 1998.
(7) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-Q filed June 15, 1998.
(8) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-Q filed September 11, 1998.
(9) Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-K filed January 29, 1999.
* Pursuant to Rule 406(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, confidential
treatment has been granted to certain portions of this exhibit, which
portions have been deleted and filed separately with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
** Pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
confidential treatment has been granted to certain portions of this exhibit,
which portions have been deleted and filed separately with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
27
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S
10-Q FOR THE FIRST FISCAL QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 31, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS YEAR 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1999 OCT-31-1999 OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1998 NOV-01-1997 NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1999 OCT-31-1998 JAN-31-1998
<CASH> 75,136 75,478 0
<SECURITIES> 83,507 99,822 0
<RECEIVABLES> 133,705 89,203 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0 0
<INVENTORY> 53,352 40,138 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 361,172 319,983 0
<PP&E> 47,169 47,920 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0 0 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 409,401 368,992 0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 111,605 88,692 0
<BONDS> 0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
<COMMON> 138,348 132,941 0
<OTHER-SE> 158,780 146,680 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 409,401 368,992 0
<SALES> 264,088 0 202,840
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 264,088 0 202,840
<CGS> 234,091 0 167,758
<TOTAL-COSTS> 234,091 0 167,758
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 0 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 17,786 0 24,157
<INCOME-TAX> 5,686 0 7,735
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 0 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 12,100 0 16,422
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.27 0 0.39<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.26 0 0.35
<FN>
<F1>For Purposes of This Exhibit, Primary Means Basic.
</FN>
</TABLE>
