MCMS INC
10-Q, 2000-04-12
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, NEC
Previous: AGRI BIO SCIENCES INC, SB-2, 2000-04-12
Next: BADGLEY FUNDS INC, 497, 2000-04-12

FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarter period ended                                                        March 2, 2000                                                                                            

OR

[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                                                                   to                                                                           

Commission File No.                                                        333-XXXX                                                                                      

MCMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Idaho           

 

          82-0480109        

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

16399 Franklin Road, Nampa, Idaho 83687
(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)

(208)898-2600
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                                        
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes      X      No           

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

Yes            No           

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding at March 4, 1999:     3,296,490     
Shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding at March 4, 1999:      863,823
Shares of Class C Common Stock outstanding at March 4, 1999:      874,999
 

MCMS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part I.

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1

 

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets -

 

 

 

 

     March 2, 2000 and September 2, 1999

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations -

 

 

 

 

     Three and Six Months Ended March 2, 2000 and March 4, 1999

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -

 

 

 

 

     Six Months Ended March 2, 2000 and March 4, 1999

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements     

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

 

 

 

 

     Results of Operations     

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certain Factors     

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

Part II.

 

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6      Exhibits

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

23

 

PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MCMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

March 2,

 

September 2,

As of

2000

 

1999

ASSETS

Current Assets:

 

 

 

Trade account receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $265 and $258

$         33,483 

 

$        49,469 

Inventories

56,447 

 

43,975 

Deferred income taxes

-

 

344 

Other current assets

          1,190 

 

            626 

     Total current assets

91,120 

 

94,414 

Property, plant and equipment, net

60,578 

 

64,618 

Other assets

            6,724 

 

            7,510 

     Total assets

$      158,422 

 

$      166,542 

=======

=======

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

$             146 

 

$            322 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

55,242 

 

57,355 

Interest payable

              281 

 

             334 

     Total current liabilities

55,669 

 

58,011 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

206,241 

 

206,957 

Long-term debt - related parties

8,700 

 

-

Other liabilities

           3,382 

 

          2,804 

     Total liabilities

273,992 

 

267,772 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock, no par value, 750,000 shares authorized; 320,293 and
301,179 shares issued and outstanding, respectively; mandatory redemption value of
$32.0 million and $30.1 million, respectively



31,220 

 



29,267 

SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT

Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 6,000,000 shares
authorized; 3,261,177 shares issued and outstanding; aggregate liquidation
reference of $36,949,135



 



Series B convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 6,000,000 shares
authorized; 863,823 shares issued and outstanding; aggregate liquidation preference
of $9,787,115



 



Series C convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 1,000,000 shares
authorized; 874,999 shares issued and outstanding; aggregate liquidation preference
of $9,913,739



 



Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized;
3,296,490 shares issued and outstanding


 


Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 12,000,000 shares authorized;
863,823 shares issued and outstanding


 


Class C common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 2,000,000 shares authorized;
874,999 shares issued and outstanding


 


Additional paid-in capital

57,851 

 

59,806 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,470)

 

(2,207)

Retained deficit

      (202,131)

 

   (188,056)

Less treasury stock at cost:

 

 

 

Series A convertible preferred stock, 3,676 shares outstanding

(42)

 

(42)

Class A common stock, 3,676 shares outstanding

                  (8)

 

                 (8)

     Total shareholders' deficit

       (146,790)

 

      (130,497)

     Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit

$       158,422 

 

$      166,542 

 

========

 

=======

 

 

 

MCMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

March 2,

 

March 4,

 

March 2,

 

March 4,

 

2000

 

1999

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$     99,055

 

$    116,348 

 

$     199,072 

 

$       207,591 

Cost of goods sold

    95,993 

 

    110,337 

 

     189,905 

 

       196,393 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

3,062 

 

6,011 

 

9,167 

 

11,198 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

     6,706 

 

       6,790 

 

     12,540 

 

       11,009 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

(3,644)

 

(779)

 

(3,373)

 

189 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net

5,337 

 

4,925 

 

10,672 

 

9,646 

Other

              -

 

                -

 

                -

 

           45 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before taxes and
  Extraordinary item


(8,981)

 


(5,704)

 


(14,045)

 


(9,502)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

            30 

 

      (1,722)

 

            30 

 

     (3,497)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before extraordinary item

(9,011)

 

(3,982)

 

(14,075)

 

(6,005)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extraordinary item - loss on early
  extinguishment of debt, net of income
  tax benefit of $403



              - 

 



        (617)

 

 

                    -

 



        (617)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

(9,011)

 

(4,599)

 

(14,075)

 

(6,622)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  and accretion of preferred stock discount

          (992)

 

         (918)

 

      (1,955)

 

        (1,772)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss available to common stockholders

$    (10,003)

 

$      (5,517)

 

$    (16,030)

 

$      (8,394)

 

====== 

 

====== 

 

====== 

 

====== 

Net loss per common share -
  Basic and diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Loss before extraordinary item

$      (1.99) 

 

$        (0.98)

 

$(3.19)

 

$       (1.56)

  Extraordinary item

                -

 

         (0.12)

 

                -

 

          (0.12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share

$      (1.99) 

 

$        (1.10)

 

$       (3.19)

 

$       (1.68)

 

====== 

 

====== 

 

====== 

 

====== 

Weighted average common shares
outstanding - basic and diluted:


5,031,636

 


5,000,000 

 


5,031,636 

 


5,000,000 

 

======

 

======

 

======

 

======

 

 

MCMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)

 

Six months ended

 

March 2,

 

March 4,

 

2000

 

1999

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

Net loss

$     (14,075)

 

$      (6,622) 

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

 

617 

Depreciation and amortization

8,969 

 

7,441 

Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment

(8)

 

25 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

Receivables

15,693 

 

(13,857)

Inventories

(12,523)

 

(8,722)

Other assets

(499)

 

(699)

Deferred income taxes

687 

 

101 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

(2,863)

 

8,261 

Deferred income taxes

1,306 

 

(3,573)

Other liabilities

       (323)

 

           52 

Net cash used for operating activities

   (3,636)

 

  (16,976)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment

(4,166)

 

(7,544)

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

            40 

 

             - 

Net cash used for investing activities

     (4,126)

 

   (7,544)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings (repayments) on line of credit

(674)

 

28,094 

Proceeds from related parties loan

8,700 

 

Other repayments of debt

(218)

 

(9,832)

Payment of deferred debt issuance costs

(100)

 

(1,239)

Purchase of treasury stock

           -  

 

         (50)

Net cash provided by financing activities

     7,708 

 

   16,973 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

          54 

 

            5 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

-

 

(7,542)

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

            - 

 

       7,542 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$             - 

 

$               - 

 

=====

 

======

 

  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(TABULAR DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

1.     General

     The information included in the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements is unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 2, 1999. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.

2.     Effect of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. SFAS No. 133 is effective for all fiscal quarters beginning after June 15, 2000. Currently, the Company does not enter into derivative instruments or hedging activities because a substantial portion of the Company's sales are in U.S. dollars. Consequently, the adoption of SFAS No. 133 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

3.     Inventories

March 2,

 

September 2,

 

2000

 

1999

Raw materials and supplies

$     37,263

 

$      30,168

Work in process

16,739

 

12,453

Finished goods

        2,445

 

          1,354

 

$     56,447

 

$      43,975

======

=======

4.      Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

March 2,

 

September 2,

 

2000

 

1999

Trade accounts payable

$     49,524

 

$      51,562

Salaries, wages, and benefits

4,342

 

4,579

Other

        1,376

 

          1,214

 

$     55,242

 

$      57,355

 

======

 

======

5.     Long-term Debt

 

March 2,

 

September 2,

 

2000

 

1999

 

 

 

 

Revolving credit facility, principal payments at the Company's option to
February 26, 2004, interest due monthly, interest rates ranging from
8.29% to 8.75% (8.5% and 7.8% weighted average at March 2, 2000
and September 2, 1999, respectively)




$     27,207 

 

 


$    28,893 

Equipment loan facility, principal payments, as defined, through
February 26, 2004, interest due monthly, 9.0% and 8.5% interest rate at
March 2, 2000 and September 2, 1999, respectively

 

4,034 

 



3,022 

Notes from Shareholders, principal and unpaid interest due on February
27, 2004, interest at LIBOR plus 3.25% (9.38% at March 2, 2000).
See Note 6


8,700 

 


-

Senior subordinated notes (the "Fixed Rate Notes"), unsecured, interest
at 9.75% due semiannually, mature on March 1, 2008


145,000 

 


145,000 

Floating interest rate subordinated term securities, (the "Floating Rate
Notes"), unsecured, interest due semiannually, mature on March 1,
2008, variable interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 4.63% (10.9% and
10.5% at March 2, 2000 and September 2, 1999, respectively)

 
 

30,000 

 

 


30,000 

Other notes payable, due in varying installments through October 1,
2000, interest rate of 3.51%


             146 

 


           364 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

215,087 

 

207,279 

Less long-term debt with related parties

(8,700)

 

-

Less current portion

           (146)

 

            (322)

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

$     206,241 

 

$     206,957

 

 =======

 

======= 

 

 

 

 

 

     The Company has a $60 million Credit Facility (the "Credit Facility") which matures on February 26, 2004. The Credit Facility includes a $10 million equipment loan facility restricted to the purchase of property, plant and equipment and a $50 million revolving credit facility. Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at rates as defined in the agreement. Amounts available to borrow under the equipment loan facility are limited to the first three loan years. Amounts available to borrow under the revolving credit facility vary depending on domestic accounts receivable, inventory and equipment balances, which serve as collateral along with substantially all of the other assets of the Company. The Credit Facility restricts the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to make certain investments, loans and guarantees and to sell or otherwise dispose of a substantial portion of its assets or to enter into any merger or consolidation. In February 2000, the Credit Facility was amended to allow for a loan from certain of the Company's shareholders (See Note 6). The Credit Facility also contains a covenant requiring that the Company maintain a fixed charge ratio of not less than 1.0 to 1.0, provided, however, that this fixed charge ratio covenant will not be applied to any fiscal quarter during the term as long as the gross borrowing availability exceeds $10.0 million. As of April 6, 2000, the Company had a $30.2 million outstanding balance under the revolving credit facility and $15.7 million of gross availability, of which $5.7 million was available to borrow without triggering the fixed charge ratio covenant. Had the Company been required to test the fixed charge ratio, the test would not have been satisfied. As of April 6, 2000, the Company had a $4.0 million outstanding balance on the equipment loan facility and $6.0 million of availability under the equipment loan facility. Any default under the Credit Facility could result in default of the Fixed Rate Notes, Floating Rate Notes and Redeemable Preferred Stock.

6.     Long-term Debt with Related Parties

     On February 29, 2000, the Company entered into an $8.7 million loan agreement with certain shareholders of the Company. The loans are evidenced by separate note agreements with the participating shareholders (the "Notes from Shareholders"). The Notes from Shareholders mature on February 27, 2004, subject to earlier prepayment, provided that all amounts due under the Credit Facility have been paid in full and all commitments under the Credit Facility have been terminated. Interest accrues at 90 day LIBOR + 3.25% (9.38% at March 2, 2000), subject to adjustment, if the interest rate under the Credit Facility is ever increased. Interest is payable monthly if a fiscal month's fixed charge ratio, as defined, exceeds 1.1 to 1.0, so long as no event of default has occurred under the Credit Facility or would occur as a result of an interest payment under this loan. Otherwise, interest is payable upon maturity of the notes. For the fiscal month ended March 2, 2000, the fixed charge ratio did not exceed 1.1 to 1.0.

7.     Redeemable Preferred Stock

     The Redeemable Preferred Stock is subject to mandatory redemption on March 1, 2010 and has a liquidation preference of $100 per share. The holders of Redeemable Preferred Stock are entitled to a cumulative 12-1/2% annual dividend based upon the liquidation preference per share of Redeemable Preferred Stock, payable quarterly. To date, the Company has paid all dividends in-kind.

8.     Loss Per Share

     Basic loss per share is computed using net loss increased by dividends on the Redeemable Preferred Stock divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted loss per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common and common stock equivalent shares outstanding. Common stock equivalent shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and shares issuable upon the conversion of outstanding convertible securities and affect earnings per share only when they have a dilutive effect. The Company's basic loss per share and its fully diluted loss per share were the same for the three and six months ended March 2, 2000 and March 4, 1999, respectively, because of the antidilutive effect of outstanding convertible securities and stock options.

9.    Income Taxes

The Company had income tax expense of $30,000 for the three and six months ended March 2, 2000 compared to a benefit of $1.7 million and $3.5 million for the three and six months ended March 4, 1999, respectively. The income tax expense for the three and six months ended March 2, 2000, resulted from a mandatory minimum foreign income tax on its Mexican subsidiary. The effective rate of tax expense for the three and six months ended March 2, 2000 was 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively, compared to an income tax benefit of 31.6% and 37.1% for the three and six months ended March 4, 1999, respectively. The effective tax rate for each of fiscal 2000 and 1999 primarily reflects the statutory corporate income tax rate, the net effect of state taxation, the effect of a tax holiday granted to the Company's Malaysian operation and a valuation allowance. The overall decrease in the effective rate for the three and six months ended March 2, 2000, relative to the corresponding periods of fiscal 1999, was primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance. During the three and six months ended March 2, 2000, the Company's valuation allowance increased by $4.0 million and $7.0 million, respectively, to $11.7 million, which eliminates the income tax benefit that would have otherwise resulted from the losses. The Company does not provide for U.S. tax on the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and, therefore, the effective rate may vary significantly from period to period.

 10.    Comprehensive Loss

The Company's comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments. Comprehensive loss was $9,095,000 and $14,338,000 for the three and six months ended March 2, 2000, respectively. Comprehensive loss was $4,481,000 and $6,571,000 for the three and six months ended March 4, 1999, respectively. The accumulated balance of foreign currency translation adjustments, excluded from net loss, is presented in the consolidated balance sheet as "Accumulated other comprehensive loss."

11.    Legal Matters

In February 2000, the Company served a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho against Fore Systems, Inc. ("Fore"). The lawsuit claims, among other things, that Fore breached a contract with MCMS, however, the Company has not yet quantified the extent of damages. In April 2000, Fore filed an answer to the Company's complaint and a counterclaim alleging a breach of contract by the Company. The Company believes the counter claim has no merit and will vigorously defend the same.

               In addition, the Company has contingent liabilities related to other legal proceedings arising out of the normal course of business. Although it is reasonably possible that the Company may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss can not be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies, will not be material in relation to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

  

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     Statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and are being provided in reliance upon the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are based on current management expectations and information available to the Company as of such date. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from historical results or those contemplated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and include trend information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those identified herein under "Certain Factors" and in other Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All quarterly references are to the Company's fiscal periods ended March 2, 2000, September 2, 1999 or March 4, 1999, unless otherwise indicated.

     MCMS, Inc. ("MCMS" or the "Company") is a leading electronics manufacturing services ("EMS") provider serving original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") in the networking, telecommunications, computer systems and other sectors of the electronics industry. The Company offers a broad range of capabilities and manufacturing management services, including; product design and prototype manufacturing, materials procurement and inventory management, manufacturing and testing of printed circuit board assemblies ("PCBAs"), memory modules and systems, quality assurance, and end-order fulfillment.

     MCMS provides services on both a turnkey and consignment basis. Under a consignment arrangement, the OEM procures the components and the Company assembles and tests them in exchange for a service fee. Under a turnkey arrangement, the Company assumes responsibility for both the procurement of components and their assembly. Turnkey manufacturing generates higher net sales than consignment manufacturing due to the generation of revenue from materials as well as labor and manufacturing overhead. Turnkey manufacturing also typically results in lower gross margins than consignment manufacturing. Consignment revenues accounted for 8.4% and 9.4% of the Company's net sales for the three and six months ended March 2, 2000, respectively.

Results of Operations

 

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

 

March 2,

 

March 4,

 

March 2,

 

March 4,

 

 

2000

 

1999

 

2000

 

1999

Net sales

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

Costs of sales

 

    96.9 

 

    94.8 

 

    95.4 

 

    94.6 

Gross margin

 

3.1 

 

5.2 

 

4.6 

 

5.4 

Selling, general and administrative
expenses

 


     6.8 

 


      5.9 

 


      6.3 

 


      5.3 

Income (loss) from operations

 

(3.7)

 

(0.7)

 

(1.7)

 

0.1 

Interest expense, net

 

5.4 

 

4.2 

 

5.4  

 

4.6 

Other

 

         -

 

          -

 

          - 

 

       0.1 

Loss before taxes

 

(9.1)

 

(4.9)

 

(7.1)

 

(4.6)

Income tax benefit

 

-

 

1.5

 

-

 

1.7 

Extraordinary loss

 

         -

 

    (0.5)

 

            -

 

     (0.3)

Net loss

 

(9.1)%

 

(3.9)%

 

(7.1)%

 

(3.2)%

 

 

====

 

====

 

====

 

====

Depreciation and amortization (1)

 

4.2 %

 

3.1%

 

4.3 %

 

3.4%

 

 

====

 

====

 

====

 

====

(1)     For the three and six months ended March 2, 2000, the depreciation and amortization amount excludes $235,000 and $470,000, respectively, of deferred loan amortization that was expensed as interest. For the three and six months ended March 4, 1999, the depreciation and amortization amount excludes $233,000 and $466,000, respectively, of deferred loan amortization that was expensed as interest.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 2, 2000 Compared to Three Months Ended March 4, 1999

     Net Sales. Net sales for the three months ended March 2, 2000 decreased by $17.2 million, or 14.8%, to $99.1 million from $116.3 million for the three months ended March 4, 1999. The decrease in net sales is primarily the result of lower sales to Fore Systems, Inc. ("Fore Systems"), who was historically the Company's second largest customer and the largest customer of the Durham, North Carolina operation. Net sales to Fore Systems for the three months ended March 2, 2000 decreased by $20.9 million to $6.9 million from $27.8 million for the three months ended March 4, 1999. The Company currently anticipates that it will complete manufacturing services for Fore Systems during the third quarter of fiscal 2000. The decrease in net sales to Fore Systems was partially offset by growth in demand for complex PCBA's and consigned memory modules.

     Net sales attributable to foreign subsidiaries totaled $18.8 million for the three months ended March 2, 2000, compared to $7.1 million for the corresponding period of fiscal 1999. The growth in foreign subsidiary net sales is primarily the result of increased complex PCBA shipments at the Company's Malaysia operation. The Company's Monterrey, Mexico operation completed its first customer qualification and ISO9002 certification during the three months ended March 2, 2000 and anticipates its first sales early in the third quarter of fiscal 2000.

     Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three months ended March 2, 2000 decreased by $2.9 million, or 48.3%, to $3.1 million from $6.0 million for the three months ended March 4, 1999. Gross margin for the three months ended March 2, 2000 decreased to 3.1% of net sales from 5.2% for the corresponding period of fiscal 1999. Gross profit and gross margin were adversely affected by reduced capacity utilization at the Durham, North Carolina operation due to the significant decline in sales to Fore Systems, start-up costs at the Monterrey, Mexico operation and lower prices on complex PCBA's. Gross profit and gross margins may continue to be affected by these factors.

     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the three months ended March 2, 2000 decreased by $0.1 million, or 1.5%, to $6.7 million from $6.8 million for the three months ended March 4, 1999. The decrease for the three months ended March 2, 2000 was primarily the result of a decrease in non-cash foreign currency expense of $0.7 million, offset in part by an additional $0.4 million of start-up costs associated with the Company's recently established Monterrey, Mexico operation. The non-cash foreign currency expense primarily relates to an intercompany loan between the Company and its Belgian subsidiary. During the three months ended March 2, 2000, the Company established an engineering and prototype operation in the Silicon Valley to attract and support new and existing customers. Although the Company has not yet incurred significant start-up costs associated with the Silicon Valley operation, the Company has entered into a long-term lease for a facility, which commenced in March 2000.

     Interest expense. Interest expense for the three months ended March 2, 2000 increased by $0.5 million, or 10.2%, to $5.4 million from $4.9 million for the three months ended March 4, 1999. The increase was primarily due to higher interest rates on the Company's variable interest rate borrowings.

     Provision for Income Taxes. Income tax expense for the three months ended March 2, 2000 was $30,000 compared to a benefit of $1.7 million for the three months ended March 4, 1999. The income tax expense for the three months ended March 2, 2000 resulted from a mandatory minimum foreign income tax on its Mexican subsidiary. The effective rate of tax expense for the three months ended March 2, 2000 was 0.3%, compared to an income tax benefit of 31.6% for the corresponding period of fiscal 1999. The overall decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 2, 2000, relative to the corresponding period of fiscal 1999, was primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance. During the three months ended March 2, 2000, the valuation allowance eliminated any income tax benefit that would have otherwise resulted from the losses. The Company does not provide for U.S. tax on the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and, therefore, the effective rate may vary significantly from period to period.

     Extraordinary loss. The extraordinary after tax loss of the $0.6 million for the three months ended March 4, 1999 resulted from the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the early retirement of a revolving credit facility.

     Net Loss. For the reasons stated above, the net loss for the three months ended March 2, 2000 increased by $4.4 million to $9.0 million from $4.6 million for the three months ended March 4, 1999. As a percentage of net sales, net loss for the three months ended March 2, 2000 was 9.1% compared to 3.9% for the three months ended March 4, 1999.

Six Months Ended March 2, 2000 Compared to Six Months Ended March 4, 1999

     Net Sales. Net sales for the six months ended March 2, 2000 decreased by $8.5 million, or 4.1%, to $199.1 million from $207.6 million for the six months ended March 4, 1999. The decrease in net sales is primarily the result of lower sales to Fore Systems.. Net sales to Fore Systems for the six months ended March 2, 2000 decreased $25.0 million to $19.4 million from $44.4 million for the six months ended March 4, 1999. The Company anticipates that it will complete manufacturing services for Fore Systems during the third quarter of fiscal 2000. The decrease in net sales to Fore Systems was partially offset by growth in demand for complex PCBA's and consigned memory modules.

     Net sales attributable to foreign subsidiaries totaled $37.3 million for the six months ended March 2, 2000, compared to $14.2 million for the corresponding period of fiscal 1999. The growth in foreign subsidiary net sales is primarily the result of increased complex PCBA shipments at the Company's Malaysia operation. Sales from the Company's Monterrey, Mexico operation commenced early in the third quarter of fiscal 2000.

     Gross Profit. Gross profit for the six months ended March 2, 2000 decreased by $2.0 million, or 17.9%, to $9.2 million from $11.2 million for the six months ended March 4, 1999. Gross margin for the six months ended March 2, 2000 decreased to 4.6% of net sales from 5.4% for the corresponding period of fiscal 1999. Gross profit and gross margin were adversely affected by several factors, including lower prices on PCBA's, reduced capacity utilization at the Durham, North Carolina operation due to the significant decline in sales to Fore Systems, start-up costs at the Monterrey, Mexico operation. Gross profit and gross margins may continue to be affected by these factors.

     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses for the six months ended March 2, 2000 increased by $1.6 million, or 14.5%, to $12.6 million from $11.0 million for the six months ended March 4, 1999. This increase was primarily the result of additional expenses in program management, information technology and executive management to support the Company's global expansion and anticipated growth. In addition, the Company incurred $0.5 million of start-up costs associated with the Company's recently established Monterrey, Mexico operation during the six months ended March 2, 2000. During the six months ended March 2, 2000, the Company established an engineering and prototype operation in the Silicon Valley to attract and support new and existing customers. Although the Company has not yet incurred significant start-up costs associated with the Silicon Valley operation, the Company has entered into a long-term lease for a facility, which commenced in March 2000.

     Interest expense. Interest expense for the six months ended March 2, 2000 increased $1.1 million, or 11.5%, to $10.7 million from $9.6 million for the six months ended March 4, 1999. The increase was primarily due to higher levels of borrowing under the Company's credit facility and higher interest rates on the Company's variable interest rate borrowings.

     Provision for Income Taxes. Income tax expense for the six months ended March 2, 2000 was $30,000, compared to a benefit of $3.9 million for the six months ended March 4, 1999. The income tax expense for the six months ended March 2, 2000 resulted from a mandatory minimum foreign income tax on its Mexican subsidiary. The effective rate of tax expense for the six months ended March 2, 2000 was 0.2%, compared to 37.1% for the corresponding period of fiscal 1999. The overall decrease in the effective tax rate during the six months ended March 2, 2000, relative to the corresponding period of fiscal 1999 was primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance. During the six months ended March 2, 2000, the valuation allowance eliminated any income tax benefit that would have otherwise resulted from the losses. The Company does not provide for U.S. tax on the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and, therefore, the effective rate may vary significantly from period to period.

     Extraordinary loss. The extraordinary after tax loss of the $0.6 million for the six months ended March 4, 1999 resulted from the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the early retirement of a revolving credit facility.

     Net Loss. For the reasons stated above, net loss for the six months ended March 2, 2000 increased by $7.5 million to a loss of $14.1 million from a loss of $6.6 million for the six months ended March 4, 1999. As a percentage of net sales, net loss for the six months ended March 2, 2000 was 7.1% compared to 3.2% for the six months ended March 4, 1999.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     During the first six months of fiscal 2000, net cash consumed by operating activities was $3.6 million. Net cash used by investing activities was $4.1 million and net cash provided by financing activities was $7.7 million. Exchange rate changes had a nominal effect on cash. Net cash used by investing activities during the first six months of fiscal 2000 primarily consisted of capital expenditures of $4.1 million to upgrade and establish facilities and expand manufacturing capacity in Malaysia and Mexico. Net cash generated from financing activities primarily resulted from an $8.7 million loan from certain of the Company's stockholders, off-set in part by repayments on the Company's existing credit facility and other debt..

     The $3.6 million of cash consumed by operations during the six months ended March 2, 2000 was primarily the result of a net loss of $14.1 million during the period. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis." The net loss included $9.0 million in non-cash depreciation and amortization. Changes in assets and liabilities generated cash from operating activities totaling $1.5 million, which was primarily due to a $15.7 million reduction in the Company's accounts receivable, offset in part by a $12.5 million increase in inventory. For the six months ended March 2, 2000, the average accounts receivable collection period and the average inventory turns were 37.9 days and 7.6 turns, respectively, compared to 37.8 days and 11.5 turns, respectively, for the corresponding period in fiscal 1999. For the three months ended March 2, 2000, the average accounts receivable collection period and the average inventory turns were 34.2 days and 7.1 turns, respectively, compared to 41.2 days and 7.9 turns, respectively, for the three months ended December 2, 1999. The average collection period and average inventory turn levels vary, among other things, as a function of sales volume, sales volatility, product mix, payment terms with customers and suppliers and the mix of consigned and turnkey business.

     The Company has a $60 million credit facility (the "Credit Facility") which matures on February 26, 2004. The Credit Facility includes a $10 million equipment loan facility restricted to the purchase of property, plant and equipment and a $50 million revolving credit facility. Amounts available to borrow under the revolving credit facility vary depending on domestic accounts receivable, inventory and equipment balances, which serve as collateral along with substantially all of the other assets of the Company. The Credit Facility restricts the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to make certain investments, loans and guarantees and to sell or otherwise dispose of a substantial portion of its assets or to enter into any merger or consolidation. In February 2000, the Credit Facility was amended to allow for a loan from certain of the Company's shareholders. The Credit Facility also contains a covenant requiring that the Company maintain a fixed charge ratio of not less than 1.0 to 1.0, provided, however, that this fixed charge ratio covenant will not be applied to any fiscal quarter during the term as long as the gross borrowing availability exceeds $10.0 million. As of April 6, 2000, the Company had a $30.2 million outstanding balance under the revolving credit facility and $15.7 million of gross availability, of which $5.7 million was available to borrow without triggering the fixed charge ratio covenant. Had the Company been required to test the fixed charge ratio, the test would not have been satisfied. As of April 6, 2000, the Company had a $4.0 million outstanding balance under the equipment loan facility and $6.0 million of availability under the Credit Facility.

 

     On February 29, 2000, the Company received $8.7 million under a loan agreement with certain shareholders of the Company. The loans are evidenced by separate note agreements with the participating shareholders (the "Notes from Shareholders"). The Notes from Shareholders mature on February 27, 2004, subject to earlier prepayment, provided that all amounts due under the Credit Facility have been paid in full and all commitments under the Credit Facility have been terminated. Interest accrues at 90-day LIBOR + 3.25% (9.38% at March 2, 2000), subject to adjustment, if the interest rate under the Credit Facility is ever increased. Interest is payable monthly if a fiscal month's fixed charge ratio, as defined, exceeds 1.1 to 1.0, so long as no event of default has occurred under the Credit Facility or would occur as a result of an interest payment under this loan. Otherwise, interest is payable upon maturity of the notes. For the fiscal month ended March 2, 2000, the fixed charge ratio did not exceed 1.1 to 1.0.

     The Company's principal sources of future liquidity are cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under the Credit Facility. The Company experienced lower than anticipated levels of profitability and cash flows from operating activities and higher than anticipated levels of borrowing during the first six months of fiscal 2000. The Company has implemented a number of initiatives to accelerate working capital turns, improve manufacturing efficiencies and control operating expenses, all of which it believes will improve its liquidity. The Company believes that future cash flows from operating activities and availability under its Credit Facility should provide sufficient liquidity to meet its current and future interest payments, working capital and capital expenditure obligations. If cash flows from operating activities and availability under the Credit Facility are not sufficient to meet these obligations, the Company may require additional equity or debt financing. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available on satisfactory terms when required. See "Certain Factors--High Level of Indebtedness; Ability to Service Indebtedness and Satisfy Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements."

Year 2000 Compliance

     To date, the Company has not experienced any material disruption caused by the failure of the Company's ERP system or any of its "mission critical" information systems to be Year 2000 compliant. In addition, the Company has not experienced, to date, any material disruption caused by the failure of any supplier or customer to be Year 2000 compliant. Total costs, whether capitalized or expensed, associated with the implementation of the Company's ERP system, as well as system modifications, were approximately $11.8 million, including $0.4 million during the first six months of fiscal 2000. This amount includes costs associated with the implementation of new systems for Year 2000 compliance even though such compliance was not the primary reason for installation.

CERTAIN FACTORS

     In addition to factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in other Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the following are important factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the historical results of the Company's operations or those results or events contemplated in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.

High Level of Indebtedness; Ability to Service Indebtedness and Satisfy Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements

     The Company is highly leveraged. At March 2, 2000, the Company had approximately $215.1 million of total indebtedness, plus Series B 12 1/2% Senior Preferred Stock (the "Redeemable Preferred Stock") outstanding with an aggregate liquidation preference of $32.0 million. The Company may incur additional indebtedness from time to time to provide for working capital or capital expenditures or for other purposes, subject to certain restrictions in (i) the Credit Facility, (ii) the Notes from Shareholders , (iii) the Indenture (the "Indenture") governing the Company's Series B 9-3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 and the Series B Floating Interest Rate Subordinated Term Securities due 2008 (collectively, the "Notes"), (iv) the Certificate of Designation relating to the Redeemable Preferred Stock (the "Certificate of Designation") and (v) the Indenture (the "Exchange Indenture") governing the 12-1/2% Subordinated Exchange Debentures (the "Exchange Debentures") due 2010 issuable in exchange for the Redeemable Preferred Stock.

     The level of the Company's indebtedness could have important consequences to the Company and the holders of the Company's securities, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service and will not be available for other purposes; (ii) the Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the future, as needed, may be limited; (iii) the Company's leveraged position and covenants contained in the Indenture, the Certificate of Designation, the Exchange Indenture, the Notes from Shareholders and the Credit Facility may limit its ability to grow and make capital improvements and acquisitions; (iv) the Company's level of indebtedness may make it more vulnerable to economic downturns; and (v) the Company may be at a competitive disadvantage because some of the Company's competitors are less financially leveraged, resulting in greater operational and financial flexibility for such competitors.

     The ability of the Company to pay cash dividends on, and to satisfy the redemption obligations in respect of, the Redeemable Preferred Stock and to satisfy its debt obligations, including the Notes, will be primarily dependent upon the future financial and operating performance of the Company. Such performance is dependent upon the Company's rate of growth and profitability and the ability of the Company to manage its working capital effectively, including its inventory turns and accounts receivable collection period. The Company's principal sources of future liquidity are cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under its Credit Facility. The Company experienced lower than anticipated levels of profitability and cash flows from operating activities and higher than anticipated levels of borrowing during the first six months of fiscal 2000. The Company has implemented a number of initiatives to accelerate working capital turns, improve manufacturing efficiencies and control operating expenses, all of which it believes will improve its liquidity. The Company believes that future cash flows from operating activities and availability under its Credit Facility should provide sufficient liquidity to meet its current and future interest payments, working capital and capital expenditure obligations. If cash flows from operating activities and availability under the Credit Facility are not sufficient to meet these obligations, the Company may require additional equity or debt financing. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available on satisfactory terms when required. The Company's future operating performance and ability to service or refinance the Notes and to repay, extend or refinance the Credit Facility and Notes from Shareholders will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its debt service obligations or provide adequate long-term liquidity, it will have to pursue one or more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying capital expenditures, refinancing debt, reducing its workforce, closing a site, selling assets or raising equity capital. There can be no assurance that such alternatives could be accomplished on satisfactory terms, if at all, or in a timely manner.

 

Restrictions Imposed by Terms of Indebtedness and Redeemable Preferred Stock

     The Indenture, the Certificate of Designation, the Exchange Indenture, the Notes from Shareholders and the Credit Facility contain certain covenants that restrict, among other things, the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, consummate certain assets sales and purchases, issue preferred stock, incur liens, pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with any other person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, none of which impaired the Company's ability to conduct business in the first six months of fiscal 2000. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under the Credit Facility, the Notes from Shareholders, the Indenture and the Exchange Indenture and would violate certain provisions of the Certificate of Designation. The Credit Facility contains a covenant requiring that the Company maintain a fixed charge ratio of not less than 1.0 to 1.0, provided, however, that this fixed charge ratio covenant will not be applied to any fiscal quarter during the term as long as the gross borrowing availability under the Credit Facility exceeds $10.0 million. As of March 2, 2000, had the Company been required to test the fixed charge ratio, the test would not have satisfied. In the event the Company does not meet such tests, the availability of capital from bank borrowings, including but not limited to the ability to access the Credit Facility, could be adversely affected. The inability to borrow under the Credit Facility could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

     Upon an event of default under the Credit Facility, the Loan from Shareholders, the Indenture or the Exchange Indenture, the lenders thereunder could elect to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. In the case of the Credit Facility, if the Company were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders thereunder could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. Such collateral is comprised of substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company, including the capital stock and membership interests of its subsidiary stock.

Capital Requirements

     The Company believes that, in order to achieve its long-term growth objectives and maintain and enhance its competitive position, it will need significant financial resources over the next several years for capital expenditures, including investments in manufacturing capacity and capabilities, management information systems, working capital and debt service. The Company has added manufacturing capacity and incurred significant capital expenditures over the last several years. Most recently, the Company leased a facility in the Silicon Valley (March 2000), which will be used as an engineering and prototype operation to attract and support new and existing customers. In addition, the Company completed an expansion of the Penang, Malaysia operations (September 1999) and leased a new facility in Monterrey, Mexico (October 1999). The precise amount and timing of the Company's future funding needs cannot be determined at this time and will depend upon a number of factors, including the demand for the Company's services and the Company's management of its working capital. The Company may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient capital, it could be required to reduce or delay its capital expenditures and facilities expansion, which could materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."

 

Customer Concentration; Dependence on Certain Industries

     At any given time, certain customers may account for significant portions of the Company's net sales. For the first six months of fiscal 2000, approximately 78% of net sales were derived from customers in the networking and telecommunications industries. For the three months and six months ended March 2, 2000, the Company's ten largest customers accounted for approximately 90% and 88%, respectively, of net sales. The Company's top customer accounted for approximately 43% and 41% of net sales in the three and six months ended March 2, 2000, respectively. Another customer accounted for approximately 11% of net sales for the three months ended March 2, 2000. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated sales for the three and six months ended March 2, 2000. Throughout fiscal 1999 and through the first three months of fiscal 2000, Fore Systems had accounted for greater than 10% of consolidated sales.The Company anticipates that it will complete manufacturing services for Fore Systems during the third quarter of fiscal 2000.

     The Company has another major customer that operates under a consignment manufacturing model and, while sales are less than 10% of total revenue, the customer makes an important contribution to the Company's overall financial performance. Moreover, the Company has significant customer concentration at a site level. Prior to the first six months of fiscal 2000, Fore Systems was a significant customer of the Durham, North Carolina operation. As a result of the decline in sales to Fore Systems, gross margins at the Durham, North Carolina operation have been and will continue to be affected until the Company establishes new customers to replace Fore Systems. Volatility in demand from other major customers may also lead to reduced site capacity utilization and have a negative effect on the Company's gross margin. Decreases in sales to or margins with these or any other key customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Results of Operations."

     The Company expects to continue to depend upon a relatively small number of customers for a significant percentage of its net sales. There can be no assurance that the Company's principal customers will continue to purchase services at current levels, if at all. The percentage of the Company's sales to these customers may fluctuate from period-to-period. Significant reductions in sales to any of the Company's major customers as well as period-to-period fluctuations in sales and changes in product mix ordered by such customers may result in the Company reducing its workforce, reallocating manufacturing demand or closing a site, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

     In addition, the Company is dependent upon the continued growth, viability and financial stability of its OEM customers, which are in turn substantially dependent on the growth of the networking, telecommunications, computer systems and other industries. These industries are subject to rapid technological change, product obsolescence and price competition. Many of the Company's customers in these industries are affected by general economic conditions. Currency devaluations and economic slowdowns may have an adverse effect on the results of operations of certain of the Company's OEM customers, and in turn, their orders from the Company. These and other competitive factors affecting the networking, telecommunications and computer system industries in general, and the Company's OEM customers in particular, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, volatility in the market for DRAM components, could have a material adverse effect on one of the Company's major customers, and consequently on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operation. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Results of Operations."

 

Variability of Results of Operations

     The Company's operations may be affected by a number of factors including economic conditions, price competition, the level of volume and the timing of customer orders, product mix, management of manufacturing processes, materials procurement and inventory management, fixed asset utilization, foreign currency fluctuations, the level of experience in manufacturing a particular product, customer product delivery requirements, availability and pricing of components, availability of experienced labor and failure to introduce, or lack of market acceptance, new processes, services, technologies and products. In addition, the level of net sales and gross margin can vary significantly based on whether certain projects are contracted on a turnkey basis, where the Company purchases materials, versus on a consignment basis, where materials are provided by the customer (turnkey manufacturing tends to result in higher net sales and lower gross margins than consignment manufacturing). An adverse change in one or more of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

     In addition, customer orders can be canceled and volume levels can be changed or delayed. From time to time, some of the Company's customers have terminated their manufacturing arrangements with the Company, and other customers have reduced or delayed the volume of design and manufacturing services performed by the Company. Resolving customer obligations due to program or relationship termination and the replacement of canceled, delayed or reduced contracts with new business cannot be assured. Termination of a manufacturing relationship or changes, reductions or delays in orders could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Management of Growth

     Expansion has caused, and is expected to cause, strain on the Company's infrastructure, including its managerial, technical, financial, information systems and other resources. To manage further growth, the Company must continue to enhance financial and operational controls, develop or hire additional executive officers and other qualified personnel. Continued growth will also require increased investments to add manufacturing capacity and to enhance management information systems. See "Certain Factors=ERP System Implementation." There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to scale its internal infrastructure and other resources to effectively manage growth and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

     The markets served by the Company are characterized by short product life cycles and rapid technology changes. The Company's ability to successfully support new product introductions is critical to the Company's customers. New product introductions have caused, and are expected to continue to cause, certain inefficiencies and strain on the Company's resources. Any such inefficiencies could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.      

     New operations, whether foreign or domestic, can require significant start-up costs and capital expenditures. In the event that the Company continues to expand its domestic or international operations, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in generating revenue to recover start-up and operating costs. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Results of Operations."

Dependence on Key Personnel

     During the first quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company appointed Rick Rowe as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). In order to provide executive leadership and focus on customer initiatives within MCMS, Mr. Subia transferred over to President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer with responsibility for directing the Company's global sales and marketing strategy. Mr. Subia will continue to serve on the Company's Board of Directors.

     During the second quarter of fiscal 2000, Richard Downing resigned from his position as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. The Company has eliminated this position, thereby taking the opportunity to reduce overall costs and management layers within the organization.

     The Company's continued success depends to a large extent upon the efforts and abilities of key managerial and technical employees. The Company's business will also depend upon its ability to continue to attract and retain qualified employees. Although the Company has been successful in attracting and retaining key managerial and technical employees to date, the loss of services of certain key employees, in particular any of its executive officers, or the Company's failure to continue to attract and retain other key managerial and technical employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Competition

     The electronics manufacturing services industry is intensely competitive and subject to rapid change, and includes numerous regional, national and international companies, a number of which have achieved substantial market share. The Company believes that the primary competitive factors in its targeted markets are manufacturing technology, product quality, responsiveness and flexibility, consistency of performance, range of services provided, the location of facilities and price. To be competitive, the Company must provide technologically advanced manufacturing services, high quality products, flexible production schedules and reliable delivery of finished products on a timely and price competitive basis. Failure to satisfy any of the foregoing requirements could materially and adversely affect the Company's competitive position. The Company competes directly with a number of EMS firms, including Celestica International Holdings Inc., Flextronics International, Ltd., Jabil Circuits, Inc., Sanmina Corporation and Solectron Corporation. The Company also faces indirect competition from the captive manufacturing operations of its current and prospective customers, which continually evaluate the merits of manufacturing products internally rather than using the services of EMS providers. Many of the Company's competitors have more geographically diversified manufacturing facilities, international procurement capabilities, research and development and capital and marketing resources than the Company. In addition, the Company may be at a competitive disadvantage because some of the Company's competitors are less financially leveraged, resulting in, among other things, greater operational and financial flexibility for such competitors. See "Certain Factors--High Level of Indebtedness; Ability to Service Indebtedness and Satisfy Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements." In recent years, the EMS industry has attracted new entrants and many existing participants have substantially expanded their manufacturing capacity by expanding their facilities through both internal expansion and acquisitions. In the event of a decrease in overall demand for EMS services, this increased capacity could result in substantial pricing pressures, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

International Operations

     The Company currently offers EMS capabilities in North America, Asia and Europe. The Company began offering EMS capabilities in Mexico late in the second quarter of fiscal 2000 and began shipments of product early in the third quarter of fiscal 2000. Management believes that the percentage of the Company's revenue derived from international sales will increase in the future as OEMs look for low-cost solutions for their more mature and price sensitive products and seek manufacturing near the markets where their products will be sold and distributed. In the second quarter of fiscal 2000, net sales attributable to foreign operations totaled $18.8 million or 19% of total net sales. The Company may be affected by economic and political conditions in each of the countries in which it operates and certain other risks of doing business abroad, including fluctuations in the value of currencies, import duties, changes to import and export regulations (including quotas), possible restrictions on the transfer of funds, employee turnover, labor or civil unrest, long payment cycles, greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable, the burdens, cost and risk of compliance with a variety of foreign laws, and, in certain parts of the world, political and economic instability. In addition, the attractiveness of the Company's services to its United States customers is affected by United States trade policies, such as "most favored nation" status and trade preferences, which are reviewed periodically by the United States government. Changes in policies by the United States or foreign governments could result in, for example, increased duties, higher taxation, currency conversion limitations, hostility toward United States-owned operations, limitations on imports or exports, or the expropriation of private enterprises, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. The Company's Belgian and Mexican operations are subject to labor union agreements covering managerial, supervisory and production employees, which set standards for, among other things, the maximum number of working hours and minimum compensation levels. In addition, economic considerations in Belgium may make it difficult for the Company's Belgian facility to compete effectively compared to other lower cost European locations. The Company's Malaysian operations and assets are subject to significant political, economic, legal and other uncertainties customary for businesses located in Malaysia.

     The Company's international operations are based in Belgium, Malaysia and Mexico. The functional currency of the Company's Belgium, Malaysia and Mexico operations are the Belgium franc, Malaysian ringgit and U.S. dollar, respectively. Fixed assets for the Belgium and Malaysia operations are denominated in each entity's functional currency and translation gains or losses will occur as the exchange rate between the local functional currency and the U.S. dollar fluctuates on each balance sheet reporting date. The Company's financial performance may be adversely impacted by changes in exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar. The Company's equity investment in Malaysia is long-term in nature and, therefore, any translation adjustments are shown as a separate component of shareholders' equity and do not effect the Company's net income (loss). Prior to fiscal 2000, the Company's investment in Belgium was considered short-term in nature. In the first quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company deemed a portion of its Belgian investment as long-term. The Company's cumulative translation losses as of March 2, 2000, were $2.3 million and $0.2 million for the Belgium and Malaysia operations, respectively. An additional risk is that certain working capital accounts such as accounts receivable and accounts payable are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency and may give rise to exchange gains or losses upon settlement or at the end of any financial reporting period. Sales in currencies other than the functional currency were approximately 0.1%, 19.0% and 0% of consolidated sales for the quarter ended March 2, 2000 for Belgium, Malaysia and Mexico, respectively. Sales in currencies other than the functional currency were approximately 0.1%, 16.7% and 0% of consolidated sales for the six months ended March 2, 2000 for Belgium, Malaysia and Mexico, respectively. Certain direct labor, manufacturing overhead, and selling, general and administrative costs of the international operations are denominated in the local currencies. Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the Company's net income. The Company's transaction losses for the quarter ended March 2, 2000 were $0.1 and $0.0 million for the Belgium and Mexico operations, respectively. The Company's transaction losses for the six months ended March 2, 2000 were $0.2 and $0.0 million for the Belgium and Mexico operations, respectively. There were no transaction gains or losses for the Malaysia operations during these same periods. In September 1998, the Malaysian government imposed currency control measures which, among other things, fixed the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Malaysian ringgit and made it more difficult to repatriate the Company's investments. The Company attempts to minimize the impact of exchange rate volatility by entering into U.S. dollar denominated transactions whenever possible for purchases of raw materials and capital equipment and by keeping minimal cash balances of foreign currencies. As exchange rates fluctuate, the Company will continue to experience translation and transaction adjustments related to its investments in Belgium, Malaysia and Mexico, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental Regulations

     The Company is subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, air emissions, waste water discharge, waste storage, treatment and disposal, and remediation of releases of hazardous materials. While the Company believes that it is currently in material compliance with all such environmental requirements, any failure to comply with present and future requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial conditions and results of operations. Such requirements could require the Company to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses to comply with environmental regulations. The imposition of additional or more stringent environmental requirements, the results of future testing at the Company's facilities, or a determination that the Company is potentially responsible for remediation at other sites where problems are not presently known, could result in expenditures in excess of amounts currently estimated to be required for such matters.

 

Concentration of Ownership

     Cornerstone Equity Investors and certain other investors beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 90.0% of the outstanding capital stock (other than the Redeemable Preferred Stock) of the Company. As a result, although no single investor has more than 49.0% of the voting power of the Company's outstanding securities or the ability to appoint a majority of the directors, the aggregate votes of these investors could determine the composition of a majority of the board of directors and, therefore, influence the management and policies of the Company.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     As of March 2, 2000, the Company had $215.1 million of total debt outstanding, of which $69.9 million is floating interest rate borrowings and is subject to periodic adjustments. As interest rates fluctuate the Company may experience interest expense increases that may materially impact financial results. For example, if interest rates were to increase or decrease by 1% the result would be an annual increase or decrease of approximately $699,000 to interest expense.

     The Company uses the U.S. dollar as its functional currency, except for its operations in Belgium and Malaysia. Direct labor, manufacturing overhead, and selling, general and administrative costs of the international operations are denominated in the local currencies. The Company has evaluated the potential costs and benefits of hedging potential adverse changes in the exchange rates between U.S. dollar, Belgian Franc and Malaysian Ringgit. Currently, the Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments because a substantial portion of the Company's sales in these foreign operations are in U.S dollars. The assets and liabilities of the Belgium and Malaysia operations are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the period end date. Income and expense items are translated at the year-to-date average rate. Aggregate transaction losses included in net loss for the second quarter and six months ended March 2, 2000 were $0.1 and $0.2 million, respectively.

 

PART II      OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.      EXHIBITS

(a): The following are filed as part of this report:

 

Exhibit

 

Description

 

 

 

10.4 (d)

 

Loan Agreement, dated as of February 29, 2000, between MCMS, Inc. and Cornerstone Equity Investors IV, L.P., Bankers Trust Company, Oak Investment Funds and August Capital.

 

 

 

27

 

Financial Data Schedules.

(b): Reports on Form 8-K:

     During the second quarter of Fiscal 2000, no reports on Form 8-K were filed.

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed on behalf of the registrant by the following duly authorized person.

 

MCMS, Inc.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: April 12, 2000

By: /s/ Chris J. Anton

 

 

Vice President, Finance and Chief

 

 

Financial Officer (Principal Financial

 

 

Officer and Accounting Officer)

 



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission