UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
[Mark One] FORM 10-K
|X| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 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 Number: 000-6377
DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 77-0176309
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
1077 Independence Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043-1601
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(650) 969-7277
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None None
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(Title of each class (Name of each exchange
so registered) on which registered)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
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(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. |X| Yes |_| No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. |X|
Based on the last trade price of the Company's Common Stock on The Nasdaq Stock
Market(R) on June 23, 2000, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held
by non-affiliates of the registrant is approximately $118,040,000.
Number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, at June 23, 2000:
9,881,403
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: NONE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I
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Item 1. Business
General Development of Business............................................................................ 3
Financial Information about Industry Segments.............................................................. 4
Narrative Description of Business.......................................................................... 4
LaserCard(R) Optical Memory Cards
Optical Data Storage................................................................................. 4
The Drexon(R) Laser Recording Medium................................................................. 4
Overview of the LaserCard(R) Optical Memory Card..................................................... 5
Applications......................................................................................... 5
Writing/Reading the LaserCard........................................................................ 6
Data Storage Capacity................................................................................ 6
Prerecording......................................................................................... 7
Card Durability...................................................................................... 7
Card Security........................................................................................ 7
International Standards.............................................................................. 8
LaserCard(R) Products
Card Manufacture..................................................................................... 9
Product Evolution.................................................................................... 9
Marketing and Technical Support...................................................................... 9
Software............................................................................................. 10
Optical Card Read/Write Drives....................................................................... 11
Multi-Technology Card Workstations................................................................... 12
Other Peripherals.................................................................................... 12
Licensing
Card Manufacturing Licenses.......................................................................... 12
Card Distribution Licenses and Other Licenses........................................................ 13
Competition
IC Cards............................................................................................. 13
Other Card Products.................................................................................. 13
Other Optical Memory Cards and Equipment............................................................. 14
Other Matters
Research and Engineering Expenses.................................................................... 14
Patents.............................................................................................. 14
Trademarks........................................................................................... 16
Environment.......................................................................................... 16
Employees............................................................................................ 16
Factors that May Influence Future Operating Results..................................................... 16
Comment Concerning Forward-Looking Statements........................................................... 18
Item 2. Properties..................................................................................................... 18
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.............................................................................................. 18
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............................................................ 18
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant........................................................................ 19
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters....................................... 20
Item 6. Selected Financial Data........................................................................................ 21
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.......................... 22
Item 7A. Market Rate Risks.............................................................................................. 25
Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Public Accountants................................................................... 26
Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................................................... 27
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................................................. 31
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)................................................................ 38
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure........................... 39
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant............................................................. 39
Item 11. Executive Compensation......................................................................................... 39
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management................................................. 42
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions................................................................. 43
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K............................................... 44
Signatures................................................................................................................ 48
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
(a) General Development of Business
Drexler Technology Corporation manufactures LaserCard(R) optical memory
cards used for immigration, ID/access, data logging, healthcare, automotive, and
other digital read/write wallet-card applications. LaserCard Systems
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Drexler Technology, makes optical card
read/write drives, develops optical card system software, and markets optical
cards, related systems, and peripherals. Drexler Technology was incorporated
under the laws of the State of California on July 23, 1968, and was
reincorporated as a Delaware corporation on September 17, 1987. In this report,
the "Company" refers to Drexler Technology Corporation and its LaserCard Systems
subsidiary.
The LaserCard optical memory card is a laser recordable, computer
readable, nonvolatile, credit-card sized, data storage card invented, patented,
developed, and manufactured by the Company. It contains a reflective stripe of
laser-recording material called Drexon(R), a patented Company invention that can
store over 4 megabytes of digital data. This unique card offers multiple
data-security features, can be carried in a wallet, and is highly resistant to
counterfeiting.
The Company's LaserCard product line currently consists of optical memory
cards, optical card read/write drives, optical card data systems, "chip ready"
hybrid smart cards, and related system software and peripherals. The Company's
products are sold mainly through value-added reseller (VAR) companies and
licensees that develop commercial applications for LaserCard products. Target
markets include U.S. federal and state governments, foreign governments,
medical, transportation, and pay-per-use and other electronic commerce
applications for portable, recordable, secure, cumulative-data cards. Company
revenues also include fees from the occasional sale of patent licenses or
distribution licenses.
During the 1987-1990 period, the Company divested its photomask-related
operations and sold optical data storage patent licenses, which generated
capital to restructure the Company and fund its new LaserCard operations.
LaserCard Systems Corporation was then established to engage in writing system
software, performing system integration, and establishing a worldwide VAR
network. By the end of calendar year 1996, LaserCard orders were at levels of
5,000 to 100,000 cards per order, and the Company's LaserCard Systems subsidiary
was marketing the card internationally through VARs and licensees.
In fiscal 1998, the Company achieved profitability on LaserCard operations
for the first time, largely due to a $7.1 million order received in February of
1997 for U.S. government cards. The order was for LaserCard optical memory cards
to be used as Permanent Resident Cards ("Green Cards") by the United States
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). This initial order was followed by
a series of card orders for INS Green Cards and U.S. Department of State "Laser
Visa" border crossing cards: a $6.4 million order in December 1997, a $3 million
order in November 1998, a $7.5 million order in May 1999, a $6.8 million order
in December 1999, and a U.S. government subcontract awarded in June 2000, with
an authorized maximum of $81 million over a period of up to five years.
Government, commercial, and trial applications for the LaserCard include
the following:
-- U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Green Cards
-- U.S. Department of State (DoS) Laser Visa border crossing cards
-- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) cargo shipping manifests
-- Electronic commerce debit cards/pay-per use cards
-- PC-like hybrid "smart cards" (chip/optical) for multi-function
applications
-- Tamper-resistant ID cards
-- Construction permit cards
-- Medical/healthcare record cards
-- LaserCard(R) ConciergeCard(TM) optical memory cards for passenger
services at airports
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For the 2000 fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, the Company manufactured
and sold 4.5 million LaserCard optical memory cards. The Company's card
manufacturing plant, located in Mountain View, California, is designed to permit
incremental expansion of production capacity, depending upon card type and
color-printing specifications. In February of 2000, the Company announced a
12-month, $3.2 million capital-investment plan to expand LaserCard production
capacity from 7 million digital optical memory cards per year to about 11
million cards per year by March 2001. The Company plans to finance this capital
investment with cash generated by operations. (Please see "Management's
Discussion and Analysis" regarding current card production capacity.)
(b) Financial Information about Industry Segments
Item 8, Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, contains
industry segment information.
(c) Narrative Description of Business
LASERCARD(R) OPTICAL MEMORY CARDS
Optical Data Storage
Optical data storage systems use light to write and read information. This
information generally is stored digitally in a binary code of "1" or "0" bits
that are represented by either the presence or absence of a physical "spot" on
the recording surface. The difference in reflectivity between the background
surface and the individual spot is measured by a light-sensing device and
converted into an electrical signal. These signals are then translated by a
microprocessor into text, graphics, voice, or pictures. A major feature of
optical data storage systems is that large amounts of data can be stored on a
relatively small surface area since the digital data spots are microscopic in
size and tightly compacted.
A read/write optical data storage system consists of a data storage medium
onto which digital information is recorded, computer peripheral equipment that
writes and reads the digital information (a "read/write drive"), system
software, and application software. The Company produces laser recordable,
credit-card size optical memory cards and associated read/write drives and
develops system software for use by application developers to create optical
card-specific product solutions.
The Drexon(R) Laser Recording Medium
The Drexon(R) laser recording medium was invented and patented by the
Company for optical data storage. It consists of a thin, organic film or
colloidal matrix that contains a thin layer of silver particles. Using
proprietary and patented processes, the Drexon material is produced by chemical
conversion of photographic emulsions, creating a reflective recording surface.
As described under "Prerecording," Drexon allows data to be laser recorded,
prerecorded using photolithography, or both.
The Drexon medium is DRAW (direct-read-after-write). DRAW media permit
data to be read immediately after laser recording--for instantaneous checking of
information. Data can be laser written onto the Drexon material at any time
(over a period of weeks, months, or years) but data can be written in a specific
location on the medium only once (write once). After an area is recorded,
software prevents that same location from being overwritten with new data.
Obsolete data can be ignored by the system but remains permanently stored on the
Drexon optical card as an audit trail of all changes. New or revised information
is recorded in a new location. Thus, although the Drexon material is not
physically erasable like magnetic storage media, Drexon can be corrected and
updated at any time and has the important audit trail feature that magnetic
media does not have. Data also can be read at any time (read many times),
allowing access to newly recorded data and to the audit trail. The permanent
audit trail is of fundamental importance for high security identification card
applications and for medical record cards.
Because the Drexon material is a nonvolatile data storage medium, it is
not vulnerable to data loss or damage when exposed to X rays, electronic
signals, or magnetic fields. Additionally, because the surface of the Drexon
material is reflective, it can hold eye readable, laser engraved, low
reflectivity images (such as photographs, text, and graphics) that can be viewed
and verified without equipment (readers). (Also see "Card Security.")
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Overview of the LaserCard(R) Optical Memory Card
To form LaserCard optical memory cards, the Drexon laser recording
material is encapsulated within layers of polycarbonate plastic (laminated using
electron-beam equipment) and then die cut into card shape. The resulting
LaserCard conforms to international standards for size, thickness, and
flexibility. The typical wholesale price per card to VARs is under $4 when the
cards are ordered in hundreds of thousands, and even lower in cost when larger
quantities of cards are ordered.
The LaserCard is a multiple-security-feature, digital identity card
solution that offers customers the capability of utilizing all or any
combination of the following security features on the same card:
-- It can be progressively upgraded to stay ahead of high-tech
counterfeiters and deter data tampering.
-- It can store PC-readable (digitized) face photo, signature,
biometric data, and text.
-- It can permanently contain an "audit trail" of all digital data
recorded on the card--even data "erased" by the user.
-- It can utilize a process of uniquely laser engraving an "eye
readable" image of the cardholder's face, biographic data,
signature, document number, and card expiration date.
-- It can have a unique, laser-engraved, sequential identification
number.
-- It can store precise, high-resolution microimages during the card
manufacturing process--for example, images of all U.S. presidents
and all state flags, as in the DoS and INS cards.
-- It can store digital certificates, digital signatures, and public
and private cryptographic keys based upon public key infrastructure
(PKI) for use with the Internet, intranets, or extranets for
verifying identity.
Applications
To date, the most successful LaserCard programs involve counterfeit- and
tamper-resistant "licenses" or permits. These types of applications utilize the
LaserCard as proof that the cardholder has a formal permission, privilege, or
right from a government, agency, or company to do something--such as to reside
and work in another country; cross a border for commercial purposes; carry on a
business or profession; receive medical, welfare, or other special services; own
or drive a motor vehicle; construct buildings; make tax-free purchases; utilize
expensive equipment; obtain auto maintenance services; or obtain certain
purchasing benefits. The card-issuing government, agency, or company would use
the LaserCard optical memory card to limit and control access to these very
valuable rights because the LaserCard inhibits counterfeiting and data tampering
and is the most secure identification solution in wide use today.
A government-issued "license" is a formal permission, privilege, or right
from a federal, state, city, or foreign government or agency, for example:
-- The U.S. Green Card, or Permanent Resident Card permits approved
foreign workers to reside and be employed in the United States.
-- A LaserVisa, issued by the United States DoS, permits Mexican
citizens to shop within 25 miles of the U.S. border for up to 72
hours.
-- In a trial program, building construction LaserCard licenses are
issued in certain cities in China to prevent counterfeit licenses
from being used.
-- In a potential application, a national ID card for a foreign country
would be a type of license, in that it would identify the holder as
a citizen and also confer upon the holder all the rights and
privileges to which a citizen is entitled, including welfare,
medical benefits, etc.
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-- A LaserCard document is being considered as a motor vehicle
registration and usage license in a foreign country, to prevent
operators of trucks and buses from making counterfeit licenses.
A company-issued "license" is a formal permission or right related to a
commercial application; for example, the LaserCard was selected for the
following programs:
-- The VISX Incorporated VisionKey(R) card permits a doctor to use
certain patented and expensive eye-surgery equipment.
-- Unisys Corporation and Drexler Technology Corporation's LaserCard
Systems subsidiary are developing a LaserCard(R) ConciergeCard(TM)
membership card program which will grant privileges and rights, to
speed frequent travelers through airports and provide purchase
discounts.
-- Honda Cars of the Philippines has issued warranty/service record
cards to Honda car purchasers, to entitle them to improved
automobile service and warranty privileges.
Other applications utilize the LaserCard optical memory card because of
its high capacity, rugged, portable data storage, for example:
-- The U.S. Department of Defense uses the LaserCard as an automated
shipping manifest. The LaserCard optical memory card was selected
after government tests confirmed that it is the most rugged,
megabyte-storage capacity device available at reasonable costs.
-- For a trial program, a customer has purchased LaserCard optical
memory cards for storing health/medical records of children in
China.
-- Hybrid smart card/LaserCard devices have been used for initial
testing in Italy and Portugal. These hybrid cards have a
microprocessor chip as well as an optical memory stripe on the card.
Therefore, they can be used in smart card applications and provide
more than 1 megabyte of optical memory as well.
Writing/Reading the LaserCard
The optical card read/write drive contains a low-power, semiconductor
diode laser for writing (10.0 milliwatts) and reading (0.5 milliwatts) of data.
The laser is about the size of a thumbtack. The read/write drive is connected to
a personal computer as an external SCSI (small computer system interface)
device. Information is recorded when the read/write drive focuses the laser beam
through the upper clear layer of the card, forming microscopically small spots
in linear tracks on the Drexon material. The recorded spots represent digital
data, the language of computers. Since the read/write drive is connected to a
PC, data can be entered onto the LaserCard from the computer's memory, from the
Internet, and from intranet computer networks.
Data Storage Capacity
The digital data storage capacity of the LaserCard is determined by the
spot size, track pitch, and width of the Drexon optical stripe used in the card.
The spot size is 2.5 microns and the track pitch is 12 microns. (A micron is
1/1,000 of a millimeter, or about 1/75 the width of a human hair. The smallest
size spot the human eye can see is about 20 microns.) The optical stripe is
either 16 millimeters wide or 35 millimeters wide, but the LaserCard itself
remains the size of a conventional credit card. Two card products conforming to
international standards are manufactured by the Company: a 16-millimeter stripe
LaserCard (1.5 megabyte capacity) and a 35-millimeter stripe LaserCard (4.1
megabyte capacity).
A portion of the LaserCard's total capacity is used for an error detection
and correction (EDAC) algorithm. EDAC is routinely used in various data storage
and transfer methods to compensate for data errors resulting from transmission
errors, surface scratches above the recording material, or contamination such as
dust or fingerprints. EDAC is automatically added to data written onto the
LaserCard, to achieve written data error rates of less than 1 in a trillion. The
resulting data storage capacities are 1.1 megabytes of "user" capacity for the
1.5 megabyte PC-like, hybrid smart card LaserCard and 2.86 megabytes of "user"
capacity for the standard 4.1 megabyte LaserCard.
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The amount of information that can be stored on the LaserCard varies
dependent upon the type of digital file, file compression algorithm, formatting
parameters, and data encoding sector size. Typically, a 4.1 megabyte LaserCard
can store more than 1,200 digital text pages or 200 scanned text pages. If the
card is used in a transaction-based application (payment cards, access cards)
over 35,000 transactions could be written to the card.
A byte is a unit of computer storage--the amount of memory needed to store
a single number or letter. A megabyte is 1,000,000 bytes; a kilobyte is 1,000
bytes. The 4.1 megabyte LaserCard has several hundred times the storage capacity
of an 8 kilobyte integrated circuit (IC) smart card and over 10,000 times the
capacity of a magnetic stripe card. On a PC-like, hybrid smart card
(Smart/Optical(TM) Card), a 16-millimeter wide, 1.1 megabyte Drexon optical
memory stripe is used in conjunction with a microprocessor chip.
Prerecording
Another feature of the LaserCard is its recordability both during the card
manufacturing process and afterward. Since photographic film is the base
material from which Drexon is made, photolithography is used during the
manufacturing process to prerecord optical digital data, graphics, and
formatting (tracks and other indicia) while the film is still photosensitive.
Later, after the film is processed to become Drexon and made into cards, data
can be laser recorded at any time--even over a period of years (such as a health
history card).
To perform card prerecording or preformatting, the data pattern to be
replicated on each card is printed repeatedly, end to end, onto a strip of
photographic film. This film is spliced into a master loop, then inserted into a
photolithographic machine. There, a light source accomplishes "printing with
light" by exposing the loop's images onto long lengths of unexposed photographic
film at the rate of about 300 feet per minute. These lengths of film, after
chemical conversion and physical development into Drexon, are laminated between
polycarbonate sheets and cut into cards. On the finished cards, the prerecorded
data pattern has low reflectivity, and the background is more reflective.
The Drexon material's ability to be prerecorded is utilized not only for
formatting the LaserCard but also to add security features such as special
codes, micro-line printing of graphics, text, watermarks, etc.
Card Durability
Unlike most other types of digital storage media, the LaserCard can be
manufactured to withstand temperatures of 100(degrees) C (212(degrees) F) for
extended periods. Additionally, its ability to withstand flexure exceeds that of
conventional credit cards. And, since the LaserCard is a nonvolatile data
storage medium, it is unaffected by static electricity, application of voltage,
or other electromagnetic interference. Testing has indicated that, when
protected by an appropriate envelope, the LaserCard is not normally damaged by
the usual dust particles, grime, and scratches common to any type of card in a
wallet environment. The ISO/DELA Standard (discussed below) uses a pit center
data detection scheme for the highest reliability in reading and writing,
coupled with a powerful EDAC code to maximize the life of the LaserCard.
The LaserCard has undergone limited long-term commercial use. The longest
running commercial LaserCard programs have been the U.S. Department of Defense
"Automated Manifest" card (since 1993) and the VISX, Incorporated eye surgery
system VisionKey(R) card (since 1992).
Card Security
The level of data security used with the LaserCard would depend upon the
type of application. Storing automobile maintenance records requires little or
no data security. However, very high security features are required for
government-issued ID cards, visas, immigrant work permits, company-issued
licenses or permits, and to protect confidential information such as medical
records and other personal data. The LaserCard's relatively high storage
capacity accommodates the use of multiple, nonerasable, security safeguards in
addition to holding all of the user data and an audit trail. These security
measures include eye readable and computer readable security features to enhance
data security, confidentiality, and resistance to counterfeiting and data
tampering.
Biometrics, Digitized Photographs, PINs, and Dedicated Systems. Various
computer readable security safeguards that can be used with optical memory cards
include biometric identifiers such as digitized retina scans, signatures,
fingerprints, and hand geometries; digitized color photographs; biographic data;
and one or more personal identification numbers
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(PINs). Combinations of these and other security features can be recorded onto
the card when it is initialized by the card issuer, for later authentication of
the card when it is in actual use. Also, the Company can factory-prerecord
dedicated interface codes onto the cards' embedded optical memory stripe so that
cards without these codes will not function in dedicated equipment, or vice
versa.
Data Segmentation, Security Software, and Encryption. If desired, data
storage on the LaserCard can be segmented by type of information stored (for
example, patient records separated from insurance information or pharmacy
records) so that access to each type of data can be controlled separately. In
addition, software products are available, that can be used with the LaserCard
to protect computer-based data against unauthorized access. Further, for
applications that warrant cryptography, all data can be recorded onto the
LaserCard using data encryption algorithms. A hybrid, PC-like smart card--with a
microprocessor and over 1 megabyte of updatable optical memory--could store
digital signatures, digital certificates, cryptographic keys such as PKI for
Internet e-commerce, and can store multi-application programs and software
upgrades.
Audit Trail. Because the LaserCard contains nonvolatile, WORM (write-once,
read-many times) memory that cannot be fraudulently altered once recorded, the
card can hold a complete audit trail of data, changes, updates, and deletions.
This can be achieved using software--to allow access to previously recorded
files and, if desired, to record all attempts to access data from the LaserCard.
Matching, Eye Readable, Laser Engraved Images. The LaserCard uniquely
offers this key security feature for maximum counterfeit-resistance.
Cardholder-specific information (typically, the cardholder's face photograph,
name, signature, number, or other identifying information) is laser engraved
onto the card's reflective stripe (through the card's transparent surface).
These laser-engraved visual images provide an ultra-secure, matching reference
to the identical cardholder-specific images thermally printed elsewhere on the
card.
These permanent, eye readable, laser engraved images are recorded when the
card is issued, using a standard optical card read/write drive. Both the U.S.
Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Department of State
currently use this visual technology. For high-speed checking of cards at the
United States/Mexico border, the eye readable, laser engraved images facilitate
the immigration inspectors' job of quickly verifying cards.
Microprinting; Thermal Printing; Other Security Add-ons. Using
photolithography, microimages (readable with magnifiers) can be factory
prerecorded onto the LaserCard's optical stripe as further deterrents against
counterfeiting. Examples include complex optical watermarks, emblems, seals, and
logos. Later, using digital identification technology and commercially available
thermal printers, visual data and images can be thermally printed directly onto
the back of the LaserCard at the time the card is initialized (i.e., during card
issuance). Visual data could include the cardholder's name and address, a face
photograph (in full color or black and white), signature, or other information.
Various other security options that can be added to the LaserCard include
conventional holograms, OCR-B (optical character recognition), bar codes, serial
numbers, and the like.
International Standards
Standardization of optical memory cards allows interchange of the digital
information encoded on the cards and facilitates compatibility among optical
memory card systems. The Company is actively involved in optical card standards
in the United States and internationally. The standard format under which the
Company's optical memory cards operate is called the DELA Standard.
Shown below is the current status of optical memory card standards under
ISO/IEC (the International Organization for Standardization/International
Electrotechnical Committee) and ANSI (the American National Standards
Institute). The LaserCard optical memory card system, featuring the DELA
Standard format, complies with all of the documents listed.
-- ISO/IEC 11693 (2000) describes the general characteristics of
optical memory cards. This approved international standard was first
published in 1994.
-- ISO/IEC 11694-1 (2000) describes the physical characteristics of the
card, such as height, width, thickness, etc. This approved
international standard was first published in 1994.
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-- ISO/IEC 11694-2 (2000) describes the dimensions and location of the
accessible area--the area on the card where data writing/reading
occurs. This approved international standard was first published in
1995.
-- ISO/IEC 11694-3 describes the optical properties and characteristics
of the card and provides the technical specifications which allow
interchange. This approved international standard was published in
1995.
-- ISO/IEC 11694-4 describes the logical data structure on the card and
defines the method of writing and reading card data. This approved
international standard was published in 1996.
-- In the United States, ANSI has adopted all of the above ISO
Standards as ANSI/ISO Standards.
LASERCARD(R) PRODUCTS
Card Manufacture
LaserCard optical memory cards are manufactured by the Company in Mountain
View, California. The optical memory card manufacturing plant is designed to
permit incremental expansion of production capacity, depending upon type of card
and color-printing requirements. (See "Management's Discussion and Analysis"
regarding card production capacity.)
The Company produced and sold approximately 4.5 million cards in fiscal
2000, 4 million cards in fiscal 1999, and 2.3 million cards in fiscal 1998. The
Company also produces additional quantities of cards for distribution at trade
shows as marketing samples.
To maintain adequacy of raw material supplies, the Company attempts to
establish ongoing relationships with principal suppliers and develops
information about alternate suppliers. The Company maintains raw materials
inventory levels that take into account current expected demand,
order-to-shipment lead times, supplier production cycles, and minimum order
quantities. To enable the Company to plan raw material inventory levels, quotes
to potential customers generally are based upon certain advance payments to the
Company.
Product Evolution
The Company continues to add features to its optical memory card products,
making them much more than simple, digital data storage devices. The Company has
enhanced its card manufacturing capabilities to meet evolving international
standards and to add signature panels, sequential serial numbers, bar coded
data, magnetic stripes, and eye readable, laser engraved images onto optical
cards for some applications. In addition, "chip ready" optical memory cards can
be purchased from the Company, for insertion of IC chips to create PC-like,
hybrid smart cards (Smart/Optical(TM) cards). The Company expects its products
and services to continue to evolve to meet changing market needs or to create
new markets for optical cards.
Marketing and Technical Support
LaserCard Systems Corporation (LSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Drexler
Technology Corporation, markets the Company's products, primarily through
value-added resellers (VARs) and licensed card distributors in the United States
and other countries. VARs/licensees may add value in the form of services,
application-specific software, personal computers, or other peripherals, and
then resell these products as integrated systems.
LaserCard marketing operations are conducted through offices in
California, New York, and France, and the Company's Web site at
www.lasercard.com supports worldwide marketing activities. The Company's
marketing staff, general management, and technical personnel work closely with
customers.
In addition to the INS Green Card, the U.S. Department of State Laser Visa
card, the U.S. Department of Defense programs, and the existing commercial
applications for the LaserCard, the Company believes that the following areas
appear to have considerable marketing potential:
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-- Foreign government visa, passport, identification, motor vehicle
registration, and building construction permit programs; welfare
benefits programs; medical record card applications; multi-function
card programs involving financial transactions; and high security,
high value, electronic commerce over networks, including the
Internet.
-- Multi-application cards for frequent airline travelers to obtain
expedited services at airports.
-- Product and service offerings such as optical memory card
personalization services (including over the Internet) and the
marketing of multi-technology card workstations.
-- Pay-per-use LaserCard "tickets" for scheduling, queuing, setting
time limits, maintaining a time-and-date log of utilization of an
item--such as equipment, machinery, facilities, or system, where the
users pay the lessor or licensor only when the item is actually
utilized (minutes, hours, days, weeks).
VARs and licensees purchase optical cards, card read/write drives and
other peripherals, and system software from the Company. LSC provides customer
technical support related to optical card system integration, software, sales,
and maintenance. This technical support is provided by a staff of software,
engineering, and administrative professionals.
During fiscal 2000, the Company sold LaserCard products to approximately
38 customers located in six states and 20 foreign countries. Due to the
Company's large U.S. government and commercial orders during the past three
fiscal years, sales of the Company's LaserCard products in the U.S.A. were 98%
of net sales for fiscal 2000, 94% of net sales for fiscal 1999, and 90% of net
sales for fiscal 1998.
The Company believes that international markets will be an important
source of product sales and license revenue. Substantially all foreign product
sales are made through VARs and licensee/distributors.
Software
LSC develops LaserCard-related system software such as device drivers,
file system DLLs (dynamic link libraries), and custom software tools to enhance
read/write drive integration. LSC also offers contract service support to VARs
that require custom programming in the development and integration of their
LaserCard applications. LSC provides software for demonstrating archival,
medical, and security concepts involving the LaserCard, software-development
tools for related peripherals, and a card issuance application software package.
The Company continues to upgrade its software capabilities.
System Software. System software controls or facilitates the basic
operations and read/write functions of optical memory card drives so that they
can interface directly with personal computers.
Windows 3.x/DOS Device Driver. A device driver is system software that
translates operating system commands so that the optical card read/write drive
emulates an erasable drive. LaserCard device drivers save VARs and customers
considerable custom software development time because existing application
software can be modified for LaserCard applications. LSC's first device driver
was a DOS (disk operating system) device driver for using LaserCard-equipped PCs
under the DOS platform and with Windows 3.x.
Windows NT Device Driver. This device driver, developed by LSC's
engineering staff, allows the LaserCard to be used with computers operating
under Windows NT, a widely used network operating system. The NT device driver:
-- Provides compatibility between device drivers--files written to the
LaserCard using the DOS/Windows 3.x driver are compatible with the
Windows NT driver, and vice versa
-- Enables use of LaserCard with network software sold by Microsoft,
Novell, and others
-- Supports multitasking applications and background read/write drive
operation
-- Facilitates the first-ever connectivity of optical card read/write
drives to multiple hardware platforms (such as Intel x86, DEC Alpha,
IBM Power PC)
-- Functions with Windows NT application software
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LaserCard File System (LCFS) DLL. The LCFS DLL is a complete software
development package that supports Windows(R) 3.x, Windows(R) 95, Windows(R) 98,
Windows(R) NT, and the Linux operating system. The LaserCard File System itself
is independent of any operating system; therefore, it can be ported to an
operating system along with the application, while retaining compatibility with
previously written optical memory cards and the application. LCFS can optimize
the LaserCard's WORM recording medium without the constraints of a DOS or
Windows or Linux file structure. Since LCFS is not part of an operating system
(as device drivers are), access to the card is available only from the
application that created the data on the optical card or from a related
application.
The LCFS DLL is used to develop LaserCard applications with enhanced
security features that can prevent direct access to files on the optical memory
card. Before granting access to any particular file, the application prompts the
user for the password relating to that file and will deny access if the proper
password is not entered.
Features of the LaserCard File System DLL include:
-- Enables use of the LaserCard with database management systems from
Microsoft, Oracle, Sybase, and others
-- Permits writing of LaserCard application programs under software
languages such as Visual Basic, C++, and others
-- Generates up to 16 partitions for highly secure, password protected,
multiple application cards
-- Enables LaserCard file format to be operating-system independent
-- Supports multiple sector size recording to optimize data capacity
Note: Windows, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT are trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.
Application Software. Application software is an important factor in
developing commercial markets for optical memory cards because it directs
computers to do specific tasks related to the customer's end-user application
for the LaserCard (such as storing a health record). Typically, the Company's
VARs and/or their customers develop software for specific end-user applications.
In this role, VARs may integrate optical card products into existing software
products, write new application software for specific optical memory card
programs, or license software from other VARs. Several VARs have written optical
card software programs for applications.
LSC, in addition to developing system-related software, has developed a
complete LaserCard issuing application, in coordination with an existing
commercial software company. Called LaserBadge(TM), the application is a card
personalization (printing) and data management software package that uses an
existing ODBC (open database connectivity)-compliant database to print and
optically encode the LaserCard. This software package is offered for sale to all
VARs, allowing them to integrate LaserBadge into their end-user application for
printing and encoding of the LaserCard.
Equipment
Optical Card Read/Write Drives. Optical memory cards are used in
conjunction with a card read/write device (or drive) that connects to a personal
computer. The price, performance, and availability of read/write drives are
factors in the commercialization of optical cards. The Company sells read/write
drives to VARs and other customers for less than three thousand dollars per
unit, and these units generally include the Company's interface software/device
drivers.
During the past fiscal year, the Company established in-house capabilities
in read/write drive assembly and design. Previously, the Company purchased
assembled drives from a licensee in Japan, Nippon Conlux Co., Ltd. ("Conlux"),
its sole supplier. The Company now has completed the acquisition for cash of
Conlux's read/write drive manufacturing facility (manufacturing tooling,
equipment, etc.), has transferred the facility to Mountain View, California, and
is producing drives locally. Initially, the Company purchased sets of parts from
Conlux for assembly in the United States. Currently, the Company is qualifying
vendors for parts that will be purchased for the next-generation read/write
drive. The creation of this new read/write drive production capability reduced
pretax profits for the fiscal year 2000 by about $1 million as a result of
increased cost of sales and research and engineering expenses. Also, related
capital investments
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totaled about $1 million, and an investment in parts and subassembly inventory
for the drives totaled about $2 million. With LaserCard read/write drive
assembly and design now under the Company's direct control in Silicon Valley,
lower cost drives, customer-optimized drive systems, and drive systems with
advanced security features are expected to emerge. Also, the Company now can
more quickly provide quotations for larger quantities of read/write drives or
customized drives. However, the Company can give no assurance that increased
read/write drive production or enhanced drive capabilities will occur in the
near term or that high volume sales and lower prices will result.
Multi-Technology Card Workstations. In fiscal 1998, under third-party
funding, the Company developed a PC-based, multi-technology card workstation,
which the Company has the right to manufacture and market. The multi-technology
card workstation can read and/or write LaserCard optical memory cards,
conventional magnetic-stripe cards, 2-dimensional bar codes, OCR-B (optical
character recognition), and smart cards having an integrated circuit chip that
contains semiconductor memory and, optionally, a microprocessor.
The multi-technology card workstation also is capable of writing and
reading data to and from a single, PC-like "Smart/Optical(TM) card"--a hybrid
LaserCard containing a microcontroller/microprocessor chip and an optical memory
stripe. In general, the PC-like card could be used in a variety of applications
by utilizing its microprocessor for transaction processing and its optical
memory for data storage. By combining two or three technologies, a single card
could house multiple applications.
Other Peripherals. LSC purchases and resells the following
application-specific peripherals:
-- Dye-diffusion color card printers for printing of eye readable
photos, graphics, and text in black and white or color (using
consumable printing ribbons) onto cards
-- Digital biometric identity verification systems (hand geometry,
fingerprint, and signature verification systems) for comparing a
unique biometric identifier stored on the LaserCard with that of the
card user
-- X-ray scanners
-- Electronic digital video cameras for storing computer readable
photos in color
LICENSING
The Company has developed a portfolio of U.S. and foreign patents which
have generated a total of over $38 million in revenues in the form of license
agreements related to optical memory cards, to equipment for using the cards,
and to optical data storage.
The Company presently offers nonexclusive, royalty bearing licenses for
optical card read/write drive manufacture, for assembly of read/write drives
from kits, and for optical card finishing using Company-supplied materials. Also
offered are card distribution licenses to create distributors, in regions of the
world, that can buy cards wholesale from the Company at prices lower than the
prices charged to VARs.
Initial license fees charged by the Company for its patent licenses vary
based on the rights and benefits of each license. License fees are unconditional
and nonrefundable. To date, no significant obligations remain unfulfilled by the
Company under the licenses. The Company conducts its licensing efforts on a
selective basis. The timing, number, type, and magnitude of future license
sales, if any, cannot be predicted or inferred from past events. The Company
does not rely on license fees to finance operations.
Card Manufacturing Licenses
Two $10 million, nonexclusive, royalty bearing, patent licenses have been
sold by the Company for optical memory card manufacture--one in fiscal 1989 to
Canon Inc., and one in fiscal 1991 to Optical Memory Card Business Corporation
(OMCBC), a Japanese company formed by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. and three
read/write drive equipment licensees of the Company. OMCBC is a second source
(alternate) supplier for optical cards that are compatible with the Company's
cards.
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Card Distribution Licenses and Other Licenses
Optical card distribution licenses grant the right to purchase cards at
the Company's most favorable pricing, for use or resale. Card prices to licensed
distributors for large quantities are typically 10% to 15% below VAR pricing for
optical cards having similar data capacity, printing complexity, specifications,
formatting complexity, tolerances, quality, quantity, and delivery date. No card
distribution licenses were sold in fiscal 1998. Fiscal 2000 license revenues
consisted of the revenue earned on a license that will allow a licensee in Italy
to assemble read/write drives from parts kits provided by the Company. Fiscal
1999 license revenues included $200,000 from an agreement to provide technical
information and $500,000, which together with a prior-year payment completed the
purchase of a nonexclusive license for optical card distribution for a
Switzerland-based company. Fiscal 1998 license revenue included $400,000 from
the sale of a patent license.
COMPETITION
Optical memory cards compete with other portable data storage cards and
technologies used for the storage and transfer of digital information.
Competitive factors would include system/card portability, interoperability,
price-performance ratio of cards and associated equipment,
durability/environmental tolerance, and card security.
In addition, in countries where the telecommunications infrastructure is
extensive and low cost, centralized databases and wide-area networks may limit
the penetration of optical cards into some markets. These trends toward
Internet, intranet, and remote wireless networks will preclude some potential
applications but, on the other hand, may create market opportunities in other
areas such as card personalization via the Internet and information security.
The Company believes that the LaserCard's storage capacity, read/write
capability, price-performance ratio, rugged card construction and flexibility,
optional technology add-ons, ability to store audit trails, and resistance to
counterfeiting and tampering make the LaserCard a viable choice for a variety of
digital card applications. These include high security ID-based card systems for
federal, state, and foreign governments, pay-per-use licenses/permits, and
medical data uses.
IC Cards. The LaserCard competes in some applications, such as the
identification card market, with cards that contain an integrated circuit (IC)
microprocessor and memory. These are known as "smart cards" or "IC cards" or
"chip cards." The IC card is more vulnerable to tampering and can be more easily
damaged in everyday use, whereas the Company's card construction and the use of
polycarbonate plastic make the LaserCard more rugged. Also, an 8-kilobyte IC
card can store less than 1% of the amount of data storable on a LaserCard.
IC card prices and performance vary widely. The IC card uses a much lower
cost read/write drive than is used with an optical card, whereas a typical smart
card containing an 8-kilobyte IC and a microprocessor is higher priced than the
Company's 4.1 megabyte optical memory card. Because of their low-priced
read/write drive, IC cards containing an 8-kilobyte IC and a microprocessor are
particularly competitive in systems using one-card per read/write drive and in
the markets for financial-transaction and telephone systems. The IC card has a
greater installed base outside the U.S.A. (It was invented five years before the
LaserCard.) Low-storage capacity IC cards are currently used as telephone cards
and point-of-sale cards, particularly in Europe. Low-storage capacity cards for
telephones and for bank debit/cash card systems are not markets for the
Company's cards. However, for multi-application cards, secure electronic
commerce applications, and some patient record applications, the Company offers
"chip ready" optical cards to which an IC can be added, creating a PC-like,
hybrid smart card, called a Smart/Optical(TM) card.
Other Card Products. Read/write magnetic-stripe cards and read-only memory
cards such as 2-dimensional bar code cards and symbology cards are lower priced
and compete with the Company's read/write optical memory cards for certain
markets, such as identification cards. However, the Company's cards have
significantly higher storage capacity and offer unique security features to
deter counterfeiting. Commercial magnetic-stripe cards are relatively easy to
duplicate and, because they are erasable and rerecordable, are highly
susceptible to unauthorized erasure and alteration. Two-dimensional bar codes on
cards and other symbology cards store relatively small amounts of data compared
to the LaserCard and are not recordable/updatable after they are issued.
Moreover, some of these alternative technologies--such as magnetic stripes, IC
chips, and bar codes/symbology--can be incorporated into the Company's optical
memory cards, thereby adding additional performance features to the LaserCard.
Recently, a small company announced it is developing a 5 megabyte magnetic card.
However, the Company believes that magnetic-based cards probably would not have
the high security features required for government ID cards or the security and
audit trail features required for medical record cards. Experimental card
technologies probably are under development at other companies.
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There also are high capacity, high cost storage cartridges called PCMCIA
(Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association) cards, or PC cards, that
are used in personal computer applications, for example, data-storage devices
for portable computers. Because they are structurally rigid, thick, and
significantly higher in cost, PC cards are not considered competitive with the
LaserCard for low cost, wallet-card applications. Other small, digital
devices--such as data-storage keys, tokens, finger rings, and small cards and
tags--are viable alternatives for some card-based applications. Competitive
factors would include system/card portability, interoperability,
price-performance ratio, and environmental tolerance.
Other Optical Memory Cards and Equipment
Under a royalty-bearing license from the Company, Optical Memory Card
Business Corporation (OMCBC), a Japanese company, makes and sells optical memory
cards in competition with the LaserCard. Another Japanese company, Canon Inc.,
also has licensed the right to make optical memory cards and equipment; however,
in 1999, Canon apparently discontinued its marketing efforts. Japan-based
Olympus Optical Co., also a licensee of the Company, produces its own optical
card equipment but purchases cards from OMCBC.
The Company's LaserCard utilizes the ISO/DELA format developed by the
Company in conjunction with a group of its licensees. Canon's optical memory
card used the ISO/SIOC format developed by Canon. Although both card formats
meet the ISO Standard, the Company's ISO/DELA format and the Canon ISO/SIOC
format are not functionally compatible. The Company believes that its ISO/DELA
format offers some performance advantages over Canon's ISO/SIOC format. Olympus
Optical manufactures read/write drives, has been selling ISO/SIOC read/write
drives, and is capable of producing an optical card read-only drive.
The Company produces ISO/DELA format cards and read/write drives. Dai
Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (the principal owner of OMCBC) produces optical memory
cards using the ISO/SIOC format, in addition to cards using the ISO/DELA format,
and is capable of producing the nonstandard Olympus format. At least several
times as many ISO/DELA cards have been manufactured and sold than ISO/SIOC
format cards. Nevertheless, ISO/SIOC format cards and read/write drives have
been sold in competition with Company products, and the resources for marketing
of Dai Nippon Printing, Canon, and Olympus Optical are substantially greater
than those of the Company. The Company also believes that it currently offers
competitive advantages in areas such as system integration, system software,
customer support services, and as the only company that manufactures optical
memory cards AND read/write drives.
In the past, a number of firms have disclosed the development of
alternative optical cards, including Asahi Chemical, Polaroid, Sony, and Toppan
Printing. However, the Company is not aware of any current optical memory
card-related commercial activities by those firms. During the past several
years, prerecorded read-only optical cards functioning with CD players have been
used as high-data capacity, 1.2-millimeter thick, "business cards" containing
promotional materials. On June 12, 2000, Philips, Sony, and Taiyo Yuden
announced a customer-recordable version of these low security, promotional-data
cards based upon the widely used CD-recordable format; however, they do not meet
the ISO Standards for either credit cards or identification cards. Recently, it
became known that a small company is developing an ultraviolet-laser recordable,
read-only, optical memory card that would be read with a second laser operating
in the visible or near-infrared wavelength
Additional entrants into the optical memory card industry could expand the
overall size of the market and possibly could result in licensing opportunities
for the Company.
OTHER MATTERS
Research and Engineering Expenses
Research and engineering expenses were $1,299,000 for fiscal 2000,
$456,000 for fiscal 1999, and $435,000 for fiscal 1998. (See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis.")
Patents
Optical Data Storage. As of March 31, 2000, the Company owned
approximately 50 U.S. patents relating to optical data storage (including media,
optical cards, formats, equipment, systems, software, and the utilization of
optical storage media). Other U.S. patent applications have been filed.
Approximately 70 counterparts of certain U.S. patents have been issued as
patents in a number of foreign countries. However, the Company owns certain U.S.
patents as to which foreign counterparts have either not been filed or the
prosecution has been terminated without issuance of the foreign patents. Also,
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from time to time, the Company elects to allow some of its U.S. or foreign
patents to expire when maintenance fees become due, if the patents are deemed no
longer relevant. In addition to its patents, the Company has chosen to protect
as trade secrets, rather than by patents, some refinements to the Drexon medium
and cards and knowhow related to their production.
The Company's U.S. patents have expiration dates ranging from 2002 to
2012, with the majority expiring during the first half of this period.
Counterpart patents in foreign countries also expire during this period. Two of
the three U.S. patents that expire in 2002 have counterpart patents that expire
five years from now, in 2005, in the following countries: Belgium, Canada,
France, Germany, Israel, Japan, United Kingdom, Korea, and Spain. Under its
license agreement with the Company for manufacture of optical memory cards,
OMCBC's obligation to pay royalties to the Company for use of the licensed
patents ceases on December 31, 2003. Canon's royalty obligations in connection
with its licenses to manufacture optical cards and reading and writing equipment
expire on December 31, 2008. However, in 1999, Canon apparently discontinued its
marketing efforts. Other royalty-bearing licenses sold by the Company, related
to equipment for reading and writing optical memory cards, provide for royalty
payments to cease on the last expiration date of the licensed patents. Royalty
payments to the Company from its licensees have not been significant to date.
(See "Royalty Revenues" under "Management's Discussion & Analysis.")
The Company cannot predict whether the expiration or invalidation of its
patents would result in the introduction of competitive products which would
affect its future revenues adversely.
The Company presently intends to pursue any infringement of its patents
either by litigation, arbitration, or negotiation. However, there can be no
assurance that any of the Company's patents will be sufficiently broad in scope
to afford protection from products with comparable characteristics that may be
sold by competitors in the future. There also can be no assurance that the
validity of any patents actually granted will not be challenged. In 1992, the
claims of three of the Company's issued U.S. patents successfully passed
reexamination proceedings in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) after
a two-year review by the USPTO's Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.
Motion Picture Digital Sound. The Company believes that one or two of its
optical data storage U.S. patents apply to the motion picture industry in
connection with using CCD (charge-coupled device) arrays for reading digital
sound signals from "quad density" optically stored data on motion picture film.
(Please see "Legal Proceedings" concerning lawsuits filed by the Company in
fiscal 1999 against parties in the motion picture industry.)
"Packet Writing" and Drive-Letter Access Method for CD-R and DVD-R Drives.
In 1991, the Company was issued U.S. Patent 5,029,125 entitled, "Method of
Reading and Writing Files on Nonerasable Storage Media." Counterpart patents
were granted in Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, and Canada. In Japan the
patent is pending. The patent covers methods of reading and writing data files
on a nonerasable (and the equivalent) laser recordable optical disk and methods
of transferring, inputting, and outputting data files within a computer system
that utilizes both a computer memory and an optical disk, such as a CD-R or
DVD-R disk. The system/software architecture used in the patented method
facilitates the use of "packet writing" and drive-letter access and is
applicable to various PC operating systems. The invention permits a number of
separate laser recordings on a single track of an optical disk with minimum
waste of data storage space for "overhead" functions.
On June 5, 1997, the Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA)
announced the release of Universal Disk Format (UDF 1.5) which defines support
for CD-R with Windows 95 and Windows NT. OSTA stated, "CD-R users who record
disks in multiple sessions need to employ packet writing to avoid substantial
loss of storage capacity." Avoiding such a loss of storage capacity was a
significant objective of U.S. Patent 5,029,125 when filed March 7, 1989. During
fiscal 1998, more than a dozen companies were put on notice by the Company with
regard to possible infringement of this patent.
A Microsoft affiliate that had been attempting to develop optical
read-only memory (OROM) cards apparently has discontinued operations. The
Company believes that the OROM cards probably would have infringed some of the
Company's patents.
There is no assurance that any of the Company's patent licensing efforts
will be successful. The Company does not rely on license fees to finance
operations.
Trademarks
LaserCard(R) and Drexon(R) are federally registered trademarks of Drexler
Technology Corporation.
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Environment
Compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations involving
the protection of the environment did not have and is not expected to have a
material effect on the Company's capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive
position.
Employees
As of March 31, 2000, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 111
persons (including four executive officers). This workforce consisted of 84
persons in administration, marketing/sales, manufacturing, and research and
engineering, plus 27 temporary personnel mainly for quality assurance inspection
of cards. None of the Company's employees is represented by a labor union.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS
Reliance on U.S. Government Business. The Company is heavily dependent on
U.S. government orders for INS Green Cards and Laser Visa cards. These two
programs provide the largest component of the Company's currently anticipated
card production. The Company's estimate of U.S. government card deliveries
depends upon the issuance of corresponding order releases by the government,
which reserves the right to withhold releases, to reduce the quantities
released, and to extend delivery dates. Losses would recur if both of the
Company's two largest U.S. government programs for optical cards were to be
delayed, canceled, or not extended and not replaced by other card orders or
other sources of income.
Customer Diversification, Expansion, and Lengthy Sales Cycles. Initial
product sales to value-added resellers and other customers are generally in
small quantities, for evaluation purposes and trial programs. Obtaining
substantial, follow-on orders from these customers usually involves a lengthy
sales cycle, requiring marketing and technical time and expense with no
guarantee that substantial orders will result. This long sales cycle results in
uncertainties in predicting operating results, particularly on a quarterly
basis. In addition, since the Company's major marketing programs involve the
U.S. government and various foreign governments and quasi-governmental
organizations, additional uncertainties and extended sales cycles can result.
Contributing factors include government regulations, bidding procedures, budget
cycles, and other factors that influence governmental policy-making and
procurement.
Expansion of Card Manufacturing Capacity. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis" for a discussion of card manufacturing capacity. There is no assurance
of the Company's ability to meet its maximum projected card manufacturing
capacity, if and when customer orders reach that level. The Company could
experience equipment, raw material, quality control, or other production
problems under very high-volume production approaching 25 million cards per
year.
Optical Card Raw Materials--Sources of Supply. The ability to produce
optical memory cards in high volume in the Company's card manufacturing plant is
dependent upon maintaining sources of supply of certain materials. Such
materials include special photographic films which are commercially available
solely from Eastman Kodak Company, of the United States. The Company believes
that Kodak will continue to supply such photographic films to the Company on a
satisfactory basis. Plastic films used in optical memory card production are
available from one supplier in the U.S. and from multiple foreign suppliers.
Processing chemicals, inks, bonding adhesives, and packaging materials are
obtained from various U.S. and foreign suppliers.
Read/Write Drives--Parts, Major Components, and Production. The Company
maintains an inventory of read/write drives and sets of drive parts that it
believes are adequate to meet customer demand. However, an interruption in the
supply of read/write drive parts or difficulties encountered in read/write drive
assembly could cause a delay in shipments of drives and optical memory cards.
Several major components are custom designed specifically for the read/write
drive. For example, the optical recording head for the current drive is a custom
part obtained from one supplier, and a specially designed PC board is obtained
from another sole supplier. At current production volumes, it is not economical
to have more than one supplier for these custom components. The Company produces
read/write drives in quantities that approximately match current order rates and
has not yet needed to established drive manufacturing capability for high-volume
output levels. The ability to produce read/write drives in high-volume
production will be dependent upon maintaining or developing sources of supply of
components that meet the Company's requirements for high volume, quality, and
cost. In addition, the Company could encounter quality control or other
production problems at high-volume production of read/write drives. The Company
estimates that if sustained order rates more than double the current order rate,
then a temporary shortage of read/write drives could result. (Also see "Optical
Card Read/Write Drives" earlier in this report.)
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Price of Read/Write Drives. LaserCard read/write drives, as they are
currently designed and made, are priced at less than three thousand dollars per
unit in order quantities of six or more. To develop a broader market and
customer base for LaserCard optical memory cards, the unit cost of read/write
drives must decrease well below the current selling price. To achieve that goal,
the Company acquired the manufacturing facility (manufacturing tooling,
equipment, etc.) and rights from its former Japanese supplier, transferred the
facility to Mountain View, California, and is now producing drives locally. The
Company is therefore in a position to bid lower prices on larger quantities of
drives. A product development program for a new, upgraded, less expensive
read/write drive has been undertaken by the Company; however, there is no
assurance that this development program will be successful, that production of
any new design will occur in the near term, or that lower prices and higher
volume sales will result.
Technological Change. The Information Technology Industry is characterized
by rapidly changing technology and continuing product evolution. The future
success and growth of the Company's business will require the ability to
maintain and enhance the technological capabilities of the LaserCard product
line. There can be no assurance that the products currently sold or under
development will remain competitive or provide sustained revenue growth. (Also
see "Product Evolution" earlier in this report.)
Patent Protection. The Company's U.S. patents have expiration dates
ranging from 2002 to 2012, with the majority expiring during the first half of
this period. Counterpart patents in foreign countries also expire during this
period. Two of the three U.S. patents that expire in 2002 have counterpart
patents that expire five years from now, in 2005, in the following countries:
Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, United Kingdom, Korea, and
Spain. Under its license agreement with the Company for manufacture of optical
memory cards, OMCBC's obligation to pay royalties to the Company for use of the
licensed patents ceases on December 31, 2003. Canon's royalty obligations in
connection with its licenses to manufacture optical memory cards and reading and
writing equipment expire on December 31, 2008. However, in 1999, Canon
apparently discontinued its marketing efforts. Other royalty-bearing licenses
sold by the Company related to equipment for reading and writing optical cards
provide for royalty payments to cease on the last expiration date of the
licensed patents. Royalty payments to the Company from its licensees have not
been significant to date. The Company cannot predict whether the expiration or
invalidation of its patents would result in the introduction of competitive
products which would affect its future revenues adversely. (Also see "Patents"
earlier in this report.)
Competition. The Company's optical memory cards compete with optical
memory cards made by a licensee and with other types of portable data storage
cards and technologies used for the storage and transfer of digital information.
These may include integrated circuit/chip cards, 2-dimensional bar code cards
and symbology cards, magnetic-stripe cards, CD-read only cards or recordable
cards, PC or PCMCIA cards, and small, digital devices such as data-storage keys,
tokens, finger rings, and small cards and tags. The financial and marketing
resources of some of the competing companies are greater than the Company's
resources. Competitive product factors would include system/card portability,
interoperability, price-performance ratio of cards and associated equipment,
durability/environmental tolerance, and card security. Although the Company
believes its cards offer key technological and security advantages, the current
price of optical card read/write drives is a competitive disadvantage to the
Company in some markets. In addition, in countries where the telecommunications
infrastructure is extensive and low cost, centralized databases and wide-area
networks may limit the penetration of optical cards. These trends toward
Internet, intranet, and remote wireless networks will preclude some potential
applications for the Company's cards. (Also see "Competition" earlier in this
report.)
Historical Losses. As of March 31, 2000, the Company had an accumulated
deficit of $16,276,000. Over the past five fiscal years, the Company operated
profitably for fiscal 2000, fiscal 1999, and fiscal 1998, but operated at a loss
for fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996. The Company is relying upon its optical card
technology to generate future product revenues, earnings, and cash flow. Losses
would recur if both of the Company's two largest U.S. government programs for
optical memory cards were to be delayed, canceled, or not extended and not
replaced by other card orders or other sources of income.
Stock Price Volatility. The price of the Company's common stock is subject
to significant volatility due to fluctuations in revenues, earnings, liquidity,
press coverage, financial market interest, and stock market conditions, as well
as changes in technology and customer demand and preferences.
17
<PAGE>
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made in this report relating to plans, objectives, and
economic performance go beyond historical information and may provide an
indication of future results. To that extent, they are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and each is subject to factors that could cause actual results
to differ from those in the forward-looking statement. The Company's business
plan depends upon the initiation and growth of new programs utilizing the
Company's card products and is subject to adverse economic and technological
developments. There can be no assurances that any new or existing VAR or
licensee company will be successful in its markets or that it will place
follow-on orders with the Company for additional quantities of cards and
systems. The Company's estimate of card deliveries to its primary customers
depends upon the issuance of corresponding order releases by such customers,
which have the right to withhold releases, to reduce the quantities released,
and to extend delivery dates. There is no assurance that the Company's
read/write drive assembly and design operations will result in lower cost drives
with advanced features. The ability of the Company to maintain a profitable
level of optical memory card sales is subject to risks and uncertainties,
including reliance on U.S. government business; customer diversification,
expansion, and lengthy sales cycles; the ability to economically produce optical
card read/write drives at lower cost and in greater quantity; sources of supply;
technological change; patent protection; competition; and the economic
configuration and operation of the Company's card manufacturing facility for
increased output levels. Such factors are described above, in Item 7 of this
Form 10-K, and in other documents filed by the Company from time to time with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of March 31, 2000, approximately 37,000 square feet of floor space are
leased by the Company for card manufacturing, read/write drive production,
administration, sales, and research and engineering, in three buildings located
in Mountain View, California. The Company also leases a small marketing office
in France. As of June 1, 2000, the Company's leased building space increased to
50,000 square feet with a total annualized rental of approximately $1,041,000.
Management believes these leased buildings to be satisfactory for its present
operations. Upon expiration of the leases, management believes that these or
other suitable buildings will be able to be leased on a reasonable basis.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On July 27, 1998, the Company filed two complaints in the U.S. District
Court of the Northern District of California, each for infringement of two
patents owned by the Company covering digital sound encoded on motion picture
film. One complaint names as defendants Sony Corporation, provider of the SDDS
digital sound system, and numerous producers, distributors, and exhibitors of
motion pictures with SDDS soundtracks. The other complaint names as defendants
Dolby Laboratories, Inc., provider of the Dolby Digital sound system, and
numerous producers, distributors, and exhibitors of motion pictures with Dolby
Digital soundtracks. These actions seek compensatory damages, enhanced damages
and attorneys' fees based on wilfulness, and an injunction against further
infringement. Certain defensive counterclaims have been filed by defendants in
response to the complaints.
On December 14, 1998, the Company filed substantially identical complaints
in the same court against additional producers, distributors, and exhibitors,
and substantially identical counterclaims have been filed. On April 23, 1999,
the court stayed these actions and approved a stipulation to the effect that the
parties will be bound by the decisions in the previously-filed actions on the
issues of patent validity and infringement by the accused sound systems.
Certain costs relating to these actions are being capitalized and
amortized over the remaining lives of the patents in issue; see Notes 2 and 6 to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
These actions are in the pre-trial discovery and motion stage. A trial
date of October 30, 2000 has been set for the earliest filed action against Sony
Corporation. The Company does not believe that resolution of these actions,
including the counterclaims, will have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition of the Company.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2000.
18
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Officer or
Director
Name Age Since Position with Registrant and, If Different, Principal Occupation
---- --- ------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Jerome Drexler 72 1968 Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary,
LaserCard Systems Corporation.
Richard M. Haddock 48 1997 President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and
its wholly owned subsidiary, LaserCard Systems
Corporation.
Christopher J. Dyball 49 1992 Executive Vice President of the Company and General
Manager, Card Manufacturing.
Steven G. Larson 50 1987 Vice President of Finance and Treasurer of the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiary, LaserCard Systems
Corporation.
Arthur H. Hausman 76 1981 Director; private investor. Retired Chairman, President,
and Chief Executive Officer of Ampex Corporation
(manufacturer of professional audio-video systems,
data/memory products, and magnetic tape). Director
Emeritus of Technology for Communications International
(high-frequency antenna systems and electronic
reconnaissance systems). Director of California
Amplifier, Inc. (low-noise amplifiers).
Dan Maydan 64 1998 Director. President (since 1993) and Director (since
1992) of Applied Materials, Inc. (semiconductor
manufacturing equipment). Director of Electronics for
Imaging, Inc. (software).
William E. McKenna 80 1970 Director; private investor. Director of California
Amplifier, Inc. (low-noise amplifiers), Midway Games,
Inc. (interactive entertainment software for the
coin-operated and home markets), and WMS Industries,
Inc. (coin-operated and home video and other games).
Walter F. Walker 45 1999* Director. President (since 1994) of the Seattle
SuperSonics National Basketball Association basketball
team, a subsidiary of Ackerley Communications, Inc.
Previously, was President (from March to September 1994)
of Walker Capital, Inc. (money management firm) and Vice
President (from July 1987 to March 1994) of Goldman
Sachs & Co. (investment banking firm). Director of
Redhook Ale Brewery and Advanced Digital Information
Corporation (archival and backup data-storage
peripherals). Trustee of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Also is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
</TABLE>
*Mr. Walker was elected a director on March 16, 1999, effective with the
next regular Board of Directors meeting, which was held May 27, 1999.
There are no family relationships among any directors or executive
officers of the Company.
It is anticipated that each of the directors and executive officers will
continue in his position, although there is no understanding or arrangement to
that effect. Each director holds office until the next annual meeting of
stockholders and until such director's successor is elected and qualified.
However, any of the above directors or executive officers could resign, and any
of the officers could be replaced or removed by the Board of Directors at any
time.
19
<PAGE>
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's only class of common stock, $.01 par value, is traded on The
Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol DRXR and is quoted in The Wall Street
Journal and other newspapers. The table below sets forth the high and low trade
prices for the Company's common stock (rounded to two decimal points) as
reported by Nasdaq during the fiscal periods indicated.
Quarterly Stock Prices (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year 1999 Fiscal Year 2000
High Trade Low Trade High Trade Low Trade
---------- --------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First Quarter................ $ 19.50 $ 13.50 $ 11.94 $ 8.94
Second Quarter............... 15.00 8.25 9.62 6.88
Third Quarter................ 13.75 7.25 10.75 6.50
Fourth Quarter............... 13.75 8.88 19.00 9.50
</TABLE>
As of March 31, 2000, there were approximately 1,150 holders of record of
the Company's common stock. The total number of shareholders is believed by the
Company to be several thousand higher since many holders' shares are listed
under their brokerage firms' names.
The Company has never paid cash dividends on its common stock. The Company
anticipates that for the foreseeable future, it would retain any earnings for
use and reinvestment in its business.
20
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial information for, and as of
the end of, each of the years in the five-year period ended March 31, 2000, is
derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company. This
financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" appearing elsewhere in this report.
DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 1996 - 2000
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATIONS DATA 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues .................................... $ 5,295 $ 3,529 $ 11,081 $ 15,850 $ 17,092
Cost of sales ............................... 3,659 2,388 5,923 7,709 9,362
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 2,400 2,602 2,978 3,698 3,996
Research and engineering expenses ........... 1,092 938 435 456 1,299
Other income (expense) ...................... 202 22 16 (44) 6
Interest income ............................. 78 50 148 319 383
Interest expense ............................ 8 8 10 7 1
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes ........... (1,584) (2,335) 1,899 4,255 2,823
Provision (benefit) for income taxes ........ -- -- 68 128 (2,537)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) ........................... $ (1,584) $ (2,335) $ 1,831 $ 4,127 $ 5,360
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic ................................... $ (.18) $ (.26) $ .19 $ .42 $ .55
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted ................................. $ (.18) $ (.26) $ .19 $ .41 $ .54
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Weighted average number of common
and common equivalent shares:
Basic ................................... 8,692 9,006 9,391 9,748 9,812
Diluted ................................. 8,692 9,006 9,677 10,007 9,935
<CAPTION>
BALANCE SHEET DATA 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets .............................. $ 3,782 $ 4,588 $ 7,561 $ 11,485 $ 14,489
Current liabilities ......................... 2,044 3,030 1,539 1,612 2,989
Total assets ................................ 6,371 7,089 11,248 16,566 23,980
Long-term obligations ....................... -- -- -- -- --
Stockholders' equity ........................ 4,327 4,059 9,709 14,954 20,991
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--FISCAL 2000 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 1999 AND 1998
Revenues
The Company's total revenues for fiscal 2000 were $17,092,000 compared
with $15,850,000 for fiscal 1999 and $11,081,000 for fiscal 1998.
Product Revenues. Sales of LaserCard(R) optical memory cards and related
products totaled $16,948,000 for fiscal 2000 compared with $15,102,000 for
fiscal 1999 and $9,844,000 for fiscal 1998. The increases in product revenues
over these periods were due primarily to the sale of optical memory cards for
government programs, as described below. The Company's card shipments to all
customers totaled approximately 4.5 million optical memory cards for fiscal
2000, 4 million cards for fiscal 1999, and 2.3 million cards for fiscal 1998.
For fiscal 2000, the Company sold LaserCard products or provided services
to approximately 38 customers in 6 states and 20 foreign countries. Applications
for the Company's LaserCard products include: an electronic commerce pay-per-use
system combined with a medical data application in the United States; various
programs in Europe and Asia, including medical-record card applications, a
building construction permit, and multi-function card applications; and U.S.
government-related programs, including the U.S. Department of Defense cargo
shipment "Automated Manifest" card, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS) Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card"), and the U.S. Department of
State (DoS) border crossing card ("Laser Visa").
In addition to using its own marketing staff, the Company utilizes
value-added reseller (VAR) companies and licensees for the development of
commercial markets and applications for LaserCard products. A new licensee of
the Company, LaserCard Europe AG, was established in Switzerland and will focus
on markets in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Product sales to VARs
and licensees include the Company's optical memory cards, the Company's system
software, optical card read/write drives, and add-on peripherals made by other
companies (such as equipment for adding a digitized photo, fingerprint, hand
template, or signature to the cards). The VARs/licensees may add application
software, personal computers (PCs), and other peripherals, and then resell these
products integrated into data systems.
In order to upgrade its customer base, the Company is continuing its
efforts to recruit new VARs/licensees and eliminate nonproductive VARs. The
Company provides customer technical support and system software to assist VARs
and licensees.
Software is an important factor in developing the commercial markets for
optical memory cards. The Company's system software consists of optical card
interface software/device drivers, file systems, software development tools,
demonstration software, and an application software program. To date, the
Company's software development has been completed concurrent with the
establishment of technological feasibility and, accordingly, all software
development costs have been charged to research and development expense in the
accompanying statements of income.
The Company's VARs and/or their customers develop the application software
for specific end-user applications. Several VARs have written optical card
software programs for applications such as automobile warranty and maintenance
records, cargo manifesting, digital optical key systems, admissions/ID, data
logging systems, and various medical-related applications such as health history
cards. The Company sells an application software program that it completed
during fiscal 2000 in coordination with an existing commercial software company,
for personalization (printing and encoding) of the LaserCard.
Optical memory cards are used in conjunction with a card read/write device
that connects to a personal computer. The read/write drive is integrated as a PC
logical drive and has drive-letter access in the same manner as floppy disk
drives. The price, performance, and availability of read/write drives are
factors in the commercialization of optical cards. The Company sells read/write
drives for less than three thousand dollars per unit, and these units generally
include the Company's interface software/device drivers.
22
<PAGE>
During the past fiscal year, the Company established its own capabilities
in read/write drive assembly and design in the United States. Previously, the
Company purchased assembled drives from a licensee in Japan, Nippon Conlux Co.,
Ltd. ("Conlux"), its sole supplier. The Company now has completed the
acquisition for cash of Conlux's read/write drive manufacturing facility
(manufacturing tooling, equipment, etc.), has transferred the facility to
Mountain View, California, and is producing drives locally. Initially, the
Company purchased sets of parts from Conlux for assembly in the United States.
Currently, the Company is qualifying vendors for parts that will be purchased
for the next-generation read/write drive. The creation of this read/write drive
production capability reduced pretax profits for the fiscal year 2000 by about
$1 million as a result of increased cost of sales and research and engineering
expenses. Also, related capital investments totaled about $1 million, and an
investment in parts and subassembly inventory for the drives totaled about $2
million. With the read/write drive assembly and design now under the Company's
direct control, lower cost drives, customer-optimized drive systems, and drive
systems with advanced security features are expected to emerge.
The Company maintains an inventory of read/write drives and sets of drive
parts that it believes are adequate to meet customer demand. However, an
interruption in the supply of read/write drive parts or difficulties encountered
in read/write drive assembly could cause a delay in shipments of drives and
optical memory cards and a possible loss of sales, which would adversely affect
operating results.
Workstation Revenues. The Company recorded revenues of $820,000 for fiscal
1998 for the delivery of six prototype multi-technology card readers
("multi-technology card workstations") for an existing customer. These
multi-technology card workstations can write and/or read cards that have one or
more of the following technologies: optical memory stripe, IC chip, magnetic
stripe, OCR-B (optical character recognition), and 2-dimensional bar code. Costs
for the development and manufacture of these workstations were charged to cost
of sales. There were no revenues of this type for fiscal 1999 or fiscal 2000.
License Revenues. Revenues from license fees were $119,000 for fiscal
2000, $700,000 for fiscal 1999, and $400,000 for fiscal 1998. Fiscal 2000
license revenues consisted of the revenue earned on a license that allows a
licensee in Italy to assemble read/write drives from parts kits provided by the
Company. Fiscal 1999 license revenues included $200,000 from an agreement to
provide technical information and $500,000, which together with a prior-year
payment completed the purchase of a nonexclusive license for optical memory card
distribution for a Switzerland-based company. Optical memory card distribution
licenses grant the right to purchase cards at the Company's most favorable
pricing. Fiscal 1998 license revenue included $400,000 from the sale of a patent
license. License fees received by the Company are unconditional and
nonrefundable. The Company does not rely on license fees to finance operations.
Royalty Revenues. Royalty revenues were $25,000 for fiscal 2000, $48,000
for fiscal 1999, and $17,000 for fiscal 1998. The Company cannot predict whether
or when equipment or card sales by its licensees will result in material
royalties to the Company. Therefore, the Company is not relying on royalty
income and does not expect it to be a significant factor in the near term.
Backlog
As of March 31, 2000, the backlog for LaserCard optical memory cards was
approximately $4.8 million. About 80% of the Company's March 31, 2000 card
backlog is for U.S. government orders.
On April 13, 2000, the Company announced the receipt of a commercial
(non-government) order for optical memory cards totaling $4.5 million.
On June 7, 2000, the Company announced that it was awarded a U. S.
government subcontract with an authorized maximum of $81 million over a period
of up to five years. The subcontract was received by the Company through a
LaserCard VAR that is a U.S. government prime contractor, under a competitively
bid, government procurement contract. Under the subcontract, the Company will
supply up to 24 million LaserCard optical memory cards at an average selling
price of about $3.40 per card. The subcontract for 24 million optical memory
cards provides that each order release to the Company will be for quantities of
not less than one million cards per order, under an initial one-year contract
period and four additional one-year contract options. The first million-card
order under the subcontract was received by the Company following the
subcontract award, thereby raising the current total optical card backlog to
about $10 million as of June 8, 2000. Deliveries through December 2000 from this
$10 million backlog of released orders are estimated to average about 350,000
cards per month.
23
<PAGE>
Margins
The gross margin on product sales for fiscal 2000 was 45% compared with
49% for fiscal 1999 and 44% for fiscal 1998. Gross profit increased by $193,000
for fiscal 2000 compared with fiscal 1999. For fiscal 2000, read/write drive
gross profit decreased by about $229,000 due to the following: (a) read/write
drive selling prices were reduced to stimulate sales and (b) read/write drive
costs increased due to the yen/dollar exchange rate and staffing and overhead
costs for in-house production of read/write drives. The Company's gross margin
on sales of read/write drives as currently designed will be negligible through
March 31, 2001. Gross profit on cards increased approximately $540,000 for
fiscal 2000 compared with the same period last year, due to higher card sales
volume.
Income and Expenses
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses (SG&A). SG&A expenses were
$3,996,000 for fiscal 2000, $3,698,000 for fiscal 1999, and $2,978,000 for
fiscal 1998. The $298,000 increase in SG&A spending for fiscal 2000 primarily
consists of $170,000 for marketing and customer service and a $117,000 increase
in patent amortization expense. The Company believes that SG&A expenses for
fiscal 2001 will increase compared with fiscal 2000, due mainly to increases in
marketing and patent amortization expenses.
Research and Engineering Expenses (R&E). Research and engineering expenses
were $1,299,000 for fiscal 2000 compared with $456,000 for fiscal 1999 and
$435,000 for fiscal 1998. Approximately 80% of the increase in R&E spending for
fiscal 2000 is due to read/write drive manufacturing engineering and product
development. The Company anticipates that R&E expenses for fiscal 2001 will
increase compared with fiscal 2000, due mainly to optical card read/write drive
development.
Other Income and Expense. Total net other income for fiscal 2000 was
$388,000 compared with $268,000 for fiscal 1999 and $154,000 for fiscal 1998.
Total net other income for fiscal 2000 consisted of $383,000 of interest income.
For fiscal 1999, total net other income consisted of $319,000 of interest income
and a $44,000 loss for miscellaneous items. Net other income for fiscal 1998
included $148,000 in interest income and a $16,000 gain for miscellaneous items.
Interest expense was $1,000 for fiscal 2000, $7,000 for fiscal 1999, and $10,000
for fiscal 1998.
Income Taxes. The Company recorded a $2,537,000 income tax benefit for
fiscal 2000 versus a $128,000 income tax expense for fiscal 1999 and an income
tax expense of $68,000 for fiscal 1998. The income tax benefit for fiscal 2000
included a credit of $2,618,000 due to the change in the deferred tax asset
discussed below, partially offset by an $81,000 expense for alternative minimum
taxes.
The Company has a valuation allowance which reduces its deferred tax
asset. The Company believes that, more likely than not, at least a portion of
this income tax asset will be realized and, therefore, has reduced the valuation
allowance against it. The reduction in the valuation allowance reduces the
provision for income taxes on the statement of operations. Approximately $7
million of the valuation allowance is available to reduce future income tax
expense. Also, if realized, the total deferred tax asset remaining at March 31,
2000 of $13,100,000 will reduce future income tax payments, but only $7 million
of this amount will reduce future reported income tax expense. There are timing
differences between when certain items are included in book income and when the
same items are included on income tax returns. Therefore, tax payments or
credits often occur in different periods than when an income tax expense or
benefit is included in the statement of operations.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of March 31, 2000, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and
short-term investments of $8,221,000, a current ratio of 4.8 to 1, and no
long-term debt.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,674,000 for fiscal 2000
and $4,292,000 for fiscal 1999 compared with $71,000 used for operating
activities for fiscal 1998. The reduction for fiscal 2000 compared with fiscal
1999 is due mainly to cash used for read/write drive-related inventory
purchases, primarily for components and parts for read/write drive assembly,
which totaled approximately $1.7 million for fiscal 2000. Other than quarterly
fluctuations, the Company does not anticipate an increase in its investment in
read/write drive-related inventory for fiscal year 2001. The fiscal 1999 change
in comparison with fiscal 1998 was due mainly to the increase in card sales.
Fluctuations in operating assets and liabilities will use cash in some quarters
and provide cash in other quarters. The current level of revenues is sufficient
to generate cash from operations after expenses. Losses would occur if both of
the Company's largest U.S. government programs were to be delayed, canceled, or
not extended and not be replaced by other card orders or other sources of
income.
24
<PAGE>
The Company has not established a line of credit and has no current plans
to do so. The Company may negotiate a line of credit if and when it becomes
appropriate, although no assurance can be made that such financing would be
available, if needed.
As a result of the $5,360,000 profit recorded for fiscal 2000, the
Company's accumulated deficit was reduced to $16,276,000 and stockholders'
equity increased to $20,991,000.
Net cash used for investing activities was $8,539,000 for fiscal 2000,
$2,131,000 for fiscal 1999, and $1,805,000 for fiscal 1998. These amounts
include purchases of property and equipment (discussed below) of $1,986,000 for
fiscal 2000, $1,446,000 for fiscal 1999, and $1,723,000 for fiscal 1998; and
increases in patents and other intangibles of $1,150,000 for fiscal 2000,
$685,000 for fiscal 1999, and $82,000 for fiscal 1998. During fiscal 2000, the
Company began investing in short-term investments, consisting primarily of
commercial paper, resulting in $5,403,000 classified as short-term investments
at March 31, 2000. Cash plus short-term investments increased to $8,221,000 at
March 31, 2000 compared with $8,066,000 one year earlier.
For card production, the Company added capital equipment and leasehold
improvements of approximately $1 million during fiscal 2000. The Company's card
production capacity reached 7 million cards per year at March 31, 2000, for the
production of state-of-the-art optical memory cards. This capacity will be
further expanded during fiscal year 2001. The Company plans to purchase
additional production equipment in a series of steps as optical memory card
orders expand to justify production capacity increases, to a rate of up to 25
million cards per year. In addition to investment used for expansion, the
Company will make additional capital expenditures for cost savings, quality
improvements, and other purposes. The Company believes that during the next few
years, capital expenditures will be a minimum of $1.5 million per year for card
production equipment and automatic inspection equipment.
In connection with read/write drive manufacturing and design, the Company
added capital equipment and leasehold improvements of approximately $650,000
during fiscal 2000. In addition, during fiscal 2000, the Company capitalized
approximately $360,000 in costs associated with the transfer from Conlux of
read/write drive designs. Additional capital investments will be made during
fiscal 2001.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $617,000 for fiscal 2000,
$1,075,000 for fiscal 1999, and $3,790,000 for fiscal 1998. Financing activities
consisted of sales of common stock through stock plans in the amounts of
$617,000 for fiscal 2000, $1,075,000 for fiscal 1999, and $1,910,000 for fiscal
1998; and proceeds from the private placement of common stock in the amount of
$1,880,000 for fiscal 1998.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made in this report relating to plans, objectives, and
economic performance go beyond historical information and may provide an
indication of future results. To that extent, they are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and each is subject to factors that could cause actual results
to differ from those in the forward-looking statement. The Company's business
plan depends upon the initiation and growth of new programs utilizing the
Company's card products and is subject to adverse economic and technological
developments. There can be no assurances that any new or existing VAR or
licensee company will be successful in its markets or that it will place
follow-on orders with the Company for additional quantities of cards and
systems. The Company's estimate of card deliveries to its primary customers
depends upon the issuance of corresponding order releases by such customers,
which have the right to withhold releases, to reduce the quantities released,
and to extend delivery dates. There is no assurance that the Company's
read/write drive assembly and design operations will result in lower cost drives
with advanced features. The ability of the Company to maintain a profitable
level of optical memory card sales is subject to risks and uncertainties,
including reliance on U.S. government business; customer diversification,
expansion, and lengthy sales cycles; the ability to economically produce optical
card read/write drives at lower cost and in greater quantity; sources of supply;
technological change; patent protection; competition; and the economic
configuration and operation of the Company's card manufacturing facility for
increased output levels. Such factors are described above, in Item 1 of this
Form 10-K, and in other documents filed by the Company from time to time with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 7A. MARKET RATE RISKS
Not applicable.
25
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Drexler Technology Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Drexler
Technology Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of March 31,
1999 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31,
2000. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Drexler Technology
Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 1999 and 2000, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended March 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States.
Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The Schedule II included in this Form
10-K is the responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for
purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is
not part of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to
the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements
and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data
required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements
taken as a whole.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
San Jose, California
April 27, 2000
26
<PAGE>
DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 1999 and 2000
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 2000
---- ----
ASSETS
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................... $ 8,066 $ 2,818
Short-term investments .............................................. -- 5,403
Accounts receivable, net of product return reserve of $300 in 1999
and $500 in 2000 ................................................. 1,061 1,435
Note receivable ..................................................... 150 150
Inventories ......................................................... 1,909 4,419
Other current assets ................................................ 299 264
-------- --------
Total current assets ............................................. 11,485 14,489
-------- --------
Property and equipment, at cost ......................................... 16,549 17,122
Less--accumulated depreciation and amortization ..................... (12,926) (12,398)
-------- --------
Property and equipment, net ...................................... 3,623 4,724
Patents and other intangibles, net ...................................... 1,308 2,124
Note receivable ......................................................... 150 --
Deferred tax asset, net ................................................. -- 2,643
-------- --------
Total assets ................................................ $ 16,566 $ 23,980
======== ========
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<S> <C> <C>
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable .................................................... $ 976 $ 951
Accrued payroll costs ............................................... 369 367
Deferred revenue .................................................... -- 397
Advance payments from customers ..................................... 36 1,118
Income taxes payable ................................................ 99 --
Other accrued liabilities ........................................... 132 156
-------- --------
Total current liabilities ........................................ 1,612 2,989
-------- --------
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value:
Authorized--2,000,000 shares
Outstanding--none ................................................ -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value:
Authorized--15,000,000 shares
Outstanding--9,794,180 shares in 1999 and 9,864,103 shares in 2000 98 99
Additional paid-in capital .............................................. 36,485 37,168
Accumulated deficit ..................................................... (21,629) (16,276)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity ....................................... 14,954 20,991
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .................. $ 16,566 $ 23,980
======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
27
<PAGE>
DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 1998, 1999, and 2000
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues ...................................................... $ 11,081 $ 15,850 $ 17,092
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales ............................................. 5,923 7,709 9,362
Selling, general, and administrative expenses ............. 2,978 3,698 3,996
Research and engineering expenses ......................... 435 456 1,299
-------- -------- --------
Total costs and expenses ............................. 9,336 11,863 14,657
-------- -------- --------
Operating income ................................. 1,745 3,987 2,435
Other income and expense:
Other income (expense), net ............................... 16 (44) 6
Interest income ........................................... 148 319 383
Interest expense .......................................... (10) (7) (1)
-------- -------- --------
Total other income, net .............................. 154 268 388
-------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes ....................... 1,899 4,255 2,823
Provision (benefit) for income taxes .......................... 68 128 (2,537)
-------- -------- --------
Net income ....................................... $ 1,831 $ 4,127 $ 5,360
======== ======== ========
Net income per share:
Basic ............................................ $ .19 $ .42 $ .55
Diluted .......................................... $ .19 $ .41 $ .54
Weighted average number of common
and common equivalent shares:
Basic ............................................ 9,391 9,748 9,812
Diluted .......................................... 9,677 10,007 9,935
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
28
<PAGE>
DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 1998, 1999, and 2000
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Additional Accumulated
Shares Amount Paid-In Capital Deficit Total
------ ------ --------------- ------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, March 31, 1997 .................... 9,150 $ 91 $ 31,516 $(27,548) $ 4,059
Shares issued under stock option
and stock purchase plans .......... 291 3 1,907 -- 1,910
Compensation related to
stock plan activity ............... -- -- 29 -- 29
Shares issued under private placement
at $9.50 per share, net of issuance
costs of $20 ...................... 200 2 1,878 -- 1,880
Net income ............................ -- -- -- 1,831 1,831
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Balance, March 31, 1998 .................... 9,641 96 35,330 (25,717) 9,709
Shares issued under stock option
and stock purchase plans .......... 159 2 1,133 -- 1,135
Shares received for payment of
stock options ..................... (6) -- (21) (39) (60)
Compensation related to
stock plan activity ............... -- -- 43 -- 43
Net income ............................ -- -- -- 4,127 4,127
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Balance, March 31, 1999 .................... 9,794 98 36,485 (21,629) 14,954
Shares issued under stock option
and stock purchase plans .......... 72 1 521 -- 522
Shares received for payment of
stock options ..................... (2) -- (6) (7) (13)
Income tax benefit arising from
stock option plan ................. -- -- 108 -- 108
Compensation related to
stock plan activity ............... -- -- 60 -- 60
Net income ............................ -- -- -- 5,360 5,360
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Balance, March 31, 2000 .................... 9,864 $ 99 $ 37,168 $(16,276) $ 20,991
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
29
<PAGE>
DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 1998, 1999, and 2000
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income ....................................................... $ 1,831 $ 4,127 $ 5,360
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization .................................. 619 887 1,219
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable ..................... -- 14 44
Provision for product return reserve ........................... 260 40 218
Compensation related to stock plan activity .................... 29 43 60
Increase in deferred tax asset ................................. -- -- (2,643)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable ................................ (690) (70) (636)
(Increase) decrease in notes receivable ........................ -- (300) 150
Increase in inventories ........................................ (618) (439) (2,510)
(Increase) decrease in other assets ............................ (11) (83) 35
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses ... 229 500 (102)
Increase (decrease) in advance payments from customers ......... (1,720) (427) 1,082
Increase in deferred revenue ................................... -- -- 397
------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities ......... (71) 4,292 2,674
------- ------- -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment .............................. (1,723) (1,446) (1,986)
Increase in patents and other intangibles ........................ (82) (685) (1,150)
Investment in commercial paper (Note 2) .......................... -- -- (5,403)
------- ------- -------
Net cash used for investing activities ....................... (1,805) (2,131) (8,539)
------- ------- -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of common stock ............................... 1,880 -- --
Proceeds from sale of common stock through stock plans,
including income tax benefit ................................... 1,910 1,075 617
------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by financing activities .................... 3,790 1,075 617
------- ------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ......... 1,914 3,236 (5,248)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year ................................................ 2,916 4,830 8,066
------- ------- -------
End of year (Note 2) ............................................. $ 4,830 $ 8,066 $ 2,818
======= ======= =======
Supplemental disclosures--cash payments for the following items are:
Income taxes ..................................................... $ 5 $ 88 $ 94
======= ======= =======
Interest ......................................................... $ 10 $ 7 $ 1
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
30
<PAGE>
DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2000
1. Organization and Operations
Drexler Technology Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, LaserCard
Systems Corporation, (the "Company") develop, manufacture, and market optical
data storage products used with personal computers for information recording,
storage, and retrieval. The Company's customers are mainly value-added reseller
(VAR) companies, in the United States and other countries, that develop
commercial applications for LaserCard(R) products. Target markets for these
products include consumer, business, and government applications for portable,
recordable, unitary record cards. These applications include U.S. immigration
"Green Cards," border-crossing "Laser Visa" cards, cargo manifests, access
cards, healthcare record cards, and identification cards.
The Company is subject to certain risks including, but not limited to,
competition from substitute products and larger companies and dependence on
certain suppliers and customers.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation. The consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of Drexler Technology Corporation and
its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fiscal Period. For purposes of presentation, the Company has indicated its
accounting period as ending on March 31 and its interim quarterly periods as
ending on the corresponding month end. The Company, in fact, operates and
reports quarterly periods ending on the Friday closest to month end. Fiscal 1998
was a 53-week year. Fiscal 1999 and 2000 were 52-week years.
Notes Receivable. During March 1999, the Company entered into two equal
promissory notes totaling $300,000 securing an obligation due to the Company
from one party. The notes bear interest at 5% per annum. One note matured on
March 31, 2000, and full payment was received. The other note matures on March
31, 2001. As of March 31, 2000, the fair value of the note receivable
approximated the carrying value.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments. The Company considers
all highly liquid investments, consisting primarily of commercial paper with
original maturities of three months or less, to be cash equivalents. All
investments with original maturities of more than three months but less than one
year, are classified as short-term investments. During the fiscal 2000 second
quarter ended September 30, 1999, the Company began investing in short-term
investments, consisting primarily of commercial paper, resulting in $5,403,000
classified as short-term investments at March 31, 2000. Management determines
the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of
purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. As of
March 31, 2000, all marketable securities have been classified as
held-to-maturity and consisted of commercial paper.
Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with
cost determined on a first-in, first-out basis and market based on the lower of
replacement cost or estimated realizable value. The components of inventories as
of March 31 are (in thousands):
1999 2000
---- ----
Raw materials ............... $ 976 $2,851
Work-in-process ............. 310 658
Finished goods .............. 182 745
Systems and components
held for resale .......... 441 165
------ ------
$1,909 $4,419
====== ======
31
<PAGE>
Property and Equipment. The components of property and equipment as of
March 31 are (in thousands):
1999 2000
---- ----
Equipment and furniture ........ $14,030 $15,024
Leasehold improvements ......... 2,519 2,098
------- -------
$16,549 $17,122
======= =======
Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives (four to seven
years) of equipment and furniture using the double-declining balance and
straight-line methods. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of
the life of the asset or the life of the lease using the straight-line method.
Patent Costs. Legal expenses incurred in connection with patents are
capitalized and amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of the
patents of six to seventeen years. Costs incurred in connection with other
intangibles are amortized using the straight-line method over three years.
Gross patent expenditures capitalized and accumulated amortization as of
March 31 are as follows (in thousands):
1999 2000
---- ----
Gross patent and other
intangible expenditures....... $ 3,152 $ 4,302
Accumulated amortization........ (1,844) (2,178)
--------- -------
$ 1,308 $ 2,124
========= =======
The Company assesses the need to record impairment losses on long-lived
assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present. On an
ongoing basis, the Company reviews the value and period of amortization or
depreciation of long-lived assets. To date, the Company has not needed to record
any impairment losses on long-lived assets.
Software Development Costs. In accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed," development costs incurred
in the research and development of new software products are expensed as
incurred until technological feasibility in the form of a working model has been
established. To date, the Company's software development has been completed
concurrent with the establishment of technological feasibility and, accordingly,
all software development costs have been charged to research and development
expense in the accompanying statements of income.
Advance Payments from Customers. The Company customarily receives advance
payments on orders placed by its customers. The advance payments are recorded as
a liability on the balance sheet until the related orders are shipped.
Revenue Recognition. Product sales primarily consist of card sales and
sales of read/write drives. The Company generally recognizes revenue from
product sales at the time of shipment. Where appropriate, provision is made at
that time for estimated warranty costs. Due to significant increases in volume
during fiscal 1998, the Company established a product-return reserve for
estimated returns.
During fiscal 1998, the Company recorded $820,000 of revenues for the
delivery of six prototype multi-technology card readers to an existing customer.
Costs for the development and manufacture of these workstations were charged to
cost of sales. There were no revenues of this type in fiscal 1999 or fiscal
2000.
License revenue, which consists of front-end license fees and long-term
royalty payments, is recognized as revenue when realized. The cost of license
revenue is not material and is included in selling, general, and administrative
expenses.
Fiscal 1998 license revenue included $400,000 from the sale of a patent
license. Fiscal 1999 license revenue included $200,000 from an agreement to
provide technical information and $500,000 from the same party to complete the
purchase of a nonexclusive license for optical memory card distribution, which
grants the right to purchase such cards at the Company's most favorable pricing.
Fiscal 2000 license revenue included $119,000 realized from the sale of a
license to assemble optical card reader/writers using parts kits supplied by the
Company.
32
<PAGE>
Stock-Based Compensation. Effective April 1, 1996, the Company adopted the
disclosure provisions of SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." In
accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123, the Company applies Accounting
Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting
for its stock option plan. Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements
contains a summary of the pro forma effects on reported net income and earnings
per share for fiscal 1998, 1999, and 2000 based on the fair value of the options
at date of grant, as prescribed by SFAS 123.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In June 1997, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," which
establishes standards for reporting comprehensive income and its components
(revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in financial statements. SFAS 130
requires classification of other comprehensive income in a financial statement,
and the display of the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income
separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital. SFAS 130 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company
adopted SFAS 130 in the quarter ended June 30, 1998. For the fiscal years ended
March 31, 1999 and 2000, comprehensive income equaled net income.
In June 1997, the FASB also issued SFAS 131, "Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information." This pronouncement establishes
standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual financial
statements and requires that enterprises report selected information about
operating segments in interim financial reports to shareholders. SFAS 131 also
establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas, and major customers. The Company adopted SFAS 131 in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1999. The Company operates in one industry
segment--the development, manufacture, and sale of optical data products used
for digital data storage. As a result, the adoption of SFAS 131 had no impact on
the Company's disclosures.
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting
standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. It applies for the
quarter beginning January 1, 2001. The Company does not currently hold any
derivative instruments and does not engage in hedging activities. Therefore, the
adoption of SFAS 133 is not expected to impact the Company's consolidated
financial position or results of operations.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101, "Revenue Recognition." SAB 101 provides
guidance on applying generally accepted accounting principles to revenue
recognition issues in financial statements. The Company believes that its
current revenue recognition policies comply with SAB 101.
In March 2000, the FASB issued Financial Standards Board Interpretation
(FIN) No. 44, "Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock
Compensation--an Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25." FIN 44 addresses the
application of APB 25 to clarify, among other issues, (a) the definition of
employee for purposes of applying APB 25, (b) the criteria for determining
whether a plan qualifies as a noncompensatory plan, (c) the accounting
consequence of various modifications to the terms of a previously fixed stock
option or award, and (d) the accounting for an exchange of stock compensation
awards in a business combination. FIN 44 is effective July 1, 2000, but certain
conclusions cover specific events that occur after either December 15, 1998, or
January 12, 2000. To the extent FIN 44 covers events occurring during the period
after December 15, 1998, or January 12, 2000, but before the effective date of
July 1, 2000, the effects of applying the interpretation will be recognized on a
prospective basis from July 1, 2000. The Company currently is evaluating FIN 44
and does not expect that it will have a material effect on its financial
position or results of operations.
Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications were made to the prior year
presentation to conform with the current year presentation.
3. Earnings Per Share
The Company computes earnings per share in accordance with SFAS 128,
"Earnings Per Share." SFAS 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 income is presented. Basic earnings per
share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of
shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by
dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and
common stock equivalents outstanding. Common stock equivalents consist of stock
options using the treasury stock method.
33
<PAGE>
The reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and
diluted earnings per share computation for fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000 is
shown below (in thousands, except per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year
-----------
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net income .................................................................. $ 1,831 $ 4,127 $ 5,360
======= ======= =======
Basic earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding ................................ 9,391 9,748 9,812
------- ------- -------
Basic earnings per share .................................................... $ .19 $ .42 $ .55
======= ======= =======
Diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding ................................ 9,391 9,748 9,812
Weighted average common stock option grants ............................... 286 259 123
------- ------- -------
Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding ... 9,677 10,007 9,935
------- ------- -------
Diluted earnings per share .................................................. $ .19 $ .41 $ .54
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Because they have an exercise price greater than the average market value
for the periods, stock options representing 407,950 shares are excluded from the
calculation of fiscal 1998 diluted earnings per share, stock options
representing 561,373 shares are excluded from the calculation of fiscal 1999
diluted earnings per share, and stock options representing 1,196,841 shares are
excluded from the calculation of fiscal 2000 earnings per share.
4. Major Customers and Export Sales
Two customers each accounted for more than 10% of revenues during fiscal
1998, 1999, and 2000, as follows:
Fiscal Year
-----------
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Customer A ........ 74% 72% 66%
Customer B ........ 15% 21% 30%
Two substantial United States customers comprised 99% of accounts
receivable at March 31, 1998 and 98% of accounts receivable at March 31, 2000.
Three customers comprised 96% of accounts receivable at March 31, 1999.
Revenues by region are as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year
-----------
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
United States ....... $ 9,980 $14,825 $16,686
Europe .............. 558 803 223
Asia ................ 462 168 128
Rest of world ....... 81 54 55
------- ------- -------
$11,081 $15,850 $17,092
======= ======= =======
5. Common Stock
Stock Option Plan. The Company has one stock option plan, the 1991 Stock
Option Plan (1991 Option Plan), under which 2,146,130 shares of common stock are
reserved as of March 31, 2000. The Company accounts for this plan under APB 25;
accordingly, no compensation expense for stock option grants under the 1991
Stock Option Plan has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements
under the provisions of APB 25. SFAS 123 requires the disclosure of pro forma
net income and income per share as if the Company had adopted the fair value
method as of the beginning of fiscal 1996. Under the fair value method,
compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award
and is recognized over the service period. Under SFAS 123, the fair value of
stock-based awards is calculated through the use of option pricing models. Such
models require subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility
and estimated term. These calculations were made using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. The results are shown in the following table:
34
<PAGE>
Fiscal Year
-----------
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Risk-free interest rate .............. 6% 5% 6%
Expected volatility .................. 40% 35% 50%
Weighted average fair
values of option grants ............ $ 4.33 $ 4.04 $ 4.22
Pro forma net income ................ $ 598 $2,382 $3,575
Per share ............................ $ .06 $ .24 $ .36
The calculations assume an expected option life of two to ten years. Interest
rate, volatility, and other weighted-average assumptions are shown in the table.
The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant. Because
the SFAS 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options granted prior
to April 1, 1995, the resulting pro forma compensation costs may not be
representative of such costs in future years.
The Company's 1991 Option Plan provides that stock options may be granted
to employees, officers, and consultants of the Company and that option prices
may be no less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares at the date of
grant. The Board of Directors specifies the term of options and the vesting
schedule for exercise of options. The option term cannot exceed ten years
(except that incentive stock options granted to a principal shareholder cannot
exceed five years).
The following table lists 1991 Option Plan activity from March 31, 1997
through March 31, 2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Weighted
Available Outstanding Average
for Grant Options Exercise Price Per Share Price
--------- ------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance March 31, 1997 185,540 1,215,480 $ 8.84 $ 4.25 - $16.313
Authorized ...... 450,000 --
Granted ......... (398,500) 398,500 $ 11.16 $ 9.563 - $ 15.25
Exercised ....... -- (283,600) $ 6.52 $ 4.25 - $12.625
Expired ......... 10,050 (10,050) $ 10.96 $ 9.563 - $12.625
-------- ---------
Balance March 31, 1998 247,090 1,320,330 $ 10.02 $ 4.563 - $16.313
Authorized ...... 480,000 --
Granted ......... (523,100) 523,100 $ 12.19 $10.906 - $15.563
Exercised ....... -- (146,500) $ 7.15 $ 6.438 - $ 8.563
Expired ......... 21,924 (21,924) $ 11.94 $ 6.938 - $ 14.75
-------- ---------
Balance March 31, 1999 225,914 1,675,006 $ 10.93 $ 4.563 - $16.313
-------- ---------
Authorized ...... 300,000 --
Granted ......... (313,450) 313,450 $ 8.00 $ 6.969 - $ 9.406
Exercised ....... -- (54,790) $ 7.71 $ 4.563 - $12.625
Expired ......... 25,456 (25,456) $ 10.96 $ 6.938 - $ 15.25
-------- ---------
Balance March 31, 2000 237,920 1,908,210 $ 10.54 $ 4.688 - $16.313
======== =========
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at March 31, 2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
--------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Number Weighted-Average Weighted- Number Weighted-
Range of Outstanding Remaining Average Exercisable Average
Exercise Prices At 3/31/00 Contractual Life Exercise Price At 3/31/00 Exercise Price
--------------- ---------- ---------------- -------------- ---------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 4.688 - $ 7.50 436,450 6.7 years $ 6.92 254,250 $ 6.56
$ 8.563 - $11.813 924,020 7.7 years $ 10.41 359,063 $ 10.08
$12.313 - $16.313 547,740 6.8 years $ 13.65 283,374 $ 13.31
--------- -------
Totals 1,908,210 896,687
========= =======
</TABLE>
35
<PAGE>
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase
Plan (Stock Purchase Plan), under which 28,772 shares are reserved as of March
31, 2000 for future purchases by employees. Under the Stock Purchase Plan,
eligible employees may designate from 2% to 6% of their compensation to be
withheld for the purchase of shares of common stock at 67% of a trailing average
price. The differential between fair market value and the average price of the
shares sold under the Stock Purchase Plan is charged to Company operations as a
compensation expense and is taxed to the employee as income. Under the Stock
Purchase Plan, employees purchased 6,731 shares in fiscal 1998, 12,810 shares in
fiscal 1999, and 16,857 in fiscal 2000. The average purchase price per share was
$8.78 in fiscal 1998, $6.84 in fiscal 1999, and $6.06 in fiscal 2000. The
weighted average fair value per share for shares purchased was $13.11 for fiscal
1998, $10.21 for fiscal 1999, and $9.63 for fiscal 2000.
6. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company occupies its buildings under various operating leases. The
rent expense relating to these buildings was approximately $373,000 for fiscal
1998, $373,000 for fiscal 1999, and $480,000 for fiscal 2000. As of March 31,
2000, future minimum rental payments relating to these leases are (in
thousands):
Fiscal Year
-----------
2001............................... $ 974
2002............................... 1,089
2003............................... 1,099
2004............................... 1,126
2005............................... 811
Thereafter......................... 941
--------
$ 6,040
========
In July and December 1998, the Company filed complaints in the U.S.
District Court for the Northern District of California for infringement of
certain patents owned by the Company covering digital sound encoded on motion
picture film. Certain defensive counterclaims have been filed by defendants in
response to these complaints. Certain costs relating to these actions are being
capitalized and amortized over the remaining lives of the patents. (See Note 2.)
The Company does not believe that resolution of these actions, including
counterclaims, will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of
the Company.
The Company is subject to various claims and assertions which arise in the
normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
disposition of such claims and assertions will not have a material adverse
impact on the financial position of the Company.
7. Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999, and fiscal
2000 consists of the following (in thousands):
Fiscal Year
-----------
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Current provision
Federal .................... $ 51 $ 94 $ 56
State ...................... 17 34 104
------- ------- -------
68 128 160
Deferred provision
Federal .................... -- -- (2,697)
State ...................... -- -- --
------- ------- -------
-- -- (2,697)
------- ------- -------
Provision for income taxes .... $ 68 $ 128 $(2,537)
======= ======= =======
36
<PAGE>
The Company's effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate as
follows:
Fiscal Year
-----------
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Tax rate reconciliation:
Federal statutory rate ... 34% 34% 34%
State tax, net of federal
benefit .............. 6% 6% 6%
Utilization of net operating
loss carryforwards ....... (40%) (40%) (132%)
Alternative minimum taxes ... 4% 3% 2%
---- ---- ----
4% 3% (90%)
==== ==== ====
The major components of the net deferred tax asset as of March 31 are as
follows (in thousands):
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Net operating loss carryforwards:
Federal .......................... $ 14,014 $ 12,845 $ 11,900
State ............................ 342 73 --
Tax credits ......................... 1,126 1,350 1,147
Reserves and accruals not
currently deductible
for tax purposes ................. 361 479 565
Depreciation ........................ (91) 172 235
Capitalized patent costs ............ (300) (521) (714)
Other ............................... (7) (18) (33)
-------- -------- --------
Total deferred tax asset ......... 15,445 14,380 13,100
Valuation allowance,
provision ........................ (12,430) (11,039) (7,011)
Valuation allowance,
equity ........................... (3,015) (3,341) (3,446)
-------- -------- --------
Net deferred tax asset .............. $ -- $ -- $ 2,643
======== ======== ========
The Company has established a valuation allowance because it is uncertain
that a portion of the deferred tax asset will be fully realized.
The Company's federal net operating losses will expire at various dates
from 2002 through 2012. The tax credit carryforwards will expire at various
dates from 2001 through 2008, except for $304 in tax credits for alternative
minimum taxes that have no expiration.
37
<PAGE>
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
The unaudited quarterly results of operations of the Company for fiscal
1999 and fiscal 2000 are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Fiscal 1999
Revenues ................. $ 3,846 $ 3,661 $ 4,056 $ 4,287
Net income ............... 975 993 1,003 1,156
Income per share:
Basic .................. $ .10 $ .10 $ .10 $ .12
Diluted ................ $ .10 $ .10 $ .10 $ .12
Fiscal 2000
Revenues ................. $ 3,741 4,252 4,321 4,778
Net income ............... 845 1,387 1,378 1,750
Income per share:
Basic .................. $ .09 .14 .14 .18
Diluted ................ $ .09 .14 .14 .17
38
<PAGE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
A. Directors and Executive Officers
Information concerning directors and executive officers of the Company is
set forth under the caption "Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant"
at the end of Part I of this Report on Form 10-K.
B. Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of more than
10% of the Company's common stock to file with the Commission initial reports of
ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity
securities of the Company. The Company typically files these reports on behalf
of its directors and officers, based on information provided by them. The
Company believes, based on its review of Forms 3, 4, 5, if any, and periodic
written representations from reporting persons, that all officers, directors,
and holders of more than 10% of the Company's common stock complied with all
Section 16(a) filing requirements for the 2000 fiscal year.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table discloses the total compensation paid to each of the
Company's four executive officers for the three fiscal years ended March 31,
2000, for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its
subsidiaries.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation
------------------- ----------------------
Fiscal Shares Underlying
Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) Option Grants (#)
--------------------------- ---- ---------- --------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jerome Drexler 2000 $ 250,786 -- --
Chairman of the Board and 1999 $ 179,168 -- 65,000
Chief Executive Officer 1998 $ 164,647 -- 45,000
Richard M. Haddock 2000 $ 244,476 -- --
President and 1999 $ 191,931 -- 65,000
Chief Operating Officer 1998 $ 173,720 -- 20,000
Christopher J. Dyball 2000 $ 229,840 -- --
Executive Vice President; General 1999 $ 174,130 -- 65,000
Manager, Card Manufacturing 1998 $ 150,036 -- 45,000
Steven G. Larson 2000 $ 180,682 -- --
Vice President of Finance 1999 $ 154,141 -- 65,000
and Treasurer 1998 $ 129,662 -- 20,000
</TABLE>
Stock Option Grants to Executive Officers
There were no stock option grants to executive officers during the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2000.
39
<PAGE>
Aggregated Option Exercises and Options Held by Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the value of options exercised by the
Company's executive officers during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, and
remaining unexercised at fiscal year end.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Underlying Value of Unexercised
Shares Unexercised Options at In-the-Money Options at
Acquired on Value Fiscal Year-End (#) (2, 3) Fiscal Year-End ($)(4)
Exercise Realized --------------------------- ----------------------
Name (#) ($)(1) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jerome Drexler 3,400 $ 6,375 240,600 -- $ 1,041,760 $ --
Richard Haddock -- -- 137,466 95,334 $ 620,235 204,500
Christopher Dyball -- -- 114,000 107,000 $ 486,812 253,248
Steven Larson 2,031 7,410 80,035 95,334 $ 269,122 206,687
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Market value of underlying securities (based on the fair market value of
the Company's common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R)) at the time of
their exercise, minus the exercise price.
(2) At the discretion of the Board of Directors and/or Stock Option Committee,
the optionee may pay the exercise price to the Company in cash, by
promissory note, or by delivering already owned shares, subject to certain
conditions.
(3) Options have 10-year terms, subject to earlier termination in certain
events.
(4) Market value of securities underlying in-the-money options at fiscal year
end (based on $14.00 per share, the closing market price of the Company's
common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) as of fiscal year end) minus
the exercise price.
B. Compensation of Directors
Each of the five directors receives a fee of $1,200 per month for serving
as a director, the standard fee in effect since July of 1995. The Company also
reimburses reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by directors performing
services for the Company.
The Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan provides for the automatic grant of a
five-year option to purchase 15,000 shares of the Company's common stock on the
date any person first becomes a director. These grants to newly elected
directors become exercisable in cumulative increments of one-third (1/3) each at
the end of 24 months, 36 months, and 48 months from the date of grant. The 1991
Stock Option Plan further provides that on the date of the Company's annual
meeting of stockholders, each non-employee director who has served as a director
of the Company for the preceding six-month period and who is re-elected at the
annual meeting, is automatically granted a five-year option to purchase 6,000
shares of the Company's common stock. The option share grants to the re-elected
directors are exercisable in full at the time of grant. The exercise price for
options granted to newly elected directors and re-elected directors is the fair
market value of the Company's common stock on the effective date of the grant of
the option.
C. Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment, and Change of Control
Arrangements
None of the Company's executive officers has employment or severance
arrangements with the Company. Under the terms of the 1991 Stock Option Plan,
the Board of Directors and/or Stock Option Committee retains discretion, subject
to certain limits, to modify the terms of outstanding options.
In the event of a merger or sale of assets or like event, the Board of
Directors is empowered to make appropriate adjustments to options under the 1991
Option Plan. The Board of Directors has adopted guidelines specifying the
following as adjustments that it would consider appropriate upon the occurrence
of such an event:
-- permitting optionees no less than 30 days to exercise the vested
portion of their options;
-- having the successor corporation either (a) issue to optionees
replacement options for the unvested portions of options, or else
(b) pay deferred compensation on the spread between the value of
Company stock upon the occurrence of such event and the option
exercise price at the time such unvested portion would have vested;
and
40
<PAGE>
-- providing for vesting of 100% of the unvested portion for optionees
employed by the Company for at least two years prior to such event
if their employment is terminated within one year of such event by
the successor corporation other than by resignation or for acts of
moral turpitude.
D. Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Jerome Drexler, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, is a member of the
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for setting
the salaries of the Company's executive officers, other than the Chief Executive
Officer, and for certain other management employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries.
-------------------
With reference to the next two sections, headed Compensation Policy and Stock
Performance Chart, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any
of the Company's previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate
future filings, including this 10-K Report, in whole or part, the Compensation
Policy and the Stock Performance Chart shall not be incorporated by reference in
any such filings, nor shall they be deemed to be soliciting material or deemed
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
E. Compensation Policy
The Board of Directors, in coordination with the Compensation Committee
and Stock Option Committee, establishes the general compensation policies of the
Company and specific compensation levels for the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and other executive officers. The Company's compensation policy is
intended to provide total compensation opportunities that are competitive with
the pay practices of other companies and thereby enable the Company to attract
and retain superior performing managers. This is accomplished through a
combination of cash incentives and equity incentives which are granted to the
Company's executive officers as well as to a broad range of the Company's
employees. The Company believes that this closely aligns employee interests with
those of its stockholders.
The Board considered a total package for the Company's Chief Executive
Officer in the context of the Company's objectives and business strategy. The
analysis included reviewing compensation of chief executive officers of
comparable companies within similar industries. The Company's overall financial
performance for fiscal 2000 was considered by the Board in evaluating the Chief
Executive Officer's compensation; however, the specific performance of the
Company's common stock was not a factor. In addition, the Board considered
factors such as the individual's past performance and future potential. The same
factors and considerations that were used in evaluating the compensation of the
Chief Executive Officer were used in evaluating the compensation of the
Company's other executive officers.
The Company also maintains a Management Bonus Plan for its management
employees. The Board determines the Company contribution to a bonus pool. This
contribution is usually related to performance criteria such as pre-tax, pre-
bonus Company earnings and licensing revenues, with various adjustments. The
Chief Executive Officer then has sole discretion to allocate this bonus pool
among the employees of the Company, excluding himself. The Company made no
contribution to the bonus pool during fiscal 2000.
Compensation Committee Stock Option Committee
---------------------- ----------------------
Jerome Drexler Arthur H. Hausman
Dan Maydan William E. McKenna
William E. McKenna
F. Stock Performance Chart
In the following stock performance chart, the cumulative total return on
investment for the Company's common stock over the past five fiscal years is
compared with the Russell 2000 Stock Index ("Russell 2000") and the University
of Chicago Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) Total Return Index for
the Nasdaq Stock Market Electronic Components industry group ("Nasdaq Electronic
Components"). The Russell 2000 is a benchmark index for small capitalization
stocks. The Nasdaq Electronic Components index is used because the majority of
the Company's revenues currently are derived from the sale of optical recording
media (optical memory cards). The chart assumes that the value of the investment
in the Company and each index was $100 on March 31, 1995, and that any dividends
were reinvested.
41
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
*Total Return Assumes Reinvestment of Dividends.
Assumes $100 Invested on March 31, 1995.
[STOCK PERFORMANCE CHART]
The stock performance chart was plotted using the following data:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ending March 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Drexler Technology Corporation .. $ 100.00 $ 206.38 $ 174.47 $ 265.96 $ 170.21 $ 238.30
Russell 2000 .................... $ 100.00 $ 129.04 $ 135.63 $ 192.62 $ 161.31 $ 221.46
CRSP Nasdaq Electronic Components $ 100.00 $ 131.62 $ 231.17 $ 264.62 $ 385.88 $1,141.41
</TABLE>
PAST RESULTS ARE NOT AN INDICATOR OF FUTURE INVESTMENT RETURNS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
A. Principal Stockholder
The table below shows the name, address, number of shares held, nature of
ownership, and percentage of shares held as of June 23, 2000, by the only person
or entity known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
Company's common stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares and Percent
Name and Address Nature of Ownership of Class
---------------- ------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Jerome Drexler, c/o Drexler Technology Corporation, 1,170,548(1) 11.8%
1077 Independence Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043 Full dispositive and voting power
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Includes 240,600 shares purchasable by exercise of option within 60 days.
Does not include 297,100 shares owned by Mr. Drexler's wife and 16,250
shares held by his wife as custodian, as to all of which shares Mr.
Drexler disclaims any beneficial ownership. Does not include 15,000 shares
held by The Drexler Foundation, the assets of which are perpetually
dedicated to charity. The power to vote and to dispose of the shares held
by The Drexler Foundation is shared by the Foundation's directors,
consisting of Mr. Drexler and his wife.
B. Changes in Control
There are no arrangements in existence known to the Company which would
result in a change in control of the Company.
C. Security Ownership of Management
The following table contains information respecting the number of shares
and percentage of the Company's common stock beneficially owned by each of the
Company's five directors, by each executive officer of the Company, and by all
executive officers and directors as a group, as of June 23, 2000. The beneficial
owners of the shares have full voting and investment power, except as indicated
in the table, and have addresses in care of the Company. There are no family
relationships among any directors or executive officers of the Company. As of
the close of business on June 23, 2000, the Company had outstanding 9,881,403
shares of common stock.
42
<PAGE>
STOCK OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Director Common Percentage
Name, Principal Occupation, and Other Directorships Age Since Shares of Class
--------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
JEROME DREXLER. .............................................................. 72 1968 1,170,548(1) 11.8%
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, LaserCard Systems Corporation.
ARTHUR H. HAUSMAN ............................................................ 77 1981 50,392(2) .5%
Director; private investor. Retired Chairman, President, and Chief Executive
Officer of Ampex Corporation (manufacturer of professional audio-video
systems, data/ memory products, and magnetic tape). Director Emeritus of
Technology for Communications International (high-frequency antenna systems
and electronic reconnaissance systems). Director of California Amplifier,
Inc. (low-noise amplifiers).
DAN MAYDAN ................................................................... 64 1998 17,000(3) .2%
Director. President (since 1993) and Director (since 1992) of Applied
Materials, Inc. (semiconductor manufacturing equipment). Director of
Electronics for Imaging, Inc. (software).
WILLIAM E. McKENNA ........................................................... 80 1970 65,483(2) .7%
Director; private investor. Director of California Amplifier, Inc.
(low-noise amplifiers), Midway Games, Inc. (interactive entertainment
software for the coin-operated and home markets), and WMS Industries, Inc.
(coin-operated and home video and other games).
WALTER F. WALKER ............................................................. 45 1999 24,750(4) .3%
Director. President (since 1994) of the Seattle SuperSonics National
Basketball Association basketball team, a subsidiary of Ackerley
Communications, Inc. Previously, was President (from March to September
1994) of Walker Capital, Inc. (money management firm) and Vice President
(from July 1987 to March 1994) of Goldman Sachs & Co. (investment banking
firm). Director of Redhook Ale Brewery and Advanced Digital Information
Corporation (archival and backup data-storage peripherals). Trustee of Boys
& Girls Clubs of America. Also is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
RICHARD M. HADDOCK ........................................................... 48 N/A 145,878(5) 1.5%
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and its wholly owned
subsidiary, LaserCard Systems Corporation.
CHRISTOPHER J. DYBALL ........................................................ 49 N/A 124,420(6) 1.3%
Executive Vice President of the Company; General Manager, Card Manufacturing.
STEVEN G. LARSON ............................................................. 50 N/A 86,190(7) .9%
Vice President of Finance and Treasurer of the Company and its wholly owned
subsidiary, LaserCard Systems Corporation.
All executive officers and directors as a group (the 8 persons named above) ........................... 1,684,661(8) 17.0%
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Includes 240,600 shares purchasable by exercise of option within 60 days.
Does not include 297,100 shares owned by Mr. Drexler's wife and 16,250
shares held by his wife as custodian, as to all of which shares Mr.
Drexler disclaims any beneficial ownership. Does not include 15,000 shares
held by The Drexler Foundation, the assets of which are perpetually
dedicated to charity. The power to vote and to dispose of the shares held
by The Drexler Foundation is shared by the Foundation's directors,
consisting of Mr. Drexler and his wife.
(2) Includes 30,000 shares purchasable by exercise of option within 60 days.
(3) Includes 17,000 shares purchasable by exercise of option within 60 days.
(4) Includes 6,000 shares purchasable by exercise of option within 60 days.
(5) Includes 142,466 shares purchasable by exercise of option within 60 days.
(6) Includes 119,000 shares purchasable by exercise of option within 60 days.
(7) Includes 85,035 shares purchasable by exercise of option within 60 days.
(8) Includes 670,101 shares purchasable by exercise of option within 60 days.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
None.
43
<PAGE>
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) List of Documents Filed as Part of this Report
1. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, filed herewith
under Item 8, as follows:
Page
Number
------
(1) Report of Independent Public Accountants 26
(2) Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 1999
and March 31, 2000 27
(3) Consolidated Statements of Income for Fiscal
Years 1998, 1999, and 2000 28
(4) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
for Fiscal Years 1998, 1999, and 2000 29
(5) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Fiscal
Years 1998, 1999, and 2000 30
(6) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 31
2. Financial Statement Schedules:
The schedule supporting the Company's Consolidated Financial
Statements, filed herewith under Item 14(d), as follows:
Schedule Page
Number Description Number
------ ----------- ------
II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 47
Schedules not listed above are not applicable or not required, or
the information required to be set forth therein is included in the
Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.
3. Exhibits:
The Exhibits to this Report, filed herewith under Item 14(c) or
incorporated by reference from other documents previously filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, as follows:
(1) Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 through 3.2.7, Articles of Incorporation
and By-Laws of the Company, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Filed Herewith or Incorporated
Number Description Herein by Reference to
------ ----------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
3.1 Articles of Incorporation Exhibit 3.1 to Report on Form 10-Q for
period ended September 25, 1987
3.2 By-Laws Exhibit 3.2 to Report on Form 10-Q for
period ended September 25, 1987
3.2.1 By-Law amendment adopted in Exhibit 3.2.1 to Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal 1991 period ended March 31, 1992
</TABLE>
44
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Filed Herewith or Incorporated
Number Description Herein by Reference to
------ ----------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
3.2.2 By-Law amendments adopted in Exhibit 3.2.2 to Report on Form 10-K
fiscal 1992 for period ended March 31, 1992
3.2.3 By-Law amendment adopted in Exhibit 3.2.2 to Report on Form 10-Q for
fiscal 1994 period ended September 30, 1993
3.2.4 Amended and Restated By-Laws Exhibit 3.2.4 to Report on Form 10-K for
as of February 21, 1997 period ended March 31, 1997
3.2.5 By-Law amendment adopted in Exhibit 3.2.5 to Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal 1998 period ended March 31, 1998
3.2.6 Amended and Restated By-Laws Exhibit 3.2.6 to Report on Form 10-K for
as of May 27, 1999 period ended March 31, 1999
3.2.7 Amended and Restated By-Laws Exhibit 3.2.7 to Report on Form 10-Q for
as of September 24, 1999 period ended September 30, 1999
</TABLE>
(2) Exhibits 10.1 through 10.6, Material Contracts, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Filed Herewith or Incorporated
Number Description Herein by Reference to
------ ----------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
10.1 Building lease with Renault & Exhibit 10.8 to Report on Form 10-K
Handley Employees Investment for fiscal year ended April 2, 1982
Company
10.1.1 Building lease extensions with Exhibit 10.10 to Report on Form 10-K
Renault & Handley Employees for fiscal year ended March 31, 1987
Investment Co.
10.1.2 Building lease extensions with Exhibit 10.3.2 to Report on Form 10-K
Renault & Handley Employees for fiscal year ended March 31, 1989
Investment Co.
10.1.3 Building lease extensions with Exhibit 10.2.3 to Report on Form 10-K
Renault & Handley Employees for fiscal year ended March 31, 1992
Investment Co.
10.1.4 Building lease extensions with Exhibit 10.2.4 to Report on Form 10-K
Renault & Handley Employees for fiscal year ended September 30,
Investment Co. 1994
10.1.5 Building lease extensions with Exhibit 10.2.5 to Report on Form 10-K
Renault & Handley Employees for fiscal year ended March 31, 1998
Investment Co.
10.1.6 Building lease agreement with Filed herewith.
The Milla and Raymond Handley
1992 Trust
10.2 Optical memory card manufacturing Exhibit 4 to Report on Form 8-K dated
license with Canon Inc. January 10, 1989
10.3 Optical memory card manufacturing Exhibit 10.8 to Report on Form 10-K for
license with Optical Memory Card fiscal year ended March 31, 1991
Business Corporation
</TABLE>
45
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Filed Herewith or Incorporated
Number Description Herein by Reference to
------ ----------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
10.4 Management Bonus Plan Exhibit 10.9 to Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal year ended April 1, 1983
10.5 1991 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.10 to Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal year ended March 31, 1991
10.5.1 Amended 1991 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.10.1 to Report on Form 10-Q for
period ended September 30, 1993
10.5.2 Amended 1991 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.6.2 to Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal year ended March 31, 1995
10.5.3 Amended 1991 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.1 to Report on Form 10-Q for
period ended September 30, 1995
10.5.4 Amended 1991 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.1 to Report on Form 10-Q for
period ended September 30, 1996
10.5.5 Amended 1991 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.1 to Report on Form 10-Q for
period ended September 30, 1997
10.5.6 Amended 1991 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.6.6 to Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal year ended March 31, 1998
10.5.7 Amendment to 1991 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.1 to Report on Form 10-Q for
period ended September 30, 1998
10.5.8 Amendment to 1991 Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.1 to Report on Form 10-Q for
period ended September 30, 1999
10.6 Patent License Agreement with Exhibit 10.6 to Report on Form 10-K for
Nippon Conlux Co., Ltd. period ended March 31, 1999
(3) 22 Subsidiaries Filed herewith
(4) 24 Consent of Independent Public Filed herewith
Accountants
(5) 27 Financial Data Schedule Filed herewith
</TABLE>
Exhibits not listed above are not applicable to registrant.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The Company did not file any Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended
March 31, 2000.
(c) Exhibits
Exhibits 10.1.6, 22, 24, and 27 are filed herewith.
(d) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements follows
immediately.
46
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 1998, 1999, and 2000
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balance at Additions Additions Balance
Beginning Charged to Charged to at End
Description of Period Profit and Loss Other Accounts Deductions of Period
----------- --------- --------------- -------------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fiscal 1998
Product return reserve..... $ -- $ 260,000 $ -- $ -- $ 260,000
=========== ========== ======== ======== =========
Fiscal 1999
Product return reserve..... $ 260,000 $ 40,000 $ -- $ -- $ 300,000
=========== ========== ======== ======== =========
Fiscal 2000
Product return reserve..... $ 300,000 $ 219,000 $ -- $ 19,000 $ 500,000
=========== ========== ======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
47
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized:
Dated: June 27, 2000
DREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
By /s/ Jerome Drexler
--------------------------------------
Jerome Drexler, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Jerome Drexler Chairman of the Board of Directors June 27, 2000
------------------------ and Chief Executive Officer
Jerome Drexler (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Steven G. Larson Vice President of Finance and June 27, 2000
------------------------ Treasurer (Principal Financial
Steven G. Larson Officer and Principal Accounting
Officer)
/s/ Arthur H. Hausman Director June 27, 2000
------------------------
Arthur H. Hausman
/s/ Dan Maydan Director June 27, 2000
------------------------
Dan Maydan
/s/ William E. McKenna Director June 27, 2000
------------------------
William E. McKenna
/s/ Walter F. Walker Director June 27, 2000
------------------------
Walter F. Walker
48
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
------ -----------
10.1.6 Building Lease Agreement
22 Subsidiaries
24 Consent of Independent Public
Accountants
27 Financial Data Schedule
