ALLEN TELECOM INC
10-Q, 1999-11-12
RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 3 – – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

      (Mark One)

         
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999

OR

         
[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      For the transition period from Not Applicable to __________________

      Commission file number 1-6016

ALLEN TELECOM INC.
_____________________________________________________________________
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

     
Delaware 38-0290950


(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
       
25101 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 350,
Beachwood, Ohio
44122


(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

      (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) (216) 765-5818

NOT APPLICABLE
_____________________________________________________________________

Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   X     No ____

      Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock:

         
Outstanding at
Class of Common Stock October 31, 1999


Par value $1.00 per share 27,648,988

 


Table of Contents

ALLEN TELECOM INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                 
Page
No.

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS -
September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) -
Three and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 1999 and 1998 4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 1999 and 1998 5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY – Nine Months Ended
September 30, 1999 and 1998 6
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 7 – 10
ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 11 – 17
ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 18
PART II OTHER INFORMATION:
ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K 18
SIGNATURES 19
EXHIBIT INDEX 20

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Table of Contents

ALLEN TELECOM INC.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in Thousands)

                         
September 30, December 31,
1999 1998


(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and equivalents $ 14,225 $ 19,900
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,290 and $3,189, respectively) 93,022 83,739
Inventories: Raw materials 45,985 45,936
Work in process 21,961 19,634
Finished goods 22,645 19,165


Total inventories (net of reserves) 90,591 84,735


Assets of discontinued emissions testing business (Note 3) 848
Deferred income taxes 8,066 7,989
Other current assets 6,059 5,752


Total current assets 211,963 202,963
Property, plant and equipment, net 54,036 61,582
Excess of cost over net assets of businesses acquired 128,136 131,939
Assets of discontinued emissions testing business (Note 3) 24,950
Deferred income taxes 21,316 16,186
Other assets 32,017 27,965


TOTAL ASSETS $ 447,468 $ 465,585


LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term obligations $ 2,016 $ 11,556
Accounts payable 28,976 25,501
Accrued expenses 27,768 29,998
Income taxes payable 1,923 837
Deferred income taxes 2,057 1,606


Total current liabilities 62,740 69,498
Long-term debt 118,173 128,677
Deferred income taxes 2,378 429
Other liabilities 16,649 16,900


TOTAL LIABILITIES 199,940 215,504


STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock 29,791 29,759
Paid-in capital 180,652 180,604
Retained earnings 63,445 59,869
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (9,354 ) (2,255 )
Less: Treasury stock (at cost) (15,134 ) (15,985 )
Unearned compensation (1,872 ) (1,911 )


TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 247,528 250,081


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 447,468 $ 465,585


See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

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ALLEN TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

                                         
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,


1999 1998 1999 1998




Sales $ 89,536 $ 90,955 $ 242,950 $ 302,337
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (Note 6) (63,688 ) (69,027 ) (171,515 ) (226,999 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses (Note 6) (14,954 ) (17,993 ) (42,497 ) (54,901 )
Research and development and product engineering costs (6,890 ) (7,398 ) (22,264 ) (23,244 )
Other income, net (Note 2) 3,013 7,797 3,238 5,456
Interest expense (2,397 ) (2,342 ) (7,094 ) (5,993 )
Interest income 269 356 974 1,020




Income (loss) before taxes and minority interests 4,889 2,348 3,792 (2,324 )
(Provision) benefit for income taxes (1,810 ) 818 (1,425 ) 1,976




Income (loss) before minority interests 3,079 3,166 2,367 (348 )
Minority interests (447 ) (568 ) (1,154 ) (1,850 )




Income (loss) from continuing operations 2,632 2,598 1,213 (2,198 )
Discontinued emissions testing operation: Gain (loss) on disposal (net of income taxes) (Note 3) (4,710 ) 2,363 (4,710 )




Net Income (loss) $ 2,632 $ (2,112 ) $ 3,576 $ (6,908 )




Earnings (Loss) per Common
Share, Basic and Diluted:
Continuing operations $ .10 $ .10 $ .04 $ (.08 )
Discontinued operations (.17 ) .09 (.17 )




Net income (loss) $ .10 $ (.07 ) $ .13 $ (.25 )




Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 27,480 27,240 27,430 27,190
Assumed exercise of stock options 240 100 180 180




Diluted 27,720 27,340 27,610 27,370




See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

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ALLEN TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in Thousands)
(Unaudited)

                         
Nine Months Ended
September 30,

1999 1998


INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ 1,213 $ (2,198 )
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) to net cash flow:
Depreciation 11,236 11,610
Amortization of goodwill 5,195 4,687
Amortization of capitalized software 2,185 1,494
Other amortization 544 493
Non-cash loss on write-down of assets 321 17,010
Gain on investments (3,732 ) (15,877 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables (19,005 ) 16,597
Inventories (9,650 ) 1,500
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 4,394 (12,463 )
Income tax payable (5,162 ) (19,896 )
Other, net 2 (2,209 )


CASH (USED) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (12,459 ) 748


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Sale of discontinued emissions testing business 9,387
Sale of investments 10,934 17,744
Investments in telecommunications companies (423 ) (29,710 )
Capital expenditures, net (6,199 ) (12,644 )
Capitalized software product costs (985 ) (2,926 )


CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES 12,714 (27,536 )


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
(Repayments of) proceeds from borrowings (6,422 ) 8,905
Treasury stock sold to employee benefit plan 694 1,228
Exercise of stock options 144 313


CASH (USED) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (5,584 ) 10,446


Net Cash Provided (Used) By Discontinued Emissions Testing Business 1,810 (1,659 )


NET CASH USED (3,519 ) (18,001 )
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash (2,156 ) (379 )
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year 19,900 30,775


CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 14,225 $ 12,395


Supplemental cash flow data:
Interest capitalized $ $ 210
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest 5,830 5,462
Income taxes 6,285 16,564

See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

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ALLEN TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Amounts in Thousands)
(Unaudited)

                                       
Common Paid-In Comprehensive
Total Stock Capital Income (Loss)




For the nine months ended September 30, 1999:
Beginning Balance, January 1, 1999 $ 250,081 $ 29,759 $ 180,604
Comprehensive Income (loss):
Net income 3,576 $ 3,576
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (7,099 ) (7,099 )

Comprehensive loss $ (3,523 )

Treasury stock reissued 694 (81 )
Exercise of stock options 144 68
Restricted stock, net (170 ) 32 61
Amortization of unearned compensation 302

Ending Balance, September 30, 1999 $ 247,528 $ 29,791 $ 180,652



For the nine months ended September 30, 1998:
Beginning Balance, January 1, 1998 $ 260,822 $ 29,746 $ 180,538
Comprehensive Income (loss):
Net loss (6,908 ) $ (6,908 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain on securities arising during period (9,588 ) (9,588 )
Less: Tax on unrealized gain on securities 4,027 4,027


Net: Unrealized gain on securities (5,561 ) (5,561 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments (3,284 ) (3,284 )

Other Comprehensive loss (8,845 )

Comprehensive loss $ (15,753 )

Exercise of stock options 313 51 262
Treasury stock reissued 1,226 402
Restricted stock, net (557 ) (43 ) (640 )
Amortization of unearned compensation 383



Ending Balance, September 30, 1998 $ 246,434 $ 29,754 $ 180,562




[Additional columns below]

[Continued from above table, first column(s) repeated]
                                       
Accumulated
Other
Retained Comprehensive Treasury Unearned
Earnings Income (Loss) Stock Compensation




For the nine months ended September 30, 1999:
Beginning Balance, January 1, 1999 $ 59,869 $ (2,255 ) $ (15,985 ) $ (1,911 )
Comprehensive Income (loss):
Net income 3,576
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (7,099 )
Comprehensive loss
Treasury stock reissued 775
Exercise of stock options 76
Restricted stock, net (263 )
Amortization of unearned compensation 302

Ending Balance, September 30, 1999 $ 63,445 $ (9,354 ) $ (15,134 ) $ (1,872 )




For the nine months ended September 30, 1998:
Beginning Balance, January 1, 1998 $ 70,091 $ 207 $ (16,992 ) $ (2,768 )
Comprehensive Income (loss):
Net loss (6,908 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain on securities arising during period
Less: Tax on unrealized gain on securities
Net: Unrealized gain on securities
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Other Comprehensive loss (8,845 )

Comprehensive loss
Exercise of stock options
Treasury stock reissued 824
Restricted stock, net (236 ) 362
Amortization of unearned compensation 383



Ending Balance, September 30, 1998 $ 63,183 $ (8,638 ) $ (16,404 ) $ (2,023 )





See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

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ALLEN TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. General:

In the opinion of the management of Allen Telecom Inc. (the “Company”), the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed interim financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 1999 and the consolidated results of its operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. The year-end 1998 consolidated condensed balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

2. Other Income, net:

Other income for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 1999 relates principally to a gain on sale of the Company’s investment in NextWave Telecom Inc. The aggregate impact of other income for 1999 per basic and diluted share, after related income tax effects, is $.07 and $.08 for the three and nine-month periods, respectively. Other income in the third quarter of 1998 includes gains from the sale of common stock investments in telecommunication companies aggregating $.17 per basic and diluted share after related income taxes. For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, Other income also includes unrealized gains for the adjustment to market value of a common stock investment of $8,100,000 and the recognition of a loss reserve in the aggregate amount of $10,400,000 relating to investments in certain other telecommunication ventures (including NextWave). The aggregate impact of other income for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 was $.12 per basic and diluted share after related income taxes.

3. Discontinued Operations:

On March 1, 1999, the Company sold its Marta Technologies, Inc. subsidiary (“Marta”), which operated centralized automotive emissions testing programs. Pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement, the Company recorded cash receipts of $9,387,000 and received a three-year $3,000,000, 12% installment note in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of Marta. Additional purchase price consideration in the amount of $2,000,000 may be earned and is contingent on future events. The gain on sale of this discontinued operation is net of related income taxes in the amount of approximately $1,400,000. In the third quarter of 1998, the Company had recognized an additional loss reserve for the disposal of this business in the amount of $4,710,000 (after related income tax benefit of $2,640,000).

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4. Segment Disclosures:

The following table presents sales to external customers and results of operations for the Company’s two operating segments:

                                   
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,


1999 1998 1999 1998




Sales to external customers:
Telecommunications equipment $ 84,470 $ 83,641 $ 225,959 $ 280,473
Wireless engineering services 5,066 7,314 16,991 21,864




Total sales $ 89,536 $ 90,955 $ 242,950 $ 302,337




Results of Operations:
Telecommunications equipment $ 7,491 $ 1,396 $ 15,050 $ 10,931
Wireless engineering services (180 ) (2,036 ) 1,275 (4,414 )




7,311 (640 ) 16,325 6,517
Other income, net 3,013 7,797 3,238 5,456
Goodwill amortization (1,733 ) (1,544 ) (5,195 ) (4,687 )
General corporate expenses (1,574 ) (1,279 ) (4,456 ) (4,637 )
Net financing costs (2,128 ) (1,986 ) (6,120 ) (4,973 )




Income (loss) before taxes and minority interests $ 4,889 $ 2,348 $ 3,792 $ (2,324 )




5. Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements:

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” in June 1998. In June 1999, the FASB issued Statement No. 137 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133”. This latter Statement delayed the implementation of Statement No. 133 which will now be effective for financial statements for all fiscal quarters of all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. Accordingly, the Company will adopt the provisions of the standard on January 1, 2001. The Company utilizes hedging activities primarily with regard to receivables and payables to limit foreign currency exchange rate risk, although utilization has been minimized with the introduction of the Euro. The Company has not yet determined the effect, if any, of the adoption of this Statement on results of operations and financial position.

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6. Operations:

On October 26, 1999, the Company announced the restructuring of certain of its domestic operations, principally the decision to consolidate the high volume manufacturing operations for its Site Management Products division with its manufacturing plant in Italy, resulting in a reduction in force and the sale of its domestic plant in Solon, Ohio. The Solon plant has been operating at a substantial loss for the last two years.

The Company will continue to maintain its U.S. sales and customer service operations, as well as its Sparks, Nevada research and development facility to support its domestic OEM customer base for site management products. The Company plans to sell its Solon manufacturing plant and relocate the continuing employees from its Site Management Products, Antenna Specialists and Mikom divisions to a smaller facility in the community. As a result of these restructuring actions, the Company expects to take a one-time charge, as yet to be determined, against earnings in the fourth quarter of 1999.

In the second quarter of 1998, the Company announced the consolidation and rationalization of certain product lines. In this connection, the Company recorded a $15,800,000 before-tax special charge to earnings (or $.38 per basic and diluted share after related income taxes) related to inventory, other asset write-offs and employee terminations. Of this amount, $12,200,000 was recorded in cost of sales, and $3,600,000 in selling, general and administrative expenses.

7. Provision for Income Taxes:

The Benefit (Provision) for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 includes a $3,700,000 deferred tax benefit, or $.13 per basic and diluted share, with respect to a change in the applicable income tax rate on the undistributed earnings (prior to 1998) of a foreign subsidiary as a result of the Company’s acquisition of an additional interest in such subsidiary. The acquisition allows for earnings (when distributed) to be taxed at a lower rate. (See Note 8 for additional information).

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8. Subsequent Event:

On October 21, 1999, the Company purchased the remaining 26% minority interest in its Mikom GmbH subsidiary, together with most of the shares in two related European entities, bringing total ownership in Mikom GmbH to 100%. The total purchase price was approximately $16,400,000. Of this amount, $8,100,000 was paid in cash (utilizing existing credit lines), $6,100,000 in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit due upon demand, with an additional $2,200,000 due in October 2000. This transaction will be reflected in the Company’s fourth quarter 1999 financial statements.

As a result of this transaction, the Company’s provision for income taxes in the fourth quarter of 1999 will include a $1.0 million one-time deferred tax benefit, with respect to a change in the applicable income tax rate on the undistributed earnings (prior to 1999) of Mikom. The acquisition allows for the Company’s earnings (when distributed) to be taxed at a lower rate. In addition, the “Excess of cost over net assets of business acquired” (goodwill) will increase by approximately $9,700,000.

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ALLEN TELECOM INC.
ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

Summary:

Allen Telecom Inc. reported income from continuing operations of $2.6 million ($.10 per basic and diluted share) for each of the three month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1999. For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the company reported income from continuing operations of $1.2 million, $.04 per basic and diluted share, as compared with a loss of $2.2 million or ($.08) per basic and diluted share in the comparable 1998 period.

Included in results of operations for the third quarter of 1999, is other income relating principally to a gain on sale of the Company’s investment in NextWave Telecom Inc. The aggregate impact of other income for 1999 per basic and diluted share, after related income tax effects, is $.07 and $.08 for the three and nine month periods, respectively. Included in results of operations for the third quarter of 1998 were gains from the sale of common stock investments in telecommunication companies aggregating $.17 per basic and diluted share after related income taxes. For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, other income also includes unrealized gains for the adjustment to market value of a common stock investment of $8.1 million and the recognition of a loss reserve in the aggregate amount of $10.4 million relating to investments in certain other telecommunication ventures (including NextWave). The aggregate impact of other income for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 was a $.12 gain per basic and diluted share after related income taxes.

Included in results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, are special charges related to the consolidation and rationalization of certain product lines. These actions included, among others, the discontinuance of product development and marketing efforts on the SmartCell wireless local loop product, which did not achieve adequate market acceptance, the consolidation of two manufacturing operations of the Systems product line, the formation of a worldwide Systems business, and the reorganization of the Company’s North American-based sales force. As a result of asset write-offs, severance and other costs associated with such actions, the Company incurred a special charge in the amount of $15.8 million before-tax, or $.38 per basic and diluted share after related income taxes. (See Note 6 of Notes To Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.)

Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturing:

Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturing sales were up $.8 million, or 1.0%, from $83.6 million in third quarter 1998 to $84.4 million in the third quarter 1999. Decreased sales in North and South America and Asia were more than offset by increased sales in Europe, which were up 28.8% over third quarter 1998. Sales were down approximately 19.4% from $280.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998 to $225.9 million for the comparable 1999 period. The downturn was driven by a continued unsettled climate in the global wireless telecommunications market with all geographic regions showing a sales decline.

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Sales By Product Line Third Quarter Year to Date



($ Millions) 1999 1998 1999 1998





Systems Products $ 24.2 $ 16.4 $ 69.9 $ 70.9
Site Management and Other Non-Antenna Products 39.1 46.7 102.5 144.2
Mobile and Base Station Antennas 21.1 20.5 53.5 65.4




Total Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturing $ 84.4 $ 83.6 $ 225.9 $ 280.5




Backlog for this Segment at September 30, 1999, increased 2.9% from June 30, 1999, from $69.1 million to $71.1 million.

Gross profit margins were 29.2% in the third quarter of 1999, as compared with 24.8% in the third quarter of 1998. The improvement is due to higher sales volume of the Systems Products. Margins, excluding 1998 restructuring expenses, were 29.5% and 29.8% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $9.8 million, or 11.6% of sales, and $12.4 million, or 14.9% of sales, for the third quarters of 1999 and 1998, respectively. This improvement is related to the restructuring efforts completed in late 1998. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 the ratio of selling, general and administrative expenses to sales were 12.8% and 12.2% (excluding special charges), respectively.

On October 26, 1999, the Company announced the restructuring of certain of its domestic operations, principally the decision to consolidate the high volume manufacturing operations for its Site Management Products division with its manufacturing plant in Italy, resulting in a reduction in force and the sale of its domestic plant in Solon, Ohio. The Solon plant has been operating at a substantial loss for the last two years. These actions should result in improved gross profit margins and profitability for the Site Management Products division in the year 2000.

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The Company will continue to maintain its U.S. sales and customer service operations, as well as its Sparks, Nevada research and development facility to support its domestic OEM customer base for site management products. The Company plans to sell its Solon manufacturing plant and relocate the continuing employees from its Site Management Products, Antenna Specialists and Mikom divisions to a smaller facility in the community. As a result of these restructuring actions, the Company expects to take a one-time charge, as yet to be determined, against earnings in the fourth quarter of 1999.

Wireless Engineering Services:

Wireless Engineering Services sales were down $2.2 million, or 30.4%, from $7.3 million in third quarter 1998 to $5.1 million in third quarter 1999. Sales were down approximately 22% from $21.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998, to $17.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999.

Gross profit margins for Wireless Engineering Services were 23.1% in the third quarter of 1999, as compared with 16.0% in the third quarter of 1998. This margin increase is primarily attributable to the restructuring during the fourth quarter of 1998, which improved margins in both software and engineering products. In addition, deployment of engineers was at a higher rate in the third quarter of 1999 than in the third quarter of 1998. Gross profit margins also increased from 18.6% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998 to 27.8% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999.

The selling, general and administrative expenses for the Wireless Engineering Services were 26.6% and 37.3% of sales for the third quarters of 1999 and 1998, respectively. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 the ratio of selling, general and administrative expenses to sales were 20.3% and 34.8%, respectively. This lower percentage is attributable to restructuring efforts which occurred in the fourth quarter of 1998.

Wireless Engineering Services backlog was $1.1 million at September 30, 1999, as compared to $1.0 million at June 30, 1999.

Research and Development:

Research and development and new product engineering costs were 8.2% and 8.1% of sales in the third quarters of 1999 and 1998, respectively. The actual dollar spending declined from the same period of 1998 from $7.4 million to $6.9 million. A small decline in spending is also expected in the fourth quarter due to the sale of the Company’s Signal Science Inc. business in October 1999. Spending for field trials of the new E-911 Geolocation product are expected to become more significant next year.

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Other Income:

See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for information concerning these items.

Interest and Financing Expenses:

Net interest and financing costs were relatively stable for the three months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 at $2.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Net interest and financing costs increased to $6.1 million from $4.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The principal reason for the increase is a higher level of outstanding borrowings through most of the first quarter of 1999 due, in large part, to expending $42.1 million in 1998 on investments in telecommunications companies, as well as higher average interest rates on outstanding borrowings.

Provision for Income Taxes:

The Company’s effective tax rate was 37% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 1999. This is in line with the Company’s current expectation for the full year tax rate (before a special one time deferred tax benefit discussed below), taking into consideration state taxes and available tax credits. The Company’s provision for income taxes for the fourth quarter of 1999 will include a $1.0 million one time deferred tax benefit with respect to a change in the applicable income tax rate on the undistributed earnings (prior to 1999) of its Mikom GmbH subsidiary, due to the purchase of the remaining minority interest on October 21, 1999. The acquisition allows for the Company’s pro rata share of earnings (when distributed) to be taxed at a lower rate.

In the third quarter of 1998, the Company recorded an income tax benefit despite reporting income before taxes, which would otherwise have resulted in an expected income tax provision. The third quarter of 1998 included a similar $3.7 million deferred tax benefit with respect to a change in the applicable income tax rate on the undistributed earnings (prior to 1998) of Mikom as a result of the Company’s then acquisition of an additional interest in that subsidiary. This benefit was offset, in part, by certain additional tax provisions. The aforementioned benefit was also the reason for the high level of income tax benefit, relative to the loss before taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 1998.

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Through September 30, 1999, the Company has recorded a net U.S. deferred tax asset pertaining to the recognition of net operating loss carrryforwards, related temporary differences and tax credits in the amount of approximately $24.0 million and has not provided any valuation allowance with respect thereto. The Company believes the realization of this asset is “more likely than not.”

Minority Interests:

Minority interest expense decreased from $1.9 million to $1.2 million in the nine month period ended September 30, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Such expense decreased from $.6 million to $.4 million in the quarters ended September 30, 1998 and 1999, respectively. This decrease is due to the aforementioned acquisition in late 1998 of a portion of the remaining minority interest in Mikom GmbH. As indicated above, the remaining minority interest was purchased in October 1999; accordingly, minority interest expense in fiscal year 2000 will be substantially reduced.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

As set forth in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows, the Company used $12.5 million of cash in operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 as compared to generating cash of $.7 million for the comparable 1998 period. The decline in cash flow from operations is principally due to a higher investment in working capital offset, in part, by lower income tax payments in 1999. The Company generated $12.7 million from investing activities in the first nine months of 1999, primarily from the sale of its discontinued emissions testing business (as more fully described in Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements), and cash collected from the sale of investments. This cash was used, in part, to repay long term borrowings, which, along with the transfer of a $12.4 million capital lease obligation in connection with the sale of the aforementioned discontinued operation, is the principal reason for the decline in debt levels in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet at September 30, 1999. Capital expenditures for 1999 were $6.2 million as compared with $12.6 million in the comparable 1998 period due to tighter spending controls. Capital spending is significantly below the level of depreciation ($11.2 million) which accounts for the decline in property, plant and equipment at September 30, 1999, compared with December 31, 1998. At September 30,1999, the Company had available unused worldwide lines of credit in the amount of approximately $90.0 million.

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As described in Note 8 of the Notes To Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, the Company purchased the remaining 26% minority interest in its Mikom GmbH subsidiary, together with most of the shares in two related European entities. Of the $16.4 million purchase price, $8.1 million was paid in cash through the use of existing credit lines, $6.1 million in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit due upon demand with an additional $2.2 million due in October 2000.

In the first nine months of 1998, the Company expended $29.7 million for investments in telecommunications companies, relating primarily to the final purchase price for the outstanding minority interest in its Italian subsidiary, Forem S.r.l.

Year 2000:

Subsequent to the filing by the Company of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, there have been no significant changes in outlook or timing with respect to the Year 2000 (Y2K) issue. The Company is still substantially on target to meet its objectives for the Y2K remediation plan, as follows.

  The identification of computer hardware and netware systems, computer software and related systems and test equipment that may be susceptible to Y2K failures has been completed.
 
  The actual remediation and replacement of all critical laboratory, factory and test equipment has been completed.
 
  The remediation and replacement of internal business systems and embedded chips is substantially complete. A number of software vendors continue to issue new patches and/or service packs which are in the process of being installed to correct Y2K problems. A few isolated issues remain with one voice mail system and two bar coding systems that are scheduled to be upgraded in the early part of the fourth quarter.

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  Final testing of solutions to Y2K problems periodically identified in business systems, hardware, software and embedded chips for Y2K compliance is substantially complete.
 
  Independent verification of Y2K compliance of internal software systems is substantially complete.
 
  Identification of significant vendors and key service providers has been completed. Vendor audits of most key vendors are substantially complete. Some changes in vendors have been required, and contingency plans are in process.
 
  Contingency plans will be developed, as necessary, during the fourth quarter of 1999 as the Company’s Y2K readiness plan reaches finalization.

Notwithstanding all of the Company’s efforts, there are still many uncertainties regarding the Y2K issue. For example, if the Company is unsuccessful in identifying or finding all Y2K problems in its critical operations or if critical customers or suppliers are unsuccessful in resolving Y2K issues, the Company’s results of operations or financial condition could be materially impacted.

The total budgeted costs associated with required Y2K remediation efforts are approximately $1.5 million, of which approximately $1.3 million was spent through September 30, 1999.

Legal Disclaimer:

Statements included in this Form 10-Q, which are not historical in nature, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s future performance and financial results are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Allen Telecom Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q contain certain detailed factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements made by the Company, including, among others, the costs and timetable for new product development, the health and economic stability of the world and national markets, the uncertain level of purchases by current and prospective customers of the Company’s products and services, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the impact of U.S. and foreign government legislative/regulatory actions, including, for example, the scope and timing of E-911 geolocation requirements and spectrum availability for new wireless applications, the successful discovery and correction of potential “Year 2000” computer sensitive problems by both the Company and its key suppliers and customers, and other transactions.

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ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

As set forth and discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under Item 7 of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, with the introduction of the European Economic and Monetary Union common currency, the “Euro,” the Company’s exposure to foreign currency contracts risk has diminished significantly in 1999. In this connection, the Company has significantly reduced its usage of currency rate contracts.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

     
(a) Exhibits
(27) Financial Data Schedule.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
On September 30, 1999, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 28, 1999 reporting the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s worldwide auditing service provider, and the dismissal of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s principal auditors.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

             
Allen Telecom Inc.

(Registrant)
Date: November 11, 1999 By: /s/ Robert A. Youdelman


Robert A. Youdelman
Executive Vice President
(Chief Financial Officer)
Date: November 11, 1999 By: /s/ James L. LePorte, III


James L. LePorte, III
Vice President — Finance
(Principal Accounting Officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

ALLEN TELECOM INC.

         
Exhibit Number

(27) Financial Data Schedule.

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