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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
(Mark One)
/X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED] For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994
OR
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
Commission file Number 0-5260
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 95-2488811
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
17731 Mitchell North, Irvine, California 92714
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(Address of principle executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (714) 250-4800
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Class Name of Exchange on which registered
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Common Stock, $.10 par value American Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
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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/
The approximate aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant was $3,400,211 as of December 29, 1994.
The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock, $.10 par value,
outstanding as of December 29, 1994 was 7,266,776.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on January 19, 1995 are incorporated by reference into
Part III hereof, to the extent indicated herein.
The Index to Exhibits appears on pages 26 - 29
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
General Automation, Inc. ("GA" or the "Company"), incorporated in California in
1967 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1986, is a worldwide leader in developing
and supporting complete open computing solutions. GA's line of open system
solutions includes the newly introduced full range of Power and Power PC(TM)
- -based computers running IBM's AIX(TM) UNIX(R) System, providing identical
functionality and performance of the IBM RS/6000(R) as well as its popular 680X0
- -based A200 and A500 Advantage Series systems running GA's own industry-leading
R91(R) Post Relational Database Application Environment. GA also provides
vertical software solutions such as its powerful ZEBRA 2000(TM) advanced library
management and information system; and TSA(TM) (The Service Advantage), a fully
modular and integrated service management system. It also provides full service
and support services through a network of customer service representatives
nationwide.
The market appears to be very responsive to the PowerPC microprocessor
technology as the next generation Motorola microprocessor, replacing the 68000,
and an alternate to the Intel microprocessors. IBM, Apple, Motorola, Toshiba
Matsushita and Groupe Bull have all introduced or will be introducing hardware
platforms based on the PowerPC microprocessor with significant price/performance
improvements over existing Motorola 68000 microprocessors. General Automation
believes that this product is a logical advancement for our offering to our
customers that a significant portion of our revenues for the foreseeable future
will be based on the PowerPC architecture. The Power PC Microprocessor products
have been recently introduced into the markeplace and results on operations are
nominal at this time.
The Company's headquarters, including engineering, manufacturing, corporate and
administrative operations, are located in Anaheim, California, with service and
sales offices in various locations throughout the United States. In addition,
the Company's products are sold in Europe, Canada, Mexico, Central and South
America, Guam, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Africa and
the People's Republic of China through distributors.
ASSOCIATION WITH SANDERSON ELECTRONICS PLC & SGA PACIFIC LIMITED.
In January 1989, Sanderson Electronics PLC ("Sanderson") made an investment in
the Company through the purchase of notes convertible to Common Stock ($1.75
million) and additional warrants through the exercise of which Sanderson
acquired approximately 49% of the then outstanding shares. Starting in August
1993, Sanderson has sold shares in the Company to reduce its holding to below
10% of the outstanding shares. Sanderson is a United Kingdom-based developer and
supplier of applications software using the Pick Operating System. Sanderson
sells turn-key computer systems to a variety of markets and acts as the UK
distributor for the Company's products.
In September 1989, the Company and Sanderson announced the formation of SGA
Pacific Limited ("SGA"). At formation, the Company held 29% of the outstanding
stock of SGA and Sanderson and management of SGA held 49% and 22% respectively.
The two firms felt that the creation of an Asian and South Pacific "premise"
would open up additional business opportunities, particularly with the
acquisition of AWA Limited. The Company acquired its shares in exchange for its
wholly owned subsidiaries in Singapore and Hong Kong and for additional cash
consideration.
Pursuant to the agreements with AWA Limited, ("AWA"), SGA acquired substantially
all of the business of AWA Computers Limited, and AWA New Zealand. Together with
GA Singapore, the AWA businesses formed the operating subsidiaries of SGA in
Australia (General Automation Pty. Ltd.), in New Zealand (General Automation (NZ
Limited) and in the Pacific Rim (General Automation Singapore Pte. Ltd.).
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AWA Computers was the first company to introduce the Pick Operating System to
the Australian market. AWA has been Australasia's leading supplier of Pick-based
computer systems since 1976, and became GA's exclusive distributor in Australia
and New Zealand in 1986. Additional products of the AWA business that were
acquired include vertical market software solutions for libraries, museums, art
galleries, local and national governments, commercial businesses, water and
power billing systems, and, under license, GA's Maxial hotel management package.
Vertical products are defined by GAI as those completed Software Programs,
installed on many different platforms to provide solutions to End-User
requirements in specific market segments.
On November 10, 1994, the Company sold its remaining 51% interest in SGA to
Sanderson Technologies, Ltd. For details of this transaction, see Acquisitions
at Divestitures (following) and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
The Company's associations with Sanderson and SGA bring the potential for
cross-marketing software packages in areas where they are not presently
available. The Company has introduced, to the United States, ZEBRA 2000(TM), a
library management system, from its SGA subsidiary and continues to explore the
introduction of certain other specialized software packages into the US market.
In summary, Sanderson and SGA remain large distributors of the Company's
products with GA owning no shares in either firm; Sanderson owns under 500,000
shares of GA stock.
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
In June 1990, the Company sold its remaining 55% interest in its United Kingdom
subsidiary to Sanderson Electronics, PLC for loan forgiveness of $1,250,000,
operating cash of $475,000 and 22.8% of the outstanding shares of SGA Pacific,
Limited, giving the Company a 51% interest in SGA. Subsequently, in January
1992, the Company sold its remaining 45% share of GAL to Sanderson. The
Company's motives for disposing of its interest in this subsidiary were
primarily due to poor financial results and the opportunity to increase its
ownership in SGA Pacific Ltd. Sanderson being a UK firm was in a better position
to manage and direct this subsidiary. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in this Form 10-K.
In January 1990, the Company acquired the assets, technology and customer base
of C.I.E. Systems, Inc. (C.I.E.) from the parent C. Itoh Electronics, Inc. The
parent company had made the business decision to move away from this market and
General Automation, Inc. saw this as an opportunity to add additional sales
volume to is hardware and service business segments with only nominal absorption
effort since both firms then currently served the same markets. The Company
purchased the assets of CIE Computer Systems for $4,000,000. The purchase terms
called for a $250,000 down payment in January, 1990, along with a non-interest
bearing note payable to C. Itoh Corporation for $3,750,000 to be paid through
quarterly payments of $250,000 beginning in April 1990. This note has since been
paid. The CIE Computer Systems were fully integrated into the Company's existing
product lines and the specific contributions to the Company's revenues for the
years since the acquisition are not available. C.I.E. had annual sales of
approximately $13 million prior to the acquisition by the Company.
In October 1992, the Company signed an agreement to form a holding company with
Krypton Group, Ltd., Eurosystems GA Ltd. ("Eurosystems"), a UK corporation.
Under the terms of the agreement the Company received 61% of the common shares
of Eurosystems in exchange for its shares in General Automation France SA,
General Automation SA, (Belgium), and General Automation Italia SpA (Italy).
Krypton Group Ltd., ("Krypton"), a UK corporation, received 39% of the common
shares in exchange for its 100% share holding in Eurosystems Belgium SA and
Eurosystems SA (France), its 55% share holding in Eurosystems GmbH (Germany) and
its 85% share holding in Eurosystems Maintenance SA (France). The Company
considered that the formation of a holding company, which held the GA
subsidiaries in Belgium, France and Italy, had an enhanced prospect for growth
and stability through local management. Krypton already was in business in the
product areas served by these firms, and
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offered local support and direction. In the ensuing year, GA divested its
holdings to the local holder, Krypton Group Ltd., for cash and a $990,000 note.
The main reason for this decision was economic, in that future profitability of
Eurosystems GA Ltd. was uncertain.
On October 29, 1993, with retroactive effect from September 30, 1993, the
Company sold its 61% share holding in Eurosystems to Krypton. Eurosystems
companies remain the distributors of the Company's products in Belgium, France
and Italy (see Note 8 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).
On November 10, 1994, the Company completed the sale of its 51% interest in SGA
Pacific, Limited to Sanderson Technologies for $2,000,000 in cash and notes
receivable, plus 4,100,000 shares of the Company's common stock held by
Sanderson (see Notes 8 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.) SGA
Pacific, Ltd. (now Sanderson Pacific, Ltd.) continues as a General Automation
dealer in Asia and the South Pacific for hardware and software products.
Additionally, Sanderson Pacific, Ltd. sells the GA Maxial hotel property
management software throughout their marketplace under a licensing agreement
which GA receives royalty income from this product. Further, GA markets a
vertical product called Zebra 2000, for library management for which Sanderson
Pacific receives royalties. Other transactions between the two companies also
occur such as consulting and training.
The Company's objectives are to provide data management and computing solutions
in two key areas:
1. To provide a cost-effective application environment for its Dealer/VAR
(Value Added Reseller) customers on which they can run their PICK
application software in a cost-effective and efficient manner. This is
accomplished by providing its R91 Post Relational Database Application
Environment software and state of the art hardware platforms coupled
with a high-rated service and support organization and:
2. to provide complete data processing solutions to selected vertical
markets such as library automation and management with the "Zebra 2000"
product, hotel property management with the "Maxial 2000" product, and
to selected service businesses, such as telecommunications with "The
Service Advantage" product.
The decision by the Company and Sanderson Electronics PLC to reduce the latter's
holdings in GAI is not felt to be related or to have any impact on the Company's
objectives.
PRODUCTS, CUSTOMERS AND MARKETING
GA Computers
Since their introduction in 1983, GA micro-based multi-user computer systems
have evolved into a line of upgradeable high-performance, business-oriented
computer systems that are adaptable to the needs of individual end-users. Within
two product series, the A200 and the A500 introduced in fiscal year 1993, the
Company has continued with a "design it yourself" concept that permits customers
to configure systems that meet their individual needs for terminal
connectibility, processor speed, memory size, disk capacity, media backup, and
un-interruptable power supply. This modular concept provides end-users
flexibility to upgrade easily and economically as their computer needs grow. The
Company's A200 and A500 product series generated 18% of the Company's revenues
in 1994, 23% in 1993 and 24% in 1992. During this three year period, no single
customer or other product accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total
revenues. In addition GA continues to provide performance improvement up-grades
to its older products such as the 68040 80MHZ CPU, faster disk drives, and other
higher capacity storage devices.
Many General Automation customers require system communications capabilities.
The Company addresses these needs with networking capabilities, (Archnet and/or
Ethernet). The GA networking capabilities provide high-speed data exchange
among GA systems as well as remote log-on and processing. This capability allows
GA to provide
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multiple processing resources for its larger customers. The Company announced
the release of a UNIX(R) based addition to the product line, Advantix(R), in
fiscal 1991, and delivered its first system in fiscal 1992. In 1993 the Company
introduced a Network Communications Processor that provides Telnet and TCP/IP
capabilities to their systems. In addition Advantage Plus was released which
provides a DOS virtual disk and printer redirection capability.
The GA family of computers employs tested and commercially available components,
peripherals and sub-assemblies, making extensive use of the Motorola 68000
family of microprocessors in its central processing units (CPUs) and terminal
input/output control. Current GA computer models use MC68030 and MC68040
processors.
The state of the market for CPUs remains a dynamic one, as the manufacturers
develop new technologies and processes to improve performance and price. The
market for the Motorola 68000 family of CPUs continues to decline with the
introduction of the PowerPC and the Intel Pentium in the same manner that the
market demand for the 8080, 286 and 386 declined. Thus the reason for the
Company's move to the PowerPC based systems is to provide to its customers the
best price/performance products available.
In order to answer the demand for "open systems" and UNIX operating systems, in
1994 GA entered into a distribution agreement with Bull HN Information Systems,
Inc. to distribute its DPX/20/RS6000 systems into the Pick dealer/VAR community
as well as GA's own vertical solution channels. Additionally, the Company has
several other distribution agreements. The Company also provides direct service
and support for these products.
GA computers combine high performance hardware technology with the Company's
enhanced version of the Pick Operating System, the R91 Post Relational Database
Application Environment. This enhanced RDBS is designed as an efficient,
simple-to-use tool for interactive, on-line data processing and information
management. It features virtual memory management, a highly efficient file
structure, a non-procedural inquiry language, many utilities, and subsystems
that enhance the productivity of end-users and software developers.
Basic engineering specifications of GA computers have maintained a broad
commonality of parts and components throughout the product line. This fact,
together with the implementation of the same operating system throughout the
product line, offers a level of compatibility that the Company believes to be a
major benefit to distributors, dealers and end-users. The compatibility also
enables dealers and end-users to maintain a high degree of applications software
and file integrity when upgrading or enhancing a GA computer. Most GA computers
are field-upgradeable.
GA's computer systems distributors in the United States are
applications-oriented value-added resellers (VARs), the majority of who
specialize in vertical markets. (A vertical market is the market existing in a
specific industry or business segment and is distinguished from a horizontal
market that is the market existing across industry boundaries in work areas such
as word processing, spreadsheets and desktop publishing). These VARs combine GA
systems with software applications for marketing to end-users. During fiscal
1994, the Company's larger vertical market groupings of VAR sales were in health
care management, credit and collections, manufacturing and wholesale
distribution.
The Company markets its products through direct mailings to its customer base,
by advertisements in appropriate trade journals and publications such as
Pickworld, News and Review, Library Journal, etc. In addition, the Company
participates in trade shows such as Spectrum and ALA. The Company feels that it
has been weak in its marketing efforts and has taken significant steps to
improve those over the next 12 months by retaining the services of a marketing
communications director, a marketing consultant, and a public relations firm.
Its product literature has been significantly revamped and improved.
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The Company also provides total computing solutions directly in the US market
place to the hospitality industry with its Maxial hotel property management
system, to the library sector with its ZEBRA 2000 Library Management software,
and in 1994 introduced "The Service Advantage", a service company management
system, into the telecommunications and cabling industry.Pursuant to an
agreement with Pick Systems, the Company acquired non-exclusive, perpetual
rights to implement its R91 version of the Pick Operating System, including
revisions or enhancements thereto, on hardware that uses the Motorola MC68000
and PowerPC series of microprocessors, and to sublicense the system to end-users
of such hardware. In consideration to this license, the Company pays a royalty
to Pick Systems based upon the number and size of units shipped by the Company.
The Pick Operating System was designed as a database management operating
system; it supports hierarchical, flat and relational database files. The
Company believes that among the most distinctive characteristics of the Pick
Operating System are its relative ease of programming, its English-like
information management and retrieval language, and the speed it offers in the
handling of large and complex databases. It includes an advanced,
database-oriented version of the popular BASIC programming language, with
automatic compilation and line-editing. In the ongoing development of GA's R91
version of Pick, the Company is working in association with Bull Information
Systems to port the product to run under AIX (UNIX) on Bull's SMP PowerPC
product line. This environment provides the features of a combined Pick/Unix and
offers customers the latest state of the art hardware platform as a cost
effective solution to their ongoing information system needs.
The Company has installed approximately 50,000 computer systems in its 28 years
in business. Approximately 11,000 of these systems are based on the Motorola
MC68000 family of CPU's and the Company's enhanced version of the Pick Data Base
Management System. The remaining systems were minicomputers.
Maxial Systems
The Maxial applications software package is a comprehensive suite of programs
designed to automate virtually every function of a modern hotel; this is known
in the hospitality industry as "property management." The Maxial package has
been of strategic importance to the Company's entry into vertical solutions
sales with more than 100 systems installed world-wide.
Although Maxial programs can be implemented selectively by hotel management and
other hospitality providers, they are designed to be installed as a completely
integrated system, running on a central computer system. Various peripheral
devices can be connected to the central computer, including terminals, PCs,
check printers, folio printers, kitchen printers, report printers, point-of-sale
terminals, security systems, and telephone interface equipment.
The design of Maxial provides flexibility and parameterization such that the
same set of programs can be run in every hotel, with the programs actually
executing differently under the control of the management of each individual
hotel.
The Company's largest single customer for Maxial Systems is the Hyatt
International Hotel chain which has installed Maxial systems in locations such
as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel,
Morocco, United Arab Emirates, England, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Chile,
Argentina, Mexico, France and Belgium. Since December 1988, Maxial has also been
distributed under license by SGA Pacific, Ltd. (or its predecessor, AWA
Computers) in the Pacific basin.
In the U.S., Maxial is currently installed in hotels operated by Sheraton, Best
Western, Days Inn and a number of 4 Star Resort properties.
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Although this product has received a high degree of acceptance in other parts of
the world, particularly in the Pacific Basin, with sales of $924,000 and
$663,000 in the Pacific Basin for 1994 and 1993; there are only 13 systems
installed in the U.S. The Company is presently evaluating its position related
to this product in the U.S. market.
ZEBRA 2000 Library Information and Management System
The Zebra 2000 Advanced Library Management and Information System is a complete
library automation package providing a wide range of advanced features including
on-line public access catalog, circulation control, acquisitions, requisitions,
inventory, closed reserve, serials control and MARC data load and output.
The Zebra 2000 system may be configured to serve virtually any library including
large public libraries with intricate individual operating needs, including
communications with numerous branches and academic and reference libraries with
highly sophisticated bibliographic organizational needs. It also serves special
libraries such as those used by research establishments in the fields of law,
accounting, science and other disciplines, and school and community libraries
which, though small in size, may be offering a wide range of community services.
The Zebra 2000 system runs on GA's native Pick systems as well as UNIX based
systems running Unidata or Pick A/P. The system has been installed in over 230
sites worldwide, (500+ libraries). After being proven to be the leader in the
library industry in the Pacific Basin, Zebra 2000 was launched by GA into the US
market in 1993. General Automation has over twelve (12) years of successful
experience in the library marketplace and has an on-going commitment to library
systems. A development facility is maintained in Singapore by SGA Pacific, Ltd.
for the Zebra 2000 product with product enhancements to be expected about every
six months. The flexibility of the Zebra 2000 systems is one of the keys to
acceptance of the General Automation, Inc. in North America. The Company sees
the industry continuing to grow at a double-digit rate for the combination of
replacement and new library systems.
While the competition for library automation products is formidable in the
United States, the Zebra 2000 system is a fully integrated solution with extreme
flexibility. This, coupled with GA's ability to provide a single source for
hardware, applications software and support service, provides a competitive edge
that GA hopes to capitalize upon over the next few years. Many firms sell
products into this marketplace, but the chief competitors to our Zebra 2000
systems include Amertech, GEAC, Gaylord and Sirsi.
To date, eight systems have been sold in the U.S., seven during fiscal 1994. All
of these systems are scheduled to be completely installed early in fiscal 1995.
$513,000 of revenue was recognized in 1994. An additional $378,000 of revenue
will be recognized as the systems are completed.
Service Advantage Systems
The Service Advantage product is a full featured, fully integrated service
company management system and runs on GA native PICK systems as well as UNIX
based systems under VMark. The systems provides call handling and dispatch, job
costing and bid/proposal management, inventory control, purchasing, accounting
and general ledger, marketing and sales lead tracking (including scripted
telemarketing), and office automation functions to fully automate the service
company operation.
The base product was originally developed by Service Automation Systems ("SAS").
SAS was acquired by Houston Data Center ("HDC") who sold the product primarily
to the heating, ventilating and air conditioning business sector. In May, 1994,
the Company acquired the rights to this product as an offset to an uncollected
receivable balance owed to the Company by HDC. The Company received the
non-exclusive right to market the
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product in all market sectors, except the heating, ventilation and air
conditioning sector which was sold to another party.
The Company made the decision to focus its marketing and sales of this product
into the higher end service business, beginning with the telecommunications
industry. Such systems will typically sell in the $50K to $75K range. The
Company has completed the sale of two (2) of these systems since May of 1994 and
has signed a contract to complete a third installation started by HDC. The
specific market size and growth rate is not known at this time.
The Company will continue to market its product through its direct sales force.
The Company has developed new product literature, a sophisticated demonstration
program, and reference sites to support its planned penetration into the higher
end service sector. The product itself has successfully competed against as many
35 competitors and was considered superior by those who have since acquired the
systems. We do not see a competitive barrier in marketing this product. In FY
1994, the company recorded revenues from this product and anticipate significant
increase revenue in FY 1996, although no assurances can be given.
Foreign Operations and Export Sales
The Company's foreign operations contributed approximately 61% to the Company's
sales in fiscal 1994, as compared to 69% for 1993 and 66% for 1992. In 1994, the
Company realized revenues of $21.2 million from its majority owned subsidiary
SGA Pacific Ltd. This subsidiary has been sold effective November 10, 1994.
These revenues were generated through operations in Asia and the South Pacific.
In future years, General Automation will not be consolidating these revenues;
however , we do expect to see a continuing relationship with SGA Pacific as a
supplier of our products to the Pacific Basin and a source of royalty income as
they market and install the Maxial hospitality software, owned by the Company.
See Notes 7 and 8 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements included
in this Form 10-K for additional information relating to the Company's
international operations, including financial information concerning operations
by major geographic areas.
Customer Service Operations
General Automation has an established customer services operation in the United
States representing 50% of the Company's revenue derived from U.S. operations.
In fiscal 1994, the majority of the customer service revenues were generated by
the hardware maintenance contracts covering General Automation's
microprocessor-based product family. The Company contracts with dealers and end
user customers to provide both telephone diagnosis and assistance, and on-site
hardware repair. Customer services operations have established GA personnel in
20 cities throughout the United States. To expand geographic coverage, the
Company continues to subcontract with third party maintenance organizations
located in secondary cities throughout the U.S. and Canada to provide on site
services under the direction of GA technical support personnel.
In the past two years, the customer services operations were expanded to include
both operating software support for the R91 software and application support for
the vertical solution products. (Maxial, TSA, and Zebra 2000). Significant
growth was seen in this area in both 1993 and 1994. GA Dealers and end user
customers may receive telephone service on either a contractual or per-call
billable basis.
In the last quarter of fiscal 1993, the Company further expanded its services
program by offering a series of operating software training seminars targeted to
the R91 end user customer base.
In international markets, the Company provides customer service and field
maintenance for its products through master distributors and authorized dealers.
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As the Company continues to move into vertical solutions, the make-up of service
personnel must change in order to provide support for the various software
products. The vertical programs as well as the distribution program are expected
to add significantly to service revenue in the next few years.
RAW MATERIALS
Raw materials essential to the Company's business are purchased worldwide in the
ordinary course of business from numerous suppliers. The vast majority of these
materials are generally available, and no serious shortages or delays have been
encountered. Certain raw materials used in producing some of the Company's
products can be obtained only from a small number of suppliers. Products are
designed to use pre-tested and readily available components. Most of these
components are purchased from several suppliers and are subject to blanket
purchase orders. In those situations in which the Company purchases components
from a single supplier, it believes that alternative commercial suppliers of
such components are readily available. The Company purchases the Motorola
MC68030 and MC68040 microprocessors from several independent distributors;
however, if Motorola Corporation should discontinue manufacturing such
microprocessors (which it currently manufactures in at least two separate
manufacturing facilities), an event which the Company considers to be unlikely,
the Company's operations would be adversely affected. In recent years the
Company has experienced no significant difficulty in procurement of necessary
components.
COMPETITION
Competition in the computer hardware market is intense and is characterized by
constant price performance improvements and the frequent introduction of new and
more cost effective products caused by rapid technological advances. The Company
in the past has been able to keep pace with these technological changes. During
the last 12 months, it has become more apparent that the Company cannot continue
to compete effectively with its own hardware platforms and has made the decision
to focus its resources on the integration and distribution of hardware products
engineered and manufactured by other companies, such as IBM and Bull HN
Information Systems ,with GA value added features such as its R91 Post
Relational Database Application Environment, and full service and support. The
addition of non-GA manufactured products to the Company's product offerings,
such as IBM and Bull HN Information Systems, are expected to more than offset
the sales erosion of GA manufactured products, with the goal to maintain or
increase the level of earned profits through this higher volume. The transition
period is expected to adversely impact earnings through mid 1995. See
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
The Company competes domestically in three markets, computer hardware, vertical
applications, and service. The hardware competition has been discussed
elsewhere. The vertical applications have different competitive pressures with
the Zebra 2000 product enjoying an advantage in flexibility and offering certain
features attractive to the user and is priced to effectively compete in price
for most of the system sizes being acquired. The Advantage Service product was
launched in mid 1994 with a broad range of features and functions. This product
is considered to be at the leading edge of the systems being marketed. The
Company does not consider itself a price leader in any of the markets.
Competitive factors in the marketplace include the ability to understand and
solve customer problems, price, ability to service and support, and past
performance. The Company competes with a number of companies, many of which have
substantially greater resources and are better known than the Company. Such
competitors include Data General Corporation, Digital Equipment Corporation,
Hewlett-Packard Company, and International Business Machines. At the same time a
number of companies that were major competitors in GA's market place have ceased
to be major competitors for various reasons and include the following: ADDS,
Novadyne Computers Systems, Inc. (formerly McDonnell Douglas Computers Systems
Company), Amertek, Prime Computers, and Sanyo-Icon among
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others. The Company now finds itself in a position where it is one of the few
remaining suppliers to the PICK market place and intends to capitalize on its
position.
The effects of the decision to change the Company's focus as discussed above,
are yet to be felt by the Company. The decision to add non GA manufactured
products to our offering was made late in fiscal 1994 with implementation still
being completed. The effects are expected to result in an increase to the
Company's hardware sales later in 1995. The decision which brought the Company
into the vertical markets with its Zebra 2000 and The Service Advantage was made
in late 1993 and mid 1994. The Company has enjoyed some success in selling these
products but they still require development efforts to enhance the products. The
Company continues to devote significant resources in these areas which adversely
impacted profits in 1994 and is expected to also erode 1995 results.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Because of rapid technological changes, the computer industry requires
continuous expenditures to develop and improve computer products. For fiscal
1994 the Company spent approximately $1.8 million for product development. For
the years ended September 30, 1993 and 1992, the Company spent approximately
$1.7 million and $2.1 million respectively. These amounts do not include
customer-funded product development costs, which were not material during such
periods. Currently, resources are dedicated to the enhancement of its vertical
products (Zebra 2000 and The Service Advantage). These expenditures, along with
previously capitalized software development for the R91 (Pick) operating system,
are all associated with products already introduced to the marketplace and
contributing to the Company's revenues. Certain development costs relating to
computer software are capitalized in accordance with Statement No. 86 of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board; all other costs associated with the
product development are charged to operations as incurred.
PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
The Company holds trademarks protecting its trade names and symbols. The
Company's major product line utilizes Pick software as its operating system. The
Company is authorized, on a non-exclusive basis, to use and sublicense the use
of the Pick software indefinitely, in accordance with the terms of a license
agreement. The Company does not rely upon and does not believe that its success
is dependent upon patent protection; rather, the Company believes that its
success is dependent upon the knowledge and experience of its management and
technical personnel and its ability to market its existing products and to
develop new products. Invalidation or cancellation of the Pick license, however,
could adversely impact the Company's business, although management believes that
there are alternative courses of action which could be pursued.
MANUFACTURING
The Company has manufacturing facilities at its main location in Anaheim,
California. Manufacturing processes are further enhanced by the purchase from
outside vendors of complete subassemblies for various portions of the products
and by coordinated engineering designs that allow common parts and processes for
a majority of the GA product line. The manufacturing facility was operating at
75% capacity at September 30, 1994.
Manufacturing facilities include system assembly and integration, QA and
testing, and final preparation and packaging.
BACKLOG
10
<PAGE> 11
GA computer orders from dealers and other customers generally specify delivery
dates of 30 days or less; the Company rarely receives an order that has
scheduled delivery dates beyond three months. Because of these ordering/delivery
patterns, the backlog at the end of a period may appear to be low and not
representative for projecting future revenues for succeeding months.
The compressed order-delivery cycle mentioned above, can result in
period-to-period fluctuations in the Company's revenues since it is dependent
upon short term orders which can be deferred or delayed by the dealers and
thereby dramatically influence the current period revenues.
At September 30, 1994 the Company had a manufacturing backlog of $2.8 million.
At September 30, 1993 and September 30, 1992, the manufacturing backlog was $4.1
and $2.0 million, respectively.
EMPLOYEES
The Company had approximately 275 employees at September 30, 1994. Of such
employees, approximately 175 were engaged in the Company's foreign operations.
The Company has never had a work stoppage and none of the Company's U.S.
employees is represented by a labor union. As of the completion of the sale of
SGA Pacific, Ltd., to Sanderson Technologies, Ltd., the 175 foreign employees
shown above are no longer employees of the Company. See Note 12 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
While the Company has an obligation to support all environmental regulations,
the company does not operate a type of business whose activities are likely to
require any special measures to ensure compliance. The Company is subject to
certain Federal, state and local provisions relating to protection of the
environment. The Company does not believe that any material capital expenditures
will be required for compliance with such provisions or that such provisions
will have any material effect upon its earnings or competitive position.
11
<PAGE> 12
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's executive offices and principal manufacturing facilities are being
moved to a 20,000 square foot facility in Irvine, California, which has been
purchased by the Company (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
It is believed that this facility will serve the Company's current and future
needs. The Company is in the process of sub-leasing the Anaheim facility for the
balance of the lease period ending February 29, 1996.
At September 30, 1994, the Company's year-end, the Company had a remaining
exposure of $256,000 for the balance of its Anaheim facility; as a precaution
against the event that the property could not be leased, a $128,000 reserve was
established on the books, or half of the exposure. In the event that the full
term of the lease passes without a new lessee, the Company faces an additional
exposure of approximately $126,000.
The move of the Company to its new Irvine, California location was dictated by
several factors: 1) The Anaheim facility was larger than needed under the
Company's current and anticipated business operations; the facility was built by
GA at a time when high-bay space was required in the manufacturing of computers.
This is no longer the case. 2) The cost of operating the facility was
approximately 50% higher than it would be in the new building; annualized, this
could total to nearly $175,000 in savings. 3) The new facility is in a much more
attractive and prosperous area, which offered greater security to the Company's
property and personnel. The relocation is not expected to cause any material
disruption in the Company's operations.
The Company also leases space in ten (10) states, primarily for sales and
service offices.
For further information regarding lease commitments, see Note 10 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.
12
<PAGE> 13
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is party to various legal proceedings generally incidental to its
business. The ultimate disposition of these proceedings is not presently
determinable, but in the opinion of the Company, these proceedings will not have
a material effect on the business or financial position of the Company and have
been adequately provided for in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
13
<PAGE> 14
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
The table below provides certain information regarding the selling price of the
Company's Common Stock for the two fiscal years ended September 30, 1994 and
September 30, 1993. The Company's Common Stock is listed on the American Stock
Exchange and is quoted under the symbol GA. The following table sets forth the
range of high and low prices for the Common Stock of the Company for the fiscal
quarter indicated, as reported by the American Stock Exchange.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sale Prices
-----------
High Low
---- ---
<S> <C> <C>
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1994
Fourth Quarter $ 5/8 $ 5/16
Third Quarter $ 3/4 $ 5/8
Second Quarter $ 17/16 $ 3/4
First Quarter $1-11/16 $11/16
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1993
Fourth Quarter $ 13/16 $ 7/16
Third Quarter $ 11/16 $ 1/2
Second Quarter $ 3/4 $ 1/2
First Quarter $ 1.00 $ 5/8
</TABLE>
The approximate number of holders of record of Common Stock of the Company as of
December 10, 1994 was 1,008.
The Company has never paid a dividend on its Common Stock. The Board of
Directors reviews the financial condition of the Company periodically and
evaluates whether to declare dividends. Given the Company's present financial
condition and net operating losses in recent years, the Company does not believe
that it would be permitted to pay a dividend under applicable state laws.
In determining whether a security warrants continued listing on the American
Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"), the Exchange does not rely on any precise
mathematical formula. Rather, it considers many factors, including the degree of
investor interest in the issuer of the security, the issuer's prospects for
growth, and whether the security has suitable characteristics for auction market
trading. The Rules of the Exchange provide, however, that the Exchange will
normally consider delisting a security if any one of a number of events shall
occur, including the following: (i) the issuer has stockholders' equity of less
than $4,000,000 and has sustained losses from continuing operations in three of
its four most recent fiscal years, or (ii) the security has traded for a
substantial period of time at a low price per share. The Company has sustained
losses before extraordinary items in each of its last three fiscal years, and
the Company's stockholders equity as of September 30, 1994, its most recent
fiscal year-end, was $3,246,000. Moreover, the Company's Common Stock has traded
at less than $1.00 per share during most of the preceding two years. The Company
has received no notice that the Exchange has taken formal action to review the
continued listing of the Company's Common Stock; however, there can be no
assurance that the Exchange will not take such action. The Company's officials
have discussed the company's position within the review guidelines and the
Exchange is more involved in helping the Company come closer to the American
Stock Exchange guidelines rather than devoting time to delisting actions. In the
event that a
14
<PAGE> 15
delisting review was necessary, the procedures outlined in Section 1010
(Delisting Procedures) of the American Stock Exchange guide entitled "Rules and
Policies to Companies with Securities Listed on the American Exchange" would be
implemented. The timing of such an action is uncertain, depending upon meetings,
appeals, etc.
15
<PAGE> 16
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months
Year Ended Ended Year Ended
September 30 September 30 June 30
-------------------------------------- ------------ -------
1994(7) 1993(6) 1992(1)(3) 1991(2)(4) 1990(3) 1990
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(In thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales, net $34,614 $42,878 $45,205 $48,647 $12,267 $39,248
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) from
operations 1,300 (351) 42 1,756 (237) 434
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary items (473) (1,477) (964) 222 (612) (815)
Extraordinary items 900 900 1,108 74 594
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net Income (loss) $ 427 $ (577) $ 144 $ 296 $ (612) $ (221)
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Income (loss) before
extraordinary items (.04) (.13) (.08) .02 (.05) (.08)
Extraordinary items .08 .08 .09 .01 .06
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net Income (loss) $ .04 $ (.05) $ .01 $ .03 $ (.05) $ (.02)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Working capital $ 2,725 $ 1,457 $ 3,450 $ 5,619 $ 7,011 $ 7,453
Total assets 18,041 22,456 23,618 29,368 30,845 23,515
Total debt 4,247 5,307 5,490 8,571 10,007 7,920
Shareholders' equity(5) $ 3,246 $ 2,264 $ 3,442 $ 3,106 $ 2,662 $ 3,353
</TABLE>
(1) The Company closed its German subsidiary in the Fourth Quarter of
1992. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included
in this Form 10-K.
(2) The Company changed its fiscal year to September 30 during fiscal
1991.
(3) The Company sold 55% of its share of General Automation, Ltd. (U.K.)
("GAL") to Sanderson Electronics, PLC, ("Sanderson") on June 30, 1990
and sold its remaining 45% of GAL to Sanderson on January 20, 1992.
During the period July 1, 1990, through January 20, 1992, while the
Company owned 45% of GAL, the Company accounted for its minority
interest in GAL on an equity basis. See Note 8 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.
(4) On July 1, 1990, the Company purchased an additional 21.8% share of
SGA Pacific, Ltd. ("SGA") making the Company a 51.1% owner of SGA.
Since that time, the financial statements of SGA have been
consolidated with the results of the Company.
See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this
Form 10-K.
(5) No dividends have been paid on the Company's Common Stock during any
of the periods presented. See Item 5 for discussion of dividend
restrictions.
(6) On October 29, 1993, with retroactive effect from September 30, 1993,
the Company divested its European operations. See Notes 7 and 8 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
(7) On November 10, 1994, with retroactive effect from October 1, 1994,
the Company divested its Pacific Basin operations. See Notes 7, 8, and
12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
16
<PAGE> 17
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company reported a net profit for the year ended September 30, 1994 in the
amount of $427,000, compared with a net loss of $577,000 and net income of
$144,000 for the years ended September 30, 1993 and 1992, respectively.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales NET SALES
(In thousands)
Year Ended
September 30
------------------------------ ------------
1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Products:
Domestic $ 6,301 $ 5,759 $ 7,610
Europe 3,313 3,156
SGA 14,983 12,077 15,968
------- ------- -------
21,284 21,149 26,734
------- ------- -------
Service Revenues:
Domestic 7,121 7,742 7,925
Europe 8,930 5,563
SGA 6,209 5,057 4,983
------- ------- -------
13,330 21,729 18,471
------- ------- -------
Total Sales $34,614 $42,878 $45,205
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The three-year table above shows a U.S. decline in revenues in products and
services over 1992. The erosion in revenues is due to the very aggressive
pricing policies from our competition, both in the products and services areas.
An additional factor is the maturation of our hardware products, which, if not
replaced by GA hardware, often leads to the service contract being placed with
another service organization. The impact of the new products has not been
realized in this time period. Subsequent years should see the reflection of
these new products.
1994 vs. 1993
Excluding revenue contributions by Eurosystems GA, Ltd. in 1993, total sales
increased $3,979,000 or 13.0% in 1994 over 1993. Product sales in the U.S.
increased 9.4% or $542,000, primarily through library vertical sales and SGA's
sales increase of $2,906,000, an increase of 24.1% over the prior year.
Increases in SGA were primarily attributable to increases in vertical sales. The
vertical sales increases by SGA Pacific Ltd. in 1994 were due primarily to the
Singapore port award.
17
<PAGE> 18
The revenue increases shown above were accomplished without price increases; the
intense nature of the competition prevents aggressive upward pricing policies.
The introduction of new products will generate new sales through acceptance in
the marketplace of the product, but is unlikely to allow for enhanced margins.
Excluding Eurosystems, service revenues increased $531,000. Domestically,
service revenues decreased $621,000, due to termination of contracts on older
systems, coupled with decreases in sales of new systems. Termination of
contracts is a normal part of the business. As computers grow older, they are no
longer covered under contracts. Increased competition has also caused some sales
attrition. Most of the competition faced in maintaining the customer base comes
from a number of third party service providers; these firms are not generally
hardware producers. In the Pacific Basin service revenues increased $1,152,000,
due to new installations of Library, Maxial and other verticals throughout the
Pacific Rim.
18
<PAGE> 19
1993 vs. 1992
Total sales for fiscal 1993 decreased $2.3 million from 1992. Product sales
decreased $5.6 million. Charges in product sales by geographical area are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
United States $(1.9) Million
Europe 0.2 Million
Pacific Basin (3.9) Million
$(5.6) Million
</TABLE>
Decreases in the U.S. and Pacific Basin are largely attributed to recessionary
pressures throughout 1993 and reduction in selling prices of computer equipment.
Service revenues for fiscal 1993 increased $3.3 million from fiscal 1992.
European service revenues increased $3.4 million, which is attributable to the
new customer base received in the acquisition of Eurosystems, GA Ltd. in
October, 1992. Service revenues in the United States and Pacific Basin were
about the same for both 1993 and 1992. The percentage of service revenues to
total sales in SGA Pacific is lower than that experienced in the United States
and, in prior years, in Europe. The product sales mix of SGA Pacific is somewhat
different from the parent, in that a large portion of their sales are made up of
systems containing hand-held terminal devices which do not lend themselves to
large revenue service contracts; they are more often replaced rather than having
them repaired. This imbalance is of no concern to GA's future since this
operation has been sold.
For the year ending September 30, 1995, the Company will re-focus its direction
to provide open computing solutions to its current dealer base as well as
selected end user markets. Other market opportunities in vertical solutions and
hardware distribution will be evaluated and exploited as appropriate.
Regarding Company manufactured computer sales, total revenues are expected to
continue to decline as the Company refocuses its efforts in other directions.
The addition of non-GA manufactured products to the Company's product offerings,
such as IBM and Bull HN Information Systems, are expected to more than offset
the sales erosion of GA manufactured products, with the goal to maintain or
increase the level of earned profits through this higher volume. The transition
period will adversely impact earnings through mid 1995.
The service segment of the Company provides help desk and on site service for
all GA systems at end user sites in the US and generated half of the Company's
revenues. This business is facing ever increasing competitive pressures as well
as decreased GA hardware sales which are depressing growth and present a picture
of flat revenues. As the Company moves more into vertical solutions and
distribution of non-manufactured products, the domestic service organization
will provide service and software support.
For much of its history, GA has had significant foreign transactions. Such sales
are conducted in U.S. dollars. Its foreign subsidiaries were subject to foreign
currency fluctuations, and such gains or losses recorded on a current basis. GA
no longer has foreign holdings subject to currency fluctuations, thereby
avoiding future currency risks.
The Company has approximately 1,200 service customers. The normal service
contract is for a year or more and invoiced in advance of the period in which
the service is to be performed. The pricing is done per a fixed price schedule
and calculated according to the equipment and or software to be maintained.
19
<PAGE> 20
GROSS MARGIN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS MARGIN
(In thousands)
Year Ended
September 30
1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ----
%of %of %of
Amount Sales Amount Sales Amount Sales
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Products:
Domestic $ 1,954 31.0 $ 2,404 41.7 $ 3,709 48.7
Europe 1,373 41.4 1,323 41.9
SGA 7,567 50.5 6,019 49.8 7,727 48.4
------- ------- -------
9,521 44.7 9,796 46.3 12,759 47.7
------- ------- -------
Service and Support:
Domestic 1,773 24.9 $ 1,785 23.1 1,232 15.5
Europe 3,944 44.2 2,219 39.9
SGA 1,751 28.2 1,315 26.0 445 8.9
------- ------- -------
3,524 26.4 7,044 32.4 3,896 21.1
------- ------- -------
Total Gross Margin $13,045 37.7 $16,840 39.3 $16,655 36.8
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
GROSS MARGIN
1994 vs. 1993
Excluding Eurosystems GA, Ltd. gross margin contributions increased $1,522,000
and remained at the same level as a percentage of net sales. Domestically,
product gross margins decreased 10.7%, primarily due to lower margins on
vertical sales and a larger percentage of low-end, low profit computer systems
in the 1994 sales mix. In the Pacific Basin, a modest gross margin percentage
increase of 0.7% was achieved on a much larger sales volume.
Domestic service margins increased 1.8% on a lower volume of revenue. Service
revenues in the Pacific Basin increased and an increase in gross margin
percentage of 2.2% was achieved.
1993 vs. 1992
The Company's overall gross profit margin increased 2.5% from 36.8% in fiscal
1992 to 39.8% in fiscal 1993. Gross margin percentages for computer systems
decreased 1.4%, while service and support margins increased 11.3% from prior
year levels. The largest increase in service margin was in the Pacific Basin,
which increased 17.1% on about the same revenue volumes as 1992. In 1992, the
Pacific Basin operation recorded a large inventory adjustment which adversely
affected the service gross margin.
The Company hopes that future gross margins in domestic service will increase as
the business grows, despite pressure from the increasingly competitive nature of
that business segment. To offset decreasing margins from computer hardware
sales, it anticipates increasing margins resulting from expanding sales of
application software
20
<PAGE> 21
solutions. The aggregate of these trends is not expected to have a material
impact on the Company's 1995 gross margin.
GA sells its hardware products through a nationwide dealer network, the dealers
sell to the end-users, pricing their products as the competition will allow.
Company pricing strategies in the past have been aimed at stimulating dealer
order through pricing concessions; general price decreases or increases are not
the normal technique used by the Company. The dealers generally are selling a
system, complete with application software, in a "bundled" proposal, as a
turn-key sale. The direct competitive pressures facing the dealers are more
closely tied to the cost/benefit relationship of their proposal versus those of
other firms.
NET PROFIT/(LOSS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET INCOME/(LOSS
(In thousands)
Year Ended
September 30
------------
1994 1993 1992
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Domestic (318) 108 831
Europe (1,036) (370)
SGA 745 351 (317)
Total Net Income/(LOSS) 427 (577) 144
==== ====== ====
</TABLE>
1994 vs 1993
The net income (loss) figures are materially impacted by the extraordinary
income of $900,000 in FY 1993 and FY 1994. The items re the result of a decrease
in estimated tax liabilities. See Notes 6 and 9 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in this Form 10-K.
1993 vs 1992
The net income (loss) figures are materially impacted by the extraordinary
income of $900,000 for each of FY 1992 and FY 1993. The extraordinary income for
the two years is due to a decrease in the estimated tax liability of the
company. See Notes 6 and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements include in
the Form 10-K.
21
<PAGE> 22
EXPENSES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPENSES
(In thousands)
Year Ended
September 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
% of % of % of
Amount Sales Amount Sales Amount Sales
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Research and
Development:
Domestic $ 575 1.7 $ 640 1.5 $ 946 2.1
SGA 1,178 3.4 1,094 2.5 1,188 2.6
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
1,753 5.1 1,734 4.0 2,134 4.7
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
Selling and
Administrative:
Domestic 3,700 10.7 3,754 8.7 3,311 7.3
Europe 5,307 12.4 3,620 8.0
SGA 5,907 17.1 5,392 12.6 6,932 15.3
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
9,607 27.8 14,453 33.7 13,863 30.6
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
Other:
Domestic 300 0.9 91 0.2 299 0.7
Europe (42) -0.1
SGA 85 0.2 (81) -0.2 (131) -0.3
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
385 1.1 10 0.0 126 0.3
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
Interest:
GA 376 1.1 228 0.5 561 1.2
Europe 25. 0.1 (89) -0.2
SGA 232 0.7 466 1.1 433 1.0
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
608 1.8 719 1.7 905 2.0
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
Total $12,353 35.8 $16,916 39.4 $17,028 37.6
======= ==== ======= ==== ======= ====
</TABLE>
Research and Development increased $19,000 from 1993 to 1994. It is the belief
of management that expenditures will decline as the emphasis switches from
hardware to software products. In 1993, the expense decreased $400,000 as a
result of continuing reductions in staff costs and outside consultants.
Selling and administrative expense increased $461,000 from 1993 to 1994,
excluding Eurosystems. In the Pacific Basin, Selling and administrative expenses
increased $515,000 between 1993 and 1994, which is attributable to expenses
necessary to support increase in sales volume and investments in personnel to
gain additional sales. Management expects to maintain the same level of expense
in the United States. The sale of Eurosystems to the minority shareholders
eliminated the European expense, which was $5,307,000 in 1993. (See Note 8 to
the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements). Selling and administrative
expense increased $590,000 from 1992 to 1993. In the Pacific Basin, expenses
decreased $1,540,000, which is attributable to staff reductions and other cost
savings measures. In Europe, the expense increased $1,687,000, of which
approximately $400,000 was the result of non recurring costs.
22
<PAGE> 23
Other expense increased $375,000 from 1993 to 1994. 1993 included credits of
$309,000 from amortization of credits from the advantageous purchase of the
assets of C.I.E in 1990. Other expense decreased $116,000 from 1992 to 1993.
1993 expense included a $219,000 charge due to a settlement reached with a
software licensor regarding royalty payments between 1987 and 1990.
Interest expense decreased $111,000 from 1993 to 1994 due to continuing
decreases to the debt balance. The expense decreased $186,000 from 1992 to 1993
due to continuing decrease in the debt balance.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company continues to operate on restricted cash resources. During the
Company's fiscal 1994, the Company's cash receipts exceeded the total
expenditures. The Company does not see an immediate change from this tight cash
position in the near future. The Company sees improvement through the successful
market acceptance of its vertical products and the sale of non GA manufactured
products being sold by the Company. The planned sales increase is expected to
provide GA with the needed working capital to support future operations. No
plans have been made to seek new equity funds.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,183,000. The major items
generating cash were a $233,000 reduction in inventories and a $978,000 increase
in accounts payable. The remainder was provided by ongoing operations
Net cash of $1,051,000 was used by investing activities in fiscal 1994 for
capitalized software development costs and additions to property, plant and
equipment, plus the long-term portion of a note receivable given in exchange for
the Company's 61% holdings in Eurosystems GA, Ltd.
Financing activities consumed $1,193,000 from debt repayments of $2,133,000,
offset by new notes payable of $940,000.
Currently, the Company has an agreement with a U.S. lender for a revolving line
of credit, not to exceed $700,000, which is collateralized by domestic accounts
receivable. In October 1994, the line of credit limit was increased to $800,000.
The agreement is renewable at six month intervals. The interest rate is prime
plus 6%, payable monthly, with a minimum of 14%. In addition, there are monthly
collateral management fees charged for maintaining the open line of credit.
Because the amount of borrowing is dependent upon accounts receivable levels,
varying levels of domestic activity could preclude full utilization of the
facility. The result might require that the Company secure additional sources of
financing. Management believes that these funds will be adequate, however, it
continues to seek opportunities to secure additional capital for expansion. At
September 30, 1994, the balance of the loan was $711,000. The line of credit
contains various covenants and restrictions; at September 30, 1993 the Company
was not in compliance with certain covenants, for which a waiver was obtained
from the lender. This non-compliance condition was the result of the lender
charging their management fees to the GA account, which then raised the loan to
$711,000 versus the $700,000 cap. The situation was corrected the next business
day. As of September 30, 1994, the Company was in compliance with all covenants
of the agreement.
On November 10, 1994, the Company completed the agreement for the sale of its
51% interest in SGA Pacific Ltd. to Sanderson Technology, Ltd. for $1,000,000 in
cash which the Company received on November 14, 1994, a note in the amount of
$1,000,000 to be repaid over 24 months, bearing interest at 8%, plus 4,100,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock, which will be retired.
As explained in Note 12, the Company has purchased a building in Irvine,
California. Eventually, the Company expects to experience a significant cost
savings, (approximately $75,000 annually) from the move. Until February, 1996,
the Company expects to be responsible for approximately 50% of the monthly rent
on the existing Anaheim, California
23
<PAGE> 24
facility. During the period to February, 1996, the Company expects an additional
$50,000 outlay of cash, due to residual payments of rent and moving costs, all
of which is reserved at September 30, 1994.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules on Page 30 of this
report.
24
<PAGE> 25
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
For information with respect to the directors and executive officers of the
Company, see the information appearing on pages 3 and 4 of the Company's Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held January 19, 1995
under the caption "Election of Directors" and on page 13 of the Company's Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held January 19, 1995
under the caption "Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934", which information is incorporated herein by reference. Each of the
Company's Directors is elected to a single year term. The Officers of the
Company do not have a fixed term of office.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
For information with respect to the compensation of certain executive
officers of the Company, see the information appearing on pages 9 and 10 of the
Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
January 19, 1995 under the caption "Executive Compensation", which information
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
For information with respect to the security ownership of certain
beneficial owners and management of the Company, see the information appearing
on pages 7, 8 and 9 of the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held January 19, 1995 under the caption "Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management", which information is incorporated
herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
For information with respect to certain relationships and related
transactions, see the information appearing on page 13 of the Company's Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held January 19, 1995
under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions", which
information is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company has two loans outstanding with obligations of $500,000 and $550,000;
the Company pays interest on these notes at 15% and 10% respectively. See Note 3
to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.
25
<PAGE> 26
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K
(a) 1. Financial Statements
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules on Page
30 of this report.
(a) 2. Financial Statement Schedules
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules on Page
30 of this Report.
(a) 3. Exhibits
3(a) Amended Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. (1)
3(b) By-Laws of the Company. (2)
10(a) Sample Dealer Agreement with Schedule. (3)
10(b) Pick License Agreement dated November 23, 1982, between
the Company and Pick Computer Works, Inc. (3)
10(c) Lease, dated March 28, 1991; between the Company and
Lincoln Properties Company. Premises: 1045 South East
Street, Anaheim, California, as amended. (4)
10(d) Form of Note Purchase and Warrant Agreement dated as of
June 17, 1987, between the Company and the Purchasers
thereof. (5)
10(e) Amendment dated May 18, 1989 to Note Purchase Agreement
dated June 17, 1987 between the Company and Paul Morigi &
Company. (16)
10(f) The following agreements by and between the Company and
Sanderson Electronics PLC, all dated as of January 6,
1989, except as indicated: Purchase Agreement; 15%
Convertible Senior Note in the principal amount of
$500,000; 15% Convertible Senior Note in the principal
amount of $1,250,000, dated as of January 24, 1989; Pledge
Agreement; Security Agreement; Common Stock Warrant
Agreement (2,837,388 shares of the Company's Common
Stock); Common Stock Warrant Agreement (2,500,000 shares);
Common Stock Warrant Agreement ("Mirror Rights
Agreement"); and Common Stock Registration Rights
Agreement. (7)
26
<PAGE> 27
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K(Continued)
10(g) Amendment dated July 28, 1989 to the following agreements
by and between the Company and Sanderson Electronics PLC:
15% Convertible Senior Note in the principal amount of
$500,000, dated as of January 6, 1989; 15% Convertible
Senior Note in the principal amount of $1,250,000, dated
as of January 24, 1989; Common Stock Warrant Agreement
dated as of January 6, 1989 pursuant to which the Notes
may be converted to 2,500,000 shares of the Company's
Common stock. (8)
10(h) Commitment Letter by and between General Automation, Ltd.
and Sanderson Computers (PPS) Limited for a Floating Rate
Unsecured Convertible Loan Stock. (9)
10(i) Closing Agreement on Final Determination of Tax Liability
and Specific Matters by and between the Company and the
Internal Revenue Service, dated as of May 19, 1989, and as
amended as of June 2, 1989. (10)
10(j) Articles of Association of SGA Pacific Limited. (11)
10(k) Agreement for sale and Purchase of Stock of General
Automation Singapore Pte, Ltd. dated as of June 1, 1990,
between the Company and SGA Pacific Ltd. (15)
10(l) Share Sale Agreement dated as of June 30, 1990, by and
between General Automation, Inc. and Sanderson
Electronics, PLC. (15)
10(m) The following Agreements by and between the Company and
CIE Systems, Inc. all dated as of December 13, 1989;
Purchase Agreement; Form of Promissory Note; Form of
Secured Agreement; and Form of Guaranty. (12)
10(n) Amendment dated January 10, 1990 to the following
agreements by and between the Company and CIE Systems,
Inc.: Secured Promissory Note of the Company; Security
Agreement; Guaranty; Instrument of Assumption; and Certain
Asset Purchase Agreement. (13)
10(o) Amendments dated February 9, 1990 relating to the
Agreements dated December 13, 1989, as amended January 10,
1990 between the Company and CIE Systems, Inc. (14)
10(p) The Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan and Directors' Stock
Option Plan. (17)
10(q) Agreement for sale of 55% of shareholding in General
Automation Limited to purchase of 21.74% of the shares of
SGA Pacific Limited from Sanderson Electronics, PLC. (18)
10(r) Agreement for sale of 45% of shareholding in General
Automation Limited to Sanderson Electronics, PLC (20)
27
<PAGE> 28
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K (Continued)
10(s) Agreements relating to the formation of and sale of
certain subsidiary companies to Eurosystems GA Ltd., all
dated October 23, 1992: Joint Venture Agreement; Put
Options in respect of 15% and 30%, and of 15% of the
issued share capital of Eurosystems GmbH and of
Eurosystems SA respectively; warrants for subscription for
1000 ordinary shares of Eurosystems GA Ltd; and, Unsecured
Interest Bearing Loan Notes. (21)
10(t) Agreement for the sale and purchase of 49,951 ordinary
shares in the capital of Eurosystems GA Ltd. to Krypton
Group Ltd., and instrument constituting $990,000
non-interest bearing loan note, all dated October 28,
1993. (22)
10(v) Agreement relating to the Company's sale of its 51%
interest in SGA Pacific, Limited to Sanderson Technology,
Ltd., dated October 20, 1994. (23)
16 Letter regarding change in certifying accountants. (19)
22 Subsidiaries of Registrant.
23 Consent of Independent Accountants.
27 Financial Data Schedule.
(1) Filed as Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's 10-K dated as of June 30,
1989, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(2) Filed as Exhibit No. 30 to the Company's Form 10-K dated as of June
30, 1988, and by this reference incorporated.
(3) Filed as Exhibit No. 10 to the Company's Form S-1 as filed on June 5,
1986, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(4) Filed as Exhibit 10(d) to the Company's Form 10-K dated as of
September 30, 1992, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(5) Filed as Exhibit B to the Company's Proxy Statement to Shareholders
dated October 14, 1987, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(6) Filed as Exhibit 10(jj) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
dated as of June 30, 1988, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(7) Filed as Exhibits to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
as of January 6, 1989, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(8) Filed as Exhibit 10(x) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
dated as of June 30, 1989, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(9) Filed as Exhibit 10(y) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
dated as of June 30, 1989, and by this reference incorporated herein.
28
<PAGE> 29
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K (Continued)
(10) Filed as Exhibit 10(aa) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
dated as of June 30, 1989, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(11) Filed as Exhibit 10(bb) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
dated as of June 30, 1989, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(12) Filed as Exhibits to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
as of December 13, 1989, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(13) Filed as Exhibits to the Company's Form 8-K dated as of December 13,
1989, Amendment No. 1 on Form 8 dated January 16, 1990, and by this
reference incorporated herein.
(14) Filed as Exhibits to the Company's Form 8-K dated as of December 13,
1990, Amendment No. 2 on Form 8 dated February 9, 1990, and by this
reference incorporated herein.
(15) Filed as Exhibit "A" to the Company's Form 8-K as filed on July 16,
1990, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(16) Filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Form 10-K dated as of June 30,
1989, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(17) Filed as Exhibits to the Company's Form S-8 as filed on October 4,
1991, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(18) Filed as Exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 13, 1990, and
by this reference incorporated herein.
(19) Filed as Exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K dated June 6, 1991, and by
this reference incorporated herein.
(20) Filed as Exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K dated January 30, 1992,
and by this reference incorporated herein.
(21) Filed as Exhibit 10(s) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
dated as of December 23, 1992, and by this reference incorporated
herein.
(22) Filed as Exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K dated as of November 12,
1993, and by this reference incorporated herein.
(23) Filed as Exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K dated as of November 23,
1994, and by this reference incorporated herein.
29
<PAGE> 30
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND SCHEDULES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pages
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Accountants 31
Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheet - September 30, 1994 32 - 33
and 1993
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Years 34
in the period ended September 30, 1994.
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity 35
(Deficit) for the Three Years Ended September 30, 1994.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Years 36 - 37
in the period Ended September 30, 1994.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 38 - 54
Schedules Supporting the Financial Statements:
IV Indebtedness to Related Parties 55
VIII Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 56
X Supplementary Income Statement Information 56
</TABLE>
All other schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or
the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or related
notes.
30
<PAGE> 31
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To The Shareholders and Board of Directors
of General Automation, Inc.:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying
index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
General Automation, Inc. and its subsidiaries at September 30, 1994 and 1993 and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended September 30, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. 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 of these
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which
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, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Costa Mesa, California
November 23, 1994
31
<PAGE> 32
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30
--------------------------
1994 1993
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash $ 230 $ 1,166
Accounts receivable, net (Note 2) 9,144 10,513
Inventories (Note 2) 4,427 5,654
Prepaid expenses 409 961
------- -------
Total current assets 14,210 18,294
------- -------
Long-term receivable 210
Property, plant and equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation and
amortization (Note 2) 1,698 2,079
Other assets (Note 2) 1,923 2,083
------- -------
$18,041 $22,456
======= =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
32
<PAGE> 33
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30
------------------------
1994 1993
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 3,731 $ 4,726
Advances from customers (Note 1) 1,373 2,779
Accrued income taxes (Note 6) 688 1,286
Other accrued expenses (Note 2) 2,899 4,954
Notes payable and current
portion of long-term
debt (Note 3) 2,794 3,092
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 11,485 16,837
Long-term debt, excluding
current portion (Note 3) 1,453 2,215
Deferred income taxes (Note 6) 72
Deferred credit 70
Minority interest - SGA
Pacific Ltd. (SGA) (Note 8) 1,787 1,068
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock par value $.10 per share;
Authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued
and outstanding 11,366,776 at
September 30,1994 and
September 30, 1993 1,137 1,137
Additional paid in capital 42,420 42,420
Accumulated deficit (40,457) (40,884)
Currency translation adjustments 146 (409)
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity 3,246 2,264
-------- --------
$ 18,041 $ 22,456
======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
33
<PAGE> 34
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Twelve Months
Ended
September 30
---------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Sales - net - Product $21,284 $21,149 $26,734
Service revenue 13,330 21,729 18,471
------- ------- -------
Total 34,614 42,878 45,205
------- ------- -------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - Product 11,763 11,353 13,975
- Service 9,806 14,685 14,575
Selling and administrative 9,607 14,453 13,863
Research and development 1,753 1,734 2,134
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 994 490
Other, net 385 10 126
------- ------- -------
33,314 43,229 45,163
------- ------- -------
Income (loss) from operations 1,300 (351) 42
Equity in income of General
Automation, Ltd. (U.K)(GAL)
5
Interest income 41 146 44
Interest expense (649) (865) (949)
------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before income
taxes, minority interest and
extraordinary items 692 (1,070) (858)
Provision for income taxes 446 190 477
Minority interest in income (loss) of SGA 719 217 (371)
------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary items (473) (1,477) (964)
Extraordinary items (Note 9) 900 900 1,108
------- ------- -------
Net income (loss) $ 427 $ (577) $ 144
======= ======= =======
Earnings per share - primary:
Income (loss) before extraordinary
items $ (.04) $ (.13) $ (.08)
Extraordinary items .08 .08 .09
------- ------- -------
Net income (loss) $ .04 $ (.05) $ .01
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
34
<PAGE> 35
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additional
Common Stock Paid-in Translation
Shares Amount Capital Deficit Adjustment
------ ------ ------- ------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at June 30, 1991 11,344,776 $1,135 $42,406 $ (40,678) $243
Net income 144
Translation adjustments (51)
Gain on sale of 45% of
GAL to Sanderson
227
Exercise of employee
Stock Options 22,000 2 14
---------- ------ ------- --------- ----
Balance at September 30, 1992 11,366,776 1,137 42,420 (40,307) 192
Net loss
(577)
Translation adjustments
(601)
---------- ------ ------- --------- ----
Balance at September 30, 1993 11,366,776 1,137 42,420 (40,884) (409)
Net income
427
Translation adjustments
555
---------- ------ ------- --------- ----
Balance at September 30, 1994 11,366,776 1,137 $42,420 $ (40,457) $146
========== ====== ======= ========= ====
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
35
<PAGE> 36
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Twelve
Months Ended
September 30
-------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows provided by
operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 427 $ (577) $ 144
Adjustments to reconcile net
income (loss) to net
cash provided by (used for)
operations:
Depreciation and amortization 1,328 1,057 1,630
Equity in net (income) loss of GAL (5)
Minority interest in income (loss)
of SGA 719 217 (371)
Changes in balance sheet items, net of
dispositions
Accounts receivable (1,251) (1,711) 1,651
Inventories 233 1,125 1,771
Prepaid expenses 11 (131) 175
Other assets 155 (415) 37
Accounts payable 978 1,760 (1,721)
Advances from customers (371) 157 664
Accrued income taxes (512) (441) 170
Other accrued expenses (534) 216 (150)
------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by operating
activities 1,183 1,257 3,995
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
36
<PAGE> 37
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Twelve
Months Ended
September 30
-----------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows provided by (used for)
investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (431) (556) (938)
Capitalized software (410) (374) (726)
Long-term portion of note receivable (210)
------- ------- -------
Net cash used for investing activities (1,051) (930) (1,664)
------- ------- -------
Cash flows provided by (used for)
financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of notes
payable 940 1,848 929
Principal payments on notes
payable (2,000) (1,835) (3,136)
Principal payments on accrued
taxes (133) (200) (200)
------- ------- -------
Net cash used for financing activities (1,193) (187) (2,407)
------- ------- -------
Effect of exchange rates on cash 125 15 176
------- ------- -------
Increase (decrease) in cash (936) 155 100
Cash at beginning of period 1,166 1,011 911
------- ------- -------
Cash at end of period $ 230 $ 1,166 $ 1,011
======= ======= =======
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 1,042 $ 659 $ 783
======= ======= =======
Income taxes $ 133 $ 691 $ 782
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
37
<PAGE> 38
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Description of the Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY
The Company is engaged in the development, design and sale of computer software
and hardware and related field support services.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
all of its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant
intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues for sales of products are recognized as shipped. Revenue is not
recognized on product sales if significant obligations remain or collectibility
is in doubt. Revenues for maintenance service contracts are recognized on a
monthly basis ratably over the period of the contracts. Cash payments received
in advance of revenue recognition are deferred (Advances from customers) and
recognized as earned. Vertical installations (Library, Service Advantage,
etc.) revenues are recognized on the percentage of completion method.
Warranties
All products, except the lowest-end models, carry a one year warranty, during
which all maintenance labor and parts are covered. The Company carries
adequate reserves to cover any anticipated charges of this nature.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.
Cost elements include material, labor and factory overhead. Market is
considered to be selling price, less allowance for normal selling expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization are provided over the estimated useful lives of
the assets using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Machinery and equipment 3-7 years
Furniture and fixtures 3-7 years
Leasehold improvements Remaining life of lease, or life of asset,
whichever is less
Customer service spare parts 7 years
</TABLE>
Expenditures that materially increase the asset life are capitalized and
ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. The
difference between cost of purchased companies and fair value of net assets
acquired is amortized using the straight-line method over 5 years.
38
<PAGE> 39
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
1. Description of the Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,
Continued
Capitalized Software
All capitalized software development costs are amortized on a straight-line
basis over the remaining estimated economic life of the product, generally
three to five years. This straight line method is higher than the alternate
method of using the ratio of current revenues of a product bear to the
anticipated future gross revenues for that product. The costs capitalized are
those incurred after the Company has determined the technical feasibility of a
software project. The project amortization does not commence until after the
general release of the product and are included in the cost of sales.
Equity Investments
The Company accounts for its minority interest in investees on the equity
method, under which the Company recognizes its pro-rata share of net income as
reported by the investees, after adjusting for the effects of intercompany
transactions.
Foreign Currency Translation
The assets and liabilities for the Company's international subsidiaries are
translated into US Dollars using current exchange rates. Income statement
items are generally translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the
period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the currency
translation adjustments account in shareholders' equity. Foreign currency
transaction gains and losses are included in net income, but immaterial for
each of the three fiscal years ending September 30, 1994.
Income Taxes
Effective October 1, 1993, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109 (FAS 109), Accounting for Income Taxes. The
adoption of FAS 109 changes the Company's method of accounting for income taxes
from the deferred method (APB 11) to an asset and liability approach.
Previously, the Company deferred the past tax effects of timing differences
between financial reporting and taxable income. The asset and liability
approach requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for
the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the
carrying amounts and tax bases of other assets and liabilities. Adoption of
FAS 109 resulted in no material adjustment to the statement of operations.
Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings or loss per share are based on the weighted average number of shares
outstanding without inclusion of common stock equivalents as such inclusion
would be antidilutive.
Weighted average shares used in the earnings or loss per share calculations for
the years ended September 30, 1994, 1993 and 1992 are 11,366,776, 11,366,776
and 11,347,711, respectively.
39
<PAGE> 40
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
2. Composition of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (in thousands):
Accounts receivable consist of:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30
----------------------
1994 1993
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Trade receivables $9,748 $12,034
Due from GAL (Note 8) -- 30
Due from (to) Sanderson 84 (223)
------ -------
9,832 11,841
Less allowance for doubtful accounts (688) (1,328)
------ -------
$9,144 $10,513
====== =======
Inventories are summarized as follows:
<CAPTION>
September 30
-------------------
1994 1993
---- ----
Materials, subassemblies
and spare parts $2,715 $ 3,858
Work in process 297 536
Finished goods 1,415 1,260
------ -------
$4,427 $ 5,654
====== =======
</TABLE>
40
<PAGE> 41
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
2. Composition of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (in thousands):
The major classes of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30
------------------------
1994 1993
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Machinery and equipment $ 3,346 $ 4,379
Furniture and fixtures 1,798 1,788
Leasehold improvements 451 568
------- -------
5,595 6,735
Less accumulated
depreciation and
amortization (3,897) (4,656)
------- -------
$ 1,698 $ 2,079
======= =======
</TABLE>
Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended September 30, 1994,
1993 and 1992 amounted to $528, $577 and, $773, respectively.
Other assets comprise:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30
------------------------
1994 1993
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Computer software costs $ 4,403 $ 3,906
Goodwill 551 955
Other 44 108
------- -------
4,998 4,969
Less accumulated
amortization (3,075) (2,886)
------- -------
$ 1,923 $ 2,083
======= =======
</TABLE>
During the years ended September 30, 1994, 1993 and 1992 the Company
capitalized $410, $374 and $726 of software and development costs,
respectively, and $678, $654 and $691 of such costs were amortized to cost of
sales, respectively.
Other accrued expenses consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30
------------------------
1994 1993
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Accrued loss on sale of subsidiary $ -- $ 994
Accrued payroll 1,305 $1,665
Accrued taxes other than income 150 873
Accrued transportation charges -- 254
Other 1,444 1,168
------ -----
$2,899 $4,954
====== ======
</TABLE>
41
<PAGE> 42
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
3. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt:
Notes payable and long-term debt consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30
------------------------
1994 1993
---- ----
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Note payable to CIE America Inc.,
due December 24, 1993 net of
imputed interest of 15%, minimum
payments of $25,000 per week $ 241
Accounts payable settlements
maturing from November 25, 1991 to
December 25, 1994, bearing
interest from 0% to 14.5%, minimum
monthly payments of $62,000 323
Note redeemable due March, 1995
bearing interest at 10%, monthly
payments of $150,000
plus interest beginning December, 1994 $ 550 550
Note payable due September, 1996
bearing interest at 15%, monthly payments
of $31,192 beginning April, 1995 500 500
Payable for purchase of Maxial software,
described below, monthly payments of
$6,800, 13% interest 245 214
Notes payable to States relating to taxes
maturing August, 1995 through March, 1999
bearing interest 12%, monthly
payments of $31,814 468 315
Note payable to AWA, Ltd. for purchase of
assets, due July, 1994 interest imputed
at 12%, payment of $200,000 quarterly -- 619
Note payable to Sanderson Electronics
PLC, due September 30, 1994 bearing
interest at LIBOR plus 2.5% 704 644
Lines of credit:
Bank overdraft facilities, SGA Pacific
Ltd, bearing interest at Australia
prime + 1.65% 481 572
Continental Business Credit, bearing
interest at prime plus 6%, renewable
every six months 711 661
Bank of New Zealand, due on 30 day call
notice at New Zealand prime + 1.65%
to 2.75% 588 494
All other debt maturing from December 1991
to August, 1994 bearing interest from
6% to 15%, monthly payments of $47,126 174
------ ------
4,247 5,307
Less amounts due in one year 2,794 3,092
------ ------
$1,453 $2,215
====== ======
</TABLE>
42
<PAGE> 43
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS, Continued
3. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt, Continued:
Payment requirements on principal balances at September 30, 1994 are
approximately as follows: (in thousands) for the twelve month periods ending
September 30, 1995 - $2,794, 1996 - $1,278, 1997 - $91, 1998 - $79, 1999 - $5.
In conjunction with the purchase of the Maxial hotel software, the Company
entered into a note agreement. The note is collateralized by the software. The
note issued for the purchase of the software has a remaining principal balance
at September 30, 1994 of $320,000, less imputed interest, bringing the present
value of the note to $245,000. Monthly payments are $6,800.
In June 1987, the Company completed a private placement of $900,000 unsecured
redeemable notes due June 1992. Repayment of one note in the amount of $550,000
has been extended to March, 1995.
In connection with the formation of SGA Pacific, Ltd., (SGA) notes payable were
issued to AWA, Ltd., the seller of the Australian and New Zealand businesses,
in the amount of $3,441,000. The Company used 12% as the imputed borrowing
rate and the reported principal amount of the note was reduced from $3,441,000
to $2,854,000. The note was paid down completely in fiscal year 1994.
In March 1991, an agreement was reached with a domestic lender for a line of
credit collateralized by all current domestic trade accounts receivable. The
maximum borrowing limit is $800,000 with interest at prime plus 6% with a
minimum rate of 14%. At September 30, 1994 the total owed on this line was
$711,000. The agreement is renewable at six month intervals. The line
includes various covenants and restrictions; at September 30, 1993 the Company
was not in compliance with certain covenants, for which a waiver was obtained
from the lender. At September 30, 1994, the Company was in compliance with all
covenants.
SGA maintains a credit facility with the Bank of New Zealand. The current
borrowings under the facility are $588,000 and the maximum available borrowings
are approximately $600,000 U.S.
The Company purchased a building in Irvine, California, on November 16, 1994,
which will serve as the Company's corporate offices. The purchase price was
$1,200,000, less a down payment of $200,000, leaving a financed balance of
$1,000,000. Monthly payments for the first twelve months are guaranteed to
remain at $8,057 each. Annual interest is based on prime, plus 1%. Monthly
payments will be adjusted annually for changes to the prime rate. At the end
of ten years, a balloon payment of approximately $967,000 will be due.
43
<PAGE> 44
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS, Continued
3. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt, Continued:
In September 1989 SGA established an overdraft line of credit in Australia and
New Zealand. The balance borrowed under this line of credit at September 30,
1994, was $481,000. The line carries an interest rate of prime rate plus
1.65%.
4. Employee Benefit Plans:
The Company has a profit sharing 401K plan covering substantially all of its
domestic employees. Eligible employees may contribute 2% to 12% of their
compensation up to the maximum dollar amount allowed by the IRS. The Company
has agreed to contribute from profits in amounts equal to 50% of each
employee's contribution up to 3% of the employee's compensation. The Company
may elect to, although it is not obligated to, make contributions in years when
it has no profits. Contributions for the periods ended September 30, 1994,
September 30, 1993 and September 30, 1992 were $65,000, $65,000 and $54,400,
respectively.
5. Stock Options
In February 1991, the shareholders of the Company adopted the 1991 Stock Option
Plan and the 1991 Directors' Stock Option Plan. The Board of Directors of the
Company authorized the grant of options to current employees and directors of
the Company, which will be exercisable through December 31, 1994. Employees and
directors who held options under previous plans were given the right to retain
those options or accept the options under the 1991 Plans, in which case their
existing options would be canceled. Options under the 1991 Plans were priced in
excess of the market price of approximately $0.625 on the date of
authorization. All such option holders accepted the options offered under the
1991 Plans, and all options to acquire common stock of the Company were
consolidated under the 1991 Plans. As to the previous plans, no options were
granted or exercised during the two year period ended September 30, 1993.
In April, 1994, the shareholders of the company adopted an amendment to the
1991 Stock Option Plan increasing the shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance thereunder from 900,000 to 1,300,000. The shareholders, at the same
time, adopted an amendment to the 1991 Directors' Stock Option Plan to increase
the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance thereunder from
100,000 to 200,000, and to modify certain provisions concerning
non-discretionary stock option grants.
44
<PAGE> 45
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
5. Stock Options, Continued:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Option Price
Shares Per Share
-------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
1991 PLANS
- ----------
Outstanding at September 30, 1992 863,000 $0 .75
Granted -0-
Exercised -0-
Terminated (23,000) $0.75
---------
Outstanding at September 30, 1993 840,000
Granted 513,000
Exercised -0-
Terminated (210,000) $0 .75
---------
Outstanding at September 30, 1994 1,143,000
=========
</TABLE>
All remaining 1,143,000 options granted under the 1991 Plan are exercisable at
September 30, 1994. Under the amended 1991 Plan an additional 357,000 shares
have been reserved for future grants. All outstanding options have been
granted at $0.75 per share.
45
<PAGE> 46
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
6. Income Taxes:
Effective October 1, 1993, the Company adopted the provision of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," which
requires a liability approach for computing deferred income taxes. Deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the
financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result
in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and
rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect
taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to
reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more likely than not to be
realized. The provision for income taxes is the payable or refundable amount
for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax
assets and liabilities.
The cumulative effect of adopting Statement 109, as of October 1, 1993 did not
change the net income. As permitted under the Statement, prior years'
financial statements have not been restated.
The provision for income taxes for each of the three fiscal years in the period
ended September 30, 1994 consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended
September 30
-------------------------
1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Domestic -- --
Foreign $446 $190 $477
---- --- ----
446 190 447
---- --- ----
Deferred:
Domestic --
Foreign -- --
---- --- ----
$446 $190 $477
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
Reasons for differences between income tax expense and the amount computed by
applying the federal statutory income tax rate to income (loss) before income
taxes and extraordinary income are as follows:
46
<PAGE> 47
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
6. Income Taxes, Continued:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended
September 30
-------------------------
1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tax provision (benefits)
calculated at Federal
statutory rate $ 235 (385) $(292)
Tax benefits not provided
on losses of domestic
and foreign operations $ 414 915 323
Foreign operations taxed
at other than federal
statutory rate $(205) (284) 485
Amortization of goodwill 60 (56) (39)
Other (58) -- --
----- ----- -----
Effective tax rate $ 446 $ 190 $ 477
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
No deferred taxes were recorded for the periods ended September 30, 1994. For
the years ended September 30, 1993 and 1992, there were $72,000 in deferred
taxes recorded from European operations.
At September 30, 1994, the Company has domestic net operating loss
carryforwards for financial reporting and tax purposes of approximately
$43,000,000 and $51,000,000 respectively, expiring primarily during the years
1997 through 2009. The utilization of the domestic net operating loss is
limited under the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. It is estimated
that the maximum amount of net operating loss carryforwards that may be
utilized each year is $520,000 in addition to any losses which have occurred
since an ownership change in 1989.
The Company has not provided deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of
its foreign subsidiaries as these earnings are, for the most part, intended to
be permanently reinvested. Such undistributed earnings amounted to
approximately $1,615,000 at September 30, 1994. If those earnings were
distributed, the related U.S. income taxes would be partially offset by tax
benefits derived from utilization of available net operating loss carryforwards
and foreign tax credits.
On May 19, 1989, the Company and the IRS executed a revised agreement relating
to tax deficiencies assessed for years 1974 to 1981, the terms and conditions
of which include the following:
Beginning on June 5, 1989, the Company began paying $16,667 per month
over a 60 month period. The IRS applied such payments totaling
$1,000,020 against the Company's assessed liability for interest. The
Company completed the payment schedule in May, 1994.
47
<PAGE> 48
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
6. Income Taxes, Continued:
The remaining amount of the obligation, representing statutory
additions and interest, was set at $2.8 million. This amount was to be
offset on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the Company via a written waiver
of 50% of the net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) allowable for
each taxable year in which a profit was realized. Such offset will
continue until such time that the $2.8 million is fully satisfied or
the Federal income tax return for fiscal 1994 has been filed by the
Company with the IRS, whichever is earlier. Any portion of the total
$2.8 million which remains unsatisfied following the filing date of the
fiscal 1994 Federal income tax return will be satisfied by waiving an
additional amount of NOLs equivalent to the remaining tax balance of
the $2.8 million.
The IRS has replaced the lien against all the assets of the Company
with a lien on certain trademarks and technology of the Company. The
lien should have been released subsequent to receipt of the last
payment by the IRS in May, 1994. Due to paperwork problems within the
IRS, this has not yet been done. The Company is aggressively seeking
IRS action to release all liens against the trademarks and technology
of the Company.
At September 30, 1994, 1993 and 1992, the Company revised its estimated tax
liability relating to the $2.8 million fixed portion of the revised IRS
settlement agreement. Based upon projected operating results, management
determined that approximately $1 million each year of the estimated tax
liability would be satisfied by the end of fiscal year 1994 by waiver of unused
NOL carryovers and not from financial assets. Accordingly, the September 30,
1994 tax liability accounts of the Company reflect this change in accounting
estimate, which has been reflected as an extraordinary item in the Consolidated
Statement of Operations, $1,000,000 in 1992, $900,000 in 1993 and $900,000 in
1994.
Deferred tax assets as of September 30, 1994, relate to the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Deferred Tax Assets
--------------------
Current Long-Term
------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Inventory reserve 96
Warranty Reserve 11
Vacation accrual 100
Allowance for bad debts 113
Accrued royalties 45
NOL carry forward 1,818
Foreign Tax Credits 446
---- -------
Total 365 2,264
Valuation Allowance (365) (2,264)
---- -------
Net 0 0
==== =======
</TABLE>
48
<PAGE> 49
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
7. Segment Information:
The Company operates in one business segment. Operations include the design,
manufacture, sales and service of computer systems and computer products.
Information concerning the Company's operations by geographic area is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Twelve Months Ended September 30, 1994
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Pacific Elimina-
States Basin tions Total
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales to customers $13,422 $21,192 $34,614
Inter-area sales 575 $ (575)
------- ------- ------
Total net sales 13,997 21,192 (575) 34,614
------- ------- -------
Segment operating
income $ 741 $ 2,148 2,889
------- ------- ------
Interest expense, net (608)
Corporate expenses
(1,589)
------
Loss before income
taxes, minority interests
and extraordinary income $ 692
=======
Identifiable assets $ 6,655 $11,982 $ (596) $18,041
------- ------- ------ -------
Identifiable
liabilities $ 5,110 $ 7,942 $1,743 $14,795
------- ------- ------ -------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Twelve Months Ended September 30, 1993
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Pacific Elimina-
States Europe Basin tions Total
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales to customers $13,501 $12,243 $17,134 $42,878
Inter-area sales 827 37 $ (864)
------- ------- ------- ------
Total net sales 14,328 12,280 17,134 (864) 42,878
------- ------- ------- ------ -------
Segment operating
income (loss) $ 473 $ (718) $ 929 684
------- ------- ------- ------
Interest expense, net (719)
Corporate expenses (1,035)
-------
Loss before income
taxes, minority interests
and extraordinary income $(1,070)
=======
Identifiable assets $ 8,213 $ 5,700 $ 9,772 $(1,229) $22,456
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Identifiable liabilities $ 4,916 $ 4,649 $ 7,404 $ 3,223 $20,192
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
49
<PAGE> 50
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
7. Segment Information, Continued:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Twelve Months Ended September 30, 1992
----------------------------------------------------------
United Pacific Elimina-
States Europe Basin tions Total
------ ------ ----- ----- -----
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales to
customers $15,535 $8,719 $20,951 $45,205
Inter-area sales 2,268 48 $(2,316)
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Total net sales 17,803 8,767 20,951 (2,316) 45,205
------- ------ ------- -------
Segment operating
income (loss) $ 1,265 $ (528) $ 183 920
------- ------ ------- -------
Interest expense, net (905)
Equity in income of GAL 5
Corporate expenses (878)
Loss before income -------
taxes, minority interests
and extraordinary income $ (858)
=======
Identifiable assets $10,149 $5,519 $10,098 $(2,148) $23,618
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Identifiable
liabilities $ 6,960 $2,864 $ 8,118 $ 2,234 $20,176
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
Sales and transfers between geographic areas are made with reference to
prevailing market prices and at prices approximately equal to those charged to
unaffiliated distributors. Operating income is revenue less related costs and
operating expenses, including other income and expense, but excluding interest
and corporate expenses.
Identifiable assets are those assets of the Company that are identified with
operations in each geographic area.
No single customer or group of related customers or total export sales accounted
for as much as 10% of consolidated sales during any of the periods presented.
8. Acquisitions and Dispositions:
On June 30, 1990, the Company sold 55% of its U.K. subsidiary General
Automation, Ltd., (GAL), to Sanderson Electronics, PLC. for a purchase price of
approximately $2.6 million. Subsequently, on January 20, 1992, the Company sold
its remaining 45% share of GAL to Sanderson for a purchase price of
approximately $1.7 million. The purchase price for these sales were applied as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sale of Sale of
June 1990 January 1992
--------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Paydown of loan owed to the U.K. subsidiary $1,250,000 $ 895,000
Purchase of 21.8% of SGA (See below) 875,000
Assume notes receivable, due from SGA 475,000
Operating cash 475,000 350,000
---------- ----------
$2,600,000 $1,720,000
========== ==========
</TABLE>
50
<PAGE> 51
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
8. Acquisitions and Dispositions, Continued:
The gains on the above sales of $1,025,000 and $227,000, respectively, less
related costs, were credited directly to shareholders' equity due to the related
party nature of the transactions.
Effective October 1, 1989, the Company acquired a 29.3% interest in SGA Pacific
Limited (SGA), a distributor of the Company's products in Australia, New Zealand
and Asia in exchange for the stock of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries in
Singapore and Hong Kong, and for cash of $38,400. The total consideration, which
is the aggregate of the Company's historical basis in the stock exchanged and
the cash, amounted to $243,000.
On July 1, 1990, the Company purchased an additional 21.8% interest in SGA from
Sanderson Electronics, PLC, for $875,000. As the Company became a majority
(51.1%) stockholder, SGA's operations have been consolidated with the Company
from July 1, 1990. On November 10, 1994, with retroactive effect from October 1,
1994, the company sold its 51% share of SGA Pacific, Ltd. to Sanderson
Technology, Ltd. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company's German operation was closed as of October 1, 1992. However,
business was suspended and assets written off as of July 1, 1992, incurring a
loss of $490,000.
In October, 1992, the Company signed an agreement to form a holding company,
Eurosystems GA Ltd. (Eurosystems), a UK corporation. Under the terms of the
agreement, the Company received 61% of the common shares of Eurosystems in
exchange for its shares in General Automation France SA, General Automation SA
(Belgium), and General Automation Italia SpA (Italy). Krypton Group Ltd., a UK
corporation received 39% of the common shares in exchange for its 100%
shareholding in Eurosystems Belgium SA and Eurosystems SA (France), its 55%
shareholding in Eurosystems GmbH (Germany) and its 85% shareholding in
Eurosystems Maintenance SA (France). The Company accounted for this transaction
as a purchase, with related acquisition adjustments first reflected in the
Company's quarter ended December 31, 1992.
In March, 1993, Eurosystems GA, Ltd. sold its shares of Eurosystems GmbH
(Germany) to the minority shareholders of the German subsidiary for DM3,000,000
(approximately $1,863,000). Because this event was related to the initial
purchase in October, 1992, the Company determined that the proper recording of
its share of the gain on the transaction was be to offset the gain of $251,000
against the goodwill established at the time of the acquisition.
On October 29, 1993, with retroactive effect from September 30, 1993, the
Company sold its 61% share of Eurosystems to the minority shareholders of
Eurosystems for $750,000. The terms included a note receivable in the amount of
$750,000 if paid by December 31, 1993, or $795,000, including $45,000 interest
if paid before March 31, 1994. If not repaid by March 31, 1994, the note is
repayable in 33 monthly installments of $30,000. A loss of $994,000 related to
this disposition is included in the 1993 consolidated statement of operations.
51
<PAGE> 52
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
8. Acquisitions and Dispositions, Continued:
Unaudited Proforma condensed financial information of the Company as if the
divestitures of Eurosystems GA, Ltd. and SGA Pacific, Limited had occurred as of
the beginning of fiscal year, 1993.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited Proforma Balance Sheet
--------------------------------
1994
----
<S> <C>
Cash $1,063
Accounts and notes receivable 2,820
Inventory 2,318
Other current assets 174
------
6,375
Long-term portion of
notes receivable 710
Other assets 1,049
------
Total assets $8,134
======
Accounts payable $1,297
Other current liabilities 1,396
Notes payable 1,742
------
4,435
------
Long-term debt 732
Other non-current liabilities
Deferred income 70
Shareholders' equity 2,897
------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $8,134
======
Net book value per share,
based on 7,266,776 shares,
after retirement of
4,100,000 shares $ 0.40
======
</TABLE>
52
<PAGE> 53
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
8. Acquisitions and Dispositions, Continued:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited Proforma Statement of Operations
------------------------------------------
1994 1993
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Sales, net $14,572 $14,328
Income (loss) from
operations (842) (328)
Income (loss) before
extraordinary income (1,218) (792)
Net income (loss) $ (318) $ 108
Per share-primary:
Income (loss) before
extraordinary income $ (0.17) $ (0.11)
Extraordinary items 0.12 0.12
------- -------
$ (0.05) $ 0.01
======= =======
</TABLE>
9. Extraordinary Income:
Extraordinary income for the year ended September 30, 1992 consists of $108,000
of tax benefits from the Company's foreign subsidiaries. Extraordinary income
for the years ended September 30, 1994, 1993 and 1992 also included $900,000,
$900,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, from a decrease in estimated tax
liabilities as described in Note 6.
10. Commitments and Contingencies:
The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating leases.
Lease rental expense for the periods ended September 30, 1994, September 30,
1993 and September 30, 1992 were approximately $1,367,000, $1,786,000 and
$2,008,000, respectively.
As of September 30, 1994, the minimum rental commitments required under existing
noncancellable operating leases, some of which provide for future increases in
minimum rentals, are (in thousands) as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount
------
<S> <C>
1995 $1,361
1996 713
1997 226
1998 115
------
$2,415
======
</TABLE>
53
<PAGE> 54
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued
10. Commitments and Contingencies, Continued:
The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits and claims which have arisen in
the course of its business. While it is not possible to predict with certainty
the outcome of such litigation and claims, it is the opinion of Company
management, based in part on consultations with counsel, that the liability of
the Company, if any, arising from the ultimate disposition of any or all such
lawsuits and claims has been adequately provided for in the consolidated
financial statements of the Company.
12. Subsequent Events
On November 10, 1994, the Company agreed, with effect as of October 1, 1994, to
sell its 51% interest in SGA Pacific, Ltd. to Sanderson Technology, Ltd. In
consideration, Sanderson Technology, Ltd. will pay the Company $1,000,000 in
cash, $1,000,000 in a 24 month note, plus transfer 4,100,000 shares of the
Company's common shares back to the Company. This will bring Sanderson's
interest in the Company down to under 10%. The Company intends to retire the
transferred shares. The sale will not be recorded as a profit due to the related
party nature of the transaction. However, the estimated gain of $3.1 million
will be taxable on the fiscal 1995 tax return. It is expected that most of $1.1
million due in Federal income taxes will be offset by net operating loss
carryforwards.
Unaudited proforma consolidated information of the Company as if the divestiture
had occurred as of the beginning of fiscal year 1993 is in Note 8.
On November 16, 1994, the Company signed final documents regarding the purchase
of a 20,000 square foot, two story building in Irvine, California, which will
become the Company's corporate headquarters. The selling price of the building
and land was $1.2 million. The Company has made a downpayment of $200,000 and
will make monthly payments of $8,057 for the first 12 months. The annual
interest is based on prime rate, plus 1%. Monthly payments will be adjusted
periodically for changes in the prime lending rate. At the end of 10 years, a
balloon payment of approximately $967,000 will be due.
The Company is currently a party to a lease agreement for its corporate
headquarters in Anaheim through February, 1996. The Company expects to sub-lease
the building through the remainder of the lease term. Approximately $128,000 has
been accrued for losses anticipated with this transaction. The gross cost of the
lease obligation on this facility is $256,000, extending over fifteen months.
The Company has listed the property at approximately one-half of its cost, a
level below the going lease rate for facilities comparable to this property.
Management feels with these actions, it is probable that a sublease will be
joint and at a lease rate supporting its reserve assumptions.
54
<PAGE> 55
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
(In thousand)
SCHEDULE IV - INDEBTEDNESS TO RELATED PARTIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balance at Balance
Name of Party Beginning Additions Deductions at End
---------- --------- ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended September 30, 1992:
Paul Morigi & Company, Inc. $1,050 $1,050
Sanderson Electronics, PLC. $ $593 593
------ ---- ------
$1,050 $593 $1,643
====== ==== ======
Year Ended September 30, 1993:
Paul Morigi & Company, Inc. $1,050 $1,050
Sanderson Electronics, PLC. 593 $ 51 644
------ ---- ------
$1,643 $ 51 $1,694
====== ==== ======
Year Ended September 30, 1994:
Paul Morigi & Company, Inc. $1,050 $1,050
Sanderson Electronics, PLC. 644 $ 60 704
------ ---- ------ ------
$1,694 $ 60 $1,754
====== ==== ====== ======
</TABLE>
55
<PAGE> 56
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
And Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE VIII - ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended
September 30
1994 1993 1992
------- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at beginning
of period $ 1,328 $ 1,200 $ 582
Additions charged to
cost and expenses 1,166 1,569 310
Other additions
(reductions) (299)(3) 23(2) 488(1)
Write-offs (1,507) (1,464) (180)
------- ------- ------
Balance at end of
period $ 688 $ 1,328 $1,200
======= ======= ======
(1) From discontinuance of GA Germany $ (3)
Addition of reserves formerly
restricted to CIE accounts receivable 491
-------
$ 488
=======
(2) From recoveries $ 23
-------
$ 23
=======
(3) From sale of Eurosystems GA, Ltd. $ 299
-------
$ 299
=======
</TABLE>
SCHEDULE X - SUPPLEMENTARY INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Charged to Costs and Expenses
Year Ended
September 30
1994 1993 1992
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maintenance and repairs (1) (1) (1)
Depreciation and amortization
of intangible assets,
and similar deferrals $ 790 $ 673 $ 548
Taxes, other than payroll and
income taxes (1) (1) (1)
Royalties $ 330 $ 842 $ 643
Advertising costs (1) (1) (1)
</TABLE>
(1) Less than 1% of total revenue.
56
<PAGE> 57
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
GENERAL AUTOMATION, INC.
Date: August 28, 1995 By: /s/ John R.Donnelly
-------------------
John R. Donnelly
Vice President Finance & CFO
57
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (No 33-43158 and No. 33-79038) of General Automation,
Inc. of our report dated November 23, 1994 appearing on page 31 of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K/A.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Costa Mesa, California
August 24, 1995
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AUDITED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PREPARED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K/A FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1994
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1993
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1994
<CASH> 230
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 9,832
<ALLOWANCES> (688)
<INVENTORY> 4,427
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 14,210
<PP&E> 5,595
<DEPRECIATION> (3,897)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 18,041
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 11,485
<BONDS> 0
<COMMON> 1,137
0
0
<OTHER-SE> 2,109
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 18,041
<SALES> 21,284
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 34,614
<CGS> 11,763
<TOTAL-COSTS> 21,569
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 11,717
<LOSS-PROVISION> 28
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 608
<INCOME-PRETAX> (27)
<INCOME-TAX> 446
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (473)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 900
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 427
<EPS-PRIMARY> .04
<EPS-DILUTED> .04
</TABLE>
