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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2000
Registration No. 333-96009
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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AMENDMENT NO. 1
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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QUALSTAR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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California 3577 95-3927330
<S> <C> <C>
State(or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
</TABLE>
6709 Independence Avenue, Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 592-0061
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant's principal executive offices)
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William J. Gervais, President
6709 Independence Avenue, Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 592-0061
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
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Copies to:
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Robert E. Rich, Esq. C.N. Franklin Reddick III, Esq.
Daniel P. Murphy, Esq. Amir Ohebsion, Esq.
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, P.C. Troop Steuber Pasich Reddick & Tobey LLP
660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1600 2029 Century Park East, 24th Floor
Newport Beach, California 92660-6441 Los Angeles, California 90067-3010
(949) 725-4000 (310) 728-3000
</TABLE>
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [_]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
check the following box. [_]
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Amount of
Title of Each Class of Amount to be Offering Price Aggregate Registration
Securities to be Registered Registered(1) Per Unit Offering Price(2) Fee(3)
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Common Stock, no par value........... 3,737,500 $12.00 $44,850,000 $11,840.40
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(1) Includes shares of common stock which may be purchased by the Underwriters
to cover over-allotments, if any.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(3) A fee of $13,682 was previously paid based on an initial estimated
offering price of $51,750,000.
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The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
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<PAGE>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be +
+changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement +
+filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This +
+preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not +
+soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or +
+sale is not permitted. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Subject to Completion, Dated March 22, 2000
3,250,000 Shares
[LOGO OF QUALSTAR]
Common Stock
We are offering 3,000,000 shares of our common stock. The selling
shareholders identified in this prospectus are offering an additional 250,000
shares.
This is our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for
our common stock. We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be
between $10.00 and $12.00 per share. We have applied to list our common stock
on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "QBAK."
Investing in our shares involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on
page 7.
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Per Share Total
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Public offering price.......................................... $ $
Underwriting discounts and commissions......................... $ $
Proceeds, before expenses, to us............................... $ $
Proceeds to selling shareholders............................... $ $
</TABLE>
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
We have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional
487,500 shares to cover over-allotments. First Security Van Kasper expects to
deliver the shares on behalf of the underwriters on or about April , 2000.
Joint Lead and Book-Running Managers
FIRST SECURITY VAN KASPER NEEDHAM & COMPANY, INC.
------------
WEDBUSH MORGAN SECURITIES
April , 2000
<PAGE>
Description of Photos on Inside Front Cover of the Prospectus
Title: "Tape Libraries for Backup and Data Protection used in Network
Computing and Internet Environments." The title is centered at the top of the
page and is in white lettering against a black background.
Below the title, in the upper left corner of the page, is the Qualstar logo
in the form of the underlined word "Qualstar" with a star appearing at the
right end of the underline. The registered mark symbol appears at the upper
right corner of the logo. The logo is printed in blue ink.
Below the logo in the upper left quarter of the page is a color photo of two
units of our Quarter Inch Cartridge tape library series in free standing
cabinets. Caption below photo: "Quarter Inch Cartridge Tape Libraries."
In the upper right quarter of the page is a color photograph of four units
of our Advanced Intelligent Tape Library series in free standing cabinets.
Caption below photo: "Advanced Intelligent Tape Libraries."
In the lower left quarter of the page is a color photograph of four units of
our DLT tape library series in free standing cabinets. Caption below photo:
"DLT Tape Libraries."
In the lower right corner of the page is a color photograph of our Advanced
Intelligent Tape, DLT and VXA-1 tape drives that we incorporate into our tape
libraries and sometimes sell as freestanding units.
At the bottom of the page in black lettering against a white background
appears another caption: "We provide 29 different tape library models to
address end users' increasing storage needs. Our libraries provide up to 26
terabytes of storage for mission critical applications."
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
To fully understand this offering and its consequences to you, you should
read the following summary together with the more detailed information and
financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
Qualstar Corporation
We design, develop, manufacture and sell automated magnetic tape libraries
used to store, retrieve and manage electronic data primarily in network
computing environments. Tape libraries consist of cartridge tape drives,
storage arrays of tape cartridges and robotics to move the tape cartridges from
their storage locations to the tape drives under software control. Our tape
libraries provide storage solutions for organizations requiring backup,
recovery and archival storage of critical electronic information. Our tape
libraries are compatible with commonly used network operating systems,
including UNIX, Windows NT, NetWare and Linux, and a wide range of storage
management software. We offer tape libraries for multiple tape drive
technologies, including those using Advanced Intelligent Tape, DLT, and quarter
inch cartridge tape drives and media. We recently announced tape libraries for
the Linear Tape Open, Ultrium tape drives and media.
The amount of electronic data and information has been growing due to the
emergence of new applications such as image processing, e-commerce, Internet
information and email, video and motion picture image storage and other
multimedia applications. Storing, managing and protecting this data is
increasingly important to the success and operations of many organizations.
Consequently, the data storage industry is growing in response to this increase
in data. Tape libraries are an important part of a data storage solution and
are less expensive on a cost per-megabyte basis than any other data storage
method.
The growth in data and the need for complex storage solutions have spurred
the evolution of new storage and data management technologies. These new
technologies include:
. Fibre Channel, an interface technology which allows users to share
storage information with other storage devices and servers over longer
distances with data transfer speeds at least 10 times faster than the
most common interface technology in use today. In November 1999, we
invested $1.1 million for an approximately 1% interest in Chaparral
Network Storage, Inc. We purchase products from Chaparral that we
incorporate into our tape libraries to provide Fibre Channel
connectivity;
. Storage Area Networks, a networking architecture which allows data to
move efficiently and reliably between multiple storage devices and
servers;
. Advanced storage management software, which has increased the ability of
businesses to store, retrieve and manage important data, which in turn
allows businesses to operate more efficiently; and
. Internet-based storage backup, which allows individuals and enterprises
to outsource their storage of data on a cost-efficient basis through
services provided by Internet-based storage backup companies.
We have designed and developed our products to work with these emerging
technologies.
We have focused our business primarily on supporting value added resellers
and original equipment manufacturers as the most effective and profitable
distribution channels for our tape libraries. Value added resellers develop and
install storage solutions for enterprises that face complex storage needs but
lack the in-house capability to design and implement their own solution. Value
added resellers integrate our tape libraries with the products of other
manufacturers and sell the combined products to their customers. Original
equipment manufacturers combine our tape libraries with their own products and
generally resell our products under their own brand names. We custom configure
our library products based on our customer's requirements, with a standard
delivery time of one to three working days. We support our value added
resellers with a wide array of marketing programs and offer all of our
customers around-the-clock technical support.
3
<PAGE>
Our six senior operations executives have worked in the computer and data
storage industries for an average of more than 30 years each. We believe that
our experience provides us the ability to bring new products to market in
response to changing market conditions and new opportunities as they arise.
From July 1, 1996 through December 31, 1999, our revenues have grown at a
compound annual growth rate of 31.0% and our net income has grown at a compound
annual growth rate of 75.1%.
We believe that we are well-positioned to become a key provider of automated
tape libraries to the storage solutions market. To achieve our goals, we intend
to focus on the following key strategies:
. Offer libraries for multiple tape drive technologies in order to target
the specific preferences of our value added reseller and original
equipment manufacturer customers;
. Focus distribution on the value added reseller channel, which we believe
is the most effective market channel for our products;
. Maintain and strengthen our original equipment manufacturer
relationships, which allow us to reach end users not served by our value
added reseller customers;
. Develop libraries for new tape technologies as they come to market; and
. Increase our rate of innovation in order to exploit emerging
technologies and product opportunities.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in California in August 1984. Our executive offices are
located at 6709 Independence Avenue, Canoga Park, CA 91303. Our telephone
number is (818) 592-0061. Our website address is www.qualstar.com. Information
contained in our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.
"Qualstar(R)," "Inventory Sentry(TM)" and our logo are trademarks of
Qualstar. This prospectus also contains product names, trade names and
trademarks that belong to other companies.
4
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The Offering
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Common stock offered:
By Qualstar...................................... 3,000,000 shares
By the selling shareholders...................... 250,000 shares
Total........................................ 3,250,000 shares
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering.. 12,525,959 shares
Use of proceeds..................................... We intend to use the net proceeds from this
offering for leasehold improvements, sales
and marketing activities, research and
development, capital expenditures, working
capital and other general corporate purposes.
See "Use of Proceeds."
Proposed Nasdaq National Market Symbol.............. QBAK
</TABLE>
The number of shares of common stock outstanding after this offering is
based on shares outstanding as of January 31, 2000, and excludes:
. 1,152,900 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our stock
incentive plans, of which options to purchase 423,900 shares were
outstanding as of January 31, 2000, at a weighted average exercise price
of $1.17 per share.
Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus:
. has been adjusted to give effect to a 2.7-for-1 stock split to be
completed prior to this offering;
. reflects the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our
preferred stock into a total of 2,378,160 shares of common stock upon the
closing of this offering;
. assumes no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option; and
. assumes no exercise of outstanding options to purchase shares of our
common stock after January 31, 2000.
5
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Summary Financial Data
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
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Six Months Ended
Years Ended June 30, December 31,
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1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1998 1999
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(unaudited)
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Statements of Income
Data:
Net revenues............ $8,432 $10,974 $15,333 $19,155 $29,698 $ 12,739 $ 22,522
Gross profit............ 2,934 3,834 4,565 6,263 10,640 4,507 8,542
Income from operations.. 37 793 1,451 3,030 6,507 2,595 5,969
Net income applicable to
common shareholders.... 82 526 848 1,786 3,986 1,546 3,590
Earnings per share:
Basic................. $ 0.01 $ 0.08 $ 0.13 $ 0.28 $ 0.60 $ 0.23 $ 0.53
Diluted............... $ 0.01 $ 0.06 $ 0.09 $ 0.19 $ 0.42 $ 0.17 $ 0.38
Shares used to compute
earnings per share:
Basic................. 6,221 6,288 6,332 6,404 6,629 6,612 6,836
Diluted............... 9,231 9,196 9,065 9,290 9,467 9,355 9,566
Pro forma earnings per
share:
Basic................. $ 0.44 $ 0.39
Diluted............... $ 0.42 $ 0.38
Shares used to compute
pro forma earnings per
share:
Basic................. 9,008 9,215
Diluted............... 9,467 9,566
</TABLE>
The pro forma basic and diluted net income per share data presented above
gives effect to the conversion of our preferred stock into a total of 2,378,160
shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering from the beginning of
the periods presented.
The as adjusted column contained in the balance sheet data summarized below
gives effect to our receipt of the net proceeds from this offering assuming an
initial public offering price of $11.00 per share, which are estimated to be
$29.6 million, as described under "Use of Proceeds."
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December 31, 1999
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Actual As Adjusted
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(unaudited)
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Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents................................... $ 3,765 $33,355
Working capital............................................. 13,701 43,291
Total assets................................................ 16,744 46,334
Total debt.................................................. -- --
Shareholders' equity........................................ 15,310 44,900
</TABLE>
6
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should
carefully consider the following risks and the other information contained in
this prospectus before you decide to purchase our common stock. If any of the
following risks actually occur, it is likely that our business, financial
condition and operating results would be harmed. As a result, the trading price
of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your
investment.
Our principal competitors devote greater financial and marketing resources to
developing and selling automated tape libraries. Consequently, we may be unable
to maintain or increase our market share.
We face significant competition in developing and selling automated tape
libraries. Rapid and ongoing changes in technology and product standards could
quickly render our products less competitive, or even obsolete. We have
significantly fewer financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing and other
resources than many of our competitors and these limited resources may harm our
business in many ways. For example, in recent years several of our competitors
have:
. acquired other tape library companies;
. increased the geographic scope of their market;
. offered a wider range of tape library products; and
. acquired proprietary software products that operate in conjunction with
their products and the products of their competitors.
In the future, our competitors may leverage their greater resources to:
. develop, manufacture and market products that are less expensive or
technologically superior to our products;
. attend more trade shows and spend more on advertising and marketing;
. reach a wider array of potential customers through a broader range of
distribution channels;
. respond more quickly to new or changing technologies, customer
requirements and standards; or
. reduce prices in order to preserve or gain market share.
We believe competitive pressures are likely to continue. We cannot guarantee
that our resources will be sufficient to address this competition or that we
will manage costs and adopt strategies capable of effectively utilizing our
resources. If we are unable to respond to competitive pressures successfully,
our prices and profit margins may fall and our market share may decrease.
We have a limited number of executives. The loss of any single executive or the
failure to hire and integrate capable new executives could harm our business.
The success of our business is tied closely to the managerial, engineering
and business acumen of our existing executives. William J. Gervais, our
President, and Richard A. Nelson, our Vice President of Engineering, conceived
and developed most of our tape libraries, have overseen our operations and
growth, and have established and maintained our strategic relationships. We
expect that they will continue these efforts for the foreseeable future. Our
success as a public company will also depend on the contributions of our
operations, marketing and financial personnel. However, our current dependence
on a limited number of executives, for whom replacements may be difficult to
find, entails a risk that we may not be able to supervise and manage our
ongoing operations.
7
<PAGE>
Our suppliers could reduce shipments of tape drives and tape media. If this
occurs, we would be forced to curtail production, our revenues could fall and
our market share could decline.
Automated tape libraries and related products, such as tape drives and tape
media, represented approximately 76.9% of our revenues in fiscal 1999 and
approximately 85.2% of our revenues for the six months ended December 31, 1999.
We depend on a limited number of third-party manufacturers to supply us with
the tape drives and tape media that we incorporate into our automated tape
libraries. In some cases, these manufacturers are sole-source providers of
these components. One manufacturer, Quantum Corporation, also competes with us
by selling its own tape libraries.
Historically, some of these suppliers have been unable to meet demand for
their products and have allocated their limited supply among customers. If
suppliers limit our supply of tape drives or tape media, we may be forced to
delay or cancel shipments of our tape libraries. The major supplier risks we
face include the following:
. Sony Electronics, Inc. is our sole-source supplier of 8 millimeter
Advanced Intelligent Tape tape drives and media. Sony has allocated these
tape drives and tape media in the past, and may allocate them again in
the future. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 we derived $9.9
million, or 33.3%, of our revenues, and in the six months ended December
31, 1999 we derived $7.1 million, or 31.6%, of our revenues, from the
sale of tape libraries and tape media based on Sony Advanced Intelligent
Tape drives. If Sony reduces its sales to us or raises its prices, we
could lose revenues and our margins could decline.
. Quantum is our primary supplier of DLT tape drives and competes with us
as a manufacturer of automated tape libraries. In the past, Quantum has
allocated quantities of tape drives among its customers. It is possible
that Quantum will allocate again, and as a result, we may be unable to
meet our future DLT tape drive requirements. This risk is heightened by
Quantum's 1998 acquisition of ATL Products, a manufacturer, marketer and
servicer of automated tape libraries that utilize DLT tape drives and
compete with our products. Even if we receive an adequate allocation, it
may be at a price that renders our products uncompetitive.
. The Linear Tape Open standard is a new tape standard being developed by
an industry consortium that is intended to compete with DLT tape drives.
Manufacturers of tape drives and tape media for new tape formats
historically have been unable to meet initial demand and may allocate
their supply. Our supplier of Linear Tape Open tape drives recently
announced that their tape drives, originally scheduled to begin delivery
in our second quarter of fiscal 2000, may not begin shipping until our
first quarter of fiscal 2001. Any allocation of Linear Tape Open products
could limit our growth.
Our other suppliers have in the past been, and may in the future be, unable
to meet our demand, including our needs for timely delivery, adequate quantity
and high quality. We do not have long-term supply contracts with any of our
significant suppliers. The partial or complete loss of any of our suppliers
could result in lost revenue, added costs and production delays or could
otherwise harm our business and customer relationships.
Our revenues could decline if we fail to execute our distribution strategy
successfully.
We distribute and sell our automated tape libraries through value added
resellers and original equipment manufacturers, and intend to continue this
strategy for the foreseeable future. Value added resellers integrate our tape
libraries with products of other manufacturers and sell the combined products
to their own customers. Original equipment manufacturers combine our tape
libraries with their own products and sell the combined product under their own
brand. We currently devote, and intend to continue to devote, significant
resources to develop these relationships. A failure to initiate, manage and
expand our relationships with value added resellers or original equipment
manufacturers could limit our ability to grow or sustain our current level of
revenues.
8
<PAGE>
Our focus on the distribution of our products through value added resellers
poses the following risks:
. we may reach fewer customers because we depend on value added resellers
to market to end users and these value added resellers may fail to market
effectively or fail to devote sufficient or effective sales, marketing
and technical support to the sales of our products;
. we may lose sales because many of our value added resellers sell products
that compete with our products. These value added resellers may reduce
their marketing efforts for our products in favor of products
manufactured by our competitors; and
. our costs may increase as value added resellers generally require a
higher level of customer support than do original equipment
manufacturers.
We depend upon our original equipment manufacturer customers' ability to
develop new products, applications and product enhancements that incorporate
our products in a timely, cost-effective and customer-friendly manner. We
cannot guarantee that our original equipment manufacturer customers will meet
these challenges effectively. Original equipment manufacturers typically
conduct substantial and lengthy evaluation programs before certifying a new
product for inclusion in their product line. We may be required to devote
significant financial and human resources to these evaluation programs with no
assurance that our products will ever be selected. In addition, even if
selected by the original equipment manufacturer, there generally is no
requirement that the original equipment manufacturer purchase any particular
amount of product or that it refrain from purchasing competing products.
We do not have any exclusive or long-term agreements with our value added
resellers or original equipment manufacturers, who purchase our products on an
individual purchase order basis. If we lose important value added reseller or
original equipment manufacturer customers, if they reduce their focus on our
products or if we are unable to obtain additional value added reseller or
original equipment manufacturer customers, our business could suffer
significant harm.
We rely on tape technology for all of our revenues. Our business will be harmed
if demand for storage solutions using tape technology declines or fails to grow
as rapidly as we expect.
We derive all of our revenues from products that incorporate some form of
tape technology. We expect to derive all of our revenues from these products
for the foreseeable future. As a result, we will continue to be subject to the
risk of a decrease in net revenues if demand for these products declines or if
rising prices make it more difficult to obtain them. If storage products
incorporating technologies other than tape gain comparable or superior market
acceptance, our business could be harmed.
Two customers account for a significant portion of our sales and they have no
minimum or long-term purchase commitments. Our revenues and earnings may
decrease if we lose their business.
Our two largest customers accounted for an aggregate of approximately 25.7%
of our revenues during fiscal 1999, and 30.7% of our revenues during the six
months ended December 31, 1999. Loronix Information Systems, our largest
customer, accounted for 17.0% of our revenues during fiscal 1999 and 23.4% of
revenues during the six months ended December 31, 1999. We cannot assure you
that these customers will continue to purchase our products in the quantities
they have purchased in the past, or at all. Our revenues and earnings may
decrease if any of the following factors were to occur relating to either or
both of these customers:
. the loss of either of these customers due to competition from other
vendors or consolidation;
. substantial cancellations of orders by either customer, or the receipt of
orders significantly below historical or anticipated amounts; or
. any financial difficulties of either of these customers that result in
their inability to pay amounts owed to us.
9
<PAGE>
Loronix recently announced its intention to be acquired by Comverse
Technology, Inc. We do not know what effect, if any, this will have on future
orders for our products from Loronix.
Our revenues and operating results may fluctuate unexpectedly from quarter to
quarter, which may cause our stock price to decline.
Our quarterly revenues and operating results have fluctuated in the past,
and may fluctuate in the future due to several factors, including:
. reductions in the size, delays in the timing, or cancellation of
significant customer orders;
. the timing of the introduction or enhancement of products by us, our
original equipment manufacturer customers or our competitors;
. expansions or reductions in our relationships with value added reseller
and original equipment manufacturer customers;
. financial difficulties affecting our value added reseller or original
equipment manufacturer customers that render them unable to pay amounts
owed to us;
. the rate of growth in the data storage market and the various segments
within it; and
. timing and levels of our operating expenses.
In addition, our revenues historically have been lower in our second fiscal
quarter than in our first fiscal quarter because we typically close for one
week during the December holidays.
We believe that period to period comparisons of our operating results may
not necessarily be reliable indicators of our future performance. It is likely
that in some future period our operating results will not meet your
expectations or those of public market analysts.
Any unanticipated change in revenues or operating results is likely to cause
our stock price to fluctuate since such changes reflect new information
available to investors and analysts. New information may cause investors and
analysts to revalue our stock and this, in the aggregate, may cause
fluctuations in our stock price.
Our lack of significant order backlog makes it difficult to forecast future
revenues and operating results.
We normally ship products within a few days after orders are received.
Consequently, we do not have significant order backlog and a large portion of
our revenues in each quarter results from orders placed during that quarter.
Because backlog can be an important indicator of future sales, our lack of
backlog makes it more difficult to forecast our future revenues. Since our
operating expenses are relatively fixed in the short term, unexpected
fluctuations in revenues could negatively impact our quarterly operating
results.
Our planned move to a new facility will be time-consuming and disruptive to our
business and personnel.
Our lease on our facility expires in January 2001, but we can terminate it
on 90 days notice. We currently are looking for a larger facility in Southern
California and plan to relocate during the next 12 months. We may fail to
locate a suitable facility or begin operations in a new facility either on time
or within budget. If we fail to execute this move successfully, sales may be
delayed and our operational efficiencies and product quality could suffer.
10
<PAGE>
We are a small company that is growing rapidly and has not had to meet the
responsibilities of being a public company. Rapid growth may strain the
capabilities of our managers, operations and facilities, and consequently,
could harm our business.
From July 1, 1996 through December 31, 1999, our revenues have grown at a
compound annual growth rate of 31.0%. This growth has resulted in, and may
possibly create in the future, additional capacity requirements, new and
increased responsibilities for management personnel, and added pressures on our
operating and financial systems. For example, the disclosure and reporting
obligations of a public company will further strain our limited financial staff
and financial systems. Our facilities, personnel and operating and financial
systems may be unable to manage and sustain our current or future growth, and
additional growth may detract from our ability to respond to new opportunities
and challenges quickly. Our ability to manage any future growth effectively and
to timely comply with our public company obligations will also depend on our
ability to hire and retain qualified management, financial, sales and technical
personnel. In particular, we recently hired a new Chief Financial Officer and
currently are searching for additional accounting personnel with public company
experience. If we are unable to manage growth effectively or hire and retain
qualified personnel, our business could be harmed. In addition, to the extent
expected revenue growth does not materialize, increases in our selling and
administrative costs that are based on anticipated revenue growth could harm
our operating results.
If we fail to develop and introduce new tape libraries on a timely and cost-
effective basis, we will eventually lose market share and sales to more
innovative competitors.
The market for our products is characterized by changing technology and
evolving industry standards and is competitive with respect to timely
innovation. At this time, the data storage market is particularly subject to
change with the emergence of two new technologies:
. Fibre Channel, a new method of connecting storage devices to networks,
allows users to share information with other storage devices and servers
over longer distances and at higher rates of data transfer.
. Network attached storage devices allow users to plug storage devices
directly into a network without increasing demands on the file server or
requiring a separate file server.
Although we currently offer a Fibre Channel interface option for our tape
libraries, we have not yet developed products based on network attached storage
technology. The introduction of new products utilizing network attached storage
or other new or alternative technologies or the emergence of new industry
standards could render our existing products obsolete or unmarketable.
Our future success will depend in part on our ability to anticipate changes
in technology and to incorporate this technology to develop new and enhanced
products on a timely and cost-effective basis. Risks inherent in the
development and introduction of new products include:
. the failure of tape drive manufacturers to promote their tape drives
adequately, resulting in fewer sales of our libraries which incorporate
those tape drives;
. the difficulty in forecasting customer demand accurately;
. our inability to expand production capacity fast enough to meet customer
demand;
. the possibility that new products may reduce demand for our current
products;
. delays in our initial shipments of new products;
. being placed on supply allocation if our sole-source suppliers
underestimate demand for their products or face technical difficulties
producing a new product;
. competitors' responses to our introduction of new products;
. the desire by original equipment manufacturer customers to evaluate new
products for longer periods of time before making a purchase decision;
11
<PAGE>
. difficulties associated with forecasting customer returns of new products
and the associated warranty expenses we incur for product returns; and
. the possibility that the market may reject a new technology and products
based on that technology.
In addition, we must maintain the compatibility of our products with
significant future storage technologies and rely on producers of new storage
technologies to achieve and sustain market acceptance of those technologies.
Development schedules for automated data storage products are subject to
uncertainty, and we may not meet our product development schedules.
If we are unable, for technological or other reasons, to develop products in
a timely manner or if the products or product enhancements that we develop are
not accepted by the marketplace, our revenues could decline.
We depend upon independent software developers to provide software that
integrates our libraries with computer operating systems.
The utility of an automated tape library depends partly upon the storage
management software which supports the library and integrates it into the
user's computing environment to provide a complete storage solution. We do not
develop and have no control over the development of this storage management
software. Instead we rely on independent software developers to develop and
support this software. Accordingly, the continued development and future growth
of the market for our products will depend partly upon the success of software
developers to meet the overall data storage and management needs of tape
library purchasers and our ability to maintain relationships with these firms.
Although we do not have contracts with any independent software developers, we
maintain relationships with them by:
. supplying evaluation tape libraries so they can qualify their software to
work with our tape libraries;
. evaluating their software for compatibility with our tape libraries;
. keeping them informed as to current and contemplated changes to our
products; and
. referring business to them when value added resellers or end users
inquire about software sources.
Our customers have the right to return our products in certain circumstances.
An excessive number of returns may reduce our revenues.
Our customers have 30 days from the date of purchase to return our products
to us for any reason. We may otherwise allow product returns if we think that
doing so maximizes the effectiveness of our sales channels and promotes our
reputation for quality and service.
Although we estimate and reserve for potential returns in our reported
financial results, actual returns could exceed our estimates. If the number of
returns exceeds our estimates, our financial results could be harmed for the
periods during which returns are made.
We may spend money pursuing sales that do not occur when anticipated or at all.
Many of our original equipment manufacturer customers typically conduct
significant evaluation, testing, implementation and acceptance procedures
before they begin to market and sell new models of tape libraries. This
evaluation process is lengthy and may range from six months to one year or
more. This process is complex and may require significant sales, marketing,
engineering and management efforts on our part. The process becomes more
complex as we simultaneously qualify our products with multiple customers or
pursue large orders with a single customer. As a result, we may expend
resources to develop customer relationships before we recognize any revenue
from these relationships, if at all.
12
<PAGE>
We sell a significant portion of our products to customers located outside the
United States. Currency fluctuations and increased costs associated with
international sales could make our products unaffordable in foreign markets,
which would reduce our profitability.
Sales to customers located outside the United States accounted for
approximately 26.4% of our revenues in fiscal 1998, 24.0% in fiscal 1999, and
22.2% in the six months ended December 31, 1999. We believe that international
sales will continue to represent a significant portion of our revenues. Our
foreign sales subject us to a number of risks, including:
. although we denominate our international sales in U.S. dollars, currency
fluctuations could make our products unaffordable to foreign purchasers
or more expensive compared to those of foreign manufacturers;
. greater difficulty of administering business overseas may increase the
costs of foreign sales and support;
. foreign governments may impose tariffs, quotas and taxes on our products;
. longer payment cycles typically associated with international sales and
potential difficulties in collecting accounts receivable may reduce the
profitability of foreign sales;
. political and economic instability may reduce demand for our products or
our ability to market our products in foreign countries;
. restrictions on the export or import of technology may reduce or
eliminate our ability to sell in certain markets; and
. our current determination not to seek ISO-9000 certification, a widely
accepted method of establishing and certifying the quality of a
manufacturer's products, may reduce sales.
These risks may increase our costs of doing business internationally and
reduce our sales or profitability.
We may have to expend significant amounts of time and money defending or
settling product liability claims arising from failures of our tape libraries.
Because our tape library customers use our products to store and backup
their important data, we face potential liability for performance problems of
our products. Although we maintain general liability insurance, our insurance
may not cover potential claims of this type or may not be adequate to
indemnify us for all liability that may be imposed. Any imposition of
liability that is not covered by insurance or that exceeds our insurance
coverage could reduce our profitability or cause us to discontinue operations.
A failure to develop and maintain proprietary technology may negatively affect
our business.
We rely on copyright protection of our firmware, as well as patent
protection for some of our designs and products. We also rely on a combination
of trademark, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws and various
contract rights to protect our proprietary rights. However, we do not believe
our intellectual property rights provide significant protection from
competition. As a consequence, these rights may not preclude competitors from
developing products that are substantially equivalent or superior to our
products. In addition, many aspects of our products are not subject to
intellectual property protection and therefore can be reproduced by our
competitors.
Intellectual property infringement claims brought against us could be time
consuming and expensive to defend.
In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of litigation in the
United States involving patents and other intellectual property rights. While
we currently are not engaged in any material intellectual property litigation
or proceedings, we may become involved in these proceedings in the future. We
have from time to
13
<PAGE>
time and in the future may be subject to claims or inquiries regarding our
alleged unauthorized use of a third party's intellectual property. An adverse
outcome in litigation could force us to do one or more of the following:
. stop selling, incorporating or using our products or services that use
the challenged intellectual property;
. subject us to significant liabilities to third parties;
. obtain from the owners of the infringed intellectual property right a
license to sell or use the relevant technology, which license may not be
available on reasonable terms, or at all; or
. redesign those products or services that use the infringed technology,
which redesign may be either economically or technologically infeasible.
Whether or not an intellectual property litigation claim is valid, the cost
of responding to it, in terms of legal fees and expenses and the diversion of
management resources, could harm our business.
Undetected software or hardware flaws could increase our costs, reduce our
revenues and divert our resources from our core business needs.
Our tape libraries are complex. Despite our efforts to revise and update our
manufacturing and test processes to address engineering and component changes,
we may not be able to control and eliminate manufacturing flaws adequately.
These flaws may include undetected software or hardware defects associated
with:
. a newly introduced product;
. a new version of an existing product; or
. a product that has been integrated into a network storage solution with
the products of other vendors.
The variety of contexts in which errors may arise may make it difficult to
identify the source of a problem. These problems may:
. cause us to incur significant warranty, repair and replacement costs;
. divert the attention of our engineering personnel from our product
development efforts;
. cause significant customer relations problems; or
. damage our reputation.
To address these problems, we frequently revise and update manufacturing and
test procedures to address engineering and component changes to our products.
If we fail to adequately monitor, develop and implement appropriate test and
manufacturing processes we could experience a rate of product failure that
results in substantial shipment delays, repair or replacement costs or damage
to our reputation. Product flaws may also consume our limited engineering
resources and interrupt our development efforts. Significant product failures
would increase our costs and result in the loss of future sales and be harmful
to our business.
Our officers and directors could implement corporate actions that are not in
the best interests of our shareholders as a whole.
Upon completion of this offering, our executive officers and directors will
own beneficially, in the aggregate, approximately 50.0% of our outstanding
common stock. As a result, these shareholders will be able to exercise
significant control over all matters requiring shareholder approval, including
the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions,
which could delay or prevent someone from acquiring or merging with us. The
interests of our officers and directors, when acting in their capacity as
shareholders, may lead them to:
. vote for the election of directors who agree with the incumbent
officers' or directors' preferred corporate policy; or
14
<PAGE>
. oppose or support significant corporate transactions when these
transactions further their interests as incumbent officers or directors,
even if these interests diverge from their interests as shareholders
per se and thus from the interests of other shareholders.
Some provisions of our charter documents may make takeover attempts difficult,
which could depress the price of our stock and inhibit your ability to receive
a premium price for your shares.
Our board of directors has the authority, without any action by the
shareholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to fix the
rights and preferences of such shares. In addition, our articles of
incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that eliminate cumulative voting in
the election of directors and require shareholders to give advance notice if
they wish to nominate directors or submit proposals for shareholder approval.
These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change in control, may discourage bids for our common stock at a premium over
its market price and may adversely affect the market price, and the voting and
other rights of the holders, of our common stock.
Our management and board of directors will have broad discretion to allocate
the proceeds of this offering and may do so ineffectively.
Only $1.5 million of the estimated net proceeds of this offering have been
allocated to a particular purpose. Accordingly, management and the board of
directors will have broad discretion to allocate the remaining proceeds of this
offering and no shareholder approval will be required for such allocations.
There is no assurance that the remaining proceeds will be allocated in a manner
acceptable to our shareholders or advantageous to our business. See "Use of
Proceeds."
You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net asset value
of the shares you purchase in this offering.
Investors who purchase shares in this offering will:
. pay a price per share that substantially exceeds the value of our assets
after subtracting liabilities; and
. contribute 97.7% of the total amount invested in Qualstar but will own
only 24.4% of the shares outstanding.
Additional dilution in your shares will occur upon exercise of outstanding
stock options.
We do not intend to pay dividends and therefore you will only be able to
recover your investment in our common stock, if at all, by selling the shares
of our stock that you hold.
We historically have pursued a policy of reinvesting our earnings in
research and development, expanding our value added reseller and original
equipment manufacturer relationships, and expanding our manufacturing
capabilities. Consequently, we have never paid dividends on our shares of
capital stock. We intend to continue this strategy for the foreseeable future
to strengthen our financial and competitive position in the tape library
markets.
The absence of a prior public market for our common stock makes it difficult to
set an initial public offering price that reflects the true market value of our
shares. You may be unable to resell your shares at or above the initial public
offering price.
There was no public market for our common stock prior to this offering. The
initial public offering price of the common stock will be determined through
our negotiations with the underwriters and does not necessarily relate to our
book value, assets, past operating results, financial condition or other
established criteria of value. Since the market price after the offering may be
less than the initial public offering price, you may be unable to resell the
shares you purchase at or above the initial public offering price.
15
<PAGE>
In addition to errors in the initial valuation of our publicly offered
common stock, the market price of this stock may fall significantly in response
to the following factors, some of which are beyond our control:
. announcements by us or by our competitors regarding significant
technological innovations, contracts, acquisitions, strategic
partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
. the introduction of new technology or products or changes in product
pricing policies by us or our competitors;
. changes in stock market analyst recommendations regarding our common
stock, the stock of comparable companies, or the technology industry
generally;
. comments regarding us and the data storage market made on Internet
bulletin boards;
. changes in accounting policies;
. our expected rate of growth of revenues and operations; and
. regulatory actions.
In addition, stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume
volatility in recent years. This volatility has had a substantial effect on the
market prices of securities of many smaller public companies for reasons
unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the specific
companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market
price of our common stock.
Substantial future sales of our common stock in the public market may depress
our stock price and make it difficult for you to recover the full value of your
investment in our shares.
Upon completion of this offering our current stockholders will hold
9,275,959 of our shares. Of this amount, 27,000 shares will be available for
sale in the public market commencing 120 days after the date of this prospectus
and 9,248,959 shares will be available for sale in the public market commencing
180 days after the date of this prospectus. The sale of substantial numbers of
these shares or the market's perception that such sales may occur after this
offering could cause our stock price to decline. In addition, the sales of
these shares could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of
additional stock.
16
<PAGE>
INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties that address:
. business strategies;
. expectations regarding our distribution strategy, including international
distribution;
. use of proceeds;
. our financial condition and results of operations;
. trends, including growth in the automated data storage market;
. new products;
. our expected rate of growth of revenues and operations; and
. the impact of the year 2000 computer bug on sales of our tape libraries.
The above list is not inclusive.
You can identify forward-looking statements generally by the use of forward-
looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "intends,"
"plans," "should," "could," "seeks," "pro forma," "anticipates," "estimates,"
"continues," or other variations thereof, including their use in the negative,
or by discussions of strategies, opportunities, plans or intentions. You may
find these forward-looking statements under the captions "Prospectus Summary,"
"Risk Factors," "Use of Proceeds," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and "Business," as well as
captions elsewhere in this prospectus. A number of factors could cause results
to differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements,
including those discussed under "Risk Factors" and "Business."
These forward-looking statements necessarily depend upon assumptions and
estimates that may prove to be incorrect. Although we believe that the
assumptions and estimates reflected in the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, we cannot guarantee that we will achieve our plans, intentions or
expectations. The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ in
significant ways from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-
looking statements.
17
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
We expect to receive approximately $29.6 million from the sale of the shares
offered by us in this offering, or $34.6 million if the underwriters exercise
their over-allotment option in full, assuming an offering price of $11.00 per
share and after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses that
we are to pay. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the
selling shareholders.
The primary purposes of this offering are to create a public market for our
common stock, take advantage of favorable market conditions to raise additional
equity capital and facilitate future access to public markets. We intend to use
approximately $1.5 million of the net proceeds of this offering for leasehold
improvements and other expenses related to our planned move to a new facility.
We have no current specific plans for the balance of the net proceeds of this
offering, but we generally intend to use the proceeds of this offering to
support our continued growth, including:
. increased sales and marketing activities;
. research and development;
. capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business; and
. working capital and other general corporate purposes.
In addition, we may use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to
acquire or invest in businesses, products, services or technologies
complementary to our current business, through mergers, acquisitions, joint
ventures or otherwise. However, we have no specific agreements or commitments
and are not currently engaged in any negotiations with respect to these
transactions. Accordingly, our management will retain broad discretion as to
the allocation of the net proceeds of this offering.
Prior to their use we intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering in
short-term, high-grade interest-bearing securities, certificates of deposit or
direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. Government.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid dividends on our capital stock. Any future
decision to pay dividends remains within the discretion of our board of
directors. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to support
operations and to finance the growth and development of our business and do not
anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.
18
<PAGE>
CAPITALIZATION
The following table shows our capitalization as of December 31, 1999 on an
actual basis, and on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect:
. the sale of 3,000,000 shares offered by us at an assumed initial public
offering price of $11.00 per share, after deducting the underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us;
and
. the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock
into 2,378,160 shares of common stock effective upon the closing of this
offering.
The table excludes:
. 294,300 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
outstanding as of December 31, 1999, at a weighted average exercise
price of $0.34 per share.
You should read this information in conjunction with our financial
statements and the notes relating to those statements appearing elsewhere in
this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1999
--------------------
Pro Forma
Actual As Adjusted
------- -----------
(in thousands,
except share data)
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Short term debt........................................... $ -- $ --
======= =======
Long term debt............................................ $ -- $ --
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value: 3,866,800 shares
authorized, 880,800 shares outstanding, actual;
5,000,000 authorized and no shares issued and
outstanding, pro forma as adjusted..................... 431 --
Common stock, no par value: 10,000,000 shares
authorized, 6,923,699 shares issued and outstanding,
actual; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 12,301,859 shares
issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted.......... 352 30,373
Deferred compensation..................................... (50) (50)
Retained earnings......................................... 14,577 14,577
------- -------
Total shareholders' equity............................ 15,310 44,900
------- -------
Total capitalization.................................. $15,310 $44,900
======= =======
</TABLE>
19
<PAGE>
DILUTION
Our pro forma net tangible book value as of December 31, 1999 was $15.3
million or $1.65 per share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value
per share, after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of
preferred stock, is equal to our total tangible assets less total liabilities,
divided by the pro forma number of shares of common stock outstanding on
December 31, 1999. Assuming the sale by us of 3,000,000 shares of common stock
at an initial public offering price of $11.00 per share and after deducting the
underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable, our pro
forma net tangible book value at December 31, 1999 would have been $44.9
million, or $3.65 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate
increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $2.00 per share to existing
shareholders and an immediate dilution of $7.35 per share to new investors
purchasing shares in this offering. That is, after this offering, the excess of
our tangible assets over our liabilities on a per share basis will be less than
the purchase price paid for those shares by investors in this offering. The
following table illustrates this per share dilution:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share............. $ 11.00
Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of December
31, 1999................................................. $ 1.65
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value attributable
to new investors......................................... 2.00
------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this
offering................................................... 3.65
-------
Dilution per share to new investors......................... $ 7.35
=======
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 1999, the total number of
shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us
and the average price per share paid by existing shareholders and by new
investors purchasing shares in this offering and includes the effect of the
conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Purchased(1) Total Consideration
------------------------------------------ Average Price
Number Percent Amount Percent Per Share
------------ --------------------- ------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Existing shareholders... 9,301,859 75.6% $ 783,729 2.3% $ 0.08
New investors........... 3,000,000 24.4 33,000,000 97.7 11.00
------------ ------- ----------- ---- ------
Total(2)................ 12,301,859 100.0% $33,783,729 100% $11.08
============ ======= =========== ==== ======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Sales by the selling shareholders in this offering will reduce the number
of shares held by existing shareholders to 9,051,859 shares or 73.6% of
the total number of shares to be outstanding after this offering (or 70.8%
if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), and will
increase the number of shares held by new investors to 3,250,000, or 26.4%
of the total shares of common stock outstanding after this offering
(3,737,500 shares, or 29.2% if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full). See "Principal and Selling Shareholders."
(2) The foregoing table and calculations are based on shares outstanding on
December 31, 1999 and excludes 294,300 shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of options outstanding as of December 31, 1999, at a
weighted average exercise price of $0.34 per share.
To the extent outstanding options are exercised, there will be further
dilution to new investors. See "Management--Stock Option Plans" and note 7 to
our financial statements.
20
<PAGE>
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The statements of income data for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1998 and
1999 and the balance sheet data as of June 30, 1998 and 1999 are derived from
our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The
statements of income data for the years ended June 30, 1995 and 1996 and the
balance sheet data as of June 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997 are derived from our
audited financial statements not included in this prospectus. The statements of
income data for the six months ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 and the balance
sheet data as of December 31, 1999, are unaudited but have been prepared on the
same basis as our audited financial statements and, in the opinion of
management, contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of our operating results for
these periods and our financial condition as of that date. The historical
results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future
period. The following data is qualified in its entirety by and should be read
in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and the financial statements and notes
thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The pro forma basic and diluted net income per share data presented below
gives effect to the conversion of our preferred stock into a total of 2,378,160
shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering from the beginning of
the periods presented.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
Years Ended June 30, December 31,
---------------------------------------- -----------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1998 1999
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statements of Income
Data:
Net revenues............ $8,432 $10,974 $15,333 $19,155 $29,698 $ 12,739 $ 22,522
Cost of goods sold...... 5,498 7,140 10,768 12,892 19,058 8,232 13,980
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Gross profit............ 2,934 3,834 4,565 6,263 10,640 4,507 8,542
Operating expenses:
Research and
development.......... 895 918 916 894 925 439 507
Sales and marketing... 973 1,016 1,146 1,277 1,941 881 1,275
General and
administrative....... 1,029 1,107 1,052 1,062 1,267 592 791
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Total operating
expenses........... 2,897 3,041 3,114 3,233 4,133 1,912 2,573
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Income from operations.. 37 793 1,451 3,030 6,507 2,595 5,969
Interest income......... 46 23 21 35 41 18 24
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Income before income
taxes.................. 83 816 1,472 3,065 6,548 2,613 5,993
Provision for income
taxes.................. 1 290 518 1,132 2,562 1,067 2,403
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Net income.............. 82 526 954 1,933 3,986 1,546 3,590
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Premium paid on
redemption of preferred
stock.................. -- -- (106) (147) -- -- --
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Net income applicable to
common shareholders.... $ 82 $ 526 $ 848 $ 1,786 $ 3,986 $ 1,546 $ 3,590
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ========
Earnings per share:
Basic................. $ 0.01 $ 0.08 $ 0.13 $ 0.28 $ 0.60 $ 0.23 $ 0.53
Diluted............... $ 0.01 $ 0.06 $ 0.09 $ 0.19 $ 0.42 $ 0.17 $ 0.38
Shares used to compute
earnings per share:
Basic................. 6,221 6,788 6,332 6,404 6,629 6,612 6,836
Diluted............... 9,231 9,196 9,065 9,290 9,467 9,355 9,566
Pro forma earnings per
share:
Basic................. $ 0.44 $ 0.39
Diluted............... $ 0.42 $ 0.38
Shares used to compute
pro forma earnings per
share:
Basic................. 9,008 9,215
Diluted............... 9,467 9,566
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30,
----------------------------------- December 31,
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1999
------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents..... $ 518 $ 444 $ 912 $ 798 $ 2,134 $3,765
Working capital............... 4,204 4,731 5,549 7,213 11,205 13,701
Total assets.................. 4,983 5,856 6,967 8,461 12,950 16,744
Total debt.................... -- -- -- -- -- --
Shareholders' equity.......... 4,482 5,031 5,850 7,614 11,640 15,310
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our
financial statements and notes and the information included under the caption
"Risk Factors" included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
We design, develop, manufacture and sell automated magnetic tape libraries
used to store, retrieve and manage electronic data primarily in network
computing environments. We offer tape libraries for multiple tape drive
technologies, including those using Advanced Intelligent Tape, DLT, and quarter
inch cartridge tape drives and media. We recently announced tape libraries for
the Linear Tape Open, or LTO, Ultrium tape media and we will commence shipments
of our LTO tape libraries once the tape drives become available from the
manufacturers and have been qualified in our libraries.
Many enterprises now routinely manage very large databases, in addition to
storing information on local desktop computers. This, coupled with the growth
in the amount of data from new sources and applications, is increasing the need
for managing and storing data efficiently. Anticipating the increased demand
for large libraries, we developed a family of tape libraries over the last five
years spanning a broad range of tape formats, prices, capacity and performance.
Our product mix has changed over the last three fiscal years as we introduced
new products to address additional tape formats and changing customer
preferences. For example, we have increased the capacity of our tape libraries
as our customers' needs for increased data storage have grown, and we have
introduced tape libraries incorporating Advanced Intelligent Tape and DLT tape
drive technologies. We expect our product mix to continue to change in the
future in response to emerging tape technologies and changing customer
preferences.
We have developed a network of value added resellers who specialize in
delivering storage solutions to end users that are installed complete and ready
to operate. End users of our products range from small businesses requiring
simple automated backup solutions to large organizations needing complex
storage management solutions. We also sell our products to original equipment
manufacturers. We assist our customers with marketing and technical support.
All of our international sales efforts currently are directed from our
offices in Canoga Park, California. We intend to continue to develop our
international markets and create additional outlets for our products. All of
our international sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Revenues from sales to
customers located outside the United States were $3.8 million, or 24.9% of
revenues, in fiscal 1997, $5.1 million, or 26.4% of revenues, in fiscal 1998,
$7.1 million, or 24.0% of revenues, in fiscal 1999, and $5.0 million, or 22.2%
of revenues, in the six months ended December 31, 1999.
Net revenues include revenues from the sale of tape libraries, library tape
drives, storage media, 9-track tape drives, and ancillary products. Ancillary
revenues include service and repair, warranty revenues net of the cost of any
third party warranty contracts, and the resale of 18- and 36-track tape drives
manufactured by a third party, which we discontinued selling in June 1999.
Automated tape libraries and related products, such as tape drives and tape
media, represented approximately 76.9% of revenues in fiscal 1999, and
approximately 85.2% of revenues for the six months ended December 31, 1999.
Sales of 9-track tape drives, services and other products accounted for the
balance of our revenues.
Gross margins depend on several factors, including the cost of
manufacturing, product mix, customer demand and the level of competition.
Larger tape libraries provide higher gross margins than do smaller tape
libraries primarily because of strong customer demand and less competition. Our
gross margins have benefitted from a shift in demand towards our larger tape
libraries. We expect that our growth in revenues and attractive gross margins
will encourage new competitors to enter our marketplace, which may affect our
gross margins.
22
<PAGE>
We expect that our selling, general and administrative expenses will
increase due to higher rent associated with a larger facility, the opening of a
European sales office and related staffing, increased costs associated with the
responsibilities of being a public company, higher marketing, advertising and
selling costs necessary to enter new markets, expenditures to further develop
our brand identity, and increased costs to attract and retain personnel.
We will record deferred compensation of approximately $1.7 million in the
third quarter of fiscal 2000, representing the difference between the exercise
prices of the options and restricted stock awards granted to employees and
directors during fiscal 2000 and the deemed fair value for accounting purposes
of our common stock on the grant dates. We will amortize approximately $215,000
during the second half of fiscal 2000, which will be recorded in general and
administrative expenses. Total deferred compensation amortization will
approximate $425,000 in each of fiscal 2001, 2002 and 2003, and $215,000 in
fiscal 2004.
Results of Operations
The following table reflects, as a percentage of net revenues, statements of
income data for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, December 31,
------------------- ------------------
1997 1998 1999 1998 1999
----- ----- ----- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenues........................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of goods sold................... 70.2 67.3 64.2 64.6 62.1
----- ----- ----- -------- --------
Gross margin......................... 29.8 32.7 35.8 35.4 37.9
Operating expenses:
Research and development............. 6.0 4.7 3.1 3.4 2.3
Sales and marketing.................. 7.5 6.7 6.5 6.9 5.7
General and administrative........... 6.8 5.5 4.3 4.6 3.5
----- ----- ----- -------- --------
Income from operations................. 9.5 15.8 21.9 20.5 26.4
Interest income........................ 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1
----- ----- ----- -------- --------
Income before income taxes............. 9.6 16.0 22.0 20.6 26.5
----- ----- ----- -------- --------
Provision for income taxes............. 3.4 5.9 8.6 8.4 10.7
----- ----- ----- -------- --------
Net income............................. 6.2% 10.1% 13.4% 12.2% 15.8%
===== ===== ===== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Six Months Ended December 31, 1999 Compared to Six Months Ended December 31,
1998
Net Revenues. Revenues are recognized upon shipment of the product to the
customer, less estimated returns, for which provision is made at the time of
the sale. Revenues for the six months ended December 31, 1999 were $22.5
million, an increase of 76.8% compared to net revenues of $12.7 million for the
six months ended December 31, 1998. This increase in revenues was due primarily
to increasing demand for our existing tape library models. Revenues from tape
libraries and related media increased to $19.2 million in the six months ended
December 31, 1999 from $9.9 million in the six months ended December 31, 1998,
or 94.6%. Revenues from our 9-track tape drives increased $800,000 to $2.0
million in the six months ended December 31, 1999 from $1.2 million for the six
months ended December 31, 1998. Partially offsetting these increases in
revenues from tape libraries and 9-track tape drives was a decline of $1.4
million in revenue from the sale of 18- and 36-track tape drives, which were
discontinued in June 1999. Selling prices of our products remained relatively
stable during both periods. While we believe that sales of 9-track tape drives
will decline over time, we experienced an increase in revenues from these
products in the first six months of fiscal 2000 as a result of a competitor
exiting the 9-track tape drive marketplace.
Gross Profit. Gross profit was $8.5 million, or 37.9% of revenues, for the
first six months of fiscal 2000, compared to $4.5 million, or 35.4% of
revenues, for the same period in fiscal 1999, representing an increase of
23
<PAGE>
89.5%. Cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct labor, purchased parts,
depreciation of plant and equipment, rent, utilities, and packaging costs. The
increase in gross margin resulted primarily from a 1.6% decline in labor and
other costs as a percentage of revenues, which was partially offset by a 0.1%
increase in the cost of material. These changes reflect a shift in our product
mix toward larger capacity tape libraries requiring greater amounts of material
as compared to the amount of labor, and operating efficiencies resulting from
spreading a larger volume of sales over relatively fixed direct and indirect
expenses.
Research and Development. Research and development expenses consist of
engineering salaries, benefits, purchased parts and supplies used in
development activities. Research and development expenses for the six months
ended December 31, 1999 were $507,000 as compared to $439,000 for the six
months ended December 31, 1998. This increase was due primarily to an increase
in purchased parts and supplies used in research and development activities.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of
employee salaries, benefits, sales commissions, trade show costs, advertising,
technical support and travel related expenses. Sales and marketing expenses
increased 44.7% to $1.3 million, or 5.7% of revenues, for the six months ended
December 31, 1999, as compared to $881,000, or 6.9% of revenues, for the six
months ended December 31, 1998. This increase was due primarily to the growth
in our sales force and associated increases in salaries and benefits of
$78,000, and travel related expenses of $59,000, as well as an increase in
sales commissions of $137,000 due to an increase in sales.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses include
employee salaries and benefits, deferred compensation related to equity
incentives, provisions for doubtful accounts and returns, and professional
service fees. General and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of
revenues from 4.6% for the six months ended December 31, 1998 to 3.5% for the
six months ended December 31, 1999. The decline in general and administrative
expenses as a percentage of revenues was due primarily to a 76.8% increase in
revenues during this period while general and administrative expenses increased
only 33.6%. This increase was due primarily to an increase in the number of
employees resulting in an increase of $59,000 in salaries and benefits.
Additionally, the provision for doubtful accounts and returns increased $50,000
due to increases in revenues and accounts receivables.
Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $2.4 million,
or 40.0% of pre-tax income, in the first six months of fiscal 2000, compared to
$1.1 million, or 40.8% of pre-tax income, in the same period of fiscal 1999.
Fiscal 1999 compared to Fiscal 1998
Net Revenues. Revenues in fiscal 1999 were $29.7 million, an increase of
55.0% compared to revenues of $19.2 million in fiscal 1998. The increase in
revenues resulted primarily from the sales of our large capacity tape libraries
that were introduced in fiscal 1999 and increasing demand for our existing
libraries. Revenues from our tape libraries and related media increased to
$22.8 million in fiscal 1999, from $10.4 million in fiscal 1998, or an increase
of 119%. Offsetting the increase in library and related media revenues were
continuing declines in sales of our 9-,18- and 36-track tape drives. Revenues
for these products declined to $5.0 million in fiscal 1999 from $7.4 million in
fiscal 1998, a decline of $2.4 million or 32.5%. Selling prices of our products
remained relatively stable during both periods.
Gross Profit. Gross profit was $10.6 million, or 35.8% of revenues, in
fiscal 1999 compared with $6.3 million, or 32.7% of revenues, in fiscal 1998,
representing an increase of 69.8%. The increase in gross margin during fiscal
1999 as compared to fiscal 1998 was due primarily to a 2.4% decline in labor
and other costs as a percentage of revenues, which were partially offset by a
0.3% increase in the cost of materials. These changes reflect operating
efficiencies resulting from spreading a larger volume of sales over relatively
fixed direct and indirect expenses.
24
<PAGE>
Research and Development. Research and development expenses remained
relatively constant between fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1999. During fiscal 1999,
research and development expenses increased $31,000 to $925,000, as compared to
$894,000 incurred during fiscal 1998.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased 52.0% to $1.9
million, or 6.5% of revenues, in fiscal 1999, as compared to $1.3 million, or
6.7% of revenues, for fiscal 1998. This increase was due primarily to the
growth in our sales force and associated increases in salaries and benefits of
$146,000 and travel related expenses of $58,000, as well as an increase in
sales commissions of $457,000 due to an increase in sales.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased as
a percentage of revenues from 5.5% for fiscal 1998 to 4.3% for fiscal 1999.
This decline was due primarily to a 55.0% increase in revenues during this
period while general and administrative expenses increased only 19.3%. The
increase in general and administrative expenses in absolute dollars during
fiscal 1999 was due primarily to an increase in the number of employees,
resulting in an increase of $47,000 in salaries and benefits. Additionally, the
provision for doubtful accounts and returns increased $255,000 due to increases
in revenues and accounts receivables.
Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $2.6 million,
or 39.1% of pre-tax income, in fiscal 1999 compared to $1.1 million, or 36.9%
of pre-tax income, in fiscal 1998. The increase in the effective tax rate in
fiscal 1999 was due to the decreasing effect of research and development tax
credits.
Fiscal 1998 compared to Fiscal 1997
Net Revenues. Revenues in fiscal 1998 were $19.2 million, an increase of
24.9% compared to revenues of $15.3 million in fiscal 1997. This increase in
revenues was the result of the introduction of our DLT tape libraries and the
development of complementary library products including media and connecting
devices. Revenues from our tape libraries and related media increased to $10.4
million in fiscal 1998 from $4.2 million in fiscal 1997, an increase of $6.2
million or 149%. Offsetting this increase was a decline in sales of our 9-, 18-
and 36-track tape drives. Revenues for these products declined to $7.4 million
in fiscal 1998 from $9.8 million in fiscal 1997, a decline of $2.4 million or
24.5%. Selling prices of our products remained relatively stable during both
periods.
Gross Profit. Gross profit was $6.3 million, or 32.7% of revenues, in fiscal
1998, compared to $4.6 million, or 29.8% of revenues, in fiscal 1997. The
increase in gross margin resulted from a shift in our product mix away from the
lower margin tape drives to the higher margin tape libraries. Additionally, our
gross margin benefited from spreading a larger volume of sales over relatively
fixed direct and indirect expenses. The higher volume of sales resulted in a
1.2% decline in labor and other costs as a percentage of revenues, which was
partially offset by a 1.1% increase in the cost of materials.
Research and Development. Research and development expenses remained
relatively constant between fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998. During fiscal 1998,
research and development expenses declined $22,000 to $894,000 as compared to
$916,000 incurred during fiscal 1998.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased 11.4% to $1.3
million, or 6.7% of revenues, in fiscal 1998, as compared to $1.1 million, or
7.5% of revenues, for fiscal 1998. This increase was due primarily to the
growth in our sales force and associated increases in salaries and benefits of
$36,000 and travel related expenses of $17,000, as well as an increase in sales
commissions of $61,000 due to an increase in sales.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased as
a percentage of revenues from 6.9% for fiscal 1997 to 5.5% for fiscal 1998.
This decline was due primarily to a 24.9% increase in revenues during fiscal
1998 while general and administrative expenses increased only 0.1%. General and
administrative expenses were relatively unchanged between 1997 and 1998.
Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $1.1 million,
or 36.9% of pre-tax income, in fiscal 1998, compared to $518,000, or 35.2% of
pre-tax income, in fiscal 1997.
25
<PAGE>
Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table presents our unaudited quarterly results of operations
for the eight quarters ended December 31, 1999. You should read the following
table in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes included
elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared this unaudited information on
the same basis as the audited financial statements. This table includes all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that we consider
necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating
results for the quarters presented. You should not draw any conclusion about
our future results from the results of operations for any quarter.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, Dec. 31, March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, Dec. 31,
1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999
--------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statements of Income
Data:
Net revenues............ $4,608 $5,506 $6,588 $6,151 $7,904 $9,055 $11,430 $11,092
Cost of goods sold...... 3,116 3,653 4,193 4,039 4,787 6,039 7,102 6,878
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- -------
Gross profit............ 1,492 1,853 2,395 2,112 3,117 3,016 4,328 4,214
Operating expenses:
Research and
development.......... 235 203 243 196 228 258 270 237
Sales and marketing... 265 392 375 506 471 589 580 695
General and
administrative....... 314 278 332 260 343 332 401 390
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- -------
Total operating
expenses............... 814 873 950 962 1,042 1,179 1,251 1,322
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- -------
Income from operations.. 678 980 1,445 1,150 2,075 1,837 3,077 2,892
Interest income......... 9 11 7 11 14 9 12 12
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- -------
Income before income
taxes.................. 687 991 1,452 1,161 2,089 1,846 3,089 2,904
Provision for income
taxes.................. 239 302 578 489 807 688 1,210 1,193
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- -------
Net income.............. $ 448 $ 689 $ 874 $ 672 $1,282 $1,158 $ 1,879 $ 1,711
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= =======
</TABLE>
The following table reflects, as a percentage of net revenues, statements of
income data for the eight quarters ended December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, Dec. 31, March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, Dec. 31,
1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999
--------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statements of Income
Data:
Net revenues............ 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of goods sold...... 67.6 66.3 63.6 65.7 60.6 66.7 62.1 62.0
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Gross margin............ 32.4 33.7 36.4 34.3 39.4 33.3 37.9 38.0
Operating expenses:
Research and
development.......... 5.1 3.7 3.7 3.2 2.9 2.8 2.4 2.1
Sales and marketing... 5.8 7.1 5.7 8.2 6.0 6.5 5.1 6.3
General and
administrative....... 6.8 5.0 5.0 4.2 4.3 3.7 3.5 3.5
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total operating
expenses............... 17.7 15.8 14.4 15.6 13.2 13.0 11.0 11.9
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Income from operations.. 14.7 17.9 22.0 18.7 26.2 20.3 26.9 26.1
Interest income......... 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Income before income
taxes.................. 14.9 18.1 22.1 18.9 26.4 20.4 27.0 26.2
Provision for income
taxes.................. 5.2 5.5 8.8 7.9 10.2 7.6 10.6 10.8
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Net income.............. 9.7% 12.6% 13.3% 11.0% 16.2% 12.8% 16.4% 15.4%
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
We typically experience lower revenues in our second fiscal quarter compared
to our first fiscal quarter due to our practice of closing down our operations
between Christmas and New Years. The lower gross margin in the quarter ended
June 30, 1999 reflects the sale of our remaining inventory of 18- and 36-track
tape drives at little or no margin due to our decision to discontinue reselling
these products.
26
<PAGE>
Operating expenses are generally higher in our second fiscal quarter
compared to our first fiscal quarter due to costs associated with our
attendance at an industry trade show each November.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, we have funded our capital requirements with cash flows from
operations. Cash flows provided by operating activities were $340,000 in fiscal
1998, $1.6 million in fiscal 1999, and $2.7 million in the first six months of
fiscal 2000. In each of these periods, operating cash was provided primarily by
net income and increases in accounts payable. These increases in cash flows
were used primarily to fund increases in accounts receivable and inventories.
Cash flows used in investing activities were $287,000 in fiscal 1998,
$274,000 in fiscal 1999 and $1.1 million in the first six months of fiscal
2000. Cash flows used in investing activities in the first six months of fiscal
2000 related to our investment of $1.1 million for an approximately 1% interest
in Chaparral Network Storage, Inc., a provider of Fibre Channel interfaces. We
expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $1.5 million for
equipment and leasehold improvements associated with our move to a larger
facility during the next 12 months.
Cash used in financing activities in fiscal 1998 resulted from our
repurchase of $219,000 of capital stock.
We have a $750,000 unsecured bank line of credit that expires November 1,
2000, all of which was available as of December 31, 1999. Borrowings under this
line of credit bear interest at the bank's reference rate plus 1.25%. Our
bank's reference rate, a variable rate, was 8.5% at December 31, 1999. We
intend to terminate this line of credit after the completion of this offering.
We had no material commitments as of December 31, 1999.
We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, net proceeds from
this offering, and anticipated cash flows from our operating activities, will
be sufficient to fund our working capital and capital expenditure needs for at
least the next 12 months. We may utilize cash to invest in businesses, products
or technologies that we believe are strategic. We regularly evaluate other
companies and technologies for possible investment by us. In addition, we have
made and expect to make investments in companies with whom we have identified
potential synergies. However, we have no present commitments or agreements with
respect to any material acquisition of other businesses or technologies.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We develop products in the United States and sell them worldwide. As a
result, our financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in
foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in foreign markets.
As all sales are currently made in U.S. dollars, a strengthening of the dollar
could make our products less competitive in foreign markets. Our interest
income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates,
particularly since the majority of our investments are in short-term
instruments. We have no outstanding debt nor do we utilize derivative financial
instruments. Therefore, no quantitative tabular disclosures are required.
27
<PAGE>
BUSINESS
Introduction
We design, develop, manufacture and sell automated magnetic tape libraries
used to store, retrieve and manage electronic data primarily in network
computing environments. Tape libraries consist of cartridge tape drives,
storage arrays of tape cartridges and robotics to move the tape cartridges from
their storage locations to the tape drives under software control. Our tape
libraries provide storage solutions for organizations requiring backup,
recovery and archival storage of critical electronic information. Our tape
libraries also can provide near-online storage as an alternative to disk
drives. Our products are compatible with commonly used network operating
systems, including UNIX, Windows NT, NetWare and Linux. Our tape libraries also
are compatible with a wide range of storage management software packages, such
as those supplied by Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, Legato, Tivioli and
Veritas. We offer tape libraries for multiple tape drive technologies,
including those using Advanced Intelligent Tape, DLT, and quarter inch
cartridge tape drives and media. We recently announced tape libraries for the
Linear Tape Open, or LTO, Ultrium tape drives and media. We will commence
shipments of our LTO tape libraries once the tape drives become available from
our supplier and have been qualified in our libraries.
We sell our tape libraries worldwide, primarily to value added resellers,
and original equipment manufacturers. These customers integrate our products
with software from third party vendors to provide storage solutions, which they
in turn resell to end users. We custom configure each of our libraries based on
each customer's individual requirements, with a normal delivery time of one to
three working days. This rapid fulfillment of customer orders allows us to
minimize our inventory levels and compete effectively with the industrial
distribution channels used by our competitors.
Our six senior operations executives have worked in the computer and data
storage industries for an average of more than 30 years each. Based on this
experience, we have the ability to bring new products to market in response to
changing market conditions and new opportunities as they arise. For example, we
offer Fibre Channel, a new interface technology, as an option on most of our
tape library models. In November 1999,we invested $1.1 million to acquire an
approximately 1% interest in Chaparral Network Storage, Inc. We purchase
products from Chaparral that we incorporate into our tape libraries to provide
Fibre Channel connectivity.
Qualstar was incorporated in California in 1984 to develop and manufacture
IBM compatible 9-track reel-to-reel tape drives for the personal computer and
workstation marketplace. In 1995, we entered the tape automation market with a
series of tape libraries incorporating 8mm tape drives. Since that time, we
have introduced a succession of tape library models designed to work with other
tape drive technologies and tape media formats. Automated tape libraries and
related products, such as tape drives and tape media, represented approximately
76.9% of revenues in fiscal 1999, and approximately 85.2% of revenues for the
six months ended December 31, 1999. Sales of 9-track tape drives, services and
other products accounted for the balance of our revenues.
Industry Background
Storing, managing and protecting data has become critical to the operation
of many enterprises as the world economy becomes increasingly information
dependent. The data storage industry is growing in response to the increase in
the amount of data that is generated and must be preserved. The amount of data
has been increasing due to the growth in the number of computers, the number,
size and complexity of computer networks and software applications, and the
emergence of new applications such as image processing, e-commerce, Internet
services, medical, video and motion picture image storage, and other multi-
media applications. In addition, businesses continue to generate increasing
amounts of traditional business information with respect to their products,
customers and financial information. This increase in the amount of data that
is generated stimulates increases in the demand for data storage and the
management of this data.
28
<PAGE>
Factors Driving Growth in Data
The following factors are contributing to the growth in data storage:
. Increased demand from Internet and e-commerce businesses. The growth in
the Internet and e-commerce has created businesses that depend on the
creation, access and archival storage of data. As individuals and
businesses increase their reliance on the Internet for communications,
commerce and data retrieval, the need to utilize large databases will
continue to grow rapidly.
. Growth in new types of data. The growth in data is being fueled not only
by the increase in information but also in the types of stored data. For
example, storage of graphics, audio and MP3, video, medical and security
images, and multi-media uses such as video on demand, require far greater
storage capacity than text and financial data. Organizations increasingly
depend on their ability to collect, access, use and transfer these new
types of stored data to tape libraries for central automated storage,
backup and retrieval.
. Growth in the critical importance of data. Corporate databases contain
useful information about customer records, order patterns and other
factors that can be analyzed and transformed into a valuable asset and a
competitive advantage. Efficiently storing, managing and protecting this
information have become increasingly important to the value and success
of many businesses. The usefulness of past and present data is further
enhanced by new sophisticated data mining software applications that can
access and analyze large databases.
. Growth in network server computing applications and data. Enterprises
have continued to expand the use of server-based personal computer
networks and workstations. This development has shifted critical
information and applications to network servers in order to allow more
people to gain access to stored data as well as to create new data. As
the speed of network computing has increased, numerous new applications
have become feasible such as computer fax, e-mail and voicemail, all of
which generate progressively more data. Organizations increasingly are
aware of the need to protect this data as networks become a mission-
critical element of many operations.
. Decrease in the cost of storing data. The cost of storage on magnetic
disk, optical disk and tape continues to decrease with advances in
technology and improved manufacturing processes. The decrease in cost not
only encourages the storage of more data, but also makes it less cost
effective to remove old data than to add more storage capacity,
contributing to greater storage demand for data which in the past may
have been purged manually.
Advances in Storage Management Technologies
The growth in data and need for storage is contributing to an evolution in
traditional storage solutions. New open standard technologies are designed to
provide high-speed connectivity for data-intensive applications across multiple
operating systems, including UNIX, Windows NT, NetWare and Linux. These new
methods of storage and data management technologies include the following:
. Fibre Channel. Fibre Channel is a new generation of interface technology
based on industry standards for the connection of storage devices to
networks. Interface is the term used to describe the electronics, cabling
and software used to facilitate communications between devices. With
Fibre Channel, users are better able to share stored information with
other storage devices and servers over longer distances, with data
transfer speeds at least 10 times faster than the most common interface
technology in use today, thereby increasing the use of storage area
networks.
. Storage Area Networks. Storage area network, or SAN, architecture applies
the inherent benefits of a networked approach to data storage
applications, which allows data to move efficiently and reliably between
multiple storage devices and servers. The benefits of SAN architecture
also include increasing the expandability of existing storage solutions
and providing a higher level of connectivity than currently exists with
traditional technologies. Additionally, SANs are able to provide these
benefits across multiple operating systems.
29
<PAGE>
. Advanced storage management software. The development of advanced storage
management software has led to the use of tape as a lower-cost
alternative to disk drives for on-line storage. This software
automatically migrates infrequently accessed data to the lower cost
storage medium such as a tape library. A user's request for this data at
some later date will recall the data automatically from the tape library
and put it back on the disk file for the user. This sometimes is referred
to as near-online storage. This process reduces the overall storage cost
by using the least expensive storage medium to save data that is not
expected to be needed on a frequent basis. Advances in storage management
software have increased the ability of businesses to store, manage and
retrieve important data, which in turn allows businesses to operate more
efficiently.
. Network Attached Storage. Current storage devices are dependent on a file
server for all commands and control. Network attached storage devices
give storage devices file server functionality, which allow users to plug
a storage library directly into a network without increasing demands on
the file server or requiring a separate file server. This allows users to
maintain, or even enhance, system performance while saving on both time
and cost.
. Internet-based storage backup. This solution allows individuals and
enterprises to outsource their storage or backup of data on a cost-
efficient basis through the services provided by Internet-based storage
backup companies. Increased availability of high bandwidth Internet
connections is a key enabler of this approach.
Types of Data Storage
Current non-volatile storage solutions are based primarily on three
technologies: magnetic disk, optical disk and magnetic tape. Each of these
solutions represents a compromise among a variety of competing factors
including capacity, cost, speed, portability and data reliability. Magnetic
tape remains the lowest cost storage medium of the three on a cost per megabyte
basis, and the tapes are removable, which allows them to be transported easily
to an off-site location for additional security. Magnetic and optical disks
provide quicker access to stored data and generally are used when speed is
paramount, thus justifying their higher cost.
Less frequently used data often is migrated from high-cost magnetic or
optical disks to lower-cost tape storage. Tape libraries provide a near-online
solution, where less frequently used data files are stored on tapes instead of
on disks. The storage of large amounts of data in an automated tape library is
substantially less expensive than using multiple hard disk drives although
access time to data on tape is typically tens of seconds as compared to
milliseconds for data on disk.
Tape Libraries and Applications
Automated tape libraries speed the tape loading process, eliminate errors
induced by human operators, and enhance security compared to tapes that must be
retrieved and loaded manually. Tape libraries also are capable of being
operated from a remote location or during off-hours when no attendant is on
duty. Automated tape libraries are a key component of a network administrator's
overall storage solution.
Two key components of tape libraries, tape drives and tape media, continue
to decrease in cost on a per megabyte basis. As prices decline, new
applications for automated storage become justified, further increasing the
number of applications that can benefit from the use of tape libraries. We
believe that continued technological improvements in tape drives and tape media
will further reduce overall storage costs in the future.
Current and emerging applications for tape libraries include:
. Automated backup. Backup is the creation of a duplicate copy of current
data for the purpose of recovery in the event the original data is lost
or damaged. An automated tape library, in conjunction with storage
management software, can backup network data at any time without human
intervention. A library with multiple tape drives can backup data using
all of its drives simultaneously, thus significantly speeding up the
recording process. Backup tapes can be removed from the library and
stored in an off-site location for additional protection.
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. Archiving. Archiving is the storage of data for historical purposes. When
important information is stored on tape, automated tape libraries, in
conjunction with storage management software, can catalog tapes for
future retrieval and prevent unauthorized removal or corruption of data
by using password or key lock protection. Archival tapes provide a
historic record for use in fraud detection, audit, legal and for other
purposes. Tape libraries also are used for archiving because of the
benefits offered by the tape medium, such as long-term data integrity,
resistance to environmental contamination, ease of relocation and low
storage cost.
. Digital video. Digital recording of camera images for surveillance and
security purposes is beginning to replace traditional analog VHS
recording in mid-size to large installations such as airports, retail
stores, government facilities and gaming operations. This is a growing
and increasingly important market opportunity because tape libraries
eliminate the need for operators to load, unload, store and retrieve the
vast number of tapes created in these facilities. Library based systems
index, store and play back the video images on demand, thereby reducing
the recall time and cost of operation significantly when compared to
traditional analog VHS recording and playback devices. Digital recording
technology provides enhanced resolution and accommodates the recording of
transactional data such as cash register receipts and credit card
vouchers alongside the video image, which is not possible with VHS
technology.
. Image management. Storage-intensive applications such as satellite
mapping and medical image management systems are turning to tape
libraries because of the cost advantage over traditional storage methods.
X-ray images or MRI results, for instance, must be kept on file for
years. Tape library storage of a digitized image costs considerably less
than storing a film copy, and can be recalled years later with
considerably less effort.
Distribution of Tape Library Products
The requirements for storage solutions vary depending on the size of an
enterprise, the type of data generated and the amount of data to be stored.
With the increased dependence on stored data, most organizations, regardless of
their size, have a heightened need for storage solutions that integrate devices
such as tape drives, tape libraries and storage management software. Those
organizations with sufficient in-house information technology resources can
rely on their internal infrastructure and expertise to design, purchase and
implement their own storage solutions. These organizations may elect to
purchase equipment from distributors or directly from original equipment
manufacturers. Many organizations, however, do not have sufficient in-house
resources but often have the same need for data storage solutions. These
organizations often look to value added resellers to design and supply their
storage solutions.
Value added resellers develop and install storage solutions for enterprises
that face complex storage needs but lack the in-house capability of designing
and implementing the proper solution or have chosen to outsource these
functions. Typically, the value added reseller will select among a variety of
different hardware technologies and storage management software options, as
well as provide installation and other services, to deliver a complete storage
solution for the end user. Value added resellers require rapid turnaround of
orders, custom configuration of tape libraries, drop shipment to their
customer's site, compatibility with multiple tape formats and storage
management software, and marketing and technical support. We expect the market
segment served by value added resellers to increase as the cost of tape library
storage continues to decline and as more organizations choose to outsource
their information technology functions.
Original equipment manufacturers generally resell products made by others
under their own brand name and typically assume responsibility for product
sales, service and support. Original equipment manufacturers enable
manufacturers to reach end users not served by other reseller distribution
channels and to serve select vertical markets where specific original equipment
manufacturers have exceptional strength. Original equipment manufacturers
require special services such as product configuration control, extensive
qualification testing, custom colors and private labeling.
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Our Solution
We offer storage solutions that respond to the growing data management
challenges facing businesses today, while addressing the unique needs of value
added resellers and original equipment manufacturers.
We believe that high product reliability is essential to the end users of
our products due to the critical nature of the data that is being stored and
the frequent operation of backup systems during hours when personnel may not be
available to respond to problems. To address these concerns, we emphasize
quality and reliability in the design, assembly and testing of our products.
Our tape libraries use a minimum number of moving parts. This approach reduces
product failures, results in products that require little maintenance and
simplifies the incorporation of new tape drive technologies.
We have designed our libraries to be placed on the floor or on a table top
without the need for a special equipment rack. We believe that this approach
provides the lowest cost solution for the largest segment of our customer base.
The technology utilized within automated tape libraries is continuously
evolving due to advances in data recording methods, component cost reductions,
advances in semiconductor and microprocessor technologies, and a general trend
toward miniaturization in the electronics industry. This changing technology
requires that we continuously develop and market new products in order to
prevent our product lines from becoming obsolete. As an example, we recently
completed development and commenced shipments of our Fibre Channel interface
option that converts the internal small computer systems interface on our
libraries to an external Fibre Channel interface. The small computer systems
interface is an interface standard that provides an industry-wide definition of
the interface shared between tape library devices and storage management
software.
Our tape libraries are compatible with over 30 third-party storage
management software packages, such as those supplied by Computer Associates,
Hewlet-Packard, Legato, Tivoli and Veritas. Storage management software enables
network administrators to allocate the use of storage technologies among user
groups or tasks, to manage data from a central location, and to retrieve,
transfer and backup data between multiple workstations. We believe that storage
management software is a crucial component of any automated storage
installation, and the lack of compatibility is a significant barrier to entry
for new tape library competitors. To ensure compatibility, our engineers work
closely with the application software vendors during product development
cycles. We do not have contracts with any application software vendors, nor do
we need access to their software code to design our products. We maintain
relationships with them by supplying evaluation tape libraries so they can
qualify their software to work with our tape libraries and by evaluating their
software for compatibility with our tape libraries. We also support our
relationships with them by keeping them informed as to current and contemplated
changes to our products and by referring business to them when value added
resellers or end users inquire about software sources.
We have focused our business primarily on supporting value added resellers
and original equipment manufacturers as the most effective and profitable
distribution channels for our tape libraries. Our solution is to offer our
resellers reliable tape libraries, multiple tape format choices, and more
attractive profit opportunities than do other tape library manufacturers. We
custom configure each of our libraries based on the resellers' requirements,
with a normal delivery time of one to three working days. Our solution for
original equipment manufacturers is to offer them control over product design
changes, qualification testing, custom colors and private labeling. We believe
these factors enhance the resellers' and original equipment manufacturers'
ability to sell our products and encourage them to remain loyal to Qualstar.
Strategy
Our goals are to enhance our position as a supplier of automated tape
libraries and to increase our market share in each of the tape formats in which
we compete. To achieve these goals, we intend to:
. Offer libraries for multiple tape drive technologies. We offer tape
libraries for a range of tape drive technologies, including Advanced
Intelligent Tape, DLT and quarter inch cartridge. We also have
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developed tape libraries based on the Linear Tape Open, or LTO, Ultrium
tape media format and will offer these libraries when LTO tape drives
become available. By offering products based on multiple tape drive
technologies, we reduce our dependence on the success of any single
technology and can offer products that target the specific preferences of
resellers and their end-user customers.
. Focus distribution on value added reseller channels. We sell our products
primarily through selected value added resellers who have a strong market
presence, have demonstrated the ability to work directly with end users,
and who maintain relationships with major vendors of storage management
software. Because we market our products primarily through this channel,
we have implemented a variety of programs to support and enhance our
relationships with our reseller partners. These programs are designed to
increase the likelihood of closing a sale and to increase the reseller's
profit margins. We intend to increase our marketing resources in support
of this distribution channel. We conduct business with our value added
resellers on an individual purchase order basis and no long-term
commitments are involved. Additionally, there are no exclusive
territories assigned to our value added resellers.
. Maintain and strengthen original equipment manufacturer relationships. We
sell our products to numerous companies under private label or original
equipment manufacturer relationships. Original equipment manufacturer
sales enable us to reach end users not served by our value added
resellers. The same product characteristics that make our tape libraries
attractive to value added resellers also are important to original
equipment manufacturers. We will continue to pursue and develop
opportunities with original equipment manufacturers. We conduct business
with our original equipment manufacturer customers on an individual
purchase order basis and no long-term commitments are used.
. Develop libraries for new tape technologies. The tape drive industry
continuously is developing new technologies. We will continue to monitor
new product releases and design new libraries for those technologies that
appear promising and meet our standards for capacity, quality and
reliability.
. Increase our rate of innovation. We plan to increase research and
development resources in order to exploit emerging technologies and
product opportunities. We intend to continue the expansion of our product
lines to incorporate higher capacities and new technologies. For example,
we are currently evaluating and plan in the future to develop products
based on network attached storage technology.
We believe that our experience, efficiency and strict control over the
development and manufacturing of new products are key factors in the successful
execution of our strategy. We design our tape libraries with a high percentage
of common parts, use quality components and minimize the number of moving
parts. We utilize proprietary techniques in the design, production and testing
of our libraries in order to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce our
costs. We produce all of our products at a single facility and control our
inventory closely to provide rapid delivery to our customers. These steps allow
us to design and bring to market new products rapidly in response to changing
technology, as well as increase our profitability.
In addition to our emphasis on developing tape libraries and continual
improvement of our products through our research and development, we recently
made an investment in a supplier of emerging and high technology components. In
November 1999, we invested $1.1 million to obtain an approximately 1% ownership
interest in Chaparral Network Storage, Inc. We recently incorporated Chaparral
products into our tape libraries for applications that require Fibre Channel
connectivity. We believe that Fibre Channel will replace the small computer
systems interface as the primary interface for our larger tape libraries.
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Products
Tape Libraries
We offer a number of tape library families, each capable of incorporating
one or more tape drive technologies, as summarized in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Models in Maximum
Product Product Range of Tape Capacity in
Family Family Type Tape Drive Technology Cartridges Terabytes(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
TDS-1000(2) 3 QIC Tandberg SLR32, SLR50 11 to 44 1.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TLS-4000 12 8MM Sony AIT1, AIT2 12 to 360 18.0
-----------------------------------------------
Ecrix VXA-1 12 to 360 11.8
-----------------------------------------------
Exabyte Mammoth 12 to 126 2.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TLS-6000 7 DLT Quantum DLT-4000, 7/8000 10 to 240 9.6
-----------------------------------------------
Benchmark DLT-1 10 to 240 9.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TLS-8000(3) 7 LTO Ultrium 11 to 264 26.4
</TABLE>
(1) A terabyte is one million megabytes, or one thousand gigabytes. The
table shows native capacity and excludes gains from data compression,
which can increase capacity by more than 100%.
(2) This is an original equipment manufacturer product and is not sold
under the Qualstar brand name.
(3) We have announced libraries for LTO Ultrium tape drives but will not
begin production until tape drives are available and have been
qualified in our libraries.
Each tape library product family includes a number of models that differ in
size, storage capacity, price and features. Our libraries are installed in
network computing environments ranging from small departmental networks to
enterprise-wide networks supporting hundreds of users. We believe that selling
products for multiple tape drive technologies insulates us somewhat from the
dynamics of the marketplace as various tape standards compete for market share.
This helps our products appeal to the broadest possible range of end-user
market segments. This wide range of products makes us a one-stop supplier for
our value added reseller and original equipment manufacturer customers,
enabling them to meet almost any end-user requirements for a specific tape
format. Our wide range of products for competing tape drive technologies also
helps to insulate us from the occasional supply shortages from tape drive
manufacturers.
Tape libraries generally contain two or more tape drives and from seven to
thousands of tapes. We concentrate our product offerings in the middle segment
range of 10 to 360 tapes. We design our tape libraries for continuous,
unattended operation. Multiple tape drives allow simultaneous access to
different data files by different users on the network, and increase the rate
at which data can move on to, out of, or within the network. A library with
multiple tape drives can back up data using all drives simultaneously,
significantly speeding up the recording process. Within the library, tape
cartridges typically are stored in removable magazines, allowing for bulk
removal of the tapes. Most of our libraries also offer key features such as
barcode readers to scan cartridge labels, and an input/output port for
importing and exporting individual tapes under system control. Many of our
library models are expandable after installation by increasing the number of
tape storage positions. This feature provides the end user with the ability to
increase data capacity as storage needs grow.
We offer automated tape libraries with different data storage capacities and
data transfer rates. We continue to develop and release new libraries to expand
our product offerings in the direction of higher capacity and higher
performance units. We believe this strategy has contributed to our increasing
profit margins.
Our tape libraries incorporate a number of specialized features that we
believe improve reliability, serviceability and performance, including:
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. Rapid tape drive replacement. We design our libraries so that a tape
drive can be replaced in a few moments without special tools. This
feature minimizes the off-line time required when a tape drive must be
replaced, and frequently avoids the high cost and delays of a service
call.
. Inventory Sentry. This feature allows the library to be opened to inspect
the tape cartridges visually without forcing the unit off-line for an
unnecessary inventory cycle of all cartridges.
. Fibre Channel connectivity. We offer a Fibre Channel option on most of
our models to meet the needs of data-intensive applications requiring a
high performance interface.
. Partitioning options. Partitioning is the segmentation of a single
library into multiple units to make several servers operate as though
each has exclusive use of a dedicated library. We offer a wide selection
of partitioning options for our tape libraries. Partitioning often saves
the customer the cost of purchasing multiple small libraries when one
larger one is sufficient.
. Closed-loop servo control. Our tape libraries use closed-loop servo
control for robotic motion to provide precise tape handling. By combining
this with an all lead-screw construction, tape motion is smooth,
repeatable and highly reliable.
. Brushless motors. We use only brushless electric motors in our tape
libraries. Motors are a key component in any robotic system. Brushless
motors provide longer life and less electrical noise compared to
conventional brush-type motors. We build our own motors in order to
obtain optimum performance, reliability and efficiency.
. Filtered, positive-pressure air systems. Our libraries use a filtered,
positive-pressure air system to reduce dust substantially and maintain a
high level of media integrity. Because the smallest dust particles are
capable of causing data errors, maintaining a clean environment extends
the life and reliability of our libraries.
We design our tape libraries to be placed on the floor or on a table top
without the need for a special equipment rack. If requested, we provide our
customers with an adapter kit for mounting in a rack. Other manufacturers
design libraries primarily for rack-mounting, and supply an adapter for table-
top use. We have chosen our approach to distinguish ourselves from many of our
competitors. We believe that this approach provides the most convenient and
lowest cost solution for the largest segment of our customer base.
Other Products
We have manufactured 9-track auto-loading reel-to-reel tape drives since
1990. These units are compatible with IBM tape format standards and have served
over the years as a data interchange medium. Demand for 9-track tape drives has
been declining over many years, and we expect overall demand for 9-track tape
drives to continue to decline in the future. In addition to our tape libraries
and 9-track tape drives, we sell ancillary products such as tape media, tape
magazines, host interface adapters, cables, bar code labels and adapters for
rack mounting our products.
Sales and Marketing
Sales
We sell our tape library products primarily through value added resellers.
Our direct sales force usually will initiate contact with value added resellers
who might be likely candidates to sell our tape libraries. We strive to develop
relationships with resellers who have expertise in storage management
applications, established relationships with end users and the experience to
understand and respond to their customers' needs.
We believe that by selling directly to value added resellers, we have an
advantage over competitors who force resellers to purchase through an
industrial distributor and who sometimes sell directly to end users, thereby
competing with the resellers. Some of the advantages of this strategy include
the following:
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. Higher profit margins. By avoiding the extra distribution markup, higher
profit margins are available to be shared by both us and the reseller.
. Custom configurations. By circumventing the distribution step, we are
able to offer custom configurations of our products, such as special
paint, private branding and non-standard interface options, on very short
notice.
. Channel conflicts avoided. We refer all end-user inquiries to our
reseller partners. Because they know that we will not sell directly to
the end user, there is an attitude of cooperation between the reseller
and us. Frequently, our sales representatives make end-user visits with
the reseller to answer questions or help close the sale.
. Credit. We typically extend credit to resellers if they meet our credit
requirements. This is a service not easily obtained from industrial
distributors.
. Rapid delivery. We generally ship a product to the reseller within one to
three working days of confirming an order, rivaling the delivery time of
many distributors.
We have relationships with over 100 value added resellers, and approximately
30 independent storage management software vendors. Our sales are made on an
individual purchase order basis.
Although we sell our tape libraries primarily to value added resellers, we
believe that original equipment manufacturers are important to our business. We
strive to work with original equipment manufacturers early in the product
development cycle so that we can obtain valuable product development feedback.
The sales cycle for original equipment manufacturers generally encompasses six
months to one year and involves extensive product and system qualification
testing, evaluation, integration and verification. Most of our sales of
automated tape libraries to original equipment manufacturers are in the
surveillance industry, primarily to Loronix Information Systems. Original
equipment manufacturers account for the majority of sales of our 9-track tape
drives. Original equipment manufacturers typically assume responsibility for
product sales, service and support.
Because we rely heavily on the success of our value added reseller and
original equipment manufacturer customers, we depend on their ability to
market, sell and distribute our products effectively. Our revenues could
decline if we fail to execute our distribution strategy successfully or if our
value added reseller and original equipment manufacturer customers do not
implement their own strategies successfully.
Our sales are spread across a broad customer base, with our two largest
customers accounting for approximately 25.7% of revenues during fiscal 1999 and
approximately 30.7% of revenues during the six months ended December 31, 1999.
Loronix Information Systems, our largest customer, accounted for 17.0% of
revenues in fiscal 1999, and 23.4% of revenues in the six months ended December
31, 1999.
All of our international sales efforts currently are directed from our
offices in Canoga Park, California. We intend to continue to develop our
international markets and create additional outlets for our products. We plan
to hire sales personnel in foreign markets and open a sales office in Europe.
All of our international sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Sales to
customers located outside the United States were $3.8 million, or 24.9% of
revenues in fiscal 1997, $5.1 million, or 26.4% of revenues in fiscal 1998,
$7.1 million, or 24.0% of revenues in fiscal 1999, and $5.0 million, or 22.2%
of revenues in the six months ended December 31, 1999.
Marketing
We support our sales efforts with a broad array of marketing programs
designed to generate brand awareness, attract and retain qualified value added
resellers and inform end users about the advantages of our products. We provide
our resellers with a full range of marketing materials, including product
specifications, sales literature, software connectivity information and product
application notes. We train our resellers how to sell our products and how to
answer customers' questions. We advertise in key network systems publications
such as SYS Admin, Infostor, Windows NT and others, and participate in trade
shows. We display our products
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under the Qualstar brand name at the fall COMDEX trade show, and participate
in other trade shows in partnership with our principal suppliers and
resellers. We support our marketing and customer service with a website that
features comprehensive marketing and product information.
Another element of our marketing plan is our lead registration program.
This program awards value added resellers that uncover sales opportunities and
promote our products to the end user. In exchange for this effort, the
reseller is rewarded with a higher profit margin on that particular sale. The
lead registration program gives our reseller partners an advantage over their
competitors who purchase from industrial distribution channels.
Our direct sales force conducts seminars targeting end users, often with a
sales representative from one of the storage management software vendors. In
addition, we conduct sales and technical training classes for our resellers.
We also conduct various promotional activities for resellers and end users,
including product-specific rebates, and certificates for free merchandise. We
intend to enhance and enlarge our marketing program following completion of
this offering.
Customer Service and Support
We believe that strong customer service and support is an essential aspect
of our business. Our customer service and support efforts consist of the
following components:
. Technical support. Our technical support personnel are available Monday
through Friday during normal business hours. Technical support personnel
are available to all customers at no charge by telephone, facsimile and
e-mail to answer questions and solve problems relating to our products.
Our technical support personnel are trained in all aspects of our
products. Our support staff is located at our headquarters in Canoga
Park, California. In addition to our in-house support staff, we offer a
third-party technical support help desk to provide assistance outside of
normal business hours. We sell service contracts for on-site service of
our tape libraries installed within the United States, which are
fulfilled by IBM.
. Sales engineering. Our engineers provide both pre- and post-sales support
to our resellers. Systems engineers typically become involved in more
complex problem-solving situations involving interactions between our
products, third-party software, network server hardware and the network
operating systems. Systems engineers work with resellers and end users
over the telephone and, in certain situations, visit the customer's site.
. Training. We offer a product maintenance training program for both our
value added reseller and original equipment manufacturer maintenance
personnel. We conduct our training classes at our headquarters, as well
as on-site at the locations of our value added resellers or original
equipment manufacturers. We also provide videotape of the training
classes when it is more practical.
. Warranty. The standard warranty period on our tape libraries is three
years. During the first year we offer immediate replacement of defective
products at no charge, subject to availability and credit approval of the
end user. The customer is responsible for returning the defective product
to us in a timely manner without damage. After the first year, the
customer must first ship the tape library to our factory, where we will
service the product during the warranty period at no charge. We offer
out-of-warranty factory service at a flat fee plus applicable taxes,
duties and transportation costs. On library tape drives, we pass the
manufacturer-provided warranty on to our reseller. Our 9-track tape
drives are warranted for a period of one year. On-site service for
library products is available within the United States for an extra
charge. We contract with outside service providers to supply on-site
service.
Revenues from the sale of on-site service contracts and out-of-warranty
repair have not been significant.
Manufacturing and Suppliers
We manufacture all of our products at our facility in Canoga Park,
California. We currently operate three assembly lines during one daily eight-
hour shift. As needs require, we have the ability to add a second or third
shift to increase our manufacturing capacity.
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In order to respond rapidly to sales orders, we build our tape libraries to
a semi-finished state in advance of receipt of an order, perform full testing
and then place the tape libraries in a holding area until an order is received.
Once an order is confirmed, we remove the unit from the holding area, install
tape drives and configure the unit to meet the specific requirements of the
order, retest and then ship.
The manufacturing cycle to bring the tape libraries to a semi-finished state
is approximately five working days. We believe that this capability represents
an effective way to minimize our inventory levels while maintaining the ability
to fill specific customer orders in short lead times. We coordinate inventory
planning and management with suppliers and customers to match our production to
market demand. Once we confirm a product order, we generally ship the product
to the customer within one to three working days. We believe this response time
is among the fastest in the industry, and gives us a competitive edge. Because
we fill the majority of our orders as they are received, our backlog generally
is small and is not indicative of future sales.
We select our suppliers carefully based on their ability to provide quality
parts that consistently meet our specifications and volume requirements.
Inventory planning and management is coordinated closely with suppliers to
match our production needs. Most of the components assembled into our libraries
are standard off-the-shelf parts, which reduces the risk of part shortages and
allows us to maintain inventory of these parts at a minimum. A number of our
component parts are not available off the shelf, but are designed to our
specifications for integration into our products.
Tape drives and tape recording media are available only from a limited
number of suppliers, some of which are sole-source providers. One of our
suppliers competes with us by selling its own tape libraries. The risk of
allocation is greater upon the introduction of a new tape drive technology. Any
disruption in supplies of tape drives or tape media could delay shipments of
our products. We have experienced only one situation involving a limited supply
of components. Since January 1999, Sony Electronics, Inc., our sole-source
supplier of Advanced Intelligent Tape drives and tape media, has been unable to
provide us with sufficient quantities of 50 gigabyte tape media to meet our
order volume. During this period, our customers generally have not delayed
purchases of Advanced Intelligent Tape libraries from us because of this
shortage, but have accepted delivery of tape libraries with a partial shipment
of 50 gigabyte tape media or have accepted 36 gigabyte tape media, which was
available.
Competition
The market for automated tape libraries is intensely competitive, highly
fragmented and characterized by rapidly changing technology and evolving
standards. Because we offer a broad range of libraries for different tape drive
technologies, we tend to have a large number of competitors that differ
depending on the particular format and performance level. In addition, because
of growth in our marketplace, we anticipate increased competition from other
sources, ranging from emerging to established companies, including large
original equipment manufacturers, to foreign competition. We compete in a
segment of the overall tape library market that focuses on small to mid-range
network computing environments. Our principal competitors in this market
segment include Advanced Digital Information Corporation, Exabyte, Overland
Data, Breece Hill Technologies and Spectra Logic. Based on revenues, we believe
Advanced Digital Information Corporation has a dominant share of this market
segment, followed by Exabyte and Overland Data. We estimate that we currently
have approximately 7% of this market segment.
Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other
resources, better name recognition, larger research and development staffs, and
more experience and capabilities in manufacturing, marketing and distributing
products than we do. Our competitors may develop new technologies and products
that are more effective than our products. We are not ISO-9000 certified,
unlike some of our competitors, which may limit some customers' ability to
purchase our products. However, we do not believe that our current
determination not to seek ISO-9000 certification has affected our sales to
date.
As a greater number of competitors introduce products in a particular tape
drive technology, the increased competition normally results in price erosion,
a reduction in gross margins and a loss of market share for all
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competitors. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully
against either current or potential competitors or that competition will not
cause a reduction in our sales or profit margins. We believe that our ability
to compete depends on a number of factors, including the success and timing of
new product developments by us and by our competitors, compatibility of our
products with a broad range of computing systems, product performance,
reliability, price, and customer support. Specifically, we believe that the
principal competitive factors in the selection of a tape library include:
. reliability of the robotic assembly that handles the tape cartridges;
. initial purchase price;
. storage capacity;
. speed of data transfer;
. compatibility with existing network operating systems and storage
management software;
. after-sale expandability of a tape library to meet increasing storage
requirements;
. expected product life and cost of maintenance between failures; and
. physical configuration and power requirements of the library.
We believe our tape libraries compete favorably overall with respect to these
factors.
Research and Development
Our research and development team consists of seven people who average over
25 years of data storage and related industry experience. This team has
developed 29 separate tape library models for four different tape formats over
the last five years. Our research and development efforts rely on the
integration of multiple engineering disciplines to generate products that meet
market needs in a competitive and timely fashion. Successful development of
automated tape libraries requires the integration of firmware design, which is
the embedded systems software that controls the robotic movement within the
library, mechanical design, electronic design and engineering packaging into a
single product. Product success also relies on the engineering team's thorough
knowledge of each of the different tape drive technologies, as well as SCSI and
Fibre Channel interface technologies.
We frequently develop new products in response to the availability of an
enhanced or new tape drive technology. As tape drive manufacturers compete in
the marketplace, they continually invest in research and development to gain
performance leadership either by offering increasingly enhanced versions of
their current tape drive products or by introducing an entirely new tape drive
technology. We benefit from these industry developments by utilizing the new
technology in our products. Our engineers work closely with various tape drive
manufacturers through the drive development cycle to assure that reliable tape
library and tape drive combinations are brought to market.
The engineering of our tape libraries to utilize common parts across product
families gives us the ability to develop and introduce new products quickly. If
a new tape drive is an advanced version of one already incorporated in one or
more of our products, our time and dollar investment to incorporate the new
drive can be relatively small, with the focus being on verification testing.
When the form factors differ, the time and investment requirements can grow
substantially, and may require development of a new product altogether.
We also develop new products as we identify emerging market needs. Our sales
and marketing, product development and engineering teams identify products to
fulfill customer and marketplace needs. Our research and development team
concentrates on leveraging previous engineering investments into new products.
For example, our firmware is based on successive generations of the operating
system developed for our first library. We also use common parts in our
different library series, and leverage our electro-mechanical and electronic
hardware technology from previous products into next generation designs. In
some cases, entire subassemblies are transferable, leveraging not only
engineering time but also materials purchasing, inventory stocking and
manufacturing efforts.
39
<PAGE>
Our research and development expenses were $916,000 in fiscal 1997, $894,000
in fiscal 1998, $925,000 in fiscal 1999, and $507,000 in the first six months
of fiscal 2000. We anticipate increasing our spending on research and
development in the future.
Intellectual Property
We rely on copyright protection of our firmware, as well as patent
protection for some of our designs and products. We also rely on a combination
of trademark, trade secret and other intellectual property laws and various
contract rights to protect our proprietary rights. However, we do not believe
our intellectual property provides significant protection from competition. We
believe that, because of the rapid pace of technological change in the tape
storage industry, patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protection are
less significant than factors such as the knowledge, ability and experience of
our personnel, new product introductions and product enhancements. In addition,
we believe that establishing and maintaining good relationships with value
added resellers and original equipment manufacturer customers, and the
compatibility of many storage management software applications with our
products, are the most significant factors protecting us from new competitors.
In addition, we enter into nondisclosure agreements with our development
engineers to protect our technology and designs. However, we do not believe
that such protection can preclude competitors from developing substantially
equivalent or superior products.
Employees
As of January 31, 2000, we had 81 full-time employees, including 52 in
manufacturing, 7 in research and development, 2 in customer service, 13 in
sales and marketing, and 7 in finance and administration. We also employ a
small number of temporary employees and consultants as needed. We are not a
party to any collective bargaining agreement or other similar agreement. We
believe that we have a good relationship with our employees.
Facilities
All of our operations are housed in a single building containing
approximately 28,000 square feet located in Canoga Park, California. Our lease
on this facility expires in January 2001, but we have the right to terminate
our lease on 90 days notice. The rent on this facility is $15,000 per month. We
currently are seeking a larger facility to occupy upon the termination of this
lease. We may fail to locate a suitable facility or begin operations in a new
facility either on time or within budget. If we fail to execute this move
successfully, sales may be delayed and our operational efficiencies and product
quality could suffer.
Legal Proceedings
We may be involved in legal proceedings from time to time in the ordinary
course of business. However, there currently are no material legal proceedings
pending or, to our knowledge, threatened against us.
40
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth certain information as of January 21, 2000
with respect to each person who is an executive officer or director of
Qualstar:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
<C> <C> <S>
William J. Gervais............. 57 Chief Executive Officer, President and
Director
Richard A. Nelson.............. 56 Vice President of Engineering,
Secretary and Director
Matthew Natalizio.............. 44 Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
Daniel O. Thorlakson........... 57 Vice President of Operations
Robert K. Covey................ 52 Vice President of Marketing
Bruce E. Gladstone(1)(2)....... 64 Director
Robert E. Rich................. 49 Director
Trude C. Taylor(1)(2).......... 78 Director
Robert T. Webber(1)(2)......... 58 Director
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Member of the audit committee
(2) Member of the compensation committee
William J. Gervais is a founder of Qualstar and has been our President and a
director since our inception in 1984, and was elected Chief Executive Officer
in January 2000. From 1984 until January 2000, Mr. Gervais also served as our
Chief Financial Officer. From 1981 until 1984, Mr. Gervais was President of
Northridge Design Associates, Inc., an engineering consulting firm. Mr. Gervais
was a co-founder, and served as Engineering Manager from 1976 until 1981, of
Micropolis Corporation, a former manufacturer of hard disk drives. Mr. Gervais
earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State
Polytechnic University in 1967.
Richard A. Nelson is a founder of Qualstar and has been our Vice President
of Engineering, Secretary and a director since our inception in 1984. From 1974
to 1984, Mr. Nelson was self employed as an engineering consultant specializing
in microprocessor technology. Mr. Nelson earned a B.S. in Electrical
Engineering from California State Polytechnic University in 1966.
Matthew Natalizio was hired as our Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer in January 2000. Prior to joining Qualstar, Mr. Natalizio served as
Vice President of Finance and Treasurer from 1994 until 1998, and as Vice
President, Operations Support from 1998 through 1999, of Superior National
Insurance Group, Inc. From 1988 until 1994, Mr. Natalizio was a Senior Audit
Manager for KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. From 1983 through 1988, Mr. Natalizio was an
Audit Manager for Ernst & Whinney. Mr. Natalizio received a B.A. degree in
Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1977 and became a
C.P.A. in 1985.
Daniel O. Thorlakson has been our Vice President of Operations since 1988.
From 1983 to 1987, Mr. Thorlakson was President of Qualitech Business Systems,
a value added reseller of computer systems, networks and software. Mr.
Thorlakson earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University
of Detroit in 1966.
Robert K. Covey has been our Vice President of Marketing since 1994. From
1986 to 1993 Mr. Covey was regional manager of ATG Cygnet, an optical disk
library firm. From 1982 to 1985, Mr. Covey served as national sales manager at
Micropolis Corporation, a disk drive manufacturer. Mr. Covey attended Butler
University from 1965 to 1968.
41
<PAGE>
Bruce E. Gladstone has been a director of Qualstar since 1994. In 1997, Mr.
Gladstone was founder of ComCore Semiconductor, a manufacturer of fabless
semiconductors, and served as its Vice President and a director from 1997 until
1998. From 1996 until 1997, Mr. Gladstone was a consultant in the area of high
technology startup companies. In 1990, Mr. Gladstone co-founded Chronology
Corporation and served as an executive officer and director from 1990 until
1995. During the period 1974 through 1990, Mr. Gladstone founded and served as
chief executive officer or president of three companies providing electronic
engineering and software development tools. Mr. Gladstone began his career in
electrical engineering and received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Engineering from
the University of California, Los Angeles in 1957 and 1962.
Robert E. Rich has served as a director of Qualstar since January 2000. Mr.
Rich has been engaged in the private practice of law since 1975 and has been a
shareholder of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, legal counsel to Qualstar,
since 1984. Mr. Rich received a B.A. degree in Economics from the University of
California, Los Angeles in 1972 and his J.D. degree from the University of
California, Los Angeles in 1975.
Trude C. Taylor served as a director of Qualstar from October 1989 until
December 1995, and rejoined our board in January 2000. Since 1984, Mr. Taylor
has been a principal of TC Associates, a private investment firm. Mr. Taylor
served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a director of
Zehntel Corporation, an automatic electronic test equipment manufacturer, from
1984 until 1988. Mr. Taylor was a founder and served as Chief Executive
Officer, President and a director of EM&M Corporation, a computer components
and memory products company, from 1961 until 1984, and served as its Chairman
of the Board from 1984 until 1986. Mr. Taylor served on the board of directors
of Xylan Corporation until it was acquired by Alcatel S.A. in 1999, and
currently serves on the boards of directors of Plantronics, Inc. and DensePac
Microsystems, Inc. Mr. Taylor also serves as a trustee of Harvey Mudd College,
and as an arbitrator for the New York Stock Exchange and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Mr. Taylor received a B.S. degree in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1949,
and an M.B.A. degree from Harvard University in 1951.
Robert T. Webber has served as a director of Qualstar since January 2000.
Prior to his retirement in 1999, Mr. Webber was employed for 32 years by
Lockheed-Martin Skunk Works and its predecessors, where he served in various
positions, most recently as Chief Engineer and Division Manager for the Systems
Requirements & Analysis Division. Mr. Webber currently serves on the executive
board of the National Defense Industrial Association's Combat Survivability
Division, a professional trade association. Mr. Webber received a B.S. degree
in Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1963 and an
M.B.A. degree from Pepperdine University in 1971.
Board Composition
Our board of directors currently consists of six directors. Each director
serves a term of one year. Each director serves the term for which he is
elected until the election and qualification of his successor or until his
resignation or removal, whichever comes earlier.
Our board of directors currently has two committees, a compensation
committee and an audit committee. The compensation committee consists of Bruce
E. Gladstone, Trude C. Taylor and Robert T. Webber. The compensation committee
reviews and recommends the salaries and bonuses of our officers, establishes
compensation and incentive plans, and determines other fringe benefits.
The audit committee consists of Trude C. Taylor, Bruce E. Gladstone and
Robert T. Webber. The audit committee recommends engagement of our independent
public accountants and is primarily responsible for approving the services
performed by our independent accountants and for reviewing and evaluating our
accounting principles and our system of internal controls.
Director Compensation
Non-employee directors receive $1,500 per quarter as compensation for their
services on the board, and are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection
with attendance at board meetings. We have in the past
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<PAGE>
granted non-employee directors options to purchase shares of our common stock
pursuant to our 1985 Stock Option Plan. Directors are eligible to receive
options and rights to purchase restricted stock under our 1998 Stock Incentive
Plan. In January 2000, we granted to each of our four non-employee directors
the right to purchase 54,000 shares of restricted stock at a price of $2.78 per
share, which each director purchased with a full-recourse promissory note. We
have the right to repurchase a director's restricted shares at the original
purchase price upon termination of his service for any reason. Our repurchase
right lapses and the director's shares vest at the rate of 25% per year of
service following the date of grant. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions."
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation
Decisions
Our board of directors established the compensation committee in January
2000. Prior to establishing the compensation committee, our board of directors
as a whole performed the functions delegated to the compensation committee. No
executive officer serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation
committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our
board of directors.
Executive Compensation
The following table summarizes all compensation earned by our Chief
Executive Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive
officers whose total salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for services rendered
in all capacities to us during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999. These
individuals are referred to as our named executive officers in other parts of
this prospectus. The amounts shown below under "All Other Compensation"
represent matching contributions under our 401(k) plan.
Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long Term
Compensation Awards
-------------------
Annual Compensation Securities
-------------------- Underlying All Other
Name and Principal Position Salary Bonus Options (#) Compensation
- --------------------------- ---------- --------- ------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William J. Gervais...... $ 138,400 $ 25,000 -- --
Chief Executive Officer
and President
Richard A. Nelson....... 126,720 15,000 -- $1,354
Vice President of
Engineering
Daniel O. Thorlakson.... 155,600 20,000 -- 1,434
Vice President of
Operations
Robert K. Covey......... 152,540 10,000 -- 1,483
Vice President of
Marketing
</TABLE>
Option Grants
We did not grant any stock options to our named executive officers during
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.
On January 14, 2000, we granted options to four of our employees to purchase
a total of 137,700 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.78 per
share. This amount includes an option to purchase 97,200 shares granted to our
newly-hired Chief Financial Officer, Matthew Natalizio. These options were
granted under our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, have a term of ten years and vest
at a rate of 25% per year over four years following the date of grant.
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<PAGE>
Options Exercised and Fiscal Year-End Values
The following table sets forth the number and value of unexercised options
held by our named executive officers as of June 30, 1999. The value of
unexercised in-the-money options at June 30, 1999 represents an amount equal to
the difference between the assumed initial public offering price of $11.00 per
share and the option exercise price, multiplied by the number of unexercised
in-the-money options. None of our named executive officers exercised any
options during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Underlying Value of Unexercised
Unexercised Options at June 30, In-the-Money Options at
1999 June 30, 1999
------------------------------------ -------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---- ----------------- ---------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William J. Gervais...... - - - -
Richard A. Nelson....... - - - -
Daniel O. Thorlakson.... - - - -
Robert K. Covey......... 194,400 - $2,088,000 -
</TABLE>
Stock Option Plans
1985 Stock Option Plan
Our 1985 Stock Option Plan was adopted by our board of directors in March
1985, approved by our shareholders in October 1985, and amended several times
thereafter. The 1985 plan provided for the grant of "incentive stock options"
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code as well as
nonqualified options, to purchase up to 1,350,000 shares of our common stock.
The 1985 plan expired on March 27, 1995. As of January 31, 2000, options to
purchase 194,400 shares of our common stock remained outstanding under the 1985
plan.
1998 Stock Incentive Plan
Our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan was adopted by our board of directors in
February 1998, approved by our shareholders in March 1998, and was amended in
January 2000. The 1998 plan provides for the grant to employees of "incentive
stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code,
and for the grant of nonqualified stock options and stock purchase rights to
employees, directors, consultants and other service providers.
A total of 1,215,000 shares of common stock have been authorized for
issuance under the amended 1998 plan. As of January 31, 2000, options to
purchase 229,500 shares were issued and outstanding, 216,000 shares of
restricted stock had been sold, and 729,000 shares remained available for the
grant of additional options and stock purchase rights under the 1998 plan.
Our board of directors or a committee of the board administers the 1998
plan. In the case of options intended to qualify as "performance-based
compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code, the committee will consist of two or more "outside directors" within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The administrator has
the power to determine the terms of the options or share purchase rights
granted, including the exercise price, the number of shares subject to each
option or share purchase right, the exercisability of the options and the form
of consideration payable upon exercise.
The exercise price of stock options, and the purchase price of restricted
stock, must be not less than the fair market value of a share of our common
stock on the date of grant, or 110% with respect to incentive stock options
granted to optionees who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock.
Options expire no
44
<PAGE>
later than ten years from the date of grant, or five years with respect to
incentive stock options granted to optionees who own more than 10% of our
outstanding common stock. Options generally are nontransferable, other than
upon death by will and the laws of descent and distribution.
In the case of stock purchase rights, the restricted stock purchase
agreement entered into in connection with the exercise of the stock purchase
rights generally grants us a repurchase option that we may exercise upon the
voluntary or involuntary termination of the purchaser's service with us for any
reason, including death or disability. The purchase price for shares we
repurchase pursuant to restricted stock purchase agreements generally is the
original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any
indebtedness owed by the purchaser to us. The repurchase option lapses at a
rate that the administrator determines.
In the event a "change in control" of Qualstar occurs, all outstanding
options immediately will become exercisable in full, and our right to
repurchase shares of restricted stock will expire, immediately prior to the
change in control. However, if the company acquiring us assumes outstanding
options, vesting of options will not accelerate and our repurchase right with
respect to restricted stock will not expire unless the person holding an option
or restricted stock thereafter is terminated involuntarily.
For purposes of the 1998 plan, a "change in control" of Qualstar will be
deemed to have occurred, among other things, upon:
. the sale or other disposition of substantially all of our assets;
. the approval by our shareholders of a plan or proposal for the
liquidation or dissolution of Qualstar;
. a merger or consolidation to which we are a party if our shareholders
immediately prior to the merger or consolidation beneficially own,
immediately after the merger or consolidation, securities of the
surviving corporation representing 50% or less of the combined voting
power of the surviving corporation's then outstanding securities; or
. any person becoming the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the voting
power of our outstanding securities.
Unless terminated sooner, the 1998 plan will terminate automatically in
2008. In addition, we have the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the
1998 plan, provided that no such action may affect any share of common stock
previously issued and sold or any option previously granted under the 1998 plan
without the optionee's written consent.
401(k) Plan
We maintain a 401(k) plan to provide eligible employees with a tax
preferential savings and investment program. Contributions by participants or
by us to the 401(k) plan, and income earned on plan contributions, generally
are not taxable to the participants until withdrawn, and we may deduct our
contributions when we make them. Employees that are 21 years or older become
eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the first anniversary of their
employment with us. Eligible participants may elect to reduce their current
compensation up to the lesser of 15% of eligible compensation or the
statutorily prescribed annual limit, currently $10,500, and have such reduction
contributed to the 401(k) plan. We may make matching contributions to the
401(k) plan on behalf of eligible participants at a rate of 25% of up to 6% of
the amount contributed by eligible participants. The amount of our contribution
on behalf of an eligible participant vests at the rate of 20% per year. The
trustees of the 401(k) plan invest the assets of the 401(k) plan in the various
investment options as directed by the participants.
Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters
Our restated articles of incorporation limit the personal liability of our
directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by the
California General Corporation Law. Under the California General Corporation
Law, a director's liability to a company or its shareholders may not be
limited:
. for acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
and culpable violation of law;
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<PAGE>
. for acts or omissions that a director believes to be contrary to our best
interests or the best interests of our shareholders or that involve the
absence of good faith on the part of the director;
. for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal
benefit;
. for acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director's
duty to us or our shareholders;
. for acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention
that amounts to an abdication of the director's duty to us or our
shareholders;
. under Section 310 of the California General Corporation Law concerning
contracts or transactions between us and a director; or
. under Section 316 of the California General Corporation Law concerning
directors' liability for approving improper dividends, loans and
guarantees. The limitation of liability does not affect the availability
of injunctions and other equitable remedies available to our shareholders
for any violation by a director of the director's fiduciary duty to us or
our shareholders.
Our restated articles of incorporation also authorize us to indemnify our
"agents," as defined in Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law,
through bylaw provisions, by agreement or otherwise, to the fullest extent
permitted by law. Pursuant to this provision, our Bylaws provide for
indemnification of our directors, officers and employees. In addition, we may,
at our discretion, indemnify persons whom we are not obligated to indemnify.
Our Bylaws also allow us to enter into indemnity agreements with individual
directors, officers, employees and other agents. We have entered into
indemnity agreements with all of our directors and executive officers that
provide the maximum indemnification permitted by law.
These agreements, together with our Bylaws and Restated Articles of
Incorporation, may require us, among other things, to indemnify our directors
or executive officers, other than for liability resulting from willful
misconduct of a culpable nature, to advance expenses to them as they are
incurred, provided that they undertake to repay the amount advanced if it is
ultimately determined by a court that they are not entitled to
indemnification, and to obtain directors' and officers' insurance if available
on reasonable terms. Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law and
our Bylaws provide for the indemnification of officers, directors and other
corporate agents in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons, under
certain circumstances, for liabilities, including reimbursement of expense
incurred, arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
We are not aware of any pending litigation or proceeding involving our
directors, officers, employees or agents in which indemnification will be
required or permitted. Moreover, we are not aware of any threatened litigation
or proceeding that might result in a claim for such indemnification. We
believe that the foregoing indemnification provisions and agreements are
necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive
officers.
We intend to obtain directors' and officers' liability insurance prior to
the effectiveness of this offering.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In January 2000 each of our four non-employee directors purchased 54,000
shares of restricted stock pursuant to our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan at a
price of $2.78 per share, which was the fair market value of our stock on the
date of grant as determined by our board of directors. Each director paid for
his shares with a full-recourse promissory note in the amount of $150,000,
secured by a pledge of the purchased shares. Payments of principal on the
notes are due in four equal annual installments commencing on the second
anniversary of the date of the note. Interest on the notes accrues at the rate
of 6.21%, and is payable annually.
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<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial
ownership of our common stock as of January 31, 2000, and as adjusted to
reflect the sale of common stock offered in this offering for:
. each person (or group of affiliated persons) who we know beneficially
owns more than 5% of our common stock;
. each of our directors;
. each of the named executive officers;
. each shareholder who is selling shares of common stock in this offering;
and
. all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and includes voting and investment power
with respect to shares. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by
a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock
subject to options held by that person that currently are exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2000 are deemed outstanding. Such
shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the
percentage ownership of each other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the
persons named in the table have sole voting and sole investment control with
respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws
where applicable. The percentage of shares beneficially owned prior to the
offering is based on 9,525,959 shares of common stock outstanding as of January
31, 2000. The percentage of shares beneficially owned after the offering is
based on 12,525,959 shares and assumes no exercise of the underwriters' over-
allotment option. The address for those individuals for which an address is not
otherwise indicated is: c/o Qualstar Corporation, 6709 Independence Avenue,
Canoga Park, California 91303.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares
Beneficially Shares Beneficially
Owned Prior to Owned After
Offering Number of Offering
----------------- Shares Being -----------------------
Name of Beneficial Owners Number Percent Offered Number Percent
- ------------------------- --------- ------- ------------ ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William J. Gervais....... 3,119,850 32.8% 131,000 2,988,850 23.9%
Richard A. Nelson........ 2,247,750 23.6 95,000 2,152,750 17.2
Daniel O. Thorlakson..... 548,100 5.8 24,000 524,100 4.2
Robert K. Covey(1)....... 194,400 2.0 -- 194,400 1.5
Bruce E. Gladstone(2).... 54,000 0.6 -- 54,000 0.4
Robert E. Rich(2)........ 131,400 1.4 -- 131,400 1.0
Trude C. Taylor(2)....... 160,920 1.7 -- 160,920 1.3
Robert T. Webber(2)...... 108,000 1.1 -- 108,000 0.9
All directors and
officers as a group (9
persons)(3)............. 6,564,420 68.2 6,314,420 50.0
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Includes 97,200 shares issuable upon exercise of an option held by Mr.
Covey which is exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2000.
(2) Includes 54,000 shares that we have the right to repurchase if the
shareholder's service on our board of directors terminates. Our repurchase
right lapses in four equal annual installments commencing January 14, 2001.
(3) Includes an aggregate of 97,200 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by these individuals which are exercisable within 60 days of January
31, 2000, and 216,000 shares subject to a right of repurchase in favor of
Qualstar which lapses over time.
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<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Upon the closing of this offering, our authorized capital stock will consist
of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value, and 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, no par value.
Common Stock
Upon completion of this offering, we will have 12,525,959 shares of common
stock outstanding. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the common
stock to be issued in this offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable.
The following summarizes the rights of holders of our common stock:
. each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted upon by the shareholders;
. subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock that
we may issue in the future, the holders of common stock are entitled to
receive such lawful dividends as may be declared by the board of
directors;
. upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of shares of
common stock are entitled to receive a pro rata portion of all of our
assets remaining for distribution after satisfaction of all our
liabilities and the payment of any liquidation preference of any
outstanding preferred stock;
. there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our
common stock; and
. there are no preemptive or conversion rights applicable to our common
stock.
Preferred Stock
We will not have any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the completion
of this offering. However, our restated articles of incorporation authorize our
board of directors, without shareholder approval, to issue our preferred stock
in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences and privileges
thereof. Among other rights, the board of directors may determine, without
further vote or action by our shareholders:
. the number of shares and the designation of any series;
. the dividend rate on the shares of the series, whether dividends will be
cumulative, and if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights
of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of the series;
. whether the series will have voting rights in addition to the voting
rights provided by law and, if so, the terms of the voting rights;
. whether the series will have conversion privileges and if so, the terms
and conditions of conversion;
. whether or not the shares of the series will be redeemable or
exchangeable and if so, the dates, terms and conditions of redemption or
exchange, as the case may be;
. whether the series will have a sinking fund for the redemption or
purchase of shares of that series and if so, the terms and amount of the
sinking fund; and
. the rights of the shares of the series in the event of our voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up and the relative
rights or priority, if any, of payment of shares of the series.
Although we presently do not have plans to issue any shares of preferred
stock, any future issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of
rights to purchase preferred shares, may delay, defer or prevent a change of
control in our company or an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The issuance of
preferred stock also
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<PAGE>
could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to
the holders of common stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers,
including voting rights, of the holders of the common stock.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Restated Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws
Some provisions of our restated articles of incorporation and bylaws may
have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or
takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider in its best interest,
including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price
for the shares held by our shareholders. These provisions include:
. Authorized But Unissued Shares. Our board of directors has the authority
to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock without shareholder
approval. Our board of directors also has the authority to issue
approximately 37,474,041 million shares of common stock without
shareholder approval, subject to certain limitations imposed by the
Nasdaq National Market. These additional shares may be issued for a
variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise
additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans.
The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved capital stock
could discourage or make more difficult an attempt to obtain control of
our company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or
otherwise.
. Limitation of Liability. Our restated articles of incorporation eliminate
the personal liability of our directors to us and our shareholders to the
fullest extent permitted by the California General Corporation law. Our
bylaws authorize us to provide indemnification to our directors and
officers if they are made party to litigation by reason that such person
was acting on our behalf and in good faith. These provisions may reduce
the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and may
discourage or deter shareholders or management from bringing a lawsuit
against directors for breach of their duty of care.
. Advance Notice Provisions. Our bylaws contain advance notice provisions
for nominations for election to our board of directors and for proposals
to be acted on by our shareholders at shareholder meetings. Any
nomination or proposal that does not comply with these provisions will
not be allowed. This may make it more difficult to change the composition
of our board of directors or to propose a transaction which could result
in a change in control.
. Elimination of Cumulative Voting. Our restated articles of incorporation
and our bylaws eliminate cumulative voting in the election of directors
as long as our shares are listed for trading on Nasdaq, or on the New
York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange. This provision
ensures that the holder or holders of a majority of our common shares
entitled to vote in an election of directors are able to elect all of the
directors. This provision could deter investors from acquiring a minority
of our shares of our common stock in order to obtain a board seat and
influence corporate policy.
California law provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation's
articles of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation's articles of
incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our
articles and bylaws require the vote of a majority of the holders of the
outstanding common stock to amend, revise or repeal anti-takeover provisions.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Corporate Stock
Transfer.
49
<PAGE>
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common
stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public
market could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could
adversely affect our ability to raise equity capital at a time and price
favorable to us.
Upon completion of this offering, assuming no exercise of outstanding
options after January 31, 2000 and no exercise of the underwriters'
overallotment option, we will have 12,525,959 shares of common stock
outstanding. Of these shares, the 3,250,000 shares sold in this offering, plus
any shares sold as a result of the underwriters' exercise of the over-allotment
option, will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act.
The remaining 9,275,959 shares of outstanding common stock held by existing
shareholders are "restricted securities" under the Securities Act or are
subject to "lock-up" agreements or restrictions as described below. "Restricted
securities" as defined under Rule 144 were issued and sold by us in reliance on
exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. These
shares may be sold in the public market only if registered or pursuant to an
exemption from registration, such as Rule 144, Rule 144(k) or Rule 701 under
the Securities Act.
Lock-Up Agreements
All of our officers, directors and selling shareholders, and all but two of
our other shareholders, have agreed, pursuant to "lock-up" agreements, that
they will not offer, sell, contract to sell or grant any option to purchase or
otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock owned by them or that could be
purchased by them through the exercise of options, for a period of 180 days
after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written consent of First
Security Van Kasper and Needham & Company, Inc. Two of our shareholders are
subject to lock-up restrictions for a period of 120 days after the date of this
prospectus. The following shares will be eligible for sale in the public market
at the following times:
. Beginning on the date of this prospectus, only the shares sold in the
offering will be immediately available for sale in the public market.
. Beginning 120 days after the date of this prospectus, 27,000 shares will
be freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144(k).
. Beginning 180 days after the date of this prospectus, 3,031,739 shares
will be freely tradable pursuant to Rules 144(k) and 701, and an
additional 6,001,220 shares will be eligible for sale subject to volume
limitations, as explained below, pursuant to Rules 144 and 701.
Rule 144
Under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of
this prospectus, a person who beneficially has owned restricted securities for
at least one year, including persons who may be deemed affiliates of Qualstar,
are entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does
not exceed the greater of:
. one percent of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding,
which will equal approximately 125,000 shares upon completion of this
offering; or
. the average weekly trading volume of the common stock during the four
calendar weeks preceding the filing of a Form 144 with respect to such
sale.
Sales of restricted securities under Rule 144 also are subject to certain
manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of
current public information about us. These limitations apply to both restricted
and unrestricted shares held by persons who are our affiliates.
50
<PAGE>
Rule 144(k)
Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of
Qualstar at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale, and who has
beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years,
including the holding period of any prior owner except an affiliate, is
entitled to sell those shares without complying with the manner of sale, public
information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. Therefore,
unless subject to the contractual lock-up restrictions described above or
otherwise restricted, "144(k) shares" may be sold immediately upon the
completion of this offering.
Rule 701
Under Rule 701 as currently in effect, persons who purchase shares upon
exercise of options granted prior to the effective date of this initial public
offering may sell such shares in reliance on Rule 144, beginning 90 days after
the date of this prospectus. Rule 701 permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701
shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of
Rule 144. Non-affiliates may sell their Rule 701 shares without complying with
the holding period, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions
of Rule 144.
Stock Options
Following this offering, we intend to file a registration statement on Form
S-8 under the Securities Act to register all of our shares of common stock
subject to outstanding stock options. Based on the number of shares subject to
outstanding options on January 31, 2000 and the number of shares currently
reserved for issuance under all of our stock option plans and agreements, the
registration statement would cover approximately 1,152,900 shares of our common
stock. Accordingly, shares issuable upon exercise of these options may be
resold in the public market by non-affiliates without restriction, and by
affiliates subject to Rule 144 volume limitations, except to the extent that
such shares are subject to the contractual lock-up restrictions described
above. See "Management -- Stock Option Plans."
51
<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions of an underwriting agreement,
the underwriters named below, acting through their representatives, First
Security Van Kasper, Needham & Company, Inc. and Wedbush Morgan Securities,
each severally has agreed to purchase from us the number of shares of common
stock shown opposite their names below at the public offering price less the
underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Other
than the shares covered by the over-allotment option, the underwriters are
obligated to purchase and accept delivery of all the shares of common stock if
any are purchased.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Underwriters Shares
------------ ---------
<S> <C>
First Security Van Kasper..........................................
Needham & Company, Inc. ...........................................
Wedbush Morgan Securities..........................................
---------
Total............................................................ 3,250,000
=========
</TABLE>
The underwriters propose initially to offer the shares of common stock in
part directly to the public at the initial public offering price shown on the
cover page of this prospectus and in part to dealers, including the
underwriters, at this price less a discount not in excess of $ per share.
The underwriters may allow, and these dealers may re-allow other dealers, a
discount not in excess of $ per share.
The following table summarizes the compensation to be paid to the
underwriters by us and the selling shareholders, and the expenses payable by
us. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise, and full exercise, of
the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares of common stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Share Total
------------------- -------------------
Without With Without With
Over- Over- Over- Over-
Allotment Allotment Allotment Allotment
--------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Underwriting discounts and commissions
payable by us........................ $ $ $ $
Underwriting discounts and commissions
payable by the selling shareholders..
Expenses payable by us................
</TABLE>
Over-Allotment. We have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable
within 45 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an
aggregate of 487,500 additional shares of common stock at the public offering
price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may
exercise this option solely to cover over-allotments, if any, made in this
offering. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will
purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as indicated in the table
above.
Indemnity. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Sales To Discretionary Accounts. The underwriters have informed us that they
do not intend to confirm sales to accounts over which they exercise
discretionary authority.
Future Sales. Qualstar, its executive officers, directors and all but two
existing shareholders, have agreed not to offer, pledge, sell, hedge or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common
52
<PAGE>
stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
common stock for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus. Two of
our shareholders are subject to lock-up restrictions for a period of 120 days
afer the date of this prospectus.
Transfers or dispositions can be made sooner, however, with the prior
written consent of First Security Van Kasper and Needham & Company, Inc., the
joint lead managers. Their consent may be given at any time without public
notice. In making such a determination, the joint lead managers would consider
prevailing market factors and conditions at the time of receipt of a request
for release from the 180-day restriction period. Specifically, the joint lead
managers would consider in evaluating such a request factors such as average
trading volume, recent price trends, and the need for additional public float
in the market for our common stock.
Offers In Other Jurisdictions. Neither we nor the underwriters have taken
any action that would permit a public offering of the shares of common stock
offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is
required, other than the United States. The shares of common stock offered by
this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may
this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements related to the
offer and sale of these shares of common stock be distributed or published, in
any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance
with the applicable rules and regulations of these jurisdictions. This
prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any
shares of common stock offered hereby in any jurisdiction in which such an
offer or solicitation is unlawful.
Stabilization. During this offering, the underwriters purchase and sell
shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short
sales, stabilizing transactions, purchases to cover positions created by short
sales and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a
greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering.
Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the
purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common
stock while the offering is in progress. The underwriters also may impose a
penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter or dealer repays to the
underwriters a portion of the selling concession received by it because the
representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such
underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions. These activities may
stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the common stock.
As a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that
otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters are not required to
engage in these activities and may discontinue any of these activities at any
time.
No Prior Public Market. Prior to this offering, there has been no public
market for our common stock. As a result, the initial public offering price for
the common stock has been determined by negotiations between us and the
underwriters. Among the factors considered in determining the public offering
price were:
. prevailing market conditions;
. our results of operations in recent periods;
. the present stage of our development;
. the market capitalizations and development stages of other companies
that we and the underwriters believe to be comparable to us; and
. estimates of our growth potential.
Directed Share Program. At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to
162,500 shares of common stock to be issued by us and offered for sale by this
prospectus, at the initial public offering price, for sale to directors,
officers, employees, business associates and related persons of Qualstar. The
number of shares of common stock available for sale to the general public will
be reduced to the extent these individuals purchase these reserved shares. Any
reserved shares which are not purchased will be offered by the underwriters to
the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered by this
prospectus. We intend, through First Security Van Kasper, to seek indications
of interest from designated persons such as directors, officers, employees,
business associates and related persons of Qualstar. No offers or other
solicitations were made prior to the filing of the registration statement of
which this prospectus is a part.
53
<PAGE>
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for us by Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, a professional corporation,
Newport Beach, California. Certain legal matters in connection with this
offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Troop Steuber Pasich
Reddick & Tobey, LLP, Los Angeles, California. An investment partnership
composed of certain current and former shareholders of Stradling Yocca Carlson
& Rauth, as well as a current individual shareholder of Stradling Yocca Carlson
& Rauth, beneficially own an aggregate of 221,400 shares of our common stock.
Robert E. Rich, a director of Qualstar, is a shareholder of Stradling Yocca
Carlson & Rauth.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our financial
statements at June 30, 1998 and 1999, and for each of the three years in the
period ended June 30, 1999, as set forth in their report. We have included our
financial statements in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration
statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's report, given on their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration
statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the common stock
offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration
statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the
registration statement or the exhibits and schedules which are part of the
registration statement. We have described all material information for each
contract, agreement, or other document referenced in this prospectus. With
respect to each such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement, however, reference is made to the exhibit for a
more complete description of the matter involved. For further information with
respect to Qualstar and the common stock, reference is made to the registration
statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto.
A copy of the registration statement may be inspected without charge at the
public reference facilities of the SEC located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the SEC located at Seven
World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of all or any part of the
registration statement may be obtained at the prescribed rates from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549
and its public reference facilities in New York, New York and Chicago,
Illinois, upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC. The registration
statement also is available through the SEC's web site on the world wide web at
http://www.sec.gov.
Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the information
and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act and, in
accordance therewith, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. Such periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information will be available for inspection and copying at the SEC's public
reference rooms, our web site and the web site of the SEC referred to above.
Information on our web site does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
54
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors........................... F-2
Balance Sheets.............................................................. F-3
Statements of Income........................................................ F-4
Statements of Shareholders' Equity.......................................... F-5
Statements of Cash Flows.................................................... F-6
Notes to Financial Statements............................................... F-7
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE>
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Qualstar Corporation
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Qualstar Corporation as
of June 30, 1998 and 1999, and the related statements of income, shareholders'
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30,
1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Qualstar Corporation at
June 30, 1998 and 1999, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the three years in the period ended June 30, 1999, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Ernst & Young LLP
Woodland Hills, California
August 4, 1999, except as to
Note 12, as to which the date
is April , 2000
The foregoing report is in the form that will be signed upon the completion
of the restatement of capital accounts described in Note 12 to the financial
statements.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Woodland Hills, California
March 20, 2000
F-2
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pro Forma
Shareholders'
Equity at
June 30, December 31, December 31,
-------------- ------------ -------------
1998 1999 1999 1999
------ ------- ------------ -------------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
ASSETS
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents.......... $ 798 $ 2,134 $ 3,765
Receivables, less allowances of
$165 in 1998, $420 in 1999 and
$470 at December 31, 1999......... 2,844 4,915 4,997
Inventories........................ 4,161 4,651 5,279
Prepaid expenses................... 23 31 15
Prepaid income taxes............... 8 345 640
Deferred income taxes.............. 198 398 398
------ ------- -------
Total current assets.............. 8,032 12,474 15,094
Property and equipment, net......... 373 436 416
Investment in common stock.......... -- -- 1,050
Other assets........................ 56 40 184
------ ------- -------
Total assets...................... $8,461 $12,950 $16,744
====== ======= =======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable................... $ 561 $ 747 $ 1,091
Accrued payroll and related
liabilities....................... 227 367 230
Other accrued liabilities.......... 31 155 72
------ ------- -------
Total current liabilities......... 819 1,269 1,393
Deferred income taxes............... 28 41 41
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value;
3,867 shares authorized, 881
shares of Series A convertible
preferred stock, liquidation
preference of $0.50 per share, or
$441 in the aggregate, authorized,
881 issued and outstanding in
1998, 1999 and December 31, 1999,
and no shares outstanding
pro forma......................... 431 431 431 $ --
Common stock, no par value; 10,000
shares authorized, 6,497 and 6,656
shares issued and outstanding in
1998 and 1999, respectively, 6,924
shares outstanding at December 31,
1999, and 9,301 shares issued and
outstanding pro forma............. 182 280 352 783
Deferred compensation.............. -- (58) (50) (50)
Retained earnings.................. 7,001 10,987 14,577 14,577
------ ------- ------- -------
Total shareholders' equity........ 7,614 11,640 15,310 $15,310
------ ------- ------- =======
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity............. $8,461 $12,950 $16,744
====== ======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-3
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
Years Ended June 30, December 31,
------------------------- -----------------
1997 1998 1999 1998 1999
------- ------- ------- -------- --------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenues...................... $15,333 $19,155 $29,698 $ 12,739 $ 22,522
Cost of goods sold................ 10,768 12,892 19,058 8,232 13,980
------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Gross profit...................... 4,565 6,263 10,640 4,507 8,542
Operating expenses:
Research and development......... 916 894 925 439 507
Sales and marketing.............. 1,146 1,277 1,941 881 1,275
General and administrative....... 1,052 1,062 1,267 592 791
------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses....... 3,114 3,233 4,133 1,912 2,573
------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Income from operations............ 1,451 3,030 6,507 2,595 5,969
Interest income................... 21 35 41 18 24
------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes........ 1,472 3,065 6,548 2,613 5,993
Provision for income taxes........ 518 1,132 2,562 1,067 2,403
------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Net income........................ 954 1,933 3,986 1,546 3,590
Premium paid on redemption of
preferred stock.................. (106) (147) -- -- --
------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Net income applicable to common
shareholders..................... $ 848 $ 1,786 $ 3,986 $ 1,546 $ 3,590
======= ======= ======= ======== ========
Earnings per share:
Basic............................ $ 0.13 $ 0.28 $ 0.60 $ 0.23 $ 0.53
======= ======= ======= ======== ========
Diluted.......................... $ 0.09 $ 0.19 $ 0.42 $ 0.17 $ 0.38
======= ======= ======= ======== ========
Shares used to compute earnings
per share:
Basic............................ 6,332 6,404 6,629 6,612 6,836
======= ======= ======= ======== ========
Diluted.......................... 9,065 9,290 9,467 9,355 9,566
======= ======= ======= ======== ========
Pro forma earnings per share:
Basic............................ $ 0.44 $ 0.39
======= ========
Diluted.......................... $ 0.42 $ 0.38
======= ========
Shares used to compute pro forma
earnings per share:
Basic............................ 9,008 9,215
======= ========
Diluted.......................... 9,467 9,566
======= ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Series A
Nonredeemable
Preferred
Stock Common Stock
-------------- -------------- Deferred Retained
Shares Amount Shares Amount Compensation Earnings Total
------ ------ ------ ------ ------------ -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at July 1, 1996.. 1,014 $496 6,332 $132 $ $ 4,402 $ 5,030
Retirement of preferred
stock................... (60) (29) -- -- -- (106) (135)
Net income............... -- -- -- -- -- 954 954
----- ---- ----- ---- ---- ------- -------
Balances at June 30,
1997..................... 954 467 6,332 132 -- 5,250 5,849
Repurchase of common
stock................... -- -- (65) (1) -- (35) (36)
Retirement of preferred
stock................... (73) (36) -- -- -- (147) (183)
Exercise of stock
options................. -- -- 230 51 -- -- 51
Net income............... -- -- -- -- -- 1,933 1,933
----- ---- ----- ---- ---- ------- -------
Balances at June 30,
1998..................... 881 431 6,497 182 -- 7,001 7,614
Exercise of stock
options................. -- 159 40 -- -- 40
Deferred compensation
related to stock
options................. -- -- -- 58 (58) -- --
Net income............... -- -- -- -- -- 3,986 3,986
----- ---- ----- ---- ---- ------- -------
Balances at June 30,
1999..................... 881 431 6,656 280 (58) 10,987 11,640
Exercise of stock options
(unaudited)............. -- -- 268 72 -- -- 72
Amortization of deferred
compensation (unaudited)... -- -- -- -- 8 -- 8
Net income (unaudited)... -- -- -- -- -- 3,590 3,590
----- ---- ----- ---- ---- ------- -------
Balances at December 31,
1999 (unaudited)......... 881 $431 6,924 $352 $(50) $14,577 $15,310
===== ==== ===== ==== ==== ======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six months
ended
Year ended June 30, December 31,
---------------------- ---------------
1997 1998 1999 1998 1999
----- ------ ------- ------ -------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income........................... $ 954 $1,933 $ 3,986 $1,546 $ 3,590
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization....... 179 166 205 95 118
Deferred income taxes............... (46) (40) (187) -- --
Provisions for bad debts and
returns............................ 129 53 259 81 86
Deferred compensation............... -- -- -- -- 8
Loss on disposal of property and
equipment.......................... 6 3 6 2 --
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Receivables........................ (352) (787) (2,330) (354) (168)
Inventories........................ (667) (740) (490) (251) (628)
Prepaids and other assets.......... (26) 14 8 (19) (128)
Prepaid income taxes............... 162 (356) (337) (121) (295)
Accounts payable................... 122 44 186 403 344
Accrued payroll and related
liabilities....................... 23 35 140 (72) (137)
Other accrued liabilities.......... (6) 15 124 (14) (83)
----- ------ ------- ------ -------
Net cash provided by operating
activities....................... 478 340 1,570 1,296 2,707
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in common stock........... -- -- -- -- (1,050)
Purchases of property and equipment.. (119) (287) (274) (82) (98)
----- ------ ------- ------ -------
Net cash used in investing
activities....................... (119) (287) (274) (82) (1,148)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repurchase of common stock........... -- (36) -- -- --
Purchase of preferred stock for
retirement.......................... (135) (183) -- -- --
Proceeds from exercise of stock
options............................. -- 51 40 30 72
----- ------ ------- ------ -------
Net cash provided by used in
financing activities............. (135) (168) 40 30 72
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS..................... 224 (115) 1,336 1,244 1,631
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING
OF YEAR.............................. 689 913 798 798 2,134
----- ------ ------- ------ -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF
YEAR................................. $ 913 $ 798 $ 2,134 $2,042 $ 3,765
===== ====== ======= ====== =======
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
Income taxes paid.................... $ 402 $1,557 $ 3,088 $1,188 $ 2,700
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-6
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business
Qualstar Corporation (the "Company") designs, develops, manufactures and
sells high quality automated magnetic tape libraries used to store, retrieve
and manage electronic data primarily in network computing environments. Tape
libraries consist of high-performance cartridge tape drives, storage arrays of
tapes and robotics to move the tape cartridges from their storage locations to
the tape drives under software control. The Company offers tape libraries for
multiple tape drive technologies, including those using Advanced Intelligent
Tape, DLT, and quarter inch cartridge tape media.
The Company was incorporated in California in 1984 to develop and
manufacture IBM compatible 9-track reel-to-reel tape drives for the personal
computer and workstation marketplaces. In 1995, the Company entered the tape
automation business with a series of 8mm tape libraries. Since that time, the
Company has introduced a succession of automated tape libraries designed to
work with other tape drive technologies and tape media formats.
Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
The accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 1999 and the statements of
income and cash flows for the six months ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 and
the statement of shareholders' equity for the six months ended December 31,
1999 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial
statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial
statements and include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring
adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position,
results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods. The results of
operations for the six months ended December 31, 1999 are not necessarily
indicative of operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers as cash equivalents only those investments that are
short term, highly liquid, readily convertible to cash, and so near their
maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of
changes in interest rates. The Company classifies as cash equivalents only
those investments with initial maturities of three months or less.
Concentration of Credit Risk, Other Risks and Significant Customers
The Company sells its products primarily through a variety of market
channels including original equipment manufacturers (OEM), value added
resellers (VAR), dealers and end users located worldwide. Ongoing credit
evaluations of customers' financial condition are performed by the Company and
generally collateral is not required. Credit losses have been within
management's expectations and potential uncollectable accounts have been
provided for in the financial statements.
Sales to customers located outside of the United States represented 24.9% of
net revenues in 1997, 26.4% of net revenues in 1998 and 24.0% of net revenues
in 1999. Revenues from the Company's two largest customers were 4.0% and 4.8%
for the year ended June 30, 1997, 4.4% and 4.3% for the year ended June 30,
1998 and 8.7% and 17.0% for the year ended June 30, 1999, respectively. At June
30, 1998 and 1999, the two largest customer receivable balances totaled 15.1%
and 25.1% of total accounts receivable, respectively.
F-7
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or
market.
Suppliers
Sales and costs of goods sold related to products purchased from one large
supplier totaled approximately 28.0% and 36.0%, respectively, of total sales
and cost of goods sold for the year ended June 30, 1997. Sales and cost of
goods related to products purchased from the two largest suppliers totaled
approximately 38.0% and 47.0%, respectively, for the year ended June 30, 1998.
Sales and costs of goods sold related to products purchased from one large
supplier totaled approximately 33.0% and 41.0%, respectively, of total sales
and cost of goods sold for the year ended June 30, 1999.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives (3 to 7 years) of the individual assets. Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the estimated useful lives, or the term of the
related leases, whichever is shorter, using the straight-line method.
Investment in Common Stock (unaudited)
In November 1999, the Company purchased an approximately 1% interest in
Chaparral Network Storage, Inc. (Chaparral) for an aggregate purchase price of
$1,050,000. This investment is accounted for under the cost method. Chaparral
designs and manufactures RAID controllers and intelligent storage routers for
tape library applications.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews for the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of any asset may
not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the estimated
undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and
its eventual disposition is less than the carrying amount. If an impairment is
indicated, the amount of the loss to be recorded is based upon an estimate of
the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset.
Fair value is based upon discounted cash flows expected to result from the use
of the asset and its eventual disposition and other valuation methods. No such
impairment losses have been identified by the Company.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized upon shipment of the product to the customer and
when collectibility is reasonably assured, less estimated returns for which
provisions are made at the time of sale. The provision for estimated returns is
made based on known claims and estimates of additional returns based on
historical data. Revenues from technical support services and other services
are recognized at the time the services are performed.
Warranty Costs
The Company generally provides warranties for its products ranging from one
to five years. With respect to drives and tapes used in the Company's products
but manufactured by a third party, the Company passes on to the customer the
warranty on such drives and tapes provided by the manufacturer. A provision for
costs
F-8
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
related to warranty expense is recorded when revenue is recognized, which is
estimated based on historical warranty costs incurred.
Research and Development
All research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. These
costs consist primarily of salaries, outside consultant fees, prototype
materials and applicable overhead expenses of personnel directly involved in
the design and development of new products.
Advertising
The Company expenses all costs of advertising and promotion as incurred.
Advertising and promotion expenses for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1998 and
1999, were $391,000, $415,000 and $390,000, respectively.
Accounting for Stock Based Compensation
Employee stock options are accounted for under Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," which requires the
recognition of expense when the option price is less than the fair value of the
stock at the date of grant.
The Company generally awards options for a fixed number of shares at an
option price equal to the fair value at the date of grant. The Company has
adopted the disclosure-only provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards
Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" (SFAS 123).
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method in accordance with
SFAS 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under this method, deferred tax
liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences
of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of
assets and liabilities.
Earnings Per Share
The Company calculates earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128,
"Earnings per Share." Basic earnings per share has been computed by dividing
net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted
earnings per share has been computed by dividing net income by the weighted
average common shares outstanding plus dilutive securities or other contracts
to issue common stock as if these securities were exercised or converted to
common stock.
F-9
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
The following table sets forth the calculation for basic and diluted
earnings per share for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months
Ended
Year Ended June 30, December 31,
--------------------- -------------
1997 1998 1999 1998 1999
----- ------ ------ ------ ------
(in thousands) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings:
Net income........................... $ 954 $1,933 $3,986 $1,546 $3,590
Premium paid on redemption of
preferred stock..................... (106) (147) -- -- --
----- ------ ------ ------ ------
Net income applicable to common
shareholders........................ $ 848 $1,786 $3,986 $1,546 $3,590
===== ====== ====== ====== ======
Shares:
Weighted average shares for basic
earnings per share.................. 6,332 6,404 6,629 6,612 6,836
Conversion of Series A Preferred
Stock............................... 2,657 2,476 2,379 2,379 2,379
Stock options........................ 76 410 459 364 351
----- ------ ------ ------ ------
Weighted average shares for diluted
earnings per share.................. 9,065 9,290 9,467 9,355 9,566
===== ====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
In 1997 and 1998, the Company repurchased shares of preferred stock at a
premium over its carrying value of $106,000 and $147,000, respectively.
Pro Forma Shareholders' Equity and Net Income Per Share (unaudited)
If the offering contemplated by this prospectus is consummated, each
outstanding share of Series A convertible preferred stock will automatically be
converted into 2.7 shares of common stock. Pro forma shareholders' equity at
December 31, 1999, as adjusted for the assumed conversion is disclosed on the
balance sheet.
Pro forma basic and diluted net income per share presented in the income
statements has been computed as described above and also gives effect to the
conversion of the Series A convertible preferred stock from the beginning of
the periods presented.
Comprehensive Income
In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income"
(SFAS 130). SFAS 130 establishes standards for the reporting and display of
comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general purpose
financial statements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 1997. To date, the Company has not had any transactions that are required
to be reported as Comprehensive Income.
Segment Information
In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information" (SFAS 131). This statement establishes
standards for the way companies report information about operating segments in
annual financial statements. It also establishes standards for related
disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.
Based on the provisions of SFAS 131 and the manner in which the Chief Operating
Decision Maker analyzes the business, the Company has determined that it does
not have separately reportable operating segments.
F-10
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash
equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair
values due to the short term nature of these financial instruments.
Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those
estimates.
Reclassification
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current
year presentation.
2. Inventories
Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
------------- ------------
1998 1999 1999
------ ------ ------------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Raw materials..................................... $3,704 $4,103 $4,420
Finished goods.................................... 457 548 859
------ ------ ------
$4,161 $4,651 $5,279
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
3. Property and Equipment
The major components of property and equipment are as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30,
-------------
1998 1999
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Leasehold improvements......................................... $ 23 $ 23
Furniture and fixtures......................................... 544 561
Machinery and equipment........................................ 1,226 1,406
------ ------
1,793 1,990
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization............... 1,420 1,554
------ ------
$ 373 $ 436
====== ======
</TABLE>
4. Credit Facility
The Company has an unsecured line of credit with a bank which allows for
borrowings of up to $750,000 at the bank's reference rate (7.75% as of June 30,
1999 and 8.50% as of December 31, 1999), plus 1.25%. The line of credit
agreement was amended to extend the expiration date to November 1, 2000. As of
June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1999, the Company had not borrowed against the
line of credit.
F-11
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
5. Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1998 and
1999, is comprised of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998 1999
---- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal.............................................. $467 $ 967 $2,222
State................................................ 98 205 527
---- ------ ------
565 1,172 2,749
Deferred:
Federal.............................................. (45) (38) (173)
State................................................ (2) (2) (14)
---- ------ ------
(47) (40) (187)
---- ------ ------
$518 $1,132 $2,562
==== ====== ======
</TABLE>
The provision for income taxes was reduced by the utilization of
approximately $84,000, $65,000 and $16,000 of research and development tax
credits in 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
The following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate
to the Company's effective income tax rate:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years
Ended June 30,
----------------
1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Statutory federal income tax expense....................... 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit...... 4.3 4.4 5.1
Other...................................................... (3.1) (1.5) --
---- ---- ----
35.2% 36.9% 39.1%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
The tax effect of temporary differences resulted in deferred income tax
assets (liabilities) at June 30, 1998 and 1999, as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for bad debts and returns............................ $ 67 $180
Capitalized inventory costs.................................... 22 20
State income taxes............................................. 76 152
Other accruals................................................. 33 46
---- ----
Total deferred tax assets...................................... 198 398
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation................................................... (28) (41)
---- ----
Net deferred tax asset......................................... $170 $357
==== ====
</TABLE>
No valuation reserve was established at June 30, 1998 and 1999, based on the
Company's expectations to realize the deferred tax asset.
F-12
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
6. Shareholders' Equity
Preferred Stock
At June 30, 1998 and 1999, 3,866,800 shares of preferred stock have been
authorized for issuance. Of this amount, 880,800 shares have been issued as
Series A Preferred Stock. The remaining 2,986,000 shares are not designated at
June 30, 1998 and 1999. During 1998, the Company paid $183,000 for the
retirement of 73,200 shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 2.7 shares of
common stock, as adjusted for stock splits. The conversion ratio is subject to
adjustment based on the occurrence of certain events. At June 30, 1998 and
1999, the Company has reserved 2,378,160 authorized and unissued common shares
for the purpose of effecting the conversion of preferred stock. Shares of
Series A Preferred Stock are subject to automatic conversion into shares of
common stock in the event of, among other things, an underwritten public
offering of shares of common stock for which the Company receives not less than
$5,000,000 and per share consideration of $4.00.
Preferred shareholders are entitled to vote at shareholder meetings as
though they had converted their preferred shares into common shares. Dividends
are payable on preferred stock only when declared by the board of directors and
are not cumulative. However, dividends are only payable on preferred stock when
similar dividends are simultaneously declared or paid on all shares of common
stock then outstanding. In the event of liquidation, preferred shareholders
shall be entitled to receive, out of the remaining net assets of the Company,
$.50 per share for Series A Preferred Stock (a total of $440,400 at June 30,
1998 and 1999), on a pro rata basis before any distribution can be paid to
holders of common stock.
7. Stock Option Plans
The Company adopted a stock option plan in 1985 under which incentive stock
options and nonqualified stock options could be granted for an aggregate of no
more than 1,350,000 shares of common stock. Under the terms of the plan,
incentive stock options and nonqualified options could be issued at an exercise
price of not less than 100% and 85%, respectively, of the fair market value of
common stock as determined by the board of directors on the date of grant.
Options are exercisable in annual installments as specified in each stock
option agreement. Incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options
terminate as specified in each option agreement, but no later than ten years
after the date of grant unless an extension is granted by the board of
directors. The stock option plan expired on March 27, 1995. No new shares may
be granted under the plan after that date; however, outstanding stock options
may be exercised in accordance with their terms.
The Company adopted a new stock option plan in 1998 (1998 Stock Incentive
Plan) under which incentive and nonqualified stock options could be granted for
an aggregate of no more than 270,000 shares of common stock. During fiscal
2000, the Company amended and restated the 1998 stock option plan to increase
the pool of options and shares of restricted stock that could be granted for an
aggregate of no more than 1,215,000 shares of common stock. Under the terms of
the plan, options could be issued at an exercise price of not less than 100% of
the fair market value of common stock as determined by the board of directors
(or board appointed administrator) on the date of grant. If an incentive stock
option is granted to an individual owning more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all stock, the exercise price of the option may not be less
than 110% of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of
grant. Options are exercisable in annual installments and terminate as
specified in each option agreement, but terminate no later than ten years after
the date of grant.
F-13
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
The following table summarizes all stock option activity (in thousands,
except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exercise Weighted
Stock Price Average
Options Per Share Exercise Price
------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at July 1, 1996............ 818 $0.15 - 0.26 $0.23
Outstanding at June 30, 1997........... 818 0.15 - 0.26 0.23
Granted.............................. 121 0.56 0.56
Exercised............................ (229) 0.15 - 0.26 0.22
---- ------------ -----
Outstanding at June 30, 1998........... 710 0.15 - 0.56 0.29
Granted.............................. 27 1.11 1.11
Cancelled............................ (16) 0.56 0.56
Exercised............................ (159) 0.22 - 0.56 0.25
---- ------------ -----
Outstanding at June 30, 1999........... 562 0.22 - 1.11 0.34
Exercised (unaudited)................ (268) 0.22 - 0.56 0.51
---- ------------ -----
Outstanding at December 31, 1999
(unaudited)........................... 294 $0.22 - 1.11 $0.34
==== ============ =====
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Exercisable
Options Outstanding at June 30, 1999 at June 30, 1999
------------------------------------- --------------------
Weighted Weighted
Number of Weighted Average Average Number of Average
Exercise Shares Remaining Exercise Shares Exercise
Price Range Outstanding Contractual Life Price Exercisable Price
----------- ----------- ---------------- -------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
0.22 - 0.26 437 3.43 0.24 437 0.24
0.56 - 1.11 125 9.04 0.68 32 0.56
<CAPTION>
Options Exercisable
Options Outstanding at December 31, at December 31. 1999
1999 (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
------------------------------------- --------------------
Weighted Weighted
Number of Weighted Average Average Number of Average
Exercise Shares Remaining Exercise Shares Exercise
Price Range Outstanding Contractual Life Price Exercisable Price
----------- ----------- ---------------- -------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
0.22 - 0.26 194 3.18 0.24 194 0.24
0.56 - 1.11 100 8.63 0.72 -- --
</TABLE>
If the Company recognized employee stock option-related compensation expense
in accordance with SFAS 123 and used the minimum value method for determining
the weighted average fair value of options granted during 1997, 1998 and 1999,
its pro forma net income applicable to common shareholders would have been
$838,000, $1,785,000 and $3,980,000, respectively. The pro forma basic income
per share would have been $0.13, $0.28 and $0.60 for 1997, 1998 and 1999,
respectively. The pro forma diluted income per share would have been $0.09,
$0.19 and $0.42 for 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized over the options' vesting periods. The pro forma effect on
net income for 1997, 1998 and 1999 is not representative of the pro forma
effect on net income or loss in future years because compensation expense in
future years will reflect the amortization of a larger number of stock options
granted in several succeeding years.
F-14
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
In computing the pro forma compensation expense under SFAS 123, a weighted-
average fair value of $0.14 for 1998 and $0.94 for 1999 stock option grants was
estimated at the date of grant using the minimum value option pricing model
with the following assumptions for 1998 and 1999: risk-free interest rate of
approximately 6.0%, a weighted average expected life of the options of 5 years,
and no assumed dividend yield.
8. Commitments
The Company leases its facility under a lease arrangement expiring January
31, 2000, at an annual rent of $168,000. In October 1999, the Company exercised
an option to extend the lease through January 31, 2001, which includes the
right to terminate the lease on 90 days notice. Future minimum rental payments
under this lease and other operating leases is $154,000 for the year ending
June 30, 2000.
Rent expense (including equipment rental) for the years ended June 30, 1997,
1998 and 1999, was $160,000, $184,000 and $202,000, respectively.
The Company may be involved in litigation and other legal matters from time
to time in the normal course of business. However, there currently are no
material proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of management, threatened
against the Company.
9. Geographic Information
Information regarding revenues attributable to the Company's primary
geographic operating regions is as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------
1997 1998 1999
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
North America................................... $ 12,002 $ 14,428 $ 23,032
Europe.......................................... 1,422 2,751 4,504
Asia............................................ 1,291 1,041 1,380
Other........................................... 618 935 782
-------- -------- --------
$ 15,333 $ 19,155 $ 29,698
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The geographic classification of revenues is based upon the location of the
customer. The Company does not have any significant long-lived assets outside
of the United States.
10. Benefit Plans
The Company has a voluntary deferred compensation plan (the Plan) qualifying
for treatment under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). All employees are
eligible to participate in the Plan following one year of employment and may
contribute up to 15% of their compensation. The Company may make matching
contributions at a rate of 25% up to 6% of the amount contributed by eligible
participants at the discretion of the Company. Company contributions under the
Plan totaled $25,000, $27,000 and $27,000 for the years ended June 30, 1997,
1998 and 1999, respectively.
F-15
<PAGE>
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information at December 31, 1999 and for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 is Unaudited)
11. Subsequent Events (Unaudited)
Subsequent to December 31, 1999 each of the Company's four non-employee
directors were granted and purchased 54,000 shares of restricted stock pursuant
to the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan at a price of $2.78 per share. Each director
paid for the shares with a promissory note in the amount of $150,000 secured by
the purchased shares. Interest on the notes accrues at the rate of 6.21% and is
payable annually. Payments of principal on the notes are due in four equal
annual installments beginning in January 2002. The Company, solely at the
Company's option, has the right to repurchase each director's restricted shares
at the original purchase price upon termination of service for any reason. The
Company's repurchase right lapses and the shares vest over a four year period
based upon each year of service as a director. These notes will be presented in
the balance sheets as a reduction of shareholders' equity.
On January 14, 2000, the Company granted stock options to purchase a total
of 137,700 shares under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price of
$2.78 per share. These stock options vest over a four year period.
Subsequent to December 31, 1999, the Company has recorded a deferred
compensation charge in the amount of $1,703,000 related to both the option and
restricted stock awards for the difference between the exercise price and the
deemed fair market value for accounting purposes on the date of grant. The
deferred compensation recorded will be amortized over the four year vesting
periods.
In January 2000, a shareholder in a law firm which is performing services on
behalf of the Company in connection with a public offering of shares of the
Company's common stock was named to the Board of Directors.
During February 2000, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the filing
of a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
relating to an initial public offering of 3,000,000 shares of the Company's
unissued common stock and 250,000 shares to be sold by selling stockholders. If
the initial public offering is consummated under the terms anticipated, all of
the Series A convertible preferred stock will convert into 2,378,160 shares of
common stock.
12. Stock Split and Capital Structure Changes
In connection with the initial public offering, on March 13, 2000 the Board
of Directors approved a 2.7-for-1 stock split of the Company's common stock to
become effective prior to the completion of the offering. All references in the
accompanying financial statements to the number of shares of common stock and
per common share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock
split. In addition, the Company's capital structure will be changed, subject to
shareholder approval, prior to the completion of the offering to reflect
50,000,000 authorized shares of common stock and will be further changed prior
to the registration statement going effective to authorize an additional
5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors has authority to
fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting
rights, of these shares of preferred stock without any future vote or action by
the shareholders.
F-16
<PAGE>
Photos on Inside Back Cover of Prospectus
Title: "Our tape libraries undergo rigorous in-house testing to meet
requirements for reliable and dependable storage solutions." The title is
centered at the top of the page and is in white lettering against a black
background.
Below the title, covering the remainder of the page is a full color photo of
the interior of a tape library displaying the robotic arm mechanism which moves
tapes from their storage positions to the tape drive.
The photo also shows the stored tapes and the exterior of the tape drive
mechanisms.
<PAGE>
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We
have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that
contained in this prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to
buy, shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are
permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as to
the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of the
prospectus or of any sale of the common stock.
Until , 2000, 25 days after commencement of the offering, all
dealers that buy, sell or trade shares, whether or not participating in this
offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This requirement is in
addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as
underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary....................................................... 3
Risk Factors............................................................. 7
Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements......................... 17
Use of Proceeds.......................................................... 18
Dividend Policy.......................................................... 18
Capitalization........................................................... 19
Dilution................................................................. 20
Selected Financial Data.................................................. 21
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations........................................................... 22
Business................................................................. 28
Management............................................................... 41
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........................... 46
Principal and Selling Shareholders....................................... 47
Description of Capital Stock............................................. 48
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......................................... 50
Underwriting............................................................. 52
Legal Matters............................................................ 54
Experts.................................................................. 54
Where You Can Find Additional Information................................ 54
Index to Financial Statements............................................ F-1
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[LOGO OF QUALSTAR]
3,250,000 Shares
Common Stock
--------------------
PROSPECTUS
--------------------
FIRST SECURITY VAN KASPER
NEEDHAM & COMPANY, INC.
WEDBUSH MORGAN SECURITIES
April , 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth all costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the
sale of the common stock being registered hereunder, all of which will be paid
by Qualstar. All of the amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC
registration fee, the Nasdaq National Market application fee and the NASD
filing fee.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SEC registration fee............................................. $ 13,662
NASD filing fee.................................................. 5,675
Nasdaq application fee........................................... 84,875
Printing and engraving expenses.................................. 250,000
Legal fees and expenses (other than Blue Sky).................... 350,000
Accounting fees and expenses..................................... 250,000
Transfer agent fees.............................................. 10,000
Blue sky fees and expenses....................................... 15,000
Miscellaneous.................................................... 120,788
----------
Total........................................................ $1,100,000
==========
</TABLE>
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
(a) Our restated articles of incorporation eliminate the liability of
directors to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as directors to the fullest extent permitted under California
law.
(b) Our bylaws authorize us to indemnify each person who was or is made a
party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was acting
on behalf of the company and in good faith against all expense, liability and
loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith.
(c) We maintain liability insurance upon our officers and directors.
(d) Our restated articles of incorporation authorize to enter into
indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers for breach
of duty to the corporation and its shareholders. We have entered into
indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers to indemnify
them against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid
in settlement, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
II-1
<PAGE>
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
The following is a summary of transactions by us during the past three years
involving sales of our securities that were not registered under the Securities
Act:
1. On April 15, 1998 we granted options to purchase an aggregate of
121,500 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.56 to four
employees pursuant to our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan.
2. On June 1, 1999 we granted options to purchase 27,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercisable price of $1.11 per share to one of our
employees pursuant to our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan.
3. On January 14, 2000 we granted options to purchase an aggregate of
137,700 shares of our common stock at an exercisable price of $2.78 per
share to four of our employees pursuant to our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan.
4. On January 14, 2000, we granted rights to purchase an aggregate of
216,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $2.78 per share to our
four non-employee directors pursuant to our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan.
The sales of the securities listed above were claimed to be exempt from
registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Rule 701 promulgated under
Section 3(b) of the Securities Act as transactions pursuant to compensatory
benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation. The recipients of
securities in each such transaction represented their intentions to acquire the
securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection
with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the
instruments representing such securities issued in such transactions. All
recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with us, to
information about us.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule
(a) Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
<C> <S>
1.1** Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1 Form of Restated Articles of Incorporation, to be effective upon
the closing of this offering.
3.2** Amended and Restated Bylaws.
5.1* Opinion of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, a professional
corporation.
10.1 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.
10.2** Form of Indemnification Agreement.
23.1* Consent of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, a professional
corporation (included in exhibit 5.1).
23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.
24.1** Power of Attorney
27.1** Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
- --------
* To be filed by amendment.
**Previously filed.
II-2
<PAGE>
(b) Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts; Allowance for Doubtful
Accounts
Item 17. Undertakings
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters
at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as
part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared
effective.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form
of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los
Angeles, State of California, on the 21st day of March 2000.
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
/s/ William J. Gervais
By: _________________________________
William J. Gervais
Chief Executive Officer and
President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment
to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ William J. Gervais Chief Executive Officer, March 21, 2000
____________________________________ President and Director
William J. Gervais (principal executive
officer)
* Vice President, Engineering, March 21, 2000
____________________________________ Secretary and Director
Richard A. Nelson
* Vice President and Chief March 21, 2000
____________________________________ Financial Officer
Matthew Natalizio (principal financial and
accounting officer)
* Director March 21, 2000
____________________________________
Bruce E. Gladstone
* Director March 21, 2000
____________________________________
Trude C. Taylor
* Director March 21, 2000
____________________________________
Robert E. Rich
* Director March 21, 2000
____________________________________
Robert T. Webber
*By: /s/ William J. Gervais March 21, 2000
---------------------------
William J. Gervais
(Attorney-In-Fact)
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
For the Years Ended June 30, 1997, 1998 and 1999 and
for the Six Month Period Ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E
- ------------------------- --------- ------------------- ------------- --------
Balance Charged Balance
at to Costs Charged to at End
Beginning and Other of
Description of Period Expenses Accounts Deductions(1) Period
- ------------------------- --------- -------- ---------- ------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended June 30,
1997.................... $140,000 $129,000 $-- $119,000 $150,000
Year Ended June 30,
1998.................... 150,000 53,000 -- 38,000 165,000
Year Ended June 30,
1999.................... 165,000 259,000 -- 4,000 420,000
Six Month Period Ended
December 31, 1999
(unaudited)............. 420,000 86,000 -- 36,000 470,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
<C> <S>
1.1** Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1 Form of Restated Articles of Incorporation, to be effective upon
the closing of this offering.
3.2** Amended and Restated Bylaws.
5.1* Opinion of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, a professional
corporation.
10.1 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.
10.2** Form of Indemnification Agreement.
23.1* Consent of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, a professional
corporation (included in exhibit 5.1).
23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.
24.1** Power of Attorney.
27.1** Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
- --------
* To be filed by amendment.
** Previously filed.
<PAGE>
RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
a California corporation
William J. Gervais and Richard A. Nelson certify that:
1. They are the President and Secretary, respectively, of Qualstar
Corporation, a California corporation (the "Corporation").
2. The Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation, as amended prior to
the filing of this Certificate, is hereby restated to read in full as follows:
ARTICLE ONE: NAME
The name of this corporation is: Qualstar Corporation.
ARTICLE TWO: PURPOSE
The purpose of this corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity
for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of
California other than the banking business, the trust company business or the
practice of a profession permitted to be incorporated by the California
Corporations Code.
ARTICLE THREE: AUTHORIZED SHARES
Section 1. This corporation is authorized to issue two classes of shares
designated, respectively, "Common Stock" and "Preferred Stock," and referred to
herein either as Common Stock or Common shares and Preferred Stock or Preferred
shares, respectively. The number of shares of Common Stock which this
corporation is authorized to issue is Fifty Million (50,000,000) and the number
of shares of Preferred Stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is
Five Million (5,000,000).
Section 2. The Preferred shares may be issued from time to time in one or
more series. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix the number of shares of
any series of Preferred shares and to determine the designation of any such
series. The Board of Directors is also authorized to determine or alter the
rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any
wholly unissued series of Preferred shares and, within the limits and
restrictions stated in any
<PAGE>
resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number
of shares constituting any series, to increase or decrease (but not below the
number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any
such series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series.
ARTICLE FOUR: LIMITATION OF DIRECTORS' LIABILITY
The liability of the directors of the corporation for monetary damages
shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law.
ARTICLE FIVE: INDEMNIFICATION
The corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as
defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) for breach of duty
to the corporation and its shareholders through bylaw provisions or through
agreements with the agents, or both, in excess of the indemnification otherwise
permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporations Code, subject to the
limits on such excess indemnification set forth in Section 204 of the California
Corporations Code.
ARTICLE SIX: ELIMINATION OF CUMULATIVE VOTING
This corporation eliminates cumulative voting with respect to the election
of directors. The elimination of cumulative voting shall become effective only
when the Corporation becomes a "listed corporation" within the meaning of
Section 301.5 of the Corporations Code of California, and shall apply for so
long as this Corporation is a listed corporation. If the Corporation ceases to
be a listed corporation, the shareholders shall be entitled to cumulate their
votes pursuant to Section 708 of the Corporations Code of California at any
election of directors occurring while the Corporation is not a listed
corporation.
3. The foregoing restatement of the Articles of Incorporation of this
Corporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors.
4. The foregoing restatement of the Articles of Incorporation of this
Corporation has been duly approved by a vote of the shareholders in accordance
with Sections 902, 903 and 910 of the California General Corporation Law. The
total number of outstanding shares of this Corporation entitled to vote with
respect to the foregoing amendment was 2,647,333 shares of common stock and
880,800 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The number of shares voting in favor
of the foregoing
2
<PAGE>
restatement equaled or exceeded the vote required, such required vote being a
majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and Series A Preferred Stock,
each voting as a separate class.
The undersigned declare under penalty of perjury that the matters set forth
in the foregoing certificate are true of their own knowledge.
Executed at Canoga Park, California on _______________, 2000.
----------------------------------------
Williams J. Gervais, President
---------------------------------------
Richard A. Nelson, Secretary
3
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.1
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
As Amended and Restated
The 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (the "Plan") of Qualstar Corporation, a
California corporation (the "Company"), originally adopted by its Board of
Directors as of February 4, 1998 (the "Effective Date"), is hereby amended and
restated as of January 14, 2000.
Article 1.
PURPOSES OF THE PLAN
--------------------
1.1 Purposes. The purposes of the Plan are (a) to enhance the Company's
--------
ability to attract and retain the services of qualified employees, officers and
directors (including non-employee officers and directors), and consultants and
other service providers upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the
successful conduct and development of the Company's business largely depends,
and (b) to provide additional incentives to such persons or entities to devote
their utmost effort and skill to the advancement and betterment of the Company,
by providing them an opportunity to participate in the ownership of the Company
and thereby have an interest in the success and increased value of the Company.
Article 2.
DEFINITIONS
-----------
For purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
2.1 Administrator. "Administrator" means the Board or, if the Board
-------------
delegates responsibility for any matter to the Committee, the term Administrator
shall mean the Committee.
2.2 Affiliated Company. "Affiliated Company" means any "parent
------------------
corporation" or "subsidiary corporation" of the Company, whether now existing or
hereafter created or acquired, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and
424(f) of the Code, respectively.
2.3 Board. "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
-----
2.4 Change in Control. "Change in Control" shall mean (i) the
-----------------
acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or group (within the meaning
of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of the
beneficial ownership of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding securities
of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
surviving entity, except for a transaction in which the holders of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger or
consolidation hold, in the aggregate, securities possessing more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting
securities of the surviving entity immediately after such merger or
consolidation; (iii) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving
entity but in which securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the
total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company
are transferred to or acquired by a person or persons different from the persons
holding those securities immediately prior to such merger; (iv) the sale,
transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related
transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
<PAGE>
or (v) the approval by the shareholders of a plan or proposal for the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
2.5 Code. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
----
from time to time.
2.6 Committee. "Committee" means a committee of two or more members of
---------
the Board appointed to administer the Plan, as set forth in Section 7.1 hereof.
2.7 Common Stock. "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company,
------------
subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof.
2.8 Disability. "Disability" means permanent and total disability as
----------
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The Administrator's determination of a
Disability or the absence thereof shall be conclusive and binding on all
interested parties.
2.9 Effective Date. "Effective Date" means the date on which the Plan
--------------
was originally adopted by the Board, as set forth on the first page hereof.
2.10 Exercise Price. "Exercise Price" means the purchase price per share
--------------
of Common Stock payable upon exercise of an Option.
2.11 Fair Market Value. "Fair Market Value" on any given date means the
-----------------
value of one share of Common Stock, determined as follows:
(a) If the Common Stock is then listed or admitted to trading on a
NASDAQ market system or a stock exchange which reports closing sale prices, the
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sale price on the date of valuation on
such NASDAQ market system or principal stock exchange on which the Common Stock
is then listed or admitted to trading, or, if no closing sale price is quoted on
such day, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing sale price of the
Common Stock on such NASDAQ market system or such exchange on the next preceding
day for which a closing sale price is reported.
(b) If the Common Stock is not then listed or admitted to trading on
a NASDAQ market system or a stock exchange which reports closing sale prices,
the Fair Market Value shall be the average of the closing bid and asked prices
of the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the date of valuation.
(c) If neither (a) nor (b) is applicable as of the date of
valuation, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator
in good faith using any reasonable method of evaluation, which determination
shall be conclusive and binding on all interested parties.
2.12 Incentive Option. "Incentive Option" means any Option designated and
----------------
qualified as an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
2.13 Incentive Option Agreement. "Incentive Option Agreement" means an
--------------------------
Option Agreement with respect to an Incentive Option.
2.14 NASD Dealer. "NASD Dealer" means a broker-dealer that is a member of
-----------
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
2
<PAGE>
2.15 Nonqualified Option. "Nonqualified Option" means any Option that is
-------------------
not an Incentive Option. To the extent that any Option designated as an
Incentive Option fails in whole or in part to qualify as an Incentive Option,
including, without limitation, for failure to meet the limitations applicable to
a 10% Shareholder or because it exceeds the annual limit provided for in Section
5.6 below, it shall to that extent constitute a Nonqualified Option.
2.16 Nonqualified Option Agreement. "Nonqualified Option Agreement" means
-----------------------------
an Option Agreement with respect to a Nonqualified Option.
2.17 Offeree. "Offeree" means a Participant to whom a Right to Purchase
-------
has been offered or who has acquired Restricted Stock under the Plan.
2.18 Option. "Option" means any option to purchase Common Stock granted
------
pursuant to the Plan.
2.19 Option Agreement. "Option Agreement" means the written agreement
----------------
entered into between the Company and the Optionee with respect to an Option
granted under the Plan.
2.20 Optionee. "Optionee" means a Participant who holds an Option.
--------
2.21 Participant. "Participant" means an individual or entity who holds
-----------
an Option, a Right to Purchase or Restricted Stock under the Plan.
2.22 Purchase Price. "Purchase Price" means the purchase price per share
--------------
of Restricted Stock payable upon acceptance of a Right to Purchase.
2.23 Restricted Stock. "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock
----------------
issued pursuant to Article 6 hereof, subject to any restrictions and conditions
as are established pursuant to such Article 6.
2.24 Right to Purchase. "Right to Purchase" means a right to purchase
-----------------
Restricted Stock granted to an Offeree pursuant to Article 6 hereof.
2.25 Service Provider. "Service Provider" means a consultant or other
----------------
person or entity who provides services to the Company or an Affiliated Company
and who the Administrator authorizes to become a Participant in the Plan.
2.26 Stock Purchase Agreement. "Stock Purchase Agreement" means the
------------------------
written agreement entered into between the Company and the Offeree with respect
to a Right to Purchase offered under the Plan.
2.27 10% Shareholder. "10% Shareholder" means a person who, as of a
---------------
relevant date, owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules
applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of an
Affiliated Company.
3
<PAGE>
Article 3.
ELIGIBILITY
-----------
3.1 Incentive Options. Only employees of the Company or of an Affiliated
-----------------
Company (including officers of the Company and members of the Board if they are
employees of the Company or of an Affiliated Company) are eligible to receive
Incentive Options under the Plan.
3.2 Nonqualified Options and Rights to Purchase. Employees of the Company
-------------------------------------------
or of an Affiliated Company, officers of the Company and members of the Board
(whether or not employed by the Company or an Affiliated Company), and Service
Providers are eligible to receive Nonqualified Options or Rights to Purchase
under the Plan.
3.3 Limitation on Shares. In no event shall any Participant be granted
--------------------
Options or Rights to Purchase in any one calendar year pursuant to which the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be acquired thereunder
exceeds 50,000 shares.
Article 4.
PLAN SHARES
-----------
4.1 Shares Subject to the Plan. A total of 450,000* shares of Common
--------------------------
Stock may be issued under the Plan, subject to adjustment as to the number and
kind of shares pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof. For purposes of this limitation,
in the event that (a) all or any portion of any Option or Right to Purchase
granted or offered under the Plan can no longer under any circumstances be
exercised, or (b) any shares of Common Stock are reacquired by the Company
pursuant to an Incentive Option Agreement, Nonqualified Option Agreement or
Stock Purchase Agreement, the shares of Common Stock allocable to the
unexercised portion of such Option or such Right to Purchase, or the shares so
reacquired, shall again be available for grant or issuance under the Plan.
4.2 Changes in Capital Structure. In the event that the outstanding
----------------------------
shares of Common Stock are hereafter increased or decreased or changed into or
exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the
Company by reason of a recapitalization, stock split, combination of shares,
reclassification, stock dividend, or other change in the capital structure of
the Company, then appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Administrator to
the aggregate number and kind of shares subject to this Plan, and the number and
kind of shares and the price per share subject to outstanding Option Agreements,
Rights to Purchase and Stock Purchase Agreements, in order to preserve, as
nearly as practicable, but not to increase, the benefits to Participants.
Article 5.
OPTIONS
-------
5.1 Option Agreement. Each Option granted pursuant to this Plan shall be
----------------
evidenced by an Option Agreement which shall specify the number of shares
subject thereto, the Exercise Price per share, and whether the Option is an
Incentive Option or Nonqualified Option. As soon as is practical
- -------------------
* 1,215,000 shares, as adjusted for a 2.7-for-1 stock split that will
become effective in March 2000.
4
<PAGE>
following the grant of an Option, an Option Agreement shall be duly executed and
delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Optionee to whom such Option was
granted. Each Option Agreement shall be in such form and contain such additional
terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as the
Administrator shall, from time to time, deem desirable, including, without
limitation, the imposition of any rights of first refusal and resale obligations
upon any shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option Agreement. Each
Option Agreement may be different from each other Option Agreement.
5.2 Exercise Price. The Exercise Price per share of Common Stock covered
--------------
by each Option shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the
following: (a) the Exercise Price of an Incentive Option shall not be less than
100% of Fair Market Value on the date the Incentive Option is granted, (b) the
Exercise Price of a Nonqualified Option shall not be less than 100% of Fair
Market Value on the date the Nonqualified Option is granted, and (c) if the
person to whom an Option is granted is a 10% Shareholder on the date of grant,
the Exercise Price shall not be less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the date
the Option is granted.
5.3 Payment of Exercise Price. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be
-------------------------
made upon exercise of an Option and may be made, in the discretion of the
Administrator, subject to any legal restrictions, by: (a) cash; (b) check; (c)
the surrender of shares of Common Stock owned by the Optionee that have been
held by the Optionee for at least six (6) months, which surrendered shares shall
be valued at Fair Market Value as of the date of such exercise; (d) the
Optionee's promissory note in a form and on terms acceptable to the
Administrator; (e) the cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the
Optionee; (f) the waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Optionee for
services rendered; (g) provided that a public market for the Common Stock
exists, a "same day sale" commitment from the Optionee and an NASD Dealer
whereby the Optionee irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to sell a
portion of the shares so purchased to pay for the Exercise Price and whereby the
NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such shares to forward the
Exercise Price directly to the Company; (h) provided that a public market for
the Common Stock exists, a "margin" commitment from the Optionee and an NASD
Dealer whereby the Optionee irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to
pledge the shares so purchased to the NASD Dealer in a margin account as
security for a loan from the NASD Dealer in the amount of the Exercise Price,
and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such shares to
forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company; or (i) any combination of
the foregoing methods of payment or any other consideration or method of payment
as shall be permitted by applicable corporate law.
5.4 Term and Termination of Options. The term and provisions for
-------------------------------
termination of each Option shall be as fixed by the Administrator, but no Option
may be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date it is granted. An
Incentive Option granted to a person who is a 10% Shareholder on the date of
grant shall not be exercisable more than five (5) years after the date it is
granted.
5.5 Vesting and Exercise of Options. Each Option shall vest and become
-------------------------------
exercisable in one or more installments at such time or times and subject to
such conditions, including without limitation the achievement of specified
performance goals or objectives, as shall be determined by the Administrator.
5.6 Annual Limit on Incentive Options. To the extent required for
---------------------------------
"incentive stock option" treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate
Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Common Stock shall
not, with respect to which Incentive Options granted
5
<PAGE>
under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or any Affiliated Company
become exercisable for the first time by an Optionee during any calendar year,
exceed $100,000.
5.7 Nontransferability of Options. No Option shall be assignable or
-----------------------------
transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and during
the life of the Optionee shall be exercisable only by such Optionee; provided,
however, that, in the discretion of the Administrator, any Option may be
assigned or transferred in any manner which an "incentive stock option" is
permitted to be assigned or transferred under the Code.
5.8 Rights as Shareholder. An Optionee or permitted transferee of an
---------------------
Option shall have no rights or privileges as a shareholder with respect to any
shares covered by an Option until such Option has been duly exercised and
certificates representing shares purchased upon such exercise have been issued
to such person.
Article 6.
RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
------------------
6.1 Nature of Right to Purchase. A Right to Purchase granted to an
---------------------------
Offeree entitles the Offeree to purchase, for a Purchase Price determined by the
Administrator, shares of Common Stock subject to such terms, restrictions and
conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant ("Restricted
Stock"). Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, continued
employment or the achievement of specified performance goals or objectives.
6.2 Acceptance of Right to Purchase. An Offeree shall have no rights with
-------------------------------
respect to the Restricted Stock subject to a Right to Purchase unless the
Offeree shall have accepted the Right to Purchase within thirty (30) days (or
such longer or shorter period as the Administrator may specify) following the
grant of the Right to Purchase by making payment of the full Purchase Price to
the Company in the manner set forth in Section 6.3 hereof and by executing and
delivering to the Company a Stock Purchase Agreement. Each Stock Purchase
Agreement shall be in such form, and shall set forth the Purchase Price and such
other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Restricted Stock, not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as the Administrator shall, from
time to time, deem desirable. Each Stock Purchase Agreement may be different
from each other Stock Purchase Agreement.
6.3 Payment of Purchase Price. Subject to any legal restrictions,
-------------------------
payment of the Purchase Price upon acceptance of a Right to Purchase Restricted
Stock may be made, in the discretion of the Administrator, by: (a) cash; (b)
check; (c) the surrender of shares of Common Stock owned by the Offeree that
have been held by the Offeree for at least six (6) months, which surrendered
shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value as of the date of such exercise; (d)
the Offeree's promissory note in a form and on terms acceptable to the
Administrator; (e) the cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the
Offeree; (f) the waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Offeree for
services rendered; or (g) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment or
any other consideration or method of payment as shall be permitted by applicable
corporate law.
6.4 Rights as a Shareholder. Upon complying with the provisions of
-----------------------
Section 6.2 hereof, an Offeree shall have the rights of a shareholder with
respect to the Restricted Stock purchased pursuant to the Right to Purchase,
including voting and dividend rights, subject to the terms, restrictions and
conditions as are set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement. Unless the
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Administrator shall determine otherwise, certificates evidencing shares of
Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such shares
have vested in accordance with the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement.
6.5 Restrictions. Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned,
------------
transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as
specifically provided in the Stock Purchase Agreement. In the event of
termination of a Participant's employment, service as a director of the Company
or Service Provider status for any reason whatsoever (including death or
disability), the Stock Purchase Agreement may provide, in the discretion of the
Administrator, that the Company shall have the right, exercisable at the
discretion of the Administrator, to repurchase (i) at the original Purchase
Price, any shares of Restricted Stock which have not vested as of the date of
termination, and (ii) at Fair Market Value, any shares of Restricted Stock which
have vested as of such date, on such terms as may be provided in the Stock
Purchase Agreement.
6.6 Vesting of Restricted Stock. The Stock Purchase Agreement shall
---------------------------
specify the date or dates, the performance goals or objectives which must be
achieved, and any other conditions on which the Restricted Stock may vest.
6.7 Dividends. If payment for shares of Restricted Stock is made by
---------
promissory note, any cash dividends paid with respect to the Restricted Stock
may be applied, in the discretion of the Administrator, to repayment of such
note.
6.8 Nonassignability of Rights. No Right to Purchase shall be assignable
--------------------------
or transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or as
otherwise provided by the Administrator.
Article 7.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
--------------------------
7.1 Administrator. Authority to control and manage the operation and
-------------
administration of the Plan shall be vested in the Board, which may delegate such
responsibilities in whole or in part to a committee consisting of two (2) or
more members of the Board (the "Committee"). Members of the Committee may be
appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Board.
As used herein, the term "Administrator" means the Board or, with respect to any
matter as to which responsibility has been delegated to the Committee, the term
Administrator shall mean the Committee.
7.2 Powers of the Administrator. In addition to any other powers or
---------------------------
authority conferred upon the Administrator elsewhere in the Plan or by law, the
Administrator shall have full power and authority: (a) to determine the persons
to whom, and the time or times at which, Incentive Options or Nonqualified
Options shall be granted and Rights to Purchase shall be offered, the number of
shares to be represented by each Option and Right to Purchase and the
consideration to be received by the Company upon the exercise thereof; (b) to
interpret the Plan; (c) to create, amend or rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan; (d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions
contained in, and the form of, Option Agreements and Stock Purchase Agreements;
(e) to determine the identity or capacity of any persons who may be entitled to
exercise a Participant's rights under any Option or Right to Purchase under the
Plan; (f) to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan or in any Option Agreement or Stock Purchase
Agreement; (g) to accelerate the vesting of any Option or release or waive any
repurchase rights of the Company with respect to Restricted Stock; (h) to extend
the exercise date of any Option or
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acceptance date of any Right to Purchase; (i) to provide for rights of first
refusal and/or repurchase rights; (j) to amend outstanding Option Agreements and
Stock Purchase Agreements to provide for, among other things, any change or
modification which the Administrator could have provided for upon the grant of
an Option or Right to Purchase or in furtherance of the powers provided for
herein; and (k) to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the
administration of the Plan, but only to the extent not contrary to the express
provisions of the Plan. Any action, decision, interpretation or determination
made in good faith by the Administrator in the exercise of its authority
conferred upon it under the Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and
all Participants.
7.3 Limitation on Liability. No employee of the Company or member of the
-----------------------
Board or Committee shall be subject to any liability with respect to duties
under the Plan unless the person acts fraudulently or in bad faith. To the
extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify each member of the Board or
Committee, and any employee of the Company with duties under the Plan, who was
or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending
or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of such person's conduct in the performance of duties
under the Plan.
Article 8.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
-----------------
8.1 Change in Control. In order to preserve a Participant's rights in the
-----------------
event of a Change in Control of the Company:
(a) Vesting of all outstanding Options shall accelerate automatically
effective as of immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control
unless the Options are to be assumed by the acquiring or successor entity (or
parent thereof) or new options or New Incentives are to be issued in exchange
therefor, as provided in subsection (b) below.
(b) Vesting of outstanding Options shall not accelerate if and to the
---
extent that: (i) the Options (including the unvested portion thereof) are to be
assumed by the acquiring or successor entity (or parent thereof) or new options
of comparable value are to be issued in exchange therefor pursuant to the terms
of the Change in Control transaction, or (ii) the Options (including the
unvested portion thereof) are to be replaced by the acquiring or successor
entity (or parent thereof) with other incentives under a new incentive program
("New Incentives") containing such terms and provisions as the Administrator in
its discretion may consider equitable. If outstanding Options are assumed, or if
new options of comparable value are issued in exchange therefor, then each such
Option or new option shall be appropriately adjusted, concurrently with the
Change in Control, to apply to the number and class of securities or other
property that the Participant would have received pursuant to the Change in
Control transaction in exchange for the shares issuable upon exercise of the
Option had the Option been exercised immediately prior to the Change in Control,
and appropriate adjustment also shall be made to the Exercise Price such that
the aggregate Exercise Price of each such Option or new option shall remain the
same as nearly as practicable.
(c) The Administrator in its discretion may provide in any Option
Agreement that if such Option is assumed by an acquiring or successor entity (or
parent thereof) or a new option of comparable value or New Incentive is issued
in exchange therefor pursuant to the terms of a Change in Control transaction,
then vesting of the Option, the new option or the New Incentive shall
8
<PAGE>
accelerate if and at such time as the Participant's service as an employee,
director, officer, consultant or other service provider to the acquiring or
successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof) is terminated involuntarily
within a specified period following consummation of the Change in Control,
pursuant to such terms and conditions as shall be set forth in the Option
Agreement.
(d) If outstanding Options will accelerate pursuant to subsection (a)
above, the Administrator in its discretion may provide, in connection with the
Change in Control transaction, for the purchase or exchange of each Option for
an amount of cash or other property having a value equal to the difference (or
"spread") between: (x) the value of the cash or other property that the
Participant would have received pursuant to the Change in Control transaction in
exchange for the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option had the Option been
exercised immediately prior to the Change in Control, and (y) the Exercise Price
of the Option.
(e) If a Participant holds shares of Restricted Stock that are not fully
vested at the time a Change in Control occurs, the provisions set forth above in
this Article 8 with respect to the vesting of Options also shall apply to the
vesting of shares of Restricted Stock. Thus, if the vesting of outstanding
Options does not accelerate because they are assumed or new options of
comparable value or New Incentives are issued in exchange therefor, as
contemplated by Section 8.1(b), then the vesting provisions of the Restricted
Stock shall also continue on a comparable basis following consummation of the
Change in Control. Likewise, if outstanding Options are not assumed and the
vesting of outstanding Options accelerates, as provided in Section 8.1(a), then
the vesting of shares of Restricted Stock also shall accelerate upon
consummation of the Change in Control.
(f) Outstanding Options shall terminate and cease to be exercisable upon
consummation of a Change in Control except to the extent that the Options are
assumed by the successor entity (or parent thereof) or new options of comparable
value or New Incentives are issued in exchange therefor pursuant to the terms of
the Change in Control transaction.
Article 9.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
-------------------------------------
9.1 Amendments. The Board may from time to time alter, amend, suspend or
----------
terminate the Plan in such respects as the Board may deem advisable. No such
alteration, amendment, suspension or termination shall be made which shall
substantially affect or impair the rights of any Participant under an
outstanding Option Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement without such
Participant's consent. The Board may alter or amend the Plan to comply with
requirements under the Code relating to Incentive Options or other types of
options which give Optionees more favorable tax treatment than that applicable
to Options granted under this Plan as of the date of its adoption. Upon any such
alteration or amendment, any outstanding Option granted hereunder may, if the
Administrator so determines and if permitted by applicable law, be subject to
the more favorable tax treatment afforded to an Optionee pursuant to such terms
and conditions.
9.2 Plan Termination. Unless the Plan shall theretofore have been
----------------
terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the
Effective Date and no Options or Rights to Purchase may be granted under the
Plan thereafter, but Option Agreements, Stock Purchase Agreements and Rights to
Purchase then outstanding shall continue in effect in accordance with their
respective terms.
9
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Article 10.
TAX WITHHOLDING
---------------
10.1 Withholding. The Company shall have the power to withhold, or
-----------
require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy
any applicable Federal, state, and local tax withholding requirements with
respect to any Options exercised or Restricted Stock issued under the Plan. To
the extent permissible under applicable tax, securities and other laws, the
Administrator may, in its sole discretion and upon such terms and conditions as
it may deem appropriate, permit a Participant to satisfy his or her obligation
to pay any such tax, in whole or in part, up to an amount determined on the
basis of the highest marginal tax rate applicable to such Participant, by (a)
directing the Company to apply shares of Common Stock to which the Participant
is entitled as a result of the exercise of an Option or as a result of the
purchase of or lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock or (b) delivering to
the Company shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant. The shares of
Common Stock so applied or delivered in satisfaction of the Participant's tax
withholding obligation shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date
of measurement of the amount of income subject to withholding.
Article 11.
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
11.1 Benefits Not Alienable. Other than as provided above, benefits under
----------------------
the Plan may not be assigned or alienated, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.
Any unauthorized attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition
shall be without effect.
11.2 No Enlargement of Employee Rights. This Plan is strictly a voluntary
---------------------------------
undertaking on the part of the Company and shall not be deemed to constitute a
contract between the Company and any Participant to be consideration for, or an
inducement to, or a condition of, the employment of any Participant. Nothing
contained in the Plan shall be deemed to give the right to any Participant to be
retained as an employee of the Company or any Affiliated Company or to limit the
right of the Company or any Affiliated Company to discharge any Participant at
any time.
11.3 Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the
--------------------
sale of Common Stock pursuant to Option Agreements and Stock Purchase
Agreements, except as otherwise provided herein, will be used for general
corporate purposes.
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EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated August 4, 1999, except as to Note 12, as to which
the date is April , 2000 in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
(Form S-1 No. 333-96009) and related Prospectus of Qualstar Corporation for the
registration of 3,000,000 shares of its common stock and 250,000 shares of
common stock to be sold by selling shareholders.
Our audit also included the financial statement schedule of Qualstar
Corporation listed in Item 16(b). This schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our
audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above,
when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
Ernst & Young LLP
Woodland Hills, California
March 20, 2000
The foregoing consent is in the form that will be signed upon the completion
of the restatement of capital accounts described in Note 12 to the financial
statements.
/s/ Ernst &Young LLP
Woodland Hills, California
March 20, 2000
