<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 25, 1997
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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DELAWARE 3577/3674 06-1340090
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
8917 FULLBRIGHT AVENUE
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA 91311
(818) 773-9044
(818) 773-0906 (FAX)
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
------------------------
NOAM LOTAN
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
8917 FULLBRIGHT AVENUE
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA 91311
(818) 773-9044
(818) 773-0906 (FAX)
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
------------------------
COPIES TO:
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MARK A. KLEIN, ESQ. THOMAS H. KENNEDY, ESQ. KENTON J. KING, ESQ.
SUSAN B. KALMAN, ESQ. SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE,
FRESHMAN, MARANTZ, ORLANSKI, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
COOPER & KLEIN 919 THIRD AVENUE FOUR EMBARCADERO CENTER
9100 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, 8-EAST NEW YORK, NY 10022 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212-3480 TELEPHONE: (212) 735-3000 TELEPHONE: (415) 984-6400
TELEPHONE: (310) 273-1870 FACSIMILE: (212) 735-2000 FACSIMILE: (415) 984-2698
FACSIMILE: (310) 274-8357
</TABLE>
------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
------------------------
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 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 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,
please check the following box. [ ]
------------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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=============================================================================================================================
PROPOSED
PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE MAXIMUM PRICE AGGREGATE OFFERING REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT(1) PRICE(1) FEE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $0.0034 par value............. 2,932,500 shares(2) $27.75 $81,376,875 $24,660
=============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration
fee pursuant to Rule 457(c).
(2) Includes 382,500 shares that the Underwriters have the option to purchase to
cover over-allotments.
------------------------
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, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL
BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION
8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
OF ANY SUCH STATE.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 25, 1997
PROSPECTUS
2,550,000 SHARES
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
COMMON STOCK
Of the 2,550,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.0034 par value (the "Common
Stock"), offered hereby, 2,000,000 shares are being offered by MRV
Communications, Inc. ("MRV" or the "Company") and 550,000 shares by certain
stockholders of the Company (the "Selling Stockholders"). See "Principal and
Selling Stockholders." The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale
of shares by the Selling Stockholders.
------------------------------
The Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"MRVC." On June 24, 1997, the closing sale price of the Common Stock was $30.50
per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock."
AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH
DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING AT PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR A
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE
INVESTORS.
------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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=====================================================================================================
UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS TO SELLING
PRICE TO PUBLIC COMMISSIONS(1) COMPANY(2) STOCKHOLDERS(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share................ $ $ $ $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)................. $ $ $ $
=====================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $515,000 payable by the Company and
$10,000 payable by the Selling Stockholders.
(3) The Company has granted to the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up
to an additional 382,500 shares of Common Stock solely to cover
over-allotments, if any. See "Underwriting." If such option is exercised in
full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions and
Proceeds to Company will be $ , $ and $ ,
respectively.
------------------------------
The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters, subject
to prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by them, and subject to
certain other conditions. The Underwriters reserve the right to reject orders in
whole or in part. It is expected that the delivery of the shares of Common Stock
will be made against payment therefor on or about , 1997, at the
offices of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., 245 Park Avenue, New York, New York.
------------------------------
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
VOLPE BROWN WHELAN & COMPANY
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS , 1997.
<PAGE> 3
MRV PROVIDES SOLUTIONS FOR ENTERPRISE AND ACCESS NETWORKS
[NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE GRAPHIC]
<PAGE> 4
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other
information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at the offices of the
Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at Northwestern Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 7
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such materials can also
be obtained by written request to the Public Reference Section of the Commission
at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates. The Common Stock is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market.
Reports and other information concerning the Company may be inspected at the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. at 1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006.
The Company has filed a Registration Statement under the Securities Act
with the Commission with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This
Prospectus, which constitutes part of the Registration Statement, omits certain
of the information contained in the Registration Statement and the exhibits
thereto on file with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act and the rules
and regulations of the Commission. Statements contained in this Prospectus such
as the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not
necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such
contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement,
each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. A copy of
the Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, may be inspected
without charge at the Commission's principal office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part thereof
may be obtained from the Commission upon the payment of certain fees prescribed
by the Commission. The Commission also maintains a World Wide Web site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants, such as the Company, that file electronically with the
Commission. The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference:
1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 filed with the Commission on April 15, 1997.
2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 1997 filed with the Commission on May 15, 1997.
3. The description of the Common Stock offered hereby contained in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on
June 8, 1992, as amended by its Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on
February 24, 1994, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose
of updating such description.
All reports and other documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such reports and documents. Any statement incorporated herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that
a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus. The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each
person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus has
been delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or
all of the foregoing documents incorporated herein by reference (other than
exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference into such documents). Requests for such documents should be
submitted to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, at the Company's
principal executive offices at 8917 Fullbright Avenue, Chatsworth, California
91311 or by fax at (818) 773-0906 or by telephone at (818) 773-9044.
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET
MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 103 OF REGULATION M UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934, AS AMENDED (THE "EXCHANGE ACT"). SEE "UNDERWRITING."
2
<PAGE> 5
This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Actual
results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements as a result of the factors discussed in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere
in this Prospectus.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere
in this Prospectus.
THE COMPANY
MRV is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high speed network switching
and fiber optic transmission systems which enhance the performance of existing
data and telecommunications networks. The Company designs, manufactures and
sells two groups of products: (i) computer networking products, primarily
Ethernet LAN switches, hubs and related equipment and (ii) fiber optic
components for the transmission of voice, video and data across enterprise,
telecommunications and cable TV networks. The Company's advanced networking
solutions greatly enhance the functionality of LANs by reducing network
congestion while allowing end users to preserve their legacy investments in
pre-existing networks and by providing cost-effective migration paths to next
generation technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet. The Company's fiber optic
components incorporate proprietary technology which delivers high performance
under demanding environmental conditions.
The market for LAN switches is expected to grow rapidly from $1.7 billion
in 1995 to $10.5 billion by 1999, a compound annual growth rate of 44%,
according to estimates by an industry analyst. The worldwide fiber optics
market, including cables, connectors and transceivers, was $6.1 billion in 1995
and is estimated to grow to $12.3 billion in 1999, a compound annual growth rate
of 19%, according to KMI Corporation, a market research firm. MRV has focused on
developing technologies in the most rapidly growing segments of these markets:
Ethernet switches and the access networks and PCS infrastructure segment of the
fiber optic market. The rapid growth of these segments is mainly due to
increased usage and higher bandwidth needs driven by: (i) an increased number of
users connected to networks, (ii) the proliferation of the Internet and
intranets, (iii) higher bandwidth applications and multimedia content, (iv)
lower costs as a result of advances in technology and (v) the expansion and
upgrade of access networks to provide advanced communication services such as
video conferencing, high-speed Internet access and interactive TV.
MRV has achieved a compound annual growth rate in revenue and net income
(excluding non-recurring charges) of 112% from 1992 to 1996. In the first
quarter of 1997, the Company realized revenue growth of 129% over the first
quarter of 1996 and 14.6% over the previous quarter. This performance
represented the 28(th) consecutive quarter of sequential revenue growth. MRV
believes that this growth is a result of its strategy which includes (i)
targeting high potential growth markets in the communications arena, (ii)
bringing state of the art technology early to market, (iii) capitalizing on its
manufacturing expertise and proprietary technologies, (iv) expanding its
worldwide distribution system and (v) selective acquisitions of complementary
businesses.
The Company's ability to bring state of the art technology early to market
has been a critical component of its success. MRV was among the first companies
to introduce a Fast Ethernet switch increasing the transmission speed of
traditional Ethernet LANs from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps. In June 1996, MRV introduced
MegaSwitch II which the Company believes was the first dual speed auto-select
Ethernet switch with uplinks to ATM and Gigabit Ethernet. In November 1996,
MRV's proposal to the IEEE Gigabit Ethernet Alliance ("GEA") for a new Gigabit
technology was accepted. In July 1996, MRV also started volume shipments of a
new bidirectional optical transmission and reception module for
Fiber-to-the-Curb applications. In June 1997, MRV began shipping a series of
DirectIP switching products that provides intranets with cost effective switched
networking solutions which offer superior performance and comparable control and
security to traditional router technology.
3
<PAGE> 6
MRV is rapidly expanding its marketing efforts in order to leverage its
research and development and production capabilities. The Company's world wide
sales and marketing strategy is focused on five channels of distribution: (i)
the Company's direct sales force, (ii) OEM sales and partnerships with major
manufacturers such as Fujitsu, Digital Equipment, Intel and Newbridge Networks,
(iii) VARs and systems integrators used to target vertical niches, (iv)
commission based manufacturers representatives and (v) domestic and
international distributors such as Tech Data.
Recently, MRV has made a series of acquisitions that have expanded its
worldwide distribution capabilities, enhanced its research and development
efforts and broadened its product lines. In 1995, the Company acquired the
assets of Galcom Networking, Ltd. and Ace 400 Communications, Ltd. for a total
of approximately $7 million. In September 1996, MRV acquired the assets of Elbit
Ltd.'s Fibronics business for approximately $22.8 million, which added
complementary, established product lines, a research and development and
manufacturing facility and European, U.S. and Asian sales offices and personnel.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 8917 Fullbright
Avenue, Chatsworth, California 91311 and its telephone and fax numbers are (818)
773-9044 and (818) 773-0906, respectively.
THE OFFERING
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Common Stock offered:
By the Company............................. 2,000,000 shares
By the Selling Stockholders................ 550,000 shares
Common Stock outstanding after this
offering................................... 25,228,081 shares(1)
Use of Proceeds.............................. For general corporate purposes, including
expanding marketing infrastructure, research
and development, purchasing capital
equipment, for working capital and possible
acquisitions. See "Use of Proceeds."
Nasdaq National Market symbol................ MRVC
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Based on 23,228,081 shares of Common Stock outstanding at June 20, 1997.
Except as otherwise noted, all share and per share data in this Prospectus
has been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 and 2-for-1 stock splits of the Common
Stock effected on March 20, 1996 and July 29, 1996, respectively, and assumes:
(i) no exercise of warrants to purchase up to 3,108,484 shares of Common Stock
outstanding at June 20, 1997; (ii) no exercise of options to purchase up to
1,486,108 shares of Common Stock outstanding at June 20, 1997 and (iii) and no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option.
------------------------
As used in this Prospectus, "MRV" or the "Company" refers to MRV
Communications, Inc., its predecessor and its wholly-owned consolidated
subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise indicates. Any Speed to Any
Speed Ethernet, DirectIP, GigaHub, JavaMan, NBase, MegaStack, MegaSwitch,
MegaSwitch II, MegaVision, MRV Communications and West Hills LAN Systems are
trademarks or trade names of the Company. Trademarks of other companies are also
used in this Prospectus and are the property of their respective owners.
4
<PAGE> 7
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
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<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
---------------------------------------------- -----------------
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1996 1997
------ ------ ------- ------- -------- ------- -------
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Revenues, net.................... $4,422 $7,426 $17,526 $39,202 $ 88,815 $15,529 $35,564
Cost of goods sold............... 2,280 3,936 10,328 22,608 51,478 8,989 20,176
Operating income before non-
recurring charges(1)........... 922 1,128 2,439 5,751 15,111 2,720 6,865
Non-recurring items(1)........... -- -- -- (7,676) (29,126) -- (408)
Income (loss) before income
taxes.......................... 800 1,326 2,601 (1,271) (14,058) 2,800 6,281
Net income (loss)................ 560 839 1,618 (1,273) (9,654) 1,879 4,343
Net income (loss) per share...... $0.08 $0.07 $0.13 $(0.07) $(0.49) $0.09 $0.18
Weighted average common and
common equivalent shares
outstanding(2)................. 7,636 12,050 12,567 18,377 19,739 21,412 24,795
</TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
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<CAPTION>
AT
MARCH 31, 1997
-----------------------
AS
ADJUSTED
ACTUAL (3)
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Working capital........................................................ $59,629 $ 116,759
Total assets........................................................... 103,010 160,140
Total liabilities...................................................... 30,183 30,183
Long-term debt, net of current portion................................. 1,746 1,746
Stockholders' equity (deficit)......................................... 71,965 129,095
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The non-recurring charges consist of purchased technology in progress and
restructuring charges incurred as a result of acquisitions. Purchased
technology in progress for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $6,211,000.
The purchased technology is for R&D projects in progress at the time of
acquisition of assets from Ace 400 Communications, Ltd. and Galcom
Networking Ltd. Restructuring costs during the year ended December 31, 1995
were $1,465,000 and are associated with a plan adopted by the Company in
1995 calling for the merger of the newly acquired subsidiaries and the
Company's LAN product division. Excluding the non-recurring charges, net of
their tax effects, net income would have increased to $4,345,000 or $0.22
per share for the year ended December 31, 1995. Purchased technology in
progress for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $17,795,000 and was in
conjunction with the acquisition of assets from subsidiaries of Elbit Ltd.
(the "Fibronics Acquisition"). Restructuring costs during the year ended
December 31, 1996 were $6,974,000 and are associated with a plan adopted by
the Company on September 30, 1996 calling for the reduction of workforce,
closing of certain facilities, retraining of certain employees and
elimination of particular product lines due to this acquisition. Interest
expenses related to the acquisition for the year ended December 31, 1996 and
March 31, 1997 were $4,357,000 and $408,000, respectively, and were
connected with the private placement of $30,000,000 principal amount of 5%
convertible subordinated debentures (the "Debentures"), proceeds from which
the Company used to finance the cash portion of the Fibronics Acquisition.
Excluding the non-recurring charges, net of their tax effects, net income
would have been $10,555,000 or $0.46 per share for the year ended December
31, 1996.
(2) Fully diluted earnings per share information differs from primary earnings
per share information for the year ended December 31, 1994. The number of
shares includes 147,480 common share equivalents resulting from outstanding
warrants.
(3) As adjusted to reflect the sale of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock by the
Company in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $30.50 per
share and the application of estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of
Proceeds" and "Capitalization."
5
<PAGE> 8
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the Shares involves a high degree of risk. This Prospectus
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Actual results could differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of
the risk factors set forth below and elsewhere in this Prospectus. In addition
to the other information in this Prospectus, the following factors should be
carefully considered in evaluating the Company and its business before
purchasing the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
Risks of Technological Change, Development Delays and Product Defects. The
Company is engaged in the design and development of devices for the computer
networking telecommunications and fiber optic communication industries. As with
any new technologies, there is a substantial risk that the marketplace may not
accept the Company's new products. Market acceptance of the Company's products
will depend, in large part, upon the ability of the Company to demonstrate
performance and cost advantages and cost-effectiveness of its products over
competing products and the success of the sales efforts of the Company and its
customers. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue
to market its technology successfully or that any of the Company's current or
future products will be accepted in the marketplace. Moreover, the computer
networking, telecommunications and fiber optic communication industries are
characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and
frequent new product introductions, any of which could render the Company's
existing products obsolete. The Company's success will depend upon its ability
to enhance existing products and to introduce new products to meet changing
customer requirements and emerging industry standards. The Company will be
required to devote continued efforts and financial resources to develop and
enhance its existing products and conduct research to develop new products. The
development of new, technologically advanced products is a complex and uncertain
process requiring high levels of innovation, as well as the accurate
anticipation of technological and market trends. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to identify, develop, manufacture, market or support
new or enhanced products successfully or on a timely basis, that new Company
products will gain market acceptance or that the Company will be able to respond
effectively to product announcements by competitors, technological changes or
emerging industry standards. Furthermore, from time to time, the Company may
announce new products or product enhancements, capabilities or technologies that
have the potential to replace or shorten the life cycle of the Company's
existing product offerings and that may cause customers to defer purchasing
existing Company products or cause customers to return products to the Company.
Complex products, such as those offered by the Company, may contain
undetected software or hardware errors when first introduced or when new
versions are released. While the Company has not experienced such errors in the
past, the occurrence of such errors in the future could, and the inability to
correct such errors could, result in the delay or loss of market acceptance of
the Company's products, material warranty expense, diversion of engineering and
other resources from the Company's product development efforts and the loss of
credibility with the Company's customers, system integrators and end users, any
of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition.
Potential Fluctuations in Operating Results. The Company's revenue and
operating results could fluctuate substantially from quarter to quarter and from
year to year. This could result from any one or a combination of factors such as
the cancellation or postponement of orders, the timing and amount of significant
orders from the Company's largest customers, the Company's success in
developing, introducing and shipping product enhancements and new products, the
product mix sold by the Company, adverse effects to the Company's financial
statements resulting from, or necessitated by, possible future acquisitions, new
product introductions by the Company's competitors, pricing actions by the
Company or its competitors, the timing of delivery and availability of
components from suppliers, changes in material costs and general economic
conditions. Although the Company has not had adverse fluctuations in results
from continuing operations in the past, there can be no assurance that these
factors or others would not cause such fluctuations in the future. The volume
and timing of orders received during a quarter are difficult to forecast. The
Company's customers from time to time encounter uncertain and changing demand
for their products. Customers generally order based on their forecasts. If
demand falls below such forecasts or if customers do not control inventories
effectively, they may cancel or reschedule shipments previously ordered from the
6
<PAGE> 9
Company. The Company's expense levels during any particular period are based, in
part, on expectations of future sales. If sales in a particular quarter do not
meet expectations, operating results could be materially adversely affected.
Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to sustain its
recent rate of growth or continue profitable operations.
Competition. The markets for fiber optic components and network switching
products are intensely competitive and subject to frequent product introductions
with improved price/performance characteristics, rapid technological change and
the continual emergence of new industry standards. The Company competes and will
compete with numerous types of companies including companies which have been
established for many years and have considerably greater financial, marketing,
technical, human and other resources, as well as greater name recognition and a
larger installed customer base, than the Company. This may give such competitors
certain advantages, including the ability to negotiate lower prices on raw
materials and components than those available to the Company. In addition, many
of the Company's large competitors offer customers broader product lines which
provide more comprehensive solutions than the Company currently offers. The
Company expects that other companies will also enter markets in which the
Company competes. Increased competition could result in significant price
competition, reduced profit margins or loss of market share. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully with existing or
future competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the Company will not
materially and adversely affect the business, operating results and financial
condition of the Company.
Management of Growth. The Company has grown rapidly in recent years, with
revenues increasing from $2,400,000 for the year ended December 31, 1991, to
$88,815,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. In the first quarter of 1997,
revenues grew to $35,564,000 as compared to $15,529,000 in the comparable period
of 1996. The Company's recent growth, both internally and through acquisitions
(see "The Company"), has placed a significant strain on the Company's financial
and management personnel and information systems and controls, and the Company
must implement new and enhance existing financial and management information
systems and controls and must add and train personnel to operate such systems
effectively. While the strain placed on the Company's personnel and systems has
not had a material adverse effect on the Company to date, there can be no
assurance that a delay or failure to implement new and enhance existing systems
and controls will not have such an effect in the future. The Company's recent
growth through the acquisition of the Fibronics Business discussed in "Risks
Associated with Recent Acquisition and Potential Future Acquisitions" below and
its intention to continue to pursue its growth strategy through efforts to
increase sales of existing and new products can be expected to place even
greater pressure on the Company's existing personnel and compound the need for
increased personnel, expanded information systems, and additional financial and
administrative control procedures. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to successfully manage expanding operations.
Risks Associated with Recent Acquisition and Potential Future
Acquisitions. On September 26, 1996, the Company completed an acquisition (the
"Fibronics Acquisition") from Elbit Ltd. ("Elbit") of certain of the assets and
selected liabilities of Elbit's wholly-owned subsidiary, Fibronics Ltd. and its
subsidiaries (collectively "Fibronics") related to Fibronics' computer
networking and telecommunications businesses (the "Fibronics Business") in
Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Israel. The
assets acquired include Fibronics' technology in progress and existing
technology, its marketing channels, its GigaHub family of computer networking
products and other rights. The purchase price for the Fibronics Business was
approximately $22,800,000, which was paid using a combination of cash and Common
Stock of the Company. See "The Company." During the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995, and the period from January 1, 1996 through September 25, 1996
(the day the Fibronics Business was acquired by the Company), the Fibronics
Business reported net revenues of $33,355,000, $35,003,000 and $19,481,000,
respectively, and net income (losses) of $(11,557,000), $79,000 and
$(6,143,000), respectively. In connection with the Fibronics Acquisition, the
Company incurred charges of $17,795,000, $6,974,000 and $4,357,000 for purchased
technology, restructuring and interest expense related to financing,
respectively. These charges caused the Company to incur a net loss of $9,654,000
for the year ended December 31, 1996. The Company's ability to operate the
Fibronics Business profitably will depend upon its ability to integrate this
business successfully, including (i) integration of the products, technologies
and personnel of the Fibronics Business
7
<PAGE> 10
into the Company, (ii) management's ability to reduce operating costs of the
Fibronics Business and (iii) the continued market acceptance of the products and
technology acquired from Fibronics.
An important element of management's strategy is to review acquisition
prospects that would complement the Company's existing products, augment its
market coverage and distribution ability or enhance its technological
capabilities. While the Company has no current agreements or negotiations
underway with respect to any new acquisitions, the Company may acquire
additional businesses, products or technologies in the future. Future
acquisitions by the Company could result in charges similar to those incurred in
connection with the Fibronics Acquisition, potentially dilutive issuance of
equity securities, the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities and
amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, any of
which could materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations and/or the price of the Company's Common
Stock. Acquisitions entail numerous risks, including the assimilation of the
acquired operations, technologies and products, diversion of management's
attention to other business concerns, risks of entering markets in which the
Company has no or limited prior experience and potential loss of key employees
of acquired organizations. Prior to the Fibronics Acquisition, management had
only limited experience in assimilating acquired organizations. There can be no
assurance as to the ability of the Company to successfully integrate the
products, technologies or personnel of any business that might be acquired in
the future, and the failure of the Company to do so could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
International Operations. International sales have become an increasingly
important segment of the Company's operations, with the acquisitions of Galcom
and Ace in 1995 and the Fibronics Business in 1996. Approximately 19%, 45% and
53% of the Company's net revenues for the years ended December 1994, 1995 and
1996, respectively, were from sales to customers in foreign countries. The
Company has offices in, and conducts a significant portion of its operations in
and from, Israel. MRV is, therefore, directly influenced by the political and
economic conditions affecting Israel. Any major hostilities involving Israel,
the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners
or a substantial downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations.
Sales to foreign customers are subject to government controls and other
risks associated with international sales, including difficulties in obtaining
export licenses, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, political instability,
trade restrictions and changes in duty rates. Although the Company has not
experienced any material difficulties in this regard to date, there can be no
assurance that it will not experience any such material difficulties in the
future. The Company's sales are currently denominated in U.S. dollars and to
date its business has not been significantly affected by currency fluctuations
or inflation. However, the Company conducts business in several different
countries and thus fluctuations in currency exchange rates could cause the
Company's products to become relatively more expensive in particular countries,
leading to a reduction in sales in that country. In addition, inflation in such
countries could increase the Company's expenses. To date, the Company has not
hedged against currency exchange risks. In the future, the Company may engage in
foreign currency denominated sales or pay material amounts of expenses in
foreign currencies and, in such event, may experience gains and losses due to
currency fluctuations. The Company's operating results could be adversely
affected by such fluctuations or as a result of inflation in particular
countries where material expenses are incurred. Moreover, the Company's
operating results could also be adversely affected by seasonality of
international sales, which are typically lower in Asia in the first calendar
quarter and in Europe in the third calendar quarter. These international factors
could have a material adverse effect on future sales of the Company's products
to international end-users and, consequently, the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.
Manufacturing and Dependence on Suppliers and Third Party Manufacturers
. The Company uses internally developed Application Specific Integrated Circuits
("ASICs"), which provide the functionality of multiple integrated circuits in
one chip, in the manufacture of its Local Area Network ("LAN") switching
products. To develop ASICs successfully, the Company must transfer a code of
instructions to a single mask from which low cost duplicates can be made. Each
iteration of a mask involves a substantial up-front cost, which costs can
adversely affect the Company's result of operations and financial condition if
errors or "bugs" occur following multiple duplication of the masks. While the
Company has not experienced material expenses
8
<PAGE> 11
to date as a result of errors discovered in ASIC masks, because of the
complexity of the duplication process and the difficulty in detecting errors,
the Company could suffer a material adverse effect to its operating results and
financial condition if errors in developing ASICs were to occur in the future.
Moreover, the Company currently relies on a single foundry to fabricate its
ASICs and does not have a long-term supply contract with this supplier, any
other ASIC vendor or any other of its limited source vendors, purchasing all of
such components on a purchase order basis. While the Company believes it would
be able to obtain alternative sources of supply for the ASICs or other key
components, a change in ASIC or other suppliers of key components could require
a significant lead time and, therefore, could result in a delay in product
shipments. While the Company has not experienced delays in the receipt of ASICs
or other key components, any future difficulty in obtaining any of these key
components could result in delays or reductions in product shipments which, in
turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.
The Company outsources the assembly, test and quality control of material,
components, subassemblies and systems relating to its networking products to
third party contract manufacturers. Though there are a large number of contract
manufacturers which the Company can use for its outsourcing, it has elected to
use a limited number of vendors for a significant portion of board assembly
requirements in order to foster consistency in quality of the products. These
independent third party manufacturers also provide these services to other
companies. Risks associated with the use of independent manufacturers include
unavailability of or delays in obtaining adequate supplies of products and
reduced control of manufacturing quality and production costs. If the Company's
contract manufacturers fail to deliver products in the future on a timely basis,
or at all, it could be difficult for the Company to obtain adequate supplies of
products from other sources in the near term. There can be no assurance that the
Company's third party manufacturers will provide adequate supplies of quality
products on a timely basis, or at all. While the Company could outsource with
other vendors, a change in vendors may require significant lead time and may
result in shipment delays and expenses. The inability to obtain such products on
a timely basis, the loss of a vendor or a change in the terms and conditions of
the outsourcing would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition.
The Company relies exclusively on its own production capability for
critical semiconductor lasers and light emitting diodes ("LEDs") used in its
products. Because the Company manufactures these and other key components of its
products at its own facility and such components are not readily available from
other sources, any interruption of the Company's manufacturing process could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations. Furthermore, the
Company has a limited number of employees dedicated to the operation and
maintenance of its wafer fabrication equipment, the loss of any of whom could
result in the Company's inability to effectively operate and service such
equipment. Wafer fabrication is sensitive to many factors, including variations
and impurities in the raw materials, the fabrication process and performance of
the manufacturing equipment. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to maintain acceptable production yields and avoid product shipment delays.
In the event adequate production yields are not achieved, resulting in product
shipment delays, the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, at various times
there have been shortages of parts in the electronics industry, and certain
critical components have been subject to limited allocations. Although shortages
of parts and allocations have not had a material adverse effect on the Company's
results of operations, there can be no assurance that any future shortages or
allocations would not have such an effect.
Lack of Patent Protection; Dependence on Proprietary Technology. The
Company holds no patents and only recently has filed two patent applications,
one in the United States and one in a foreign country, with respect to certain
aspects of its technology. The electronics industry has been characterized by
extensive litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights,
and companies in the electronics industry have employed intellectual property
litigation to gain a competitive advantage. The Company currently relies on
copyrights, trade secrets and unpatented proprietary know-how, which may be
duplicated by others. The Company employs various methods, including
confidentiality agreements with employees and suppliers, to protect its
proprietary know-how. Such methods may not afford complete protection, however,
and there can be no assurance that others will not independently develop such
know-how or obtain access to it or
9
<PAGE> 12
independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior
to the Company's technology. In the event that protective measures are not
successful, the Company's business, operating results and financial condition
could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the laws of some
foreign countries do not protect the Company's proprietary rights to the same
extent as do the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that any
patents will be issued as a result of the pending applications or any future
patent applications, or, if issued, will provide the Company with meaningful
protection from competition. In addition, there can be no assurance that any
patents issued to the Company will not be challenged, invalidated or
circumvented. Since United States patent applications are presently maintained
in secrecy until patents issue and since the publication of inventions in
technical or patent literature tends to lag behind such patent application
filings by several months, the Company cannot be certain that it was the first
inventor of inventions covered by pending United States patent applications or
that the Company is not infringing on the patents of others. Litigation may be
necessary to enforce any patents that may be issued to the Company or other
intellectual property rights of the Company, to protect the Company's trade
secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others
or to defend against claims of infringement. Such litigation could result in
substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations
regardless of the final outcome of such litigation. In the event that any of the
Company's products are found to infringe on the intellectual property rights of
third parties, the Company would be required to seek a license with respect to
such patented technology, or incur substantial costs to redesign the infringing
products. There can be no assurance that any such license would be available on
terms acceptable to the Company or at all, that any of the Company's products
could be redesigned on an economical basis or at all, or that any such
redesigned products would be competitive with the products of the Company's
competitors.
The Company has recently received a communication alleging that the
Company's DirectIP switching products make use of unspecified information and
know-how covered by a pending patent application of a third party. This
allegation is presently under review by the Company, and no assessment has yet
been made with respect to the merits thereof. If a conclusion unfavorable to the
Company is reached, the claim could materially and adversely affect the
business, operating results and financial condition of the Company. In addition,
Datapoint Corporation ("Datapoint") has recently brought an action against the
Company alleging infringement of two of Datapoint's patents. Several other
companies, including IBM, Intel, Sun Microsystems, Incorporated, Cisco Systems,
Inc. and Dayna Communications, have also had actions brought against them by
Datapoint with respect to the same two patents. The Company is cooperating with
several of these companies in pursuit of common defenses and believes it has
meritorious defenses to this action. If a conclusion unfavorable to the Company
is reached, however, Datapoint's claim could materially and adversely affect the
business, operating results and financial condition of the Company.
Dependence on Key Personnel. The Company is substantially dependent upon a
number of key employees, including Dr. Shlomo Margalit, its Chairman of the
Board of Directors and Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Zeev Rav-Noy, its Chief
Operating Officer, and Noam Lotan, its President and Chief Executive Officer.
The loss of the services of any one or more of these officers could have a
material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has entered into employment
agreements with each officer and owns and is the beneficiary of key man life
insurance policies in the amounts of $1,000,000 each on the lives of Drs.
Margalit and Rav-Noy and Mr. Lotan. There can be no assurance that the proceeds
from these policies will be sufficient to compensate the Company in the event of
the death of any of these individuals, and the policies do not cover the Company
in the event that any of them becomes disabled or is otherwise unable to render
services to the Company.
Attraction and Retention of Qualified Personnel. The Company's ability to
develop, manufacture and market its products and its ability to compete with its
current and future competitors depends, and will depend, in large part, on its
ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Competition for qualified
personnel in the networking and fiber optics industries is intense, and the
Company will be required to compete for such personnel with companies having
substantially greater financial and other resources than the Company. If the
Company should be unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, the business
of the
10
<PAGE> 13
Company could be materially adversely affected. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to attract and retain qualified personnel.
Share Prices Have Been and May Continue to Be Highly
Volatile. Historically, the market price of the Company's Common Stock has been
extremely volatile. See "Price Range of Common Stock." The market price of the
Common Stock is likely to continue to be highly volatile and could be
significantly affected by factors such as actual or anticipated fluctuations in
the Company's operating results, announcement of technological innovations or
new product introductions by the Company or its competitors, changes of
estimates of the Company's future operating results by securities analysts,
developments with respect to patents, copyrights or proprietary rights, general
market conditions and other factors. In addition, the stock market has from time
to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have
particularly affected the market prices for the common stocks of technology
companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price
of the Company's Common Stock. In addition, it is possible that in a future
fiscal quarter, the Company's results of operations will fail to meet the
expectations of securities analysts or investors and, in such event, the market
price of the Company's Common Stock would be materially adversely affected.
Possible Issuance of Preferred Stock; Anti-takeover Provisions. The Company
is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01
per share. The Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of
which may be determined at the time of issuance by the Board of Directors
without further action by stockholders. The terms of any such series of
preferred stock may include voting rights (including the right to vote as a
series on particular matters), preferences as to dividend, liquidation,
conversion and redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. No preferred stock
is currently outstanding, and the Company has no present plans for the issuance
thereof. The Company has agreed not to issue any shares of preferred stock until
December 7, 1997, without the prior written consent of H. J. Meyers & Co., Inc.
(the successor to Thomas James Associates, Inc. the Company's underwriter in its
initial public stock offering). The issuance of any such preferred stock could
materially adversely affect the rights of the holders of Common Stock, and
therefore, reduce the value of the Common Stock. In particular, specific rights
granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict the
Company's ability to merge with, or sell its assets to, a third party, thereby
preserving control of the Company by the present owners.
Shares Eligible for Resale under Separate Registration Statements. This
offering will result in 2,550,000 shares of Common Stock becoming freely
tradeable without restriction in the open market. In addition, pursuant to
effective registration statements under the Securities Act, the Company has
registered for resale in the open market an aggregate of 7,886,707 shares of
Common Stock. Sales of substantial shares of Common Stock into the open market
in addition to those offered by this Prospectus, or even the potential for such
sales, could have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Common
Stock.
Forward-looking Statements. This Prospectus contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section
21E of the Exchange Act. Such forward-looking statements may be deemed to
include the Company's plans to develop and offer new and enhanced networking and
optical transmission products and its efforts to expand its customer base. Such
forward-looking statements may also be deemed to include the Company's
expectations concerning factors affecting the markets for its products, the
growth in those markets in general, the timing of new product introductions by
the Company and anticipated benefits from such product introductions or
technological developments. Such forward-looking statements also may include the
Company's expectations of benefits from the acquisition of the Fibronics
Business or its OEM or other arrangements with certain of its customers and the
planned uses of the proceeds of this offering. Actual results could differ from
those projected in any forward-looking statements for, among other things, the
reasons detailed in the other sections of this "Risk Factors" portion of the
Prospectus. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this
Prospectus and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking
statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those
projected in the forwardlooking statements.
11
<PAGE> 14
THE COMPANY
MRV is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high speed network switching
and fiber optic transmission systems which enhance the performance of existing
data and telecommunications networks. The Company designs, manufactures and
sells two groups of products: computer networking products, primarily Ethernet
LAN switches, hubs and related equipment and fiber optic components for the
transmission of voice, video and data across enterprise, telecommunications and
cable TV networks. The Company's advanced networking solutions greatly enhance
the functionality of LANs by reducing network congestion while allowing end
users to preserve their legacy investments in pre-existing networks and
providing cost-effective migration paths to next generation technologies such as
Gigabit Ethernet. The Company's fiber optic components incorporate proprietary
technology which delivers high performance under demanding environmental
conditions.
The Company was organized in July 1988 as MRV Technologies, Inc., a
California corporation and reincorporated in Delaware in April 1992, at which
time it changed its name to MRV Communications, Inc.
On May 1, 1995, the Company acquired certain assets and the distribution
business of Galcom Networking, Ltd. ("Galcom"), a network equipment company
located in Israel. The purchase price paid by the Company was approximately
$900,000 in cash and the assumption of approximately $1,800,000 in liabilities
and debt. In connection with the acquisition of assets from Galcom, the Company
issued to Galcom and certain of its employees five-year warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 300,000 shares at prices ranging from $4.25 to $7.38 per share.
On June 29, 1995, the Company acquired certain assets and the distribution
business of Ace 400 Communications Ltd. ("Ace"), a network equipment company
also located in Israel. The purchase price paid by the Company was approximately
$4,477,000 comprised of $100,000 in cash, the assumption of approximately
$467,000 in liabilities and debt and the issuance of approximately 855,000
shares of Common Stock valued at approximately $3,910,000 and extended a right
to Ace to sell to the Company up to $400,000 of Ace's inventory. In connection
with the acquisition of assets from Ace, the Company issued to the trustee and
an employee of Ace five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 330,000 shares
of Common Stock at prices ranging from $4.57 to $4.67 per share.
The Galcom and Ace acquisitions provided the Company with experienced
personnel and technology for the Token Ring LAN, IBM Connectivity and
Multi-Platform Network Management IBM NetView and HP OpenView markets. Following
the acquisitions, the Company consolidated these operations in Israel with its
networking operations in the U.S.
On September 26, 1996, the Company completed the Fibronics Acquisition from
Elbit, acquiring certain of the assets and selected liabilities related to
Fibronics' computer networking and telecommunications businesses in Germany, the
United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Israel. The assets
acquired include Fibronics' technology in progress and existing technology, its
marketing channels, its GigaHub family of computer networking products and other
rights. The purchase price for the Fibronics Business was approximately
$22,800,000. The purchase price was paid using a combination of cash and shares
of Common Stock, all of which Elbit subsequently resold in the open market.
The Fibronics Business is enabling MRV to enhance the development of Fast
Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet functions through the Fibronics GigaHub family of
products, to offer a broader range of networking products and to benefit from
combined distribution channels and sales in both the United States and Europe
and greater product development capability.
12
<PAGE> 15
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 2,000,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company are estimated to be approximately
$57,130,000 ($68,155,000, if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full), based on an assumed offering price of $30.50 per share (the
last reported sales price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on
June 24, 1997) and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company will not receive
any proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling Stockholders.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes,
including to expand its marketing infrastructure, for research and development,
to purchase capital equipment and for working capital. A portion of the net
proceeds may also be used for the possible acquisitions of businesses, products
or technologies that are complementary to those of the Company. From time to
time, MRV evaluates potential acquisitions of such businesses, products or
technologies; however, the Company has no current understandings, agreements or
commitments and is not currently engaged in any negotiations with respect to any
such transaction. Pending such uses, the Company intends to invest the net
proceeds in short-term, high-quality, interest-bearing obligations.
DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on the Common Stock
since its inception. The Company currently intends to retain all of its
earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of its business and
does not intend to pay any cash dividends to its stockholders in the foreseeable
future.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "MRVC." The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low
sale prices for the Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq National Market (as
adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split effected May 20, 1996 and the 2-for-1 stock
split effected July 29, 1996).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
1995
----------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter............................................. $ 5.63 $ 3.58
Second Quarter............................................ $ 5.13 $ 3.63
Third Quarter............................................. $ 8.17 $ 4.25
Fourth Quarter............................................ $ 9.33 $ 5.50
1996
----------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter............................................. $17.67 $ 8.42
Second Quarter............................................ $40.25 $14.75
Third Quarter............................................. $29.00 $11.75
Fourth Quarter............................................ $26.25 $15.75
1997
----------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter............................................. $29.88 $18.25
Second Quarter (through June 24, 1997).................... $30.50 $18.25
</TABLE>
On June 24, 1997, the last sale price of the Common Stock as reported on
the Nasdaq National Market was $30.50 per share. At June 20, 1997 the Company
had 253 stockholders of record, as indicated on the records of the Company's
transfer agent, who held, management believes, for approximately 13,500
beneficial holders.
13
<PAGE> 16
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the short-term obligations and the
capitalization of the Company at March 31, 1997 and as adjusted to give effect
to the receipt of net proceeds estimated at $57,130,000 from the sale by the
Company of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock based on an assumed public offering
price of $30.50:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT MARCH 31, 1997
-----------------------
AS
ACTUAL ADJUSTED(1)
------- -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Current maturities of financing lease obligations...... $ 104 $ 104
======= =======
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion...... $ 939 $ 939
Debentures(2).......................................... 300 300
Other long-term liabilities............................ 507 507
------- -------
Total capital lease obligations and long-term
liabilities..................................... $ 1,746 $ 1,746
Minority interests..................................... 862 862
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000
shares, no shares outstanding or as adjusted......... -- --
Common stock, $0.0034 par value: authorized 40,000,000
shares; issued and outstanding, 22,748,343 shares
actual and 24,748,343 as adjusted.................... 78 84
Additional paid-in capital............................. 75,785 132,909
Accumulated deficit.................................... (3,607) (3,607)
Adjustment for foreign currency translation............ (291) (291)
------- -------
Total stockholders' equity........................ 71,965 129,095
------- -------
Total capitalization......................... $74,573 $ 131,703
======= =======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Adjusted to give effect to the sale by the Company of 2,000,000 shares of
Common Stock offered hereby and receipt of the net proceeds therefrom
estimated to be $57,130,000.
(2) During August and September 1996, the Company sold an aggregate of $30
million principal amount 5% convertible subordinated debentures due August
6, 1999 (the "Debentures") and warrants to purchase up to 600,000 shares of
Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price of $26.67 per share for
three years to a total of 14 investors in a private financing, receiving
proceeds aggregating $30 million. The Debentures were convertible into
Common Stock of the Company at any time at the option of the holders at a
discount from the market price of the Common Stock at the time of conversion
that increased over the life of the Debentures until it reached a floor.
Through March 31, 1997, $29,700,000 principal amount of Debentures and
$585,000 of accrued interest had been converted into approximately 1,798,000
shares of Common Stock. At April 4, 1997, the balance of principal and
accrued interest on the Debentures had been paid in full through their
conversion into an additional 18,159 shares of Common Stock.
14
<PAGE> 17
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected statement of operations data for the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1996 and the balance sheet data as of December 31,
1995 and 1996 are derived from the financial statements and notes thereto
included elsewhere herein audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as set forth in their report also included elsewhere herein. The
selected statement of operations data for the two years in the period ended
December 31, 1993 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 1992, 1993 and
1994 were derived from audited financial statements of the Company not included
or incorporated herein. The selected financial data at March 31, 1997 and for
the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 are derived from the Company's
unaudited financial statements included elsewhere herein, which, in the opinion
of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of the financial position and results of operations at and for such
periods. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 1997 are
not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year. The
following data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company, including the notes thereto, included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED MARCH 31,
---------------------------------------------- -----------------
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1996 1997
------ ------ ------- ------- -------- ------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues, net................................................ $4,422 $7,426 $17,526 $39,202 $ 88,815 $15,529 $35,564
Cost of goods sold........................................... 2,280 3,936 10,328 22,608 51,478 8,989 20,176
Research and development expenses............................ 589 1,103 2,144 4,044 8,201 1,684 2,748
Selling, general and administrative expenses................. 631 1,259 2,615 6,799 14,025 2,136 5,775
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating income before non-recurring charges(1)............. 922 1,128 2,439 5,751 15,111 2,720 6,865
Purchased technology in progress(1).......................... -- -- -- 6,211 17,795 -- --
Restructuring costs(1)....................................... -- -- -- 1,465 6,974 -- --
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating income (loss)...................................... 922 1,128 2,439 (1,925) (9,658) 2,720 6,865
Other income (expense)....................................... (122) 198 162 654 153 80 (166)
Interest expense related to convertible debentures and
acquisition(1)............................................. -- -- -- -- (4,357) -- (408)
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes, minority
interests and extraordinary items.......................... 800 1,326 2,601 (1,271) (13,862) 2,800 6,291
Provision (credit) for income taxes(1)....................... 282 487 983 2 (4,404) 921 1,938
Minority interests........................................... -- -- -- -- 196 -- 10
Extraordinary item-debt restructuring........................ 42 -- -- -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net income (loss)(1)......................................... $ 560 $ 839 $ 1,618 $(1,273) $ (9,654) $ 1,879 $ 4,343
====== ====== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Net income (loss) per share(1)............................... $ 0.08 $ 0.07 $ 0.13 $ (0.07) $ (0.49) $ 0.09 $ 0.18
====== ====== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding(2)............................................. 7,636 12,050 12,567 18,377 19,739 21,412 24,795
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT MARCH
AT DECEMBER 31, 31,
--------------------------------------------- ---------
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital....................................................... $3,773 $3,514 $11,303 $22,019 $56,973 $ 59,629
Total assets.......................................................... 6,389 7,328 16,667 33,307 96,943 103,010
Total liabilities..................................................... 1,437 1,537 3,761 8,049 43,790 30,183
Long-term debt, net of current portion................................ 34 -- -- 271 18,892 1,746
Stockholders' equity.................................................. 4,952 5,791 12,906 25,258 52,301 71,965
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The non-recurring charges consist of purchased technology in progress and
restructuring charges incurred as a result of acquisitions. Purchased
technology in progress for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $6,211,000.
The purchased technology is for R&D projects in progress at the time of
acquisition of assets from Ace and Galcom. Restructuring costs during the
year ended December 31, 1995 were $1,465,000 and are associated with a plan
adopted by the Company in 1995 calling for the merger of the newly acquired
subsidiaries and the Company's LAN product division. The plan also called
for the closure of some facilities, termination of redundant employees and
cancellation of representation agreements. Excluding the non-recurring
charges, net of their tax effects, net income would have increased to
$4,345,000 or $0.22 per share for the year ended December 31, 1995.
Purchased technology in progress for the year ended December 31, 1996 was
$17,795,000 and was in conjunction with the Fibronics Acquisition.
Restructuring costs during the year ended December 31, 1996 were $6,974,000
and are associated with a plan adopted by the Company on September 30, 1996
calling for the reduction of workforce, closing of certain facilities,
retraining of certain employees and elimination of particular product lines
due to this acquisition. Interest expenses related to the acquisition for
the year ended December 31, 1996 and the three months end March 31, 1997
were $4,357,000 and $408,000, respectively, and were connected with the
private placement of $30 million principal amount of Debentures, the
proceeds from which the Company used to finance the cash portion of the
Fibronics Acquisition. Excluding the non-recurring charges, net of their tax
effects, net income would have been $10,555,000 or $0.46 per share for the
year ended December 31, 1996.
(2) Fully diluted earnings per share information differs from primary earnings
per share information for the year ended December 31, 1994. The number of
shares included 147,480 common share equivalents resulting from outstanding
warrants.
15
<PAGE> 18
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including those set forth in the following discussion and elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
GENERAL
Since its inception in 1988, the Company has manufactured and marketed
semiconductor optical transmission products for the fiber optics communications
industry. In 1993, the Company expanded its product line to include products
incorporating Ethernet switching technology that improved network throughput and
enhanced efficiency of LANs and introduced its first switch marketed under the
NBase trademark in the fourth quarter of 1993. During 1994, the Company expanded
commercial shipments of its LAN switching products. In 1995, the Company
augmented its networking products with the acquisitions of certain assets of
Galcom and Ace, which resulted in charges of $6,211,000 and $1,465,000 for
purchased technology in progress and restructuring, respectively. Net revenues
from sales of networking products and semiconductor optical transmission
products were 60% and 40%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 1995
and approximately 69% and 31%, respectively, during the year ended December 31,
1996.
In September 1996, the Company completed the Fibronics Acquisition,
acquiring assets related to Fibronics' computer networking and
telecommunications businesses in Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom,
the Netherlands and Israel. The assets acquired include Fibronics' technology in
progress and existing technology, its marketing channels, its GigaHub family of
computer networking products and other rights. This acquisition also resulted in
charges in the amount $17,795,000 and $6,974,000 for purchased technology in
progress and restructuring, respectively.
In September 1996, the Company completed a private placement of an
aggregate of $30,000,000 principal amount of 5% convertible subordinated
debentures due August 6, 1999 (the "Debentures"). Proceeds from this private
placement were used to purchase the Fibronics Business. The Debentures were
convertible into Common Stock of the Company at any time at the option of the
holders at a discount from the market price of the Common Stock at the time of
conversion that decreased over the life of the Debentures until it reached a
floor. At a meeting of the Emerging Issues Task Force held on March 13, 1997,
the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced its
position on the accounting treatment for the issuance of convertible preferred
stock and debt securities with a beneficial conversion feature such as that
contained in the Debentures. As announced, the SEC requires that a beneficial
conversion feature attached to instruments such as the Debentures that are
convertible into equity be recognized and measured by allocating a portion of
the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in
capital and charging it to interest expense. As a result of the SEC's position,
the Company added a non-recurring, non-cash charge to its results of operations
for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the three months ended March 31, 1997
related to the issuance of the Debentures in the amounts of $4,357,000 and
$408,000, respectively. Similarly, the Company also plans to report additional
non-recurring charges of approximately $40,000 for the three months ending June
30, 1997. The Company will not need to report future charges relating to the
issuance of the Debentures beyond the second quarter of 1997 as the outstanding
principal and accrued interest were paid in full at April 4, 1997 through
conversion into Common Stock. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below.
The Company's international sales are not concentrated in any specific
country. The estimated operating profit from international sales for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $8,009,000, $2,646,000, and
$466,000, respectively. The amounts for the years ended December 31, 1996 and
1995 are before non-recurring charges. At December 31, 1995 and 1996, 16% and
14% of the Company's assets were located in the Middle East and at December 31,
1996, 17% of the Company's assets were located in the European Community. Except
for such assets, there were no significant assets located in geographic
16
<PAGE> 19
regions outside of the U.S. at December 31, 1995 or 1996. In years prior to
1995, substantially all the assets were located in the U.S.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, statement of
operations data of the Company expressed as a percentage of revenues (except for
revenue growth rates).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
--------------------------- ----------------
1994 1995 1996 1996 1997
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues, net................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Revenue growth rate from prior period........... 136.0 124.0 126.6 130.5 129.0
Cost of goods sold.............................. 58.9 57.7 58.0 57.9 56.7
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Gross profit.................................... 41.1 42.3 42.0 42.1 43.3
Operating expenses:
Research and development expenses............. 12.2 10.3 9.2 10.8 7.7
Selling, general and administrative
expenses................................... 14.9 17.3 15.8 13.8 16.2
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Operating income before non-recurring charges... 13.9 14.7 17.0 17.5 19.3
Purchased technology in progress.............. -- 15.8 20.0 -- --
Restructuring costs........................... -- 3.7 7.9 -- --
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Operating income................................ 13.9 (4.9) (10.9) 17.5 19.3
Other income (expense), net..................... 0.9 1.7 -- 0.5 (0.5)
Interest expense related to convertible
debentures and acquisition.................... -- -- (4.9) -- (1.1)
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Income (loss) before taxes...................... 14.8% (3.2)% (15.8)% 18.0% 17.7%
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
Pro forma financial data (excluding
non-recurring charges):
Operating income........................... 13.9 14.7 17.0 17.5 19.3
Income (loss) before taxes................. 14.8 16.3 17.2 18.0 18.8
</TABLE>
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1996
Revenues. Revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 were
$35,564,000 and $15,529,000 respectively. The changes represented an increase of
$20,035,000 or 129% for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 over the quarter ended
March 31, 1996. Revenues increased as a result of greater marketing efforts and
greater market acceptance of the Company's products, both domestically and
internationally. International sales accounted for approximately 57% of revenues
for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 as compared to 39% of revenues for the
quarter ended March 31, 1996. International sales, as a percentage of total
revenues, increased mainly as a result of increased sales, marketing and support
resources in place in Europe and increased sales to the Pacific Rim region.
Sales of networking products represented approximately 75% of total sales during
the quarter ended March 31, 1997 compared to approximately 63% for the quarter
ended March 31, 1996. The increase in sales of networking products was due
primarily to increased sales of the MegaSwitch family of products.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 was
$15,388,000 compared to $6,540,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1996. Gross
profit as a percentage of revenues rose from 42.1% during the quarter ended
March 31, 1996 to 43.3% during the quarter ended March 31, 1997 as a result of
increased sales of higher margin products such as the MegaSwitch family of
products as well as lower cost production techniques.
Research and Development. Research and development ("R&D") expenses were
$2,748,000 and $1,684,000 and represented 7.7% and 10.8% respectively of
revenues for the quarters ended March 31, 1997 and 1996. The 63% increase in R&D
spending during the quarter ended March 31, 1997 over the comparable period in
1996 was attributable to the continued development of the Company's networking
and fiber optic
17
<PAGE> 20
products including Ethernet/Fast Ethernet/Gigabit Ethernet switches, GigaHub
modules and three-way simultaneous fiber optic transmission modules. Additional
costs were also associated with the hiring of additional research and
development personnel and consultants. The Company intends to continue to invest
in the research and development of new products. Management believes that the
ability of the Company to develop and commercialize new products is a key
competitive factor.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative
("SG&A") expenses increased to $5,775,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1997
from $2,136,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1996. As a percentage of
revenues, SG&A increased from 13.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 1996 to
16.2% for the quarter ended March 31, 1997. The increase in SG&A expenses is due
primarily to substantially increased marketing efforts as well as additional
personnel and overhead costs in additional and expanded locations.
Interest Expense Related to Convertible Debentures and Acquisition. To give
effect to the accounting treatment announced by the staff of the SEC at the
March 31, 1997 meeting of the Emerging Issues Task Force relevant to the
Company's issuance of the Debentures having "beneficial conversion" features,
the value of the fixed discount has been reflected in the Company's financial
statements at and for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 as additional interest
expense and such fixed discount has been accreted through the first possible
conversion date of the respective issuance.
Net Income. Net income increased from $1,879,000 for the quarter ended
March 31, 1996 to $4,343,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1997. Net income
increased primarily due to substantially increased sales.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995
Revenues. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996 were $88,815,000
compared to $39,202,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995, an increase of
126%. Revenues from sales of networking products and optical transmission
products were 69% and 31%, respectively, of total revenues during the year ended
December 31, 1996 as compared to 60% and 40%, respectively, of total revenues
during the year ended December 31,1995. The changes represented increases of
$38,140,000 or 162% and $11,473,000 or 73% in revenues from networking products
and optical transmission products, respectively, for the year ended December 31,
1996. Total revenues increased as a result of strong demand for LAN connectivity
and fiber optic products. Revenues from networking products increased primarily
due to sales of the MegaSwitch II product line and revenues from optical
transmission products increased primarily as a result of volume shipments,
beginning in the third quarter of 1996, of a new bidirectional optical
transmission and reception module for Fiber-to-the-Curb ("FTTC") applications
and sales to the cable TV industry. International sales accounted for
approximately 53% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared
to approximately 45% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995.
International sales, as a percentage of total revenues, increased because of
increased concentration of sales and marketing efforts overseas and
acquisitions. While the Company has achieved significant revenue growth in
previous periods, there can be no assurance that the Company will sustain such
growth.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 1996 was
$37,337,000 as compared to $16,594,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995. The
changes represented an increase of $20,743,000 or 125% for the year ended
December 31, 1996. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues was approximately
42% for both the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996.
Research and Development. For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995,
R&D expenses were $8,201,000 and $4,044,000, respectively, which represented
approximately 9.2% of revenues for 1996 and 10.3% for 1995. R&D expenses
increased primarily due to additions in engineering personnel and the
commencement of new R&D projects. Research and development expenses were lower
as a percentage of revenues in 1996 primarily because certain of the Company's
R&D programs in Israel were partially funded by the Chief Scientist of Israel
and R&D expenses were spread over a larger revenue base. The Company continues
to devote significant resources to its R&D efforts. During 1995 and 1996, the
Company's R&D
18
<PAGE> 21
activities were focused on expanding its family of networking switching products
and extending its fiber optic expertise into new product areas.
Selling, General and Administrative. For the year ended December 31, 1996,
SG&A expenses increased to $14,025,000 from $6,799,000 in 1995. The increase in
SG&A expenses is due primarily to increased marketing expenses, including those
associated with additions to personnel. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses
decreased from 17.3% to 15.8% for the years ended December 31, 1995 and December
31, 1996, respectively. The decrease as a percentage of sales in the year ended
December 31, 1996 resulted primarily due to increased sales in 1996.
Purchased Technology in Progress and Restructuring Costs. Purchased
technology in progress for the year ended December 31,1996 was $17,795,000. The
purchased technology in 1996 was for R&D projects of Fibronics in progress at
the time of the Fibronics Acquisition on September 26, 1996. Restructuring costs
during the year ended December 31, 1996 were $6,974,000. The restructuring in
1996 was associated with a plan adopted by the Company on September 30, 1996, in
conjunctions with the Fibronics Acquisition, calling for the reduction of
workforce, closing of certain facilities, retraining of certain employees and
elimination of particular product lines. Purchased technology in progress for
the year ended December 31, 1995 was $6,211,000. The purchased technology was
for R&D projects in progress at the time of acquisition of assets from Galcom
and Ace. Restructuring costs during the year ended December 31, 1995 were
$1,465,000. The restructuring in 1995 was associated with a plan adopted by the
Company on June 30, 1995 calling for the merger of new subsidiaries acquired in
the Ace and Galcom acquisitions in 1995 and the Company's LAN products division.
The plan also called for the closure of some facilities, termination of
redundant employees and cancellation of representation agreements.
Interest Expense Related to Convertible Debentures and Acquisition. To give
effect to the accounting treatment announced by the staff of the SEC at the
March 13, 1997 meeting of the Emerging Issues Task Force relevant to the
Company's issuance of the Debentures having "beneficial conversion" features,
the value of the fixed discount has been reflected in the 1996 financial
statements as additional interest expense and such discount has been accreted
through the first possible conversion date of the respective issuance.
Net Loss. Net loss increased from a loss of $1,273,000 during the year
ended December 31, 1995 to a loss of $9,654,000 for the year ended December 31,
1996. The increase in net loss in 1996 was due to the Fibronics Acquisition,
which included charges for purchased technology in progress and restructuring
costs. Net income for the year ended December 31, 1996 would have been
$10,555,000, excluding $20,209,000 of charges, net of tax effects, associated
with the Fibronics Acquisition. Net income for the year ended December 31, 1995
would have been $4,345,000, excluding $5,618,000 of charges, net of tax effects,
associated with the acquisitions of Galcom and Ace. Excluding, these
non-recurring charges, net income increased by $6,210,000 or 143% for the year
ended December 31, 1996.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
Revenues. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995 were $39,202,000,
as compared to $17,526,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994. Revenues from
sales of networking products and optical transmission products were 60% and 40%,
respectively, of total revenues during the year ended December 31, 1995 as
compared to 36% and 64%, respectively, of total revenues during the year ended
December 31, 1994. The changes represented an increase of $21,676,000 or 124% of
total revenues and $17,144,000 or 271% and $4,532,000 or 40% in revenues from
networking products and optical transmission products, respectively, for the
year ended December 31, 1995. Total revenues increased as a result of greater
marketing efforts and greater market acceptance of the Company's products, both
domestically and internationally. The sales and marketing resources obtained in
the acquisition of assets from Ace and Galcom during the year ended December 31,
1995 also contributed additional revenues. Revenues from networking products
increased primarily due to the introduction of new products, additional
marketing and sales efforts and expansion of the networking industry and
revenues from optical transmission products increased primarily as a result of
additional sales and marketing efforts. International sales accounted for
approximately 45% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995 as compared
to 19% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1994.
19
<PAGE> 22
International sales, as a percentage of total revenues, increased because of
greater marketing efforts in overseas markets and a larger number of sales
personnel in those markets obtained in the acquisition of the Galcom assets.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 1995 was
$16,594,000 as compared to $7,198,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, an
increase of $9,396,000 or 131% for the year ended December 31, 1995. The
increase in gross profit was primarily due to increased sales. Gross profit as a
percentage of revenues for the years ended 1994 and 1995 was 41% and 42%
respectively.
Research and Development. R&D expenses for the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995, were $2,144,000 and $4,044,000 which represented 12% and 10% of
revenues, respectively. The percentage decrease in R&D spending was attributable
to the increased revenues. The Company intends to continue development of its
networking and fiber optic products, and to invest in the research and
development of other new products. Management believes that the ability of the
Company to develop and commercialize new products is a key competitive factor.
Selling, General and Administrative. SG&A expenses for the year ended
December 31, 1995 increased to $6,799,000 from $2,615,000. As a percentage of
revenues, SG&A increased from 15% to 17% for the year ended December 31, 1994
and December 31, 1995, respectively. The increase in SG&A expenses was due
primarily to additional personnel and overhead costs as a result of the
acquisitions of the Galcom and Ace assets and increased marketing and personnel
costs.
Purchased Technology in Progress and Restructuring Costs. In connection
with the Company's acquisition of certain assets of Galcom and Ace, it acquired
incomplete R&D projects that will be included in its ongoing R&D activities. For
those projects that will have no alternative future use to the Company and where
technological feasibility had not yet been established, the Company allocated
$6,211,000 of the purchase price to technology in progress and recorded the
expense during the year ended December 31, 1995.
In connection with the Company's integration of the acquired companies
during the year ended December 31, 1995 the Company recorded $1,465,000 as
restructuring costs, which primarily related to the closing of several Company
facilities, a reduction of its workforce and the settlement of distribution
agreements which were terminated early.
The total purchase price, including related costs, for the Ace and Galcom
assets were approximately $4,812,000 and $2,885,000, respectively. The value of
the ongoing operations with existing sales of Ace and Galcom that were acquired
by the Company were believed by management to be inconsequential because their
sales were in rapid decline. The decline was the result of the increasing
obsolescence of the older products which were being sold. Of the combined total
purchase price, including related costs, of $7,697,000 approximately $6,211,000
was allocated to the purchased technology in process. Subsequent to the
acquisition of the technologies in development, it was determined by the Company
that these technologies would not be commercially viable because of the
preemptive success of an alternative technology that was also in process at the
Company at the time of the acquisition. The effect on operations of the
acquisitions of Galcom and Ace was that they initially necessitated a
restructuring of the Company's operations so as to integrate all LAN product
activities throughout the organization. The restructuring, which involved
workforce reductions at all levels, as well as office and plant closures, was
essentially completed according to plan during the first part of 1996. During
1995, there were no adverse effects on the Company's liquidity or capital
resources as a result of the acquisitions and the Company does not anticipate
any such effects, as a result of the acquisitions, in future periods.
Immediately after the acquisition of the businesses, the Company initiated
a restructuring plan that called for a merger of the two operations into one
subsidiary and an assumption by the surviving entity of certain international
and U.S. operations previously managed directly by the Company. This included,
for example, sales by the subsidiary of the Company's LAN products into some of
the sale channels developed by the Company prior to the acquisitions. Since the
operating plans of the Company did not distinguish these operations from those
of the businesses acquired, it is not practicable to quantify their impact. The
product lines of the businesses acquired are aimed at computer connecting for
the IBM AS400 and mainframe environment. The Company's LAN products are aimed at
the personal computer connectivity environment.
20
<PAGE> 23
Net Income. Net income decreased from $1,618,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1994 to a net loss of $1,273,000 for the year ended December 31,
1995. The decrease in net income is principally due to non-recurring charges
during the year ended December 31, 1995 of $7,676,000 for the cost of purchased
technology in progress acquired in the Ace and Galcom acquisitions and costs
associated with the adoption of a restructuring plan. Excluding the
non-recurring charges, net of their tax effects, net income would have increased
to $4,345,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995. The increase of 169% over
the same period in 1994 is primarily due to substantially increased sales.
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth certain selected operating data for the
quarters indicated. This information has been derived from the unaudited
consolidated financial statements of the Company which in the opinion of
management contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments)
necessary for a fair presentation of such information. These operating results
are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period and results may
fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in the future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995 1996 1997
--------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------- -------
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues,
net... $2,759 $3,846 $4,731 $6,190 $6,737 $8,310 $11,135 $13,020 $15,529 $19,586 $22,664 $31,036 $35,564
Gross
profit... 1,269 1,570 1,802 2,557 2,477 3,475 4,826 5,816 6,540 8,175 9,382 13,240 15,388
Operating
income
before
non-
recurring
charges... 408 499 589 943 858 1,221 1,645 2,027 2,720 3,224 3,558 5,609 6,865
Operating
income
(loss)... 408 499 589 943 858 (6,455) 1,645 2,027 2,720 3,224 (21,211) 5,609 6,865
Net
income
(loss).. 292 349 402 575 705 (4,707) 1,155 1,574 1,879 2,283 (15,504) 1,688 4,343
</TABLE>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
In October 1994, the Company received proceeds of approximately $5,497,000
from the issuance of 3,439,430 shares of Common Stock, upon exercise of the same
number of warrants that had been issued in the Company's initial public offering
of December 1992. In January 1995, MRV received net proceeds of approximately
$9,355,000 from the public offering of 2,700,000 shares of Common Stock. In
August and September 1996, the Company received $30,000,000 from the private
placement of $30,000,000 principal amount of Debentures and warrants to purchase
up to 600,000 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise of $26.67
per share.
Net cash used in operating activities were $6,198,000 and $2,087,000 for
the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. For the year ended
December 31, 1995, the funds were used for increased inventories and receivables
as a result of increased revenues. In 1995, the cash provided by financing
activities resulted primarily from the issuance of 2,700,000 shares of Common
Stock at $4.00 per share less offering costs and the issuance of approximately
855,000 shares in connection with the purchase of assets from Ace-North Hills.
The majority of cash used in investing activities in 1995 was for the purchase
of investments and the majority of cash provided by investing activities in the
same period was from the redemption of short-term investments. For the year
ended December 31, 1994, the cash provided by financing activities were the
result of the exercise of IPO Warrants. Net cash used in investing activities
for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $5,565,000 which resulted primarily
from the restriction of the Company's cash as security against letters of credit
issued by a bank on behalf of the Company.
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 1996
was $148,000 and $6,198,000 for the same period in 1995. The funds were used
primarily for increased inventories and receivables as a result of increased
revenues. Net cash provided by financing activities for the years ended December
31, 1995 and 1996 were $9,669,000 and $38,882,000, respectively. Net cash used
in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $26,047,000,
which primarily related to the net purchases of investments and net cash used in
acquisitions. Cash provided by financing activities in 1996 was primarily from
the private placement of $30,000,000 principal amount of Debentures relating to
the Fibronics Acquisition and proceeds from the
21
<PAGE> 24
issuance of Common Stock. The majority of cash used for investing activities
during 1996 was for the purchase of the Fibronics Business and net purchases of
investments.
Accounts receivable were $24,296,000 at December 31, 1996 as compared to
$10,780,000 at December 31, 1995. The increase in accounts receivable was
primarily attributable to the increase in overall sales.
Royalties are payable by Galcom, Ace and Fibronics to the Office of the
Chief Scientist of Israel ("OCS") at rates of approximately 2% to 3% on proceeds
from the sale of products arising from the research and development activities
for which OCS has provided grants. The total amount of royalties may not exceed
the amount of the grants. The Company does not expect that revenues from royalty
bearing products will result in material royalty payment obligations in the
future.
In September 1996, the Company completed a private placement of $30,000,000
principal amount of Debentures. The Debentures were convertible into Common
Stock of the Company at any time at the option of the holders at a discount from
the market price of the Common Stock at the time of conversion that increased
over the life of the Debentures until it reached a floor. Through March 31,
1996, $29,700,000 principal amount of Debentures and $585,000 of accrued
interest had been converted into approximately 1,798,000 shares of Common Stock.
At April 4, 1997, the balance of principal and accrued interest on the
Debentures had been paid in full through their conversion into an additional
18,159 shares of Common Stock.
In September 1996, the Company completed the Fibronics Acquisition from
Elbit. The purchase price for the Fibronics Business was approximately
$22,800,000, which was paid with Common Stock and cash. The cash was provided
from a portion of the proceeds of the private placement of Debentures. Elbit
subsequently resold the shares of Common Stock it received from the Company in
the open market.
In November 1996, the Company completed a private placement of 200,000
shares of Common Stock to Intel Corporation ("Intel") for $4,000,000 ($20.00 per
share). As part of the private placement, the Company issued to Intel three-year
warrants to purchase up to an additional 500,000 shares of Common Stock at
$20.00 per share. Of such warrants, warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of
Common Stock are exercisable under certain conditions.
EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES
The Company believes that the relatively moderate rate of inflation in the
United States over the past few years has not had a significant impact on the
Company's sales or operating results or on the prices of raw materials. However,
in view of the Company's recent expansion of operations in Israel which has
experienced substantial inflation, there can be no assurance that inflation in
Israel will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company's operating
results in the future.
The Company's sales are currently denominated in U.S. dollars and to date
its business has not been significantly affected by currency fluctuations or
inflation. However, the Company conducts business in several different countries
and thus fluctuations in currency exchange rates could cause the Company's
products to become relatively more expensive in particular countries, leading to
a reduction in sales in that country. In addition, inflation in such countries
could increase the Company's expenses. To date, the Company has not hedged
against currency exchange risks. In the future, the Company may engage in
foreign currency denominated sales or pay material amounts of expenses in
foreign currencies and, in such event, may experience gains and losses due to
currency fluctuations. The Company's operating results could be adversely
affected by such fluctuations or as a result of inflation in particular
countries where material expenses are incurred.
POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company does not provide post-retirement benefits affected by SFAS 106.
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BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
MRV is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high speed network switching
and fiber optic transmission systems which enhance the performance of existing
data and telecommunications networks. The Company designs, manufactures and
sells two groups of products: (i) computer networking products, primarily
Ethernet LAN switches, hubs and related equipment and (ii) fiber optic
components for the transmission of voice, video and data across enterprise,
telecommunications and cable TV networks. The Company's advanced networking
solutions greatly enhance the functionality of LANs by reducing network
congestion while allowing end users to preserve their legacy investments in
pre-existing networks and providing cost-effective migration paths to next
generation technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet. The Company's fiber optic
components incorporate proprietary technology which delivers high performance
under demanding environmental conditions.
The Company offers a family of network, switching and related products that
enhance LAN performance and facilitate the migration to next generation
technologies such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and Asynchronous Transfer
Mode ("ATM"). MRV's MegaSwitch family of switching products range from complete
switching systems to stackable switches which upgrade performance of existing
LANs by relieving congestion of overloaded transmission speeds without requiring
replacement of existing technologies. In addition, the Company offers GigaHub, a
multi-platform switchable hub, and MegaStack, a LAN stackable hub, as well as a
network management system and a number of other products that support network
connectivity. MRV also offers a series of DirectIP switching products that
provides intranets with cost effective switched networking solutions which offer
superior performance and comparable control and security to traditional router
technology.
The Company also offers a family of optical transmission components and
modules designed for transmission over fiber optic cable. These products enable
the transmission of voice, data, and video across fiber and are also used in
optical fiber test equipment. The Company's products include discrete
components, such as laser diodes and LEDs, and integrated components such as
transmitters, receivers and transceivers. The Company's components are used in
data networks, telecommunication transmission and access networks.
To position the Company for growth, management's strategy has been to focus
on rapidly developing markets in the communications arena, such as LAN switching
and access networks, and to concentrate on improving performance of networks
employing Ethernet protocols, thereby addressing the largest installed base of
network users. Management's strategy has also been to emphasize development of
innovative products that the Company may bring to market early and to capitalize
on MRV's manufacturing expertise and ability to combine proprietary fiber optic
transmission and advanced switching technologies to create high-speed,
cost-effective networking solutions.
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
The global communications industry has undergone significant transformation
and growth since the mid-1980's as a result of increased demand for
communications services and applications, as well as advances in technology and
changes in network architectures and public policy. The client server network
architecture with its shared information and resources, the increased power of
conventional applications as well as the proliferation of graphic intensive
applications such as multimedia, the Internet and intranets, have resulted in a
strong demand for bandwidth. This trend is expected to continue as additional
bandwidth intensive applications, such a video conferencing, are used
increasingly. Further, as a result of changes in communications regulations and
the adoption of common standards, enterprise networks, such as LANs and WANs,
and access networks, such as telecommunications and cable TV, are expected to
converge. The demand for high bandwidth applications, as well as the convergence
of data communications and telecommunications, has significantly increased the
requirement for networking and fiber optic equipment that increases the capacity
of networks through high speed and more efficient transmission technologies.
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High-speed switching systems enhance the bandwidth of LANs so that a
greater number of users can utilize more complex applications without
experiencing network congestion. Fiber optic transmission components also
enhance the functionality of enterprise and access networks by enabling
high-speed transmission of voice, video and data across fiber optic cable.
Market research firms forecast strong growth in both of these sectors. In August
1996, an industry analyst estimated that the market for LAN switches will grow
from $1.7 billion in 1995 to $10.5 billion in 1999, a compounded annual growth
rate of 58%. In February 1996, KMI Corporation estimated that the worldwide
fiber optics market, including cables, connectors and transceivers, was $6.1
billion in 1995 and that it will grow to $12.3 billion by 1999, a compounded
annual growth rate of 19%. The Company believes that the growth of fiber optic
components will outpace that of the overall fiber optics industry.
LAN ENVIRONMENT
The most common LAN architecture, "shared-media" networking, cannot
effectively accommodate the market's requirements for high-speed networking.
Shared-media networks require computers to alternate communication over a single
LAN, thereby allowing a computer to send information only when other computers
are not doing so. As more computers are added to a single LAN, demand for access
to the network increases and, as a result, individual users experience slower
network response times and data transfer rates. Most of these networks operate
with the Ethernet protocol, which is significantly less expensive than the
closest competing technology, Token Ring.
There are two fundamentally different but complementary approaches to
alleviating network congestion. The first approach, referred to as
"segmentation," reduces the number of desktops connected to a single LAN
segment, which increases the available bandwidth per user. The segmentation of
users into smaller LANs alleviates network congestion by allowing fewer users to
share a given amount of capacity. The second approach is to increase the
capacity of networks through new high-speed transmission technologies and high
bandwidth fiber optic applications. LAN switching technology is an innovation
that enables both of these solutions. A switch is a device that partitions a
network into multiple segments which enables several simultaneous
"conversations," thereby reducing the traffic on each segment while allowing
access to the entire network. A switch also allows connection with different
speeds, thereby facilitating faster backbones and migration to faster
technologies.
Enhanced LAN Performance through Segmentation and Switching. LAN switching
systems have emerged as the preferred method for segmenting networks because
these systems are implemented more easily, efficiently and cost-effectively than
hub architectures which once dominated the networking equipment industry. In
contrast to hubs, which indiscriminately forward data to all ports, Ethernet
switches only forward network traffic to the designated receiving port or ports.
Ethernet switches can also support different data rates on different ports with
some ports operating at 10 Mbps and others at substantially higher speeds, thus
enabling "Any Speed to Any Speed" Ethernet transmission. A major driver to the
growth in Ethernet switching is the large installed base. Between 60% to 70% of
all LANs are currently based on Ethernet standards. As a result, Ethernet
switching offers fast and cost-effective upgrades without impacting network
performance or requiring infrastructure changes to existing cabling and network
adapters. Switching also allows LANs based on different architectures, such as
Ethernet and Token Ring, to be connected efficiently and allows these systems to
access servers and backbones which use a variety of high-speed technologies,
such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Data Interface
("FDDI") and ATM.
Another important benefit of switches is their ability to combine groups of
computers into virtual LANs ("VLANs"). As a result, workgroups can be set up
according to business relationships rather than physical proximity. Unlike hub
and router systems, which require segment users to be physically grouped
together, VLANs simplify network administration as users relocate. VLANs can
also be used for controlling bandwidth and directing excess capacity to
workgroups and users as needed. Moreover, by confining traffic to desired
workgroups, VLANs improve network security.
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TYPICAL SWITCHED NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
[GRAPHIC]
Enhanced LAN Performance Through High-speed Transmission Technologies and
Switching. While Ethernet switching is being used to increase the efficiency of
existing capacity, switching technology also incorporates high-speed
transmission technologies that increases a system's capacity. High-speed
technologies such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, FDDI and ATM increase
transmission speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps and from 100 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps (1
Gbp). Higher transmission speeds have helped to increase the demand for LAN
switches in two important ways. First, LAN switches create uplinks between slow
desktops and high-speed fiber backbones, which are necessary if data transfer is
to occur between devices that operate at different speeds. Second, as high-speed
file servers or fiber backbones are upgraded, the system's switches must be
upgraded as well.
Two alternative high-speed networking technologies, FDDI and ATM, are used
in networking backbones, but because of their high cost for end-users they are
rarely used to connect desktop computers within a LAN. Both FDDI and ATM
transmit data in unique formats which also make them difficult to incorporate
into pre-existing Ethernet LANs.
Fast Ethernet has emerged as a cost-effective, interoperable technology
that enables the integration of ATM and FDDI backbones with Ethernet switches
and provides a non-disruptive, tenfold increase in speed from 10 Mbps to 100
Mbps. Furthermore, unlike FDDI and ATM, Fast Ethernet is based on fully defined
standards which use the same data format and core communication protocol as
Ethernet. This similarity permits easy integration with existing Ethernet
networks and allows organizations to retain the benefit of network
administrators who have been trained in the management of Ethernet networks.
Thus, migration from Ethernet to Fast Ethernet involves a simple change of
adapter cards and an upgrade of hubs and switches. As a result of these factors,
in January 1996 an industry analysis reported market estimates that Fast
Ethernet revenues increased from $7 million in 1994 to $45 million in 1995 and
that the market was expected to approach $300 million during 1996.
Many industry experts believe that similar benefits will be offered by the
next generation of Ethernet technology, Gigabit Ethernet, which is expected to
provide raw data bandwidth of 1,000 Mbps while maintaining full compatibility
with the installed base of Ethernet nodes. Management believes that demand for
Gigabit Ethernet is likely to grow as more LANs move to Fast Ethernet,
generating substantial traffic loads on backbone networks. Dataquest has
recently forecasted that the Gigabit Ethernet market will reach
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$2.9 billion by 2000 and that Gigabit Ethernet will become the dominant
communications backbone technology at such time.
To promote the implementation of Gigabit Ethernet, the Gigabit Ethernet
Alliance ("GEA") was formed in May 1996. The Company is a member of the GEA
which includes Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Bay Networks, Inc., Cabletron
Systems, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., Compaq Computer Corporation, Digital
Equipment Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Intel Corporation, Lucent
Technologies Inc., Newbridge Networks, Sun Microsystems, Incorporated and 3Com
Corporation.
FIBER OPTIC ENVIRONMENT
Fiber optic transmission can generally carry more information at less
expense and with greater signal quality than copper wire. The higher the speed
of transmission, the greater the capacity and the larger the span of the
network, the more essential is fiber optic transmission. Fiber has long replaced
copper as the preferred technology for long distance communications and major
backbone telephony and data transmissions. Due to its advantages, fiber optic
technology is also increasingly used to enhance performance and capacity within
enterprise networks and access networks. As a result, the market for fiber optic
products continues to grow both domestically and internationally.
Demand for fiber optic transmission components is driven by four factors:
(i) fiber applications have expanded beyond traditional telephony applications
and are being deployed in enterprise network backbones to support high-speed
data communications; (ii) within access networks, fiber is rapidly expanding
downstream toward end-users as access networks deploy Fiber-in-the-Loop and FTTC
architectures to support services such as fast Internet access and interactive
video; (iii) the growth of cellular communications and personal communications
systems ("PCS") requires fiber to be deployed both within and between cells; and
(iv) the usage of fiber in short distances increases the demand for components
as more are used per mile of fiber. As the size, number and complexity of these
fiber networks increases, management expects that the demand for fiber optic
components will grow significantly.
Fiber Optic Transmission in Data Communications. As higher speed
connections are implemented in LAN/WAN systems, fiber optic transmission becomes
an essential element in computer networks. From transmission speeds of 100 Mbps
and higher, and transmission distances of 100 meters and longer, fiber optic
transmission must be deployed. Virtually all high-speed transmission standards,
such as FDDI, ATM, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, specify fiber optic media
as the most practical technology for transmission. The steady rise in high-speed
connections and the growth in the span of networks, including the need to
connect remote workgroups, are driving the deployment of fiber optic cable
throughout enterprise networks.
Fiber Optic Transmission in Access Networks. To meet end user's increased
demand for content, software and services, network operators must acquire
additional bandwidth by either enhancing their existing networks or constructing
new ones. Cable TV operators are increasingly seeking to provide general
telecommunication services, high-speed Internet access and video-on-demand. As a
result, they are now faced with the need to transmit "upstream," from customer
premises to the cable TV operator and to send different signals to individual
end-users. Similarly, local enterprise carriers ("LECs") are implementing new
technological standards, such as Synchronous Optical Network ("SONET") and
fiber-intensive architectures such as FTTC to enable High-speed Internet Access
and the delivery of cable TV and ATM services to the home. Management believes
that deployment of and upgrades to these systems will increase the demand for
the Company's fiber optic components which typically are better able to endure
environmental factors such as rain, snow, heat and wind cost-effectively. In
addition, cellular and PCS communications represent a fast emerging market for
fiber optic networks, including their usage in the backbone and landline portion
of wireless networks.
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STRATEGY
MRV's objective is to be the leading supplier of high-speed network
equipment and fiber optic transmission components. The key elements of the
Company's strategy to achieve these objectives include:
Target Rapidly Growing Communication Markets
The Company leverages its transmission expertise by targeting the high
growth markets in the communications arena. Accordingly, MRV has focused on two
of the fastest growing communication markets: (i) the worldwide LAN switching
market, which according to an industry analyst was estimated to grow from $1.7
billion in 1995 to $10.5 billion in 1999, and (ii) access networks in order to
capitalize on the increasing demand for bandwidth and the efforts of both cable
and telephone companies in this area. MRV continually monitors and develops
products for additional growth markets, such as wireless communications
infrastructure.
Bring State of the Art Standards-based Technology Early to Market
The Company believes that bringing standards-based state of the art
technology early to market has been a critical component of its success. MRV
plans to continue to invest significant resources in research and development to
maintain its leadership position. As an example of how it has leveraged its
technology leadership, MRV was one of the first companies to introduce a Fast
Ethernet switch. This product is currently sold to Intel Corporation under an
original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") agreement as part of the Intel
Ether-Express Fast Ethernet product family. MRV also was one of the first
companies to offer switches with the smart/selective flow control feature and
full duplex transmission, designed to eliminate Ethernet packet losses in highly
congested networks and enable Fast Ethernet transmission distance of over 100 km
over fiber optic cable.
In June 1996, the Company introduced MegaSwitch II, which management
believes was the first dual speed auto-select 10/100 Mbps Ethernet switch with
planned uplinks to enterprise networks based on high-speed transmission
technologies such as ATM and Gigabit Ethernet. The Company has started shipping
a series of DirectIP switching products, which provide enterprise LANs with the
agility and speed of high-performance systems, including Gigabit Ethernet
switching, with intranet routing functionality and control. The DirectIP product
supports any LAN topology and provides wire-speed Internet Protocol switching
scalable to any speed with a high level of security. In addition, in the first
quarter of 1996, the Company started volume shipments of a new bidirectional
optical transmission and reception module for FTTC applications such as Bell
South's FTTC project, one of the largest FTTC projects in the United States. The
Company believes that participation in such leading-edge projects helps maintain
MRV's technology leadership position within the industry.
Focus on the Large and Fast Growing Switching Market
MRV has targeted and developed expertise in Ethernet, the most commonly
used technology within the LAN market. Industry analysts have estimated that 60%
to 70% of installed LANs are Ethernet-based and that Ethernet switching
represents over 90% of LAN switching implementations. Moreover, the Company
believes that Ethernet will continue to dominate the LAN arena due to its
rapidly improving performance and its large installed base of users. The Company
has developed high-speed network solutions which improve Ethernet network
performance without rendering the end user's existing network equipment
obsolete. As a result of this strategy, the Company is offering a complete
migration path to Any Speed to Any Speed Ethernet technologies, including 10
Mbps (Ethernet), 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet) and 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet). The
Company has developed an expertise in ATM as it anticipates that such technology
will be increasingly used in backbones. The Company's new DirectIP switching
products address the fast growing intranet marketplace with a cost-effective
switch that possesses routing functionality.
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Leverage Proprietary Knowledge of Switching and Fiber Optic Transmission
Technologies
As the need for capacity and speed increases, management believes that
fiber will increasingly be used in all transmission modes and technologies.
Thus, MRV's ability to combine proprietary fiber optic transmission and
switching technologies to create high-speed, long distance networking solutions
is a key competitive advantage. Management further believes that as the
convergence of voice, video and data networking continues, closer integration of
the Company's core technologies, namely, fiber optic transmission, high-speed
LAN switching and ATM, will result. Convergence is also expected to enable the
Company to cross market both of its core technologies to existing customers of
only one of its product lines.
Leverage Manufacturing Expertise
The Company has developed proprietary ASICs to implement high level
component integration in its networking product development process. Using ASICs
allows MRV to reduce manufacturing costs, enhance product reliability and
protect its intellectual property. The Company outsources the assembly, test and
quality control of its computer networking products to third party contract
manufacturers. This affords it scaleability, allows it to react quickly to
market demand, while avoiding the significant capital investment required to
establish and maintain manufacturing and assembly facilities and allowing it to
concentrate its resources on product design and development.
The Company relies exclusively on its own production capability for
critical semiconductor lasers and LEDs used in its optical transmission
products. These semiconductor devices are manufactured under stringent and
accurate procedures using state-of-the-art wafer fabrication technology. The
Company believes that this provides it with a competitive advantage, including
quicker time to market, better quality control, significant cost benefits and
better protection of its intellectual property and trade secrets.
Facilitate Growth by Expanding Distribution Channels
The Company continually seeks to facilitate its growth by expanding its
distribution channels and capability to capitalize on its technological
expertise and production capacity. LAN switching products are sold through value
added resellers ("VARs"), systems integrators, distributors, manufacturers'
representatives and OEM customers. The Company continues to add distribution
channels and has entered into OEM agreements with Fujitsu, Intel and Newbridge
Networks and has recently started selling through Tech Data. In addition, the
acquisition of the Fibronics Business has greatly expanded MRV's distribution
channels in Europe. The Company also expanded its direct sales force through its
acquisition of the Fibronics Business.
Selectively Target Acquisitions of Complementary Businesses, Products or
Technology
Management frequently evaluates acquisition prospects that would complement
the Company's existing products, augment its market coverage and distribution
capability or enhance its technological capabilities. The 1995 acquisitions of
Galcom and Ace, both Israel-based switching providers, enhanced MRV's European
market presence and distribution capabilities. To continue its European
expansion efforts, in May 1996 MRV acquired a controlling interest in EDS LAN, a
computer networking distributor in Italy and in September 1996, the Company
completed the Fibronics Acquisition, which greatly increased the Company's
presence in Europe. The Fibronics Acquisition also gave the Company new products
and technology, including the GigaHub, which, in addition to being a significant
product line, also allows it to target the enterprise market. While the Company
has no current agreements or negotiations underway with respect to any new
acquisitions, management plans to evaluate selective acquisition opportunities
as they arise, and the Company may make additional acquisitions of businesses,
products or technologies in the future.
PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY
MRV offers advanced solutions for network connectivity requirements by
providing high speed LAN switching and fiber optic transmission products which
serve the computer networking and the broadband sections of the communications
industry. The Company designs and sells two groups of products: (i) high-
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speed networking equipment, including LAN switches and (ii) fiber optic
transmission solutions for SONET, ATM, FDDI, Fast Ethernet, cable TV and
wireless infrastructure.
ENTERPRISE NETWORKING SOLUTIONS
MRV offers its customers a family of network, switching and related
products that enhance LAN performance and functionality and facilitate the
migration to next generation technologies such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit
Ethernet and ATM.
The MegaSwitch Product Family. The Company's MegaSwitch products are a
family of Fast Ethernet switches which are marketed under MRV's NBase trade
name. The MegaSwitch products range from complete switching systems to stackable
switches which upgrade performance of existing LANs by relieving congestion of
overloaded network segments, enable full duplex and flow control and provide an
easy, cost-effective migration to higher transmission speeds without requiring
replacement of existing infrastructure. The MegaSwitch I, which was first
introduced in 1995, is a family of three Fast Ethernet switches, which enhance
the bandwidth of the corporate backbone to support higher traffic levels. These
systems are scalable and compatible with a wide range of existing network
protocols and technologies. The Company's MegaSwitch II products, introduced in
1996, are designed for corporate, campus and metropolitan deployment as a cost-
effective method of connecting existing networks with higher-speed backbones and
are based on "Any Speed to Any Speed" Ethernet switching, including Gigabit
Ethernet with access to ATM. Fast Ethernet, Gigabit and ATM uplink modules
incorporate InterSwitch VLAN capabilities. InterSwitch VLANs enable the network
administrator to define separate VLANs spanning multiple switches in order to
achieve optimal network performance and serve multiple workgroups.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRODUCT NAME APPLICATION AND FUNCTIONALITY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
MegaSwitch II This cost-effective stackable switch is a 12 port, high performance
switch which provides an uplink to ATM and Gigabit Ethernet backbones,
supports Ethernet/Fast Ethernet traffic by automatically configuring
for 10 Mbps/100 Mbps, provides for zero packet loss even at extended
network links of up to 110 km and incorporates VLAN capability. This
switch can be used as an upgrade for an existing workgroup or as a
fully configured enterprise switch.
MegaSwitch I These stackable switches, with up to 13 ports, provide a migration
path to upgrade from a legacy 10 Mbps LAN to a 100 Mbps network. These
switches provide segmentation of 10 Mbps shared LAN and higher speed
server or backbone connections enabling interconnection of workgroups
or high-speed workstations.
</TABLE>
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Hubs and Network Management. To implement network segments, the Company
offers GigaHub, a multi-platform switchable hub, and MegaStack, a stackable hub.
In addition MRV has developed and offers MegaVision, which enables management
and control of its switching products and hub products.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRODUCT NAME APPLICATION AND FUNCTIONALITY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
GigaHub This enterprise network solution for medium to large corporate
networks requiring both shared and switched connectivity in a mixed
protocol environment, provides a 12 Gbps modular enterprise switching
hub, supporting Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, FDDI, ATM and Token Ring, as
well as voice and point-to-point protocols, and allowing integration
of LAN distribution and switching in a single hub.
MegaStack This high-speed stackable hub system implements Ethernet and Fast
Ethernet LAN segments, provides performance for mission-critical and
bandwidth-intensive applications, connects from 12 to 180 users, is
stackable with fiber optic connectivity to remote locations and offers
plug-and-play convenience and built-in auto-partitioning for instant
isolation of network failures.
MegaVision This full-featured network management system provides affordable and
comprehensive management and control of all MegaSwitch and MegaStack
products and automatically detects and monitors any SNMP compliant
devices. It operates on all major NMS platforms including Windows 3.1,
Windows 95, Windows NT Client, Novell NMS, HP/Open View for Windows or
UNIX.
</TABLE>
Related Networking Products. The Company also offers a number of other
products supporting network connectivity. Examples of such products are
summarized in the table below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTIONALITY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Fiber Optic These products consist of Ethernet and Fast Ethernet fiber optic
Transceivers and transceivers that enable campus or metropolitan deployment of Ethernet
Converters or Fast Ethernet networks through fiber optic interconnection of LANs
to a distance of over 100 km, and multimode to single mode fiber
converters for FDDI, ATM and SONET that extend the range of FDDI, ATM
and SONET via fiber.
Token Ring These products consist of multimedia Token Ring hubs with fiber, coax,
UTP and STP connectivity which extends the distance between segments
of Token Ring networks, and fiber optic transceivers with multimode
and single mode fiber, which allow flexible implementation of IBM
midrange and mainframe terminal connectivity.
Midrange Connectivity These products consist of Twinax Star panels, multiplexers and
repeaters which allow flexible implementation of IBM mid-range and
mainframe terminal connectivity.
</TABLE>
DirectIP Switching. Internet Protocol ("IP") has become the preferred
network protocol for directing information across intranets. Because of the
rapid increase in high bandwidth intranet applications, current router-based
LANs have been unable to keep pace with network requirements. The Company has
developed, and recently introduced as part of its MegaSwitch product line, a
series of DirectIP switching products which provides the control and security of
traditional routing with the performance of switching. Furthermore, DirectIP
switching allows full interoperability with all standard based hubs, switches
and NICs, thereby providing a cost effective solution to intranet router
bottlenecks. In addition, management believes that distributing the routing
function over a number of DirectIP switches will virtually eliminate the
possibility that a single point of failure may occur in any given network,
thereby substantially reducing operating costs.
Gigabit Ethernet. Gigabit Ethernet aims to support the extension of
Ethernet and Fast Ethernet standards to higher speeds while insuring full
interoperability with existing networks. The Company recently developed an
advance in Gigabit technology which it proposed to the GEA and which proposal
was accepted in November 1996. The Company's technology maximizes bandwidth
utilization and doubles the span of the
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network while also providing for delay sensitive applications such as video. At
the core of this technology is the ability to "save" one frame during a
collision event. This way, at least one frame transmitted will reach its
destination, thereby doubling throughput. The key advantages to the Company's
Gigabit Ethernet implementation include guaranteed bandwidth utilization not
influenced by collision, multimedia support and superior quality of service.
OPTICAL TRANSMISSION PRODUCTS
The Company offers a family of optical transmission components and modules
designed for transmission over fiber optic cable. These products address
transmission of voice, data and video across fiber and are also used in optical
fiber test equipment. The Company's products include discrete components, such
as laser diodes and LEDs and integrated components such as transmitters,
receivers and transceivers. The Company's components are used in data networks,
telecommunication transmission and access networks. Management believes that the
Company is benefitting from three major demand trends in this area: first, the
growth of the market, especially computer networking and the access networks, by
both LECs and cable TV providers; second, the convergence of datacom and
telecom; and third, as transmission speed and capacity grow, a larger portion of
all networks traffic is transmitted via fiber optic versus copper wires.
Discrete Components. Discrete components include laser diodes and LEDs.
Every fiber optic communication system utilizes semiconductor laser diodes or
LEDs as its source of optical power. Laser diodes and LEDs are solid state
semiconductor devices that efficiently convert electronic signals into pulses of
light of high purity and brightness. The Company believes that its lasers and
LEDs, which can carry data over distances in excess of 20 km are among the most
powerful in their wavelength range in terms of optical power coupled into single
mode fiber.
Integrated Components. The Company's integrated components include an LED
and laser based transmitter/receiver product line, designed for computer
networking applications and data link products designed for SONET and ATM
transmission standards. This product line consists of products compatible with
single mode fiber optic cable, which is more suitable for long distance and
high-speed transmission than multimode fiber optic cable. As most currently
available data link modules are designed for multimode fiber optic cable, the
Company has designed its products to be adaptable, providing for easy conversion
from a multimode type data link to a single mode optical fiber.
Products for the Access Network. The Company offers a line of products that
addresses the rapidly growing deployment of the access network. These products
include fiber optic transmission by both LECs and cable TV providers to address
the increasing demand for telephony, Internet access and interactive cable TV
services. The following is a brief description of these products.
FTTC: Telephone and High-speed Internet Access. The Company is shipping a
new "Bi-directional" optical transmission and reception module for two-way
simultaneous transmission of telephony and data over one fiber instead of
the two fibers normally used to transmit and receive information. This
product is integrated into the DISC system currently deployed by Bell South
in one of the largest FTTC projects in the United States.
Downstream Cable TV. The Company has recently engaged in new business
opportunities for linear lasers and receivers for cable TV and believes its
products are well positioned to serve this market. The Company further
believes that the upgrade of existing cable networks and the deployment of
fiber by the telephone companies to provide cable TV delivery services is
expected to increase the demand for the Company's products.
Return Path Laser Transmitters. The Company's return path laser
transmitters send video, voice and data signals from the end user to the
cable TV operator. For interactive applications such as cable modems and
Fast Internet access, a cable network must have two-way optical
transmitters and receivers in place before those services can be offered.
Most of today's cable networks still have just a one-way downstream path.
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DFB Laser Module for Cable TV (Narrowcasting). The Company offers DFB laser
modules with high power and stable analog transmission which enable cable
TV operators to send different signals to individual end users, a
capability known as narrowcasting.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
All of the Company's research and development projects are geared toward
technological advances with the goal of enabling the Company to introduce
innovative products early to market. New networking and fiber optic components
are constantly introduced to the market. This product introduction is driven by
a combination of rapidly evolving technology and standards, as well as changing
customer needs. MRV's research and product development strategy emphasizes
continuing evaluation of emerging trends and technical challenges in order to
identify new markets and product opportunities. The Company believes that its
success is due in part to its ability to maintain sophisticated technology
research programs while simultaneously focusing on practical applications to its
customers' strategic needs.
In order to meet its customers' price and performance demands, MRV has
focused on developing custom ASICs to implement its core switching technologies.
The Company spends significant resources to maintain and extend its
comprehensive ASIC design and test expertise. All custom ASICs are developed
internally using third party state-of-the-art design tools and the Company's
proprietary methodologies. The Company's ASIC expertise in conjunction with its
innovative product architectures and firmware enable the Company to develop
products characterized by high performance, reliability and low cost.
From its product development programs the Company expects to introduce a
number of new products within the next 12 months. One new product is JavaMan, a
platform independent, Internet-ready Network Management System ("NMS") which the
Company created to expand the reach of MegaVision over the Internet. All
necessary software is expected to reside on MegaSwitch II, pre-configured prior
to customer delivery. JavaMan's use of existing Web standards provides remote
manageability in both Internet and intranet environments
The Company also has a number of other new networking product development
programs underway, including Gigabit Ethernet switching and ATM uplink modules.
These products are being developed in response to current technological trends
and end user demands for greater bandwidth and product flexibility. The Company
is in the process of consolidating Fibronics' research and development projects
with its own programs. As a result, the Company integrated the MegaSwitch II
technology, including Gigabit Ethernet, with the GigaHub architecture. The
Company has recently announced a GigaFrame product strategy, the architecture
for which will consist of a Gigabit Ethernet Switch, a GigaHub enterprise
switch, MegaSwitch II and two new low cost 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps stackable
switches.
New products under development in the area of fiber optics include
transmission products for cellular and personal communication systems which
allow transmission over fiber optic cable between sites and is also developing
fiber optic components that will improve cable TV transmission. MRV also has
research and development projects underway seeking to enhance various of its
fiber optic transmission products and is participating in Bell South's FTTC
project.
There can be no assurance that the technologies and applications under
development by the Company will be successfully developed, or, if they are
successfully developed, that they will be successfully marketed and sold to the
Company's existing and potential customers.
At March 31, 1997, the Company had 71 employees dedicated to research and
product development. Research and development expenditures totaled approximately
$2,100,000, $4,000,000 and $8,200,000 for years ended December 31, 1994, 1995
and 1996, respectively.
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CUSTOMERS
The Company has sold its products worldwide to over 500 diverse customers
in a wide range of industries, primarily; data communications,
telecommunications and cable TV. The Company anticipates that these customers
will continue to purchase its products in the foreseeable future. No customer
accounted for more than 10% of the Company's revenues in 1994, 1995 or 1996.
Current customers include:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NETWORK SWITCHING
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
- AMP Incorporated - Ealing (Borough of London)
- Data General Corporation - Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Fujitsu Ltd. (Japan) - MITI (Japan)
- International Business Machines - National Security Administration
- Intel Corporation - Police Department of Berlin/Potsdam
- Matsushita (Germany) - Social Security Administration
- Newbridge Networks - US Coast Guard
BANKING, FINANCE AND INSURANCE DIVERSIFIED AND OTHER
- Bankhaus Rinderknecht (Zurich) - Bayer AG
- GE Capital - The Walt Disney Co.
- NationsBank - Eastman Kodak
- Trans America Corporation - Tele-Communications, Inc.
FIBER OPTIC COMPONENTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATA COMMUNICATIONS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
- Bay Networks, Inc. - Asea Brown Boveri
- Canoga Perkins - Broadband Network Inc.
- Cisco Systems, Inc. - Crosscom
- Connectware - Lucent Technologies Inc.
- Network Systems Corporation - Photon Technology (China)
- Nortel - Reltec
- Optical Data Systems - Transcom
VIDEO AND VOICE COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUMENTATION
- Augat Communication Products Inc. - EXFO
- C-Cor - GN Nettest
- General Instrument - Kingfisher International
- Optelecom, Inc. - Noyes Fiber Systems
- Tektronix - 3M
</TABLE>
MARKETING
The Company markets and sells its products under the NBase Communications,
NBase Switch Communications, MRV Communications and West Hills LAN System brand
names. Each product line has a dedicated sales and marketing organization. The
Company employs various methods, such as public relations, advertising, and
trade shows to build awareness of its products. Public relations activities are
conducted both internally and through relationships with outside agencies. Major
public relation activities are focused around new product introductions,
corporate partnerships and other events of interest to the market. The Company
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supplements its public relations through media advertising programs and
attendance at various trade shows throughout the year, both in the United States
and internationally.
The Company also establishes working relationships with trade analysts,
testing facilities and high visibility corporate accounts. Since the results
obtained by these organizations can often influence customers' purchase
decisions, a positive response from these organizations regarding the Company's
technology is important to product acceptance and purchase. Other activities
include attendance at technology seminars, preparation of competitive analyzes,
sales training, publication of technical and educational articles, maintenance
of a Web site and direct mailing of company literature. The Company also
believes that its participation in high-profile interactive projects such as
Bell South's FTTC project significantly enhances its reputation and name
recognition among existing and potential customers.
SALES AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company continually seeks to expand its distribution capability to
capitalize on its technological expertise and production capacity and to augment
and increase distribution channels to accelerate its growth. Products are sold
through the Company's direct sales force, VARs, systems integrators,
distributors, manufacturer's representatives and OEM customers. The Company's
sales and distribution divisions are organized along four primary lines: OEM
sales and partnerships; VARs and systems integrators; manufacturer's
representatives; and domestic and international distributors.
Direct Sales. The Company employs a worldwide direct sales force primarily
to sell its products to large OEM accounts and to a lesser extent to end users
of the Fibronics product line. MRV believes that a direct sales force can best
serve large customers by allowing salespeople to develop strong, lasting
relationships which can effectively meet the customers' needs. The direct sales
staff is located across the United States, Europe and Israel. The acquisition of
the Fibronics Business has more than doubled the Company's sales force from the
period immediately preceding the acquisition.
OEM. Each of the Company's OEM partners resells the products under its own
name. The Company believes that the OEM partnerships enhance its ability to sell
its products in significant quantities to large organizations. Since these OEM
partners provide their own technical and sales support to their customers, the
Company is able to focus on other sales channels. The Company customarily enters
into contracts with OEM customers to establish the terms and conditions of sales
made pursuant to orders from OEMs. These OEMs incorporate the Company's product
into systems or subsystems, which are then sold to end users via various
distribution channels. The Company has established OEM relationships in
connection with its switching equipment with leading communications and
networking companies including Newbridge Networks, Fujitsu and Intel. The
Company's fiber optic components are sold only to OEMs.
Domestic and International Distributors. The Company works with
distributors domestically and internationally and has recently begun selling
products through Tech Data. Geographic exclusivity is normally not awarded
unless the distributor has exceptional performance. Distributors must
successfully complete the Company's training programs and provide system
installation, technical support, sales support and follow-on service to local
customers. Generally, distributors have agreements with a one year term subject
to automatic renewal unless otherwise canceled by either party. In certain cases
with major distributors, the agreements are terminable on 30 days' notice. The
Company uses stocking distributors, which purchase the Company's product and
stock it in their warehouse for immediate delivery, and non-stocking
distributors, which purchase the Company's product after the receipt of an
order. Internationally, the Company sells through approximately 80 distributors
in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Canada and Latin America.
Value-Added Resellers. MRV uses a select group of VARs in the U.S. which
are generally selected for their ability to offer the Company's products in
combination with related products and services, such as system design,
integration and support. Such specialization allows the Company to penetrate
targeted vertical markets such as telecommunications and cable TV. Generally,
the Company uses a two-tier distribution system to reach a broader range of
customers, however VARs may purchase the product directly from the Company if
the volume warrants a direct relationship.
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<PAGE> 37
Manufacturers' Representatives. To supplement the Company's direct sales
efforts, manufacturer's representatives are assigned by territory in the U.S.
and work exclusively on commission.
Customer Support and Service. The Company is committed to providing strong
technical support to its customers. MRV operates a customer service group, and
provides support through its engineering group, sales staff, distributors, OEMs
and VARs. Customer support personnel are currently located at the Company's
offices in California, Maryland and Israel.
International Sales. International sales accounted for approximately 19%,
45% and 53% of the Company's net revenues in 1994, 1995 and 1996 respectively.
MANUFACTURING
The Company has developed proprietary ASICs to implement high level
component integration in its networking product development process. To develop
ASICs successfully, the Company must transfer a code of instructions to a single
mask from which low cost duplicates can be made. Each iteration of a mask
involves a substantial up-front cost, which costs can adversely affect the
Company's result of operations and financial condition if errors or "bugs" occur
following multiple duplication of the masks. While the Company has not
experienced material expenses to date as a result of errors discovered in ASIC
masks, because of the complexity of the duplication process and the difficulty
in detecting errors, the Company could suffer a material adverse effect to its
operating results and financial condition if errors in developing ASICs were to
occur in the future. Moreover, the Company currently relies on a single foundry
to fabricate its ASICs and does not have long-term supply contract with this
supplier, any other ASIC vendor or any other of its limited source vendors,
purchasing all of such components on a purchase order basis. While the Company
believes it would be able to obtain alternative sources of supply for the ASICs
or other key components, a change in ASIC or other key suppliers of key
components could require a significant lead time and, therefore, could result in
a delay in product shipments. While the Company has not experienced delays in
the receipt of ASICs or other key components, any future difficulty in obtaining
any of these key components could result in delays or reductions in product
shipments which, in turn, could have material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results business and financial condition.
The Company outsources the assembly, test and quality control of its
computer networking products to third party contract manufacturers, thereby
allowing it to react quickly to market demand, to avoid the significant capital
investment required to establish and maintain manufacturing and assembly
facilities and to concentrate its resources on product design and development.
Final assembly, burn-in, final testing and pack-out are performed by the Company
to maintain quality control. The Company's manufacturing team is experienced in
advanced manufacturing and testing, in engineering, in ongoing
reliability/quality assurance and in managing third party contract
manufacturer's capacity, quality standards and manufacturing process. Although
there are a large number of contract manufacturers which the Company can use for
its outsourcing, MRV has elected to use one vendor for a significant portion of
its board assembly requirements in order to foster consistency in quality of the
products. This independent third party manufacturer also provides these services
to other companies. Risks associated with the use of independent manufacturers
include unavailability of or delays in obtaining adequate supplies of products
and reduced control of manufacturing quality and production costs. If the
Company's contract manufacturer fails to deliver products in the future on a
timely basis, or at all, it would be extremely difficult for the Company to
obtain adequate supplies of products from other sources on short notice. There
can be no assurance that the Company's third party manufacturer will provide
adequate supplies of quality products on a timely basis, or at all. The Company
can outsource with another vendor or vendors; however, such a change in vendors
may require significant time and result in shipment delays and expenses. The
inability to obtain such products on a timely basis, the loss of such vendor or
a change in the terms and conditions of the outsourcing would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition.
The Company relies exclusively on its own production capability for
critical semiconductor lasers and LEDs used in its products. The Company's
optical transmission production process involves (i) a wafer processing facility
for semiconductor laser diode and LED chip manufacturing under stringent and
accurate
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procedures using state-of-the-art wafer fabrication technology, (ii) high
precision electronic and mechanical assembly, and (iii) final assembly and
testing. Relevant assembly processes include die attach, wirebond, substrate
attachment and fiber coupling. The Company also conducts tests throughout its
manufacturing process using commercially available and in-house built testing
systems that incorporate proprietary procedures. The Company performs final
product tests on all of its products prior to shipment to customers. Many of the
key processes used in the Company's products are proprietary; and, therefore,
many of the key components of the Company's products are designed and produced
internally. Because the Company manufactures these and other key components of
its products at its own facility and such components are not readily available
from other sources, any interruption of the Company's manufacturing process
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations. Furthermore,
the Company has a limited number of employees dedicated to the operation and
maintenance of its wafer fabrication equipment, the loss of any of whom could
result in the Company's inability to effectively operate and service such
equipment. Wafer fabrication is sensitive to a wide variety of factors,
including variations and impurities in the raw materials, difficulties in the
fabrication process and performance of the manufacturing equipment. There can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain acceptable production
yields and avoid product shipment delays. In the event adequate production
yields are not achieved resulting in product shipment delays, the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
adversely affected. The Company believes that it has sufficient manufacturing
capacity for growth in the coming years. In addition, at various times there
have been shortages of parts in the electronics industry, and certain critical
components have been subject to limited allocations. Although shortages of parts
and allocations have not had a material adverse effect on the Company's results
of operations, there can be no assurance that any future shortages or
allocations would not have such an effect.
The Company is subject to a variety of federal, state, and local
governmental laws and regulations related to the storage, use, emission,
discharge, and disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals used
in the manufacturing process. There can be no assurance that environmental laws
and regulations will not result in the need for additional capital equipment or
other requirements. Further, such laws and regulations could restrict the
Company's ability to expand its operations. Any failure by the Company to obtain
required permits for, control of use of, or adequately restrict the discharge,
emission or release of, hazardous substances under present or future laws and
regulations could subject the Company to substantial liability or could cause
its manufacturing operations to be suspended. Such liability or suspension of
manufacturing operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operating results. To date, such laws and regulations have not had a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results.
COMPETITION
The communications equipment and component industry is intensely
competitive. The Company competes directly with a number of established and
emerging computer, communications and networking device companies. Direct
competitors in network switching include Bay Networks, Inc., Cabletron Systems,
Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Digital Equipment Corporation, FORE Systems, Inc.,
Hewlett-Packard Company, International Business Machines Corporation, 3Com
Corporation and Xylan. In addition, direct competitors in fiber optic
transmission products include AMP Incorporated, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard
Company, Lucent Technologies Inc., Mitsubishi, NEC Electronics Inc., Ortel
Corporation, Phillips Semiconductors and Siemens Components, Inc. Many of the
Company's competitors have significantly greater financial, technical,
marketing, distribution and other resources and larger installed customer bases
than the Company. Several of these competitors have recently introduced or
announced their intentions to introduce new competitive products. Many of the
larger companies with which the Company competes offer customers a broader
product line which provides a more comprehensive networking solution than the
Company's products. The ability to act as a single source vendor and provide a
customer with an enterprise-wide networking solution has increasingly become an
important competitive factor. In addition, there are a number of early stage
companies which are developing Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet switching and
alternative solutions. If developed successfully, these solutions could be
higher in performance or more cost-effective than the Company's products.
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Moreover, there are also several alternative network technologies. For
example, in the local access market, the Company's products compete with
telephone network technology known as "ADSL." In this technology, digital
signals are transmitted through existing telephone lines from the central office
to the home. The Company also expects that competitive pricing pressures could
result in price declines for the Company's and its competitors' products. Such
increased competition, if not accompanied by decreasing costs, could result in
reduced margins and loss of market share which would materially and adversely
affect the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
The networking industry has become increasingly concentrated in recent
years as a result of consolidation. This consolidation is likely to permit the
Company's competitors to devote significantly greater resources to the
development and marketing of new competitive products and the marketing of
existing competitive products to their larger installed bases. The Company
expects that competition will increase substantially as a result of these and
other industry consolidations and alliances, as well as the emergence of new
competitors.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
To date, the Company has relied principally upon copyrights and trade
secrets to protect its proprietary technology. The Company generally enters into
confidentiality agreements with its employees and key suppliers and otherwise
seeks to limit access to and distribution of the source code to its software and
other proprietary information. There can be no assurance that such steps will be
adequate to prevent misappropriation of the Company's technology or that a third
party will not independently develop technology similar or superior to the
Company's technology. The Company has two patent applications pending, one in
the United States and one in a foreign country. There can be no assurance that
patents will be issued with respect to the pending applications or that, if
issued, such patents will be upheld as valid or will prevent the development of
competitive products. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries may not
permit the protection of the Company's proprietary rights to the same extent as
do the laws of the United States.
There has been substantial industry litigation regarding intellectual
property rights involving technology companies. The Company has recently
received a communication alleging that the Company is making use of certain
unpatented information and know-how of a third party in connection with its
DirectIP switching products. This allegation is presently under review by the
Company, and no assessment has yet been made with respect to the merits thereof.
If a conclusion unfavorable to the Company is reached, the claim could
materially and adversely affect the business, operating results and financial
condition of the Company.
In addition, Datapoint has recently brought an action against the Company
alleging infringement of two of Datapoint's patents. Several other companies,
including IBM, Intel, Sun Microsystems, Incorporated, Cisco Systems, Inc. and
Dayna Communications, have also had actions brought against them by Datapoint
with respect to the same two patents. The Company is cooperating with several of
these companies in pursuit of common defenses and believes it has meritorious
defenses to this action. If a conclusion unfavorable to the Company was reached,
however, Datapoint's claim could materially and adversely affect the business,
operating results and financial condition of the Company.
In the future, additional litigation may be necessary to protect trade
secrets and other intellectual property rights owned by the Company, to enforce
any patents issued to the Company, to defend the Company against claimed
infringement of the rights of others and to determine the scope and validity of
the proprietary rights of others. Any such litigation could be costly and a
diversion of management's attention, which could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. An adverse
determination in such litigation could further result in the loss of the
Company's proprietary rights, subject the Company to significant liabilities,
require the Company to seek licenses from third parties or prevent the Company
from manufacturing or selling its products, any of which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition. The Company typically has agreed to indemnify its customers and key
suppliers for liability incurred in connection with the infringement of a third
party's intellectual property rights.
EMPLOYEES
As of March 31, 1997, the Company had 375 full-time employees, including
six executive officers, 155 in production, 103 in marketing and sales, 71 in
research and development and 40 in general administration.
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None of the Company's employees are represented by a union or governed by a
collective bargaining agreement, and the Company believes its relationship with
its employees is good.
FACILITIES
The Company's principal administrative, sales and marketing, research and
development and manufacturing facility is located in Chatsworth, California. The
facility covers approximately 17,700 square feet and is leased from an
unaffiliated third party at an annual base rent of approximately $106,000 (plus
local taxes) for a lease term expiring in March 1999. In addition, the Company
leases space in two buildings near its primary facility in Chatsworth,
consisting of approximately 5,000 square feet and approximately 12,800 square
feet from unaffiliated third parties at annual base rentals of approximately
$43,000 and $91,000 (plus local taxes), respectively. Both of these lease terms
also expire in March 1999.
The Company also leases space in German Town, Maryland for its sales office
and warehouses. This facility covers approximately 4,800 square feet and is
leased from an unaffiliated third party at an annual base rent of approximately
$35,000 per year (plus local taxes) for a lease term expiring August 2000.
The Company's administrative, sales and marketing, research and development
and manufacturing operations in Israel are located in Yokneam, Israel in
facilities that cover approximately 23,400 square feet, are leased for total
annual base rents of approximately $206,000 for a lease term expiring in January
2002.
The Company leases approximately 5,200 square feet of space from an
unaffiliated third party in Basingstoke, England which it uses for sales,
marketing and warehousing. The premises are leased for total annual base rents
of approximately $75,000 for a lease term expiring in August 1999.
The Company leases approximately 1,600 square feet of space from an
unaffiliated third party in Frankfurt, Germany, which it uses for sales,
marketing and warehousing. The premises are leased for total annual base rents
of approximately $221,000 for a lease term expiring in August 1999.
The Company also occupies space under a capital lease with an unaffiliated
third party in Milan, Italy which it uses for sales offices and warehousing.
Annual payments under the lease are approximately $220,000 and the lease runs
through March 2004.
The Company believes that its present facilities are sufficient to meet its
current needs and that adequate additional space will be available for lease
when required.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In July 1996, R. Douglas Sherrod, a former employee of the Company who was
terminated in August 1994, filed an action in Superior Court of Los Angeles
County, California against the Company and three of its executive officers and
directors, Mr. Noam Lotan, Dr. Shlomo Margalit and Dr. Zeev Rav-Noy. The
complaint seeks compensatory and punitive damages in unspecified amounts,
together with attorneys fees and costs of suit, for alleged wrongful
termination, breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and fraud. The
bases of the complaint are Mr. Sherrod's claims that he was terminated
supposedly in retaliation for having informed the Company of its alleged use of
proprietary information of a third party and claimed that he insisted that such
information be destroyed; that he was purportedly induced by the defendants to
join the Company by the entry into a stock option agreement which the Company
allegedly had no intention of performing; and that the Company allegedly
breached the stock option agreement. Management believes that the complaint is
without merit and intends to vigorously defend the action.
In addition, Datapoint has recently brought an action against the Company
in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
alleging infringement of two of Datapoint's patents. Several other companies,
including IBM, Intel, Sun Microsystems, Incorporated, Cisco Systems, Inc. and
Dayna Communications, have also had actions brought against them by Datapoint
with respect to the same two patents. The Company is cooperating with several of
these companies in pursuit of common defenses and believes it has meritorious
defenses to this action. If a conclusion unfavorable to the Company was reached,
however, Datapoint's claim could materially and adversely affect the business,
operating results and financial condition of the Company.
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MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The current executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ----------------------- ----- ---------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Noam Lotan(1) 45 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Shlomo Margalit(1) 55 Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Technical
Officer and Secretary
Zeev Rav-Noy 50 Chief Operating Officer and Director
Edmund Glazer 37 Vice President of Finance and Administration and
Chief Financial Officer
Khalid (Ken) Ahmad 44 Vice President of Marketing and Sales
Ofer Iny 29 Vice President of Engineering
Leonard Mautner(2)(3) 79 Director
Milton Rosenberg(2)(3) 74 Director
Igal Shidlovsky 60 Director
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Member of the Executive Committee.
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.
(3) Member of the Audit Committee.
Noam Lotan has been the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director
of the Company since May 1990 and became Chief Financial Officer of the Company
in October 1993, in which position he served until June 1995. From March 1987 to
January 1990, Mr. Lotan served as Managing Director of Fibronics (UK) Ltd., the
United Kingdom subsidiary of Fibronics International Inc. ("Fibronics"), a
manufacturer of fiber optic communication networks. The Company purchased the
Fibronics Business in September 1996. See "The Company." From January 1985 to
March 1987, Mr. Lotan served as a Director of European Operations for Fibronics.
Prior to such time, Mr. Lotan held a variety of sales and marketing positions
with Fibronics and Hewlett-Packard. Mr. Lotan holds a Bachelor of Science degree
in Electrical Engineering from the Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology,
and a Masters degree in Business Administration from INSEAD (the European
Institute of Business Administration, Fontainebleau, France).
Dr. Shlomo Margalit, a co-founder of the Company, has been Chairman of the
Board of Directors and Chief Technical Officer since the Company's inception in
July 1988. From May 1985 to July 1988, Dr. Margalit served as a founder and Vice
President of Research and Development for LaserCom, Inc. ("LaserCom"), a
manufacturer of semiconductor lasers. From 1982 to 1985, Dr. Margalit served as
a Senior Research Associate at the California Institute of Technology
("Caltech"), and from 1976 to 1982, a Visiting Associate at Caltech. From 1972
to 1982, Dr. Margalit served as a faculty member and Associate Professor at the
Technion. During his tenure at the Technion, Dr. Margalit was awarded the
"Israel Defense" prize for his work in developing infrared detectors for heat
guided missiles and the David Ben Aharon Award for Novel Applied Research. Dr.
Margalit holds a Bachelor of Science degree, a Masters degree and a Ph.D. in
Electrical Engineering from the Technion.
Dr. Zeev Rav-Noy, a co-founder of the Company, has been its Chief Operating
Officer and a Director of the Company since inception and served as its
President until May 1990. From May 1985 to July 1988, Dr. Rav-Noy co-founded and
served as Vice President of Operations of LaserCom and, from 1982 to 1985,
served as a research fellow at Caltech. From 1979 to 1982 Dr. Rav-Noy served as
a consultant to a number of companies, including Tadiran Electronic Industries,
Inc., an Israeli telecommunication, military, and consumer electronics
conglomerate, and the Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd., a technology
exploitation and application company affiliated with the Weizman Institute in
Israel. Dr. Rav-Noy holds a
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Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters degree in physics from Tel Aviv
University and a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the Weizman Institute in Israel.
Edmund Glazer was appointed Vice President of Finance and Administration
and Chief Financial Officer in June 1995. He has been with the Company since
October 1994 serving as Operations Manager. In 1993 and 1994, Mr. Glazer served
as a consultant providing document imaging and information systems to clients.
From 1986 to 1993, Mr. Glazer served as Vice President of Finance at Concord
Electrical Supply, a distributor of electrical and electronic products. From
1984 to 1986, Mr. Glazer worked as a certified public accountant at the
accounting firm of Singer, Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein. From 1981 to 1984, Mr.
Glazer worked as an auditor at the accounting firm of Weber, Lipshie & Co. In
1983, Mr. Glazer qualified as a Certified Public Accountant from the State of
California. Mr. Glazer holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business
Administration from the University of Southern California.
Khalid (Ken) Ahmad has been employed as Vice President of Marketing and
Sales since July 1990 and an Executive Officer since May 1992. From April 1990
to July 1990, Mr. Ahmad served as a consultant to the Company. From January 1990
to March 1990, Mr. Ahmad served as a consultant to Welwyn Microcircuits, a
British manufacturer, providing market research information on fiber optic
technology. From October 1988 to November 1989, Mr. Ahmad served as marketing
manager and regional sales manager for STC Components, a manufacturer of optical
transmission components. From 1985 to 1988, he served as marketing operations
manager for PCO, Inc. a manufacturer of optical transmission devices and data
links. From 1977 to 1985, Mr. Ahmad also held a variety of marketing and sales
management positions with Canoga Data Systems, a data communications equipment
manufacturer, and Deutsch Company, an aerospace manufacturer. Mr. Ahmad holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from California State University at San
Bernardino.
Ofer Iny has been Vice President of Engineering of the Company since May
1994. From January 1993 to May 1994, he served as a consultant to the Company.
From September 1991 to January 1993, Mr. Iny was a researcher at Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, Microgravity and Microwave Group. From May 1990 to March 1992, Mr.
Iny held the position of Senior Engineer at Whittaker Electronic Systems, a
manufacturer. Mr. Iny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from
California State University, Northridge, and a Masters degree in Physics from
University of California, Los Angeles ("UCLA").
Leonard Mautner has served as an advisor to the Company since its inception
and was elected a Director in March 1992. Mr. Mautner is President of Leonard
Mautner Associates, a management consulting company, which he founded in 1973,
and in addition, from 1982 to 1988, served as a visiting lecturer at the
Anderson School of Management of UCLA. Mr. Mautner is also a Director of two
mutual funds, the First Pacific Advisors Perennial Fund and the First Pacific
Advisors Paramount Fund. From 1969 to 1979, Mr. Mautner was a General Partner of
Goodman & Mautner, Ltd., a venture capital partnership, and President of Goodman
& Mautner, Inc., the partnership's investment manager. Mr. Mautner holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology.
Milton Rosenberg has been an advisor to the Company since its inception and
was elected a Director in March 1992. He is President of M. R. Associates, an
investment and consulting company, which he founded in 1978. For the past 15
years, Mr. Rosenberg has been a director of Bell Industries, a New York Stock
Exchange company engaged in the distribution of electronics components. Mr.
Rosenberg has been a consultant to high technology companies for over 20 years.
Mr. Rosenberg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from
Drexel University and did graduate course work in Electrical Engineering at
Princeton University.
Dr. Igal Shidlovsky became a Director of the Company in May 1997. Dr.
Shidlovsky is the Managing Director of Global Technologies, an investment and
consulting organization, which he founded in 1994. He has extensive management
and consulting experience with international companies and start up technology
companies. Dr. Shidlovsky is a Director of the Omega Point Foundation. From 1982
to 1991, Dr. Shidlovsky was a Director of Sentex Sensing Technologies. Dr.
Shidlovsky held several executive positions including Vice President Corporate
Development at Siemens Pacesetter, a division of Siemens AG Medical Group,
Director of Strategic Planning and Technology Utilization, and Director of the
Microelectronics Department at
40
<PAGE> 43
Siemens Corporate Research. From 1969 to 1982 he was with RCA Laboratories, a
leading electronic R&D organization. Dr. Shidlovsky holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Chemistry from the Technion and Master and Ph.D. degrees from the
Hebrew University in Israel.
Each director is elected for a period of one year at the Company's annual
meeting of stockholders and serves until the next annual meeting and until his
successor is duly elected and qualified. Officers are elected by, and serve at
the discretion of, the Board of Directors, subject to relevant employment
agreements. None of the Directors of the Company are related by blood, marriage
or adoption to any of the Company's Directors or executive officers.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company
receive cash compensation of $800 per month and $500 for each Board of
Directors' meeting attended, while serving as Directors.
The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation paid by the
Company to its Chief Executive Officer and for each of its other executive
officers whose total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 (the "Named
Executive Officers") during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION SECURITIES
----------------------------- UNDERLYING
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS YEAR SALARY BONUS OPTIONS(#)
- -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------- ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Noam Lotan........................................ 1996 $100,000 $ 0 30,000
President and Chief Executive Officer 1995 100,000 0 0
1994 100,000 0 0
Shlomo Margalit................................... 1996 110,000 0 0
Chairman of the Board of Directors, 1995 110,000 0 0
Chief Technical Officer and Secretary 1994 110,000 0 0
Zeev Rav-Noy...................................... 1996 110,000 60,000 0
Chief Operating Officer 1995 110,000 60,000 0
1994 110,000 60,000 0
Ken Ahmad......................................... 1996 90,000 32,420 0
Vice President of Marketing and Sales 1995 90,000 24,750 150,000
1994 90,000 30,000 0
</TABLE>
Drs. Margalit and Rav-Noy do not hold any options to purchase Common Stock
of the Company and none were granted to any of them during 1996. The following
table provides certain information regarding stock option grants made to Messrs.
Lotan and Ahmad during 1996:
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST YEAR FISCAL
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF TOTAL ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
SECURITIES OPTIONS STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE FOR OPTION TERM(1)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION -------------------------
NAME GRANTED(#) 1996 ($/SH)(3) DATE 5% 10%
- ---------------- ---------- ---------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Noam Lotan...... 30,000 4.5% 8.42 1/10/2000 $2,924,576 $3,773,193
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations
assuming the price of Common Stock on the date of the grant of the option
($8.42) increases at the hypothetical 5% and 10% rates set by the Securities
and Exchange Commission and therefore are not intended to forecast possible
future appreciation, if any, of the Company's stock price.
(2) Options are exercisable in equal annual increments of beginning on the
anniversary of the grant date.
41
<PAGE> 44
(3) The exercise price per share of the options granted represented the fair
market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant.
No options were exercised by Mr. Lotan, Dr. Margalit, Dr. Rav-Noy or Mr.
Ahmad during 1996. The following table provides certain information concerning
unexercised options at December 31, 1996:
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONTH OPTIONS AT
DECEMBER 31, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1996(1)
----------------------------- -----------------------------
EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Noam Lotan................................ 10,000 20,000 $ 133,300 $ 266,600
Ken Ahmad................................. 100,000 50,000 $ 1,812,000 $ 906,000
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Based on the difference between $21.75 per share (the last sale price of the
Common Stock on December 31, 1996 as reported on The Nasdaq National Market
and the respective per share exercise price.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
In March 1992, the Company entered into three-year employment agreements
with Mr. Lotan, Dr. Margalit and Dr. Rav-Noy, which in November 1994 were
extended to March 1998. Pursuant to the agreements, Mr. Lotan serves as
President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company, Dr. Margalit
serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Technical Officer and
Secretary, and Dr. Rav-Noy serves as a Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer and a
Director. Mr. Lotan, Dr. Margalit and Dr. Rav-Noy receive base annual salaries
of $100,000, $110,000 and $110,000, respectively, and each is entitled to
receive a bonus determined and payable at the discretion of the Board of
Directors upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee of the Board.
Recommendations with respect to bonus levels are based on achievement of
specified goals, such as new product introductions, profitability levels,
revenue goals, market expansion and other criteria as established by the
Compensation Committee.
Each officer also receives employee benefits, such as vacation, sick pay
and insurance, in accordance with the Company's policies which are applicable to
all employees. The Company has obtained, and is the beneficiary of, key man life
insurance policies in the amount of $1,000,000 on the lives of each of Drs.
Margalit and Rav-Noy and Mr. Lotan. All benefits under these policies will be
payable to the Company upon the death of an insured. In November 1994, each of
Mr. Lotan and Drs. Margalit and Rav-Noy agreed to extend the terms of their
respective employment agreement until March 1998.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
On March 27, 1992, the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company
adopted the Plan, which provides for the grant to employees, officers, directors
and consultants of options to purchase up to 900,000 shares of Common Stock,
consisting of both "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422
of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and
non-qualified options. Incentive stock options are issuable only to employees of
the Company, while non-qualified options may be issued to non-employee
directors, consultants and others, as well as to employees of the Company. The
Board increased the Plan by 900,000 shares in February 1995, which was approved
by stockholders in June 1995 and in May 1996 increased the Plan by 150,000
shares, which was approved by stockholders in July 1996.
Under the Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to determine
the persons to whom options will be granted, the number of shares to be covered
by each option, whether the options granted are intended to be incentive stock
options, the duration and rate of exercise of each option, the option price per
share, the manner of exercise and the time, manner and form of payment upon
exercise of an option.
42
<PAGE> 45
The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to incentive stock
options may not be less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date the option is granted. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject
to non-qualified options will be established by the Board of Directors. The
aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the option is granted) of
the Common Stock that any employee may purchase in any calendar year pursuant to
the exercise of incentive stock options may not exceed $100,000. No person who
owns, directly or indirectly, at the time of the granting of an incentive stock
option to him, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes
of stock of the Company shall be eligible to receive any incentive stock options
under the Plan unless the exercise price is at least 110% of grant. Non-
qualified options are not subject to this limitation.
No incentive stock option may be transferred by an optionee other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution and, during the lifetime of an
optionee, the option will be exercisable only by the optionee. In the event of
termination of employment other than by death or disability, the optionee will
have three months after such termination or until the expiration of such option,
whichever occurs first, to exercise the option. Upon termination of employment
of an optionee by reason of death or permanent total disability, options remain
exercisable for one year thereafter or until the expiration of such option,
whichever occurs first, to the extent they were exercisable on the date of such
termination. No similar limitation applies to non-qualified options.
Stock options under the Plan must be granted within 10 years from the
effective date of the Plan. Incentive stock options granted under the Plan
cannot be exercised more than 10 years from the date of grant, except that
incentive stock options issued to 10% or greater stockholders are limited to
five year terms. All options granted under the Plan provide for the payment of
the exercise price in cash or by delivery to the Company of shares of Common
Stock already owned by the optionee having a fair market value equal to the
exercise price of the options being exercised, or by a combination of such
methods of payment. Therefore, an optionee may be able to tender shares of
Common Stock to purchase additional shares of Common Stock and may theoretically
exercise all of his stock options without making any additional cash investment.
Any unexercised options that expire or that terminate upon an employee's
ceasing to be employed with the Company become available once again for
issuance. At June 20, 1997, options for 1,486,108 shares were outstanding under
the Plan and none were reserved thereunder for options available for future
grant.
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that
eliminates or limits the personal financial liability of the Company's
directors, except in situations where there has been a breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, liability under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
("Section 174") relative to unlawful payment of dividends, stock purchases or
redemptions, or any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit. Furthermore, Section 174 eliminates monetary liability for
gross negligence in exercising the duty of due care related to the directors'
fiduciary duties under state corporate law, however, such section does not
eliminate monetary liability of directors under the federal Securities laws. In
addition, the Company's Bylaws include provisions to indemnify its officers and
directors and other persons against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement in connection with threatened, pending or completed suits or
proceedings against such persons by reason of serving or having served as
officers, directors or in other capacities, except that in relation to matters
with respect to which such persons shall be determined to be liable for
misconduct or negligence in the performance of their duties, the Company's
Bylaws provide for indemnification only to the extent that the Company
determines that such person acted in good faith and in a manner not opposed to
the best interests of the Company. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities
arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
Company has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against the public policy as expressed in the
Act and is therefore unenforceable.
43
<PAGE> 46
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock as of June 20, 1997, of (i) each person known by
the Company to own beneficially 5 percent or more of the Common Stock, (ii) each
current director of the Company who beneficially owns Common Stock, (iii) each
of the Named Executive Officers (iv) each Selling Stockholder and (v) all
current directors and executive officers as a group. The table also gives effect
to the sale by the Company of 2,000,000 shares of the Common Stock and the sale
by the Selling Stockholders of 550,000 shares of Common Stock in this offering.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK OWNED COMMON STOCK OWNED
PRIOR TO OFFERING NUMBER AFTER THE OFFERING
NAME AND ADDRESS(1) OF BENEFICIAL --------------------- OF SHARES ---------------------
OWNER(2) OR IDENTITY OF GROUP NUMBER PERCENT TO BE SOLD NUMBER PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------- --------- ------- ---------- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shlomo Margalit.......................... 2,033,930 8.8% 200,000 1,833,930 7.3%
Zeev Rav-Noy............................. 1,944,811 8.4% 200,000 1,744,811 6.9%
Noam Lotan(3)............................ 968,437 4.2% 100,000 868,437 3.4%
Ken Ahmad(4)............................. 288,464 1.2% 25,000 263,464 1.0%
Ofer Iny(5).............................. 99,000 * 13,000 86,000 *
Edmund Glazer(6)......................... 12,000 * 12,000 -- --
Leonard Mautner.......................... 45,300 * -- 45,300 *
Milton Rosenberg(5)...................... 52,710 * -- 52,710 *
All executive officers and directors as a
group (8 persons)(7)................... 5,444,652 23.3% 550,000 4,894,652 19.2%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Except as otherwise set forth in the table, the address of each of the
person listed is c/o MRV Communications, Inc., 8917 Fullbright Avenue,
Chatsworth, CA 91311.
(2) Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, shares of
Common Stock that an individual or group has a right to acquire within 60
days pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants are deemed to be
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such
individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table.
(3) Includes 10,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within
60 days from June 20, 1997.
(4) Includes 100,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable
within 60 days from June 20, 1997.
(5) Consists of 99,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable
within 60 days from June 20, 1997.
(6) Consists of 12,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable
within 60 days from June 20, 1997.
(7) Includes 221,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable
within 60 days from June 20, 1997.
44
<PAGE> 47
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 40,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.0034 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of June 20, 1997, there were 23,228,081
shares of Common Stock outstanding.
COMMON STOCK
The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of Common Stock also are
entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally available therefore, subject to preferences that
may be applicable to any outstanding Preferred Stock. In the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock
are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of
liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding Preferred Stock.
Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption, conversion
or cumulative voting rights. All the outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and
the shares of Common stock offered hereby will be, when issued and paid for,
validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
PREFERRED STOCK
Pursuant to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of
Directors has the authority to issue 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one
or more series and to fix the powers, designations, preferences, and relative,
participating, optional, or other rights thereof, including dividend rights,
conversion rights, voting rights, redemption terms, liquidation preferences, and
the number of shares constituting any series, without any further vote or action
by the Company's stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock in certain
circumstances may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change
of control of the Company without further action by the stockholders, may
discourage bids for the Common Stock at a premium over the market price of the
Common Stock, and may adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and
other rights of the holders of, the Common Stock. The Company has no shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding and has no plans to issue any such shares. The
Company has agreed not to issue any shares of preferred stock before December 7,
1997, without the prior written consent of H. J. Meyers & Co., Inc. (the
successor to Thomas James Associates, Inc. the Company's underwriter in its
initial public stock offering).
WARRANTS
At June 20, 1997 the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 3,108,484 shares of Common Stock at exercise prices ranging from
$4.25 to $26.75 and expiring from January 1998 to January 2001.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Common Stock is American Stock
Transfer & Trust Co., New York, New York.
45
<PAGE> 48
UNDERWRITING
The Underwriters named below, acting through their representatives, Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc. and Volpe Brown Whelan & Company, LLC (the
"Representatives"), have severally agreed, subject to the terms and conditions
of the Underwriting Agreement, to purchase from the Company and the Selling
Stockholders the numbers of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite their
respective names below. The Underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for
all of such shares if any are purchased.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
UNDERWRITERS SHARES
------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------
<S> <C>
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc...........................................
Volpe Brown Whelan & Company, LLC.................................
---------
Total................................................... 2,550,000
=========
</TABLE>
The Representatives have advised the Company and the Selling Stockholders
that the Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public
at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and to
certain dealers at such price less a concession of not more than $ per
share, of which $ may be reallowed to other dealers. After the
consummation of this offering, the public offering price, concession and
reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the Representatives. No such reduction
shall change the amount of proceeds to be received by the Company or the Selling
Shareholders as set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.
The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable during the
30-day period after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate
of 382,500 additional shares of Common Stock, at the same price per share as the
Company and the Selling Stockholders receive for the 2,550,000 shares that the
Underwriters have agreed to purchase. To the extent that the Underwriters
exercise such option, each of the Underwriters will have a firm commitment to
purchase approximately the same percentage of such additional shares that the
number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by it shown in the above table
represents as a percentage of the 2,550,000 shares offered hereby. If purchased,
such additional shares will be sold by the Underwriters on the same terms as
those on which the 2,550,000 shares are being sold.
The Underwriting Agreement contains covenants of indemnity among the
Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Pursuant to the terms of lock-up agreements, the officers and directors of
the Company have agreed with the Representatives that, except for 550,000 shares
being sold by the Selling Stockholders in this offering until 90 days after the
date of this Prospectus, subject to certain limited exceptions, they will not
sell or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock without the prior written
consent of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Certain persons participating in this offering may engage in passive market
making transactions in the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market in
accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Rule 103
permits, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, underwriting and selling
group members participating in a distribution that are also registered Nasdaq
market makers in the security being distributed (or a related security) to
engage in limited passive market making transactions during the period
46
<PAGE> 49
when Regulation M would otherwise prohibit such activity. In general, a passive
market maker may not bid for or purchase a security at a price that exceeds the
highest independent bid for those securities by a person that is not
participating in the distribution and must identify its passive market making
bids on the Nasdaq electronic inter-dealer reporting system. In addition, the
net daily purchases made by a passive market maker generally may not exceed 30%
of such market maker's average daily trading volume in the security for the two
full consecutive calendar months (or any 60 consecutive days ending within 10
days) immediately preceding the date of filing of the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus forms a part.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Common Stock being offered hereby will be passed upon
for the Company by Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, a law
corporation, Beverly Hills, California. Certain legal matters in connection with
this offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included in
this Prospectus have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, as indicated in its
report with respect thereto, and is included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants.............................................. F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1996.......................... F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996................................................................... F-3
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1996...................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996................................................................... F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................................ F-6
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 (audited) and March 31,
1997 (unaudited).................................................................... F-19
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 1996
and 1997 (unaudited)................................................................ F-20
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31,
1996 and 1997 (unaudited)........................................................... F-21
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.................................. F-22
</TABLE>
47
<PAGE> 50
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To MRV Communications, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MRV
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December
31, 1995 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1996. 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 generally accepted auditing
standards. 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 MRV Communications, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Los Angeles, California
February 7, 1997
F-1
<PAGE> 51
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1995 1996
------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents........................................................ $ 1,951 $14,641
Restricted cash.................................................................. 6,272 --
Short-term investments........................................................... 1,000 17,659
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $825 in 1995 and $2,468 in 1996......... 10,780 24,296
Inventories...................................................................... 8,382 18,238
Deferred income tax asset........................................................ 804 2,660
Other current assets............................................................. 608 4,377
------- -------
Total current assets...................................................... 29,797 81,871
------- -------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:
Building......................................................................... -- 1,464
Machinery and equipment.......................................................... 1,655 3,941
Furniture and fixtures........................................................... 66 286
Computer hardware and software................................................... 795 1,513
Leasehold improvements........................................................... 102 533
------- -------
2,618 7,737
Less -- Accumulated depreciation and amortization................................ (558) (1,489)
------- -------
2,060 6,248
------- -------
OTHER ASSETS:
Deferred income tax asset........................................................ 925 6,036
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $42 in 1995 and $210 in 1996........ 525 2,788
------- -------
1,450 8,824
------- -------
$33,307 $96,943
======= =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of capital lease obligations..................................... $ 33 $ 119
Accounts payable................................................................. 4,342 11,328
Accrued liabilities.............................................................. 1,766 6,389
Accrued restructuring costs...................................................... 422 3,549
Customer deposit................................................................. -- 1,500
Income taxes payable............................................................. 1,215 2,013
------- -------
Total current liabilities................................................. 7,778 24,898
------- -------
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Convertible debentures........................................................... -- 17,325
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion................................ 34 1,035
Other long-term liabilities...................................................... 237 532
------- -------
Total long-term liabilities............................................... 271 18,892
------- -------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 7)
MINORITY INTEREST.................................................................. -- 852
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
Authorized -- 1,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding.................... -- --
Common stock, $0.0034 par value:
Authorized -- 40,000 shares Issued and outstanding -- 19,049 shares in 1995 and
21,745 in 1996................................................................ 63 72
Capital in excess of par value................................................... 23,491 60,164
Retained earnings (deficit)...................................................... 1,704 (7,950)
Cumulative translation adjustments............................................... -- 15
------- -------
25,258 52,301
------- -------
$33,307 $96,943
======= =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance
sheets.
F-2
<PAGE> 52
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
1994 1995 1996
------- ------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS,
EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES, net:................................................ $17,526 $39,202 $88,815
------- ------- -------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of goods sold.......................................... 10,328 22,608 51,478
Research and development expenses........................... 2,144 4,044 8,201
Selling, general and administrative expenses................ 2,615 6,799 14,025
Purchased technology in progress............................ -- 6,211 17,795
Restructuring costs......................................... -- 1,465 6,974
------- ------- -------
15,087 41,127 98,473
------- ------- -------
Operating income (loss).................................. 2,439 (1,925) (9,658)
------- ------- -------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense related to convertible debentures and
acquisition.............................................. -- -- (4,357)
Minority interest........................................... -- -- (196)
Interest income............................................. 210 641 702
Interest expense............................................ -- (102) (743)
Other....................................................... (48) 115 194
------- ------- -------
162 654 (4,400)
------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income
taxes.................................................. 2,601 (1,271) (14,058)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES.......................... 983 2 (4,404)
------- ------- -------
NET INCOME (LOSS)............................................. $ 1,618 $(1,273) $(9,654)
======= ======= =======
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION:
Primary earnings (loss) per common share................. $ .13 $ (.07) $ (.49)
======= ======= =======
Fully diluted earnings (loss) per common share........... $ .13 $ (.07) $ (.49)
======= ======= =======
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Primary.................................................. 12,567 18,377 19,739
======= ======= =======
Fully diluted............................................ 12,714 18,377 19,739
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 53
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK CAPITAL IN RETAINED CUMULATIVE
--------------- EXCESS OF EARNINGS TRANSLATION
SHARES AMOUNT PAR VALUE (DEFICIT) ADJUSTMENTS TOTAL
------- ------ ---------- ------- ----------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE, December 31, 1993......................... 11,771 $ 39 $ 4,393 $ 1,359 $ $ 5,791
Exercise of stock warrants....................... 3,440 12 5,485 -- -- 5,497
Net income....................................... -- -- -- 1,618 -- 1,618
------ --- ------- ------- --- -------
BALANCE, December 31, 1994......................... 15,211 51 9,878 2,977 -- 12,906
Issuance of common stock in connection with the
secondary public offering..................... 2,700 9 9,346 -- -- 9,355
Issuance of common stock in connection with the
acquisition of ACE 400 Communications, Ltd.... 855 2 3,908 -- -- 3,910
Exercise of stock warrants and options........... 283 1 359 -- -- 360
Net loss......................................... -- -- -- (1,273) -- (1,273)
------ --- ------- ------- --- -------
BALANCE, December 31, 1995......................... 19,049 63 23,491 1,704 -- 25,258
Issuance of common stock in connection with the
acquisition of Fibronics Ltd.................. 459 2 10,528 -- -- 10,530
Shares held by trustee relating to Fibronics
acquisition................................... 137 -- -- -- -- --
Conversion of debentures......................... 812 2 12,851 -- -- 12,853
Exercise of stock warrants and options........... 1,088 4 4,938 -- -- 4,942
Issuance of common stock for cash................ 200 1 3,999 -- -- 4,000
Interest expense related to convertible
debentures and acquisition (see Note 4)....... -- -- 4,357 -- -- 4,357
Translation adjustments.......................... -- -- -- -- 15 15
Net loss......................................... -- -- -- (9,654) -- (9,654)
------ --- ------- ------- --- -------
BALANCE, December 31, 1996......................... 21,745 $ 72 $ 60,164 $(7,950) $15 $52,301
====== === ======= ======= === =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 54
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------
1994 1995 1996
------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss).............................................................. $ 1,618 $ (1,273) $ (9,654)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization................................................ 97 305 943
Provision for losses on accounts receivable.................................. 270 525 1,643
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment................................ -- (6) 192
Realized (gain) loss on investment........................................... 48 -- (180)
Purchased technology in progress............................................. -- 5,691 17,795
Interest related to convertible debentures and acquisition................... -- -- 4,357
Amortization of premium (discount) on U.S. Treasury notes.................... 8 8 --
Minority interests' share of income.......................................... -- -- 196
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Decrease (increase) in:
Accounts receivable..................................................... (3,417) (6,859) (10,937)
Inventories............................................................. (2,077) (5,397) (5,697)
Deferred income taxes................................................... (282) (1,357) (6,839)
Other assets............................................................ (618) 166 (3,031)
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable........................................................ 1,584 1,457 1,912
Accrued liabilities and restructuring................................... 266 154 6,623
Income taxes payable.................................................... 421 425 798
Customer deposits....................................................... (18) (15) 1,500
Accrued severance pay................................................... -- (19) 231
Deferred rent........................................................... 13 (3) --
------- -------- --------
Net cash used in operating activities................................... (2,087) (6,198) (148)
------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment............................................ (410) (1,035) (2,593)
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment............................... -- 14 --
Purchases of investments....................................................... (1,000) (22,013) (45,612)
Proceeds from sale of investments.............................................. 1,676 24,741 29,133
Restricted cash................................................................ -- (6,272) 6,272
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash received................................ -- (1,000) (13,247)
------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities..................... 266 (5,565) (26,047)
------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock..................................... 5,497 9,715 8,942
Proceeds from the issuance of debentures....................................... -- -- 30,000
Principal payments on notes payable............................................ (42) -- --
Principal payments on capital lease obligations................................ -- (78) (60)
Loans receivable from officers................................................. 37 32 --
------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities............................... 5,492 9,669 38,882
------- -------- --------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..................... -- -- 3
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS............................. 3,671 (2,094) 12,690
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year..................................... 374 4,045 1,951
------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year........................................... $ 4,045 $ 1,951 $ 14,641
======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 55
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
1. BACKGROUND
MRV Communications, Inc. (the Company) designs, manufactures, markets and
sells high speed network switching and fiber optic transmission systems which
enhance the performance of existing data and telecommunications networks. The
Company sells two groups of products: (1) computer networking products,
primarily Ethernet local area network (LAN) switches, hubs and related
equipment, and (2) fiber optic components for the transmission of voice, video
and data across enterprise telecommunications and cable TV networks. The
Company's networking solutions enhance the functionality of LAN's by reducing
network congestion while allowing end users to preserve their investments in
pre-existing networks and providing cost-effective migration paths to next
generation technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet. The Company markets and sells
its products both domestically and internationally.
In May 1996, the Company acquired 50 percent of the outstanding stock of a
company located in Italy and in September 1996, the Company acquired certain
assets and the distribution business of a company located in Israel (see Note
3). The results of operations of the acquired businesses since the acquisition
dates have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
The following summarized unaudited pro forma financial information for the year
ended December 31, 1996 assumes the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 1996 (in
thousands, except for per share data):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Revenues, net...................................... $ 111,000
Net income......................................... 1,294
Earnings per common share.......................... $ .07
========
</TABLE>
Pro forma net income and earnings per common share amounts do not include
the purchased technology in progress costs, net of their tax effects, included
in the accompanying 1996 Statement of Operations.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, NBase Communications, Inc., NBase
Communications, Ltd. (Nbase Ltd.), NBase Europe GmbH (Nbase Europe) and NBase
Fibronics, Ltd. (Fibronics), and its 50 percent-owned subsidiary, EDSLAN SRL
(EDS). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been
eliminated.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The financial statements of NBase Ltd. and Fibronics have been prepared in
U.S. dollars as the currency of the primary economic environment in which the
operations of these companies are conducted is the U.S. dollar. Thus, the
functional currency of these companies is the U.S. dollar.
Transactions and balances originally denominated in U.S. dollars are
presented at their original amounts. Transactions and balances in other
currencies are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, and are included in determining net
income or loss.
The financial statements of NBase Europe and EDS have been prepared in the
companies' local currencies and have been translated into U.S. dollars. The
functional currency for these companies is their local currency.
Assets and liabilities are translated from the local currencies into U.S.
dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenues,
expenses and cash flows are translated at weighted average exchange rates for
the period to approximate translation at the exchange rates prevailing at the
dates those elements are recognized in the financial statements. Translation
adjustments resulting from the process of
F-6
<PAGE> 56
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
translating the local currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are not
included in determining net income or loss but are accumulated and reported as a
separate component of stockholders' equity in the accompanying consolidated
December 31, 1996 balance sheet.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN
The Company accounts for its stock based compensation plan (see Note 8)
under the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25. The Company has elected to follow
the disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
(SFAS 123), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", beginning January 1, 1995
for employee awards. See Note 8 for disclosure of pro forma loss and loss per
common share amounts for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 as required
by SFAS 123. The Company has adopted SFAS 123 for all non-employee awards
beginning January 1, 1996.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of products.
The Company's three largest customers together accounted for approximately
13 percent, 14 percent and 12 percent of the Company's revenues in 1994, 1995
and 1996, respectively. There were no customers with a receivable balance
greater than 10 percent of total receivables at December 31, 1995 and 1996.
Sales to countries outside the United States approximated 19 percent, 45
percent and 53 percent of the Company's revenues in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively. See Note 9 for sales by geographic areas.
PURCHASED TECHNOLOGY IN PROGRESS AND RESTRUCTURING COSTS
In connection with the Company's acquisitions (see Note 3), the Company
acquired incomplete research and development (R&D) projects that will be
included in the current R&D activities of the Company. For projects that will
have no alternative future use to the Company and where technological
feasibility had not yet been established, the Company allocated $6,211,000 and
$17,795,000 to technology in progress and recorded the expense during the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
Also in connection with the Company's acquisitions, during the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996, the Company recorded $1,465,000 and $6,974,000 as
restructuring costs, respectively, which primarily related to the closing of
several Company facilities, a reduction of its workforce, elimination of product
lines and the settlement of distribution agreements. The reduction of the
workforce in 1995 related to 63 employees, of which six were upper management
personnel. The reduction of the workforce in 1996 related to 95 employees, of
which seven were upper management personnel.
F-7
<PAGE> 57
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
The following summarizes the major restructuring costs for 1995 and 1996
(in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Accrued termination benefits............................... $ 221 $1,574
Accrued legal and consulting............................... 201 244
Accrued for closing of facilities.......................... -- 521
Accrued for settlement of distribution agreements.......... -- 394
Accrued for elimination of product lines................... -- 268
Other...................................................... -- 548
------ ------
Total accrued costs.............................. 422 3,549
------ ------
Closing of facilities...................................... 179 278
Settlement of distribution agreements...................... 205 306
Termination benefits....................................... 427 1,525
Legal and consulting....................................... -- 157
Elimination of product lines............................... -- 482
Other costs................................................ 232 677
------ ------
Total cash paid.................................. 1,043 3,425
------ ------
$1,465 $6,974
====== ======
</TABLE>
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original
maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
RESTRICTED CASH BALANCES
At December 31, 1995, cash balances included restricted deposits with a
bank amounting to $6,272,000, which were given as a security against letters of
credit issued by the bank on behalf of the Company (see Note 7). At December 31,
1996, the letters of credit were secured by a portion of the Company's
short-term investments (see below).
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
The Company accounts for its investments under the provisions of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities."
At December 31, 1995 and 1996, short-term investments consisted of U.S.
Treasury notes. As defined by the standard, the Company has classified its
investments in these debt securities as "held-to-maturity" investments and all
investments are recorded at their amortized cost basis, which approximated their
fair value at December 31, 1996. All investments mature by October 1997.
As noted above, $6,388,000 of the U.S. Treasury notes have been pledged as
security against letters of credit issued by a bank on behalf of the Company
(see Note 7).
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market
and consist of material, labor and overhead.
F-8
<PAGE> 58
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Inventories consisted of the following as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996
------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
Raw materials........................................... $4,750 $ 8,295
Work-in-process......................................... 2,035 3,975
Finished goods.......................................... 1,597 5,968
------ -------
$8,382 $18,238
====== =======
</TABLE>
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Maintenance and repairs are
charged to expense as incurred, while significant replacements and betterments
are capitalized.
Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method
based upon the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Useful lives range
from three to thirty-three years.
GOODWILL
The Goodwill resulted from the Company's acquisitions during 1995 and 1996.
It is amortized on a straight-line basis over 8 years.
CUSTOMER DEPOSIT
The customer deposit at December 31, 1996 represents an advance payment
from a company. The payment has been deferred until the related revenue is
earned in 1997.
WARRANTY
The Company warrants its products against defects in materials and
workmanship for one to three year periods. The estimated cost of warranty
obligations is recognized at the time of revenue recognition.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash paid for income taxes was $834,000 in 1994, $932,000 in 1995 and
$1,620,000 in 1996. There was no cash paid for interest in 1994. Cash paid for
interest was $102,000 in 1995 and $150,000 in 1996.
During 1996, the Company acquired property and equipment with a cost of
$1,147,000 through a capital lease agreement. Also in 1996, $12,675,000
principal amount of debentures and $178,000 of accrued interest was converted
into approximately 812,000 shares of common stock. During 1995, the Company
purchased property and equipment with a cost of $100,000 through a capital lease
agreement. These non-cash transactions are excluded from the 1995 and 1996
Statements of Cash Flows.
The 1995 Statement of Cash Flows includes an amount of $5,691,000 that
represents the fair value of consideration given and net liabilities assumed for
the Company's acquisitions that was allocated to purchased technology in
progress. This amount differs from the amount shown on the 1995 Statement of
Operations by $520,000, which represents legal, consulting and other costs which
were allocated to purchased technology in progress on the Statement of
Operations (see Note 3).
COMMON STOCK SPLITS
On May 20, 1996, the Company effected a 3 for 2 stock split of its common
stock, and on July 29, 1996, the Company effected a 2 for 1 stock split of its
common stock. All share amounts set forth in these consolidated financial
statements have been retroactively restated to give effect to these stock
splits.
F-9
<PAGE> 59
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of
shares of common stock and common stock equivalents (dilutive stock warrants,
stock options and convertible debentures) outstanding during the related periods
(adjusted retroactively for the common stock splits described in Note 2). The
weighted average number of common stock equivalent shares includes shares
issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock warrants and options, less the
number of shares assumed purchased with the proceeds available from such
exercise. The effect of dilutive common share equivalents is not included in the
loss per common share calculations for 1995 and 1996. Fully diluted earnings per
share differs from primary earnings per share in 1994.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' amounts to conform
to the current year presentation.
3. ACQUISITIONS AND RESTRUCTURING
On May 1, 1995, the Company acquired certain assets and the distribution
business of Galcom Networking, Ltd. (Galcom), a network equipment company
located in Israel. The purchase price paid by the Company was approximately
$900,000 in cash and the assumption of approximately $1,800,000 in liabilities
and debt.
On June 29, 1995, the Company acquired certain assets and the distribution
business of ACE 400 Communications, Ltd. (ACE), a network equipment company
located in Israel. The purchase price paid by the Company was $100,000 in cash,
the assumption of approximately $467,000 in liabilities and debt, the issuance
of 855,000 shares of the Company's common stock (valued at $3,910,000), and
extended a right to ACE to sell to the Company up to $400,000 of ACE's
inventory.
Subsequent to the acquisition dates, the Company consolidated operations in
Israel and formed a new subsidiary in Israel named NBase Communications, Ltd.
Each of the businesses acquired also owned a subsidiary in the United States.
These operations were also consolidated and the Company formed a new subsidiary
in the United States named NBase Communications, Inc.
In May 1996, the Company purchased 50 percent of the outstanding stock of
EDSLAN SRL, an Italian networking company. The purchase price paid by the
Company was approximately $1,050,000. The purchase agreement calls for the
Company to receive 80 percent of EDS' profits or losses from the date of
acquisition.
On September 26, 1996, the Company acquired certain assets and the
distribution business of Fibronics, Ltd., a computer networking and
telecommunications company located primarily in Israel and Germany. On the date
of acquisition, Fibronics, Ltd. was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elbit, Ltd.
(Elbit). The purchase price paid by the Company was $22,770,000, of which
$12,240,000 was paid in cash and $10,530,000 was paid through the delivery of
approximately 459,000 shares of the Company's common stock.
The Company has guaranteed Elbit that it will realize at least $10,530,000
from the shares of common stock, plus interest thereon at 0.67% per month from
January 1, 1997 until such shares are resold. The Company secured the guarantee
with a letter of credit from a major bank in the amount of approximately
$4,300,000 (see Note 7) and by issuing to a trustee an additional 137,000 shares
of common stock. After January 14, 1997, Elbit can, under certain circumstances,
elect to cause the Company to repurchase up to approximately 275,000 shares for
$6,300,000, plus interest thereon at 0.67% per month from January 1, 1997
through the date of purchase. In March 1997, the agreement was amended (see Note
10).
F-10
<PAGE> 60
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Subsequent to the acquisition date, the Company formed a new subsidiary in
Israel named NBase Fibronics, Ltd. and a new subsidiary in Germany named NBase
Europe GmbH.
All acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to assets acquired
and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values, as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996
------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Inventory............................................... $ 319 $ 3,574
Accounts receivable..................................... -- 2,686
Property and equipment.................................. 600 1,793
Other assets............................................ -- 315
Current liabilities and debt............................ (2,267) (3,962)
-------- ---------
Net assets acquired or liabilities assumed............ (1,348) 4,406
Cash paid for legal, consulting and other costs......... (395) (450)
Accrued legal, consulting and others costs.............. (125) (365)
Common stock issued to sellers.......................... (3,910) (10,530)
Cash paid to sellers.................................... (1,000) (13,287)
-------- ---------
Paid or accrued....................................... (5,430) (24,632)
Allocated to purchased technology in progress........... 6,211 17,795
-------- ---------
Goodwill................................................ $ 567 $ 2,431
======== =========
</TABLE>
In connection with the acquisition of certain assets from Galcom, the
Company issued warrants to Galcom to purchase 225,000 shares of common stock at
prices ranging from $4.92 to $7.38 per share. The Company also issued warrants
to purchase 75,000 common shares to former employees of Galcom at prices ranging
from $4.25 to $4.75 per share, warrants to purchase 990,000 common shares at
prices ranging from $4.25 to $4.75 per share to existing employees and
consultants, warrants to purchase 45,000 common shares at $4.25 per share to an
outside consultant, and warrants to purchase 36,000 common shares at $4.25 per
share to a company for design services performed. All of these warrants are
exercisable over a five year period.
In connection with the acquisition of certain assets from ACE, the Company
issued warrants to the trustee of ACE to purchase 300,000 common shares at $4.57
per share, and issued warrants to purchase 30,000 shares at $4.67 per share to
an ACE employee. All of these warrants are exercisable over a five year period.
4. CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES
In September 1996, the Company completed a private placement of $30,000,000
principal amount of convertible debentures. The proceeds from the private
placement were primarily used to finance the Company's 1996 acquisition of
certain assets from Fibronics, Ltd. (see Note 3). The debentures bear interest
at 5 percent per annum, payable semi-annually, and are convertible into common
stock at any time at the option of the holders. A discount from the market price
at the time of conversion applies beginning 90 days after the first issuance of
debentures. The Company can force conversion under certain circumstances and
after certain dates, and the debentures will automatically convert into common
stock at maturity if not previously converted. The conversion price is a
specified percentage of the prevailing market price of the Company's common
stock on the conversion date, which is defined in the debenture agreement as the
average of the closing bid price of a share of the Company's stock for the five
trading days immediately preceding the conversion date. The conversion price is
85.5 percent of the applicable market price if the debentures are converted
during the 30 days beginning December 6, 1996. The conversion price decreases by
an additional one percent each 30 days after January 4, 1997 until it reaches a
floor of 77.5 percent.
F-11
<PAGE> 61
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
To give effect to the accounting treatment announced by the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") at the March 13, 1997 meeting of the
Emerging Issues Task Force relevant to the Company's convertible subordinated
debenture issuance having "beneficial conversion" features, the value of the
fixed discount has been reflected in the 1996 financial statements as additional
interest expense and such fixed discount has been accreted through the first
possible conversion date of the respective issuance.
As part of the private placement, the Company also issued to the holders
three-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 600,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $26.67 per share. The fair value of the warrants
($852,000) has been recorded as an increase to stockholders' equity and will be
amortized as additional interest expense over the life of the debentures.
The financial position and results of operations presented in the financial
statements for the unaudited quarter ended September 30, 1996 have been restated
to give effect to the additional interest expense.
As of December 31, 1996, $12,675,000 principal amount of debentures, and
$178,000 of accrued interest, had been converted into approximately 812,000
shares of common stock at an average conversion rate of $15.83 per share. At
December 31, 1996, there was a $17,325,000 principal amount of debentures
outstanding and $297,000 of interest was owed to the holders relating to the
debentures. This accrued interest is included in "accrued liabilities" on the
accompanying December 31, 1996 consolidated balance sheet. In 1996, $4,357,000
was recorded as additional interest expense and as an increase to Stockholders'
Equity relating to the "beneficial conversion" feature and the fair value of the
warrants.
5. EQUITY TRANSACTIONS
SECONDARY PUBLIC OFFERING
In January 1995, the Company completed a secondary public offering of its
common stock. The Company sold 2,700,000 shares at a price of $4.00 per share.
The gross and net proceeds of the offering were $10,800,000 and $9,355,000,
respectively. In connection with the offering, the Company sold to the
representatives of the underwriters three-year warrants to purchase 300,000
shares of common stock at $5.60 per share. The warrants may be exercised
beginning in January 1996 and expire in January 1999.
SALE OF COMMON STOCK
In November 1996, the Company completed a private placement of 200,000
shares of common stock with a corporation for $4,000,000 ($20.00 per share). As
part of the private placement, the Company issued to the corporation three-year
warrants to purchase up to an additional 500,000 shares of common stock at
$20.00 per share. Of such warrants, warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of
common stock are exercisable only under certain circumstances.
F-12
<PAGE> 62
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS
A summary of warrant activities for 1994, 1995 and 1996 is as follows
(number of shares in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER EXERCISE
OF SHARES PRICES
--------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1993...................... 3,712 $ .27 to 1.71
Issued........................................ -- --
Exercised..................................... (3,439) 1.67 to 1.71
Redeemed...................................... (5) 1.67
------- --------------
Balance, December 31, 1994...................... 268 .27 to 1.71
Issued........................................ 2,100 4.25 to 7.38
Exercised..................................... (236) .27 to 1.67
Redeemed...................................... -- --
------- --------------
Balance, December 31, 1995...................... 2,132 .27 to 7.38
Issued........................................ 2,106 8.42 to 26.65
Exercised..................................... (776) .27 to 8.42
Redeemed...................................... -- --
------- --------------
Balance, December 31, 1996...................... 3,462 $ .27 to 26.65
======= ==============
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1996, warrants to purchase approximately 3,462,000 shares
were outstanding, of which 500 were exercisable at $.27 per share.
6. INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 (SFAS 109).
Under SFAS 109, deferred income tax assets or liabilities are computed
based on temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax
bases of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal income tax rate in
effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred
income tax expenses or credits are based on the changes in the deferred income
tax assets or liabilities from period to period.
The components of the net deferred income tax asset at December 31, 1995
and 1996 are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Allowance for bad debts......................... $ 298 $ 777
Inventory reserve............................... 141 280
Warranty reserve................................ 80 160
Accrued restructuring costs..................... 213 1,147
State income taxes.............................. 84 296
Other, net...................................... (12) --
------ ------
Current portion............................... 804 2,660
Purchased technology in progress................ 1,350 6,998
Valuation reserve............................... (425) (962)
------ ------
925 6,036
------ ------
$1,729 $8,696
====== ======
</TABLE>
F-13
<PAGE> 63
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
A full reserve has not been recorded against the asset due to the
probability of its recovery. The reserve that has been recorded reflects the
Company's estimate of the amount that may not be realized.
The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31,
1994, 1995 and 1996 is as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995 1996
------ ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current - Federal........................... $1,051 $ 1,112 $ 1,692
- State............................. 214 247 324
- Foreign........................... -- -- 547
------ ------- -------
1,265 1,359 2,563
------ ------- -------
Deferred - Federal........................... (252) (333) (5,694)
- State............................. (30) (99) (1,022)
- Foreign........................... -- (925) (251)
------ ------- -------
(282) (1,357) (6,967)
------ ------- -------
Provision (benefit) for income
taxes............................. $ 983 $ 2 $(4,404)
====== ======= =======
</TABLE>
Differences between the provision (benefit) for income taxes and income
taxes at the statutory federal income tax rate based on U.S. pre-tax income for
the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995 1996
---------------- ---------------- -----------------
AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT
------ ------- ------ ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory federal
rate................................................ $884 34.0% $889 34.0% $(4,780) (34.0)%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income
tax effect.......................................... 159 6.1 160 6.1 563 4.0
Non-deductible interest expense....................... -- -- -- -- 1,542 11.0
Research and development credit....................... (138) (5.3) (173) (6.7) (374) (2.7)
Effect of foreign net operating loss carryforwards.... -- -- (925) (35.4) -- --
Foreign taxes at rates less than domestic taxes....... -- -- -- -- (1,925) (13.7)
Change in valuation reserve........................... -- -- -- -- 537 3.8
Other items, net...................................... 78 3.0 51 2.0 33 .3
---- ---- ---- ----- ------- -----
$983 37.8% $ 2 --% $(4,404) (31.3)%
==== ==== ==== ===== ======= =====
</TABLE>
In 1995, NBase Ltd. qualified for a program under which it will be eligible
for a tax exemption on its income for a period of ten years from the beginning
of the benefits period. The Company estimates the benefit period will begin in
1997 or 1998.
The Company does not provide U.S. federal income taxes on the undistributed
earnings of its foreign operations. The Company's policy is to leave the income
permanently invested in the country of origin. Such amounts will only be
distributed to the United States to the extent any federal income tax can be
fully offset by foreign tax credits.
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
LEASE COMMITMENTS
The Company leases its primary facilities in Chatsworth, California from
unaffiliated third parties at an annual combined base rent of approximately
$240,000 through March 1999. The Company also leases sales office and warehouse
space in Maryland, Israel, England, Germany and Italy at a combined annual base
rent of approximately $757,000, with lease terms expiring from August 1999
through March 2004.
F-14
<PAGE> 64
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
The Company leases all of its facilities and certain equipment under
noncancelable capital and operating leases. Minimum future obligations under
such agreements at December 31, 1996 are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL OPERATING
LEASES LEASES
------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
1997...................................................... $ 233 $ 994
1998...................................................... 213 772
1999...................................................... 213 420
2000...................................................... 213 299
2001...................................................... 205 104
Thereafter................................................ 531 285
------ ------
1,608 $2,874
======
Less -- Amount representing interest...................... (454)
------
1,154
Less -- Current portion................................... (119)
------
$1,035
======
</TABLE>
Rent expense under noncancelable operating lease agreements for the years
ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 was $115,000, $405,000 and $684,000,
respectively.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
In March 1992, the Company entered into three-year employment agreements
with three key officers of the Company, which in November 1994 were extended to
March 1998. The agreements specify annual salaries of $100,000 to $110,000 for
each of the officers, plus annual bonuses to be determined by the Board of
Directors.
ROYALTY COMMITMENT
As part of the purchase agreements of the Israeli companies referred to in
Note 3, the selling companies' commitments to pay royalties to the State of
Israel were assigned to the Company. The commitments arose in consequence of the
participation of the Israeli Government in product development through the
payment of grants.
The royalties are payable at a rate of between 1.5 percent and 5.0 percent
of the sales proceeds of the products developed up to 150 percent of the amount
of the grants received. The balance of the commitment for royalties at December
31, 1996 amounted to approximately $29,000,000.
LETTER OF CREDIT
During 1995, the Company, in connection with its acquisitions in Israel
(see Note 3), entered into a stand-by letter of credit (LOC) arrangement with a
bank in the amount of $4,935,000. As of December 31, 1996, the amount of the LOC
was reduced to $750,000. The arrangement expires in 1997. During 1996, the
Company entered into an LOC arrangement with a bank in the amount of
approximately $4,300,000 in connection with the Company's acquisition of
Fibronics. This LOC arrangement also expires in 1997.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
The Company has agreements with several financial institutions to sell its
receivables with recourse. In the event of a customer's default, the Company
must repurchase the receivable. At December 31, 1996, the
F-15
<PAGE> 65
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Company is contingently liable in the amount of $4,473,497 relating to such
receivables sold with recourse. The following is detail of losses resulting from
default for 1996 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Receivables transferred to financial institutions.................. $ 14,037
Receivables returned uncollected................................... 1,981
Receivables subsequently collected by the Company.................. 1,963
Receivables to be collected at December 31, 1996................... 18
</TABLE>
LITIGATION
In July 1996, a former employee of the Company filed an action against the
Company and three of its executive officers. The complaint seeks compensatory
and punitive damages in unspecified amounts for alleged wrongful termination,
breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and fraud. Management believes
that the complaint is without merit and intends to vigorously defend the action.
In the opinion of management, the lawsuit will not result in a material loss to
the Company.
8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN
In March 1992, the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company
adopted a stock option plan (the Plan) that provides for the granting of options
to purchase up to 1,950,000 shares of common stock, consisting of both incentive
stock options and non-qualified options. Incentive stock options are issuable
only to employees of the Company and may not be granted at an exercise price
less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date the option is
granted. Non-qualified stock options may be issued to non-employee directors,
consultants and others, as well as to employees, with an exercise price
established by the Board of Directors. All incentive stock options granted as of
December 31, 1996 have been granted at prices equal to the fair market value of
the common stock on the grant date, and all options granted expire five or ten
years from the date of grant. All of the incentive stock options granted become
exercisable beginning one year from the date of grant in equal installments over
a three year period, while the non-qualified options become fully exercisable
beginning six months from the date of the grant. There were no options granted
prior to December 31, 1993.
The Company accounts for this plan and stock warrants issued to employees
under APB Opinion No. 25, under which no compensation cost has been recognized.
Had compensation cost for this plan and the stock warrants been determined
consistent with SFAS 123, the Company's net loss and loss per common share
amounts would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts (net loss
amounts are in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996
------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Net Loss:
As Reported............................................ $(1,273) $ (9,654)
Pro Forma.............................................. (2,066) (11,254)
Loss Per Common Share:
As Reported............................................ $ (0.07) $ (0.49)
Pro Forma.............................................. (0.11) (0.57)
</TABLE>
Because the SFAS 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options
granted prior to January 1, 1995, the resulting pro forma compensation cost may
not be representative of that to be expected in future years.
F-16
<PAGE> 66
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
A summary of the status of the Company's outstanding stock options at
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and changes during the years then ended is
presented in the table and narrative below (shares are in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995 1996
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
WTD. AVG. WTD. AVG. WTD. AVG.
SHARES EX. PRICE SHARES EX. PRICE SHARES EX. PRICE
------ --------- ------ --------- ------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year.... -- $ -- 391 $2.10 1,156 $ 3.59
Granted............................. 512 2.00 812 4.07 672 12.45
Exercised........................... -- -- (47) 2.11 (312) 3.28
Forfeited........................... (121) 1.57 -- -- (41) 5.72
---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------
Outstanding at end of year.......... 391 $2.10 1,156 $3.59 1,475 $ 6.02
---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------
Exercisable at end of year.......... -- $ -- 84 $2.10 172 $ 3.05
---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------
Weighted average fair value of
options granted................... n/a $1.74 $ 4.28
----- ------
</TABLE>
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
an option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for
grants in 1996: risk-free interest rates of 6.5 percent; no expected dividend
yield; expected lives of 4 to 5 years; no expected volatility.
9. FOREIGN OPERATIONS
The Company operates principally in four geographic areas: the United
States, the European Community, the Pacific Rim and the Middle East. The
following is a summary of information by areas as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1996 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNITED EUROPEAN MIDDLE PACIFIC ALL OTHER
STATES COMMUNITY EAST RIM AREAS TOTAL
------- --------- -------- ------- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales to unaffiliated customers..... $41,712 $34,256 $ 4,593 $6,401 $ 1,853 $88,815
Income (loss) from operations....... 6,396 1,602 (17,656) -- -- (9,658)
Identifiable assets................. 67,014 16,192 13,737 -- -- 96,943
</TABLE>
Intercompany sales between geographic areas, which have been eliminated
from sales to unaffiliated customers and which are accounted for as arms length
transactions were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
From the Middle East to the United States........................... $4,050
From the United States to the Middle East........................... 981
From the Middle East to the European Community...................... 2,720
From the United States to the European Community.................... 1,157
</TABLE>
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES
Subsequent to December 31, 1996, $17,325,000 principal amount of
debentures, and approximately $283,000 of accrued interest, were converted into
approximately 1,004,000 shares of common stock at an average conversion rate of
$17.53 per share. Currently, there are no principal amount of debentures
outstanding.
F-17
<PAGE> 67
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
FIBRONICS ACQUISITION
In March 1997, the Company and Elbit agreed to amend their agreement
regarding the common stock portion of the purchase price paid to Elbit for the
distribution business of Fibronics, Ltd. (see Note 3). First, the Company
repurchased approximately 184,000 shares, paying Elbit $4,230,000 (approximately
$23.00 per share) (plus accrued interest thereon at 0.67% per month from January
1, 1997 through March 13, 1997). Second, with respect to the remaining 275,000
shares (the "Additional Shares"), the Company guaranteed that the Additional
Shares can be resold by Elbit for at least $6,300,000 (approximately $23.00 per
share), plus interest thereon at 0.67% per month from January 1, 1997 through
the date of Elbit's resale. To secure any shortfall, the Company delivered to
Elbit pending resale of the Additional Shares a letter of credit from a major
bank, expiring on June 15, 1997, in the amount of approximately $6,536,000.
Elbit has agreed to sell the Additional Shares in the open market at no less
than the prevailing bid price at the time of sale; provided, however, that in no
event shall sales of the Additional Shares be at less than $23.00 per share.
Elbit must pay to the Company any difference between the amount received upon
resale of the Additional Shares and $6,300,000 (plus the accrued interest) and
return any unsold Additional Shares to the Company. As part of the amended
agreement, Elbit also returned the 137,000 shares to the Company.
401(k) PLAN
In February 1997, the Company established a 401(k) savings plan (the Plan)
under which all eligible employees may participate. The Plan calls for the
Company to make matching contributions to all eligible employees.
F-18
<PAGE> 68
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
1996 1997
------------ -----------
(AUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash............................................................ $ 14,641 $ 7,158
Short-term investments.......................................... 17,659 24,544
Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $2,404 in 1996 and
$2,219 in 1997 .............................................. 24,296 28,871
Inventories..................................................... 18,238 21,007
Deferred income taxes........................................... 2,660 2,622
Due from Elbit.................................................. 2,154 1,332
Other current assets............................................ 2,223 2,532
-------- -------
Total current assets.................................... 81,871 88,066
Property And Equipment -- At cost, net of depreciation and
amortization.................................................... 6,248 6,208
Other Assets:
Goodwill........................................................ 2,788 2,696
Deferred income taxes........................................... 6,036 6,040
-------- -------
$ 96,943 $ 103,010
-------- -------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of capital lease obligations................. $ 119 $ 104
Accounts payable................................................ 11,328 16,857
Accrued liabilities............................................. 6,389 5,743
Accrued restructuring costs..................................... 3,549 2,761
Customer Deposits............................................... 1,500 821
Income taxes payable............................................ 2,013 2,151
-------- -------
Total current liabilities............................... 24,898 28,437
LONG TERM LIABILITIES
Convertible debentures.......................................... 17,325 300
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion............... 1,035 939
Other long-term liabilities..................................... 532 507
-------- -------
Total long term liabilities............................. 18,892 1,746
-------- -------
MINORITY INTERESTS................................................ 852 862
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 1,000,000 shares authorized no
shares outstanding........................................... -- --
Common stock, $.0034 par value: 40,000,000 shares authorized;
21,745,481 shares outstanding in 1996 and 22,748,343 shares
outstanding in 1997.......................................... 72 78
Additional paid-in capital...................................... 60,164 75,785
Accumulated deficit............................................. (7,950) (3,607)
Cumulative translation adjustments.............................. 15 (291)
-------- -------
Total stockholders' equity.............................. 52,301 71,965
-------- -------
$ 96,943 $ 103,010
======== =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes
F-19
<PAGE> 69
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
---------------------
MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1996 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
REVENUES, net............................................................ $15,529 $35,564
------- -------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of goods sold..................................................... 8,989 20,176
Research and development expenses...................................... 1,684 2,748
Selling, general and administrative expenses........................... 2,136 5,775
------- -------
Operating income....................................................... 2,720 6,865
Interest expenses related to convertible debenture & acquisition....... -- (408)
Other (expenses) income, net........................................... 80 (166)
Provision for income taxes............................................. 921 1,938
Minority interests....................................................... -- 10
------- -------
NET INCOME............................................................... $ 1,879 $ 4,343
------- -------
EARNINGS PER SHARE....................................................... $ 0.09 $ 0.18
------- -------
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES AND COMMON SHARES EQUIVALENT
OUTSTANDING......................................................... 21,412 24,795
------- -------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes
F-20
<PAGE> 70
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
-----------------------
MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1996 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)....................................................... $ 1,879 $ 4,343
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization...................................... 78 132
Interest related to convertible debentures and acquisition......... -- 408
Minority interests' share of income................................ -- 10
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable.............................................. (2,162) (4,575)
Inventories...................................................... (1,500) (2,769)
Due from Elbit................................................... -- 822
Deferred income taxes............................................ -- 34
Other assets..................................................... (292) (309)
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable................................................. 1,616 5,529
Accrued liabilities.............................................. (590) (646)
Accrued restructuring costs...................................... -- (788)
Income taxes payable............................................. 269 138
Customer deposits................................................ -- (679)
Deferred rent.................................................... (6) --
Other long term liabilities...................................... 75 (25)
-------- -------
Net cash (used in) operating activities............................ (633) 1,840
-------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment..................................... (335) (215)
Restricted cash......................................................... 558 --
Purchases of investments................................................ (505) (13,918)
Redemption of short-term investments.................................... -- 7,033
-------- -------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities................ (282) (7,100)
-------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of capital lease obligations.................................. -- (111)
Repurchase of common stock.............................................. -- (4,230)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock.............................. 137 2,118
-------- -------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities................ 137 (2,223)
-------- -------
Net decrease in cash............................................. (778) (7,483)
Cash at beginning of period............................................. 1,951 14,641
-------- -------
Cash at end of period................................................... $ 1,173 $ 7,158
======== =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-21
<PAGE> 71
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. GENERAL
Basis of Presentation -- The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of
Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes which
would be presented if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. These statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited financial statements presented in the Company's
Annual Report or Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
In the opinion of management, these interim financial statements reflect
all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the
financial position and results of operations for each of the periods presented.
The results of operations and cash flows for such periods are not necessarily
indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
2. NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net earnings per share are based upon the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during each of the periods, including the dilutive effect of common
stock equivalents. Weighted average shares outstanding include the common stock
equivalents of the convertible debentures, stock options and warrants
outstanding during the period and net income for the purpose of calculating
earnings per share is consequently adjusted for the interest payable to
debenture holders.
3. PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
In September 1996, the Company completed a private placement of an
aggregate of $30,000,000 principal amount of 5% convertible subordinated
debentures due August 6, 1999 (the "Debentures"). Proceeds from this private
placement were used to purchase the Fibronics Business. The Debentures were
convertible into Common Stock of the Company at any time at the option of the
holders at a discount from the market price of the Common Stock at the time of
conversion that increased over the life of the Debentures until it reached a
floor. At a meeting of the Emerging Issues Task Force held on March 13, 1997,
the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced its
position on the accounting treatment for the issuance of convertible preferred
stock and debt securities with a beneficial conversion feature such as that
contained in the Debentures. As announced, the SEC requires that a beneficial
conversion feature attached to instruments such as the Debentures that are
convertible into equity be recognized and measured by allocating a portion of
the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in
capital and charging it to interest expense. As a result of this position, the
Company added a non-recurring, non-cash charge to its results of operations for
the quarter ended March 31, 1997 related to the issuance of the Debentures in
the amount of $408,000.
The following unaudited pro forma summary sets forth results of operations
excluding the non recurring charges for interest related to convertible
debentures and acquisition.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS THREE MONTHS
EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA ENDED
(UNAUDITED) MARCH 31, 1997
------------------------- --------------
<S> <C>
Revenues............................................... $ 35,564,000
Income before income taxes............................. $ 6,689,000
Net income............................................. $ 4,751,000
Earnings per share..................................... $ 0.19
</TABLE>
F-22
<PAGE> 72
=========================================================
NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, OR BY THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE
THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS
NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION.
------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Available Information................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference............................. 2
Prospectus Summary...................... 3
Risk Factors............................ 6
The Company............................. 12
Use of Proceeds......................... 13
Dividend Policy......................... 13
Price Range of Common Stock............. 13
Capitalization.......................... 14
Selected Financial Data................. 15
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial
Condition............................. 16
Business................................ 23
Management.............................. 39
Principal and Selling Stockholders...... 44
Description of Capital Stock............ 45
Underwriting............................ 46
Legal Matters........................... 47
Experts................................. 47
Index to Financial Statements........... 47
</TABLE>
=============================================
=============================================
2,550,000 SHARES
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
COMMON STOCK
---------------------
PROSPECTUS
---------------------
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
VOLPE BROWN WHELAN & COMPANY
, 1997
=============================================
<PAGE> 73
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by the
Registrant in connection with the sale of the Common Stock being registered
hereby, other than underwriting commissions and discounts, all of which are
estimated except for the SEC and NASD filing fees.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM AMOUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------- --------
<S> <C>
SEC registration fee............................................... $ 24,660
NASD filing fee.................................................... 8,638
Nasdaq National Market Additional Listing Fee...................... 17,500
Printing and engraving expenses.................................... 150,000
Legal fees and expenses............................................ 200,000
Accounting fees and expenses....................................... 100,000
Transfer Agent and registrar fees.................................. 2,500
Miscellaneous expenses............................................. 21,702
------
Total............................................................ $525,000
======
</TABLE>
Each Selling Stockholder has agreed to pay those expenses attributable to
inclusion of his shares in this Offering.
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows 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 for expenses incurred) arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). Article 8 of the Registrant's
Certificate of Incorporation and Article IX of the Registrant's Bylaws provide
for indemnification of the Registrant's directors, officers, employees, and
other agents to the extent and under the circumstances permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law. The Registrant has also entered into agreements with
its directors and executive officers that will require the Registrant, among
other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by
reason of their status or service as directors to the fullest extent not
prohibited by law.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement between MRV Communications, Inc. and
Underwriters
5* Opinion of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, a law corporation
(to be filed by amendment)
23.1 Consent of Independent Public Accountants
23.3 Consent of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, a law corporation
(contained in Exhibit 5)
24.1 Power of Attorney (contained on Signature page)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* To be filed by amendment.
II-1
<PAGE> 74
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(a) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(b) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment hereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), if in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
(c) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or
any material change to such information in this Registration Statement.
provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraph (a) and (b)
above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment 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.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
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 Securities Act
of 1933 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 Securities
Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement 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.
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
II-2
<PAGE> 75
Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement
as of the time it was declared effective. For the purpose of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective 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> 76
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Chatsworth, State of California, on the 25th day of
June, 1997.
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: /s/ NOAM LOTAN
------------------------------------
Noam Lotan, President and
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Noam Lotan, Zeev Rav-Noy and Edmund
Glazer, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
with full power of substitution for him in any and all capacities, to sign (1)
any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement and (2) any registration statement or post-effective
amendment thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file each and
all of the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAMES TITLE DATE
- --------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ NOAM LOTAN President, Chief Executive June 25, 1997
- --------------------------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive
Noam Lotan Officer), and a Director
/s/ ZEEV RAV-NOY Chief Operating Officer, June 25, 1997
- --------------------------------------------- Treasurer, and a Director
Zeev Rav-Noy
/s/ SHLOMO MARGALIT Chairman of the Board, Chief June 25, 1997
- --------------------------------------------- Technical Officer,
Shlomo Margalit Secretary, and a Director
/s/ EDMUND GLAZER Vice President of Finance June 25, 1997
- --------------------------------------------- and Administration, Chief
Edmund Glazer Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting
Officer)
/s/ LEONARD MAUTNER Director June 25, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
Leonard Mautner
/s/ MILTON ROSENBERG Director June 23, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
Milton Rosenberg
/s/ IGAL SHIDLOVSKY Director June 25, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
Igal Shidlovsky
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE> 77
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE
- -------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
<C> <S> <C>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement between MRV Communications, Inc. and
Underwriters...........................................................
5* Opinion of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, a law
corporation (to be filed by amendment).................................
23.1 Consent of Independent Public Accountants..............................
23.3 Consent of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, a law
corporation (contained in Exhibit 5)...................................
24.1 Power of Attorney (contained on Signature page)........................
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* To be filed by amendment.
<PAGE> 1
2,550,000 Shares of Common Stock
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[_______], 1997
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
VOLPE BROWN WHELAN & COMPANY, LLC
as Representatives of the
several Underwriters named in
Schedule I attached hereto
c/o Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
245 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10167
Ladies and Gentlemen:
MRV Communications, Inc., a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of Delaware (the "Company"), and the selling stockholders of the
Company named in Schedule I hereto (collectively, the "Selling Stockholders")
propose, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell
to the several underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the "Underwriters") an
aggregate of 2,550,000 shares (the "Firm Shares") of common stock, par value
$.0034 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), and, for the sole
purpose of covering over-allotments in connection with the sale of the Firm
Shares, the Company proposes to issue and sell to the Underwriters, at the
option of the Underwriters, up to an additional 382,500 shares (the "Additional
Shares") of Common Stock. The Firm Shares and any Additional Shares purchased
by the Underwriters are referred to herein collectively as the "Shares". The
Shares are more fully described in the Registration Statement referred to
below.
<PAGE> 2
1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The
Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriters and the
Selling Stockholders that:
(a) The Company has filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement, and may have
filed an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-3 (No. 333-[______]), for
the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"). Such registration statement, including the prospectus, financial
statements and schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part
thereof, as amended at the time of effectiveness of the registration statement,
including any information deemed to be a part thereof as of the time of
effectiveness pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A or Rule 434 of the Rules
and Regulations of the Commission under the Act (the "Regulations"), is herein
called the "Registration Statement". Any registration statement filed pursuant
to Rule 462(b) of the Regulations is herein called the "462(b) Registration
Statement", and after such filing the term "Registration Statement" shall
include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The prospectus, in the form
first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Regulations or
filed as part of the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness if no
Rule 424(b) or Rule 434 filing is required, is herein called the "Prospectus".
The term "preliminary prospectus" as used herein means a preliminary prospectus
as described in Rule 430 of the Regulations. Any reference herein to the
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be
deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein
pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 that were filed under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), on or before the effective date
of the Registration Statement, the date of such preliminary prospectus or the
date of the Prospectus, as the case may be, and any reference herein to the
terms "amend", "amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the Registration
Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to
refer to and include (i) the filing of any document under the Exchange Act
after the effective date of the Registration Statement, the date of such
preliminary prospectus or the date of the Prospectus, as the case may be, that
2
<PAGE> 3
is incorporated therein by reference and (ii) any such document so filed.
Neither the Commission nor the Blue Sky or securities authority of any
jurisdiction has issued a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Regulation Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement or any amendment or
supplement thereto, refusing to permit the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or suspending the registration or qualification of the Shares, nor,
to the Company's knowledge, has any of such authorities instituted or
threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to a stop order.
(b) At the respective time of the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or any 462(b) Registration Statement or the
effectiveness of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement,
when the Prospectus is first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
or Rule 434 of the Regulations, when any supplement to or amendment of the
Prospectus is filed with the Commission, when any document filed under the
Exchange Act is filed and at the Closing Date and the Additional Closing Date,
if any (as hereinafter respectively defined), the Registration Statement, any
462(b) Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendments thereof and
supplements thereto complied or will comply in all material respects with the
applicable provisions of the Act and the Regulations and the Exchange Act and
the respective rules and regulations thereunder and does not or will not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact and does not or will not omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein (i), in the case of the Registration Statement, not
misleading and (ii), in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. When any related
preliminary prospectus was first filed with the Commission (whether filed as
part of the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule
424(a) of the Regulations) and when any amendment thereof or supplement thereto
was first filed with the Commission, such preliminary prospectus and any
amendments thereof and supplements thereto complied in all material respects
with the applicable provisions of the Act and the Regulations and the Exchange
Act and the respective rules
3
<PAGE> 4
and regulations thereunder and did not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact and did not omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No
representation and warranty is made in this subsection (b), however, with
respect to any information contained in or omitted from the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or any related preliminary prospectus or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any
Underwriter through you as herein stated expressly for use in connection with
the preparation thereof. If Rule 434 is used, the Company will comply with the
requirements of Rule 434.
(c) Arthur Andersen LLP, who have certified the
financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration
Statement, are independent public accountants, as required by the Act and the
Regulations.
(d) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except
as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has been
no material adverse change or any development involving a prospective material
adverse change in the business, prospects, properties, operations, condition
(financial or other) or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the
ordinary course of business, and since the date of the latest balance sheet
presented in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred or undertaken any liabilities or
obligations, direct or contingent, which are material to the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, except for liabilities or obligations which are
reflected in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(e) This Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and this Agreement
has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company.
4
<PAGE> 5
(f) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not
and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms and
provisions of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse
of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the creation
or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any agreement, instrument,
franchise, license or permit to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
a party or by which any of such corporations or their respective properties or
assets may be bound or (ii) violate or conflict with any provision of the
charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any judgment,
decree, order, statute, rule or regulation of any court or any public,
governmental or regulatory agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets. No
consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing, qualification,
license or permit of or with any court or any public, governmental or
regulatory agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets is required for
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the issuance, sale and
delivery of the Shares to be issued, sold and delivered by the Company
hereunder, except the registration under the Act of the Shares and such
consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations, filings,
qualifications, licenses and permits as may be required under state securities
or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares
by the Underwriters.
(g) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of the Company (including the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders
hereunder) are duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, and none of such shares was issued in violation of or is now
subject to any preemptive or similar rights. The Shares to be issued and sold
by the Company hereunder, when issued, delivered and sold in accordance with
this Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and
nonassessable, and will not
5
<PAGE> 6
have been issued in violation of or be subject to any preemptive or similar
rights. The Company had, at June [__], 1997, authorized and outstanding
capital stock as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
The authorized capital stock of the Company, including the Common Stock, the
Firm Shares and the Additional Shares, conforms to the descriptions thereof
contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. Except as
disclosed in or specifically contemplated by the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights calling
for the issuance of, and no commitments, obligations, plans or arrangements to
issue, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any security convertible
into or exchangeable for capital stock of the Company. The outstanding stock
options relating to the Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly
issued and conform to the descriptions thereof contained in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus.
(h) Each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries
has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Each of the
Company and each of its subsidiaries is duly qualified and in good standing as
a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the character or location
of its properties (owned, leased or licensed) or the nature or conduct of its
business makes such qualification necessary, except for those failures to be so
qualified or in good standing which will not in the aggregate have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Each of
the Company and each of its subsidiaries has all requisite power and authority,
and all necessary consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations,
qualifications, licenses and permits of and from all public, regulatory or
governmental agencies and bodies, to own, lease and operate its properties and
conduct its business as now being conducted and as described in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and no such consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration, qualification, license or permit contains a
materially burdensome restriction not adequately disclosed in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of the Company's subsidiaries are duly and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and are
6
<PAGE> 7
owned by the Company free and clear of any liens, mortgages, pledges, charges,
security interests, claims, encumbrances or other defects in title whatsoever.
(i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
is in violation of its charter or by-laws, as the case may be, or in default in
the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant
or condition contained in any material bond, debenture, note or other evidence
of indebtedness or in any material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, loan or credit agreement, lease, joint venture or other agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of their properties may be bound, which default or defaults would
have in the aggregate a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, or in violation of any law, order, rule,
regulation, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or governmental
agency or body, the violation of which would have in the aggregate a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(j) Except as described in the Prospectus, there is
no litigation or governmental proceeding to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is subject or which is pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, contemplated against the Company or any of its subsidiaries which
might result in any material adverse change or any development involving a
material adverse change in the business, prospects, properties, operations,
condition (financial or other) or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole or which is required to be disclosed in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(k) The Company has not taken and will not take,
directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or which
constitutes or which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the
stabilization or manipulation of the price of the shares of Common Stock to
facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
(l) The financial statements, including the notes
thereto, and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus present
7
<PAGE> 8
fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations for
the periods specified; except as otherwise stated in the Registration
Statement, said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis; the
supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the
information required to be stated therein; and the selected financial data and
the summary financial information included in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein and have been
compiled on a basis consistent with that of the financial statements included
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(m) The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all
federal, state, local and foreign tax returns that have been required to be
filed and have paid all taxes shown thereon and all assessments received by
them or any of them to the extent that such taxes have become due and are not
being contested in good faith. Except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, there is no tax deficiency that has been or might
reasonably be expected to be asserted or threatened against the Company or any
of its subsidiaries.
(n) Each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries
has good and marketable title in fee simple to all items of real property and
good and marketable title to all personal property owned by it, in each case
free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are
described or referred to in the Prospectus or such as do not materially affect
the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made or proposed
to be made of such property by the Company or its subsidiaries, as the case may
be. Any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company or any of
its subsidiaries are held under valid, existing and enforceable leases with
such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made or
proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company or its
subsidiaries, as the case may be.
8
<PAGE> 9
(o) Each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries
owns or possesses adequate patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights,
know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable
proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks,
service marks, trade names and other intellectual property (collectively,
"Intellectual Property") necessary to carry on the business it now operates,
and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice or
is otherwise aware of (i) any claim, action or demand of any person in the
United States or elsewhere or any proceeding in the United States or elsewhere,
pending or threatened, that (A) challenges the ownership interests of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries in any of the Intellectual Property or (B)
alleges that any product or service of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
infringes or misappropriates the Intellectual Property rights of others, which
claim, action, demand or proceeding (including without limitation infringement,
misappropriation and unfair competition), if the subject of any unfavorable
decision, ruling or finding, or invalidity or inadequacy could reasonably be
expected to have, in the aggregate with all other such claims, actions, demands
and proceedings, a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole or (ii) any facts or circumstances that would render any
Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries therein.
(p) No relationship, direct or indirect, exists
between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and
the directors, officers, stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand, that is required by the Act to be
described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that is not so
described.
(q) The Common Stock currently outstanding is
listed, and application has been made to list the Shares, on the Nasdaq
National Market.
(r) Except as described in the Prospectus, no holder
of securities of the Company has any rights to the registration of securities
of the Company because of the filing of the Registration Statement or
9
<PAGE> 10
otherwise in connection with the sale of the Shares contemplated hereby.
(s) The Company is not, and upon consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not be, subject to registration as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(t) There are no existing or, to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened labor disputes with any employees of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries that are likely in the aggregate to have a material adverse
effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(u) The Company and each of its subsidiaries (i) is
in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local
laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (ii) has received all permits, licenses or
other approvals required of it under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct
its respective business and (iii) is in compliance with all terms and
conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such
noncompliance, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals
or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or
approvals will not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(v) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning
of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA"), that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries for employees or former employees of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries has been maintained in compliance with its
respective terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules
and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code"). No prohibited transaction, within the
meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with
respect to any such plan, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a
statutory or administrative exemption. For each such plan that is
10
<PAGE> 11
subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of
ERISA, no "accumulated funding deficiency", as defined in Section 412 of the
Code, has been incurred, whether or not waived, and the fair market value of
the assets of each such plan (excluding for these purposes accrued but unpaid
contributions) exceeded the present value of all benefits accrued under such
plan determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions.
(w) The Company and each of its subsidiaries
maintain a system of internal accounting controls that, taken as a whole, are
sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed
in accordance with management's general or specific authorizations; (ii)
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to
maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in
accordance with management's general or specific authorization; and (iv) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.
(x) Each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries
maintains insurance of the types and in the amounts generally deemed adequate
for its respective business, including, without limitation, insurance covering
real and personal property owned or leased by it against theft, damage,
destruction, acts of vandalism and all other material risks customarily insured
against, all of which insurance is in full force and effect. Neither the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not
be able to renew existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires
or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to
continue its respective business.
(y) The conditions for use of Form S-3, as set forth
in the General Instructions thereto, have been satisfied.
(z) The documents incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter
are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material re-
11
<PAGE> 12
spects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission under the Exchange Act, and, when read together with the
other information in the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement and
any amendments thereto become effective and at the Closing Date and the
Additional Closing Date, if any, will not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Selling
Stockholders. Each Selling Stockholder severally represents and warrants to
the Underwriters that:
(a) Such Selling Stockholder is the lawful owner of
the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement
and has, and on the Closing Date will have, good and clear title to such
Shares, free of all restrictions on transfer, liens, encumbrances, security
interests and claims whatsoever.
(b) Upon delivery of and payment for such Shares
pursuant to this Agreement, good and clear title to such Shares will pass to
the Underwriters, free of all restrictions on transfer, liens, encumbrances,
security interests and claims whatsoever.
(c) Such Selling Stockholder has, and on the Closing
Date will have, full legal right, power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and the Custody Agreement between the Selling Stockholders and
[______________], as Custodian (the "Custody Agreement") and to sell, assign,
transfer and deliver such Shares in the manner provided herein and therein, and
this Agreement and the Custody Agreement have been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by such Selling Stockholder and each of this Agreement and the
Custody Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of such Selling Stockholder
enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and
contribution hereunder may be limited by applicable law.
(d) The power of attorney signed by such Selling
Stockholder appointing [___________] and [____________], or either one of them,
as such Selling
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<PAGE> 13
Stockholder's attorney-in-fact, to the extent set forth therein with regard to
the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Registration Statement and the
Custody Agreement, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or on
behalf of such Selling Stockholder and is a valid and binding instrument of
such Selling Stockholder enforceable in accordance with its terms, and,
pursuant to such power of attorney, such Selling Stockholder has authorized
[___________] and [____________], or either one of them, to execute and
deliver, except for this Agreement, any document necessary or desirable in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and to deliver the Shares
to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement.
(e) Such Selling Stockholder has not taken, and will
not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or which might
reasonably be expected to, cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of
the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of
the Shares pursuant to the distribution contemplated by this Agreement, and
other than as permitted by the Act, such Selling Stockholder has not
distributed and will not distribute any prospectus or other offering material
in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.
(f) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by such Selling Stockholder, compliance by such Selling Stockholder
with all the provisions hereof and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not require any consent, approval, authorization or
other order of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other
governmental body (except as such may be required under the Act, state
securities laws or Blue Sky laws) and will not conflict with or constitute a
breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or a default under, the charter or
by-laws of such Selling Stockholder, if not a natural person, or any agreement,
indenture or other instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or
by which such Selling Stockholder or property of such Selling Stockholder is
bound, or violate or conflict with any laws, administrative regulation or
ruling or court decree applicable to such Selling Stockholder or property of
such Selling Stockholder.
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<PAGE> 14
(g) The Registration Statement does not, and will
not on the Closing Date (or the Additional Closing Date, if any), contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(h) Neither such Selling Stockholder nor any of such
Selling Stockholder's affiliates directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
or had any other association with (within the meaning of Article I of the
Bylaws of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD")),
any member firm of the NASD.
(i) At any time during the period described in
Section 5(b) hereof, if there is any change in the information referred to in
Section 2(g) above, such Selling Stockholder will immediately notify you of
such change.
3. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Shares.
(a) On the basis of the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Company and the Selling Stockholders agree to
issue and sell, as applicable, to the Underwriters the number of Firm Shares
set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I hereto, and the
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from the Company and
the Selling Stockholders, at a purchase price per share of $_______, the number
of Firm Shares set forth opposite the respective names of the Underwriters in
Schedule II hereto, plus any additional number of Shares which they may
individually become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section
10 hereof.
(b) Payment of the purchase price for the Firm
Shares shall be made at the offices of [____________], or at such other place
as shall be agreed upon by you, the Company and the Selling Stockholders, at
[_____] A.M., [_________] time, on the third or fourth Business Day (as
permitted under Rule 15c6-1
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<PAGE> 15
under the Exchange Act) (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of
Section 10 hereof) following the date of the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement (or, if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 430A of the
Regulations, the third or fourth Business Day (as permitted under Rule 15c6-1
under the Exchange Act) after the determination of the public offering price of
the Shares), or such other time not later than ten Business Days after such
date as shall be agreed upon by you, the Company and the Selling Stockholders
(such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called the "Closing
Date"). As used herein, the term "Business Day" means any day other than a day
on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City.
Payment shall be made by wire transfer in same day funds against delivery to
you at the offices of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., 245 Park Avenue, New York, New
York 10167 for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of certificates for
the Shares to be purchased by them. Certificates for the Shares shall be
registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as you
may request in writing at least two full Business Days prior to the Closing
Date. The Company and the Selling Stockholders shall permit you to examine and
package such certificates for delivery at least one full Business Day prior to
the Closing Date.
(c) In addition, the Company hereby grants to the
Underwriters the option to purchase up to 382,500 Additional Shares at the same
purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters to the Company and the
Selling Stockholders for the Firm Shares as set forth in this Section 3, for
the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of Firm Shares by the
Underwriters. This option may be exercised at any time, or from time to time,
in whole or in part, on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the
Prospectus, by written notice by you to the Company. Such notice shall set
forth the aggregate number of Additional Shares as to which the option is being
exercised and the date and time, as reasonably determined by you, when the
Additional Shares are to be delivered (such date and time being herein
sometimes referred to as the "Additional Closing Date"); provided, however,
that the Additional Closing Date shall not be earlier than the Closing Date or
earlier than the second full Business Day after the date on which the option
shall have been exer-
15
<PAGE> 16
cised nor later than the eighth full Business Day after the date on which the
option shall have been exercised (unless such time and date are postponed in
accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof). Certificates for the
Additional Shares shall be registered in such name or names and in such
authorized denominations as you may request in writing at least two full
Business Days prior to the Additional Closing Date. The Company shall permit
you to examine and package such certificates for delivery at least one full
Business Day prior to the Additional Closing Date.
The number of Additional Shares to be sold to each Underwriter
shall be the number which bears the same ratio to the aggregate number of
Additional Shares being purchased as the number of Firm Shares set forth
opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule II hereto (or such number
increased as set forth in Section 10 hereof) bears to 2,550,000, subject,
however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional shares as you in your
sole discretion shall make.
Payment of the purchase price for the Additional Shares shall
be made to the Company by wire transfer in same day funds at the offices of
[________], or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by you and the
Company, against delivery to you at the offices of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.,
245 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10167 for the respective accounts of the
Underwriters of certificates for the Additional Shares to be purchased by them.
4. Offering. Upon your authorization of the release of the
Firm Shares, the Underwriters propose to offer the Shares for sale to the
public upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus.
5. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and
agrees with the Underwriters that:
(a) If the Registration Statement has not yet been
declared effective, the Company will use its best efforts to cause the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto to become effective as
promptly as possible, and if Rule 430A is used or the filing of the Prospectus
is otherwise required under Rule 424(b) or Rule 434, the Company will file the
Prospectus (prop-
16
<PAGE> 17
erly completed if Rule 430A has been used) pursuant to Rule 424(b) or Rule 434
within the prescribed time period and will provide evidence satisfactory to you
of such timely filing. If the Company elects to rely on Rule 434, the Company
will prepare and file a term sheet that complies with the requirements of Rule
434.
The Company will notify you immediately (and, if
requested by you, will confirm such notice in writing) (i) when the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto become effective, (ii) of any
request by the Commission for any amendment of or supplement to the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for any additional information,
(iii) of the mailing or the delivery to the Commission for filing of any
amendment of or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
(iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceedings therefor,
(v) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, and (vi) of the receipt
by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification of the Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for that purpose. If the Commission shall
propose or enter a stop order at any time, the Company will make every
reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if
issued, to obtain the lifting of such order as soon as possible. The Company
will not file any amendment to the Registration Statement, any filing under
Rule 462(b) of the Regulations, or any amendment of or supplement to the
Prospectus (including the prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule
424(b) or Rule 434 of the Regulations that differs from the prospectus on file
at the time of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement before or after
the effective date of the Registration Statement or file any document under the
Exchange Act if such document would be deemed to be incorporated by reference
into the Prospectus to which you shall reasonably object in writing after being
timely furnished in advance a copy thereof.
(b) If at any time when a prospectus relating to the
Shares is required to be delivered under the Act any event shall have occurred
as a result of
17
<PAGE> 18
which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would, in the judgment of
the Underwriters or the Company, include an untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, or if it shall be necessary at any time to
amend or supplement the Prospectus or Registration Statement to comply with the
Act or the Regulations, or to file under the Exchange Act so as to comply
therewith any document incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, the
Company will notify you promptly and prepare and file with the Commission an
appropriate amendment or supplement (in form and substance satisfactory to you)
which will correct such statement or omission or which will effect such
compliance and will use its best efforts to have any amendment to the
Registration Statement declared effective as soon as possible.
(c) The Company will promptly deliver to you three
signed copies of the Registration Statement, including exhibits and all
documents incorporated by reference therein and all amendments thereto, and the
Company will promptly deliver to each of the Underwriters such number of copies
of any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement, all
amendments of and supplements to such documents, if any, and all documents
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, without exhibits, as you may
reasonably request.
(d) The Company will endeavor in good faith, in
cooperation with you, at or prior to the time of effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the
securities laws relating to the offering or sale of the Shares of such
jurisdictions as you may designate and to maintain such qualification in effect
for so long as required for the distribution thereof; except that in no event
shall the Company be obligated in connection therewith to qualify as a foreign
corporation or to execute a general consent to service of process.
18
<PAGE> 19
(e) The Company will make generally available
(within the meaning of Section 11(a) of the Act) to its security holders and to
you as soon as practicable, but not later than 45 days after the end of its
fiscal quarter in which the first anniversary date of the effective date of the
Registration Statement occurs, an earning statement (in form complying with the
provisions of Rule 158 of the Regulations) covering a period of at least twelve
consecutive months beginning after the effective date of the Registration
Statement.
(f) During the period of 90 days from the date of
the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., directly or indirectly, sell, offer or agree to sell,
grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, whether
directly or synthetically, any shares of Common Stock or any securities
convertible into, or exchangeable or exerciseable for Common Stock, and the
Company will obtain the undertaking of each of its officers and directors who
is not a Selling Stockholder and such of its other stockholders as have been
heretofore designated by you and listed in Schedule III attached hereto not to
engage in any of the aforementioned transactions on their own behalf.
(g) During a period of three years from the
effective date of the Registration Statement, the Company will furnish to you
copies of (i) all reports to its stockholders; and (ii) all reports, financial
statements and proxy or information statements filed by the Company with the
Commission or any national securities exchange.
(h) The Company will apply the proceeds from the
sale of the Shares as set forth under "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus.
(i) The Company will use its best efforts to cause
the Shares to be listed on the Nasdaq National Market and to maintain such
listing so long as any of the Shares are outstanding.
(j) The Company, during the period when the
Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act, will
file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section
13, 14
19
<PAGE> 20
or 15 of the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(k) The Company will use its best efforts to do and
perform all things required or necessary to be done and performed under this
Agreement by the Company prior to or after the Closing Date or any Additional
Closing Date, as the case may be, and to satisfy all conditions precedent to
the delivery of the Shares.
6. Payment of Expenses. Whether or not the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated,
the Company hereby agrees to pay all costs and expenses incident to the
performance of the obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholders
hereunder, including those in connection with (i) preparing, printing,
duplicating, filing and distributing the Registration Statement, as originally
filed and all amendments thereof (including all exhibits thereto), any
preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company's
accountants and counsel), the underwriting documents (including this Agreement
and the Master Agreement among Underwriters and the Master Selling Agreement)
and all other documents related to the public offering of the Shares (including
those supplied to the Underwriters in quantities as hereinabove stated), (ii)
the issuance, transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters,
including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, [(iii) the qualification
of the Shares under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws, including the
costs of printing and mailing a preliminary and final "Blue Sky Survey" and the
fees of counsel for the Underwriters and such counsel's disbursements in
relation thereto,] (iv) listing of the Shares on the Nasdaq National Market,
(v) filing fees of the Commission and the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., (vi) the cost of printing certificates representing the Shares
and (vii) the cost and charges of any transfer agent or registrar.
7. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The obligations
of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm Shares and the Additional
Shares, as provided herein, shall be subject to the accuracy of the
20
<PAGE> 21
representations and warranties of the Company herein contained, as of the date
hereof and as of the Closing Date (for purposes of this Section 7, "Closing
Date" shall refer to the Closing Date for the Firm Shares and any Additional
Closing Date, if different, for the Additional Shares), to the absence from any
certificates, opinions, written statements or letters furnished to you or to
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP ("Underwriters' Counsel") pursuant to
this Section 7 of any misstatement or omission, to the performance by the
Company and the Selling Stockholders of their respective obligations hereunder,
and to the following additional conditions:
(a) The Registration Statement, including any Rule
462(b) Registration Statement, shall have become effective and all necessary
approvals of the Nasdaq National Market shall have been received not later than
5:30 P.M., New York City time, on the date of this Agreement, or at such later
time and date as shall have been consented to in writing by you; if the Company
shall have elected to rely upon Rule 430A or Rule 434 of the Regulations, the
Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in a timely fashion in
accordance with Section 5(a) hereof; and at or prior to the Closing Date, no
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any
post- effective amendment thereof shall have been issued and no proceedings
therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission.
(b) All the representations and warranties of the
Selling Stockholders contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct on
the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the
Closing Date, and you shall have received a certificate to such effect, dated
the Closing Date, from each Selling Stockholder.
(c) At the Closing Date, you shall have received the
opinion of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, counsel for the Company
and the Selling Stockholders, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the
Underwriters and in form and substance satisfactory to Underwriters' Counsel,
to the effect that:
21
<PAGE> 22
(i) Each of the Company, each of its
subsidiaries and each Selling Stockholder that is not a natural person
has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.
Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified and in good
standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the
character or location of its properties (owned, leased or licensed) or
the nature or conduct of its business makes such qualification
necessary, except for those failures to be so qualified or in good
standing which will not in the aggregate have a material adverse
effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Each of
the Company and its subsidiaries has all requisite corporate authority
to own, lease and license its properties and conduct its business as
now being conducted and as described in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly issued, are
fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly by
the Company, free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, claim, security
interest, restriction on transfer, stockholders' agreement, voting
trust or other defect of title whatsoever, and none of such shares was
issued in violation of or is now subject to any preemptive or similar
rights.
(ii) The Company had, at June [__], 1997,
authorized capital stock as set forth in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Company (including the Shares to be sold by the Selling
Stockholders) are duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully
paid and nonassessable, and none of such shares was issued in
violation of or is now subject to any preemptive or similar rights.
The Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when delivered
by the Company in accordance with this Agreement, will be
22
<PAGE> 23
duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will not
have been issued in violation of or be subject to any preemptive or
similar rights. The Common Stock, the Firm Shares and the Additional
Shares conform to the descriptions thereof contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(iii) The Common Stock currently outstanding
is listed, and the Shares are duly authorized for listing, on the
Nasdaq National Market.
(iv) This Agreement has been duly and
validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of
the Selling Stockholders and is a valid and binding agreement of the
Company and each Selling Stockholder enforceable in accordance with
its terms (except as rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder
may be limited by applicable law).
(v) There is no litigation or governmental
or other action, suit, proceeding or investigation before any court or
before or by any public, regulatory or governmental agency or body
pending or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, threatened
against, or involving the respective properties or businesses of, the
Company, any of its subsidiaries or any Selling Shareholder, which is
of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus which has not been properly disclosed therein.
(vi) The execution, delivery, and
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby by the Company and each Selling Stockholder do not
and will not (A) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the
terms and provisions of, or constitute a default (or an event which
with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default)
under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any property
23
<PAGE> 24
or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any
agreement, instrument, franchise, license or permit known to such
counsel to which the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any Selling
Stockholder is a party or by which any of such persons or their
respective properties or assets may be bound or (B) violate or
conflict with any provision of the charter or by-laws of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or of any of the Selling Stockholders that
is not a natural person or, to the best knowledge of such counsel, any
judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation of any court or
any public, governmental or regulatory agency or body having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of the
Selling Stockholders, or any of their respective properties or
assets. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration,
filing, qualification, license or permit of or with any court or any
public, governmental, or regulatory agency or body having jurisdiction
over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of the Selling
Stockholders, or any of their respective properties or assets, is
required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including
the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares, except (1) such
consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations, filings,
qualifications, licenses and permits as may be required under state
securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and
distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters (as to which such
counsel need express no opinion) and (2) such as have been made or
obtained under the Act.
(vii) The Company is not, and upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not be,
subject to registration as an "investment company" under the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
(viii) The Registration Statement and the
Prospectus and any amendments
24
<PAGE> 25
thereof or supplements thereto (other than the financial statements
and schedules and other financial data included or incorporated by
reference therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered) comply as
to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and
the Regulations. The documents filed under the Exchange Act and
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto (other than
the financial statements and schedules and other financial data
included or incorporated by reference therein, as to which no opinion
need be rendered) when they became effective or were filed with the
Commission, as the case may be, complied as to form in all material
respects with the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the
rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and such counsel
has no reason to believe that any of such documents, when such
documents became effective or were so filed, as the case may be,
contained, in the case of a registration statement which became
effective under the Act, an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or, in the
case of other documents which were filed under the Exchange Act with
the Commission, an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made
when such documents were so filed, not misleading.
(ix) The Registration Statement is effective
under the Act, all filings required by Rule 424(b) of the Regulations
have been made and, to the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or
any post-effective amendment thereof or supplement thereto has been
issued and no proceedings therefor have been initiated or threatened
by the Commission.
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<PAGE> 26
(x) Except as disclosed in or specifically
contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, to such
counsel's knowledge, there are no outstanding options, warrants or
other rights calling for the issuance of, and no commitments,
obligations, plans or arrangements to issue, any shares of capital
stock of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable
for capital stock of the Company. The outstanding stock options
relating to the Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly
issued and conform to the descriptions thereof contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(xi) The statements in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus under the captions "The Company", "Business --
Proprietary Rights, -- Facilities, -- Legal Proceedings", "Management"
and "Description of Capital Stock", and in Item 15 of Part II of the
Registration Statement, insofar as such statements constitute a
summary of the terms of the Shares, legal matters, documents or
proceedings referred to therein, fairly present the information called
for with respect to such terms, legal matters, documents or
proceedings.
(xii) The form of certificate used to
evidence the Common Stock complies in all material respects with all
applicable statutory requirements, with any applicable requirements of
the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company and the
requirements of the Nasdaq National Market.
(xiii) The Custody Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by each Selling Stockholder and is
a valid and binding agreement of each Selling Stockholder enforceable
in accordance with its terms.
(xiv) Each Selling Stockholder has full
legal right, power and authority, and
26
<PAGE> 27
any approval required by law (other than any approval imposed by the
applicable state securities and Blue Sky laws), to sell, assign,
transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder
in the manner provided in this Agreement and the Custody Agreement.
(xv) Each Selling Stockholder has good and clear
title to the certificates for the Shares to be sold by such Selling
Stockholder, and upon delivery thereof pursuant hereto and payment
therefor, good and clear title will pass to the Underwriters,
severally, free of all restrictions on transfer, liens, encumbrances,
security interests and claims whatsoever.
(xvi) The power of attorney signed by each
Selling Stockholder appointing [__________] and [_________], or either
of them, as such Selling Stockholder's attorney-in-fact, to the
extent set forth therein with regard to the transactions contemplated
hereby and by the Registration Statement, has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by or on behalf of each Selling Stockholder and
is the valid and binding instrument of such Selling Stockholder
enforceable in accordance with its terms, and pursuant to such power
of attorney, each of the Selling Stockholders has authorized
[___________] and [_________], or either of them, to execute and
deliver on such Selling Stockholder's behalf this Agreement and any
other document necessary or desirable in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby and to deliver the Shares to be sold
by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement.
(xvii) In addition, such opinion shall also
contain a statement that such counsel has participated in conferences
with officers and representatives of the Company, representatives of
the independent public accountants for the Company and the
Underwriters
27
<PAGE> 28
at which the contents of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
and related matters were discussed and that no facts have come to the
attention of such counsel which would lead such counsel to believe
that either the Registration Statement at the time it became effective
(including the information deemed to be part of the Registration
Statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A(b) or
Rule 434, if applicable), or any amendment thereof made prior to the
Closing Date as of the date of such amendment, contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading or that the Prospectus as of its date (or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto made prior to the Closing Date
as of the date of such amendment or supplement) and as of the Closing
Date contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted or omits to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being
understood that such counsel need express no belief or opinion with
respect to the financial statements and schedules and other financial
data included or incorporated by reference therein).
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to
matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of the United
States and jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel
deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an
opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Underwriters' Counsel) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to Underwriters'
Counsel, familiar with the applicable laws; (B) as to matters of fact, to the
extent they deem proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company
and certificates or other written statements of officers of departments of
various jurisdictions having custody of documents respecting the corporate
existence or good standing of the Company and its subsidiaries,
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<PAGE> 29
provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered
to Underwriters' Counsel. The opinion of such counsel for the Company shall
state that the opinion of any such other counsel is in form satisfactory to
such counsel and, in their opinion, you and they are justified in relying
thereon.
(d) All proceedings taken in connection with the
sale of the Firm Shares and the Additional Shares as hereby contemplated shall
be satisfactory in form and substance to you and to Underwriters' Counsel, and
the Underwriters shall have received from said Underwriters' Counsel a
favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, with respect to the issuance
and sale of the Shares, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and such
other related matters as you may reasonably require, and the Company and the
Selling Stockholders shall have furnished to Underwriters' Counsel such
documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such
matters.
(e) At the Closing Date you shall have received a
certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the
Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that (i) the condition set forth
in subsection (a) of this Section 7 has been satisfied, (ii) as of the date
hereof and as of the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the
Company set forth in Section 1 hereof are accurate, (iii) as of the Closing
Date, the obligations of the Company to be performed hereunder on or prior
thereto have been duly performed and (iv) subsequent to the respective dates as
of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
the Company and its subsidiaries have not sustained any material loss or
interference with their respective businesses or properties from fire, flood,
hurricane, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or
from any labor dispute or any legal or governmental proceeding, and there has
not been any material adverse change, or any development involving a material
adverse change, in the business prospects, properties, operations, condition
(financial or otherwise), or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, except in each case as described in or
contemplated by the Prospectus.
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<PAGE> 30
(f) At the time this Agreement is executed and at
the Closing Date, you shall have received a letter from Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants for the Company, dated, respectively, as of the
date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date addressed to the Underwriters
and in form and substance satisfactory to you, stating that: (i) they are
independent certified public accountants with respect to the Company within the
meaning of the Act and the Regulations and that the answer to Item 10 of the
Registration Statement is correct insofar as it relates to them; (ii) in their
opinion, the financial statements and schedules of the Company included in and
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and
covered by their opinion therein comply as to form in all material respects
with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and
the applicable published rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;
(iii) on the basis of procedures consisting of a reading of the latest
available unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company
and its subsidiaries, a reading of the minutes of meetings and consents of the
stockholders and boards of directors of the Company and its subsidiaries and
the committees of such boards subsequent to December 31, 1996, inquiries of
officers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who have
responsibility for financial and accounting matters of the Company and its
subsidiaries with respect to transactions and events subsequent to December 31,
1996 and other specified procedures and inquiries to a date not more than five
days prior to the date of such letter, nothing has come to their attention that
would cause them to believe that: (A) the unaudited consolidated financial
statements and schedules of the Company presented in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the Act and, if applicable, the Exchange
Act and the applicable published rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder or that such unaudited consolidated financial statements are not
fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles,
except to the extent certain footnote disclosures have been omitted in
accordance with applicable rules of the Commission under the Exchange Act,
applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited
consolidated financial statements incorporated
30
<PAGE> 31
by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; (B) with respect
to the period subsequent to December 31, 1996, there were, as of the date of
the most recent available monthly consolidated financial statements of the
Company and its subsidiaries, if any, and as of a specified date not more than
five days prior to the date of such letter, any changes in the capital stock or
long-term indebtedness of the Company or any decrease in the net current assets
or stockholders' equity of the Company, in each case as compared with the
amounts shown in the most recent balance sheet presented in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, except for changes or decreases which the
Registra- tion Statement and the Prospectus disclose have occurred or may occur
or which are set forth in such letter; or (C) that during the period from
January 1, 1997 to the date of the most recent available monthly consolidated
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, if any, and to a
specified date not more than five days prior to the date of such letter, there
was any decrease, as compared with the corresponding period in the prior fiscal
year, in total revenues, or total or per share net income, except for decreases
which the Registration Statement and the Prospectus disclose have occurred or
may occur or which are set forth in such letter; and (iv) they have compared
specific dollar amounts, numbers of shares, percentages of revenues and
earnings, and other financial information pertaining to the Company and its
subsidiaries set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, which
have been specified by you prior to the date of this Agreement, to the extent
that such amounts, numbers, percentages and information may be derived from the
general accounting and financial records of the Company and its subsidiaries or
from schedules furnished by the Company, and excluding any questions requiring
an interpretation by legal counsel, with the results obtained from the
application of specified readings, inquiries, and other appropriate procedures
specified by you set forth in such letter, and found them to be in agreement.
(g) At the Closing Date you shall have received a
certificate of each Selling Stockholder who is not a U.S. Person to the effect
that such Selling Stockholder is not a U.S. Person (as defined under applicable
U.S. federal tax legislation), which certificate may be in the form of a
properly completed and
31
<PAGE> 32
executed United States Treasury Department Form W-8 (or other applicable form
or statement specified by Treasury Department regulations in lieu thereof).
(h) Prior to the Closing Date the Company and the
Selling Stockholders shall have furnished to you such further information,
certificates and documents as you may reasonably request.
(i) You shall have received from each person who is
a director or officer of the Company (excluding Selling Stockholders) and such
stockholders as have been heretofore designated by you and listed in Schedule
III hereto an agreement to the effect that such person will not, without the
prior written consent of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., directly or indirectly,
sell, offer or agree to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise
dispose of or transfer, whether directly or synthetically, any shares of Common
Stock or any securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exerciseable for
Common Stock (or any options or rights to purchase or acquire, shares of Common
Stock or shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options) for a
period of 90 days after the date of the Prospectus.
(j) At the Closing Date, the Shares shall have been
approved for listing on the Nasdaq National Market.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 7 shall not
have been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement, or if any of the
certificates, opinions, written statements or letters furnished to you or to
Underwriters' Counsel pursuant to this Section 7 shall not be in all material
respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to you and to
Underwriters' Counsel, all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be
cancelled by you on, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date and the
obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Additional Shares may be
cancelled by you on, or at any time prior to, the Additional Closing Date.
Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by
telephone, facsimile, telex or telegraph, confirmed in writing.
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<PAGE> 33
8. Indemnification.
(a) The Company and each Selling Stockholder,
jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against any and all
losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever as incurred
(including but not limited to attorneys' fees and any and all expenses
whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all
amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation), joint or several, to
which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, as originally filed or any amendment thereof, or any related
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any supplement thereto or
amendment thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however,
that neither the Company nor any Selling Stockholder will be liable in any such
case to the extent but only to the extent that any such loss, liability, claim,
damage or expense arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through you expressly for use
therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which
the Company or the Selling Stockholders may otherwise have, including under
this Agreement.
(b) Each Underwriter severally, and not jointly,
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of the directors of the
Company, each of the officers of the Company who shall have signed the
Registration Statement, each Selling Stockholder, and each other person, if
any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or
Section 20(a) of
33
<PAGE> 34
the Exchange Act against any losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
whatsoever as incurred (including but not limited to attorneys' fees and any
and all expenses whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and
any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation), joint or
several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the
Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
the Registration Statement, as originally filed or any amendment thereof, or
any related preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each
case to the extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon any such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made
therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through you expressly for use
therein; provided, however, that in no case shall any Underwriter be liable or
responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount applicable to
the Shares purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. This indemnity will be in
addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have, including
under this Agreement. The Company acknowledges that the statements set forth
in [the last paragraph of the cover page and in the [______] paragraph[s]]
under the caption "Underwriting" in the Prospectus constitute the only
information furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Underwriter expressly
for use in the Registration Statement or in any amendment thereof, any related
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or in any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, as the case may be.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party
under subsection (a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action,
such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made
34
<PAGE> 35
against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify each party against
whom indemnification is to be sought in writing of the commencement of such
action (but the failure so to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have under this Section 8). In case any such
action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies an
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate therein, and to the extent it may elect by written
notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the
aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof
with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to employ its
or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such
counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party or parties unless (i)
the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by one of
the indemnifying parties in connection with the defense of such action, (ii)
the indemnifying parties shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the
defense of such action within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of
the action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably
concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are
different from or additional to those available to one or all of the
indemnifying parties (in which case the indemnifying parties shall not have the
right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party
or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses shall be borne by
the indemnifying parties. Anything in this subsection to the contrary
notwithstanding, an indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement
of any claim or action effected without its written consent; provided, however,
that such consent was not unreasonably withheld.
9. Contribution. In order to provide for contribution in
circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in Section 8 hereof is
for any reason held to be unavailable from any indemnifying party or is
insufficient to hold harmless a party indemnified thereunder, the Company, the
Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate
losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses of the nature
35
<PAGE> 36
contemplated by such indemnification provision (including any investigation,
legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in
settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claims asserted, but after
deducting, in the case of losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses
suffered by the Company or any Selling Stockholder, any contribution received
by the Company or such Selling Stockholder from persons, other than the
Underwriters, who may also be liable for contribution, including persons who
control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section
20(a) of the Exchange Act, officers of the Company who signed the Registration
Statement and directors of the Company) as incurred to which the Company and
the Selling Stockholders and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject, in
such proportions as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by
the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters
on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or, if such allocation is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
not only the relative benefits referred to above but also the relative fault of
the Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling
Stockholders and the Underwriters shall be deemed to be in the same proportion
as (x) the total proceeds from the offering (net of underwriting discounts and
commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the
Selling Stockholders and (y) the underwriting discounts and commissions
received by the Underwriters, respectively, in each case as set forth in the
table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company
and the Selling Stockholders and of the Underwriters shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Selling
Stockholders or the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission. The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters agree
that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant
36
<PAGE> 37
to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the
Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other
method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, (i) in no
case shall any Underwriter be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of
the underwriting discount applicable to the Shares purchased by such
Underwriter hereunder, and (ii) no person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9 and the
preceding sentence, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount
in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission. For purposes of this Section 9, each person, if
any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or
Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as
such Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, each
officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and
each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Company, subject in each case to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 9. Any
party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of
commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of
which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties,
notify each party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the
omission to so notify such party or parties shall not relieve the party or
parties from whom contribution may be sought from any obligation it or they may
have under this Section 9 or otherwise. No party shall be liable for
contribution with respect to any action or claim settled without its consent;
provided, however, that such consent was not unreasonably withheld. Each of
the Company and each Selling Stockholder hereby designates CT Corporation,
whose address is 1633 Broadway, New York, New York, as its authorized
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<PAGE> 38
agent, upon which process may be served in any action, suit or proceeding which
may be instituted in any state or federal court in the State of New York by any
Underwriter or person controlling an Underwriter asserting a claim for
indemnification or contribution under or pursuant to Section 8 hereof or this
Section 9, and each of the Company and each Selling Stockholder shall accept
the jurisdiction of such court in such action, and waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, any defense based upon lack of personal
jurisdiction or venue together with any right to trial by jury. A copy of any
such process shall be sent or given to the Company or such Selling Stockholder
at the address for notices specified in Section 13 hereof.
10. Default by an Underwriter.
(a) If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default
in its or their obligation to purchase Firm Shares or Additional Shares
hereunder, and if the Firm Shares or Additional Shares to which such default
relates do not (after giving effect to arrangements, if any, made by you
pursuant to subsection (b) below) exceed in the aggregate 10% of the total
number of Firm Shares or Additional Shares, as the case may be, the Firm Shares
or Additional Shares to which such default relates shall be purchased by the
non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion to the respective proportions which
the numbers of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in
Schedule II hereto bear to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth
opposite the names of the non-defaulting Underwriters.
(b) In the event that such default relates to more
than 10% of the total number of Firm Shares or Additional Shares, as the case
may be, you may in your discretion arrange for yourself or for another party or
parties (including any non-defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters who so agree)
to purchase the Firm Shares or Additional Shares to which such default relates
on the terms contained herein. In the event that within five calendar days
after such default you do not arrange for the purchase of the Firm Shares or
Additional Shares to which such default relates as provided in this Section 10,
this Agreement or, in the case of a default with respect to Additional Shares,
the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase, and of the Com-
38
<PAGE> 39
pany to sell, the Additional Shares shall thereupon terminate without liability
on the part of the Company, the Selling Stockholders (except, in each case, as
provided in Section 6, 8(a) and 9 hereof) or the Underwriters with respect
thereto, but nothing in this Agreement shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter
or Underwriters of its or their liability, if any, to the other Underwriters
and the Company and the Selling Stockholders for damages occasioned by its or
their default hereunder.
(c) In the event that the Firm Shares or Additional
Shares to which such default relates are to be purchased by the non-defaulting
Underwriters or are to be purchased by another party or parties as aforesaid,
either you on the one hand or the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the
other hand shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or Additional
Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding five Business
Days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any other documents and
arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendment or
supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which, in the
opinion of Underwriters' Counsel, may thereby be made necessary or advisable.
The term "Underwriter" as used in this Agreement shall include any party
substituted under this Section 10 with like effect as if it had originally been
a party to this Agreement with respect to such Firm Shares or Additional
Shares, as the case may be.
11. Survival of Representations and Agreements. All
representations and warranties, covenants and agreements of the Underwriters,
the Company and the Selling Stockholders contained in this Agreement, including
the agreements contained in Section 6 hereof, the indemnity agreements
contained in Section 8 hereof and the contribution agreements contained in
Section 9 hereof, shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any
controlling person thereof, by or on behalf of the Company, any of its officers
and directors or any controlling person thereof or by or on behalf of any of
the Selling Stockholders, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the
Shares to and by the Underwriters. The representations contained in Section 1
and Section 2 hereof and the agree-
39
<PAGE> 40
ments contained in Sections 6, 8, 9 and 12(d) hereof shall survive the
termination of this Agreement, including termination pursuant to Section 10 or
12 hereof.
12. Effective Date of Agreement; Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective upon the
later of (i) such time as you and the Company shall have received notification
of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and (ii) the execution of
this Agreement. If either the public offering price or the purchase price per
Share has not been agreed upon prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
fifth full Business Day after the Registration Statement shall have become
effective, this Agreement shall thereupon terminate without liability to the
Company or the Underwriters except as herein expressly provided. Until this
Agreement becomes effective as aforesaid, it may be terminated by the Company
by notifying you or by you notifying the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the provisions of this Section 12 and of Sections 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9
hereof shall at all times be in full force and effect.
(b) You shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement at any time prior to the Closing Date or the obligations of the
Underwriters to purchase the Additional Shares at any time prior to the
Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, if (i) any domestic or
international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in your
opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, the market for the
Company's securities or securities in general, (ii) if trading on the New York
Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market has
been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or
maximum ranges for prices for securities have been required, on the New York
Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market by
the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq Stock
Market or by order of the Commission or any other governmental authority having
jurisdiction, (iii) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a state or
federal authority or if any new restriction materially adversely affecting the
distribution of the Firm Shares or the Additional Shares has become effective,
(iv) if any downgrading in the rating of the Company's debt
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<PAGE> 41
securities or preferred stock by any "nationally recognized statistical
rating-organization" (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act has
occurred or (v) (A) if the United States becomes engaged in hostilities or
there is an escalation of hostilities involving the United States or there is a
declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States or (B) if there
has been a change in political, financial or economic conditions and the effect
of any such event in (A) or (B), in your judgment, makes it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale and delivery of the Firm Shares
or the Additional Shares, as the case may be, on the terms contemplated by the
Prospectus.
(c) Any notice of termination pursuant to this
Section 12 shall be by telephone, facsimile, telex, or telegraph, confirmed in
writing by letter.
(d) If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant
to any of the provisions hereof (otherwise than pursuant to (i) notification by
you as provided in Section 12(a) hereof or (ii) Section 10(b) or 12(b) hereof),
or if the sale of the Shares provided for herein is not consummated because any
condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth herein is not
satisfied or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the
Company or the Selling Stockholders to perform any agreement herein or comply
with any provision hereof, the Company and each Selling Stockholder, jointly
and severally, agree to reimburse the Underwriters, subject to demand by you,
for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and expenses of their
counsel) incurred by the Underwriters in connection herewith.
13. Notice. All communications hereunder, except as may be
otherwise specifically provided herein, shall be in writing and, if sent to any
Underwriter, shall be mailed or delivered, or sent by facsimile, telex or
telegraph and confirmed in writing by letter, to such Underwriter c/o Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., 245 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10167, Attention: Gal
Israely, Facsimile No. 212-272-4041; if sent to the Company, shall be mailed or
delivered, or sent by facsimile, telex or telegraph and confirmed in writing by
letter, to the Company, 8943 Fullbright Avenue, Chatsworth, California 91311,
Attention: Noam Lotan, Facsimile No.
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<PAGE> 42
818-773-0906; and if sent to any Selling Stockholder, shall be mailed or
delivered, or sent by facsimile, telex or telegraph and confirmed in writing by
letter, to [Attorney-in-Fact] [address of Attorney-in-Fact], Facsimile No.
[__________].
14. Agreements of the Selling Stockholders. Each Selling
Stockholder severally covenants and agrees with the Underwriters and the
Company:
(a) To pay or to cause to be paid all transfer taxes
with respect to the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder; and
(b) To take all reasonable actions in cooperation
with the Company and the Underwriters to cause the Registration Statement to
become effective at the earliest possible time, to do and perform all things to
be done and performed under this Agreement prior to the Closing Date and to
satisfy all conditions precedent to the delivery of the Shares pursuant to this
Agreement.
15. Parties. This Agreement shall inure solely to the
benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the Underwriters, the Company and the
Selling Stockholders and the controlling persons, directors, officers,
employees and agents referred to in Sections 8 and 9 hereof, and their
respective successors and assigns, and no other person shall have or be
construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in
respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provision contained herein.
The term "successors and assigns" shall not include a purchaser, in its
capacity as such, of Shares from any of the Underwriters.
16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, but without
regard to principles of conflicts of law.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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<PAGE> 43
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding
between you, the Company and the Selling Stockholders, please so indicate in
the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall
constitute a binding agreement among us.
Very truly yours,
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: ________________________
Name:
Title:
THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS NAMED
IN SCHEDULE I HERETO
By: ________________________
Attorney-in-Fact
Accepted as of the date first above written:
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
VOLPE BROWN WHELAN & COMPANY, LLC
By: Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
By: _______________
Name:
Title:
On behalf of themselves and the other
Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto.
43
<PAGE> 44
SCHEDULE I
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Firm
Name Shares to Be Sold
- ---- -----------------
<S> <C>
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,000,000
[Selling Stockholders] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[list names and number of shares]
__________
Total 2,550,000
==========
</TABLE>
44
<PAGE> 45
SCHEDULE II
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Firm
Name of Underwriter Shares to Be Purchased
- ------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C>
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Volpe Brown Whelan & Company, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
__________
Total 2,550,000
==========
</TABLE>
45
<PAGE> 46
SCHEDULE III
[Names of stockholders subject to lock-up]
46
<PAGE> 1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report dated February 7, 1997 and to all references to our firm included in or
made a part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Los Angeles, California
June 25, 1997
