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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]
For the fiscal year ended SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [No Fee Required]
For the transition period from to
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Commission File Number: 0-21142
NEMATRON CORPORATION
(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
MICHIGAN 38-2483796
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
5840 INTERFACE DRIVE, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48103
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(313) 994-0501
(Issuer's telephone number)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: NONE
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE
(Title of class)
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. [X] Yes [ ] No
Check if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of
Regulation S-B is not contained in this form, and no disclosure will be
contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form
10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [X]
Issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year: $20,923,613
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates as
of December 20, 1996, computed by reference to the closing price of such stock
on such date as quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market National Market, was
approximately $23,965,000.
The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's Common Stock on December 20,
1996 was 4,564,692
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Part of Form 10-KSB Into
Document Which the Document is Incorporated
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<S> <C>
Portions of Proxy Statement
for the 1997 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be Held
March 10, 1997 (the "1997 Part III
Proxy Statement")
</TABLE>
TRANSITIONAL SMALL BUSINESS DISCLOSURE FORMAT [ ] Yes [ X ] No
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
This Business section contains forward looking statements that involve
uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those in the
forward looking statements due to a number of uncertainties, including, but not
limited to those discussed below and in "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Operations - Uncertainties to Forward Looking Statements."
CORPORATE HISTORY
Nematron Corporation ("Nematron" or the "Company") was incorporated in
Michigan in October, 1983. In 1986, the Company became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Interface Systems, Inc. ("Interface"). On February 26, 1993, the
Company became an independent publicly-traded company as a result of a spin-off
from Interface, which was effected by the distribution of 100% of the shares of
the Company on a pro rata basis to Interface's shareholders.
During the year ended September 30, 1995, the Company completed two
acquisitions, the merger of Imagination Systems, Inc., a Virginia corporation
("ISI"), into the Company, and the merger of Universal Automation, Inc. ("UAI")
into the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, NemaSoft, Inc. ("NemaSoft").
During the year ended September 30, 1996, the Company formed a new
subsidiary, which remains a shell company. The new subsidiary is Imagination
Systems, Inc., a Michigan corporation.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 5840 Interface
Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and its telephone number is (313) 994-0501.
GENERAL
Nematron designs, manufactures and markets factory automation products,
including computer hardware and software products. Its industrial computers
and terminals, called Industrial Workstations(TM), and its software products,
sold under the trade names of FloPro(R), PowerVIEW(TM) and AutoNet(TM),
OpenControl(TM) and Hyperkernel(TM), are sold to industrial users for operator
interface, direct machine control and for use in test and measurement
environments.
Industrial Workstations are "ruggedized" computers with built-in displays,
keyboards or other forms of operator input, and are used by operators in
industrial processing and factory floor environments to monitor and control
machine and cell level operations. The primary focus is on applications where
the extremes of temperature, shock and vibration, high humidity, airborne
contaminants and physical abuse or hard use require the use of equipment that
has been specially designed to operate more reliably than commercial grade
equivalents.
The Company's industrial computer products are used in industrial
manufacturing and process automation, specifically relating to operator-machine
interface and direct machine control applications. The Company incorporates
electronic technology and software in its Industrial Workstation products to
satisfy a broad variety of customer applications ranging from the replacement
of traditional hardwired push buttons, lights and gauges that can be used with
a single machine or local process, to advanced industrial computer-based
systems that provide supervisory control, direct control and networking
capabilities over a large number of machines.
The Company has five main software products used in the industrial and
factory automation workplace, all of which were developed by the Company or
acquired. These products are marketed under the trade names FloPro(R),
PowerVIEW(TM), AutoNet(TM), OpenControl(TM) and Hyperkernel(TM). Additionally,
most of the Company's Industrial Workstations contain proprietary software
imbedded in the products as
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firmware, and such firmware is not sold separately. All five shrink-wrap
products may be run on Nematron's computers or those of most other
manufacturers.
The Company's FloPro product, is a flowchart programming and direct
machine control software product developed by UAI, which the Company acquired
through a merger into a wholly-owned subsidiary in September, 1995. The
Company's PowerVIEW product, released by the Company in 1996, is a powerful and
comprehensive 32-bit Windows NT and Windows '95-based application development
system for factory floor operator interface applications. The Company's test
and measurement software, AutoNet, allows for data acquisition and real time
processing of data and performing multiple functions at high speed and
graphically displaying such real time information through a wide variety of
configurable graphic instruments, trends and Cartesian plots. AutoNet was
developed by ISI, which the Company acquired by merger in March, 1995.
The Company consists of three operating units at four primary locations.
The Company's headquarters are in Ann Arbor, Michigan and persons located
there are responsible for product development, administration, finance,
accounting, personnel, computer manufacturing, customer service, corporate
purchasing, corporate quality, corporate marketing, corporate-wide sales and
international business development.
The Company's software development and software manufacturing for its
Nematron and NemaSoft products are conducted at its Virginia Beach, Virginia
and Hilliard, Ohio facilities. Software engineers and others located at these
two facilities are responsible for software product development, enhancement,
maintenance, and reproduction of shrink-wrapped software.
The Company's sales and service operations for the European marketplace
are conducted in Maarssenbroek, the Netherlands through Nematron Europa, BV
("NEBV"), which was organized in 1990 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company. Located near Amsterdam, its principal functions are European sales,
distribution management, application engineering and customer service. In
March, 1996, administrative personnel in Ann Arbor became directly responsible
for administrative activities of NEBV. NEBV's regional sales managers provide
sales and service support to customers who may have purchased products from
other regions. NEBV is primarily operated as a cost center since allocation of
gross product margins and operating and administrative expenses cannot be
reasonably allocated to NEBV or by region.
PRODUCTS, MARKET, AND COMPETITION
COMPUTERS AND HARDWARE PRODUCTS
The Company designs and manufactures operator terminals for reliable
performance in harsh industrial environments. Each operator terminal provides
a display that shows the status of the process and a keyboard or a touch screen
that allows personnel to control the process. These terminals all come in a
rugged package that withstands extremes of temperature, humidity, vibration,
shock, and electrical interference.
The Company refers to its operator terminals as "workstations," and coined
the name Industrial Workstations(TM) to indicate both the product and its
intended environment. A single Industrial Workstation can replace dozens of
electromechanical operator displays and controls, such as push buttons,
indicator lights, panel meters, keypads, alarm annunciators, and message
displays.
In most applications, Industrial Workstations connect to intelligent
controllers, such as PLCs, which perform critical high-speed machine control
functions. Industrial Workstations obtain process information from the
controller through a communications port, and transform that information into
words or pictures that lend themselves to instant comprehension by operating
plant personnel.
The benefits of connecting Industrial Workstations to intelligent
controllers are three-fold: first, the Industrial Workstation confines the
controller's processing burden to critical, high-speed control functions;
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second, the Industrial Workstation's full-time attention to operator interface
supports many additional functions; and third, Industrial Workstations often
cost less than the cost of obtaining, installing, and programming conventional
devices that provide only a fraction of the capabilities afforded by Industrial
Workstations.
The Company offers a variety of Industrial Workstations to the industrial
automation marketplace. Each product class includes a range of display
options, prices, and capabilities.
Virtually all of the Company's smaller and newer products use "flat panel"
displays. Popularized by laptop personal computers, flat panels offer
considerable space savings over CRTs with increased reliability, and immunity
to shock, vibration, and electromagnetic interference. They are particularly
well suited for applications with hazardous environments such as chemical
plants, and where high electrical currents are found, such as in aluminum and
steel processing. During the next two years, virtually all of the Company's
products will be converted to flat panel technology.
While price and features can be important factors in a customer's purchase
decision, reliability consistently ranks the highest. As a result, the Company
expends significant effort on design verification and testing of new products
and purchased subassemblies. In addition, management believes the Company is
able to price its products competitively because of their higher quality, and
hence lower warranty and repair work is required to be performed after the
sale, and because the Company has higher manufacturing volumes than many of its
competitors, allowing it to have lower costs and to amortize product
development over more units than its competitors.
CHARACTER-BASED PLC WORKSTATIONS AND REMOTE MESSAGE UNIT PRODUCTS
These products economically replace as few as five electro-mechanical push
buttons, while also providing message display and alarm annunciation functions.
All products in this class include flat panel displays. The Company
internally developed the proprietary software for the products in the lower
price range of this class of product. Most of these products are used with
small PLCs for simple machine control, such as packaging equipment and small
fabricating machines. Products in this class range in price from less than
$500 to $2,300.
Most of the Company's competitors in this segment are small companies with
limited resources and market share. A few competitors, such as Allen-Bradley
and Eaton IDT, have substantially greater resources than the Company, and offer
competitive products in the upper end of the price range.
Sales of low-end products in 1996 and 1995 amounted to 40% and 50%,
respectively, of the Company's unit volume and 14% and 19%, respectively, of
its dollar volume from unit sales. The Company expects a growth rate of 5 -
10% in this market segment over the next year, largely because industry
analysts project similar growth in the small PLC market. To participate in
this growth, the Company plans to maintain a modest level of product
development effort, both to enhance existing products and to offer new models
of character based PLC workstations.
INDUSTRIAL GRAPHICS TERMINALS AND PROGRAMMABLE OPERATOR INTERFACE PRODUCTS
These products include both CRT displays and keyboards and utilize the
Company's proprietary hardware and software designs, which support either
remote terminal operation with an intelligent host, or fully programmable
operation to support PLC operator interface applications. Unlike most
competitive products, the Company's industrial graphics terminals and
programmable operator interface products support a programming language.
OptiBASIC(TM) is Nematron's proprietary, multi-tasking version of BASIC,
designed to support industrial monitoring and control applications. These
products, first produced by the Company in 1983 and 1984, are designed to
provide high performance in a price range from $1,600 to $5,000, varying
primarily on the choice of display.
Because several dozen large and small companies offer competing products
in this market, competition is intense. Every major PLC company competes in
this market, either with its own designs or with private-labeled products.
Significant competitors include Allen-Bradley, Siemens and Eaton IDT.
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During 1996 sales of this class of product were flat as compared to fiscal 1995
levels, although since 1990, the Company's unit sales of mid-range products have
declined over 25% due to the increased competition and now relatively older
designs.
Sales of industrial graphics terminals and programmable operator interface
products in 1996 and 1995, amounted to 18% and 26%, respectively, of the
Company's unit volume and 15% and 23% of its dollar volume from unit sales.
The Company expects a decrease of approximately 10% per year in this market
segment due to the availability of more sophisticated technology at lower costs
in future years.
The Company's product development effort on products in this class focus
on the development of new flat panel models to replace the current products,
which have become somewhat dated, and on the development of more powerful
programmable operator interface products to take advantage of the affordable
processing power, operating systems and software development tools which have
become available.
INDUSTRIAL PC PRODUCTS
Industrial PC products are fully integrated or modular rack-mount or
bench-top PCs which provide Intel 80X86 architecture with processors ranging
from 486DX-2/66 to Pentium P5-200mhz Pentium Pro and CRT or flat-panel
displays. Many of the high-end workstations are "bundled" with the Company's
PowerVIEW, AutoNet or FloPro software, all of which are described in the
"Software Products" section hereof. For the remainder of the industrial PC
products, customers run their systems with a choice of several third-party
industrial monitoring and control software packages. Products in this class
range in price from $2,000 to $10,000.
Sales of high-end products in 1996 and 1995 amounted to 38% and 24%,
respectively, of the Company's unit volume and 56% and 58% of its dollar volume
from unit sales.
Management believes that while operator interface products will eventually
migrate to PC based control and operator interface solutions that eliminate the
PLC, the migration will not be complete for at least five years, and the market
for industrial PC products will expand significantly. In response to this
evaluation of the market, the Company will place substantial emphasis on
further enhancements to this class of products as cost effective replacements
for existing, lower functionality, industrial workstations that complement,
rather than replace, PLCs.
Many competitors participate in the industrial PC product market, most
notably IBM, Allen-Bradley, and Siemens. Many segments in this market are
highly price-sensitive, especially in environments where commercial-grade
products perform adequately. As the market expands, numerous competitive
offerings will appear, putting downward pressure on prices and gross profit
margins. The Company intends to continue providing industrial PC products for
reliable operation in harsh environments.
INDUSTRIAL CONTROL COMPUTER PRODUCTS
Industrial Control Computers ("ICCs") were designed and developed by the
Company beginning in 1995, and the Company began shipping them in September,
1995. ICC products offer a 486DX2/66 or a P24T Pentium Overdrive processor, a
variety of display options and a single motherboard featuring local bus
architecture for integral SVGA video and IDE drive control circuits. The form
of the units are NEMA 4 (water tight) construction and include a rugged,
front-panel mouse-simulator or touch screen for cursor positioning. Many of
the ICC products are "bundled" with PowerVIEW, AutoNet or FloPro software.
These units range in price from $2,000 to $6,000, varying primarily on the
choice of display and the bundled software.
Sales of ICC products in 1996 amounted to 4% of the Company's unit volume
and 15% of its dollar volume from unit sales.
Management believes that the market for ICC products, which combine
superior processing capabilities in a very inexpensive industrial hardened
package, and which, due to their small size can be
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used in many applications not previously feasible with larger products, will be
a significant market for the Company in the future. The Company intends to
commit significant development efforts to the ICC product offering in future
years. Although the Company was the first in the marketplace with a small
industrial control computer with advanced technological features, a few
competitors have either announced their intention to introduce a similar product
or have presented similar products. The Company expects that most of its
competitors in the high-end product range will eventually have a similar product
offering.
COMPUTER HARDWARE PARTS AND SERVICE
The Company maintains an inventory of spare parts and service stock and
dedicates approximately twelve service technicians and support personnel whose
functions include technical advice regarding product applications and service
and repair of returned computer and other hardware. With the increasing number
of units in service in the marketplace due to the products wide acceptance and
long life, the shipment of spare parts and performing repair service on
out-of-warranty product continues to be a significant part of the business.
SOFTWARE PRODUCTS
The software products described below, all of which were acquired or
developed by the Company in the last two years, represent the cornerstone of
the Company's shift in its strategic focus from that of relying solely on sales
of Industrial Workstation products to becoming a high value-added provider of
industrial hardware and software solutions. With the addition of the following
products, plus the continued enhancement of existing products and the
development of new software products, the Company is positioning itself as a
leading supplier of industrial automation software. The Company will use its
software and proven reliable PC hardware to help drive factory automation
industry from PLC to PC based control.
The Company's five main software products are used in the industrial and
factory automation workplace. Additionally, most of the hardware products
discussed above contain proprietary software imbedded in the products as
firmware, and such firmware is not sold separately. All five shrink-wrap
products may be run on Nematron's computers or those of most other
manufacturers.
Sales of software products in 1996 and 1995 amounted to 8% and 4%,
respectively, of the Company's total revenue.
OPENCONTROL(TM) SOFTWARE
The Company's software product suite for open architecture for control is
called OpenControl(TM). OpenControl allows operators to leverage PC-based
software packages, such as Windows NT and many popular Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition and Man-Machine Interface ("SCADA MMI") programs. OpenControl
allows the use of standard networking products and connectivity to the Internet
or corporate-wide Intranet systems. OpenControl provides a modular approach
for open control architecture applications. The product is comprised of a
series of Visual Programming languages for control, the FloPro for Windows NT
run-time control engine, and independent Device Network I/O servers.
OpenControl's programming environment is the Visual Flowchart Language ("VFL"),
a graphical control language that utilizes a structured development environment
for machine control applications. VFL provides a functional and graphical
programming environment compared to the aging ladder logic method by providing
a wider variety of tools to graphically create a program that maximizes machine
control. VFL is capable of integrating user created C programs and can generate
IEC-1131 code as an output from flowcharts. FloPro for Windows NT is
OpenControl's run-time engine, and is a 32-bit version of the original
field-proven FloPro technology described below. FloPro for Windows NT is
several times faster than its DOS-based predecessor and is based on the
Hyperkernel real-time Windows NT technology. FloPro for Windows NT provides an
advanced discrete manufacturing capability based on its fast and efficient logic
solve, inherent
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integrated diagnostics and coordinated motion control capability. A variety of
device networks and legacy PLC I/O systems are supported.
HYPERKERNEL(TM)
Hyperkernel(TM)is the first real-time subsystem ("RTSS") available that
makes Windows NT a hard real-time operating system. Hyperkernel allows software
developers to integrate highly deterministic real-time applications into the
Microsoft's Windows NT operating system and enables devices such as robots,
process controllers and motion control systems to be configured as application
servers on any standard network system. The Hyperkernel product includes
features such as high speed timers; memory management; interrupt handlers;
inter-process communication; file system services; and task scheduling and
prioritization. By using a standardized development environment like Microsoft
C and Visual C++, significant reductions in software development time may be
achieved.
In late 1993, ISI began work on an advanced 32-bit Windows development
framework that supported a traditional real-time microkernel target system for
runtime execution for industrial control. The present design of the core
technology is a greatly enhanced version of the original framework. The
technology has been expanded to provide true client/server capabilities for
complex software applications. The Hyperkernel RTSS for the Windows NT
operating system utilizes a sophisticated message-passing architecture for
inter-process communications, which is the key difference between Hyperkernel
and similar products developed to operate under DOS or Microsoft's Windows 3.1
operating systems.
Traditionally, many developers have used custom or proprietary operating
systems and tools to gain high-speed determinism in their application
development work. This meant that they were not able to leverage the extensive
collection of tools and applications available for the desktop Windows/PC
world. With the Hyperkernel product, development in a mainstream operating
system architecture is now practical.
FLOPRO(R) SOFTWARE
The Company's soft logic software is called FloPro(R). FloPro is a
flowchart programming system which executes from personal computers and which
was developed by UAI, which the Company acquired through a merger in September,
1995. FloPro is based upon the technology in Patent Number 4,852,047
"Continuous Flow Chart, Improved Data Format and Debugging System for
Programming and Operation of Machines." The programming system is used to
create, debug, document and execute control applications in an open
architecture environment. Its open system architecture allows operators to
interface it concurrently with many different input/output systems, motion
controllers, message units and tag/bar code systems. FloPro simplifies machine
control system development. The use of multiple flowcharts, each one handling
a relatively simple task, allows for the concurrent development of applications
by a team of control engineers. These flowcharts communicate with each other
in a multi-tasking environment, which means that the control application is
easy to create and understand. Additionally, FloPro is self documenting in
that it is a programming language based on the flowcharts; there is no need to
translate the flowcharts to ladder logic. The use of FloPro and a PC replaces
the need for PLCs and ladder logic for machine control applications. FloPro is
in use at several General Motors Corporation manufacturing facilities. FloPro
systems at GM's PowerTrain Group control over 1,000 machines used to
manufacture engines and transmissions. The Company is currently involved in
certain litigation relating to the FloPro patent. See "Item 3 - Legal
Proceedings."
FloPro competes with several products offered by companies of similar or
smaller size than Nematron in the soft logic marketplace. The soft logic
marketplace is an emerging market that is expected to grow significantly in the
next several years as PCs and soft logic software programs replace PLCs and
ladder logic software. Several of the Company's competitors license the
technology upon which FloPro is based. The advantages of the FloPro product as
compared to competing products is that the software is self documenting, thus
reducing programmer time; it costs less than many other products; it operates
on open PC architecture; and it reduces plant down time through diagnostic
messages and fast execution time.
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During fiscal 1996, the Company devoted substantial resources to the
upgrading of the current 16-bit version of FloPro to a 32-bit version of the
product which contains numerous and significant enhancements. The Company will
continue the upgrade program during the first two quarters of fiscal 1997 and
intends to release the enhanced version of FloPro in mid-1997.
POWERVIEW(TM) SOFTWARE
The Company began the development of this 32-bit Windows-based application
development and run-time system three years ago and released the product for
sale initially late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1995. During fiscal 1996
the Company performed substantial enhancements on the version initially
released in fiscal 1995 and re-released it late in fiscal 1996. The
application development system included in the PowerVIEW system was developed
to serve as a single point of control for building graphical display panels and
configuring hardware, I/O connections, process variables, alarms, messages and
all other events associated with the operation of a machine. A high-speed
run-time compliments the project manager portion of the system, but operates on
a 32-bit real-time preemptive multi-tasking microkernel more naturally suited
to high-speed, real-time process control. When the application project is
downloaded to the run-time system and the workstation is plugged into a PLC or
I/O network, it runs automatically and scans the I/O network at rates higher
than other commercially available workstations, updating the screens and
sending instructions to the PLC virtually instantaneously.
PowerVIEW competes with other software product offerings from other
companies, most notably Allen Bradley and Eaton IDT. However, the product is
unique in that it runs on open architecture PC platforms and is a 32-bit
Windows-based application development system and its run time executes from
solid state memory.
AUTONET(TM)
The Company's test and measurement software is called AutoNet(TM), and is
sold to commercial and industrial companies primarily for use in a test cell
environment. AutoNet allows for data acquisition and real time processing of
high speed data while performing multiple functions. AutoNet graphically
displays real time information through a wide variety of configurable graphic
instruments, trends and Cartesian plots. AutoNet performs real-time
mathematical, statistical and trigonometric calculations for control, test
sequencing, filtering and batch management of data. It features color coded
annunciation of alarm information, diagnostic files and automatic time stamps,
and presents stored data in report, historical graphics or ad hoc queries.
AutoNet competes with products offered by other companies, most notably
Hewlett Packard and National Instruments. The AutoNet product is unique in
that it is a real time operating system which operates in a performance region
that competitive products do not.
SALES CHANNELS
The Company employs three forms of sales channels. A network of high-tech
industrial distributors is the Company's primary sales channel. Private-label
accounts that remarket Nematron's products primarily through their own networks
of industrial electrical distributors are a less significant sales channel for
the Company's products. In addition, the Company sells its products to direct
sales accounts, including major original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") of
industrial processing systems and machines and to other major end users.
Approximately 50% of the Company's total sales are to distributors, 20% to
private-label accounts and 30% to direct sales accounts. The Company believes
that it can increase its business as a result of the introduction of the
PowerVIEW, OpenControl and Hyperkernel software products and its ICC hardware
product lines and with the acquisition in 1995 of its FloPro software product,
which is presently marketed to the automotive manufacturing industry. The
Company intends to increase its sales and marketing efforts for bundled
hardware and software products.
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IP Systems, a French distributor, is the Company's largest distributor,
and accounted for 10% and 15% of the Company's total fiscal 1996 and fiscal
1995 sales, respectively; a second company accounted for 13% and 2% of the
Company's total fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995 sales, respectively. No other
private label, direct customer, or distributor accounted for more than 5% of
total Company sales in 1996 or 1995. Furthermore, no single model or product
has accounted for more than 15% of the Company's sales during this time period.
The Company's distributors are typically companies with non-exclusive
written agreements that purchase inventory and resell it to their customers.
In addition, distributors typically provide customer training, application
engineering, and support.
The Company has approximately 70 domestic distributor branches and
approximately 50 distributor branches in more than 30 countries
internationally. The Company has approximately 15 regional sales managers
covering major geographic regions of the United States and Europe and several
sales managers who concentrate on key accounts nationwide. These managers are
located in the United States in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts,
Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and in major
business centers in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
In addition, direct sales accounts and private label accounts are handled
by both key account sales managers as well as corporate executive management.
MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY
The Company performs final assembly and testing for almost all hardware
products. The assembly process encompasses the assembly of sheet metal parts,
keyboards, displays, and electronic circuit boards into finished goods. In
addition, the Company performs some cable manufacturing, and also a limited
amount of circuit board assembly and wave soldering, as well as the repair and
engineering prototype assembly of surface mount technology components used on
various logic boards. The Company subcontracts the insertion and soldering of
components on circuit boards, and the fabrication of sheet metal, keyboards and
front panel bezels. The Company uses a number of independent firms for these
subcontracted services and is not materially dependent upon any third party
that performs these services. Selected models are built entirely to the
Company's design by vendors and purchased as complete products.
A network of mini-computers and personal computer-based engineering
workstations supports accounting, purchasing, production, scheduling and
inventory, as well as the computer-aided design and development of electronic
circuitry, circuit board layout, programming of programmable logic devices,
mechanical design and software development.
In addition, the Company has purchased and designed a variety of assembly
and test equipment to reduce the cost and ensure the quality of the design and
manufacturing process. The Company has made a substantial investment in
environmental chambers and electronic instrumentation used to certify that the
Company's products meet the severe industrial environments for which they are
intended.
Some components used in the Company's products are currently purchased
from single or limited sources of supply. The Company believes that the loss
of one or more suppliers would not have a material long-term impact on its
operations but could cause some production delays. As a result, the Company
typically maintains higher amounts of raw material inventory for certain
limited-source items than may be required for current production.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Since its inception, the Company has maintained an active product
development program and continues to supplement existing research and
development capabilities through active recruiting of technical personnel and
development of proprietary technology.
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The Company currently has a total direct product development staff of
approximately forty persons, including electrical and electronic design
engineers, mechanical design engineers, software design engineers, product
managers, application engineers and directly associated staff members involved
in technical documentation and product support. The Company also employs the
services of unrelated contract engineering companies on an as-needed basis.
The Company employs a separate group which is responsible for assuring the long
term quality and reliability of the Company's products. Within this quality
assurance group are five quality, test, manufacturing and reliability
engineers. Software development activities are concentrated in the Virginia
Beach, Virginia office but certain development is done by personnel in
Hilliard, Ohio and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Hardware development and quality
activities testing and control are concentrated in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Company emphasizes product development and quality and the employment
of highly skilled and motivated individuals in the product development and
quality assurance areas. Management believes that its product development
staff is an important factor in the Company's ability to compete in the markets
in which its products are sold. During the fiscal years 1996 and 1995, the
Company expended approximately $2,600,000 and $1,363,000, respectively, for
direct hardware and software product development and product design quality,
including those costs capitalized under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 86. All of such costs were sponsored by the Company. These
amounts represented 12.4% and 8.8% of total revenues in fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The Company's FloPro software product is based upon the technology
incorporated in Patent Number 4,852,047 for continuous flow chart, improved
data formatting and a debugging system for programming and operations of
machines. This patent was issued in 1989 as a 17 year patent. The Company is
currently involved in litigation relating to the ownership of the FloPro
patent. See "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings." The Company has no patents on its
hardware or computer designs. The Company filed a patent application for a
chassis locking mechanism and for its real-time extension to Windows NT during
fiscal 1996. The Company has an active patent committee to review patent
potential on an ongoing basis.
In addition to trademarks on the trade names under which the Company does
or did business, including Nematron(R), NemaSoft, Imagination Systems and
Universal Automation, the Company also owns trademarks on certain of its
products, including Industrial Workstation(TM), ToolBox(TM), ToolBox Plus(TM),
FloPro(R), AutoNet(TM) and PowerVIEW(TM).
The Company's software products are sold under licenses to use the
products as specified in the underlying contract. Certain of the licenses for
the use of the FloPro software product are site licenses for unlimited use of
the master copy of the product in a specified building, plant or group of
plants. To date, the revenue from these site licenses has not been a
significant source of revenue to the Company, but the Company believes that
these revenues could become increasingly more important to the Company if the
Company's products gain in market acceptance and the total market for soft
logic products expands as is predicted and as evidenced by recent third party
industry studies. Also, the Company has licensed its soft logic technology to
several unrelated companies under royalty arrangement; these arrangements are
not currently a significant source of revenue.
EMPLOYEES
The Company currently employs approximately 125 full time employees,
including 85 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 25 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, 5 in the
Netherlands, and 10 at other locations. None of the Company's employees are
represented by a collective bargaining unit, and the Company believes its
employee relations to be good.
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<PAGE> 11
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
The Company's products must comply with federal, state and/or local laws
and regulations that have been enacted or adopted relating to the discharge of
materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the
environment. The Company believes that continuing efforts and expenditures
incurred to maintain compliance with such laws and regulations will not have a
material effect on capital expenditures, earnings or the competitive position
of the Company.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
The Company's headquarters and principal manufacturing facilities are
located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in a two-story building containing a total of
approximately 51,200 square feet of space. Of this space, approximately 6,400
square feet remain largely unfinished and are available for future office or
manufacturing expansion. This facility, located on approximately five acres of
land, has been designed such that further expansion of up to 20,000 square feet
may be accommodated. The Ann Arbor facility was designed and built to the
Company's specifications and is Company owned, subject to a first mortgage by
Chelsea State Bank, a second mortgage by KeyBank, N.A., Michigan and a third
position by one of the subordinated debt lenders. The mortgage loan payable to
Chelsea State Bank is in the principal amount of approximately $2,300,000 at
September 30, 1996, bears interest at 9.5% per annum and is payable in monthly
installments of $29,900 through September 2001, at which time the remaining
balance of $1,491,000 is due.
The Company's European activities are conducted in a leased facility in
Maarssenbroek, the Netherlands, and consist of approximately 5,000 square feet
of leased space in a 40,000 square foot office complex. Leasehold improvements
consist of certain changes for specific office, service, and warehouse
requirements according to the Company's needs. The operating lease for this
facility is non-cancelable through February, 2000.
The Company's Virginia Beach, Virginia facility is a leased two story
office building consisting of approximately 5,800 square feet of space, with
leasehold improvements for office, service, and warehouse requirements
according to the Company's specifications. The operating lease for this
facility is non-cancelable through February, 1997, and the Company expects that
the lease will be re-negotiated and extended on substantially the same terms as
in the current lease.
The Company's Hilliard, Ohio activities are conducted from a leased
facility in a large office complex and consist of approximately 1,200 square
feet. The operating lease for this facility is non-cancelable through
November, 1997.
The Company believes that all of its facilities are adequate for its
present and anticipated operations.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
On September 20, 1995, Xycom, Inc. filed suit against the Company and UAI
in the Circuit Court for the County of Washtenaw, State of Michigan. The suit
alleges that UAI, a company acquired via merger into NemaSoft, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, disclosed confidential information of
Xycom and failed to notify Xycom of the transfer of certain intellectual
property, including the FloPro patent, to the Company's subsidiary, NemaSoft,
Inc. In the complaint, Xycom contends that upon receipt of such notice, it
would have been entitled to either negotiate with NemaSoft for a royalty-free
license to use the intellectual property or to exercise a right of first
refusal for the purchase of the intellectual property, including the FloPro
patent. The suit also alleges that the Company interfered with Xycom's
contractual relations with UAI and business expectations. The plaintiff seeks
damages based on allegations of, among other things, disclosure of trade
secrets and tortious interference with contractual relations. The suit also
seeks to enjoin the use of certain marketing, business and other non-technical
information which it alleges constitutes trade secrets and to unwind the merger
of UAI into NemaSoft. The Company and NemaSoft
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<PAGE> 12
have filed answers denying all material allegations made by Xycom and NemaSoft
filed a countersuit against Xycom. Whereas the Company and NemaSoft believe the
allegations made by Xycom are without merit and intend to defend their positions
vigorously, there can be no assurance that such litigation will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business or financial position. In
addition, this litigation could result on substantial costs and diversion of
management and other resources and could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Currently,
negotiations are underway whereby the parties are discussing the settlement of
all claims against the other party, but there can be no assurance that these
negotiations will result in settlement of litigation.
The Company is not involved in any other legal proceedings considered by
management to be other than routine litigation incidental to the business, and
management does not believe any such litigation to be material.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Prior to October 5, 1995, the Company's Common Stock was traded in the
over-the counter market and was quoted on the NASD OTC Bulletin BoardSM under
the symbol NEMA.U. In October, 1995, the Company's common stock was accepted
for listing on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market(SM) and began trading under the symbol
NEMA on the NASD SmallCap Market on October, 5, 1995. Concurrent with the
Company's secondary stock offering on June 6, 1996, the Company's Common Stock
was accepted for listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market National Market (the
"National Market") and began trading under the symbol NEMA on the National
Market on June 6, 1996. The following table sets forth, for the periods
indicated, the closing price on the National Market for periods subsequent to
June 5, 1996, and the high and low bid as quoted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers through the NASD OTC Bulletin Board for periods prior to
June 6, 1996. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail
mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1995 High Bid Low Bid
----------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
First Quarter $ 1.75 $0.87
Second Quarter $ 2.00 $1.37
Third Quarter $ 2.12 $1.62
Fourth Quarter $ 6.50 $1.75
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1996 High Bid/Close Low Bid/Close
----------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
First Quarter $ 5.50 $4.25
Second Quarter $10.00 $4.50
Third Quarter $10.75 $7.75
Fourth Quarter $ 8.75 $6.44
</TABLE>
There are approximately 2,000 holders of record of the Company's Common
Stock.
The Company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay cash
dividends in the foreseeable future. Certain Company bank financing covenants
restrict the payment of dividends.
During fiscal 1996, the Company issued the following securities without
registration of such securities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Securities
Act
Date Title Amount Consideration Exemption Terms of Conversion
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nov. 7, Warrants 237,214 Issued to lenders Section 4(2) of the Exercisable in
1995 in connection with Securities Act of whole or in part
subordinated debt 1933, as amended, after October 31,
issued on November and Regulation D 1996 through
7, 1995 promulgated October 21, 2002 at
thereunder an exercise price
of $4.00 per share
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 14
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis contains a number of "forward
looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, with respect to expectations for future periods which are
subject to various uncertainties explained herein. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis f Operations - Uncertainties Relating to Forward
Looking Statements."
OVERVIEW
Management's operating strategy is to incorporate software products
developed internally and those software products obtained through its
acquisitions, including its acquisitions of ISI and UAI, into the Company's
product offerings and to vertically integrate its product offerings to include
both hardware and software products related to industrial automation. The
Company's marketing and sales efforts to existing and new customers include
stand-alone computers, software products and bundled products. The Company
intends to continue its shift of business away from dominance by computer
hardware sales, and will pursue the development of new software products and
the enhancement of existing software products. Additionally, the Company has
identified new markets for both hardware and software products, and will pursue
new business from customers which offer the greatest likelihood of large unit
volume. Management anticipates significant growth in the industrial software
marketplace and intend, through concentrated development and aggressive
marketing and sales efforts, to capture an increasing percentage of that
market.
FISCAL 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995
Net revenues were $20,924,000 in fiscal 1996 compared to $17,576,000 in
fiscal 1995. This represents an increase of $3,348,000, or 19.0%, compared to
fiscal 1995. Of the increase, $903,000, or 27.0%, was attributable to net
revenues from software sales, and $2,445,000 of the increase, or 73.0%, was
attributable to increases in sales of Industrial Workstations and related parts
and service. The increase in revenues from software and software services
represented an increase of 128.4% in fiscal 1996 over fiscal 1995 and resulted
from sales of the AutoNet, FloPro and PowerVIEW software products for the
entire year versus a partial year in fiscal 1995, and also from increased unit
volume. The increase in revenues from Industrial Workstations and related
parts and service represented an increase of 10.5% in fiscal 1996 over fiscal
1995, and resulted from increased unit volume as a result of increased sales
efforts by an increased number of regional sales managers. Foreign revenues
decreased in fiscal 1996 by $1,735,000 to $4,777,000, or 26.6%, over foreign
sales in fiscal 1995, reflecting a lower level of purchases from a major
European customer and a decreased emphasis on international markets.
Additionally, the Company's emphasis on new hardware and software products was
limited to the domestic marketplace. Domestic revenues increased in fiscal
1996 by $5,082,000 to $16,146,000 or 45.9%, over domestic revenues in fiscal
1995 due to the introduction of new hardware and software products and the
ability of the Company to secure several new customers for certain programs at
a major automotive company. Additionally, the Company expanded its domestic
sales force significantly in fiscal 1996. Management expects relatively flat
sales in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 and that sales will, for the next
three quarters of fiscal 1997, approximate the growth in revenues experienced
in fiscal 1996 as the initial response to the Company's new products has been
favorable. Revenues from sales of the Hyperkernel and OpenControl software
products are expected to begin in the second quarter of fiscal 1997 when these
products will be commercially available. With the introduction of these new
software products, the percentage of total revenue from software is expected to
increase over the approximate 8% from software in fiscal 1996. Also, the
Company intends to continue to increase its marketing and sales efforts in the
United States as well as to increase such efforts internationally. The
Company's expectation of revenue growth for the full fiscal year 1997 is also
based on the belief that the products introduced in the last two years and
products planned for release in fiscal 1997 are technologically more advanced
than certain comparably priced competing products and that the expansion of the
Company's product line will result in the addition of new distributors to the
Company's current distribution network. The actual growth in net revenues for
fiscal 1997 is subject to a number of uncertainties, however. For example, the
marketplace may not respond favorably to the Company's marketing and sales
efforts, latent technological deficiencies in the new products may reduce
demand for the products, the anticipated interest of new distributors in the
Company's products may not materialize, and technological advances by competing
products may reduce demand for the Company's products. The occurrence of any
of these events could result in the Company's net revenues growing at a reduced
rate or declining.
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<PAGE> 15
Cost of revenues include costs related to raw materials and component
parts, direct labor, burden, amortization of capitalized software costs,
provisions for warranty expenses on products sold to date and provisions for
excess and obsolete inventory. There were no material changes in costs of any
components of costs of revenues, although certain costs did decrease
moderately.
Gross profit increased in fiscal 1996 to $8,733,000, or 41.7% of net
revenues, from $6,194,000, or 35.2% of net revenues, in fiscal 1995. The
increase in gross profit in fiscal 1996 was due fairly equally to the
introduction and sale of higher margin hardware products in fiscal 1996 and the
effect of an increasing percentage of software sales, which are higher margin
products. Additionally, material costs have decreased slightly due to falling
parts prices offered by certain component vendors, and the greater management
resources devoted to the Company's purchasing function. Management expects that
gross margins on hardware products will decrease over time as competition
increases, but that the effect on a Company-wide basis will be more than offset
by the expected shift towards more software related sales and services. Also,
with the commencement of sales of the Hyperkernel and OpenControls software
products in fiscal 1997, amortization of previously capitalized software
development costs related to these products will begin and increase total
amortization costs significantly. Additionally, the Company plans to continue to
eliminate lower margin products and increase its marketing and sales efforts on
higher margin hardware and software products. The actual gross profit growth
rate for fiscal 1997 is subject to various uncertainties, however. For example,
the Company may not be able to sustain product prices currently in effect if
there is a reduction in customer demand or a substantial decrease in
competitors' prices on comparable products, raw material prices may increase to
an extent that cannot be passed on to customers, or the Company's marketing
efforts to boost sales of higher margin products may not be successful. The
occurrence of any of these events could adversely affect the Company's gross
profit.
Product development costs increased in fiscal 1996 by $555,000 to
$1,449,000, or 62.1%, over the fiscal 1995 level, primarily due to efforts to
develop and introduce new products, including the ICC products, in fiscal 1996.
Additionally, the Company formed a product development department in fiscal
1996 and increased its resources devoted to research and development
activities. Product development expenses, which are a function of new product
research and development and existing product enhancement efforts, are expected
to increase in fiscal 1997 over the fiscal 1996 level as a result of planned
efforts to update several existing products and plans to engage in additional
research efforts on new products and technologies. The actual level of product
development expense for fiscal 1997 is subject to various uncertainties,
including the ability of the Company to attract and/or retain qualified persons
to perform the planned activities. In addition, it is possible that research
and development efforts could proceed differently than anticipated or the
Company may be required to expense, rather than to capitalize, the costs
related to such efforts.
Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 1996 increased by
$1,687,000 to $6,380,000, or 35.9%, over the fiscal 1995 level, due principally
to increased marketing activities and to increased sales personnel and their
sales efforts to achieve the net revenue growth discussed previously, including
the sales and marketing efforts needed for products acquired through the ISI
merger and other new product introductions, and for the expansion of the
Company's sales force and its distribution network. Also, the Company
experienced certain increases in these expenses due to the merger of the
Company with ISI in March, 1995 and the acquisition of UAI in September, 1995.
Additionally, the Company incurred approximately $215,000 of expenses in 1996
related to the termination of its managing director at NEBV. The rate of
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 1997 is
expected to approximate the growth rate in fiscal 1996. This expectation is
based upon planned increases in sales personnel and support staff, increases in
marketing activities and general cost increases in advance of net revenue
increases. The actual rate of growth is subject to various uncertainties,
however. These include difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified
personnel as planned and the potential need to curtail planned marketing and
sales efforts and other activities if the potential profit improvement
anticipated is not realized.
Interest expense in fiscal 1996 increased by $132,000 to $513,000, or
34.7%, due to higher borrowing levels for the first two quarters of fiscal 1996
until a portion of the proceeds of the Company's secondary stock offering were
used to repay all borrowings under the Company's line of credit in June, 1996.
Higher borrowing levels were required to fund the Company's growth and were
incurred as a result of the negotiation and generally full use of a higher bank
credit line, the private placement in November,
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<PAGE> 16
1995 of $1,800,000 of subordinated debt, and an increase in amounts borrowed
under a mortgage note. Concurrent with the repayment of all outstanding
borrowings under the available bank credit line, total average borrowings
decreased, and will continue to decrease as the mortgage note is paid monthly.
Additionally, the Company intends to refinance its subordinated notes with a
term loan bearing a lower interest rate, so a decrease in interest expense is
expected in fiscal 1997.
Foreign currency losses totaled $10,000 in fiscal 1996 compared to foreign
currency gains of $74,000 in fiscal 1994. The gain or loss resulted in each
period primarily from translating the intercompany balance between the Company
and its Netherlands-based wholly-owned subsidiary at year end exchange rates of
U.S. dollars to the Dutch guilder. Only the portion of the intercompany
balance planned or anticipated to be settled in the foreseeable future is
subject to foreign exchange gain or loss. The foreign currency gain has no
effect on near term liquidity. As the intercompany balance has been
decreasing, the Company does not expect that foreign currency gains or losses
will be significant for fiscal 1997.
FISCAL 1995 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1994
Net revenues were $17,576,000 in fiscal 1995 compared to $15,287,000 in
fiscal 1994. This represents an increase of $2,289,000, or 15.0%, compared to
fiscal 1994. Of the increase, $704,000, or 30.8%, was attributable to revenues
from the software sales, which were not material in fiscal 1994, and
$1,585,000, or 69.2% of the increase, was attributable to increases in sales of
Industrial Workstations and related parts and service. The increase in sales
of Industrial Workstations and related parts and service represented an
increase of 10.5% in fiscal 1995 over fiscal 1994, and resulted from both price
increases on several products and a reduction in discounts given to certain
distributors and direct sales accounts. Price increases, ranging from 1% to
20%, were made on a product by product basis and distributor discount controls
were established for specific accounts where needed. Both of these events were
undertaken as part of the Company's turnaround plan initiated in fiscal 1995.
Foreign revenues increased in fiscal 1995 by $1,942,000, or 42.4%, over foreign
revenues in fiscal 1994, reflecting the strong demand in Europe and favorable
customer response to increased marketing and sales efforts expended by the
Company over the last several years. Domestic revenues increased in fiscal
1995 by $347,000, or 3.2%, over domestic revenues in fiscal 1994, due almost
exclusively to revenues resulting from software sales.
Cost of revenues include costs related to raw materials and component
parts, direct labor, burden, amortization of capitalized software costs,
provisions for warranty expenses on products sold to date and provisions for
excess and obsolete inventory. There were no material changes in costs of raw
materials, direct labor or burden, but amortization of capitalized software
costs increased in relation to increases in software-related revenues in fiscal
1995 compared to fiscal 1994. In fiscal 1994 and fiscal 1995, the Company
placed a significantly increased emphasis on improving the overall quality of
all products assembled and shipped through improved manufacturing techniques,
placing higher quality standards on purchased materials, and improving shipping
and packaging methods. Additionally, in late fiscal 1994, the Company followed
industry trends and reduced its warranty period from an average of 30 months to
18 months. As a result of such actions, warranty expenses have decreased
approximately $90,000 in fiscal 1995 compared to fiscal 1994, and the year-end
reserve has decreased by approximately $110,000. As part of the turnaround
plan initiated in fiscal 1995, the Company altered its purchasing practices and
began purchasing raw materials in smaller quantities and more on a
"just-in-time" basis than in previous years. Also, the Company phased out its
product offerings only when it was economical to do so - i.e., when component
parts inventory for a potential phase-out product were minimal. As a result of
such actions, the need for a significant addition to the year-end provision for
excess and obsolete inventory was eliminated in fiscal 1995.
Gross profit increased in fiscal 1995 to $6,194,000, or 35.2% of net
revenues, from $3,232,000, or 21.2% of net revenues, in fiscal 1994. The
increase in gross profit in fiscal 1995 was due to implementation of the
Company's turnaround plan through increasing prices and/or decreasing discounts
for certain products and to certain major customers, the elimination of certain
low margin products from the Company's product offerings, and the increase in
sales of higher margin hardware and software products. In fiscal 1995, the
elimination of low margin products had the added benefit of reducing the number
of unique hardware components purchased and maintained in inventory. Further,
higher margin hardware and
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<PAGE> 17
hardware bundled with software imbedded into the product were emphasized in the
Company's sales and marketing efforts. In fiscal 1995, total gross profit
improved due to the sales of such bundled products and certain software
products, primarily AutoNet software and the related integration services
resulting from the Company's merger with ISI in March, 1995. Also,
approximately $150,000 of revenue was recorded from sales of FloPro software
licenses resulting from the Company's acquisition of UAI in September, 1995, and
such sales of high margin software had a positive impact on overall gross
profit. The lower gross profit in fiscal 1994 was also the result of increased
provisions for warranty costs and for additional reserves for excess and
obsolete inventory; similar increases in provisions and reserves were not
required in fiscal 1995.
Product development costs decreased in fiscal 1995 by $751,000, or 45.7%,
over the fiscal 1994 level, primarily due to write-offs of previously
capitalized software costs related to one major and several other smaller
projects in 1994, and such write-offs were not required in fiscal 1995. A
larger percentage of the Company's software development efforts were
capitalizable expenditures in fiscal 1995 than in fiscal 1994. The most
significant of these products was the PowerVIEW product which was released in
September, 1995. Approximately $494,000 more software development costs,
primarily related to PowerVIEW, were capitalized in fiscal 1995 than in fiscal
1994. Included in the fiscal 1994 product development costs of $1,645,000 was
a $440,000 write-off of previously capitalized costs related to the abandonment
in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994 of in-process software which was being
developed in fiscal 1993 and fiscal 1994 and which was to be the basis for the
Company's next generation of industrial workstation products. In the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1994 and prior to the issuance of its financial statements,
the Company completed its review and evaluation of its in-process software.
The Company determined that, although the in-process software would accomplish
its designed functions, it would be more economical and beneficial to base the
next generation of Company products on software that had been developed by ISI.
Consequently, the Company wrote off in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994 all
costs associated with its internally-developed software for the applicable
project.
Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 1995 increased by
$397,000, or 9.2%, over the fiscal 1994 level, due principally to increased
marketing and sales efforts in the second half of the fiscal year undertaken to
achieve the sales growth discussed previously, including the sales and
marketing efforts needed for products acquired through the ISI merger and other
new product introductions, and for the expansion of the Company's sales force
and its distribution network. Also, the Company experienced certain increases
general and administrative expenses due to the merger of the Company with ISI
in March, 1995. The acquisition of UAI in September, 1995 had an insignificant
impact on selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 1995. The
Company's turnaround efforts included reductions early in fiscal 1995 of
several selling, general and administrative personnel, and the realization of
certain efficiencies resulting from a realignment of responsibilities.
Additionally, the salaries of all officers and most middle management
personnel were reduced by between 5% and 20%, other salaries were frozen, and
to the extent practical, all non-essential spending was curtailed.
Interest expense in fiscal 1995 increased by $138,000 due to a combination
of higher borrowing levels to fund fiscal 1994 losses and to increase working
capital to fund the expansion of business in fiscal 1995. Average borrowings
under the Company's bank line of credit borrowings increased by $462,000 and
the average interest rate on such borrowings increased by 3.22%. Additionally,
the Company increased by $262,000 its borrowings under convertible subordinated
notes for most of fiscal 1995, borrowed $100,000 under a short term loan with a
bank, and borrowed up to $100,000 from former ISI shareholders for a portion of
fiscal 1995. In August 1995, the Company eliminated $200,000 of subordinated
debt through conversion of a convertible subordinated note into common stock,
and also entered into a new term note collateralized by a mortgage. In
September 1995, the Company increased the amount of its available line of
credit and has utilized a portion of such increase. In November 1995, the
Company repaid $444,000 of convertible subordinated debt with proceeds of
$1,800,000 of new subordinated debt. The net effect of these transactions was
an increase in total debt for fiscal 1995 over fiscal 1994.
Foreign currency gain totaled $74,000 in fiscal 1995 compared to $40,000
in fiscal 1994. The gain resulted in each period primarily from translating
the intercompany balance between the Company and its Netherlands-based wholly
owned subsidiary at year end exchange rates of U.S. dollars to the Dutch
guilder. Only the portion of the intercompany balance planned or anticipated
to be settled in the foreseeable
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<PAGE> 18
future is subject to foreign exchange gain or loss. The foreign currency gain
has no effect on near term liquidity.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March, 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB")
issued Statement No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of." This statement is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995 and requires long-lived assets
and certain intangible assets to be carried at the lower of cost or fair value
to sell if recoverability is determined to be questionable. The Company does
not believe adoption of this statement will have a material impact on
operations.
In November, 1995, the FASB issued Statement No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock Based Compensation." This statement is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1995. Companies have a choice to include a
reasonable estimate of expense for all stock-based compensation in the
operating statement, or to disclose the effect of adopting the provisions of
the statement on a pro forma basis in a footnote to the financial statements.
The Company anticipates that it will include the effects of the statement in a
pro forma disclosure, and it is unable to estimate the impact of the statement
at this time.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company expects to continue to upgrade its management information and
network systems in fiscal 1997 and may finance the acquisition of approximately
$600,000 of computer and related equipment with either a capital lease or a
term loan from a local bank. It is expected that capital required for software
and product development in 1997 will increase over the fiscal 1996 level, and
amounts to be expended for marketing and sales efforts will increase as well.
Additionally, the Company intends to obtain a term loan in an amount
approximating $2 million and use a portion of the proceeds to repay its
existing subordinated debt in the amount of $1.8 million. The remaining
proceeds will be added to working capital.
Internally generated funds from operations, together with the existing
cash resources and available bank credit facilities and proceeds for a term
loan in excess of subordinated debt to be repaid are expected to be sufficient
for the Company's operating and capital requirements for fiscal 1997.
UNCERTAINTIES RELATING TO FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
"Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations"
and other arts of this Form 10-KSB contain certain "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, based on current
management expectations. Actual results could differ materially from the
forward-looking statements due to a number of uncertainties, including, but not
limited to, those discussed in this section and in "Business - Products, Market
and Competition" above.
Factors that could cause future results to differ from these expectations
include general economic conditions particularly related t automotive
manufacturing, demand for the Company's products and services, the ability of
the Company to successfully implement its strategy to lead the industrial
automation market migration from closed architecture PLCs to open architecture
PC-based solutions, changes in Company strategy, product life cycles,
competitive factors (including the introduction or enhancement of competitive
products), pricing pressures, raw material price increases, delays in
introduction of planned hardware and software products, software defects and
latent technological deficiencies in new products, changes in operating
expenses, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, inability to attract or
retain sales and/or engineering talent, changes in customer requirement and
evolving industry standards.
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ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements filed herewith are set forth in the Index to
Consolidated Financial Statements (on page F-1) of the separate financial
section which follows this report, and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable pursuant to Instruction 1 to Item 304 of Regulation S-B.
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PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS;
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
Company's 1997 Proxy Statement under the captions "Election of Directors,"
"Board of Directors Meetings and Committees" and "Executive Officers."
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
Company's 1997 Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation."
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
Company's 1997 Proxy Statement under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management."
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
Company's 1997 Proxy Statement under the caption "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions."
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) The exhibits filed herewith are set forth in the Index to
Exhibits (on the first page of the separate exhibit section which
follows the financial section of this report) and are incorporated
herein by reference. The following are the Company's management
contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements which are required
to be filed as Exhibits to this Form 10-KSB:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibit
- ------- ----------------------
<S> <C>
10.01 Nematron Corporation Restricted Stock Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.01 to
the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30,
1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.02 Nematron Corporation 1993 Stock Option Plan, as amended, filed as
Exhibit 10(a) to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended June 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.03 Nematron Corporation 1993 Directors Option Plan filed as Exhibit 10.03
to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30,
1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.04 Nematron 401(k) Plan filed as Exhibit 10.04 to the Registrant's Form
10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 1995
10.09 Non-competition Agreement dated as of March 2, 1995 between the
Registrant and Frank G. Logan, III, filed as Exhibit 99(a) to the
Registrant's Form 8-K dated as of March 3, 1995 and incorporated
herein by reference.
</TABLE>
(b) The Company was not required to and did not file any current
report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal
year ended September 30, 1996.
20
<PAGE> 21
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized
NEMATRON CORPORATION
By: /s/ Frank G. Logan, III Dated: December 20, 1996
-------------------------------------- -----------------
Frank G. Logan, III, President and CEO
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by
the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Frank G. Logan, III President, CEO and a Director December 20, 1996
- ------------------------ (Principal Executive and Financial Officer) -----------------
Frank G. Logan, III
/s/ David P. Gienapp Vice President - Finance and Administration December 20, 1996
- ----------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Secretary, -----------------
David P. Gienapp Treasurer and a Director
/s/ Gregory J. Chandler Vice President and a Director December 20, 1996
- ------------------------ -----------------
Gregory J. Chandler
/s/ Garnel F. Graber Chairman of the Board and a December 20, 1996
- ------------------------ Director -----------------
Garnel F. Graber
/s/ Hugo E. Braun Director December 20, 1996
- ------------------------ -----------------
Hugo E. Braun
/s/ Michael L. Hershey Director December 20, 1996
- ------------------------ -----------------
Michael L. Hershey
/s/ Harry A. Sundblad Director December 20, 1996
- ------------------------ -----------------
Harry A. Sundblad
/s/ Douglas B. Juanarena Director December 20, 1996
- ------------------------ -----------------
Douglas B. Juanarena
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE> 22
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Table of Contents
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page(s)
-------
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1996 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended September 30,
1995 and 1996 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
September 30, 1995 and 1996 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30,
1995 and 1996 F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7 - F-23
</TABLE>
F - 1
<PAGE> 23
Independent Auditors' Report
The Board of Directors
Nematron Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Nematron
Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the
years ended September 30, 1995 and 1996. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nematron Corporation
and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1996, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
December 13, 1996
F - 2
<PAGE> 24
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheet
September 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Assets (Notes 6 and 7)
<S> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,942,963
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $115,000 5,989,708
Inventories (note 5) 4,520,937
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 750,995
-----------
Total current assets 15,204,603
Property and equipment:
Land 117,000
Building and improvements 2,264,906
Equipment 4,141,939
-----------
6,523,845
Less accumulated depreciation (3,139,560)
-----------
Net property and equipment 3,384,285
Other assets:
Software and related development costs, net of
accumulated amortization of $611,022 4,426,257
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated
amortization of $580,954 1,199,200
-----------
Net other assets 5,625,457
-----------
Total assets $24,214,345
===========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt (note 7) $ 158,340
Accounts payable 1,661,120
Other accrued liabilities 671,678
-----------
Total current liabilities 2,491,138
Long-term debt, less current maturities (note 7) 3,993,309
-----------
Total liabilities 6,484,447
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, no par value; 15,000,000
shares authorized, 4,558,248 shares
issued and outstanding (note 10) 17,572,814
Foreign currency translation adjustment (85,518)
Retained earnings 242,602
-----------
Total stockholders' equity 17,729,898
-----------
Commitments and contingencies (note 11)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $24,214,345
===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 3
<PAGE> 25
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
For the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Net revenues $17,576,305 $20,923,613
Cost of revenues 11,382,064 12,190,759
----------- -----------
Gross profit 6,194,241 8,732,854
Operating expenses:
Product development costs 893,926 1,448,540
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 4,692,918 6,379,718
----------- -----------
Total operating expenses 5,586,844 7,828,258
----------- -----------
Operating income 607,397 904,596
Other income (expense):
Interest and other income, net 2,704 70,189
Interest expense (380,738) (512,896)
Foreign currency gain (loss) 73,706 (10,199)
----------- -----------
Total other expense (304,328) (452,906)
----------- -----------
Income before taxes on income 303,069 451,690
Taxes on income (note 8) 0 0
----------- -----------
Net income $ 303,069 $ 451,690
=========== ===========
Earnings per share:
Primary $ 0.14 $ 0.13
=========== ===========
Fully Diluted $ 0.12
===========
Weighted average shares outstanding - primary 2,179,939 3,580,057
=========== ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding - fully diluted 3,797,490
===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 4
<PAGE> 26
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
For the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Retained
Common Stock Foreign Earnings
------------------------ Currency (Accumulated Total
Shares Amount Translation Deficit) -----
------ ------ ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, October 1, 1994 1,612,773 $ 3,643,223 $(33,022) $(512,157) $ 3,098,044
Shares issued pursuant to merger
with Imagination Systems, Inc.
(note 3) 970,526 1,699,078 1,699,078
Shares issued pursuant to merger
with Universal Automation, Inc.
(note 3) 200,000 1,112,000 1,112,000
Grant of stock in connection with
separation agreement 9,000 16,313 16,313
Shares issued in connection with
conversion of convertible
subordinated note to common stock
(note 4) 102,564 200,000 200,000
Forfeiture of restricted stock upon
termination of employment (25,250) 0 0
Compensation related to Restricted
Stock Plan (note 9) 125,579 125,579
Net income for the year ended
September 30, 1995 303,069 303,069
Foreign currency translation (17,925) (17,925)
--------- ----------- -------- --------- -----------
Balance, September 30, 1995 2,869,613 6,796,193 (50,947) (209,088) 6,536,158
Net income for the year ended
September 30, 1996 451,690 451,690
Foreign currency translation effect (34,571) (34,571)
Shares issued pursuant to
secondary stock offering, net of
expenses 1,200,000 9,551,604 9,551,604
Exercise of options 13,416 36,968 36,968
Exercise of warrants 475,219 1,188,049 1,188,049
--------- ----------- -------- --------- -----------
Balance, September 30, 1996 4,558,248 $17,572,814 $(85,518) $ 242,602 $17,729,898
========= =========== ======== ========= ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 5
<PAGE> 27
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 303,069 $ 451,690
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 730,717 837,666
Noncash compensation related to restricted stock 125,579 0
Changes in assets and liabilities that provided (used) cash:
Accounts receivable (676,457) (2,828,082)
Inventories (597,345) (397,915)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (265,206) (481,638)
Accounts payable 592,625 (1,083,280)
Other accrued liabilities (487,363) (376,418)
---------- -----------
Net cash used in operating activities (274,381) (3,877,977)
---------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to capitalized software development costs and other
intangible assets (469,672) (1,171,827)
Additions to property and equipment (244,690) (929,730)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (104,709) 0
---------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities (819,071) (2,101,557)
---------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under long-term debt 2,100,000 2,266,081
Net proceeds (repayments) of notes payable to bank 730,000 (2,450,000)
Payments of long-term debt (1,695,953) (540,245)
Proceeds from sale of common stock 0 10,776,621
Additions to deferred financing fees (22,896) (173,647)
---------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,111,151 9,878,810
---------- -----------
Foreign currency translation effect on cash (532) (34,571)
---------- -----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 17,167 3,864,705
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 61,091 78,258
---------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 78,258 $ 3,942,963
========== ===========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest $ 456,984 $ 519,456
Cash paid for income taxes 0 0
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing and investing activities:
Additions to various assets and liabilities in connection with the
acquisition of Imagination Systems, Inc., for common stock (note 3) 1,497,891
Additions to various assets and liabilities in connection with
the acquisition of Universal Automation, Inc., for common stock (note 3) 1,112,000
Issuance of common stock in exchange for noncompete agreement (note 3) 217,500
Issuance of common stock in connection with conversion of a
subordinated note (note 4) 200,000
Acquisition of equipment under capital lease obligations 78,579
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 6
<PAGE> 28
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 1996
(1) Business
Nematron Corporation (the "Company") designs, manufactures, and markets
environmentally ruggedized computers and computer displays known as
industrial workstations, and designs, develops, and markets software for
worldwide use in factory automation and control and in test and measurement
environments.
(2) Summary of Accounting Principles
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries--Nematron Europa BV (NEBV), a
Netherlands corporation formed in 1990, and NemaSoft, Inc. (NemaSoft), and
Imagination Systems, Inc., Michigan corporations formed in 1995 and 1996,
respectively. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have
been eliminated in consolidation.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, the Company acquired two
software design and manufacturing companies. Imagination Systems, Inc.
("ISI"), a Virginia corporation, was acquired on March 3, 1995, and
Universal Automation, Inc. ("UAI"), was acquired on September 20, 1995.
The consolidated operations of Nematron for 1995 include the results of ISI
and UAI since the dates of their respective acquisitions (see
note 3).
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original
maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash
equivalents.
Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined
by the first in, first out method. Provision is made to reduce inventories
to net realizable value for excess and/or obsolete inventories based upon
an item-by-item review of quantities on hand compared to estimated usage
for sales and service.
F - 7
<PAGE> 29
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(2) Summary of Accounting Principles, Continued
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Capital leases are recorded at
the present value of future minimum lease payments and are amortized over
their primary term. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful
lives of the assets, ranging from 3 years for certain factory and office
equipment to 33 years for the Company's manufacturing facility.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for financial
reporting purposes and accelerated methods as promulgated by the IRS for
tax reporting purposes.
Software and Related Development Costs
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86,
Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software To Be Sold, Leased or
Otherwise Marketed, certain computer software development costs and
purchased software technology have been capitalized. Capitalization of
computer software development costs begins upon establishment of
technological feasibility. The establishment of technological feasibility
and the ongoing assessment of recoverability of capitalized computer
software development costs requires considerable judgment by management
with respect to certain external factors, including, but not limited to,
anticipated future gross revenues, estimated economic life, and changes in
software and hardware technology.
During the year ended September 30, 1996, capitalized software and related
development costs, net of amortization, increased by approximately
$1,125,000, primarily relating to salaries and other costs incurred during
the year, offset by approximately $47,000 of amortization of capital costs.
Amortization of capitalized computer software development costs is provided
on a product-by-product basis using the greater of the amount computed
using (a) the ratio that current gross revenues for each product bear to
the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues for that
product, or (b) the straight-line method over the remaining estimated
economic lives of the respective products, ranging from two to five years.
Amortization amounted to approximately $166,000 and $47,000 for the years
ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and is included in cost of
revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization,
which is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful
lives of the assets, ranging from five to ten years. Amortization was
$100,500 for the year ended September 30, 1996.
F - 8
<PAGE> 30
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(2) Summary of Accounting Principles, Continued
Foreign Currency Translation
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52,
Foreign Currency Translation, the assets and liabilities of the Company's
foreign subsidiary, Nematron Europa BV, denominated in foreign currency,
are translated at exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date, and
revenue and expenses are translated using a weighted average exchange rate
during the year. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign
currency financial statements are recorded in a separate component of
stockholders' equity. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency
transactions are included in net income.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from product sales are recognized upon shipment. Revenues from
service and repair of computers are recognized as the services are
performed. Revenues from software and engineering development are
recognized as the Company performs the services, in accordance with the
contract terms. Revenues from extended warranty agreements covering
software are recognized ratably over the terms of the agreement with the
customer. Revenues from license agreements are recognized upon delivery of
the software and performance of all obligations under the applicable
agreement. The Company has established programs which, under specified
terms and limited conditions, enable its distributors to return limited
amounts of product. The effect of these programs is estimated, and
current-period revenues and cost of revenues are reduced accordingly.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. These costs,
representing engineering salaries, fringe benefits, and a portion of the
Company's overhead, are included in the accompanying consolidated
statements of income as a component of product development costs. Research
and development costs expensed were approximately $705,000 and $1,087,000
for the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
F - 9
<PAGE> 31
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(2) Summary of Accounting Principles, Continued
Reserve for Self-Insurance
Through September 30, 1996, the Company had elected to retain a significant
portion of expected medical claims for Ann Arbor-based personnel expenses
through the use of deductibles which total $30,000 per employee and
$1,000,000 aggregate. Provisions for losses under the employee medical
benefit program are recorded based upon the Company's estimates of claims
incurred but not reported, as provided by its third-party administrator.
The total estimated liability for medical claim expenses, both reported as
well as for incurred but not reported, at September 30, 1996, was
approximately $26,000 and is included in other accrued liabilities.
Effective October 1, 1996, the Company has purchased commercial medical
insurance in order to provide this employee benefit.
Warranty Costs
The Company provides for estimated warranty costs as products are shipped.
Estimated warranty reserves are adjusted currently based upon projected
levels of warranty repairs and estimated costs of materials, labor, and
overhead costs to be incurred in meeting warranty obligations.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset-and-liability method.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed annually for
differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and
liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the
future. Such deferred income tax asset-and-liability computations are
based on enacted tax laws and rates. A valuation allowance is established
when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount expected
to be realized.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share are calculated using the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding during the year, adjusted for the assumed
conversion of dilutive stock options and warrants. In computing the per
share effect of assumed conversion, funds which would have been received
from the exercise of options and warrants are considered to have been used
to purchase common shares at an average market price for primary earnings
per share and at the year end market price for fully diluted earnings per
share. The resulting net additional common shares are included in the
calculation of average shares outstanding. During fiscal year 1995 the
average conversion price of options and warrants exceeded the average
market price and, therefore, the options and warrants are not dilutive and
are not reflected in the calculation of average shares outstanding.
F - 10
<PAGE> 32
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(2) Summary of Accounting Principles, Continued
Fair Value
Financial instruments of the Company, consisting principally of cash,
accounts receivable, accounts payable, and debt, are recorded at estimated
fair value. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the
Company, using available market information and available valuation
methodologies.
Use of Estimates
Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions
relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets To Be Disposed Of. The Company
intends to adopt this standard during the first quarter of fiscal 1997.
The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on
the Company's financial position or results of operations.
In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation. The Company intends to adopt this standard in fiscal 1997 by
making the required note disclosures only. Therefore, the adoption of this
standard is not expected to have an effect on the Company's financial
position or results of operations.
F - 11
<PAGE> 33
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(3) Acquisitions
Merger with Imagination Systems, Inc.
On March 3, 1995, the Company purchased all of the outstanding shares of
Imagination Systems, Inc., a Virginia Beach, Virginia-based developer of
industrial data acquisition, networking, and other software, and recorded
this transaction using the purchase method. The total purchase price was
approximately $1,886,000, including expenses of approximately $300,000.
Under terms of the merger agreement, the Company issued 825,526 shares of
its common stock to the former ISI shareholders in exchange for 100 percent
of the outstanding common stock of ISI. The ISI stock was retired, and the
Company is the surviving entity. In connection with the merger, the
Company also issued 120,000 shares of its common stock in return for a
noncompetition agreement with ISI's president, who became the Company's
president, and 25,000 shares of its common stock to certain employees of
ISI who became employees of the Company as a result of the merger. A total
of 970,526 shares of Company common stock were issued in this transaction.
In addition to the common stock issued, the Company issued warrants to
purchase Company common stock at $2.50 per share for every two shares
issued in the merger. The warrants expire three years from the date of the
merger (see note 10).
Merger with Universal Automation, Inc.
On September 20, 1995, the Company completed its merger of its wholly owned
subsidiary, NemaSoft, with Universal Automation, Inc., a Hudson, New
Hampshire-based developer of industrial software for machine control that
executes on Intel-based personal computers, and recorded this transaction
using the purchase method. UAI is the holder of a patent for a continuous
flow chart, improved data format, and debugging system for the programming
and operation of machines. The total purchase price was approximately
$1,530,000, including expenses of approximately $400,000. Under terms of
the merger agreement, the Company issued 200,000 shares of its common stock
and $100,000 to the former UAI shareholders in exchange for 100 percent of
the outstanding common stock of UAI. The UAI stock was retired, and
NemaSoft is the surviving entity. In connection with the merger, NemaSoft
also entered into two-year employment and noncompetition agreements with
UAI's president and vice president, who became employees of NemaSoft as a
result of the merger.
In addition to the common stock issued, the Company also issued 137,000
warrants to purchase Nematron common stock at $4.81 per share. The
warrants expire November 20, 1997 (see note 10).
F - 12
<PAGE> 34
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(3) Acquisitions, Continued
Merger with Universal Automation, Inc.
The allocation of total purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities
assumed as of the respective purchase dates was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ISI UAI
--- ---
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets $ 268,000 $ 0
Software and related development costs 2,196,000 617,000
Other intangible assets 218,000 1,005,000
Property and equipment 81,000 5,000
Liabilities (877,000) (97,000)
---------- ----------
Total purchase price $1,886,000 $1,530,000
========== ==========
</TABLE>
As of September 30, 1995, the total purchase price and the allocation among
the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities was subject to
adjustment until estimates were finalized.
Finalization of such estimates resulted in an increase of approximately
$56,000 in the software and related development costs and the total
purchase price of ISI. Finalization of estimates related to the UAI merger
resulted in a re-allocation of approximately $1,005,000 from software and
related development costs to other intangible assets.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of
consolidated results of operations for fiscal 1995 of the Company, ISI, and
UAI as if the acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of 1995, with
pro forma adjustments to give effect to amortization of software, interest
expense on additional borrowings, and certain other adjustments, together
with related income tax effects.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended
September 30, 1995
(Unaudited)
-----------
<S> <C>
Net revenues $18,578,000
Net income $ 37,000
Net earnings per share $ 0.01
</TABLE>
F - 13
<PAGE> 35
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(4) Related Party Transactions
The Company leases its Virginia Beach, Virginia, office building from a
partnership in which the president and CEO of the Company is a partner.
Total lease payments made for the lease period from March 3, 1995, through
September 30, 1995, and for the year ended September 30, 1996, under the
terms of the lease, which commenced on March 3, 1995, were $45,262 and
$77,592, respectively.
(5) Inventories
Inventories are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30,
1996
----
<S> <C>
Purchased parts and accessories $2,734,974
Finished goods 467,631
Work-in-process 349,189
Demo units 627,316
Service stock 341,827
----------
Total inventories $4,520,937
==========
</TABLE>
(6) Notes Payable to Bank
The Company has a credit facility with a bank with a maximum amount
available of $6,000,000. No amounts are outstanding on this facility at
September 30, 1996. The amount available under this facility is limited by
a borrowing formula which allows for advances up to a maximum of the sum of
80 percent of eligible domestic accounts receivable plus a maximum of
$1,000,000 of eligible foreign receivables, plus a maximum of $1,000,000
against certain inventory categories. Based upon the borrowing formula,
the entire amount of the available line was eligible for advance. The line
of credit is secured by substantially all assets of the Company and a
second mortgage on the Company's Ann Arbor facility. The note bears
interest at the bank's prime interest rate (8.25 percent at September 30,
1996). The line of credit includes various affirmative and negative
covenants. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of
September 30, 1996.
F - 14
<PAGE> 36
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(7) Long-term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30,
1996
----
<S> <C>
Mortgage loan payable to a bank, interest at 9.5% per
annum; payable in monthly installments of $29,900 through
September 2001, at which time the remaining principal and
any interest thereon is due. The loan is collateralized by
a first mortgage of the Company's land and building in Ann
Arbor, Michigan $2,300,000
Subordinated debt under a term loan and warrant purchase
agreement (the "Subordinated Note Agreement"), interest at
12% per annum. Interest-only payments are required through
September 1997. Beginning in October 1997, payable in
monthly installments of $50,000 plus interest. The notes
are collateralized by substantially all assets, other than
real property, of the Company and a third mortgage on the
Company's land and building in Ann Arbor, Michigan 1,800,000
Capitalized lease obligations (note 11) 51,649
----------
Total long-term debt 4,151,649
Less current maturities (158,340)
----------
Total long-term debt, less current maturities $3,993,309
==========
</TABLE>
The mortgage loan payable to a bank contains a covenant that requires the
Company to maintain a minimum tangible net worth and a minimum
debt-to-equity ratio. The Subordinated Note Agreement includes various
affirmative and negative covenants, the most restrictive of which are (1)
the prohibition of dividend payments, and (2) requirements to maintain (a)
a specified ratio of current assets to current liabilities, (b) a specified
ratio of cash flow, and (c) a specified level of tangible worth. The
Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 1996. A
total of 237,214 warrants were issued under the Subordinated Note Agreement
to purchase stock at $4 a share which expire October 31, 2002 (see note
10).
F - 15
<PAGE> 37
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(7) Long-term Debt, Continued
The aggregate amounts of long-term debt maturities at September 30, 1996,
are as follows:
<TABLE>
Year ended September 30:
<S> <C>
1997 $ 158,340
1998 772,195
1999 760,324
2000 775,971
2001 1,684,819
----------
Total long-term debt $4,151,649
==========
</TABLE>
(8) Taxes on Income
The provisions for taxes on income in fiscal 1995 and 1996, including both
the current and deferred portions, are zero. The following reconciles the
statutory federal income tax rate to the Company's effective tax rate:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
------------------------
1995 1996
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Income tax expense based on the
federal statutory rate 34.0% 34.0%
Utilization of net operating
loss carryforwards (34.0)% (34.0)%
----- -----
Effective tax rate 0.0% 0.0%
===== =====
</TABLE>
The domestic and foreign components of income before taxes on income are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
------------------------
1995 1996
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Domestic $368,057 $ (9,100)
Foreign (64,988) 460,790
-------- --------
Total income before taxes on income $303,069 $451,690
======== ========
</TABLE>
F - 16
<PAGE> 38
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(8) Taxes on Income, Continued
Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the recognition
of income and expenses for financial and income tax reporting purposes.
Deferred income taxes are primarily due to the use of accelerated methods of
depreciation for tax purposes versus principally straight-line methods for
financial reporting purposes, the capitalization of software development
costs for financial reporting purposes versus the expensing of these items
as incurred for tax purposes, the required capitalization of certain
inventory items for tax purposes, inventory reserves deductible for tax
purposes when disposed of versus directly expensing them for financial
reporting purposes, employee benefit accruals deductible for tax purposes
when paid, and net operating loss carryforwards.
Temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to the net deferred
tax position at September 30, 1996, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Inventories $ 152,000
Property and equipment 90,000
Other 174,000
Net operating loss carryforwards 1,930,000
----------
Total deferred tax assets 2,346,000
Less: Valuation allowance (386,000)
----------
Net deferred tax assets 1,960,000
Deferred tax liability - capitalized
software development costs
and other intangible assets (1,960,000)
----------
Net deferred tax position $ 0
==========
</TABLE>
F - 17
<PAGE> 39
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(8) Taxes on Income, Continued
During the year ended September 30, 1996, the valuation allowance decreased
by $18,000. At September 30, 1996, the Company has net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $5,683,000, which expire at various dates
between 2003 and 2011. Utilization of these carryforwards is subject to
annual limitation under current IRS regulations. The Company has
established a valuation allowance for the estimated amount of the total
limitation on the utilization of the net operating loss carryforwards.
Realization of net deferred tax assets associated with the net operating
loss carryforwards is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income
prior to their expiration. Although realization is not assured for the
deferred tax assets, management believes it is more likely than not that
they will be realized through future taxable earnings or alternative tax
strategies. However, the net deferred tax assets could be reduced in the
near term if management's estimates of future taxable income are no longer
viable.
(9) Employee Benefit Plans
Restricted Stock Plan
The Company has a Restricted Stock Plan which provides for the granting of
up to 75,000 shares of the Company's common stock to key employees. In
July 1993, all 75,000 shares were granted by action of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors, and no further grants will be made
under this plan. Under terms of the plan, upon change in control, all
shares subject to an award shall automatically vest. The merger of the
Company with ISI constituted a change in control. By action of the board
of directors, the restricted stock not previously vested as of August 16,
1995, was 100 percent vested as of that date.
During 1995, 42,750 shares of restricted stock became vested, and 25,250
shares were forfeited due to terminations. Compensation expense in 1995
related to the Restricted Stock Plan was $125,579.
1993 Stock Option Plan
The Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan (the "1993 Plan") provides for the
granting of options to purchase a total of 750,000 shares of common stock
to key employees. The exercise price for each option granted under the
1993 Plan cannot be less than the fair market value of the common stock on
the date of the grant.
F - 18
<PAGE> 40
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(9) Employee Benefit Plans, Continued
1993 Stock Option Plan, Continued
The plan gives the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
latitude in deciding the vesting period. Options generally vest one third
immediately and one third on each successive anniversary date of the award,
or are exercisable at the rate of one third per year beginning on the day
after the first anniversary of the date of the award. Under provisions of
the 1993 Plan, shares subject to an option award will become immediately
exercisable upon a change in control of the Company. A "change in control"
has the same definition in the 1993 Stock Option Plan as in the Restricted
Stock Plan. Accordingly, 67,150 options became immediately exercisable in
1995. Options remaining unexercised on the tenth anniversary of the date
of the grant will expire. No options may be granted after February 26,
2003.
During fiscal 1995, the Company granted 239,250 options at exercise prices
of $2.50 to $3.87 per share, 73,400 options became exercisable, and 32,850
options were forfeited. During fiscal 1996, 225,500 options were granted at
option prices of $4.50 to $9.00 per share, 151,448 options became
exercisable, and 18,300 options were forfeited. As of September 30, 1996,
an additional 267,700 options may be issued under the 1993 Plan.
Directors Option Plan
The Company's 1993 Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Directors Option
Plan") provides for the granting of options to purchase a total of 20,000
shares of common stock. The exercise price for each option granted under
the Directors Option Plan is equal to the greater of the fair market value
or book value of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant.
The Directors Option Plan provides that each qualified director will be
granted annually an option to purchase 1,000 shares of common stock.
Options will be exercisable at any time beginning six months after the date
of the grant; options expire five years from the date of the grant. During
fiscal 1995, the Company granted options to purchase 4,000 shares of common
stock at exercise prices of $1.87 to $2.12 per share, and in fiscal 1996,
the Company granted options to purchase 3,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $8.75 per share and no options were forfeited. As of
September 30, 1996, an additional 8,000 options may be issued under the
Directors Option Plan.
F - 19
<PAGE> 41
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(9) Employee Benefit Plans, Continued
Special Option Grants
The board of directors has awarded special option awards to its former
chairman. These awards total 30,000 options to purchase common stock at
$2.50 per share and $8.75 per share, and the awards were a grant made
separate from either of the two qualified plans specified above.
Information with respect to options under the 1993 Stock Option Plan, the
1993 Directors Stock Option Plan, and special option grants for the two
years ended September 30, 1996, is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Option Price Available
Per Share Outstanding Exercisable for Grant
--------- ----------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, October 1, 1994 $2.50 - $4.89 84,700 22,900 40,300
Increase in authorized
shares under the 1993
Plan 350,000
Special option grant 10,000
Granted $1.87 - $3.87 243,250 (243,250)
Exercisable $1.87 - $2.50 74,400
Forfeited $2.50 (32,850) 32,850
------- ------ --------
Balance, September 30,
1995 $1.87 - $4.89 305,100 97,300 179,900
Increase in authorized
shares under the 1993
Plan 295,000
Special option grant $8.75 20,000
Granted $4.50 - $9.00 225,500 (225,500)
Exercisable $2.50 - $8.75 187,448
Exercised $1.87 - $2.50 (13,416) (13,416)
Forfeited $2.50 (18,300) (18,300) 18,300
------- ------- -------
Balance, September 30,
1996 $1.87 - $8.75 518,884 253,032 267,700
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
F - 20
<PAGE> 42
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(9) Employee Benefit Plans, Continued
401(k) Plan and Trust
The Company has established a defined-contribution retirement plan for all
eligible employees. Participants may make basic contributions of up to 15
percent of their compensation, pursuant to section 401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Under terms of the 401(k) plan, the Company makes a basic
contribution of 50 percent of each employee's contribution up to the first
4 percent contributed by the employee, and it may make additional
contributions as approved by the board of directors. A participant becomes
vested in the Company's contribution on his or her behalf at a rate of 20
percent for each year of service after the effective date of the 401(k)
plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a participating employee will be
fully vested in the Company's contributions to his or her account in the
event of death, or in the event of disability or normal retirement, as
those terms will be defined in the 401(k) plan.
The Company's contributions to the 401(k) plan were approximately $38,000
and $68,000 for the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
(10) Warrants
The Company has outstanding warrants for the purchase of its common stock
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ISI UAI Subordinated
Acquisition Acquisition Debt Total
----------- ----------- ---- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Exercise price $2.50 $4.81 $4.00
Expiration date 3/03/98 11/20/97 10/31/02
Issued in connection with
the ISI acquisition 485,258 485,258
Issued in connection with
the UAI acquisition 137,000 137,000
-------- -------- -------- --------
Balance, September 30, 1995 485,258 137,000 622,258
Issued in connection with
subordinated debt 237,214 237,214
Exercised (475,219) 0 0 (475,219)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Balance, September 30, 1996 10,039 137,000 237,214 384,253
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
F - 21
<PAGE> 43
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(11) Lease Commitments
The Company leases its Virginia Beach office, its Netherlands facility,
other facilities, and certain vehicles and office equipment under
operating leases, and leases certain office and production equipment
under capital leases. Terms of the Virginia Beach office lease with a
partnership which includes the Company's president as a partner include
monthly rent of $6,466 for a 24-month period ending February 1997. The
lease for the Netherlands facility requires quarterly payments of
approximately $48,000; the other facilities' lease requires monthly
payments of $1,150 through March 1997; the vehicle leases collectively
require lease payments totaling approximately $2,000 through various
dates between April 1997 and March 1998; and the office equipment
operating lease requires monthly payments of $147 through April 1998.
The Company leases certain computer and test equipment under two capital
leases which had an initial term of three years and which collectively
require monthly payments, including interest, of $2,642 through August
1998. The net book value of equipment leased under the two capital
leases is approximately $52,000 at September 30, 1996.
A summary of commitments under noncancelable leases as of September 30,
1996, is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Capital Leases Operating Leases Total
-------------- ---------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1997 $31,700 $128,200 $159,900
1998 28,200 69,100 97,300
1999 0 58,700 58,700
2000 0 26,800 26,800
2001 0 5,400 5,400
------- -------- --------
Total minimum obligation $59,900 $288,200 $348,100
======== ========
Less amounts representing interest (8,300)
-------
Present value of minimum lease
payments $51,600
=======
</TABLE>
Total rental expense in fiscal 1995 and 1996 was $161,300 and $172,500,
respectively.
F - 22
<PAGE> 44
NEMATRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
(12) Foreign Revenues and Major Customer
Net revenues include export sales to various countries. A summary of
both foreign and domestic revenues is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30
-----------------------
1995 1996
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Foreign:
France $ 2,330,183 $ 2,019,177
Other Europe 2,399,158 1,307,856
Canada 837,543 670,832
South America 539,209 285,892
Asia and South Pacific 346,244 471,539
Africa 59,949 22,061
----------- -----------
Total foreign revenues 6,512,286 4,777,357
Domestic revenues 11,064,019 16,146,256
----------- -----------
Total $17,576,305 $20,923,613
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
During the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, revenues from one
unaffiliated customer totaled 15 percent and 10 percent of total revenues,
respectively. Revenues from a different unaffiliated customer totaled 2
percent and 13 percent during the same respective periods.
F - 23
<PAGE> 45
NEMATRON CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Sequential
Number Description of Exhibit Page No.
- ------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
2.01 Asset Purchase Agreement dated October 29, 1993 between
the Registrant and Action Instruments, Inc., filed as
Exhibit 2.01 to the Registrant's Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1993 and incorporated
herein by reference.
2.02 Merger Agreement dated February 2, 1995 between the
Registrant and Imagination Systems, Inc., filed as Exhibit
2 to the Registrant's Form 8-K dated as of March 3, 1995
and incorporated herein by reference.
2.03 Merger Agreement dated August 30, 1995 between the
Registrant and Universal Automation, Inc. Ronald J.
Lavallee and Thomas Peacock, the Shareholders, filed as
Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Form 8-K dated as of
September 20, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference.
3.01 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed as
Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's Form 10-QSB for the
quarterly period ended June 30, 1995 and incorporated
herein by reference.
3.02 Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, filed as Exhibit
3.02 to the Registrant's Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1994 and incorporated herein by
reference.
4.01 Specimen form of Stock Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.01
to the Registrant's Form 10-Registration Statement filed
on January 27, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.02 First Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated October 6,
1995 between the Registrant and Society Bank, Michigan
filed as Exhibit 4.02 to the Registrant's Form 10-KSB for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995 and incorporated
herein by reference.
4.03 Mortgage Note dated August 8, 1995 between the Company and
Chelsea State Bank, filed as Exhibit 4.03 to the
Registrant's Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.04 Mortgage Note dated September 19, 1996 between the
Registrant and Chelsea State Bank.
4.05 Term Loan and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of
November 7, 1995 between the Registrant and Onset BIDCO,
The Capital Fund, Joseph Krinski Trust U/A Dated 6/20/91,
Emily Krinski Trust U/A Dated 6/20/91, and Urban A.
MacDonald filed as Exhibit 4.04 to the Registrant's Form
S-2 Registration Statement dated June 6, 1996 and
incorporated herein by reference.
4.06 Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated March 29,
1996 between the Company and KeyBank National Association
(formerly Society Bank, Michigan), together with Master
Demand Business Loan Note and affirmations of guarantees,
filed as Exhibit 4.05 to the Registrant's Form S-2
Registration Statement dated June 6, 1996 and incorporated
herein by reference.
4.07 Mortgage, dated November 16, 1995, between the Company and
The Capital Fund, Inc., filed as Exhibit 4.07 to the
Registrant's Form S-2 Registration Statement dated June 6,
1996 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.01 Nematron Corporation Restricted Stock Plan, filed as
Exhibit 10.01 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended June 30, 1993 and incorporated
herein by reference.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 46
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Sequential
Number Description of Exhibit Page No.
- ------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
10.02 Nematron Corporation 1993 Stock Option Plan, as amended,
filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended June 30, 1995 and incorporated
herein by reference.
10.03 Nematron Corporation 1993 Directors Option Plan filed as
Exhibit 10.03 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended June 30, 1993 and incorporated
herein by reference.
10.04 Nematron 401(k) Plan filed as Exhibit 10.04 to the
Registrant's Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30,
1995 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.05 Convertible Subordinated Note, dated October 29, 1993
issued to Action Instruments, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.08
to Registrant's Form 10-KSB for the year ended September
30, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.06 Convertible Subordinated Note, dated August 29, 1994
issued to Action Instruments, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.06
to Registrant's Form 10-KSB for the year ended September
30, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.07 Convertible Subordinated Note, dated December 8, 1994
issued to G. Paul Horst, filed as Exhibit 10.07 to
Registrant's Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30,
1994 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.08 Convertible Subordinated Note, dated June 30, 1994 issued
to Imagination Systems, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.08 to
Registrant's Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30,
1994 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.09 Non-competition Agreement dated as of March 2, 1995
between the Registrant and Frank G. Logan, III, filed as
Exhibit 99(a) to the Registrant's Form 8-K dated as of
March 3, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference.
11.01 Statement re Computation of Per Share Earnings
21.01 Subsidiaries of Nematron Corporation
23.01 Consent of Independent Public Accountants
27.00 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 47
- - -
UNDERTAKING
The Company will furnish to any shareholder a copy of any of the exhibits
listed above upon written request and upon payment of a specified reasonable
fee, which fee shall be equal to the Company's reasonable expenses in
furnishing the exhibit to the shareholder. Requests for exhibits and
information regarding the applicable fee shall be direct to: Mr. Larry Helber,
Chief Financial Officer, at the address of the principal executive offices set
forth on the cover of this Report on Form 10-KSB.
24
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.O4
NEMATRON CORPORATION
5840 INTERFACE DRIVE
ANN ARBOR, MI 48103
BORROWER'S NAME AND ADDRESS
"I" includes each borrower above, joint and severally.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHELSEA STATE BANK
1010 SOUTH MAIN STREET
CHELSEA, MI 48118
LENDER'S NAME AND ADDRESS
"You" means the lender, its successors and assigns.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Number #75382-2
Date SEPTEMBER 19, 1996
Maturity Date SEP. 19, 2001
Loan Amount $2,300,000.00
Renewal of 60 MONTHS
: PN $480,103.27
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For value received, I promise to pay to you, or your order, at your address
listed above the PRINCIPAL sum of TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dollars $ 2,300,000.00
[XX] Single Advance: I will receive all of this principal sum on SEPTEMBER 19,
1996. No additional advances are contemplated under this note.
[ ] Multiple Advance: The principal sum shown above is the maximum amount of
principal I can borrow under this note. On __________________ I will
receive the amount of $______________ and future principal advances are
contemplated.
Conditions: The conditions for future advances are ______________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
[ ] Open End Credit: You and I agree that I may borrow up to the maximum
amount of principal more than one time. This feature is subject
to all other conditions and expires on ________________.
[ ] Closed End Credit: You and I agree that I may borrow up to the
maximum only one time (and subject to all other conditions).
INTEREST: I agree to pay interest on the outstanding principal balance from
SEP. 19, 1996 at the rate of 9.500% per year until SEPTEMBER 19, 2001.
[ ] Variable Rate: This rate may then change as stated below.
[ ] Index Rate: The future rate will be ______________ the following
index rate: _____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
[ ] No Index: The future rate will not be subject to any internal or
external index. It will be entirely in your control.
[ ] Frequency and Timing: The rate on this note may change as often as
______________________________________________________. A change
in the interest rate will take effect ___________________________.
[ ] Limitations: During the term of this loan, the applicable annual
interest rate will not be more than ________% or less than _____
_________%. The rate may not change more than ___________________
____% each ______________.
Effect of Variable Rate: A change in the interest rate will have the
following effect on the payments:
[ ] The amount of each scheduled payment will change.
[ ] The amount of the final payment will change.
[ ] ___________________________________________________________________.
ACCRUAL METHOD: Interest will be calculated on a ACTUAL/360 basis.
POST MATURITY RATE: I agree to pay interest on the unpaid balance of this note
owing after maturity, and until paid in full, as stated below:
[XX] on the same fixed or variable rate basis in effect before maturity
(as indicated above).
[ ] at a rate equal to _______________________________________________.
[XX] LATE CHARGE: If a payment is made more than 10 days after it is due, I
agree to pay a late charge of 2.000% OF THE LATE PAYMENT WITH A MINIMUM
OF $10.00 AND A MAXIMUM OF $100.00.
[XX] ADDITIONAL CHARGES: In addition to interest, I agree to pay the following
charges which [XX] are [ ] are not included in the principal amount
above: $5,000. PROCESSING FEE.
PAYMENTS: I agree to pay this note as follows:
[ ] Interest: I agree to pay accrued interest _________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
[ ] Principal: I agree to pay the principal ___________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
[XX] Installments: I agree to pay this note in 60 payments. The first payment
will be in the amount of $29,900.00 and will be due OCTOBER 19, 1996.
A payment of $29,900.00 will be due ON THE 19TH DAY OF EACH MONTH
thereafter. The final payment of the entire unpaid balance of principal
and interest will be due SEPTEMBER 19, 2001.
ADDITIONAL TERMS:
MORTGAGE DATED SEPT. 19, 1996 ON PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN 5840 INTERFACE DRIVE
ANN ARBOR, MI.
PREPAYMENT PENALTY: 1% OF OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF LOAN IF PAID BELOW $1.8
MILLION PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 1998.
COVENANTS: STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY LESS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS & OTHER
INTANGIBLES (TANGIBLE NET WORTH) N/L/T $10 MILLION.
: TOTAL LIABILITIES LESS SUBORDINATED DEBT TO SUM OF TANGIBLE
NET WORTH PLUS SUBORDINATED DEBT N/T/E 2.50 TO 1.
(TO BE SERVICED QUARTERLY)
COMPANY TO PROVIDE QUARTERLY 10Q AND ANNUAL 10K STATEMENTS.
[XX] SECURITY: This note is separately PURPOSE: The purpose of this loan
secured by (describe separate document is BUSINESS: REFINANCE CURRENT
by type and date): MORTGAGE OF EVEN DATE MORTGAGE W/CSB
SIGNATURES: I AGREE TO THE TERMS OF
THIS NOTE (INCLUDING THOSE ON PAGE
(This section is for your internal use. 2.) I have received a copy on
Failure to keep a separate security today's date.
document does not mean the agreement
will not secure this note.)
- ----------------------------------------
Signature for Lender NEMATRON CORPORATION
-----------------------------------
X /s/ Ken Gietzen BY: /s/ Frank G. Logan, III
- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
KEN GIETZEN 12-RO-KG 38-2483796 FRANK G. LOGAN, III, PRESIDENT
X BY: /s/ David P. Gienapp
- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
PAYS BL#74790 DAVID P. GIENAPP, CFO/TREAS.
-----------------------------------
(page 1 of 2)
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 11
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30
---------------------------
1996 1995
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
PRIMARY
- -------
Weighted average common shares outstanding 3,360,213 2,179,939
Dilutive stock options and warrants - based on the Treasury
stock method using the average market price 219,844 N/A
---------- ----------
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding 3,580,057 2,179,939
========== ==========
Net income $ 451,690 $ 303,069
========== ==========
Earnings per common share $ 0.13 $ 0.14
========== ==========
FULLY DILUTED
- -------------
Weighted average common shares outstanding 3,360,213 2,179,939
Dilutive stock options and warrants - based on the Treasury
stock method using the year end market price 437,277 N/A
---------- ----------
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding 3,797,490 2,179,939
========== ==========
Net income $ 451,690 $ 303,069
========== ==========
Earnings per common share $ 0.12 $ 0.14
========== ==========
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 21.01
SUBSIDIARIES OF NEMATRON CORPORATION
- - Nematron Europa, BV, a Netherlands corporation formed in 1990
- - NemaSoft, Inc., a Michigan corporation formed in 1995
- - Imaginations Systems, Inc., a Michigan corporation formed in 1996
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.01
The Board of Directors
Nematron Corporation:
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements
(Numbers 333-1136, 333-1138, 333-1140, and 333-12379) on Form S-8 and in the
registration statements (Numbers 333-1314 and 333-15959) on Form S-3 of
Nematron Corporation of our report dated December 13, 1996, relating to the
consolidated balance sheet of Nematron Corporation as of September 30, 1996, and
the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash
flows for the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, which report appears in
the September 30, 1996, annual report on Form 10-KSB of Nematron Corporation.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Detroit, Michigan
December 27, 1996
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<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996
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0
0
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