CASTELLE \CA\
10-Q, 1999-08-13
COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, NEC
Previous: AETRIUM INC, 10-Q, 1999-08-13
Next: INTERCOUNTY BANCSHARES INC, 10-Q, 1999-08-13




                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

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

                   For the quarterly period ended July 2, 1999

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

                        Commission File Number: 0-220-20

                                    CASTELLE
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

           California                                77-0164056
(State or other jurisdiction of             (IRS Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

              3255-3 Scott Boulevard, Santa Clara, California 95054
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                 (408) 496-0474
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: COMMON STOCK,
                                                            NO PAR VALUE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No __

The number of  shares of  the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of August
10, 1999 was 4,687,935.



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                    CASTELLE
                                    FORM 10-Q
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



                                                                                                     PAGE

PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1.    Consolidated Financial Statements:

                <S>                                                                                    <C>
                Consolidated Balance Sheets                                                             2

                Consolidated Statements of Operations                                                   3

                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                                                   4

                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                              5


     Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
                and Results of Operations                                                               8


PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                                    14

     Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                       14

                Signatures                                                                             15

                Exhibit 27.1 - Financial Data Schedule                                                 E-1

                Exhibit 99.1 - Press Release dated August 12, 1999                                     E-2


</TABLE>
                                       1
<PAGE>

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            CASTELLE AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (in thousands)

                                                                        July 2, 1999         December 31, 1998
                                                                         (unaudited)             (audited)
                                                                   ----------------------  ---------------------
Assets:
   Current assets:
<S>                                                                            <C>                    <C>
     Cash and cash equivalents                                                 $3,968                 $3,924
     Restricted cash                                                              125                    125
     Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $304 in 1999 and
         $720 in 1998                                                           2,241                  3,472
     Inventory                                                                  2,178                  3,739
     Prepaid expense and other current assets                                     305                    398
                                                                   ----------------------  ---------------------
        Total current assets                                                    8,817                 11,658
   Property, plant & equipment, net                                               521                    666
   Other  assets                                                                  150                    170
                                                                   ----------------------  ---------------------
                                                                              $ 9,488                $12,494
                                                                   ======================  =====================

Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity:
   Current liabilities:
     Current portion of notes payable                                          $   96                 $   96
     Accounts payable                                                           1,744                  2,084
     Accrued liabilities                                                        2,929                  2,715
                                                                   ----------------------  ---------------------
        Total current liabilities                                               4,769                  4,895
   Notes payable                                                                   50                     98
                                                                   ----------------------  ---------------------
        Total liabilities                                                       4,819                  4,993
                                                                   ----------------------  ---------------------

   Shareholders' equity:
     Common stock, no par value; authorized:  25,000 shares;
        Issued and outstanding: 4,685 and 4,337, respectively                  28,994                 29,255
     Note receivable for purchase of common stock                                  --                   (274)
     Deferred compensation                                                        (94)                  (120)
     Accumulated deficit                                                      (24,231)               (21,360)
                                                                   ----------------------  ---------------------
        Total shareholders' equity                                              4,669                  7,501
                                                                   ----------------------  ---------------------
                                                                              $ 9,488                $12,494
                                                                   ======================  =====================
</TABLE>
     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            CASTELLE AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                           Three months ended                  Six months ended
                                                     ................................   ................................
                                                       July 2, 1999     July 3, 1998      July 2, 1999     July 3, 1998
                                                     ---------------  ---------------   ---------------  ---------------

<S>                                                      <C>              <C>               <C>             <C>
   Net sales                                             $ 3,738          $ 6,097           $ 8,206         $ 12,698
   Cost of sales                                           1,753            2,967             4,602            6,068
                                                     ---------------  ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
       Gross profit                                        1,985            3,130             3,604            6,630
                                                     ---------------  ---------------   ---------------  ---------------

   Operating expenses:
       Research and development                              948              747             1,632            1,397
       Sales and marketing                                 2,005            1,898             3,859            4,030
       General and administrative                            494              476               953              955
       Amortization of intangible assets                      --               40                40               40
       Acquisition of in-process research and
            development                                       --            1,124                --            1,124
                                                     ---------------  ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
          Total operating expenses                         3,447            4,285             6,484            7,546
                                                     ---------------  ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
   Loss from operations                                   (1,462)          (1,155)           (2,880)            (916)

       Interest income, net                                   25               62                55              120
       Other income (expense), net                           (23)              10               (46)              17
                                                     ---------------  ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
   Loss before benefit from income taxes                  (1,460)          (1,083)           (2,871)            (779)
       Benefit from income taxes                              --             (158)               --              (37)
                                                     ---------------  ---------------   ---------------  ---------------
   Net loss                                              $(1,460)          $ (925)          $(2,871)          $ (742)
                                                     ===============  ===============   ===============  ===============

   Net Loss  per share:
      Net loss per common share -
             basic and diluted                            $(0.31)          $(0.20)           $(0.64)          $(0.16)
      Shares used in per share calculation -
             basic and diluted                             4,663            4,603             4,499            4,549

</TABLE>
      See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financialstatements.

                                       3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            CASTELLE AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)
                                   (unaudited)


                                                                                Six months ended
                                                                      ......................................
                                                                         July 2, 1999        July 3, 1998
                                                                      ------------------  ------------------
   Cash flows from operating activities:
<S>                                                                         <C>                   <C>
      Net loss                                                              $ (2,871)             $ (742)
      Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
         operating activities:
        Loss on disposal of fixed assets                                          37                  --
        Depreciation and amortization                                            302                 323
        Provision for doubtful accounts and sales returns                     (1,149)               (204)
        Provision for excess and obsolete inventory                            1,146                  74
        Acquisition of in-process research and development                        --               1,124
        Changes in assets and liabilities:
         Accounts receivable                                                    2,380               (843)
         Inventory                                                                415              1,281
         Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                 93                (98)
         Accounts payable                                                        (340)               317
         Accrued liabilities                                                      214               (111)
                                                                      ------------------  ------------------
           Net cash provided by operating activities                              227              1,121
                                                                      ------------------  ------------------

   Cash flows from investing activities:
      Purchase of property and equipment                                        (115)               (133)
      Acquisition of Object-Fax product line                                      --                (784)
      Increase in other assets                                                   (33)                (82)
                                                                      ------------------  ------------------
           Net cash (used in) investing activities                              (148)               (999)
                                                                      ------------------  ------------------

   Cash flows from financing activities:
      Proceeds from notes payable                                                 --                 142
      Repayment of notes payable                                                 (48)                (42)
      Proceeds from collection of note receivable for stock                       11                  --
      Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net
        of repurchases                                                             2                   9
                                                                      ------------------  ------------------
           Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                   (35)                109
                                                                      ------------------  ------------------

   Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                      44                 231

   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                            3,924               6,204
                                                                      ------------------  ------------------
   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                $ 3,968             $ 6,435
                                                                      ==================  ==================

   Supplemental Information:
      Noncash financing activities:
        Issuance of common stock for acquisition of Object-Fax
          product line                                                          $ --               $ 500

</TABLE>
     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                            CASTELLE AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (unaudited)


1.   Basis of Presentation:

     The accompanying  unaudited  consolidated  financial statements include the
     accounts  of  Castelle  and its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries  in the United
     Kingdom and the  Netherlands,  and have been  prepared in  accordance  with
     generally accepted  accounting  principles.  All intercompany  balances and
     transactions  have been  eliminated.  In the  opinion  of  management,  all
     adjustments   (consisting  of  normal  recurring  adjustments)   considered
     necessary  for a fair  presentation  of the Company's  financial  position,
     results  of  operations  and cash  flows at the dates  and for the  periods
     indicated  have been  included.  The result of  operations  for the interim
     period presented is not necessarily  indicative of the results for the year
     ending  December  31,  1999.  Because  all of the  disclosures  required by
     generally   accepted   accounting   principles  are  not  included  in  the
     accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements and related  notes,  they
     should  be read in  conjunction  with the  audited  consolidated  financial
     statements  and related notes  included in the Company's  Form 10-K for the
     fiscal year-ended December 31, 1998.

2.   Net Loss Per Share

     Basic net loss per share is  computed  by dividing  net loss  available  to
     common  shareholders  by the  weighted  average  number  of  common  shares
     outstanding for that period. Diluted net income loss per share reflects the
     potential dilution from the exercise or conversion of other securities into
     common  stock that were  outstanding  during the  period.  Shares  that are
     potentially  dilutive  consist of incremental  common shares  issuable upon
     exercise of stock options and warrants.

     Basic and  diluted  earnings  per share are  calculated  as follows for the
     second quarter and first six months ending of 1999 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             (in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                                    ............................................................
                                                         Three months ended              Six months ended
                                                    .............................  .............................
                                                       July 2,        July 3,         July 2,        July 3,
                                                        1999           1998            1999           1998
                                                    -------------- --------------  -------------- --------------
Basic:
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>
   Weighted average common shares outstanding            4,663          4,603           4,499          4,549
                                                    ============== ==============  ============== ==============
   Net loss                                            $(1,460)         $(925)        $(2,871)         $(742)
                                                    ============== ==============  ============== ==============
   Net loss per common share - basic                   $ (0.31)       $ (0.20)        $ (0.64)       $ (0.16)
                                                    ============== ==============  ============== ==============

Diluted:
   Weighted average common shares outstanding            4,663          4,603           4,499          4,549
   Common equivalent shares from stock options              --             --              --             --
                                                    -------------- --------------  -------------- --------------
   Shares used in per share calculation - diluted        4,663          4,603           4,499          4,549
                                                    ============== ==============  ============== ==============
   Net loss                                            $(1,460)         $(925)        $(2,871)         $(742)
                                                    ============== ==============  ============== ==============
   Net loss per common share - diluted                 $ (0.31)       $ (0.20)        $ (0.64)       $ (0.16)
                                                    ============== ==============  ============== ==============
</TABLE>

The calculation of diluted shares outstanding for the three months ended July 2,
1999 and July 3, 1998 excludes 27,201 and 53,818 stock options, respectively, as
their effect was  antidilutive in the period.  The calculation of diluted shares
outstanding  for the six  months  ended  July 2, 1999 and July 3, 1998  excludes
21,967 and 45,391 stock options,  respectively, as their effect was antidilutive
in the period.

                                       5
<PAGE>



3.   Inventory:

     Inventory is stated at the lower of standard cost (which  approximates cost
     on a first-in,  first-out  basis) or market and net of reserves  for excess
     and obsolete inventory. Inventory details are as follows (in thousands):

                                                July 2,        December 31,
                                                 1999              1998
                                            ---------------  ----------------
     Raw material                                $ 121           $ 1,282
     Work in process                               117               130
     Finished goods                              1,940             2,327
                                            ---------------  ----------------
                                               $ 2,178           $ 3,739
                                            ===============  ================

4.   Revenue Recognition:

     Product revenue is recognized  upon shipment if a signed  contract  exists,
     the fee is fixed and determinable,  collection of the resulting receivables
     is probable  and  product  returns are  reasonably  estimable.  The Company
     enters  into  agreements  with  certain of its  distributors  which  permit
     limited  stock  rotation  rights.  These stock  rotation  rights  allow the
     distributor  to return  products  for credit but  require  the  purchase of
     additional  products of equal  value.  Revenues  subject to stock  rotation
     rights are reduced by  management's  estimates  of  anticipated  exchanges.
     Provisions for estimated  warranty costs and anticipated  retroactive price
     adjustments  are recorded at the time  products  are  shipped.  The Company
     recognizes  revenue from the sale of extended  warranty  contracts  ratably
     over the period of the contracts.

5.   Segments Disclosure:

     The Company has adopted  SFAS No.  131,  "Disclosure  about  Segments of an
     Enterprise  and Related  Information,"  which is effective for fiscal years
     beginning  after December 31, 1997.  SFAS No. 131  supersedes  SFAS No. 14,
     "Financial  Reporting for Segments of a Business  Enterprise." SFAS No. 131
     changes current  practice under SFAS No. 14 by establishing a new framework
     on which to base segment reporting and introduces  requirements for interim
     reporting of segment  information.  The Company has determined that it uses
     one measurement of profitability of its business for internal reporting.

6.   Comprehensive Income:

     Castelle has adopted the  provisions  of Statement of Financial  Accounting
     Standards No. 130, "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income," effective January 1,
     1998. This statement  requires the disclosure of  comprehensive  income and
     its  components  in a full  set of  general-purpose  financial  statements.
     Comprehensive  income is the change in equity from  transactions  and other
     events and  circumstances  other than those  resulting from  investments by
     owners and distributions to owners. There are no significant  components of
     comprehensive  income  excluded  from net  income,  therefore,  no separate
     statement of comprehensive income has been presented.

                                        6

<PAGE>


7.   New accounting pronouncements:

     In  June of  1998,  the  FASB  issued  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
     Standards  No. 133,  "Accounting  for  Derivative  Instruments  and Hedging
     Activities,"  which  establishes  accounting  and  reporting  standards for
     derivative  instruments,  and for hedging  activities.  It requires that an
     entity  recognize all  derivatives  as either assets or  liabilities in the
     statement of financial  position and  measures  those  instruments  at fair
     value. There is no effect of this change on the Company's operations.

     In December 1998, the Accounting  Standards  Executive  Committee ("AcSEC")
     released Statement of Position 98-9 ("SOP 98-9"), Modification of SOP 97-2,
     "Software Revenue Recognition," with Respect to Certain  Transactions.  SOP
     98-9  amends  SOP 97-2 to  require  that an entity  recognize  revenue  for
     multiple  element  arrangements by means of the "residual  method" when (1)
     there is vendor-specific  objective evidence ("VSOE") of the fair values of
     all the  undelivered  elements  that  are not  accounted  for by  means  of
     long-term  contract  accounting,  (2) VSOE of fair value does not exist for
     one or more of the  delivered  elements,  and (3) all  revenue  recognition
     criteria of SOP 97-2 (other than the requirement for VSOE of the fair value
     of each delivered element) are satisfied.

     The  provisions of SOP 98-9 that extend the deferral of certain  paragraphs
     of SOP 97-2 became  effective  December 15, 1998.  These  paragraphs of SOP
     97-2 and SOP 98-9 will be effective for transactions  that are entered into
     in fiscal years beginning after March 15, 1999. Retroactive  application is
     prohibited.  This  pronouncement  will not have an impact on the  Company's
     current revenue recognition policies.



                                       7

<PAGE>

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
            RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management's  Discussion and Analysis contains  forward-looking  statements
that involve risks and  uncertainties.  Such  forward-looking  statements may be
deemed to the  adequacy  of  anticipated  sources of cash to fund the  Company's
future  capital  requirements  through  March  31,  2000,  and the  costs of the
Company's Year 2000 compliance  efforts and dates by which the Company  believes
it  will  complete  such  efforts.  Words  such  as  "believes,"  "anticipates,"
"expects,"   "intends"  and  similar   expressions   are  intended  to  identify
forward-looking  statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such
statements.  Readers are cautioned that the  forward-looking  statements reflect
management's  analysis  only as of the date hereof,  and the Company  assumes no
obligation  to update  these  statements.  Actual  events or results  may differ
materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors
that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to the risks and
uncertainties  discussed  herein,  as well as other  risks set  forth  under the
caption  "Risk  Factors"  in the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. The following  discussion should be read in
conjunction with the Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included in Item
1 of this  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q and in the Company's Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Consolidated Statements of Operations - As a Percentage of Net Sales

                                                             Three months ended                  Six months ended
                                                      .................................  .................................
                                                        July 2, 1999     July 3, 1998      July 2, 1999     July 3, 1998
                                                      ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------

<S>                                                          <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
   Net sales                                                 100%              100%             100%              100%
   Cost of sales                                              47%               49%              56%               48%
                                                      ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------
       Gross profit                                           53%               51%              44%               52%
                                                      ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------

   Operating expenses:
       Research and development                               25%               12%              20%               11%
       Sales and marketing                                    54%               31%              47%               32%
       General and administrative                             13%                8%              12%                7%
       Amortization of intangible assets                       --                1%               *                 *
       Acquisition of in-process research and
            development                                        --               18%               --                9%
                                                      ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------
          Total operating expenses                            92%               70%              79%               59%
                                                      ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------
   Loss from operations                                      (39%)             (19%)            (35%)              (7%)

       Interest income, net                                    *                 1%               *                 1%
       Other income (expense), net                             *                 *                *                 *
                                                      ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------
   Loss before benefit from income taxes                     (39%)             (18%)            (35%)              (6%)
       Benefit from income taxes                               --              (3%)               --                *
                                                      ---------------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------
   Net loss                                                  (39%)             (15%)            (35%)              (6%)
                                                      ===============  ================  ===============  ================
</TABLE>
* Less than 1%
                                       8
<PAGE>

Results of Operations

     Net Sales

              Net sales for the second quarter of 1999 decreased to $3.7 million
     from  $6.1 for the same  period  in 1998.  The  reduction  in net sales was
     primarily  the result of a $1.7  million  (75%)  decrease  in print  server
     product  sales,  as well as, $0.7  million  (18%)  decrease in sales of the
     Company's  fax server  products  to  distributors  to  maintain  manageable
     inventory levels in the channel.

              Net sales were $8.2  million  and $12.7  million for the first six
     months of 1999 and 1998, respectively.  The lower net sales were the result
     of a 64% reduction in print server, primarily due to reduced demand for the
     Company's  print server  products in Asia and a 21% reduction in fax server
     products,  primarily  due to decreased  sales of the  Company's  fax server
     products to distributors  to maintain  manageable  inventory  levels in the
     channel.

              International  sales in the second  quarter of 1999  decreased  to
     $1.0 million  from $2.2  million for the same period in 1998,  representing
     28% and 36%,  respectively,  of  total  net  sales.  This  52%  decline  in
     international  sales was  mainly  the  result  of  reduced  demand  for the
     Company's print server products in Asia.

              International  sales were $2.7  million  and $5.0  million for the
     first six months of 1999 and 1998, respectively,  representing 33% and 39%,
     respectively,  of total net sales. The decrease in international  sales was
     the result of lower demand for the Company's print server products in Asia.

     Gross Profit

              Gross  profit  of 53%  for  the  second  quarter  of  fiscal  1999
     increased  compared to gross profit of 51% for the same period in 1998. The
     increase in fiscal 1999 gross profit is primarily  attributable to a higher
     percentage of fax server products being sold that yield higher margins.

              Gross  profit  for the first six  months of 1999 and 1998 were 44%
     and  52%,  respectively.   The  reduction  in  gross  profit  is  primarily
     attributable  to  an  additional   $1,148,000  excess  inventory  provision
     recorded  in the first six  months of 1999.  This  provision  is  primarily
     associated with excess print server products  targeted for the Asian market
     and fax  server  products  expected  to be  replaced  by  newly  introduced
     FaxPress models.

     Research & Development

              Research and product development expenses increased to $948,000 or
     25% of net sales for the second  quarter of 1999 as compared to $747,000 or
     12% of net  sales  for the  same  period  in  1998.  Research  and  product
     development expenses for the first six months increased 17% to $1.6 million
     or 20% of net sales in 1999 as compared to $1.4 million or 11% of net sales
     for  the  same  period  in  1998.  The  increase  is due  to the  increased
     personnel-related expenses.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     Sales & Marketing

              Sales and marketing expenses were $2.0 million or 54% of net sales
     for the second  quarter of 1999,  as compared to $1.9 million or 31% of net
     sales for the same  period in 1998.  The  increase  of sales and  marketing
     expenses is associated with higher advertising expenses in the distribution
     channel during the second quarter of 1999.

              Sales and marketing  expenses  decreased to $3.9 million or 47% of
     net sales for the first six months of 1999 from $4.0  million or 32% of net
     sales for the same period in 1998.  This slight decrease is attributable to
     lower personnel-related expenses.

     General & Administrative

              General and  administrative  expenses  were $494,000 or 13% of net
     sales for the second  quarter of 1999, as compared to $476,000 or 8% of net
     sales for the same period in 1998.

              General  and  administrative  expenses  for the first  six  months
     slightly  decreased to $953,000 or 12% of net sales in 1998, as compared to
     $955,000 or 7% of net sales for the same period in 1998.

     Amortization of intangible assets & Acquisition of in-process research and
     development

              The intangible assets were fully amortized in the first quarter of
     1999.  The  expense  was  $40,000 or 1% of net sales for the same period in
     1998. It reflects the amortization of intangible assets for the acquisition
     of the Object-Fax NT product line in April 1998.

              In April  1998,  the  Company  completed  its  acquisition  of the
     Object-Fax NT product line, a facsimile software  application  designed for
     LAN's,  WAN's  and  Internet-based  networks,  from  Tolvusamskipti  HF, an
     Icelandic corporation.  The purchase, valued at approximately $1.4 million,
     included  the  exchange  of $300,000  in cash,  100,000  shares of Castelle
     common stock, and the right to receive either additional cash or the number
     of  shares  of  Castelle  common  stock on the date six  months  after  the
     acquisition necessary to make the fair market value of the common stock and
     additional cash received in the  transaction not less than $500,000.  Since
     the value of the Castelle common stock received in the transaction was less
     than $500,000 on the date six months after the  acquisition,  an additional
     339,560 shares of Castelle common stock were issued to Tolvusamskipti HF on
     April 9, 1999. A portion of the purchase  price was allocated to in-process
     research and development, and, accordingly, the Company recorded a one-time
     charge  against  earnings  in the second  quarter of 1998 of $1.1  million.
     Further,  the Company  recorded  intangible  assets of $160,000,  which are
     being amortized over 12 months, resulting in a $40,000 charge in the second
     quarter of 1998.

     Interest & Other income (expense), net

              Interest  and other income  (expense),  net,  comprised  income of
     $2,000 for the second  quarter of 1999, as compared to income of $72,000 or
     1% of net sales for the same period in 1998.  This  reduction  in income is
     the result of lower  interest  earned on the Company's  investments  and an
     exchange loss from the UK subsidiary.

              Interest  income  and other  income  (expenses)  for the first six
     months of 1999 income decreased to $9,000, as compared to $137,000 or 1% of
     net sales  for the same  period in 1998.  This  reduction  in income is the
     result of lower interest earned on the Company's  investments,  an exchange
     loss from the UK subsidiary and a loss on disposal of fixed assets.

                                       10
<PAGE>

Liquidity and Capital Resources

         Since  its  inception  in 1987,  Castelle  has  funded  its  operations
primarily  through the sale of capital  stock and bank debt. As of July 2, 1999,
the Company had approximately $4.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, up from
$3.9 million at December 31, 1998.  Working capital decreased to $4.1 million at
July 2, 1999 from $6.8  million at December  31,  1998.  The decrease in working
capital is primarily  due to the  Company's net loss for the first six months of
1999.

         In April 1998, the Company  completed its acquisition of the Object-Fax
NT product line, a facsimile software  application designed for LAN's, WAN's and
Internet-based  networks,  from Tolvusamskipti HF, an Icelandic corporation,  in
exchange for $300,000 in cash,  100,000 shares of Castelle  common stock and the
right to receive  either  additional  cash or the  number of shares of  Castelle
common stock on the date six months after the acquisition  necessary to make the
fair  market  value of the common  stock and  additional  cash  received  in the
transaction not less than $500,000. Since the value of the Castelle common stock
received in the  transaction was less than $500,000 on the date six months after
the  acquisition,  an additional  339,560  shares of Castelle  common stock were
issued to Tolvusamskipti HF on April 9, 1999.

         The Company has a $3.0 million secured  revolving line of credit with a
bank,  which  expires  in March 17,  2000 and at July 2, 1999 had no  borrowings
under the line of credit.

         In  December  1997,  the  Company  entered  into  a loan  and  security
agreement with a finance company for an amount of $288,000. The amounts borrowed
are subject to interest  of 10.11%,  are  repayable  by December  2000,  and are
partially  collateralized  by a  certificate  of deposit of  $125,000,  which is
classified as  restricted  cash on the Company's  balance  sheet.  As of July 2,
1999, the outstanding balance of the loan under the agreement was $146,000.

         As of July 2, 1999,  net accounts  receivable  were $2.2 million,  down
from $3.5 million at December 31, 1998. The decrease in net accounts  receivable
is  attributed  to a  decrease  in net  sales  and the  improved  collection  of
outstanding  balances  in the  second  quarter  of 1999,  which  resulted  in an
improvement in days sales  outstanding  from 87 at the end of 1998 to 55 days at
July 2, 1999.

         Net  inventory  as of July 2,  1999 was $2.2  million,  down  from $3.7
million at December 31, 1998.  The decrease  was  primarily  attributable  to an
additional  $1,148,000  inventory  provision recorded in the first six months of
1999.  This  provision is mainly  associated  with excess print server  products
targeted for the Asian market and fax server products expected to be replaced by
newly introduced FaxPress models.

         The Company had not made any material  capital  commitments  during the
first six months ended July 2, 1999.

         Although  the Company  believes  that its existing  capital  resources,
anticipated  cash flows from  operations  and available  lines of credit will be
sufficient to meet its capital requirements at least through the next 12 months,
the Company may be required to seek  additional  equity or debt  financing.  The
timing and amount of such capital requirements cannot be determined at this time
and will  depend on a number of  factors,  including  demand  for the  Company's
existing and new products and the pace of technological change in the networking
industry.  There can be no  assurance  that such  additional  financing  will be
available on satisfactory terms when needed, if at all.

         Management believes that, for the periods presented,  inflation has not
had a material effect on the Company's operations.

                                       11
<PAGE>

Year 2000 Compliance

         The  Company  has  completed  a  comprehensive  review of its  business
applications,  computer systems and  infrastructure  and products.  In addition,
Castelle  is in the  process of  conducting  a  comprehensive  review of its key
business partners to identify those that could be adversely affected by the Year
2000  issue  and is  developing  and  implementing  a  plan  to  resolve  issues
identified. The Year 2000 issue refers to the inability of many computer systems
to process  accurately  dates later than  December 31, 1999.  Date codes in many
programs are  abbreviated  to allow only two digits for the year,  e.g. "98" for
the year 1998.  Unless  these  programs  are modified to handle the century date
change, they will likely interpret the year "00", that is, the year 2000, as the
year 1900.  The Year 2000 issue  creates  risk for the Company  from  unforeseen
problems in its own  computer  systems as well as in  computer  systems of third
parties  with whom the Company  does  business  worldwide,  including  banks and
credit processing entities, factories, customers and others.

         Business Applications, Computer Systems and Infrastructure

         Castelle  has  completed a  comprehensive  review and  inventory of its
business  applications  and  computer  systems,  including  servers  and network
infrastructure,  to  insure  that  they are Year 2000  compliant.  To date,  the
Company has  installed  and/or  upgraded all  computer  network file servers and
infrastructure  (hubs,  switches,  modems and access  devices) to  hardware  and
software  that is  certified  to be  Year  2000  compliant  by its  vendors.  In
addition,   Castelle's  main  business   application  from  Computer  Associates
International,  Inc.  (Computer  Associates)  has been  upgraded  to a Year 2000
compliant  version  as  certified  by  Computer  Associates.   The  Company  has
substantially  completed an upgrade of all desktop  (including laptop) computers
to  Microsoft  NT  software  certified  by  Microsoft  Corporation  as Year 2000
compliant.  All of the Company's  engineering,  manufacturing,  final test,  and
repair computer  systems have been upgraded and tested for Y2k  compliance.  The
Company  presently  believes that the Year 2000 issue will not pose  significant
operational  problems for the Company due to planned  modifications  to existing
software,  and  conversions to new software  which have been  implemented or are
being implemented by the Company during the year.

         Key business partners

         The Company is in the process of conducting a  comprehensive  review of
its key business  partners,  including  customers,  suppliers  and  vendors,  to
identify those critical to the success of the Company's operations that may have
Year 2000 issues which could adversely affect the operations of the Company. The
Company  anticipates that its review will be completed by November 19, 1999. The
Company  presently  believes that the Year 2000 issue will not pose  significant
operational  problems  for the Company due to planned  modifications  by our key
business  partners to their  existing  systems and  conversions  to new software
which  have been  implemented  or are being  implemented  by the  Company's  key
business  partners  over the  next  year.  However,  if such  modifications  and
conversions are not completed in a timely manner, the Year 2000 issue may have a
material  adverse  impact on the  operations of the Company.  The Company cannot
give  assurance  the third  parties with whom it does  business will address any
Year 2000 issues in their own systems on a timely basis.

         Costs

         The total cost  associated with required  modifications  to become Year
2000  compliant  is not  expected  to be  material  to the  Company's  financial
position.  At the present time, all costs  associated with the  installation and
upgrading of equipment and software have been related to routine upgrades of the
Company's business systems, which to date have been approximately  $105,000. The
Company  estimates the  remaining  cost  associated  with the  installation  and
upgrading of the equipment will be approximately  $15,000.  However, the Company
cannot give any assurance that  significant  costs  associated  with  unforeseen
circumstances will not significantly affect the future results of the Company.

                                       12
<PAGE>
         Products

         The Company has completed a comprehensive review of its products,  both
firmware and  software,  to insure that they are Year 2000  compliant.  This was
done to insure  that the  Company's  products  are free of any Year 2000  issues
discussed  above.  The Company  believes  that the more  recent  versions of its
products are Year 2000  compliant,  meaning the products will perform  functions
correctly when processing  dates later than December 31, 1999. In order to avoid
difficulties,  users  will need to install  the Y2K  compliant  versions  of the
Company's  software or apply appropriate  patches to prior versions of software.
Full details on Year 2000 compliance of the Company's  various product lines and
software  version  releases are available on the  Company's Web site.  Necessary
patches  are  available  on the web site to allow  customers  to  install  these
versions.  The Company's  products work in  conjunction  with network  operating
systems such as Novell NetWare and Microsoft Windows  95/98/NT,  and while these
products  appear  to  be  Year  2000   compliant,   the  Company  cannot  accept
responsibility  for Year 2000 compliance of any network  operating system or any
other  third  party  software  with  which  Castelle  software  interfaces  . If
modifications  or  upgrades  to  these  systems  are not  completed  in a timely
fashion, the Year 2000 issue may have a material adverse impact on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition.

         Contingency Plans

         The  Company  has  developed  contingency  plans in the event  that the
Company's  systems or products prove to not be Year 2000 compliant.  The Company
has contingency plans in place for all specific client,  server,  hardware,  and
general network  infrastructure Year 2000 issues. Company has currently reviewed
its key business  activities  and developed  plans to support  ongoing  business
operations in the event of a disruption.  Based on its  assessment to date,  the
Company  presently  believes that the Year 2000 Issue will not pose  significant
operational  problems  for  the  Company.  Although  the  Company  has  detailed
contingency  plans,  ongoing  evaluating  and testing of the  Company's  network
infrastructure  will  continue  up to and past the year  2000 to ensure a smooth
transition to the new millennium.

Other Matters

         The listing of the Company's Common Stock was transferred to The Nasdaq
SmallCap  Market  on  April  14,  1999.  As a  condition  to the  qualifications
exception  to the Company  pursuant to the Nasdaq  Listing  Qualification  Panel
decision  dated April 12,  1999,  the Company was required to evidence a minimum
closing bid price of $1.00 per share on or before July 14, 1999. Thereafter, the
Company was  required to evidence a minimum  closing bid price of at least $1.00
per share for a minimum of ten consecutive trading days. The Company evidenced a
minimum  closing  bid  price  of $1.00  per  share  prior  to July 14,  1999 and
continued  to  evidence  a minimum  closing  bid price of at least  $1.00 for 17
consecutive  trading  days.  Because the Company  complied with the terms of its
exception,  on June 21, 1999,  the trading  symbol of the  Company's  securities
returned to "CSTL".

                                       13
<PAGE>

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         The Company  held its Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  on May 25, 1999
(the  "Annual  Meeting").  At the Annual  Meeting,  the  Company's  shareholders
elected  four  directors  nominated  by the  Board  of  Directors  by the  votes
indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Nominee                  Votes in Favor          Votes Withheld
        -----------------          -----------------       -----------------
<S>                                    <C>                       <C>
        Donald L. Rich                 2,680,003                 27,740
        Peter R. Tierney               2,680,003                 27,740
        Scott C. McDonald              2,680,003                 27,740
        Robert Hambrecht               2,670,003                 37,740

</TABLE>
         The proposal to ratify the selection of  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP as
the Company's  independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999
was approved.


ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      Exhibits:

           27.1     Financial Data Schedule

           99.1     Press Release dated August 12, 1999

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

           None


                                       14
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

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


CASTELLE

By:   /s/ Donald L. Rich                                   Date: August 12, 1999
      Donald L. Rich
      President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

By:   /s/ Laurie Gee                                       Date: August 12, 1999
      Laurie Gee
      Vice President of Finance and Administration
      (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


                                       15
<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
                                                                    Exhibit 27.1
                            CASTELLE AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

This  schedule  contains  summary  financial   information  extracted  from  the
Company's  Financial  Statements  for the three month period ending July 2, 1999
included in the  Company's  Form 10-Q filed  August 12, 1999 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                               1,000


<S>                                                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                         JUL-02-1999
<CASH>                                                     4,093
<SECURITIES>                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                              2,545
<ALLOWANCES>                                               (304)
<INVENTORY>                                                2,178
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                           8,817
<PP&E>                                                     1,576
<DEPRECIATION>                                           (1,055)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                             9,488
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                      4,769
<BONDS>                                                        0
                                          0
                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                  29,020
<OTHER-SE>                                              (24,351)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                               9,488
<SALES>                                                    3,738
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                           3,738
<CGS>                                                      1,753
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                              1,753
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                           3,447
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                            12
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          (1,460)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      (1,460)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                             (1,460)
<EPS-BASIC>                                             (0.31)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             (0.31)



</TABLE>

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            August 12, 1999

CONTACT:
Donald L. Rich, President & CEO                                   (408) 496-0474


                    Castelle announces second quarter results


SANTA CLARA, Calif.,  August 12, 1999 - CASTELLE (Nasdaq:  CSTL) today announced
financial  results for the second fiscal  quarter ended July 2, 1999.  Net sales
were $3.7 million for the three months ended July 2, 1999 versus $6.1 million in
the same period of 1998. The Company  reported a net loss of $1,460,000 or $0.31
per share  compared  to a net loss of  $925,000 or $0.20 per share in the second
quarter of 1998.

Net sales for the first six months of 1999 were $8.2 million compared with $12.7
million  for the same  period of 1998.  Net loss for the  six-month  period  was
$2,871,000  or $0.64 per share  compared  to a net loss of $742,000 or $0.16 per
share for the 1998  period.  The net loss for the  period  was a result of a 64%
reduction in print server sales and a 21% reduction in fax server product sales.

The net losses reflect the continuing  decline in print server sales,  primarily
due to the business  conditions in the Asia Pacific  region,  and the decline in
shipments to  distributors to support the Company's  continued  effort to manage
down inventory levels in the distribution channel.

Founded in 1987,  Castelle is an industry  leader and pioneer of network fax and
print  servers that increase  productivity  in  workgroups  and the  enterprise.
Castelle  products are available through a worldwide network of distributors and
Value Added Resellers.  Castelle is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. and can
be reached at 1-800-289-7555; (408) 496-0474; or www.castelle.com.

This press release  contains  forward-looking  statements that involve risks and
uncertainties,  relating to the future events,  including the Company's strategy
to  operate  more  efficiently  in the print  server  market  and the  effect of
improved  business  conditions in the Asia Pacific  Region on the results of the
print server sales. Actual events or the Company's results may differ materially
from the events or results  discussed in the  forward-looking  statements  for a
number  of  reasons  including,  without  limitation,  the  timely  development,
acceptance  and pricing of new products and the general  economic  conditions as
they affect the Company's customers. The Company assumes no obligation to update
the forward-looking  information.  Investors are referred to the full discussion
of risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking  statements contained
in the Company's 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.

                                      E-2



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission