AMERILINK CORP
10-Q, 1998-02-10
WATER, SEWER, PIPELINE, COMM & POWER LINE CONSTRUCTION
Previous: CITATION CORP /AL/, 10-Q, 1998-02-10
Next: TIVOLI INDUSTRIES INC, SC 13G/A, 1998-02-10



<PAGE>

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                   Form 10-Q

(Mark One)
     [X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
          SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

               For the quarterly period ended December 28, 1997

                                      OR 

     [ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
          SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

          For the transition period from            to 
                                         ----------    ----------


                   Commission file number     0-24334
                                          ---------------

                                AMERILINK CORPORATION
                                ---------------------
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                    Ohio                                 31-1409345
       -------------------------------      ------------------------------------
       (State of other jurisdiction of      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
        incorporation or organization)


                 1900 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
                 ---------------------------------------------------
             (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)



                                   (614) 895-1313
             -----------------------------------------------------------
                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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    .
                        ---       ---
4,226,280 shares of common stock were outstanding as of February 5, 1998

                                      1

<PAGE>

                            AMERILINK CORPORATION
          QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1997


                         INDEX                                         PAGE NO.
                         -----                                         --------
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1 - Financial Statements 

          Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 30, 1997 and 
          December 28, 1997 (Unaudited)                                     3

          Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the 
          thirty-nine weeks ended December 29, 1996 and 
          December 28, 1997                                                 4

          Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the 
          thirteen weeks ended December 29, 1996 and 
          December 28, 1997                                                 5

          Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity 
          (Unaudited) for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 28, 1997     6

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited ) for the 
          thirty-nine weeks ended December 29, 1996 and 
          December 28, 1997                                                 7

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)          8 - 9

     Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
              Financial Condition and Results of Operations              10 - 15


PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

          Items 1-6                                                        15
          Signatures                                                       16

                                       2

<PAGE>

                          AMERILINK CORPORATION
                       CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       March 30, 1997  December 28, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          (Unaudited)
<S>                                      <C>           <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents            $   120,395    $ 6,008,250
    Accounts receivable-trade, net of
       allowance for doubtful
       accounts of $171,000 and $170,000  13,558,789     14,318,981
   Work-in-process                         4,294,802      7,253,635
   Materials and supply inventories        1,509,840      1,634,222
   Other receivables                         308,217        262,480
   Deferred income taxes                     142,593        142,593
   Other                                     153,125        321,538
                                         -----------    -----------
      Total current assets                20,087,761     29,941,699

Property and equipment - net               5,928,062      7,717,636

Deposits and other assets                    183,578        217,327

Deferred income taxes                         11,710         11,710
                                         -----------    -----------
Total assets                             $26,211,111    $37,888,372
                                         -----------    -----------
                                         -----------    -----------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Trade accounts payable                $ 2,318,675    $ 2,908,401
   Liability to subcontractors             1,960,754      2,209,117
   Accrued compensation and related        1,435,672      2,099,164
    expenses
   Accrued insurance                         368,257        437,506
   Income taxes                              173,270             --
   Other                                      82,881        157,619
   Current maturities of long-term debt       69,190             --
                                         -----------    -----------
      Total current liabilities            6,408,699      7,811,807

Long-term debt, less current maturities    9,000,000             --
                                         -----------    -----------
      Total liabilities                   15,408,699      7,811,807

Shareholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, without par;
     1,000,000 shares authorized;
     none issued or outstanding                   --             --
   Common stock, without par; 10,000,000
     shares authorized; 3,481,580 in 
     1997 and 4,226,280 in 1998 shares
     issued and outstanding                8,084,645     23,577,295
   Retained earnings                       2,717,767      6,499,270
                                         -----------    -----------
       Total shareholders' equity         10,802,412     30,076,565
                                         -----------    -----------
Total liabilities and shareholders'
  equity                                 $26,211,111    $37,888,372
                                         -----------    -----------
                                         -----------    -----------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.

                                       3

<PAGE>

                            AMERILINK CORPORATION
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                 (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
                                     December 29, 1996  December 28, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>
Revenues                                 $45,915,307       $66,103,957
Cost of sales                             30,384,268        40,672,955
                                         -----------       -----------
Gross profit                              15,531,039        25,431,002
Selling, general and administrative
expenses                                  13,364,015        18,819,377
                                         -----------       -----------
Income from operations                     2,167,024         6,611,625
Interest expense                            (461,106)         (288,122)
Other income                                   7,019                --
                                         -----------       -----------
Income before income taxes                 1,712,937         6,323,503
Provision for income taxes                   685,000         2,542,000
                                         -----------       -----------
Net income                               $ 1,027,937       $ 3,781,503
                                         -----------       -----------
                                         -----------       -----------
Net income per common share
    Basic                                $      0.30       $      1.03
                                         -----------       -----------
                                         -----------       -----------
    Diluted                              $      0.29       $      0.95
                                         -----------       -----------
                                         -----------       -----------
Weighted average common shares
outstanding
    Basic                                  3,478,580         3,661,240
    Diluted                                3,591,514         3,970,443
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.

                                       4

<PAGE>

                                AMERILINK CORPORATION
                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                     (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                              December 29, 1996    December 28, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>                  <C>
Revenues                                          $16,731,323         $22,735,763
Cost of sales                                      10,880,892          13,944,696
                                                  -----------         -----------
Gross profit                                        5,850,431           8,791,067
Selling, general and administrative expenses        4,841,170           6,477,196
                                                  -----------         -----------
Income from operations                              1,009,261           2,313,871
Interest income (expense)                            (182,400)              7,967
Other income                                            3,191                  -- 
                                                  -----------         -----------
Income before income taxes                            830,052           2,321,838
Provision for income taxes                            332,000             933,000
                                                  -----------         -----------
Net income                                        $   498,052          $1,388,838
                                                  -----------         -----------
                                                  -----------         -----------
Net income per common share
    Basic                                         $      0.14          $     0.35
                                                  -----------         -----------
                                                  -----------         -----------
    Diluted                                       $      0.14          $     0.32
                                                  -----------         -----------
                                                  -----------         -----------
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    Basic                                           3,478,580           3,992,126
    Diluted                                         3,543,033           4,396,509
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.

                                      5

<PAGE>

                                AMERILINK CORPORATION
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                  FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1997 
                                     (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Number       Common     Retained
                              of Shares      Stock      Earnings      Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
Balance at March 30, 1997      3,481,580   $8,084,645  $2,717,767  $10,802,412

Net income                            --           --   3,781,503    3,781,503

Net proceeds from sale of 
  common stock, less issuance 
  expenses of $279,443           600,000   13,895,557          --   13,895,557

Exercise of stock options        144,700      617,325          --      617,325

Tax benefit associated with
  exercise of stock options           --      979,768          --      979,768
                              ----------  -----------  ----------  -----------
Balance at December 28, 1997   4,226,280  $23,577,295  $6,499,270  $30,076,565
                              ----------  -----------  ----------  -----------
                              ----------  -----------  ----------  -----------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.

                                      6

<PAGE>

                                AMERILINK CORPORATION
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                     (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
                                                December 29, 1996  December 28, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income                                         $  1,027,935       $  3,781,503
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                      1,597,738         2,196,165
    Net gain on disposal of fixed assets                (26,143)           (15,887)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Accounts receivable and work-in-process       (5,483,402)        (3,719,024)
       Materials and supply inventories                 271,029           (124,382)
       Other receivables                                (47,273)            45,737
       Other current assets                              (9,717)            28,863
       Trade accounts payable                           214,272            589,726
       Liability to subcontractors                      332,178            248,363
       Accrued compensation and related expenses        188,214            663,492
       Accrued insurance                               (190,282)            69,249
       Income taxes                                     365,068           (370,546)
       Other current liabilities                         (2,388)            74,738
                                                   ------------       ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  (1,762,771)         3,467,997

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Purchase of property and equipment                (1,947,346)        (4,255,613)
   Proceeds from sale of property and equipment         617,118            285,760
   Deposits and other assets                           (100,138)           (33,749)
                                                   ------------       ------------
Net cash used in investing activities                (1,430,366)        (4,003,602)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Principal payments on long-term debt             (12,745,000)       (25,794,190)
   Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt        16,005,963         16,725,000
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock                    --         13,895,557
   Exercise of stock options                                 --            617,325
   Tax benefit associated with 
     exercise of stock options                               --            979,768
                                                   ------------       ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities             3,260,963          6,423,460
                                                   ------------       ------------
   Increase in cash and cash equivalents                 67,826          5,887,855
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period         78,680            120,395
                                                   ------------       ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period         $    146,506       $  6,008,250
                                                   ------------       ------------
                                                   ------------       ------------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
   Interest paid                                   $    465,223       $    347,281
   Income taxes paid                               $    294,932       $  1,891,724
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.

                                      7

<PAGE>

                                AMERILINK CORPORATION
                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                     (UNAUDITED)


1.  NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

    NATURE OF BUSINESS

     AmeriLink Corporation (the "Company") is a nationwide provider to the 
telecommunications industry of cabling services for the transmission of 
video, voice and data.  The Company designs, constructs, installs and 
maintains fiber optic, coaxial and twisted-pair copper cabling systems for 
telephone service providers,  including regional bell operating companies 
("RBOCs"), traditional local exchange carriers ("LECs"), competitive local 
exchange carriers ("CLECs") and long distance carriers acting as CLECs 
(collectively, "Telcos"); major cable television multiple system operators 
("MSOs"); systems integrators and users of local area network ("LAN") 
systems; and direct broadcast satellite ("DBS") providers.  The Company, 
which conducts business under the trade name "NaCom," currently markets and 
provides its services through a national network of 18 regional offices and 
11 satellite offices which in fiscal 1997 served customers in 44 states.  

     These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information 
and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  
Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by 
generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the March 30, 
1997 audited financial statements of AmeriLink Corporation contained in its 
Annual Report to Shareholders.

     The financial information included herein reflects all adjustments 
(consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of 
management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for interim 
periods.   The results of operations for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 
28, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the 
full year.

    RECLASSIFICATIONS

     Certain reclassifications have been made to the fiscal 1997 consolidated
financial statements to conform to the fiscal 1998 presentation.

2.  NET INCOME PER SHARE

     The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128. 
"Earnings per Share," which modifies the calculation of earnings per share 
("EPS").  The Standard replaces the previous presentation of primary and 
fully diluted EPS to basic and diluted EPS.  Basic EPS excludes dilution and 
is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the 
weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted 
EPS includes the dilution of common stock equivalents consisting of shares 
subject to stock options.  All prior periods presented have been restated to 
reflect this adoption. 

                                       8

<PAGE>

2.  NET INCOME PER SHARE (CON'T)
     (In thousands - except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Thirteen weeks ended               Thirty-nine weeks ended
                           Dec. 29, 1996     Dec. 28, 1997     Dec. 29, 1996     Dec. 28, 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
 Basic:
 Net income                   $  498            $ 1,389            $ 1,028          $ 3,782
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
 Weighted average common
     shares outstanding        3,479              3,992              3,479            3,661
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
 Net income per share         $ 0.14            $  0.35            $  0.30          $  1.03
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
 Diluted:

 Net income                   $  498            $ 1,389            $ 1,028          $ 3,782
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
 Weighted average common
     shares outstanding        3,479              3,992              3,479            3,661

 Common stock equivalents         64                405                113              309
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
     Total shares              3,543              4,397              3,592            3,970
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
 Net income per share         $ 0.14            $  0.32            $  0.29          $  0.95
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
                              ------            -------            -------          -------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

3.  NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT

     Under a loan agreement with its commercial bank that was amended November
17, 1997, the Company has a $12,000,000 unsecured revolving credit note which
matures September 30, 1998.  Interest on the note is prime minus 1% and is
payable monthly.  There is no commitment fee on any unused portion of the note
and there were no borrowings outstanding as of December 28, 1997.

4.  STOCK OFFERING

     On October 23, 1997, the Company's registration statement for a public 
offering was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and 
the Company issued 600,000 new shares of its common stock.  The net proceeds 
from the offering were $14,175,000 before deducting related expenses totaling 
$279,443.   The Company used part of the proceeds to pay in full the 
outstanding balance of its unsecured revolving credit note with its 
commercial bank.

                                       9

<PAGE>

              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION ACT OF 1995

     The Company cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term 
is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995) contained in 
this Report, including, but not limited to, statements concerning the 
adequacy of the Company's cost structure, collectibility of its accounts 
receivable and adequacy of its capital resources, or made by management of 
the Company involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based 
on various important factors. These important factors include, among others, 
competitive and regulatory risks associated with the telecommunications 
industry, the risk of changing market conditions and customer purchase 
authorizations which may be influenced by budget cycles of the Company's 
customers, consolidation within the telecommunications industry, and the 
success of various technologies and business strategies employed by the 
Company's customers, and other risks described in the Company's Securities 
and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the factors 
described under the caption "Variability in Quarterly Results and 
Seasonality" below.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     Revenue is generated from cabling projects performed via work orders 
issued under master contracts.  Contract costs may vary depending upon the 
contract volume, the level of productivity, competitive factors in the local 
market, and other items.  Cost of sales includes subcontractor production 
costs, materials not supplied by the customer, vehicle and machinery 
expenses, and business insurance related costs.  Selling, general and 
administrative expenses consist primarily of field employee wages and payroll 
costs.  The Company believes that it's selling, general and administrative 
cost structure is maintained at levels necessary to adequately support both 
anticipated near term revenue levels and projected longer term revenue 
levels.  These anticipated revenue levels and associated cost structures may 
vary among the Company's regional field offices and geographic market areas.  

COMPARISONS OF THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 1996 AND DECEMBER 28, 1997


REVENUES

          Total revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 1998 were 
$66,103,957 compared to $45,915,307 for the first nine months of fiscal 1997, 
an increase of 44%.

          Total residential and commercial premises wiring revenues for the 
first nine months of fiscal 1998 increased 53.5% to approximately $59.0 
million (approximately 89% of total Company revenues) compared to 
approximately $38.4 million (approximately 84% of total Company revenues) in 
the comparable period in fiscal 1997.  Premises wiring services to telephone 
companies for video systems increased to approximately $21.7 million in the 
first nine months of fiscal 1998 versus approximately $4.9 million in the 
prior year period.  Of the total $21.7 million of revenues to telephone 
companies for video systems in fiscal 1998, approximately $12.0 million 
(approximately 18% of total Company revenues) was generated from work orders 
issues under contracts with GTE Media Ventures, a division of GTE.  In early 
fiscal 1998, the Company began providing residential voice and data cabling 
services to telephone companies (currently MCI Communications Corporation and 
US West, Inc.) as part of its overall strategy of expanding the cabling 
services it performs for Telcos, and diversifying the cabling services it 
performs.  Premises wiring revenues from telephone companies for voice and 
data services for the first nine months of fiscal 1998 were approximately 
$2.1 million.  

                                      10

<PAGE>

GROSS PROFIT

          Gross profit for the first nine months of fiscal 1998 was 
$25,431,002 or 38.5% of revenues, as compared to $15,531,039, or 33.8% of 
revenues, the first nine months of fiscal 1997.  The increase in gross margin 
is due primarily to a decrease in cabling materials expense (included in cost 
of sales) as a percent of total Company revenues.  The majority of the 
Company's commercial network cabling contracts are turnkey contracts, in 
which the Company provides both the labor and materials necessary for the 
network installation.  These cabling materials, which are billed at near 
cost, comprised approximately 8% of total Company revenues in the first nine 
months of fiscal 1998 versus approximately 15% in the comparable period in 
fiscal 1997.  The percentage decline in cabling materials is primarily due to 
an increase in labor only revenues derived from telephone companies.  The 
increase in gross margin is also a result of subcontractor production costs, 
which decreased as a percent of labor cabling revenues in the first nine 
months of fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997.  Contract and project 
subcontractor costs are dependent upon a number of factors, including pricing 
for the Company's services, the level of productivity, competitive factors in 
the local market, and other items.  The Company's overall operating results 
for the first six months of fiscal 1997 were negatively impacted by operating 
losses of approximately $370,000 as a result of the Company's decision to 
close its San Diego regional office and the completion of remaining outside 
plant construction projects there.  

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

          Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the first nine 
months of fiscal 1998 were $18,819,377  or 28.5% of revenues as compared to 
$13,364,015 or 29.1% of revenues for fiscal 1997.

          The Company's selling, general and administrative cost structure, 
which consists primarily of field employee wages and payroll costs, is 
maintained at levels necessary to adequately support both anticipated near 
term revenues and projected longer term revenues.  These anticipated revenue 
levels and associated cost structures may vary among the Company's regional 
field offices and geographic market areas.  The dollar increase in selling, 
general, and administrative expenses for the first nine months of fiscal 1998 
is primarily due to increased employee wages and associated costs incurred to 
support both current period revenues and  anticipated future revenues.

INTEREST EXPENSE

          Interest expense was $343,534 or 0.5% of revenues for the first 
nine months of fiscal 1998 as compared to $461,106 or 1.0% for the first nine 
months of fiscal 1997.  On October 23, 1997, the Company used proceeds 
received from a public stock offering to pay in full the outstanding balance 
of its revolving credit note of approximately $6.8 million.  The balance of 
the proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including working 
capital, expansion of sales and marketing activities, opening new field 
offices and possible acquisitions of businesses, services or technology 
complimentary to the Company's business.  Pending such  uses, the proceeds 
are being invested in short-term investment grade securities.   Interest 
income generated from these investments totaled $55,412 for the period ended 
December 28, 1997.

COMPARISONS OF THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 1996 AND DECEMBER 28, 1997

REVENUES

          Total revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 were 
$22,735,763 compared to $16,731,323 for the third quarter of fiscal 1997, an 
increase of 35.9%.

          Revenues derived from residential and commercial premises wiring 
activities increased by 41% to a record $20.8 million in the third quarter of 
fiscal 1998, versus approximately $14.7 million in the prior year period. 
Premises wiring revenues derived from Telcos that are building or expanding 
video systems increased 

                                      11

<PAGE>

to approximately $6.1 million (approximately 27% of total Company revenues) 
in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to approximately $3.5 million 
(approximately 21% of total Company revenues) in the third quarter of fiscal 
1997.  Of the total $6.1 million of revenues to Telcos for video systems, 
approximately $3.6 million or 15.9% of total Company revenues was generated 
from work orders issued under contracts with GTE Media Ventures, a division 
of GTE.  The Company believes that as a result of the Telecommunications Act, 
certain Telcos have increased their capital expenditures for video systems, 
and the Company has aggressively marketed its services to these companies.  
Premises wiring revenues derived from telephone service providers for 
residential voice and data cabling services for the third quarter of fiscal 
1998 were approximately $1.2 million, whereas, the Company was not serving 
this market in fiscal 1997.  Revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 
also included approximately $7.4 million in premises wiring revenues from 
cable television multiple system operators, which represents a record for the 
Company and an increase of approximately $1.1 million from the comparable 
quarter in fiscal 1997.  

GROSS PROFIT

          Gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 was $8,791,067 or 
38.7% of revenues, as compared to $5,850,431, or 35.0% of revenues, the third 
quarter of fiscal 1997.  The increase in gross margin is due primarily to a 
decrease in subcontractor production costs, which decreased as a percent of 
labor cabling revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to the 
third quarter of fiscal 1997.  Contract and project subcontractor costs are 
dependent upon a number of factors, including pricing for the Company's 
services, the level of productivity, competitive factors in the local market, 
and other items.  The increase in gross margin is also a result of a decrease 
in cabling materials expense (included in cost of sales) as a percent of 
total Company revenues.  The majority of the Company's commercial network 
cabling contracts are turnkey contracts, in which the Company provides both 
the labor and materials necessary for the network installation.  These 
cabling materials, which are billed at near cost, comprised approximately 9% 
of total Company revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 versus 
approximately 11% in the comparable period in fiscal 1997.  The percentage 
decline in cabling materials is primarily due to strong third quarter fiscal 
1998 labor only revenues derived from Telcos.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

          Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the third quarter 
of fiscal 1998 were $6,477,196 or 28.5% of revenues as compared to $4,841,170 
or 28.9% of revenues for fiscal 1997.

          The Company's selling, general and administrative cost structure, 
which consists primarily of field employee wages and payroll costs, is 
maintained at levels necessary to adequately support both anticipated near 
term revenues and projected longer term revenues.  These anticipated revenue 
levels and associated cost structures may vary among the Company's regional 
field offices and geographic market areas.  The dollar increase in selling, 
general, and administrative expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 is 
primarily due to increased employee wages and associated costs incurred to 
support both current period revenues and  anticipated future revenues.

INTEREST EXPENSE

          Interest expense was $47,445 or 0.2% of revenues for the third 
quarter of fiscal 1998 as compared to $182,400 or 1.1% for the third quarter 
of fiscal 1997.  On October 23, 1997, the Company used proceeds received from 
a public stock offering to pay in full the outstanding balance of its 
revolving credit note of approximately $6.8 million.  The balance of the 
proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including working 
capital, expansion of sales and marketing activities, opening new field 
offices and possible acquisitions of businesses, services or technology 
complimentary to the Company's business. Pending such  uses, the proceeds are 
being invested in short-term investment grade securities.   Interest income 
generated from these investments totaled $55,412 for the period ended 
December 28, 1997.  

                                      12

<PAGE>

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

          GENERAL.   Historically, the Company's principal sources of 
liquidity have come from operating cash flow and credit arrangements.  The 
Company's primary requirements for working capital are to finance accounts 
receivable, work-in-process and capital expenditures.  Pursuant to a typical 
construction, MDU (multiple dwelling unit),  or LAN cabling contract, work 
performed by the Company is generally not billed to a customer until various 
stages in a project are complete or until the entire project is complete.  
Because the Company pays its suppliers and subcontractors on a current basis, 
to the extent that trade payables exceed customer accounts paid at any given 
time, the Company would draw on its revolving credit note to finance its 
work-in-process until project work is billed to and paid by the customer.  On 
October 23, 1997, the Company completed a public offering in which it issued 
600,000 additional shares.  The net proceeds from the offering were 
$14,175,000 before deducting related expenses of $279,443.  The Company paid 
in full the outstanding balance of its revolving credit note of approximately 
$6.8 million and will use the balance of the proceeds for general corporate 
purposes, including working capital, expansion of sales and marketing 
activities, openings of new field offices and possible acquisitions of 
businesses, services or technology complimentary to the Company's business.  
Pending such uses, the proceeds are being invested in short-term investment 
grade securities.  

          Combined accounts receivable and work-in-process at December 28, 
1997 totaled $21,572,616  compared to $17,853,591 at March 30, 1997, an 
increase of $3,719,025 or 20.8%.  This increase is due primarily to the 
record level of revenues that the Company recorded during the first nine 
months of fiscal 1998 which ended December 28, 1997.  The Company anticipates 
that it will continue to receive collections of its accounts receivable in 
the ordinary course of business; however, there is no assurance that the 
Company will be able to collect all or substantially all of its accounts 
receivable outstanding at any time.  The Company believes it has adequately 
provided for potential losses through its allowance for doubtful accounts.  
The Company's failure to collect substantially all of its accounts receivable 
and work-in-process would have an adverse impact on its working capital and 
could adversely affect its results of operations.

          Capital requirements are dependent upon a number of factors, 
including the Company's revenues, level of operations, and the type of 
contracts and work that the Company performs.  Due to the fact that the 
Company generally has no extended commitments from its customers, it is 
difficult to forecast longer term revenues and associated capital expenditure 
and operating cash requirements.

          Management believes that current cash and cash equivalents, current 
and possible additional credit from its commercial bank, cash to be generated 
from future operations, and funds which may be obtained from the issuance of 
common stock should provide sufficient capital to meet the reasonable 
foreseeable business needs of the Company.

          CURRENT CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS.   Under a loan agreement with its 
commercial bank that was amended November 17, 1997, the Company has a 
$12,000,000 unsecured revolving credit note which matures September 30, 1998. 
Interest on the note is prime minus 1% and is payable monthly.  There is no 
commitment fee on any unused portion of the note and there were no borrowings 
under the revolving credit note at December 28, 1997.

              The loan agreement limits the Company's ability to create or 
incur liens on its assets, to incur additional indebtedness, to guarantee the 
indebtedness of others and to make loans or advances.  Additionally, the 
agreement restricts the Company from entering into merger or acquisition 
transactions or transactions involving the sale of substantially all of its 
assets without the prior consent of the bank.  The loan agreement also 
requires the Company to meet certain financial tests.  

          CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES.   For the first nine months of 
fiscal 1998, net cash provided by operating activities was $3,467,997.  This 
was due primarily to the Company's net income, depreciation and amortization, 
and accrued compensation and related expenses which combined totaled 
$6,641,160. These items were somewhat negated by increases in accounts 
receivable and work-in-process that were not offset by corresponding 
increases in trade accounts payable and liabilities to subcontractors.  The 
Company is limited 

                                      13

<PAGE>

in its ability to offset increases in accounts receivable and work-in-process 
through increases in accounts payable or liabilities to subcontractors.  

          CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES.  Net cash used in investing 
activities for the first nine months of fiscal 1998 totaled $4,003,602 versus 
$1,430,366 for the corresponding period last year.  Cash used in investing 
activities is primarily a result of the purchase of property and equipment, 
which totaled $4,255,613 (6.4% of revenues) for the fiscal 1998 first nine 
months versus $1,947,346 (4.2% of revenues) for the comparable period last 
year. The increase in property and equipment as a percentage of sales for 
fiscal 1998 is primarily the result of vehicles which were purchased for new 
projects.  

VARIABILITY IN QUARTERLY RESULTS AND SEASONALITY 

          The Company's quarterly revenues and associated operating results 
have in the past, and may in the future, vary depending upon a number of 
factors. The Company has no long-term contractual commitments to provide its 
services. The contractual commitments which do exist generally can be 
terminated on 30 days notice.  These contractual commitments do not involve a 
firm backlog of committed work because the nature of the Company's contracts 
with MSOs, Telcos and DBS providers produce daily work orders only on a 
project-by-project basis which must be funded by an approved purchase order.  
In addition, network cabling services are generally nonrecurring in nature 
and are contracted on a project-by-project basis.  Therefore, the amount of 
work performed at any given time and the general mix of customers for which 
work is being performed can vary significantly.  Consolidation within the 
telecommunications industry may also delay or depress capital spending, as 
companies assess their new business plans and strategies and focus on 
administrative and operational issues associated with their acquisitions or 
alliances.  The Company's operations historically have also been influenced 
by the budget cycles of the Company's customers.  Many of the Company's MSO 
customers utilize a calendar year budget cycle, funded with quarterly 
purchase authorizations, which in certain fiscal years has resulted in a lack 
of availability of funds in the Company's third fiscal quarter and has 
delayed work authorizations in the Company's fourth fiscal quarter. 
Telecommunication providers are also subject to actual and potential local, 
state, and federal regulations that influence the availability of work for 
which the Company may compete.  For example, the Company believes that 
uncertainty regarding pending federal telecommunications legislation 
decreased capital spending by many of its customers during the 1996 fiscal 
year.  Weather may affect operating results due to the fact that construction 
cabling services are performed outdoors.  Weather can also impact the 
Company's premises wiring cabling services due to the limited and lost 
production associated with poor driving conditions and generally difficult 
working environments.  Operating results may also be affected by the capital 
spending patterns of the Company's customers and by the success of various 
technologies and business strategies employed by them.  In fiscal 1997,  the 
Company recorded approximately $10.3 million (or 16.4% of total revenues for 
the year) and for the first nine months of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded 
approximately $21.7 million (or 33% of total revenues for the period) in 
revenues from Telcos, that are building or expanding video systems.  Of the 
total $21.7 million of revenues from Telcos, approximately $12.0 million (or 
18% of total Company revenues) was generated from work orders issued under 
contacts with GTE Media Ventures, a part of GTE Corporation.  The amount of 
future capital allocated by these companies to their video programs is 
largely contingent upon the financial success of these programs.  The 
Company's operating profitability and capacity to increase revenues is also 
largely dependent upon its ability to locate and attract qualified field 
managers, project managers, and technical production personnel. Other factors 
that may affect the Company's operating results include the size and timing 
of significant projects, and the gain or loss of a significant contract or 
customer.


INFLATION

          Historically, inflation has not been a significant factor to the 
Company as labor is the primary cost of operations and its contracts are 
typically short-term in nature.  On an ongoing basis, the Company attempts to 
minimize any effects of inflation on its operating results by controlling 
operating costs and, whenever possible, seeking to insure that selling prices 
reflect increases in costs due to inflation.

                                      14

<PAGE>

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

          The Company anticipates that its compliance with various laws and
regulations relating to the protection of the environment will not have a
material effect on its capital expenditures, future earnings or competitive
position.

                           AMERILINK CORPORATION
                        PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.  NOT APPLICABLE


Item 2.        CHANGE IN SECURITIES.   NOT APPLICABLE


Item 3.        DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.   NOT APPLICABLE


Item 4.        SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
               NOT APPLICABLE


Item 5.        OTHER INFORMATION.   NOT APPLICABLE


Item 6.        EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.   

               (a)  Exhibits
                                                  
           Exhibit No.                   Description
           -----------                   -----------
                  4.5        Bank Loan Agreement Amendment 
                             dated November 17, 1997 between
                             AmeriLink Corp. and Bank One, 
                             Columbus, N.A.

                   27        Financial Data Schedule filed herewith
                             as part of this report on Form 10-Q.

                  (b)        No reports on Form 8-K have been filed 
                             during the quarter ended December 28, 1997.


                                      15

<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.


                              AMERILINK CORPORATION
                              (Registrant)


Date:     February 9, 1998    By: /s/Larry R. Linhart 
                                 ------------------------
                                  Larry R. Linhart
                                  Chief Executive Officer
                                  President


Date:     February 9, 1998    By: /s/James W. Brittan
                                 ------------------------------------
                                  James W. Brittan
                                  Vice President of Finance
                                  (Principal Financial and Accounting
                                  Officer) 


                                      16

<PAGE>

                          THIRD AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT

     This Amendment ("Amendment") is made as of the 17 day of NOVEMBER, 1997, by
and between AMERILINK CORP. AND AMERILINK CORPORATION, (hereafter referred to as
"Borrowers") and Bank One, NA (the "Bank").

     WHEREAS, the Borrowers and the Bank entered into a Business Loan
Agreement/Credit Agreement dated DECEMBER 29, 1994, as amended SEPTEMBER 29,
1995 AND SEPTEMBER 27, 1996 (the "Credit Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Credit Agreement as set
forth below:

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed
in the Credit Agreement.

     2.   Subsection 1.2.5 - The Section bearing the heading FACILITY FEE of 
the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety.

     3.   The Borrowers represent and warrant that (a) the representations 
and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all 
material respects as of the date of this Amendment, (b) no condition, act or 
event which could constitute an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement 
exists, and (c) no condition, event, act or omission has occurred, which, 
with the giving of notice or passage of time, would constitute an Event of 
Default under the Credit Agreement.

     4.   The Borrowers agree to pay all fees and out-of-pocket disbursements 
incurred by the Bank in connection with this Amendment, including legal fees 
incurred by the Bank in the preparation, consummation, administration and 
enforcement of this Amendment.

     5.  This Amendment shall become effective only after it is fully 
executed by the Borrowers and the Bank.

Except as amended by this Amendment, the Credit Agreement shall remain in 
full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

     6.  This Amendment is a modification only and not a novation.  Except 
for the above-quoted  modification(s), the Credit Agreement, any agreement or 
security document, and all the terms and conditions thereof, shall be and 
remain in full force and effect with the changes herein deemed to be 
incorporated therein.  This Amendment is to be considered attached to the 
Credit Agreement and made a part thereof.  This Amendment shall not release 
or affect the liability of any guarantor, surety or endorser of the Credit 
Agreement or release any owner of collateral securing the Credit Agreement.  
The validity, priority and enforceability of the Credit Agreement shall not 
be impaired hereby. To the extent that any provision of this Amendment 
conflicts with any term or condition set forth in the Credit Agreement, or 
any agreement or security document executed in conjunction therewith, the 
provisions of this Amendment shall supersede and control.  Borrowers 
acknowledge that as of the date of this Amendment it has no offsets with 
respect to all amounts owed by Borrowers to Bank and Borrowers waive and 
release all claims which they may have against Bank arising under the Credit 
Agreement on or prior to the date of this Amendment.

     1.  The Borrowers acknowledge and agree that this Amendment is limited 
to the terms outlined above, and shall not be construed as an amendment of 
any other terms or provisions of the Credit Agreement; The Borrowers hereby 
specifically ratify and affirm the terms and provisions of the Credit 
Agreement.  Borrowers release Bank from any and all claims which may have 
arisen, known or unknown, in connection with the Credit Agreement on or prior 
to the date hereof.  This Amendment shall not establish a course of dealing 
or be construed as evidence of any willingness on the Bank's part to grant 
other or future amendments, should any be requested.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Amendment as of the
day and year first above written.

BANK ONE, NA                            BORROWERS:

                                        AMERILINK CORP.

By ________________________               By: _____________________________
        Lynda Schockman                          Larry R. Linhart
Title:  Assistant Vice President         Title:  President

                                        AMERILINK CORPORATION

                                         By:    _____________________________
                                                 Larry R. Linhart
                                         Title:  President


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE 
SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 28, 1997 AND STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS 
ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1997 OF AMERILINK CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS 
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1997
<CASH>                                       6,008,250
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,488,981
<ALLOWANCES>                                   170,000
<INVENTORY>                                  1,634,222
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            29,941,699 
<PP&E>                                       7,717,636 <F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0 <F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              37,888,372
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,811,807
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                    23,577,295
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,499,270
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                37,888,372
<SALES>                                     66,103,957
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            66,103,957
<CGS>                                       40,672,955
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               59,492,332
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             288,122
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,323,503
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,542,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,781,503
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,781,503
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.95
<FN>
<F1> Property plant and equipment is reported net of
     accumulated depreciation on the Consolidated
     Balance Sheet.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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