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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
( ) REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b)
OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
(X) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED: DECEMBER 31, 1999
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
( ) 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____ to ____
Commission file number: 0-26258
NERA ASA
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
KINGDOM OF NORWAY
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
KOKSTADVEIEN 23, PO BOX 7090/7098, N-5020 KOKSTAD, NORWAY
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities Registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered
NONE NONE
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
ORDINARY SHARES, NOMINAL VALUE NOK 2 EACH
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Act:
NONE
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of
capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual
report:
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Ordinary Shares, nominal value NOK 2 each 96,093,733
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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 report) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
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Yes X No
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Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected
to follow:
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Item 17 Item 18 X
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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PART I ....................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................1
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS.........................................................................2
1.1 GENERAL.........................................................................................2
1.2 TRANSMISSION NETWORKS...........................................................................4
1.3 SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS........................................................................7
1.4 BROADBAND ACCESS...............................................................................13
1.5 OTHER ACTIVITIES...............................................................................13
1.6 COMPETITION....................................................................................15
1.7 MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION.....................................................................17
1.8 SUPPLIERS......................................................................................18
1.9 PRODUCT WARRANTY AND SERVICE; PERFORMANCE AND BID BONDS........................................19
1.10 BACKLOG........................................................................................20
1.11 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.......................................................................20
1.12 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY..........................................................................23
1.13 REGULATION.....................................................................................23
1.14 EMPLOYEES......................................................................................24
1.15 FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS.......................................................25
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY........................................................................27
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS..............................................................................28
ITEM 4. CONTROL OF REGISTRANT..........................................................................28
ITEM 5. NATURE OF TRADING MARKET.......................................................................28
ITEM 6. EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AFFECTING SECURITY HOLDERS.............................29
ITEM 7. TAXATION.......................................................................................29
ITEM 8. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA...........................................................33
ITEM 9. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS..........35
ITEM 9A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.....................................49
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT...........................................................51
ITEM 11. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.........................................................56
ITEM 12. OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SECURITIES FROM REGISTRANT OR SUBSIDIARIES.................................57
ITEM 13. INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.................................................58
PART III .................................................................................................58
ITEM 15. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES................................................................58
ITEM 16. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND CHANGES IN SECURITY FOR REGISTERED SECURITIES........................59
PART IV .................................................................................................F-1
ITEM 19 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS..............................................................F-1
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PART I
INTRODUCTION
Nera ASA is a joint-stock company incorporated in the Kingdom of Norway
on September 1, 1987 under the Norwegian Companies Act.
In this Annual Report, references to "Nera," the "Nera Group," the
"Company" or the "Group" are to Nera ASA and its consolidated subsidiaries. Nera
publishes its consolidated financial statements in Norwegian kroner. References
herein to "U.S. dollars," "USD" and "$" are to United States dollars, and
references to "Norwegian kroner" and "NOK" are to the currency of the Kingdom of
Norway. For the convenience of the reader, this Annual Report contains
translations of certain Norwegian kroner amounts into U.S. dollars at the rate
of NOK 8.0100 = $1 (0.1248 = NOK 1), the noon buying rate in New York City for
cable transfers payable in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the "Noon Buying Rate") on December 31,
1999. On June 15, 2000, such rate was NOK 8.6360 = $1 ($0.1158 = NOK 1). The
Noon Buying Rate on December 31, 1999 differs from the actual rates used in the
preparation of the Company's Financial Statements. These translations should not
be construed as representations that the Norwegian kroner amounts actually
represent such U.S. dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at
the rate indicated or at any other rate. See Item 8. "Selected Financial
Data--Exchange Rates" for further information on exchange rates, Item 9.
"Management's Discussion and Analysis--Currency Fluctuations" and Item 9A.
"Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk" for a discussion of the effects of
fluctuations in exchange rates on the Company.
The principal executive offices of Nera are located at Kokstadveien 23,
P.O. Box 6010 N-5020 Kokstad, Bergen, Norway, and its telephone number is +(47)
5522-5100.
This document contains certain forward-looking statements with respect
to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Nera and
certain of the plans and objectives of Nera with respect to these items. In
particular, among other statements, (a) certain statements in Item 1.
"Description of Business," with regard to (i) management's objectives with
respect to its current focus on core business areas and the related changes in
the structure of the Group, (ii) management objectives with respect to the
Company's cash generation and expansion of its operations, (iii) demand for
telecommunications infrastructure, (iv) the Company's ability to continuously
improve its ability to generate cash and its manufacturing operations, (v) the
shift from PDH to SDH technology, (vi) opportunities to supply satellite
terminals and land earth station equipment for new satellite communications
systems, (vii) levels of future research and development expenditure and the
development and introduction of new products, and (viii) trends in market shares
and product volumes; (b) certain statements in Item 9. "Management's Discussion,
Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations" with regard to
trends in the Company's (i) results of operations, (ii) levels of research and
development expenditure, (iii) margins, (iv) overall market trends, (v) cash
generation, liquidity and capital resources; and (c) certain statements and all
projections in Item 9A. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
Risk" with regard to (i) risk management, (ii) foreign currency exchange rate
risk and (iii) interest rate sensitivity, are forward-looking in nature. By
their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty
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because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that will occur in
the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the
Company's ability to achieve its goals in connection with its current business
activities, to continuously improve its cash generation capability to foresee
demand for telecommunications infrastructure, to predict the development of new
satellite communications systems, to allocate the levels of research and
development expenditures by the Company, to determine the cost of components, to
be prepared to react to future exchange rates and interest rates, and to conduct
its manufacturing operations in an efficient manner.
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
1.1 GENERAL
Nera ASA specializes in the design, development, manufacture and
marketing of wireless telecommunications equipment and systems and the provision
of related services. In 1999, Nera supplied microwave radio relay systems,
mobile satellite terminals, land earth stations and airtime billing services,
principally for the International Maritime Satellite Organization ("INMARSAT")
global satellite communications network. These activities accounted for
approximately 87% of the Company's sales in 1999. Nera also provides
telecommunications systems and solutions tailored for specific applications.
Nera markets its equipment, systems and services worldwide from its facilities
in Norway and through its network of subsidiaries, sales offices, local agents
and distributors. In 1999, sales outside Norway represented approximately 90% of
the Company's total sales. Nera's important markets outside Norway include Asia
(principally Singapore and Malaysia), continental Europe (principally France and
Germany), North America and South America, and the United Kingdom, which
accounted for approximately 24.6%, 23.9%, 23.5%, and 12.7% of 1999 sales,
respectively. Nera's sales increased from NOK 2,971.1 million in 1997 to NOK
3,034.7 million in 1998 and decreased to NOK 2,765.8 million in 1999.
Nera's customers include Post, Telephone and Administrations ("PTTs"),
Public Telecommunications Operators ("PTOs"), private network operators and
large telecommunications equipment suppliers and system integrators. From 1997
through 1999, the Company's principal customers have included the Norwegian
Defense Communications Agency ("NODECA") (Norway), Ericsson (Poland, Lebanon,
Mexico and Brazil), Telefonos de Mexico ("Telmex") (Mexico), Promon Electronica
Ltda. (Brazil), Telenor (Norway), British Telecom PLC, Telcel (Venezuela),
Lucent Technologies (Peru, India, Czech Republic and Saudi Arabia), Microcell
Links (United Kingdom), National Logistics Cell ("NLC") (Pakistan), Telecom
Italia (Italy), Hong Kong Telecom (Hong Kong), Total Access Communications
(Thailand) and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (Singapore). No customer
accounted for 10% or more of Nera's sales in any of 1997, 1998 or 1999.
Nera's strategic objective is to give investors a competitive return on
investment through profitable growth and expand its operations in selected areas
of the telecommunications market, including broadband access, for which it
anticipates increased global demand and in which Nera believes that its
experience and capabilities in the design, development, manufacturing and
marketing of telecommunications equipment, systems and services give it a
competitive advantage
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compared to existing or potential competitors. Nera believes that its core area
of technological expertise is the transmission and processing of microwave
signals and that its core areas of experience are in the design, development,
manufacture and marketing of wireless telecommunications equipment and systems,
areas in which Nera and its predecessors have operated since 1947.
Over the past two years, Nera has implemented a comprehensive program
of corporate improvements and increased focus on its core activities. The
objective of this program, in addition to increasing underlying profitability
and strengthening the Company's financial position, has been to position the
Company for further growth based on the extensive expertise and strong market
position it already enjoys in selected segments of a rapidly growing
telecommunications market. Nera has also continued to place great importance on
maintaining a high level of research and development activity throughout the
Nera Group.
The markets in which Nera operates are characterized by deregulation
and rapid technological change. The increasing convergence of IT and
telecommunications creates attractive growth opportunities for Nera based on the
expertise and market knowledge it has built up over many years. Both the pace of
technical change and the increased willingness of companies and individuals to
make use of the opportunities technology offers are creating a rapid increase in
the demand for transmission capacity and efficient access to its use. This is in
many ways creating a paradigm shift in the market, and this is particularly
apparent for the growth which is expected to be seen in the market for broadband
access.
The expertise that Nera has built up through its activities in radio
link and satellite communications give it a unique starting point to build a
future as a leading player in this market segment. Nera's commitment to wireless
broadband access will require significant financial resources, and Nera plans to
expand its activities through a combination of organic growth, acquisitions and
strategic alliances/transactions. The level of resources involved in developing
broadband access is expected to cause cash flow in this business area to be
negative over the next three years.
Nera also intends to position itself for further growth in its Mobile
Satellite Communications and Transmissions Networks business areas. Mobile
Satellite Communications is involved in an exciting niche market which offers
business opportunities for profitable growth involving structural measures.
Transmission Networks operates in a market which the Company expects will be a
growth area for the foreseeable future, whilst there is also a need for
consolidation of the entities involved in the industry through structural
change.
During 1999, as part of Nera's comprehensive program of corporate
improvements and increased focus on its core activities, Nera has reduced its
ownership interest in its Singapore subsidiary, divested its airtime billing
business, sold a portion of its production facilities and entered into
agreements to acquire two businesses in the United States with activities in the
areas of wireless local loop and radio-link transmission from World Access. On
June 23, 1999 Nera Telecommunications Ltd. ("NTL") launched an Initial Public
Offering for its Singapore dollar listing on the Mainboard of the Stock Exchange
of Singapore Limited ("SES"). NTL is a solutions provider
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for the telecommunications and IT industries with a comprehensive product and
service range covering satellite communications, microwave radio transmissions,
IT networking infrastructure and high value-added electronic contract
manufacturing. 44,400,000 ordinary shares were sold in the offering,
representing 49.3% of NTL's share capital. 13,000,000 shares were sold to the
public and the remaining 31,400,000 shares were privately placed, of which
4,440,000 shares were reserved for NTL's employees and business associates who
have contributed to the success of the company. After the IPO the Nera Group
holds 47.3% of the shares in NTL. The sale released a capital of approximately
NOK 150 million for the Nera Group, and the profit of the sales are expected to
be approximately NOK 106 million. The shares of NTL started public trading on
the SES on July 1, 1999. In December 1999, Nera sold its airtime billing
business to an entity in return for approximately NOK 107 million and a 20%
interest in the share capital. In December 1999, Nera signed a letter of intent
with Flextronics for the sale of Nera's production facilities in Billingstad and
for the parties to enter into a strategic cooperation agreement with respect to
the production of electronics. The sale to Flextronics is expected to be
finalized in July 2000. Lastly, in December, 1999, Nera entered into an
agreement to acquire two businesses from World Access for a total amount of
$13.5 million. In April 2000 those acquisitions were closed, giving Nera a basis
to develop point-to-multipoint products for wireless broadband access and
expertise on which to establish a presence in North America as well as a product
range for point-to-point radio link access.
Currently, Nera is organized into four business units, Transmission
Network, Mobile Satellite Communications, Wireless Broadband Access and Other
Activities. Nera continually seeks to improve its manufacturing processes to
adapt to new product development, larger volumes and reduced time to market
requirements. In addition, the Company may seek to expand its geographic
presence through agreements, joint ventures or acquisitions.
Recent Developments
In May, 2000 Nera issued 25 million shares in a public offering in
Norway with rights of preemption for existing shareholders and raised NOK
887,500,000 (including underwriting discounts and expenses). The offering was
not made available to U.S. and Canadian shareholders or investors. Nera intends
to use the proceeds of this offering to grow its business, particularly in the
area of wireless broadband access as well as to expand its existing product
rage, competence base and geographic sales area.
1.2 TRANSMISSION NETWORKS
Nera designs, develops, manufactures and markets selected
telecommunications transmission equipment and systems, consisting of high- and
low-capacity microwave radio transmission (also known as radio link or radio
relay) equipment and systems, antenna systems and turnkey telecommunications
transmission networks, for use in public, private, military and cellular
telecommunications networks. The Company has been involved in the field of radio
link equipment and systems for approximately 50 years. Management believes that
the Group currently has an approximate market share of 5% of the world's radio
link market, 1% of the world market for Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy ("PDH")
digital transmission networks and 17% of the world market for Synchronous
Digital Hierarchy ("SDH") digital transmission networks.
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As radio relay technology assumes new roles in telecommunications
networks, the Company has benefitted from new opportunities for its transmission
equipment and systems. Deregulation has led to the implementation of new
transmission networks in a number of countries, and new geographic areas have
opened for market expansion in both developed and emerging economies. At the
same time, new network operators have been formed to meet the demand for new
services such as cellular telecommunications, paging and Internet and data
transmission. Many of these operators are choosing microwave radio as an
important part of their networks, both to extend the network coverage and to
serve as a back-up system for networks using other transmission media.
Nera's sales from transmission network-related products and services
amounted to approximately NOK 1.500 million (54.4% of total sales) in 1999,
compared with NOK 1.547 million (51.0% of total sales) in 1998, and
approximately NOK 1.331 million (46.1% of total sales) in 1997.
The manufacturing of the products from Transmission Network is largely
carried out by Nera Electronics AS ("Nera Electronics"). However, access radios
are manufactured by Nera Limited (UK) ("Nera UK"), and part of the manufacturing
of PDH radios takes place at Nera Telecommunications Ltd. in Singapore.
Transmission Network also has a long-term cooperation agreement with Kitron ASA
for the manufacturing of PDH equipment.
Production and sales of access radios have not been sufficient to cover
the cost of this business in the United Kingdom. The access radios produced in
Luton face strong competition from other and newer products in the market place.
Based on this, the Company has decided to phase out access radio production by
the forth quarter of 2000. When this process is completed, Nera in Luton will
become a sales and service office, serving the United Kingdom and Ireland, for
the transmission networks business area.
Microwave Radio Products. Nera's microwave radio transmission equipment
comprises transmission radio link equipment and systems, access radio link
equipment and systems, antenna systems and turnkey telecommunications
transmission networks.
Nera develops and produces high- and low-capacity microwave radio
equipment used in terrestrial telecommunications networks carrying voice
communication, facsimile, data and radar information, as well as radio and
television program transmissions. Nera manufactures digital radio links
incorporating devices such as modulators, demodulators, receivers, transmitters,
power supplies, branching units, signal encoders and decoders and supervisory
systems. Nera's microwave radio relay and access radio systems operate at
frequencies between 1.7 and 38 Ghz and have capacities of between two megabits
per second (providing 30 telephone channels) and 155 megabits per second
(providing 2,000 telephone channels). To supply customers with complete
telecommunications systems, Nera purchases certain equipment from several other
suppliers, such as Ericsson (Sweden), Nokia (Finland) and ECI Telecom (Israel).
Equipment obtained from outside suppliers typically includes add-drop
multiplexers, digital cross-connects, various interface equipment and other
system elements.
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The most common standard for digital transmission networks is PDH.
Nera's traditional PDH equipment is primarily low-capacity transmission
equipment operating at 8 or 34 megabits per second. The Company also markets
modular PDH transmission equipment operating at integral multiples of two
megabits per second.
In 1988, SDH was adopted as the new standard for digital transmission
networks by the International Telecommunications Union (the "ITU"), and SDH
products have become the predominant systems used for high capacity transfers.
Management believes that Nera is a leading supplier of radio relay equipment
worldwide for SDH transmission networks. The Company's STM-1 terminal, which has
a capacity of 155 megabits per second at frequencies between 4 and 26 GHz, can
serve as the transmission element for radio-based SDH networks. While Nera
expects PDH systems to maintain significant market share during the next few
years because it is more suited to low-capacity transmission, Nera expects that
there will be a continued shift to SDH systems as they are substantially more
flexible than PDH systems.
Management believes that in the future, in order to be a "one stop shop
for microwave radios," Transmission Network will also have to be able to offer
point to multipoint systems. These systems are used to link several subscribers
to a central point in a network. At present, such systems are mainly used for
voice communications in remote areas. In the future, this technology may also be
used for high-speed connections to ordinary subscribers, especially by new
service providers.
In response to the expected shift toward SDH products, Nera has
developed SDH radios in frequency bands of 18, 23 and 26 Ghz, marketed under the
"CityLink" name. CityLink went into production in the second half of 1998.
Within each product group or product type, especially SDH, there are a number of
variations which are necessary to be able to offer systems in accordance with
most ITU standards. Nera has developed equipment in accordance with FCC (North
American) standards, and CityLink will also be marketed in a SONET version, the
FCC equivalent to SDH.
During the course of 2000, management intends to expand the CityLink
family and to gradually replace the rest of the product range by new generations
of equipment. SDH technology is then also expected to be used for systems which
are currently built using PDH technology. In addition, management of
Transmission Network expects that CityLink will make increasingly significant
contributions to sales volume. The Company delivered approximately 2.700 SDH
units during 1999. Through Nera's expertise in the area of SDH technology,
management hopes to give the Group a competitive advantage over other suppliers
of radio link products in the coming years. Nera also intends to play an active
role in the process of consolidation which is expected to take place in this
market over the next few years. There can be no assurance that these
developments will occur.
Nera also designs and manufactures antennas (principally dish aerials)
to meet specific demands imposed by various operating environments and by the
radio relay equipment being employed. Nera produces a variety of antennas in
sizes up to six meters in diameter for all recommended frequency bands. The
Company sells its antennas both in conjunction with other Nera transmission
equipment and on a stand-alone basis.
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Other suppliers of components used in the signal path are normal
established companies such as Nokia, ECI and Fore etc. Power supplies, masts and
installation materials etc. are purchased from approved suppliers, usually local
regional producers, by competitive tender.
Nera is a turnkey supplier of telecommunications transmissions
networks, which comprise varying combinations of radio relays, antennas,
feeders, towers, fiber optic terminals and cables, multiplexers and
cross-connect equipment. Nera designs, develops, manufactures and installs
complete telecommunications networks and operations, administration and
maintenance management systems. For most turnkey projects, the Company conducts
the necessary surveying work and produces transmitters, receivers, waveguides,
racks and antenna systems, which together typically represent approximately
one-half of the value of such turnkey projects. The Company acquires the
remainder of the equipment and facilities, such as towers, shelters, diesel
generators, battery banks, solar cells and add-drop multiplexers, from
subcontractors.
Nera sells its transmissions systems to PTTs, PTOs, cellular network
operators and, to a lesser extent, to dedicated network users such as oil and
gas companies, power utilities, railroads and military organizations. Contracts
range in value from approximately NOK 1 million up to approximately NOK 150
million. Because of the project-oriented nature of many of its radio link
equipment and systems contracts, the Company's largest customers may change from
year to year.
The Company's largest customers for transmissions systems in terms of
contract amount over the past three years have been NODECA (Norway), ETB
(Columbia), Telmex (Mexico), NLC (Pakistan), and Telenor (Norway). In addition,
Nera has an original equipment manufacturers agreement with Lucent Technologies,
Nokia and Ericsson for the supply of SDH microwave radio transmission systems
for Lucent's transmission projects worldwide. The sale of radio links has
roughly the same geographical spread as the Nera Group's total sales, but with a
somewhat larger share in Latin America. In recent years the Nera Group has set
up a number of sales and representative offices in various countries in order to
strengthen its local presence. See "-- Marketing and Distribution."
Nera supplies turnkey telecommunications transmission networks,
principally to PTOs, PTTs and utilities in the Indian subcontinent, the Middle
East, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa. The Company's four most
important turnkey projects in 1999 were in Nigeria, Pakistan, Colombia and the
Maldives and the projects in Nigeria and Colombia were completed in 2000.
1.3 MOBILE SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
Nera designs, develops, manufactures and markets mobile satellite
terminals (comprising marine and land mobile earth stations) and land earth
stations for satellite communications networks, principally INMARSAT. Nera
supplies a full range of land earth stations and believes that it is the
supplier producing the widest range of terminals for the INMARSAT system. Nera
also markets its mobile satellite terminals and land earth stations for various
regional satellite systems. In addition, until December 21, 1999, Nera also
provided airtime billing services, primarily to INMARSAT operators, and supplied
equipment and systems for private business communications networks. On that
date, this business was sold to an entity in which Nera retains 20% of the share
capital. The
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remaining 80% of the share capital is held by Telenor AS (40%) and by Arendals
Fossekompani AS (40%).
The satellite communications business of the Nera Group is based around
Nera SatCom and, until December 31, 1999, also around Nera UK. Nera SatCom is
divided into two business units; (i) SatCom Marine & Mobile terminals and (ii)
SatCom Land Earth Stations (gateways). Nera UK was responsible for airtime
billing and other value-added services.
In principle, these business units are responsible for the design,
development, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, sales and servicing of
Nera's satellite communications products. Design and development take place
mainly at Nera SatCom, while manufacturing is currently carried out by Nera
Electronics. Marketing, distribution and sales are based partly on the use of
Nera's subsidiaries, and partly on direct sales to customers. However, satellite
terminals and satellite telephones are sold primarily through a worldwide third
party distribution network. The business is coordinated across Nera's various
subsidiaries and regional offices which market and distribute the products. See
"-- Marketing and Distribution."
INMARSAT services include the original INMARSAT A analog system, which
provides maritime and land mobile voice, data facsimile and telex links; the
INMARSAT C analog system, which provides data and telex links; the INMARSAT B
system, a digital replacement for INMARSAT A providing voice, data, facsimile
and telex capabilities; the INMARSAT M system, a digital service providing
voice, facsimile and data capabilities for users of smaller ship-borne and land
mobile terminals; and the INMARSAT Aero system, which provides global in-flight
telecommunications services for commercial airlines. In addition to these
services, INMARSAT introduced the INMARSAT Mini-M service, which is designed to
allow the operation of laptop-sized satellite terminals, in 1996. INMARSAT's A,
C, B, M and Aero systems operate through a network of geostationary satellites
owned and operated by INMARSAT since the late 1970s. The INMARSAT Mini-M
operates through a generation of geostationary satellites launched in 1996.
These satellites provide increased capacity through the use of spot-beam
technology, which concentrates signal power and provides increased sensitivity
at the earth's surface, thus enabling telecommunications transmissions to be
relayed from smaller and less powerful terminals. The INMARSAT Mini-M system
makes use of this new technology, including INMARSAT's global area network
digital service, which makes satellite communications with laptop-sized
equipment possible at ISDN-speed. The INMARSAT systems operate through a network
of mainly PTT-owned land earth stations, of which 31 support INMARSAT A, 27
support INMARSAT C, 26 support INMARSAT B and M, 19 support INMARSAT Mini-M and
23 support INMARSAT Aero.
A number of competing satellite systems using technology similar to the
INMARSAT Mini-M system are currently under consideration in Brazil, China,
India, Mexico, the United States, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Southeast
Asia. A number of consortia (including an INMARSAT affiliate) have announced
plans to launch and operate new global mobile satellite communications systems,
which are expected to allow the use of handheld satellite terminals. However,
the deployment of these new global mobile satellite telecommunications systems
have been delayed, primarily due to financing difficulties. As a result,
INMARSAT products are having a longer life in the market place, without the
expected competition from new systems. The specific effects of
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these new systems, once they enter the marketplace, on the markets for Nera's
mobile satellite communications equipment and systems are unknown, but since the
traditional market for INMARSAT products is mature, such systems are expected to
cause a decline in sales within Nera's current product portfolio. Nera is
seeking to position itself to act as a supplier for several of these new
projects, and management believes that Nera is seen as an attractive cooperation
partner for these systems. Large investments in research and development will be
required in the coming years to become a substantial players in this market.
Nera has been actively involved in the development of maritime
satellite communications since the early 1970's and benefits from more than 50
years' experience in the field of maritime communications. Initial systems
studies and experiments in the mid-1970's led to the design and production of
the INMARSAT A earth station. Commissioning of Nera's first earth station for
INMARSAT A technology took place in 1979, and the Company later introduced
successive product generations for the INMARSAT C, M, B and Mini-M technologies.
Nera seeks to respond to developments in the market for mobile satellite
telecommunications systems and is pursuing opportunities to develop and produce
equipment and systems for regional and global mobile satellite communications
networks that are currently under consideration by INMARSAT and other operators.
Nera's sales from satellite communications amounted to approximately
NOK 897 million (34.2% of total sales) in 1999, compared with approximately NOK
946 million (31.2% of total sales) in 1998 and approximately NOK 975 million
(31% of total sales) in 1997. Satellite terminals, airtime billing services,
land earth stations and business communications networks represented
approximately 46%, 23%, 18% and 4% respectively, of satellite communications
sales in 1999.
Satellite Terminals. Nera designs, develops, manufactures and markets
earth stations and land mobile earth stations (generally known as satellite
terminals or satellite telephones) for the INMARSAT A and C analog and B, M,
Mini-M and M4 global area network digital services. Airborne satellite terminals
for the INMARSAT Aero system are not included in Nera's delivery program in view
of the specialized avionics technology required to integrate the satellite
terminals into an aircraft's design.
A satellite terminal is a compact transceiver of one or a few channels
linking individual ships or land mobile users to the INMARSAT satellite
communications network. Satellite terminals may be equipped with optional
features such as voice encryption, facsimile, circuit mode data, high-speed data
and credit card operation. Nera's satellite terminals include marine, land-based
fixed, transportable and portable devices marketed under the SATURN name, each
of which permit the user to gain access to one of the INMARSAT systems. Size,
weight and service capability are the most important design criteria for Nera's
satellite terminals. Nera markets its satellite terminals in over 70 countries.
Nera introduced the WorldPhone, its INMARSAT Mini-M satellite terminal
in June 1996. The WorldPhone utilizes the Mini-M systems spot-beam technology to
target users operating outside the range of terrestrial and cellular networks.
Production of the WorldPhone in commercial quantities commenced at the beginning
of 1997, in response to the more than 3,000 orders received
9
<PAGE> 12
by the end of 1996. Sales of various versions of Mini-M satellite terminals
showed strong growth in 1997, with a total of 13,861 units sold, before
subsiding in 1998, when 7,894 units were sold. In 1999, sales of the WorldPhone
increased with the sale of 11,281 units. Based on INMARSAT registration data,
Nera believes that it is one of the market leaders in terms of sales volume for
INMARSAT Mini-M satellite terminals.
Nera's INMARSAT B products include marine, fixed and portable
applications for digital voice, data, facsimile and telex capabilities. Nera's
INMARSAT B terminals offer bit rates of up to 16 kilobits per second (voice) and
64 kilobits per second (data), enough for four telephone channels and seven
slow-speed video transmissions. The Company commenced sales of INMARSAT B
products in 1994. Nera sold 1,177 INMARSAT B terminals in 1999, as compared to
1,066 INMARSAT B terminals in 1998 and 1,142 INMARSAT B terminals in 1997.
Nera's INMARSAT C products included applications for telex and
slow-speed data transmission for marine and land mobile systems and for remote
monitoring applications, such as scientific data gathering. INMARSAT C is the
least technologically advanced of the INMARSAT standards and is not a priority
for Nera.
Nera's World Communicator, a terminal for the INMARSAT global area
network digital service had significant order intake during the last quarter of
1999 with delivery starting during the second quarter of 2000.
Nera sold approximately 12,839 INMARSAT marine and land mobile
satellite terminals in 1999, of which approximately 88% were in the INMARSAT
Mini-M series and approximately 9% were in the INMARSAT B series. In 1998, Nera
sold approximately 7,200 INMARSAT marine and land mobile satellite terminals, of
which approximately 86% were in the INMARSAT M series and approximately 11% were
in the INMARSAT B series.
In 1999, the marine market accounted for approximately 35% of Nera's
satellite terminal sales. The owners of larger commercial vessels and navy
fleets are the Company's principal end users, for which Nera also supplies,
assembles and installs complete ship-borne telecommunications systems. In 1997,
the Company formed Neratek, a joint venture with Ratek ASA, to market Nera's
INMARSAT terminals to the Norwegian maritime market.
Land mobile and portable terminals accounted for approximately 50% of
Nera's total satellite terminal sales in 1999, as compared to approximately 40%
in 1998 and approximately 90% in 1997. The Company sells land mobile terminals
primarily to customers in the United Kingdom, the United States and France, for
use by those customers in overseas areas with less developed telecommunications
infrastructures or in areas experiencing natural or political emergencies, and
in the states of the former Soviet Union. In the land mobile market, Nera's
principal customers are governmental organizations, U.N. organizations, news
agencies and various aid and rescue organizations operating in developing
countries.
A number of future satellite systems are being planned or are in the
early stages of implementation by Nera or others including ICO, Globalstar and
Astrolink all are aiming to be in
10
<PAGE> 13
operation in the area of voice communications during the course of the next two
to three years. The time-frame for these developments is, however, quite
uncertain, due to the difficulty for many of these operations to obtain
financing.
In October 1998 Nera entered into an agreement with ICO Global
Communications (Holdings) Ltd. for the delivery of handheld satellite
telephones. The contract also includes delivery of equipment for maritime use of
the telephone. The telephones subject to the contract are intended to operate on
both the GSM and ICO systems. ICO has since reorganized its capital structure in
a bankruptcy proceeding in Delaware. The Company believes that it is still in an
excellent position to be a strategic supplier to ICO.
The Nera Group is also working to establish a position in the future
market for satellite systems aimed at stationary multimedia terminals. Together
with partners with complementary technology, the Company is in the process of
developing solutions for suppliers of these systems. Management expects that
such stationary multimedia terminals will be developed to a large degree from
systems for digital broadcasting, and partly as new broadband systems such as
Astrolink and Spaceway. Management further believes there will be rapid growth
and implementation of such systems over the next few years.
The most important competitors in this market are large international
groups, such as Ericsson, Northern Telecom, NEC and Samsung etc. The Nera Group
is also involved in continued developments within the INMARSAT system,
developments which tend toward the use of lighter and smaller terminals for
high-speed data transfer via mobile terminals. In this area the Nera Group has
carried out a number of studies and preparatory studies, and management believes
that the Company is well positioned to become a supplier of this type of
terminal.
Gateways and Land Earth Stations. Nera designs, develops, manufactures
and support gateways for satellite communications networks. To present, most of
the satellite communications products and solutions developed by Nera have been
designed for the INMARSAT system, currently the leading satellite-operator for
Global Mobile Personal Communications Systems. Since Nera delivered its first
INMARSAT-A gateway in 1982, Nera has introduced successive product generations
for the INMARSAT-C, -B, -M, Mini-M and Aero systems. In 1999, Nera launched the
INMARSAT M4 global area network gateways. Sales by Nera of gateways were NOK 161
million, NOK 130 million, NOK 137 million in 1999, 1998 and 1997 and in 1999
Nera believes it is the biggest vendor in the INMARSAT market with a global
market share of 51%.
Gateways, or land earth stations, form the interface between
terrestrial telecom networks and the satellite system. Gateways are typically
integrated systems consisting of antennas and RF equipment, satellite modems,
traffic control computers, telephone/data switching equipment, terrestrial
interface units and administrative systems for alarm-handling, station
configuration and billing. A large satellite gateway can handle several hundreds
of circuit-switched calls simultaneously, and thousands of packet-switched
connections.
Nera's earth stations now serve 136 ocean regions up from 109 ocean
regions in 1998. This includes 12 INMARSAT Antenna/RF package and 11 Mobility
Management systems (GRL-L). For
11
<PAGE> 14
the year 2000, Nera has contracts to deliver a further 30 Ocean Regions together
with both INMARSAT IPDS Regional and Home LES.
The following table sets forth the nature and location of the Company's
136 earth stations currently deployed and the 30 expected to be deployed by the
end of 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYSTEM (GATEWAY) SOR DOR TOR TOTAL
OR
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INMARSAT A 7 7 21
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INMARSAT C 3 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INMARSAT AERO 5 6 1 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INMARSAT AERO-I 2 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INMARSAT M 2 9 3 29
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INMARSAT B 4 9 3 31
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INMARSAT Mini-M 4 8 4 32
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INMARSAT m4 (GAN) 1 5 4 23
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 23 49 15 166
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
SOR: Single Ocean Region
DOR: Dual Ocean Region
TOR: Triple Ocean Region
Nera SatCom has been actively preparing itself for the expected growth
of the satellite telecom industry, aiming at reiterating its success within
INMARSAT, with new satellite projects. Nera SatCom has made significant
investments during the last four years in product development to offer
competitive solutions for the new satellite systems being planned and
constructed in the market today.
Nera has defined a generic Satellite Gateway Architecture for which we
are continually developing and improving building blocks for use in our gateway
products. Through the last four years Nera has been working on adding building
blocks targeted towards the systems where Nera currently sees a market primarily
the satcom systems which offer fixed/mobile Internet Protocol multimedia
services, but also those offering narrowband handheld voice services. The
building blocks are generic modules or subsystems, which are based on
industry-standard development platforms, using industry-standard development
tools and methods. Where Nera finds that it can add value to its customers,
state-of-the-art satcom-specific technology is developed and integrated into the
buildings blocks. All the building blocks incorporate solutions for redundancy,
enabling Nera to design complete gateways with "no single point of failure." All
the building blocks can be tied together by industry-standard interfaces. This
approach enables Nera to offer anything from a complete turnkey system to any
combination of subsystems tailored to the needs of the individual project. Nera
can integrate both internally developed products and best-of-class components
from third-party vendors, or take part as a subcontractor in somebody else's
turnkey project.
Airtime Billing Services. Until December 31, 1999, Nera provided
airtime billing services, primarily for INMARSAT operators. Nera had
approximately 3,800 airtime billing contracts with some 2,000 customers. Land
mobile users constitute the majority of Nera's airtime billing sales. Nera
collected satellite communications tariffs from users of maritime and land-based
terminals and other maritime communications services and assumed responsibility
for making payments to the relevant operators. Nera also provided value-added
billing services, such as billing software,
12
<PAGE> 15
electronic mail and routing systems, and advice on cost-effective means of using
INMARSAT and maritime communications services. In addition, Nera provided
customized billing services for large customers. Nera's airtime billing services
enabled it to interact with a large number of INMARSAT users and to improve its
understanding of their equipment needs.
On December 31, 1999, Nera sold its airtime billing services to an
entity in which it retains 20% of the share capital.
1.4 BROADBAND ACCESS
This business area was created in the first quarter of 2000. With the
acquisition of one of the businesses from World Access in April 2000, this
business area commenced operations. The goal of the broadband access business
area is to supply businesses and consumers with products and services that
provide high-capacity two-way data network access.
1.5 OTHER ACTIVITIES
PRODUCTION
Introduction
Management believes that Nera's manufacturing expertise is an important
attraction for customers and cooperation partners in the core business areas of
Transmission Network and Satellite Communications. Although it is strategically
important to have control of the manufacturing capacity and expertise in the
manufacturing of standard electronics and mechanical equipment vital to such
core business areas, it is more economically efficient to move towards a larger
degree of purchasing from third party companies.
To that end, management decided to divest Nera's operations in
Singapore, to sell some of its production facilities and to concentrate on the
production of advanced radio modules and clean room production processes. As a
result, on July 1, 1999, Nera's operations in Singapore, including its
production facilities there, were floated in an initial public offering on the
Stock Exchange of Singapore under the name Nera Telecommunications Ltd. At the
end of 1999, the Nera group had a 47.3% stake in Nera Telecommunications Ltd. In
addition, Nera Electronics has signed an intentions agreement with Flextronics
International AB concerning the sale to Flextronics of Nera's production
facility in Oslo.
Production Facilities
The Production business area is primarily a supplier of manufacturing
services to Transmission Network and Satellite Communications, but it also makes
some deliveries to third parties. The Production business area consists mainly
of Nera Electronics which is located in Norway and controls and owns the
operating plants in Bergen and Asker.
13
<PAGE> 16
Nera Electronics has two main plants at Kokstad, outside of Bergen,
which mainly produce high-capacity SDH and PDH radio transmitters and receivers.
In addition to high-capacity radios, these plants produce mechanical equipment,
circuit boards, antennae up to 3.5 meters in diameter and some military
products. The largest customer for these plants is the Transmission Network
business area. The Kokstad facilities also engage in manufacturing for a few
third party customers. At present there are 348 employees at Kokstad.
The production plant in Asker is located at Billingstad, near Oslo. The
Billingstad plant mainly produces land-based and maritime satellite terminals
and LES telephone exchanges. In addition to satellite terminals and gateways,
the plant also produces circuit boards, various communications products relating
to the transport sector (trains and vehicles), medical equipment, systems
monitoring equipment and some military products. Billingstad's main customer is
Nera SatCom AS. In addition, the Billingstad plant has some external customers
operating in the areas of transport, medicine, the military and the power
station industry. At present there are 115 employees at the plant in
Billingstad.
Until June 1997, the Company also leased a manufacturing facility in
Risor, Norway (the "Risor facility"), which was used for the manufacture of
low-capacity microwave radio transmission equipment. In June 1997, the Company
sold the business of the Risor facility, including inventory and production
equipment, to Kitron ASA, a Norwegian manufacturing company, for aggregate
consideration of approximately NOK 114 million, a portion of which was in the
form of a 23.2% of the share capital of Kitron ASA. In April 1999, Nera sold all
holdings in Kitron ASA. However, Nera Electronics is still utilizing Kitron as a
preferred supplier and Nera's PDH equipment and clean room modules for SDH
continues to be produced in Kitron's Risor facilities.
Manufacturing Operations
The Company's manufacturing operations at its production facilities
range from complete assembly of a particular product by one individual or a
small group of individuals to semi-automated assembly lines for volume
production of certain pieces of equipment. The Company makes extensive use of
surface-mounted devices in the assembly of printed circuit boards. Because many
of the Company's products include precision electronic components requiring
close tolerances, the Company conducts test and inspection procedures throughout
the manufacturing and assembly process. Final test procedures include quality
control inspections, temperature and burn-in tests and factory acceptance tests
on assembled equipment to simulate actual system configuration.
NERA FINANS AS
Nera Finans as was set up in March 1995 in order to handle the Nera
Group's operational finance activities. Nera Finans AS has three employees, of
whom two are employed at the company's branch in Dublin. The branch, which is
the Group's treasury center, handles daily operational financial activities such
as funding, foreign exchange transactions and guarantee issuance. The
centralization of the operational finance activities has provided lower
transaction costs, a reduced volume of borrowing and a managed risk profile.
14
<PAGE> 17
Nera Finans AS is also responsible for the Nera Group's sales support
financing program, which involves arranging credits through the financial
markets at home and abroad, as well as direct participation in the form of
leasing, loans, and, in some cases, equity capital. As at 31 December 1999, Nera
Finans AS has granted a total of NOK 156 million in loans in connection with the
financing of various projects. In addition, as at 31 December 1999 there were
guarantees provided to other credit institutions totalling NOK 36.9 million.
In October 1997, and in connection with an order for radio link
equipment from CNH de Venezuela, a corporation organized and doing business in
Venezuela, Nera Finans AS provided financing of USD 5.5 million for the purchase
of the equipment. The financing was later increased by USD 0.45 million. In
addition, Nera provided a convertible loan of USD 0.875 million, which gave Nera
a right to convert the loan into 10% of the shares in CNH (322,000 shares at USD
2.72 per share). During 1999 CNH's planned share issue and public listing were
postponed because of increased financial uncertainty in Venezuela, caused mainly
by a fall in the price of oil. This brought the development project to a
standstill. In order to complete the project, in December 1999, Nera Finans AS
assumed control of CNH de Venezuela. In February 2000, Nera Finans AS sold all
its shares in CNH to New Global Telecom Inc., a US company. A new loan agreement
was entered into backed by a guaranty to Nera from New Global Telecom for the
full USD 10 million then owed by CNH de Venezuela. As of May, 2000, payments
under the new loan agreement were current.
1.6 COMPETITION
The Company's products face substantial competition from other
telecommunications product lines and alternative telecommunications transmission
media. Many of the Company's competitors have significantly greater financial,
marketing and operating resources than the Company, as well as broader product
lines.
Nera's principal competitors in transmission equipment, systems and
services are large telecommunications equipment suppliers that have a strong
presence in the markets for transmission and switching equipment and that can
supply all elements of telecommunications networks. Most of these suppliers have
greater resources than Nera. Nera's major competitors in the market for
transmission systems include: Alcatel Alsthom (France), NEC Corporation (Japan),
Fujitsu Ltd. (Japan), Northern Telecom Limited (Canada), Bosch Telecom (Germany)
and Siemens AG (Germany) and, Digital Microwave Corp. (United States) and Harris
(United States). In the market for antenna systems, Nera's principal competitor
is Andrews (United States). In addition, the Company faces competition from a
number of niche players in certain markets, especially in the market for
low-capacity microwave radio equipment. Competition between firms is based
primarily on price and on a number of other factors, depending on the nature of
the customer. For contracts with PTTs, competition is also generally based on
technical merit, while ability to make rapid delivery typically is more
important for contracts with newly established PTOs. Competition to supply
telecommunications systems in developing countries and to new operators in any
given market is often based on the ability to arrange development aid financing.
Management believes that the market for radio link systems (radio
equipment with accompanying third-party equipment and services) amounts to
around USD 4,000 million.
15
<PAGE> 18
Worldwide, three suppliers are each believed to have approximately 10% of the
market (Ericsson, Alcatel and Siemens), while five to eight suppliers, including
Nera, are believed to have market shares of approximately 5-8%. The other
players in the transmission market are each believed to have market shares in
the region of approximately 2%.
The market for mobile satellite terminals and land earth stations is
characterized by strong competition and by an increasing number of new
suppliers. Nera's main competitors are: Japan Radio Corporation Ltd. (Japan);
NEC Corporation (Japan); MTI Technology Corp. (United States); Atlas (Germany);
Scientific Atlanta Inc. (United States); Thrane & Thrane (Denmark); SED Systems
Inc. (Canada); Comsat Corporation (United States); Toshiba (Japan); Hughes
Network Systems, Inc. (United States); Mobile Satellite Products Corp. (United
States); Trimble Navigation (United States) and Magellan (United States).
Competition in the markets for both mobile satellite terminals and land earth
station systems is based primarily on technical merit and price. Other
competitive factors include size, weight and ease of use for satellite
terminals. Today the traditional market for INMARSAT products is mature. In the
future, INMARSAT will probably face increased competition from new satellite
systems, such as Globalstar, if and when financing solutions for these systems
have been found. Growth prospects for the traditional products and services for
the INMARSAT market are therefore still good. The traditional products will
still be an important platform and reference point for future growth within new
systems. The Company believes that its broad experience in supplying a variety
of land earth stations and the operational reliability of its stations, together
with its multiprocessor technology, make it a competitive supplier of land earth
station equipment and complete land earth stations. While Nera believes there
will be opportunities to supply equipment for new satellite communications
systems as they become operational, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to compete effectively in these markets.
The pace of change in the telecommunications and satellite
communications market is very fast. Nera has a strong position in the area of
the INMARSAT system but the emergence of other satellite systems will affect
INMARSAT's position in the future. However, the deployment of these others
satellite systems have been delayed, primarily due to financing difficulties. As
a result, INMARSAT products are having a larger life in the marketplace, without
the expected competition from new systems. Against the background of Nera's
expertise in the area of satellite communications, Nera is working to position
itself in relation to the new satellite systems, both on the terminal side and
the gateway side. Large investments in research and development will be required
in the coming years to become a substantial player in this market.
Future prospects
In the years ahead, an important part of Nera's satellite business will
be to deliver terminals and upgradings of gateways within the INMARSAT market.
Included in this is INMARSAT's focus on the new high-speed data terminal M4 and
later versions of the current INMARSAT products, niche markets in which it today
has a strong position.
Developments in the transmission market are currently being driven by
the expansion of mobile services, the Internet and the growing demand for data
transfer services. Although the traditional PDH (low capacity) market is still
growing, demand for faster and larger transmission
16
<PAGE> 19
capacity will also lead to increased demand for radio link products and within
two to three years SDH technology is also expected to gain ground in
lower-capacity uses.
The constantly growing traffic is also expected to lead to a sharp rise
in high-capacity SDH systems of the CityLink type. An increased volume in terms
of numbers of units is expected to compensate for price reductions for these
products.
1.7 MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company has invested significant resources in order to expand its
international market presence through the establishment of the Company's own
distribution network in regions where the Company has previously sold products
through local agents. The Company has wholly or partially owned subsidiaries in
Norway, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, Colombia,
Mexico, Venezuela, India, and the United States, and markets its products in
over 70 countries. The Company has sales offices, or representatives, in:
Moscow, Russia; Warsaw, Poland; Jakarta, Indonesia; Islamabad and Lahore,
Pakistan; Johannesburg, South Africa; Beijing, China; Hanoi, Vietnam; Alicante,
Spain; Amman, Jordan; Manila, the Philippines; Bangkok, Thailand; Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia; Dubai; United Arab Emirates and Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 1998 and
1999, the Company focused its marketing efforts on strengthening its
subsidiaries in Latin America and its sales offices in Asia by increasing the
number of sales engineers.
The figures below show the geographical distribution of the orders
received and sales of Nera in 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ORDERS RECEIVED BY
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN 1999 TURNOVER BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions of NOK) (%) (millions of NOK) (%)
----------------- --- ----------------- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asia 661 22.9 681 24.6
Americas 630 21.8 651 23.5
Rest of Europe 756 26.2 662 23.9
Norway 268 9.3 283 10.2
United Kingdom 424 14.7 350 12.7
Oceania 52 1.8 42 1/5
Africa 97 3.4 97 3.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 2,888 100 2,766 100
----- --- -----
</TABLE>
Transmission Networks
Nera distributes its transmission equipment and systems through direct
marketing from Norway and through Nera's regional sales offices and
subsidiaries, as well as through selected agents. Sales of equipment for radio
link systems and turnkey networks may also be made through other
telecommunications network suppliers such as Lucent Technologies, Nokia and
Ericsson. Nera's sales force consists of approximately 60 engineers and other
employees involved in the sales
17
<PAGE> 20
process based in Norway and in various regional offices. Nera's sales
representatives work with customers and the Company's engineering and
manufacturing personnel to configure systems to meet specific customer
requirements.
Nera markets its microwave radio transmission equipment and systems
throughout the world, principally in Southeast Asia, Norway, the United Kingdom,
several countries in Western Europe, selected markets in eastern Europe
(principally the Czech Republic, Poland, the former Yugoslavia and Russia),
China, Latin America, the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa.
The Company expects that its CityLink products, which also are
available for the SONET standard used in the United States, will present new
opportunities for it in the U.S. and Canadian markets.
Satellite Communications
Satellite Terminals. Nera distributes its satellite terminals primarily
through its subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany and Southeast Asia and
independent distributors in Southeast Asia, the United States, Europe and other
regions. Management estimates that this network of subsidiaries and independent
distributors, which serves approximately 70 countries, accounts for
approximately 95% of the Company's sales of satellite terminals.
Land Earth Stations. Because the market for land earth stations
consists primarily of a small number of large projects requiring extensive
technical support, Nera coordinates its sales and marketing activities for land
earth station systems and equipment from its offices in Norway and through its
associated companies in Southeast Asia, and prior to the sale in December 1999,
also from its UK subsidiary.
1.8 SUPPLIERS
The Company obtains components and subsystems for its products and
projects from suppliers worldwide, and it seeks to use commercially available
components and subsystems wherever practicable. Nera attempts to increase the
number of common components across all its product lines to permit more
efficient use of capital and more flexibility in logistics control. Logistics
and process control techniques have assumed greater importance in Nera's
manufacturing activities as the relative value of its products represented by
materials has increased while that of labor has decreased. Nera therefore seeks
to establish close cooperation with a limited number of approved suppliers.
Certain components and subsystems for the Company's products can be
obtained from only a limited number of sources. A significant interruption in
the delivery of such items in a satisfactory manner could adversely affect the
Company's ability to make timely deliveries of particular products.
The most important components of Nera's products are
application-specific integrated circuits ("ASICs"), which are designed by Nera
for manufacture by third parties. Only a small number of suppliers in the United
States, Japan and Europe manufacture ASICs suitable for the
18
<PAGE> 21
Company's needs. While this market is currently competitive, it is possible that
one supplier may come to dominate the market for ASICs. Any change in supplier
may result in production delays for Nera as a new supplier's products are
adapted to the Company's requirements. The Company takes measures to reduce its
reliance on any one supplier by maintaining substantial inventories of the ASICs
it requires, by obtaining such components from more than one approved supplier,
to the extent practicable, and by maintaining relatively long-term contracts
with its principal suppliers.
The Company's microwave radio transmission equipment also incorporates
microwave transistors, which can only be obtained from a small number of
suppliers. The Company maintains substantial inventories of microwave
transistors and seeks to maintain long-term contracts with its principal
suppliers whenever practicable. When supplying turnkey transmission systems, the
Company obtains certain equipment and facilities, such as towers, shelters,
diesel generators, battery banks, solar cells and add-drop multiplexers, from
subcontractors. In supplying turnkey land earth stations, the Company also
obtains certain radio frequency equipment and antennas from outside suppliers
located principally in the United States.
1.9 PRODUCT WARRANTY AND SERVICE; PERFORMANCE AND BID BONDS
Although the terms of specific warranties vary, the Company typically
warrants the performance of its goods for a period of one year following
acceptance of such goods and/or two years following the shipment of such goods.
Nera generally agrees to perform all warranty work at its own expense, including
parts, labor and miscellaneous cost, such as travel to the site of repairs,
shipment of goods to the Company and insurance. When carrying out its contracts,
Nera typically posts a warranty bond, usually in the amount of 10% of the total
value of a contract, at the time of provisional acceptance of goods by the
customer; after the customer utilizes the goods for one year, the customer takes
final acceptance and the warranty bond is canceled. Nera generally guarantees
that it will stock spare parts for the goods sold for periods ranging from five
years through fifteen years, depending upon the specific terms of the particular
contract. At the end of 1999, the Company's reserve for warranty claims amounted
to NOK 42.0 million.
In addition, the Company issues bid and performance bonds in connection
with many of its contracts, which may be called by customers in certain
circumstances, such as where there is a major default in performance of a
contract by Nera. As of December 31, 1999, the Company had NOK 171.8 million of
bid and performance bonds outstanding. The Company has experienced no material
losses to date in relation to any calling of performance bonds.
19
<PAGE> 22
1.10 BACKLOG
The following table indicates the amount of unfilled customer orders
for the Company's products as of the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(NOK in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Backlog 1,124 1,536 1,375 1,336 998
</TABLE>
These figures reflect only those orders believed to be firm, based on
executed contracts and that portion of long-term contracts which had been
released for production but which were incomplete as of the applicable date.
Amounts contained in backlog for any contract or order may not represent the
total amount of such contractor order. Anticipated, but not yet firm, orders are
not included within backlog but are taken into account in determining the
Company's available production capacity. During the first six months of 1998,
the order backlog was reviewed and individual orders were removed or reduced
with a total reduction of NOK 300 million. The sales of Nera TMN and Power
Network Communications also contributed to the reduction of backlog. The
foregoing backlog figures through 1998, include an estimated amount of airtime
billing sales for airtime billing services rendered, but not yet billed, as of
the relevant date. Approximately NOK 113 million of estimated airtime billing
sales are included in the backlog figure for December 31, 1998 and approximately
NOK 192 million and NOK 169 million are included in the figures for December 31,
1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively. The major reason for the decline in
order backlog in 1999 was the result of the sale of a majority of Nera
Communications in Singapore and of the Airtime billing business in the UK. As a
consequence of these sales, the order backlogs of these entities were no longer
included in the order backlog of Nera. The value of this order backlogs was
approximately NOK350 million at the time each of these businesses were sold. In
addition to this, there were fewer turn-key contracts registered as order
backlog. The amount of the Company's backlog as of any date does not otherwise
reflect expected sales for any period.
Nera believes that approximately 80% of its backlog as of December 31,
1999 will be shipped during 2000.
1.11 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
General
Nera operates in businesses characterized by extremely rapid
technological change. As a result, the Company devotes substantial resources to
research and development for its products and services in order to remain
competitive. The Company conducts an active research and development program
focused on strengthening its existing products and systems and on developing new
products and systems. Nera seeks to identify products and systems that are, or
are expected to be, needed by substantial numbers of customers worldwide and to
allocate a greater share of its research and development resources to areas it
expects to have significant potential for future benefits to it. In
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<PAGE> 23
addition, Nera engages in research and development activities that are not
specifically tied to any one of its products but that are expected to generate
benefits in the longer term throughout its business. The most important of these
projects is the Company's ongoing research into the miniaturization and
standardization of many of the components of its products. The Company also
devotes substantial resources to the improvement of its manufacturing processes.
Nera's research and development efforts are largely decentralized, with
each unit within the Company managing its own research and development
activities. Each unit has dedicated technical staff and facilities and manages
all key technologies relevant to it. To encourage cooperation and to stimulate
joint research and development projects, representatives of the research and
development teams from each unit form a Company-wide technology board, which
provides a means by which management allocates resources to the projects that
the Company believes to have potential for greatest return. In addition, Nera
has a small centralized research and development team of approximately 20
engineers and scientists engaged in research and develop activities not
specifically tied to any unit of the Company. Nera also cooperates with a number
of Norwegian research institutes and is also a member of the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
The Company's net research and development expenditures (excluding
customization of products to customer needs, production engineering related to
the introduction of new products and development of manufacturing processes)
have accounted for approximately 6.6% to 8.6% of its sales from 1997 through
1999. The Company intends to maintain research and development expenditure of
approximately 6.0 to 9.0% of the Company's sales in order to maintain its
technological expertise. It also concentrates its research and development
spending on areas where it already possesses substantial know-how and for which
it believes there are markets internationally. Nera has financed its research
and development activities primarily from internally generated funds, although
some funding is obtained from customers and the Norwegian government. While
grant funding, particularly from the Norwegian government, has been a
significant source of product development funds in the past (amounting to NOK
7.9 million, NOK 9.3 million and NOK 14.3 million in 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively) the Company does not expect that grants will be a significant
source of funding in the future.
The following table sets forth Nera's total research and development
expenditures (shown inclusive and net of research grants) for each of the past
three years. All research and development costs incurred by Nera are charged as
expenses as and when they are incurred and research and development acquisition
costs are capitalized. Figures exclude customization of products to customer
needs, production engineering related to the introduction of new products and
development of manufacturing processes.
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<PAGE> 24
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
-------- -------- --------
(NOK in thousands, except percentages)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Gross Research and Development (1) 218,514 209,635 245,706
% of sales 7.4% 6.9% 8.9%
Net Research and Development (2) 204,255 200,367 237,817
% of sales 6.9% 6.6% 8.6%
</TABLE>
----------------------------
(1) Includes research grants.
(2) Net of research grants.
Transmission Networks
Nera engages in a continuous program of research and development to
expand its range of microwave products and has a number of products currently
under development. Nera is expanding the frequency range of its high-capacity
SDH products from a current high frequency of 13GHz to 15, 18, 23 and 26GHz,
principally for use in urban areas. Nera's line of SDH products also has an
STM-1 co-channel dual polarization radio which is designed to permit better
utilization of the frequency spectrum. In addition, Nera is developing STM-0
class radios, with capabilities of 51 megabits per second, that would facilitate
the integration of small spur telecommunications links into large SDH networks.
Nera aims to replace its current STM-1 radios with a new family of radio
utilizing Nera's CityLink technology. The Company is also engaged in studies
relating to STM-4 radios, which would have a capacity of 625 megabits per second
(equivalent to 8,000 telephone lines).
In 1999 total research and development expenditures in Transmission
Network amounted to NOK 104 million, which represents approximately 7% of the
turnover of the business area. In 1997, 1998 and 1999, substantial research and
development expenditure was put into the development and completion of CityLink
and the continued development of the SDH products.
Satellite Communications
In 1999, research and development expenditure within the Satellite
Communications business area focused on the further development and introduction
of the Nera World Communicator, the 64KB portable ISDN terminal for INMARSAT
global area network M4 service, as well as the supply of gateway structure, for
this service. Substantial expenditure was also made in connection with the
further development of products for the INMARSAT M4 and INMARSAT 3 systems.
Net research and development expenditures amounted to NOK 90.7 million
in 1999, which was equivalent to 10.1% of the turnover of the business area. In
Satellite Communications there are approximately 110 people working in research
and development.
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<PAGE> 25
Through a substantial investment in research and development the Nera
Group has developed what management believes are technologically leading
products in the area of satellite communications with a large degree of
ownership of the technology and thus control over its own products. Changes in
the market, including reuse of technologies from land-based communications such
as GSM, require increased use of partnerships on certain technologies combined
with a big effort to maintain a lead in selected technologies such as radio and
modem technology, miniaturization, real-time software, user interfaces and
satellite systems integration.
Future prospects
In the years ahead, an important part of the Nera Group's satellite
business will be to deliver terminals and upgrades of gateways within the
INMARSAT market. Included in this is INMARSAT's focus on the new high-speed data
terminal M4 and later versions of the current INMARSAT products. A public and
restructured INMARSAT is expected to give priority to niches, in which it today
has a strong position, and in which the Nera Group should possess the right
qualifications to compete. The ambition of the Nera Group is to maintain a
profitable and attractive business within the INMARSAT market also in the years
ahead.
1.12 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Given the rapid pace of product development and the short product life
cycles in its principal businesses, Nera formerly did not attempt to secure
patent protection for its products and processes. The Company has changed its
policy regarding patent protection in view of an increasing trend in the
telecommunications industry to seek patent protection for products and
processes. The Company has applied for patent protection for several product and
process developments within its Transmission Network and Satellite
Communications business areas.
Nera has applied for trademark protection for the Tele-Scada name. Nera
has also applied for trademark protection for the Nera logo in 70 countries, and
has obtained such protection in approximately 30 countries.
1.13 REGULATION
International Standards
The telecommunications industry is to a large extent regulated by
internationally agreed standards. The common standards are set for the purpose
of linking networks and services and ensuring the interoperability of equipment
on an international basis. In addition, the use of frequency spectrum for
wireless communication is also regulated by international agreement. In
designing and developing its products, Nera complies with all material
regulations and standards relevant in the markets in which it operates. The main
standard setting bodies are international organizations such as the ITU and
ETSI. Certain organizations such as INMARSAT can also operate as de facto
standard setting bodies. The standards set for the telecommunications industry
by such bodies are
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<PAGE> 26
made in conjunction with feedback received from telecommunications operators
and, to a lesser extent, from producers of telecommunications products, such as
Nera.
Environmental Matters
The Company's manufacturing operations are subject to various laws
governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are
subject to change, and such change may require the Company to improve technology
or incur expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations. The Company
believes that it complies in all material respects with applicable environmental
laws and regulations and does not expect that any costs incurred in connection
with complying with such laws and regulations will have a material effect on the
Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
The Company's most important manufacturing facilities are located in
Norway, which has comprehensive and stringent environmental regulatory
frameworks. The Company uses certain materials and processes that may be
hazardous to the environment. Pursuant to Norwegian environmental regulations,
the Company is required to carry out regular tests for water pollutants in
respect of the Bergen facility and to file an annual pollution report with the
Statens Forurensningstilsyn, the Norwegian environmental agency, detailing the
level of pollution produced by the Company. Nera believes that it is in material
compliance with acceptable pollution limits.
Export Licenses
The Company's operations in Norway are subject to Norwegian export
license requirements. Export licenses are required only for the Company's
high-capacity microwave radio transmission equipment. The Norwegian export
control authorities grant export licenses for products after scrutinizing
military end-users, end user countries where there is a war or warlike
conditions or countries known for their violations of human rights or support of
international terrorism. The Norwegian export license requirements have not
materially restricted the Company's ability to make export sales.
Because the Company is given access on an open license basis to certain
high-technology products having their origins in the United States, the Company
is subject to compliance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations. Since
1986 the Company has maintained an internal export control program under which
it has achieved compliance with such regulations. These regulations have not
materially restricted the Company's ability to make export sales.
1.14 EMPLOYEES
At December 31, 1999, Nera had 1,406 employees. The Company's future
performance will depend in part on its ability to attract and retain highly
skilled employees.
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<PAGE> 27
1.15 FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS
Intense Competition from Alternative Products and from New Suppliers
Competition is intense among providers of telecommunications equipment
and systems and is increasing as a result of the entry into the market of many
new suppliers and telecommunications equipment and systems. The Company's
products face substantial competition from other telecommunications products and
alternative telecommunications transmission media. Many of the Company's
competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing and operating
resources than the Company, as well as broader product lines. See "Competition"
above.
Dependence on Timely Development of New Products in Response to Rapid
Technological Changes
The technology underlying the Company's products is subject to
significant and rapid changes. Because of the significant technological changes
that have taken place in the telecommunications industry and those that may
occur in the future, the Company's business is dependent on whether the Company
can design, develop, manufacture and market competitive products in a timely
manner. As a result, the activities of the Company require significant
expenditure on research and development, which has accounted for approximately
6.6% to 8.6% (net of grants) of the Company's sales from 1997 through 1999. Any
prolonged delay or substantial cost overruns in the Company's research and
development efforts could impair the Company's ability to introduce new
products, which could adversely affect the Company's results of operations.
The introduction of new technologies has resulted and may in the future
result in delays in the production of the Company's products. Any prolonged
delay in the Company's production processes could impair its ability to deliver
its products in a timely manner, which could adversely affect the Company's
results of operations.
Dependence on Existing INMARSAT Services; Maturity of Market
The Company's mobile satellite communications products are designed to
operate under the INMARSAT systems, which currently offer the only global mobile
satellite communications network in full operation. Mobile satellite
communications products are undergoing a period of rapid technological change,
as a number of prospective operators seek to introduce alternative worldwide
mobile satellite communications systems that would permit the use of handheld
terminals. If these operators are successful, such new systems may supersede the
current INMARSAT system as the preferred carriers of global mobile satellite
communications traffic. If the Company were unable to design, develop or
manufacture the necessary equipment for such new systems, its ability to compete
in the market for mobile satellite communications products would be adversely
affected. Further, the traditional market for INMARSAT products is mature.
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<PAGE> 28
Exposure to Delays in Payments on Large Contracts
Some of the Company's contracts involve large purchase prices. Any
delays in payment under such contracts could adversely affect the availability
of funds for the Company and may result in the need for additional borrowings to
fund current operations. Additionally, any delays in, or cost overruns relating
to, the Company's performance under these contracts may have adverse
period-on-period earnings effects and result in the incurrence of contractual
penalties.
Dependence on Single Manufacturing Facilities
The Company's manufacturing activities with respect to its satellite
communications equipment currently take place in production facilities in Asker
(near Oslo), Norway and, on an as-needed basis, in Singapore. The Company's
manufacturing activities with respect to its microwave transmission equipment
and systems currently take place in production facilities in Bergen, Norway and
in Luton, England. A significant interruption of production at any of these
facilities could result in a material loss of customers and sales.
Risks Related to the Expansion of Operations
The Company's strategic objective is to give investors a competitive
return on investment through profitable growth in selected areas of the
telecommunications equipment and services market. The aim is to finance the
generic growth with cash flows from operations. Share issues may also be used,
particularly in connection with mergers/acquisitions. The Company's expansion
may require the Company to implement a variety of additional systems, procedures
and controls to manage higher inventory levels and working capital requirements.
There can be no assurance that such expansion will be successfully completed.
The Company's expansion may cause a significant strain on the Company's
management, financial and other resources. There can be no assurance that sales
will remain at, or increase above, recent levels or that the Company's systems,
procedures or controls will be adequate to support the Company's operations. If
the Company is unable to manage its expansion effectively, its business and
results of operations could be adversely affected.
Dependence on Significant International Operations
International sales represented approximately 89.8% of the Company's
total sales in 1999. In 1999, the Company made a substantial portion of its
sales in Europe, Latin America and Asia. International sales expose the Company
to certain risks, including the difficulty and expense of maintaining foreign
sales distribution channels, political instability, availability of suitable
export financing and currency fluctuations.
Exposure of Results to Currency Fluctuations
As an international group, the Nera Group is exposed to major exchange
fluctuations between currencies. It is Nera Group policy to avoid or reduce such
risk by using various financial instruments. Changes in the relative strengths
of different currencies also affect the international
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<PAGE> 29
competitive picture. See Item 9. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operation B Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Internal Management and Control
The Nera Group is a group of about 1,400 employees and is established
in 24 countries. This imposes strict requirements on internal management and
control systems within the organization. The Nera Group also operates in several
business areas.
Loss of Key Personnel
The Nera Group will always be dependent on being at the leading edge of
technological trends. This requires the Nera Group to have the ability to
attract staff with superior skills in the core businesses of the Group. Loss of
key personnel will similarly mean the loss of vital expertise which may in turn,
have a negative effect on Nera Group operations.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
As of December 31, 1999 Nera had production facilities in Bergen and
Asker (near Oslo) Norway and in Luton, England. These facilities were leased by
the company and encompassed approximately 22,000 square meters of workshops for
electronic, electrical and mechanical engineering and manufacturing. The
following table gives the location and general character of the principal plants
and properties that were owned or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries as
of December 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LOCATION PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES TITLE AREA
-------- -------------------- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Bergen, Norway Headquarters; production of microwave Leasehold 20,000m(2)
transmission equipment and systems Expires 2011
with option to
extend to 2026
Bergen, Norway Office space Leasehold 4,000m(2)
Expires 2003
Asker, Norway Production of satellite terminals, land Leasehold 20,000m(2)
earth station equipment and power systems Expires 2008
telecommunications equipment
Luton, England Office space, production of access radio Leasehold
equipment Expires 2008 2,800m(2)
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 30
In 1999, the Company paid an aggregate of NOK 48.7 million in periodic
rental payments on its principal plants and properties.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no pending legal proceedings to which Nera or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their properties is subject which,
either individually or in the aggregate, are expected by the Company to have a
material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, liquidity or
results of operations.
ITEM 4. CONTROL OF REGISTRANT
As far as is known to Nera ASA, it is not directly or indirectly owned
or controlled by another corporation or by any government, and there are no
arrangements the operation of which may result in a change in its control.
As of December 31, 1999, Folketrygdfondet and Orkla ASA owned 10.71%
and 10.62% respectively, of the Company's ordinary shares, nominal value NOK 2
each (the Company's sole class of voting securities outstanding on such date).
As of the same date, the directors and officers of Nera as a group owned 212,825
ordinary shares.
ITEM 5. NATURE OF TRADING MARKET
The principal trading market for Nera's ordinary shares is the Oslo
Stock Exchange, where they have been listed since January 1995 under the symbol
"NER". American Depositary Shares, each representing one ordinary share, have
been traded since June 28, 1995 on The National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation ("Nasdaq") system under the symbol "NERAY".
As of June 15, 2000, the Company's ordinary shares were held of record by 35
U.S. holders (including the Depositary in respect of the American Depositary
Shares), who together held approximately 1.7% of the Company's ordinary shares
outstanding at that date.
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<PAGE> 31
The table set forth below, for the periods indicated, shows the
reported high and low quoted prices for the ordinary shares on the Oslo Stock
Exchange and for the American Depositary Shares on Nasdaq.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Oslo
Stock Exchange Nasdaq
-------------- ------
High Low High Low
---- --- ---- ---
(in NOK) (in USD)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1998
----
First Quarter......................42.13 25.96 5.500 3.3750
Second Quarter.....................30.43 16.83 4.375 2.3125
Third Quarter......................19.30 8.80 2.625 1.1250
Fourth Quarter.....................12.60 6.50 2.000 1.000
1999
----
First Quarter......................16.90 10.50 2.375 1.375
Second Quarter.....................21.70 15.10 3.000 1.875
Third Quarter......................23.10 17.80 3.000 2.375
Fourth Quarter.....................38.00 17.20 4.750 2.313
</TABLE>
ITEM 6. EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AFFECTING SECURITY HOLDERS
Under Norwegian foreign exchange controls, transfers of capital to and
from Norway are not subject to prior government approval, except for the
physical transfer of payments in currency, which is restricted to licensed
banks. Consequently, a non-resident of Norway may only receive dividend
payments without a Norwegian exchange control consent if such payment is made
through a licensed bank.
Under the Norwegian Acquisition of Business Act of 1994, acquisitions of
shares, whereby the acquiring person, entity or group becomes owner of more
than one-third, one-half or two-thirds of the share capital or voting rights of
Nera ASA must be notified to the Ministry of Industry, which may impose
conditions upon the acquiring person, entity or group or Nera ASA and, if
public policy so mandates, require the acquiring person, entity or group to
resell the acquired shares.
ITEM 7. TAXATION
GENERAL
The following is a general summary of the principal Norwegian and United
States federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of
American Depositary Receipts
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evidencing American Depositary Shares ("ADRs") and/or ordinary shares
("Shares") to a beneficial owner of ADRs or Shares who is a citizen or resident
of the United States, a United States domestic corporation, an estate the
income of which is subject to United States federal income tax without regard
to its source or a trust if a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or
more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust and who is not a resident of Norway (a "U.S. Holder").
This summary is based (i) on the tax laws of the United States and Norway, the
income tax convention between the United States and Norway (the "Convention")
and interpretations thereof by the relevant tax authorities that are currently
in effect, all of which are subject to change, and (ii) in part on
representations made by the Depositary and assuming that each obligation in the
Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance
with its terms. The summary applies only to U.S. Holders who hold ADRs or
Shares as capital assets and does not address certain classes of persons (such
as tax-exempt entities, certain insurance companies, dealers in securities or
currencies, traders in securities that elect to mark to market, investors
liable for alternative minimum tax, persons who hold ADRs or Shares as part of
hedging or conversion transactions, persons whose functional currency is not
the U.S. dollar and persons who own, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of
the outstanding voting stock of Nera) that may be subject to special rules.
In general, and taking into account the earlier assumptions, for
United States and Norwegian tax purposes, U.S. Holders of ADRs will be treated
as the owners of the Shares represented by the ADRs. Unless otherwise stated
below, the Norwegian tax consequences and the United States federal income tax
consequences discussed below should apply equally to U.S. Holders of ADRs and
U.S. Holders of Shares.
NORWAY
Taxation of Dividends
Under Norwegian tax law, dividends paid to foreign shareholders of
Norwegian corporations are, unless otherwise provided for in an applicable tax
treaty, subject to a withholding tax in Norway of 25%. Pursuant to the
Convention, the maximum rate of withholding tax is 15% on dividends paid by a
Norwegian corporation to a person resident (for purposes of the Convention) in
the United States, provided that such person does not have a permanent
establishment in Norway with which the dividends are effectively connected. The
15% withholding rate will apply to dividends paid on Shares held directly by
U.S. Holders who properly demonstrate to the Company and to the Norwegian tax
authorities that they are entitled to the benefits of the Convention.
Additionally, the 15% withholding tax rate will also apply on dividends paid to
the Depositary, but only if the Depositary has obtained a consent in advance
(upon fulfillment of certain conditions) from the Norwegian Tax Directorate. If
such consent is not obtained in advance, dividends paid to the Depositary will
be subject to withholding at the 25% rate. U.S. Holders of ADRs who believe
they are entitled to the benefits of the Convention may apply to the Norwegian
tax authorities for a refund of amounts withheld in excess of 15%. The
application is to be filed with the Norwegian Tax Directorate. However, there
is some uncertainty as to whether and when such a refund may be obtained.
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<PAGE> 33
The Company intends to file any reports with the Norwegian authorities
or agencies necessary to obtain the benefits of the Convention for those U.S.
Holders who are entitled to them. The Company will exercise its right under the
Deposit Agreement to reasonably request from the Depositary such information
from its records to enable the Company to file such reports.
If, however, the recipient of a dividend is a U.S. Holder who, it is
determined, is engaged in a business activity taxable in Norway and the Shares
or ADRs with respect to which the dividend is paid are effectively connected
with such activity, then the amount distributed to such U.S. Holder will be
treated as taxable domestic dividend income in Norway, subject to the
provisions of the Convention, where applicable.
Taxation of Dispositions
A U.S. Holder normally is not taxed in Norway on gains from the sale
or other disposal of Shares or ADRs. A U.S. Holder may, however, be subject to
taxation if the shareholding is effectively connected with a business carried
out by the U.S. Holder through a permanent establishment in Norway. In
addition, a U.S. Holder may be subject to taxation on gains if the U.S. Holder
is an individual who has been a resident of Norway for income tax purposes and
the disposal takes place within five years after the calendar year in which
such U.S. Holder ceased to be a resident of Norway. Under the Convention, gains
realized by a resident of the United States from the sale or other disposal of
Shares or ADRs generally are not subject to Norwegian taxation unless the
shareholding is effectively connected with a permanent establishment in Norway
or the U.S. Holder is an individual who (i) maintains for at least 183 days
during the taxable year a fixed base in Norway with which such gains are
effectively connected or (ii) is physically present in Norway for at least 183
days during the taxable year. The same rules apply to gains realized upon
complete liquidation of the Company or upon redemption of Shares. Repayment in
connection with a reduction of the share capital by reducing the nominal value
of the Shares is, however, subject to withholding tax as dividend distribution,
if exceeding paid-in capital.
Deposits and withdrawals of Shares in exchange for ADRs will not
result in taxable gain or loss for Norwegian tax purposes.
Transfer Tax
There is currently no Norwegian tax on the transfer of shares.
Transfers of Shares, however, may be subject to nominal registration fees.
Inheritance Tax
When Shares are transferred, either through inheritance or as a gift,
such transfer may give rise to inheritance tax in Norway if the deceased, at
the time of death, or the donor, at the time the gift is made, is a resident or
citizen of Norway. However, if the deceased, at the time of death, is not a
resident of Norway but rather a citizen of Norway, Norwegian inheritance tax
will not be levied if inheritance tax, or a similar tax, is levied in the
country of residence. Irrespective of residency or
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<PAGE> 34
citizenship, Norwegian inheritance tax may be levied if the Shares are
effectively connected to a permanent establishment in Norway.
Property Taxes or Similar Taxes
Norway does not levy any property tax or similar tax on Shares. A U.S.
Holder of Shares is not subject to Norwegian wealth tax with respect to such
Shares, unless the U.S. Holder is an individual and his shareholding is
effectively connected with a business carried out by the U.S. Holder through a
permanent establishment in Norway.
UNITED STATES
Taxation of Dividends
For United States federal income tax purposes, the gross amount of
distributions (including any withholding tax thereon) made by the Company out
of its current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United
States federal income tax purposes) will be included in the gross income of a
U.S. Holder as dividend income on the day the distribution is actually or
constructively received, but will not be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction generally allowed to corporations. The amount of any dividend paid in
Norwegian kroner will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of the kroner on the
date of receipt by the U.S. Holder, in the case of Shares, or by the
Depositary, in the case of ADRs, regardless of whether the payment is converted
into U.S. dollars. If the kroner received as a dividend is not converted into
U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a basis in the
kroner amount equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Gain or
loss, if any, recognized by a U.S. Holder on the subsequent sale or disposition
of kroner will generally be United States source ordinary income or loss.
Subject to certain limitations, any Norwegian tax withheld in
accordance with the Convention will be treated as a foreign tax that U.S.
Holders may elect to deduct in computing their United States federal taxable
income or credit against their United States federal income tax liability. Any
additional withholding tax in excess of the rate applicable under the
Convention generally will not be eligible for such deduction or credit. See
"Norway Taxation of Dividends," above, regarding the availability of a refund
of such additional withholding tax. For foreign tax credit purposes, dividends
paid by the Company will generally be foreign source "passive income" or, in
the case of certain U.S. Holders, "financial services income."
Taxation of Dispositions
A U.S. Holder will recognize capital gain or loss for United States
federal income tax purposes on a sale or other disposition of Shares or ADRs in
an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount
realized and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Shares or ADRs. Such gain will
generally be United States source gain, and such gain or loss will be long-term
capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder's holding period for such Shares or
ADRs exceeds one year. Long-term capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. Holder is
generally subject to a maximum tax rate of 20%.
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Deposits and withdrawals of Shares in exchange for ADRs will not
result in taxable gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes.
ITEM 8. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following Selected Consolidated Financial Data have been derived
from the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers, independent accountants, through December 31, 1998 and
by Arthur Andersen, independent accountants, for the year ended December 31,
1999. The Selected Consolidated Financial Data for each of the years in the
five-year period ended December 31, 1999 have been derived from the audited
financial statements of Nera. The Selected Consolidated Financial Data for the
years ended December 31, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 should be read in
conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the
Selected Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto, that
are included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Unless otherwise indicated, the
Consolidated Financial Data of the Company are stated on the basis of Norwegian
GAAP, which varies in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. See Note 23 of Notes to
the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the differences
between Norwegian GAAP and U.S. GAAP that are significant to the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements for 1997, 1998 and 1999 for the
reconciliations of net income and shareholders' equity from Norwegian GAAP to
U.S. GAAP for each of such years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998(1) 1999 1999
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- -----------
NOK NOK NOK NOK NOK U.S.$
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING REVENUE
Sales............................ 2,367,072 2,629,727 2,971,053 3,034,671 2,765,777 345,291
Cost of materials................
1,314,629 -1,332,741 -1,367,091 -1,382,705 -1,067,973 -133,330
Changes of inventory of work in
progress and finished goods. 60,084 13,088 33,678 -4,387 -19,357 -2,417
Payroll expense.................. -540,450 -635,307 -715,067 -747,732 -657,307 -82,061
Depreciation..................... -56,010 -78,542 -86,868 -71,170 -58,667 -7,324
Other operating expense -333,058 -424,434 -701,573 -952,027 -786,025 -98,130
Operating income (loss) before
Restructuring gain and loss. 183,009 171,791 134,132 -123,350 176,448 22,028
Restructuring gain and loss...... -171,750 112,807 14,083
Operating income (less).......... 183,009 171,791 134,132 -295,100 289,255 36,112
Net financial items.............. -29,356 -31,632 -35,900 -94,315 7,546 942
Income (loss) before taxes....... 153,653 140,159 98,232 -389,415 296,801 37,054
Income (loss) tax expense........ -36,922 -38,280 -20,036 63,337 -89,223 -11,139
Net income (loss)................ 116,731 101,879 78,196 -326,078 207,578 25,915
Earnings per ordinary share
(basic).................... 1,92 1,55 1,19 -4,49 2,16 0,27
Earnings per ordinary share
(fully diluted)............. 1,91 1,55 1,19 -4,49 2,15 0,27
Cash dividends declared per
ordinary share............. 0,5 0,5 0,5 0,0 0,0 0,0
Approximate amounts in accordance
with
</TABLE>
33
<PAGE> 36
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
US GAAP
Net income....................... 114,187 96,524 35,989 -283,590 188,743 23,563
Basic earnings per share......... 1,88 1,47 0,55 -3,90 1,96 0,24
Diluted earnings per share....... 1,87 1,47 0,55 -3,90 1,96 0,24
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Amounts in accordance with
Norwegian GAAP
Cash and cash equivalents........ 129,851 109,083 124,720 232,677 481,534 60,117
Short term receivables........... 698,777 987,394 1,284,313 1,331,277 1,038,395 129,657
Short term investments........... 34,372 2,300 287
Investment....................... 541,732 564,633 555,109 431,698 309,322 38,617
Long term receivables and others. 42,016 96,678 251,954 192,083 271,291 33,869
Intangible assets................ 46,012 65,466 58,013 70,299 28,782 3,593
Property, plant and equipment,
net.............................. 316,020 291,672 253,113 212,555 141,191 17,627
Total assets..................... 1,774,408 2,114,926 2,527,222 2,504,961 2,272,815 283,747
Current Liabilities.............. 772,115 819,977 1,055,486 1,092,363 968,269 120,883
Long-term liabilities............ 319,623 537,992 680,993 627,333 335,038 41,627
Shareholders equity.............. 682,670 756,957 790,743 785,265 969,508 121,037
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity............. 1,774,408 2,114,926 2,527,222 2,504,961 2,272,815 283,747
Approximate amount in accordance
with US GAAP
Shareholders equity.............. 727,226 796,158 827,478 778,372 983,197 122,746
</TABLE>
(1) Due to the new Norwegian Accounting Act 1998 the financial statements
have been restated to include deferred tax assets that were not
recognized previously.
EXCHANGE RATES
The table below sets forth, for the periods and dates indicated,
certain information concerning the exchange rate for the Norwegian krone
against the U.S. dollar, based on the Noon Buying Rate and expressed in
Norwegian kroner per U.S. dollar.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT END AVERAGE
CALENDAR YEAR OF PERIOD RATE(1) HIGH LOW
------------- --------- -------- ---- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1995...........................6.32 6.31 6.81 6.12
1996...........................6.38 6.45 6.62 6.30
1997...........................7.37 7.10 7.76 6.34
1998...........................7.58 7.55 8.32 7.31
1999...........................8.01 7.84 8.10 7.11
</TABLE>
34
<PAGE> 37
(1) The average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last business day
of each full month during the calendar year.
Fluctuations in exchange rates between the Norwegian krone and the
U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Norwegian krone price
of the Shares traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange and, as a result, may affect
the market price of the American Depositary Shares or the Shares in the United
States. Such fluctuations will also affect the U.S. dollar amounts received by
holders of American Depositary Shares on conversion by the Depositary of any
cash dividends paid in Norwegian kroner on the Shares represented by the
American Depositary Shares. For information regarding currency fluctuations,
see Item 9. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations C Currency Fluctuations."
ITEM 9. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
Nera has grown significantly in recent years, in response to market
trends that have increased worldwide demand for telecommunications equipment
and infrastructure. This growth has imposed a significant strain on the
Company's resources, particularly its financial resources, as the Company has
made substantial efforts and expenditures to increase sales to meet demand.
Among other things, Nera has invested significant resources in research and
development in order to maintain its technological expertise and renew its
product lines. The Company's research and development expenditures amounted to
NOK 237.8 million, NOK 200.4 million and NOK 204.3 million (net of grants) in
1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Nera expects that it will be required to
maintain similarly substantial amounts in research and development activities
in order to maintain the competitiveness of its products. The Company has also
incurred substantial expenditure to increase its production capacity (amounting
to NOK 3 million in 1999, NOK 10 million in 1998 and amounting to NOK 18
million in 1997) and has made significant efforts to expand its international
market presence, particularly in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Together,
these efforts have required expenditures over the three years ended December
31, 1999 that are substantially in excess of cash generated by continuing
operations in those years. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources." In
response to these Developments, in 1997 the Company initiated a number of
measures, including the disposal of a number of non-core activities, aimed at
boosting Nera's profitability and cash generation capability. The Company
continued this trend in 1998 and 1999 with further disposals of non-core
activities and a renewed focus on its remaining areas.
On February 1, 1997, Nera implemented a corporate reorganization (the
"1997 Reorganization"), pursuant to which the Company streamlined its five
former business units (Transmission Systems, Mobile Satellite Communications
Systems, Special Telecommunications Systems, Contract Manufacturing and Other
Businesses) into three broad business areas (Transmission Systems, Satellite
Communications and Dedicated Communications). Pursuant to the 1997
Reorganization, Nera incorporated its power line communications businesses
within Transmission Systems. This business was sold in March 1998 for shares in
the acquiring company.
35
<PAGE> 38
In addition, the Company continued the planned reduction of its contract
manufacturing activities as part of its ongoing program of increasing radio
link production capacity. As part of the 1997 Reorganization, Nera's business
communications (ViSAT) business was incorporated into the Satellite
Communications business area, and Contec, the Company's engineering
consultancy, was incorporated into the Dedicated Communications business area.
Nera's Infotema subsidiary, which provided corporate profiling and imaging
services, among other things, was wound up and sold for minimal consideration.
On April 1, 1998, Nera implemented a further reorganization (the "1998
Reorganization"), pursuant to which Nera ASA became a holding company with four
operating subsidiaries; Nera Networks AS (comprising the Transmission Systems
business area other than the TMN business); Nera SatCom AS (comprising the
Satellite Communications business area); Nera Electronics (comprising Nera's
production operations) and Nera TMN AS (comprising Nera's TMN business). Nera's
Norwegian subsidiaries in the Dedicated Communications business area (Contec,
Infotema and Mobildata) remained independent subsidiaries under Nera ASA; the
other businesses in the business unit (Datacomm, Electrical/CATV and cables)
remained in Nera's Southeast Asian operations. The 1998 Reorganization did not
affect the business area structure put into place as part of the 1997
Reorganization. Instead, the 1998 Reorganization was aimed at facilitating
improved financial control within, and providing stronger strategic focus for,
each of those business areas. The Company believes the 1998 Reorganization will
also contribute to more aggressive business development efforts, the
establishment of strategic alliances and improved cost control. In December
1998 in line with the Company's desire to focus on its core business, Nera sold
its TMN business, which formerly provided integrated solutions for a wide range
of telecommunications systems, to Protek Network Management Ltd. (UK) for
aggregate consideration of NOK 52.5 million. The sale resulted in a gain of NOK
7,030 million.
During its consideration of Nera's 1997 financial statements at its
meeting on March 19, 1998, the Company's board of directors (the "Board")
decided to reduce reported operating income and income before taxes by NOK 39.3
million from the preliminary figures announced by the Company on February 2,
1998. This adjustment was made in light of information which came to the
Board's attention with regard to costs incurred in connection with the 1997
Restructuring and the allocation of such costs (and certain other items)
between accounting periods, as well as the Board's assessment of the effects of
the economic crisis in Southeast Asia on Nera's customers in the region. See
"-- Results of Operations Year Ended December 31, 1997 compared with Year Ended
December 31, 1996 -- Operating Income."
At the same meeting at which the Board decided to make the foregoing
adjustments to Nera's 1997 financial statements, the Board and Mr. Asbjorn
Birkeland, the then President of Nera ASA, agreed that Mr. Birkeland would
resign his position effective April 1, 1998. The Board then appointed Bjorn
Ove Skjeie as President of Nera ASA. See Item 10. "Management."
At a subsequent meeting of the Board held on March 31, 1998, Mr. Frode
Botnevik, the then Executive Chairman of Nera ASA, advised the Board of
Directors that he no longer wished to continue as the Company's chairman. Mr.
Botnevik's resignation became effective April 16, 1998.
36
<PAGE> 39
He was succeeded by Mr. Johan Fredrik Odfjell. See Item 10. "Management" and
Item 13. "Interest of Management in Certain Transactions."
On April 23, 1997, the Company's general meeting of shareholders
approved a five-for-one share split. Pursuant to this resolution, the Company's
share capital of 13,200,670 Shares, nominal value NOK 10 each ("Old Shares"),
was subdivided into 66,003,350 Shares, nominal value NOK 2 each ("New Shares").
As part of Nera's 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Company granted
to all Nera Group employees the right to purchase up to 25 Old Shares at their
nominal value of NOK 10 each. A total of NOK 52,800 Old Shares were issued in
January 1997 in connection with this grant.
On June 15, 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133). SFAS 133 is effective
for all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999 (January 1, 2000 for the
Company). SFAS 133 requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the
balance sheet at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are
recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income,
depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction
and the type of hedge transaction. Management of the Company has yet to
determine the full impact of the adoption of this Statement.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The table below sets forth certain income statement items as a
percentage of sales for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1997 1998 1999
-------------- ------------- -------------
NOK NOK NOK
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating expenses:
Cost of materials..................................................... -46,0% -45,6% -38,6%
Changes in inventory of work in progress
and finished goods............................................... 1,1% -0,1% -0,7%
Payroll expense....................................................... -24,1% -24.6% -23,8%
Depreciation.......................................................... -2,9% -2,3% -2,1%
Other operating expense............................................... -23,6% -31,4% -28,4%
Operating income (loss) before restructuring
gain and loss.................................................... 4,5% -4,1% -6,4%
Restructuring gain and loss........................................... 0,0% -5,7% 4,1%
Operating income (loss)............................................... 4,5% -9,7% 10,5%
Net financial items................................................... -1,2% -3,1% 0,3%
Income (loss) before taxes............................................ 3,3% -12,8% 10,7%
Income (loss) tax expense............................................. -0,7% 2,1% -3,2%
</TABLE>
37
<PAGE> 40
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net income (loss)..................................................... 2,6% -10,7% 7,5%
</TABLE>
The table below shows sales by product line for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
-------------- ----------------- ------------
(NOK in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Sales by Business Area
Transmission Networks........................... 1,331 1,547 1,500
Satellite Communications ....................... 975 946 897
Production...................................... 221 227 179
Dedicated Communications 444 315 186
Reconciling Items............................... 4
------------- ------------ ----------
Total.................................. 2,971 3,035 2,766
============= ============ ==========
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth Nera's external sales by geographic
destination for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
-------------- ----------------- ------------
(NOK in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Sales by Geographic Destination:
Norway............................................ 408 378 283
United Kingdom.................................... 314 313 350
Rest of Europe.................................... 612 551 662
Asia.............................................. 1,031 864 681
North and South America .......................... 484 753 651
Africa ........................................... 64 139 97
Other(1).......................................... 58 37 42
------------- ------------ ----------
Total.................................... 2,971 3,035 2,766
============= ============ ==========
</TABLE>
----------------
(1) The category "Other" primarily includes New Zealand, Australia and other
countries in Oceania.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
Orders and Backlog. The total value of orders received in 1999 was NOK
2,888 million, compared with NOK 3,100 million in 1998, a decrease of 7%. This
lower level of orders was due to a 25% decrease in orders for Dedicated
Communications in 1999 compared with 1998, primarily due to the sale of 52.7%
of Nera's shares in Nera Telecommunication Ltd. in July 1999. Orders for
Transmission Networks remained relatively unchanged and the 1999 figure
reflects the large ETB contract in Columbia in 1998. Satellite Communications
experienced a modest increase of 1% from 1998 to 1999.
38
<PAGE> 41
Backlog was NOK 998 million at the end of 1999, compared with NOK
1,336 million at the end of 1998, a decrease of NOK 338 million. The major
reason for the decline in order backlog in 1999 was the result of the sale of a
majority of Nera Communication in Singapore and of the Airtime billing business
in the UK. As a consequence of these sales the order backlogs of these entities
were no longer included in the order backlog of Nera. The value of these order
backlogs was approximately NOK350 million at the time each of these businesses
were sold. In addition to this, there were fewer turn-key contracts registered
as order backlog.
Sales. Nera's sales decreased from NOK 3,035 million in 1998 to NOK
2,766 million in 1999, a decrease of NOK 269 million. The decrease in sales in
1999 compared with 1998 is primarily a result of the sale in June 1999 of a
majority of Nera Telecommunications Ltd. which had sales of approximately
NOK250 million in the last six months of 1999.
Revenues on long-term contracts are recognized using the percentage of
completion method of accounting. Although subject to fluctuation from year to
year, approximately 20% of the Company's sales in 1999 were derived from
contracts to be performed over a period of nine months or longer. A significant
number of these contracts are for large turnkey projects, for which the Company
purchases a relatively high proportion of components from third-party
suppliers. The Company's sales and margins are accordingly subject to
fluctuations depending upon the proportion of its contracts which are large
turnkey projects.
For certain significant long-term contracts, the Company obtains
advance payments from customers in order to finance necessary investments to
fulfill these contracts. In an attempt to present operating margins and
financial expenses as if the investments had been financed through third
parties, the Company calculates an imputed interest amount when recognizing
sales under these long-term contracts, resulting in sales and financial expense
being increased by the same imputed interest amount. The amount of such
interest cost was NOK 5.5 million in 1999 as compared to NOK 3.6 million in
1998 and NOK 1.7 million in 1997.
Sales within transmission networks decreased 3% in 1999 as a result of
lower levels of turn-key projects.
Sales within satellite communications declined 5% in 1999, due in part
to lower than expected sales of Nera WorldPhones. Approximately 11,280
WorldPhones were sold during 1999. In 1999, sales of Land Earth Station
increased by approximately NOK30 million, due to the delivery of a number of
upgrades and enhancements to the majority of the land earth stations previously
supplied by it. Airtime billing sales were lower in 1999 producing NOK 204
million to revenue in 1999 as compared to NOK 229 million in 1998 and NOK 234
million in 1997. Effective December 31, 1999, the airtime billing business was
sold in exchange for a 20% ownership in the share capital of Whizace Holding,
AS, the purchaser. As a result, from 2000 on, 20% of the results of operations
of this entity will be reflected in earnings from associated companies in our
financial statements.
39
<PAGE> 42
A comparison of geographic sales is set forth in the chart below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Amounts in NOK million) Year Year
Geographical Destinations 1999 1998
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Norway 283 10.2% 378 12.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Kingdom 350 12.7% 313 10.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rest of Europe 662 23.9% 551 18.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
America 651 23.5% 753 24.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Africa 97 3.5% 139 4.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asia 681 24.6% 864 28.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oceania 42 1.5% 37 1.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 2,766 100% 3,035 100%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
No customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's sales in
1999, 1998 or 1997.
Cost of materials. Cost of materials were NOK 1,067.9 million in 1999
and NOK 1,382.7 million in 1998, a decrease of 22,8%. As a percentage of sales,
cost of materials were 38.6% in 1999 and 45.6% in 1998. The decrease in cost of
materials is a general reflection of lower sales revenues.
Payroll expense. Payroll expense was NOK 657.3 million in 1999 and NOK
747.7 million in 1998, a decrease of 12.1%. As a percentage of sales, payroll
expense was 23.8% in 1999 and 24.6% in 1998. The reduction in payroll expense
is primarily a reflection of the lower amount of average employees in 1999 than
in 1998, (1,622 people in 1999 and 1,965 people in 1998.)
Depreciation. Depreciation was NOK 58.7 million in 1999 and NOK 71.2
in 1998, a decrease of 17.6%. As a percentage of sales, depreciation was 2.1%
in 1999 and 2.3% in 1998. The Company regards these variations as immaterial,
as depreciation will fluctuate slightly when compared to turnover on a yearly
basis.
Other operating expense: Other operating expense was NOK 786.0 million
in 1999 and MNOK 952.0 in 1998, a decrease of 17.4%. As a percentage of sales,
other operating expense was 28.4% in 1999 and 31.4% in 1998. The main reason
for this reduction is the lower amount of average employees in 1999 than in
1998.
Operating Income. The Company had an operating income of NOK 176.4
million in 1999 and an operating loss of NOK 123.3 million in 1998. Operating
income as a percentage of sales was 6.4% in 1999 and operating loss as a
percentage of sales was 4.1% in 1998. The Company recognized operating income
in 1999 primarily as a result of the sale of the majority of its interest in
Nera Telecommunications Ltd. and Nera Ltd. (UK).
Income tax expense. Income taxes were NOK 89.3 million in 1999 and NOK
63.3 million in 1998, a increase of 29.1%. Income taxes decreased in 1999
primarily due to higher taxable results and increased deferred tax, primarily
in Norway. The Company's effective tax rate was 30.06% in 1999 compared to
16.26% in 1998 and 20.4% in 1997.
40
<PAGE> 43
Net income. The Company had net income of NOK 207.5 million in 1999 as
compared to a loss of NOK 326.1 million in 1998, as a result of the factors
discussed above. Net income as a percentage of sales was 7.5% in 1999 as
compared to a net loss as a percentage of sales of 10.7% in 1998 and 2.6% in
1997.
Norwegian and U.S. GAAP reconciliation. Approximate net income on a
U.S. GAAP basis was NOK 188.8 million for 1999 and a net loss of NOK 283.6
million for 1998, compared with net income of NOK 207.5 million and a net loss
of NOK 326.0 million under Norwegian GAAP for those years. The differences in
the results under Norwegian GAAP compared with the results under U.S. GAAP were
due to a variety of factors, the most significant of which were the accounting
for contracts that do not hedge firm commitments, marketable securities and
deferred taxes. For a discussion of differences between Norwegian GAAP and U.S.
GAAP, see Note 23 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
Orders and Backlog. The total value of orders received in 1998 was NOK
3,100 million, compared with NOK 3,204 million in 1997, a decrease of 3.2%.
This lower level of orders was due to a 38% decrease in orders for Dedicated
Communications in 1998 compared with 1997, primarily due to the economic crisis
in Southeast Asia. Orders for Transmission Networks remained relatively
unchanged and the 1998 figure reflects a large contract in Columbia. Satellite
Communications experienced a 5% increase from 1997 to 1998 primarily from the
ICO contract worth approximately NOK 190 million.
Backlog was NOK 1,336 million at the end of 1998, compared with NOK
1,705 million at the end of 1997, a decrease of NOK 369 million. In connection
with the assessment of the Company's balance sheet during the first six months,
the order backlog was reviewed and individual orders were removed or reduced,
with a total reduction of the backlog of NOK 300 million. This, together with
the sale of Nera TMN and Power Network Communications, forms the basis of
reducing the volume of orders. Certain principles for order processing were
also amended. In addition to the reported order backlog, Nera also entered into
several framework contracts in 1998, including some with Nokia and Ericsson. Of
the order backlog, NOK 636 million was for delivery in the first quarter of
1999, NOK 330 million for delivery in the second quarter and the remainder for
later delivery.
Sales. Nera's sales grew from NOK 2,971 million in 1997 to NOK 3,035
million in 1998, an increase of NOK 64 million. The increase in sales in 1998
compared with 1997 reflects increased sales increases in Transmission and
Production offset by declines in Satellite Communications and Dedicated
Communications.
Revenues on long-term contracts are recognized using the percentage of
completion method of accounting. Although subject to fluctuation from year to
year, approximately 20% of the Company's sales in 1998 were derived from
contracts to be performed over a period of nine months or longer. A significant
number of these contracts are for large turnkey projects, for which the
41
<PAGE> 44
Company purchases a relatively high proportion of components from third-party
suppliers. The Company's sales and margins are accordingly subject to
fluctuations depending upon the proportion of its contracts which are large
turnkey projects.
For certain significant long-term contracts, the Company obtains
advance payments from customers in order to finance necessary investments to
fulfill these contracts. In an attempt to present operating margins and
financial expenses as if the investments had been financed through third
parties, the Company calculates an imputed interest amount when recognizing
sales under these long-term contracts, resulting in sales and financial expense
being increased by the same imputed interest amount. The amount of such
interest cost was NOK 3.6 million in 1998 and NOK 1.7 million in 1997.
Sales within transmission networks increased 13% in 1998 compared with
1997. Nera's expansion of its production capacity in 1995 and 1996 allowed it
to take advantage of increased demand for radio link production, particularly
from new customers in Latin America and continental Europe. The increase in
sales also reflects the result of Nera's efforts to increase its local presence
in these markets over the last several years. In addition in 1998 sales surged
in Africa and orders rose in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia.
Sales within satellite communications declined 3% in 1998 compared
with 1997, due in part to lower than expected sales of Nera WorldPhones.
Approximately 7,900 WorldPhones were sold during the year. However, sales of
land earth stations declined by approximately 5% because this system is
virtually fully developed and there are few remaining major building projects
of land earth stations within the INMARSAT system. In 1998, the Company
delivered a number of upgrades and enhancements to the majority land earth
stations previously supplied by it. Airtime billing sales were stable in 1998
producing NOK 229 million to revenue in 1998 compared to NOK 234 million in
1997, a change of 2%.
The Asian market was particularly hard hit in 1998 accounting for a
great deal of the decline in sales. In addition, the disposal of several parts
of the Dedicated communications business unit also affected sales performance.
Sales within dedicated communications decreased by 29% in 1998 compared with
1997.
The increase in 1998 sales reflected greatly increased sales in two of
Nera's principal regions, North and South America and Africa. Sales to
customers in North and South America increased 56% in 1998 compared with 1997,
due to deregulation of the telecommunications industries in a number of
countries in the region and investments by local government in
telecommunications infrastructure. North and South America played an
increasingly important role, accounting for 24.8% of sales in 1998, up from
16.3% in 1997. Sales to customers in continental Europe declined 10% in 1998
compared with 1997, reflecting sales of Nera's WorldPhone. Sales to customers
in Asia declined 16% in 1998 compared with 1997, reflecting stagnating market
growth due primarily to the economic crisis in Southeast Asia during the second
half of 1997. Sales to customers in the United Kingdom were flat in 1998
despite continued sales of Nera's new access radios to network operators such
as Vodaphone and MLL Telecom Ltd. Sales to customers in
42
<PAGE> 45
Norway, however, decreased by 7% in 1998 compared with 1997, reflecting a lower
level of large radio link orders by Norwegian defense forces and government
institutions.
No customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's sales in
either 1998 or 1997.
Cost of materials. Cost of materials were NOK 1,382.7 million in 1998
and NOK 1367.0 million in 1997, an increase of 1.1%. As a percentage of sales,
cost of materials were 45.6% in 1998 and 46.0% in 1997.
Payroll expense. Payroll expense was NOK 747.7 million in 1998 and NOK
715.0 million in 1997, an increase of 4.6%. As a percentage of sales, payroll
expense was 24.6% in 1998 and 24,1% in 1997.
Depreciation. Depreciation was NOK 71.2 million in 1998 and NOK 86.8
in 1997, a decrease of 10.9%. As a percentage of sales, depreciation was 2.3%
in 1998 and 2.9% in 1997. The Company regards these variations as immaterial,
as depreciation will fluctuate slightly when compared to turnover on a yearly
basis.
Other operating expense. Other operating expense was NOK 952.0 million
in 1998 and MNOK 701.5 in 1997, an increase of 35.7%. As a percentage of sales,
other operating expense was 31.4% in 1998 and 23.6% in 1997.
Operating Income. The Company had an operating loss of NOK 295 million
in 1998 compared with operating income of NOK 134 million in 1997, a decrease
of 220%. Operating income/loss as a percentage of sales was -9.7% in 1998 and
4.5% in 1997. The decline in operating income was mainly due to costs charged
in connection with the review of the Company's operations and financial
situation during 1998.
Net financial items. The Company had a loss of net financial items of
NOK 94.3 million in 1998 and a loss of net financial items of NOK 35.9 million
in 1997, an increase of 162.7%. Interest expense, net, was 25% higher in 1998
than in 1997, due to higher levels of outstanding debt under the Company's
credit facilities as well as higher interest rates during 1998. Some of the
funds received from its September 1998 share issuance were used to pay down
part of the Company's debt. Included in the financial expenses is also
write-down of short-term investments of NOK 39.7 million. Net financial items,
also includes interest on advances received on long-term contracts. This
amount, which offsets an identical amount included in sales, was NOK 3.6
million in 1998, compared with NOK 1.7 million in 1997.
Income tax expense. The Company had an income tax credit of NOK 63.3
million in 1998 and had income tax expense of NOK 20.0 million in 1997. Income
taxes decreased in 1998 primarily due to lower taxable results and increased
deferred tax, primarily in Norway.
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<PAGE> 46
Net income. The Company had a net loss of NOK 326 million in 1998 and
net income of NOK 78.2 million in 1997, due to the factors discussed above. Net
loss as a percentage of sales was 10.75% in 1998 and net income as a percentage
of sales was 2.6% in 1997.
Norwegian and U.S. GAAP reconciliation. Approximate net loss on a U.S.
GAAP basis was NOK 283.6 million and a net income of NOK 35.9 million for the
years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 respectively, compared with net loss of
NOK 326 million and net income of NOK 78.2 million under Norwegian GAAP for
those years. The differences in the results under Norwegian GAAP compared with
the results under U.S. GAAP were due to a variety of factors, the most
significant of which were the accounting for contracts that do not hedge firm
commitments, marketable securities and deferred taxes. For a discussion of
differences between Norwegian GAAP and U.S. GAAP, see Note 23 of Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's total cash was NOK 481,534 and NOK 232,677 as of
December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The increase in cash was primarily
due to cash provided by operating activities, loan borrowings from financial
institutions, proceeds from the sale of assets, and a share issuance which took
place in September 1998, partially offset by a reduction in the Company's debt
and capital expenditures. The Company believes its current cash balances, its
available borrowings from financial institutions, cash flows from operations,
future share issuances, and the Company's focus and introduction of various
strategies aimed at improving the underlying profitability and cash flow
generation of its business, both by increasing margins and cutting costs, will
be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash needs for working capital and
capital expenditures going forward. There can, however, be no assurance that
these above mentioned items will be sufficient to fund the Company's growth,
nor can there be any assurance that external funding will be available to the
Company at favorable rates of interest or at all.
Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to NOK 415.9 million
in 1999 compared with NOK 7.4 million in 1998. The cash provided by operating
activities in 1999 was primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable, an
increase in cost in excess of billings, and an increase in inventories of
approximately NOK 114 million, NOK 187 million and NOK 32 million respectively.
Net cash provided by investing activities was NOK 96.8 in 1999
compared with net cash lost in investing activities of NOK 13.9 million in 1998
and net cash lost in investing activities of NOK 108.4 million in 1997. Cash
provided by investment activities in 1999 primarily reflected net proceeds from
the sale of shares in Nera Communications Ltd. of NOK 153.9 million coupled
with low levels of loans to the Company's customers during 1999.
Capital expenditures amounted to NOK 60.1 million, NOK 69.9 million
and NOK 86.1 million in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Of the 1999 total capital expenditure, NOK 19.5 million was utilized
in Transmission Networks, NOK 46.1 million was utilized in Satellite
Communications and NOK 12.4 million was utilized in the Production business
area.
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<PAGE> 47
Of the 1998 total capital expenditure, NOK 23 million was utilized in
Transmission Networks, NOK 30.6 million was utilized in Satellite
Communications, NOK 10 million was utilized in the Production business area,
and NOK 2.1 million was utilized in the Dedicated Communication business area.
The balance primarily reflects capital expenditure related to corporate
functions. The two major capital expenditures within Transmission Networks were
NOK 7.5 million for new platform elements for Nera's Tele-Scada
telecommunication networks (which was sold at the end of 1998) and NOK 6.1
million for research and development equipment and instruments. The principal
capital expenditures within Satellite Communications included a NOK 13.8
million investment in the Company's UK satellite division mainly for EDP
hardware and software and NOK 6 million investment for the Land Earth Station
business unit for test equipment and other R&D related equipment. The principal
capital expenditure within the Production business area was a NOK 5.6 million
investment in the Company's satellite production factory in Asker. The
principal capital expenditure within the Dedicated Communications was NOK 1.1
million in the Company's Singapore unit for data communications and CATV.
Of the 1997 total capital expenditure, NOK 24 million was utilized in
Transmission Networks, NOK 23 million was utilized in Satellite Communications,
NOK 21 million was utilized in Production and NOK 2.4 million was utilized
within Dedicated Communications. The balance reflects capital expenditure
related to corporate functions, primarily NOK 12.1 million booked through Nera
Finans to reflect an investment by Nera Ltd. in certain radio link equipment.
The principal capital expenditures within Transmission Networks included NOK
9.4 million of investments in access radio equipment and production processes,
a NOK 8.2 million investment mechanical and clean-room facilities at the Bergen
factory, and a NOK 4.1 million investment in new platform elements for Nera's
Tele-Scada telecommunications management networks. The principal capital
expenditures within Satellite Communications included a NOK 11.3 million
investment for new computer systems for logistics and accounting as well as the
leasing of ViSAT terminals to customers, and a NOK 8.9 million investment made
in the first half of 1997 to increase production capacity of the WorldPhone
product at Nera's Oslo facility. Capital expenditures within Dedicated
Communications comprised a number of small investments, none of which
individually exceeded NOK 0.6 million.
The 1999 expenditures were funded principally by proceeds from the
sale of shares, primarily in Nera Telecommunications Ltd.
The 1998 capital expenditures were funded principally by existing bank
borrowings put in place during the course of 1997 and 1996.
The 1997 capital expenditures were funded principally by bank
borrowings. During 1997, the Company received net cash proceeds from its
long-term and short-term facilities by approximately NOK 130 million and NOK 75
million, respectively. The 1996 expenditures were funded principally from the
NOK 154 million of proceeds from the Company's sale and leaseback of its Bergen
manufacturing facility (net of amounts used to repay the mortgage of such
facilities) and from increased levels of outstanding loans under the Company's
credit facilities.
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<PAGE> 48
On September 8, 1998, the Company initiated a public share issuance of
30,000,000 new shares, thereby raising NOK 300 million of share equity before
the deductions of costs. NOK 60 million of the NOK 285.2 million net proceeds
were allocated to share capital and the balance went to the Company's reserves.
The Company intends to use the unallocated reserves for general corporate
purposes and to pay down debt.
In December 1997, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the
Nordic Investment Bank to finance research and development activities. The
loan, which is in the amount of $21 million, matures on March 7, 2002 and is
repayable in a single installment. This loan bore interest at an annual rate of
LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 30 to 130 basis points during 1998. The
Company has the right to convert the loan to a fixed rate of interest on any
semi-annual interest payment date. The loan with the Nordic Investment Bank
contains various conditions, restrictions and financial covenants, the most
restrictive of which are, in the view of management, equity to total assets,
which must exceed 30%, and current assets to current debt, which must exceed
150%. See Note 19 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 1997, Nera issued NOK 35.6 million in aggregate principal
amount of its 5.7% Non-Transferable Convertible Bonds Due 2001 to subscribing
full-time employees, apprentices and board members of the Company. In June
1996, Nera issued NOK 50 million in aggregate principal amount of its 7%
No-Transferable Convertible Bonds Due 2001 to all full-time employees,
apprentices, board members and executive officers of the Company and certain of
its subsidiaries. See Note 19 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Shareholders' equity was NOK 969.5 million at December 31, 1999, NOK
785.2 million at December 31, 1998, and NOK 790.7 million at December 31, 1997.
Approximate shareholders' equity on a U.S. GAAP basis was NOK 983.2 million at
December 31, 1999, NOK 778.4 million at December 31, 1998 and NOK 827.5 million
at December 31, 1997. The differences between Norwegian GAAP and U.S. GAAP
amounts were due to a variety of factors, the most significant of which were
accounting for contracts that do not hedge firm commitments, accounting for
dividends proposed, accounting for marketable securities and income taxes. See
Note 23 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS
The Company's sales and operating income are affected by the impact of
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on product prices and certain
operating expenses. Fluctuations in the exchange rate of certain foreign
currencies (principally, the U.S. dollar, the pound sterling and the Singapore
dollar) against the Norwegian krone may affect Nera's sales and operating
income. From 1998 to 1999, the average value of the Norwegian krone depreciated
against the U.S. dollar and the pound sterling by 5% and 3%, respectively. From
1997 to 1998, the average value of the Norwegian krone depreciated against the
U.S. dollar and the pound sterling by 7.2% and 8.4%, respectively. Against the
Singapore dollar, the Norwegian krone appreciated by 4.5% during 1998.
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<PAGE> 49
From 1996 to 1997, the average value of the Norwegian krone depreciated against
the U.S. dollar, the pound sterling and the Singapore dollar by 9.2%, 5.9% and
3.0%, respectively.
A majority of the Company's sales in non-Norwegian currencies are made
pursuant to long-term contracts with customers, and it is the Company's policy
to hedge foreign currency sales risks associated with such contracts in order
to manage its exposure to such risks. Such hedging transactions, together with
the Company's foreign currency translation accounting policy of using average
forward rates for translating hedging transactions, minimize the short-term
impact of the exposure of such sales revenue to currency fluctuations for the
duration of the hedged long-term contracts in progress. Under U.S. GAAP,
period-end exchange rates are required to be utilized for translating hedging
transactions. Currency fluctuations therefore have a different impact on the
Company's results on a U.S. GAAP basis for contracts which are still in
progress at the end of any reporting period. The differential in the timing of
the impact of currency fluctuations on the Company's Norwegian GAAP and U.S.
GAAP results is expected to continue.
The Company's hedging activities are conducted on a centralized basis,
and the Company has implemented systems to monitor its currency exposure more
frequently and more closely that it has in prior years. The Company uses
foreign exchange contracts to hedge firm commitments. In addition, from time to
time the Company purchases foreign currency option contracts to hedge expected,
but not contracted for, foreign currency sales in connection with outstanding
tender bids. The costs of currency option premiums historically have not been
material to the Company's operating results or liquidity. Although Norwegian
GAAP permits the hedging of foreign currency sales which are reasonably
assured, U.S. GAAP permits hedge accounting treatment for instruments which
hedge firm commitments only. This accounting difference resulted in increase of
U.S. GAAP income of NOK 46.0 million in 1999, a reduction of NOK 2.9 million in
1998 and NOK 36.2 million in 1997, in each case before tax. See Note 23 of
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Notwithstanding the Company's hedging activities, the Company remains
subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as a result of a number of
factors, including delays in receiving payments from its customers, the
cancellation of contracts that have been hedged, as well as the
impracticability of hedging each non-Norwegian krone-denominated payment the
Company receives. Management believes that appreciation of the Norwegian krone
relative to other currencies (principally the U.S. dollar, the pound sterling
and the Singapore dollar) generally has an adverse effect on Nera's sales and
operating income and on the international competitiveness of its
Norwegian-based operations. On the other hand, depreciation of the Norwegian
krone against such currencies generally has the opposite effect.
At December 31, 1999, the Company had forward contracts outstanding
amounting in aggregate to NOK 275 million (the total Norwegian Krone equivalent
of the buy and sell amounts based on December 31, 1999 exchange rates). The
amount of forward contracts at December 31, 1999 included forward contracts to
buy and sell U.S. dollars and British pounds totaling NOK 210 million and NOK
2.3 million, respectively.
At December 31, 1998, the Company had forward contracts outstanding
amounting in aggregate to NOK 317.2 million (the total Norwegian Krone
equivalent of the buy and sell amounts
47
<PAGE> 50
based on December 31, 1998 exchange rates). The amount of forward contracts at
December 31, 1998 included forwarded contracts to buy and sell U.S. dollars and
British pounds totaling NOK 278.7 million and NOK 48.9 million.
At December 31, 1997, the Company had forward contracts outstanding
amounting in aggregate to NOK 327.2 million (the total Norwegian Krone
equivalent of the buy and sell amounts based on December 31, 1997 exchange
rates). The amount of forward contracts at December 31, 1997 included forward
contracts to buy and sell U.S. dollars totaling NOK 295.4 million. See Note 21
of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
At December 31, 1999, the Company had currency swaps outstanding
amounting in aggregate to NOK 311.9 million (the total Norwegian Krone
equivalent of the buy and sell amounts based on December 31, 1999 exchange
rates). The amount of currency swaps at December 31, 1999 included currency
swaps to buy and sell U.S. dollars totaling NOK 243.2 million.
At December 31, 1998, the Company had currency swaps outstanding
amounting in aggregate to NOK 465.6 million (the total Norwegian Krone
equivalent of the buy and sell amounts based on December 31, 1998 exchange
rates). The amount of currency swaps at December 31, 1998 included currency
swaps to buy and sell U.S. dollars totaling NOK 492.6 million.
At December 31, 1997, the Company had currency swaps outstanding
amounting in aggregate to NOK 959.2 million (the total Norwegian krone
equivalent of the buy and sell amounts based on December 31, 1997 exchange
rates). The amount of currency swaps at December 31, 1997 included currency
swaps to buy and sell U.S. dollars totaling NOK 672.9 million, and to sell
British pounds sterling totaling NOK 229.8 million.
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION
The single European currency known as the euro came into existence on
January 1, 1999, but Norway is not one of the initial eleven nations
participating. The Company's sales have not been affected by the change of
currency. Although no decision has been made as to when, or even if, Norway
will participate in the single European currency, Nera believes that their
commercial operations can be adapted to accommodate the euro without a material
adverse effect on operations.
ITEM 9A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
MARKET-SENSITIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Nera sells its products and services internationally and is,
therefore, subject to exposure to market risks, primarily from changes in
foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The Company is not materially
affected by commodity price fluctuations. In the normal course of business, the
Company also faces risks that are either nonfinancial or nonquantifiable. Such
risks principally include country risk and credit risk and are not represented
in the following analyses.
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<PAGE> 51
Nera's Board of Directors has defined a policy that requires the
Treasury Center of the Company to determine the maximum level of foreign
exchange rate and interest rate risks that can be assumed by individual
companies and the Nera Group as a whole. The calculations and measurement
techniques used by the Treasury Center are in accordance with established
banking practices.
Nera's Treasury Center is responsible for monitoring compliance with
the Company's policy as well as the correlation between the indicators adopted
for measuring the tolerable risk levels and market conditions. The Company uses
financial instruments for risk management purposes only and does not use them
for trading and other speculative purposes.
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK
The Company has manufacturing, sales, and distribution facilities
around the world and thus makes investments and enters into transactions
denominated in various foreign currencies. The Company's operating cash flows
denominated in foreign currency as a result of these international business
activities are exposed to changes in foreign exchange rates. In order to
maintain strict control and achieve the benefits of the Company's global
diversification, foreign exchange exposures may be hedged with financial
instruments. The Company primarily enters into forward exchange controls and
currency swaps to reduce the earnings and cash flow of non-functional currency
denominated receivables and payables. Gains and losses resulting from hedging
instruments usually offset the gains or losses on the underlying assets,
liabilities, and investments being hedged. The Company's forward exchange
contracts and currency swaps generally do not exceed 12 months, and the
maturities coincide with the Company's best estimate as to the settlement dates
of the related firm and anticipated transactions.
The currencies that the Company was primarily exposed to at December
31, 1999 were the Norwegian krone versus the United States dollars, the German
mark, and the British pound.
The following table indicates the Norwegian krone equivalents of the
net foreign exchange contracts and currency swaps outstanding by currency and
the corresponding impact on the value of these instruments assuming both a 10%
appreciation and depreciation of the respective currencies from their levels at
December 31, 1999, with all other variables (including interest rates) held
constant. The resulting gains and losses are translated into Norwegian krone
using the appropriate exchange rate at December 31, 1999. The instruments held
by the Company are not leveraged and are held for purposes other than trading.
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<PAGE> 52
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOREIGN CURRENCY
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOREIGN EXCHANGE GAIN/(LOSS) FROM
10% APPRECIATION 10% DEPRECIATION
OF THE OF THE
FOREIGN CURRENCY FOREIGN CURRENCY FUNCTIONAL FUNCTIONAL
BOUGHT (IN NOK SOLD (IN NOK CURRENCY (IN NOK CURRENCY (IN NOK
FORWARD CONTRACTS AND CURRENCY SWAPS: THOUSANDS) THOUSANDS) THOUSANDS) THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Swiss franc 0 -409 -41 41
German marks 0 -16,334 -1,633 1,633
Danish krone 0 -3,956 -395 395
Euro 1,198 -102,910 -10,171 10,171
British pound 21,492 -38,398 -1,691 1,691
Japanese Yen 8,372 -3,108 526 -526
Swedish krona 1,031 -953 8 -8
United States dollar 32,356 485,693 -45.734 45,734
TOTAL 64,449 -651,761 -58,131 58,131
</TABLE>
INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY
Nera is exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of
short-term and long-term debt used to maintain liquidity and fund its business
operations. The Company borrows in different currencies and from different
sources to the meet its borrowing needs and to fund it business operations. The
nature and amount of Nera's long-term and short-term debt can be expected to
vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions and other
factors. Except for the Company's employee convertible bond obligations, all of
the Company's debt has variable interest rates dependent on LIBOR/NIBOR/PIBOR.
Due to the variable rates of the Company's debt, the interest cost to the
Company will fluctuate during the course of any financial year. The annual
average interest rate paid on the different Company's debt during 1998, a brief
discussion regarding some of the terms of the Company's debt and the repayment
schedule of the long-term debt has been disclosed in Note 17 and Note 19 of
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company does not undertake
any specific actions to cover its exposure to interest risk and the Company is
not a party to any interest risk management transactions.
The table below sets out our estimated average interest rates on our
outstanding debt based upon the implied forward rates in the yield curve as at
December 31, 1999. These have been adjusted for the varying margins relating to
the debt, where applicable, and assume no changes from the margins applicable
at the year-end.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE INTEREST RATE
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DEBT WITH VARIABLE RATES:
Syndicated loan (multicurrency) 6.795% 7.075% 7.195% 7.265% 7.315%
Loan from Nordic Investment Bank 6.285% 6.625% 6.725% 6.795% 6.825%
DEBT WITH FIXED RATES:
1995 Employee Convertible Bonds 8.00%
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 53
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
1996 Employee Convertible Bonds 7.00% 7.00%
1997 Employee Convertible Bonds 5.70% 5.70%
</TABLE>
See Note 21 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a
discussion related to the fair value of the Company's financial instruments.
The preceding discussion about the Company's risk-management
activities includes "forward-looking statements" that involve risk and
uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in
these forward-looking statements.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT
The table below sets forth certain information regarding the directors
and executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME POSITION AGE
---- -------- ---
<S> <C> <C>
Johan Fredrik Odfjell Chairman of the Board 51
Kari Broberg Director 43
Trond Hartmark Director 58
Ole Petter Hakonsen Director 60
Birger Magnus Director 44
Jostein Soreide Director (Employee Representative) 43
Kjell O. Ingebo Director (Employee Representative) 38
Jannik Lindbaek Director 61
Marcel Petie Director (Employee Representative) 44
Bjorn Ove Skjeie President and Chief Executive Officer 48
Per Erik Froyen Executive Vice President Finance 51
Terje Ask-Henriksen Executive Vice President Satellite Communications 43
Einar J. Eriksen Executive Vice President Production 47
Odd Bjorn Ur Executive Vice President Corporate Controller 49
Helge Skaar Executive Vice President Corp. Communications 44
</TABLE>
JOHAN FREDRIK ODFJELL (1948), CHAIRMAN, BERGEN
Odfjell is a business economics graduate of the Norwegian School of
Economics and Business Administration and has an MBA from Harvard University.
He has held the position of Chairman of Nera since June 1998. Odfjell has a
broad range of experience from senior positions in Norwegian industry to a
number of Board appointments in Norwegian and international companies.
Odfjell's appointments have included Managing Director of AS Investa
(1980-1986), Managing Director of Vesta Forsikring AS and Deputy Managing
Director of Skandia Forsakring AB (1986-1994). In addition to his appointment
as Chairman of Nera, Odfjell is also Chairman of
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<PAGE> 54
Hafslund ASA and Norges Handels- og Sj-farstidene, Deputy Chairman of Nycomed
Amersham plc. and Den norske Veritas. He also serves on the Boards of Skandia
Forsakring AB, Bergesen ASA and Kvaerner ASA.
KARI BROBERG (1956), OSTRE TOTEN
Broberg is a business economics graduate of the Norwegian School of
Management, Broberg has been a member of the Board of Nera since June 1998.
Broberg has a broad range of business experience and has held a number of
senior positions in the Alcatel Group from 1981 to 1997. Her positions with
Alcatel included head of purchasing for the telecommunications division and
Divisional Director for transmission and exchanges. Broberg was the Head of
Logistics for Jordan a.s. until 2000 and is currently employed as a corporate
consultant by Hartmark Consulting. In addition to her appointment as a member
of Nera's Board, Broberg holds a number of appointments in Norwegian industry,
including membership of the Board of Telenor and Norsk Regnesentral.
TROND HARTMARK (1941) OSLO
Hartmark is a business economics graduate of the Norwegian School of
Economics and Business Administration and holds an AMP (Advanced Management
Program) qualification from Harvard Business School (1981). Hartmark has been a
member of the Board of Nera since 1995. Hartmark has a broad range of
experience in Norwegian industry. From 1975-1994 he worked for Hartmark-Iras
(now PA Consulting Group) as a corporate consultant. Since 1994 he has been
employed as a consultant by Hartmark Consulting AS. Hartmark has extensive
experience with strategy and business development, corporate analysis and
corporate re-engineering, corporate finance and organizational development.
OLE PETTER HAKONSEN (1939), OSLO
Hakonsen is an engineering graduate of the Norwegian University of
Science and Technology and was awarded a Doctorate in 1968. Hakonsen has held a
number of positions in various technical environments in Norway. These include
Research Manager at Televerket's Research Institute (1972-1981), Assistant
Technical Director of the Teledirektoratet (1981-1983), Technical Director of
the Teledirektoratet/Televerket (1983-1991) and Deputy Managing Director of
Televerket responsible for mobile networks and services, satellite networks and
services, R&D and IT (1991-1994). Since 1994, Hakonsen has been an Executive
Vice President of Telenor AS.
JANNIK LINBAEK (1939), OSLO
Lindbaek is a business economics graduate of the Norwegian School of
Economics and Business Administration in (1961). He has a broad range of
experience in senior management positions of Norwegian and international
companies. From 1962-1975. Lindbaek was employed by the Vesta group. From 1975
to 1985 he was employed by Storebrand and was the Chief Executive Officer for
the last nine of these years. From 1986 to 1994 Lindbaek was Managing Director
of the Nordic Investment Bank in Helsinki and from 1994-1995 he was the CEO of
IFC,
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<PAGE> 55
Washington (part of the World Bank). Lindbaek holds a number of Board
appointments, including Chairman of Den norske Bank ASA and a member of the
Board of Anders Wilhelmsen & Co., Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Vital
Forsikring.
BIRGER MAGNUS (1955), OSLO
Birger Magnus is an engineering graduate of the Norwegian University
of Science and Technology and holds a MBA from INSEAD (France). Magnus has been
a member of the Board of Nera since June 1998. His professional background
includes experience as a systems engineer and running his own IT business from
1980 to 1984. From 1985 to 1995 Magnus was partner in McKinsey & Co. and he was
the managing partner of the Oslo office in the latter part of this period as
well as one of the leading partners in McKinsey's international multimedia
practice (telecomm. IT, media). Magnus is now Chief Executive Officer of
Schibsted ASA with responsibility for the Newspaper Business Area.
KJELL OLE INGEBO (1961), DRAMMEN
Kjell Ole Ingebo is an engineering graduate of the Kongsberg
Ingeni-rhoysk-le and holds a B.Sc. degree in Information Technology from the
University of Strathclyde (Scotland). He has been an employee of the Nera Group
since 1983 and his professional experience includes hardware and software
development and systems work on Nera's earth stations. Since 1998 Ingebo has
been a departmental manager for the development department responsible for
SatCom's earth stations. Ingebo was an employee representative on the Corporate
Assembly from 1995-1999 and has been a member of the Board since 1999.
MARCEL PETIE (1956), BERGEN
Marcel Petie is an engineering graduate of the College of Advanced
Technology in Rotterdam, Holland. He has been an employee of the Nera Group's
development department in Bergen since 1981. Petie was elected as an employee
representative on the Board in September 1999.
JOSTEIN SOREIDE, (1956), BERGEN
Soreide has been an employee of the Nera Group since 1981 and has been
an employee representative on the Board since 1997.
BJORN OVE SKJEIE (1951) - PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF NERA ASA
Skjeie is business economics graduate of the Norwegian School of
Economics and Business Administration. Skjeie was appointed President and Chief
Executive Officer of Nera in April 1998. Prior to taking up this position he
was responsible for the Satellite Communications business area, a position he
took upon in April 1997. Skjeie has a broad range of experience including a
number of senior management positions with ABB Norge AS. Skjeie's previous
appointments included
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<PAGE> 56
Managing Director of ABB Offshore Technology AS from 1991-1997 and Finance
Director of National Transformer from 1989-1990.
PER ERIK FROYEN (1948) - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Froyen is a business economics graduate of the Norwegian School of
Economics and Business Administration. He joined Nera as Chief Financial
Officer in June 1998. Prior to taking up this appointment, Froyen held a number
of senior management positions with the ABB group in Norway. His previous
appointments include Director of ABB Offshore Technology AS and Financial
Controller of Asea Brown Boveri AS.
EINAR J. ERIKSEN (1952) - MANAGING DIRECTOR NERA NETWORKS AS / NERA ELECTRONICS
Eriksen is a graduate of the Norwegian University of Science and
Technology. Eriksen has been employed by Nera since 1978. Eriksen has held a
number of positions during his employment with Nera, including the
responsibility for setting up a PDH production facility in Singapore. He has
also held management positions in the radio link and transmission areas.
Eriksen is currently Managing Director of Nera Networks AS and Nera
Electronics.
TERJE ASK HENRIKSEN (1956) - MANAGING DIRECTOR NERA SATCOM AS
Ask-Henriksen is an engineering graduate of the Tinius Olsen
Ingeni-rh-yskole and a business economics graduate from the Norwegian School of
Management. He also has post graduate qualifications in industrial marketing
from the Norwegian School of Management and MD in Lausanne. Ask-Henriksen has
been the Managing Director of Nera SatCom since October 1998. His previous
employment includes Elopak AS, where he was Area Manager, Marketing Director
and the Director responsible for production and sales in Norway. He has also
been employed by Elcon Finans (Marketing Manager) Markem Ships, Industriservice
AS and Unitor Ships Service.
ODD BJORN UR (1950) - CORPORATE CONTROLLER
Ur is a business economics graduate of the Norwegian School of
Economics and Business Administration. Ur joined Nera as Financial Controller
in 1987 and has continued in this position. Prior to taking up his position
with Nera he was the Finance Director of Bergen Mekaniske Verksteder.
HELGE SKAAR (1955) - HEAD OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Skaar is a graduate of the University of Bergen. He joined Nera in
1995 as Head of Corporate Communications. Prior to taking up this position he
was Head of Corporate Communications at Den norske Bank. Skaar has also worked
for the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration and Haukeland
Hospital.
54
<PAGE> 57
The Company believes there are no family relationships between any of
the above officers or directors, nor are there any arrangements or
understandings under which any of these officers or directors were elected to
serve.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In accordance with Norwegian law, the affairs of the Company are
managed by its Board of Directors (the "Board"), which is also vested with
overall control over policy and management of the Company.
The Company's Articles of Association provide that the Board shall
have no fewer than five members or greater than eight members. Under Norwegian
law, one-third (and not less than two) of the directors are elected as employee
representatives, if one-third of the members of the Corporate Assembly so
demand. Currently, the Board has eight members, three of which are elected as
employee representatives. In addition to reviewing and monitoring the Company's
business, the powers generally held by the Board include the preparation of the
Company's year-end accounts, the presentation of the accounts to the
shareholders and the convening of shareholders' meetings.
The Company's directors serve two-year terms. There is no limitation
on the number of terms which a director may serve. However, the Company's
Articles of Association provide that no one may be elected or reelected to the
Board when he or she has reached the age of 65. Under Norwegian law, at least
one-half of the directors must be citizens and residents of a European Union
("EU") or European Free Trade Area ("EFTA") country. All of the Company's
directors are currently citizens or residents of an EU or EFTA country.
CORPORATE ASSEMBLY
In accordance with Norwegian law, Nera has a Corporate Assembly of 12
members. The general meeting of shareholders elects 8 members, and the
employees of the Company in Norway elect 4 members. In addition there is
currently one deputy member. The Chairman of the Corporate Assembly is Oskar A.
Munch.
The Corporate Assembly of the Company has the responsibility under the
Company's Articles of Association for electing the members of the Board of
Directors, including the chairman. In addition to electing members of the
Board, the Corporate Assembly (i) fixes the remuneration of the Board; (ii)
decides, at the Board's proposal, matters concerning investments that are
substantial compared with the Company's resources, or efficiency measures or
alterations of the operations that would entail major changes or reallocation
of the labor force; (iii) expresses an opinion to the general meeting of
shareholders as to whether the Board's proposal for the income statement and
balance sheet and the consolidated income statement and consolidated balance
sheet should be adopted, and as to the Board's proposal for the application of
profit or coverage of loss; and (iv) handles all other matters which a
Corporate Assembly is entitled to handle under Norwegian law. Overall control
over policy and management of the Company, however, is vested in the Board and
not in the Corporate Assembly.
55
<PAGE> 58
Members of the Corporate Assembly are elected for a period of two
years. No one may be elected or reelected to the Corporate Assembly once he or
she reaches the age of 70.
ITEM 11. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
For the year ended December 31, 1999, the aggregate compensation paid
or accrued by the Company for its directors and executive officers (15
individuals) was NOK 9.5 million million. Salary and remuneration to the
President in 1999 totaled NOK 2.2 million. Salary and remuneration to the
members of the Board totaled NOK 783,000. Remuneration paid to the Corporate
Assembly totaled NOK 185,000. For all employees or past employees including the
three members of the Board of Directors nominated by the employees, the Company
has pension schemes which are administered by an independent management
company, based on actuarial principles. See Note 6 of Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
The Company operates a bonus scheme for executive officers providing
for a maximum bonus of up to 8 months' salary for Nera's president, and 6
months' salary for other executive officers. The level of bonus actually paid
is based on the attainment of specified financial and business measures
established each year.
ITEM 12. OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SECURITIES FROM REGISTRANT OR SUBSIDIARIES
In 1995 and 1996 the Company issued NOK 50 million in aggregate
principal amount of convertible bonds (the "1995 Bonds" and "1996 Bonds,"
respectively). In 1997 the Company issued additional convertible bonds (the
"1997 Bonds") in an aggregate principal amount of NOK 35.6 million.
The principal features of the 1995 Bonds, 1996 Bonds and 1997 Bonds
and the circumstances of their issuance, are summarized in the following table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 BONDS 1996 BONDS 1997 BONDS
------------------ ------------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Title 8% Non-Transferable 7% Non- 5.7% Non-
Convertible Bonds Transferable Transferable
Due 2000 Convertible Bonds Convertible Bonds
Due 2001 Due 2001
Date of Issue .... March 31, 1995 July 1, 1996 July 1, 1997
Date of Maturity . March 31, 2000 July 1, 2001 July 1, 2001
Interest Rate .... 8.0% 7.0% 5.7%
Nominal Value .... NOK 100 each NOK 100 each NOK 100 each
Subscription Price NOK 100 each NOK 100 each NOK 100 each
</TABLE>
56
<PAGE> 59
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 BONDS 1996 BONDS 1997 BONDS
------------------ ------------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Transfers Not transferable Not transferable Not transferable
Offerees All full-time employees All full-time All full-time employees
of the Company and employees, apprentices, and apprentices of the
certain of its board members and Company
subsidiaries executive officers of
the Company of certain
of its subsidiaries
Holder's Right to Convert into
Shares (a) From April 1, 1998, (a) From June 15, 1999, (a) From June 15, 1999,
up to 50% of aggregate up to 50% of aggregate up to 50% of aggregate
principal amount; principal amount; principal amount;
(b) From April 1, 1999, (b) From June 15, 2000, (b) From June 15, 2000,
up to 75% of aggregate up to 75% of aggregate up to 75% of aggregate
principal amount; from principal amount; principal amount;
October 1, 1999, 100% of (c) From January 1, (c) From January 1, 2001,
aggregate principal 2001, 100% of aggregate 100% of aggregate
amount principal amount principal amount
Conversion Price NOK 25.8, increasing by NOK 54,increasing by NOK 63.4,
2.5% at the end of each 2% at the end of each increasing by
three-month period three months following 1% each month.
following March 31, 1998, July 1, 1999, subject
subject to adjustment to adjustment to
to reflect future reflect future
dividends dividends
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1999, the maximum amount of Shares called for by the
1995 Bonds, the 1996 Bonds and the 1997 Bonds held by the Company's directors
and executive officers as a group was 128.276, 108.208 and 21.292,
respectively.
On May 5, 1999, the shareholders approved a stock option plan for
management of the Company. As of December 31, 1999, options to purchase
1,115,000 shares have been granted at an exercise price equal to fair market
value of the time of issuance and no options were exercisable.
57
<PAGE> 60
ITEM 13. INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
There have been no material transactions during the last year nor are
there any presently proposed transactions, in which any director or officer, or
controlling shareholder, or any relative or spouse thereof had or has a direct
or indirect material interest. There is no significant indebtedness owed to the
Company by any director or officer or any associate of any director or officer.
PART III
ITEM 15. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 16. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND CHANGES IN SECURITY FOR REGISTERED
SECURITIES
None.
58
<PAGE> 61
PART IV
ITEM 19 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements of Nera ASA and Subsidiaries
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Accountants F-2
Consolidated Income Statements for the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 F-4
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31,
1997, 1998 and 1999 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 F-6
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders'
Equity for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999 F-8
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-9
</TABLE>
F - 1
<PAGE> 62
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Nera ASA and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nera
ASA and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999, and the related consolidated
statements of income, cash flows and changes in shareholders' equity for the
year ended December 31, 1999, all expressed in Norwegian kroner. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in Norway, which are substantially consistent with those
followed in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position of Nera ASA and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999, and their
consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the year ended December
31, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in Norway.
Accounting practices used by the company in preparing the accompanying
financial statements conform with generally accepted accounting principles in
Norway, but do not conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. A description of these differences and a complete reconciliation
of consolidated net income and shareholders' equity to U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles is set forth in Note 23.
/s/ Arthur Andersen & Co.
Arthur Andersen & Co.
Bergen, Norway
March 23, 2000/June 30, 2000
F - 2
<PAGE> 63
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Nera ASA and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nera ASA
and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related
consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in shareholders'
equity for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1998, all
expressed in Norwegian kroner. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in Norway, which are substantially the same as those followed in the
United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position
of Nera ASA and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and their
consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders'
equity for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in Norway.
Generally accepted accounting principles in Norway vary in certain
respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The application of the latter would have affected the determination of
consolidated net income for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998, and the determination of consolidated shareholders' equity at
December 31, 1997 and 1998, to the extent summarized in Note 23 to the
consolidated financial statements.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers DA
Oslo, Norway
June 30, 1999
F-3
<PAGE> 64
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 (2) 1999 1999
NOK NOK NOK USD (1)
(Amounts in 1,000s, except for per share amounts) (Unaudited)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SALES 2 971 053 3 034 671 2 765 777 345 291
OPERATING COSTS (3)
Cost of materials 1 367 091 1 382 705 1 067 973 133 330
Changes in inventory of work in progress and finished goods -33 678 4 387 19 357 2 417
Payroll expense 715 067 747 732 657 307 82 061
Depreciation 86 868 71 170 58 667 7 324
Other operating expense 701 573 952 027 786 025 98 130
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING COSTS 2 836 921 3 158 021 2 589 329 323 262
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING INCOME BEFORE RESTRUCTURING GAIN AND LOSS 134 132 (123 350) 176 448 22 028
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring gain and loss (171 750) 112 807 14 083
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING INCOME 134 132 (295 100) 289 255 36 112
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net financial items (35 900) (94 315) 7 546 942
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE TAXES 98 232 (389 415) 296 801 37 054
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense (20 036) 63 337 (89 223) (11 139)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME(LOSS) 78 196 (326 077) 207 578 25 915
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings(loss) per share (Basic) 1.19 (4,49) (2) 2,16 0,27
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings(loss) per share (Diluted) 1.19 (4,49) (2) 2,15 0,27
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Translation of amounts from Norwegian kroner (NOK) into United States
dollars (USD) has been made for the convenience of the reader at the
Noon Buying Rate on December 31, 1999 of $1.00 = NOK 8,01
(2) Due to the new Norwegian Accounting Act 1998 the financial statements
have been restated to include deferred tax assets that were not
recognized previously.
(3) Due to the new Norwegian Accounting Act 1998 the presentation of
operating costs have been changed.
F - 4
<PAGE> 65
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 (2) 1999 1999
NOK NOK NOK USD (1)
(Amounts in 1,000s) (Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents 124,720 232,677 481,534 60,117
Short-term investments - 34,372 2,300 287
Accounts receivable, net 838,945 740,156 592,548 73,976
Costs in excess of billings 234,375 319,716 121,361 15,151
Inventories 555,109 431,698 309,322 38,617
Other current assets 210,993 271,405 324,486 40,510
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets 1,964,142 2,030,024 1,831,551 228,658
Investments in associated companies 57,324 2,413 142,817 17,830
Long-term investments 20,785 5,013 1,013 126
Deferred tax asset 20,081 69,370 7,351 918
Prepaid pensions 16,629 5,960 - -
Long-term receivables 137,135 178,697 127,461 15,913
Intangible assets, net 58,013 929 21,431 2,676
Property, plant and equipment, net 253,113 212,555 141,191 17,627
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-current assets 563,080 474,937 441,264 55,089
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS 2,527,222 2,504,961 2,272,815 283,747
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Bank overdrafts 22,421 214 - -
Trade payables 395,712 406,709 225,855 28,197
Customer advances and
billings in excess of costs 204,678 323,068 340,599 42,522
Tax withholdings, holiday pay etc. 113,919 54,526 43,433 5,422
Taxes payable 63,091 31,130 74,297 9,276
Dividends payable 33,001 - 19,600 2,447
Short-term borrowings 75,493 7,350 32,509 4,059
Other current liabilities 147,171 269,366 231,976 28,961
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current liabilities 1,055,486 1,092,363 968,269 120,883
Deferred taxes 28,507 7,224 9,071 1,132
Accrued pensions 20,428 26,257 30,233 3,774
Long-term borrowings 575,084 508,585 226,456 28,272
Deferred gain 56,974 85,267 69,278 8,649
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term liabilities 680,993 627,333 335,038 41,827
Share capital 132,007 192,187 192,187 23,993
Restricted reserves 396,951 511,997 569,893 71,148
Unrestricted reserves (3) 261,785 81,081 207,428 25,896
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity 790,743 785,265 969,508 121,037
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,527,222 2,504,961 2,272,815 283,747
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F - 5
<PAGE> 66
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (CONTINUED)
(1) Translation of amounts from Norwegian kroner (NOK) into United States
dollars (USD) has been made for the convenience of the reader at the Noon
Buying Rate on December 31, 1999 of $1.00 = NOK 8,01.
(2) Due to the new Norwegian Accounting Act 1998 the financial statements
have been restated to include deferred tax assets that were not
recognized previously.
(3) In accordance with the new Norwegian Accounting Act 1998 accumulated
other comprehensive equity are included in unrestricted reserves. For
previous years accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) was shown as
a separate item.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998(2) 1999 1999
NOK NOK NOK USD (1)
(Amounts in 1,000s) (Unaudited)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES :
Net income/(loss) 78 196 (326 078) 207 578 25 915
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in)
provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 86 868 71 170 58 667 7 324
Impairment of long-lived assets 52 768 1 700 212
(Gain)/ loss on property, plan and eqiupment (31 926) (7 398) 16 081 2 008
Gain on sale of investments (6 709) (40 119) (5 009)
Write-down of investments/ shares 39 681 0 0
Deferred taxes (35 147) (72 450) 62 542 7 808
Provision for bad debts 19 713 61 000(e) 17 333 2 164
Results from associated companies 2 413 (5 157) (12 098) (1 510)
Other non-cash items, net 2 501 0 0
Net effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities,
net of effect from purchase/sale of companies
Inventories (50 090) 86 009 32 725 4 086
Accounts receivable (197 128) 71 147 (114 140) (14 250)
Cost in excess of billings (36 288) (75 642) 187 552 23 415
Customer advances and billings in excess of costs 14 611 121 634 21 647 2 702
Trade payables 95 848 (12 506) 32 955 4 114
Difference prepaid and accrued pensions 12 125 21 827 12 893 1 610
Change in other short term items (32 667) (14 400) (69 388) (8 663)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (73 472) 7 397 415 928 51 926
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES :
Capital expenditures (86 131) (69 858) (60 151) (7 509)
Proceeds from sales of assets 71 193 58 158 158 940 19 843
Loans (granted to) repaid by third parties (69 742) 1 770 19 483 2 432
Investments in associated companies (3 904) 0 0
Investments in FoU (21 431) (2 676)
Investments in shares (19 774) (4 001) 0 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (108 358) (13 931) 96 841 12 090
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Translation of amounts from Norwegian kroner (NOK) into United States
dollars (USD) has been made for the convenience of the reader at the Noon
Buying Rate on December 31, 1998 of $1.00 = NOK 8,01.
(2) Due to the new Norwegian Accounting Act 1998 the financial statements
have been restated to include deferred tax assets that were not
recognized previously.
F - 6
<PAGE> 67
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999 1999
NOK NOK NOK USD (1)
(Amounts in 1,000s) (Unaudited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES :
Change in other long-term receivables (1 689) (1 404) 0 0
Net borrowing (repayment) of bank overdraft facilities 15 656 (20 283) 169 21
Proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings 74 762 (68 143) (7 350) (918)
Principal payments on capital leases (5 844) (12 735) 0 0
Repayment of mortgage loan 0 0 0 0
Proceeds from long-term borrowings 191 442 0 0 0
Repayments of other long-term borrowings (25 266) (63 197) (250 092) (31 222)
Proceeds from issuance of shares 528 285 183 0 0
Dividends paid (33 002) (9 914) 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 216 587 109 507 (257 273) (32 119)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (19 120) 4 983 (6 640) (829)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 15 637 107 957 248 857 31 068
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 109 083 124 720 232 677 29 048
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR 124 720 232 677 481 534 60 117
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION :
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash paid/received during the year for :
Interest 44 255 58 142 35 105 4 383
Taxes 31 189 37 770 (12 743) (1 591)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES :
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares received for assets 54 000 8 163 0 0
Short-term receivable from Kitron ASA 6 814 0 0 0
Amounts capitalized for financial leases 3 590 6 205 0 0
Assets leased to customers 0 15 649 0 0
Dividends declared but not paid 33 001 0 19 600 2 447
Conversion of employee bonds to shares in the Company 0 2 084 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Translation of amounts from Norwegian kroner (NOK) into United States
dollars (USD) has been made for the convenience of the reader at the Noon
Buying Rate on December 31, 1999 of $1.00 = NOK 8,01.
F - 7
<PAGE> 68
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Shares Share Restricted Unrestricted
(Amounts in NOK 1,000s, except for number of shares) Outstanding Capital (1) Reserves Reserves
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE AT DEC 31, 1996 13 147 870 131 479 393 328 227 692
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income
Net income
Translation adjustments
Total Comprehensive income
Dividend
Allocation of net income and transfers 3 623 41 440
Share issue for Nera ASA's 50th anniversary 52 800 528
Five-for-one share split (1) 52 802 680
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DEC 31, 1997 66 003 350 132 007 396 951 269 132
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income
Net income (Loss)(2)
Translation adjustments
Total Comprehensive income(loss)
Change in last year's provision for dividends 23 088
Transfer of net loss (39 931) (286 146)
Converted employee bonds 85 383 170 1 914
Issuance of shares 30 005 000 60 010 225 173
Adjustments due to new Norwegian Accounting Act (72 110) 72 110
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DEC 31, 1998 96 093 733 192 187 511 997 78 184
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income
Net income(Loss)
Translation adjustments 4 240
Total Comprehensive income(loss)
Adjustments due to new Norwegian Accounting Act 41 654 (42 266)
Dividend
Allocation of net income and transfers 12 003 175 975
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DEC 31, 1999 96 093 733 192 187 569 894 211 893
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Accumulated other
comprehensive Net
(Amounts in NOK 1,000s, except for number of shares) income income(loss) Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE AT DEC 31, 1996 4 458 756 957
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income
Net income 78 196 78 196
Translation adjustments (11 805) (11 805)
Total Comprehensive income 66 391
Dividend (33 133) (33 133)
Allocation of net income and transfers (45 063)
Share issue for Nera ASA's 50th anniversary 528
Five-for-one share split (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DEC 31, 1997 (7 347) 790 743
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income
Net income (Loss)(2) (326 077) (326 077)
Translation adjustments 10 244 10 244
Total Comprehensive income(loss) (315 833)
Change in last year's provision for dividends 23 088
Transfer of net loss 326 077
Converted employee bonds 2 084
Issuance of shares 285 183
Adjustments due to new Norwegian Accounting Act
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DEC 31, 1998 2 897 785 265
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income
Net income(Loss) 207 578 207 578
Translation adjustments (7 363) (3 123)
Total Comprehensive income(loss) 204 455
Adjustments due to new Norwegian Accounting Act (612)
Dividend (19 600) (19 600)
Allocation of net income and transfers (187 978)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DEC 31, 1999 (4 466) 969 508
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) At an Annual General Meeting held on April 23, 1997, a five-for-one share
split was proposed and approved. Prior to this share split, the Company's
shares had a par value of NOK 10. Subsequent to the share split, the
Company's shares have a par value of NOK 2.
(2) Due to the new Norwegian Accounting Act 1998 the financial statements
have been restated to include deferred tax assets that were not
recognized previously.
F - 8
<PAGE> 69
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General
Nera ASA and its Subsidiaries (Nera, the Company or the Group) is a Norwegian
telecommunications company specializing in the design, the development, the
manufacture and the marketing of selected telecommunications equipment and
services.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles in Norway (Norwegian GAAP). In
certain respects, Norwegian GAAP differs from accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). The significant differences and the
related effect on the consolidated financial statements are set forth in Note
23. The consolidated financial statements also include certain reclassifications
and disclosures in order to more closely conform to the form and content
required by U.S. GAAP and the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting
requirements.
Amounts included in the consolidated financial statements and notes are stated
in thousands of Norwegian kroner (NOK) (or in thousands of any other currency
used herein), except percentages, share and per share amounts and except where
otherwise noted.
At an Annual General Meeting convened on April 23, 1997 a five-for-one share
split was proposed and approved. Except for the Consolidated Statement of
Changes in Shareholders' Equity (where the overall effect of the share split is
shown only in 1997) and where otherwise stated, all share and earnings per share
amounts have been restated to reflect the effect of this share split.
Solely for the convenience of the reader, the consolidated financial statements
as of and for the year ended December 31, 1999 have been translated into United
States dollars (USD) at the rate of NOK 8,01 per USD, the Noon Buying Rate on
December 31, 1999. This translation should not be construed as a representation
that the amounts shown could be so converted into USD at such date.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent
company, Nera ASA, and each of those companies in which it controls, directly or
indirectly through subsidiaries, over 50 % of the voting rights. The Company
does not consolidate those companies in which the parent's control of the
subsidiary is temporary or there is significant doubt concerning the parent's
ability to control the subsidiary. Companies acquired have been consolidated,
beginning with the date the control was transferred to the Company. When
subsidiaries are sold or
F-9
<PAGE> 70
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
otherwise disposed of, the results until the date of disposal are included in
the consolidated accounts. All significant inter-company transactions and
balances are eliminated.
The excess of the cost of the investment in subsidiaries over the book value of
the net assets acquired is accounted for by increasing the carrying value of the
identifiable assets and liabilities to their fair value with any remaining
amount shown as goodwill.
The balance sheets of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are translated from
their respective functional currencies into Norwegian kroner at the exchange
rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated
using the average exchange rate in effect during the reporting period. Resulting
translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders'
equity.
As of April 1, 1998, Nera ASA was divided into a holding company and four newly
established subsidiaries, Nera Network AS, Nera Electronic AS, Nera SatCom AS
and Nera TMN AS. The Company sold Contec Design AS, Infotema AS, Nera Mobildata
AS, and reduced the ownership in Nera Telecommunications Ltd. (Singapore) to
47,3% during the year. As of December 31, 1999, the Company's principal
subsidiaries are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY: COUNTRY/REGION SHAREHOLDING %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Nera Networks AS Norway 100%
Nera Electronics AS Norway 100%
Nera Satcom AS Norway 100%
Nera Americas Holding Inc. USA 100%
Nera GmbH Germany 100%
Nera Ltd. United Kingdom 100%
Nera Finans AS Norway 100%
Nera (HK) Limited Hong Kong 100%
Nera Telecommunications
Latin America SA Venezuela 100%
Nera America Latina Ltda Brasil 100%
Nera de Mexico SA De CV Mexico 100%
Nera (India) Ltd. India 100%
</TABLE>
Investment in associated companies
The Company's share of the income or losses from associated companies, in which
the Company owns 20% to 50 % of the voting rights and has significant financial
and operational influence, is included in the consolidated income statement in
accordance with the equity method of accounting. If the Company owns greater
than 20% of the voting rights of another company, but
F - 10
<PAGE> 71
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
plans to sell these shares in the short-term or doesn't have significant
influence, the Company records the shares as short-term investments and records
them at the lower of cost or market. The principal investments in associated
companies include the 47,3% interest in Nera Telecommunications Ltd.
Investments
Investments, short-term or long-term, where the Company generally owns less than
20 %, are carried at the lower of cost or market with changes in carrying value
recorded in the income statement. These investments are classified in the
balance sheet as long-term or short-term based on management's intent.
Revenue recognition
The revenues of the Company mainly consist of long-term contracts. For other
revenues, revenue is generally recognized when a product is shipped and services
are performed.
Revenues on long-term contracts are recognized using the percentage of
completion method. Under this method, income is recognized as work progresses on
the contracts. The percentage of work completed is determined principally by
comparing the accumulated costs incurred to date with management's current
estimate of total costs to be incurred at contract completion. For certain
contracts where the delivery of equipment is clearly separable from
installation, training and other aspects of the contract, the Company divides
the contract into segments and recognizes revenue on each segmentable portion
individually. Income recognition on contracts is deferred until progress reaches
a level of completion (generally based on established milestones) sufficient to
reasonably estimate the probable outcome. Revisions of cost and income estimates
are reflected in the period in which the facts that require the revision become
known. If estimated total costs on a contract indicate a loss, the entire amount
of the estimated loss is provided for currently.
For certain significant long-term contracts, the Company obtains advance
payments from customers in an effort to help finance necessary investments to
fulfill these contracts. In an attempt to present operating margins and
financial expenses as if the investments had been financed through third
parties, the Company calculates an imputed interest amount when recognizing
sales under these long-term contracts. This imputed interest is added to sales
and financial expense, with no impact on the Company's net income.
Foreign currency transactions
F - 11
<PAGE> 72
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
All current assets and liabilities, except for receivables and certain cash
accounts which are related to the Company's hedging policy, denominated in a
foreign currency are translated using the year-end exchange rate and the
resulting gains and losses are recognized currently and included in income. The
assets and liabilities are adjusted separately for all resulting foreign
currency gains and losses.
Non-current assets and long-term liabilities are translated into Norwegian
kroner at the exchange rate at the balance sheet date and netted by currency. If
the net position by currency results in a loss in Norwegian kroner, the loss is
charged to the income statement as a financial expense and a contra receivable
is established, leaving the related asset and liability balances translated at
the transaction day exchange rates. If the net position by currency results in a
gain in Norwegian kroner, the gain is not recorded and the related asset and
liability balances remain translated at the transaction day exchange rates.
Certain cash accounts and receivables in foreign currencies, which have been
hedged, are translated using the average of the exchange rates received for all
hedging instruments purchased in connection with the particular long-term
contract to which the receivables and cash relate.
Derivative financial instruments
The Company uses a variety of derivative financial instruments, including
forward foreign exchange contracts (forward contracts), purchased currency
options, and currency swaps, as part of an overall foreign currency
risk-management strategy. These instruments are used as a means of hedging
exposure to foreign currency risk connected to firm sales commitments or
existing assets and liabilities and are not recorded until the respective sale
or purchase transaction is recorded. Such foreign currency transactions are
considered hedges of sales of these long-term contracts when the foreign
currency commitment is reasonably assured and the foreign currency transaction
is designated as a hedge of the foreign currency commitment. Gains and losses on
foreign currency transactions identified as hedges are deferred until the
completion of the long-term contract being hedged.
The balance sheet accounts being hedged by these derivative products are
translated using the average of the exchange rates received for all derivative
products purchased in connection with a particular long-term sales or purchase
contract. Differences between amounts translated at actual versus average
exchange rates are deferred and recorded as other assets or liabilities until
the related long-term sales or purchase contract is completed. The premiums on
options are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the option. Cash
flows from financial instruments that are hedged are categorized in the same
category as the items being hedged.
F - 12
<PAGE> 73
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
If derivative instruments cease to meet the criteria for deferral accounting
gains and losses are currently recognized in income. If an anticipated
transaction does not occur, the derivative product is terminated, and any gains
and losses are recognized in income. If a hedging instrument is sold or
terminated prior to maturity, gains and losses continue to be deferred until the
hedge item is completed.
The Company has a wholly owned subsidiary, Nera Finans AS, which acts as a
financial intermediary between the different reporting entities of Nera Group.
Nera Finans AS is the counter-party for all of Nera's reporting entities
derivative financial instruments. Nera Finans AS simultaneously purchases
offsetting financial instruments from an unrelated third party to offset the
exposure of Nera Group.
The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading
purposes.
Research and development
Costs connected with research and development are expensed as incurred.
Purchased technology is capitalized and expensed over the useful life.
Year 2000 expenses
All year 2000 costs are expensed when incurred.
Income taxes
Income tax expense includes current taxes and changes in deferred taxes.
Deferred tax liabilities/assets are calculated in accordance with the liability
method of accounting. Deferred income taxes are provided for, for all temporary
differences between the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and
liabilities, and operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax liabilities are not
discounted. Deferred taxes are not provided for retained earnings in
subsidiaries that are intended to be permanently reinvested. The Company
establishes a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some
portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Earnings (Loss) per share
F - 13
<PAGE> 74
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. On a
diluted basis, both earnings (loss) per share and weighted average shares
outstanding are adjusted to assume the conversion of the employee convertible
bonds.
During April 1997, a five-for-one share split was proposed and approved. All
earnings per share amounts have been restated to reflect the effect of this
share split.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments having an original maturity
of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash or cash equivalents.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of full cost or net realizable value. Cost
is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method and includes
materials, labor and manufacturing overhead.
Costs in excess of billings
Costs in excess of billings represent revenue earned under the percentage of
completion method but not yet billable under the terms of the contract. These
amounts become billable upon meeting certain terms of the contract including the
shipment of the product, achievement of milestones or completion of the
contract.
Customer advances and billings in excess of costs
Customer advances and billings in excess of costs represent advances received on
contracts and billings to customers in excess of earned revenue.
Long-term receivables
Long-term receivables mainly consist of loans given to some of the Company's
customers and lease receivables. The Company charges interest on these loans.
F - 14
<PAGE> 75
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Property, plant and equipment and Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation.
Expenditures for additions, significant renewals and betterment's are
capitalized whereas expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to
income as incurred. When assets are sold or retired, their cost and related
accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is
included in net income.
At each balance sheet date, the Company evaluates the realizability of goodwill
based upon expectations of future cash flows and operating income of each Group
company having a material goodwill balance.
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is recorded on a straight-line
basis over the expected useful lives of the assets. Goodwill is amortized on a
straight-line basis over the periods estimated to be benefited. Depreciation and
amortization are based on the following annual rates:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS GROUP % RANGE YEARS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Buildings 2% 50 years
Machinery end equipment 10-33% 3 to 10 years
Goodwill and other intangibles 20-33% 3 to 5 years
</TABLE>
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company accounts for long-lived assets, certain identifiable intangibles and
goodwill related to those assets to be held and used and for long-lived assets
and certain identifiable intangibles to be disposed of, pursuant to Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of. This Statement
requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in
operations whenever events or changes in circumstances result in the carrying
amount of the assets exceeding the sum of the expected future cash flows
associated with such assets. The measurement of the impairment losses to be
recognized is to be based on the difference between the fair values and the
carrying amount of the assets. SFAS 121 also requires that long-lived assets
held for sale be reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less
cost to sell. Management reviews long-lived assets and the related intangible
assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the
assets may be impaired.
Pension accounting
F - 15
<PAGE> 76
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The projected benefit obligation (funded and unfunded defined benefit pension
plans) is the actuarial present value of benefits based upon the pension benefit
formula taking into consideration the years of service rendered and assumptions
about future compensation levels. Pension plan assets are measured at market
value. Net periodic pension costs (gross pension costs less estimated return on
plan assets) are included in operating expenses. The gross pension costs include
service costs, interest costs on the projected benefit obligation, and the
amortization of unrecognized gains or losses. For pension plans where plan
assets exceed the accumulated benefit obligations and pension plans where the
accumulated benefit obligations exceed plan assets, the aggregate net asset or
net obligation is recorded as a long-term asset or as a long-term liability,
respectively.
Share issuance costs
Share issuance proceeds are presented net of share issuance costs in the
Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity.
Segment reporting
The Company has 4 segments (in accordance with statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 131 - (SFAS 131). The management approach designates the internal
organization that is used by management for making operating decisions and
assessing performance as the source of the Company's reportable segments. SFAS
131 also requires disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and
major customers. (See Note 2).
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported
period. Actual results could differ from the estimates.
Changes in accounting rules
The New Norwegian Accounting Act of 1998 became effective as of January 1, 1999.
This Act amends some previous Norwegian GAAP rules. As a result of this
Norwegian Accounting Act,
F - 16
<PAGE> 77
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
the Company restated its 1998 statements by recording a deferred tax asset of
approximately MNOK 69,4.
(2) SEGMENT REPORTING
The accounting policies of the Company's business areas or operating segments
are the same as those described in Note 1, Accounting Policies. The Company
accounts for intersegment sales and transfers made at amounts in excess of costs
based on the respective local tax regulations. Nera evaluates the performance of
its segments and allocates resources to them based on operating earnings after
depreciation and amortization. The Company does not allocate other
income/(expenses), income taxes, or unusual items to its segments. In addition,
not all segments have significant non-cash items other than depreciation and
amortization in reported segment profit or loss.
Nera is organized primarily based on the nature of its core products and
services. These products and services are grouped into 4 strategic business
areas or reportable segments. These are:
- Transmission Networks - includes the design, sale, and
distribution of microwave transmission equipment.
- Satellite Communications - includes the design, sale, and
distribution of satellite terminals and gateways, and services
within airtime billing.
- Production - Principal supplier of manufacturing services to
Transmission Network and Satellite Communications. Some
manufacturing for external parties as well.
- Dedicated Communications - includes all other special
communications services such as MobilData AS and Contec Design AS.
Activities in Dedicated Communications were sold during 1999.
The following table presents information about the Company's reportable
segments' sales, profit or loss, assets, capital expenditures, impairments on
long-lived assets and depreciation and amortization reviewed and used by the
Company's chief operating decision officer.
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999:
F - 17
<PAGE> 78
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSMISSION SATTELITE
MNOK NETWORK COMMUNICATION PRODUCTION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales 1 231 1 547 1 500 975 946 897 221 227 179
Profit/(loss) 80 (140) 65 84 (73) 80 (24) (1) 67
Assets (1) 874 950 698 510 899 273 449 431 400
Capital
expenditures 24 23 20 23 31 46 21 10 12
Impairment of long-
lived assets 53 1,7
Depreciation and
amortization 30 40 17 18 24 17 22 22 19
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEDICATED RECONCILING
MNOK COMMUNICATION ITEMS TOTAL
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales 444 315 186 4 2 971 3 035 2 766
Profit/(loss) 13 16 94 (19) (97) (16) 134 (285) 289
Assets (1) 151 94 6 (19) (96) (133) 1 965 1 778 1 244
Capital
expenditures 2 2 1 16 4 2 86 70 81
Impairment of long-
lived assets 53 1,7
Depreciation and
amortization 6 4 2 11 (20) 2 87 70 57
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The reconciling items refer mainly to intersegment eliminations and activity at
the Company's corporate level, including its financial subsidiary. Income earned
and expenses incurred at the corporate level are incidental to the main
activities of the Company. The negative reconciling item in 1998 for
depreciation and amortization relates to the depreciation and amortization at
the corporate level as well as the elimination of internal goodwill that
resulted from the Company's reorganization as of April 1, 1998.
F - 18
<PAGE> 79
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998 1999
(MNOK) (MNOK) (MNOK)
--------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING EARNINGS AFTER DEPRECIATION
Operating earnings after depreciation after reportable segments 134 (295) 289
Net financial items (36) (94) 8
--------------------------------
Consolidated Income before income taxes 98 (389) 297
--------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) MNOK MNOK MNOK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SEGMENT ASSETS
Segment assets for reportable segments 1 965 1 778 1 244
Cash 125 233 482
Short-term investments 34 2
Provision for bad debts (25) (73) (59)
Advance payment to suppliers 2 26 2
Other current assets 208 246 323
Investmented in associated companies 57 2 143
Long-term investments 21 5 1
Deferred tax assets 20 69 7
Prepaid pensions 17 6 0
Long-term receivables 137 179 128
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED ASSETS 2 527 2 505 2 273
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The table below presents information on sales by geographic destination:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK NOK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC DESTINATION
Norway 407 941 378 004 283 035
United Kingdom 314 087 312 916 350 163
Rest of Europe 612 115 551 150 661 765
Asia 1 031 497 863 845 681 104
North and South America 483 526 752 918 651 198
Africa 64 295 139 158 97 173
Other (1) 57 592 36 680 41 339
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 2 971 053 3 034 671 2 765 777
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The geographic category 'Other' primarily includes New Zealand, Australia
and other countries in Oceania.
A breakdown of long-lived assets, which includes property, plant and equipment
and intangible assets, by geographic location of these operations for the last
three years is as follows:
F - 19
<PAGE> 80
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REST OF LATIN
(AMOUNTS IN NOK 1,000s) NORWAY EUROPE ASIA AMERICA TOTAL
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997 145 024 114 754 45 835 5 514 311 127
1998 104 344 58 450 39 830 10 860 213 484
1999 133 884 19 376 1 200 8 161 162 621
</TABLE>
In 1997, 1998 and 1999, no customer accounted for more than 10 percent of sales.
(3) TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
Total operating expenses consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK NOK
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Materials 1,367,091 1,382,705 1,067,973
Payroll and related costs 715,067 747,732 657,307
Other operating expenses 681,860 891,027 768,692
Depreciation and 86,868 71,170 58,667
amortization
Change in work-in-progress (33,678) 4,387 19,357
and finished goods
Provision for bad debts 19,713 61,000 17,333
Restructuring costs 171,750 -112807
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 2,836,921 3,329,771 2,476,522
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(4) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into a number of
transactions with related parties, primarily affiliated companies.
Transactions with affiliated companies during 1998, included in Nera Group's
1998 consolidated financial statements, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCOUNTS ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE AS OF PAYABLE AS OF
ASSOCIATED COMPANY COUNTRY SALES DEC. 31, 1998 PURCHASES DEC. 31, 1998
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Neratek AS Norway 22 857 2 746
Copytema AS Norway 36 189
Nera Globecom (India) Pvt Ltd India 481 6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 23 374 2 752 189 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Transactions with affiliated companies during 1999, included in Nera Group's
1999 consolidated financial statements, were as follows:
F - 20
<PAGE> 81
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCOUNTS ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE AS OF PAYABLE AS OF
ASSOCIATED COMPANY COUNTRY SALES DEC. 31, 1999 PURCHASES DEC. 31, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Beijing Nera Stentofon Communications Co Ltd China 2 1 0
Neratek AS Norway 16 374 1 404 19 20
Nera Telecommunications Ltd Singapore 21 097 12 637 28 35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 37 473 14 042 47 55
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(5) CONTRIBUTIONS AND GRANTS
Contributions and grants received from government research and development funds
are reported net against the operating costs to which they relate and totaled
NOK 14,259, NOK 9,268 and NOK 7,889 in 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
(6) PENSIONS
The Company has three defined benefit retirement plans which cover substantially
all of the employees in Norway.
One of the pension plans gives the employees the opportunity for early
retirement (Avtale Festet Pensjon, or "AFP"). Because of improvements in the
plan in 1997, the estimated rate of employee participation has been increased
from 0% to 50%. The effect of the change in the estimated rate of employee
participation is being amortized on a straight line basis over the average
remaining service period of active employees expected to receive benefits under
this plan.
Net periodic pension cost of the Company's pension plans was as follows:
F - 21
<PAGE> 82
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PENSION BENEFITS
1997 1998 1999
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS
Projected benefit obligations at beginning of year 170 555 199 740 209 757
Service cost 11 597 13 482 11 785
Interest cost 11 878 13 947 14 529
Actuarial gain / loss 7 589 (13 570) 37 027
Benefits paid (1 272) (2 193) (4 404)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligations at end of year 200 347 211 406 268 694
----------------------------------
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 157 910 162 980 142 812
Actual return on plan assets 5 537 (16 868) 43 738
Benefits paid (467) (1 714) (2 402)
----------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 162 980 144 398 184 148
----------------------------------
RECONCILIATION TO BALANCE SHEET
Funded status of the plan (37 367) (67 008) (84 546)
Unrecognized net gain / loss 31 963 36 016 43 553
Unrecognized net transition asset /(obligation) 10 675
Unrecognized plan amendments 6 352 5 613 14 495
(Accrued) social security tax -4 747 -5 593 -3 736
----------------------------------
(Accrued) / prepaid pension cost (3 799) (20 297) (30 234)
----------------------------------
Service cost 12 225 12 985 11 058
Interest cost 12 549 13 727 13 686
Expected return on plan assets (12 478) (11 935) (9 935)
Amortization of unrecognized net gain / loss 135 954 2 037
Amortization of unrecognized plan amendments 454 454
Social security tax 614 737 2 439
----------------------------------
Net periodic pension cost 13 045 16 922 19 739
----------------------------------
</TABLE>
F - 22
<PAGE> 83
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The Company has also recorded accrued social security costs of NOK 2,211, NOK
2,914 and NOK 3,736 as of December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Assumptions used in developing the projected benefit obligations as of December
31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998 1999
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Discount rate 7,0 % 7,0 % 7,0 %
Rate of increase in compensation 3,5 % 3,5 % 3,5 %
Rate of return on plan assets 8,0 % 7,5 % 7,5 %
Rate of increase in pensions 2,5 % 2,5 % 2,5 %
</TABLE>
(7) FINANCIAL INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Financial income (expense), net, consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK NOK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest expense (46 857) (63 211) (33 542)
Interest on advances received on long-term contracts (1 701) (3 604) (5 519)
Foreign currency losses, net (3 452) (14 019) 6 004
Interest income 14 813 23 597 32 762
Write-down of investments/ shares (39 681) (1 700)
Gain on sale of investments 12 438 6 709 27 608
Other financial (expenses)/ income, net (8 278) (9 263) (30 164)
Results from associated companies (2 413) 5 157 12 098
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL (35 450) (94 315) 7 547
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Interest on advances received on long-term contracts represents the imputed
interest expense recognized in accordance with the Company's related revenue
accounting policy as described in Note 1.
(8) TAXES
The domestic and foreign components of income before taxes were the following:
F - 23
<PAGE> 84
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31. 1997 1998 1999
Amounts in 1,000s NOK NOK NOK
----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income (loss) before tax:
Norway 24 456 (177 829) 225 503
Rest of Europe 44 244 (250 662) 19 891
Asia 26 989 28 570 23 855
Latin America 2 543 10 507 27 551
----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 98 232 (389 414) 296 800
----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The differences between total tax expense and the tax expense computed using the
Norwegian statutory tax rate were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK NOK
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
EXPENSE (BENEFIT) :
Tax at Norwegian statutory rate (28%) 27 505 (109 036) 83 104
Costs associated with the issuance of shares (4 152)
Nondeductible expenses 4 074 14 727 (8 184)
Differences in foreign and domestic statutory rates (10 059) (6 091) (9 320)
Valuation allowance 50 634 10 995
Adjustment of prior years estimated liabilities (3 864) (8 763) 2 200
Other, net 2 380 (656) 10 428
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 20 036 (63 337) 89 223
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The components of tax expense consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK NOK
-----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CURRENT TAXES :
Norway 37 802 (2 415) (6 809)
Rest of Europe 3 937 (8 263) (4 812)
Asia 10 952 10 768 (5 537)
Latin America 2 446 5 719 (13 266)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal 55 137 5 809 (30 424)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED TAXES :
Norway (28 326) -72145 (62 785)
Rest of Europe (3 408) 2879 (400)
Asia (3 327) -5193 0
Latin America (40) 5312 4 386
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal (35 101) (69 146) (58 799)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 20 036 (63 337) (89 223)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Company's deferred tax liability/(asset) resulted from the effect of
temporary differences between the financial and tax reporting of the following
items:
F - 24
<PAGE> 85
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK
--------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY (ASSET) :
Provision for bad debts (6 552) (10 152)
Costs in excess of billings (9 110) 31 181
Inventories 10 312 4 005
Provision for guarantees (7 636) (9 889)
Other current assets 24 491 (2 879)
Tax loss carryforwards (89 794) (28 304)
Prepaid pensions 2 563 523
Deferred gain (14 984) (8 443)
Investments (10 459) (2 333)
Property,plant and equipment 27 226 19 717
Accrued pensions (7 538) (9 506)
Other negative temporary differences 0 (242)
Valuation allowance 19 338 18 044
--------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL (62 146) 1 720
--------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(9) EARNINGS(LOSS) PER SHARE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Maturity for tax loss carry forward: 1999
----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
2000 (11 038)
2007 (5 505)
Later than 2007 (79 893)
----------------------------------------------------
TOTAL (96 436)
----------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For dilutive earnings per share ("EPS") purposes, both the net earnings and
shares outstanding are adjusted to assume the conversion of all of the Company's
employee convertible bond issuances. The "if converted method" was used, which
assumes that the Company's convertible bonds are converted into shares at the
earliest possible time at the most advantageous conversion rate available. The
assumed conversion of the 7% and the 5.7% employee convertible bonds have not
been incorporated in the calculation of dilutive earnings per share for 1997,
1998 and 1999, and the 8% employee convertible bonds have not been incorporated
in the calculation of dilutive earnings per share for 1997, 1998 and 1999. To do
so would have caused an antidilutive effect on earnings per share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the year ended 1997: WEIGHTED
AVERAGE
SHARES
(Amounts in 1,000s, except for Earnings Per INCOME OUTSTANDING EARNINGS PER
Share amounts) (NUMERATOR) (DENOMINATOR) SHARE AMOUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOK NOK
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BASIC AND DILUTIVE EARNINGS PER
SHARE
Income available to common
shareholders 78 196 65 961 1.19
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F - 25
<PAGE> 86
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the year ended 1998: WEIGHTED
AVERAGE
SHARES
(Amounts in 1,000s, except for Earnings Per LOSS OUTSTANDING EARNINGS PER
Share amounts) (NUMERATOR) (DENOMINATOR) SHARE AMOUNT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NOK NOK
BASIC AND DILUTIVE EARNINGS PER
SHARE
Income available to common
shareholders (326 078) 72 569 (4,49)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED
For the year ended 1999: AVERAGE
SHARES
INCOME OUTSTANDING EARNINGS PER
(Amounts in 1,000s, except for Earnings Per Share amounts) (NUMERATOR) (DENOMINATOR) SHARE AMOUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOK NOK
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income available to common shareholders 207 578 96 094 2,16
EFFECT OF DILUTED SECURITIES, NET OF TAXES
Adjustments for share options 225
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
Weighted average shares outstanding (year end)
after adjustments for convertible bonds 207 578 96 319 2,15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F - 26
<PAGE> 87
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(10) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Accounts receivable consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK
----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Accounts receivable 812 847 651 301
Allowance for doubtful accounts (72 691) (58 753)
----------------------------------------------------------
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET 740 156 592 548
----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Company's main customers are public and private telecommunications
companies. The major concentrations of credit risk arising from the Company's
receivables in relation to the location of customers, are presented in the
following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK
-------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Rest of Europe 358 651 344 562
Asia 215 833 122 116
Norway 64 439 51 184
North and South America 132 569 106 475
Africa 35 828 25 640
Other (1) 5 528 1 324
-------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 812 847 651 301
-------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The geographic category 'Other' primarily includes New Zealand, Australia
and other countries in Oceania.
Nera conducts business in some countries, which are subject to political risk.
The Company attempts to reduce this risk by obtaining bank guarantees and
letters of credit. Further, Nera has established specific policies and
procedures for executing and managing contracts subject to such risks.
(11) OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Other current assets consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Receivables and prepaid expenses 138 618 166 023
Deferred loss related to forward currency exchange contract 55 144 19 579
Outstanding settlement Airtime Billing Transaction 137 195
Advances suppliers 25 737 1 689
Accruals for airtime billings 51 906
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 271 405 324 486
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F - 27
<PAGE> 88
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(12) INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK
--------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Raw materials 266 913 180 482
Work-in-progress 110 939 87 194
Finished goods 53 846 41 646
--------------------------------------------
TOTAL 431 698 309 322
</TABLE>
(13) INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES
As of December 31, 1998 and 1999, Nera had investments in the following
associated companies:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999
COMPANY'S BOOK VALUE COMPANY'S BOOK VALUE
COUNTRY OWNERSHIP (NOK 1,000) OWNERSHIP (NOK 1,000)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Neratek AS Norway 45 % 2 413 45 % 4 275
Nera Globecom (India) Pvt Ltd India 50 % 0
Beijing Nera Stentafon Communication China 0 % 0 36 % 2 367
Whizace Holding AS Norway 0 % 0 20 % 33 000
Nera Telecommunication Ltd. Singapore 0 % 0 47 % 103 175
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 2 413 142 817
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(14) INVESTMENTS, SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM
At December 31, 1998 and 1999, the Company had the following investments:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999
BOOK VALUE BOOK VALUE
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS COUNTRY (NOK 1,000S) (NOK 1,000S)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Kitron ASA Norway 29 000 0
Teamcom AS Norway 0 2 300
CapRock Communications Corp. USA 5 372 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 34 372 2 300
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999
BOOK VALUE BOOK VALUE
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS COUNTRY (NOK 1,000S) (NOK 1,000S)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Leiv Eriksson Nyfotek AS Norway 1 000 1 000
Teamcom AS Norway 4 000 0
AND Electronics Ltd United Kingdom 13 13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 5 013 1 013
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F - 28
<PAGE> 89
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(15) INTANGIBLE ASSETS
On October 3, 1995, the Company acquired, and accounted for as a purchase,
Continental Microwave Technology Limited (CMTL), a specialist supplier of low
and medium capacity high frequency radio link equipment. The Company paid NOK
64,553 in cash, issued a liability to the seller for NOK 8,890 and assumed
liabilities of NOK 5,927. The excess of the purchase price over the fair-value
of the net assets acquired of approximately NOK 59,181 was recorded as goodwill
and was being amortized over a straight-line basis over a period of 10 years.
The continued decline in the financial results of the operating elements of the
Company's CMTL business, acquired in 1995, the resultant strategic and
operational review by the Company and the applications of the Company's
objective measurement test based on current operations resulted in an evaluation
of goodwill for possible impairment during 1998. Also during 1998, the Company
decided to streamline its production base, improve efficiency and enhance its
overall competitiveness. As a result, the Company decided to phase out
production from its CMTL in the UK during year 2000 and maintain a sales and
service organization. Accordingly the Company wrote-off its goodwill related to
this business of approximately NOK 52,556. The total goodwill amount and the
respective accumulated amortization amount were taken off the Company's books as
of December 31, 1998. The impairment charge was recorded as an operating expense
in the Company's income statement (See Note 3.).
In 1999 technology for the ICO-project was purchased and capitalized for NOK
21,431. The amount will be written down over the ICO-project's lifetime. There
was no amortization in 1999.
Accumulated amortization of intangibles was NOK 50,746 at December 31, 1997, NOK
3,037 at December 31, 1998 and NOK 0 at December 31, 1999..
(16) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, net, consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK
<S> <C> <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------
COST
Machinery and equipment 397 252 347 251
Buildings 27 824 3 472
---------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 425 076 350 723
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated depreciation
Machinery and equipment 206 163 207 633
Buildings 6 358 1 898
---------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 212 521 209 531
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment, net
Machinery and equipment 191 089 139 618
Buildings 21 466 1 574
---------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 212 555 141 192
---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F - 29
<PAGE> 90
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Included in 1998 machinery and equipment balance is NOK 31,091 of capitalized
leases as of December 31,1998. The corresponding figures for 1999 is NOK 6,851.
Depreciation expense for property, plant and equipment was NOK 73,798 and NOK
71,170 and NOK 58,590 in 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
(17) BANK OVERDRAFTS AND SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
The Company, through its subsidiary Nera Finans AS, has a NOK 95,000 Multi
Currency Overdraft Facility Agreement with Den norske Bank ASA, through its
London Branch. Credit balances, in NOK, under this facility, will accrue
interest at the bank's prime credit rate and credit balances in any other agreed
currency will accrue interest at the bank's London Branch's "Credit Reference
Rate" minus a margin which ranged from 0.3% to 1.30% during 1999. Debit
balances, in NOK, under this facility are charged interest at the bank's prime
debit rate and debit balances in any other agreed currency are charged interest
at the bank's London branch's "Debit Reference Rate" plus a margin which ranged
from 0.45% to 1.00% during 1999. During 1999, the facility fee ranged from 0.40%
to 0.60%. This facility was not drawn upon at December 31, 1999.
The multi currency overdraft facility discussed above subjects the Company to
various conditions and restrictions, including financial covenants. These
financial covenants include equity to total assets, liquidity and interest
coverage ratios. The most restrictive covenants are, in the view of management,
equity to total assets, which must exceed 30% for the Company, and current
assets to current debt, which must exceed 150% for the Company.
As of December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, the Company also had short-term loans
totaling NOK 75,493, NOK 7,350 and 384 respectively.
(18) OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other current liabilities consisted of the following:
F - 30
<PAGE> 91
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Accrued expenses 68 517 37 156
Provisions for guarantees 65 691 42 060
Accrued interest 12 700 11 137
Accrued agent commissions 7 111 7 343
Accruals for airtime billing 27 113
Called-up, not paid, share capital Wizace Holding AS 33 000
Provision for holiday pay, salary. etc 47 681 43 828
Provision for restructering costs in Nera Ltd. 5 769 37 787
Other current liabilities 34 784 19 665
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 269 366 231 976
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(19) LONG-TERM BORROWINGS
Long-term borrowings consisted of the following at December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CURRENCY OF 1999 ANNUAL
FACILITY AVERAGE
AS OF DECEMBER 31, INTEREST RATE (%) MATURITY DATE 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Syndicated loan (multicurrency) NOK 5,60 2001 250 000 0
Nordic Investment Bank USD 5,85 2002 159 592 168 756
Long-term employee convertible bonds NOK 8,00 2000 33 925 0
Long-term employee convertible bonds NOK 7,00 2001 38 598 36 650
Long-term employee convertible bonds NOK 5,70 2001 19 685 19 685
Other long-term debt NOK/GBP 2000-2003 6 785 1 365
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 508 585 226 456
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
On January 31, 1996, the Company, through its subsidiary Nera Finans AS, entered
into a syndicated loan agreement for NOK 300,000. The loan matures in 2001.
During 1999, the interest
rate charged on drawings on this loan was NIBOR plus a margin ranging from 0.30
to 1.30 percentage points for drawings in Norwegian kroner, PIBOR plus 0.30 to
1.30 percentage points for drawings in euro-sterling or LIBOR plus 0.30 to 1.30
percentage points for drawings in other euro-currencies. During 1999, the
facility fee ranged from 0.20% to 0.90%. The syndicated loan agreement discussed
above subjects the Company to various conditions, restrictions and financial
covenants, the most restrictive of which are, in the view of management, equity
to total assets, which must exceed 30%, and current assets to current debt,
which must exceed 150%. This syndicated loan facility was not drawn upon at
December 31, 1999 and the amount available at this date was NOK 225 million.
F - 31
<PAGE> 92
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
During December 1997, the Company, through its subsidiary Nera Finans AS,
entered into a loan agreement for USD 21 million with Nordic Investment Bank for
the purpose of financing Research and Development. The loan matures on March 7,
2002 and is to be repaid in one installment. A guarantee has been issued by Nera
ASA for the amount. The interest rate to be charged on this loan is LIBOR plus a
margin of 0.30 percentage points during 1999. The Company has the right to
request for the loan to be converted into a fixed interest rate loan. The loan
agreement discussed above subjects the Company to various conditions,
restrictions and financial covenants, the most restrictive of which are, in the
view of management, equity to total assets, which must exceed 30%, and current
assets to current debt, which must exceed 150%.
In March 1995, Nera ASA issued non-transferable convertible bonds of NOK 50
million to employees in Nera ASA and Subsidiaries. The bonds, having a principal
amount of NOK 100 each, bear interest at 8% per annum and mature on March 31,
2000.
Each bond entitles the holder to convert to ordinary shares (i) up to 50% of the
aggregate principal amount of such bonds from April 1, 1998 until maturity; and
(ii) up to 75% of the aggregate principal amount of such bonds from April 1,
1999 until maturity (to the extent not previously converted); and (iii) up to
100% of the aggregate principal amount of such bonds from October 1, 1999 until
maturity (to the extent not previously converted). The conversion price for such
ordinary shares will be NOK 25.80 each (adjusted for the shared split) from
April 1, 1998, increasing by 2.5% at the end of each three-month period
following March 31, 1998, subject to adjustment to reflect payments of future
dividends, if any. The bonds are not transferable. The Company has the right to
redeem a bondholder's bonds if the bondholder ceases to be an employee of the
Company or of a subsidiary of the Company.
In June 1996, Nera offered NOK 50 million aggregate principal amount of its 7%
Non-Transferable Convertible Bond due 2001 to all full-time employees,
apprentices of the Company and certain subsidiaries and board members of Nera
ASA, including the executive officers of the Company. The bonds mature in June
2001 and have principal amounts of NOK 100 each.
Each bond entitles the holder thereof to convert into shares (i) up to 50
percent of the aggregate principal amount of such bonds from June 15, 1999 until
maturity; (ii) up to 75 percent of the aggregate principal amount of such bonds
(to the extent not previously converted) from June 15, 2000 until maturity; and
(iii) up to 100 percent of the aggregate principal amount of such bonds (to the
extent not previously converted) from January 1, 2001 until maturity. The
conversion price for such shares will be NOK 54 each (adjusted for the shares
split) from and after June 15, 1999, increasing by 2% at the end of each
three-month period following June 15, 1999, subject to adjustment to reflect
future dividends, if any. The bonds are not transferable. The Company has the
right to redeem a bondholder's bonds if the bondholder ceases to be an employee
of the Company or of a subsidiary of the Company.
F - 32
<PAGE> 93
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
In April 1997, the shareholders at an Annual General Meeting resolved to issue a
convertible bond loan of approximately NOK 35.6 million for subscription by the
Company's permanent employees and apprentices. The loan bears interest at 5,7%
per annum. The bonds having a principal amount of NOK 100 each were issued on
July 1, 1997 and will mature on July 1, 2001. The bonds are not transferable.
Two years, 3 years and 3.5 years after June 15, 1997, the bondholder has the
right to convert up to 50%, 75% and 100%, respectively, of the par value of the
bonds into shares of the Company's stock. The conversion price is calculated
based on the closing price of the shares on April 23, 1997 (NOK 63.30 adjusted
for the share split) plus 1% each month up until the conversion date.
During 1998 the Company, due to its poor financial performance, decided to
request waivers from certain financial covenants from its bank lenders. They
received the appropriate waivers and amendments which provided them with
financial covenant relief through the beginning of 1999. However, the Company's
interest costs and facility fees increased during the time of the exemption.
Maturities of long-term debt are as follows as of December 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Amounts in 1,000s)
YEAR
----------------------------------------
<S> <C>
2000 33 172
2001 56 456
2002 168 887
2003 66
2004
2005 and thereafter
----------------------------------------
TOTAL 258 581
----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(20) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Guarantee liabilities
The Company has, as of December 31, 1998 and 1999, rendered NOK 234,581 and NOK
17,813 respectively, of contract guarantees connected to sales and deliveries,
all of which have been rendered in the ordinary course of business.
Additionally, the Company has contingent liabilities amounting to NOK 124,950
and NOK 87,537 at December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively, relating to
guarantees to third parties on behalf of Nera's subsidiaries' bank overdrafts
and loans, liabilities for bills of exchange and other contingent liabilities.
F - 33
<PAGE> 94
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Litigation
Nera ASA is from time to time a party to disputes relating to its regular
operations. Nera has not, during 1999, been a party to any lawsuits, arbitration
or other disputes resulting in payments to another party amounts of NOK 1
million or more.
ICO-Contract
Nera has a contract with ICO Global Communications to produce and deliver
hand-held GSM and satellite/mobilphones. ICO is currently under "chapter 11"
under US & bankruptcy law. Hence there is uncertainty on the fulfillment of the
contract. Nera has received a prepayment from ICO of MNOK 57,0, and has
capitalized purchased technology/R&D related to the ICO-project of MNOK 21,4.
Leases
The Company leases certain office, manufacturing and warehouse facilities under
various non-cancelable leases, which expire at various dates through 2026.
Certain leases contain renewal options for various periods of time, and
generally provide that the Company shall pay for insurance, taxes and
maintenance.
At December 31, 1999, future minimum payments under non-cancelable capital and
operating leases with an initial term of one year or more were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Amounts in 1,000s) CAPITAL OPERATING
YEAR LEASES LEASES
---------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
2000 3 787 53 881
2001 26 45 191
2002 26 38 743
2003 36 857
2004 36 358
2005 and thereafter 204 601
---------------------------------------------
TOTAL 3 839 415 631
---------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Rental expense under operating leases amounted to NOK 71,416, NOK 91,945 and NOK
78,190 in 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
F - 34
<PAGE> 95
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
During 1996, the Company entered into two sale-leaseback transactions involving
its buildings in Kokstad, Norway and its building in Luton, England. As a result
of these sales-leaseback transactions, at year-end 1999, the Company has a
deferred gain of NOK 51,563, which is being credited to income as adjustments to
rent expense over the lease terms. Rentals for the two Kokstad buildings average
approximately NOK 18,063 annually and the lease term expires in 2026. Rentals
for the Luton building average NOK 1,290 annually and the lease term expires in
2008.
In August 1998, the Company's wholly owned finance subsidiary, Nera Finans,
started leasing certain equipment to customers under financing leases. The total
lease receivable at December 31, 1999 is approximately NOK 12,695. This lease
term is for 5 years and payments will be received in 20 equal quarterly annuity
based installments. The Company charged interest of approximately 8.4%.
(21) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company having NOK as its base currency operates internationally giving rise
to certain exposure to market risks from changes in interest and currency rates.
The Company does not issue or hold financial instruments for trading or
speculative purposes. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward
contracts, currency swaps and currency options in order to manage its foreign
exchange risk.
Derivative financial instruments contain varying degrees of off-balance sheet
risk whereby changes in market values may be in excess of the amounts recognized
in the consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, these financial instruments
expose the Company to credit risk arising from the potential inability of
counterparties to perform under the terms of the contracts. The Company attempts
to limit its exposure to credit risk arising from the use of these financial
instruments by dealing with creditworthy counterparties.
At December 31, 1998 and 1999 the Company had foreign exchange forward contracts
and currency swaps. Foreign exchange forward contracts are commitments to either
buy or sell foreign currency at a specified future date for a specified price.
Currency swaps are contractual agreements in which two counterparties agree to
exchange certain cash flow denominated in two different currencies, at specified
future dates, based on an agreed contract.
Notional amounts and credit exposure of derivatives
F - 35
<PAGE> 96
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The notional amounts of derivatives summarized below do not represent amounts
exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of the exposure of the
Company through its use of derivatives. The amounts exchanged are calculated on
the basis of the notional amounts and the other terms of the derivatives, which
relate to interest rates and exchange rates. The notional or contractual amounts
of derivatives presented below are indicative only of the volume of derivative
transactions.
The total notional amounts of forward contracts, currency swaps and options
outstanding at December 31, are included in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOTIONAL/CONTRACTUAL AMOUNT
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK
--------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Forwards (buy and sell) 368 140 331 713
Currency swaps (buy and sell) 570 436 384 497
--------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Forward exchange contracts, currency swaps and currency options are used to
hedge the anticipated future cash flows. The Company generally hedges revenues
by using put options in tender situations and forward sales of currencies for
fixed contracts. Certain defined portions of anticipated expenses in certain
currencies are also hedged. The terms of the above currency derivatives are
generally not more than 1 year.
The table below summarizes by major currency the contractual amounts of these
derivatives in Norwegian kroner. Foreign currency amounts are translated at
rates current at the reporting date. The 'buy' amounts represent the Norwegian
kroner equivalent of commitments to purchase foreign currencies, and the 'sell'
amounts represent the Norwegian kroner equivalent of commitments to sell foreign
currencies.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 1998 1999 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s, except for per share amounts) BOUGHT SOLD BOUGHT SOLD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FORWARD CONTRACTS:
United States dollars 9,120 287 827 17,701 227,789
German marks 5,439 2,176 10,072
Japanese yen 2,013 3,108
British pounds 48,914 9,418 11,683
Danish kroner 799 1,759
Switzerland francs 409
EUR 47,790
Swedish kronor 1,777 1,031 953
Dutch guilder 402
Norwegian kroner 2,110
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 21,660 338,917 28,150 303,563
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F - 36
<PAGE> 97
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CURRENCY SWAPS:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
United States dollars 17,479 510,116 14,655 257,904
Swiss francs 938
German marks 5,439 6,262
Japanese yen 1,879 8,372
British pounds 12,875 12,074 26,715
EUR 1,198 55,120
Danish kroner 2,197
Swedish kronor 1,122
Singapore dollars 4,757
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 44,489 510,116 36,299 348,198
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Deferred realized and unrealized gains of NOK 3,623 and NOK 3,416 and deferred
realized and unrealized losses of NOK 57,595 and NOK 22,995 at December 31, 1998
and 1999 respectively, arising from hedging sales commitments and anticipated
but not yet committed sales transactions are all expected to be recognized into
income within one year. Deferred gains and losses are included on a net basis in
the statement of financial position as other current assets at December 31, 1998
and 1999.
Fair value of financial instruments
The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Group's
financial instruments at December 31, 1998 and 1999. Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial
Instruments, defines the fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at
which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing
parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale.
The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
1998 1998 1999 1999
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
(Amounts in 1,000s) AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents 232 677 232 677 481 534 481 534
Short term investments 34 372 34 372 2 300 2 300
Investments in associated companies 2 413 2 413 142 817 806 154
Long-term investments 5 013 5 013 1 013 1 013
Other long-term receivables 178 697 162 697 127 461 127 461
Bank overdrafts 214 214 384 384
Short term loans 7 350 7 350 32 125 32 125
Long-term borrowings 508 585 508 585 226 456 226 456
Derivatives:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forward exchange contracts (2 517) (8 131)
Currency swaps 8 262 (2 615)
</TABLE>
F - 37
<PAGE> 98
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating
fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents
The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents
approximates its fair value.
Investments in associated companies
The fair value of the shares in Nera Telecommunication Ltd. is based on the
closing market price as at December 30, 1999. For other investments in
associated companies, management believes that the carrying amounts as recorded
at December 31, 1998 and 1999 are not impaired and reflect their corresponding
fair value.
Investments, short-term and long-term
The estimated fair value of some of these investments is based on quoted market
prices for those or similar investments. For those shares where there is no
quoted market price, it was not practicable to estimate the fair value of the
Company's investment in these shares without incurring excessive costs. However,
management believes that the carrying amounts as recorded at December 31, 1998
and December 31, 1999 are not impaired and reflect their corresponding fair
values.
Other long-term receivables
The carrying amounts of the Company's other long-term receivables approximate
the fair value and are estimated using discount cash flow analysis based on the
Company's then current incremental borrowing rates, since these rates formed the
basis of the rate at which interest is earned on long-term receivables.
Bank overdrafts and short-term loans
The carrying amounts of the Company's borrowings under bank overdrafts
facilities or other short-term loans or bank borrowings approximate fair value.
F - 38
<PAGE> 99
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Long-term borrowings
The carrying values of the Company's long-term borrowings approximate fair value
and are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company's
then current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing
arrangements with the same remaining maturities.
It was not practicable to estimate the fair value of the Company's
non-transferable employee bonds ("Bonds") due to the costs involved, as well as,
the different features of these Bonds, as discussed in Note 19. Nera's
management believes, however, that the carrying amount of these Bonds
approximates their fair value.
Derivatives
The fair value of derivatives reflect the estimated amounts that the Company
would receive or pay to terminate the contracts at the reporting date, thereby
taking into account all unrealized gains or losses on open contracts.
Guarantee liabilities
The Company's guarantee liabilities meet the requirement of a financial
instrument in accordance with SFAS 107, however it was not practicable to
estimated the fair value of these off-balance- sheet items. Management believes
amounts disclosed in Note 20 approximate the fair value.
(22) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Ordinary Shares and Share Split
At an Annual General Meeting held on April 23, 1997, a five-for-one share split
was proposed and approved. Earnings per share amounts have been restated to
reflect the effect of the share split.
Pursuant to the share split and the Nera ASA's 50th Anniversary share issuance
(see below), the Company has one class of ordinary shares with a par value of
NOK 2 per ordinary share, with 96,093,733 ordinary shares authorized and
outstanding at December 31, 1999. Each ordinary share is entitled to one vote.
Dividends are determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the
Company and are based upon the Company's distributable equity, financial
condition, results of
F - 39
<PAGE> 100
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
operations and cash flows, as well as such other factors that the Board of
Directors may deem relevant.
Nera ASA's 50th Anniversary
In connection with Nera ASA's 50th Anniversary, the Company held an
extraordinary general meeting, on December 18, 1996, and resolved to increase
the share capital of the Company through a share issuance directed towards
permanent employees and apprentices in Nera ASA and its subsidiaries as of
January 1, 1997. The shares had a par value of NOK 10 (before share split) and
each employee was offered to subscribe to a maximum of 25 (before share split)
shares with a subscription price of NOK 10 per share (before share split). As a
result of this share issuance, a total of 52,800 (before share split) shares
were subscribed to during January 1997.
Share issuance
In October 1998, a share offering of common shares resulted in the issuance of
30,000,000 new shares at NOK 10 each. The share capital increased by NOK 60,000.
Additional paid-in capital was NOK 240,000 reduced by issue costs of NOK 14,827,
arriving at the net amount of NOK 225,173.
In March 1998, the Company issued 5,000 shares at NOK 2 each to the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company.
Restricted reserves
Restricted reserves represent equity unavailable for dividend distribution. The
level of these reserves is regulated by Norwegian law and must aggregate to at
least 20% of the total share capital of the Company, assuming the sum of share
capital and unrestricted reserves equals or exceeds the total liabilities of
each domestic company, including the parent company.
Dividends
For both the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, Nera proposed dividends of
NOK 32,870 (NOK 0.5 per share) and NOK 33,001 (NOK 0.5 per share) respectively.
However, it was decided in the Company's general shareholders' meeting on June
4, 1998 to change the 1997 dividends from NOK 0.50 per share to NOK 0.15 per
share. Dividends are paid the following year upon approval by the shareholders'.
F - 40
<PAGE> 101
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
For the year ended December 31, 1998, Nera decided dividends of NOK 0.
For the year ended December 31, 1999, Nera proposed dividends of NOK 19,600 (NOK
0,20 per share).
(23) DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES IN NORWAY
AND THE UNITED STATES.
The Group's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in Norway (N. GAAP), which differ in
certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States (U.S. GAAP).
Following is a summary of the adjustments under U.S. GAAP that would affect the
Company's consolidated net income (loss) and shareholders' equity as of and for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 together with a discussion of
the principal differences between N. GAAP and U.S. GAAP that are significant to
the Company's consolidated financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999 1999
-----------------------------------------------------
NOK NOK NOK USD (1)
(Amounts in 1,000s, except for per share amounts) (Unaudited)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Reconciliation of net income(loss) :
Net income(loss) reported under N. GAAP 78 196 (326 078)(2) 207 578 25 915
U.S. GAAP adjustments:
a)Accounting for hedging transactions (35 175) (2 932) 46 028 5 746
b)Accounting for pensions (1 734) (1 145) (2 713) (339)
c)Stock-based compensation (16 104)
d.2)Marketable securities, reversal 29 608 (29 608) (3 696)
e)Capital leases (4 552) 3 426 428
h) Taxes 10 806 21 509(2) (35 968) (4 490)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME(LOSS) UNDER U.S. GAAP 35 989 (283 590) 188 743 23 563
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
g) Basic earnings(loss) per share under U.S. GAAP 0.55 (3,90) 1,96 0,24
g) Diluted earnings(loss) per share under U.S. GAAP 0.55 (3,90) 1,96 0,24
</TABLE>
F - 41
<PAGE> 102
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999 1999
------------------------------------------------------
NOK NOK NOK USD (1)
(Amounts in 1,000s) (Unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
RECONCILIATION OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Shareholders' equity reported under N. GAAP 790 743 785 265(2) 969 508 121 037
U.S. GAAP adjustments:
a) Accounting for hedging transactions (43 096) (46 028) 0
b) Accounting for pensions 8 004 6 859 (5 645) (705)
c.1) Additional paid-in capital 16 104
c.2) Stock-based compensation (16 104)
d.1) Marketable securities, unrealized holding gain/loss 23 506 (29 608)
d.2) Marketable securities, reversal 29 608
f) Dividends payable 33 001 19 600 2 447
e) Capital leases (4 552) (1 126) (141)
h) Taxes 15 320 36 828(2) 860 107
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY UNDER U.S. GAAP 827 478 778 372 983 197 122 746
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Translation of amounts from Norwegian kroner (NOK) into United States
dollars (USD) has been made for the convenience of the reader at the Noon
Buying Rate on December 31, 1999 of $1.00 = NOK 8.01.
(2) A new accounting law was implemented in Norway 01.01.1999. The new law
introduced a set of new accounting rules, some that Nera had not applied
before: The right to activate tax assets (See Accounting Policies; the
accounting rules now are similar to USGAAP. According to this, Nera's
comparable figures from 1997 and 1998 was changed in the official 1999
Financial Report vs. actual 1997 and 1998 reports. The effect for 1998
(vs. last year filling) was 69.370 NOK.
(a) Accounting for hedging transactions
The Company utilizes forward contracts, currency options and currency swaps in
managing its exposure in foreign currency commitments of long-term sales
contracts. Such foreign currency transactions are considered hedges of sales of
these long-term contracts when the foreign currency commitment is reasonably
assured and the foreign currency transaction is designated as a hedge of the
foreign currency commitment. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions
identified as hedges are deferred until completion of the long-term contract
being hedged.
The Company follows a policy of translating the foreign currency receivables as
well as the forward contracts purchased in connection with a particular
long-term contract using the average of the exchange rates received for all
forward contracts purchased in connection with the particular long-term sales
contract to which the respective receivables and forward contracts relate.
Differences between amounts translated at the actual versus the average exchange
rates received are deferred and recorded as other assets or liabilities until
the related long-term sales contract is completed.
F - 42
<PAGE> 103
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Contracts that do not hedge firm commitments
Under U.S. GAAP, a foreign currency transaction is considered a hedge of an
identifiable foreign currency commitment only when the foreign currency
transaction is designated as, and is effective as, a hedge of a foreign currency
commitment, and the foreign currency commitment is firm. If these criteria are
not met, the foreign currency transaction is considered speculative (a contract
that does not hedge a firm commitment). Gains and losses on contracts that do
not hedge firm commitments are recognized currently in income.
In 1998 and previous years a majority of the foreign exchange transactions did
not qualify as hedges of firm commitments under U.S. GAAP. However, from the
beginning at 1999 all transactions qualifying as hedges of firm commitments
under Norwegian GAAP also qualified under U.S. GAAP. Consequently, the 1998
equity adjustment of NOK 46.028 is reversed in 1999.
(b) Accounting for pensions
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company has implemented Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 87 (SFAS 87) as of January 1, 1989. The net differences
between the Norwegian and U.S. GAAP net income and shareholders' equity related
to pension accounting have been included in the reconciliation above.
The required U.S. GAAP pension disclosure information is included below.
F - 43
<PAGE> 104
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Projected benefit obligations at beginning of year 170 555 200 347 209 757
Service cost 12 223 13 482 11 785
Interest cost 12 549 13 947 14 529
Actuarial gain / loss 6 292 (13 570) 34 625
Benefits paid (1 272) (2 193) (2 002)
Projected benefit obligations at end of year 200 347 212 013 268 694
Impact of disposals (2 256)
Projected benefit obligations at end of year 200 347 209 757 268 694
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 157 910 162 980 142 812
Actual return on plan assets 5 537 (16 868) 10 621
Actuarial gain / loss and new plan members 33 177
Benefits paid (467) (1 714) (2 402)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 162 980 144 398 184 208
Impact of disposals (1 586)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 162 980 142 812 184 208
ABO in excess of plan assets
Plan with assets in excess of ABO 43 818 13 369 777
Plan with ABO in excess of assets 26 519 33 092 36 157
RECONCILIATION TO BALANCE SHEET
Funded status of the plan (37 367) (67 615) (84 517)
Unrecognized net loss 23 414 38 478 31 002
Unrecognized net transition 13 929 11 979 10 029
Unrecognized plan amendments 6 352 5 898 15 038
Adjustment required to recognize minimum liability (11 460) (12 298) (10 576)
Accrued pension cost (5 132) (23 558) (39 024)
Amounts recorded under NGAAP (3 799) (14 704) (26 498)
Intengible asset (6 671) 1 995 6 881
----------------------------------
Differences (8 004) (6 859) (5 645)
==================================
COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC PENSION COST
Service cost 12 223 13 482 11 785
Interest cost 12 549 13 947 14 560
Expected return on plan assets (12 498) (12 159) (10 621)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss 329 393 1 122
Amortization of unrecognized net transition obligation 945 1 950 2 713
Amortization of unrecognized plan amendments 454 454 454
Net periodic pension cost 14 002 18 067 20 013
Amounts recorded under NGAAP 13 045 16 922 17 300
----------------------------------
Differences 957 1 145 2 713
----------------------------------
</TABLE>
F - 44
<PAGE> 105
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The table above is a presentation all pension plans aggregated.
Differences between PBO and plan assets at end of year 1998 and beginning of
1999 are sale of Nera Mobildata AS.
In accordance with SFAS 87, the Company has recorded an additional minimum
pension liability for unfunded plans of NOK 12,298 and NOK 10.576 as of December
31, 1998 and 1999, respectively, representing the excess of unfunded accumulated
benefit obligations over the recorded accrued pension liability. A corresponding
amount has been recognized as an intangible asset. Any additional minimum
pension liability in excess of unrecognized prior year service cost has been
charged to other comprehensive income after tax.
The reconciliation to balance sheet above shows a difference between Norwegian
GAAP and U.S. GAAP of NOK 12.526. This amount differs from what is adjusted in
equity (NOK 5.645), with additional minimum liability not charged to equity as
described in the paragraph above.
The assumptions used for U.S. GAAP (and Norwegian GAAP) purposes were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Discount rate 7.0% 7.0% 7.0%
Salary progression 3.5% 3.5% 3.5%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 8.0% 7.5% 7.5%
</TABLE>
The respective social security costs accrued were NOK 2,123, NOK 2,972 and NOK
3.736 as of December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 respectively. The pension plan
assets are invested in equities and fixed income securities.
(c) Stock-based compensation /options
In connection with Nera ASA's 50th Anniversary, the Company held an
extraordinary general meeting, on December 18, 1996, and resolved to increase
the share capital of the Company through a share issuance directed towards
permanent employees and apprentices in Nera ASA and its subsidiaries as of
January 1, 1997. The shares have a par value of NOK 10 (before share split) and
each employee was offered to subscribe to a maximum of 25 (before share split)
shares with a subscription price of NOK 10 per share (before share split). As a
result of this share issuance, a total of 52,800 shares before the share split
(264,000 shares post-share split) were issued in February 1997. These shares had
a market value of approximately NOK 315 (before share split) on the grant date.
As the employees earned the right to the shares as of the grant date,
F - 45
<PAGE> 106
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
they received dividends. The employees who received shares were not allowed to
sell them for 9 months.
Under U.S. GAAP, in accordance with APB 25, compensation expense is based on the
excess of the fair value of the shares issued over the proceeds received.
Compensation expense is recognized over the service period, which is usually the
vesting period. Related to the 50th Anniversary share issuance, the Company
recorded compensation expense of NOK 16.104.000 in 1997 under USGAAP.
Under Norwegian GAAP, no expense has been recorded for such compensation cost by
the Company. Recognition of compensation expense based on fair value is the
suggested approach, which is similar to SFAS No 123 (and is compulsory from
1999). As this computation of compensation cost is not required, the Company has
not calculated any compensation expense under N. GAAP.
The shareholder meeting May 5, 1999 gave the board permission to give the top
management of the company options to buy shares in the Company. The company
account for stock based compensation using APB 25, "Accounting for stock issued
to employees". Compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess of
the quoted market price of the company at the date of grant over the amount an
employee must pay to acquire the stock. The strike price for the options were
all equal to the fair market value of the shares when issued. No expense was
recorded in 1999 under USGAAP or N.GAAP.
F - 46
<PAGE> 107
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES STRIKE PRICE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding as of december 31, 1998 0 -
Shares Authorized 1 500 000 -
Granted 1 115 000 15.73
Exercised 0 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding as of december 31, 1999 2 615 000 15.73
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares exercisable as of
December 31, 1999 0 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average fair value of options granted 23.8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Assumptions used to estimate fair value:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Risk free interest rate 6 %
Expected life 30.04.00
Expected volatility 70
Expected dividends 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998 1999
NET EARNINGS (IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
As reported 35 989 (283 590) 188 743
Pro forma 35 989 (283 590) 179 745
EARNINGS PER SHARE
As reported 0,55 (3,90) 1,96
Pro forma 0,55 (3,90) 1,87
</TABLE>
(d) Marketable securities
U.S. accounting standard Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities (SFAS No. 115) requires certain debt and equity investments to be
classified into one of three categories; trading securities, available-for-sale
investments, and held-to-maturity. Investments classified in the trading and
available-for-sale categories are carried at fair value, as defined, on the
balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities must be
recognized currently in the income statement, while unrealized gains and losses
on available-for-sale securities are included as a separate component of equity.
Debt securities classified as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost on
the balance sheet.
F - 47
<PAGE> 108
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Under Norwegian GAAP, equity securities are usually carried at the lower of cost
or market with changes in carrying value recorded in the income statement. If
the Company has significant influence on the investee, then the Company would
account for the investment in accordance with the equity method of accounting.
If the Company has a 20% or greater investment in a Company which they plan to
sell in the short-term, the Company accounts for the equity security at the
lower of cost or market with the changes in carrying value recorded in the
income statement.
(d.1) Marketable securities, unrealized holding gains/losses
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET UNREALIZED NET UNREALIZED MARKET
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Corporate equity securities 20 785 23 506 44 291
1998:
Corporate equity securities 63 980 29 608 34 372
</TABLE>
At year-end December 31, 1997, the Company in accordance with U.S. GAAP had an
unrealized holding gain related to its investment in Innova Corporation. During
1998, the Company sold its shares in Innova Corporation, with an original cost
of NOK 19,773 for NOK 16,714. Under Norwegian GAAP, the Company recognized
unrealized losses on this investment of NOK 10,000 during 1998. Upon selling the
shares, the Company recognized a NOK 6,709 gain for a net overall realized loss
on the investment of approximately NOK 3,286. Under U.S. GAAP, this investment
qualified as an available-for-sale security. Accordingly, all unrealized
gains/losses would have been included as a separate component of equity and
would not have been recorded in net income. Upon selling the shares, the Company
would have recognized a realized loss of NOK 3,286. The cost of the security
sold was based approximately on the specific identification method.
In accordance with Norwegian GAAP, the Company, in 1998, recorded an unrealized
holding loss related to Kitron ASA and CapRock Communications at a total of NOK
29.608 in the Company's income statement. Under U.S. GAAP, this investment
qualified as an available-for-sale security. Accordingly, all unrealized
gains/losses would have been included as a separate component of equity and
would not have been recorded in net income. During 1999, the Company sold its
shares in Kitron ASA and CapRock Communications Corp with an original cost of
respectively NOK 55.817 and NOK 8,163 for approximately NOK 29,824 and NOK 6.015
The net loss is recognized as part of net income in 1999 under US GAAP.
F - 48
<PAGE> 109
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
(e) Capital Leases
U.S. GAAP requires the capitalization of leases in which substantially all of
the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the lessee. A lease is
capitalized if it meets any one of the four stated criteria in accordance with
SFAS 13.
Accounting principles are similar, but less prescriptive, under Norwegian GAAP.
During 1997, the Company had operating leases, which qualified as capital leases
under U.S. GAAP. Had the Company recorded these leases as capital leases, they
would have capitalized these leases and recognized a corresponding liability
under capital leases for approximately NOK 33,058. At year-end 1997 these
capital leases would have been depreciated by approximately NOK 2,890 resulting
in a net book value for capital leases at December 31, 1997 of NOK 30,168. The
corresponding obligation under capital leases would have been approximately NOK
30,168.
In 1998, the Company, in accordance with U.S. GAAP would have recorded
additional capital leases for approximately NOK 43,662. The depreciation expense
for the year ended December 31, 1998 related to the Company's capital leases was
approximately NOK 30,903 and the accumulated depreciation as of December 31,
1998 was NOK 33,793, arriving at a total net book value as of December 31, 1998
of NOK 42,927. The obligation under capital leases would have been approximately
NOK 47,479. In accordance with Norwegian GAAP, the leases were recorded as
operating leases.
The depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 1999 related to the
Company's capital leases was approximately NOK 12,413 and the accumulated
depreciation as of December 31, 1999 was NOK 17,803, arriving at a total net
book value as of December 31, 1999 of NOK 16,511. The obligation under capital
leases would have been approximately NOK 17,637. In accordance with Norwegian
GAAP, the leases were recorded as operating leases.
The difference between the Company's charges to its income statement under
capital leases (i.e. depreciation, interest expense, etc.), in accordance with
U.S. GAAP, and the amount which the Company has recorded under operating leases
(i.e. rental expense, etc), in accordance with N. GAAP has been adjusted in the
U.S. GAAP reconciliation. The amount was not material for 1997.
(f) Dividends proposed
F - 49
<PAGE> 110
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Under Norwegian GAAP, dividends are provided for as a current liability in the
fiscal year in which they are proposed by the Board of Directors and are subject
to approval by the shareholders at the annual general meeting.
Under U.S. GAAP, dividends are not accrued until approved and declared by the
Company.
(g) Earnings (Loss) per share
For the year ended 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
(Amounts in 1,000s, except for Earnings Per Share INCOME SHARES OUTSTANDING EARNINGS PER
amounts) (NUMERATOR) (DENOMINATOR) SHARE AMOUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOK NOK
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income available to common shareholders 35 989 65 981 0.55
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For the year ended 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
(Amounts in 1,000s, except for Earnings (Loss) INCOME (LOSS) SHARES OUTSTANDING EARNINGS(LOSS) PER
Per Share amounts) (NUMERATOR) (DENOMINATOR) SHARE AMOUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NOK NOK
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE
Income available to common shareholders (283 590) 72 569 (3,90)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For the year ended 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
(Amounts in 1,000s, except for Earnings Per Share INCOME SHARES OUTSTANDING EARNINGS PER
amounts) (NUMERATOR) (DENOMINATOR) SHARE AMOUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOK NOK
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income available to common shareholders 188 743 96 094 1,96
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
Weighted Average Additional Shares 225
Income available to common shareholders
plus assumed conversion of options 188 743 96 319 1,96
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For dilutive earnings per share purposes, both the net earnings and shares
outstanding are adjusted to assume the conversion of all of the employee
convertible bond issuances and the
F - 50
<PAGE> 111
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
company options to buy shares in the company. The "if converted method" was
used, which assumes that the Company's convertible bonds were converted into
shares at the earliest possible time at the most advantageous conversion rate
available.
The assumed conversion of the 7% and the 5.7% employee convertible bonds have
not been incorporated in the calculation of dilutive earnings per share for
1997, 1998 and 1999, and the 8% employee convertible bonds have not been
incorporated in the calculation of dilutive earnings per share for 1999. To do
so would have caused an antidilutive effect on earnings per share. The dilutive
effect in 1999 was caused by the options to buy shares in the Company. The
treasury stock method was used to calculate the dilutive effect on options.
(h) Income taxes
Under U.S. GAAP and Norwegian GAAP, all deferred tax liabilities and assets
resulting from temporary differences in financial and tax reporting are
recognized. Deferred taxes are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the
weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or
all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax liabilities
and assets are separated into a net current amount and a net non-current amount,
classified as current or non-current based on the classification of the
respective related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes. A
deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or a liability
for financial reporting purposes should be classified according to the expected
reversal date of the temporary difference.
Following are the Company's net deferred tax liabilities and
assets under Norwegian GAAP and U.S. GAAP:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NGAAP NGAAP NGAAP USGAAP USGAAP USGAAP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999
(Amounts in 1,000s) NOK NOK NOK NOK NOK NOK
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY (ASSET) :
Net current deferred tax
liability (asset) : (59,015) 8,261 17,181 (50,346) 7,785
Net long-term deferred tax
liability (asset) 48,588 (3,131) (6,541) (8,755) (39,317) (5,681)
</TABLE>
The differences between NGAAP and US GAAP relates to the different income before
tax under NGAAP and USGAAP.
(i) Income (loss) and Gains on sales of assets
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<PAGE> 112
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Gains and losses on sales of assets are recorded as operating revenue under
Norwegian GAAP. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, gains (losses) on sales of assets
would not be recorded in operating revenues. Instead, gains and losses from
continuing operations would be recorded as other income (expenses), whereas
income (loss) and gain (losses) from discontinued operations (i.e. the segment
dedicated Communications for the company) will be recorded separately.
(j) Imputed Interest on advances received on long-term contracts
In accordance with Norwegian GAAP, the Company records an imputed interest
amount when recognizing income on long-term contracts in which significant
advance payments have been received from customers. Sales and financial expenses
are increased by the same imputed interest amount. The related amounts were NOK
1,701, NOK 3,604 and NOK 5,644 in 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Under U.S. GAAP, sales are recorded at the contract value; no interest amount is
imputed when recognizing project income on long-term contracts under which the
Company receives significant advance payments from customers.
Consequently, sales and net financial expenses will be lower with the amounts
above under US GAAP. No impact on net income and equity.
(k) Debt classification
The Company presents all amounts that are related to debt facilities, which are
long-term in nature as long-term liabilities, without classifying amounts due
within the following year as a current liability. As of December 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999 NOK 31,908, NOK 30,503 and NOK 1.047, respectively, of amounts
classified as long-term borrowings were due within the following year.
Under U.S. GAAP, amounts that are due or payable within one year of the
reporting date are classified as a current liability. Amounts that are due or
payable after one year of the reporting date are classified as long-term.
(l) Transfers of Receivables with Recourse/Bills of exchange
Under Norwegian GAAP, all transfers of receivables with recourse, not considered
a sale of receivables, can be netted on the balance sheet. However, the amount
of receivables transferred with recourse must then be disclosed in the notes to
the financial statements as a contingent
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<PAGE> 113
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
liability. Additionally bill of exchange where the Company maintains the risk,
is disclosed as a contingent liability in the notes to the financial statements.
Under U.S. GAAP, transfers of receivables subject to recourse which do not
transfer the future economic benefits of the receivables to the buyer, are
treated not as a sale of receivables, but instead, it is treated as a borrowing.
Accordingly, the seller reports the proceeds received from the buyer as a
liability. Further, in accordance with SFAS 125, the Company should derecognize
a liability if, and only if, it has been extinguished.
As of December 31, 1997, December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999, the Company
had factored receivables with recourse and bills of exchange, where the risk of
repayment remained with the Company, for NOK 31,517, NOK 635 NOK 0,
respectively. These amounts were netted on the Norwegian GAAP balance sheet, but
would have been presented gross under U.S. GAAP.
(m) Comprehensive income and reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Shareholders' Equity
The changes in shareholders' equity from December 31, 1996 through December 31,
1999 on an U.S. GAAP basis are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Amounts in NOK 1,000s)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 796 158
Share issuance, Nera ASA's 50th Anniversary 528
Additional paid-in capital 16 104
Dividends (33 002)
Marketable securities, unrealized holding gain 23 506
Translation adjustment (11 805)
Net income 35 989
-------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 827 478
Issuance of shares 285 183
Employee convertible bonds 2 084
Marketable securities, unrealized holding loss (53 114)
Dividends (9 913)
Translation adjustments 10 244
Net income (283 590)
-------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AT DECEMBER 31, 1998 778 372
Issuance of shares 0
Employee convertible bonds 0
Marketable securities, unrealized holding gain 29 608
Changes in minimum pension liability (10 403)
Dividends 0
Translation adjustments (3 123)
Net income 188 743
-------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AT DECEMBER 31, 1999 983 197
-------------
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 114
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The Company's total comprehensive income (loss), in accordance with U.S. GAAP,
would have been NOK 47,690, NOK (326,460) and NOK 204,825 in 1997, 1998, and
1999, respectively. The components of the Company's comprehensive income
includes the Company's net income (loss) for the year under U.S. GAAP, the
Company's translation adjustment, and the Company's unrealized holding gains
(losses) on its available-for-sale securities and the Company's change in
minimum pension liability in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
(n) Effect of Recent Pronouncements
On June 15, 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133). SFAS 133, as amended by SFAS 137
is effective for January 1, 2001 for the Company. SFAS 133 requires that all
derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value.
Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current
earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is
designated as part of a hedge transaction and the type of hedge transaction.
Management of the Company has yet to determine the full impact of the adoption
of this Statement.
(24) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
The Company also is currently finalizing its sale of the production-business in
Oslo to Flextronics International. The Company is expecting no material loss or
gain on sale of the assets/goodwill. The Company expects to enter into a
purchase-commitment with the buyer for the next 3 years.
Effective April 2000, the Company purchased two businesses (assets and goodwill)
in the United States from World Access; an RCD-department/products in the
wireless broadband access-segment for ap. MUSD 13, and a PDH-radioproduction
operation for ap. MUSD 0,6. The 1999 sales for the PDH-radiobusiness were ap.
MUSD 7.2.
Share offering in Nera
At a board meeting Monday, 3 April, the Nera ASA board of directors decided to
call an extraordinary general meeting 2 May to submit a proposal for authorizing
the board to make a preference offering of up to 25 million shares. The
extraordinary general voted to grant the board the authorization. The same day,
the board exercised its new authorization by making a public share offering with
preference to current shareholders by issuing 25 million new shares. The
subscription period is scheduled for 10 May through 24 May 2000. The
subscription rights will be negotiable. The subscription rate is 35.5 NOK.
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<PAGE> 115
NERA ASA AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
NERA ASA
By: /s/ Bjorn Ove Skjeie
---------------------------
Name: Bjorn Ove Skjeie
Title: President
Dated: June 30, 2000
