Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K which are not statements of historical or current fact constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of such term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual financial or operating results to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results express or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our best estimates of future results, performance or achievements, based on current conditions and our most recent results. In addition to statements which explicitly describe any risks and uncertainties (including factors noted in Item 7 below – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”), readers are urged to consider statements labeled with the terms “may”, “will”, “potential”, “opportunity”, “believes”, “belief”, “expects”, “intends”, “estimates”, “anticipates” or “plans” to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time our reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.
Item 1.
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DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
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General
Orbit International Corp. (the “Company” or “Orbit”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York on April 4, 1957 as Orbit Instrument Corp. In December 1986, the state of incorporation was changed from New York to Delaware and in July 1991, the name was changed to Orbit International Corp. We conduct our operations through our Orbit Instrument Division (“Orbit Instrument”) and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Behlman Electronics, Inc. (“Behlman”), Tulip Development Laboratory, Inc. (“TDL”) and Integrated Consulting Services, Inc., d/b/a Integrated Combat Systems (“ICS”). Through our Orbit Instrument Division and TDL, we are engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of customized electronic components and subsystems. ICS, based in Louisville, Kentucky, performs systems integration for gun weapons systems and fire control interface, cable and harness assembly, as well as logistics support and documentation. Behlman is engaged in the design and manufacture of high quality commercial power units, AC power, frequency converters, uninterruptible power supplies and commercial-off-the-shelf (“COTS”) power solutions.
In October 2013, we decided to consolidate the operations of our Quakertown, PA based TDL facility into our Hauppauge, NY facility. This decision was based on a number of factors, among them, a difficult business environment due to the Budget Control Act of 2011 and further budget concerns related to sequestration, our broader focus on cutting costs and promoting operating efficiencies, and TDL’s expiring lease in 2014. All operations of TDL that will be moved to our Hauppauge, NY location in 2014 will be conducted by a newly formed division of Orbit International Corp.
Financial Information About Industry Segments
We currently operate in two industry segments. Our Electronics Group is comprised of our Orbit Instrument Division and our TDL and ICS subsidiaries. Orbit Instrument and TDL are engaged in the design and manufacture of electronic components and subsystems. ICS performs system integration for gun weapons systems and fire control interface, cable and harness assembly, as well as logistics support and documentation. Our Power Group is comprised of our Behlman subsidiary and is engaged in the design and manufacture of commercial power units.
The following sets forth certain selected historical financial information relating to our business segments:
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December 31,
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|
|
|
2013
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|
|
2012
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|
Net sales
(1)
:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Electronics Group
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
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|
$
|
12,112,000
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|
|
$
|
15,311,000
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|
Foreign
|
|
|
1,035,000
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|
|
|
1,755,000
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|
Total Electronics Group
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|
$
|
13,147,000
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|
|
$
|
17,066,000
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Power Group
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$
|
10,780,000
|
|
|
$
|
11,326,000
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
931,000
|
|
|
|
1,056,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Power Group
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|
$
|
11,711,000
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|
|
$
|
12,382,000
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income before income tax provision
(2)
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electronics Group
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|
$
|
(1,022,000
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,592,000
|
)
|
Power Group
|
|
$
|
1,978,000
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|
|
$
|
2,717,000
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Assets
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electronics Group
|
|
$
|
8,859,000
|
|
|
$
|
12,540,000
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|
Power Group
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|
$
|
7,240,000
|
|
|
$
|
8,504,000
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|
|
(1)
|
Includes intersegment sales.
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|
(2)
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Exclusive of corporate overhead expenses, interest expense, and investment and other income- net, which are not allocated to the business segments. Includes restructuring charges of $29,000 in 2013 and costs related to non-renewal of senior officer contract and goodwill impairment charges of $1,194,000 and $820,000, respectively, in 2012.
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Additional financial information relating to the business segments in which Orbit conducts its operations is set forth in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this report.
Description of Business
General
Our Electronics Group designs, manufactures and sells customized panels, components, and subsystems to prime contractors, governmental procurement agencies and research and development (“R&D”) laboratories, primarily in support of specific military programs. We also provide commercial, non-military “ruggedized hardware” (hardware designed to meet severe environmental conditions) to prime contractors at cost competitive prices. Products include a variety of custom displays, militarized keyboards, trackballs and data entry devices. Our Electronics Group’s products, which in some cases are designed for customer requirements on a firm, fixed-price contract basis, have been successfully incorporated into systems deployed on surveillance aircraft. Among the surveillance aircraft on which our systems have been incorporated are the E-2C, E-2D, Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar Systems (“J/STARS”), Lookdown Surveillance Aircraft (AWACS) and P-3 (anti-submarine warfare) requirements. Among the shipboard programs on which our systems have been incorporated are the AEGIS (Guided Missile Cruisers and Destroyers), DDG’S (Guided Missile Destroyers), BFTT (Battle Force Tactical Training), LSD’S (Amphibious Warfare Ships) and LHA’S (Amphibious Warfare Ships) applications, as well as a variety of land based guidance control programs, and avionic displays. Our Electronics Group also provides keyboards to the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) for use in air traffic control towers and provides displays for use in various types of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (“MRAP”) vehicles. Through ICS, the Electronics Group also: (i) performs analysis and evaluation of medium and major caliber Naval Gun Weapon Systems performance, including interoperability and compatibility with combat systems, interface systems, ammunition, subsystems and components and (ii) provides engineering services in support of medium and major caliber Naval Gun Weapon Systems initiatives, including the development of test plans, test equipment, test articles/units, analyses, trouble shooting, repair, maintenance and reporting.
Our Power Group manufactures and sells power supplies, AC power sources (equipment that produces power that is the same as what would be received from a public utility), “frequency converters” (equipment that converts local power to equivalent foreign power), “uninterruptible power supplies (“UPS”)” (devices that allow a computer to operate while utility power is lost), associated analytical equipment and other electronic equipment. The COTS division of our Behlman subsidiary designs and manufactures power solutions to meet customer specifications, primarily for military applications.
Products
Electronics Group (OEG)
IFF- Identification Friend or Foe
Our Orbit Instrument Division has designed and developed a remote control unit (“RCU”) that has supported the Common Transponder (“CXP”) program for both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. Our RCU has been fully qualified for shipboard, aircraft and ground based programs and are now functional and supporting U.S. forces in air, sea and ground battlefield conditions. Orbit’s RCU has embedded proprietary software code for Mode S, Enhanced Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (“ETCAS”), and Mode 5 IFF combat applications.
After shipping more than 3,000 units in support of U.S. Army and U.S. Navy CXP program requirements, our Orbit Instrument Division has designed and qualified a new Integrated Remote Control Unit (“IRCU”) which has been qualified to support U.S. Air Force retrofit programs.
Intercommunication Panels
Our Orbit Instrument Division has designed and developed various types of shipboard communication terminals. These communication terminals support existing shipboard secure and non-secure voice communication switches. The panels contained within the terminals have recently been upgraded with state-of-the-art color LCD displays, including options for touch screens. In addition, Orbit Instrument has upgraded the communications terminals with “telco-based" capability. The upgraded communication terminals have been successfully embedded within combat information center (“CIC”) consoles on several U.S. Naval ship configurations.
Orbit Instrument has designed and developed the next generation color LCD flat panel technology with a touch screen based Computer Controlled Action Entry Panel for the AEGIS class ships. Our Color Programmable Entry Panel (“PEP”) is currently replacing our existing, functional yet aging Plasma Entry Panel that has now provided decades of naval service.
Displays
Our Electronics Group, through Orbit Instrument and TDL, has designed, developed, and sold its displays for several critical programs for prime contractors and government procurement agencies. Our Electronics Group has designed displays using electroluminescent (“EL”), plasma, and LCD technologies for military and rugged environments.
Displays designed by our Electronics Group allow one or more operators to monitor and control radar systems for aircraft, helicopter, shipboard, ground-based, and tracked vehicle systems. Our unique modular design technique allows our displays to provide “smart technology”, with options for CPUs, memory and high speed graphics that enable operators to perform their mission in the most severe combat conditions. TDL and Orbit Instrument displays are readable under both sunlight and night vision conditions (“NVIS”), and continues to operate in nuclear, biological and chemical (“NBC”) environments.
Both our Orbit Instrument Division and our TDL subsidiary provide avionic displays and keyboards for Air Force jet fighter, bomber, surveillance and tanker refueling programs. Displays vary from 4” to 45” inches diagonal and incorporate multiple inputs and outputs.
Our TDL subsidiary has developed several color LCD displays that have been qualified and currently support helicopter, jet fighter, bomber, tracked vehicle and armored vehicle programs.
TDL has designed a number of display configurations to support retrofit and upgrade programs for B-52 aircraft, V-22 Osprey Gun Mount System, as well as the latest fleet upgrade for domestic and foreign military aircraft. TDL has also designed, qualified and delivered displays, providing real-time data to the operator, for mission support in the HH-60 and CH-53 helicopters, F-16 fighter aircraft and various other military aircraft.
Orbit and TDL combined successfully to design and sell an input device assembly (“IDA”) that includes a fully integrated keyboard, trackball and display assembly that is worn (via velcro), on the co-pilot’s thigh during flight missions. This unique wearable system provides co-pilots with additional information that is easy to access, and does not require additional space within the cockpit environment.
Our Orbit Instrument Division has supported programs that include displays, keyboards and track balls to form complete operator systems on “trays.” These trays are qualified for sub-surface, shipboard, aircraft and tracked vehicle programs.
Orbit Instrument has successfully designed and qualified a display tablet in support of an ongoing Chinook Helicopter upgrade program. The initial quantity of production tablets will enhance and upgrade mission avionics and control capabilities in the Chinook helicopter.
Orbit Instrument has designed and developed a 6.5” display, as well as a sunlight readable 20.1” display for the U.S. Navy’s Carrier Machinery Control System (“MCS”) programs. These displays were manufactured for delivery and installation on the Navy’s CVN-78 aircraft carrier.
Keyboards, Keypads and Pointing Devices
Orbit Instrument and TDL have designed a number of custom backlit keyboards and keypads to meet military specifications. These keyboards and keypads have been designed for shipboard, airborne, sub-surface and land-based programs, as well as for the FAA. The keyboards include various microprocessor-based serial interfaces, such as RS-232, RS-422, PS/2, USB and SUN type interfaces. Depending on the requirement, some of the backlit keyboards are night vision goggle compatible.
Operator Control Trays
Our Orbit Instrument Division designs and manufactures a variety of “operator control trays” that help organize and process data created by interactive communications systems, making such data more manageable for operator consumption. These trays are presently used to support patrol and surveillance aircraft programs, standard shipboard display console requirements and land-based defense systems applications. The operator trays are integrated with Orbit designed/developed keyboards, flat panel technology-based computer controlled action entry panels, switch panels and pointing devices.
Command Display Units (CDU’S)
Our Orbit Instrument Division currently has orders for command display panels that are being utilized in vehicular, shipboard and sheltered platform requirements. The display panels are flat panel technology based. We have designed/developed several models of the CDU to be used by U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and U.S. Marines, and the South Korean and Canadian armies.
MK 110 Signal Data Converter
The MK 110 Signal Data Converter (“SDC”) is the “next generation” MK 119 Gun Computer System Cabinet. The SDC allows a newly modernized DDG-51 Class Combat Management System to interface with legacy Gun System hardware. ICS previously received contracts for five prototype SDC units (all delivered). As part of a five-year IDIQ contract, ICS has delivered the initial two production baseline units as well as three shipboard units and is under contract for three additional units.
Cable and Harness Assemblies
ICS is leveraging its core competencies in electronics enclosure assembly into a cable and harness assembly operation. Efforts to bring this effort to critical mass are continuing as ICS produced numerous cable and harness assemblies for several DoD tier-one firms.
Depot Overhaul Point
ICS is the OEM on a number of major Gun Weapon System (“GWS”) assemblies. ICS has been working with the Naval Supply System (NAVSUP) in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania to establish and certify ICS as the Depot Overhaul Point on these major GWS assemblies. This certification, originally expected to be received during 2013 is now expected to be received during 2014 and should include additional GWS related items.
Power Group
Our Behlman subsidiary’s Commercial Power Supply Division designs and manufactures AC power sources/frequency converters. These products are used for clean regulated power and for frequency and voltage conversion applications. Behlman’s AC power supplies are used for production test, in engineering labs, for oil and gas exploration, for aircraft simulators, on aircraft and ships (both manned and unmanned), and on related ground support systems.
Behlman’s frequency converters are used to convert power from one frequency to another. They are used to test products to be exported to foreign countries (e.g., in the U.S., 60 Hz is converted to 50 Hz) and to test products requiring the supply of 400 Hz for aircraft and ship power. These frequency converters are also used in rugged applications such as on airplanes to supply the 60 Hz required by standard equipment, such as computers, from the 400 Hz available on the aircraft. In addition, Behlman’s products are used for railroad signaling. Its frequency converters are manufactured for most of the passenger railroads in the United States. Behlman’s power sources have power levels from 100 VA to 120,000 VA.
Behlman’s Uninterruptible Power Supply (“UPS”) products are used for backup power when local power is lost. Behlman only competes in the “ruggedized,” industrial and military markets. Behlman is now producing its UPS units for DDG-51-class Aegis destroyers, LHD Wasp-class ships and its RUPS unit for military aircraft.
Behlman’s inverters, which convert system battery power to AC, are being used in electric, gas and water transmission systems and in utility substations.
Behlman’s COTS Division designs and manufactures power supplies that use COTS power modules to meet its customers' environmental specifications. The use of COTS power modules requires less engineering resources and produces a more reliable unit in much less time than power supplies that use discrete components. Customers include the U.S. and NATO military services and their prime contractors as well as nuclear power plant control systems manufacturers. Behlman’s VPX power supplies are also sold to the general public as standard VITA compliant VPX modules.
Behlman also performs reverse engineering of power systems for the U.S. Government and industrial and military contractors to enable them to have a new supplier when the old manufacturer cannot or will not supply the equipment.
Behlman has supplied power supplies used on a broad array of equipment including submarines, surface ships, aircraft and ground support equipment. Behlman’s experience in high voltage power supplies has enabled the military to extend the life of many of its programs.
Behlman also operates as a qualified repair depot for many United States Air Force and Navy programs.
Proposed Products
Electronics Group (OEG)
Our Electronics Group (Orbit Instrument, TDL and Integrated Combat Systems) is working diligently to identify new program opportunities that require new hardware and software designs to support prime contractors and defense procurement agency land, sea and air solutions. Our Electronics Group continues to target ongoing retrofit, re-set and re-capitalization programs, which are intended to extend the life cycle of ships, aircraft, and armored vehicles. Orbit Instrument and TDL have designed state-of-the art LED switch panels, keyboards, and communication panels that are form, fit and functional replacements for units that have exceeded their intended operational usage. In all cases, the new technological designs supporting the switch panels, keyboards, and communication panels are intended to replace units that have been operational in combat mode for decades.
Our TDL Division, has developed several new ‘smart’ full color displays for use on helicopters, for cockpit and ‘back-seat operations’. Given the critical requirements of helicopter missions, each configuration has been designed to be sunlight readable and night vision equipment compatible. These high performance devices provide the pilots and crew with real time data under extreme environmental conditions and during combat operations. TDL is working very closely with a firm that has developed a methodology and software to transform TDL Smart Cockpit Displays into Aircraft (rotary and fixed-wing) Test Instruments. The key benefit to the aircraft developers is that they do not have to re-design the dashboards in order to have the test instruments on-board during flight test operations.
Orbit Instrument and TDL continue to provide a family of state-of-the-art ‘smart’ display configurations that combine various stand-alone switch panels and data input devices onto a single ‘smart’ display. These ‘smart’ displays provide an operator with a single source of easy to access information that supports naval consoles, aircraft (rotary and fixed-wing) cockpits, armored vehicle suites and aircraft C4I Command/Control Center requirements.
Orbit Instrument is developing upgrades for GPS Control Display Unit (“CDU”) panels and Vehicle Heading Indicator Panels (“VHI”) that support U.S. Army and International Armies land navigation system requirements. A number of CDU panels with and without VHI have been designed as a total solution for customer requirements. An additional application for the CDU can be found in a system dubbed the ‘Fire-Finder'. The Fire-Finder detects where enemy firing positions are located and then targeted for response. The critical mapping and targeting code embedded within each CDU was developed by Orbit Instrument. Orbit Instrument is the leading supplier of RCU’s (Remote Control Units) for military IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) systems. We have developed two new configurations of RCU’s. One using a full color LCD to present the data to the operator and the other intended to replace an in-house RCU.
Orbit Instrument has designed and developed a voice over IP (“VOIP”) version of its Secure Audio System (“SAS”) to be utilized on LSD-class ships. The new SAS panel includes the necessary analog interfacing for the audio system as well as the digital interfacing necessary to communicate with the new CEDS Displays and VOIP system. Orbit Instrument has previously provided the plasma display version of the SAS Panel. The new SAS panel is being evaluated for use on Common Enterprise Display System (“CEDS”) and other similar systems.
Through our ICS subsidiary we are entering the VME and VPX marketplace. ICS has developed an industry-leading family of system health monitors that provide dramatically expanded graphical user interfaces that enable design teams to quickly and easily establish a broad range of operating parameters. Features include a unique, proprietary GUI, numerous communications interfaces and extensive data protection. ICS will also offer VME and VPX backplanes beginning in the second quarter of 2014. Additional VME and VPX related product releases are planned for roll-out in 2014.
Orbit Instrument has designed and developed a color 9” LCD display version of the Radio Frequency Transmission Line Test Set (“RFTLTS”). It has supported the RTFLTS with an Electro Luminescent (“EL”) display in the past. The new color LCD version will target retrofit opportunities. In addition, Orbit has developed a color 9” LCD display version of the MK-45 MOD 4 EP2 Display.
Power Group
In an effort to expand our Power Group’s product base, Behlman continues to develop new products. Behlman has recently released three new models for the Power Passport series with Power Factor Correction (PFC) front end and CE Mark. Behlman is presently working on a BLC Series of AC Power Supplies with CE Marking (a declaration that a product meets the essential requirements of applicable European health, safety and environmental protection legislation) for the International marketplace. These products will range in power from one KVA to nine KVA in both single and three-phase outputs. We are also working on a higher power, 2500 VA/ 2000W RUPS uninterruptible power source (UPS) for the high end industrial and Military marketplace. For the utility market, we are developing a higher power 2500 VA INV series inverter. In addition, we are looking into a vehicle inverter for use on Military vehicles.
The Behlman COTS Division has recently released a third VPX power supply that will be in compliance with the VITA OpenVPX architecture. Network topologies based on the OpenVPX architecture enable multiple processors and multiple network switches to communicate efficiently and reduce R&D cost and risk. VPX is also highly compatible with VMEbus and gives VMEbus users access to the high speed switch fabric. The current Behlman VPX power supplies are 6U form factor and are higher power that what is now available. We are currently working on a 3U, VITA OpenVPX power supply that will be fully compliant and with greater power than is currently available in the marketplace.
Sales and Marketing
Products of our Electronics Group are primarily marketed by the sales personnel and management of the respective operating units and also by manufacturers’ representatives. The COTS division’s products of our Power Group are marketed by Behlman’s sales and program managers and other management personnel. Commercial products of our Power Group are sold by regional sales managers, manufacturers’ representatives and non-exclusive distributors.
Competition
Many of our competitors are well established, have reputations for success in the development and sale of their products and services and have significantly greater financial, marketing, distribution, personnel and other resources than us, thereby permitting them to implement extensive advertising and promotional campaigns, both in general and in response to efforts by additional competitors to enter into new markets and introduce new products and services.
The electronics industry is characterized by frequent introduction of new products and services and is subject to changing consumer preferences and industry trends, which may adversely affect our ability to plan for future design, development and marketing of our products and services. The markets for electronic products, components and related services are also characterized by rapidly changing technology and evolving industry standards, often resulting in product obsolescence or short product life cycles. We are constantly required to expend funds for research and development of new technologies.
Our Electronics Group’s competitive position within the electronics industry is, in management’s view, predicated upon our manufacturing techniques, our ability to design and manufacture products to meet the specific needs of our customers and our long-standing relationship with our major customers. (See “Major Customers” below). There are numerous companies, many of which have greater resources than us, which are capable of producing substantially all of our products.
Competition in the markets for our Power Group’s commercial and military products depends on such factors as price, product reliability and performance, engineering and production. In particular, due primarily to budgetary restraints and program cutbacks, competition in Behlman’s U.S. Government markets has been increasingly severe and price has become the major overriding factor in contract and subcontract awards. To our knowledge, some of Behlman’s regular competitors include companies with substantially greater capital resources and larger engineering, administrative, sales and production staffs than Behlman's.
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
We use multiple sources for our procurement of raw materials and are not dependent on any specific suppliers for such procurement. We continuously update our delivery schedules and evaluate availability of components so that they are received on a “just-in-time schedule.” Occasionally, in the production of certain military units, we will be faced with procuring certain components that are either obsolete or difficult to procure. We have access to worldwide brokers using the Internet to assure component availability. However, we are sometimes faced with engineering a new product or printed circuit board when an obsolete part cannot be procured.
Major Customers
Raytheon Company and BAE Systems accounted for approximately 13% and 11% of our consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2013. BAE Systems and Raytheon Company accounted for approximately 19% and 15%, respectively, of our consolidated accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2013. The loss of either of these customers would have a material adverse effect on our net sales and earnings. We do not have any significant long-term contracts with either of the above mentioned customers.
The major customers of our Electronics Group are Raytheon Company, BAE Systems, various agencies of the U.S. Government, and Honeywell International, accounting for approximately 23%, 20%, 12% and 11%, respectively, of the net sales of such segment for the year ended December 31, 2013. BAE Systems, Raytheon Company, Honeywell International, and various agencies of the U.S. Government accounted for approximately 30%, 24%, 15%, and 8%, respectively, of our Electronics Group’s accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2013. The loss of any of these customers would have a material adverse effect on the net sales and earnings of our Electronics Group.
The major customers of our Power Group are Telephonics Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp. and Baker Hughes Inc. accounting for approximately 15%, 12% and 10%, respectively, of the net sales of such segment for the year ended December 31, 2013. Telephonics Corp., Baker Hughes Inc., and Northrop Grumman Corp. accounted for approximately 26%, 9%, and 7%, respectively, of our Power Group’s accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2013. The loss of any of these customers would have a material adverse effect on the net sales and earnings of our Power Group.
Since a significant number of all of the products we manufacture are used in military applications, any substantial reduction in overall military spending by the U.S. Government could have a materially adverse effect on our sales and earnings.
Backlog
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 our backlog was as follows:
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
Electronics Group
|
|
$
|
5,900,000
|
|
|
$
|
7,700,000
|
|
Power Group
|
|
|
4,200,000
|
|
|
|
8,200,000
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
10,100,000
|
|
|
$
|
15,900,000
|
|
The entire consolidated backlog at December 31, 2013, represents backlog under contracts that are expected to be shipped during 2014.
A significant number of our contracts are subject to termination at the convenience of the U.S. Government. Our backlog is not influenced by seasonality. Please see “Effects of Budget Control Act of 2011 and Sequestration” on Page 13.
Special Features of U.S. Government Contracts
Orders under U.S Government prime contracts or subcontracts are customarily subject to termination at the convenience of the U.S. Government, in which event the contractor is normally entitled to reimbursement for allowable costs and a reasonable allowance for profits, unless the termination of a contract was due to a default on the part of the contractor.
No material terminations of contracts, at the convenience of the U.S. Government, occurred at either our Electronics or Power Group during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
A significant portion of our revenues are subject to audit under the Vinson-Trammel Act of 1934 and other federal statutes since these revenues are derived from sales under U.S. Government contracts. We believe that adjustments to such revenues, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Effects of Budget Control act of 2011 and Sequestration
Our business is highly dependent on the level of military spending authorized by the U.S. Government. The current administration and Congress are under increasing pressure to reduce the federal budget deficit. This has resulted in a general decline in U.S. defense spending and has continued to cause federal government agencies to reduce their purchases under contracts, exercise their rights to terminate contracts in whole or in part, to issue temporary stop work orders or decline to exercise options to renew contracts, all of which could harm our operations and significantly reduce our future revenues. In particular, the Budget Control Act of 2011 commits the U.S. Government to significantly reduce the federal deficit over ten years through caps on discretionary spending and other measures. This had a dramatic effect on the defense budget, cutting $487 billion over a 10 year period as well as establishing further planned reductions due to sequestration if a budget agreement cannot be reached. Despite a bipartisan budget agreement in Washington reached in December 2013, there are further reductions to defense spending planned for 2014. A reduction in defense spending as a result of present and future sequestration cuts could have a profound negative impact on the entire defense industry.
In addition, it appears that consolidation resulting from budget pressure has created a resource issue with respect to the workloads on civilian government employees and the industry in general. Program contract delays have always been a factor on our business and our industry and these resource issues will more than likely exacerbate this problem for our industry. Consequently, significant delays in contract awards could adversely affect planned delivery schedules which could impact our operating performance for 2014. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Research and Development
We incurred approximately $1,718,000 and $1,573,000 of research and development expenses during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we recognized revenue of approximately $689,000 and $403,000, respectively, for customer funded research and development.
Patents
We do not own any patents that we believe are of material significance to our operations.
Employees
As of March 7, 2014, we employed 122 persons, all on a full-time basis. Of these, our Electronics Group employed 70 people, consisting of 23 in engineering and drafting, 9 in sales and marketing, 12 in direct and corporate administration and the balance in production. Our Power Group employed 52 people, consisting of 16 in engineering and drafting, 5 in sales, 4 in direct and corporate administration and the balance in production.