Form 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT

TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

(Mark One)

x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission file number 0-49881

 


 

Catalina Lighting, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Florida   59-1548266

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S Employer

Identification Number)

 

18191 N.W. 68th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33015

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

 

(305) 558-4777

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class   Name of each exchange on which registered

None

  Not applicable

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

(Title of Class)

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in the definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes  ¨    No  x.

 

The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on March 31, 2003 computed by reference to the closing price of such stock, as quoted on the NASDAQ’s National Market System, was $13.2 million.

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of the close of business on December 8, 2003 was 4,303,873.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed by the registrant in connection with its 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 



PART I

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Form 10-K”), “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company”, and “Catalina” refer to Catalina Lighting, Inc., unless the context otherwise requires. Certain statements in this Form 10-K constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the following: the shipment of substantially all of our backlog of orders during fiscal 2004; the impact on the operations of the Company’s factory in China if Chinese authorities confiscate adjoining land; our ability to purchase products from alternative Chinese suppliers; our ability to continue to use listing marks of recognized product safety testing laboratories; the effect of the resolution of any routine litigation on our financial position or results of operations; our sales to Home Depot in fiscal 2004; our estimates of ocean freight rates; the effects of our refinancing on our weighted average interest rate; and our liquidity to meet our needs for fiscal 2004. In some cases you can identify “forward-looking statements” by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to the inability to obtain the results or to fulfill the other forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the highly competitive nature of the lighting industry; our reliance on key customers who may delay, cancel or fail to place orders; consumer demand for lighting products; dependence on third party vendors and imports from China which may limit our margins or affect the timing of revenue and sales recognition; general domestic and international economic conditions which may affect consumer spending; brand awareness, the existence of adverse publicity, continued acceptance of our products in the marketplace, new products and technological changes, and changing trends in customer tastes, each of which can affect demand and pricing for our products; pressures on product pricing and pricing inventories; cost of labor and raw materials; the availability of capital; the ability to satisfy the terms of, and covenants under, credit and loan agreements and the impact of increases in borrowing costs, each of which affect our short-term and long-term liquidity; the costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings; foreign currency exchange rates; changes in our effective tax rate (which is dependent on our U.S. and foreign source income); and other factors referenced in this Form 10-K. We will not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

 

Item 1.    Business.

 

General

 

Catalina Lighting, Inc. designs, manufactures, contracts for the manufacture of, imports, warehouses and distributes a broad line of lighting fixtures and lamps under the Catalina®, Dana®, Ring®, and Illuminada® trade names. See “Trademarks and Licenses”. We also function as an original equipment manufacturer, selling goods under our customers’ private labels. We sell in the United States through a variety of retailers including home centers, national retail chains, office superstore chains, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, discount department stores, and hardware stores. We also sell our products in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Canada, and Mexico. Currently, our product line is comprised primarily of lighting fixtures and lamps. We have supplemented our product lines through acquisitions but have remained focused on lighting products. Catalina Lighting, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the state of Florida in 1974, started selling lighting in 1985, and became a public company in 1988. The Company’s fiscal year ends September 30. Our website is www.catalinalighting.com. Unless otherwise noted, all references to 2003, 2002 and 2001 relate to the fiscal years then ended.

 

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Products

 

We market a diverse product line, comprised principally of lighting products used primarily in residential and office environments. Our product line consists mainly of two categories: lighting fixtures and lamps. Lighting fixtures include outdoor/security lighting, chandeliers, recessed and track lighting, and wall and ceiling lights. We sell both table and floor lamps, which may be either functional or decorative. Functional lamps consist of halogen desk lamps, bankers lamps, swing arm desk lamps, torchiere lamps, magnifier lamps, and any other lamps generally used for task oriented functions. Decorative lamps are fashion oriented and made of such materials as metal, ceramic, resin, stained glass, and crystal glass. A smaller percentage of our product line consists of industrial consumables, products for the automotive aftermarket, and train and bus lighting. We develop, manufacture and maintain separate product lines for sale in North America, continental Europe and the United Kingdom due to the different consumer preferences and electrical specifications of each of these markets. We may continue to expand our product lines internally or through acquisitions.

 

Distribution Methods

 

We utilize two distribution methods in selling our products: direct and warehouse.

 

We obtain a significant portion of the lighting products we sell from factories in China. Our direct sales are made either by delivering lighting products to our customers’ common carriers at a shipping point in China or by shipping the products from China directly to customers’ distribution centers, warehouses or stores. Direct sales are made in large quantities (generally container-sized lots) to customers, who pay pursuant to their own international, irrevocable letters of credit (which may or may not be transferable) or on open credit with us. Upon receipt of a transferable letter of credit, we may transfer the portion of the letter of credit covering the cost of merchandise to our supplier. The terms of the transfer provide that draws may not be made by the supplier until we are entitled to be paid pursuant to the terms of the customer’s letter of credit. We have the right to draw upon the customer’s letter of credit once the products are inspected by us or our agents, delivered to the port of embarkation and the appropriate documentation has been presented to the issuing bank within the time periods established by such letter of credit. Our China subsidiary, Go-Gro Industries, Ltd. and its two subsidiary companies (“Go-Gro”), either manufactures or procures the products for our North American and United Kingdom subsidiaries. For 2003 and 2002, 29% and 36%, respectively, of consolidated net sales were attributable to direct sales.

 

We also purchase products for our own account and warehouse the products for subsequent resale to customers. Our cost of products includes the cost of shipping, insurance, customs clearance and duties, storage and distribution related to such warehouse products, and therefore warehouse sales usually command higher per unit sales prices than direct sales of the same items. Through May 2002 we owned a 473,000 square foot warehouse facility near Tupelo, Mississippi, and in 2002 we relocated to a leased 128,000 square foot warehouse in Tupelo, Mississippi. We own and lease various warehouse facilities in the United Kingdom. We also lease warehouse facilities in Toronto, Canada and Mexico City, Mexico. In 2003 and 2002, warehouse sales accounted for 71% and 64%, respectively, of net sales. The increase in the percentage of warehouse sales for 2003 is primarily attributable to an increase in sales by our United Kingdom subsidiaries, as their sales are primarily made from warehouses.

 

The relative proportion of our sales generated by each method is dependent upon customer buying preferences and, to a lesser extent, our sales strategies. Purchasing on a direct basis generally allows the customer to pay a lower per unit price than purchasing the same items from the warehouse, but such method typically requires the customer to purchase in greater quantities and thus assume the costs, risks and liquidity requirements associated with holding larger inventories. Customer buying preferences are influenced by a number of business, economic and other factors. The underlying factors driving customer-buying preferences often vary from customer to customer and are subject to change. Over the past eight years, our larger U.S. customers have increased their direct business with us while reducing their warehouse purchases.

 

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Business Segments

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, primarily as a result of the change in our chief operating decision maker in August 2001, we changed the way we manage our business and view our reportable segments. We now manage our business on the basis of three reportable segments, North America, the United Kingdom, and China Manufacturing and Distribution.

 

North America consists primarily of our North American sales and distribution organizations and the supporting China-based sourcing and manufacturing operation. This segment is comprised of the following operating companies:

 

United States—Catalina Industries, Inc. (“Catalina Industries”)

 

Canada—Catalina Lighting Canada (1992), Inc. (“Catalina Canada”)

 

Mexico—Catalina Lighting Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“Catalina Mexico”)

 

Chile—Catalina Lighting Chile Limitada

 

Argentina—Catalina Lighting Inc. Sucursal Argentina

 

China—the manufacturing and sourcing activities of Go-Gro as they relate to intercompany sales

 

The Chile and Argentina operations were directed and managed from the United States. Because of significant losses, we ceased operations in Chile and Argentina during 2001. We intend to cease warehousing and distribution activities in Mexico effective December 31, 2003—see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

United Kingdom consists of Ring Limited, its seven principal trading subsidiary companies and its parent holding company, Catalina International Limited (“Ring”). We added the United Kingdom as a primary business segment with the acquisition of Ring in 2000.

 

China Manufacturing and Distribution consists of the sale of products manufactured or outsourced by Go-Gro primarily to distributors and retailers in Europe and to a lesser extent Asia and to Ring.

 

All prior period segment information has been restated to reflect this change in the reportable segments.

 

Sales (in thousands) for each primary segment for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are set forth in the table below.

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

North America

   $ 60,245     $ 87,378     $ 105,135  

United Kingdom

     127,733       114,798       104,847  

China Manufacturing and Distribution

     24,345       26,828       31,299  

Intersegment eliminations

     (10,306 )     (8,738 )     (6,495 )
    


 


 


     $ 202,017     $ 220,266     $ 234,786  
    


 


 


 

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for financial information by primary business segment.

 

North America

 

The distribution companies of the North America segment design, import, warehouse and distribute lighting fixtures and lamps in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina to major retailers, including home centers, office superstore chains, mass merchandisers, discount department stores, hardware stores, and warehouse clubs. Order entry, customer service and other support functions for this segment are performed at the following locations:

 

United States—Corporate headquarters in Miami, Florida

 

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Canada—Warehouse and office facility in Toronto, Ontario

 

Mexico—Warehouse and office facility outside of Mexico City

 

Argentina and Chile—U.S. Corporate headquarters and in the local country using brokers and representatives

 

Because of significant losses, we ceased operations in Chile and Argentina during 2001. We intend to cease warehousing and distribution activities in Mexico effective December 31, 2003—see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Catalina Industries owned a 473,000 square foot distribution facility located near Tupelo, Mississippi through May 2002 and began leasing a new 128,000 square foot facility in November 2002, also located in Tupelo, Mississippi. From May 2002 to December 2002, we leased space in the warehouse that we sold. Catalina Canada and Catalina Mexico lease distribution and office facilities of 97,000 and 24,000 square feet, respectively.

 

The distribution companies of the North America segment sell their products under the Catalina®, Dana®, and Illuminada® trade names and their customers’ private labels. These companies market a diverse product line used primarily in residential and office settings. This segment’s product line consists mainly of two categories: lighting fixtures and lamps. Lighting fixtures include outdoor/security lighting, chandeliers, recessed and track lighting, and wall and ceiling lights. Lamps sold by the distribution companies of this segment include both table and floor models and may be either functional or decorative. Functional lamps consist of halogen desk lamps, bankers’ lamps, swing arm desk lamps, torchiere lamps, magnifier lamps, and other lamps generally used for task-oriented functions. Decorative lamps are fashion oriented and made of such materials as metal, ceramic, stained glass, and crystal glass. In 2003 and 2002, Home Depot accounted for 23.4% and 33.7% of North America sales, respectively. One other customer accounted for 27.4% and 19.1% of this segment’s sales in 2003 and 2002, respectively. We have been advised by Home Depot that they have shifted purchases of all core program items to alternate suppliers. We anticipate that our sales to Home Depot for fiscal year 2004 will be significantly less than our sales for fiscal year 2003.

 

Go-Gro, our China manufacturing and sourcing subsidiary, provides substantially all of the products for the distribution companies. The products are manufactured by Go-Gro or purchased from other factories. Go-Gro maintains administrative offices in Hong Kong and owns a manufacturing facility in the Guangdong Province of China. The distribution companies of this segment arrange for the shipment of their products directly from Go-Gro or other China factories to the customers’ distribution centers or stores. They also sell and ship from their warehouse facilities. See “Distribution Methods”.

 

The distribution companies of North America compete on the basis of service, price and scope of product offerings. See “Strategy”. The industry is highly fragmented, with no one competitor or small group of competitors possessing a dominant market position. See “Competition”.

 

At December 8, 2003 and 2002, the backlog of orders for the distribution companies of this segment amounted to $5.2 million and $9.3 million, respectively. Although any of the 2003 orders could be cancelled by the customer prior to shipment, we believe, based upon experience, that substantially all of these orders will be shipped during fiscal 2004.

 

In September 2000, Go-Gro deposited the purchase price of approximately $1 million for its joint venture partner’s interest in Go-Gro’s Chinese cooperative joint venture manufacturing subsidiary, Shenzhen Jiadianbao Electrical Products Co., Ltd. (“SJE”). This purchase was finalized in December 2000. During the quarter ended March 31, 2001, SJE was converted under Chinese law from a cooperative joint venture to a wholly owned foreign entity and its name was changed to Jiadianbao Electrical Products (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“JES”).

 

JES obtained non-transferable land use rights for the land on which its primary manufacturing facilities were constructed under a Land Use Agreement dated April 11, 1995 between SJE and the Bureau of National

 

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Land Planning Bao-An Branch of Shenzhen City. This agreement provides JES with the right to use this land until January 18, 2042 and required the construction of approximately 500,000 square feet of factory buildings and 175,000 square feet of dormitories and offices. This construction is complete and total costs aggregated $15.8 million.

 

In connection with the settlement with Go-Gro’s former joint venture partner in SJE, JES acquired the land use rights for a parcel of land adjoining its primary manufacturing facilities. Under the separate land use agreement for this parcel, JES has the right to use the land through March 19, 2051 and was obligated to complete new construction on the land (estimated to cost approximately $1.3 million) by March 20, 2002. The construction was not completed by that date. The local municipal planning and state land bureau may take back the land use rights for the parcel without compensation and confiscate the structures and attachments if the construction is not completed by March 2004. The Company will not begin construction by the March 2004 deadline and during the fourth quarter of 2003, decided not to seek an extension from local authorities. As a result of this decision, we recorded a $766,000 provision for impairment of land use rights during the fourth quarter of 2003. There are no structures on this parcel, and should the local authorities confiscate the land, we do not believe there would be any impact on the operations of the factory.

 

Go-Gro manufactures a wide range of products, including lamps, recessed lighting fixtures and track lighting fixtures. The raw materials and components essential to Go-Gro’s manufacturing process are purchased from distributors and manufacturers located in various countries as follows: plastic resin (Germany, China, Japan, Thailand, Korea and Taiwan), steel (Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China), cable (China and Taiwan), light bulbs (China, Taiwan, Germany, Indonesia and Hong Kong) and various other components (China, Europe, U.S., Taiwan and others).

 

Through Go-Gro, the distribution companies of North America arrange for, and coordinate, the purchase of a significant volume of products from independent Chinese manufacturers. See “Dependence on China”.

 

We choose our contract manufacturers based on price, quality of merchandise, reliability and ability to meet our timing requirements for delivery. Manufacturing commitments are made on a purchase order basis. Go-Gro or the customer is sometimes required to post a letter of credit prior to shipment.

 

Go-Gro employees supervise our manufacturing contractors. These employees’ responsibilities include the establishment and ongoing development of close relationships with the manufacturers, setting product and manufacturing standards, performing quality assurance functions including inspection at various stages, tracking costs, performing and/or working with engineering, and oversight of the manufacturing processes. We maintain a quality control and quality assurance program and have established inspection and test criteria for each of our products. These methods are applied by Go-Gro or its agents regularly to product samples in each manufacturing location prior to shipment and shipments are tested for quality control inspection.

 

United Kingdom

 

We acquired Ring on July 5, 2000. Ring is a wholesaler and distributor headquartered in Leeds, England consisting of seven principal trading companies comprising three operating divisions: Ring Lighting, Ring Automotive and Consumables. These divisions are engaged in the sale of lighting, automotive after-market and industrial consumable products in the United Kingdom.

 

Ring Lighting, a division of our subsidiary Ring Lamp Company Ltd., sells a product line of lamps and lighting fixtures comparable to that offered in North America. These products are sold from warehouse facilities under the Ring trade name or the customers’ label to a variety of retailers in the United Kingdom, including home centers and mass merchandisers. B&Q, a subsidiary of Kingfisher PLC, is the largest customer of this division. Sales to B&Q comprised 26% and 31% of Ring’s consolidated sales for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Ring competes on the basis of service, product range and price, and does not believe any

 

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competitor has a dominant position in the lighting markets it serves. The lighting division comprised 60% and 62% of Ring’s consolidated sales for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Lighting fixtures and lamps accounted for 52% and 8%, respectively, of sales for the year ended September 30, 2003.

 

Ring Automotive consists of the automotive division of Ring Lamp Company Ltd. and four other subsidiaries: Grove Products (Caravan Accessories) Ltd., Lighten Point Corporation Europe Ltd., Lancer Products Ltd. and BMAC Ltd. These companies sell an extensive line of products under each company’s trade name or under the customers’ label, to the caravan, train and automotive aftermarket. Products sold include replacement headlights, auxiliary lighting products, caravan accessory systems, flasher units and relays, windshield wiper blades and washer pumps, engine and suspension components and other automotive electrical components. In addition, BMAC sells lighting used in the manufacture of trains and buses. A number of competitors are present in each segmental market of this division including manufacturers and other U.K. distributors and importers, but we believe that no competitor has a dominant position in these markets other than H Burden Ltd. in the caravan sector. Ring Automotive competes on the basis of service, product range and price. The automotive division comprised 31% and 29% of Ring’s consolidated sales for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Van-Line Ltd. and Arctic Products Ltd. form Ring’s consumables division. Van-Line is a leading supplier of workshop consumables and branded tools to independent distributors. Arctic Products sells portable pipe freezing equipment and a variety of products for the plumbing and gas industry, including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, soldering sprays and pressurized air cans. Approximately 9% of Ring’s consolidated sales were generated in the consumables division for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.

 

Ring purchases its products from suppliers (including Go-Gro) located worldwide including China, the United Kingdom and continental Europe, with China being the dominant supply source. Purchases from China suppliers, including Go-Gro, accounted for 48% of Ring’s purchases for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. A wide variety of competitors exist for Ring including U.K., European and Chinese manufacturers and other U.K. distributors and importers.

 

Ring’s business is somewhat seasonal, with slightly more sales occurring in the fall and winter months.

 

At December 8, 2003 and 2002, Ring’s backlog of orders amounted to $8.3 million and $3.8 million, respectively. Although any of the 2003 orders could be cancelled by the customer prior to shipment, we believe, based upon experience, that substantially all of these orders will be shipped during fiscal 2004.

 

China Manufacturing and Distribution

 

In addition to its sales to North America, Go-Gro sells directly for its own account primarily to European distributors and retailers and to Ring. Go-Gro manufactures the majority of all of the products sold by this segment. China Manufacturing and Distribution is comprised of a dedicated group of individuals who work out of Go-Gro’s Hong Kong office as well as a European sales director and three sales agents who reside in Europe. Sales were $24.3 million and $26.8 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Sales to third parties were $14.0 million and $18.1 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively, while intercompany sales to Ring were $10.3 million and $8.7 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively. At December 8, 2003 and 2002, Go-Gro’s backlog of orders to third parties amounted to $2.7 million. Although any of the 2003 orders could be cancelled by the customer prior to shipment, we believe, based upon experience, that substantially all of these orders will be shipped during fiscal 2004.

 

Strategy

 

Economic and other business factors led to a consolidation in the 1990s in the retail sector for consumer products, with a limited number of large retailers acquiring ever-increasing market shares. We focus on these

 

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major retailers, which include home centers, office product superstores, and mass merchandisers. Our strategies to strengthen our relationships and increase our sales with these major retailers include the following:

 

1.  Product Development and Design—To differentiate ourselves from our competitors, we attempt to present to our customers a unique leading-edge design oriented product line. By continually updating this product line with the latest fashion and design trends, we attempt to be perceived in the market place as lighting industry leaders. Customers who perceive us as industry leaders are more likely to also see us as important business partners.

 

2.  Customer-Centric Activities—We attempt to increase our value to our customers and differentiate ourselves from our competition by “customizing” our business for our largest customers. To do so, we:

 

(i) seek input from buyers and other customer personnel to develop product offerings, merchandising approaches and branding strategies specific to each major retail customer;

 

(ii) dedicate Company-owned production resources and capabilities to each major retailer; and

 

(iii) pursue technology linkages, the sharing of critical product and sales data and the alignment of supply chain activities with our major customers.

 

3.  Program Selling—We strive to be the primary source of lighting products to our retailers by offering a complete program of lighting products in a variety of categories. The availability of such products as outdoor/security lighting, table, floor and torchiere lamps, chandeliers, recessed and track lighting and wall and ceiling lights—the majority of which are available in several colors or finishes—provides retailers the opportunity to simplify their purchasing function by buying more of their lighting products from us as opposed to using several different suppliers.

 

4.  Warehouse Supply of Goods—Our warehouses in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico enable us to provide our customers with the advantage of short delivery time. Warehouse sales allow retailers to receive products in days as compared to months for items shipped directly to them from China. Timely deliveries can help to increase the customer’s inventory turns and profits.

 

Dependence on China

 

During 2003, we obtained approximately 66% of the lighting products we sold from factories located in China. We manufactured a portion of these products at Go-Gro and purchased the remainder from independent suppliers.

 

In fiscal 2003 and 2002, Chinese suppliers, other than Go-Gro, accounted for approximately 46% and 47%, respectively, of the total products we either purchased or manufactured. One supplier accounted for approximately 11% of the total products we either purchased or manufactured in fiscal 2003 and 14% in fiscal 2002. Purchases from Go-Gro and the top five Chinese independent suppliers comprised 44% and 51% of the total of the products we either purchased or manufactured for fiscal 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Although we purchase our products from suppliers with whom we maintain close alliances, we believe the same products could be purchased from numerous other Chinese suppliers.

 

Our ability to import products from China at current tariff levels could be materially and adversely affected if the “normal trade relations” (“NTR”, formerly “most favored nation”) status the U.S. government has granted to China for trade and tariff purposes is terminated. As a result of its NTR status, China receives the same favorable tariff treatment that the United States extends to its other “normal” trading partners. China’s NTR status, coupled with its membership in the World Trade Organization, could eventually reduce barriers to manufacturing products in and exporting products from China. However, we cannot provide any assurance that China’s WTO membership or NTR status will not change.

 

We have obtained a political risk insurance policy issued by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, a member of the World Bank Group, in the amount of $14.4 million covering existing assets of JES in China. The

 

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policy is a long-term non-cancelable guarantee covering the risks of expropriation and war and civil disturbance. Our net assets in Company subsidiaries located in China amounted to $16.6 million at September 30, 2003.

 

Competition

 

Our product lines span major segments within the lighting industry and, accordingly, our products compete in a number of different markets with a number of different competitors. We compete with other independent distributors, importers, manufacturers, and suppliers of lighting fixtures and other consumer products in the United States, United Kingdom, continental Europe, Canada and China. The lighting industry is highly competitive. Other competitors market similar products that compete with ours on the basis of price. Some of these competitors do not maintain warehouse operations or do not provide some of the services we provide that require us to charge higher prices to cover the added costs. The relatively low barriers to entry into the lighting industry and the limited proprietary nature of many lighting products also permit new competitors to enter the industry easily. Our success in this highly competitive market depends upon our ability to manufacture and purchase a variety of quality products on favorable terms, ensure our products meet safety standards, deliver the goods promptly at competitive prices, provide a wide range of services such as electronic data interchange and customized products, packaging, and store displays and otherwise adapt our services and product offerings to the demands of our major retail customers.

 

Independent Safety Testing and ISO 9001 Certification

 

As part of our marketing strategy, we voluntarily submit our products to recognized product safety testing laboratories in the countries where we market our products. Such laboratories include Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in the United States, Specialised Technology Resources in Great Britain, Association Nacional de Normalization y Certification del Sector Electrico (ANCE) in Mexico and various European electrical testing organizations. If the product is acceptable, the laboratory issues a report, which provides a technical description of the product. In the United States, it also provides our suppliers with safety production standards to follow in producing the products and periodically conducts inspections at such suppliers’ facilities for compliance. Electrical products which are manufactured in accordance with safety certification marks are generally recognized by consumers as safe products and such certification marks are often required by various governmental authorities to comply with local codes and ordinances. We do not anticipate any difficulty in maintaining the right to use the listing marks of these laboratories.

 

Go-Gro’s manufacturing operations have been certified as meeting ISO 9001 standards. ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) first published its quality assurance and quality management standards in 1987 and updated them in 1994. ISO 9001 standards and certification facilitate international commerce by providing a single set of quality standards for both product and service oriented organizations that are recognized and respected throughout the world. In addition, Go-Gro’s operations have passed audits conducted by independent organizations, such as Cal Safety Compliance Corporation (CSCC), Merchandise Testing Laboratories (HK) Ltd. (MTL) and others, hired by our major customers. The audits cover human rights and environmental aspects, among other things, and the standards are based on China’s local regulations.

 

Product Liability

 

We are engaged in a business which could expose us to possible claims for injury resulting from the failure of our products to function as designed or from other product defects. We maintain primary product liability insurance coverage of $1 million per occurrence, $2 million in the aggregate, as well as umbrella insurance policies providing an aggregate of $50 million in excess umbrella insurance coverage. The primary insurance coverage requires us to self-insure for a maximum amount of $150,000 per incident involving halogen light products and $75,000 for all other incidents. No assurance can be given that the claims will not exceed available insurance coverage or that we will be able to maintain our current level of insurance.

 

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Trademarks and Licenses

 

Our trademarks, Catalina®, Dana® and Illuminada®, are registered in the United States, Canada, China and Mexico as well as in numerous countries in the European Community. In addition, the Ring® trademark is registered in the United Kingdom and most of the European Community.

 

Employees

 

As of September 30, 2003, we employed approximately 580 people in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico, and our China operations employed approximately 1,540 people. None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining unit and we believe that our relationships with our employees are good.

 

Financial Information about Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales

 

We operate in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and China, and to a lesser extent, Mexico. Our primary operating segments are located in North America, the United Kingdom and China. These operating segments generally follow the management organizational structure of the Company. Net sales to external customers by North America-based operations are made primarily into the United States and Canada. Net sales to external customers by U.K.-based operations are made primarily into the United Kingdom. Net sales to external customers by China-based operations are made primarily into Europe. See Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of December 8, 2003 with respect to our executive officers:

 

Name


   Age

  

Position With the Company


Robert Varakian

   48    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Stephen G. Marble

   40    Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

Robert Varakian has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company since November 2002. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Varakian was president of Lectrix LLC, a company he founded in 2000 that focused on small, unique, patented, electric kitchen items. Before founding Lectrix, from 1994 through 1999, he held several positions at Ekco Group, most recently as president of Ekco Housewares from 1997 to 1999.

 

Stephen G. Marble has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since November 2002. Before becoming Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Marble served as our Controller from December 2001 to November 2002. Prior to joining the Company, he was the controller at Navix Radiology Systems Inc. in Miami since April 1999. Mr. Marble served as manager in the business process outsourcing group at Arthur Andersen, LLP from April 1998 to March 1999. From 1997 to 1998, he was controller at USA Finance, Inc.

 

Item 2.    Properties.

 

The following table sets forth details about our offices, manufacturing plants and warehouse facilities:

 

Location


  

Facility


  

Leased/Owned


Catalina Industries/United States:

         

Miami, FL

   headquarters/office          owned(1)

Tupelo, MS

   warehouse    leased

Go-Gro/China:

         

Hong Kong

   office    leased

Shenzhen

  

warehouse/dormitories

manufacturing plant/office warehouse/dormitories

  

leased

 

      owned(2)

Ring/United Kingdom:

         

Leeds

   office/warehouses    leased

Hyde

   office/warehouse     owned

Walsall

   office/warehouse    leased

Corby

   office/warehouse    leased

Other:

         

Toronto, Canada

   office/warehouse    leased

Mexico City, Mexico

   office/warehouse    leased

(1)   Owned subject to a first mortgage.
(2)   We have purchased underlying land use rights, which terminate in 2042.

 

All of our properties are suitable for our operations.

 

11


Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

 

During the past few years, we have received a number of claims relating to halogen torchieres sold by us to various retailers. The number of such claims has decreased significantly since the applicable Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) standard was changed and the halogen torchieres produced complied with such new standard. Through January 7, 2003, we maintained primary product liability insurance coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in the aggregate, as well as umbrella insurance policies providing an aggregate of $75 million in insurance coverage. The primary insurance policy required us to self-insure for up to $10,000 per incident. Effective January 8, 2003, the umbrella coverage was decreased to $50 million and the deductible was increased to $150,000 per incident involving halogen light products and $75,000 for all other incidents. Based on experience, we have accrued $529,000 for this contingency as of September 30, 2003. No assurance can be given that the number of claims will not exceed historical experience, that claims will not exceed available insurance coverage or that we will be able to maintain the same level of insurance. All other material terms of the policy remain unchanged.

 

We are also a party to routine litigation incidental to our business. We believe the ultimate resolution of any such legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or annual results of operations.

 

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

 

None.

 

12


PART II

 

Item 5.    Market For Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

From May 21, 2001 to June 21, 2002, our common stock was quoted on the NASD Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “CALA.OB”. From June 24, 2002 to October 17, 2002, our common stock was listed on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market under the trading symbol “CALA”. Effective October 18, 2002, our common stock commenced trading on the NASDAQ National Market.

 

The following table presents: (i) the quarterly high and low sales prices from the beginning of fiscal 2002 to June 21, 2002 while the common stock was quoted on the NASD Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board; (ii) the quarterly high and low sales prices from June 24, 2002 to October 17, 2002, while the common stock was listed on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market; and (iii) the quarterly high and low sales prices from October 18, 2002 to September 30, 2003, while the common stock was trading on the NASDAQ National Market. Quotations reflect the inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down, or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

 

Effective April 8, 2002, the Company effected a one-for-five reverse stock split. All information in the table below preceding the reverse split has been restated retroactively for the reverse stock split.

 

     High

   Low

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2002

             

First Quarter

   $ 3.00    $ 1.25

Second Quarter

     6.60      1.70

Third Quarter

     8.74      4.75

Fourth Quarter

     8.75      5.55

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2003

             

First Quarter

   $ 11.40    $ 6.15

Second Quarter

     9.92      6.08

Third Quarter

     10.50      8.00

Fourth Quarter

     12.70      9.26

 

On December 8, 2003, the closing price of our common stock as listed on the NASDAQ National Market was $12.51. As of December 8, 2003 there were approximately 50 holders of record of our common stock. We believe that a substantially larger number of beneficial owners hold shares of our common stock in depository or nominee form.

 

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business and do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of our credit facilities prohibit the payment of any cash dividends or other distribution on any shares of our common stock, other than dividends payable solely in shares of common stock. Future dividend policy will depend on our earnings, capital and financing requirements, expansion plans, financial condition and other relevant factors.

 

13


Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.

 

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” and “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 

     At or For the Years Ended September 30,

     2003(1)

   2002(2)

   2001(3)

    2000(4)

   1999(5)

     (in thousands, except per share data)

Net sales

   $ 202,017    $ 220,266    $ 234,786     $ 202,630    $ 176,561

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,990    $ 859    $ (18,347 )   $ 2,845    $ 6,489

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.90    $ 0.18    $ (10.22 )   $ 2.01    $ 4.60

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.86    $ 0.18    $ (10.22 )   $ 1.84    $ 3.98

Total assets

   $ 127,275    $ 131,214    $ 146,097     $ 167,971    $ 101,897

Long-term borrowings

   $ 27,086    $ 32,414    $ 51,240     $ 6,888    $ 24,774

 

On April 8, 2002, the Company effected a one-for-five reverse stock split. Earnings (loss) per share amounts have been restated retroactively for the reverse stock split. Certain amounts presented above for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. No cash dividends were declared during the five-year period ended September 30, 2003.

 

(1)  Includes $474,000 in severance and a $766,000 provision for impairment of land use rights.

 

(2)  Includes $624,000 in severance, a net charge of $869,000 related to the sale of property and equipment, and a $959,000 charge from a litigation settlement, as well as $216,000 of income from the settlement of an insurance claim.

 

(3)  Includes a $2.6 million charge to settle executive management contracts, $1.2 million in severance and office closing costs, other income of $714,000 from the settlement of litigation and a provision of $5.0 million for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

 

(4)  Includes a $500,000 charge to close the Boston office, a $788,000 charge related to the reorganization of executive management and assets and liabilities acquired upon the acquisition of Ring on July 5, 2000 and the operating results for Ring for the period July 5, 2000 to September 30, 2000. Long-term borrowings reflect the classification of all borrowings under our $75 million credit facility as current liabilities at September 30, 2000.

 

(5)  Reflects the reversal of a $2.7 million provision for a judgment related to litigation with a former officer of the Company and the reversal of an associated $893,000 provision for post judgment interest.

 

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes.

 

Sun Transaction

 

During our fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 we experienced significant declines in sales, gross profit, profitability and liquidity due primarily to economic and competitive conditions in the United States and the United Kingdom. As a result of quarterly net losses, we were unable to comply with the financial covenants under our $75 million credit facility with a bank syndicate group for the quarters ended December 31, 2000, March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001, but were able to obtain credit facility amendments and forbearance agreements that deferred through July 31, 2001 the lenders’ ability to exercise their rights and remedies (including the demand for immediate repayment) for the event of default under the credit facility resulting from the failures to meet the financial covenants.

 

14


On July 23, 2001, we obtained $11.8 million in additional funding as a result of closing a transaction (the “Sun Transaction”) with Sun Catalina Holdings LLC (“SCH”), an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (a private investment firm based in Boca Raton, Florida) and other parties. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

 

The Sun Transaction constituted a change of ownership of the Company as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (“IRC 382”). In general, IRC 382 can limit an entity’s utilization of its net operating loss carry forwards and other anticipated tax return deductions existing at the time the change in ownership occurs. Based upon management’s estimate of the impact of IRC 382 on the Company arising from the Sun Transaction, during the fourth quarter of 2001 we recorded a provision for a valuation allowance of approximately $5.0 million on deferred tax assets that existed as of July 23, 2001.

 

Results of Operations

 

In the following comparison of the results of operations, our fiscal years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are referred to herein as “2003”, “2002” and “2001”, respectively. Unless otherwise noted, U.S. dollar equivalents of foreign currency amounts are based upon the exchange rates prevailing at September 30, 2003.

 

Comparison of Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

 

Consolidated Results

 

We had operating income of $10.4 million in 2003 compared to operating income of $9.4 million in 2002. The 2003 operating income reflects a $766,000 charge related to the impairment of land use rights. The 2002 operating income included a $959,000 charge related to the settlement of a patent lawsuit. Net income in 2003 was $5.0 million, or $.86 per diluted share, compared to $859,000, or $.18 per diluted share, in 2002.

 

Net sales for 2003 were $202.0 million compared to $220.3 million for 2002. Lower sales in the United States were partially offset by increased sales in the United Kingdom. Lower sales in the United States are primarily a result of decreased volume principally as a result of competitive pressures and general economic environment. Increased sales in the United Kingdom are primarily attributable to an increase in the average value of the Great British Pound (“GBP”) relative to the U.S. dollar from 1.47 during 2002 to 1.60 during 2003, which resulted in higher sales as a result of translation, as well as growth in our U.K. segment’s automotive division.

 

Lamps, lighting fixtures, automotive after-market products and industrial consumables accounted for 26%, 49%, 19% and 6% of net sales in 2003 compared to 30%, 50%, 15% and 5% in 2002. Sales made from warehouses constituted 71% and 64% of our consolidated net sales in 2003 and 2002, respectively. In 2003 and 2002, Ring’s largest customer, B&Q, a subsidiary of Kingfisher PLC, accounted for $34.0 million (16.8%) and $39.5 million (17.9%), respectively, of our consolidated net sales. In 2003 and 2002, Home Depot accounted for $14.1 million (7.0%) and $29.4 million (13.4%), respectively, of our consolidated net sales. We have been advised by Home Depot that they have shifted purchases of all core program items to alternate suppliers. We anticipate that our sales to Home Depot for fiscal year 2004 will be significantly less than our sales for fiscal year 2003. Shipments to Kmart during 2003 were $3.0 million below the prior year. Kmart filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 22, 2002, and as a result of downsizing and restructuring, reduced its level of purchases.

 

Gross profit in total dollars decreased from $43.8 million in 2002 to $41.6 million in 2003, and gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 19.9% in 2002 to 20.6% in 2003. The increase in the gross profit as a percentage of sales is primarily attributable to (i) changes in Ring’s customer and product mix as we emphasized more profitable product lines and (ii) the strengthening of the GBP relative to the U.S. dollar effectively decreasing Ring’s cost of products sold and increasing the amount of Ring’s translated gross profit. A $1.3 million increase in the provision for North America slow moving inventory and lost margins on the $18.2 million decrease in sales reduced our profitability in 2003. In December 2002, our U.S. operating company completed its move into a smaller distribution facility. The increase in the provision for slow moving inventory is a result of our plans to market such inventory at prices less than we previously estimated. Future downward changes in estimated selling prices could reduce our profitability as we increase our provision for slow moving inventory.

 

15


Our annual ocean freight contract for North America expired on April 30, 2003. Based on the current market environment, we may incur an annualized general rate increase of approximately $400,000. Beginning October 1, 2003, we estimate that the U.K. segment will incur an annualized rate increase of approximately $1.1 million. Given the volatile and competitive nature of the ocean freight market, actual rates could significantly vary either favorably or unfavorably from our current estimates.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for 2003 were $30.0 million, a decrease of $2.8 million from the same period in the prior year. The decrease in SG&A is a result in part of our Company-wide efforts to reduce operating and overhead costs. Expense categories in which we experienced significant declines included a $436,000 decrease in the provision for preferential payment claims, a $277,000 decrease in depreciation expense as a result of fewer depreciable assets, a $1.0 million decrease in payroll and benefits, a $459,000 decrease in royalties due to the termination of our license agreement with Westinghouse Electric Corporation effective September 30, 2002, and a $291,000 decrease in professional fees. In addition, the application of the non-amortization provisions for goodwill of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”) resulted in a $1.6 million decrease in goodwill amortization for 2003. However, insurance expense and our provision for the deductible on our product liability insurance had a combined increase of $660,000 and the increase in the value of the GBP relative to the U.S. dollar resulted in a $1.1 million aggregate increase in SG&A of Ring as a result of translation.

 

During 2003 we incurred severance costs of $474,000 compared to $624,000 in 2002. The costs incurred in 2003 relate to the termination of 55 employees primarily in the United States and China as a result of our continuing efforts to restructure the business. The costs incurred in 2002 related to the termination of 49 employees also primarily in the United States and China.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2003, we recorded a charge of $766,000 related to the impairment of land use rights as a result of our decision not to construct non-production related buildings at our Chinese manufacturing facility. See “Capital Expenditures” for further discussion.

 

Litigation settlement of $959,000 in 2002 reflects the final judgment against us in a patent infringement lawsuit. On September 15, 1999, we filed a complaint entitled Catalina Lighting, Inc. v. Lamps Plus, Civil Action 99-7200, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In the complaint, we requested declaratory relief regarding claims of trade dress and patent infringement made by Lamps Plus against a major customer of the Company. Lamps Plus filed an Answer and Counterclaim against our customer and us on October 6, 1999, alleging patent infringement and trade dress. The trade dress claim was dismissed with prejudice before trial in March 2001. In April 2001, a jury returned a verdict finding liability against us on the patent infringement claim, and in June 2001 the Court entered a judgment of approximately $1.6 million for damages and interest thereon. We appealed the judgment entered by the Court and posted a surety bond in the amount of $1.8 million for the appeal (for which we posted $1.5 million in cash collateral). In a decision published on June 28, 2002, the Court of Appeals affirmed the finding of liability against us but reduced the lower court’s award of damages. We received the cash collateral for the surety bond net of the judgment amount.

 

Interest expense was $3.7 million in 2003 compared to $6.9 million in 2002. The decreased expense is attributable to lower average outstanding borrowings and a lower weighted average interest rate. Average outstanding borrowings decreased from 2002 primarily as a result of the sale of the Tupelo, Mississippi warehouse in May 2002, the conversion in June 2002 of approximately $6.0 million of subordinated debt to equity, and our use of the cash we generated from operations primarily to pay down debt. The weighted average effective interest rate decreased primarily because of lower interest rates on the term and revolving credit facilities as a result of lower debt levels and related lower leverage ratio. As a result of refinancing our $75 million credit facility in December 2003, we anticipate the weighted average interest rate will increase as a result of: (i) a .25% increase in the margin over base rate, (ii) the use of a different and currently higher base rate and (iii) a $5 million term loan at a fixed rate of 9%.

 

In May 2002, we sold our Mississippi warehouse and substantially all of the equipment to a third party resulting in a loss on sale of $1.1 million. The net proceeds from the sale after the pay-off of the mortgage bonds

 

16


of approximately $3.3 million were used to pay down our term loans. In addition, we sold two other facilities located in the United Kingdom, which resulted in a net gain on sale of $229,000. The net loss of $869,000 related to the sale of the three facilities was recognized as a loss on disposal of property and equipment.

 

The net foreign currency gain of $678,000 in 2003 included foreign currency gains (losses) for our Canadian, Mexican and China operations of $808,000, ($116,000) and ($14,000), respectively. The foreign currency gain of $808,000 for our Canadian operations reflects an appreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar from 1.59 Canadian dollar to 1.0 U.S. dollar at September 30, 2002 to 1.35 at September 30, 2003. The net foreign currency loss of $360,000 in 2002 included foreign currency losses of $99,000, $71,000 and $190,000 for our Canadian, Mexican and China operations, respectively.

 

Other expense was $50,000 and $3,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively. The components of other expense in 2003 are dividends on Ring preferred stock ($199,000), partially offset by other miscellaneous income ($149,000). The components of other expense in 2002 consisted primarily of equity in loss of unconsolidated joint venture ($219,000) and dividends on Ring preferred stock ($182,000), partially offset by interest income ($141,000), the net proceeds from the settlement of an insurance claim ($216,000), and other miscellaneous income ($41,000). The two joint ventures in which we were involved were dissolved as of September 30, 2002.

 

The effective income tax rates for 2003 and 2002 were 32.6% and 33.7%, respectively. Through September 30, 2003, we have not provided for possible U.S. income taxes on $35.2 million in undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that were considered to be permanently reinvested. During the year ended September 30, 2003, we repatriated $2.6 million in earnings from our Hong Kong subsidiary Go-Gro, and we intend to repatriate a portion of the future earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries to the United States. Our effective income tax rate can increase when earnings are repatriated. Our effective income tax rate is dependent on both the total amount of pretax income generated, the source of such income (i.e., domestic or foreign), and the amount and source of earnings repatriated. Consequently, our effective tax rate may vary in future periods.

 

Results By Segment

 

See Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the financial tables for each business segment.

 

North America

 

North America had a segment loss in 2003 of $4.1 million compared to a segment loss of $80,000 in 2002. The increase in segment loss in 2003 is primarily attributable to a decrease in gross profit as a result of lower sales, partially offset by a decrease in SG&A. The 2002 segment loss included a $959,000 charge related to the settlement of a patent lawsuit (see “Consolidated Results”) and a $1.1 million loss related to the sale of the Tupelo, Mississippi distribution center in May 2002.

 

Sales by North America to external customers were $60.2 million in 2003, a decrease of $27.1 million from 2002. The decrease in sales is primarily a result of decreased volume in the United States as a result of competitive pressures and general economic environment.

 

In 2003 and 2002, Home Depot accounted for $14.1 million (23.4%) and $29.4 million (33.7%), respectively, of our North America net sales. We have been advised by Home Depot that they have shifted purchases of all core program items to alternate suppliers. We anticipate that our sales to Home Depot for fiscal year 2004 will be significantly less than our current sales for fiscal year 2003. Shipments to Kmart during 2003 were $3.0 million below the prior year. Kmart filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 22, 2002, and as a result of downsizing and restructuring, reduced its level of purchases.

 

Gross profit for North America was $7.9 million in 2003 compared to $18.1 million in 2002. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased from 20.7% in 2002 to 13.1% in 2003. The $10.2 million decrease in gross

 

17


profit and the decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales between 2003 and 2002 are primarily attributable to the $27.1 million decrease in sales and a $1.3 million increase in the provision for North America slow moving inventory.

 

In 2003 we recorded estimated inventory provisions of $2.5 million compared to $1.2 million in 2002. Gross inventory of finished products was $6.8 million at September 30, 2003 compared to $11.9 million at September 30, 2002. Inventory provisions have been made based on management’s evaluation of the amount of stock on hand relative to sales during the year, the age of the stock based on purchase date, the historical amount received when slow moving goods are sold and other factors. The process of evaluating the adequacy of our inventory allowance is subject to significant estimation. The increase in the provision for slow moving inventory is a result of our plans to market such inventory at prices less than what we previously estimated. Future downward changes in estimated selling prices could reduce our profitability as we increase our provision for slow moving inventory.

 

Presently, most major U.S. customers purchase from our U.S. operating subsidiary, Catalina Industries, primarily on a direct basis, whereby the merchandise is shipped directly from the factory to the customer, rather than from the warehouse. Customers of Catalina Canada purchased 43% on a direct basis and 57% from the warehouse in 2003. Substantially all of Mexico’s sales are from the warehouse. Direct ship customers receive their goods directly from our factory in China or from other Far East suppliers. As more U.S. customers have changed their sourcing method, warehouse sales to U.S. customers have declined each fiscal year in the eight-year period commencing fiscal 1995, when Catalina Industries’ former warehouse was constructed in Tupelo, Mississippi, and warehouse sales were 61% of annual U.S. sales compared to 21% for 2003.

 

SG&A decreased from $14.9 million in 2002 to $11.8 million in 2003. Expense categories where we had significant decreases include the provision for preferential payment claims ($436,000), payroll, benefits and severance costs ($1.1 million), royalties ($459,000), primarily due to the termination of our license agreement with Westinghouse Electric Corporation effective September 30, 2002, merchandising costs ($164,000), depreciation and amortization expense ($378,000), professional fees ($173,000) and the non-amortization of goodwill as a result of the implementation of SFAS 142 during 2003 ($382,000). However, insurance expense and the provision for the deductible on product liability insurance increased by $508,000 in the aggregate.

 

In May 2002 we sold our Mississippi warehouse and substantially all of the equipment to a third party, resulting in a loss on sale of $1.1 million. This loss was recognized as a loss on disposal of property and equipment for the North American segment in 2002. During the quarter ended September 30, 2003, we recorded a charge of $766,000 related to the impairment of land use rights as a result of our decision not to construct non-production related buildings at our Chinese manufacturing facility; $258,000 of this $766,000 charge was allocated to the North America segment.

 

The segment loss for 2003 was reduced by a net foreign currency gain of $681,000 compared to a net foreign currency loss of $297,000 in 2002. The $978,000 change is primarily due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar.

 

We intend to cease warehousing and distribution activities in Mexico effective December 31, 2003. We intend to contact our major Mexican customers during the second quarter of fiscal 2004 and attempt to convert them to direct import customers of Go-Gro. We are currently not able to estimate what charge, if any, will be recorded as a result of this decision.

 

We are currently negotiating with a customer to significantly expand our retail presence in their stores. In connection with this expanded relationship, we expect to pay the customer during the second and third quarters of 2004 as much as $3.0 million for product displays, store reset costs and markdown reimbursement. This payment will be recorded as a period cost when disbursed and will reduce our margins in the short term.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ring’s segment contribution for 2003 was $13.4 million compared to $3.7 million in 2002.

 

18


Exchange rate fluctuations can have a significant translation and economic impact on Ring’s results. Ring purchases a significant portion of its products in U.S. dollars. Because Ring sells primarily in GBP, a decrease in the GBP relative to the U.S. dollar can result in a decrease in Ring’s margin due to Ring’s inability in the U.K. marketplace to increase prices sufficiently to offset the higher effective cost of purchasing goods from China. Conversely, an increase in the GBP relative to the U.S. dollar results in a lower cost of product and higher margin and subjects Ring to pricing pressures as customers seek to gain the benefit of the currency movement. We engage in hedging activities to minimize the effect of changes in exchange rates as discussed in Item 7A of this Form 10-K. In 2003, the GBP increased in value relative to the U.S. dollar. The average exchange rate for 2003 was 1.60 U.S. dollar per GBP compared to an average of 1.47 for 2002.

 

Sales in 2003 were $127.7 million compared to $114.8 million in 2002, an increase of 11.3%. $10.4 million of the $12.9 million increase in sales relates to the change in the average exchange rate that is used to translate Ring’s results in GBP to U.S. dollars between 2003 and 2002. In GBP, Ring’s sales increased 2.3% which was primarily attributable to growth in the Automotive division. The growth in sales has resulted from a combination of new product offerings, increased business with existing customers in its core markets and the supply of new and existing products, such as LED torches, power packs, and inverters to new customers.

 

Ring’s gross profit for 2003 was $29.7 million compared to $20.8 million in 2002, an increase of $8.9 million or 43%. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 18.1% in 2002 to 23.2% in 2003. The $8.9 million increase in gross profit is attributable to changes in Ring’s customer and product mix (approximately $3.4 million), the strengthening of the GBP relative to the U.S. dollar which decreased Ring’s cost of products sold (approximately $2.5 million), the favorable impact of the strengthening GBP when translating Ring’s gross profit to U.S. currency ($2.4 million) and increased sales ($0.7 million).

 

Ring continues to benefit from new products introduced in recent years, such as spotlights, torches, inverters and household bulbs, generally with higher than average margins. The strategy of Ring has been to concentrate on the higher margin products and this has resulted in a decline in the sales of lower margin products. However, some of these lower margin products are being supplied through direct importation from Go-Gro.

 

SG&A increased from $12.8 million in 2002 to $13.6 million in 2003. An increase in payroll and payroll related costs of $389,000, an increase of $281,000 in insurance, a $108,000 increase in the provision for bad debt combined with a $1.1 million increase as a result of the strengthening of the GBP when translating Ring’s SG&A to the U.S. dollar more than offset the $1.1 million decrease in SG&A from the non-amortization of goodwill as a result of the implementation of SFAS 142 during 2003.

 

Interest expense decreased from $4.3 million in 2002 to $2.6 million in 2003. This decrease was attributable to a lower weighted average interest rate and lower average outstanding borrowings. Interest expense included $3.4 million and $2.0 million in acquisition-related interest in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

China Manufacturing and Distribution

 

The segment contribution of China Manufacturing and Distribution was $307,000 in 2003 compared to $2.1 million in 2002.

 

Sales in 2003 were $24.3 million compared to $26.8 million in 2002. Inter-company sales to Ring were $10.3 million in 2003 compared to $8.7 million in 2002. Third party sales to customers in continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and Asia were $11.4 million, $1.2 million, and $1.4 million in 2003, respectively, and $12.7 million, $3.0 million and $2.4 million in 2002, respectively. Manufactured sales decreased by $3.3 million from $24.0 million in 2002 to $20.7 million in 2003.

 

Sales to Ring increased between 2003 and 2002 while sales to third party customers decreased by $4.1 million as two major customers shifted purchases to alternate suppliers.

 

Gross profit was $3.7 million and $4.9 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 15.0% in 2003 compared to 18.3% in 2002. The decrease in gross profit is attributable to the $3.3 million decrease in manufactured sales and to a decrease in pricing to Ring.

 

19


SG&A was $2.7 million in 2003 and 2002.

 

Comparison of Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001

 

Consolidated Results

 

We had operating income of $9.4 million in 2002 compared to an operating loss of $11.0 million in 2001. The $20.4 million operating income improvement primarily resulted from an increase in gross profit and a decrease in SG&A. Net income in 2002 was $859,000, or $.18 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $18.3 million, or $10.22 per diluted share, in 2001. The pretax income for 2002 included a $959,000 charge related to the settlement of a patent lawsuit and a net $869,000 loss related to the disposal of property and equipment, primarily the Mississippi warehouse facility, as well as $216,000 of income from the settlement of an insurance claim. The after-tax effect of these items was $636,000, $576,000 and $136,000, respectively, or $.13, $.12 and $.03 per diluted share, respectively. Without these items we would have earned $1.9 million, or $.40 per diluted share, in 2002.

 

Net sales for 2002 were $220.3 million, a $14.5 million decrease from the same period in the prior year. The decrease in net sales is primarily attributable to lower sales in the United States and continental Europe, partially offset by an increase in sales in the United Kingdom. Shipments to Kmart during 2002 were $5.2 million below the same period in the prior year. Kmart filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 22, 2002.

 

Lamps, hardwired lighting fixtures, automotive after-market products and industrial consumables accounted for 30%, 50%, 15% and 5% of net sales in 2002 compared to 37%, 46%, 13% and 4% in 2001. In 2002 and 2001, Ring’s largest customer, B&Q, a subsidiary of Kingfisher PLC, accounted for $39.5 million (17.9%) and $40.6 million (17.3%), respectively, of our consolidated net sales. In 2002 and 2001, Home Depot accounted for $29.4 million (13.4%) and $32.2 million (13.7%), respectively, of our consolidated net sales. Sales made from warehouses constituted 64% of our consolidated net sales in 2002, up from 57% in 2001.

 

Gross profit in total dollars increased from $32.1 million in 2001 to $43.8 million in 2002, and gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 13.7% in 2001 to 19.9% in 2002. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of sales was primarily attributable to changes in our customer and product mix, a decrease in estimated inventory provisions as well as decreased warehousing and product development costs as a result of our initiatives to lower operating costs.

 

SG&A for 2002 was $32.8 million, a decrease of $7.2 million from the same period in the prior year. The decrease in SG&A was a result of our Company-wide efforts to reduce operating and overhead costs. Expense categories in which we experienced significant declines in 2002 included payroll and related expenses in North America ($1.8 million), the United Kingdom ($992,000), and Hong Kong/China ($398,000), bad debt, preferential payment claims and VAT tax provisions ($1.4 million), depreciation expense ($531,000), travel and entertainment ($597,000), legal, accounting, and other professional fees ($352,000), merchandising and displays ($435,000), partially offset by an increase in management fees to our majority shareholder ($402,000).

 

During 2002 we incurred severance and closing costs of $624,000 compared to $1.2 million in 2001. The costs incurred in 2002 related to the termination of 49 employees primarily in the United States and China as a result of our continuing efforts to restructure the business. The costs incurred in 2001 related to the termination of 75 employees in the United States, the United Kingdom and China ($840,000) and an additional provision related to the 2000 closure of the Boston office ($314,000).

 

We expensed $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2001 in connection with the Sun Transaction and related resolution of obligations under employment agreements with those individuals serving as our chief executive officer, two former executive vice presidents, and chief financial officer at the time of the Sun Transaction.

 

Litigation settlement of $959,000 in 2002 reflected the final judgment against us in a patent infringement lawsuit. On September 15, 1999, we filed a complaint entitled Catalina Lighting, Inc. v. Lamps Plus, Civil

 

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Action 99-7200, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In the complaint, we requested declaratory relief regarding claims of trade dress and patent infringement made by Lamps Plus against a major customer of the Company. Lamps Plus filed an Answer and Counterclaim against our customer and us on October 6, 1999, alleging patent infringement and trade dress. The trade dress claim was dismissed with prejudice before trial in March 2001. In April 2001, a jury returned a verdict finding liability against us on the patent infringement claim, and in June 2001 the Court entered a judgment of approximately $1.6 million for damages and interest thereon. We appealed the judgment entered by the Court and posted a surety bond in the amount of $1.8 million for the appeal (for which we posted $1.5 million in cash collateral). In a decision published on June 28, 2002, the Court of Appeals affirmed the finding of liability against us but reduced the lower court’s award of damages. We received the cash collateral for the surety bond net of the judgment amount. Litigation settlement in 2001 related to the favorable settlement of litigation in the United Kingdom.

 

Interest expense was $6.9 million in 2002 compared to $7.2 million in 2001. The decreased expense is primarily attributable to lower average outstanding borrowings as well as a decrease in variable interest rates partially offset by a higher weighted average interest rate. Average outstanding borrowings decreased primarily as a result of the sale of the Tupelo warehouse in May 2002 and because the cash we generated during the year from operations was used primarily to pay down debt. Offsetting these items were higher levels of average outstanding subordinated debt issued in connection with the Sun Transaction. The weighted average effective interest rate increased primarily because of the high effective rate associated with the subordinated debt as a result of the amortization of discount and issuance costs. In June 2002, we converted approximately $6 million of subordinated debt to equity.

 

In May 2002, we sold our Mississippi warehouse and substantially all of the equipment to a third party, resulting in a loss on sale of $1.1 million. The net proceeds from the sale, after the pay-off of the mortgage bonds, of approximately $3.3 million were used to pay down the Company’s term loans. In addition, we sold two other facilities located in the United Kingdom, which resulted in a net gain on sale of $229,000. The net loss of $869,000 related to the sale of the three facilities was recognized as a loss on disposal of property and equipment.

 

The net foreign currency loss of $360,000 in 2002 included foreign currency losses of $99,000, $71,000 and $190,000 for our Canadian, Mexican and China operations, respectively. The net foreign currency loss of $488,000 in 2001 included foreign currency gains (losses) for our Canadian, Mexican, China and Chile operations of ($111,000), $2,000, ($314,000) and ($65,000), respectively.

 

Other expense was $3,000 in 2002 compared to $107,000 in 2001. The components of other expense in 2002 included equity in loss of unconsolidated joint venture ($219,000) and dividends on Ring preferred stock ($182,000), partially offset by interest income ($141,000), the net proceeds from the settlement of an insurance claim ($216,000) and other miscellaneous income ($41,000). The two joint ventures in which we were involved were dissolved as of September 30, 2002. The components of other expense in 2001 were dividends on Ring preferred stock ($182,000), equity in loss of unconsolidated joint venture ($94,000) and miscellaneous expense of ($26,000), partially offset by interest income of ($195,000).

 

The effective income tax rates for 2002 and 2001 were 33.7% and 2.0%, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for 2001 reflects a $5.0 million provision for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets existing at the date of the Sun Transaction (See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Sun Transaction”). Through September 30, 2002, we had not provided for possible U.S. income taxes on $27.2 million in undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that were considered to be permanently reinvested.

 

Results By Segment

 

See Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the financial tables for each business segment.

 

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North America

 

North America had a segment profit in 2002 of $2.0 million before a $1.1 million loss on disposal of a warehouse and related equipment and a $959,000 charge for settlement of litigation ($80,000 segment loss after these non-recurring items) as compared to a segment loss of $7.6 million in 2001. The increase in segment contribution in 2002 is primarily attributable to an improvement in gross profit and decreased SG&A.

 

Sales by North America to external customers were $87.4 million in 2002, a decrease of $17.8 million from 2001. The decrease in sales was primarily attributable to weakness in the economy and competitive pressures. On January 22, 2002, Kmart Corporation filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Our sales to Kmart amounted to $5.5 million and $10.7 million for the years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. In 2002 and 2001, Home Depot accounted for $29.4 million (33.6%) and $32.2 million (30.7%), respectively, of our North America net sales.

 

Gross profit for North America was $18.1 million in 2002 compared to $13.9 million in 2001. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 13.3% in 2001 to 20.7% in 2002. The $4.2 million increase in gross profit between 2002 and 2001 is primarily attributable to a $3.5 million decrease in inventory provisions and a $2.9 million decrease in warehouse and product development costs; additionally, $2.1 million of the gross profit increase primarily resulted from changes in our customer and product mix, offset by a decrease of $4.2 million as a result of the $17.8 million decrease in sales between 2002 and 2001.

 

In 2002 we recorded estimated inventory provisions of $1.2 million compared to $4.7 million in 2001. Gross inventory of finished products was $11.9 million at September 30, 2002 compared to $16.4 million at September 30, 2001. Inventory provisions have been made based on management’s evaluation of the amount of stock on hand relative to sales during the year, the age of the stock based on purchase date, the historical amount received when slow-moving goods are sold and other factors. The process of evaluating the adequacy of our inventory allowance is subject to significant estimation. Any need to further increase our inventory allowance could significantly adversely impact our future gross profits.

 

SG&A decreased from $20.3 million in 2001 to $14.9 million in 2002. Expense categories where we had significant decreases include salary and benefits ($1.2 million), provisions for bad debt and preferential payment claims ($1.0 million), merchandising costs ($435,000), costs associated with the discontinued Chile and Argentina operations ($451,000), travel and entertainment ($321,000), depreciation ($217,000), legal and professional ($300,000), and royalties ($180,000).

 

Salary and benefits decreased as a result of our efforts to reduce employee headcount and make our cost structure commensurate with our revenue. Provisions for bad debt are made based on our evaluation of the collectibility of our accounts receivable. We believe our accounts receivable become uncollectible primarily as a result of customers filing for bankruptcy. During 2002, we had one customer file for bankruptcy where we did not incur any loss, while in 2001 the bankruptcy of several of our customers resulted in a charge of $1.2 million. Other categories of SGA with decreases are a result of our ongoing efforts to reduce operating and overhead costs.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ring’s segment contribution for 2002 was $3.7 million compared to a loss of $5.7 million is 2001.

 

Sales in 2002 were $114.8 million compared to $104.8 million in 2001, an increase of 9.5%. In GBP, Ring’s sales increased 7.3%. The remaining increase relates to a change in the average exchange rate that is used to translate Ring’s results in GBP to U.S. dollars between 2002 and 2001. During 2002 the average exchange rate was $1.47 for each GBP compared to $1.44 for each GBP in 2001.

 

The increase in Ring’s sales is primarily attributable to growth in the Lighting and Automotive divisions. This growth was precipitated by a combination of new product offerings, increased business with existing

 

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customers and the supply of new and existing products into new markets. During 2002, sales to Ring’s largest customer fell, partly as a result of some products being transferred to direct supply from Go-Gro (included in China Manufacturing and Distribution) and partly as a result of competitive pressures. This was offset by growth in sales to the other companies within the U.K. home center sector and an across the board rise in the Automotive sector.

 

Ring’s gross profit for 2002 was $20.8 million compared to $12.8 million in 2001 an increase of $8.0 million or 63%. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 12.2% in 2001 to 18.1% in 2002. The $8.0 million increase in gross profit is a result of changes in Ring’s customer and product mix ($4.4 million), increased sales ($2.1 million), decreased warehouse and operational costs ($773,000), decreased freight expense ($635,000) and decreased inventory provisions ($97,000).

 

The changes in Ring’s customer and product mix are attributable to new products launches commencing late in 2001 and continuing into 2002 which resulted in growth in sales of outdoor lighting and decorative/flush fittings while customer product line reviews resulted in additional sales of household bulbs and spotlights, generally with higher than average margins. Customer product line reviews also resulted in a decline in the sales of lower margin fluorescent tube lighting, as well as a shifting of lower margin business such as desk lamps to direct importation by competing companies and Go-Gro.

 

The decrease in warehouse and operational costs is primarily attributable to the implementation of strict cost controls and downsizing, which were implemented in the fourth quarter of 2001.

 

Freight decreased in 2002, despite the increased sales. This was the result of changes in customer and product mix and the full year benefit of changing several carriers in the previous year.

 

SG&A decreased from $13.1 million in 2001 to $12.8 million in 2002. The decrease in SG&A is primarily attributable to decreased payroll and payroll related costs. In addition, Ring had a decrease in employee termination costs of $578,000.

 

Interest expense decreased from $5.3 million in 2001 to $4.3 million in 2002 attributable to a lower weighted average interest rate. Interest expense included $3.4 million and $3.9 million in acquisition-related interest in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

China Manufacturing and Distribution

 

The segment contribution of China Manufacturing and Distribution was $2.0 million in 2002 compared to $2.1 million in 2001.

 

Sales in 2002 were $26.8 million compared to $31.3 million in 2001. Intercompany sales to Ring were $8.7 million in 2002 compared to $6.5 million in 2001. Sales to customers in continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and Asia were $12.7 million, $3.0 million, and $2.4 million in 2002, respectively, and $19.1 million, $2.6 million, and $3.1 million in 2001, respectively.

 

Sales to Ring increased between 2001 and 2002 as we attempted to direct more of Ring’s purchases to our wholly owned factory. Increasing the factory’s volume reduces fixed factory overhead as a percentage of total manufacturing cost resulting in a lower cost of product for Ring as well as North America. Sales to continental Europe decreased in 2002 as one major customer shifted purchases to alternative suppliers.

 

Gross profit was $4.9 million in 2002 compared to $5.3 million in 2001. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 18.3% in 2002 compared to 16.9% in 2001, primarily as a result of changes in our customer and product mix.

 

SG&A was $2.7 million in 2002 compared to $3.0 million in 2001. This decrease is primarily attributable to decreased payroll and related costs and travel and entertainment costs.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the period. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty; therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to our financial statements. Management continually evaluates its estimates and assumptions, which are based on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Management believes that the following may involve a higher degree of judgment or complexity:

 

Collectibility of Accounts Receivable—Our allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management’s estimates of the creditworthiness of our customers, current economic conditions and historical information, and, in the opinion of management, is set in an amount sufficient to respond to normal business conditions. Management sets reserves for customers based upon historical collection experience and sets specific reserves for customers whose accounts have aged significantly beyond historical collection experience. Should business conditions deteriorate or any major credit customer default on its obligations to the Company, this allowance may need to be significantly increased, which would have a negative impact upon our operations.

 

Reserves on Inventories—Reserves on inventories result in a charge to operations when the estimated net realizable value of inventory items declines below cost. Reserves are recorded as a component of cost of sales. Management regularly reviews the Company’s investment in inventories for declines in value. We establish reserves based on historical experience and specific reserves when it is apparent that the expected realizable value of an inventory item falls below its original cost.

 

Income Taxes—Significant management judgment is required in developing our provision for income taxes, including the determination of foreign tax liabilities, deferred tax assets, and liabilities and any valuation allowances that might be required against the deferred tax assets. We evaluate quarterly the realizability of our deferred tax assets and adjust the amount of our valuation allowance, if necessary. We operate within multiple taxing jurisdictions and are subject to audit in those jurisdictions. Because of the complex issues involved, any claims can require an extended period to resolve. In management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made. We regularly assess the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.

 

Goodwill—In 2003, we began to perform an annual test for impairment of goodwill. This test is performed by comparing, at the reporting unit level, the carrying value of goodwill to its fair value. We assess fair value based upon a combination of valuation methodologies applied to each reporting unit. The tests performed for 2003 did not identify any instances of impairment. However, changes in expectations as to the fair values of the reporting units might impact subsequent years’ assessments of impairment.

 

Accrual for Sales Incentives—Our accrual for sales incentives is usually based on certain stated percentages of gross sales, and is recognized as a reduction of gross sales at the time the related sales are recorded. If the customer does not provide for the deduction of the allowance amount directly from the amount invoiced the customer at time of billing, we record an accrual for the amounts due. Management sets specific reserves for customers based on contracted amounts and other reserves for the non-contractual amounts. Should we underestimate the reserve for the non-contractual allowances, this reserve may need to be significantly increased, which would have a negative impact upon our operations.

 

Reserves for Product Liability Claims and Litigation—We are subject to various legal proceedings, product liability claims and other claims in the ordinary course of our business. Management estimates the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such matters in excess of applicable insurance coverage based on

 

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historical claims experience and current claim amounts, as well as other available facts and circumstances. As the outcome of litigation is difficult to predict and significant estimates are made with regard to future events, significant changes from estimated amounts could occur.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We meet our short-term liquidity needs through cash provided by operations, borrowings under various credit facilities with banks, accounts payable and the use of letters of credit from customers to fund certain of our direct import sales activities. Term loans, lease obligations, mortgage notes, bonds, subordinated debt and capital stock are sources for our longer-term liquidity and financing needs. Based upon management’s projections and assessment of current market conditions, we believe we will have adequate liquidity to meet our needs for fiscal 2004.

 

Cash Flows and Financial Condition

 

During 2003, we used funds generated from operations of $11.9 million and cash on hand to pay down debt of $10.4 million and make net capital investments of $1.6 million. Availability under our revolving credit facilities increased from $15.7 million at September 30, 2002 to $23.1 million at September 30, 2003.

 

Accounts receivable balances decreased to $29.3 million at September 30, 2003 from $33.8 million at September 30, 2002 primarily as a result of lower sales in August and September 2003 compared to August and September 2002. Inventory levels at September 30, 2003 were $34.4 million, as compared to $34.5 million at September 30, 2002.

 

Our agreements with our major customers provide for various sales allowances (i.e., deductions given the customer from purchases made from us), the most common of which are for volume discounts, consumer product returns and cooperative advertising. These allowances are usually defined as a percentage of the gross sales price and are recognized as a reduction of gross sales revenue at the time the related sales are recorded. If the customer agreement does not provide for the deduction of the allowance amount directly from the amount invoiced the customer at time of billing, we record an accrual for the amounts due. These accrued sales allowances are settled periodically either by subsequent deduction from the accounts receivable from the customer or by cash payment. For financial statement presentation purposes, these sales allowances are netted against accounts receivable and amounted to $7.9 million and $9.1 million at September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The amounts of our accrued sales allowances, by customer and in the aggregate, are dependent upon various factors, including sales volumes, the specific terms negotiated with each customer (including whether the allowance amounts are deducted immediately from the invoice or accrued) and the manner and timing of settlement.

 

Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facilities

 

In July 2000, we entered into a credit facility for approximately $75 million with a bank syndication group to finance the acquisition of Ring and repay and terminate our existing U.S. credit facility and Ring’s U.K. facility. The facility consisted of two term loans originally amounting to $15 million and the GBP equivalent of U.S. $15 million (GBP 9.0 million), respectively, and two revolving facilities for loans, acceptances and trade and stand-by letters of credit for our ongoing operations in the United States and the United Kingdom. Amounts outstanding under the revolving facilities were limited under a borrowing base defined as percentages of the combined accounts receivable and inventory balances for the United States and the United Kingdom. Obligations under the facility were secured by substantially all of our U.S. and U.K. assets, including 100% of the common stock of our U.S. subsidiaries and 65% of the stock of our Canadian and first-tier United Kingdom and Hong Kong subsidiaries. The facility prohibited the payment of cash dividends or other distribution on any shares of our common stock, other than dividends payable solely in shares of common stock, unless approval was obtained from the lenders. We paid a quarterly commitment fee of .50% per annum based on the unused portion of the revolving facilities.

 

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On July 23, 2001, we obtained $11.8 million in additional funding as a result of closing the Sun Transaction. Our $75 million credit facility was amended and restructured in connection with the Sun Transaction. As a part of the restructuring, available borrowings under the revolving loans were reallocated under the amended facility to increase the U.S. revolver to $21.4 million and decrease the U.K. revolver to the GBP equivalent of U.S. $23.6 million. Borrowings under the facility bore interest, payable monthly, at our option of either the prime rate plus an applicable margin or the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin (3.6% effective rate at September 30, 2003). The applicable margin was determined by a leverage ratio calculation. At September 30, 2003, the margin on prime rate and LIBOR based loans was 1.0% and 2.0%, respectively. The majority of our borrowings were LIBOR based. Under the amended facility, we were required to meet minimum levels of adjusted quarterly earnings beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2001 through the quarter ended September 30, 2002 and were required to meet quarterly debt to adjusted earnings and fixed charge ratios beginning with the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Capital expenditures for 2003 were limited under the amended facility to $4.0 million. The term loans and the revolving loans under the amended facility were to mature on December 31, 2003. The bank syndication group’s fee for the amendment consisted of warrants to purchase 70,828 shares of common stock at a price of $.05 per share.

 

On December 19, 2003, we entered into a new asset-based credit facility with a syndicate of lenders to refinance our existing indebtedness under our $75 million credit facility. The facility matures June 30, 2006. The facility consists of two term loans in the amount of GBP 305,000 ($507,000) and $5.0 million and two revolving facilities in the amount of GBP 22.0 million ($36.6 million) and $6.0 million for loans, acceptances, and trade and stand-by letters of credit for our ongoing operations in the United States and United Kingdom. Amounts outstanding under each revolving facility are limited under separate U.S. and U.K. borrowing bases which are defined as percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventory. Obligations under the facility are secured by substantially all of our U.S. and U.K. assets. The facility prohibits the payment of cash dividends or other distribution on any shares of our common stock. We pay a monthly commitment fee of .375% per annum based on the unused portion of the revolving facilities as well as a monthly servicing fee of $7,500. If the $5.0 million term loan is not repaid by the first anniversary of the loan a fee of $500,000 is due. Borrowings under the revolving facilities and the GBP 305,000 term loan bear interest, payable monthly, at the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.25%. Borrowings under the $5.0 million term loan bear interest at 9%, payable monthly. Under the facility we are required to meet quarterly minimum levels of adjusted earnings and adjusted net worth, as defined in the facility agreement, as well as a minimum debt to adjusted earnings ratio. Capital expenditures are limited to $3.8 million per year. The Company owes a $450,000 investment banking fee to an affiliate of our majority stockholder for services provided in connection with the refinancing. This fee will be paid in equal installments on April 1, 2004 and June 1, 2004, subject to certain minimum levels of availability as set forth in the credit facility.

 

Ring has an arrangement with a U.K. bank which is secured by a standby letter of credit previously issued under the GBP revolving loan facility of our former $75 million credit facility and currently issued under the facility entered into on December 19, 2003. The arrangement provides for borrowings, trade letters of credit, bonds and foreign currency forward contracts and transactions. Bonds outstanding under this arrangement amounted to $987,000 at September 30, 2003 and there were no borrowings or trade letters of credit outstanding.

 

Catalina Canada has a credit facility with a Canadian company that provides U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar (“CDN dollar”) revolving credit loans up to $7.0 million CDN dollars (approximately U.S. $5.2 million) in the aggregate. The facility matures in December 2004. Borrowings in CDN dollars bear interest at the Canadian prime rate plus 1.5%, while borrowings in U.S. dollars bear interest at the rate of the U.S. prime rate plus 0.5%. Borrowings under the facility are limited to a borrowing base calculated from receivables and inventory. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Catalina Canada. The facility limits the payment of dividends, advances or loans from Catalina Canada to Catalina Lighting, Inc. to $500,000 annually, and no such amounts may be transferred if Catalina Canada does not have sufficient excess borrowing availability under the facility’s borrowing base. The facility contains a financial covenant requiring Catalina Canada to maintain a minimum net worth.

 

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Go-Gro has a 41.6 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately U.S. $5.4 million) facility with a Hong Kong bank. The facility provides limited credit in the form of acceptances, trade letters of credit, discounting of export letters of credit, factoring of receivables, and negotiation of discrepant documents presented under export letters of credit issued by banks. The facility is secured by a guarantee issued by us. This agreement prohibits the payment of dividends without the consent of the bank and limits the total amount of trade receivables, loans or advances from Go-Gro to our other companies. This facility is subject to a periodic review by the bank. At September 30, 2003, Go-Gro had used $596,000 of this line for letters of credit, and there were no borrowings.

 

The terms of our credit facilities and U.S. and foreign income tax considerations impact the flow of funds between our major subsidiaries. Our $75 million credit facility prohibited loans to Go-Gro from either Ring or our other companies other than normal intercompany payables arising from trade. The facility permitted loans from our U.S. companies to Ring but restricted the flow of funds from Ring to our non-U.K. companies to payments constituting dividends or a return of capital. The facility entered into on December 19, 2003 also prohibits loans to Go-Gro by any of our U.S. and U.K. companies other than normal intercompany trade payables. The facility permits loans and dividends between the U.S. and U.K. entities, subject to certain limits. Our Hong Kong credit facility prohibits the payment of dividends without the consent of the bank and limits the amount of loans or advances from Go-Gro to our other companies. Any loan made or dividends paid either directly or indirectly by Go-Gro to us or our U.S. subsidiaries could be considered by U.S. taxing authorities as a repatriation of foreign source income subject to taxation in the United States at a higher rate than that assessed in Hong Kong. The net impact of such a funds transfer from Go-Gro could be an increase in our U.S. income taxes payable and our effective tax rate. The credit facility for Catalina Canada also limits payments to our other companies other than trade payments in the ordinary course of business.

 

We utilize the revolving portions of our credit facility to support our operations in the United States and the United Kingdom. Our U.S. operations are also supported to a limited extent by cash flows from our China operations. As of December 19, 2003 we had $9.2 million available under the new credit facility to support U.S. and U.K. operations.

 

As of September 30, 2003, we were in compliance with the terms and covenants of our $75 million credit facility. Based upon (i) current assessments of market conditions for our business and (ii) sales, profitability and cash flow projections, we believe we will continue to be in compliance with the terms and covenants of the credit facility entered into on December 19, 2003 and that we will have adequate available borrowings and other sources of liquidity for the 2004 fiscal year. However, there can be no assurances that market conditions will not deteriorate in the future or that we will be able to achieve our projected results.

 

Subordinated Notes

 

We issued $8.8 million in secured subordinated notes in July 2001 in connection with the Sun Transaction, which are due in full on July 23, 2006. These notes bear interest at 12%, compounded quarterly. Interest on the subordinated notes is payable quarterly in arrears in cash commencing as of March 31, 2003. Interest for quarters prior to the quarter ended March 31, 2003 could be added to the principal amount of the note. The note holders were also entitled to additional warrants to purchase shares of common stock at $.05 per share for the quarters during which interest on the notes was not paid in cash. Interest was not paid in cash on the notes for the period from July 23, 2001 to March 31, 2002, for which the note holders received additional warrants to purchase, in the aggregate, 94,247 shares of common stock. Interest due on the subordinated debt outstanding for the period from March 31, 2002 to September 30, 2003 was paid in cash and no additional warrants were issued.

 

On June 14, 2002, we entered into a transaction with SCH and SunTrust Banks, Inc. (“SunTrust”) whereby we issued and sold 924,572 and 184,843 shares of common stock to SCH and SunTrust, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $6.0 million, representing a price of $5.41 per share. As payment for their shares,

 

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SCH and SunTrust each surrendered a corresponding amount of subordinated debt and accrued interest, and we were released from all obligations and liabilities associated with the surrendered debt. In connection with the transaction, a special committee of independent members of the Board of Directors obtained a fairness opinion from a major investment bank regarding the $5.41 per share sale price.

 

Other Obligations

 

We financed the purchase of our corporate headquarters in Miami, Florida with a loan payable monthly through 2004, based on a 15-year amortization schedule, with a balloon payment in March 2004. The loan bears interest at 8% and is secured by a mortgage on the land and building. The unpaid balance of this loan was $676,000 at September 30, 2003.

 

Immediately prior to the closing of the Sun Transaction, we had existing employment agreements with our then chief executive officer, two executive vice presidents and our then chief financial officer that provided for certain payments to these employees in the event that we experienced a “change in control”. We resolved these obligations as part of the Sun Transaction by terminating the previous employment agreements and entering into settlement agreements with these employees which provide in the aggregate for (i) the granting of rights to fully vested options to purchase 313,847 shares of common stock at a price of $5.90 per share and (ii) payments of approximately $198,000 each quarter over a three-year period beginning September 1, 2001. The quarterly payments under these settlement agreements are suspended at any time in which a default under our credit facility has occurred and is continuing. As part of the settlement agreements, we obtained covenants not to compete through July 23, 2004. Amounts receivable from the two former executive vice presidents totaled $212,000 immediately prior to the Sun Transaction. These amounts are being repaid on a quarterly basis in the aggregate amount of $16,667 from the proceeds due these former executives under the settlement agreements negotiated as part of the Sun Transaction. At September 30, 2003, the remaining amounts due from these individuals totaled $61,000.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

We have no significant commitments for capital expenditures for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004.

 

In September 2000, Go-Gro deposited the purchase price of approximately $1 million for its joint venture partner’s interest in Go-Gro’s Chinese cooperative joint venture manufacturing subsidiary SJE. This purchase was finalized in December 2000. During the quarter ended March 31, 2001, SJE was converted under Chinese law from a cooperative joint venture to a wholly owned foreign entity and its name was changed to Jiadianbao Electrical Products (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“JES”).

 

JES obtained non-transferable land use rights for the land on which its primary manufacturing facilities were constructed under a Land Use Agreement dated April 11, 1995 between SJE and the Bureau of National Land Planning Bao-An Branch of Shenzhen City. This agreement provides JES with the right to use this land until January 18, 2042 and required SJE to construct approximately 500,000 square feet of factory buildings and 175,000 square feet of dormitories and offices. This construction is complete and total costs aggregated $15.8 million.

 

In connection with the settlement with Go-Gro’s former joint venture partner in SJE, JES acquired the land use rights for a parcel of land adjoining its primary manufacturing facilities. Under the separate land use agreement for this parcel, JES has the right to use the land through March 19, 2051 and was obligated to complete new construction on the land (estimated to cost approximately $1.3 million) by March 20, 2002. The construction was not completed by that date. The local municipal planning and state land bureau may take back the land use rights for the parcel without compensation and confiscate the structures and attachments if the construction is not completed by March 2004. The Company will not begin construction by the March 2004 deadline and during the fourth quarter of 2003 decided not to seek an extension from local authorities. As a result

 

28


of this decision, the Company recorded a $766,000 provision for impairment of land use rights during the fourth quarter of 2003. There are no structures on this parcel, and should the local authorities confiscate the land, we do not believe there would be any impact on the operations of the factory.

 

Litigation

 

During the past few years, we have received a number of claims relating to halogen torchieres sold by us to various retailers. The number of such claims has decreased significantly since the applicable Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) standard was changed and the halogen torchieres produced complied with such new standard. Through January 7, 2003, we maintained primary product liability insurance coverage of $1 million per occurrence, $2 million in the aggregate, as well as umbrella insurance policies providing an aggregate of $75 million in insurance coverage. The primary insurance policy required us to self-insure for up to $10,000 per incident. Effective January 8, 2003, the umbrella coverage was decreased to $50 million and the deductible was increased to $150,000 per incident involving halogen light products and $75,000 for all other incidents. All other significant aspects of the policy remain unchanged. Based on experience, we have accrued $529,000 for this contingency as of September 30, 2003. No assurance can be given that the number of claims will not exceed historical experience or that claims will not exceed available insurance coverage or that we will be able to maintain the same level of insurance.

 

Other Matters

 

Our ability to import products from China at current tariff levels could be materially and adversely affected if the NTR status the U.S. government has granted to China for trade and tariff purposes is terminated. As a result of its NTR status, China receives the same favorable tariff treatment that the United States extends to its other “normal” trading partners. China’s NTR status, coupled with its membership in the WTO, could eventually reduce barriers to manufacturing products in and exporting products from China. However, we cannot provide any assurance that China’s WTO membership or NTR status will not change.

 

Ring has a defined benefit pension plan which covered 20 current employees and approximately 750 members formerly associated with Ring. On April 7, 2003, the 20 current employees joined a defined contribution pension plan and stopped accruing future benefits under the defined benefit plan and there are now no active members in the defined benefit plan. The defined benefit plan is administered externally and the assets are held separately by professional investment managers. The plan is funded by contributions at rates recommended by an actuary based on the “Minimum Funding Requirement” (“MFR”). The U.K. government has announced that it intends to abolish the MFR and to replace it with funding standards individually tailored to the circumstances of plans and employers. In June 2003, the U.K. government announced that (i) solvent employers who choose to terminate their defined benefit pension plans are expected to meet the full buyout costs of all members’ benefits and (ii) a pension protection fund is to be introduced to guarantee members a specified minimum level of pension when the employer becomes insolvent. All employers with defined benefit pension plans will pay a flat rate levy and those plans which are underfunded, such as the Ring plan, will have to pay a higher premium to the protection fund. The amount of the levy has not been determined by the protection fund. The full buyout cost is considerably higher than the MFR cost. We do not intend to terminate the plan in the foreseeable future. In conjunction with the changes announced by the U.K. government in June 2003, the Company recorded a net equity charge of $2.7 million to other comprehensive income (pretax charge of $3.9 million net of income taxes of $1.2 million) to increase the accrued pension cost recorded in the September 30, 2003 balance sheet to the unfunded accumulated benefit obligation as of such date of $8.9 million. As a result of the change in U.K. law, at some time in the future, the Company must negotiate with the plan trustees the amount of cash funded into the plan. The Company has not begun these negotiations but expects that future funding will increase. The weighted average assumptions used in the actuarial computations related to the defined benefit pension plan are consistent and reasonable.

 

As of September 30, 2003, Ring Limited had outstanding 9.5 million convertible preference shares of which 2.5 million shares were held by third parties and the remaining 7 million shares were owned by the Company.

 

29


The holders of the convertible preference shares are entitled to receive in priority to the equity shareholders a fixed cumulative dividend of 19.2% per annum until January 1, 2004. The shares are convertible into fully paid ordinary shares of Ring Limited on the basis of two ordinary shares of Ring Limited for every five preference shares. Convertible preference shares representing a minority interest of approximately $1,026,000 will convert automatically into fully paid ordinary shares on January 1, 2004. The remaining minority interest of approximately $185,000 is not convertible into ordinary shares.

 

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on Issue No. 00-21 (“EITF 00-21”), “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” EITF 00-21 provides guidance on how to account for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets. The provisions of EITF 00-21 apply to revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. We have early adopted EITF 00-21 effective June 15, 2003. The adoption of EITF 00-21 had no impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123” (“SFAS 148”). SFAS 148 amends FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), to provide alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure provisions of SFAS 123 to require prominent disclosures about the effects on reported net income of an entity’s accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation. SFAS 148 also amends APB Opinion No. 28 (“APB 28”), “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require disclosures about those effects in interim financial information. The amendments to SFAS 123 in paragraphs 2(a)-2(e) of the statement are effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The amendment to SFAS 123 in paragraph 2(f) of this statement and the amendment to APB 28 in paragraph 3 are effective for financial reports containing condensed financial statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. We currently account for stock-based compensation awards to employees and directors under the accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and provide the disclosures required by SFAS 123. We adopted the additional disclosure provisions of SFAS 148 during the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation 45 (“FIN 45”), “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”. For a guarantee subject to FIN 45, a guarantor is required to:

 

    measure and recognize the fair value of the guarantee at inception. For many guarantees, fair value will likely be determined using the expected present value method described in the FASB Concepts Statement 7, “Using Cash Flow Information and Present Value in Accounting Measurements”; and

 

    provide new disclosures regarding the nature of any guarantees, the maximum potential amount of future guarantee payments, the current carrying amount of the guarantee liability, and the nature of any recourse provisions or assets held as collateral that could be liquidated and allow the guarantor to recover all or a portion of its payments in the event guarantee payments are required.

 

FIN 45 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51, which requires all variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that holds the majority of the beneficial interests in the variable interest entity. In addition, the interpretation expands disclosure requirements for both variable interest entities that are consolidated as well as variable interest entities from which the entity is the holder of a significant amount of the beneficial interests, but not the majority. The disclosure requirements of this interpretation are

 

30


effective for all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements of this interpretation are effective for all periods beginning after June 15, 2003. This interpretation did not have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (“SFAS 150”). This statement requires that certain financial instruments that, under previous guidance, issuers could account for as equity be classified as liabilities in statements of financial position. Most of the guidance in SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 150 has not and is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

Impact of Inflation and Economic Conditions

 

The Company has periodically experienced price increases in the costs of raw materials and finished goods from other suppliers which reduced the Company’s profitability due to an inability to immediately pass on such price increases to its customers. Significant increases in raw materials and finished goods prices could have an adverse impact on our net sales and income from continuing operations. We have experienced increased prices for raw steel which will result in increased steel costs in fiscal 2004 of approximately $300,000.

 

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Approximately 85% of our debt at September 30, 2003 (88% at September 30, 2002) was subject to variable interest rates. The remainder of our debt has fixed interest rates. Our fixed interest rate debt primarily represents $3.7 million (face value) in subordinated notes. The carrying value and market value of our debt at September 30, 2003 were $27.8 million and $27.9 million, respectively. Based upon debt balances outstanding at September 30, 2003, a 100 basis point (i.e., 1%) addition to our weighted average effective interest rate would increase our interest expense by approximately $241,000 on an annual basis. As of December 19, 2003, the date of our new credit facility, approximately 72% of our debt was subject to variable interest rates.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

We maintain significant investments in subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Canada, and sell our products into these foreign markets. We also maintain a major capital investment in manufacturing facilities and supporting administrative offices in China. Due to the significance of our international sales and operations, our business and operating results are impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. If any of the currencies of the foreign countries in which we conduct business depreciated against the U.S. dollar we could experience significant changes in our competitive position, cost structure and the translations of assets, liabilities and transactions denominated in foreign currencies, which could adversely impact our future earnings.

 

We engage in certain hedging activities with respect to foreign currency exposures. See Notes 1 and 20 of Notes to consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding derivative instruments and hedging activities.

 

Our foreign net asset/exposures (defined as assets denominated in foreign currency less liabilities denominated in foreign currency) at fiscal year ends in U.S. dollar equivalents were as follows:

 

     2003

   2002

     (In thousands)

Great British pounds (“GBP”)

   $ 14,779    $ 9,989

Hong Kong dollars

   $ 10,089    $ 9,496

Canadian dollars

   $ 5,622    $ 4,859

 

31


Our foreign currency risks relative to our significant foreign subsidiaries are as follows:

 

Ring mainly sells in GBP but pays in U.S. dollars for approximately 47% of the products it purchases. Ring hedges against movements in GBP relative to the U.S. dollar by purchasing forward foreign currency contracts to cover 50% of the estimated U.S. dollar denominated purchases on a rolling six months basis. In addition, upon a foreign currency liability becoming known for products that have been shipped which would not be covered by these contracts, individual foreign exchange contracts are entered into to exchange GBP for the relevant foreign currency on the date on which the liability falls due. This policy effectively hedges approximately 100% of Ring’s U.S. dollar requirement for two months and 50% going forward three to six months. At September 30, 2003 and 2002, Ring had outstanding forward contracts to exchange GBP for U.S. dollars for GBP 6.2 million and GBP 6.5 million, respectively. The forward contracts outstanding at September 30, 2003 mature through February 13, 2004, and the contracts outstanding at September 30, 2002 matured through March 13, 2003.

 

The short term of Ring’s foreign exchange contracts hedging specific purchases, and the fact that only 50% of expected purchases going forward three to six months are hedged, limit their effectiveness as a hedge against a significant depreciation of the GBP against the U.S. dollar over the course of a relatively longer period, such as a year. Consequently, as was the case in 2001, a depreciation of the GBP against the dollar could adversely impact Ring’s gross margins to the extent the increase in the effective cost of goods purchased in U.S. dollars could not be passed on to Ring’s U.K. customers through higher sales prices.

 

As Ring’s assets, liabilities and transactions are recorded in GBP, Ring’s results and financial condition are subject to translation adjustments upon their conversion into U.S. dollars for our financial reporting purposes. A 10% decline in the GBP relative to the U.S. dollar over the course of 2003 (i.e., including the actual exchange experience) would have reduced Ring’s translated net sales by $6.4 million, reduced Ring’s translated segment income from $13.4 million to $10.7 million but would have resulted in an increase of $869,000 million in the foreign currency translation gain. These adjusted amounts do not reflect any economic impacts of the devaluation of the GBP on Ring’s sales, margins, results and overall business.

 

More than 91% of Go-Gro’s sales in 2003 (approximately 85% of which were intercompany) were made in U.S. dollars. Go-Gro purchases in U.S. dollars, Hong Kong dollars (“HK dollars”) and Chinese Renminbi. A greater portion of Go-Gro’s sales are in U.S. dollars than its cost of sales and other operating costs; therefore an appreciation of the HK dollar or the Chinese Renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar could, in the short term, decrease Go-Gro’s operating margins and profits assuming its sales prices in U.S. dollars remain firm.

 

As Go-Gro’s assets, liabilities and transactions are recorded in HK dollars and Chinese Renminbi, Go-Gro’s results and financial condition are subject to translation adjustments upon their conversion into U.S. dollars for our financial reporting purposes. A 10% appreciation of the HK dollar and Chinese Renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar over the course of 2003 (i.e., in addition to actual experience) would not have significantly impacted Go-Gro’s translated sales for 2003, but would have decreased their translated segment contribution for 2003 by $337,000, and resulted in a decrease in its translation loss of $ 1.2 million for 2003. These adjusted amounts do not reflect any economic impacts of the HK dollar on Go-Gro’s sales, gross profits, results and overall business.

 

Catalina Canada sells in both U.S. dollars (approximately 41% of 2003 sales) and CDN dollars (approximately 59% of 2003 sales). Most of Catalina Canada’s goods are purchased from Go-Gro in U.S. dollars. Similar to Ring, a decrease in the CDN dollar relative to the U.S. dollar could adversely impact Catalina Canada’s margins and profitability if the higher effective cost of its products could not be passed on to Catalina Canada’s customers through higher sales prices.

 

An assumed 10% depreciation of the CDN dollar relative to the U.S. dollar over the course of 2003 (i.e., in addition to actual exchange experience) would have resulted in a translation reduction of our net sales of $628,000 for 2003 and a $491,000 decrease in consolidated net income. These adjusted amounts do not reflect any economic impacts of the devaluation of the CDN dollars on Catalina Canada’s sales, margins, results, and overall business.

 

32


Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES

 

     Page

Reports of Independent Certified Public Accountants

   34

Consolidated Balance Sheets—September 30, 2003 and 2002

   36

Consolidated Statements of Operations—Years Ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   37

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity—Years Ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   38

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Years Ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   39

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   42

Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information

   76

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts—Years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   81

 

(All other schedules have been omitted as the related information has either been provided in the notes to consolidated financial statements or is not required or applicable).

 

33


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

 

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Catalina Lighting, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Catalina Lighting, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Catalina Lighting, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2003 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have also audited Schedule I and Schedule II of Catalina Lighting Inc. and subsidiaries for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2003. In our opinion, these schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information therein. As discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” on October 1, 2002.

 

By:  

/s/    GRANT THORNTON LLP        


    Certified Public Accountants

 

Miami, Florida

November 7, 2003 (except for Note 7, as to

which the date is December 19, 2003)

 

34


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

 

Board of Directors

Catalina Lighting, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Catalina Lighting, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the year ended September 30, 2001. Our audit also included the financial statement schedules listed in Item 15(a)2. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2001 of Catalina Lighting, Inc. and subsidiaries in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

/s/    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP        


Certified Public Accountants

 

Miami, Florida

December 14, 2001

 

35


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 
ASSETS                 

Current assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,899       2,657  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $880 and $446, respectively

     29,273       33,814  

Inventories

     34,392       34,511  

Other current assets

     5,032       6,642  
    


 


Total current assets

     71,596       77,624  

Property and equipment, net

     16,665       18,102  

Goodwill

     28,282       28,282  

Other assets, net

     10,732       7,206  
    


 


     $ 127,275     $ 131,214  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

Current liabilities

                

Revolving credit facilities

   $ —       $ 1,477  

Term loans

     —         3,154  

Accounts payable

     27,416       29,498  

Current maturities of other long-term debt

     702       340  

Income taxes payable

     3,686       1,813  

Accrued employee compensation and benefits

     2,344       2,481  

Other current liabilities

     8,618       9,406  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     42,766       48,169  

Revolving credit facilities

     11,747       11,315  

Term loans

     12,284       17,574  

Subordinated notes

     3,038       2,804  

Other long-term debt

     17       721  

Accrued pension cost

     8,349       3,833  

Other liabilities

     68       1,126  
    


 


Total liabilities

     78,269       85,542  
    


 


Minority interest

     1,211       1,144  

Commitments and contingencies

     —         —    

Stockholders’ equity

                

Preferred stock, $.01 par value authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued

     —         —    

Common stock, $.01 par value authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued 4,420,760 shares and 4,414,260 shares, respectively; outstanding 4,292,373 shares and 4,285,873 shares, respectively

  

 

44

 

 

 

44

 

Additional paid-in capital

     38,604       38,119  

Retained earnings

     12,613       7,623  

Deferred compensation

     (262 )     —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (743 )     1,203  

Treasury stock, at cost, 128,387 shares

     (2,461 )     (2,461 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     47,795       44,528  
    


 


     $ 127,275     $ 131,214  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

36


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Net sales

   $ 202,017     $ 220,266     $ 234,786  

Cost of sales

     160,392       176,494       202,716  
    


 


 


Gross profit

     41,625       43,772       32,070  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     30,031       32,803       40,010  

Severance and office closing costs

     474       624       1,154  

Provision for impairment of land use rights

     766       —         —    

Executive settlements

     —         —         2,586  

Litigation settlement

     —         959       (714 )
    


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     10,354       9,386       (10,966 )
    


 


 


Other income (expenses)

                        

Interest expense

     (3,664 )     (6,858 )     (7,169 )

Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment, net

     84       (869 )     —    

Net foreign currency gain (loss)

     678       (360 )     (488 )

Other expenses

     (50 )     (3 )     (107 )
    


 


 


Total other expenses

     (2,952 )     (8,090 )     (7,764 )
    


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

     7,402       1,296       (18,730 )

Income tax (provision) benefit

     (2,412 )     (437 )     383  
    


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 4,990     $ 859     $ (18,347 )
    


 


 


Earnings (loss) per share

                        

Basic

                        

Earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.90     $ 0.18     $ (10.22 )

Weighted average number of shares

     5,558       4,755       1,796  

Diluted

                        

Earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.86     $ 0.18     $ (10.22 )

Weighted average number of shares

     5,811       4,834       1,796  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

37


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share data)

 

    Common Stock

  Additional
Paid-in
Capital


    Retained
Earnings


    Deferred
Compasation


    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)


    Treasury Stock

   

Total

Stockholders’

Equity


 
    Shares

  Amount

          Shares

  Amount

   

Balance at September 30, 2000

  1,599,971   $ 16   $ 28,624     $ 25,111     $ —       $ (461 )   128,387   $ (2,461 )   $ 50,829  

Sale of common stock

  1,697,987     17     2,247                                           2,264  

Common stock issued to outside directors

  6,087           23                                           23  

Warrants issued with subordinated notes

              2,265                                           2,265  

Warrants issued for interest on subordinated notes

              49                                           49  

Warrants issued to U.S. bank group

              191                                           191  

Stock options issued for executive settlements

              1,020                                           1,020  

Redemption of stock rights

              (8 )                                         (8 )

Comprehensive loss:

                                                             

Net loss

                      (18,347 )                                 (18,347 )

Foreign currency translation loss

                                      (15 )                 (15 )

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instrument, net of taxes

                                      (139 )                 (139 )
                                                         


Total comprehensive loss

                                                          (18,501 )
   
 

 


 


 


 


 
 


 


Balance at September 30, 2001

  3,304,045     33     34,411       6,764       —         (615 )   128,387     (2,461 )     38,132  

Warrants issued for interest on subordinated notes

              183                                           183  

Warrants issued to a consultant

              81                                           81  

Stock options issued to a consultant

              24                                           24  

Exercise of stock options

  800           5                                           5  

Subordinated notes converted to equity, net

  1,109,415     11     3,415                                           3,426  

Comprehensive (loss) income:

                                                             

Net income

                      859                                   859  

Foreign currency translation gain

                                      1,679                   1,679  

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instrument, net of taxes

                                      139                   139  
                                                         


Total comprehensive income

                                                          2,677  
   
 

 


 


 


 


 
 


 


Balance at September 30, 2002

  4,414,260     44     38,119       7,623       —         1,203     128,387     (2,461 )     44,528  

Exercise of stock options

  6,500           34                                           34  

Issuance and amendment of stock options

              451               (411 )                         40  

Compensation expense

                              149                           149  

Comprehensive income:

                                                             

Net income

                      4,990                                   4,990  

Foreign currency translation gain

                                      748                   748  

Adjustment to accrued pension cost, net of income taxes

                                   

 

(2,694

)

             

 

(2,694

)

                                                         


Total comprehensive income

                                                          3,044  
   
 

 


 


 


 


 
 


 


Balance at September 30, 2003

  4,420,760   $ 44   $ 38,604     $ 12,613     $ (262 )   $ (743 )   128,387   $ (2,461 )   $ 47,795  
   
 

 


 


 


 


 
 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated financial statement.

 

38


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,990     $ 859     $ (18,347 )
    


 


 


Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

                        

Exchange loss (gain)

     (463 )     448       (85 )

Amortization to interest expense

     1,299       1,762       804  

Depreciation and other amortization

     3,101       6,130       7,170  

Provision for impairment of land use rights

     766       —         —    

Provision for doubtful accounts

     558       226       1,105  

Provision for inventory

     3,048       1,856       5,588  

Deferred income tax

     (2,571 )     (1,896 )     (670 )

Loss (gain) on disposition of property and equipment

     (84 )     869       4  

Non-cash compensation expense

     189       —         —    

Stock options issued for executive settlements

     —         —         1,020  

Warrants issued for interest on subordinated notes

     —         183       49  

Interest on subordinated notes added to principal

     —         692       199  

Change in assets and liabilities:

                        

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable

     5,622       (4,942 )     7,154  

Decrease (increase) in inventories

     (939 )     2,638       9,885  

Decrease (increase) in other current assets

     637       (580 )     1,539  

Decrease (increase) in other assets

     (45 )     1,863       (1,515 )

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash equivalents

     —         686       (336 )

Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable

     1,707       1,358       (1,159 )

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued employee compensation and benefits, accrued pension cost and other liabilities

  

 

(5,917

)

 

 

(682

)

 

 

(7,293

)

    


 


 


Total adjustments

     6,908       10,611       23,459  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     11,898       11,470       5,112  
    


 


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                        

Capital expenditures

     (1,976 )     (1,181 )     (4,794 )

Proceeds from sale of property

     344       9,515       190  

Purchase of minority interest

     —         —         (1,080 )

Payment for Ring acquisition

     —         —         (119 )

Decrease in restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments

     —         894       879  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (1,632 )     9,228       (4,924 )
    


 


 


 

(Continues on Page 40)

 

39


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

                        

Payments on term loans

     (8,909 )     (4,224 )     (4,074 )

Financing cost

     —         (300 )     —    

Net (payments) borrowings under revolving credit facilities

     (1,098 )     (10,867 )     182  

Proceeds from issuance of subordinated notes

     —         —         4,375  

Sinking fund redemption payments on bonds

     —         (515 )     (880 )

Proceeds from other long-term debt

     —         —         323  

Payments on other long-term debt

     (347 )     (947 )     (1,468 )

Payments on bonds payable

     —         (5,100 )     (900 )

Proceeds from issuance of warrants

     —         —         2,265  

Payment for redemption of stock rights

     —         —         (8 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock and related income tax benefit

     34       5       2,264  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (10,320 )     (21,948 )     2,079  
    


 


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     296       (706 )     37  
    


 


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     242       (1,956 )     2,304  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     2,657       4,613       2,309  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 2,899     $ 2,657     $ 4,613  
    


 


 


 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

 

     Years Ended September 30,

     2003

   2002

   2001

Cash paid for:

                    

Interest

   $ 2,485    $ 3,974    $ 5,664
    

  

  

Income taxes

   $ 3,287    $ 1,126    $ 1,420
    

  

  

 

In conjunction with changes to rules related to defined benefit pension plans announced by the U.K. government in June 2003, the Company recorded in fiscal 2003 a net equity charge of $2.7 million to other comprehensive income (pretax charge of $3.9 million net of income taxes of $1.2 million) to increase the pension obligation recorded in the September 30, 2003 balance sheet to the unfunded accumulated benefit obligation as of such date of $8.9 million.

 

Effective December 1, 2002, the Company entered into a two-year consulting agreement with the individual who served as its Chief Executive Officer from July 2001 through November 2002. The Company amended the terms of the stock options previously granted and as a result will incur compensation expense of approximately $295,000 during the term of the consulting agreement on a straight line basis. Compensation expense for the year ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $124,000.

 

In November 2002, the Company issued 50,000 options to purchase shares of common stock to its new Chief Executive Officer at an exercise price of $2.31 per share below the market price on the date of grant, resulting in compensation of $116,000 that will be recognized over the four-year vesting period. Compensation expense for the year ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $25,000.

 

(Continues on Page 41)

 

40


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

(In thousands)

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information—(Continued)

 

Effective November 1, 2002, the Company amended the terms of the stock options previously granted to the individual who formerly served as its Chief Financial Officer, and as a result recorded compensation expense of $40,000 during the year ended September 30, 2003.

 

In June 2002, the Company entered into a transaction whereby it converted $6.0 million of subordinated debt into 1,109,415 shares of common stock. As a result of the transaction, the Company wrote off against paid in capital approximately $2.6 million of discount, deferred loan costs and transaction costs.

 

During May 2002, the Company granted options valued at $24,000, which it expensed, to an employee of an entity under common control, in exchange for consulting services.

 

On April 8, 2002, the Company effected a one-for-five reverse stock split. All information in the consolidated financial statements related to common shares, share prices, per share amounts, stock option plans, stock warrants and stock rights have been restated retroactively for the reverse stock split, unless otherwise noted.

 

In January 2002, the Company entered into a three-year consulting agreement with an executive officer of an entity under common control with the Company, whereby it issued to the consultant a warrant to purchase 64,400 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $2.20 per share which was the market value on the date of grant. The Company capitalized $81,000 which represents the fair value of these warrants and is amortizing this amount over the term of the consulting agreement on a straight line basis.

 

During 2002 and 2001, the Company issued warrants valued at $183,000 and $49,000, respectively, as additional interest expense on subordinated debt.

 

During the year ended September 30, 2001, the Company issued warrants valued at $191,000 to purchase 70,828 shares of common stock at $0.05 per share to its bank syndicate group in connection with the July 23, 2001 amendment to its $75 million credit facility.

 

During the year ended September 30, 2001, the Company issued 6,087 shares of common stock to its outside directors as compensation for their services. The aggregate market value of the stock issued was $23,000.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

41


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

1.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations

 

(a)  The Business

 

Catalina Lighting, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, “Company”) is a United States-headquartered designer, wholesaler, distributor and manufacturer of lamps, lighting fixtures and other products. The Company sells principally in the United States and the United Kingdom to a variety of retailers including home centers, national retail chains, office superstore chains, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, discount department stores and hardware stores. The Company also sells its products in other European countries, Canada, Mexico and other foreign markets.

 

(b)  Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Catalina Lighting, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Catalina Industries, Inc., Go-Gro Industries, Limited and its subsidiaries (“Go-Gro”), Catalina International Limited, Ring Limited and its subsidiaries (“Ring”), Catalina Lighting Canada (1992), Inc. (“Catalina Canada”), and other wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

(c)  Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the period. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty; therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the Company’s financial statements. Management continually evaluates its estimates and assumptions, which are based on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Management believes that the following may involve a higher degree of judgment or complexity:

 

Collectibility of Accounts Receivable.—The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management’s estimates of the creditworthiness of its customers, current economic conditions and historical information, and, in the opinion of management, is set in an amount sufficient to respond to normal business conditions. Management sets reserves for customers based upon historical collection experience and sets specific reserves for customers whose accounts have aged significantly beyond historical collection experience. Should business conditions deteriorate or any major credit customer default on its obligations to the Company, this allowance may need to be significantly increased, which would have a negative impact upon the Company’s operations.

 

Reserves on Inventories—Reserves on inventories result in a charge to operations when the estimated net realizable value of inventory items declines below cost. Reserves are recorded as a component of cost of sales. Management regularly reviews the Company’s investment in inventories for declines in value. The Company establishes reserves based on historical experience and specific reserves when it is apparent that the expected realizable value of an inventory item falls below its original cost.

 

Income Taxes—Significant management judgment is required in developing the Company’s provision for income taxes, including the determination of foreign tax liabilities, deferred tax assets, and liabilities and

 

42


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

any valuation allowances that might be required against the deferred tax assets. The Company evaluates quarterly the realizability of its deferred tax assets and adjusts the amount of its valuation allowance, if necessary. The Company operates within multiple taxing jurisdictions and is subject to audit in those jurisdictions. Because of the complex issues involved, any claims can require an extended period to resolve. In management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made. Management regularly assesses the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of provision for income taxes.

 

Goodwill—In fiscal 2003, the Company began to perform an annual test for impairment of goodwill. This test is performed by comparing, at the reporting unit level, the carrying value of goodwill to its fair value. The Company assesses fair value based upon a combination of valuation methodologies applied to each reporting unit. The tests performed for fiscal 2003 did not identify any instances of impairment. However, changes in expectations as to the fair values of the reporting units might impact subsequent years’ assessments of impairment.

 

Accrual for Sales Incentives—The Company’s accrual for sales incentives is usually based on certain stated percentages of gross sales, and are recognized as a reduction of gross sales at the time the related sales are recorded. If the customer does not provide for the deduction of the allowance amount directly from the amount invoiced the customer at time of billing, the Company records an accrual for the amounts due. Management sets specific reserves for customers based on contracted amounts and other reserves for non-contractual amounts. Should the Company underestimate the reserve for the non-contractual allowances, this reserve may need to be significantly increased, which would have a negative impact upon the Company’s operations.

 

Reserves for Product Liability Claims and Litigation—The Company is subject to various legal proceedings, product liability claims and other claims in the ordinary course of its business. Management estimates the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such matters in excess of applicable insurance coverage based on historical claims experience and current claim amounts, as well as other available facts and circumstances. As the outcome of litigation is difficult to predict and significant estimates are made with regard to future events, significant changes from estimated amounts could occur.

 

(d)  Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make 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 reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

During the year ended September 30, 2003, the Company reduced its accrual for a preferential payment claim by $325,000, with a corresponding reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses, as a result of the claim being settled for less than originally estimated.

 

(e)  Risks and Concentrations

 

In 2003, approximately 66% of the Company’s products were obtained from suppliers located in China. Any inability by the Company to continue to obtain its products from China could significantly disrupt the Company’s business. Because the Company manufactures and sources products in China and conducts business in several foreign countries, the Company is affected by economic and political conditions in those countries, including fluctuations in the value of currency, increased duties, possible employee turnover, labor unrest, lack of developed infrastructure, longer payment cycles, greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable, and the burdens and costs of compliance with a variety of foreign laws. China gained Permanent Normal Trade Relations (“PNTR”) with the United States when it acceded to the World Trade Organization (“WTO”), effective January 1, 2002. The United States imposes the lowest applicable tariffs on exports from PNTR countries to the United States. In order to maintain its WTO membership, China has agreed to several requirements, including the

 

43


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

elimination of caps on foreign ownership of Chinese companies, lowering tariffs and publicizing its laws. No assurance can be given that China will meet these requirements and remain a member of the WTO, or that its PNTR trading status will be maintained. If China’s WTO membership is withdrawn or if PNTR status for goods produced in China were removed, there could be a substantial increase in tariffs imposed on goods of Chinese origin entering the United States, including those manufactured by the Company, which would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2003 and 2002 are net assets of $16.6 million and $17.2 million, respectively, of Company subsidiaries located in China. With respect to these assets, the Company maintains $14.4 million in non-cancelable political risk insurance.

 

During the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 one customer (included in the North America segment) accounted for 7.0%, 13.4% and 13.7%, respectively, of the Company’s net sales. One other customer (primarily included in the United Kingdom segment) accounted for 16.8%, 17.9% and 17.1%, respectively, of the Company’s net sales during the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001. Accounts receivable from this one other customer amounted to $4.8 million and $8.3 million as of September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

(f)  Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash on hand and in banks, money market funds and other short-term securities with maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered cash and cash equivalents. The amount of cash and cash equivalents held in foreign bank accounts was $2.9 million and $2.3 million at September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

(g)  Accounts Receivable

 

The Company provides allowances against accounts receivable for sales deductions, returns and doubtful accounts. The Company’s agreements with its major customers provide for various sales allowances (i.e., deductions given the customer from purchases made from the Company), the most common of which are for volume discounts, consumer product returns, and cooperative advertising. These allowances are usually defined as a percentage of the gross sales price, and are recognized as a reduction of gross sales at the time the related sales are recorded. If the customer agreement does not provide for the deduction of the allowance amount directly from the amount invoiced the customer at time of billing, the Company records an accrual for the amounts due. These accrued sales allowances are settled periodically either by subsequent deduction from the accounts receivable from the customer or by cash payment. For financial statement presentation purposes, these sales allowances are netted against accounts receivable, and amounted to $7.9 million and $9.1 million at September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is based on several factors, including management’s estimates of the creditworthiness of its customers, current economic conditions and historical information. In the opinion of management, the allowance for doubtful accounts is believed to be set in any amount sufficient to respond to normal business conditions. Should such conditions deteriorate or any major credit customer default on its obligations to the Company, this allowance may need to be increased which may have an adverse impact upon the Company’s earnings.

 

Ring’s major trading subsidiary has arrangements with two credit insurance companies (“CIC’s”) to transfer the majority of the credit risk related to its receivables for a fee equal to .095% of U.K. billing and .67% of non-U.K. billing. Gross accounts receivable secured under such agreements at September 30, 2003 and 2002 amounted to $22.4 million and $23.6 million, respectively. In addition, certain of the Company’s sales are made to customers who pay pursuant to their own international, irrevocable, transferable letters of credit. Gross accounts receivable secured by such letters of credit at September 30, 2003 and 2002 amounted to $2.8 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

 

44


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(h)  Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company provides inventory allowances when the estimated net realizable value of inventory items declines below cost.

 

(i)  Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or estimated useful lives of the related assets.

 

(j)  Restricted Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

 

At September 30, 2001, sinking fund payments on bonds issued to finance a U.S. warehouse and investment income earned on such payments and a $686,000 cash deposit with the Company’s Hong Kong bank held for letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company were recorded as restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments. As of September 30, 2003 and 2002, there were no such restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments.

 

(k)  Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired and through September 30, 2002, was being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods from twenty to forty years. On October 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”) and performed a transitional fair-value based impairment test, and determined that no impairment charge was necessary. With the adoption of SFAS 142, goodwill is no longer subject to amortization. Rather, goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test. The Company performed an additional fair-value based impairment test as of September 30, 2003, and no impairment charge was necessary.

 

In fiscal 2003, the Company began to perform an annual test for impairment of goodwill. This test is performed by comparing, at the reporting unit level, the carrying value of goodwill to its fair value. The Company assesses fair value based upon a combination of valuation methodologies applied to each reporting unit. The tests performed for fiscal 2003 did not identify any instances of impairment. However, changes in expectations as to the fair values of the reporting unit’s might impact subsequent year’s assessments of impairment.

 

(l)  Income Taxes

 

The Company and its wholly owned domestic subsidiaries file consolidated federal and state tax returns in the United States. Separate foreign tax returns are filed for the Company’s Hong Kong, China, Canadian, U.K. and Mexican subsidiaries. The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of “temporary differences” by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the year that includes the enactment date. The Company provides a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets when it believes that it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized.

 

45


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The Company repatriated approximately $2.6 million of earnings from its foreign operations in fiscal 2003 and no earnings were repatriated in fiscal 2002 and 2001. Accordingly, these fiscal 2003 repatriated earnings were taxed based on U.S. statutory rates. No provision has been made for U.S. taxes on the remaining undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries of approximately $35.2 million, $27.2 million and $27.3 million at September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, as it is anticipated that such earnings would be reinvested in their respective operations or in other foreign operations. The Company intends in the foreseeable future to permanently reinvest the majority of its current earnings of all of its foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States.

 

(m)  Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income or loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year and common shares issuable under options and warrants exercisable with little or no consideration. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity.

 

(n)  Foreign Currency Translation

 

The accounts of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars as follows: for subsidiaries where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar, monetary balance sheet accounts are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the year and non-monetary balance sheet accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the year. Adjustments resulting from the translation of these entities are included in other income (expense). For subsidiaries where the functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, balance sheet accounts are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the year. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the year. Resulting translation adjustments are reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity (“other comprehensive income (loss)”). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in operations.

 

(o)  Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation issued to its employees using the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options issued is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant over the exercise price of the options. The pro forma net earnings (loss) per common stock amounts as if the fair value method had been used are presented below. The Company accounts for stock options issued to non-employees under Statement of Accounting No. 123 “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation”.

 

46


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

For purposes of the following pro forma disclosures, the weighted-average fair value of options has been estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively: no dividend yield; expected volatility of 88%, 96% and 75%, risk-free interest rate of 3.0%, 3.8% and 3.7% and an expected holding period for options granted of five years for 2003, 2002 and 2001. The weighted average fair value at date of grant of options granted during 2003, 2002, and 2001 was $6.24, $2.17, and $2.85 per option, respectively. Had the compensation cost been determined based on the fair value at the grant, the Company’s net income (loss) and basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Net income (loss)—as reported

   $ 4,990     $ 859     $ (18,347 )

Add: stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of income tax effect

     16       —         —    

Less: stock-based employee compensation determined under the fair value method, net of income tax effect

     (329 )     (272 )     (289 )
    


 


 


Net income (loss)—proforma

   $ 4,677     $ 587     $ (18,636 )
    


 


 


Basic earnings (loss) per share—as reported

   $ 0.90     $ 0.18     $ (10.22 )

Basic earnings (loss) per share—proforma

   $ 0.84     $ 0.12     $ (10.38 )

Diluted earnings (loss) per share—as reported

   $ 0.86     $ 0.18     $ (10.22 )

Diluted earnings (loss) per share—proforma

   $ 0.80     $ 0.12     $ (10.38 )

 

(p)  Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets to be held and used for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. In performing the review for recoverability, the Company estimates fair value by determining the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recognized, by comparing the fair value of assets to their carrying value. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell.

 

(q)  Comprehensive Income (loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

   2001

 
     ( In thousands)  

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,990     $ 859    $ (18,347 )

Adjustment to accrued pension cost, net of $1.2 million in income taxes

     (2,694 )     —        —    

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

     748       1,679      (15 )

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instrument, net of taxes

     —         139      (139 )
    


 

  


Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 3,044     $ 2,677    $ (18,501 )
    


 

  


 

47


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The foreign currency translation gain (loss) relates to the Company’s U.K. operations. The Company’s investment in such operations is permanent in nature and consequently no adjustment for income taxes was made.

 

(r)  Revenue Recognition

 

The Company manufactures and sells its products pursuant to purchase orders received from customers and recognizes revenue at the time its products are delivered to the customer or the customer’s carrier, all significant obligations have been satisfied and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Any shipping, handling or other costs incurred by the Company associated with the sale are expensed as cost of sales when incurred. Amounts billed to a customer for shipping and handling are reported as revenue. Net sales are comprised of gross sales less provisions for discounts, sales incentives, volume rebates and estimated customer returns.

 

(s)  Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage exposures to foreign currency. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”) was issued in June 1998. SFAS 133 establishes standards for the accounting and reporting of derivative instruments of hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income. If the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives are either offset against the change in fair value of assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings.

 

(t)  Segment Reporting

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, the Company reports its results consistent with the manner in which financial information is viewed by management for decision-making purposes.

 

(u)  Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In November 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on Issue No. 00-21 (“EITF 00-21”), “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” EITF 00-21 provides guidance on how to account for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets. The provisions of EITF 00-21 apply to revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company early adopted EITF 00-21 effective June 15, 2003. The adoption of EITF 00-21 had no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123” (“SFAS 148”). SFAS 148 amends FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), to provide alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure provisions of SFAS 123 to require prominent disclosures about the effects on reported net income of an entity’s accounting policy decisions with respect to

 

48


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

stock-based employee compensation. SFAS 148 also amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require disclosures about those effects in interim financial information.

 

The amendments to SFAS 123 in paragraphs2(a)-2(e) of the statement are effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The amendment to SFAS 123 in paragraph 2(f) of the statement and the amendment to Opinion 28 in paragraph 3 are effective for financial reports containing condensed financial statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. The Company currently accounts for its stock-based compensation awards to employees and directors under the accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and provides the disclosures required by SFAS 123. The Company adopted the additional disclosure provisions of SFAS 148 during the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation 45 (“FIN 45”), “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”. For a guarantee subject to FIN 45, a guarantor is required to:

 

    measure and recognize the fair value of the guarantee at inception. For many guarantees, fair value will likely be determined using the expected present value method described in the FASB Concepts Statement 7, “Using Cash Flow Information and Present Value in Accounting Measurements”; and

 

    provide new disclosures regarding the nature of any guarantees, the maximum potential amount of future guarantee payments, the current carrying amount of the guarantee liability, and the nature of any recourse provisions or assets held as collateral that could be liquidated and allow the guarantor to recover all or a portion of its payments in the event guarantee payments are required.

 

FIN 45 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51, which requires all variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that holds the majority of the beneficial interests in the variable interest entity. In addition, the Interpretation expands disclosure requirements for both variable interest entities that are consolidated as well as variable interest entities from which the entity is the holder of a significant amount of the beneficial interests, but not the majority. The disclosure requirements of this Interpretation are effective for all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements of this Interpretation are effective for all periods beginning after June 15, 2003. This Interpretation did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” This statement requires that certain financial instruments that, under previous guidance, issuers could account for as equity be classified as liabilities in statements of financial position. Most of the guidance in SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 150 has not and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

(v)  Reverse Stock Split

 

Effective April 8, 2002, the Company effected a one-for-five reverse stock split. All information in the consolidated financial statements related to common shares, share prices, per share amounts, stock option plans, stock warrants and stock rights have been restated retroactively for the reverse stock split, unless otherwise noted.

 

49


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(w)  Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts presented in the financial statements of prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

2.    Capital Infusion

 

On July 23, 2001 the Company obtained $11.8 million in additional funding as a result of closing a transaction (the “Sun Transaction”) with Sun Catalina Holdings LLC (“SCH”), an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (a private investment firm based in Boca Raton, Florida) and other parties.

 

In exchange for the $11.8 million, the Company issued SCH 1,697,987 shares of common stock (for $3 million) and $4.5 million in secured subordinated notes, and issued $4.3 million in secured subordinated notes to another lender, SunTrust Banks, Inc. (“SunTrust”). SCH and SunTrust also received the right to obtain warrants exercisable immediately upon receipt at $.05 per share to purchase an additional 780,968 and 330,527 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock. See Note 15 for warrants issued in connection with the Sun Transaction. Immediately after the Sun Transaction, SCH owned approximately 53% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The Company entered into a ten-year agreement with an affiliate of SCH to provide management services to the Company at an annual fee of $500,000. The Company also reimbursed approximately $850,000 in transaction-related expenses incurred by Sun Capital Partners and paid a $400,000 investment banking fee to an affiliate of SCH in connection with the Sun Transaction.

 

The Company amended and restructured its $75 million credit facility in connection with the Sun Transaction. The net proceeds from the transaction, amounting to $8.9 million, were applied against the revolving loans and term loans under this credit facility.

 

The amendment to this credit facility revised the financial covenants under the facility, reduced required quarterly principal payments on the term loans, reallocated available borrowings between the U.S. and U.K. revolving loans, provided for lump sum repayment of the revolving loans and term loans on December 31, 2003, and limited the Company’s consolidated capital expenditures. On December 19, 2003, the Company entered into a new asset-based credit facility. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The Company had employment agreements with the individuals serving as its chief executive officer, two executive vice presidents and chief financial officer at the time of the Sun Transaction that provided for certain payments to these employees in the event the Company experienced a “change in control”. The Company resolved these obligations as part of the Sun Transaction by terminating the previous employment agreements and entering into settlement agreements with these employees, which agreements provide in the aggregate for (i) the granting of options to purchase 313,847 shares of common stock at a price of $5.90 per share, and (ii) payments of approximately $198,000 each quarter over a three-year period beginning September 1, 2001. The quarterly payments under these settlement agreements are suspended at any time in which a default under the Company’s credit facility has occurred and is continuing. As part of the settlement agreements, the Company obtained covenants not to compete through July 23, 2004. The accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended September 30, 2001 includes a charge of $2,586,000 relating to these settlement agreements.

 

3.    Acquisition

 

On July 5, 2000 the Company acquired all of the outstanding ordinary shares and 74% of the convertible preference shares of Ring. Ring is a leading supplier of lighting, automotive aftermarket products and industrial consumables in the United Kingdom. The acquisition, recorded under the purchase method of accounting,

 

50


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

included the purchase of 39.6 million ordinary shares at 50 pence per share (approximately U.S. $30.1 million), 7 million convertible preference shares at 20 pence per share (approximately U.S. $2.1 million) plus acquisition costs, resulted in a total purchase price of U.S. $33.8 million. A portion of the purchase price was allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair market value at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair market value of Ring’s tangible assets was $21.3 million, which was allocated to goodwill. During 2001 the Company reduced this goodwill by $749,000 reflecting the favorable settlement of tax liabilities. Through September 30, 2002 the goodwill was being amortized over 20 years on a straight-line basis. On October 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS142 and accordingly the amortization of goodwill is no longer required.

 

4.    Inventories

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

     September 30,

     2003

   2002

     (In thousands)

Raw materials

   $ 2,142    $ 2,383

Work-in-progress

     377      440

Finished goods

     31,873      31,688
    

  

     $ 34,392    $ 34,511
    

  

 

Inventory allowances amounted to $3.5 million and $5.2 million at September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

5.    Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment and related depreciable lives were as follows:

 

     September 30,

  

Depreciable

lives


     2003

   2002

  
     (In thousands)     

Land

   $ 377    $ 377   

Land use rights

     2,242      2,578    47 years

Buildings and improvements

     12,013      11,797    5 to 30 years

Leasehold improvements

     1,879      1,744    *

Furniture and office equipment

     1,794      1,625    3 to 7 years

Computer software and equipment

     5,738      5,383    2 to 5 years

Machinery, molds and equipment

     13,868      13,851    3 to 15 years

Vehicles

     1,662      2,116    4 to 5 years

Other assets

     156      156    2 years
    

  

    
       39,729      39,627     

Less accumulated depreciation

     23,064      21,525     
    

  

    
     $ 16,665    $ 18,102     
    

  

    

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 was approximately $2.5 million, $3.8 million, and $4.9 million, respectively.

 

*   Shorter of remaining term of lease or asset life.

 

51


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

6.    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 142 (see note 1 above), which establishes new accounting and reporting requirements for goodwill and other intangible assets. The new standards require that all intangible assets acquired that are obtained through contractual or legal right, or are capable of being separately sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged must be recognized as an asset apart from goodwill. Goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives are no longer amortized, but are subject to an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test.

 

The Company applied the provisions of SFAS 142 beginning on October 1, 2002 and completed a transitional fair value based impairment test as of October 1, 2002 which indicated that there was no impairment of recorded goodwill. The Company performed an additional fair-value based impairment test as of September 30, 2003, and no impairment charge was necessary. In accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142, the Company is no longer recording annual amortization of goodwill of approximately $1.6 million per year. SFAS 142 requires the allocation of purchase price, including goodwill, at a reporting unit level, which is defined as “an operating segment or one level below an operating segment”.

 

Total goodwill by reportable segment is as follows (In thousands):

 

     September 30,

     2003

   2002

North America

   $ 5,776    $ 5,776

United Kingdom

     18,730      18,730

China Manufacturing And Distribution

     3,776      3,776
    

  

     $ 28,282    $ 28,282
    

  

 

The following table adjusts earnings (loss) per share for the adoption of SFAS 142:

 

     Years ended September 30,

 
     2003

   2002

   2001

 
     (in thousands)  

Reported net income (loss)

   $ 4,990    $ 859    $ (18,347 )

Goodwill amortization, net of taxes

     —        1,590      1,492  
    

  

  


Adjusted net income (loss)

   $ 4,990    $ 2,449    $ (16,855 )
    

  

  


 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:

 

     Years ended September 30,

 
     2003

   2002

   2001

 
     Basic

   Diluted

   Basic

   Diluted

   Basic

    Diluted

 

Reported net earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.90    $ 0.86    $ 0.18    $ 0.18    $ (10.22 )   $ (10.22 )

Goodwill amortization, net of taxes

     —        —        0.34      0.33      0.84       0.84  
    

  

  

  

  


 


Adjusted net earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.90    $ 0.86    $ 0.52    $ 0.51    $ (9.38 )   $ (9.38 )
    

  

  

  

  


 


 

In connection with the adoption of SFAS 142, the Company also reassessed the identification of intangible assets and determined that the Company has no separate and identifiable intangible assets related to its past acquisitions.

 

52


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

7.    Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facilities

 

The Company entered into a credit facility for approximately $75 million with a bank syndication group to finance the acquisition of its U.K. subsidiary, Ring Ltd., and repay and terminate its existing U.S. credit facility and Ring’s U.K. facility. This facility was subsequently amended on July 23, 2001 in connection with a capital infusion to the Company (see Note 2). The facility consisted of two term loans originally amounting to $15 million and the Great British Pound (GBP) equivalent of U.S. $15 million (GBP 9.0 million), respectively, and two revolving facilities for loans, acceptances, and trade and stand-by letters of credit for the Company’s ongoing operations in the United States and the United Kingdom of $21.4 million and the GBP equivalent of U.S. $23.6 million, respectively. Amounts outstanding under the revolving facilities were limited under a borrowing base defined as percentages of the combined accounts receivable and inventory balances for the United States and the United Kingdom. Obligations under the facility were secured by substantially all of the Company’s U.S. and U.K. assets, including 100% of the common stock of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and 65% of the stock of the Company’s Canadian and first tier United Kingdom and Hong Kong subsidiaries. The credit facility prohibited the payment of cash dividends or other distributions on any shares of the Company’s common stock, other than dividends payable solely in shares of common stock, unless approval was obtained from the lenders. The Company paid a quarterly commitment fee of .50% per annum based on the unused portion of the revolving facilities. Borrowings under the facility bore interest, payable monthly at the Company’s option of either the prime rate plus an applicable margin or the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. The interest rate on this facility was 3.6% at September 30, 2003. Under the amended facility, the Company was required to meet minimum levels of adjusted quarterly earnings beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2001 through the quarter ended September 30, 2002, and was required to meet revised quarterly debt to adjusted earnings and fixed charge ratios beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 2002. Annual capital expenditures were limited under the amendment to $4.0 million. The term and revolving loans were repayable on December 31, 2003. The bank syndication group’s fee for the July 23, 2001 amendment consisted of warrants, valued at $191,000, to purchase 70,828 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $.05 per share. At September 30, 2003, $33.0 million in net assets of Ring were restricted under the credit facility and could not be transferred to the parent company.

 

On December 19, 2003, the Company entered into a new asset-based credit facility with a syndicate of lenders to refinance the Company’s existing indebtedness under its $75 million credit facility. The facility matures June 30, 2006. The facility consists of two term loans in the amount of GBP 305,000 ($507,000) and $5.0 million and two revolving facilities in the amount of GBP 22.0 million ($36.6 million) and $6.0 million for loans, acceptances, and trade and stand-by letters of credit for our ongoing operations in the United States and United Kingdom. Amounts outstanding under each revolving facility are limited under separate U.S. and U.K. borrowing bases which are defined as percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventory. Obligations under the facility are secured by substantially all of the Company’s U.S. and U.K. assets. The facility prohibits the payment of cash dividends or other distribution on any shares of our common stock. The Company pays a monthly commitment fee of .375% per annum based on the unused portion of the revolving facilities as well as a monthly servicing fee of $7,500. If the $5.0 million term loan is not repaid by the first anniversary of the loan a fee of $500,000 is due. Borrowings under the revolving facilities and the GBP 305,000 term loan bear interest, payable monthly, at the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.25%. Borrowings under the $5 million term loan bear interest at 9%, payable monthly. Under the facility the Company is required to meet quarterly minimum levels of adjusted earnings and adjusted net worth, as defined in the facility agreement, as well as a minimum debt to adjusted earnings ratio. Capital expenditures are limited to $3.8 million per year. The Company owes a $450,000 investment banking fee to an affiliate of its majority stockholder for services provided in connection with the refinancing. This fee will be paid in equal installments on April 1, 2004 and June 1, 2004, subject to certain minimum levels of availability as set forth in the credit facility.

 

53


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Ring has an arrangement with a U.K. bank which is secured by a standby letter of credit previously issued under the GBP revolving loan facility of our former $75 million credit facility and currently issued under the facility entered into on December 19, 2003. The arrangement provides for borrowings, trade letters of credit, bonds and the bank margin on foreign currency forward contracts and transactions. Bonds outstanding under this arrangement amounted to $987,000 at September 30, 2003 and there were no borrowings or trade letters of credit outstanding.

 

Catalina Canada has a credit facility with a Canadian company, which provides U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar revolving credit loans of up to 7 million Canadian dollars (approximately U.S. $5.2 million) in the aggregate and matures December 2004. Borrowings in Canadian dollars bear interest at the Canadian prime rate plus 1.5% (6.25% at September 30, 2003) while borrowings in U.S. dollars bear interest at the rate of the U.S. prime rate plus 0.5% (4.5% at September 30, 2003). Borrowings under the facility are limited to a borrowing base calculated from receivables and inventory. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Catalina Canada. The facility limits the payment of dividends, advances or loans from Catalina Canada to Catalina Lighting, Inc. to $500,000 annually; however, no such amounts may be transferred if Catalina Canada does not have sufficient excess borrowing availability under the facility’s borrowing base. The facility contains a financial covenant requiring Catalina Canada to maintain a minimum net worth. At September 30, 2003, $3.2 million in net assets of Catalina Canada were restricted under the credit facility and could not be transferred to the parent company.

 

As of September 30, 2003, Go-Gro, the Company’s Hong Kong subsidiary, had a 35.6 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately U.S. $4.6 million) facility with a Hong Kong bank. The facility provides limited credit in the form of acceptances, trade letters of credit, overdraft protection, and negotiation of discrepant documents presented under export letters of credit issued by banks. The bank requires Go-Gro to fully collateralize any net outstanding borrowings and trade letters of credit with cash, a standby letter of credit, or export letters of credit sent for collection and under lien to the bank. The facility is secured by a guarantee issued by the parent company. The facility prohibits the payment of dividends without the consent of the bank and limits the total amount of trade receivables, loans or advances from Go-Gro to other subsidiaries of the Company. This facility is subject to periodic review by the bank. At September 30, 2003 and 2002, Go-Gro had used $596,000 and $1.4 million, respectively, of this line for letters of credit and there were no borrowings or cash deposits. At September 30, 2003, $14.0 million in net assets of Go-Gro were restricted under the credit facility and could not be transferred to the parent Company. In December 2003, the facility was amended to provide for a 10.0 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately U.S. $1.3 million) factoring facility and the overdraft facility was reduced by 4.0 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately U.S. $0.5 million). In addition, the full collateralization requirement was eliminated.

 

The Company’s availability under its revolving credit facilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2003

     U.S./U.K.
Facility


   Canadian
Facility


Total lines of credit

   $ 45,000    $ 5,184

Less:

             

Borrowings

     11,200      547

Stand-by letters of credit

     1,772      —  

Trade letters of credit

     859      —  

Amount unavailable under borrowing base

     9,947      2,748
    

  

Amounts available

   $ 21,222    $ 1,889
    

  

 

The weighted average interest rate at September 30, 2002 on the current portion of revolving credit facilities and term loans was 4.5% and 5.4%, respectively.

 

54


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

8.    Bonds Payable

 

The Company arranged for the issuance in 1995 of $10.5 million in State of Mississippi Variable Rate Industrial Revenue Development Bonds to finance a warehouse located near Tupelo, Mississippi. The bonds were secured by a lien on the land, building, and all other property financed by the bonds. Additional security was provided by a $5.2 million direct pay letter of credit, which was not part of the Company’s $75 million credit facility. In January 1999, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement maturing May 1, 2004, to manage its exposure to interest rate movements on the bonds.

 

In May 2002, the warehouse and substantially all of the equipment were sold to a third party and the interest rate swap agreement was cancelled resulting in a loss on sale of $1.1 million. This loss was recognized as a loss on disposal of property and equipment. The net proceeds from the sale, after the pay-off of the bonds, of approximately $3.3 million were used to pay down the Company’s term loans.

 

9.    Subordinated Notes

 

On July 23, 2001 the Company obtained $11.8 million in additional funding from the issuance of 1,697,987 shares of common stock, $8.8 million in subordinated notes and warrants exercisable immediately upon receipt at $.05 per warrant to purchase an additional 1,111,495 shares of the Company’s common stock (see Note 2). The subordinated notes are due in full on July 23, 2006 and these notes bear interest at 12%, compounded quarterly. Interest on the notes is payable quarterly commencing as of March 31, 2003. Interest not paid in cash is added to the principal of the notes. The notes are prepayable subject to a premium equal to 5% of the note principal. The holders of the subordinated notes are also entitled to additional warrants to purchase common shares at $.05 per share for the quarters during which interest on the notes is not paid in cash. Interest was not paid in cash on those notes for the period July 23, 2001 to March 31, 2002, for which the note holders received additional warrants for a total of 94,247 shares of common stock.

 

On June 14, 2002, the Company entered into a transaction with SCH and SunTrust whereby it issued and sold 924,572 and 184,843 shares of the Company’s common stock, to SCH and SunTrust, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $6.0 million, representing a price of $5.41 per share. As a result of the transaction, the Company wrote off against paid in capital approximately $2.6 million of discount, deferred loan costs and transaction costs. As payment for their shares, SCH and SunTrust each surrendered a corresponding amount of subordinated notes and accrued interest, and the Company was released from all obligations and liabilities associated with the surrendered debt. In connection with the transaction a special committee of independent members of the Board of Directors obtained a fairness opinion from a major investment bank regarding the $5.41 per share sale price. The amount of subordinated debt reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2003 and 2002 consisted of the following:

 

     Principal

   Additions to
Principal for Interest
Not Paid in Cash


   Unamortized
Discount


    Total

     (In thousands)

Balance as of September 30, 2002

   $ 3,400    $ 289    $ (885 )   $ 2,804

Discount amortization

     —        —        234       234
    

  

  


 

Balance as of September 30, 2003

   $ 3,400    $ 289    $ (651 )   $ 3,038
    

  

  


 

 

55


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

10.    Other Long-Term Debt

 

Other long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

     September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 
     (In thousands)  

Mortgage note payable monthly through 2004 based on a 15 year amortization schedule with a balloon payment in 2004, bearing interest at 8%, secured by land and building with a net book value of $1.2 million at September 30, 2003.

   $ 676     $ 755  

Borrowings with a U.K. financial institution to finance the purchase of vehicles and equipment, payable monthly, maturing at various dates through 2005, bearing interest at the institution’s base rate plus 1.25%, adjusted monthly (4.75% at September 30, 2003), and secured by vehicles and equipment with a net book value of $60,000 at September 30, 2003.

     30       199  

Other

     13       107  
    


 


Subtotal

     719       1,061  

Less current maturities

     (702 )     (340 )
    


 


     $ 17     $ 721  
    


 


 

The aggregate maturities of other long-term debt at September 30, 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2004

   $ 702

2005

     16

2006

     1
    

     $ 719
    

 

11.    Income Taxes

 

The following table summarizes the differences between the Company’s effective income tax rate and the statutory federal income tax rate:

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Statutory federal income tax rate

   34.0 %   34.0 %   (34.0 )%

Increase (decrease) resulting from:

                  

State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect

   (0.1 )   (3.9 )   0.4  

Foreign tax rate differential

   (10.4 )   (39.9 )   (0.4 )

Goodwill amortization

   —       41.7     2.7  

Provision for IRC 382 (Change in valuation allowance)

   (5.1 )   —       26.8  

Net U.S. tax effect related to repatriated foreign earnings

   12.3     —       —    

Other

   1.9     1.8     2.5  
    

 

 

     32.6 %   33.7 %   (2.0 )%
    

 

 

 

56


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The income tax provision (benefit) consisted of the following:

 

     Current

    Deferred

    Total

 
     (In thousands)  

Year ended September 30, 2003

                        

Federal

   $ (25 )   $ (2,657 )   $ (2,682 )

State

     2       (8 )     (6 )

Foreign

     5,006       94       5,100  
    


 


 


     $ 4,983     $ (2,571 )   $ 2,412  
    


 


 


Year ended September 30, 2002

                        

Federal

   $ (49 )   $ (1,967 )   $ (2,016 )

State

     —         (50 )     (50 )

Foreign

     2,382       121       2,503  
    


 


 


     $ 2,333     $ (1,896 )   $ 437  
    


 


 


Year ended September 30, 2001

                        

Federal

   $ 2     $ (186 )   $ (184 )

State

     20       (88 )     (68 )

Foreign

     265       (396 )     (131 )
    


 


 


     $ 287     $ (670 )   $ (383 )
    


 


 


 

The Sun Transaction in July 2001 constituted a change of ownership of the Company as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (IRC 382) which can limit the utilization of loss carry forwards and other tax return deductions existing at the time the change in ownership occurs. The deferred tax benefit for 2001 was reduced by a provision of approximately $5.0 million for the estimated impact of IRC 382. The deferred tax provision or benefit for the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 included $3,668,000, $2,668,000 and $3,423,000, respectively, for the benefits of loss carry forwards.

 

Income (loss) before income taxes by source consisted of the following:

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (In thousands)  

United States

   $ (9,565 )   $ (5,436 )   $ (16,662 )

Foreign

     16,967       6,732       (2,068 )
    


 


 


     $ 7,402     $ 1,296     $ (18,730 )
    


 


 


 

The tax effects of each type of temporary difference that gave rise to the Company’s current net deferred tax asset (included in other current assets) are as follows:

 

     September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 
     (In thousands)  

Accounts receivable allowances

   $ 478     $ 955  

Prepaid expenses

     (271 )     (256 )

Allowances and capitalized costs for inventory

     458       1,163  

Accrued expenses

     550       635  

Executive settlements

     144       —    

Other

     27       55  
    


 


     $ 1,386     $ 2,552  
    


 


 

57


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The tax effects of each type of temporary difference and carry forward that gave rise to the Company’s net long term deferred tax asset (included in other long term assets) are as follows:

 

     September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 
     (In thousands)  

Pension obligation

   $ 2,525     $ 1,299  

Executive settlements

     354       680  

Depreciation:

                

U.S. assets

     197       145  

Foreign assets

     274       301  

U.S. loss and other U.S. carryforwards

     10,741       6,946  

Foreign tax loss carryforwards

     769       1,668  

Foreign capital loss carryforwards

     9,216       8,921  

Other

     193       324  

Valuation allowance

     (14,701 )     (15,763 )
    


 


     $ 9,568     $ 4,521  
    


 


 

At September 30, 2003, the Company had $28.7 million in U.S. loss carry forwards for federal income tax return purposes which expire as follows (fiscal year ending September 30): $1.2 million in 2020, $9.3 million in 2021, $7.6 million in 2022 and $10.6 million in 2023. Utilization of these loss carry forwards, however, is expected to be limited under IRC 382. At September 30, 2003, foreign operating and capital loss carry forwards were $3.1 million and $30.7 million, respectively. The foreign losses can be carried forward indefinitely. A valuation allowance has been provided for all the foreign operating and capital tax loss carry forwards as well as a portion of the U.S. loss carry forwards. No valuation allowance was applied to the remaining U.S. loss carry forward as the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized based on estimated future earnings and potential tax planning strategies.

 

Through September 30, 2003, the Company has not provided for possible U.S. income taxes on $35.2 million in undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that were considered to be permanently reinvested. Calculation of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these foreign earnings is not practicable. During the year ended September 30, 2003, the Company has repatriated approximately $2.6 million in foreign earnings to the United States and intends to repatriate a portion of the future earnings of certain of its foreign subsidiaries, which could result in an increase in the Company’s effective income tax rate.

 

12.    Minority Interest

 

Ring has outstanding 9.5 million convertible preference shares of which 2.5 million shares are held by third parties and the remaining 7 million shares are owned by the Company. The holders of the convertible preference shares are entitled to receive in priority to the equity stockholders a fixed cumulative dividend of 19.2% per annum until January 1, 2004. The shares are convertible into fully paid ordinary shares of Ring on the basis of two ordinary shares for every five-preference shares. Preference shares representing minority interest of approximately $1,026,000 on January 1, 2004 automatically will convert into fully paid ordinary shares. The remaining minority interest of approximately $185,000 is not convertible into ordinary shares. The annual amount of dividends is approximately $190,000, which reduced diluted earnings per share by $.03, $.04 and $.10 during the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

58


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

13.    Pension Benefits

 

Ring has a defined benefit pension plan (the “plan”) which covered 20 current employees and approximately 750 other members formerly associated with Ring. On April 7, 2003, the 20 current employees joined a defined contribution pension plan and stopped accruing future benefits under this defined benefit plan and there are now no active members in the plan. The plan is administered externally and the assets are held separately by professional investment managers. The plan is funded by contributions at rates recommended by an actuary based on the “minimum funding requirement (“MFR”).” The components of net pension cost for the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Service cost

   $ 46     $ 113     $ 246  

Interest cost

     1,195       1,135       1,020  

Amortization of unrecognized net loss

     303       103       —    

Expected return on plan assets

     (929 )     (910 )     (1,030 )
    


 


 


     $ 615     $ 441     $ 236  
    


 


 


 

59


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets, and the funded status of the plan are as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Years Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Change in benefit obligation:

                

Benefit obligation at beginning of period

   $ 27,032     $ 23,215  

Service cost

     46       113  

Interest cost

     1,195       1,135  

Benefits paid

     (1,168 )     (940 )

Participants’ contributions

     19       35  

Benefit obligation (gain) loss

     (2,128 )     1,811  

Curtailment of benefits

     (441 )     —    

Foreign currency loss

     1,483       1,663  
    


 


Benefit obligation at end of period

   $ 26,038     $ 27,032  
    


 


     Years Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Change in plan assets:

                

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

   $ 14,784     $ 14,726  

Actual return on plan assets

     1,891       (581 )

Employer contributions

     720       632  

Benefits paid

     (1,168 )     (940 )

Participants’ contributions

     19       35  

Foreign currency gain

     925       912  
    


 


Fair value of plan assets at end of period

   $ 17,171     $ 14,784  
    


 


     September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 

Funded status:

                

Unfunded benefit obligation

   $ 8,867     $ 12,248  

Unrecognized actuarial loss

     (3,850 )     (7,756 )

Pretax charge to accumulated other comprehensive income required to adjust the accrued pension liability to the unfunded accumulated benefit obligation

  

 

3,850

 

 

 

—  

 

    


 


Accrued pension liability recognized in the Company’s balance sheet

   $ 8,867     $ 4,492  
    


 


 

The accrued pension liability was recognized in the Company’s balance sheets as follows (in thousands):

 

     September 30,

     2003

   2002

Accrued pension liability recognized in other current liabilities

   $ 518    $ 659

Accrued pension liability recognized in long term liabilities

     8,349      3,833
    

  

     $ 8,867    $ 4,492
    

  

 

60


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The weighted average assumptions used in the actuarial computations that derived the above amounts were as follows:

 

       2003

    2002

 

Discount rate

     5.19 %   4.50 %

Expected return on plan assets

     5.50 %   5.50 %

Average rate of compensation increase

     n/a *   3.75 %

Rate of pension benefit increase

     2.75 %   2.25 %

*   Not applicable since effective April 7, 2003, the Company stopped accruing future benefits under the defined benefit pension plan as there are no longer active members in the plan.

 

The U.K. government has announced that it intends to abolish the MFR and to replace it with funding standards individually tailored to the circumstances of plans and employers. In June 2003, the U.K. government announced that (i) solvent employers who choose to terminate their defined benefit pension plans are expected to meet the full buyout costs of all members’ benefits and (ii) a pension protection fund is to be introduced to guarantee members a specified minimum level of pension when the employer becomes insolvent. All employers with defined benefit pension plans will pay a flat rate levy and those plans which are underfunded, such as the Ring plan, will have to pay a higher premium to the protection fund. The amount of the levy has not been determined by the protection fund. The full buyout cost is considerably higher than the accrued liability. The Company does not intend to terminate the plan in the foreseeable future. In conjunction with the changes announced by the U.K. government in June 2003, the Company recorded in 2003 a net equity charge of $2.7 million to other comprehensive income (pretax charge of $3.9 million net of income taxes of $1.2 million) to increase the accrued pension cost recorded in the September 30, 2003 balance sheet to the unfunded accumulated benefit obligation as of such date of $8.9 million. As a result of the change in U.K. law, at some time in the future, the Company must negotiate with the plan trustees the amount of cash funded into the plan. The Company has not begun these negotiations but expects that future funding will increase.

 

61


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

14.    Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

Effective April 8, 2002, the Company effected a one-for-five reverse stock split. Earnings (loss) per share information reflect the reverse stock split for all periods presented. The computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (EPS) is as follows (in thousands except per share data):

 

     Years Ended September 30,

 
     2003

   2002

   2001

 

Basic EPS

                      

Numerator:

                      

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

   $ 4,990    $ 859    $ (18,347 )
    

  

  


Denominator:

                      

Weighted average shares outstanding for the year

     4,288      3,504      1,796  

Effect of warrants*

     1,270      1,251      —    
    

  

  


Weighted average shares used for basic EPS

     5,558      4,755      1,796  
    

  

  


Basic EPS

   $ 0.90    $ 0.18    $ (10.22 )
    

  

  


Diluted EPS

                      

Numerator:

                      

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

   $ 4,990    $ 859    $ (18,347 )
    

  

  


Denominator:

                      

Weighted average shares outstanding for the year

     4,288      3,504      1,796  

Effect of stock options**

     204      57      —    

Effect of warrants

     1,319      1,273      —    
    

  

  


Weighted average shares used for diluted EPS

     5,811      4,834      1,796  
    

  

  


Diluted EPS

   $ 0.86    $ 0.18    $ (10.22 )
    

  

  



*   Represents weighted average shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants with exercise price of $0.05 per share. Weighted average shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants at $.05 per share which were not included in the calculation because they were antidilutive were 223,508 for 2001.
**   The weighted average shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options not included in the calculation because such options were antidilutive were 171,275 (at exercise prices from $9.49 to $26.90), 517,000 (at exercise prices from $5.50 to $31.25), and 354,000 (at exercise prices from $5.65 to $53.75) for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

15.    Common Stock, Stock Options, Stock Warrants and Stock Rights

 

Common Stock

 

In November 2001, the Company’s stockholders approved an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock from 20,000,000 to 100,000,000 (prior to the one-for-five reverse stock split discussed below).

 

Effective April 8, 2002, the Company effected a one-for-five reverse stock split. As a result, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized, and issued and outstanding on that day, decreased from 100,000,000 to 20,000,000, and from 16,520,179 to 3,304,045, respectively. Earnings per share and other stock related information in the financial statements reflect the reverse stock split for all periods presented, unless otherwise noted.

 

62


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Stock Options Under Plans

 

In August 1987, the Company adopted the Stock Option/Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (“Employee Plan”), which provided for the granting of options to officers and other key employees. Under the Employee Plan, the Company and its shareholders authorized the granting of options for up to 350,000 shares of common stock to be granted as either incentive or non-statutory options at a price of 100% of the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant, 110% in the case of a holder of more than 10% of the Company’s stock. Options generally vested ratably over a three-year period commencing on October 1 following the date of grant and are exercisable with cash or previously acquired common stock of the Company, no later than 10 years from the grant date. With the adoption in November 2001 of the Stock Incentive Plan described below, no further options will be granted under the Employee Plan.

 

In March 1989, the Company adopted the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (“Director Plan”), which provided for the granting of options for up to 10,000 shares of common stock to non-employee directors. Under the Director Plan, options to purchase 400 common shares were granted annually through 1997 to non-employee directors automatically upon their election to the Board of Directors, which vested upon the serving of a one-year term. The exercise price was the fair market value of the common stock on the date the options were granted. These options were generally exercisable no later than ten years from the date of grant. With the adoption in November 2001 of the Stock Incentive Plan described below, no further options will be granted under the Director Plan.

 

In March 2000, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a Stock Option Plan (“Broad Based Plan”), which provided for the granting of options to purchase 65,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. The exercise price was the fair market value of the common stock on the date the options were granted. One third of the options became exercisable one year after the date of the grant with one third vesting during each of the following two years. These options were generally exercisable no later than ten years from the date of grant. With the adoption in November 2001 of the Stock Incentive Plan described below, no further options will be granted under the Broad Based Plan.

 

In November 2001, the Company adopted the Stock Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”), which provides for the granting of options to directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and subsidiaries. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to the Incentive Plan is 450,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in the Incentive Plan. Under the Incentive Plan, participants may receive incentive stock options (“ISO”) or Nonqualified Stock Options at a price determined by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that such price shall not, in the case of an ISO, be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. Options generally vest ratably over a four-year period from the date of grant. The option term shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. As of September 30, 2003 and 2002, options for 139,200 shares and 200,600 shares, respectively, of common stock remained available for future grants.

 

In November 2001, the Company adopted the Management Settlement Stock Incentive Plan (the “Settlement Plan”), which provided for the settlement of the Company’s obligations to certain of the Company’s former employees under employment agreements previously entered into between the Company and such employees (see Note 2). The options expire on July 23, 2011.

 

As of September 30, 2003 and 2002, the options outstanding were fully exercisable, and there are no options available for future grants under this plan.

 

63


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Transactions and related information for each plan are as follows:

 

Employee Plan:

            
    

Number of

Options


    Weighted Average
Price Per Share


Options outstanding at September 30, 2000

   151,987     $ 15.25

Options canceled

   (116,500 )   $ 15.85
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2001

   35,487     $ 13.30

Options canceled

   (15,167 )   $ 13.63
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2002

   20,320     $ 13.07

Options canceled

   (7,400 )   $ 13.14
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2003

   12,920     $ 13.04
    

 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2003

   12,920     $ 13.04
    

 

Director Plan:

            
    

Number of

Options


    Weighted Average
Price Per Share


Options outstanding at September 30, 2000

   4,800     $ 32.10

Options canceled

   (4,000 )   $ 33.50
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2001

   800     $ 25.00

Options canceled

   (800 )   $ 25.00
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2003 and 2002

   —         —  
    

 

Broad Based Plan:

            
    

Number of

Options


    Weighted Average
Price Per Share


Options outstanding at September 30, 2000

   49,200     $ 19.69

Options canceled

   (15,400 )   $ 19.69
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2001

   33,800     $ 19.69

Options canceled

   (14,200 )   $ 19.69
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2002

   19,600     $ 19.69

Options canceled

   (7,600 )   $ 19.69
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2003

   12,000     $ 19.69
    

 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2003

   12,000     $ 19.69
    

 

 

64


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Incentive Plan:

            
    

Number of

Options


    Weighted Average
Price Per Share


Options outstanding at September 30, 2001

   30,000     $ 5.90

Options granted

   250,600     $ 8.03

Options exercised

   (800 )   $ 5.90

Options canceled

   (31,200 )   $ 5.64
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2002

   248,600     $ 8.08

Options granted

   233,750     $ 9.28

Options exercised

   (4,000 )   $ 1.90

Options canceled

   (172,350 )   $ 8.72
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2003

   306,000     $ 8.72
    

 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2003

   84,500     $ 8.64
    

 

Settlement Plan:

            
     Number of
Options


    Weighted Average
Price Per Share


Options outstanding at September 30, 2002 and 2001

   313,847     $ 5.90

Options exercised

   (2,500 )   $ 5.90
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2003

   311,347     $ 5.90
    

 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2003

   311,347     $ 5.90
    

 

 

Other Stock Options:

 

Transactions and related information relating to stock options issued outside of a plan are summarized as follows:

 

     Number of
Options


    Weighted Average
Price Per Share


Options outstanding at September 30, 2000

   117,400     $ 18.95

Options granted

   5,200     $ 10.30

Options exercised

   (45,800 )   $ 15.00
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2001

   76,800     $ 20.70

Options canceled

   (28,000 )   $ 18.92
    

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2002 and 2003

   48,800     $ 21.70
    

 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2003

   48,800     $ 21.70
    

 

 

65


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes information about all stock options outstanding at September 30, 2003:

 

   

Options Outstanding


 

Options Exercisable


Range of Exercise

Prices


 

Options
Outstanding


 

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life


  Weighted Average
Exercise Price


 

Options Exercisable


  Weighted Average
Exercise Price


$1.75 to $1.90

  41,000   8.1 years   $ 1.89   32,750   $ 1.90

$3.25 to $4.10

  27,500   8.3 years   $ 3.48   8,750   $ 3.61

$5.90 to $ 8.29

  449,347   8.2 years   $ 6.47   314,597   $ 5.91

$9.49 to $13.75

  67,020   8.0 years   $ 10.10   29,770   $ 10.68

$15.00 to $21.88

  80,700   7.1 years   $ 19.44   69,450   $ 20.16

$24.69 to $26.90

  25,500   8.0 years   $ 25.14   14,250   $ 25.24

 
 
 

 
 

$1.75 to $26.90

  691,067   8.0 years   $ 8.64   469,567   $ 8.59

 
 
 

 
 

 

Stock Warrants

 

On January 11, 2002, the Company entered into a three–year consulting agreement with an executive officer of an entity under common control with the Company, whereby it issued to the consultant a warrant to purchase 64,400 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $2.20 per share which was the market value on the date of grant. The warrant expires on January 24, 2012. Half of the warrants vested on January 24, 2003, and the remainder vest one year later. However, if the Company terminates the consulting agreement without cause, the warrant becomes fully exercisable on the date of such termination. The Company capitalized $81,000 which represented the fair value of the warrants and is amortizing the amount over the term of the consulting agreement on a straight line basis.

 

In connection with the Sun Transaction on July 23, 2001, the Company issued warrants to purchase 1,111,495 common shares exercisable immediately upon receipt at $.05 per share. Also in connection with the Sun Transaction, the Company issued secured subordinated notes bearing interest at 12%, compounded quarterly. Interest on the subordinated notes is payable quarterly in arrears in cash commencing as of March 31, 2003. Interest not paid in cash is added to the principal amount of the notes. The notes are prepayable subject to a premium equal to 5% of the note principal. The holders of the subordinated notes are also entitled to additional warrants to purchase common shares at $.05 per share for the quarters during which interest on the notes is not paid in cash. Interest was not paid in cash on those notes for the period July 23, 2001 to March 31, 2002, for which the note holders received additional warrants for a total of 94,247 shares of common stock.

 

The Company issued warrants to purchase 70,829 common shares exercisable immediately upon receipt at $.05 per share to its bank syndicate group in connection with the July 23, 2001 amendment of its $75 million credit facility.

 

66


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

16.    Commitments

 

The Company leases offices, warehouse facilities, equipment and vehicles under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2019 with the exception of certain U.K. land use rights, which expire in 2073. Certain leases provide for future rent adjustments based on changes in market rates or increases in minimum lease payments based upon increases in annual real estate taxes and insurance. Future minimum lease payments, including known rent adjustments, under non-cancelable operating leases and minimum rentals to be received under non-cancelable subleases as of September 30, 2003 by fiscal year, were as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Minimum
Rental

Payments


  

Minimum

Sublease
Receipts


  

Net


        

2004

   $ 3,294    $ 100    $ 3,194

2005

     2,869      78      2,791

2006

     2,646      78      2,568

2007

     2,193      65      2,128

2008

     1,774      65      1,709

Thereafter

     16,273      78      16,195
    

  

  

     $ 29,049    $ 464    $ 28,585
    

  

  

 

Total net rental expense for all operating leases amounted to approximately $3.6 million, $2.7 million and $3.2 million for the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

In September 2000, the Company’s Hong Kong subsidiary, Go-Gro Industries, Ltd. (“Go-Gro”), deposited the purchase price of approximately $1 million for its joint venture partner’s interest in its Chinese cooperative joint venture manufacturing subsidiary, Shenzhen Jiadianbao Electrical Products Co., Ltd. (“SJE”). This purchase was finalized in December 2000. During the quarter ended March 31, 2001, SJE was converted under Chinese law from a cooperative joint venture to a wholly owned foreign entity and its name was changed to Jiadianbao Electrical Products (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“JES”).

 

JES obtained non-transferable land use rights for the land on which its primary manufacturing facilities were constructed under a Land Use Agreement dated April 11, 1995 between SJE and the Bureau of National Land Planning Bao-An Branch of Shenzhen City. This agreement provides JES with the right to use this land until January 18, 2042 and required SJE to construct approximately 500,000 square feet of factory buildings and 175,000 square feet of dormitories and offices. This construction is complete and total costs aggregated $15.8 million.

 

In connection with the settlement with Go-Gro’s former joint venture partner in SJE, JES acquired the land use rights for a parcel of land adjoining its primary manufacturing facilities. Under the separate land use agreement for this parcel, JES has the right to use the land through March 19, 2051 and was obligated to complete new construction on the land (estimated to cost approximately $1.3 million) by March 20, 2002. The construction was not completed by that date. The local municipal planning and state land bureau may take back the land use rights for the parcel without compensation and confiscate the structures and attachments if the construction is not completed by March 2004. The Company will not begin construction by the March 2004 deadline and during the fourth quarter of 2003 decided not to seek an extension from local authorities. As a result of this decision the Company recorded a $766,000 provision for impairment of land use rights during the fourth quarter of 2003. There are no structures on this parcel, and should the local authorities confiscate the land, the Company does not believe there would be any impact on the operations of the factory.

 

67


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Ring has employment agreements with 16 of its officers and key employees which provide for notice periods in the case of termination varying from six to 36 months. Their total annual basic salary cost amounts to approximately U.S. $1.9 million. The agreements contain benefit packages including contributions to Ring’s pension plans ranging from 5% to 10% of salary. In addition, most of the agreements contain post-termination restrictive covenants.

 

The Company has a 401(k) plan for its U.S. employees to which the Company makes discretionary contributions at rates dependent on the level of each employee’s contributions. Contributions made by the Company are limited to the maximum allowable for federal income tax purposes. The amounts charged to earnings for this plan during the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were insignificant.

 

17.    Related Party Transactions

 

Effective November 1, 2002, the Company amended the terms of the stock options previously granted to the individual who formerly served as its Chief Financial Officer, and as a result recorded compensation expense of $40,000 during the quarter ended December 31, 2002.

 

Effective December 1, 2002, the Company entered into a two-year consulting agreement with the individual who served as its Chief Executive Officer from July 2001 through November 2002. The Company amended the terms of the stock options previously granted and as a result will incur compensation expense of approximately $295,000 during the term of the consulting agreement on a straight line basis. The Company recorded compensation expense of $124,000 for the year ended September 30, 2003.

 

In January 2002, the Company entered into a three-year consulting agreement with an executive officer of an entity under common control with the Company, whereby it issued to the consultant a warrant to purchase 64,400 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $2.20 per share which was the market value on the date of grant. The warrant expires on January 24, 2012. Half of the warrant vested on January 24, 2003, and the remainder vests one year later. However, if the Company terminates the consulting agreement without cause, the warrant becomes fully exercisable on the date of such termination.

 

During May 2002, the Company paid $26,000 cash and granted options valued at $24,000, which it expensed, to an employee of an entity under common control, in exchange for consulting services.

 

On July 23, 2001, the Company entered into a ten-year agreement with an affiliate of the Company’s majority stockholder to provide management services to the Company at an annual fee of $500,000, payable quarterly. This management services expense for the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 amounted to $500,000, $500,000 and $98,000, respectively. As of September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Company had a prepaid management fee balance of $125,000.

 

The Company leases its Hong Kong office from a company owned by a stockholder of the Company. The lease expires in 2004 but may be extended for an additional year. Rent expense related to this lease was approximately $191,000, $190,000, and $222,000 for the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

During the years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, Go-Gro, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, purchased $795,000 and $1.9 million, respectively, in raw materials from an affiliate which was fifty percent owned by the Company through July 2002.

 

68


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

During the years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, Go-Gro purchased $1.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in raw materials from another affiliate which was forty percent owned by the Company. This affiliate ceased operations in June 2002.

 

18.    Segment Information

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, primarily as a result in the change in the Company’s chief operating decision maker in August 2001, the Company changed the way it manages its business and views its reportable segments. The business is now managed on the basis of three reportable segments, North America, United Kingdom, and China Manufacturing and Distribution.

 

North America consists of the North American sales and distribution organizations and the supporting China-based sourcing and manufacturing operation. This segment is comprised of the following operating companies:

 

United States—Catalina Industries, Inc. (“Catalina Industries”)

 

Canada—Catalina Lighting Canada (1992), Inc. (“Catalina Canada”)

 

Mexico—Catalina Lighting Mexico S.A. de C.V.

 

Chile—Catalina Lighting Chile Limitada

 

Argentina—Catalina Lighting Inc. Sucursal Argentina

 

China—the manufacturing and sourcing activities of Go-Gro as they relate to intercompany sales

 

The Chile and Argentina operations were directed and managed from the United States. Because of significant losses, operations were ceased in Chile and Argentina during 2001. The Company intends to cease warehousing and distribution activities in Mexico effective December 31, 2003. The Company intends to contact its major Mexican customers during the second quarter of fiscal 2004 and attempt to convert them to direct import customers of Go-Gro. The Company is currently not able to estimate what charge, if any, will be recorded as a result of the decision.

 

United Kingdom consists of Ring Limited, its seven principal subsidiaries and its parent holding company Catalina International Limited (“Ring”). The Company added the United Kingdom as a primary business segment with the acquisition of Ring on July 5, 2000.

 

China Manufacturing and Distribution consists of the sale of products manufactured or sourced by Go-Gro primarily to distributors and retailers in Europe and to a lesser extent Asia and to Ring.

 

69


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Intersegment sales represent shipments of finished products sold at prices determined by management. The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments and allocates resources to them based on net sales and segment contribution. Segment contribution is defined as income (loss) before Parent/holding Company expenses, tax transfer pricing adjustments and income taxes. The segment contribution and the interest expense for the United Kingdom includes the interest expense related to the acquisition of Ring. Prior years’ data has been restated to conform to the current year reportable operating segments presentation. Information on operating segments and a reconciliation to income (loss) before income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Net Sales by Business Segment:

 

    Years Ended September 30,

 
    2003

    2002

    2001

 
    External
customers


  Intersegment

    Total

    External
customers


  Intersegment

    Total

    External
customers


  Intersegment

    Total

 

North America

  $ 60,245   —       $ 60,245     $ 87,378   —       $ 87,378     $ 105,135   —       $ 105,135  

United Kingdom

    127,733   —         127,733       114,798   —         114,798       104,847   —         104,847  

China Manufacturing and Distribution

    14,039   10,306       24,345       18,090   8,738       26,828       24,804   6,495       31,299  

Eliminations

    —     (10,306 )     (10,306 )     —     (8,738 )     (8,738 )     —     (6,495 )     (6,495 )
   

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 


Total

  $ 202,017   —       $ 202,017     $ 220,266   —       $ 220,266     $ 234,786   —       $ 234,786  
   

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 


 

Net Sales by Location of External Customers:

 

     Years Ended September 30,

     2003

   2002

   2001

United States

   $ 33,518    $ 62,126    $ 78,740

United Kingdom

     123,278      112,971      102,742

Canada

     23,844      22,760      23,303

Other

     21,377      22,409      30,001
    

  

  

Net Sales

   $ 202,017    $ 220,266    $ 234,786
    

  

  

 

Net Sales by Product Class:

 

     Years Ended September 30,

     2003

   2002

   2001

Lighting

   $ 150,979    $ 177,006    $ 194,184

Automotive after-market

     39,150      32,547      29,761

Industrial consumables

     11,888      10,713      10,841
    

  

  

     $ 202,017    $ 220,266    $ 234,786
    

  

  

 

Segment Contribution (loss):

 

     Years ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

North America

   $ (4,124 )   $ (80 )   $ (7,602 )

United Kingdom

     13,444       3,693       (5,673 )

China Manufacturing and Distribution

     307       2,066       2,123  
    


 


 


Subtotal for segments

     9,627       5,679       (11,152 )

Executive settlements

     —         —         (2,586 )

Parent/administrative expenses

     (2,225 )     (4,383 )     (4,992 )
    


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 7,402     $ 1,296     $ (18,730 )
    


 


 


 

70


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Interest (Income) Expense (1):

 

     Years ended September 30,

 
     2003

   2002

   2001

 

North America

   $ 334    $ 592    $ 570  

United Kingdom

     2,597      4,334      5,317  

China Manufacturing and Distribution

     3      2      (23 )
    

  

  


Subtotal for segments

     2,934      4,928      5,864  

Parent/administrative expenses

     730      1,930      1,305  
    

  

  


Total interest expense

   $ 3,664    $ 6,858    $ 7,169  
    

  

  


 

Total Assets by asset location :

 

     September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 

North America (2)

   $ 30,036     $ 37,350  

United Kingdom

     74,585       73,104  

China (3)

     27,283       30,039  

Eliminations

     (4,629 )     (9,279 )
    


 


Total assets

   $ 127,275     $ 131,214  
    


 


 

Property and Equipment, net:

 

     September 30,

     2003

   2002

North America (2)

   $ 1,729    $ 1,755

United Kingdom

     2,056      2,275

China (3)

     12,880      14,072
    

  

Total long-lived assets

   $ 16,665    $ 18,102
    

  

 

Expenditures for Additions to Property and Equipment

 

     Years Ended September 30,

     2003

   2002

   2001

North America

   $ 457    $ 61    $ 124

United Kingdom

     599      560      482

China (4)

     920      560      4,188
    

  

  

Total expenditures

   $ 1,976    $ 1,181    $ 4,794
    

  

  


(1)   The interest expense shown for each segment includes interest paid or earned on intersegment advances. Interest expense for United Kingdom includes interest on acquisition-related debt.
(2)   Total assets for North America include parent assets.
(3)   China assets include assets related to both the North America and the China Manufacturing and Distribution segments and are physically located in China. Accounts receivables from the China Manufacturing and Distribution segment included in the China assets amounted to $1,700 and $2,165 at September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
(4)   Includes expenditures for property and equipment used by both the North America and the China Manufacturing and Distribution segments.

 

71


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

19.    Severance and Office Closing Costs

 

In 2003 and 2002, the Company terminated 55 and 49 employees, respectively, primarily in the United States, Hong Kong and China, incurring severance costs of $474,000 and $624,000, respectively.

 

In September 2000, the Company’s North America (Catalina Industries) business segment finalized plans to consolidate the functions of its Boston office into the Miami headquarters. A $500,000 charge comprised of employee severance costs ($422,000), property write-downs ($56,000) and lease termination costs ($22,000) was recorded in September 2000 for the Boston office closure.

 

The closing of the Boston office resulted in the termination of two vice presidents and eight customer support and administrative personnel. The non-cash property write-down consisted of the net book value of leasehold improvements and the office furniture and other equipment not suitable for use by the Miami headquarters or the Company’s Canadian operations. The charge for lease termination costs represented the remaining aggregate contractual lease obligation for the Boston office subsequent to the date of its closure, net of projected sublease income. Catalina Industries continued to incur and expense normal payroll, depreciation, lease and other operating costs for its Boston office through March 31, 2001, amounting to $429,000, until the office was closed in December 2000 and certain remaining employees ceased working for the Company in March 2001. Operating costs for the Boston office were approximately $429,000 for the year ended September 30, 2001. In 2001 Catalina Industries increased its provision for lease termination costs by $314,000 due to a continuing inability to sublease the Boston office space. The Company also terminated 75 employees in 2001 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and China, incurring severance costs of $840,000.

 

20.    Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

The Company sells its products in Europe and the United Kingdom and maintains major capital investments in manufacturing facilities in China, administrative offices in Hong Kong, and sales and distribution operations in the United Kingdom. The Company also has subsidiaries in Canada and Mexico and sells its products in these foreign countries. Of the Company’s revenues for the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001, 83%, 72% and 66%, respectively, were generated from international customers. The Company’s activities expose it to a variety of market risks, including the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These foreign currency exposures are monitored and managed by the Company. The Company’s foreign currency risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of foreign currency exchange rate movements and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these movements may have on its operating results.

 

The Company maintains a foreign currency risk management strategy that uses derivative instruments to protect its interests from unanticipated fluctuations in earnings and cash flows caused by volatility in currency exchange rates. Movements in foreign currency exchange rates pose a risk to the Company’s operations and competitive position, because exchange rate changes may affect profitability, cash flows, and business and/or pricing strategies. The Company uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts to partially hedge these risks.

 

By using derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to changes in exchange rates, the Company exposes itself to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counter party to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counter party owes the Company, which creates repayment risk for the Company. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, the Company owes the counter party and, therefore, it does not possess repayment risk. The Company minimizes the credit (or repayment) risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high quality counter parties.

 

The Company’s derivatives activities are subject to the management, direction and control and approval of its Board of Directors.

 

72


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Fair-Value Hedges

 

During the years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001, one of the Company’s U.K. subsidiaries entered into forward exchange contracts to hedge the foreign currency exposure of its firm commitments to purchase certain inventories from China and Europe in currencies other than the Great British pound. In addition, during 2002, Ring began purchasing forward foreign currency contracts for 50% of its expected inventory purchases denominated in U.S. dollars going forward three to six months. The forward contracts used in this program mature in six months or less, consistent with the expected purchase commitments.

 

Cash Flow Hedge

 

Through May 2002, the Company used an interest-rate swap to convert the variable interest rate bonds payable related to its U.S. warehouse facility into a fixed rate of 5.52%. The swap was cancelled in May 2002 upon the sale of the U.S. warehouse and the repayment of the bonds. The fair value of this cash-flow hedge of $139,000 (loss, net of tax benefit) at September 30, 2001 was included in stockholders’ equity as part of the accumulated comprehensive loss.

 

21.    Contingencies

 

Litigation

 

During the past few years, the Company has received a number of claims relating to halogen torchieres sold by the Company to various retailers. The number of such claims has decreased significantly since the applicable Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) standard was changed and the halogen torchieres produced complied with such new standard. Through January 7, 2003, the Company maintained primary product liability insurance coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in the aggregate, as well as umbrella insurance policies providing an aggregate of $75 million in insurance coverage. The primary insurance policy required the Company to self-insure for up to $10,000 per incident. Effective January 8, 2003, the umbrella coverage was decreased to $50 million and the deductible was increased to $150,000 per incident involving halogen light products and $75,000 for all other incidents. Based on experience, the Company has accrued $529,000 for this contingency as of September 30, 2003. No assurance can be given that the number of claims will not exceed historical experience, that claims will not exceed available insurance coverage or that the Company will be able to maintain the same level of insurance. All other material terms of the policy remain unchanged.

 

On September 15, 1999, the Company filed a complaint entitled Catalina Lighting, Inc. v. Lamps Plus, Civil Action 99-7200, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In the complaint, the Company requested declaratory relief regarding claims of trade dress and patent infringement made by Lamps Plus against a major customer of the Company. Lamps Plus filed an Answer and Counterclaim against the Company and its customer on October 6, 1999, alleging patent infringement and trade dress. The trade dress claim was dismissed with prejudice before trial in March 2001. In April 2001, a jury returned a verdict finding liability against the Company on the patent infringement claim, and in June 2001 the Court entered a judgment of approximately $1.6 million for damages and interest thereon. The Company appealed the judgment entered by the Court and posted a surety bond in the amount of $1.8 million for the appeal (for which the Company posted $1.5 million in cash collateral). In a decision published on June 28, 2002, the Court of Appeals affirmed the finding of liability against the Company but reduced the lower court’s award of damages. The final judgment including related costs is reflected in the financial statements as a $959,000 litigation settlement. In July 2002, the Company received the cash collateral for the surety bond net of the judgment amount.

 

The Company is also a defendant in other legal proceedings arising in the course of business. In the opinion of management (based on the advice of counsel) the ultimate resolution of these other legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or annual results of operations.

 

73


CATALINA LIGHTING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

22.    Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

 

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable:

 

The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments.

 

Revolving credit facilities, term loans, subordinated notes and other long-term debt:

 

The fair value of the Company’s revolving credit facilities, term loans, subordinated notes and other long-term debt is estimated based on the current rates offered to the Company for borrowings with similar terms and maturities.

 

Estimated fair values of the Company’