FORM 10-Q/A

(Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-Q)

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended November 28, 2004

 

Commission file number 0-12611

 

AULT INCORPORATED

 

MINNESOTA

 

41-0842932

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

7105 Northland Terrace

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55428-1028

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number:  (763) 592-1900

 

Indicate by check mark whether 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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YES  ý             NO o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

 

YES  o             NO ý

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class of Common Stock

 

Outstanding at
October 10, 2005

No par value

 

4,861,192 shares

 

Total pages 25

Exhibits Index on Page 21

 

 



 

AULT INCORPORATED

 

FORM 10-Q/A

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 28, 2004

 

Restatement

 

This Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A (“Form 10-Q/A”) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six month periods ended November 28, 2004, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 12, 2005, (“Original Filing”) reflects a restatement of the consolidated financial statements of Ault Incorporated (the “Company”) for the quarter ended November 28, 2004, as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.  The determination to restate these financial statements and other financial information was made as a result of management’s identification, in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for the year ended May 29, 2005, of accounting errors at the Company’s China subsidiary related to inventory build-up and relief, and inadequate reconciliation of intercompany accounts.  The adjustments totaled $70,000 for the three-month period ending November 28, 2004 and $306,000 for the six-month period.  The restatement increased the Company’s net loss applicable to common shareholders for the six-month period to $723,000 from $417,000 as originally reported.  Further information on the restatement adjustments can be found on Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The effects of the restatement on fiscal year 2004 can be found in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements filed on the Company’s May 30, 2004 annual report on Form 10-K/A, and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements filed on the Company’s May 29, 2005 annual report on Form 10-K.

 

This Form 10-Q/A amends and restates Items 1, 2 and 4 of Part I of the Original Filing.  In addition, currently dated certifications from the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, are included with this filing.

 

2



 

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AULT INCORPORATED & SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Restated
Three Months Ended

 

Restated
Six Months Ended

 

 

 

Nov. 28

 

Nov. 30

 

Nov. 28

 

Nov. 30

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Net Sales

 

$

8,223

 

$

8,768

 

$

18,559

 

$

17,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

5,828

 

6,468

 

13,403

 

13,033

 

Gross Profit

 

2,395

 

2,300

 

5,156

 

4,166

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing

 

912

 

820

 

1,696

 

1,618

 

Design Engineering

 

758

 

721

 

1,479

 

1,466

 

General and Administrative

 

1,157

 

1,117

 

2,456

 

2,414

 

Plant Closing Costs

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

321

 

 

 

2,827

 

2,881

 

5,631

 

5,819

 

Operating Loss

 

(432

)

(581

)

(475

)

(1,653

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense

 

(101

)

(96

)

(189

)

(211

)

Other

 

(29

)

(41

)

(16

)

(22

)

 

 

(130

)

(137

)

(205

)

(233

)

Loss Before Income Taxes

 

(562

)

(718

)

(680

)

(1,886

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense

 

1

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss From Continuing Operations

 

(563

)

(718

)

(682

)

(1,886

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued Operations

 

(5

)

(11

)

31

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

(568

)

(729

)

(651

)

(1,836

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock Dividends

 

(36

)

(36

)

(72

)

(72

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss Applicable to Common Stockholders

 

$

(604

)

$

(765

)

$

(723

)

$

(1,908

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Operations

 

$

(0.13

)

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.42

)

Discontinued Operations

 

 

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

Loss Per Common Share

 

$

(0.13

)

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.15

)

$

(0.41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common and Equivalent Shares Outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

4,803,318

 

4,673,706

 

4,795,870

 

4,665,659

 

Diluted

 

4,803,318

 

4,673,706

 

4,795,870

 

4,665,659

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3



 

AULT INCORPORATED & SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Restated
November 28,
2004

 

May 30,
2004

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

1,247

 

$

837

 

Trade Receivables, Less Allowance for Doubtful Accounts of $410 at November 28, 2004; $291 at May 30, 2004

 

4,940

 

5,903

 

Inventories

 

4,181

 

4,898

 

Prepaid Expenses and Other

 

1,279

 

946

 

Assets related to discontinued operations

 

7,066

 

6,401

 

Total Current Assets

 

18,713

 

18,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements:

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

729

 

729

 

Building and Leasehold Improvements

 

4,068

 

4,059

 

Machinery and Equipment

 

5,399

 

5,586

 

Office Furniture

 

483

 

402

 

E.D.P. Equipment

 

1,629

 

1,451

 

 

 

12,308

 

12,227

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less Accumulated Depreciation

 

6,382

 

6,101

 

Net Property Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

 

5,926

 

6,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

127

 

146

 

Non-Current Assets Related To Discontinued Operations

 

4,396

 

4,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

29,162

 

$

29,835

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

4



 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Restated
November 28,
2004

 

May 30,
2004

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Note Payable to Bank

 

$

1,849

 

$

1,965

 

Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt

 

445

 

460

 

Accounts Payable

 

4,130

 

3,915

 

Accrued Compensation

 

866

 

777

 

Accrued Commissions

 

211

 

281

 

Other

 

318

 

487

 

Liabilities Related to Discontinued Operations

 

5,365

 

5,423

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

13,184

 

13,308

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt, Less Current Maturities

 

2,219

 

2,313

 

Non-Current Liabilities Related to Discontinued Operations

 

288

 

203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, No Par Value, 2,074 Shares Issued and Outstanding

 

2,074

 

2,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, No Par Value, Authorized, 1,000,000 Shares; None Issued.

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares, No Par Value, Authorized 10,000,000 Shares; Issued and Outstanding 4,778,955 on November 28, 2004; and 4,705,083 on May 30, 2004;

 

21,317

 

21,173

 

Notes Receivable arising from the sale of common stock

 

(45

)

(45

)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

(831

)

(870

)

Accumulated Deficit

 

(9,044

)

(8,321

)

 

 

11,397

 

11,937

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

29,162

 

$

29,835

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5



 

AULT INCORPORATED & SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended

 

 

 

Restated
November 28,
2004

 

Restated
November 30,
2003

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$

(651

)

$

(1,836

)

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

322

 

496

 

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) Decrease In:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade Receivables

 

778

 

51

 

Inventories

 

676

 

291

 

Prepaid and Other Expenses

 

(130

)

175

 

Increase (Decrease) in:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts Payable

 

215

 

(485

)

Accrued Expenses

 

(149

)

308

 

Discontinued Operations

 

(102

)

216

 

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities

 

959

 

(784

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

 

(122

)

(208

)

Discontinued Operations

 

(18

)

(28

)

Net Cash Used in Investment Activities

 

(140

)

(236

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Borrowings (Payments) on Revolving Credit Agreements

 

(116

)

1,056

 

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock

 

72

 

2

 

Principal Payments on Long-Term Borrowings

 

(109

)

(143

)

Discontinued Operations

 

(256

)

(84

)

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

 

(409

)

831

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

410

 

(189

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

 

837

 

920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

 

$

1,247

 

$

731

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Cash Transaction:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of Common Stock to Pay Preferred Stock Dividends

 

72

 

72

 

Trade Receivable Converted to a Note Receivable

 

185

 

 

 

6



 

AULT INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SECOND QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 28, 2004

 

1. Summary of Consolidation Principles

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ault Incorporated, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Ault Electronics Shanghai Ltd., Ault International Trade Shanghai Co., Ltd., Ault Xianghe Co. Ltd, and Ault Korea Corporation.  All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.  The foreign currency translation adjustment represents the translation into United States dollars of the Company’s investment in the net assets of its foreign subsidiaries in accordance with the provisions of FASB Statement No. 52.

 

The balance sheet of the Company as of November 28, 2004, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the three and six months ended November 28, 2004 and November 30, 2003 have been prepared without being audited.  In the opinion of the management, these statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the position of Ault Incorporated and subsidiaries as of November 28, 2004 and November 30, 2003, and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted.  Therefore, these statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s May 30, 2004 Form 10-K/A.

 

The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that will be realized for the full fiscal year.

 

Management plans – The financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  The Company sustained net losses applicable to common stockholders of $5,545,646 in fiscal year 2004 and $7,692,073 in fiscal year 2003 and at May 30, 2004 had an accumulated deficit of $8,321,044.  The Company utilized $949,680 of cash for operating activities in fiscal year 2004.  In the first six months of fiscal 2005, the Company has recorded a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $723,000.  The Company has provided $959,000 of cash from operating activities in the first six months of fiscal year 2005.  Future operations may require the Company to borrow additional funds.  The Company has a financing agreement, which includes a $7,000,000 line-of-credit agreement through December 4, 2006.  There was an outstanding balance on this line-of-credit at November 28, 2004 of $1,849,000.  The Company believes it can remain in compliance with covenants in the financing agreement, as amended, through fiscal 2005.

 

Based on available funds, current plans and business conditions management believes that the Company’s available cash, borrowings and amounts generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s cash requirements for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.  The assumptions underlying this belief include, among other things, that there will be no material adverse developments in the business or market in general.  There can be no assurances however that those assumed events will occur.  If management’s plans are not achieved, there may be further negative effects on the results of operations and cash flows, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Restatement – The consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal quarter ended November 28, 2004 were restated as a result of the Company’s identification, in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005, of accounting errors at the Company’s China subsidiary related to inventory build-up and relief and inadequate reconciliation of intercompany accounts.  The accounting errors resulted in a misstatement in inventories, current assets, total assets, accumulated deficit, total shareholders’ equity, cost of goods sold, gross profit, general and administrative expense, total operating expenses, operating loss, loss before taxes, net loss, net loss applicable to common stockholders, and net loss per share.  There were also related adjustments to the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows and consolidated statement of stockholders’equity.

 

7



 

Effects on Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 28, 2004

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

As previously

 

(1)

 

 

 

reported

 

As restated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

$

8,828

 

$

7,815

 

Total current assets

 

19,612

 

18,713

 

Total assets

 

30,061

 

29,162

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(8,145

)

(9,044

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

12,296

 

11,397

 

 

Effects on Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months-ended November 28, 2004

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

As previously

 

(1)

 

 

 

reported

 

As restated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

24,186

 

$

24,300

 

Cost of goods sold

 

17,654

 

18,018

 

Gross profit

 

6,532

 

6,282

 

General and administrative

 

2,702

 

2,758

 

Total operating expenses

 

6,563

 

6,619

 

Operating loss

 

(31

)

(337

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(337

)

(643

)

Net loss

 

(345

)

(651

)

Net loss applicable to common stockholders

 

(417

)

(723

)

Net loss per share basic

 

(0.09

)

(0.15

)

Net loss per share diluted

 

(0.09

)

(0.15

)

 


1).           The restated amounts do not reflect the adjustment for discontinued operations as discussed below.

 

Discontinued operations - On May 20, 2005, the Company completed the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Korea Corporation (“Ault Korea”), to JEC Korea Co., Ltd (“JEC”) for $3.7 million.  The agreement includes the receipt of $1,472,000 in cash and a secured note in the amount of $2,250,000.  The transaction resulted in a loss of approximately $2,442,000 and the reclassification of the Korean subsidiary activity as “discontinued operations” for all periods presented.

 

The sale includes all assets and liabilities of Ault Korea Corporation and the use of the “Ault Korea” name in Korea for a period of three years.  Ault Korea includes the property in Seoul, South Korea and approximately 110 employees.  As part of the terms of the agreement, JEC has the rights to sell power conversion products in Korea while Ault will have rights to sell the same power conversion products throughout the rest of the world.  Prior to this transaction, JEC was a supplier of Ault, but otherwise no material relationship existed between Ault and JEC, or their respective affiliates, directors or officers, or any associates of their directors and officers.

 

The secured note receivable is scheduled to be paid in four equal installments of $562,500 in December 2005, June 2006, December 2006 and the final installment in June 2007.

 

Revenues and results of operations for the Korean subsidiary for the six month period presented include the following:

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

November 28, 2004

 

November 30, 2003

 

Net Sales

 

$

5,740

 

$

4,751

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from Discontinued Operations

 

31

 

50

 

 

8



 

The balance sheet information of discontinued operations includes the following:

 

(in thousands)

 

November 28, 2004

 

Current Assets related to Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

259

 

Accounts Receivable

 

2,462

 

Inventories

 

3,634

 

Prepaid and Other Expenses

 

711

 

Total Current Assets

 

$

7,066

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Current Assets Related to Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

 

$

4,396

 

Other Assets

 

 

Total Non-Current Assets

 

$

4,396

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities Related to Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

Notes Payable to Bank

 

$

2,519

 

Accounts Payable

 

2,157

 

Accrued Compensation

 

689

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

$

5,365

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Current Liabilities Related to Discontinued Operations:

 

 

 

Other Long-Term Liabilities

 

$

288

 

 

2. Stock Compensation

 

The Company’s 1986 and 1996 stock option plan has reserved 600,000 and 1,500,000 common shares, respectively, for issuance under qualified and nonqualified stock options for its key employees and directors.  Option prices are the market value of the stock at the time the option was granted.  Options become exercisable as determined at the date of grant by a committee of the Board of Directors.  Options expire ten years after the date of grant unless an earlier expiration date is set at the time of grant.

 

The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.  Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the stock option plan, as all options were issued with exercised prices at or above fair value.  Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards in 2004 and 2003 consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net loss and net loss per share would have changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

Nov. 28

 

Nov. 30

 

Nov. 28

 

Nov. 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Net loss applicable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

as reported

 

$

(604

)

$

(765

)

$

(723

)

$

(1,908

)

pro forma

 

(666

)

(847

)

(836

)

(2,066

)

per share, basic, as reported

 

(0.13

)

(0.16

)

(0.15

)

(0.41

)

per share, diluted, as reported

 

(0.13

)

(0.16

)

(0.15

)

(0.41

)

per share, basic, pro forma

 

(0.14

)

(0.18

)

(0.17

)

(0.44

)

per share, diluted, pro forma

 

(0.14

)

(0.18

)

(0.17

)

(0.44

)

 

9



 

3. Inventories

 

The components of inventory (in thousands) at November 28, 2004 and May 30, 2004 are as follows:

 

 

 

November 28,
2004

 

May 30,
2004

 

Raw Materials

 

$

2,480

 

$

2,870

 

Work-in-process

 

93

 

116

 

Finished Goods

 

1,608

 

1,912

 

 

 

$

4,181

 

$

4,898

 

 

4. Warranty

 

The Company offers its customers up to a three-year warranty on products.  Warranty expense is determined by calculating the historical relationship between sales and warranty costs and applying the calculation to the current period’s sales. Based on warranty repair costs and the rate of return, the Company periodically reviews and adjusts its warranty accrual. Actual repair costs are offset against the reserve.   The following table shows the fiscal 2005 year-to-date activity for the Company’s warranty accrual (in thousands):

 

 

 

FY 2005

 

FY 2004

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

125

 

$

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges and Costs Accrued

 

34

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less Repair Costs Incurred

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending Balance

 

$

144

 

$

145

 

 

 

5. Plant Closing

 

On July 17, 2003, the Company announced the consolidation of its manufacturing operations.  The consolidation includes the closing of its Minneapolis production operations, eliminating approximately 40 jobs in assembly, equipment maintenance, procurement and administrative support and the integration of production into Ault’s other manufacturing plants.  Ault’s engineering, documentation, safety certification/reliability, sales, marketing and administrative services will remain at the Minneapolis headquarters facility.  The consolidation was complete in February 2004 with the last payment for related liabilities made in August 2004.

 

A summary of the restructuring activity during the six-month period ending November 28, 2004 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Current Period

 

 

 

Restructuring

 

 

 

Balance at

 

Plant Closing

 

Cash

 

Liabilities at

 

 

 

May 30, 2004

 

Charges

 

Payments

 

November 28, 2004

 

Employee termination costs

 

$

15,000

 

$

0

 

$

15,000

 

$

0

 

 

10



 

6. Debt

 

The Company has a financing agreement, which includes a $7,000,000 revolving line-of-credit agreement through December 4, 2006.  Interest on advances is at the prime rate plus 2% (prime plus 5% default rate) for fiscal year 2005.  The rate at November 28, 2004 was 7.00% and on November 30, 2003 was 11.00%.  All advances are due on demand and are secured by all assets of the Company.   The Company’s financing agreement contains financial covenants, which require the Company, among other things, to maintain a minimum capital base, and also impose certain limitations on additional capital expenditures and the payment of dividends. At the end of fiscal 2004, the Company’s net worth and income before taxes did not meet the minimum of the credit agreement.  The Company received a waiver and amendment for these covenants.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company violated the financing agreement covenants and subsequent to quarter-end received a waiver and an amended agreement with less restrictive covenants.  Following the January 2005 waiver, the Company believes the provisions imposed by this credit agreement are achievable based on the Company’s expected operating results for the next year.  The availability of the line is based on the outstanding receivables of the Company; the amount available at November 30, 2004 was $2,995,000.  There were advances outstanding on the revolving line of credit of $1,849,000 and $1,965,000 at November 28, 2004 and May 30, 2004.

 

Long-term debt (in thousands) including current maturities contain the following:

 

 

 

November 28,

 

May 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2004

 

8.05% term loan, due in monthly installments of $28,756, including interest to February 2015, collateralized by the Company’s headquarters building in Minneapolis

 

$

2,374

 

$

2,465

 

5.3% uncollateralized term loan, due in January 2005

 

290

 

290

 

7.94% term loan, paid during 2004

 

 

18

 

Total

 

$

2,664

 

$

2,773

 

Less current maturities

 

445

 

460

 

 

 

$

2,219

 

$

2,313

 

 

11



 

7. Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
November 28, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

($000)

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity – May 30, 2004

 

 

 

$11,937

 

Net Loss

 

$(651

)

 

 

Net change in Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

39

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

(612

)

Issue 48,875 shares of common stock in accordance with stock purchase plan

 

 

 

72

 

Preferred Stock Dividends Declared

 

 

 

(72

)

Preferred Stock Dividends Paid with Common Stock

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

$11,397

 

 

8. Net Loss Per Common Share

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share are presented in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, Earnings per Share.  The Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and stock options had no effect on diluted weighted average shares outstanding, as they were anti-dilutive.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

November 28,
2004

 

November 30,
2003

 

November 28,
2004

 

November 30,
2003

 

Loss Applicable to Common Shareholders (in thousands)

 

$

(604

)

$

(765

)

$

(723

)

$

(1,908

)

Basic – Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

4,803,318

 

4,673,706

 

4,795,870

 

4,665,659

 

Diluted – Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

4,803,318

 

4,673,706

 

4,795,870

 

4,665,659

 

Basic Loss per Share

 

$

(0.13

)

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.15

)

$

(0.41

)

Diluted Loss per Share

 

$

(0.13

)

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.15

)

$

(0.41

)

 

9. Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a revision to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123 (SFAS 123(R)), Share-Based Payment. The revision requires all entities to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments granted to employees. The statement eliminates the alternative method of accounting for employee share-based payments previously available under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25. The Statement is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.  The Company has not completed the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting SFAS 123(R).

 

12



 

ITEM 2  -                                              MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This amended Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the fiscal quarter ended November 28, 2004, amends and restates financial statements and related financial information for the fiscal quarter ended November 28, 2004.  The determination to restate these financial statements and other financial information was made as a result of the Company’s identification, in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005, of accounting errors at the Company’s China subsidiary related to inventory build-up and relief and inadequate reconciliation of intercompany accounts.  Further information on the restatement can be found in Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements filed on the Company’s May 30, 2004 annual report on Form 10-K/A, and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements filed on the Company’s May 29, 2005 annual report on Form 10-K.

 

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

Ault’s power conversion products are used to adapt alternating current (AC) to provide a source of power at various levels up to more than one kilowatt of continuous power for a wide variety of electronic equipment.  A significant amount of the Company’s products are located outside the equipment they power as a wall plug-in or as in-line components.  Both of these styles are generally referred to as external power conversion products.  A smaller percentage of the Company’s products are located inside the equipment they power and are generally known as internal power conversion devices.  Each product configuration, external and internal, offers distinct advantages to the OEM buyer.  Internal power products are more generally accepted among design engineers across all segments of the electronic original equipment market (EOEM).  Internal power has traditionally been the norm in product design and, in terms of range, it provides greater latitude especially in applications beyond 100 watts.  External power still ranks as a high growth area in the power supply industry due to the increasing emphasis on smaller and portable products that perform increasingly sophisticated functions.  Ault’s business strategy is to offer OEMs in these markets an expanding line of high-quality power conversion products, diverse design engineering expertise and customized customer services.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based on the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Critical accounting policies are defined as those involving significant judgments and uncertainties which could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions.  Application of these policies is particularly important to the portrayal of the financial condition and results of operations.  The Company believes the accounting policies described below meet these characteristics.  All significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K/A.

 

Revenue Recognition – The Company’s policy is to recognize revenue for product sales when title transfers and risk of loss has passed to the customer, which is generally upon acceptance of the product by the overseas freight carrier.  Judgments are required in evaluating the credit worthiness of our customers. Credit is not extended to customers and revenue is not recognized until the Company has determined that the risk of uncollectibility is minimal.

 

Inventory Valuation – Inventory is written down for estimated surplus and discontinued inventory items. The amount of the write-down is determined by analyzing historical and projected sales information, plans for discontinued products and other factors. Changes in sales volumes due to unexpected economic or competitive conditions are among the factors that would result in materially different amounts for this item.

 

13



 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – An allowance is established for estimated uncollectible accounts receivable. The required allowance is determined by reviewing customer accounts and making estimates of amounts that may be uncollectible. Factors considered in determining the amount of the reserve include the age of the receivable, the financial condition of the customer, general business, economic and political conditions, and other relevant facts and circumstances. Unexpected changes in the aforementioned factors would result in materially different amounts for this item.

 

Product Warranties – The Company’s products are sold with warranty provisions that require it to remedy deficiencies in quality or performance over a specified period of time, 36 months, at no cost to the Company’s customers. The Company’s policy is to establish warranty reserves at levels that represent its estimate of the costs that will be incurred to fulfill those warranty requirements at the time that revenue is recognized. The Company believes that its recorded liabilities are adequate to cover its future cost of materials, and overhead for the servicing of its products sold through that date. If there is an actual product failure, or material or service delivery costs differ from the Company’s estimates, its warranty liability would need to be revised accordingly.

 

Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities.  SFAS 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is likely that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized.  Based upon prior taxable income and estimates of future taxable income, the Company has determined that it is likely that its net deferred tax asset will not be fully realized in the future.  Thus a full valuation allowance has been established.  If actual taxable income varies from these estimates, the Company may be required to change the valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets resulting in a change in income tax expense (benefit), which will be recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

MANAGEMENT PLANS

 

In July 2003, Ault announced the decision to consolidate manufacturing operations.  Ault was one of the last power supply companies to maintain manufacturing in the United States.  The decision to consolidate was driven by a goal to return to profitability as well as the desire to continue a high level of service to global OEM customers.

 

Last fiscal year was spent on the execution of the consolidation plan.  The first phase of the consolidation went smoothly which included the closing of our US-based production in Minneapolis.  This phase was completed in February 2004.  The Company is benefiting in the following ways:

 

World Class Manufacturing – Ault Xianghe (China) is developing into a world-class facility.  China’s annual volume output has more than tripled due to the transition of many product families from North America over the past year and the transfer of the Power General internal power supplies resulting from the acquisition in fiscal 2003.  Ault has also worked diligently to build a strong infrastructure by enhancing global IT capabilities for purchasing, design engineering and manufacturing.  Ault Xianghe has also achieved ISO certification and had several successful audit visits from top OEM (original equipment manufacturer) customers.

 

Reduced Lead Times – Ault customers across all segments of the electronics industry appear to have one common need — orders with JIT (just-in-time) delivery dates.  This trend prompted the Company to look for ways in all product categories to reduce lead times on top-selling power supplies.  In October, the Company announced a five-week lead-time on its most popular standard products in the switch-mode power supply category.  Most competitors are still averaging 8 weeks.  The Company believes meeting customers’ needs for quick-turn orders will earn Ault more business from current accounts as well as providing a competitive edge in earning new business.

 

Improved Margins - Gross margin has increased several percent over the prior period.  Current year margin increased because of the cost reductions resulting from the transition of US manufacturing as well as increased sales volume from North America and Korea.

 

14



 

Sales Review

 

Ault has traditionally been a major power supplier to the OEMs in the telecommunications market.  This market hit bottom in calendar 2002, it is now recovering with several niches performing well.  One of these niches is the Power over Ethernet market.  Dubbed PoE, Power over Ethernet is designed to supply power to any device on a local area network.

 

This technology has a broad range of applications including IP phones, security cameras, RFID tag readers, PDAs, access control systems and smart signs.

 

Ault has developed two single port, midspan power products to meet the needs of PoE users.  The Company has launched initiatives to cost-reduce and re-design its midspan offering in anticipation of the continued growth of Power over Ethernet technology.

 

Ault has also transitioned the China sales team.  There were two significant shifts in strategy: 1) Hire more seasoned salespeople that have contacts and experience in the local electronics market; and 2) focus efforts on Ault’s traditional segments of the communications and medical equipment markets.   Ault is pursuing and closing business for applications in the data communications/telecommunications market that include high-end set-top boxes, routers and video phones.   The future plan includes expanding business with current OEM customers as well as targeting other leaders in the growing communications and medical equipment market segments throughout China.  The intent is to leverage Ault’s global reputation, long history of power supply design success and local presence to win additional business.

 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  The Company sustained net losses applicable to common stockholders of $5,545,646 in fiscal year 2004 and $7,692,073 in fiscal year 2003 and at May 30, 2004 had an accumulated deficit of $8,321,044.  The Company utilized $949,680 of cash for operating activities in fiscal year 2004.  In the first six months of fiscal 2005, the Company has recorded a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $723,000.  The Company has provided $959,000 of cash from operating activities in the first six months of fiscal year 2005.  Future operations may require the Company to borrow additional funds.  The Company has a financing agreement, which includes a $7,000,000 line-of-credit agreement through December 4, 2006.  There was an outstanding balance on this line-of-credit at November 28, 2004 of $1,849,000.  The Company believes it can remain in compliance with covenants in the financing agreement, as amended, through fiscal 2005.

 

Based on available funds, current plans and business conditions management believes that the Company’s available cash, borrowings and amounts generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s cash requirements for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.  The assumptions underlying this belief include, among other things, that there will be no material adverse developments in the business or market in general.  There can be no assurances however that those assumed events will occur.  If management’s plans are not achieved, there may be further negative effects on the results of operations and cash flows, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Second Quarter Ended November 28, 2004

 

 

 

Fiscal

 

Fiscal

 

Favorable / (Unfavorable)

 

($000)

 

2005

 

2004

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Net Sales

 

$

8,223

 

$

8,768

 

$

(545

)

(6

)%

Operating Loss

 

(432

)

(581

)

149

 

26

%

 

Net sales were $8,223,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 down 6% from $8,768,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2004.  The decrease is due to lower sales from North America and Europe of $422,000 and by a decrease in sales from Asia Pacific of $123,000.  The North American decrease is primarily from a reduction in orders from customers as they use up inventory.

 

15



 

Gross margin for the second quarter was 29.1 percent as a percent of sales, compared with 26.2 percent for the same period last year.  Margins increased primarily due to the closure of manufacturing in the United States.  Transferring the manufacturing to China, reduced production costs by $318,000 offset by higher than normal rework costs of $84,000.  The rework was related to one customer and was completed in the second quarter of 2005.

 

Operating expenses decreased in the second quarter of fiscal 2005 to $2,827,000 from $2,881,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2004.  The reduction of $54,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2005 is related to the cost of closing the United States manufacturing in fiscal 2004.  This decrease was offset by additional expenses to increase sales in future periods.  These expenses include additional sales people in China of $45,000, additional travel expense in the United States and Europe of $45,000, and additional freight expense of $34,000.

 

Six Months Ended November 28, 2004

 

 

 

Fiscal

 

Fiscal

 

Favorable / (Unfavorable)

 

($000)

 

2005

 

2004

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Net Sales

 

$

18,559

 

$

17,199

 

$

1,360

 

8

%

Operating Loss

 

(475

)

(1,653

)

1,178

 

71

%

 

Net sales were $18,559,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2005 up 8% from $17,199,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2004.  The increase is due to the continued activity in North America, with an increase in sales to existing customers and new customers.

 

Gross margin for the first six months of fiscal 2005 was 27.8 percent as a percent of sales, compared with 24.2 percent for the same period last year.  Margins increased primarily due to the closure of manufacturing in the United States.  Transferring the manufacturing to China, reduced production costs by $636,000 offset by higher than normal rework costs of $84,000.  The rework was related to one customer and was completed in the second quarter of 2005.

 

Operating expenses decreased in the first six months of fiscal 2005 to $5,631,000 from $5,819,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2004.  The reduction of $188,000 in fiscal 2005 is related to the cost of closing the United States manufacturing in fiscal 2004.  This decrease was offset by additional expenses in fiscal 2005 to increase sales in future periods.  These expenses include additional sales people in China of $45,000, additional travel expense in the United States and Europe of $58,000, and additional freight expense of $40,000.  Also an increase in allowance for doubtful accounts increased operating expenses in fiscal 2005 by $75,000.

 

Order Backlog: The Company’s order backlog at November 28, 2004 totaled $7,914,000 compared to $10,027,000 at May 30, 2004.  The order backlog represents sales for approximately eleven weeks.

 

Non-Operating Income and Expenses: Nonoperating expense is $205,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2005 compared to $233,000 for the same period in fiscal 2004.  The Company incurred interest expenses of $189,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2005 and $211,000 in the same period of fiscal 2004, paid on bank credit facilities and long-term borrowings.

 

Income Tax: The Company had a pre-tax loss of $680,000 for the six-month period in fiscal 2005 on which it accrued $2,000 consolidated income tax expense relating to amounts due for state taxes.  For the six-month period in fiscal 2004 the Company had a pre-tax loss of $1,886,000 on which no income tax benefit was accrued.  The effective tax rate is 0% for the first two quarters of 2005, and 0% for the same period in fiscal 2004.  In the first two quarters of fiscal 2005 and 2004 the Company did not take a benefit from the losses generated.  A full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets has been recorded because it is likely the Company will be unable to use such losses.

 

Net Loss: The Company reported a basic and diluted per share loss of $0.15 for the first six months of fiscal 2005, based on 4,796,000 outstanding weighted average shares, compared to basic and diluted per share loss of $0.41 for the same period of fiscal 2004, based on 4,666,000 outstanding weighted average shares.

 

16



 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The following table describes the Company’s liquidity and financial position on November 28, 2004, and on May 30, 2004:

 

 

 

November 28,

 

May 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2004

 

 

 

($000)

 

($000)

 

Working capital

 

$

5,529

 

$

5,677

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

1,247

 

837

 

Unutilized bank credit facilities

 

824

 

1,489

 

 

Current Working Capital Position

 

As of November 28, 2004, the Company had current assets of $18,713,000 and current liabilities of $13,184,000, which amounted to working capital of $5,529,000 and a current ratio of 1.4.  This represents a decrease from its working capital of $5,677,000 as of May 30, 2004.  The Company relies on its credit facilities as sources of working capital to support normal growth in revenue, capital expenditures and attainment of profit goals.  The Company has not committed any funds for future capital expenditures as of November 28, 2004.

 

Cash and Investments: As of November 28, 2004, the Company had cash totaling $1,247,000, compared to $837,000 as of May 30, 2004.  This increase in cash was due to normal fluctuations in the timing of payments and receipts.

 

Credit Facilities: The credit arrangement with Wells Fargo Bank is an asset-based credit facility of $7 million, secured by company assets.  At November 28, 2004, there were borrowings against this facility of $1,849,000.  The financing agreement contains financial covenants, which require the Company, among other things, to maintain a minimum capital base, and also impose certain limitations on additional capital expenditures and the payment of dividends. At the end of fiscal 2004, the Company’s net worth and income before taxes did not meet the minimum of the credit agreement.  The Company received a waiver and amendment for this covenant.  At the end of November 2004, the Company’s income before taxes did not meet the minimum of the credit agreement.  Following the January 2005 amendment, the Company believes the provisions imposed by this credit agreement are achievable based on the Company’s expected operating results for the next year.

 

CASH FLOWS FOR FISCAL 2005

 

Operations:  Operations provided $959,000 of cash during the first six months of fiscal 2005 due principally to the following activities:

(a)          The loss, net of depreciation used $329,000.

(b)         Decreases in trade receivables provided $778,000, primarily related to increased collections from the Asia Pacific area.

(c)          Decreases in inventories provided $676,000.

 

Investing Activities: Investing activities used net cash of $140,000 principally relating to the purchase of tooling in the Asia facilities.

 

Financing Activities: Financing activities used net cash of $409,000, comprised of $225,000 payment on debt, $256,000 used by discontinued operations, and $72,000 of proceeds from the issuance of common stock for the stock purchase plan.

 

Summary:  The Company’s cash and working capital positions are sound and, together with its credit facilities, adequate to support the Company’s strategies for the remainder of fiscal 2005 and the foreseeable future.

 

Information about Products and Services: The Company’s business operations are comprised of one activity—the design, manufacture and sale of equipment for converting electric power to a level used by OEMs in data communications/telecommunications and medical markets to charge batteries, and/or power equipment.  The Company supports these power requirements by making available to the OEMs products that have various technical features.  These products are managed as one product segment under the Company’s internal

 

17



 

organizational structure and the Company does not consider any financial distinctive measures, including net profitability and segmentation of assets to be meaningful to performance assessment.

 

Information about Revenue by Geography

 

Geographic distribution of revenue is as follows:

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

November 28,
2004

 

November 30,
2003

 

 

 

($000)

 

($000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US

 

$

13,976

 

$

12,400

 

China

 

2,136

 

2,375

 

UK

 

939

 

1,478

 

Canada

 

527

 

397

 

Other Foreign

 

981

 

549

 

Total

 

$

18,559

 

$

17,199

 

 

The Company considers a country to be the geographic source of revenue if it has contractual obligations, including obligation to pay for trade receivable invoices.

 

Impact of Foreign Operations and Currency Changes:

 

The Company will experience normal valuation changes as the Korean and Chinese currency fluctuates.  The effect of translating the Korean and Chinese financial statements resulted in a net asset increase of $39,000 for the six months ended November 28, 2004.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

From time to time, in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in other communications to shareholders or the investing public, the Company may make forward-looking statements concerning possible or anticipated future results of operations or business developments which are typically preceded by the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends” or similar expressions.  For such forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Shareholders and the investing public should understand that such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results or developments to differ significantly from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.  Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the overall level of sales by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the telecommunications, data communications, computer peripherals and the medical markets; buying patterns of the Company’s existing and prospective customers; the impact of new products introduced by competitors; delays in new product introductions; higher than expected expense related to sales and new marketing initiatives; availability of adequate supplies of raw materials and components; fuel prices; and other risks affecting the Company’s target markets.

 

Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a revision to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123 (SFAS 123(R)), Share-Based Payment. The revision requires all entities to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments granted to employees. The statement eliminates the alternative method of accounting for employee share-based payments previously available under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25. The Statement is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.  The Company has not completed the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting SFAS 123(R).

 

18



 

ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company experiences foreign currency gains and losses, which are reflected in the financial statements, due to the strengthening and weakening of the U.S. dollar against currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. The Company anticipates that it will continue to have exchange gains or losses in the future.

 

The Company is exposed to certain market risks on the line of credit agreement because of the variable interest rate charged.  Market risk is the potential loss arising from the adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates.  Market risk is estimated as the potential increase in fair value resulting from a hypothetical one percent increase in interest rates, which assuming an average outstanding debt balance of $5.0 million would result in an annual interest expense increase of approximately $50,000.

 

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

Management, with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rules 13a-15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.  Subject to the matters discussed below, management has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that the disclosure controls are also not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.  As of May 29, 2005, the Company did not maintain effective controls relating to transactions at its China subsidiary related to inventory build-up and relief and reconciliation of intercompany accounts.

 

In connection with its audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended May 30, 2004, Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”), the Company’s independent accountants, advised the Audit Committee and management of internal control matters with respect to certain inventory transactions that they considered to be a material weakness as that term is defined under standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).  The Company considered these matters in connection with the year-end closing process and the preparation of the May 30, 2004 consolidated financial statements included in its Form 10-K.  In response to the observations made by Grant Thornton, the Company will implement certain enhancements to its internal controls and procedures, which it believes address the matters raised by Grant Thornton.

 

China Subsidiary

 

The Company did not maintain effective controls over the preparation of and independent review of accounts at the China subsidiary.  The Company has concluded that these control deficiencies constitute material weaknesses.

 

Remediation of Material Weaknesses Related to China Subsidiary

 

Management has taken, or is in the process of taking the following steps with respect to the control deficiencies at its China subsidiary:

 

                  The transfer of a seasoned accountant with experience in Asian operations who will be headquartered in Minneapolis, and will be the primary liaison with our China accounting staff and operations.

 

19



 

                  Commencement of a training program to upgrade the skill sets of our China accounting staff.

 

                  The hiring of an experienced China-based controller to coordinate all financial reporting, monthly physical inventory counts and verification and also be a part of the weekly conference calls with all of our operations to improve communications.

 

Management believes that implementation of these actions will remediate the material weaknesses described above.

 

Warehouse Control Deficiencies

 

In a cost-cutting effort in the third quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company closed down a manufacturing facility in Minneapolis and terminated a third party warehouse facility in Ireland.  As part of the shutdown of the manufacturing in December 2003, certain personnel were terminated prior to the disposition of inventory at the location.  The Company’s haste in cost elimination resulted in having insufficient staffing to control the disposition of the inventory.  This was found to be a weakness of $25,569 in the counting of inventory that was discovered during the course of the audit by the Company’s external auditors.  This should have been recorded in the third quarter.

 

In addition to the manufacturing shut-down, the Company also closed a third party warehouse facility to cut costs in January 2004.  This too resulted in the terminations of personnel whose responsibilities included monitoring third party warehousing of customer stock inventory.  Approximately $57,581 of inventory was not adequately tracked.  This error was also discovered in the course of the audit, and should have been recorded in the third quarter.  Taken together the manufacturing and third party warehouse control deficiencies resulted in an adjustment of $83,150, which should have been recorded in the third quarter.  This $83,150 adjustment was extrapolated over the Company’s entire inventory, which resulted in a total adjustment of $279,987.  The Company believes that this adjustment is not material.

 

In connection with its audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended May 30, 2004, Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”), the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, advised the Company’s audit committee and management that the adjustments described with respect to inventory constituted a material weakness as that term is defined under standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).  In response to the observations made by Grant Thornton, the Company has implemented certain enhancements to its internal controls and procedures that the Company believes will address the matters raised by Grant Thornton.

 

Specifically, if the Company determines to enter into any future third party warehouse agreement, the Company will make sure that is has devoted adequate resources for necessary preventative and detective controls.  The third party warehouse will have a weekly reconciliation between the inventory in the warehouse and the Company’s inventory system.  The head of sales and the head of finance will review this reconciliation.  On a quarterly basis, the Company will physically count the inventory.

 

Similarly, before the Company closes another manufacturing location, the Company will make sure there are adequate resources in place for necessary preventative and detective controls.  If the Company closes a manufacturing location, it will have the necessary resources to maintain a cycle count system until the disposition of the inventory is complete.  Also there will be a physical inventory of the inventory before the end of each quarter until the disposition of the inventory is complete.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls.

 

There have been no significant changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 1                                                        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS:

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 2                                                        CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 3                                                        DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES:

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 4                                                        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders;

 

The following matter was voted upon at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on September 28, 2004, and received the votes set forth below:

 

All of the following persons nominated were elected to serve as directors and received the number of votes set opposite their respective names:

 

 

 

For

 

Withheld

 

F. Green

 

4,079,048

 

365,605

 

J. Colwell

 

4,079,048

 

365,605

 

C. Barnett

 

4,079,244

 

365,409

 

J. Kassakian

 

4,079,248

 

365,405

 

B. Chang

 

4,079,244

 

365,409

 

M. Walker

 

4,079,248

 

365,405

 

D. Larkin

 

4,079,244

 

365,409

 

 

The proposal to ratify and approve an amendment to the Company’s 1996 Stock Plan to increase the number of Shares authorized to be issued under such Plan by 300,000 shares to 1,500,000 passed by a vote of 1,722,634 for and 876,710 against.

 

ITEM 5                                                        OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 6                   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a)                                  The following exhibits are included herein:

31.1 Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2 Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1 Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

(b)                              Reports on form 8-K

A.   Form 8-K filed September 27, 2004 announcing the first quarter fiscal 2005 financial results.

B.   Form 8-K filed October 1, 2004 announcing the update to the code of ethics.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

AULT INCORPORATED

(REGISTRANT)

 

 

DATED: October 17 2005

/s/ Frederick M. Green

 

 

Frederick M. Green, President

 

Chief Executive Officer and

 

Chairman

 

 

 

 

DATED: October 17 2005

/s/ William J. Birmingham

 

 

William J. Birmingham

 

Interim Chief Financial Officer

 

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