Final Prospectus
Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
File Number 333-130219

$10,000,000

 

LOGO

 

8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011

 

This prospectus covers resales by holders of our 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 and shares of common stock into which the notes are convertible. We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of the notes or the shares of common stock hereunder. The notes are convertible, at holders’ option, prior to the maturity date into shares of our common stock.

 

The notes may be converted into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $10.31 per share of common stock. The conversion price is subject to adjustment if certain events occur, as described in “Description of the Notes.” Upon conversion of a note, the holder will receive only shares of our common stock and a cash payment to account for any fractional share. Holders will not receive any cash payment for interest accrued and unpaid to the conversion date except under the limited circumstances. In certain situations, if the holder elects to convert the notes following certain changes of control in which 10% or more of the consideration for our common stock is not securities traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, we will increase the number of shares of common stock we issue for each note converted. At any time prior to maturity, we may elect to automatically convert the notes if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been at least 150% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days during any 30 trading day period, subject to certain conditions. If we elect to automatically convert your notes prior to December 20, 2008, we will pay additional interest in cash or, at our option, in common stock, equal to three full years of interest on the converted notes, less any interest actually provided for or paid.

 

The notes bear interest at 8% per year. Interest on the notes will accrue from November 21, 2005 or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2006. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

On or after December 20, 2008, we may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of redemption. We may be required to repurchase the notes upon a change of control, upon our common stock not being authorized for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, The NASDAQ Capital Market, The New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or upon our incurrence of certain types of senior indebtedness or indebtedness that ranks equally and ratably with the notes.

 

The notes mature on June 15, 2011 unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased and will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The notes were initially issued in the aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000. The notes are subordinated to our senior indebtedness, including amounts borrowed under our amended and restated credit agreement and future indebtedness that is not expressly subordinate to the notes. In addition, the notes are structurally subordinate to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries, including trade payables.

 

Prior to this offering, the notes were eligible for transfer on The PortalSM Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. The notes sold by means of this prospectus are not expected to remain eligible for transfer on The PortalSM Market. We do not intend to list the notes for transfer on any national securities exchange. Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “RELL”. On April 16, 2007, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $8.92 per share.

 

Investing in the notes and the underlying shares of common stock involves risks. Before purchasing notes, see the information under “ Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 of this prospectus.

 


 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this Prospectus is April 23, 2007.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Prospectus Summary

   1

Risk Factors

   13

Forward-Looking Statements

   24

Use of Proceeds

   25

Market and Market Prices

   25

Dividend Policy

   25

Selected Consolidated Financial Information

   26

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   28

Our Business

   48

Management

   57

Executive Compensation

   61

Principal Stockholders

   65

Description of the Notes

   67

Description of Certain Other Indebtedness

   77

Description of Our Capital Stock

   81

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

   86

Selling Holders

   93

Plan of Distribution

   95

Legal Matters

   97

Experts

   97

Where You Can Find More Information

   97

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-1

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. Neither we nor the holders have authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any circumstances in which the offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should not interpret the delivery of this prospectus, or any sale of securities, as an indication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus. You should also be aware that information in this prospectus may change after this date.

 

Additionally, we may suspend the holder’s use of the prospectus for a reasonable period not to exceed 30 consecutive days, or an aggregate of 60 days in any 365 day period, if we, in our reasonable judgment, believe that the registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated herein or necessary to make the statements herein not misleading. Each holder, by its acceptance of a new note, agrees to hold any communication by us regarding suspension of the holder’s use of the prospectus in confidence. This offering is subject to withdrawal or cancellation without notice.

 

When we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” in this prospectus, we mean Richardson Electronics, Ltd. and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, unless we state or the context implies otherwise. When we use the term “holders” we mean the holders of our 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due June 15, 2011 offered for sale from time to time pursuant to this prospectus.

 

References in this prospectus to our “common stock” mean our common stock, $.05 par value per share; references to our “Class B common stock” mean our Class B common stock, $.05 par value per share; references to the “notes” mean our 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due June 15, 2011; references to the “7 1/4% debentures” mean our 7 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due December 15, 2006; references to the “8 1/4% debentures” mean our 8 1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures due June 15, 2006; references to the “7 3/4% notes” mean our 7 3/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due December 15, 2011, and references to the “credit agreement” mean our amended and restated revolving credit agreement due October 2009 and dated October 29, 2004.


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read carefully the entire prospectus, including the consolidated financial statements and related notes and other financial data, before making an investment decision.

 

Our Company

 

We are a global provider of engineered solutions and a global distributor of electronic components to the radio frequency (RF), wireless and power conversion, electron device, security, and display systems markets. We are committed to a strategy of providing specialized technical expertise and value-added products, which we refer to as “engineered solutions,” in response to our customers’ needs. These engineered solutions consist of:

 

   

products which we manufacture or modify;

 

   

products which are manufactured to our specifications by independent manufacturers under our own private labels; and

 

   

value we add through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, and logistics for our customers’ end products. We define design-in support as modification of components or identification of lower-cost product alternatives or complementary products.

 

Our products include RF and microwave components, power semiconductors, electron tubes, microwave generators, data display monitors, and electronic security products and systems. These products are used to control, switch or amplify electrical power or signals, or as display, recording or alarm devices in a variety of industrial, communication, and security applications.

 

Our broad array of technical services and products supports both our customers and vendors.

 

Our Strategic Business Units

 

We serve our customers through four strategic business units, each of which is focused on different end markets with distinct product and application needs. Our four strategic business units are:

 

   

RF, Wireless & Power Division (formerly RF & Wireless Communications Group);

 

   

Electron Device Group (formerly Industrial Power Group);

 

   

Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems; and

 

   

Display Systems Group.

 

Each strategic business unit has dedicated marketing, sales, product management, and purchasing functions to better serve its targeted markets. The strategic business units operate globally, serving North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Latin America.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, we implemented a reorganization plan encompassing our RF & Wireless Communications Group and Industrial Power Group business units. Effective for the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Industrial Power Group has been designated as the Electron Device Group and the RF & Wireless Communications Group has been designated as RF, Wireless & Power Division. The reorganization was implemented to increase efficiencies by integrating the Industrial Power Group’s power conversion sales and product management into the RF & Wireless Communication Group’s larger sales resources. In addition, we

 

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believe that the Electron Device Group will benefit from an increased focus on the high-margin tube business with a simplified global sales and product management structure to work more effectively with customers and vendors.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we changed the name of our Security Systems Division (SSD) to Burtek Systems (SSD/Burtek) to take advantage of Burtek’s positive brand recognition within the sound and security industry.

 

RF, Wireless & Power Division, formerly RF & Wireless Communications Group

 

Our RF, Wireless & Power Division serves the global RF and wireless communications market, including infrastructure and wireless networks, as well as the fiber optics and industrial power conversion market. Our team of RF and wireless engineers assists customers in designing circuits, selecting cost effective components, planning reliable and timely supply, prototype testing, and assembly. The group offers our customers and vendors complete engineering and technical support from the design-in of RF, wireless and power components to the development of engineered solutions for their system requirements.

 

We expect continued growth in wireless applications as the demand for many types of wireless communication increases worldwide. We believe wireless networking and infrastructure products for a number of niche applications will require engineered solutions using the latest RF technology and electronic components, including:

 

   

Wireless Networks – Wireless technologies used for short range interconnection, both within the home or office or last mile solutions from a neighborhood to the home.

 

   

Wireless Infrastructure – Equipment required to support the transmission of RF signals.

 

   

Power Conversion – High power applications such as power suppliers, welding, motor controls and converting AC/DC and DC/AC.

 

In addition to voice communication, we believe the rising demand for high-speed data transmission will result in major investments in both system upgrades and new systems to handle broader bandwidth.

 

Electron Device Group, formerly Industrial Power Group

 

Our Electron Device Group provides engineered solutions and distributes electronic components to customers in diverse markets including the steel, automotive, textile, plastics, semiconductor manufacturing, and broadcast industries. Our team of engineers designs solutions for applications such as industrial heating, laser technology, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, radar, and welding. We build on our expertise in high power, high frequency vacuum devices to provide engineered solutions to fit our customers’ specifications using what we believe are the most competitive components from industry-leading vendors.

 

This group serves the industrial market’s need for both vacuum tube and semiconductor manufacturing equipment technologies. We provide replacement products for systems using electron tubes as well as design and assembly services for new systems employing semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Our customers’ demand for higher power and shorter processing times increases the need for tube-based systems.

 

Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems

 

Our Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems is a global provider of closed circuit television, fire, burglary, access control, sound, and communication products and accessories for the residential, commercial, and government markets. We specialize in closed circuit television design-in support, offering extensive expertise with applications requiring digital technology. Our products are primarily used for security and access control purposes but are also utilized in industrial applications, mobile video, and traffic management.

 

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The electronic security industry is rapidly transitioning from analog to digital imaging technology which is driving the convergence between security and IT. We are positioned to take advantage of this transition through our array of innovative products and solutions marketed under our own private label brands National Electronics, Capture®, AudioTrak®, and Elite National Electronics®. We also expect to gain additional market share by marketing ourselves as a value-added service provider to both our vendor and dealer partners. We continue to invest in people and tools that enable us to offer superior technical support in the most cost effective manner, particularly in the area of network convergence.

 

On April 6, 2007, we entered into a definitive agreement with Honeywell International Inc. to sell Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems for $80 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments. For more information regarding this transaction, see “Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments.”

 

Display Systems Group

 

Our Display Systems Group is a global provider of integrated display products and systems to the public information, financial, point-of-sale, and medical imaging markets. The group works with leading hardware vendors to offer the highest quality liquid crystal display, plasma, cathode ray tube, and customized display monitors. Our engineers design custom display solutions that include touch screens, protective panels, custom enclosures, specialized finishes, application specific software, and privately branded products.

 

The medical imaging market is transitioning from film-based technology to digital technology. Our medical imaging hardware partnership program allows us to deliver integrated hardware and software solutions for this growing market by combining our hardware expertise in medical imaging engineered solutions with our software partners’ expertise in picture archiving and communications systems. Through such collaborative arrangements, we are able to provide integrated imaging workstation systems to the end user.

 

Our legacy business of supplying replacement cathode ray tubes continues to be an important market. We believe we are successful in supplying replacement cathode ray tubes because of our extensive cross-reference capability. This database, coupled with custom mounting hardware installed by us, enables us to provide replacement tubes for more than 200,000 models.

 

We have long-standing relationships with key manufacturers including 3M, Clinton Electronics, HP, IBM, Intel, LG, NEC Displays, Philips-FIMI, Planar Systems, Samsung, and Siemens Displays. We believe these relationships and our private label brands allow us to maintain a well-balanced and technologically advanced line of products.

 

Business Strategies

 

We are pursuing a number of strategies designed to enhance our business and, in particular, to increase sales of engineered solutions. Our strategies are to:

 

Capitalize on Engineering and Manufacturing Expertise. We believe that our success is largely attributable to our core engineering and manufacturing competency and skill in identifying cost-competitive solutions for our customers, and we believe that these factors will be significant to our future success. Historically, our primary business was the distribution and manufacture of electron tubes and we continue to be a major supplier of these products. This business enabled us to develop manufacturing and design engineering capabilities. Today, we use this expertise to identify engineered solutions for customers’ applications—not only in electron tube technology but also in new and growing end markets and product applications. We work closely with our customers’ engineering departments that allow us to identify engineered solutions for a broad range of applications. We believe our customers use our engineering and manufacturing expertise as well as our in-depth knowledge of the components best suited to deliver a solution that meets their performance needs cost-effectively.

 

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Target Selected Niche Markets. We focus on selected niche markets that demand a high level of specialized technical service, where price is not the primary competitive factor. These niche markets include wireless infrastructure, high power/high frequency power conversion, custom display, and digital imaging. In most cases, we do not compete against pure commodity distributors. We often function as an extension of our customers’ and vendors’ engineering teams. Frequently, our customers use our design and engineering expertise to provide a product solution that is not readily available from a traditional distributor. By utilizing our expertise, our customers and vendors can focus their engineering resources on more critical core design and development issues.

 

Focus on Growth Markets. We are focused on markets we believe have high growth potential and can benefit from our engineering and manufacturing expertise and from our strong vendor relationships. These markets are characterized by substantial end-market growth and rapid technological change. For example, the continuing demand for wireless communications is driving wireless application growth. Power conversion demand continues to grow due to increasing system complexity and the need for intelligent, efficient power management. We also see growth opportunities as security systems transition from analog to digital video recording and medical display systems transition from film to digital imaging.

 

Leverage Our Existing Customer Base. An important part of our growth is derived from offering new products to our existing customer base. We support the migration of our customers from electron tubes to newer solid-state technologies. Sales of products other than electron tubes represented approximately 84% of our sales in fiscal 2006 compared to 76% in fiscal 2000. In addition, our salespeople increased sales by selling products from all strategic business units to customers who currently may only purchase from one strategic business unit and by selling engineered solutions to customers who currently may only purchase standard components.

 

Growth and Profitability Strategies

 

Although we have reported net losses of approximately $12.9 million in fiscal 2002, $26.7 million in fiscal 2003, $16.0 million in fiscal 2005, and $2.6 million in fiscal 2006, our long-range growth plan is centered around three distinct strategies by which we are seeking to maximize our overall profitability:

 

Focus on Internal Growth. We believe that, in most circumstances, internal growth provides the best means of expanding our business, both on a geographic and product line basis. We believe there is increased outsourcing of engineering as companies focus on their own core competencies, which we believe contributed to the increased demand for our engineered solutions. As technologies change, we plan to continue to capitalize on our customers’ need for design engineering. In fiscal 2006, we made sales to approximately 34,000 customers. We have developed internal systems to capture forecasted product demand by potential design opportunity. This allows us to anticipate our customers’ future requirements and identify new product opportunities. In addition, we share these future requirements with our manufacturing suppliers to help them predict near and long-term demand, technology trends, and product life cycles. Expansion of our product offerings is an ongoing program. In particular, the following areas have generated significant sales increases in recent years: RF amplifiers; interconnect and passive devices; silicon controlled rectifiers; custom and medical monitors; and digital closed circuit television security systems.

 

Reduce Operating Costs Through Continuous Operational Improvements. We constantly strive to reduce costs in our business through initiatives designed to improve our business processes. We continue to embark on programs to improve operating efficiencies and asset utilization, with an emphasis on inventory control. Our incentive programs were revised in fiscal 2004 to heighten our managers’ commitment to these objectives. Since fiscal 2004, our strategic business units’ goals are based on return on assets. In an effort to reduce our global operating costs related to logistics, selling, general, and administrative expenses and to better align our operating and tax structure on a global basis, we have now begun to implement a global restructuring plan. This plan is

 

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intended to reduce corporate and administrative expense, decrease the number of warehouses, and streamline the entire organization. During fiscal 2007, we will be implementing a more tax-effective supply chain structure for Europe and Asia/Pacific, restructuring our Latin American operations, and reducing the total workforce which includes eliminating and restructuring layers of management. Additional programs are ongoing, including a significant investment in enterprise resource planning software during fiscal 2007.

 

Grow Through Acquisitions. We have an established record of acquiring and integrating businesses. Since 1980, we have acquired 37 companies or significant product lines and continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities on an ongoing basis. We seek acquisitions that provide product line growth opportunities by permitting us to leverage our existing customer base, expand the geographic coverage for our existing product offerings, or add incremental engineering resources/expertise. Our most significant acquisitions over the past five years include:

 

   

Sangus Holdings AB (RF and microwave applications—now part of our RF, Wireless & Power Division) in fiscal 2002;

 

   

Evergreen Trading Company (power conversion—now part of our Electron Device Group) in fiscal 2005;

 

   

A.C.T. Kern GmbH & Co. KG (“Kern”) (display technology—now part of Display Systems Group) in fiscal 2006; and

 

   

Image Systems Corporation (display technology supplier—now part of Display Systems Group) in fiscal 2006.

 

Recent Developments

 

On April 6, 2007, we and certain of our subsidiaries (“Sellers”) entered into a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) with Honeywell International Inc. (“Honeywell”) pursuant to which Honeywell agreed to purchase SSD/Burtek. The transaction is structured as a sale of all of the stock of Burtek Systems Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company (“Burtek Systems”) and all of the other assets primarily used or held for use in SSD/Burtek (the “Sale Assets”). Subject to certain limited exceptions, Honeywell is not assuming any pre-closing obligations or liabilities of SSD/Burtek.

 

The total consideration to be paid by Honeywell pursuant to the Agreement is $80,000,000, net of cash and debt other than certain assumed liabilities, and subject to post-closing adjustments to the extent that SSD/Burtek’s net working capital is less than $31,000,000.

 

The Agreement provides for typical representations and warranties among the parties that must be accurate on both the execution date and the closing date.

 

Prior to the closing, Sellers and Burtek Systems are required to comply with certain pre-closing covenants, and each is required to: (i) give all notices to third parties and governmental entities and use best efforts to obtain all permits and consents as may be required or appropriate in connection with the contemplated transactions; (ii) make any filings necessary, proper or advisable under any applicable antitrust or competition laws; (iii) conduct the operations of SSD/Burtek in the ordinary course of business and preserve its assets, goodwill and relationships; (iv) afford Honeywell full access to SSD/Burtek and its employees during normal working hours; (v) notify Honeywell of the occurrence of an event that Sellers expect to prevent fulfillment of any closing condition; (vi) terminate discussions with all third parties regarding the potential sale of SSD/Burtek and refrain from soliciting or facilitating any competing proposal to acquire SSD/Burtek; (vii) terminate certain related party agreements, and (viii) take certain other actions relating to vesting of employee benefits, employee transition, segregation of assets and other items agreed to by them in the Agreement.

 

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The obligation of each of Honeywell, Sellers and Burtek Systems to consummate the transactions is subject to numerous closing conditions. These include that the representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects, that the covenants have been performed, that no litigation threatens the transaction, that the waiting periods under applicable antitrust laws have expired and the transaction has received approval under the Competition Act of Canada. In addition, Honeywell’s obligation to consummate the transactions is subject to there being no adverse effect, circumstance or change, either individually or in the aggregate, that has or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on SSD/Burtek, assets, conditions, or results of operation of SSD/Burtek and to the receipt of certain specified consents from third parties. The parties are also required to deliver customary closing documents, including a transition services agreement, a bill of sale, and an assignment of trademarks.

 

Sellers and Honeywell are subject to certain post-closing covenants. For a period of two years after the closing, Sellers have also agreed to refrain from soliciting for employment any person who is or was within the three months prior to any solicitation an employee of the Business. For a period of two years after the closing, Honeywell has agreed to refrain from soliciting for employment any person who is or was within the three months prior to any solicitation an employee of the Sellers with whom Honeywell had contact in connection with the contemplated transactions.

 

Each party agrees to indemnify the other party for damages arising out of or relating to certain claims, including the breach of representations and warranties or covenants of the indemnifying party, or relating to certain excluded assets and liabilities. Sellers’ obligation to indemnify Honeywell for breaches of representations and warranties shall not arise until all losses claimed by all of Honeywell’s indemnified parties exceeds $500,000 (the “Basket”), and then will only apply to the amount in excess of the Basket up to the maximum liability amount of $17,000,000 (the “Maximum”). Losses for certain claims of Honeywell’s indemnified parties are not subject to the Basket or the Maximum, including certain losses incurred by Honeywell relating to (i) Sellers breach of the pre-closing or post-closing covenants (ii) excluded assets or liabilities, and (iii) fraud or intentional misrepresentation.

 

The Agreement is subject to termination upon the mutual consent of the parties or by either party if (i) a court issues a nonappealable order precluding the consummation of the transaction, (ii) the transaction has not been consummated by October 31, 2007, or (iii) the uncured breach by the other party of a representation, warranty or covenant would result in any of the conditions to closing not being satisfied.

 

As of March 3, 2007, the net assets of SSD/Burtek included in the sale were approximately $33 million. Based on our tax structure and our ability to use existing net operating loss carryforwards to offset any gain in the U.S., we do not expect to pay income taxes as a result of the sale. After transaction expenses, net proceeds from the sale are estimated to be $76 million. Upon closing, we expect to record a gain on sale of approximately $43 million. We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale to pay down debt outstanding under our credit agreement.

 

 

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The Offering

 

The summary below describes the principal terms of the notes. Certain of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. The “Description of the Notes” section of this prospectus contains a more detailed description of the terms and conditions of the notes.

 

Issuer

Richardson Electronics, Ltd.

 

Securities Offered

Up to $10,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011.

 

Interest

We will pay interest at 8% per year. Interest on the notes will accrue from November 21, 2005 or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2006. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360 day year comprised of twelve 30 day months.

 

Maturity Date

June 15, 2011

 

Conversion at Holder’s Option

The notes are convertible at the holders’ option at any time prior to maturity into shares of our common stock, initially at a conversion price of $10.31 per share, subject to adjustment upon certain events.

 

Auto-Conversion

At any time prior to maturity, we may elect to automatically convert some or all of the notes into shares of our common stock if the last reported sale price of our common stock exceeds 150% of the conversion price for 20 trading days during any 30 trading day period ending within five days of the notice of automatic conversion and either (x) a registration statement registering the resale of the common stock issued upon conversion is effective prior to the date we notify you of the automatic conversion, or (y) the common stock issuable upon conversion may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

Additional Payment upon Conversion during the first Three Years

If we effect an automatic conversion of the notes prior to December 20, 2008, we will make an additional payment equal to three full years of interest, less any interest actually paid or provided for prior to the conversion date.

 

    

We may pay this additional payment in cash or, at our option, in shares of common stock. If we elect to pay the additional payment in common stock, the common stock will be valued at 97.5% of the average of the closing prices of the common stock for the 20 consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the conversion date.

 

Additional Shares upon Conversion in Connection with Certain Events

If a holder elects to convert the notes prior to December 20, 2008 in connection with certain business combinations in which 10% or more

 

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of the consideration for our common stock consists of securities of a company that is not traded or scheduled to be traded immediately following such transaction on a U.S. national securities exchange, we will increase the number of shares of common stock we issue for each note surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares as described in the indenture.

 

Adjustments to the Conversion Price

The conversion price of the notes will be subject to adjustment under certain circumstances, including if we pay dividends on, or make cash distributions in respect of, our common stock that exceed, in the aggregate, $0.16 per common share for four consecutive fiscal quarters.

 

Optional Redemption

At any time on or after December 20, 2008, we may redeem some or all of the notes at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. If we elect to redeem the notes, we will provide notice of redemption to you not less than 20 days and not more than 90 days before the redemption date.

 

Repurchase at Holder’s Option upon Certain Events

Upon a change of control or if our common stock shall not be authorized for quotation or listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, The NASDAQ Capital Market, The New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, the holder may require us to repurchase the notes in cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable repurchase date.

 

    

Prior to November 21, 2008, we may not incur senior indebtedness or indebtedness that ranks on parity in right of payment with the notes, other than pursuant to our credit agreement. If after November 21, 2008, we incur senior indebtedness or indebtedness that ranks on parity in right of payment with the notes, other than pursuant to our credit agreement, holders of the notes may require us to repurchase an aggregate principal amount of notes equal to our net proceeds from such issuance of indebtedness at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable repurchase date. Such senior indebtedness or indebtedness that ranks on parity in right of payment with the notes shall not mature prior to June 15, 2011.

 

    

If we repurchase or redeem any portion of the principal amount of our 7 3/4% notes, we must make an offer to repurchase, for the same type of consideration offered to the holders of our 7 3/4% notes, the same portion of the principal amount of the notes. The repurchase price shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable repurchase date; provided, that if the price at which we repurchased or redeemed our 7 3/4% notes exceeded 100% of the principal amount thereof, then the repurchase price for the notes shall exceed 100% of the principal amount thereof by the same percentage.

 

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Ranking

The notes are our senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to our senior indebtedness, which was $77,765,740 as of March 3, 2007; structurally subordinated to any secured indebtedness (to the extent of its security); rank on parity with all of our existing and future senior subordinated debt, including our 7 3/4% notes; and be senior to all future subordinated debt. The notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, which was $23,058,144 as of March 3, 2007. We and our subsidiaries are prohibited from incurring additional indebtedness that ranks on parity in right of payment with the notes or senior indebtedness, other than indebtedness under our credit agreement, prior to November 21, 2008, and if we incur such indebtedness after November 21, 2008, we must offer to repurchase the notes with the net proceeds of such indebtedness. We may not incur any indebtedness that is junior in right of payment to the notes that has a maturity date prior to June 15, 2011.

 

Trading

Currently, there is no public market for the notes, and we cannot assure you that any such market will develop. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or be included in any automated quotation system. Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “RELL.”

 

Sinking Fund

None.

 

Use of Proceeds

The net proceeds from the sale of the notes or the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus will be received by the selling holders. We will not receive any of the proceeds from any sale by any selling holder of the notes or the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus.

 

Book-Entry Form

The notes will be issued in book-entry form and represented by permanent global certificates deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depository Trust Company, or “DTC,” and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in any of the securities will be shown on, and transfers will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee and any such interest may not be exchanged for certificated securities, except in limited circumstances.

 

Risk Factors

An investment in the notes and our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 for a discussion of certain factors that you should consider when evaluating an investment in the notes and the underlying common stock.

 

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Summary Selected Consolidated Financial Information

 

The following table contains summary selected consolidated financial information as of and for the fiscal years ended May 29, 2004, May 28, 2005 and June 3, 2006 and as of and for the nine months ended March 4, 2006 and March 3, 2007. The selected consolidated financial information as of May 28, 2005 and June 3, 2006 and for the fiscal years ended May 29, 2004, May 28, 2005, and June 3, 2006, are derived from our audited financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data as of and for the nine months ended March 4, 2006 and March 3, 2007 are derived from our unaudited financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, which are normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation. Our results of operations for the nine months ended March 3, 2007 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The summary selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and notes to those consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in the future.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended(1)

   

Nine Months Ended


 
        May 29,   
2004(2)


      May 28,   
2005(3)


       June 3,   
2006


   

March 4,
2006


   

March 3,
2007


 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
                      (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Statement of Operations Data:

                                       

Net sales

   $ 519,823    $ 578,724     $ 637,940     $ 466,110     $ 491,702  

Cost of sales

     393,101      442,730       482,171       350,983       370,756  
    

  


 


 


 


Gross profit

     126,722      135,994       155,769       115,127       120,946  

Selling, general and administrative expenses(4)(5)

     107,968      129,747       139,640       100,766       107,386  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets(6)(7)

     579      (9,918 )     3       (87 )     (2,098 )

Other expense, net(8)

     10,258      7,582       10,550       9,128       10,530  
    

  


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     7,917      8,583       5,576       5,320       5,128  

Income tax provision

     2,385      24,600       8,218       4,353       4,108  
    

  


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 5,532    $ (16,017 )   $ (2,642 )   $ 967     $ 1,020  
    

  


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share—basic

                                       

Common stock

   $ 0.40    $ (0.96 )   $ (0.15 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  
    

  


 


 


 


Class B common stock

   $ 0.36    $ (0.87 )   $ (0.14 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
    

  


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share—diluted

                                       

Common stock

   $ 0.38    $ (0.96 )   $ (0.15 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  
    

  


 


 


 


Class B common stock

   $ 0.36    $ (0.87 )   $ (0.14 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
    

  


 


 


 


Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

                                       

Common stock—basic

     10,872      13,822       14,315       14,310       14,493  
    

  


 


 


 


Class B common stock—basic

     3,168      3,120       3,093       3,093       3,048  
    

  


 


 


 


Common stock—diluted

     14,418      13,822       14,315       17,476       17,638  
    

  


 


 


 


Class B common stock—diluted

     3,168      3,120       3,093       3,093       3,048  
    

  


 


 


 


Dividends per common share

   $ 0.160    $ 0.160     $ 0.160     $ 0.120     $ 0.120  
    

  


 


 


 


Dividends per Class B common share(9)

   $ 0.144    $ 0.144     $ 0.144     $ 0.108     $ 0.108  
    

  


 


 


 


Other Data:

                                       

Interest expense

   $ 10,257    $ 8,947     $ 9,809     $ 7,076     $ 8,486  

Investment income

     227      388       411       248       885  

Depreciation and amortization

     4,989      5,298       6,240       4,648       4,655  

Capital expenditures

     5,468      6,975       6,211       4,229       4,716  

 

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     As of(1)

   As of

        May 29,   
2004


      May 28,   
2005


      June 3,   
2006


  

March 4,
2006


  

March 3,
2007


     (In thousands, unless otherwise stated)
                    (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)

Balance Sheet Data

                                  

Cash

   $ 16,572    $ 24,301    $ 17,010    $ 18,712    $ 12,363

Working capital

     172,593      153,840      158,231      161,150      182,634

Property, plant and equipment, net

     30,534      31,712      32,357      31,800      31,647

Total assets

     281,035      283,940      309,299      302,762      318,787

Current maturities of long-term debt

     4,027      22,305      14,016      15,165      16

Long-term debt

     133,813      98,028      112,792      112,009      133,433

Stockholders’ equity

     86,181      97,396      98,240      100,354      98,649

(1) We account for our results of operations on a 52/53 week year, ending the fiscal year on the Saturday nearest May 31.
(2) We recorded incremental tax provisions of $2.5 million in fiscal 2004 to increase the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets outside the United States.
(3) In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we recorded a $2.2 million restructuring charge to selling, general and administrative expenses as we terminated over 60 employees. In addition, we recorded incremental tax provisions of $16.7 million in fiscal 2005 to increase the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets in the United States ($15.9 million) and outside the United States ($0.8 million).
(4) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we recorded employee severance costs of $2.7 million for certain employees whose termination became probable and estimable.
(5) During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, we recorded restructuring charges of $1.8 million in selling, general and administrative expenses as we implemented the global restructuring plan.
(6) In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, we completed the sale of approximately 205 acres of undeveloped real estate adjoining our headquarters in La Fox, Illinois, resulting in a gain of $9.9 million before taxes.
(7) During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we completed the sale of approximately 1.5 acres of real estate and a building located in Geneva, Illinois, resulting in a gain of $2.5 million before taxes.
(8) During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we recorded retirement of long-term debt expenses of $2.5 million in other, net expenses as we entered into two separate agreements in August 2006 with certain holders of our notes to purchase $14.0 million of the notes.
(9) The dividend per Class B common share was 90% of the dividend per common share.

 

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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

The following table shows the ratio of our earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. We have computed these by dividing earnings available for fixed charges (income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change and income taxes plus fixed charges) by fixed charges (interest expense plus that portion of rental expenses deemed to represent interest).

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended (1)

    Nine Months Ended

 
     June 1,
2002 (2)


   

May 31,

2003 (3)


   

May 29,

2004


  

May 28,

2005 (4)


   

June 3,

2006 (5)


   

March 4,

2006


  

March 3,

2007(6)


 
     (In thousands)  

Fixed Charges:

                                                      

Interest expense

   $ 12,386     $ 10,352     $ 10,257    $ 8,947     $ 9,809     $ 7,076    $ 8,486  

Estimate of the interest within rental expense

     1,101       1,222       1,155      1,389       1,549       1,151      1,193  
    


 


 

  


 


 

  


Total fixed charges

     13,487       11,574       11,412      10,336       11,358       8,227      9,679  

Earnings:

                                                      

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ (12,887 )   $ (8,882 )   $ 5,532    $ (16,017 )   $ (2,642 )   $ 967    $ 1,020  

Add fixed charges

     13,487       11,574       11,412      10,336       11,358       8,227      9,679  
    


 


 

  


 


 

  


Total

   $ 600     $ 2,692     $ 16,944    $ (5,681 )   $ 8,716     $ 9,194    $ 10,699  
    


 


 

  


 


 

  


Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     —   (7)     —   (7)     1.5      —   (7)     —   (7)     1.1      1.1  

Dollar amount of the deficiency

   $ 12,887     $ 8,882     $ —      $ 16,017     $ 2,642     $ —      $ —    

(1) We account for our results of operations on a 52/53 week year, ending the fiscal year on the Saturday nearest May 31.
(2) In the third quarter of fiscal 2002, we recorded a $4.6 million loss ($2.9 million, net of tax) related to the disposition of our medical glassware business. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, we recorded a $15.3 million charge ($9.8 million net of tax) primarily related to inventory obsolescence.
(3) In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, we recorded a $16.1 million charge ($10.3 million net of tax) principally related to inventory write-downs and restructuring charges, including a $1.7 million restructuring charge to selling, general and administrative expenses as we eliminated over 70 positions or approximately 6% of our workforce. In addition, we recorded incremental tax provisions of $1.6 million to establish a valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets outside the United States.
(4) In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we recorded a $2.2 million restructuring charge to selling, general and administrative expenses as we terminated over 60 employees. In addition, we recorded incremental tax provisions of $16.7 million in fiscal 2005 to increase the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets in the United States ($15.9 million) and outside the United States ($0.8 million).
(5) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we recorded employee severance costs of $2.7 million for certain employees whose termination became probable and estimable.
(6) During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we recorded retirement of long-term debt expenses of $2.5 million in other, net expenses as we entered into two separate agreements in August 2006 with certain holders of our notes to purchase $14.0 million of the notes. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we completed the sale of approximately 1.5 acres of real estate and a building located in Geneva, Illinois, resulting in a gain of $2.5 million before taxes. In addition, during the first nine months of fiscal 2007, we recorded restructuring charges of $1.8 million in selling, general and administrative expenses as we implemented the global restructuring plan.
(7) Due to losses in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2003, fiscal 2005, and fiscal 2006, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in the amounts indicated.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the other information included in this prospectus before deciding to invest in the notes offered by this prospectus. Some of the risks relate to the notes. Some of the risks relate principally to our business in general and the industry in which we operate. Other risks relate principally to the securities market and ownership of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes.

 

Further, these risks are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus may include additional factors, which could adversely affect our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors, may cause future actual results to differ materially from those contained in any historical or forward-looking statements.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We have had significant operating and net losses in the past and may have future losses.

 

We reported net losses of approximately $12.9 million in fiscal 2002, $26.7 million in fiscal 2003, $16.0 million in fiscal 2005, and $2.6 million in fiscal 2006 and we cannot assure that we will not experience operating losses and net losses in the future. We may continue to lose money if our sales do not continue to increase or our expenses are not reduced. We cannot predict the extent to which sales will continue to increase across our businesses or how quickly our customers will consume their inventories of our products.

 

We have exposure to economic downturns and operate in cyclical markets.

 

As a supplier of electronic components and services to a variety of industries, we can be adversely affected by general economic downturns. In particular, demand for the products and services of our RF, Wireless & Power Division is dependent upon capital spending levels in the telecommunications industry and demand for products and services of our Electron Device Group is dependent upon capital spending levels in the manufacturing industry, including steel, automotive, textiles, plastics, semiconductors, and broadcast, as well as the transportation industry. Many of our customers delay capital projects during economic downturns. Accordingly, our operating results for any particular period are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for any future period. The markets served by our businesses have historically experienced downturns in demand that could harm our operating results. Future economic downturns could be triggered by a variety of causes, including outbreaks of hostilities, terrorist actions, or epidemics in the United States or abroad.

 

Because we derive a significant portion of our revenue by distributing products designed and manufactured by third parties, we may be unable to anticipate changes in the marketplace and, as a result, could lose market share.

 

Our business is driven primarily by customers’ needs and demands for new products and/or enhanced performance, and by the products developed and manufactured by third parties. Because we distribute products developed and manufactured by third parties, our business would be adversely affected if our suppliers fail to anticipate which products or technologies will gain market acceptance or if we cannot sell these products at competitive prices. We cannot be certain that our suppliers will permit us to distribute their newly developed products, or that such products will meet our customers’ needs and demands. Additionally, because some of our principal competitors design and manufacture new technology, those competitors may have a competitive advantage over us. To successfully compete, we must maintain an efficient cost structure, an effective sales and marketing team, and offer additional services that distinguish us from our competitors. Failure to execute these strategies successfully could harm our results of operations.

 

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We face intense competition in the markets we serve and, if we do not compete effectively, we could significantly harm our operating results.

 

We face substantial competition in our markets. We face competition from hundreds of electronic component distributors of various sizes, locations, and market focuses as well as original equipment manufacturers, in each case for new products and replacement parts. Some of our competitors have significantly greater resources and broader name recognition than us. As a result, these competitors may be better able to withstand changing conditions within our markets and throughout the economy as a whole. In addition, new competitors could enter our markets.

 

We believe that engineering capability, vendor representation, and product diversity create segmentation among distributors. Our ability to compete successfully will depend on our ability to provide engineered solutions, maintain inventory availability and quality, and provide reliable delivery at competitive prices.

 

To the extent we do not keep pace with technological advances or fail to timely respond to changes in competitive factors in our industry, we could lose market share or experience a decline in our revenue and net income. In addition, gross margins in the businesses in which we compete have declined in recent years due to competitive pressures and may continue to decline.

 

If we do not continue to reduce our costs, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets.

 

The success of our business depends, in part, on our continuous reduction of costs. The electronic component industries have historically experienced price erosion and will likely continue to experience such price erosion. If we are not able to reduce our costs sufficiently to offset future price erosion, our operating results will be adversely affected. We have recently engaged in various cost-cutting and other initiatives intended to reduce costs and increase productivity. In fiscal 2005, we recorded a $2.2 million restructuring charge as we eliminated over 60 positions or approximately 5% of our workforce. In an effort to reduce our global operating costs related to logistics, selling, general, and administrative expenses and to better align our operating and tax structure on a global basis, we have now begun to implement a global restructuring plan. This plan is intended to reduce corporate and administrative expense, decrease the number of warehouses, and streamline the entire organization. During fiscal 2007, we will be implementing a more tax-effective supply chain structure for Europe and Asia/Pacific, restructuring our Latin American operations, and reducing the total workforce which includes eliminating and restructuring layers of management.

 

The total restructuring and severance costs to implement the plan are estimated to be $6.0 million, of which $2.7 million of severance costs were recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 and $1.5 million of severance costs were recorded in the first nine months of fiscal 2007. The balance will be incurred in fiscal 2007 as the plan is implemented. We expect to realize the full impact of the cost savings from the restructuring plan in fiscal 2008.

 

We cannot ensure that we will not incur further charges for restructuring as we continue to seek cost reduction initiatives. Alternatively, we cannot ensure that we will be able to continue to reduce our costs. If we cannot fully implement our restructuring plan or cannot implement our plan within the expected time period, we may not realize the expected cost savings.

 

Because we generally do not have long-term contracts with our vendors, we may experience shortages of products that could harm our business and customer relationships.

 

We generally do not have long-term contracts or arrangements with any of our vendors that guarantee product availability. We cannot ensure that our vendors will meet our future requirements for timely delivery of products of sufficient quality or quantity. Any difficulties in the delivery of products could harm our relationships with customers and cause us to lose orders that could result in a material decrease in our revenues. Further, we compete against certain of our vendors and our relationships with those vendors could be harmed as a result of this competition.

 

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Our Electron Device Group is dependent on a limited number of vendors to supply us with essential products.

 

Electron tubes and certain other products supplied by our Electron Device Group are currently produced by a relatively small number of manufacturers. Our future success will depend, in large part, on maintaining current vendor relationships and developing new relationships. We believe that vendors supplying products to some of the product lines of our Electron Device Group are consolidating their distribution relationships or exiting the business. The five largest suppliers to the Electron Device Group by percentage of overall Electron Device Group purchases in fiscal 2006 were Communications & Power Industries, Inc., Covimag S.A., New Japan Radio Co. Ltd., Jennings Technology Corp., and Thales Components Corp. These suppliers accounted for approximately 61% of the overall Electron Device Group purchases in fiscal 2006. The loss of one or more of our key vendors and the failure to find new vendors could significantly harm our business and results of operations. We have in the past and may in the future experience difficulties obtaining certain products in a timely manner. The inability of suppliers to provide us with the required quantity or quality of products could significantly harm our business.

 

We maintain a significant investment in inventory and have incurred significant charges for inventory obsolescence and overstock, and may incur similar charges in the future.

 

We maintain significant inventories in an effort to ensure that customers have a reliable source of supply. The market for many of our products is characterized by rapid change as a result of the development of new technologies, particularly in the semiconductor markets served by our RF, Wireless & Power Division, evolving industry standards, and frequent new product introductions by some of our customers. We do not have many long-term supply contracts with our customers. Generally, our product sales are made on a purchase-order basis, which permits our customers to reduce or discontinue their purchases. If we fail to anticipate the changing needs of our customers and accurately forecast their requirements, our customers may not continue to place orders with us and we may accumulate significant inventories of products which we will be unable to sell or return to our vendors, or which may decline in value substantially.

 

In fiscal 2002, we recorded a pre-tax provision for inventory obsolescence and overstock of $15.3 million, or $9.8 million net of tax, due to an industry-wide decline in sales, a prolonged recovery period, and changes in our mix of business toward higher technology products, particularly in the telecommunications market. In fiscal 2003, we recorded an additional pre-tax provision of $13.8 million, or $8.8 million net of tax, primarily for inventory obsolescence, overstock, and shrinkage, to write-down inventory to net realizable value as we sought to align our inventory and cost structure to then current sales levels amid continued economic slowdown and limited visibility. While we did not incur any material provisions for inventory in fiscal 2004 and 2006, incremental inventory write-down charges of $0.9 million were recorded during fiscal 2005 related to restructuring actions and certain product lines were discontinued. We cannot ensure that we will not incur such charges in the future.

 

We may not be able to continue to make the acquisitions necessary for us to realize our growth strategy or integrate acquisitions successfully.

 

One of our growth strategies is to increase our sales and expand our markets through acquisitions. Since 1980, we have acquired 37 companies or significant product lines and we expect to continue making acquisitions if appropriate opportunities arise in our industry. We may not be able to identify and successfully negotiate suitable acquisitions, obtain financing for future acquisitions on satisfactory terms, or otherwise complete future acquisitions. Furthermore, we may compete for acquisition and expansion opportunities with companies that have substantially greater resources than us.

 

Following acquisitions, the acquired companies may encounter unforeseen operating difficulties and may require significant financial and managerial resources that would otherwise be available for the ongoing development or expansion of our existing operations. If we are unable to successfully identify acquisition

 

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candidates, complete acquisitions, and integrate the acquired businesses with our existing businesses, our business, results of operations, and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected, and we may not be able to compete effectively within our industry.

 

Economic, political, and other risks associated with international sales and operations could adversely affect our business.

 

In fiscal 2006, approximately 62.5% of our sales were made outside the U.S. and 32.4% of our purchases of products were from suppliers located outside the U.S. We anticipate that we will continue to expand our international operations to the extent that suitable opportunities become available. Accordingly, our future results of operations could be harmed by a variety of factors which are not present for companies with operations and sales predominantly within the U.S., including:

 

   

changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions, particularly in emerging markets, including the possibility of military action or other hostilities and confiscation of property;

 

   

increases in trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements;

 

   

changes in tax laws and international tax treaties;

 

   

restrictions on our ability to repatriate investments and earnings from foreign operations;

 

   

difficulty in staffing and managing widespread operations;

 

   

differing labor regulations;

 

   

differing levels of protection of intellectual property;

 

   

changes in regulatory requirements;

 

   

shipping costs and delays; or

 

   

difficulties in accounts receivable collection.

 

If any of these risks materialize, we could face substantial increases in costs, the reduction of profit, and the inability to do business.

 

Our success depends on our executive officers and other key personnel.

 

Our future success depends to a significant degree on the skills, experience, and efforts of our executive officers and other key personnel. The loss of the services of any of our executive officers, particularly Edward J. Richardson, our chairman of the board and chief executive officer could significantly harm our business and results of operations.

 

Our future success will also depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including technical and engineering personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot assure that we will be successful in retaining or attracting such persons. The failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could significantly harm our operations.

 

Changes in accounting standards regarding stock option plans, which we adopted in the first quarter of our fiscal 2007, could limit the desirability of granting stock options, which could harm our ability to attract and retain employees, and could also negatively impact our results of operations.

 

On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share Based Payment, which requires all companies to treat the fair value of stock options granted to employees as an expense. As a result of FAS 123(R), beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we are now required to record a compensation expense equal to the fair value of each stock option granted. This change in accounting standards reduces the attractiveness of granting stock options because of the additional expense associated with

 

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these grants, which would negatively impact our results of operations. Nevertheless, stock options are an important employee recruitment and retention tool, and we may not be able to attract and retain key personnel if we reduce the scope of our employee stock option program. Accordingly, as a result of the requirement to expense stock option grants, our future results of operations would be negatively impacted, as would our ability to use stock options as an employee recruitment and retention tool.

 

We have significant debt, which could limit our financial resources and ability to compete and may make us more vulnerable to adverse economic events.

 

At March 3, 2007, our total debt was approximately $133.4 million, including our outstanding convertible notes. We have incurred and will likely continue to incur indebtedness to fund potential future acquisitions, for strategic initiatives, to purchase inventory, and for general corporate purposes. Although we believe that the cash flow generated by our continuing operations, supplemented as necessary with funds available under credit arrangements is sufficient to meet our repayment obligations for the fiscal year ended June 2, 2007, we cannot ensure that this will be the case. Our incurrence of additional indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:

 

   

increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

   

require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, engineering efforts, and other general corporate purposes, as well as to pay dividends;

 

   

limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

   

place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to our competitors who have less debt; or

 

   

limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness, our ability to borrow additional funds which could affect our ability to make future acquisitions, among other things.

 

Our ability to service our debt and meet our other obligations depends on a number of factors beyond our control.

 

At March 3, 2007, our total debt was approximately $133.4 million, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 135%, and primarily consisted of:

 

 

   

$11.0 million aggregate principal amount of our notes, which bear interest at a rate of 8% per year payable on June 15 and December 15 and mature on June 15, 2011, subject to an additional 1% as a result of failing to register the notes by March 21, 2006 (we purchased $6.0 million of the notes on September 8, 2006 and $8.0 million of the notes on December 8, 2006);

 

 

 

$44.7 million aggregate principal amount of our 7 3/4% notes, which bear interest at a rate of 7 3/4% per year payable on June 15 and December 15 and mature on December 15, 2011; and

 

   

$77.7 million principal amount of indebtedness under our credit agreement, which expires on October 29, 2009, bears interest at London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus a margin varying with certain financial performance criteria. The interest rate was 7.20% at March 3, 2007.

 

The debt-to-equity ratio has been calculated based on our balance sheet dated March 3, 2007.

 

Our ability to service our debt and meet our other obligations as they come due is dependent on our future financial and operating performance. This performance is subject to various factors, including factors beyond our control such as changes in global and regional economic conditions, changes in our industry or the end markets for our products, changes in interest or currency exchange rates, inflation in raw materials, energy and other costs.

 

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If our cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to enable us to service our debt and meet these obligations as they become due, we could be forced to:

 

   

reduce or delay capital expenditures;

 

   

sell assets or businesses;

 

   

limit or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, business plans or operations;

 

   

obtain additional debt or equity financing; or

 

   

restructure or refinance debt.

 

We cannot ensure the timing of these actions or the amount of proceeds that could be realized from them. Accordingly, we cannot ensure that we will be able to meet our debt service and other obligations as they become due or otherwise.

 

Our credit agreement and the indentures for our outstanding notes impose restrictions with respect to various business matters.

 

Our credit agreement contains numerous restrictive covenants that limit the discretion of management with respect to certain business matters. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to pay dividends or make other payments in respect of our shares of common stock and Class B common stock, to engage in transactions with affiliates, to make certain payments and investments, to merge or consolidate with another entity, and to repay indebtedness junior to indebtedness under the credit agreement. The credit agreement also contains a number of financial covenants that require us to meet certain financial ratios and tests relating to, among other things, tangible net worth, a borrowing base, senior funded debt to cash flow, and annual debt service coverage. In addition, the indentures for our outstanding notes contain covenants that limit, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness. If we fail to comply with the obligations in the credit agreement and indentures, it could result in an event of default under those agreements. If an event of default occurs and is not cured or waived, it could result in acceleration of the indebtedness under those agreements, any of which could significantly harm our business and financial condition.

 

We were not in compliance with certain financial covenants of our credit agreement for the quarters ended March 3, 2007, March 4, 2006, September 3, 2005, and May 28, 2005, and may not be able to comply with these financial covenants in the future.

 

For the quarter ended March 3, 2007, we were not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the leverage ratio. On April 5, 2007, we received a waiver from our lending group for the default.

 

For the quarter ended March 4, 2006, we were not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio, and tangible net worth covenants. On August 4, 2006, we received a waiver from our lending group for the default and executed an amendment to the credit agreement. In addition, the amendment also (i) permitted the purchase of $14.0 million of the notes; (ii) adjusted the minimum required fixed charge coverage ratio for the first quarter of fiscal 2007; (iii) adjusted the minimum tangible net worth requirement; (iv) permitted certain transactions contemplated by us; (v) eliminated our Sweden Facility; (vi) reduced our Canada Facility by approximately $5.4 million; (vii) changed the definition of “Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA)” for covenant purposes; and (viii) provided that we maintain excess availability on the borrowing base of not less than $10.0 million.

 

For the quarter ended September 3, 2005, we were not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the tangible net worth covenant due solely to the additional goodwill recorded as a result of the Kern acquisition. On October 12, 2005, we received a waiver from our lending group for the default and executed an amendment to the credit agreement. The amendment changed the minimum tangible net worth requirement to adjust for the goodwill associated with the Kern acquisition.

 

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For the quarter ended May 28, 2005, we were not in compliance with our credit agreement covenant with respect to the fixed charge coverage ratio. On August 24, 2005, we received a waiver from our lenders for the default and executed an amendment to the credit agreement. The amendment changed the maximum permitted leverage ratios and the minimum required fixed charge coverage ratios for each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2006 to provide us additional flexibility for these periods.

 

As more fully described in Note B to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 2) for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2005, as a result of errors discovered by us, the consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2005, 2004, and 2003 have been amended and restated to correct these errors. As a result, we would not have been in compliance with our tangible net worth covenant for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and our leverage ratio and tangible net worth covenants as of the end of fiscal 2005. On August 4, 2006, we received a waiver from our lending group for defaults arising from the restatement and executed an amendment to the credit agreement.

 

In the event that we fail to meet a financial covenant in the future, we may not be able to obtain the necessary waivers or amendments to remain in compliance with the credit agreement and our lenders may declare a default and cause all of our outstanding indebtedness under the credit agreement to become immediately due and payable. If we are unable to repay any borrowings when due, the lenders under the credit agreement could proceed against their collateral, which includes most of the assets we own. In addition, any default under our credit agreement could lead to an acceleration of debt under other debt instruments that contain cross acceleration or cross-default provisions. If the indebtedness under our credit agreement and our other debt instruments is accelerated, we may not have sufficient assets to repay amounts due under our credit agreement or indebtedness under our other debt instruments.

 

We are exposed to foreign currency risk.

 

We expect that international sales will continue to represent a significant percentage of our total sales, which expose us to currency exchange rate fluctuations. Since the revenues and expenses of our foreign operations are generally denominated in local currencies, exchange rate fluctuations between local currencies and the U.S. dollar subject us to currency exchange risks with respect to the results of our foreign operations to the extent we are unable to denominate our purchases or sales in U.S. dollars or otherwise shift to our customers or suppliers the risk of currency exchange rate fluctuations. We currently do not engage in any significant currency hedging transactions. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the results of our international operations reported in U.S. dollars and the value of such operations’ net assets reported in U.S. dollars. Additionally, our competitive position may be affected by the relative strength of the currencies in countries where our products are sold. We cannot predict whether foreign currency exchange risks inherent in doing business in foreign countries will have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial results in the future.

 

If we do not maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, we could be unable to provide timely and reliable financial information.

 

As disclosed in our Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2005, we reported four material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency in internal control over financial reporting that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. The identified weaknesses were as follows:

 

   

ineffective Company level controls

 

   

inadequate controls associated with the accounting for income taxes

 

   

inadequate financial statement preparation and review procedures

 

   

inadequate policies and procedures to ensure the appropriate application of Financial Standards Board Statement No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation

 

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During fiscal 2006, we successfully remediated three out of the four material weaknesses we identified as of May 28, 2005. As of June 3, 2006, we continued to have a material weakness in internal controls associated with the accounting for income taxes with respect to the realizability of deferred tax assets. During the first and second quarters of fiscal 2007, we implemented procedures to evaluate the realizability of all deferred tax assets. There can be no assurance that material deficiencies will not be identified in the future. Any failure to remediate material weaknesses in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Furthermore, it is uncertain what impact an adverse opinion or a disclaimed opinion regarding internal controls would have upon our stock price or business.

 

Risks Related to Owning Our Notes

 

Your right to receive payment on the notes is unsecured and subordinate to amounts outstanding under our credit agreement and any senior indebtedness we may incur in the future.

 

The notes are subordinate to amounts outstanding under our credit agreement. As of March 3, 2007, the aggregate amount of our Senior Indebtedness (as defined in “Description of the Notes—Subordination”) was $77,765,740. In addition, the terms of the notes do not limit the amount of additional Senior Indebtedness we can create, incur, assume or guarantee on and after November 21, 2008, or under our credit agreement at any time. Upon any distribution of our assets upon any insolvency, dissolution or reorganization, the payment of principal and interest on our Senior Indebtedness will have priority over the payment of principal and interest on the notes. There may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all of the notes after we have made payment of principal and interest on the Senior Indebtedness. In addition, the notes are structurally subordinate to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries. Any right of ours to receive assets of any of our subsidiaries upon its insolvency, dissolution or reorganization and the dependant right of holders of our notes to have rights in those assets, will be subject to the prior claim of any creditors of that subsidiary. As of March 3, 2007, our subsidiaries had $23,058,144 of indebtedness, excluding indebtedness that is also Senior Indebtedness.

 

Our credit agreement imposes significant operating and financial restrictions that may prevent us from repurchasing the notes upon a change of control.

 

Upon a change of control or our common stock no longer being authorized for quotation or listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, The NASDAQ Capital Market, The New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, the indenture for the notes requires us to repurchase all notes tendered for repurchase. We are also required to offer to repurchase the notes if, and to the same extent that, we redeem all or a portion of our 7 3/4% notes or if we issue Senior Indebtedness (other than amounts outstanding under our credit agreement) or indebtedness that ranks equally and ratably with the notes. We cannot assure you that we will be able to repurchase the notes as required. Our credit agreement imposes significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions include limitations on our ability to redeem or repurchase outstanding debt that is subordinate to borrowings under the credit agreement. As a result of these restrictions, we may not be able to repurchase our notes without being in default under our credit agreement.

 

Your ability to sell the notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market.

 

The notes were issued in November 2005 in an aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000, of which $14,000,000 have since been repurchased. There is no public market for the notes and we do not presently intend to apply for the listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for inclusion in the automated quotation system of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. An issue of securities with a smaller float may be more volatile in price than a comparable issue of securities with a greater float. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to:

 

   

the depth and liquidity of any trading market for our notes that may develop;

 

   

your ability to sell the notes; or

 

   

the price at which you would be able to sell the notes.

 

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If a trading market does develop, the notes could trade at prices that may be higher or lower than the principal amount or purchase price, depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the market for similar debt securities, our financial performance and our stock price. No one is obligated to make a market in the notes. In addition, any market making activities will be subject to the limits imposed by the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the “Exchange Act.”

 

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow from which to make payments on the notes.

 

Our ability to pay interest on the notes depends on our ability to generate sufficient cash flow. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow to service the notes and our existing indebtedness. In addition, at maturity, the aggregate principal amount will become due and payable. At maturity, we may not have sufficient funds to pay the aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding. If we do not have sufficient funds and cannot arrange for additional financing, we will be unable to pay our obligations under the notes and will default under the indenture. Any default on the notes constitutes a default under the credit agreement, resulting in an acceleration of the repayment obligations for amounts borrowed under that agreement. If an acceleration of the credit agreement repayment obligations occurs, that indebtedness would be repaid prior to any repayment of amounts owed on the notes, see the risk factor above under the heading “Your right to receive payment on the notes is unsecured and subordinate to amounts outstanding under our credit agreement and any senior indebtedness we may incur in the future.”

 

The notes may not be rated or may receive a rating that is lower than expected.

 

We believe that it is unlikely that the notes will be rated. However, if one or more rating agencies rates the notes and assigns the notes a rating lower than the rating expected by investors, or reduces the rating of the notes in the future, the market price of the notes may decline.

 

There are limited restrictive covenants in the indenture governing the notes relating to our ability to pay dividends or incur future indebtedness.

 

The indenture governing the notes contains only limited covenants and restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or repurchase of securities by us or any of our subsidiaries and does not contain any restrictions on the payment of dividends or transactions with affiliates. We, therefore, may pay dividends and incur additional debt, including secured indebtedness or indebtedness by, or other obligations of, our subsidiaries to which the notes would be structurally subordinate. Each of the payment of dividends and a higher level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our indebtedness. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow to pay the interest on our indebtedness or that future working capital, borrowings or equity financing will be available to pay or refinance such indebtedness.

 

Before conversion, holders of the notes will not be entitled to any shareholder rights, but will be subject to all changes affecting our shares.

 

If you hold notes, you will not be entitled to any rights with respect to shares of our common stock, including voting rights and rights to receive dividends or distributions. However, the common stock you receive upon conversion of your notes will be subject to all changes affecting our common stock. Except for limited cases under the adjustments to the conversion price, you will be entitled only to rights that we may grant with respect to shares of our common stock if and when we deliver shares to you upon your election to convert your notes into shares. For example, if we seek approval from shareholders for a potential merger, or if an amendment is proposed to our articles of incorporation of by-laws that requires shareholder approval, holders of notes will not be entitled to vote on the merger or amendment.

 

Holders of beneficial interests in global notes may be subject to certain limitations, including limitations on their ability to transfer or pledge the notes, due to the global note structure.

 

Because transfers and pledges of global notes can be effected only through book entries at DTC, the liquidity of any secondary market for global notes may be reduced to the extent that some investors are unwilling

 

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to hold notes in book-entry form in the name of a DTC participant. The ability to pledge global notes may be limited due to the lack of a physical certificate. Further, beneficial owners of global notes may, in certain cases, experience delay in the receipt of payments of principal and interest since such payments will be forwarded by the paying agent to DTC who will then forward payment to the respective DTC participants, who will thereafter forward payment directly to beneficial owners of the global notes. In the event of the insolvency of DTC or of a DTC participant in whose name global notes are recorded, the ability of beneficial owners to obtain timely payment and (if the limits of applicable insurance coverage by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation are exceeded, or if such coverage is otherwise unavailable) ultimate payment of principal and interest on global notes may be impaired.

 

Risks Related to Owning Our Common Stock

 

Holders of common stock have fewer voting rights than the holders of our Class B common stock, the principal holder of which is our chairman of the board and chief executive officer, Mr. Richardson.

 

The holders of common stock are entitled to only one vote per share, while holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share. Mr. Richardson, our chairman of the board and chief executive officer, holds 99.5% of the outstanding Class B common stock as of April 16, 2007. Because of its voting power, the Class B common stock controls 67.7% of our outstanding voting power. Holders of common stock and Class B common stock generally vote together as a single class on all matters except as otherwise required by Delaware law. As a result of their voting power, the holders of Class B common stock can control the outcome of any such stockholder vote. See “Description of Our Capital Stock—Common Stock” and “—Class B Common Stock.”

 

We are controlled by Mr. Richardson, and his interests may differ from ours and the interests of our other securityholders.

 

Because of Mr. Richardson’s voting power, he has the ability to elect our board of directors and to control any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This control could prevent or discourage any unsolicited acquisition of us and consequently could prevent an acquisition favorable to other stockholders. Mr. Richardson may consider not only the short-term and long-term impact of operating decisions on us, but also the impact of such decisions on himself.

 

Future sales of shares of our common stock may depress the price of our common stock.

 

Our board of directors has the authority, without action or the vote of our stockholders, to issue any or all authorized but unissued shares of our common stock, including securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, and authorized but unissued shares under our stock option and other equity incentive plans. Any issuance of this kind will dilute the ownership percentage of stockholders and may dilute the per share book value of the common stock. At March 3, 2007, we had 14,186,545 authorized but unissued shares of common stock and 1,249,256 shares of treasury stock.

 

Further, if certain of our stockholders sell a substantial number of shares of our common stock or investors become concerned that substantial sales might occur, the market price of our common stock could decrease.

 

At March 3, 2007, we had a total of 6,061,356 shares of common stock reserved for issuance. These reserved shares included 2,380,253 shares reserved for issuance under our existing stock incentive plans, including 1,884,222 shares issuable upon exercise of options outstanding as of that date at a weighted average exercise price of $9.26 per share; 131,789 shares reserved for issuance under our employee stock purchase plan; and 2,482,389 shares reserved for issuance upon conversion of the 7 3/4% notes, which currently have a conversion price of $18.00 per share. In addition, on October 18, 2005, we approved the issuance of up to 400,000 shares pursuant to the 2006 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, and on November 21, 2005, we issued the notes and reserved 1,066,925 shares for issuance upon conversion of the notes, which currently have a conversion price of $10.31 per share.

 

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The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly and may continue to do so.

 

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control. Some of these factors include:

 

   

announcements of technological innovations, new products or upgrades to existing products by us or our competitors;

 

   

market conditions in the industries served by our RF, Wireless & Power Division, Electronic Device group, Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems, and Display Systems Group such as declines in capital investment in such industries;

 

   

technological innovations, new products or upgrades to existing products which cause our inventory to become less marketable or obsolete;

 

   

the addition or loss of customers or vendors;

 

   

the small size of the public float of our common stock which may cause larger fluctuations in the market price of our common stock;

 

   

announcements of operating results that are not aligned with the expectations of investors; and

 

   

general stock market trends.

 

Limited trading volume of our common stock may contribute to price volatility.

 

Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market. During the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, the average daily trading volume for our common stock as reported by The NASDAQ Global Market was 86,877 shares. A more active trading market in our common stock may not develop. As a result, relatively small trades may have a significant impact on the price of our common stock.

 

We may reduce or discontinue paying dividends in the future.

 

Our ability to pay dividends in the future depends on our ability to operate profitably and to generate cash from our operations in excess of our debt service obligations. Our board of directors has discretion to reduce or discontinue paying dividends if it decides to utilize the cash for other corporate purposes. In addition, our credit agreement and the indentures governing the notes and the 7 3/4% notes provide for an adjustment in the conversion price if we pay a dividend in excess of $0.16 per year on our common stock. We cannot guarantee that we will continue to pay dividends at their historical level or at all.

 

We have anti-takeover defenses that could delay or prevent an acquisition and could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

 

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and provisions of Delaware law could delay, defer or prevent an acquisition or change of control of us or otherwise adversely affect the price of our common stock. Our by-laws limit the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting. Delaware law also contains certain provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect and otherwise discourage third parties from effecting transactions with us. See “Description of Our Capital Stock.”

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this prospectus are statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. The words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places and include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to, among other things:

 

   

trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations;

 

   

our financing plans;

 

   

our business and growth strategies, including potential acquisitions; and

 

   

other plans and objectives for future operations.

 

You are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those predicted in the forward-looking statements or that may be anticipated from historical results or trends. In addition to the information contained in our other filings with the SEC, factors that could affect future performance include, among others, those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all the risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all the risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus, as a prediction of actual results.

 

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. You should not place undue reliance on those statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

You should also be aware that while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose to them any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, you should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, those reports are not our responsibility.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will receive no proceeds from the sale of the notes or their conversion to common stock. The initial offering of the notes was made through a private placement with a limited number of qualified institutional buyers. We received approximately $24,000,000 in net proceeds from this initial offering.

 

MARKET AND MARKET PRICES

 

Our common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol “RELL”. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices per share of our common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market.

 

     High

   Low

Fiscal Year Ended May 29, 2004

             

First Quarter

   $ 10.79    $ 7.83

Second Quarter

   $ 12.57    $ 9.65

Third Quarter

   $ 14.00    $ 10.00

Fourth Quarter

   $ 14.08    $ 9.41

Fiscal Year Ending May 28, 2005

             

First Quarter

   $ 11.96    $ 7.53

Second Quarter

   $ 11.30    $ 7.50

Third Quarter

   $ 11.76    $ 9.70

Fourth Quarter

   $ 11.49    $ 7.46

Fiscal Year Ended June 3, 2006

             

First Quarter

   $ 9.38    $ 6.55

Second Quarter

   $ 8.50    $ 6.78

Third Quarter

   $ 9.05    $ 6.89

Fourth Quarter

   $ 9.40    $ 6.24

Fiscal Year Ended June 2, 2007

             

First Quarter

   $ 8.68    $ 6.58

Second Quarter

   $ 9.25    $ 8.01

Third Quarter

   $ 10.05    $ 8.71

Fourth Quarter (through April 16, 2007)

   $ 10.03    $ 8.69

 

On April 16, 2007, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market was $8.92 per share. As of April 16, 2007 there were approximately 872 stockholders of record of our common stock and approximately 18 stockholders of record of our Class B common stock.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have paid quarterly dividends of $.04 per share of common stock and $.036 per share of Class B common stock since September 1988. All future payment of dividends are at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, operating conditions, and such other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.

 

Pursuant to our credit agreement, we are prohibited from paying dividends in excess of an annualized rate of $0.16 per share of common stock and $0.144 per share of Class B common stock. In addition, our credit agreement prohibits our subsidiaries, other than wholly owned subsidiaries, from paying dividends. Pursuant to the indentures that govern the notes and the 7 3/4% notes, the conversion price of the notes and the 7 3/4% notes would be adjusted if, among other things, we pay dividends in excess of an annualized rate of $0.16 per share of common stock.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

The following table contains selected consolidated financial data as of and for the fiscal years ended June 1, 2002, May 31, 2003, May 29, 2004, May 28, 2005, and June 3, 2006 and as of and for the nine months ended March 4, 2006 and March 3, 2007. The selected consolidated financial data as of May 28, 2005 and June 3, 2006, and for the fiscal years ended May 29, 2004, May 28, 2005, and June 3, 2006, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data as of and for the nine months ended March 4, 2006 and March 3, 2007 are derived from our unaudited financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, which are normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation. Our results of operations for the nine months ended March 3, 2007 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and notes to those consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in the future.

 

    Fiscal Year Ended(1)

    Nine Months Ended

 
    June 1,
2002(2)


    May 31,
2003(3)


    May 29,
2004(4)


  May 28,
2005(5)


    June 3,
2006


   

March 4,

2006


    March 3,
2007


 
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
                                (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Statement of Operations Data:

                                                     

Net sales

  $ 443,415     $ 464,381     $ 519,823   $ 578,724     $ 637,940     $ 466,110     $ 491,702  

Cost of sales

    349,914       364,918       393,101     442,730       482,171       350,983       370,756  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Gross profit

    93,501       99,463       126,722     135,994       155,769       115,127       120,946  

Selling, general and administrative expenses(6)(7)

    98,993       100,613       107,968     129,747       139,640       100,766       107,386  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets(8)(9)

    —         —         579     (9,918 )     3       (87 )     (2,098 )

Other expense, net(10)

    13,601       9,700       10,258     7,582       10,550       9,128       10,530  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

    (19,093 )     (10,850 )     7,917     8,583       5,576       5,320       5,128  

Income tax (benefit) provision

    (6,206 )     (1,968 )     2,385     24,600       8,218       4,353       4,108  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change

    (12,887 )     (8,882 )     5,532     (16,017 )     (2,642 )   $ 967     $ 1,020  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax(11)

    —         (17,862 )     —       —         —         —         —    
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

  $ (12,887 )   $ (26,744 )   $ 5,532   $ (16,017 )   $ (2,642 )   $ 967     $ 1,020  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per common share—basic

                                                     

Before cumulative effect of accounting change

  $ (0.97 )   $ (0.66 )   $ 0.40   $ (0.96 )   $ (0.15 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

    —         (1.32 )     —       —         —         —         —    
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per common share—basic

  $ (0.97 )   $ (1.98 )   $ 0.40   $ (0.96 )   $ (0.15 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per Class B common share—basic

                                                     

Before cumulative effect of accounting change

  $ (0.87 )   $ (0.59 )   $ 0.36   $ (0.87 )   $ (0.14 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

    —         (1.19 )     —       —         —         —         —    
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per Class B common share—basic

  $ (0.87 )   $ (1.78 )   $ 0.36   $ (0.87 )   $ (0.14 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per common share—diluted

                                                     

Before cumulative effect of accounting change

  $ (0.97 )   $ (0.66 )   $ 0.38   $ (0.96 )   $ (0.15 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

    —         (1.32 )     —       —         —         —         —    
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per common share—diluted

  $ (0.97 )   $ (1.98 )   $ 0.38   $ (0.96 )   $ (0.15 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per Class B common share—diluted

                                                     

Before cumulative effect of accounting change

  $ (0.87 )   $ (0.59 )   $ 0.36   $ (0.87 )   $ (0.14 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

    —         (1.19 )     —       —         —         —         —    
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per Class B common share—diluted

  $ (0.87 )   $ (1.78 )   $ 0.36   $ (0.87 )   $ (0.14 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

                                                     

Common stock—basic

    10,410       10,602       10,872     13,822       14,315       14,310       14,493  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Class B common stock—basic

    3,207       3,207       3,168     3,120       3,093       3,093       3,048  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Common stock—diluted

    10,410       10,602       14,418     13,822       14,315       17,476       17,638  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Class B common stock—diluted

    3,207       3,207       3,168     3,120       3,093       3,093       3,048  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Dividends per common share

  $ 0.160     $ 0.160     $ 0.160   $ 0.160     $ 0.160     $ 0.120     $ 0.120  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Dividends per Class B common share(12)

  $ 0.144     $ 0.144     $ 0.144   $ 0.144     $ 0.144     $ 0.108     $ 0.108  
   


 


 

 


 


 


 


Other Data:

                                                     

Interest expense

  $ 12,386     $ 10,352     $ 10,257   $ 8,947     $ 9,809     $ 7,076     $ 8,486  

Investment income

    352       124       227     388       411       248       885  

Depreciation and amortization

    5,980       5,137       4,989     5,298       6,240       4,648       4,655  

Capital expenditures

    5,861       4,975       5,468     6,975       6,211       4,229       4,716  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    —   (13)     —   (13)     1.5     —   (13)     —   (13)     1.1       1.1  

 

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Table of Contents
     As of(1)

   As of

     June 1,
2002


   May 31,
2003


   May 29,
2004


   May 28,
2005


   June 3,
2006


   March 4,
2006


   March 3,
2007


     (In thousands, unless otherwise stated)
                              (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)

Balance Sheet Data

                                                

Cash

   $ 15,189    $ 16,611    $ 16,572    $ 24,301    $ 17,010    $ 18,712    $ 12,363

Working capital

     187,972      178,525      172,593      153,840      158,231      161,150      182,634

Property, plant and equipment, net

     29,336      30,810      30,534      31,712      32,357      31,800      31,647

Total assets

     286,783      267,293      281,035      283,940      309,299      302,762      318,787

Current maturities of long-term debt

     38      46      4,027      22,305      14,016      15,165      16

Long-term debt

     132,218      138,396      133,813      98,028      112,792      112,009      133,433

Stockholders’ equity

     101,917      77,606      86,181      97,396      98,240      100,354      98,649

(1) We account for our results of operations on a 52/53 week year, ending the fiscal year on the Saturday nearest May 31.
(2) In the third quarter of fiscal 2002, we recorded a $4.6 million loss ($2.9 million net of tax) related to the disposition of our medical glassware business. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, we recorded a $15.3 million charge ($9.8 million net of tax) primarily related to inventory obsolescence.
(3) In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, we recorded a $16.1 million charge ($10.3 million net of tax) principally related to inventory write-downs and restructuring charges, including a $1.7 million restructuring charge to selling, general and administrative expenses as we eliminated over 70 positions or approximately 6% of our workforce. In addition, we recorded incremental tax provisions of $1.6 million to establish a valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets outside the United States.
(4) We recorded incremental tax provisions of $2.5 million in fiscal 2004 to increase the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets outside the United States.
(5) In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we recorded a $2.2 million restructuring charge to selling, general and administrative expenses as we terminated over 60 employees. In addition, we recorded incremental tax provisions of $16.7 million in fiscal 2005 to increase the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets in the United States ($15.9 million) and outside the United States ($0.8 million).
(6) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we recorded employee severance costs of $2.7 million for certain employees whose termination became probable and estimable.
(7) During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, we recorded restructuring charges of $1.8 million in selling, general and administrative expenses as we implemented the global restructuring plan.
(8) In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, we completed the sale of approximately 205 acres of undeveloped real estate adjoining our headquarters in LaFox, Illinois, resulting in a gain of $9.9 million before taxes.
(9) During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we completed the sale of approximately 1.5 acres of real estate and a building located in Geneva, Illinois, resulting in a gain of $2.5 million before taxes.
(10) During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we recorded retirement of long-term debt expenses of $2.5 million in other, net expenses as we entered into two separate agreements in August 2006 with certain holders of our notes to purchase $14.0 million of the notes.
(11) In the second quarter of fiscal 2003, we adopted SFAS 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and as a result recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $17.9 million net of tax of $3.7 million to write off impaired goodwill. Additionally, effective at the beginning of fiscal 2003, we no longer amortized goodwill. Income (loss) before taxes included goodwill amortization of $0.6 million in fiscal 2002.
(12) The dividend per class B common share was 90% of the dividend per common share.
(13) Due to losses in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2003, fiscal 2005, and fiscal 2006, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in the amounts indicated in “Summary—Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.”

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto (in thousands, except as noted).

 

Overview

 

We are a global provider of engineered solutions and a global distributor of electronic components to the radio frequency (RF), wireless and power conversion, electron device, security, and display systems markets. Utilizing our core engineering and manufacturing capabilities, we are committed to a strategy of providing specialized technical expertise and value-added products, or “engineered solutions,” in response to customers’ needs. These solutions consist of products which we manufacture or modify and products which are manufactured to our specifications by independent manufacturers under our own private labels. Additionally, we provide solutions and add value through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, and logistics for our customers’ end products. Design-in support includes component modifications or the identification of lower-cost product alternatives or complementary products.

 

Our products include RF and microwave components, power semiconductors, electron tubes, microwave generators, data display monitors, and electronic security products and systems. These products are used to control, switch or amplify electrical power or signals, or as display, recording, or alarm devices in a variety of industrial, communication, and security applications.

 

In June 2005, we acquired A.C.T. Kern GmbH & Co. KG (Kern) located in Germany. The cash paid for Kern was $6.6 million, net of cash acquired. Kern is one of the leading display technology companies in Europe with worldwide customers in manufacturing, OEM, medicine, multimedia, IT trading, system houses, and other industries. In addition, in October 2005, we acquired certain assets of Image Systems Corporation (Image Systems), a subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc. in Hector, Minnesota, which is a specialty supplier of displays, display controllers, and calibration software for the healthcare market. The initial cash outlay for Image Systems was $0.2 million. Both Kern and Image Systems were integrated into the Display Systems Group.

 

In an effort to reduce our global operating costs related to logistics, selling, general, and administrative expenses and to better align our operating and tax structure on a global basis, we have now begun to implement a global restructuring plan. This plan is intended to reduce corporate and administrative expense, decrease the number of warehouses, and streamline the entire organization. During fiscal 2007, we will be implementing a more tax-effective supply chain structure for Europe and Asia/Pacific, restructuring our Latin American operations, and reducing the total workforce which includes eliminating and restructuring layers of management.

 

The total restructuring and severance costs to implement the plan are estimated to be $6.0 million, of which $2.7 million of severance costs were recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 and $1.5 million of severance costs were recorded in the first nine months of fiscal 2007. The balance will be incurred in fiscal 2007 as the plan is implemented. We expect to realize the full impact of the cost savings from the restructuring plan in fiscal 2008.

 

Our marketing, sales, product management, and purchasing functions are organized as four strategic business units (SBUs): RF, Wireless & Power Division (RFPD), Electron Device Group (EDG), Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems (SSD/Burtek), and Display Systems Group (DSG), with operations in the major economic regions of the world: North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Latin America.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, we implemented a reorganization plan encompassing the RF & Wireless Communications Group (RFWC) and Industrial Power Group (IPG) business units. Effective for the second quarter of fiscal 2006, IPG has been designated as Electron Device Group (EDG) and RFWC has been designated as RF, Wireless & Power Division (RFPD). The reorganization was implemented to increase efficiencies by integrating IPG’s power conversion sales and product management into RFWC, improving the

 

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geographic sales coverage and driving sales growth by leveraging RFWC’s larger sales resources. In addition, we believe that EDG will benefit from an increased focus on the high-margin tube business with a simplified global sales and product management structure to work more effectively with customers and vendors. The data presented has been reclassified to reflect the reorganization.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we changed the name of our Security Systems Division (SSD) to Burtek Systems (SSD/Burtek) to take advantage of Burtek’s positive brand recognition within the sound and security industry.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three and Nine Months Ended March 3, 2007 Compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended March 4, 2006

 

Net Sales and Gross Profit Analysis

 

During the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, consolidated net sales increased 5.3% and 5.5%, respectively, due mainly to higher sales in wireless, power, and electron device products over the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, partially offset by a decline in display system sales. The first nine months of fiscal 2007 contained 39 weeks as compared to 40 weeks for the first nine months of fiscal 2006. The additional week occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. Net sales by SBU and percent change are in the following table (in thousands):

 

     FY 2007

   FY 2006

   % Change

 

Net Sales

                    

Third Quarter

                    

RFPD

   $ 89,241    $ 80,526    10.8 %

EDG

     24,384      21,907    11.3 %

SSD/Burtek

     26,247      25,316    3.7 %

DSG

     19,592      23,537    (16.8 %)

Corporate

     677      842       
    

  

      

Total

   $ 160,141    $ 152,128    5.3 %
    

  

      

Nine Months

                    

RFPD

   $ 270,567    $ 241,252    12.2 %

EDG

     74,552      70,352    6.0 %

SSD/Burtek

     80,657      80,488    0.2 %

DSG

     62,801      69,881    (10.1 %)

Corporate

     3,125      4,137       
    

  

      

Total

   $ 491,702    $ 466,110    5.5 %
    

  

      

Note: Corporate consists of freight, other non-specific net sales, and customer cash discounts.

 

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Consolidated gross profit increased 5.3% to $39.0 million and 5.1% to $120.9 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, as compared with $37.1 million and $115.1 million in the same periods last fiscal year, due mainly to an increase in sales volume of wireless and electron device products in addition to improved margins for security system products. Consolidated gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 24.4% in both the third quarters of fiscal 2007 and 2006. During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, gross margin declined slightly to 24.6% versus 24.7% last year. Gross profit reflects the distribution and manufacturing product margin less manufacturing variances, customer returns, scrap and cycle count adjustments, engineering costs, inventory overstock charges, and other provisions. Gross profit on freight, general inventory obsolescence provisions, and miscellaneous costs are included under the caption “Corporate.” Gross profit by SBU and percent of SBU sales are presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

     FY 2007

    % of
Net Sales


    FY 2006

    % of
Net Sales


 

Gross Profit

                            

Third Quarter

                            

RFPD

   $ 20,576     23.1 %   $ 19,049     23.7 %

EDG

     7,922     32.5 %     7,099     32.4 %

SSD/Burtek

     6,934     26.4 %     6,016     23.8 %

DSG

     4,713     24.1 %     6,426     27.3 %

Corporate

     (1,097 )           (1,501 )      
    


       


     

Total

   $ 39,048     24.4 %   $ 37,089     24.4 %
    


       


     

Nine Months

                            

RFPD

   $ 62,431     23.1 %   $ 55,890     23.2 %

EDG

     23,972     32.2 %     22,543     32.0 %

SSD/Burtek

     21,446     26.6 %     20,185     25.1 %

DSG

     14,870     23.7 %     18,559     26.6 %

Corporate

     (1,773 )           (2,050 )      
    


       


     

Total

   $ 120,946     24.6 %   $ 115,127     24.7 %
    


       


     

Note: Corporate consists of freight, other non-specific gross profit, and customer cash discounts.

 

Net sales and gross profit trends are analyzed for each strategic business unit in the discussion below.

 

RF, Wireless & Power Division

 

RFPD net sales increased 10.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $89.2 million as compared with $80.5 million in the same period last year. For the nine-month period of fiscal 2007, net sales increased to $270.6 million, a 12.2% increase from $241.3 million in the year-to-date period last year. The net sales growth for both periods was due mainly to an increase in demand for infrastructure and power conversion products. The first nine months of fiscal 2007 also benefited from increased passive/interconnect product sales. Net sales of infrastructure products increased 45.4% to $26.5 million and 32.8% to $76.5 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, as all four geographic regions improved over the prior year. Power conversion net sales were $12.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2007, 29.9% higher than $9.5 million for the same period last year. For the first nine months of fiscal 2007, net sales of power conversion products increased 30.6% to $35.5 million as compared with $27.2 million in the first nine months of last fiscal year. The growth in net sales of power conversion products in both periods was mainly due to growth in Asia/Pacific which benefited from RFPD’s penetration of the welding and steel manufacturing market with induction heating and power supply applications. Net sales of passive/interconnect products increased 8.3% to $43.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 as compared with $40.5 million in the prior fiscal year. The increase was mainly due to higher sales in Europe and Asia/Pacific. The net sales growth was the main contributor to the gross profit increase of 8.0% and 11.7% to $20.6 million and $62.4 million for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively. For the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the gross margin percentage decreased to 23.1%

 

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from 23.7% due to shifts in product mix. For the nine-month period, the gross margin percentage remained relatively stable at 23.1% in fiscal 2007 as compared to 23.2% in fiscal 2006.

 

Electron Device Group

 

EDG net sales increased 11.3% to $24.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 from $21.9 million in the same period last fiscal year. In the first nine months of fiscal 2007, net sales increased 6.0% to $74.6 million from $70.4 million last year. The increase in the third quarter was due to growth in net sales of products to the semiconductor fabrication equipment industry, in addition to increases in tube sales. The increase for the nine-month period was due to growth in net sales of products to the semiconductor fabrication equipment industry, partially offset by a decline in tube sales. Net sales to the semiconductor fabrication equipment industry increased 36.1% to $6.0 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared with $4.4 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2006. For the nine-month period of fiscal 2007, net sales to the semiconductor fabrication equipment industry increased to $16.9 million, a 37.2% increase from $12.3 million in the first nine months of last fiscal year. For both periods, the increase in net sales to the semiconductor fabrication equipment industry was due mainly to higher sales in North America, Asia/Pacific, and Europe. EDG has targeted semiconductor equipment manufacturers as an important market segment by selling semiconductor fabrication equipment products for high frequency and high power applications. This market focus lends itself to EDG’s engineered solutions strategy of adding value to the component distribution sales by incorporating these products into subassemblies and assisting customers in product design. Tube sales increased 3.3% to $16.1 million during the third quarter as compared to $15.6 million last year. During the nine-month period, tube sales decreased 1.5% to $50.4 million from $51.2 million last year. Tube sales for the year-to-date period were adversely impacted by delayed inventory deliveries related to a major supplier’s facility relocation during the end of fiscal 2006 and first quarter of fiscal 2007; however, during the third quarter, inventory deliveries improved. The delivery delays are expected to fully return to a normal level by the end of fiscal 2007. EDG’s gross profit increased 11.6% and 6.3% to $7.9 million and $24.0 million during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, due mainly to an increase in sales volume. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased slightly to 32.5% and 32.2% in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, from 32.4% and 32.0% in the same periods of last fiscal year.

 

SSD/Burtek Systems

 

Net sales for SSD/Burtek increased 3.7% to $26.2 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared with net sales of $25.3 million during third quarter of fiscal 2006. Net sales were relatively flat during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 at $80.7 million as compared to $80.5 million last year. The increase during the third quarter was mainly due to an increase in sales of distribution products, partially offset by a slight decrease in sales of private label products. Distribution products increased to $18.2 million, or 5.6% higher than $17.3 million last year. Net sales of private label products decreased 1.0% to $7.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared with $7.9 million during the same period of last fiscal year. Gross margin as a percent of net sales increased to 26.4% from 23.8% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. For the first nine months of fiscal 2007 and 2006, gross margin improved to 26.6% versus 25.1%, respectively. The gross margin improvement for both periods was mainly attributable to lower inventory overstock and scrap expense.

 

Display Systems Group

 

DSG net sales decreased 16.8% during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $19.6 million as compared with $23.5 million in the same period last fiscal year. Net sales for the nine-month period of fiscal 2007 declined 10.1% to $62.8 million as compared with $69.9 million in the same period last year. The decline in both periods was due to the decrease in the custom display, medical monitors, and cathode ray tube (CRT) product lines. Net sales of custom displays were $8.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, 13.1% lower than $9.8 million in the same period last year. In the first nine months of fiscal 2007, net sales of custom displays declined 9.1% to $27.5 million from $30.3 million in the same period last year. DSG has a project-based business and

 

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approximately 46% of the net sales decline in the year-to-date period in the custom display product line is due to the completion of a large project with the New York Stock Exchange during the first quarter of fiscal 2006. The remaining decline for both periods is due to a decline in project business. Net sales of medical monitors declined 25.7% to $8.0 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared with $10.7 million last year. During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, net sales of medical monitors declined 8.4% to $26.4 million from $28.8 million last fiscal year. Net sales of CRT products decreased 37.0% to $1.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared to $2.1 million last fiscal year. For the first nine months of fiscal 2007, net sales of CRT products declined 27.5% to $5.3 million from $7.3 million in the same period last year. The sales decline in CRT products was due to lower sales of display test equipment and the industry shift from CRT products to LCD and other display technologies. DSG’s gross profit decreased 26.7% to $4.7 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007, from $6.4 million for the same time period last year. The gross profit in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 declined to $14.9 million, 19.9% lower than $18.6 million last year. The decline primarily related to the decline in overall sales volume and the decreased sales of higher margin custom display and CRT product lines. The gross margin percentage decreased to 24.1% from 27.3% during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively, and declined to 23.7% from 26.6% during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decline in gross margin was due to shifts in product mix. The year-to-date period also declined due to the reduction in warranty expense of $0.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 as a result of a change in estimate due to favorable warranty experience.

 

Sales by Geographic Area

 

On a geographic basis, we categorize our sales by destination: North America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Corporate. Europe includes net sales to the Middle East and Africa. Latin America includes net sales to Mexico. Corporate consists of freight and other non-specific net sales. Net sales and gross margin, as a percent of net sales, by geographic area are as follows (in thousands):

 

     FY 2007

   FY 2006

   % Change

 

Net Sales

                    

Third Quarter

                    

North America

   $ 74,393    $ 75,291    (1.2 %)

Asia/Pacific

     40,505      34,707    16.7 %

Europe

     39,867      34,138    16.8 %

Latin America

     5,054      5,780    (12.6 %)

Corporate

     322      2,212       
    

  

      

Total

   $ 160,141    $ 152,128    5.3 %
    

  

      

Nine Months

                    

North America

   $ 238,909    $ 236,631    1.0 %

Asia/Pacific

     119,306      106,700    11.8 %

Europe

     116,086      101,869    14.0 %

Latin America

     15,449      17,760    (13.0 %)

Corporate

     1,952      3,150       
    

  

      

Total

   $ 491,702    $ 466,110    5.5 %
    

  

      

 

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Gross profit by geographic area and percent of geographic sales are presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

     FY 2007

    % of
Net Sales


    FY 2006

    % of
Net Sales


 

Gross Profit

                            

Third Quarter

                            

North America

   $ 20,584     27.7 %   $ 20,813     27.6 %

Asia/Pacific

     9,947     24.6 %     8,805     25.4 %

Europe

     10,369     26.0 %     10,298     30.2 %

Latin America

     1,383     27.4 %     1,910     33.0 %

Corporate

     (3,235 )           (4,737 )      
    


       


     

Total

   $ 39,048     24.4 %   $ 37,089     24.4 %
    


       


     

Nine Months

                            

North America

   $ 64,138     26.8 %   $ 63,354     26.8 %

Asia/Pacific

     28,528     23.9 %     26,164     24.5 %

Europe

     30,261     26.1 %     28,665     28.1 %

Latin America

     4,371     28.3 %     5,059     28.5 %

Corporate

     (6,352 )           (8,115 )      
    


       


     

Total

   $ 120,946     24.6 %   $ 115,127     24.7 %
    


       


     

 

Net sales in North America declined 1.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $74.4 million as compared with $75.3 million in the same period of fiscal 2006. Net sales for the nine-month period of fiscal 2007 increased 1.0% to $238.9 million as compared to $236.6 million last year. The net sales decline for the third quarter was mainly due to a decrease in demand for display system products, partially offset by an increase in net sales of electron device and wireless products. The increase during the first nine months was due mainly to an increase in demand for electron device and wireless products, partially offset by a decrease in display system products. Gross margin increased slightly to 27.7% from 27.6% during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Gross margin remained consistent at 26.8% during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 and 2006.

 

Net sales in Asia/Pacific increased 16.7% to $40.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 versus $34.7 million in the same period last fiscal year. For the first nine months of fiscal 2007, net sales grew to $119.3 million, a 11.8% increase from $106.7 million last year. The increase in both periods was mainly the result of strong demand for wireless infrastructure and power conversion products, partially offset by a decline in network access products. Net sales in China increased 45.7% to $14.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and increased 26.0% to $39.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007. The improvement in net sales in China was primarily due to increased sales of infrastructure products resulting from production integration of our designs in China’s 3G system market. Sales in China also increased due to continued strong demand for power conversion products in industrial uninterruptible power supply applications. Net sales in Japan increased 17.6% to $6.2 million and 20.0% to $19.5 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, mainly due to growth in 3G infrastructure and power conversion products for RF Plasma customers. Gross margin in Asia/Pacific decreased to 24.6% from 25.4% during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, gross margin decreased to 23.9% from 24.5% last year. The decline in gross margin for the two periods was mainly due to an increase in sales mix of lower margin wireless products.

 

Net sales in Europe grew 16.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $39.9 million from $34.1 million in the same period a year ago. For the first nine months of fiscal 2007, net sales increased 14.0% to $116.1 million as compared to $101.9 million in the same period last year. The net sales growth in both periods was the result of increased demand in wireless, power, electron device, and security system products. Net sales in Germany increased 24.2% to $10.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and increased 26.7% to $31.4 million in the nine-month period of fiscal 2007. The net sales growth in Germany for both periods was due mainly to increased sales of infrastructure, network access, power conversion, display system, and industrial tube products. Net sales in France

 

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increased 26.4% during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $5.8 million. For the nine-month period of fiscal 2007, net sales in France increased 9.2% to $17.0 million. The increase for both periods was mainly due to an increase of sales in passive/interconnect, infrastructure, industrial tubes, and private label security system products. Net sales in Israel improved 25.8% to $3.6 million and 26.3% to $10.4 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, due primarily to growth in network access and passive/interconnect products. In addition, net sales in the United Kingdom grew 20.7% to $5.3 million and 13.7% to $15.4 million in the third quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2007, respectively, as a result of higher demand for network access and display systems products. Gross margin in Europe decreased to 26.0% from 30.2% during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Gross margin during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 decreased to 26.1% from 28.1% during the same period last year. The decline in gross margin for both periods was primarily due to an increase in sales of lower margin wireless products.

 

Net sales in Latin America decreased 12.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to $5.1 million as compared with $5.8 million in the same period of fiscal 2006. During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, net sales declined to $15.4 million, 13.0% lower than $17.8 million last year. The decline for both periods was mainly due to a decrease in demand for wireless, electron device, and security system products. Gross margin in Latin America decreased to 27.4% and 28.3% in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, versus 33.0% and 28.5% in the year ago periods due primarily due to shifts in product mix to sales of lower margin wireless products.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

SG&A remained relatively flat during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 at $35.9 million as compared with $35.5 million in the same period last fiscal year. During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, SG&A increased to $107.4 million, an increase of 6.6% from $100.8 million in the prior year. The increase in expenses for the nine-month period was primarily due to higher payroll-related and advertising expenses to support sales growth, healthcare expenses, severance expense and other costs related to the 2007 Restructuring Plan of $1.8 million, additional stock compensation expense of $0.7 million related to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), and restatement related expenses of $0.6 million. For the third quarter of fiscal 2007, total SG&A decreased to 22.4% of net sales, compared with 23.3% in last fiscal year’s third quarter. SG&A increased to 21.8% of net sales during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 from 21.6% last year.

 

Other (Income) Expense

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2007, other (income) expense increased to an expense of $2.8 million from an expense of $0.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The increase in expense for the third quarter related to an increase in interest expense in addition to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate changes. Interest expense increased to $2.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared with $2.5 million during the same period of last fiscal year. The increase in interest expense is due to higher average balances on our multi-currency revolving credit agreement (credit agreement) and an increase in interest rates. Other (income) expense included a foreign exchange loss of $0.1 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared to a foreign exchange gain of $1.6 million last year. The foreign exchange variance is due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar during the third quarter as compared last year, primarily related to receivables due from foreign subsidiaries to the U.S. parent company and denominated in foreign currencies.

 

In the first nine months of fiscal 2007, other (income) expense increased to an expense of $10.5 million from an expense of $9.1 million last year. The increase in expense for the nine-month period primarily related to an increase in interest expense and costs associated with the retirement of long-term debt, partially offset by favorable foreign currency exchange rate changes. During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, interest expense increased to $8.5 million from $7.1 million in the prior year. The increase in interest expense is due to higher average balances on our credit agreement and an increase in interest rates. Our weighted average interest rates increased to 7.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 as compared to 7.1% in the prior year. The first nine months of fiscal 2007 included costs associated with the retirement of long-term debt of $2.5 million due to us

 

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entering into two separate agreements in August 2006 with certain holders of our 8% convertible senior subordinated notes (8% notes) to purchase $14.0 million of the 8% notes. For the first nine months of fiscal 2007 versus last year, the foreign exchange loss declined to a loss of $0.3 million from a loss of $2.1 million, respectively. The foreign exchange variance is due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar, primarily related to receivables due from foreign subsidiaries to the U.S. parent company and denominated in foreign currencies.

 

Income Tax Provision

 

The effective income tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007 were 63.3% and 80.1%, respectively, as compared with 262.1% and 81.8% for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rates as compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 34% primarily results from the our geographical distribution of taxable income or losses and valuation allowances related to net operating losses. For the nine months ended March 3, 2007, the tax benefit primarily related to domestic net operating losses was limited by the requirement for a valuation allowance of $2.9 million, which increased the effective income tax rate by 56.2%. For the nine months ended March 4, 2006, the tax benefit primarily related to net operating losses was limited by the requirement for a valuation allowance of $3.6 million, which increased the effective income tax rate by 68.5%. During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, income tax reserves of approximately $1.0 million for certain income tax exposures were reversed because the statute of limitations with respect to these income tax exposures expired.

 

Net Income (Loss) and Per Share Data

 

Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was $1.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted common share and $0.05 per Class B diluted common share as compared with net loss of $1.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2006, or $0.07 per diluted common share and $0.06 per Class B diluted common share. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 was $1.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted common share and $0.05 per Class B diluted common share as compared with net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 of $1.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted common share and $0.05 per Class B diluted common share.

 

Comparison of Years Ended June 3, 2006, May 28, 2005, and Mary 29, 2004

 

Net Sales and Gross Profit Analysis

 

In fiscal 2006, consolidated net sales increased 10.2% to $637.9 million as all four SBUs increased net sales over the prior year with strong demand for custom display and wireless products. In addition, effective June 1, 2005, we acquired Kern, a leading display technology company in Europe. Net sales for Kern, included in DSG and the Europe region, for fiscal 2006 were $14.1 million. Fiscal 2006 contained 53 weeks as compared to 52 weeks in fiscal 2005. Consolidated net sales in fiscal 2005 increased 11.3% to $578.7 million due to increased demand across all SBUs. Net sales by SBU and percent change year-over-year are presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

            
     June 3,
2006


   May 28,
2005


   May 29,
2004


   FY06 vs FY05
% Change


    FY05 vs FY04
% Change


 

Net Sales

                                 

RFPD

   $ 334,131    $ 296,334    $ 256,270    12.8 %   15.6 %

EDG

     94,443      92,174      87,856    2.5 %   4.9 %

SSD/Burtek

     108,843      105,581      101,979    3.1 %   3.5 %

DSG

     95,010      78,078      66,452    21.7 %   17.5 %

Corporate

     5,513      6,557      7,266    (15.9 %)   (9.8 %)
    

  

  

            

Total

   $ 637,940    $ 578,724    $ 519,823    10.2 %   11.3 %
    

  

  

            

Note: The fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004 data has been reclassified to conform with the fiscal 2006 presentation. The modification includes the reorganization of RFPD (formerly RFWC) and EDG (formerly IPG) in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. Corporate consists of freight, other non-specific net sales, and customer cash discounts.

 

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Gross profit reflects the distribution and manufacturing product margin less manufacturing variances, customer returns, scrap and cycle count adjustments, engineering costs, and other provisions. Gross profit on freight, general inventory obsolescence provisions, and miscellaneous costs are included under the caption “Corporate” in fiscal 2004. In fiscal 2006 and 2005, we allocated charges related to inventory overstock directly to each SBU. Gross profit by SBU and percent of SBU sales are presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3, 2006

    May 28, 2005

    May 29, 2004

 

Gross Profit

                                          

RFPD

   $ 75,834     22.7 %   $ 64,853     21.9 %   $ 58,408     22.8 %

EDG

     30,438     32.2 %     29,401     31.9 %     27,642     31.5 %

SSD/Burtek

     27,279     25.1 %     26,889     25.5 %     26,045     25.5 %

DSG

     24,509     25.8 %     17,865     22.9 %     17,105     25.7 %
    


       


       


     

Subtotal

     158,060     25.0 %     139,008     24.3 %     129,200     25.2 %

Corporate

     (2,291 )           (3,014 )           (2,478 )      
    


       


       


     

Total

   $ 155,769     24.4 %   $ 135,994     23.5 %   $ 126,722     24.4 %
    


       


       


     

Note: The fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004 data has been reclassified to conform with the fiscal 2006 presentation. The modification includes the reorganization of RFPD (formerly RFWC) and EDG (formerly IPG) in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. Corporate consists of freight, other non-specific gross profit, and customer cash discounts.

 

Net sales and gross profit trends are analyzed for each strategic business unit in the following sections.

 

RF, Wireless & Power Division

 

RFPD net sales increased 12.8% in fiscal 2006 to $334.1 million as compared with $296.3 million in fiscal 2005. The RFPD net sales growth for fiscal 2006 was mainly due to an increase in sales of the network access and infrastructure product lines. Network access products sales grew 16.9% to $123.2 million from $105.3 million last fiscal year, primarily due to sales growth in Asia/Pacific. Sales of infrastructure products increased to $80.5 million, 10.7% higher than $72.7 million in fiscal 2005 due to sales growth in the U.S. and Europe. The net sales growth was the main contributor to the gross profit increase of 16.9% to $75.8 million for fiscal 2006. RFPD’s gross margin increased to 22.7% in fiscal 2006 from 21.9% in fiscal 2005, primarily due to inventory write-downs of $1.3 million recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, and a shift in product mix in fiscal 2006 as a result of higher sales of engineered solutions. The gross margin improvement was partially offset by the increase in Asia/Pacific sales that reduced the overall gross margin due to lower gross margins in Asia/Pacific than other geographic regions.

 

RFPD net sales increased 15.6% in fiscal 2005 to $296.3 million. The sales growth was driven by continued strength in the network access and passive/interconnect product lines as net sales grew 22.1% and 18.0% to $105.3 million and $53.3 million, respectively. The increase in network access product lines sales in fiscal 2005 was a result of increased demand for semiconductor products from mobile infrastructure customers in Asia/Pacific and North America. The increase in passive/interconnect product lines sales was due mainly to sales of interconnect products to North American customers involved with the emergency (E911) cell phone location system rollout. Net sales in Asia/Pacific increased 22.9% to $94.2 million in fiscal 2005, driven by OEM demand in 2.5 generation (2.5G) infrastructure, broadcasting and semiconductor fabrication equipment markets. Gross margins in fiscal 2005 decreased 90 basis points primarily due to inventory write-downs of $1.3 million recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 when we implemented restructuring actions.

 

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Electron Device Group

 

EDG net sales increased 2.5% during fiscal 2006 to $94.4 million from $92.2 million during fiscal 2005. Semiconductor fabrication sales increased 22.5% during fiscal 2006 to $17.2 million as compared to $14.0 million in fiscal 2005 with growth mainly in the U.S. Gross profit for EDG increased 3.5% to $30.4 million during fiscal 2006 due to an improved product mix. Gross margin increased to 32.2% from 31.9% for fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively, due to a slightly improved product mix primarily as a result of the increase in semiconductor fabrication equipment sales.

 

EDG net sales in fiscal 2005 grew 4.9% to $92.2 million as tube net sales grew 4.3% in fiscal 2005 to $80.8 million. Fiscal 2005 sales of broadcast tubes were lower than in fiscal 2004 as many of the large government broadcast orders are issued on an every other year basis. Gross margins in fiscal 2005 increased 40 basis points to 31.9% primarily due to growth of higher margin tube products partially offset by additional freight expenses of $0.5 million in fiscal 2005.

 

SSD/Burtek Systems

 

Net sales for SSD/Burtek increased 3.1% to $108.8 million in fiscal 2006 from $105.6 million in fiscal 2005. Net sales of private label products increased 9.0% to $35.0 million during fiscal 2006 as compared with $32.1 million during fiscal 2005, and were partially offset by a slight decrease in distribution products. Net sales in Canada in fiscal 2006 increased 13.2% from the prior year; however, net sales in Europe and the U.S. in fiscal 2006 decreased 18.0% and 9.8%, respectively. Gross profit and gross margin as a percentage of net sales remained relatively flat during fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005.

 

Net sales for SSD/Burtek increased 3.5% in fiscal 2005 to $105.6 million driven by stronger demand in Canada, partially offset by weaker demand in the U.S. and Europe. Net sales in Canada grew 12.9% to $58.5 million, due in part to sales growth in key national accounts and a strengthened relationship with a major vendor partner, with net sales in the U.S. and Europe declining 8.7% and 4.4% to $27.9 million and $14.2 million, respectively, in fiscal 2005. Gross margins were 25.5% in both fiscal 2005 and 2004. Inventory write-downs of $0.3 million recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 when we implemented restructuring actions and additional freight expenses of $1.0 million were partially offset by increased growth of higher margin private label sales.

 

Display Systems Group

 

DSG net sales increased 21.7% during fiscal 2006 to $95.0 million as compared with $78.1 million in fiscal 2005. Net sales for Kern in fiscal 2006 were $14.1 million. The sales growth for fiscal 2006 was mainly due to the Kern acquisition and an increase in sales of the custom display product line which increased 18.4% to $26.9 million as compared to $22.7 million for fiscal 2005. The sales increase was partially offset by lower sales in the specialty displays and cathode ray tube product lines. DSG gross profit increased 37.2% to $24.5 million during fiscal 2006 from $17.9 million for fiscal 2005 due mainly to the higher sales volume. Gross margin increased to 25.8% from 22.9% during fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. The gross margin improvement was due mainly to an improved product mix primarily from sales growth in the medical monitor product lines. In addition, during the second quarter of fiscal 2006, we recorded a reduction in warranty expense of $0.9 million as a result of a change in estimate due to favorable warranty experience.

 

DSG net sales in fiscal 2005 grew 17.5% to $78.1 million as large orders drove custom display net sales to increase by 63.7% to $22.0 million. Gross margins in fiscal 2005 decreased 280 basis points primarily due to declining average selling prices for medical monitors.

 

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Sales by Geographic Area

 

We have grown through a balanced emphasis on investment in both North America and other areas of the world and currently have 37 facilities in North America, 22 in Europe, 15 in Asia/Pacific, and 5 in Latin America. On a geographic basis, we primarily categorize our sales by destination: North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Latin America, and Corporate. Net sales by geographic area and percent change year-over-year are presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

            
     June 3,
2006


   May 28,
2005


   May 29,
2004


   FY06 vs FY05
% Change


    FY05 vs FY04
% Change


 

Net Sales

                                 

North America

   $ 319,362    $ 303,708    $ 275,491    5.2 %   10.2 %

Europe

     140,870      123,846      116,714    13.7 %   6.1 %

Asia/Pacific

     148,000      124,799      104,068    18.6 %   19.9 %

Latin America

     24,336      21,366      20,065    13.9 %   6.5 %

Corporate

     5,372      5,005      3,485    7.3 %   43.6 %
    

  

  

            

Total

   $ 637,940    $ 578,724    $ 519,823    10.2 %   11.3 %
    

  

  

            

Note: The fiscal 2005 and 2004 data has been reclassified to conform with the fiscal 2006 presentation. Europe includes sales to Middle East and Africa. Latin America includes sales to Mexico. Corporate consists of freight and other non-specific sales.

 

Gross profit by geographic area and percent of geographic sales are presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3, 2006

    May 28, 2005

    May 29, 2004

 

Gross Profit

                                          

North America

   $ 84,626     26.5 %   $ 80,262     26.4 %   $ 71,763     26.0 %

Europe

     38,608     27.4 %     34,345     27.7 %     32,619     27.9 %

Asia/Pacific

     35,533     24.0 %     29,691     23.8 %     23,304     22.4 %

Latin America

     6,786     27.9 %     5,879     27.5 %     4,860     24.2 %
    


       


       


     

Subtotal

     165,553     26.2 %     150,177     26.2 %     132,546     25.7 %

Corporate

     (9,784 )           (14,183 )           (5,824 )      
    


       


       


     

TOTAL

   $ 155,769     24.4 %   $ 135,994     23.5 %   $ 126,722     24.4 %
    


       


       


     

Note: The fiscal 2005 and 2004 data has been reclassified to conform with the fiscal 2006 presentation. Europe includes sales and gross profit to Middle East and Africa. Latin America includes sales and gross profit to Mexico. Corporate consists of freight and other non-specific sales and gross profit.

 

Net sales in North America increased 5.2% in fiscal 2006 to $319.4 million as compared with $303.7 million in fiscal 2005 with all four SBUs contributing to the growth. A majority of the sales increase in fiscal 2006 was due to increases in demand for wireless products in the U.S. and security systems in Canada. In addition, net sales in Canada experienced an overall gain of 12.2% to $85.7 million in fiscal 2006 versus $76.4 million in the prior fiscal year. An increase in net sales of higher margin products in the security, display and semiconductor fabrication markets resulted in gross margin improvement in North America to 26.5% for fiscal 2006 as compared with 26.4% in fiscal 2005.

 

Net sales in North America increased 10.2% to $303.7 million in fiscal 2005 led by strong display systems and wireless demand in the U.S. and continued growth in security systems sales in Canada. Gross margins in North America improved 40 basis points in fiscal 2005 due to expanding margins in Canada for security systems and wireless sales.

 

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Net sales in Europe grew 13.7% in fiscal 2006 to $140.9 million from $123.8 million in fiscal 2005 due to the incremental display systems products sales from the Kern acquisition and growth in wireless demand mainly in Israel, Spain and Germany. This increase was partially offset by lower sales of security systems and electron device products. Gross margin in Europe in fiscal 2006 decreased to 27.4% from 27.7% in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively, primarily due to lower gross margins on wireless products as compared to security systems and electron device products.

 

Net sales in Europe increased 6.1% to $123.8 million in fiscal 2005 driven by continued wireless demand growth, particularly in the United Kingdom, France, and Israel. Gross margins in Europe decreased 20 basis points in fiscal 2005 due to a decline in high margin cathode ray tube sales in DSG.

 

We experienced our eighth consecutive year of double-digit growth in Asia/Pacific as net sales increased 18.6% to $148.0 million in fiscal 2006 led by continued strong demand for wireless products in the cellular infrastructure, semiconductor fabrication, and broadcasting markets. Net sales in Korea increased 35.4% to $43.5 million mainly due to higher demand for network access products. Growth in broadcast product sales improved sales in Singapore by 29.3% to $23.5 million. In addition, China experienced an increase in network access and power components contributing to a 7.2% sales improvement to $43.3 million. Gross margins increased in all strategic business units in Asia/Pacific for fiscal 2006, as compared with last fiscal year due mainly to shifts in product mix focused on exclusive franchises, design registration programs, and the reduction of lower margin programs.

 

In fiscal 2005 net sales in Asia/Pacific grew 19.9% to $124.8 million led by China’s on-going demand growth. Net sales in China increased 60% in fiscal 2005 to $40.4 million, primarily due to OEM demand in the 2.5G infrastructure, avionics, and broadcasting markets. In fiscal 2005, our gross margins in Asia/Pacific improved 140 basis points due to expanding margins for wireless sales, particularly in Korea, partially offset by the large sales growth in China at lower margins.

 

Net sales in Latin America improved 13.9% to $24.3 million in fiscal 2006 as compared with $21.4 million in fiscal 2005. The net sales growth was mainly driven by an increase in sales of security products/systems integration and refocusing the EDG sales team after the realignment. Gross margin in Latin America increased to 27.9% in fiscal 2006 versus 27.5% in fiscal 2005 primarily due to higher gross margins from security systems and electron device products.

 

Net sales in Latin America grew 6.5% in fiscal 2005 to $21.4 million as all four strategic business units increased sales. Gross margins in Latin America improved 330 basis points in fiscal 2005 as margins recovered for security systems and industrial power sales.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

SG&A expenses increased 7.6% to $139.6 million in fiscal 2006 as compared with $129.7 million in fiscal 2005. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to the acquisition of Kern and severance expense. We recorded severance expense of $4.0 million during fiscal 2006. During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we recorded a restructuring charge, including severance and lease termination costs, of $2.2 million. Total SG&A expenses in fiscal 2006 decreased to 21.9% of net sales compared with 22.4% in fiscal 2005.

 

SG&A expenses increased 20.2% in fiscal 2005 to $129.7 million from $108.0 million in fiscal 2004. We implemented restructuring actions at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2005, which included changes in management and a reduction in workforce, to accelerate the alignment of operations with our engineered solutions strategy and improve operating efficiency. Terminations affected over 60 employees across various business functions, operating units and geographic regions. Increases in expenses included $2.2 million of restructuring costs, $8.5 million of payroll-related expenses, $2.4 million of audit, tax, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance fees, and incremental expenses related to bad debt, facility costs, and travel. The increase in payroll-related expenses, facility costs, and travel were mainly attributable to supporting the growth in sales.

 

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(Gain) Loss on Disposal of Assets

 

On May 26, 2005, we completed the sale of approximately 205 acres of undeveloped real estate adjoining our headquarters in LaFox, Illinois. The sale resulted in a gain of $9.9 million, before taxes, and was recorded in gain on disposal of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in fiscal 2005.

 

Other (Income) and Expense

 

In fiscal 2006, other (income) expense increased to an expense of $10.6 million from an expense of $7.6 million in fiscal 2005. Other (income) expense included a foreign exchange loss of $0.7 million during fiscal 2006 and a foreign exchange gain of $0.9 million in fiscal 2005. The foreign exchange variance for fiscal 2006 was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, primarily related to receivables due from foreign subsidiaries to the U.S. parent company and denominated in foreign currencies. Interest expense increased to $9.8 million in fiscal 2006 from $8.9 million in fiscal 2005 as a result of higher average balances on our credit agreement and an increase in interest rates. The weighted average interest rate increased to 7.42% in fiscal 2006 from 6.38% in fiscal 2005.

 

Interest expense decreased to $8.9 million in fiscal 2005 from fiscal 2004 as a result of payments made to reduce debt from the proceeds received from an equity offering made in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and elimination of a fixed rate swap, offset by interest on incremental borrowings to fund working capital requirements. The weighted average interest rate was 6.38% and 5.98% for fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively. Fiscal 2005 included a foreign exchange gain of $0.9 million and investment income of $0.4 million compared to a foreign exchange loss of $0.4 million and investment income of $0.2 million in fiscal 2004.

 

Income Tax Provision

 

The effective income tax rates for fiscal 2006 and 2005 were 147.4% and 286.6%, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rates as compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 34% primarily results from our geographical distribution of taxable income or losses and valuation allowances related to net operating losses. For fiscal 2006, the tax benefit related to net operating losses was limited by the requirement for a valuation allowance of $7.2 million, which increased the effective income tax rate by 129.9%. For fiscal 2005, the tax benefit related to net operating losses was limited by the requirement for a valuation allowance of $16.7 million, which increased the effective income tax rate by 194.0%. In addition, deferred tax liabilities related to unrepatriated earnings previously considered permanently reinvested also increased the effective income tax rate in fiscal 2005 by 57.3%.

 

At June 3, 2006, domestic net operating loss carryforwards (NOL) amount to approximately $21.3 million. These NOLs expire between 2024 and 2026. Foreign net operating loss carryforwards total approximately $14.5 million with various or indefinite expiration dates. During fiscal 2005, due to changes in the level of certainty regarding realization, a valuation allowance of approximately $15.9 million was established to offset certain domestic deferred tax assets, primarily inventory valuation, and domestic net operating loss carryforwards. In addition, we recorded an additional valuation allowance of approximately $0.8 million from deferred tax assets relating to certain foreign subsidiaries. In fiscal 2006, we re-evaluated the realization of certain deferred tax assets, resulting in an additional valuation allowance of $2.2 million. We believe that in order to reverse the recorded valuation allowance in any subsidiary, we would likely need to have positive cumulative earnings in that subsidiary for the three-year period preceding the year of the reversal. We also have an alternative minimum tax credit carryforward at June 3, 2006, in the amount of $1.2 million that has an indefinite carryforward period.

 

Income taxes paid, including foreign estimated tax payments, were $6.3 million, $3.3 million, and $1.7 million in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

 

At the end of fiscal 2004, all of the cumulative positive earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, amounting to $35.1 million, were considered permanently reinvested pursuant to APB No. 23, Accounting for Income

 

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Table of Contents

Taxes-Special Areas. As such, U.S. taxes were not provided on these amounts. In fiscal 2005, because of a strategic decision, we determined that approximately $12.9 million of one of our foreign subsidiaries’ earnings could no longer be considered permanently reinvested as those earnings may be distributed in future years. Based on our potential future plans regarding this subsidiary, it was determined that these earnings would no longer meet the specific requirements for permanent reinvestment under APB No. 23. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would be subject to both U.S. income tax and foreign withholding taxes. As such, we established a deferred tax liability of approximately $4.9 million during fiscal 2005. We revised our estimate of the deferred tax liability of $4.9 million at June 3, 2006 based on changes in our potential future plans for this subsidiary during fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2006, we revised our strategy and as of June 3, 2006 again and concluded that the undistributed earnings of this subsidiary were considered permanently reinvested outside the United States. The reversal of the $4.9 million deferred tax liability in fiscal 2006 resulted in an additional valuation allowance in the same amount and, therefore, did not effect the fiscal 2006 tax provision. Cumulative positive earnings of our foreign subsidiaries were still considered permanently reinvested pursuant to APB No. 23 and amounted to $64.2 million at June 3, 2006. Due to various tax attributes that are continually changing, it is not possible to determine what, if any, tax liability might exist if such earnings were to be repatriated.

 

In May 2005, we were informed by one of our foreign subsidiaries that its records may not be adequate to support the taxable revenues and deductions included within tax returns previously filed for the tax years 2003 and 2004. At this time, we have not received notification from any tax authority regarding this matter. We have increased our income tax reserve for this potential exposure.

 

During fiscal 2005, the Canadian taxing authority proposed an income tax assessment for fiscal 1998 through fiscal 2002. We appealed the income tax assessment; however, we paid the entire tax liability in fiscal 2005 to the Canadian taxing authority to avoid additional interest and penalties if our appeal was denied. The payment was recorded as an increase to income tax provision in fiscal 2005. In May 2006, the appeal was settled in our favor. We will receive a refund of approximately $1.0 million, which was recorded as a reduction to income tax provision during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

On October 22, 2004, the President signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act). The Act provides a deduction for income from qualified domestic production activities, which will be phased in from 2005 through 2010. In return, the Act also provides for a two-year phase out ending December 31, 2006 of the existing extraterritorial income exclusion (ETI) for foreign sales that was viewed to be inconsistent with the international trade protocols by the European Union. We did not receive a tax benefit from the current ETI exclusion in fiscal 2006. When this benefit is fully phased out, it will have no impact on the rate.

 

Another provision of the Act creates a temporary incentive for U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends-received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. The calculation of the deduction is subject to a number of limitations. This provision of the Act has no material impact on our operations for fiscal 2006 and is expected to have no material impact on our operations for fiscal 2007, as we do not intend at this time to repatriate earnings to the U.S. from foreign countries.

 

Future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by lower than anticipated earnings in countries where we have lower statutory rates, changes in the valuation of certain deferred tax assets or liabilities, or changes in tax laws or interpretations thereof. In addition, we are subject to the examination of our income tax returns by U.S. and foreign tax authorities and regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of the provision for income taxes.

 

Net Income and Per Share Data

 

In fiscal 2006, we reported a net loss of $2.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted common share and $0.14 per diluted Class B common share as compared with a net loss of $16.0 million, or $0.96 per diluted common share

 

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and $0.87 per diluted Class B common share in fiscal 2005. In fiscal 2004, we reported net income of $5.5 million, or $0.38 per diluted common share and $0.36 per diluted Class B common share.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We have financed our growth and cash needs largely through income from operations, borrowings under the revolving credit facilities, issuance of convertible senior subordinated notes, and sale of assets. Liquidity provided by operating activities is reduced by working capital requirements, debt service, capital expenditures, dividends, and business acquisitions. Liquidity provided by operating activities is increased by proceeds from borrowings and from the dispositions of businesses and assets.

 

Cash and cash equivalents were $12.4 million at March 3, 2007, as compared to $17.0 million at fiscal 2006 year end. Cash used in operating activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 was $9.5 million, primarily due to higher inventories and lower accounts payable and accrued liabilities partially offset by lower accounts receivable. The increase in inventories was due to higher inventory stocking levels to support anticipated sales growth. Accounts payable balances decreased due to timing of payments for inventory. Accrued liabilities decreased due to payments of interest on long-term debt. Accounts receivable declined during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 due to a decline in sales volume during the last two months of the period as compared with the last two months of fiscal 2006. Cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 was $4.6 million due mainly to higher accounts payable, partially offset by increased inventories. The increase in inventories, due to inventory stocking programs to support anticipated sales growth was more than offset by the increase in accounts payable due to the timing of inventory purchases during the third quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities of $1.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 was mainly due to the liquidation of $3.5 million of long-term investments, proceeds from the sale of assets of $3.1 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $4.7 million primarily related to information technology projects. Net cash used in investing activities of $10.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 was mainly a result of the acquisition of A.C.T. Kern GmbH & Co. KG with a cash outlay of $6.6 million, net of cash acquired, and capital expenditures of $4.2 million primarily related to facility and information technology projects.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities of $2.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 primarily related to net debt borrowings of $20.4 million, partially offset by cash payments on the early debt retirement of $15.9 million and dividend payments of $2.1 million. During the first nine months of fiscal 2006, net cash provided by financing activities was $0.6 million.

 

On September 8, 2006, we purchased $6.0 million of the 8% notes, and on December 8, 2006, we purchased $8.0 million of the 8% notes. The purchases were financed through additional borrowings under our credit agreement. As the 8% notes are subordinate to the existing credit agreement, we received a waiver from our lending group to permit the purchases. In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we recorded costs associated with the retirement of long-term debt of $2.5 million in connection with the purchases, which includes the write-off of previously capitalized deferred financing costs of $0.6 million.

 

In October 2004, we renewed our credit agreement with the current lending group in the amount of approximately $109.0 million. On August 4, 2006, we amended our credit agreement and decreased the facility to approximately $97.5 million (the size of the credit line varies based on fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates). The credit agreement expires in October 2009, and the outstanding balance at that time will become due. The portion of the credit line available for us to borrow is limited by the amount of collateral and certain covenants in the credit agreement. The credit agreement is principally secured by our trade receivables and inventory. The credit agreement bears interest at applicable LIBOR rates plus a margin, varying with certain financial performance criteria. At March 3, 2007, the applicable margin was 2.00%, $77.7 million was outstanding under the credit agreement, outstanding letters of credit were $0.6 million, and the unused line was $19.2 million. None of this unused line was available for us to borrow because we were not in compliance with

 

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credit agreement covenants with respect to the leverage ratio for the third quarter ending March 3, 2007. The commitment fee related to the credit agreement is 0.25% per annum payable quarterly on the average daily unused portion of the aggregate commitment. The credit agreement consists of the following facilities as of March 3, 2007:

 

     Capacity

   Amount
Outstanding


   Interest
Rate


 

U.S. Facility

   $ 77,500    $ 60,400    7.46 %

Canada Facility

     2,064      341    6.00 %

UK Facility

     8,820      8,703    7.43 %

Euro Facility

     6,597      6,597    5.65 %

Japan Facility

     2,553      1,702    2.75 %
    

  

      

Total

   $ 97,534    $ 77,743    7.20 %
    

  

      

Note: Due to maximum permitted leverage ratios, the amount of the unused line cannot be calculated on a facility-by-facility basis.

 

On January 19, 2007, we executed an amendment to the credit agreement to facilitate the implementation of a European cash sweeping program. In addition, the amendment decreased our Canada Facility and increased our U.S. Facility by approximately $7.5 million.

 

On March 3, 2007, we were not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the leverage ratio. On April 5, 2007, we received a waiver from our lending group for the default.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Contractual obligations by expiration period as of June 3, 2006 are presented in the table below (in thousands):

 

     Payments Due by Period

     Total

   Less than
1 year


   1 - 3
years


   3 - 5
Years


   More than
5 years


Convertible notes(1)

   $ 69,683    $ 14,000    $ —      $ —      $ 55,683

Convertible notes – interest(1)

     24,068      4,783      8,686      8,686      1,913

Floating-rate multi-currency revolving credit agreement(2)

     57,089      —        —        57,089      —  

Floating-rate multi-currency revolving credit
agreement – interest
(2)

     13,170      3,951      7,902      1,317      —  

Purchase obligations(3)

     137,883      137,883      —        —        —  

Lease obligations(4)

     18,673      6,263      6,166      2,850      3,394

Other

     36      16      20      —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 320,602    $ 166,896    $ 22,774    $ 69,942    $ 60,990
    

  

  

  

  


(1) Convertible notes consist of the 7¾% notes, with principal of $44.7 million due December 2011, and notes, with principal of $25.0 million due June 2011. Payments of $14.0 million of notes are included in amounts due less than one year.
(2) The credit agreement expires in October 2009 and bears interest at applicable LIBOR rates plus a 225 basis point margin. Interest in the table above is calculated using 6.92% interest rate and $57.1 million principal amount as of June 3, 2006 for all periods presented.
(3) We have outstanding purchase obligations with vendors at the end of fiscal 2006 to meet operational requirements as part of the normal course of business.
(4) Lease obligations are related to certain warehouse and office facilities and office equipment under non-cancelable operating leases.

 

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We believe that the existing sources of liquidity, including current cash, as well as cash provided by operating activities, supplemented as necessary with funds available under credit arrangements, will provide sufficient resources to meet known capital requirements and working capital needs for the fiscal year ended June 2, 2007.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to allowances for doubtful accounts, inventories, intangible assets, income taxes, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

The policies discussed below are considered by management to be critical to understanding our financial position and results of operations. Their application involves more significant judgments and estimates in preparation of our consolidated financial statements. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The estimates are influenced by the following considerations: continuing credit evaluation of customers’ financial conditions; aging of receivables, individually and in the aggregate; large number of customers which are widely dispersed across geographic areas; collectability and delinquency history by geographic area; and the fact that no single customer accounts for 10% or more of net sales. Material changes in one or more of these considerations may require adjustments to the allowance affecting net income and net carrying value of accounts receivable. At June 3, 2006, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $2.1 million as compared to $1.9 million at May 28, 2005.

 

Impairment of Investments. We hold a portfolio of investment securities and periodically assess its recoverability. In the event of a decline in fair value of an investment, the judgment is made whether the decline is other-than-temporary. Management’s assessment as to the nature of a decline is largely based on the duration of that market decline, financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, and our cash requirements and intent to hold the investment. If an investment is impaired and the decline in market value is considered to be other-than-temporary, an appropriate write-down is recorded. We recognized investment impairment in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004 of $93, $49, and $226, respectively.

 

Inventories. We carry all our inventories at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories include material, labor, and overhead associated with such inventories. Substantially all inventories represent finished goods held for sale.

 

Provisions for obsolete or slow moving inventories are recorded based upon regular analysis of stock rotation, obsolescence, and assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If future demands, change in the industry, or market conditions differ from management’s estimates, additional provisions may be necessary.

 

We recorded inventory obsolescence and overstock provisions of $1.8 million, $4.2 million, and $2.2 million in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, which was included in the cost of sales. The provisions were principally for obsolete and slow moving parts. The parts were written down to estimated realizable value.

 

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Beginning in fiscal 2004, we implemented new policies and procedures to strengthen our inventory management process while continuing to invest in system technology to further enhance our inventory management tools. These policy and procedure changes included increased approval authorization levels for inventory purchases, quarterly quantitative and qualitative inventory aging analysis and review, changes in the budgeting process to establish targets and metrics that relate to our return on assets rather than only a revenue and profit expectation, and realignment of incentive programs in accordance with these targets and metrics. We are committed to inventory management as an ongoing process as the business evolves and technology changes.

 

Long-Lived and Intangible Assets. We periodically evaluate the recoverability of the carrying amounts of our long-lived assets, including software, property, plant and equipment. We assess in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the possibility of long-lived assets being impaired when events trigger the likelihood.

 

Impairment is assessed when the undiscounted expected cash flows derived from an asset are less than its carrying amount. If impairment exists, the carrying value of the impaired asset is written down and impairment loss is recorded in operating results. In assessing the potential impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets, we make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the discounted future cash flows to determine the fair value of the respective assets on an annual basis. These estimates and their related assumptions include, but are not limited to, projected future operating results, industry and economy trends, market discount rates, indirect expense allocations, and tax rates. If these estimates or assumptions change in the future as a result of changes in strategy, our profitability, or market conditions, among other factors, this could adversely affect future goodwill and other intangible assets valuations and result in additional impairment charges.

 

Effective June 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. This statement changed the accounting for goodwill and indefinite-lived assets from an amortization approach to an impairment- only approach. We perform our impairment test as of the third quarter of each fiscal year. We did not find any indication that an impairment existed and, therefore, no impairment loss was recorded in fiscal 2006.

 

Warranties. We offer warranties for specific products we manufacture. We also provide extended warranties for some products we sell that lengthen the period of coverage specified in the manufacturer’s original warranty. Terms generally range from one to three years.

 

We estimate the cost to perform under our warranty obligation and recognize this estimated cost at the time of the related product sale. We report this expense as an element of cost of sales in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. Each quarter, we assess actual warranty costs incurred, on a product-by-product basis, as compared to our estimated obligation. The estimates with respect to new products are based generally on knowledge of the products and are extrapolated to reflect the extended warranty period, and are refined each quarter as better information with respect to warranty experience becomes known.

 

Warranty reserves are established for costs that are expected to be incurred after the sale and delivery of products under warranty. The warranty reserves are determined based on known product failures, historical experience, and other currently available evidence.

 

Income Taxes. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability and establish a valuation allowance based on a number of factors, including both positive and negative evidence, in determining the need for a valuation allowance. Those factors include historical taxable income or loss, projected future taxable income or loss, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences, and the implementation of tax planning strategies. In circumstances where we or any of our affiliates have incurred three years of cumulative losses which constitute significant negative evidence, positive evidence of equal or greater significance is needed by us at a minimum to overcome that negative evidence before a tax benefit is recognized for deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards. In

 

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evaluating the positive evidence available, expectations as to future taxable income would rarely be sufficient to overcome the negative evidence of recent cumulative losses, even if supported by detailed forecasts and projections. In order to reverse the recorded valuation allowance, we would likely need to have positive cumulative earnings for the three-year period preceding the year of change. Therefore, our projections as to future earnings would not be used as an indicator in analyzing whether a valuation allowance established in a prior year can be removed or reduced.

 

At June 3, 2006 and May 28, 2005, our deferred tax assets related to tax carryforwards were $13.6 million and $15.1 million, respectively. The tax carryforwards are comprised of net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credit carryovers. A majority of the net operating losses and other tax credits can be carried forward for 20 years.

 

We have recorded valuation allowances for the majority of our federal deferred tax assets and loss carryforwards, and for tax loss carryforwards of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries. We believe that the deferred tax assets for the remaining tax carryforwards are considered more likely than not to be realizable based on estimates of future taxable income and the implementation of tax planning strategies.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 will become effective for us beginning in fiscal 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of FIN 48 on the financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Under SFAS No. 157, fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. The standard clarifies that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. SFAS No. 157 will be effective for us beginning in fiscal 2009. We are currently assessing the impact that SFAS No. 157 may have on the financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (SAB No. 108) regarding the quantification of financial statement misstatements. SAB No. 108 requires a “dual approach” for quantifications of errors using both a method that focuses on the income statement impact, including the cumulative effect of prior years’ misstatements, and a method that focuses on the period-end balance sheet. SAB No. 108 will be effective for us beginning in fiscal 2008. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (SFAS No. 159), including an amendment to SFAS No. 115. Under SFAS No. 159, entities may elect to measure specified financial instruments and warranty and insurance contracts at fair value on a contract-by-contract basis, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each reporting period. The election, called the fair value option, will enable entities to achieve an offset accounting effect for changes in fair value of certain related assets and liabilities without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement consistent with the FASB’s long-term objectives for financial instruments. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for us beginning in fiscal 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 159 on the financial statements.

 

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Risk Management and Market Sensitive Financial Instruments

 

Certain operations, assets, and liabilities of ours are denominated in foreign currencies subjecting us to foreign currency exchange risk. In addition, some of our debt financing varies with market rates exposing us to the market risk from changes in interest rates. In order to provide the user of these financial statements guidance regarding the magnitude of these risks, the Securities and Exchange Commission requires us to provide certain quantitative disclosures based upon hypothetical assumptions. Specifically, these disclosures require the calculation of the effect of a 10% increase in market interest rates and a uniform 10% strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies on the reported net earnings and financial position.

 

Our multi-currency revolving credit agreement’s interest rate varies based on market interest rates. Had interest rates increased 10%, additional interest expense, tax effected, would have decreased the net income by an estimated $0.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, and decreased the net income by an estimated $0.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2006.

 

Our foreign denominated assets and liabilities are cash, accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable, and intercompany receivables and payables, primarily in Canada, member countries of the European Union, Asia/Pacific and, to a lesser extent, Latin America. Tools that we may use to manage foreign exchange exposures include currency clauses in sales contracts, local debt to offset asset exposures and forward contracts to hedge significant transactions. We have not entered into any forward contracts in fiscal 2007 or 2006.

 

Had the U.S. dollar strengthened 10% against various foreign currencies, sales would have been lower by an estimated $6.8 million and $20.5 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, and an estimated $6.1 million and $18.5 million for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, respectively. Total assets would have declined by an estimated $14.3 million as of the quarter ended March 3, 2007 and an estimated $12.8 million as of the fiscal year ended June 3, 2006, while the total liabilities would have decreased by an estimated $3.3 million as of the quarter ended March 3, 2007 and an estimated $3.5 million as of the fiscal year ended June 3, 2006.

 

The interpretation and analysis of these disclosures should not be considered in isolation since such variances in interest rates and exchange rates would likely influence other economic factors. Such factors, which are not readily quantifiable, would likely also affect our operations.

 

For an additional description of our market risk, see “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Risk Management and Market Sensitive Financial Instruments” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 3, 2006.

 

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OUR BUSINESS

 

Our Company

 

We are a global provider of engineered solutions and a global distributor of electronic components to the radio frequency (RF), wireless and power conversion, electron device, security, and display systems markets. We are committed to a strategy of providing specialized technical expertise and value-added products, which we refer to as “engineered solutions,” in response to our customers’ needs. These engineered solutions consist of:

 

   

products which we manufacture or modify;

 

   

products which are manufactured to our specifications by independent manufacturers under our own private labels; and

 

   

value we add through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, and logistics for our customers’ end products. We define design-in support as modification of components or identification of lower-cost product alternatives or complementary products.

 

Our products include RF and microwave components, power semiconductors, electron tubes, microwave generators, data display monitors, and electronic security products and systems. These products are used to control, switch or amplify electrical power or signals, or as display, recording or alarm devices in a variety of industrial, communication, and security applications.

 

Our broad array of technical services and products supports both our customers and vendors.

 

Our Strategic Business Units

 

We serve our customers through four strategic business units, each of which is focused on different end markets with distinct product and application needs. Our four strategic business units are:

 

   

RF, Wireless & Power Division (formerly RF & Wireless Communications Group);

 

   

Electron Device Group (formerly Industrial Power Group);

 

   

Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems; and

 

   

Display Systems Group.

 

Each strategic business unit has dedicated marketing, sales, product management, and purchasing functions to better serve its targeted markets. The strategic business units operate globally, serving North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Latin America.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, we implemented a reorganization plan encompassing our RF & Wireless Communications Group and Industrial Power Group business units. Effective for the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Industrial Power Group has been designated as the Electron Device Group and the RF & Wireless Communications Group has been designated as RF, Wireless & Power Division. The reorganization was implemented to increase efficiencies by integrating the Industrial Power Group’s power conversion sales and product management into the RF & Wireless Communication Group’s larger sales resources. In addition, we believe that the Electron Device Group will benefit from an increased focus on the high-margin tube business with a simplified global sales and product management structure to work more effectively with customers and vendors.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we changed the name of our Security Systems Division (SSD) to Burtek Systems (SSD/Burtek) to take advantage of Burtek’s positive brand recognition within the sound and security industry.

 

Selected financial data attributable to each strategic business unit and geographic data for fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004 is set forth in Note M of the notes to our consolidated financial statements of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 3, 2006 included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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RF, Wireless & Power Division, formerly RF & Wireless Communications Group

 

Our RF, Wireless & Power Division serves the global RF and wireless communications market, including infrastructure and wireless networks, as well as the fiber optics and industrial power conversion market. Our team of RF and wireless engineers assists customers in designing circuits, selecting cost effective components, planning reliable and timely supply, prototype testing, and assembly. The group offers our customers and vendors complete engineering and technical support from the design-in of RF, wireless and power components to the development of engineered solutions for their system requirements.

 

We expect continued growth in wireless applications as the demand for many types of wireless communication increases worldwide. We believe wireless networking and infrastructure products for a number of niche applications will require engineered solutions using the latest RF technology and electronic components, including:

 

   

Wireless Networks—Wireless technologies used for short range interconnection, both within the home or office or last mile solutions from a neighborhood to the home.

 

   

Wireless Infrastructure—Equipment required to support the transmission of RF signals.

 

   

Power Conversion—High power applications such as power suppliers, welding, motor controls and converting AC/DC and DC/AC.

 

In addition to voice communication, we believe the rising demand for high-speed data transmission will result in major investments in both system upgrades and new systems to handle broader bandwidth.

 

In our RF, Wireless & Power Division, our team of engineers designs solutions for applications such as motor speed controls, industrial heating, laser technology, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, radar, and welding. We build on our expertise in power conversion technology to provide engineered solutions to fit our customers’ specifications using what we believe are the most competitive components from industry-leading vendors.

 

We support these growth opportunities by collaborating with many of the leading RF, wireless, and power component manufacturers. A key factor in our ability to maintain a strong relationship with our existing vendors and to attract new vendors is our ability to supply them with worldwide demand forecasts for their existing products as well as products they have in development. We have developed internal systems to capture forecasted product demand by potential design opportunity based on ongoing dialog between our sales team and our customers. We share this information with our manufacturing suppliers to help them predict near and long-term demand and product life cycles. We have global distribution agreements with such leading suppliers as ANADIGICS, Advanced Power Technologies, Aavid, Anaren, ATC, Cornell-Dubilier, Freescale, HUBER+SUHNER, International Rectifier, M/A-COM, Peregrine, Vishay, Wakefield, and WJ Communications. In addition, we have relationships with many niche RF, wireless, and power suppliers to allow us to serve as a comprehensive RF, wireless, and power resource.

 

We participate in most RF, wireless, and power applications and markets in the world, focusing on infrastructure rather than consumer-driven subscriber applications.

 

The following is a description of our RF, Wireless & Power Division’s major product areas:

 

   

RF and Microwave Devices—a wide variety of components, such as RF transistors, mixers, switches, amplifiers, oscillators, and RF diodes, which are used in infrastructure, wireless networking, and other related markets, such as broadcast, cable TV, cellular and personal communications service telephony, satellite, wireless local area networks, and various other wireless applications, including our In-home Amplifier, which helps increase the ability to send and receive cellular signals from the home.

 

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Interconnect Devices—passive components used to connect all types of electronic equipment including those employing RF technology.

 

   

Digital Broadcast—components and assemblies used in a broad range of applications in the digital broadcast market, including satellite, transmission, and RF components.

 

   

Silicon Controlled Rectifiers, Heat Sink Assemblies and Power Semiconductor Modules—components used in many industrial control applications because of their ability to switch large amounts of power at high speeds. These silicon power devices are capable of operating at up to 4,000 volts at 2,000 amperes.

 

   

High Voltage and Power Capacitors—devices used in industrial, avionics, medical and broadcast applications for filtering, high-current bypass, feed-through capacitance for harmonic attenuation, pulse shaping, grid and plate blocking, tuning of tank circuits, antenna coupling and energy discharge.

 

Electron Device Group, formerly Industrial Power Group

 

Our Electron Device Group provides engineered solutions and distributes electronic components to customers in diverse markets including the steel, automotive, textile, plastics, semiconductor manufacturing, and broadcast industries. Our team of engineers designs solutions for applications such as industrial heating, laser technology, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, radar, and welding. We build on our expertise in high power, high frequency vacuum devices to provide engineered solutions to fit our customers’ specifications using what we believe are the most competitive components from industry-leading vendors.

 

This group serves the industrial market’s need for both vacuum tube and semiconductor manufacturing equipment technologies. We provide replacement products for systems using electron tubes as well as design and assembly services for new systems employing semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Our customers’ demand for higher power and shorter processing times increases the need for tube-based systems.

 

We represent leading manufacturers of electronic tubes and semiconductor equipment used in industrial power applications. Among the suppliers we support are Amperex, CPI, Eimac, General Electric, Jennings, Litton, Hitachi, NJRC, National and Draloric.

 

The following is a description of our Electron Device Group’s major product areas:

 

   

Power Amplifier/Oscillator Tubes—vacuum or gas-filled tubes used in applications where current or voltage amplification and/or oscillation is required. Applications include induction heating, diathermy equipment, communications, broadcast, and radar systems, and power supplies for voltage regulation or amplification.

 

   

Microwave Generators—devices that incorporate magnetrons, which are high vacuum oscillator tubes used to generate energy at microwave frequencies. The pulsed magnetron is primarily used to generate high-energy microwave signals for radar applications. Magnetrons are also used in vulcanizing rubber, food processing, packaging, wood/glue drying, in the manufacture of wafers for the semiconductor industry and other industrial heating applications such as microwave ovens, and by the medical industry for sterilization and cancer therapy.

 

   

Hydrogen Thyratrons—electron tubes capable of high speed and high voltage switching. They are used to control the power in laser and radar equipment and in linear accelerators for cancer treatment.

 

   

Thyratrons and Rectifiers—vacuum or gas-filled tubes used to control the flow of electrical current. Thyratrons are used to control ignitrons, electric motor speed controls, theatrical lighting, and machinery such as printing presses and various types of medical equipment. Rectifiers are used to restrict electric current flow to one direction in power supply applications.

 

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Ignitrons—mercury pool tubes used to control the flow of large amounts of electrical current. Their primary applications are in welding equipment, power conversion, fusion research, and power rectification equipment.

 

Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems

 

Our Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems is a global provider of closed circuit television, fire, burglary, access control, sound, and communication products and accessories for the residential, commercial, and government markets. We specialize in closed circuit television design-in support, offering extensive expertise with applications requiring digital technology. Our products are primarily used for security and access control purposes but are also utilized in industrial applications, mobile video, and traffic management.

 

The electronic security industry is rapidly transitioning from analog to digital imaging technology which is driving the convergence between security and IT. We are positioned to take advantage of this transition through our array of innovative products and solutions marketed under our own private label brands National Electronics, Capture®, AudioTrak®, and Elite National Electronics®. We also expect to gain additional market share by marketing ourselves as a value-added service provider to both our vendor and dealer partners. We continue to invest in people and tools that enable us to offer superior technical support in the most cost effective manner, particularly in the area of network convergence.

 

We support our customer base with products from more than 100 manufacturers including such well-known names as Aiphone, GE, Panasonic, Paradox, Pelco, Sanyo, and Verint, as well as our own private label brands National Electronics, Capture®, AudioTrak® and Elite National Electronics®.

 

The following is a description of our Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems’ major product areas:

 

   

Closed Circuit Television—products used in surveillance applications and for monitoring hazardous environments in the workplace. Products include cameras, lenses, cathode ray tube and liquid crystal display monitors, multiplexers, time lapse recorders, computerized digital video recorders, internet-based video servers, and accessories.

 

   

Burglar and Fire Alarms—devices used to detect the presence of smoke, fire, or intrusion, and communicate information both to occupants and to a central monitoring station.

 

   

Access Control—hardware-based and software-based solutions used to prevent, monitor and/or control access.

 

   

Commercial, Residential, and Professional Sound Systems—sound reproduction components used in background music, paging, and telephonic interconnect systems, along with custom home audio equipment used for distributed music and home theater systems.

 

On April 6, 2007, we entered into a definitive agreement with Honeywell International Inc. to sell Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems for $80 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments. For more information regarding this transaction, see “Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments.”

 

 

Display Systems Group

 

Our Display Systems Group is a global provider of integrated display products and systems to the public information, financial, point-of-sale, and medical imaging markets. The group works with leading hardware vendors to offer the highest quality liquid crystal display, plasma, cathode ray tube, and customized display monitors. Our engineers design custom display solutions that include touch screens, protective panels, custom enclosures, specialized finishes, application specific software, and privately branded products.

 

The medical imaging market is transitioning from film-based technology to digital technology. Our medical imaging hardware partnership program allows us to deliver integrated hardware and software solutions for this

 

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growing market by combining our hardware expertise in medical imaging engineered solutions with our software partners’ expertise in picture archiving and communications systems. Through such collaborative arrangements, we are able to provide integrated imaging workstation systems to the end user.

 

Our legacy business of supplying replacement cathode ray tubes continues to be an important market. We believe we are successful in supplying replacement cathode ray tubes because of our extensive cross-reference capability. This database, coupled with custom mounting hardware installed by us, enables us to provide replacement tubes for more than 200,000 models.

 

We have long-standing relationships with key manufacturers including 3M, Clinton Electronics, HP, IBM, Intel, LG, NEC Displays, Philips-FIMI, Planar Systems, Samsung, and Siemens Displays. We believe these relationships and our private label brands allow us to maintain a well-balanced and technologically advanced line of products.

 

The following is a description of our Display Systems Group’s major product areas:

 

   

Cathode Ray Tubes—vacuum tubes that convert an electrical signal into a visual image to display information on data display monitors. Cathode ray tubes are used in various environments, including hospitals, financial institutions, airports, and numerous other applications wherever large user groups share electronic data visually. This product line includes both monochrome and color tubes.

 

   

Custom Displays—flat panel display monitors incorporating a liquid crystal as an alternative to the traditional cathode ray tube technology, typically a few inches in depth and ranging from 10” to 52” measured diagonally. These displays are usually integrated with touchscreen technology or special mounting configurations based on the customer’s requirements.

 

   

High Resolution Medical Displays—an integral component of picture archiving and communications systems, displays are used in diagnostic and non-diagnostic imaging to display the digital image generated from computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, radiography, and other digital modalities.

 

   

Custom Systems—Custom server platforms for financial exchanges infrastructure/back office, small profile workstations for digital signage, flight information and kiosk applications, and imaging workstations for radiologists.

 

Business Strategies

 

We are pursuing a number of strategies designed to enhance our business and, in particular, to increase sales of engineered solutions. Our strategies are to:

 

Capitalize on Engineering and Manufacturing Expertise. We believe that our success is largely attributable to our core engineering and manufacturing competency and skill in identifying cost-competitive solutions for our customers, and we believe that these factors will be significant to our future success. Historically, our primary business was the distribution and manufacture of electron tubes and we continue to be a major supplier of these products. This business enabled us to develop manufacturing and design engineering capabilities. Today, we use this expertise to identify engineered solutions for customers’ applications—not only in electron tube technology but also in new and growing end markets and product applications. We work closely with our customers’ engineering departments that allow us to identify engineered solutions for a broad range of applications. We believe our customers use our engineering and manufacturing expertise as well as our in-depth knowledge of the components best suited to deliver a solution that meets their performance needs cost-effectively.

 

Target Selected Niche Markets. We focus on selected niche markets that demand a high level of specialized technical service, where price is not the primary competitive factor. These niche markets include wireless infrastructure, high power/high frequency power conversion, custom display, and digital imaging. In most cases,

 

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we do not compete against pure commodity distributors. We often function as an extension of our customers’ and vendors’ engineering teams. Frequently, our customers use our design and engineering expertise to provide a product solution that is not readily available from a traditional distributor. By utilizing our expertise, our customers and vendors can focus their engineering resources on more critical core design and development issues.

 

Focus on Growth Markets. We are focused on markets we believe have high growth potential and can benefit from our engineering and manufacturing expertise and from our strong vendor relationships. These markets are characterized by substantial end-market growth and rapid technological change. For example, the continuing demand for wireless communications is driving wireless application growth. Power conversion demand continues to grow due to increasing system complexity and the need for intelligent, efficient power management. We also see growth opportunities as security systems transition from analog to digital video recording and medical display systems transition from film to digital imaging.

 

Leverage Our Existing Customer Base. An important part of our growth is derived from offering new products to our existing customer base. We support the migration of our customers from electron tubes to newer solid-state technologies. Sales of products other than electron tubes represented approximately 84% of our sales in fiscal 2006 compared to 76% in fiscal 2000. In addition, our salespeople increased sales by selling products from all strategic business units to customers who currently may only purchase from one strategic business unit and by selling engineered solutions to customers who currently may only purchase standard components.

 

Growth and Profitability Strategies

 

Although we have reported net losses of approximately $12.9 million in fiscal 2002, $26.7 million in fiscal 2003, $16.0 million in fiscal 2005 and $2.6 million in fiscal 2006, our long-range growth plan is centered around three distinct strategies by which we are seeking to maximize our overall profitability:

 

Focus on Internal Growth. We believe that, in most circumstances, internal growth provides the best means of expanding our business, both on a geographic and product line basis. We believe there is increased outsourcing of engineering as companies focus on their own core competencies, which we believe contributed to the increased demand for our engineered solutions. As technologies change, we plan to continue to capitalize on our customers’ need for design engineering. In fiscal 2006, we made sales to approximately 34,000 customers. We have developed internal systems to capture forecasted product demand by potential design opportunity. This allows us to anticipate our customers’ future requirements and identify new product opportunities. In addition, we share these future requirements with our manufacturing suppliers to help them predict near and long-term demand, technology trends, and product life cycles. Expansion of our product offerings is an ongoing program. In particular, the following areas have generated significant sales increases in recent years: RF amplifiers; interconnect and passive devices; silicon controlled rectifiers; custom and medical monitors; and digital closed circuit television security systems.

 

Reduce Operating Costs Through Continuous Operational Improvements. We constantly strive to reduce costs in our business through initiatives designed to improve our business processes. We continue to embark on programs to improve operating efficiencies and asset utilization, with an emphasis on inventory control. Our incentive programs were revised in fiscal 2004 to heighten our managers’ commitment to these objectives. Since fiscal 2004, our strategic business units’ goals are based on return on assets. In an effort to reduce our global operating costs related to logistics, selling, general, and administrative expenses and to better align our operating and tax structure on a global basis, we have now begun to implement a global restructuring plan. This plan is intended to reduce corporate and administrative expense, decrease the number of warehouses, and streamline the entire organization. During fiscal 2007, we will be implementing a more tax-effective supply chain structure for Europe and Asia/Pacific, restructuring our Latin American operations, and reducing the total workforce which includes eliminating and restructuring layers of management. Additional programs are ongoing, including a significant investment in enterprise resource planning software during fiscal 2007.

 

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Grow Through Acquisitions. We have an established record of acquiring and integrating businesses. Since 1980, we have acquired 37 companies or significant product lines and continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities on an ongoing basis. We seek acquisitions that provide product line growth opportunities by permitting us to leverage our existing customer base, expand the geographic coverage for our existing product offerings, or add incremental engineering resources/expertise. Our most significant acquisitions over the past five years include:

 

   

Sangus Holdings AB (RF and microwave applications—now part of our RF, Wireless & Power Division) in fiscal 2002;

 

   

Evergreen Trading Company (power conversion applications—now part of our Electron Device Group) in fiscal 2005;

 

   

A.C.T. Kern GmbH & Co. KG (“Kern”) (display technology—now part of Display Systems Group) in fiscal 2006; and

 

   

Image Systems Corporation (display technology supplier—now part of Display Systems Group) in fiscal 2006.

 

Products and Suppliers

 

We purchase numerous products from various suppliers as noted above under “Our Strategic Business Units.” During fiscal 2006, we added the following suppliers: Econco, Mimix, Radiotronix, Teravicta, and United Chemi-con.

 

We evaluate our customers’ needs and maintain sufficient inventories in an effort to ensure our customers a reliable source of supply. We generally anticipate holding approximately 90 days of inventory in the normal course of operations. This level of inventory is higher than some of our competitors due to the fact that we sell a number of products representing older, or trailing edge, technology that may not be available from other sources. The market for these trailing edge technology products is declining and as manufacturers for these products exit the business, we, at times, purchase a substantial portion of their remaining inventory. We also maintain an inventory of a broad range of products (which contributes to a higher total inventory) to be able to promptly service those customers who are buying product for replacement of components in equipment critical to preventing downtime of their operations. In other segments of our business, such as the RF, Wireless & Power Division, the market for our products is characterized by rapid change and obsolescence as a result of the development of new technologies, particularly in the semiconductor markets we serve.

 

We have written distribution agreements with many of our suppliers; however, a number of these agreements provide for nonexclusive distribution rights and often include territorial restrictions that limit the countries in which we can distribute the products. The agreements are generally short-term, subject to periodic renewal, and some contain provisions permitting termination by either party without cause upon relatively short notice. Although some of these agreements allow us to return inventory periodically, others do not, in which case we may have obsolete inventory which we cannot return to the supplier.

 

Our suppliers generally warrant the products we distribute and allow returns of defective products, including those returned to us by our customers. Except with respect to certain displays, we generally do not provide additional warranties on the products we sell. For information regarding our warranty reserves, see Note A of the notes to our consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

In addition to third party products, we distribute proprietary products principally under the trade names A.C.T. Kern, Amperex®, AudioTrak®, Call Capture, Capture®, Cetron®, Elite National Electronics®, Image Systems, National®, National Electronics®, Pixelink and RF Gain.

 

The proprietary products we currently sell, which we manufacture or have manufactured for us, include RF amplifiers, transmitters and pallet assemblies, thyratrons and rectifiers, power tubes, ignitrons, CW magnetron

 

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tubes, phototubes, spark gap tubes, microwave generators, custom RF matching networks, heatsinks, silicon controlled rectifier assemblies, large screen display monitors, liquid crystal display monitors, and computer workstations. The materials used in the manufacturing process consist of glass bulbs and tubing, nickel, stainless steel and other metals, plastic and metal bases, ceramics, and a wide variety of fabricated metal components. These materials generally are readily available, but some components may require long lead times for production and some materials are subject to shortages or price fluctuations based on supply and demand.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

As of the end of fiscal 2006, we employed approximately 664 sales personnel worldwide. In addition, we have approximately 186 authorized representatives, who are not our employees, selling our products, primarily in regions where we do not have a direct sales presence. Many of our sales representatives focus on just one of our strategic business units, while others focus on all of our strategic business units within a particular geographic area. Our sales representatives are compensated in part on a salaried basis and in part on a commission basis.

 

We offer various credit terms to qualifying customers as well as prepayment, credit card, and cash on delivery terms. We establish credit limits prior to selling product to our customers and routinely review delinquent and aging accounts. We establish reserves for estimated credit losses in the normal course of business.

 

Distribution

 

We maintain more than 835,000 part numbers in our product inventory database and we estimate more than 80% of orders received by 6:00 p.m. local time are shipped complete the same day. Customers can access our product inventory through electronic data interchange, either at our web site at www.rell.com, through our catalog at www.catalog.rell.com, or by telephone. Customer orders are processed by the regional sales offices and supported by one of our principal distribution facilities in LaFox, Illinois; Lincoln, England; Vancouver, British Columbia; or Singapore, Republic of Singapore and/or our 41 additional stocking locations throughout the world. We utilize a sophisticated data processing network that provides on-line, real-time interconnection of all sales offices and central distribution operations, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Information on stock availability, cross-reference information, customers, and market analyses are instantly obtainable throughout the entire distribution network.

 

Employees

 

As of June 3, 2006, we employed 1,268 individuals on a full-time basis. Of these, 614 were located in the United States and 654 were employed internationally. Our worldwide employee base included 664 in sales and product management, 150 in distribution support, 304 in administrative positions, and 150 in value-added and product manufacturing. All of our employees are non-union. We consider our relationships with our employees to be good.

 

Competition

 

We believe engineering capability, exclusive vendor relationships, and product diversity create segmentation among our competitors. We believe that the key competitive factors in our markets include the ability to provide engineered solutions, inventory availability, product quality, reliable delivery, and price. We believe that, on a global basis, we are a significant provider of engineered solutions and products which utilize RF and power semiconductors and subassemblies, electron tubes, cathode ray tubes, custom and medical monitors, and security systems. In many instances, our competition is our customer base and their decision to make or buy, as well as the original equipment manufacturer for sales of replacement parts and system upgrades to service existing installed equipment. In addition, we compete worldwide with other general line distributors and other distributors of electronic components.

 

Patents and Trademarks

 

We hold or license certain manufacturing patents and trademark rights. Although our patents and trademarks have some value, they are not material to our success, which depends principally upon our core engineering capability, marketing technical support, product delivery, and the quality and economic value of our products.

 

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Properties

 

We own our corporate facility and largest distribution center, which is located on approximately 96 acres in LaFox, Illinois and consists of approximately 242,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse, and office space.

 

On April 5, 2007, we sold real estate and a building located in the United Kingdom for $1.9 million. We will record a pre tax gain on sale of approximately $1.4 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 with respect to the sale of this property.

 

On December 29, 2006, we sold approximately 1.5 acres of real estate and a building located in Geneva, Illinois for $3.1 million. We recorded a gain of $2.5 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 with respect to the sale of this property.

 

We also maintain leased branch sales offices in or near major cities throughout the world, including 37 locations in North America, 22 in Europe, 15 in Asia/Pacific, and 5 in Latin America.

 

We consider our properties to be generally well maintained, in sound condition and repair, and adequate for our present needs.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are involved in several pending judicial proceedings concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. While the outcome of litigation is subject to uncertainties, based on currently available information, we believe that, in the aggregate, the results of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

 


 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Executive Officers and Directors

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers and directors as of April 18, 2007:

 

Name


   Age

  

Position


Edward J. Richardson

   65   

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer

Gregory J. Peloquin

   42   

Executive Vice President and General Manager, RF, Wireless & Power Division

Bart Petrini

   68    Executive Vice President and General Manager, Electron Device Group

Wendy Diddell

   41    Executive Vice President and General Manager, Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems

Robert Heise

   42    Executive Vice President and General Manager, Display Systems Group

Joseph C. Grill

   62    Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Kathleen M. McNally

   47    Senior Vice President, Marketing Operations and Customer Support

David J. DeNeve

   38    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

David J. Gilmartin

   44    Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Brad R. Knechtel

   46    Vice President, Supply Chain Management

Arnold R. Allen

   74    Director

Jacques Bouyer

   78    Director

Scott Hodes

   69    Director

Bruce W. Johnson

   66    Director

Ad Ketelaars

   50    Director

John R. Peterson

   50    Director

Harold L. Purkey

   62    Director

Samuel Rubinovitz

   77    Director

 

Edward J. Richardson has been employed by us or our predecessor since 1961, holding several positions. He was Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President from September 1989 until November 1996 when Bruce W. Johnson became President. Mr. Richardson continues to hold the offices of Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and, since April 2006, President and Chief Operating Officer.

 

Gregory J. Peloquin has been Executive Vice President and General Manager of the RF & Wireless Communications Group since January 2002. Prior to that, he was Vice President of the RF & Wireless Communications Group since November 1999 when he rejoined us. Mr. Peloquin first joined us in 1990 and held various positions in product management until 1997 when he left to join Motorola, Inc. as Director of Global Distribution for Wireless Infrastructure Division, which position he held until he rejoined us in 1999.

 

Bart Petrini has been Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Electron Device Group since November 2, 2006. Previously, Mr. Petrini served as a strategic consultant from 2002 until November 1, 2006, including serving as a consultant to us from May 1, 2005 until November 1, 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Petrini served as President and CEO of Communications & Power Industries, Inc. (“CPI”) from 1999 until 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Petrini served as Executive Vice President of the Electron Device Group from 1994 until he assumed his position with CPI.

 

Wendy Diddell has been Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems since February 2006. Prior to that, Ms. Diddell had been Vice President and General Manager of the Security Systems Division since June 2004. Prior to that, she was employed as a Management Consultant for the Security Systems Division since July 2003. Prior thereto, Ms. Diddell was employed as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Ultrak, Inc. since 1997, a global manufacturer of closed circuit television and access control systems for the commercial and government markets.

 

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Robert Heise has been Vice President and General Manager of the Display Systems Group since February 2007. Prior thereto, Mr. Heise was Vice President of European Product Marketing for DSG Europe since July 2006 and Vice President—Client Technologies since February 2006. Prior to that, he was Vice President of the Display Systems Group since May 2000. He joined us in October 1987 as European Systems and Operations Specialist and has held various other positions in operations and sales.

 

Joseph C. Grill has served as an officer since 1987 and became an executive officer in the position of Vice President—Corporate Administration in 1992. In 1994, his title was changed to Vice President, Human Resources, and in 1999 he was made Senior Vice President, Human Resources.

 

Kathleen M. McNally has been Senior Vice President of Marketing Operations and Customer Support since July 2000. Ms. McNally served as Marketing Services Manager from 1986 until 1989 and as Vice President and Corporate Officer of Marketing Operations from 1989 until 2000. She has held various positions within the marketing department since joining us in 1979.

 

David J. DeNeve has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since joining us in June 2005. On April 4, 2006, he also assumed the position of Treasurer. From March 2004 until joining us, Mr. DeNeve was on a leave for personal reasons. Prior to that, Mr. DeNeve was employed by Material Sciences Corporation, a leading provider of material-based solutions for electronic, acoustical/thermal, and coated metal applications, as Vice President and Controller from April 2003 to March 2004, Vice President, Finance—Engineered Materials and Solutions Group from November 2001 to April 2003, Vice President and Controller from March 2001 to November 2001, and Controller from October 1996 to February 2001.

 

David J. Gilmartin has been General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary since January 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Gilmartin had been Assistant General Counsel, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since July 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Gilmartin served as Vice President of Legal for SBI Group Inc. (“SBI”) from December 2002 to July 2004 and Deputy General Counsel to Lante Corporation from January 2002 until it was acquired by SBI in September 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Gilmartin served as Corporate Counsel to Alliant Foodservice, Inc. from May 1999 to January 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Gilmartin served in private law firm practice as an associate with Gardner, Carton & Douglas LLP and Lord, Bissell & Brook, LLP since becoming a member of the Illinois Bar in 1988.

 

Brad R. Knechtel has been Vice President of Supply Chain Management since July 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Knechtel was the Director of Supply Chain with Knowles Electronics since 2003 and before that Director of Eurasia Supply Chain for 3Com Corporation since 1995. In addition, he held various strategic planning, sourcing and purchasing, contract negotiation and management, and logistics positions with the United States Army.

 

Arnold R. Allen has been a director since 1986. He joined us as our President and Chief Operating Officer in September 1985. He retired as President of ours in September 1989. Since his retirement, Mr. Allen has been a management consultant to us and presently provides management consulting services to us.

 

Jacques Bouyer served as Chairman of the Board of Philips Components of Paris, France, which is engaged in the manufacture and sale of electronic components and is a subsidiary of N.V. Philips of The Netherlands, from April 1, 1990 until January 1, 1994 when he became honorary Chairman of the Board and a Director until December 31, 1995. Mr. Bouyer also was Vice Chairman of the BIPE Institute for Economic and Market Research from 1981 until 1997. He has been a self-employed consultant in business strategies and management for JBC Consult-Paris from January 1990 until December 2002. He was Chairman of the Board of Bethe1-Paris, a small internet start-up company, from July 2002 until January 2007.

 

Scott Hodes is a partner at the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP, which firm provides legal services to us. From 1992 through January 2004, Mr. Hodes was a partner with the law firm of McGuire Woods Ross & Hardies and its predecessor Ross & Hardies.

 

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Bruce W. Johnson was President Emeritus from January 2006 to June 2006 and has been a Director since November 1996. From November 1996 until February 2006, Mr. Johnson was President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior thereto, from January 1992 until January 1996, he was President of Premier Industrial Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange listed company which was acquired by Farnell Ltd. in April 1996. He was Executive Vice President of Premier from February 1987 until January 1992. Premier is a full service business to business supplier of electronic components for industrial and consumer products, essential maintenance and repair products for industrial, commercial and institutional applications, and manufactures high-performance fire-fighting equipment.

 

Ad Ketelaars has been Chief Executive Officer of NEC Philips Unified Solutions (formerly Philips Business Communications) since March 2003. He was Vice President and Managing Director of Richardson Electronics Europe from 1993 until 1996. He has held several general management positions with companies such as Philips (Electronic Components), ITT (Cable TV), EnerTel (Telecom Operator), and Comsys (Voice Response Systems).

 

John R. Peterson is a Managing Director, the Head of Investment Banking and a member of the Board of Directors of Cleary Gull Inc., an investment banking and investment consulting firm he joined in March of 2002. Previously he was a Managing Director of Tucker Anthony Inc., and the Co-Head of its Tucker Anthony Sutro Capital Markets (“TASCM”) division, which provided investment banking services to us, and a member of its Operating Committee until November 2001. For a brief time in 2001 and 2002, he was a Managing Director of Riverview Financial Group, LLC, until it was acquired by Cleary Gull Inc. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Krueger International, Inc., a privately held contract furniture manufacturer and Medem, Inc., a privately held healthcare information technology company.

 

Harold L. Purkey was President of Forum Capital Markets from May 1997 and Senior Managing Director of such company from May 1994, until it was acquired in 2000. Mr. Purkey was the Managing Director of First Union Securities, the successor to Forum Capital Markets, until his retirement on October 1, 2001. From July 1990 until February 1994, he was employed by Smith Barney Shearson, holding the position of Senior Managing Director and Manager of the Convertible Bond Department. He is a Director of Reptron Electronics, Inc. and a member of its Audit Committee.

 

Samuel Rubinovitz was Executive Vice President of EG&G, Inc., a diversified manufacturer of instruments and components, from April 1989 until his retirement in January 1994. He is also a Director of LTX Corporation and a member of its Audit Committee; and a Director of Kronos, Inc. and a member of its Compensation Committee.

 

Executive officers are elected annually at the time of the annual stockholders meeting and serve until their respective resignation, death, or removal.

 

Directors’ Compensation

 

Non-Employee Directors (defined as any Director who is not an officer or employee of ours or any of our subsidiaries or affiliates) receive a quarterly retainer of $3,000 and receive a fee of $500 for each Board or Committee meeting attended in person or by telephone (other than Audit Committee meetings, for which the fee is $1,000), plus travel expenses. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional quarterly retainer of $1,500.

 

In addition, upon election to the Board, each current Non-Employee Director (except Mr. Ketelaars and Mr. Allen, who were not eligible at the time each joined the Board) was granted an option to acquire 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of such grant. Further, pursuant to our 2006 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (“2006 Directors’ Plan”), any new Non-Employee Director upon being elected or appointed shall be granted an option to acquire 25,000

 

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shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of such grant. These options are exercisable for a period of ten years and one month from the date of grant and vest over a five-year period from the date of grant with 20% of the option shares becoming first exercisable on each anniversary of the grant date.

 

Since April 1996, each Non-Employee Director (except Mr. Ketelaars and Mr. Allen, who were not eligible until October 2005), has received an annual grant of an option to acquire an additional 5,000 shares of Common Stock starting on the fifth anniversary of being elected to the Board. These options are fully vested on the date of grant and are exercisable for a period of ten years and one month from the date of the grant at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of such grant.

 

Upon the termination of a Director because of death, retirement, or removal from the Board within one year after a change of control, options granted to the Non-Employee Directors become fully exercisable with respect to all shares covered thereby and shall remain fully exercisable until the option expires by its terms.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and the four highest paid executive officers as well as two additional individuals who would have been among the four highest paid executive officers but for the fact that they were not serving as executive officers at the end of fiscal 2006 (named executive officers):

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

                    Long-Term Compensation

 

All

Other
Compen-

sation(3)


    Year

  Annual Compensation

  Awards

  Payouts

 

Name and Principal Position


    Salary

  Bonus

 

Other

Annual
Compen-

sation(1)


 

Restricted
Stock

Awards(2)


 

Stock
Options/

SARs


  Long-
Term
Incentive
Payouts


 

Edward J. Richardson

Chairman of the Board, Chief

Executive Officer, President

and Chief Operating Officer

  2006
2005
2004
  $
 
 
495,894
461,356
444,845
  $
 
 
—  
—  
120,660
  $
 
 
—  
—  
—  
  $
 
 
—  
—  
—  
  —  
—  
—  
  $
 
 
—  
—  
—  
  $
 
 
4,200
4,100
6,840
     

David J. DeNeve

Senior Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer

and Treasurer

  2006
2005
2004
   
 
 
235,577
—  
—  
   
 
 
83,694
—  
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
  30,000
—  
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
4,200
—  
—  
     

Gregory J. Peloquin

Executive Vice President

and General Manager,

RF, Wireless & Power Division

  2006
2005
2004
   
 
 
217,884
199,615
180,001
   
 
 
88,894
69,629
78,973
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
  7,073
6,855
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
4,200
1,423
4,142
     

Joseph C. Grill

Senior Vice President,

Human Resources

  2006
2005
2004
   
 
 
206,416
190,877
183,543
   
 
 
63,011
60,535
70,918
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
  7,500
6,975
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
4,200
4,100
6,840
     

Wendy S. Diddell

Executive Vice President

and General Manager,

Security Systems Division/

Burtek Systems

  2006
2005
2004
   
 
 
199,515
177,173
—  
   
 
 
69,201
62,222
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
—  
71,247
—  
  6,803
25,000
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
4,200
4,100
—  
     

Bruce W. Johnson(4)

Employee and Former

President and Chief

Operating Officer

  2006
2005
2004
   
 
 
446,097
415,048
399,392
   
 
 
138,744
—  
153,066
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
—  
105,200
129,000
  12,500
12,500
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
4,200
4,100
6,840
     

Robert L. Prince(4)

Executive Vice President,

Worldwide Sales, Electron

Device Group

  2006
2005
2004
   
 
 
244,375
223,377
211,239
   
 
 
107,903
94,802
92,944
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
9,522
—  
—  
  22,500
7,125
—  
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
   
 
 
4,200
4,100
6,840

(1) While officers enjoy certain perquisites, such perquisites do not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of such officer’s salary and bonus, except as shown.
(2) The restricted stock issued to Mr. Johnson vested at the date of grant; the restricted stock issued to Ms. Diddell vested one year after the date of grant; and the restricted stock issued to Mr. Prince vests in five equal annual installments. The number of shares and fair market value of unvested restricted stock as of June 3, 2006 held by Mr. Prince was 1,227 shares and $8,601, respectively, based on a closing price of $7.01 per share of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market on June 2, 2006, the last trading date before June 3, 2006. Holders of restricted stock are entitled to vote such shares and receive dividends.

 

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(3) These amounts represent our discretionary and 401(k) matching contributions to our profit sharing plan.
(4) This person is included because he would have been among the four highest paid executive officers but for the fact that this person was not serving as an executive officer at the end of fiscal 2006.

 

Stock Option Awards

 

The following table summarizes options granted during fiscal year 2006 to the named executive officers at fiscal year end.

 

OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

 

Name


   Options
Granted
(1)(2)


   % of Total
Options
Granted to
Employees
in FY06


   

Exercise
or Base
Price

($/sh)


   Expiration
Date


  

Fair
Value

at Grant
Date(3)


Edward J. Richardson

   —      —       $ —      —      $ —  

David J. DeNeve

   30,000    7.5 %     7.990    6/20/2015      88,731

Gregory J. Peloquin

   7,073    1.8 %     8.350    10/19/2015      22,607

Joseph C. Grill

   7,500    1.9 %     8.350    10/19/2015      23,972

Wendy S. Diddell

   6,803    1.7 %     8.350    10/19/2015      21,744

Bruce W. Johnson

   12,500    3.1 %     8.350    10/19/2015      39,954

Robert L. Prince

   7,500    1.9 %     8.350    10/19/2015      23,972

Robert L. Prince

   15,000    3.7 %     7.760    8/30/2015      43,187

(1) Options granted become exercisable in annual increments of 20%, beginning: October 19, 2006 for Mr. Johnson, Mr. Peloquin, Mr. Grill and Ms. Diddell; August 30, 2006 and October 19, 2006 for Mr. Prince; and June 20, 2006 for Mr. DeNeve.
(2) Options granted under the option plan are exercisable for a period of up to ten years from the date of grant. Options terminate upon the optionee’s termination of employment with us, except under certain circumstances.
(3) The fair value of the option at the grant date was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, using the following assumptions: $.16 annual dividend per share, expected annual standard deviation of stock price of 43% and a risk-free interest rate of 4.0%.

 

The following table summarizes options exercised during fiscal year 2006 and presents the value of the unexercised options held by the named executive officers at fiscal year end:

 

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES

At June 3, 2006

 

Name


   Options Exercised

  

Number of Unexercised
Options held at

Fiscal Year end


  

Value of Unexercised,

In-the-money options

at Fiscal Year end(1)


  

Shares

Acquired


  

Value

Realized


     
         Exercisable

   Unexercisable

   Exercisable

   Unexercisable

Edward J. Richardson

   —      $ —      —      —      $ —      $ —  

David J. DeNeve

   —        —      —      30,000      —        —  

Gregory J. Peloquin

   —        —      44,371    15,557      2,160      —  

Joseph C. Grill

   —        —      23,975    15,870      520      —  

Wendy S. Diddell

   —        —      5,000    26,803      —        —  

Bruce W. Johnson

   —        —      167,500    27,500      2,800      —  

Robert L. Prince

   —        —      83,425    31,200      2,750      —  

 

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(1) Represents the difference between $7.01 per share (the closing price of our common stock on June 2, 2006) and the exercise price of the options.

 

Employment Agreements

 

David J. DeNeve is employed as our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer under an employment agreement dated June 20, 2005, pursuant to which he receives a base salary which is reviewed annually and a bonus of 50% of his base salary if performance goals established annually are met. The agreement provides for payment to Mr. DeNeve for twelve months of his salary and bonus for the year in which such termination occurs prorated and accrued to the date of termination of employment without cause. During his employment term and for one year after termination for any reason, Mr. DeNeve is prohibited from competing against us. The agreement is for an indefinite term, during which Mr. DeNeve is employed on an at-will basis.

 

Wendy Diddell is employed as our Executive Vice President and General Manager, Security Systems Division/Burtek Systems under an employment agreement dated June 1, 2004, pursuant to which she receives a base salary which is reviewed annually and a bonus of 50% of her base salary if performance goals established annually are met. The agreement provides for payment to Ms. Diddell for twelve months of her salary and bonus for the year in which such termination occurs prorated and accrued to the date of termination of employment without cause. During her employment term and for one year after termination for any reason, Ms. Diddell is prohibited from competing against us. The agreement is for an indefinite term, during which Ms. Diddell is employed on an at-will basis.

 

Bruce W. Johnson retired as President on January 19, 2006 but continued with us as an employee and a member of our Board of Directors. On January 20, 2006, Mr. Johnson entered into an agreement with us which provides that Mr. Johnson will serve as President, Emeritus from January 20, 2006 until June 2, 2006 and as an employee of ours from June 3, 2006 until June 2, 2007. Under the agreement, Mr. Johnson will continue to receive a base salary of $430,000. Mr. Johnson will receive a quarterly payment equal to the greater of: (i) $26,875 per quarter or (ii) the bonus he would have been eligible for under the terms of his prior employment agreement which had a target annual bonus of 50% of base salary, payable quarterly. From January 20, 2006 until June 2, 2006, Mr. Johnson continued to receive car allowance and vacation benefits, at which point such benefits ceased. The title to the car owned by us and used by Mr. Johnson transferred to Mr. Johnson on June 2, 2006.

 

Gregory J. Peloquin is employed as our Executive Vice President and General Manager of RF, Wireless & Power Division under an employment agreement dated October 21, 1999, pursuant to which he receives a base salary which is reviewed annually and a bonus of 50% of his base salary if performance goals established annually are met. The agreement provides for payment to Mr. Peloquin for six months of his salary and bonus for the year in which such termination occurs prorated and accrued to the date of termination of employment without cause. During his employment term and for one year after termination for any reason, Mr. Peloquin is prohibited from competing against us. The agreement is for an indefinite term, during which Mr. Peloquin is employed on an at-will basis.

 

Robert L. Prince is employed as our Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales Electron Device Group under an employment agreement dated June 6, 2000, pursuant to which he receives a base salary which is reviewed annually and a bonus of 50% of his base salary if performance goals established annually are met. The agreement provides for payment to Mr. Prince for one year equal to his salary and bonus for the 12-month period prior to termination in the event of termination of employment without cause or by Mr. Prince within 180 days after a sale to or merger into another company or change of control. During his employment term and for one year after termination for any reason, Mr. Prince is prohibited from competing against us. The agreement is for an indefinite term, during which Mr. Prince is employed on an at-will basis.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2006 were Messrs. Bouyer, Hodes and Rubinovitz. The members of the Stock Option Committee during fiscal 2006 were Messrs. Bouyer and Rubinovitz. See “Related Party Transactions” below.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

Mr. Hodes is a partner in the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP, which firm provided legal services to us in fiscal 2005 and 2006 and continues to provide legal services to us in fiscal 2007. Mr. Hodes was a partner in the law firm of McGuire Woods Ross & Hardies, which firm provided legal services to us in fiscal 2002, 2003 and 2004.

 

Mr. Allen has been a management consultant to us and presently provides management consultant services to us. In fiscal 2006, he received payments of $14,000 from us. We expect to retain Mr. Allen as a management consultant in fiscal 2007.

 

On January 20, 2006, we appointed Arthur R. Buckland to serve as our President and Chief Operating Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Buckland and we entered into an employment agreement on March 1, 2006, which formalized the terms of Mr. Buckland’s employment with us. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Buckland received an annual base salary of $480,000 and was eligible to receive an annual bonus with a target bonus opportunity of 50% of base salary. Of this bonus, $120,000 was guaranteed for the first full 12 calendar months of his employment. Mr. Buckland was also granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock on January 20, 2006, which shares were to vest in three equal annual installments over three years; and he was provided with a car allowance in accordance with our auto plan. On April 4, 2006, Mr. Buckland resigned as President, Chief Operating Officer and Board Member. On May 9, 2006, we entered into a termination agreement with Mr. Buckland, which formalized the terms of Mr. Buckland’s departure from us.

 

On December 8, 2006, we purchased $8,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the notes (the “Whitebox Notes”) from Whitebox Advisors, LLC, and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Whitebox Parties”) for the aggregate sum of $8,840,000. At the time of this transaction, the Whitebox Parties were beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock. Also as part of this transaction, we paid the Whitebox Parties a fee of 2% of the aggregate principal amount of the Whitebox Notes in exchange for a waiver of all breaches, defaults and events of default with respect to the Whitebox Notes or any of the transaction documents related thereto, which may arise through the date of the sale of the Whitebox Notes.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information, as of April 16, 2007 (except as noted), concerning the beneficial ownership of our common stock and Class B common stock, before and as adjusted to reflect the sale of shares offered by this prospectus, for:

 

   

each of our named executive officers;

 

   

each of our directors;

 

   

all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and

 

   

each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock.

 

Because Class B common stock is convertible into common stock, the number of shares listed as owned under the common stock column in the table also includes the number of shares listed under the common stock column. Except as otherwise indicated below, each of the entities or persons named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by him, her or it. To the extent any of the persons listed below sells notes in this offering, the number of shares they will be deemed to own will decrease.

    Number of
Shares of
Common(1)(2)


    Percent
of Class
Before
Offering


    Percent
of Class
After
Offering


    Number of
Shares of
Class B
Common(3)


    Percent
of Class
Before
Offering


    Percent
of Class
After
Offering


    Percent of Total Voting
if Class Voting Not
Applicable


 
              Before
Offering(3)


    After
Offering(3)


 

Directors and Officers:

                                               

Edward J. Richardson

  3,058,228 (4)   17.38 %   17.38 %   3,031,188     99.44 %   99.44 %   67.35 %   67.35 %

Arnold R Allen

  35,000 (5)   *     *     11,782 (6)   *     *     *     *  

Jacques Bouyer

  63,250 (7)   *     *         *     *     *     *  

Scott Hodes

  88,424 (8)   *     *     3,712     *     *     *     *  

Bruce W. Johnson

  129,267 (9)   *     *         *     *     *     *  

Ad Ketelaars

  10,000 (10)   *     *         *     *     *     *  

John R. Peterson

  45,000 (11)   *     *         *     *     *     *  

Harold L. Purkey

  67,000 (12)   *     *         *     *     *     *  

Samuel Rubinovitz

  60,431 (13)   *     *     825     *     *     *     *  

David J. DeNeve

  6,000 (14)   *     *         *     *     *     *  

Wendy Diddell

  14,338 (15)   *     *         *     *     *     *  

Joseph C. Grill

  31,151 (16)   *     *         *     *     *     *  

Gregory J. Peloquin

  52,677 (17)   *     *         *     *     *     *  

5% Holders:

                                               

DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc.

  814,069 (18)   5.59 %   5.59 %       *     *     1.81 %   1.81 %

Royce & Associates, LLC

  850,778 (19)   5.84 %   5.84 %       *     *     1.89 %   1.89 %

Wells Fargo & Company

  1,667,236 (20)   11.45 %   11.45 %       *     *     3.70 %   3.70 %

T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc.

  1,271,166 (21)   8.73 %   8.73 %       *     *     2.82 %   2.82 %

Lee Munder
Investments, Ltd.

  875,346 (22)   6.08 %   6.08 %       *     *     1.93 %   1.93 %

Loomis Sayles &
Company, L.P.

  761,834 (23)   5.23 %   5.23 %       *     *     1.69 %   1.69 %

Dimensional Fund
Advisors LP

  867,377 (24)   5.96 %   5.96 %       *     *     1.93 %   1.93 %

Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (19 persons)

  3,771,018 (25)   22.25 %   22.25 %   3,035,725 (6)   99.59 %   99.59 %   69.01 %   69.01 %

(*) Less than 1%.
(1) Includes the number of shares listed under the column “Number of Shares of Class B Common.”
(2) Except as noted, beneficial ownership of each of the shares listed is comprised of either sole investment and sole voting power, or investment power and voting power that is shared with the spouse of the Director or officer, or voting power that is shared with the Trustee of our Employees Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) with respect to shares identified as allocated to the individual’s ESOP account.
(3) Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share and Class B Common Stock is entitled to ten votes per share. Computation assumes that Class B Common Stock held or subject to acquisition pursuant to stock option is not converted.
(4) Includes 3,031,188 shares of Common Stock which would be issued upon conversion of Mr. Richardson’s Class B Common Stock, and 27,040 shares of Common Stock allocated to the account of Mr. Richardson under the ESOP. Does not include 21,035 shares of Common Stock held by William G. Seils as custodian for Mr. Richardson’s sons, Alexander and Nicholas, and 8,897 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Richardson’s wife, as to which Mr. Richardson disclaims beneficial ownership.

 

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(5) Includes 21,781 shares of Common Stock to which Mr. Allen holds stock options exercisable within 60 days and an additional 11,782 shares of Common Stock which would be issued upon conversion of 11,782 shares of Class B Common Stock as to which he also holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(6) Includes 11,782 shares of Class B Common Stock as to which Mr. Allen holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(7) Includes 55,000 shares of Common Stock to which Mr. Bouyer holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(8) Includes 3,712 shares of Common Stock which would be issued upon conversion of Mr. Hodes’ Class B Common Stock. Also includes 50,000 shares of Common Stock to which Mr. Hodes holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(9) Includes 127,500 shares of Common Stock for which Mr. Johnson holds stock options exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 1,767 shares of Common Stock allocated to the account of Mr. Johnson under the ESOP.
(10) Includes 10,000 shares of Common Stock as to which Mr. Ketelaars holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(11) Includes 40,000 shares of Common Stock as to which Mr. Peterson holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(12) Includes 40,000 shares of Common Stock as to which Mr. Purkey holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(13) Includes 825 shares of Common Stock which would be issued upon conversion of Mr. Rubinovitz’ Class B Common Stock. Also includes 55,000 shares of Common Stock as to which Mr. Rubinovitz holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(14) Includes 6,000 shares of Common Stock as to which Mr. DeNeve holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(15) Includes 11,361 shares of Common Stock as to which Ms. Diddell holds stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(16) Includes 29,660 shares of Common Stock as to which Mr. Grill holds stock options exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 753 shares of Common Stock allocated to the account of Mr. Grill under the ESOP.
(17) Includes 50,157 shares of Common Stock as to which Mr. Peloquin holds stock options exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 1,028 shares of Common Stock allocated to the account of Mr. Peloquin under the ESOP.
(18) DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. (“DePrince”) is an investment advisor having sole power to vote and dispose of these shares. Information disclosed in this table was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 5, 2007. The address for DePrince is 250 Park Avenue South, Suite 250, Winter Park, FL 32789.
(19) Royce & Associates, LLC (“Royce”), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc., is an investment advisor having sole power to vote and dispose of these shares. Information disclosed in this table was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 24, 2007. The address for Royce is 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019.
(20) Includes 1,608,961 shares for which Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”) maintains sole voting power and 1,620,236 shares for which Wells Fargo maintains sole dispositive power. Also includes 998,481 shares for which Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“Wells Capital”) maintains voting power and 1,477,306 shares for which Wells Capital maintains sole dispositive power. Information disclosed in this table was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 6, 2007. The address for Wells Fargo is 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104.
(21) Includes 561,166 shares of Common Stock which would be issued on conversion of our notes. These securities are owned by various individuals and institutional investors including the T. Rowe Price Small Cap Value Fund, Inc. (which owns 710,000 shares, and all of the notes), for which T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”), serves as investment advisor with power to direct investments and/or power to vote the securities. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities. Price Associates serves as investment advisor with power to direct investments and/or power to vote a total of 1,271,166 shares. Information disclosed in this table was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2007. The address for Price Associates is 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
(22) Information disclosed in this table was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2006. The address for Lee Munder Investments, Ltd. is 200 Clarendon Street, T-28, Boston, MA 02116.
(23) Consists of 761,834 shares of Common Stock which would be issued on conversion of our notes. Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P. (“Loomis”) is an investment advisor with power to direct investments and/or power to vote the securities. Clients of Loomis have the economic interest but no one client has such an interest relating to more than 5% of the class. Information disclosed in this table was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2007. The address for Loomis is One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111.
(25) Information disclosed in this table was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 1, 2007. The address for Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is 1299 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
(26) Does not include 21,035 shares of Common Stock held by certain members of such group as custodians under Uniform Gift to Minors Acts or 8,897 shares of Common Stock held by spouses of member of group. Includes 3,082,452 shares of Common Stock which would be issuable on conversion of Class B Common Stock, 745,858 shares of Common Stock issuable upon options exercisable within 60 days, 11,782 shares of Common Stock which would be issuable on conversion of Class B Common Stock issuable upon options exercisable within 60 days. Includes 49,227 shares of Common Stock held in trust for the benefit of our profit sharing trust and ESOP allocated to the accounts of all executive officers and directors as a group; such shares are ratably forfeitable in the event the officer leaves the employ of the Company prior to completing six years of service.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

 

We issued the notes under the indenture dated November 21, 2005 between us, Law Debenture Trust Company as trustee, and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, as registrar, paying agent and conversion agent. We are summarizing certain important provisions of the notes and the indenture. You should refer to the specific terms of the indenture for a complete statement of the terms of the indenture and the notes. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” When we use capitalized terms that we do not define here, those terms have the meanings given in the indenture. Unless otherwise indicated, when we use references to Sections or defined terms, we mean Sections or defined terms in the indenture. The following summary is qualified by reference to the applicable provisions of the indenture, which we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part which is incorporated by reference herein. As used in this “Description of Notes” section, references to “Richardson,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer solely to Richardson Electronics, Ltd. and not to our subsidiaries.

 

General

 

The notes are our unsecured senior subordinated obligations and are subordinated in right of payment to our Senior Indebtedness (as defined in “Subordination” below), are structurally subordinate to any secured indebtedness (to the extent of its security), rank on parity with all of our existing and future senior subordinated debt, including our 7 3/4% notes, and will be senior to all future subordinated debt. The notes mature on June 15, 2011 unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased and have been issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. References to “a note” or “each note” in this prospectus refer to $1,000 principal amount of the notes.

 

The notes may be converted into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $10.31 per share of common stock, which represents a 25% premium over the closing price of our common stock on November 18, 2005. The conversion price is subject to adjustment if certain events occur, as described below. Upon conversion of a note, the holder will receive only shares of our common stock and a cash payment to account for any fractional share. The holder will not receive any cash payment for interest accrued and unpaid to the conversion date except under the limited circumstances described below.

 

The notes were issued under the indenture dated November 21, 2005 between us, the registrar, paying agent and conversion agent, and the trustee. Under the indenture, prior to November 21, 2008, we may not create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or in any manner become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise with respect to (collectively, to “incur”), any (i) Senior Indebtedness other than the principal of, premium (if any), and interest or borrowings made under our credit agreement, including any amendment, renewal, extension, expansion, increase, refunding, refinancing or replacement of such agreement, whether with the same or different lenders or (ii) other indebtedness which ranks equally and ratably with the notes. The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Under the indenture, the conversion price of the notes shall be adjusted if we pay a dividend on our common stock. The indenture also contains certain covenants on the incurrence of additional indebtedness. So as to protect the holders of the notes, the indenture contains provisions requiring us to repurchase the notes in the event of a change in control or our common stock shall not be authorized for quotation or listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, The NASDAQ Capital Market, The New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange.

 

The notes have been issued as fully registered securities, in denominations of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 and are represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. A detailed description of the DTC book-entry system and the circumstances in which you are entitled to receive physical delivery of notes are set forth below under “Book-Entry Securities.”

 

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Ranking

 

The notes are our unsecured senior subordinated obligations. The payment of principal of, and interest on, the notes, as set forth in the indenture, ranks senior to the following:

 

   

indebtedness of us to one of our subsidiaries;

 

   

indebtedness which by its terms is not superior in right of payment;

 

   

future indebtedness that is expressly made subordinate to the notes.

 

The notes rank on parity with the 7 3/4% notes.

 

The notes are subordinated to our Senior Indebtedness, including amounts borrowed under our credit agreement and future indebtedness that is not expressly subordinate to the notes. As of March 3, 2007, we had $77,765,740 in Senior Indebtedness.

 

In addition, the notes are structurally subordinate to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries. Any right of ours to receive assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their insolvency, dissolution or reorganization and the dependent right of holders of our notes to have rights in those assets, are subject to the prior claim of any creditors of that subsidiary. As of March 3, 2007, our subsidiaries had $23,058,144 of indebtedness, excluding indebtedness that is also Senior Indebtedness.

 

Prior to November 21, 2008, we may not incur any Senior Indebtedness or other Indebtedness which ranks senior to or equally and ratably with the notes, other than under our existing credit agreement. On and after November 21, 2008, we may from time to time incur additional indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness. Our subsidiaries may also from time to time incur additional Indebtedness and liabilities.

 

Payments on Notes; Transfers

 

Interest on the notes accrues at 8% per year and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2006, to the person in whose names the notes are registered at the close of business on June 1 and December 1 preceding the respective interest payment dates, except that the interest payable at maturity or upon redemption or repurchase by us will be paid to the same person to whom principal of the notes is payable. Interest is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. (Section 2.02)

 

Any payment otherwise required to be made in respect of the notes on a date that is not a business day may be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on that date. No additional interest will accrue as a result of a delayed payment of this kind. A business day is defined as a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which (i) the banks in New York, New York are required or permitted to be closed or (ii) the trustee’s principal corporate trust office is closed.

 

We will make payments on the notes and transfers of notes can be made at the office of the trustee.

 

Conversion

 

Except in the case of notes called for redemption, the holder of notes has the right, exercisable at any time prior to the maturity date, to convert the notes at the principal amount thereof (or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000) into shares of common stock at the conversion price of $10.31 per share representing a 25% premium over the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day prior to the issuance of the notes. The conversion price is subject to adjustment as described below. (Section 10.01) In addition, we may elect to automatically convert the notes at any time prior to maturity if the closing price of our common stock has been at least 150% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days during any 30 trading day period ending

 

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within five trading days prior to the date of the automatic conversion notice provided that: (i) this registration statement is effective and available for use from the date we notify the holder of the automatic conversion through and including the earlier of the date of the automatic conversion or the last date on which the registration statement registering the resale of such common stock is required to be kept effective under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement; (ii) the common stock issuable upon conversion may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act; (iii) the issuance of the common stock issuable upon conversion does not require approval of our stockholders; and (iv) we are not prevented from making the additional payment if we automatically convert the notes prior to December 20, 2008 (as described below) on the date of the automatic conversion. If we elect to automatically convert the notes, we will provide the holders with at least 20 but not more than 30 days notice prior to the conversion date. In the case of notes called for redemption, conversion rights will expire at the close of business on the redemption date. Notice of redemption must be mailed not less than 20 and not more than 90 days prior to the redemption date. (Section 10.02)

 

Upon conversion, holders will not receive any cash payment of interest. However, if notes are converted after the close of business on a record date but prior to the opening of business on the next succeeding interest payment date, holders of those notes at the close of business on the record date will receive the interest payable on those notes on the corresponding interest payment date notwithstanding the conversion. Such notes, upon surrender for conversion, must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the notes so converted; provided that no such payment need be made (1) if we have specified a redemption date that is after a record date and on or prior to the next interest payment date, (2) if we have specified a repurchase date following a change of control that is during that period, or (3) to the extent of any overdue interest, if any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to that note. (Section 10.03)

 

The conversion price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including:

 

   

the payment of a dividend in shares of common stock to holders of common stock;

 

   

the payment of a dividend in cash in an amount per share of common stock in excess of $0.16 in any four consecutive fiscal quarters;

 

   

the subdivision, combination or reclassification of outstanding shares of common stock;

 

   

the issuance to all holders of common stock of rights or warrants entitling them to purchase shares of common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) at a price per share (or having a conversion price per share) less than the then current market price per share of the common stock on that record date; and

 

   

the distribution to holders of common stock of any assets or debt securities or (excluding cash dividends which are not in excess of $0.16 per share of common stock in any four consecutive fiscal quarters) rights or warrants (other than those referred to above) to purchase securities. (Sections 10.07-10.09)

 

No adjustment of the conversion price must be made until cumulative adjustments amount to at least $.10 in the conversion price. (Section 10.13) Conversion price adjustments, or the omission to make such adjustments, may in certain circumstances result in constructive distributions that could be taxable as dividends to holders of notes or common stock issuable on conversion thereof.

 

If we elect to automatically convert the notes prior to December 20, 2008, we will make an additional payment to each holder of the notes with respect to the notes converted, in an amount equal to $240.00 per each one thousand dollars ($1,000) principal amount of the note, less the amount of any interest actually paid on the portion of the principal amount of the note to be converted prior to the conversion date (and, if the note is converted between a record date and the next interest payment date, less interest payable on each one thousand dollars ($1,000) principal amount of the note on such next interest payment date). (Section 10.02) This additional payment may be paid in whole or in part in cash and/or through the issuance of common stock at our election. (Section 10.21)

 

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Redemption at Our Option

 

The notes are not redeemable by us until December 20, 2008. On or after December 20, 2008, we may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of redemption. (Section 3.01)

 

If the redemption date is an interest payment date, interest will be paid on that interest payment date to the record holder on the relevant record date.

 

We will provide not less than 20 nor more than 90 days notice of redemption by mail to each registered holder of notes to be redeemed. If the redemption notice is given and funds are deposited as required, then interest will cease to accrue on and after the redemption date on those notes or portions of notes called for redemption. (Section 3.03)

 

If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding notes, the trustee will select the notes to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the paying agent considers fair and appropriate. (Section 3.02) If the paying agent selects a portion of a holder’s notes for partial redemption and such holder converts a portion of such notes, the converted portion will be deemed to be from the portion selected for redemption. (Section 3.06)

 

We may not redeem the notes if we have failed to pay any interest on the notes when due and this failure to pay is continuing. We will notify all of the holders of the notes if we redeem any of the notes. (Section 3.01)

 

Repurchase at Option of Holder

 

Upon a change of control or if our common stock shall not be authorized for quotation or listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, The NASDAQ Capital Market, The New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, each holder shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to require us to repurchase for cash any or all of such holder’s notes, or any portion of the principal amount thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus any accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the repurchase date. A change of control is deemed to have occurred if:

 

   

any person or group, other than Mr. Richardson, (i) becomes the direct or indirect beneficial owner of more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of our voting stock or (ii) has the power, directly or indirectly, to elect a majority of the members of our board of directors;

 

   

we consolidate with, or merge with or into, another person or another person consolidates with, or merges with or into, us and the persons that beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, our voting stock immediately prior to the transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, shares of voting stock representing less than a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding classes of voting stock of the surviving person;

 

   

we sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets and the persons that beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, the shares of our voting stock immediately prior to the transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, shares of voting stock representing less than a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding classes of voting stock of the transferee; or

 

   

we are dissolved or liquidated.

 

However, a change of control will not be deemed to have occurred if either:

 

   

the last reported sale price of our common stock for any five trading days during the 10 trading days immediately preceding the change of control is at least equal to 105% of the conversion price immediately before the change of control; or

 

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in the case of a merger or consolidation, at least 90% of the consideration excluding cash payments for fractional shares in the merger or consolidation constituting the change of control consists of capital stock traded on a U.S. national securities exchange (or which will be so traded or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such change of control) and as a result of such transaction or transactions the notes become convertible solely into such capital stock, excluding cash payments for fractional shares. (Section 1.01)

 

This repurchase will occur on the date which is not more than 45 days after the date of our notice of a change of control. We will repurchase these notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of repurchase. We are required to provide notice of any change of control and of the repurchase right to all holders on or before 30 days after the change of control. (Section 3.07)

 

The rights of the holders to require us to repurchase their notes upon a change of control could discourage a potential acquirer of us. The change of control repurchase feature, however, is not the result of management’s knowledge of any specific effort to accumulate shares of our common stock, to obtain control of us by any means or part of a plan by management to adopt a series of anti-takeover provisions. Instead, the change of control repurchase feature is a common term contained in other offerings of debt securities similar to the notes that have been issued in comparable transactions.

 

The term “change of control” is limited to specified transactions and may not include other events that might adversely affect our financial condition. In addition, the requirement that we offer to repurchase the notes upon a change of control may not protect holders in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving us.

 

The definition of change of control includes a phrase relating to the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of our consolidated assets. There is no precise, established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of the notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of less than all of our assets may be uncertain.

 

Our obligation to make a repurchase upon a change of control will be satisfied if a third party makes the change of control repurchase offer in the manner and at the times and otherwise in compliance in all material respects with the requirements applicable to a change of control repurchase offer made by us, purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the change of control repurchase offer and otherwise complies with its obligations in connection therewith. (Section 3.07(a))

 

Mandatory Redemption

 

If we repurchase or redeem any portion of the principal amount of our 7 3/4% notes, we must make an offer to repurchase, for the same type of consideration offered to the holders of our 7 3/4% notes, the same portion of the principal amount of the notes. The repurchase price for such shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date of repurchase; provided, however, that if the price at which our 7 3/4% notes were redeemed or repurchased exceeded 100% of the principal amount thereof, then the repurchase price for the notes shall exceed 100% of the principal amount thereof by a percentage equal to such premium. (Section 4.05)

 

Further, after November 21, 2008, if we incur (i) Senior Indebtedness other than the principal of, premium (if any), and interest or borrowings made under our credit agreement, including any amendment, renewal, extension, expansion, increase, refunding, refinancing or replacement of the credit agreement, whether with the same or different lenders, or (ii) other Indebtedness which ranks equally and ratably with the notes, we are required to make an offer to repurchase notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the net proceeds received by us upon the incurrence of such Senior Indebtedness or other Indebtedness, as applicable. The repurchase price under such circumstance shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date of repurchase. (Section 4.06)

 

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Notice of Certain Transactions

 

If we:

 

   

take any action which would require an adjustment in the conversion price;

 

   

consolidate or merge with, or transfer all or substantially all of our assets to, another corporation, and our stockholders must approve the transaction; or

 

   

are to be dissolved or liquidated;

 

the holders of the notes may want to convert into common stock prior to the record or effective date for the transaction so that such holder may receive the rights, warrants, securities or assets which a holder of common stock on that date may receive. Therefore, we are required to provide the holders of the notes and the trustee notice of the transaction including the proposed record or effective date, as the case may be. The notice must be mailed at least 10 days prior to the record or effective date. However, failure to mail the notice will not affect the validity of the transaction. (Section 10.16)

 

Subordination

 

The indebtedness evidenced by the notes is subordinate to the prior payment when due of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all Senior Indebtedness. Upon maturity of any Senior Indebtedness, payment in full must be made on the Senior Indebtedness before any payment is made on or in respect of the notes. During the continuance of any default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Senior Indebtedness, we may not make any payment on or in respect of the notes. (Section 11.02) Upon any distribution of our assets in any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, payment of the principal of, and interest on, the notes will be subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the indenture, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. (Section 11.03) This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined in “Defaults and Remedies” below). (Section 11.11)

 

“Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of, premium (if any) and interest or borrowings made under the credit agreement and our other Indebtedness outstanding at any time other than:

 

   

Indebtedness to a subsidiary for money borrowed or advanced from any such subsidiary;

 

   

Indebtedness which by its terms is not superior in right of payment to the notes;

 

   

all other future Indebtedness which by its terms is not superior in right of payment to the notes.

 

“Indebtedness” means:

 

   

any of our debt (1) for borrowed money, capitalized leases, and purchase money obligations or (2) evidenced by a note, letter of credit or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition, other than in the ordinary course of business, of any property or assets;

 

   

any debt of others described in the preceding clause which we have guaranteed or for which we are otherwise liable; and

 

   

any amendment, renewal, extension or refunding of any such debt. (Section 11.01)

 

As of March 3, 2007, the outstanding amount of our Senior Indebtedness was $77,765,740.

 

By reason of this subordination, in the event of insolvency, holders of notes may recover less ratably than our general creditors.

 

The notes rank on parity with the 7 3/4% notes.

 

In addition, the notes are structurally subordinate to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries. Any right of ours to receive assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their insolvency, dissolution or reorganization and the dependent right of holders of notes to have rights in those assets, will be subject to the prior claim of any creditors of that subsidiary. As of March 3, 2007, our subsidiaries had $23,058,144 of indebtedness, excluding indebtedness that is also Senior Indebtedness.

 

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Registration Rights of Holders of the Notes

 

When we issued the notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial holders of the notes. As required under that agreement, we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, at our expense, a shelf registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, covering resales by holders of the notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. Under the terms of the registration rights agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to keep the registration statement effective until November 21, 2007 (or such earlier date when the holders of the notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes are able to sell all such securities immediately without restriction pursuant to the volume limitation provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto or otherwise).

 

We will provide to each registered holder copies of this prospectus and take certain other actions as are required to permit unrestricted re-sales of the notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. A holder who sells securities pursuant to the shelf registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part generally will be required to be named as a selling stockholder in this prospectus (or a supplement or amendment to this prospectus) and to deliver this prospectus (together with any prospectus supplement or amendment) to purchasers and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement, which are applicable to that holder (including certain indemnification provisions). We may suspend the holder’s use of the prospectus for a reasonable period not to exceed 30 consecutive days, or an aggregate of 60 days in any 365 day period, if an event occurs and is continuing as a result of which this registration statement would, in our reasonable judgment, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated herein or necessary to make the statements herein not misleading. Each holder, by its acceptance of a note, agreed to hold any communication by us regarding suspension of the holder’s use of the prospectus in confidence.

 

Under the registration rights agreement if this registration statement is not declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before February 19, 2006 (or March 21, 2006 if the Securities and Exchange Commission reviews this registration statement), then we will be required to pay to each holder of the notes or shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes a cash penalty equal to the product of (i) the initial principal amount paid for the note held by such holder or the related shares of common stock multiplied by (ii) the product of (I) the percentage determined by dividing (A) one percent (1.0%) by (B) 360, multiplied by (II) the sum of (x) the number of days (including any partial days) after the effectiveness deadline that this registration statement is not declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, plus (y) after this registration statement has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the number of days (including any partial days) that this registration statement is not available (other than during a permitted blackout period under the terms of the registration rights agreement) for the sale of all the notes or shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. These delay payments shall be paid in cash on the earlier of (A) the last day of the calendar month during which such delay payments are incurred and (B) the third business day after the event or failure giving rise to the payments is cured. In the event that we fail to make delay payments in a timely manner, such payments shall bear interest at the rate of one and six-tenths percent (1.6%) per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.

 

Additional Notes

 

Pursuant to the indenture, we may, from time to time after November 21, 2008, without the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes which will have terms and conditions identical to those of the notes, except that any such additional notes:

 

   

may have a different issue date from the new notes,

 

   

may have a different amount of interest payable on the first interest payment date after issuance than is payable on other new notes,

 

   

may have additional terms and conditions required to conform to applicable provisions of the Securities Act, or any registration rights agreement to which such additional notes are subject and

 

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may have other appropriate terms and conditions, provided that such additional terms and conditions do not adversely effect the holder of any then existing notes in any material respect.

 

In no event should any terms and conditions of any additional notes cause the additional notes to constitute a different class of securities from the notes for U.S. income tax purposes. (Section 2.04)

 

Defaults and Remedies

 

The term “event of default” when used in the indenture means any one of the following:

 

   

failure to pay interest for 30 days (whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions);

 

   

failure to pay principal when due at maturity or upon redemption or repurchase (whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions);

 

   

failure to convert the notes into shares of common stock upon exercise of a holder’s conversion right, unless that failure is cured within five days after written notice of default is given to us by the trustee or the holder of that note;

 

   

failure to repurchase at the option of the holder upon a change of control;

 

   

failure to provide notice of the occurrence of a change of control and repurchase of the notes at the option of the holder upon a change of control;

 

   

failure to redeem the notes after we have exercised our option to redeem;

 

   

failure to perform any other covenant for 30 days after written notice to us from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes;

 

   

acceleration of the maturity of any Indebtedness of ours or any of our subsidiaries in any one case or in the aggregate in excess of $10,000,000, if such acceleration is not rescinded, annulled or otherwise cured within 30 days after notice to us; and

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or any of our subsidiaries. (Section 6.01)

 

The indenture provides that the trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default, give the holders of the notes notice of all uncured defaults known to it (the term “default” to include the events specified above, without grace or notice), provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of principal of or interest on any of the notes, the trustee will be protected in withholding the notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of the notice is in the interest of the holders of notes. (Section 7.05)

 

In case an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, by notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders of the notes), may declare the principal of and all accrued and unpaid interest on all the notes to be due and payable immediately. In addition, upon an event of default, the interest on the notes shall be increased by five percent (5%) per year. In case of certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency involving us or any of our subsidiaries, the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will automatically become due and payable. However, if we cure all defaults, except the nonpayment of principal or interest that became due as a result of the acceleration, and meet certain other conditions, with certain exceptions, this declaration may be cancelled and the holders of a majority of the principal amount of outstanding notes may waive these past defaults. (Section 6.02)

 

Defaults (except, unless therefore cured, a default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the notes or a default with respect to a provision which cannot be modified under the terms of the indenture without the consent of each holder of notes affected) may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debentures upon the conditions provided in the indenture. (Section 6.04)

 

The indenture requires us to file periodic reports with the trustee as to the absence of defaults. (Section 4.04)

 

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Modification of the Indenture

 

The indenture contains provisions permitting us and the trustee without the consent of any holder of notes to supplement or amend the indenture to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for certificated notes, to add to our covenants, to surrender any of our rights or powers, to provide for conversion rights or issuance of additional notes pursuant to the indenture, to reduce the conversion price, subject to applicable Nasdaq marketplace rules, to comply with SEC requirements, to make changes necessary in connection with the registration of the notes and the shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes, or to make any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any holder of notes. (Section 9.01) Otherwise, our rights and obligations and the rights of holders of notes may be modified by us and the trustee only with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of notes then outstanding. No waiver of a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a note or reduction in the principal of or the premium or the interest rate on the notes or a change in the percentage of holders required for modification of the indenture and no extension of the maturity of any note or in the time of payment of interest and no change that materially and adversely affects the right to convert a note will be effective against any holder of notes without that holder’s consent. (Section 9.02)

 

Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture

 

The indenture will be discharged and canceled if all the notes have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or upon deposit with the trustee, within not more than six months prior to the maturity or redemption of all the notes, of funds sufficient for such payment or redemption. (Section 8.01)

 

The Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent

 

J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, is the registrar, paying agent and conversion agent under the indenture. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as Bank One, NA), an affiliate of the registrar, paying agent and conversion agent, has provided us with our principal banking services, including bank accounts and normal banking transactions for a number of years. We have obtained loans from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in the past and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., together with other lenders, extended a line of credit in the amount of approximately $97,500,000 (the size of the credit line varies based on fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates) to us pursuant to our credit agreement, of which $77,743,185 was outstanding as of March 3, 2007.

 

The Trustee

 

Law Debenture Trust Company of New York is the trustee under the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding notes have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, providing that such direction would not conflict with any rule of law or with the indenture, would not be unduly prejudicial to the right of another holder of and would not subject the trustee to personal liability. (Section 6.05) The indenture provides that in case an event of default occurs and is known to the trustee (and is not cured), the trustee will be required to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs in the exercise of its rights and powers. Subject to these provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of notes unless they will have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it. (Section 7.01)

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the notes are governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York. (Section 12.09)

 

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Book-Entry Securities

 

The notes are book-entry securities and were issued in the form of one or more global securities deposited with DTC as evidence of all of the notes. This means that we do not issue certificates to each holder. We issued one or more global securities to DTC, which keeps a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the notes. The participant keeps a record of its clients who own beneficial interests in the global securities. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a security evidenced by individual certificates, a global security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another. Beneficial interests in global securities are shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests in global notes are made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its beneficial interest to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under the indenture.

 

We will make payments on the global securities to DTC or its nominee, as the sole registered owner and holder of the global securities. Neither we nor the trustee nor any of our respective agents will be responsible or liable for any aspect of DTC’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

 

DTC has informed us that, when it receives any payment on a global security, it will immediately, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, credit the accounts of participants with payments in amounts proportionate to their beneficial interests in the global security as shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to you, as an owner of a beneficial interest in the global security, will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices (as is now the case with securities held for customer accounts registered in “street name”) and will be the sole responsibility of the participants.

 

Conveyances of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

 

A global security will be exchanged for certificated notes if (1) DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and we do not appoint a successor within 90 days, (2) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (3) we decide that the global security will be exchangeable. If that occurs, we will issue notes in certificated form in exchange for the global security. An owner of a beneficial interest in the global security then will be entitled to physical delivery of a certificate for notes equal in principal amount to that beneficial interest and to have those notes registered in its name. We will issue the certificates for the notes in denominations of $1,000 or any larger amount that is an integral multiple thereof, and we will issue them in registered form only, without coupons. (Section 2.02)

 

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

   

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

 

We are party to various debt instruments. The following is a summary description of those debt instruments which we have an outstanding aggregate principal amount in excess of $5.0 million.

 

7 3/4% Notes

 

On February 15, 2005, we issued $44,683,000 in aggregate principal amount of our 7 3/4% notes to a limited number of qualified institutional buyers in exchange for a like aggregate principal amount of our 7 1/4% debentures and our 8 1/4% debentures. The 7 3/4% notes bear interest at a rate of 7 3/4% per year, payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning June 15, 2005. The 7 3/4% notes mature on December 15, 2011.

 

General

 

The 7 3/4% notes are unsecured obligations and are junior in priority to our Senior Indebtedness (as defined below), as described under “Ranking,” and rank on parity with the notes and all future senior subordinated indebtedness. As of April 18, 2007, there was $44,683,000 principal amount of the 7 3/4% notes outstanding.

 

We have agreed to register the resale of the 7 3/4% notes and common stock issuable upon conversion of the 7 3/4% notes with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The 7 3/4% notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, which we refer to as the “7 3/4% indenture,” dated as of February 15, 2005, between us and Law Debenture Trust Company, as trustee (formerly J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association) and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, as registrar, paying agent and conversion agent, whom we refer to as the 7 3/4% trustee. The 7 3/4% indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Ranking

 

The 7 3/4% notes are unsecured obligations. The payment of principal of, and interest on, the 7 3/4% notes ranks subordinate to the following:

 

   

amounts borrowed under our credit agreement; and

 

 

 

future indebtedness that is expressly made senior to the 7 3/4% notes (together, “Senior Indebtedness”).

 

The 7 3/4% notes rank on parity with the notes and are senior to any other indebtedness not expressly senior to or on parity with the 7 3/4% notes. (Section 11.01 of the 7 3/4% indenture) The 7 3/4% notes will mature after the notes.

 

Prior to December 19, 2006, we may not incur Senior Indebtedness other than under our credit agreement. On and after December 19, 2006, the 7 3/4% indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that we may issue or incur. (Section 4.02 of the 7 3/4% indenture)

 

Conversion

 

The 7 3/4% notes may be converted into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $18.00 per share of common stock. If fully converted, the 7 3/4% notes would convert into approximately 2,482,389 shares of our common stock. The conversion price for the 7 3/4% notes is subject to adjustment if certain events occur, as described below. Upon conversion of any 7 3/4% notes, holders receive only shares of our common stock and a cash payment to account for any fractional share. Holders do not receive any cash payment for interest accrued and unpaid to the conversion date. (Section 10.03 of the 7¾% indenture)

 

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Under the terms of the 7 3/4% notes, holders may convert the 7¾% notes into shares of our common stock at any time prior to their maturity date. (Section 10.01 of the 7¾% indenture) In addition, we may elect to automatically convert the 7 3/4% notes at any time on or after December 19, 2006 and prior to maturity if the closing price of our common stock has been at least 125% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days during any 30 trading day period ending within five trading days prior to the date of the automatic conversion notice provided that certain conditions are met. (Section 10.02 of the 7 3/4% indenture) The conversion price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of a dividend in shares of common stock, a cash dividend in excess of $0.16 per year, a subdivision, combination or reclassification of our common stock and other events. (Sections 10.07 - 10.13 of the 7 3/4% indenture)

 

Redemption

 

The 7 3/4% notes are not redeemable by us at any time prior to December 19, 2006. On or after December 19, 2006, but prior to December 19, 2007, we may redeem the 7 3/4% notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 7 3/4% notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption provided that the closing price of our common stock has been at least 125% of the conversion price for 20 trading days during any 30 trading day period prior to the date of mailing of the redemption notice. On or after December 19, 2007, we may redeem the 7¾% notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 7¾% notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of redemption. (Section 3.01 of the 7 3/4% indenture)

 

Not less than 20 nor more than 60 days prior to redemption, we will provide notice of redemption by mail to registered holders of the 7 3/4% notes to be redeemed. If the redemption notice is given and funds are deposited as required, then interest will cease to accrue on and after the redemption date on those outstanding 7 3/4% notes or portions of outstanding 7 3/4% notes called for redemption. (Sections 3.03 and 3.04 of the 7 3/4% indenture)

 

If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding debentures, the trustee will select the 7 3/4% notes to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the paying agent considers fair and appropriate. If the trustee selects a portion of a holder’s 7 3/4% notes for partial redemption and the holder converts a portion of the holder’s 7 3/4% notes, the converted portion will be deemed to be from the portion selected for redemption. (Section 3.02 of the 7 3/4% indenture)

 

We may not redeem the 7 3/4% notes if we have failed to pay any interest on the 7 3/4% notes when due and this failure to pay defaulted interest is continuing. We will notify all of the holders of the 7 3/4% notes if we fail to make any interest payment. (Section 3.01 of the 7 3/4% indenture)

 

The 7 3/4% notes are also redeemable at the option of the holders upon a change of control of us as defined in the 7 3/4% indenture. This repurchase will occur on the date which is not more than 45 days after the date of our notice of a change of control. We will repurchase these 7 3/4% notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 7 3/4% notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of repurchase. We are required to provide notice of any change of control and of the repurchase right to all holders on or before 30 days after the change of control. (Section 3.07 of the 7 3/4% indenture)

 

We may choose to pay the change of control repurchase price in cash or shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock (provided that in any event we will pay any accrued and unpaid interest in cash).

 

If we elect to pay the change of control repurchase price in whole or in part in shares of our common stock, the number of shares of common stock to be delivered by us will be equal to the portion of the change of control repurchase price to be paid in shares of our common stock divided by 97.5% of the market price of our common stock. The market price of our common stock will be determined prior to the applicable change of control repurchase date as described below. If we elect to pay the change of control repurchase price in whole or in part in shares of our common stock, we will pay cash in lieu of fractional shares in an amount based upon the market price of our common stock. (Section 3.08 of the 7 3/4% indenture)

 

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Credit Agreement

 

On October 29, 2004, we entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions and institutional lenders arranged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The credit agreement consisted of a Canada facility, an Euro facility, a Japan facility, a Sweden facility, a UK facility and a U.S. facility in the amount of approximately $109,000,000 (the size of the credit line varies based on fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates).

 

At March 4, 2006, we were not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio and tangible net worth covenants. On August 4, 2006, we received a waiver from our lending group for the default and executed an amendment to the credit agreement. In addition, the amendment also (i) permitted the purchase of $14,000,000 of the notes; (ii) adjusted the minimum required fixed charge coverage ratio for the first quarter of fiscal 2007; (iii) adjusted the minimum tangible net worth requirement; (iv) permitted certain transactions contemplated by us; (v) eliminated our Sweden Facility; (vi) reduced our Canada Facility by approximately $5,400,000; (vii) changed the definition of “Adjusted EBITDA” for covenant purposes; and (viii) provided that we maintain excess availability on the borrowing base of not less than $10,000,000.

 

On January 19, 2007, we executed an amendment to the credit agreement to facilitate the implementation of a European cash sweeping program. In addition, the amendment decreased our Canada Facility and increased our U.S. Facility by approximately $7,500,000.

 

All borrowings and letters of credit under the credit agreement are subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including absence of a default and accuracy of representations and warranties.

 

Funds borrowed pursuant to the credit agreement may be used for general corporate purposes and to provide funds to refinance existing indebtedness.

 

Interest and Fees

 

The interest rates per annum applicable to loans under our credit agreement will vary depending on which facility the loans are made under. The borrowings under the U.S. facility may be made at an interest rate of (determined at our discretion):

 

   

a base rate plus an applicable margin percentage or

 

   

a Eurocurrency rate plus an applicable margin.

 

The base rate will be the greater of (i) the prime rate or (ii) one-half of 1% over the weighted average of rates on overnight federal funds as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The Eurocurrency rate will be LIBOR. We expect that the applicable margin percentage over LIBOR will initially be no lower than a percentage per annum equal to 1.50%. After the delivery by us of the financial statements and compliance certificate for each fiscal quarter, the applicable margin percentage will be subject to adjustments based upon the ratio of our consolidated total debt to our consolidated adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) being within certain defined ranges.

 

Guarantors

 

Our credit agreement is guaranteed by Richardson Electronics, Ltd. and our subsidiary, Richardson International, Inc.

 

Restrictive Covenants and Other Matters

 

The credit agreement includes customary covenants that are substantially similar to those contained in our prior credit agreement. Subject to certain exceptions, these covenants restrict or limit our ability and the ability of any subsidiaries to, among other things:

 

   

incur liens, including negative pledges;

 

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engage in mergers, consolidations and sales of assets;

 

   

incur additional indebtedness;

 

 

 

pay dividends, redeem stock and redeem and/or prepay other indebtedness (including the notes being offered in this offering and the 7 3/4% notes);

 

   

make investments (including loans and advances);

 

   

enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

   

amend or otherwise alter our certificate of incorporation and bylaws; and

 

 

 

amend the indenture relating to the notes and the 7 3/4% notes.

 

In addition, the credit agreement requires us to maintain compliance with a number of financial ratios on a quarterly basis. These include: a maximum total leverage ratio test, a minimum interest coverage ratio test, and a consolidated net worth ratio test. These financial covenants will become more restrictive over time. For the quarter ended May 28, 2005, we were not in compliance with the covenant with respect to the fixed charge coverage ratio and received a waiver from our lenders for the default. For the quarter ended September 3, 2005, we were not in compliance with the covenant with respect to tangible net worth and received a waiver from our lenders for the default. For the quarter ended March 4, 2006, we were not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio, and tangible net worth covenants and received a waiver from our lenders for the default. See “Risk Factors—We were not in compliance with certain financial covenants of our credit agreement for the quarters ended March 4, 2006, September 3, 2005 and May 28, 2005, and may not be able to comply with these financial covenants in the future” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

The credit agreement contain customary events of default, including upon a change of control. If such an event of default occurs, the lenders under our credit agreement are entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the credit agreement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

 

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 30,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.05 per share, 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $.05 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of March 3, 2007 there were 14,564,199 shares of common stock outstanding, 3,048,258 shares of Class B common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

 

The following summary is qualified by reference to the applicable provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and by-laws. This is not a complete description of the important terms of Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation or by-laws. If you would like more information on the provisions of our certificate of incorporation or by-laws, you may review our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws, each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement we have filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Common Stock

 

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share they own and vote together with holders of Class B common stock and preferred stock on all matters voted on by our stockholders. In addition, holders of our common stock vote separately as a class on any proposed amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation that would:

 

   

change the aggregate number of authorized shares of common stock or the par value of those shares; or

 

   

alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of shares of the common stock so as to affect the holders thereof adversely.

 

The common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. As a result, stockholders voting a majority of the votes (including Mr. Richardson, who owned shares having approximately 67.0% of the voting power at April 16, 2007) at any annual meeting are able to elect all of the directors to be elected.

 

Subject to any preferential or other rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock that may be designated by our board of directors and subject to the right of the holders of the Class B common stock to receive a dividend when the holders of common stock receive a dividend, the holders of common stock are entitled to dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. With respect to cash dividends, the Class B common stock is limited to a dividend equal to 90% of any dividend on the common stock. Any stock dividend on common stock shall be paid in additional shares of common stock and a stock dividend of an equal number of shares of Class B common stock shall be paid on the Class B common stock. Upon liquidation, holders of common stock are entitled to receive their pro rata portion of our assets available for distribution to the holders of common stock and Class B common stock on an equal basis with the holders of Class B common stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any stock or other securities and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to our common stock.

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is LaSalle Bank, 135 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603.

 

Class B Common Stock

 

The holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes for each share they own and vote together with holders of common stock and preferred stock on all matters voted on by our stockholders. In addition, holders of our Class B common stock vote separately as a class on any proposed amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation that would:

 

   

change the aggregate number of authorized shares of Class B common stock or par value of those shares; or

 

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alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Class B common stock so as to affect the holders thereof adversely.

 

The Class B common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. Subject to any preferential or other rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock that may be designated by our board of directors and subject to the right of the holders of the common stock to receive a dividend when the holders of Class B common stock receive a dividend, the holders of Class B common stock are entitled to the dividends declared by our board of directors. With respect to cash dividends, the holders of Class B common stock are subject to the further limitation that dividends on a share of Class B common stock equal only 90% of any dividend on a share of common stock. Any stock dividend on Class B common stock shall be paid in additional shares of Class B common stock and a stock dividend of an equal number of shares of common stock shall be paid on the common stock. Upon liquidation, holders of Class B common stock are entitled to receive their pro rata portion of our assets available for distribution to the holders of Class B common stock and common stock on an equal basis with the holders of common stock. All of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of Class B common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any stock or other securities and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to our Class B common stock. The Class B common stock is subject to transfer and conversion restrictions described below.

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our Class B common stock is LaSalle Bank, 135 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603.

 

Restrictions On Transfer

 

Shares of Class B common stock are not freely transferable. A holder of shares of Class B common stock may transfer those shares (whether by sale, assignment, gift, bequest, appointment or otherwise) only to a “Permitted Transferee” (as defined below). A transfer of Class B common stock to any person or entity other than a “Permitted Transferee” will result in the automatic conversion of those shares of Class B common stock into shares of common stock on a share-for-share basis. Accordingly, no trading market will develop in the Class B common stock.

 

The “Permitted Transferees” of an individual holder of shares of Class B common stock are generally described as follows:

 

   

that stockholder’s spouse;

 

   

any lineal descendant of a grandparent of that stockholder, including adopted children, and any spouse of that lineal descendant (we refer to these descendants and their spouses, together with the stockholders in question and their spouses, as the “Class B stockholder’s family members”);

 

   

a trust for the sole benefit of that stockholder, that Class B stockholder’s family members and certain charitable organizations;

 

   

certain charitable organizations established by that stockholder or that Class B stockholder’s family members;

 

   

a partnership or corporation all of the beneficial ownership of which is owned (and continues to be owned) by that stockholder and/or that Class B stockholder’s family members or a trust for the sole benefit of that stockholder, that Class B stockholder’s family members, and certain charitable organizations;

 

   

the estate of that stockholder; and

 

   

an employee stock ownership plan of ours.

 

Shares of Class B common stock held by a partnership or corporation may be transferred to a person who had transferred those shares to that partnership or corporation (and to that person’s Permitted Transferees) or, if

 

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record and beneficial ownership of those shares of Class B common stock were acquired by that partnership or corporation on or prior to December 10, 1986, to the partners or stockholders as of that date, and to the Permitted Transferees of those partners or stockholders. Shares held by trusts that are irrevocable on December 10, 1986 may be transferred to any person to whom or for whose benefit the principal of the trust may be distributed under the terms of the trust and that person’s Permitted Transferees. Shares held by all other trusts (whether or not in existence as of December 10, 1986) may be transferred to the person who transferred those shares of Class B common stock to the trust and that person’s Permitted Transferees. Shares held by the estate of a holder of Class B common stock may be transferred to Permitted Transferees of that holder of Class B common stock. Shares held in any of our employee benefit plans may be transferred to the participant for whose account the shares were held or his Permitted Transferee.

 

Shares of Class B common stock may only be registered in the name of the beneficial owner thereof and not in a “street” or “nominee” name. The “beneficial owner” of shares of Class B common stock is defined as the person or persons who, or the entity or entities which, possess the power to direct the voting or the disposition of such shares.

 

Conversion

 

Shares of Class B common stock are convertible into common stock on a share-for-share basis at all times at the option of the holder without cost to the holder (except to the extent of any stamp or similar tax payable where the converting holder of Class B common stock desires that the certificate representing the resulting common stock be issued in a name other than that of the holder of the converted Class B common stock). In general, the conversion will be effective as of the date the Class B common stock is surrendered to us for conversion.

 

Any transfer, pledge or other disposition of shares of Class B common stock other than to a Permitted Transferee will result in an automatic conversion to common stock, on a share-for-share basis.

 

If at any time the number of issued and outstanding shares of Class B common stock falls below 10% of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock, Class B common stock and preferred stock, all the outstanding shares of Class B common stock immediately and automatically will be converted into shares of common stock. In the event of such a conversion, certificates formerly representing outstanding shares of Class B common stock will thereafter be deemed to represent a like number of shares of common stock. As of March 3, 2007, the outstanding Class B common stock represented approximately 17.3% of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock, Class B common stock and preferred stock.

 

All shares of Class B common stock received by us upon conversion thereof into common stock will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Class B common stock.

 

Future Issuance

 

Except for shares of Class B common stock reserved for issuance under outstanding options or issued in connection with stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications or other subdivisions, we cannot issue additional shares of Class B common stock without the authorization of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and Class B common stock, each voting separately as a class.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our board of directors has the authority to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to fix certain of the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions applicable to such series, including the annual dividend rate, the time of payment for dividends, whether those dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative, and the date or dates from which any cumulative dividends will begin to accrue, redemption terms (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences, the extent of the voting powers, if any, and conversion rights.

 

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Certain Provisions of Delaware Law, Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

 

General

 

Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation, and our by-laws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for someone to acquire control of us by means of a tender offer, open market purchases, a proxy contest or otherwise.

 

Class B Common Stock

 

The holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to 10 votes for each share they own and as of March 3, 2007 represented approximately 67.7% of our aggregate voting power. As a result, the holders of Class B common stock have the ability to elect our board of directors. So long as the holders of Class B common stock constitute more than 50% of our voting power, they have the ability to control any possible merger, consolidation, or sale of assets involving us.

 

Removal of Directors

 

Our by-laws provide that we will have ten directors and we currently have one vacancy. We have a single class of directors, with each director standing for election at each annual meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to our by-laws, a director or the entire board of directors may be removed for or without cause at any time by the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and Class B common stock entitled to vote.

 

Filling Vacancies on the Board

 

Our by-laws provide that, subject to the rights of holders of any shares of preferred stock, vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by a majority of the board of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. Accordingly, the board of directors could temporarily prevent any stockholder from obtaining majority representation on the board of directors by enlarging the board of directors and filling the new directorships with its own nominees.

 

Special Meetings

 

Special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the board of directors, president or secretary or upon the request of a majority of the entire board of directors. Business conducted at any special meeting is limited to the purposes specified in the written notice of the meeting.

 

Authorized but Unissued Stock

 

We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock without stockholder approval, subject to applicable rules of The NASDAQ Global Market, for a variety of corporate purposes, including raising additional capital, corporate acquisitions, and employee benefit plans. The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable us to issue shares to persons who are friendly to current management, which could discourage an attempt to obtain control of us through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest, or otherwise, and protect the continuity of management and possibly deprive you of opportunities to sell your shares at prices higher than the prevailing market prices. We could also issue additional shares to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us. At March 3, 2007, we had 14,186,545 authorized but unissued shares of common stock and 1,249,256 shares of treasury stock. In addition, depending upon the rights associated with any preferred stock we might issue, we could further inhibit a change of control by making the removal of directors more difficult or restricting the payment of dividends and other distributions to the holders of common stock.

 

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Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

 

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regulating corporate takeovers. Section 203, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date that that stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

 

   

prior to that date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

   

on or subsequent to that date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

In general, Section 203 defines “business combination” to include mergers or consolidations between a Delaware corporation and an interested stockholder, transactions with an interested stockholder involving the assets or stock of the corporation or its majority-owned subsidiaries and transactions which increase an interested stockholder’s percentage ownership of stock. In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by that entity or person. We believe that Mr. Richardson is not subject to the restrictions of Section 203 because he has owned 15% or more of our voting stock for more than three years.

 

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

 

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership, conversion and disposition of the notes and common stock into which the notes are convertible, but is not a complete analysis of all the potential tax consequences relating thereto. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the “Code”, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof. These authorities may be changed, possibly retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below. We have not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as “IRS”, with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.

 

This summary is limited to holders who purchase notes for cash and who hold the notes and the common stock into which such notes are convertible as capital assets. This summary also does not address the tax consequences arising under the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction. In addition, this summary does not address tax consequences applicable to a holder’s particular circumstances or to holders that may be subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation:

 

   

partnerships or other pass-through entities or investors in such entities;

 

   

banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions;

 

   

persons subject to the U.S. federal estate, gift or alternative minimum tax arising from the purchase, ownership, conversion or disposition of the notes;

 

   

tax-exempt organizations;

 

   

dealers in securities or currencies;

 

   

traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;

 

   

certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

   

U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

 

   

persons who hold the notes in connection with a straddle, hedging, conversion or other risk reduction transaction; or

 

   

persons deemed to sell the notes or common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code.

 

If a holder is an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax treatment of each partner of such partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder that is a partnership, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, conversion and disposition of the notes and common stock.

 

Investors considering the purchase of the notes should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences arising under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax rules or under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

 

Consequences to U.S. Holders

 

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a U.S. holder of the notes or common stock into which the notes may be converted. Certain

 

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consequences to “non-U.S. holders” of the notes or common stock are described under “—Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” below. As used herein, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of a note or common stock who is:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if (1) the administration of the trust is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

Payments of Interest

 

Stated interest on the notes generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is accrued or received in accordance with your method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Market Discount

 

If you purchase a note for an amount that is less than its stated redemption price at maturity (i.e., the par amount of the note), the amount of the difference will be treated as market discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless this difference is less than a specified de minimis amount.

 

Generally, you will be required to treat any principal payment on, or any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a note as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount accrued on the note at the time of the payment or disposition unless you previously have included in income this market discount pursuant to an election to include market discount in income as it accrues, or pursuant to a constant yield election. If the note is disposed of in certain nontaxable transactions (not including its conversion into common stock), accrued market discount will be included as ordinary income to you as if you had sold the note in a taxable transaction at its then fair market value. In addition, you may be required to defer, until the maturity of the note or its earlier disposition (including certain nontaxable transactions, but not including its conversion into common stock), the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry such note.

 

Upon conversion of a note acquired at a market discount, any market discount not previously included in income (including as a result of the conversion) will carryover to the common stock received. Any such market discount that is carried over to common stock received upon conversion will be taxable as ordinary income upon the sale or other disposition of the common stock.

 

Amortizable Premium

 

If your tax basis in a note, immediately after the purchase, is greater than the stated redemption price at maturity of the note, you will be considered to have purchased the note with amortizable bond premium. In general, amortizable bond premium with respect to any note will be equal in amount to the excess, if any, of the tax basis (reduced as set forth in the following sentence) over the stated redemption price at maturity of the note. For this purpose only, a holder’s tax basis in a note is reduced by an amount equal to the value of the option to convert the note into common stock; the value of this conversion option may be determined under any reasonable method. You may elect to amortize any such bond premium, using a constant yield method, over the remaining term of the note. Generally, you may use the amortizable bond premium allocable to an accrual period to offset qualified stated interest required to be included in your income with respect to the note in that accrual period. If you elect to amortize bond premium, you must reduce your tax basis in the note by the amount of the premium

 

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amortized in any year. An election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable debt obligations then owned and thereafter acquired by you and may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS.

 

Constructive Dividends

 

The terms of the notes provide for changes in their conversion price in certain circumstances. See above under “Description of the Notes—Conversion.” Holders of the notes may, in certain circumstances, be deemed to have received distributions of stock if the conversion price is adjusted. Adjustments to the conversion price made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of the notes generally will not be deemed to result in a constructive distribution of stock. However certain of the possible adjustments provided in the notes (including, without limitation, adjustments in respect of taxable dividends to our stockholders) may not qualify as being pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula. If such adjustments are made, you will be deemed to have received constructive distributions includible in your income in the manner described under “—Dividends” below even though you have not received any cash or property as a result of such adjustments. In certain circumstances, the failure to provide for such an adjustment may also result in a constructive distribution to you.

 

Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Repurchase or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes

 

Except as set forth below under “—Conversion of the Notes,” upon the sale, exchange, redemption, repurchase or other taxable disposition of a note, you generally will recognize gain or loss to the extent of the difference between (1) the sum of the cash and the fair market value of any property received on such disposition (except to the extent attributable to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the note, which generally will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent that you have not previously recognized this income), and (2) your adjusted tax basis in the note. Your adjusted tax basis in a note generally will equal the cost of the note, increased by market discount that you have previously included in income with respect to the note and decreased by any premium that you have taken into account with respect to the note. Except as set forth above under “—Market Discount,” any such gain or loss you recognize upon such taxable disposition of a note will be capital gain or loss. In the case of a non-corporate U.S. holder, such capital gain will be subject to tax at a reduced rate if, at the time of such disposition, the note had been held for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

Conversion of the Notes

 

Generally, you will not recognize any income, gain or loss upon conversion of a note into common stock, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock. Your tax basis in the common stock received on conversion of a note will be the same as your adjusted tax basis in the note at the time of the conversion, reduced by any basis allocable to a fractional share, and the holding period for the common stock received on conversion generally will include the holding period of the note converted.

 

To the extent, however, that any common stock received upon conversion is considered attributable to accrued interest not previously included in income, the receipt of the common stock will be taxable as ordinary income. Your tax basis in the shares of common stock considered attributable to accrued interest generally will equal the amount of such accrued interest included in income, and the holding period for such common stock will begin on the day following the date of conversion.

 

Cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock upon conversion should be treated as a payment in exchange for the fractional share of common stock. Accordingly, the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock generally should result in capital gain or loss, which is equal to the difference between the cash received for the fractional share and your adjusted tax basis in the fractional share. This gain or loss should be capital gain or loss and should be taxable as described below under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption, or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock.”

 

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Dividends

 

If you convert your note into our common stock, distributions, if any, made on our common stock generally will be included in your income as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. With respect to non-corporate U.S. holders for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002 and before January 1, 2011 such dividends generally are taxed at a preferential maximum rate of 15% provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in the common stock and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock. Dividends received by a corporate U.S. holder may be eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations.

 

Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock

 

If you convert your notes into our common stock, then upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of our common stock, you generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon such taxable disposition and (ii) your adjusted tax basis in the common stock. Your tax basis and holding period in common stock received upon conversion of a note are determined as discussed above under “—Conversion of the Notes.” Except as set forth above under “—Market Discount,” any such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period in the common stock is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. holders generally will be subject to a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Information returns will be filed with the IRS, other than with respect to corporations and other exempt holders, with respect to interest on the notes, dividends paid on the common stock and proceeds received from a disposition of the notes or shares of common stock. Unless you are an exempt recipient such as a corporation, you may be subject to backup withholding tax (currently at a rate of 28%) with respect to interest paid on the notes, dividends paid on the common stock or with respect to proceeds received from a disposition of the notes or shares of common stock. You will be subject to backup withholding if you are not otherwise exempt and you:

 

   

fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number, or “TIN”, which for an individual is ordinarily his or her social security number;

 

   

furnish an incorrect TIN;

 

   

are notified by the IRS that you have failed to properly report payments of interest or dividends; or

 

   

fail to certify, under penalties of perjury, that you have furnished a correct TIN and that the IRS has not notified you that you are subject to backup withholding.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax but, rather, is a method of tax collection. You generally will be entitled to credit any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may be entitled to a refund provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

 

Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

 

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a non-U.S. holder of the notes or common stock into which the notes may be converted. For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of notes or common stock that is a nonresident alien individual or a corporation, trust or estate that is not a U.S holder.

 

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“Non-U.S. holder” does not include an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition of the notes or common stock and is not otherwise a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such an individual is urged to consult his or her own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the notes or common stock.

 

Payments of Interest

 

Interest paid on a note to you will qualify for the “portfolio interest exemption” and will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax, provided that such interest income is not effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business and provided that you:

 

   

do not actually or by attribution own 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote;

 

   

are not a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is related to us actually or by attribution through stock ownership;

 

   

are not a bank that acquired the notes in consideration for an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

   

either (a) provides a Form W-8BEN (or a suitable substitute form) signed under penalties of perjury that includes your name and address and certifies as to non-United States status in compliance with applicable law and regulations, or (b) is a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business and provides a statement to us or our agent under penalties of perjury in which it certifies that such a Form W-8 (or a suitable substitute form) has been received by it from you or a qualifying intermediary and furnishes us or our agent with a copy. The Treasury regulations provide special certification rules for notes held by a foreign partnership and other intermediaries.

 

If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest made to you will be subject to the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax unless you provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN claiming an exemption from (or a reduction of) withholding under the benefit of a treaty.

 

If interest on a note is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by you, you generally will not be subject to withholding if you comply with applicable IRS certification requirements (i.e., by delivering a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI) and generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at regular graduated rates in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder. If you are eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty between the U.S. and your country of residence, any interest income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner specified by the treaty and generally will only be subject to such tax if such income is attributable to a permanent establishment (or a fixed base in the case of an individual) maintained by you in the U.S. and you claim the benefit of the treaty by properly submitting an IRS Form W-8BEN. If you are a corporation, effectively connected income also may be subject to the additional branch profits tax, which generally is imposed on a foreign corporation on the deemed repatriation from the United States of effectively connected earnings and profits at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be prescribed by an applicable tax treaty).

 

Dividends and Constructive Dividends

 

In general, if distributions are made with respect to our common stock (including any deemed distributions resulting from certain adjustments, or failures to make certain adjustments, to the conversion price of the notes, see “—Consequences to U.S. Holders—Constructive Dividends” above), such distributions will be treated as dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined under the Code. Any portion of a distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be applied in reduction of your tax basis in the common stock, and to the extent such portion exceeds your tax basis, the excess

 

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will be treated as gain from the disposition of the common stock, the tax treatment of which is discussed below under “—Sale, Exchange, Conversion, Redemption, Repurchase or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes or Common Stock.”

 

Generally, dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder will be subject to the U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, subject to the two following exceptions.

 

 

 

Dividends effectively connected with a trade or business of a non-U.S. holder and, if a tax treaty applies, attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder within the United States, generally will not be subject to withholding if the non-U.S. holder complies with applicable IRS certification requirements and generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis. In the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation, such effectively connected income also may be subject to the branch profits tax, which generally is imposed on a foreign corporation on the deemed repatriation from the United States of effectively connected earnings and profits at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be prescribed by an applicable tax treaty).

 

 

 

The withholding tax might not apply, or might apply at a reduced rate, under the terms of an applicable tax treaty. Under Treasury regulations, to obtain a reduced rate of withholding under a tax treaty, a non-U.S. holder generally will be required to satisfy applicable certification and other requirements.

 

Because a constructive dividend deemed received by a non-U.S. holder would not give rise to any cash from which any applicable withholding tax could be satisfied, we may set-off any such withholding tax against cash payments of interest payable on the notes held by any non-U.S. holder.

 

Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Repurchase or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes or Common Stock

 

Any gain realized by you on the sale, exchange, redemption, repurchase or other taxable disposition of the notes or common stock into which the notes may be converted generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States or

 

   

we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation,” or a “USRPHC,” for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, provided that our common stock is “regularly traded on an established securities market,” you held directly or indirectly at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or such shorter period more than five percent of our common stock.

 

We believe that we are not currently and will not become a USRPHC. However, because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to the fair market value of our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we will not become a USRPHC in the future.

 

If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States, and if gain realized on a sale, exchange redemption, repurchase or other taxable disposition of notes or common stock is effectively connected with the conduct of this trade or business, you generally will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. holder (see “—Consequences to U.S. Holders—Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Repurchase or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes” above). You are urged to consult your own tax advisors with respect to other tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of notes or common stock including the possible imposition of branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate).

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Information Reporting

 

The payment of interest and dividends to a non-U.S. holder is generally not subject to information reporting on IRS Form 1099 if applicable certification requirements (for example, by delivering a properly executed IRS

 

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Form W-8BEN) are satisfied. The payment of proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the notes or common stock by a broker to a non-U.S. holder generally is not subject to information reporting if:

 

 

 

the beneficial owner of the notes or common stock certifies the owner’s non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury (i.e., by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN), or otherwise establishes an exemption; or

 

 

 

the sale or other disposition of the notes or common stock is effected outside the United States by a foreign office, unless the broker is:

 

   

a U.S. person;

 

   

a foreign person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain periods from activities that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States;

 

   

a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or

 

   

a foreign partnership more than 50% of the capital or profits of which is owned by one or more U.S. persons or which engages in a U.S. trade or business.

 

In addition to the foregoing, we must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder on IRS Form 1042-S the entire amount of interest or dividends paid to you. This information may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or other agreement.

 

Backup Withholding

 

Backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) is required only on payments that are subject to the information reporting requirements, discussed above, and only if other requirements are satisfied. Even if the payment of proceeds from the sale or other disposition of notes or common stock is subject to the information reporting requirements, the payment of proceeds from a sale or other disposition outside the United States will not be subject to backup withholding unless the payor has actual knowledge that the payee is a U.S. person. Backup withholding does not apply when any other provision of the Code requires withholding. For example, if interest payments are subject to the withholding tax described above under “—Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders—Payments of Interest” backup withholding will not also be imposed. Thus, backup withholding may be required on payments subject to information reporting, but not otherwise subject to withholding.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld from a payment to a non-U.S. holder under these rules will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished timely to the IRS.

 

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SELLING HOLDERS

 

The notes were originally sold to qualified institutional buyers in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Each initial purchaser and institution that purchased the notes from the initial purchasers and who has provided us with a questionnaire setting forth the information specified below, and that selling holder’s transferees, pledgees, donees and successors which we refer to collectively as the “selling holders”, may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus or a supplement hereto any or all of the notes held by that selling holder and common stock into which the notes are convertible.

 

The following table sets forth information as of April 9, 2007, with respect to the selling holders and the principal amounts of notes beneficially owned by each selling holder that may be offered under this prospectus. This information is based on information provided by or on behalf of the selling holders pursuant to the questionnaires referred to above. No holder of the notes may sell the notes or shares without furnishing to us a questionnaire setting forth the information specified below.

 

The selling holders may offer all, some or none of the notes or common stock into which the notes are convertible. In addition, the selling holders may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of their notes since the date on which they provided the information regarding their notes in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. No selling holder beneficially owns one percent or more of the notes or of our common stock, assuming conversion of the selling holders’ notes and no selling holder has had any material relationship with us or our affiliates within the past three years, except as otherwise indicated in the table below or “Principal Stockholders.”

 

Information concerning the selling holders may change from time to time and any changed information will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus if and when necessary. In addition, the conversion rate and, therefore, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances.

 

Name


  Principal Amount of
Notes Beneficially
Owned and
Offered(1)


  Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned Prior to
Offering(2)


  Conversion Shares
Offered(3)


  Notes Owned After
Completion of
Offering(4)


  Common Stock
Owned After
Completion of
Offering(4)


Ellsworth Fund Ltd.(5)

  $ 1,000,000   —     96,993   $ —     —  

Bancroft Fund Ltd.(6)

    1,000,000   —     96,993     —     —  

Basso Fund Ltd.(7)

    150,000   —     14,548     —     —  

Basso Holdings Ltd.(7)

    1,900,000   —     184,287     —     —  

Basso Multi-Strategy Holding Fund Ltd.(7)

    450,000   —     43,646     —     —  

Quattro Fund Ltd.(8)

    2,250,000   —     218,234     —     —  

Quattro Multistrategy Masterfund LP(8)

    250,000   —     24,248     —     —  

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company(9)

    2,750,000   —     266,731     —     —  

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company for its Group Annuity Separate Account(9)

    250,000   —     24,248     —     —  

(1)

The number of securities beneficially owned is determined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under those rules, beneficial ownership includes any securities as to which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any securities which the individual has the right to acquire

 

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within 60 days after the date the selling holder provided this information, through the exercise of any stock option or other right. The inclusion in the table of securities, however, does not constitute an admission that the selling holders are direct or indirect beneficial owners of those securities. The selling holders have sole voting power and investment power with respect to all securities of capital stock listed as owned by the selling holders.

(2) Does not include shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes.
(3) Represents shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes that are beneficially owned and offered by the selling holder, assuming a conversion price of $10.31 per share of common stock and a cash payment in lieu of any fractional share interest. The number of shares issuable upon conversion is subject to adjustment as described under “Description of the Notes—Conversion.”
(4) Assumes that all of the notes and/or all of the common stock into which the notes are convertible are sold.
(5) Ellsworth Fund Ltd. (“Ellsworth”) is a registered investment company. Davis-Dinsmore Management Company, as investment advisor to Ellsworth, has the power to direct investments and the power to vote the securities. Information disclosed in this table was obtained from this selling holder on April 9, 2007. The address for Ellsworth is 65 Madison Avenue, Suite 550, Morristown, NJ 07960.
(6) Bancroft Fund Ltd. (“Bancroft”) is a registered investment company. Davis-Dinsmore Management Company, as investment advisor to Bancroft, has the power to direct investments and the power to vote the securities. Information disclosed in this table was obtained from this selling holder on April 9, 2007. The address for Bancroft is 65 Madison Avenue, Suite 550, Morristown, NJ 07960.
(7) Basso Capital Management, L.P. (“Basso Management”) is the investment manager of this selling holder with respect to the aggregate principal amount of notes set forth next to this selling holder’s name. Howard I. Fischer is a managing member of Basso GP, LLC, the General Partner of Basso Management, and as such has investment power and voting control over the notes. Mr. Fischer disclaims beneficial ownership of the notes. Information disclosed in this table was obtained from this selling holder on April 9, 2007. The address for this selling holder is 1266 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902.
(8) Information disclosed in this table was obtained from this selling holder on April 9, 2007. The address for this selling holder is 546 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
(9) Northwestern Investment Management Company (“NIMC”) is the investment advisor to this selling holder with respect to the aggregate principal amount of notes set forth next to this selling holder’s name. Jerome R. Baier is a portfolio manager for NIMC and manages the portfolio which holds these notes and may therefore be deemed to be an indirect beneficial owner with shared voting power and investment power with respect to the notes. Mr. Baier disclaims beneficial ownership of the notes. Information disclosed in this table was obtained from this selling holder on April 9, 2007. The address for this selling holder is 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

The selling holders and their successors, which term includes their transferees, pledgees or donees or their successors may sell the notes and the underlying common stock directly to purchasers or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling holders or the purchasers. These discounts, concessions or commissions as to any particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved.

 

The securities may be sold in one or more transactions at:

 

   

fixed prices;

 

   

prevailing market prices at the time of sale;

 

   

prices related to the prevailing market prices;

 

   

varying prices determined at the time of sale; or

 

   

negotiated prices.

 

These sales may be effected in transactions:

 

   

on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which our common stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, including The NASDAQ Global Market;

 

   

in the over-the-counter market

 

   

otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market;

 

   

through the writing of options, whether the options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; or

 

   

through the settlement of short sales.

 

These transactions may include block transactions or crosses. Crosses are transactions in which the same broker acts as agent on both sides of the trade. In connection with the sale of the notes and the underlying common stock or otherwise, the selling holders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. These broker-dealers or financial institutions may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume with selling holders. The selling holders may also sell the notes and the underlying common stock short and deliver these securities to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge the notes or the underlying common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities.

 

The aggregate proceeds to the selling holders from the sale of the notes or the underlying common stock offered by them hereby will be the purchase price of the notes or common stock less discounts and commissions, if any. Each of the selling holders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering.

 

Our outstanding common stock is listed for trading on The NASDAQ Global Market. We do not intend to list the notes for trading on any national securities exchange and can give no assurance about the development of any trading market for the notes. In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the notes and the underlying common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

 

Broker-dealers or agents who participate in the sale of the notes and the underlying common stock are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Selling holders who participate in the sale of the notes and the underlying common stock may also be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning

 

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of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Profits on the sale of the notes and the underlying common stock by selling holders and any discounts, commissions or concessions received by any broker-dealers or agents might be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling holders who are deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. To the extent the selling holders are deemed to be “underwriters,” they may be subject to statutory liabilities, including, but not limited to, Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act.

 

The selling holders and any other person participating in a distribution are subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Regulation M of the Exchange Act may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the securities by the selling holders and any other person. In addition, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular securities being distributed for a period of up to five business days before the distribution. The selling holders have acknowledged that they understand their obligations to comply with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder relating to stock manipulation, particularly Regulation M, and have agreed that they will not engage in any transaction in violation of such provisions.

 

To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or understandings between any selling holder and any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the common stock by the selling holders.

 

A selling holder may decide not to sell any notes or the underlying common stock described in this prospectus. We cannot assure you that any selling holder will use this prospectus to sell any or all of the notes or the underlying common stock. Any securities covered by this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A of the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 or Rule 144A rather than pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, a selling holder may transfer, devise or gift the notes and the underlying common stock by other means not described in this prospectus.

 

With respect to a particular offering of the notes and the underlying common stock, to the extent required, an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part will be prepared and will set forth the following information:

 

   

the specific notes or common stock to be offered and sold;

 

   

the names of the selling holders;

 

   

the respective purchase prices and public offering prices and other material terms of the offering;

 

   

the names of any participating agents, broker-dealers or underwriters; and

 

   

any applicable commissions, discounts, concessions and other items constituting compensation from the selling holders.

 

We entered into the registration rights agreement for the benefit of holders of the notes to register their notes and the underlying common stock under applicable federal and state securities laws under certain circumstances and at certain times. The registration rights agreement provides that the selling holders and we will indemnify each other and their respective directors, officers and controlling persons against specific liabilities in connection with the offer and sale of the notes and the underlying common stock, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or will be entitled to contribution in connection with those liabilities. We will pay all of our expenses and specified expenses incurred by the selling holders incidental to the registration, offering and sale of the notes and the underlying common stock to the public, but each selling holder will be responsible for payment of commissions, concessions, fees and discounts of underwriters, broker-dealers and agents. We estimate that our total expenses in connection with this registration of notes and underlying common stock will be approximately $225,799.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

Bryan Cave LLP, our outside counsel, has passed upon the legality of the notes and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. Scott Hodes, a partner in Bryan Cave LLP, is also one of our directors and, as of April 16, 2007, beneficially owned 88,424 shares of our common stock and 3,712 shares of our Class B common stock.

 

EXPERTS

 

Our consolidated financial statements as of June 3, 2006 and for the year ended June 3, 2006, contained in this prospectus have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included herein and have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Richardson Electronics, Ltd. as of May 28, 2005, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended May 28, 2005, have been included herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any of these documents at the SEC’s public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s Internet website at www.sec.gov.

 

You may receive a copy of any of these filings, other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing, at no cost, by writing or calling the Investor Relations Department, Richardson Electronics, Ltd., 40W267 Keslinger Road, P.O. Box 393, LaFox, Illinois 60147-0393, telephone (630) 208-2371. You can also find information about the Company at our Internet website at www.rell.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement to register the securities offered by this prospectus under the Securities Act. This prospectus is part of that registration statement, but omits certain information contained in the registration statement, as permitted by SEC rules. For further information with respect to our company and this offering, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and any schedules filed with the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance, if the document is filed as an exhibit, reference is made to the copy of the document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement being qualified in all respects by that reference. You may obtain copies of the registration statement, including exhibits, as noted in the first paragraph above.

 

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RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

   F-2  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 28, 2005 and June 3, 2006

   F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended May 29, 2004, May 28, 2005 and June 3, 2006

   F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended May 29, 2004, May 28, 2005 and June 3, 2006

   F-6  

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended May 29, 2004, May 28, 2005 and June 3, 2006

   F-7  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-8  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 3, 2007 and June 3, 2006

   F-35

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three-Month and Nine-Month Periods Ended March 3, 2007 and March 4, 2006

   F-36

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three-Month and Nine-Month Periods Ended March 3, 2007 and March 4, 2006

   F-37

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-38

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Richardson Electronics, Ltd.;

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Richardson Electronics, Ltd. as of June 3, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides 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 Richardson Electronics, Ltd. at June 3, 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Richardson Electronics, Ltd.’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 3, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated August 22, 2006, expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

 

Ernst & Young LLP

 

Chicago, Illinois

August 22, 2006

 

F-2


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Richardson Electronics, Ltd.:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Richardson Electronics, Ltd. and subsidiaries as of May 28, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended May 28, 2005. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

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

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Richardson Electronics, Ltd. and subsidiaries as of May 28, 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended May 28, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

/s/    KPMG LLP

 

Chicago, Illinois

August 26, 2005, except for the Stock-Based

Compensation and Earnings Per Share

sections of Note A to the consolidated financial

statements, as to which the date is

February 1, 2006, and Note G and the geographic and long-lived asset information

included in Note M to the consolidated financial statements,

as to which the date is August 30, 2006.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


 

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 17,010     $ 24,301  

Receivables, less allowance of $2,142 and $1,934

     115,733       106,152  

Inventories

     117,320       101,555  

Prepaid expenses

     3,739       3,380  

Deferred income taxes

     1,527       4,911  
    


 


Total current assets

     255,329       240,299  
    


 


Other assets:

                

Property, plant and equipment, net

     32,357       31,712  

Goodwill

     13,068       6,149  

Other intangible assets, net

     2,413       1,045  

Non-current deferred income taxes

     1,300       —    

Assets held for sale

     1,018       —    

Other assets

     3,814       4,735  
    


 


Total other assets

     53,970       43,641  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 309,299     $ 283,940  
    


 


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 52,494     $ 40,392  

Accrued liabilities

     30,588       23,762  

Current portion of long-term debt

     14,016       22,305  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     97,098       86,459  
    


 


Non-current liabilities:

                

Long-term debt, less current portion

     112,792       98,028  

Non-current deferred income taxes

     —         656  

Non-current liabilities

     1,169       1,401  
    


 


Total non-current liabilities

     113,961       100,085  
    


 


Total liabilities

     211,059       186,544  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies

     —         —    

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Common stock, $0.05 par value; issued 15,663 shares at June 3, 2006 and 15,597 shares at May 28, 2005

     783       780  

Class B common stock, convertible, $0.05 par value; issued 3,093 shares at June 3, 2006 and 3,120 shares at May 28, 2005

     155       156  

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, no shares issued

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     119,149       121,591  

Common stock in treasury, at cost, 1,261 shares at June 3, 2006 and 1,332 shares at May 28, 2005

     (7,473 )     (7,894 )

Accumulated deficit

     (19,048 )     (16,406 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     4,674       (831 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     98,240       97,396  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 309,299     $ 283,940  
    


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


 

Net sales

   $ 637,940     $ 578,724     $ 519,823  

Cost of sales

     482,171       442,730       393,101  
    


 


 


Gross profit

     155,769       135,994       126,722  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     139,640       129,747       107,968  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     3       (9,918 )     579  
    


 


 


Operating income

     16,126       16,165       18,175  
    


 


 


Other (income) expense:

                        

Interest expense

     9,809       8,947       10,257  

Investment income

     (411 )     (388 )     (227 )

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

     724       (926 )     363  

Other, net

     428       (51 )     (135 )
    


 


 


Total other expense

     10,550       7,582       10,258  
    


 


 


Income before income taxes

     5,576       8,583       7,917  

Income tax provision

     8,218       24,600       2,385  
    


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ (2,642 )   $ (16,017 )   $ 5,532  
    


 


 


Net income (loss) per share—basic:

                        

Common stock

   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.96 )   $ 0.40  
    


 


 


Common stock average shares outstanding

     14,315       13,822       10,872  
    


 


 


Class B common stock

   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.87 )   $ 0.36  
    


 


 


Class B common stock average shares outstanding

     3,093       3,120       3,168  
    


 


 


Net income (loss) per share—diluted:

                        

Common stock

   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.96 )   $ 0.38  
    


 


 


Common stock average shares outstanding

     14,315       13,822       14,418  
    


 


 


Class B common stock

   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.87 )   $ 0.36  
    


 


 


Class B common stock average shares outstanding

     3,093       3,120       3,168  
    


 


 


Dividends per common share

   $ 0.160     $ 0.160     $ 0.160  
    


 


 


Dividends per Class B common share

   $ 0.144     $ 0.144     $ 0.144  
    


 


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


 

Operating activities:

                        

Net income (loss)

   $ (2,642 )   $ (16,017 )   $ 5,532  

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

                        

Depreciation and amortization

     6,240       5,298       4,989  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     3       (9,918 )     579  

Deferred income taxes

     1,462       18,281       1,325  

Receivables

     (5,417 )     2,303       (18,215 )

Inventories

     (10,420 )     (9,618 )     5,603  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     15,910       1,037       8,782  

Other liabilities

     (267 )     1,156       4,737  

Other

     588       5,465       (771 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     5,457       (2,013 )     12,561  
    


 


 


Investing activities:

                        

Capital expenditures

     (6,211 )     (6,975 )     (5,468 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     278       10,925       40  

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (6,800 )     (971 )     (6,196 )

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities

     2,317       3,042       3,946  

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     (2,317 )     (3,042 )     (3,946 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (12,733 )     2,979       (11,624 )
    


 


 


Financing activities:

                        

Proceeds from borrowings

     252,997       113,229       52,105  

Payments on debt

     (249,853 )     (131,624 )     (53,416 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     710       29,729       1,656  

Cash dividends

     (2,736 )     (2,719 )     (2,206 )

Other

     (1,711 )     (2,364 )     —    
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (593 )     6,251       (1,861 )
    


 


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     578       512       885  
    


 


 


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (7,291 )     7,729       (39 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     24,301       16,572       16,611  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 17,010     $ 24,301     $ 16,572  
    


 


 


Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

                        

Cash paid during the fiscal year for:

                        

Interest

   $ 9,026     $ 9,131     $ 10,404  

Income taxes

   $ 6,305     $ 3,272     $ 1,656  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(in thousands)

 

   

Comprehensive
Income (Loss)


    Shares Issued

   

Par
Value


 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital


   

Treasury
Stock


   

Retained
Earnings/
Accumulated
Deficit


   

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)


   

Total


 
      Common

  Class B
Common


             

Balance May 31, 2003

          12,256   3,207     $ 773   $ 91,421     $ (8,922 )   $ (1,676 )   $ (3,990 )   $ 77,606  

Comprehensive income:

                                                               

Net income

  $ 5,532     —     —         —       —         —         5,532       —         5,532  

Recognition of unearned compensation

    —       —     —         —       288       —         —         —         288  

Currency translation, net of income tax effect

    1,314     —     —         —       —         —         —         1,314       1,314  

Fair value adjustments on investment, net of income tax effect

    329     —     —         —       —         —         —         329       329  

Cash flow hedges, net of income tax effect

    732     —     —         —       —         —         —         732       732  
   


                                                       

Comprehensive income

  $ 7,907                                                          
   


                                                       

Common stock issued

          229   —         11     2,168       407       —         —         2,586  

Conversion of Class B shares to common stock

          39   (39 )     —       —         —         —         —         —    

Dividends paid to:

                                                               

Common ($0.04 per share)

          —     —         —       —         —         (1,747 )     —         (1,747 )

Class B ($0.036 per share)

          —     —         —       —         —         (459 )     —         (459 )
           
 

 

 


 


 


 


 


Balance May 29, 2004

          12,524   3,168       784     93,877       (8,515 )     1,650       (1,615 )     86,181  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                                                               

Net loss

  $ (16,017 )   —     —         —       —         —         (16,017 )     —         (16,017 )

Recognition of unearned compensation

    —       —     —         —       242       —         —         —         242  

Currency translation, net of income tax effect

    597     —     —         —       —         —         —         597       597  

Fair value adjustments on investment, net of income tax effect

    121     —     —         —       —         —         —         121       121  

Cash flow hedges, net of income tax effect

    66     —     —         —       —         —         —         66       66  
   


                                                       

Comprehensive loss

  $ (15,233 )                                                        
   


                                                       

Common stock issued

          3,025   —         152     28,153       621       —         —         28,926  

Conversion of Class B shares to common stock

          48   (48 )     —       —         —         —         —         —    

Dividends paid to:

                                                               

Common ($0.04 per share)

          —     —         —       (568 )     —         (1,699 )     —         (2,267 )

Class B ($0.036 per share)

          —     —         —       (113 )     —         (340 )     —         (453 )
           
 

 

 


 


 


 


 


Balance May 28, 2005

          15,597   3,120       936     121,591       (7,894 )     (16,406 )     (831 )     97,396  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                                                               

Net loss

  $ (2,642 )   —     —         —       —         —         (2,642 )     —         (2,642 )

Recognition of unearned compensation

    —       —     —         —       (17 )     —         —         —         (17 )

Currency translation, net of income tax effect

    5,289     —     —         —       —         —         —         5,289       5,289  

Fair value adjustments on investment, net of income tax effect

    216     —     —         —       —         —         —         216       216  

Cash flow hedges, net of income tax effect

    —       —     —         —       —         —         —         —         —    
   


                                                       

Comprehensive income

  $ 2,863                                                          
   


                                                       

Common stock issued

          39   —         2     311       421       —         —         734  

Conversion of Class B shares to common stock

          27   (27 )     —       —         —         —         —         —    

Dividends paid to:

                                                               

Common ($0.04 per share)

          —     —         —       (2,289 )     —         —         —         (2,289 )

Class B ($0.036 per share)

          —     —         —       (447 )     —         —         —         (447 )
           
 

 

 


 


 


 


 


Balance June 3, 2006

          15,663   3,093     $ 938   $ 119,149     $ (7,473 )   $ (19,048 )   $ 4,674     $ 98,240  
           
 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Note A—Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation: Fiscal Year—Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (the “Company”) fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest the end of May. Fiscal year 2006 contains 53 weeks while fiscal years 2005 and 2004 contain 52 weeks. All references herein for the years 2006, 2005, and 2004 represent the fiscal years ended June 3, 2006, May 28, 2005, and May 29, 2004, respectively.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

 

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company’s 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.

 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments: The fair values of financial instruments are determined based on quoted market prices and market interest rates as of the end of the reporting period. The Company’s financial instruments include accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and long-term debt. The fair values of these financial instruments were, with the exception of long-term debt as disclosed in Note G, not materially different from their carrying or contract values at June 3, 2006 and May 28, 2005.

 

Cash Equivalents: The Company considers short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates, and that have maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate the fair market values of these assets.

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts: The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The estimates are influenced by the following considerations: continuing credit evaluation of customers’ financial conditions; aging of receivables, individually and in the aggregate; large number of customers which are widely dispersed across geographic areas; collectability and delinquency history by geographic area; and the fact that no single customer accounts for 10% or more of net sales. Material changes in one or more of these considerations may require adjustments to the allowance affecting net income and net carrying value of accounts receivable. At June 3, 2006, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $2,142 as compared to $1,934 at May 28, 2005.

 

Inventories: The Company’s worldwide inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories include material, labor, and overhead associated with such inventories. Substantially all inventories represent finished goods held for sale.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Improvements and replacements are capitalized while expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Provisions for depreciation are computed principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Depreciation expense was $5,882, $4,982, and $4,657 in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

    

June 3,

2006


    May 28,
2005


 

Land and improvements

   $ 1,307     $ 1,347  

Buildings and improvements

     20,153       18,966  

Computer and communications equipment

     29,648       27,024  

Machinery and other equipment

     19,978       18,396  
    


 


       71,086       65,733  

Accumulated depreciation

     (38,729 )     (34,021 )
    


 


Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 32,357     $ 31,712  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure information of the estimated useful life of the asset:

 

Land and improvements

     10 years          

Buildings and improvements

     10 - 30 years          

Computer and communications equipment

     3 - 10 years          

Machinery and other equipment

     3 - 10 years          

 

The Company is in the application development stage of implementing certain modules of enterprise resource management software (PeopleSoft). In accordance with Accounting Standards Executive Committee (AcSEC) Statement of Position 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use, the Company capitalizes all direct costs associated with the application development of this software including software acquisition costs, consulting costs, and internal payroll costs. The Statement requires these costs to be depreciated once the application development stage is complete. The unamortized balance of the aforementioned capitalized costs, included within computer and communications equipment, is $5,022 and $5,036 at June 3, 2006 and May 28, 2005, respectively.

 

Other Assets: Other assets consist of the following:

 

     June 3,
2006


   May 28,
2005


Investments

   $ 3,781    $ 3,445

Notes receivable

     —        955

Other deferred charges, net

     33      335
    

  

Other assets

   $ 3,814    $ 4,735
    

  

 

The Company’s investments are primarily equity securities, all of which are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at their fair value based on the quoted market prices. Proceeds from the sale of the securities were $2,317, $3,042, and $3,946 during fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, all of which were consequently reinvested. The cost of the equity securities sold were based on a specific identification method. Gross realized gains on those sales were $299, $372, and $366 in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Gross realized losses on those sales were $141, $102, and $59 in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Net unrealized holding gains of $216, $121, and $329, have been included in accumulated comprehensive income (loss) for fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

The following table is the disclosure under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, for the investment in marketable equity securities with fair values less than cost basis:

 

    Marketable Security Holding Length

       
    Less Than 12 Months

  More Than 12 Months

  Total

Description of Securities


  Fair Value

  Unrealized
Losses


  Fair Value

  Unrealized
Losses


  Fair Value

  Unrealized
Losses


June 3, 2006

                                   

Common Stock

  $ 623   $ 34   $ 158   $ 17   $ 781   $ 51

May 28, 2005

                                   

Common Stock

  $ 2,044   $ 33   $ —     $ —     $ 2,044   $ 33

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which requires that goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment testing. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight line basis.

 

Management reviews the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization at least annually, or more frequently, if events or circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company utilizes the comparison of reporting units’ fair value derived by discounted cash flow analysis and their book value as an indicator of potential impairment. The application of SFAS No. 142 and the annual impairment test are discussed in Note B.

 

Accrued Liabilities: Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 

     June 3,
2006


   May 28,
2005


Compensation and payroll taxes

   $ 12,238    $ 9,543

Interest

     2,900      2,117

Income taxes

     7,986      8,340

Warranty reserve

     836      1,439

Professional fees

     1,884      1,172

Other accrued expenses

     4,744      1,151
    

  

Accrued liabilities

   $ 30,588    $ 23,762
    

  

 

Warranties: The Company offers warranties for specific products it manufactures. The Company also provides extended warranties for some products it sells that lengthen the period of coverage specified in the manufacturer’s original warranty. Terms generally range from one to three years.

 

The Company estimates the cost to perform under its warranty obligation and recognizes this estimated cost at the time of the related product sale. The Company reports this expense as an element of cost of sales in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Each quarter, the Company assesses actual warranty costs incurred, on a product-by-product basis, as compared to its estimated obligation. The estimates with respect to new products are based generally on knowledge of the products, are extrapolated to reflect the extended warranty period, and are refined each quarter as better information with respect to warranty experience becomes known.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Warranty reserves are established for costs that are expected to be incurred after the sale and delivery of products under warranty. The warranty reserves are determined based on known product failures, historical experience, and other currently available evidence.

 

Changes in the warranty reserve for fiscal 2006 and 2005 were as follows:

 

     Warranty
Reserve


 

Balance at May 29, 2004

   $ 802  

Accruals for products sold

     958  

Utilization

     (321 )
    


Balance at May 28, 2005

     1,439  

Accruals for products sold

     932  

Utilization

     (589 )

Change in estimate

     (946 )
    


Balance at June 3, 2006

   $ 836  
    


 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, the Display Systems Group provided a three-year warranty on some of its products. As the extended warranty on the first products sold under the warranty program expired during the second quarter of fiscal 2006, along with additional warranty experience available during the first six months of fiscal 2006, the Company revised its estimate of the warranty reserve to reflect the actual warranty experience to date. As a result, a change in estimate of $946 was recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

Non-Current Liabilities: Non-current liabilities of $1,169 at June 3, 2006 and $1,401 at May 28, 2005 represent the pension obligations for qualified Korea and Italy employees.

 

Foreign Currency Translation: Foreign currency balances are translated into U.S. dollars at end-of-period rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the current rate on the date of the transaction. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in income. Foreign currency transactions reflected in operations was a loss of $724 in fiscal 2006, a gain of $926 in fiscal 2005, and a loss of $363 in fiscal 2004. Gains and losses resulting from translation of foreign subsidiary financial statements are credited or charged directly to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity.

 

Revenue Recognition: The Company’s product sales are recognized as revenue upon shipment, when title passes to the customer, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company’s terms are generally FOB shipping point and sales are recorded net of discounts and returns based on the Company’s historical experience. The Company’s products are often manufactured to meet the specific design needs of its customers’ applications. Its engineers work closely with customers in ensuring that the product the Company seeks to provide them will meet their needs, but its customers are under no obligation to compensate the Company for designing the products it sells; the Company retains the rights to its designs.

 

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs: Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are reported as revenue and the related costs are reported as cost of sales.

 

Income Taxes: The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company regularly

 

F-11


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance based on a number of factors, including both positive and negative evidence, in determining the need for a valuation allowance. Those factors include historical taxable income or loss, projected future taxable income or loss, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences, and the implementation of tax planning strategies. In circumstances where the Company or any of its affiliates has incurred three years of cumulative losses which constitute significant negative evidence, positive evidence of equal or greater significance is needed by the Company at a minimum to overcome that negative evidence before a tax benefit is recognized for deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards. In evaluating the positive evidence available, expectations as to future taxable income would rarely be sufficient to overcome the negative evidence of recent cumulative losses, even if supported by detailed forecasts and projections. In order to reverse the recorded valuation allowance, the Company would likely need to have positive cumulative earnings for the three-year period preceding the year of the reversal. Therefore, the Company’s projections as to future earnings would not be used as an indicator in analyzing whether a valuation allowance established in a prior year can be removed or reduced.

 

Stock-Based Compensation: The Company accounts for its stock option plans in accordance with APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. However, the exercise price of all grants under the Company’s option plans has been equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, requires estimation of the fair value of options granted to employees. Had the Company’s option plans and stock purchase plan been treated as compensatory under the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share would have been affected as follows (see Note K to Consolidated Financial Statements for underlying assumptions):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


 

Net income (loss), as reported:

   $ (2,642 )   $ (16,017 )   $ 5,532  

Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income (loss), net of taxes

     7       425       282  

Deduct: Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value-based method for all awards, net of taxes

     (964 )     (1,834 )     (1,272 )
    


 


 


Pro-forma net income (loss)

   $ (3,599 )   $ (17,426 )   $ 4,542  
    


 


 


Net income (loss) per share, as reported:

                        

Common stock—basic

   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.96 )   $ 0.40  
    


 


 


Class B common stock—basic

   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.87 )   $ 0.36  
    


 


 


Common stock—diluted

   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.96 )   $ 0.38  
    


 


 


Class B common stock—diluted

   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.87 )   $ 0.36  
    


 


 


Net income (loss) per share, pro forma:

                        

Common stock—basic

   $ (0.21 )   $ (1.05 )   $ 0.33  
    


 


 


Class B common stock—basic

   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.95 )   $ 0.30  
    


 


 


Common stock—diluted

   $ (0.21 )   $ (1.05 )   $ 0.32  
    


 


 


Class B common stock—diluted

   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.95 )   $ 0.29  
    


 


 


 

F-12


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Earnings per Share: The Company has authorized 30,000 shares of common stock, 10,000 shares of Class B common stock, and 5,000 shares of preferred stock. The Class B common stock has ten votes per share. The Class B common stock has transferability restrictions; however, it may be converted into common stock on a share-for-share basis at any time. With respect to dividends and distributions, shares of common stock and Class B common stock rank equally and have the same rights, except that Class B common stock cash dividends are limited to 90% of the amount of common stock cash dividends.

 

According to the EITF Issue No. 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128,” the Company’s Class B common stock is considered a participating security requiring the use of the two-class method for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. The two-class computation method for each period reflects the cash dividends paid per share for each class of stock, plus the amount of allocated undistributed earnings per share computed using the participation percentage which reflects the dividend rights of each class of stock. Basic and diluted earnings per share reflect the application of EITF Issue No. 03-6 and was computed using the two-class method. The shares of Class B common stock are considered to be participating convertible securities since the shares of Class B common stock are convertible on a share-for-share basis into shares of common stock and may participate in dividends with common stock according to a predetermined formula (90% of the amount of common stock cash dividends).

 

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income, adjusted for interest savings, net of tax, on assumed conversion of convertible debentures and notes, by the actual shares outstanding and share equivalents that would arise from the exercise of stock options, certain restricted stock awards, and the assumed conversion of convertible debentures and notes when dilutive. For the fiscal year ended June 3, 2006, the assumed conversion and the effect of the interest savings of the Company’s 7 3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes (7 3/4% notes) and 8% convertible senior subordinated notes (8% notes) were excluded because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For the fiscal year ended May 28, 2005, the assumed conversion and the effect of the interest savings of the Company’s 7 1/4% convertible debentures (7 1/4% debentures), 8 1/4% convertible senior subordinated debentures (8 1/4% debentures) and 7 3/4% notes were excluded because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For the fiscal year ended May 29, 2004, the assumed conversion and the effect of the interest savings of the Company’s 7 1/4% debentures and 8 1/4% debentures were excluded because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The per share amounts presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations are based on the following amounts:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


Numerator for basic and diluted EPS:

                      

Net income (loss)

   $ (2,642 )   $ (16,017 )   $ 5,532

Less dividends:

                      

Common stock

     2,289       2,267       1,747

Class B common stock

     447       453       459
    


 


 

Undistributed earnings (losses)

   $ (5,378 )   $ (18,737 )   $ 3,326
    


 


 

Common stock undistributed earnings (losses)

   $ (4,502 )   $ (15,573 )   $ 2,635

Class B common stock undistributed earnings (losses)—basic

     (876 )     (3,164 )     691
    


 


 

Total undistributed earnings (losses)—common stock and Class B
common stock—basic

   $ (5,378 )   $ (18,737 )   $ 3,326
    


 


 

Common stock undistributed earnings (losses)

   $ (4,502 )   $ (15,573 )   $ 2,653

Class B common stock undistributed earnings (losses)—diluted

     (876 )     (3,164 )     673
    


 


 

Total undistributed earnings (losses)—Class B common
stock—diluted

   $ (5,378 )   $ (18,737 )   $ 3,326
    


 


 

 

F-13


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


Denominator for basic and diluted EPS:

                      

Denominator for basic EPS:

                      

Common stock weighted average shares

     14,315       13,822       10,872

Class B common stock weighted average shares, and shares under
if-converted method for diluted earnings per share

     3,093       3,120       3,168

Effect of dilutive securities:

                      

Unvested restricted stock awards

     —         —         33

Dilutive stock options

     —         —         345
    


 


 

Denominator for diluted EPS adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions

     17,408       16,942       14,418
    


 


 

Net income (loss) per common share—basic:

                      

Common share

   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.96 )   $ 0.40
    


 


 

Class B common share

   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.87 )   $ 0.36
    


 


 

Net income (loss) per common share—diluted:

                      

Common share

   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.96 )   $ 0.38
    


 


 

Class B common share

   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.87 )   $ 0.36
    


 


 

Common stock options that were anti-dilutive and not included in dilutive earnings per common share

     1,852       1,701       1,155
    


 


 

 

Derivatives and Hedging Activities: The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This standard requires the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivative value changes are recorded in income for any contracts not classified as qualifying hedging instruments. For derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedge instruments, the effective portion of the derivative fair value change must be recorded through other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity.

 

New Accounting Pronouncement: In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) revised SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. This statement establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. This statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123(R) is effective at the beginning of the next fiscal year that begins after June 15, 2005, or the Company’s fiscal year 2007. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on the financial statements.

 

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of FIN 48 on the financial statements.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Note B—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

The Company performs an annual goodwill impairment assessment using a two-step, fair-value based test. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed. The second step compares the carrying amount of the goodwill to the estimated fair value of the goodwill. If the fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is reported. The Company determined that the following components qualified as reporting units: RF, Wireless & Power Division (RFPD), Electron Device Group (EDG), Display Systems Group (DSG), Burtek and Security Systems Division (SSD) excluding Burtek. The Company used a discounted cash flow valuation (income approach) to determine the fair value of each of the reporting units. Sales, net income, and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) multiples (market approaches) were used as a check against the impairment implications derived under the income approach.

 

The Company performed its annual impairment test as of the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The Company did not find any indication that an impairment existed and, therefore, no impairment loss was recorded as a result of completing the annual impairment test.

 

The table below provides changes in carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment which includes RFPD, EDG, SSD, and DSG:

 

     Goodwill

     Reportable Segments

     RFPD

   EDG

   SSD

   DSG

   Total

Balance at May 29, 2004

   $ —      $ 876    $ 1,482    $ 3,420    $ 5,778

Additions

     244      —        —        26      270

Foreign currency translation

     1      5      95      —        101
    

  

  

  

  

Balance at May 28, 2005

     245      881      1,577      3,446      6,149

Additions

     —        —        —        6,501      6,501

Foreign currency translation

     7      12      235      164      418
    

  

  

  

  

Balance at June 3, 2006

   $ 252    $ 893    $ 1,812    $ 10,111    $ 13,068
    

  

  

  

  

 

The addition to goodwill in fiscal 2006 represents the acquisition of A.C.T. Kern GmbH & Co. KG (Kern) located in Germany, effective June 1, 2005. The cash outlay for Kern was $6,550, net of cash acquired. Kern is one of the leading display technology companies in Europe with worldwide customers in manufacturing, OEM, medicine, multimedia, IT trading, system houses, and other industries.

 

The following table provides changes in carrying value of other intangible assets not subject to amortization:

 

     Other Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization

     Reportable Segments

       RFPD  

     EDG  

     SSD  

     DSG  

     Total  

Balance at May 29, 2004

   $ —      $ 9    $ 248    $ —      $ 257

Foreign currency translation

     —        —        30      —        30
    

  

  

  

  

Balance at May 28, 2005

     —        9      278      —        287

Foreign currency translation

     —        —        43      —        43
    

  

  

  

  

Balance at June 3, 2006

   $ —      $ 9    $ 321    $ —      $ 330
    

  

  

  

  

 

F-15


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization as well as amortization expense are as follows:

 

       Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization as of  

     June 3, 2006

  May 28, 2005

Gross amounts:

            

Deferred financing costs

   $ 4,639   $ 2,968

Patents and trademarks

     478     554
    

 

Total gross amounts

   $ 5,117   $ 3,522
    

 

Accumulated amortization

            

Deferred financing costs

   $ 2,559   $ 2,241

Patents and trademarks

     475     523
    

 

Total accumulated amortization

   $ 3,034   $ 2,764
    

 

 

Deferred financing costs increased during fiscal 2006 primarily due to the issuance of the Company’s 7 3/4% notes and the 8% notes (see Note G).

 

     Amortization of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

     June 3, 2006

   May 28, 2005

Deferred financing costs

   $ 361    $ 306

Patents and trademarks

     1      13
    

  

Total

   $ 362    $ 319
    

  

 

The amortization expense associated with the intangible assets subject to amortization is expected to be $454, $454, $453, $365, $305, and $50 in fiscal 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. The weighted average number of years of amortization expense remaining is 5.43.

 

Note C—Assets Held for Sale

 

On August 4, 2005, the Company entered into a contract to sell approximately 1.5 acres of real estate and a building located in Geneva, Illinois for $3,000. The contract is subject to a number of conditions, including inspections, environmental testing, and other customary conditions. The sale of the real estate and building is expected to close during the first or second quarter of fiscal 2007, however, the Company cannot give any assurance as to the actual timing or successful completion of the transaction.

 

In July 2006, the Company offered to sell a building located in Brazil for $858. The sale of the building is expected to close during the next year, however, the Company cannot give any assurance as to the actual timing or successful completion of the transaction.

 

Note D—Restructuring and Severance Charges

 

As a result of the Company’s fiscal 2005 restructuring initiative, a restructuring charge, including severance and lease termination costs of $2,152, was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, the employee severance and related costs were adjusted resulting in a $183 decrease in SG&A due to the difference between estimated severance costs and the actual payouts. Severance costs of $724 and $1,108 were paid in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. During fiscal 2006, the employee severance and related costs were adjusted resulting in a $123 decrease in SG&A due to

 

F-16


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

the difference between estimated severance costs and actual payouts. The remaining balance payable in fiscal 2007 has been included in accrued liabilities. Terminations affected over 60 employees across various business functions, operating units, and geographic regions.

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company took certain actions to align its inventory and cost structure to current sales levels amid continued weakness in the global economy and limited demand visibility. Terminations affected over 70 employees across various business functions, operating units, and geographic regions. During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company adjusted employee severance and related costs and lease termination resulting in a $498 decrease in SG&A due to the difference between the estimated severance costs and the actual payouts and was recorded in the quarter ended November 29, 2003. The lease termination did not occur as the agreement for the replacement facility was not finalized. The lease termination reversal was recorded in the quarter ended August 30, 2003.

 

As of June 3, 2006, the following tables depict the amounts associated with the activity related to restructuring by reportable segments:

 

    

Restructuring
Liability

May 31, 2003


   For the fiscal year ended
May 29, 2004


   

Restructuring
Liability

May 29, 2004


        Reserve
Recorded


   Payment

    Adjustment
to Reserve


   

Fiscal 2004

                                    

Employee severance and related costs:

                                    

RFPD

   $ 343    $ 289    $ (632 )   $ —       $ —  

EDG

     81      —        (81 )     —         —  

SSD

     121      —        (121 )     —         —  

DSG

     38      —        (38 )     —         —  

Corporate

     609      —        (321 )     (288 )     —  
    

  

  


 


 

Total

     1,192      289      (1,193 )     (288 )     —  

Lease termination costs:

                                    

SSD

     210      —        —         (210 )     —  
    

  

  


 


 

Total

   $ 1,402    $ 289    $ (1,193 )   $ (498 )   $ —  
    

  

  


 


 

    

Restructuring
Liability

May 29, 2004


   For the fiscal year ended
May 28, 2005


   

Restructuring
Liability

May 28, 2005


        Reserve
Recorded


   Payment

    Adjustment
to Reserve


   

Fiscal 2005

                                    

Employee severance and related costs:

                                    

RFPD

   $ —      $ 909    $ (392 )   $ (199 )   $ 318

EDG

     —        325      (142 )     —         183

SSD

     —        99      (90 )     16       25

DSG

     —        416      (186 )     —         230

Corporate

     —        368      (298 )     —         70
    

  

  


 


 

Total

     —        2,117      (1,108 )     (183 )     826

Lease termination costs:

                                    

SSD

     —        35      —         —         35
    

  

  


 


 

Total

   $ —      $ 2,152    $ (1,108 )   $ (183 )   $ 861
    

  

  


 


 

 

F-17


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

    

Restructuring
Liability

May 28, 2005


   For the fiscal year ended
June 3, 2006


   

Restructuring
Liability

June 3, 2006


        Reserve
Recorded


   Payment

    Adjustment
to Reserve


   

Fiscal 2006

                                    

Employee severance and related costs:

                                    

RFPD

   $ 318    $ —      $ (289 )   $ (29 )   $ —  

EDG

     183      —        (73 )     (110 )     —  

SSD

     25      —        (22 )     (3 )     —  

DSG

     230      —        (227 )     (3 )     —  

Corporate

     70      —        (78 )     22       14
    

  

  


 


 

Total

     826      —        (689 )     (123 )     14

Lease termination costs:

                                    

SSD

     35      —        (35 )     —         —  
    

  

  


 


 

Total

   $ 861    $ —      $ (724 )   $ (123 )   $ 14
    

  

  


 


 

 

In an effort to reduce the Company’s global operating costs related to logistics, selling, general, and administrative expenses and to better align its operating and tax structure on a global basis, the Company has now begun to implement a global restructuring plan. This plan is intended to substantially reduce corporate and administrative expense, decrease the number of warehouses, and streamline the entire organization. Over the next fiscal year, the Company will be implementing a more tax-effective supply chain structure for Europe and Asia/Pacific, restructuring its Latin American operations, and reducing the total workforce which includes eliminating and restructuring layers of management.

 

The total restructuring and severance costs to implement the plan are estimated to be $6,000, of which $2,724 of severance costs were recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 and the balance will be incurred in fiscal 2007 as the plan is implemented. The Company expects to realize the full impact of the cost savings from the restructuring plan in fiscal 2008.

 

Note E—Acquisitions

 

Fiscal 2006: In June 2005, the Company acquired Kern located in Germany, a leading display technology company in Europe. The cash outlay for Kern was $6,550, net of cash acquired. Kern has been integrated into DSG. In addition, on October 1, 2005, the Company acquired certain assets of Image Systems Corporation (Image Systems), a subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc. in Hector, Minnesota, which is a specialty supplier of displays, display controllers, and calibration software for the healthcare market. The initial cash outlay for Image Systems was $250. Both Kern and Image Systems have been integrated into DSG. The acquisitions were not deemed material under SFAS 141, Business Combinations, to include the pro-forma effects of the acquisitions.

 

Fiscal 2005: The aggregate cash outlay in 2005 for business acquisitions was $971. A $545 earn out payment was made in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 associated with the Pixelink acquisition made in fiscal 1999 as the business unit achieved certain operating performance criteria. In December 2004, the Company acquired the assets of Evergreen Trading Company, a distributor of passive components in China. The aggregate acquisition price was $426, which was paid in cash. Evergreen Trading Company has been integrated into EDG.

 

Fiscal 2004: The aggregate cash outlay in 2004 for business acquisitions was $6,196, representing additional consideration paid for certain business acquisitions made in prior periods due to the acquired businesses achieving certain targeted operating levels.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Note F—Disposal of Assets

 

On May 26, 2005, the Company completed the sale of approximately 205 acres of undeveloped real estate adjoining its headquarters in LaFox, Illinois. The sale resulted in a gain of $9,907 before taxes and was recorded in gain on disposal of assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in fiscal 2005.

 

Note G—Debt Financing

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


 

8 1/4% convertible debentures, due June 2006

   $ —       $ 17,538  

7 1/4% convertible debentures, due December 2006

     —         4,753  

7 3/4% convertible notes, due December 2011

     44,683       44,683  

8% convertible notes, due June 2011

     25,000       —    

Floating-rate multi-currency revolving credit agreement, due
October 2009 (6.92% at June 3, 2006)

     57,089       53,314  

Other

     36       45  
    


 


Total debt

     126,808       120,333  

Less: current portion

     (14,016 )     (22,305 )
    


 


Long-term debt

   $ 112,792     $ 98,028  
    


 


 

At June 3, 2006, the Company maintained $112,792 in long-term debt, primarily in the form of the issuance of two series of convertible notes and a multi-currency revolving credit agreement (credit agreement). The Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the 8% notes to repay amounts outstanding under its credit agreement. The Company redeemed all of the outstanding 8 1/4% debentures on December 23, 2005 in the amount of $17,538 and redeemed all of the outstanding 7 1/4% debentures on December 30, 2005 in the amount of $4,753 by borrowing amounts under the credit agreement to effect these redemptions. The Company maintains $14,000 of the 8% notes in current portion of long-term debt at June 3, 2006. This current classification is due to the Company entering into two separate agreements in August 2006 with certain holders of its 8% notes to purchase $14,000 of the 8% notes. As the 8% notes are subordinate to the Company’s existing credit agreement, the Company received a waiver from its lending group to permit the purchase. The purchases will be financed through additional borrowings under the Company’s credit agreement. In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company will record early extinguishment expenses of approximately $2,700.

 

On November 21, 2005, the Company sold $25,000 in aggregate principal amount of 8% notes due 2011 pursuant to an indenture dated November 21, 2005. The 8% notes bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum, however the Company is paying an additional 1% as a result of failing to register the 8% notes by March 21, 2006. Interest is due on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The 8% notes are convertible at the option of the holder, at any time on or prior to maturity, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a price equal to $10.31 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. In addition, the Company may elect to automatically convert the 8% notes into shares of common stock if the trading price of the common stock exceeds 150% of the conversion price of the 8% notes for at least 20 trading days during any 30 trading day period subject to a payment of three years of interest if the Company elects to convert the 8% notes prior to December 20, 2008.

 

The indenture provides that on or after December 20, 2008, the Company has the option of redeeming the 8% notes, in whole or in part, for cash, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 8%

 

F-19


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. Holders may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their 8% notes for cash upon a change-of-control event, as described in the indenture, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 8% notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the repurchase date. The 8% notes are unsecured and subordinate to the Company’s existing and future senior debt. The 8% notes rank on parity with the Company’s existing 7 3/4% notes.

 

On February 14, 2005, the Company entered into separate exchange agreements pursuant to which a small number of holders of the Company’s existing 7 1/4% debentures and 8 1/4% debentures, agreed to exchange $22,221 in aggregate principal amount of 7 1/4% debentures and $22,462 in aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% debentures for $44,683 in aggregate principal amount of newly-issued 7 3/4% notes due December 2011.

 

On February 15, 2005, the Company issued the 7 3/4% notes pursuant to an indenture dated February 14, 2005. The 7 3/4% notes bear interest at the rate of 7 3/4% per annum. Interest is due on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The 7 3/4% notes are convertible at the option of the holder, at any time on or prior to maturity, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a price equal to $18.00 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. On or after December 19, 2006, the Company may elect to automatically convert the 7 3/4% notes into shares of common stock if the trading price of the common stock exceeds 125% of the conversion price of the 7 3/4% notes for at least twenty trading days during any thirty trading day period ending within five trading days prior to the automatic conversion notice.

 

The indenture provides that on or after December 19, 2006, the Company has the option of redeeming the 7 3/4% notes, in whole or in part, for cash, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 7 3/4% notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. However, from December 19, 2006 until December 19, 2007, the 7 3/4% notes will be redeemable only if the trading price of the Company’s common stock exceeds 125% of the conversion price of the 7 3/4% notes for at least twenty trading days during any thirty trading day period. Holders may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their 7 3/4% notes for cash upon a change-of-control event, as described in the indenture, at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 7 3/4% notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the repurchase date. The Company may, at its option, pay the change of control purchase price in cash, shares of its common stock (valued at 97.5% of the market price), or a combination thereof. The 7 3/4% notes are unsecured and subordinated to the Company’s existing and future senior debt. The 7 3/4% notes rank on parity with the Company’s 8% notes.

 

The 7 3/4% notes were issued through a private offering to qualified institutional buyers under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. In connection with the exchange, on February 15, 2005, the Company also entered into a resale registration rights agreement with the existing holders who participated in the exchange offer. Pursuant to the resale registration rights agreement, the Company filed a registration statement for the resale of the 7 3/4% notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the 7 3/4% notes on May 26, 2005. The Company agreed to keep the shelf registration statement effective until two years after the latest date on which it issues 7 3/4% notes in connection with the exchange, subject to certain terms and conditions.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

In October 2004, the Company renewed its credit agreement with the current lending group in the amount of approximately $109,000 (the size of the credit line varies based on fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates). The credit agreement expires in October 2009, and the outstanding balance at that time will become due. At June 3, 2006, $57,089 was outstanding on the credit agreement. The new credit agreement is principally secured by the Company’s trade receivables and inventory. The credit agreement bears interest at applicable LIBOR rates plus a margin, varying with certain financial performance criteria. At June 3, 2006, the applicable margin was 225 basis points. Outstanding letters of credit were $1,696 at June 3, 2006, leaving an unused line of $52,993 under the total credit agreement; however, this amount was reduced to $7,467 due to maximum permitted leverage ratios. The commitment fee related to the agreement is 0.25% per annum payable quarterly on the average daily unused portion of the aggregate commitment. The Company’s credit agreement consists of the following facilities as of June 3, 2006:

 

     Capacity

   Amount
Outstanding


  

Weighted
Average
Interest

Rate


 

US Facility

   $ 70,000    $ 45,700    7.21 %

Canada Facility

     15,418      5,136    6.00 %

Sweden Facility

     8,898      —      —    

UK Facility

     8,393      4,476    6.93 %

Euro Facility

     6,404      —      —    

Japan Facility

     2,665      1,777    1.85 %
    

  

      

Total

   $ 111,778    $ 57,089    6.92 %
    

  

      

Note:   Due to maximum permitted leverage ratios, the amount of the unused line cannot be calculated on a facility-by-facility basis.

 

At March 4, 2006, the Company was not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio and tangible net worth covenants. On August 4, 2006, the Company received a waiver from its lending group for the defaults and executed an amendment to the credit agreement. In addition, the amendment also (i) permitted the purchase of $14,000 of the 8% notes; (ii) adjusted the minimum required fixed charge coverage ratio for the first quarter of fiscal 2007; (iii) adjusted the minimum tangible net worth requirement; (iv) permitted certain sales transactions contemplated by the Company; (v) eliminated the Company’s Sweden Facility; (vi) reduced the Company’s Canada Facility by approximately $5,400; (vii) changed the definition of “Adjusted EBITDA” for covenant purposes; and (viii) provided that the Company maintain excess availability on the borrowing base of not less than $20,000 until the Company filed its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 4, 2006, at which time the Company will maintain excess availability of the borrowing base of not less than $10,000.

 

At September 3, 2005, the Company was not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the tangible net worth covenant due solely to the additional goodwill recorded as a result of the Kern acquisition. On October 12, 2005, the Company received a waiver from its lending group for the default and executed an amendment to the credit agreement. The amendment changed the minimum tangible net worth requirement to adjust for the goodwill associated with the Kern acquisition.

 

The credit agreement and note indentures contain financial covenants which include benchmark levels for tangible net worth, borrowing base, senior funded debt to cash flow, and annual debt service coverage. At May 28, 2005, the Company was not in compliance with its credit agreement covenants with respect to the fixed

 

F-21


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

charge coverage ratio. On August 24, 2005, the Company received a waiver from its lending group for the default and executed an amendment to the credit agreement. The amendment changed the maximum permitted leverage ratios and the minimum required fixed charge coverage ratios for each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2006 to provide the Company additional flexibility for these periods. The amendment also provided that the Company would maintain excess availability on the borrowing base of not less than $23,000 until June 30, 2006 if a default or event of default does not exist on or before this date. The applicable margin pricing was increased by 25 basis points. In addition, the amendment extended the Company’s requirement to refinance the remaining $22,291 aggregate principal amount of the 7 1/4% debentures and the 8 1/4% debentures from February 28, 2006 to June 10, 2006.

 

As more fully described in Note B to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 2) for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2005, as a result of errors discovered by the Company, the consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2005, 2004, and 2003 have been amended and restated to correct these errors. As a result, the Company would not have been in compliance with its tangible net worth covenant for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and its leverage ratio and tangible net worth covenants as of the end of fiscal 2005. On August 4, 2006, the Company received a waiver from its lending group for defaults arising from the restatement and executed an amendment to the credit agreement.

 

In the following table, the estimated fair values of the Company’s 7 1/4% debentures, 8 1/4% debentures, 7 3/4% notes, and 8% notes are based on quoted market prices at the end fiscal year 2006 and 2005. The fair values of the bank term loans are based on carrying value.

 

     June 3, 2006

    May 28, 2005

 
     Carrying Value

    Fair Value

    Carrying Value

    Fair Value

 

8 1/4% convertible debentures

   $ —       $ —       $ 17,538     $ 17,713  

7 1/4% convertible debentures

     —         —         4,753       4,777  

7 3/4% convertible notes

     44,683       36,840       44,683       44,460  

8% convertible notes

     25,000       23,841       —         —    

Floating-rate multi-currency revolving credit agreement

     57,089       57,089       53,314       53,314  

Financial instruments

     —         —         —         —    

Other

     36       36       45       45  
    


 


 


 


Total

     126,808       117,806       120,333       120,309  

Less: current portion

     (14,016 )     (13,367 )     (22,305 )     (22,504 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 112,792     $ 104,439     $ 98,028     $ 97,805  
    


 


 


 


 

The Company’s ability to service its debt and meet its other obligations as they come due is dependent on its future financial and operating performance. This performance is subject to various factors, including factors beyond the Company’s control such as changes in global and regional economic conditions, changes in its industry or the end markets for its products, changes in interest or currency exchange rates, inflation in raw materials, energy and other costs.

 

Aggregate maturities of debt during the next five years are: $14,016 in fiscal 2007, $16 in fiscal 2008, $4 in fiscal 2009, $57,089 in fiscal 2010, $0 in fiscal 2011, and $55,683 thereafter. Cash payments for interest were $9,026, $9,131, $10,404, in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Note H—Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This standard requires the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivative value changes are recorded in income for any contracts not classified as qualifying hedging instruments. For derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedge instruments, the effective portion of the derivative fair value change must be recorded through other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity.

 

The Company entered into various LIBOR-based interest rate swap arrangements from September 2000 through March 2001 to manage fluctuations in cash flows resulting from interest rate risk attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate of LIBOR. The interest rate swap changed the variable-rate cash flow exposure on the credit agreement to fixed-rate cash flows by entering into a receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swap. Under the interest rate swap, the Company received LIBOR-based variable interest rate payments and made fixed interest rate payments, thereby creating fixed-rate long-term debt. This swap agreement was accounted for as a qualifying cash flow hedge of the future variable-rate interest payments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, whereby changes in the fair market value were reflected as adjustments to the fair value of the derivative instrument as reflected on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement was determined periodically by obtaining quotations from the financial institution that was the counterparty to the Company’s swap arrangement. The fair value represented an estimate of the net amount that the Company would have received if the agreement was transferred to another party or cancelled as of the date of the valuation. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is an element of stockholders’ equity. These amounts were subsequently reclassified into interest expense as a yield adjustment in the same period in which the related interest on the floating-rate debt obligations affected earnings. During the fiscal year ended May 28, 2005, the Company had interest rate exchange agreements to convert approximately $36.4 million of floating rate debt to an average fixed rate of 8.7% that expired July 2004. Additional interest expense recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to these agreements was $102 and $1,265 in fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company did not have any derivative instruments recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at June 3, 2006 and May 28, 2005.

 

Note I—Lease Obligations, Other Commitments, and Contingency

 

The Company leases certain warehouse and office facilities and office equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Rent expense for fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004 was $5,625, $5,101, and $4,035, respectively. At June 3, 2006, future lease commitments for minimum rentals, including common area maintenance charges and property taxes, are $6,263 in fiscal 2007, $3,598 in fiscal 2008, $2,567 in fiscal 2009, $1,658 in fiscal 2010, $1,192 in fiscal 2011 and $3,394 thereafter.

 

Note J—Income Taxes

 

The components of income (loss) before income taxes are:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


 

United States

   $ (9,952 )   $ (4,159 )   $ (311 )

Foreign

     15,528       12,742       8,228  
    


 


 


Income before income taxes

   $ 5,576     $ 8,583     $ 7,917  
    


 


 


 

F-23


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

The provision for income taxes differs from income taxes computed at the federal statutory tax rate of 34% in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004 as a result of the following items:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


 

Federal statutory rate

   34.0 %   34.0 %   34.0 %

Effect of:

                  

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

   (6.2 )   (1.6 )   —    

Export benefit

   —       (2.0 )   (5.6 )

Foreign taxes at other rates

   3.8     7.1     0.9  

Tax refund from foreign tax appeal

   (17.9 )   —       —    

Net increase in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

   129.9     194.0     —    

Unrepatriated earnings

   —       57.3     —    

Other

   3.8     (2.2 )   0.8  
    

 

 

Effective tax rate

   147.7 %   286.6 %   30.1 %
    

 

 

 

The effective income tax rates for fiscal 2006 and 2005 were 147.7% and 286.6%, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rates as compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 34% primarily results from the Company’s geographical distribution of taxable income or losses and valuation allowances related to net operating losses. For fiscal 2006, the tax benefit related to net operating losses was limited by the requirement for a valuation allowance of $7,242, which increased the effective income tax rate by 129.9%. For fiscal 2005, the tax benefit related to net operating losses was limited by the requirement for a valuation allowance of $16,655, which increased the effective income tax rate by 194.0%. In addition, deferred tax liabilities related to unrepatriated earnings previously considered permanently reinvested also increased the effective income tax rate in fiscal 2005 by 57.3%.

 

The provisions for income taxes consist of the following:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3,
2006


   May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


 

Current:

                       

Federal

   $ —      $ —       $ —    

State

     —        151       (209 )

Foreign

     5,701      6,743       1,226  
    

  


 


Total current

     5,701      6,894       1,017  
    

  


 


Deferred:

                       

Federal

     1,926      16,540       (206 )

State

     198      1,254       147  

Foreign

     393      (88 )     1,427  
    

  


 


Total deferred

     2,517      17,706       1,368  
    

  


 


Income tax provision (benefit)

   $ 8,218    $ 24,600     $ 2,385  
    

  


 


 

F-24


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at June 3, 2006 and May 28, 2005 are as follows:

 

     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


 

Deferred tax assets:

                

Intercompany profit in inventory

   $ 238     $ 1,249  

NOL carryforwards—foreign and domestic

     12,431       13,926  

Inventory valuation

     13,965       12,363  

Goodwill

     1,531       1,918  

Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward

     1,189       1,189  

Severance reserve

     1,074       —    

Other

     1,954       2,045  
    


 


Subtotal

     32,382       32,690  

Valuation allowance—foreign and domestic

     (25,840 )     (20,695 )
    


 


Net deferred tax assets after valuation allowance

     6,542       11,995  
    


 


Deferred tax liabilities:

                

Accelerated depreciation

     (3,275 )     (2,822 )

Unrepatriated earnings

     —         (4,918 )

Other

     (440 )     —    
    


 


Subtotal

     (3,715 )     (7,740 )
    


 


Net deferred tax assets

   $ 2,827     $ 4,255  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure of deferred tax asset information:

                

Domestic

   $ 27,333     $ 26,472  

Foreign

   $ 5,049     $ 6,218  

 

At June 3, 2006, domestic net operating loss carryforwards (NOL) amount to approximately $21,345. These NOLs expire between 2024 and 2026. Foreign net operating loss carryforwards total approximately $14,459 with various or indefinite expiration dates. During fiscal 2005, due to changes in the level of certainty regarding realization, a valuation allowance of approximately $15,886 was established to offset certain domestic deferred tax assets, primarily inventory valuation, and domestic net operating loss carryforwards. In addition, the Company recorded an additional valuation allowance of approximately $769 relating to deferred tax assets relating to certain foreign subsidiaries. In fiscal 2006, the Company re-evaluated the realization of certain deferred tax assets, resulting in an additional valuation allowance of $2,227. The Company believes that in order to reverse the recorded valuation allowance in any subsidiary, the Company would likely need to have positive cumulative earnings in that subsidiary for the three-year period preceding the year of the reversal. The Company also has an alternative minimum tax credit carryforward at June 3, 2006, in the amount of $1,189 that has an indefinite carryforward period.

 

Income taxes paid, including foreign estimated tax payments, were $6,305, $3,272, and $1,656 in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

 

At the end of fiscal 2004, all of the cumulative positive earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, amounting to $35.1 million, were considered permanently reinvested pursuant to APB No. 23, Accounting for

 

F-25


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Income Taxes-Special Areas. As such, U.S. taxes were not provided on these amounts. In fiscal 2005, because of a strategic decision, the Company determined that approximately $12.9 million of one of its foreign subsidiaries’ earnings could no longer be considered permanently reinvested as those earnings may be distributed in future years. Based on management’s potential future plans regarding this subsidiary, it was determined that these earnings would no longer meet the specific requirements for permanent reinvestment under APB No. 23. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to both U.S. income tax and foreign withholding taxes. As such, the Company established a deferred tax liability of approximately $4.9 million during fiscal 2005. The Company revised its estimate of the deferred tax liability of $4.9 million at June 3, 2006 based on changes in management’s potential future plans for this subsidiary during fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2006, the Company revised its strategy and as of June 3, 2006 again and concluded that the undistributed earnings of this subsidiary were considered permanently reinvested outside the United States. The reversal of the $4.9 million deferred tax liability in fiscal 2006 resulted in an additional valuation allowance in the same amount and, therefore, did not effect the fiscal 2006 tax provision. Cumulative positive earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries were still considered permanently reinvested pursuant to APB No. 23 and amounted to $64.2 million at June 3, 2006. Due to various tax attributes that are continually changing, it is not possible to determine what, if any, tax liability might exist if such earnings were to be repatriated.

 

In May 2005, the Company was informed by one of its foreign subsidiaries that its records may not be adequate to support the taxable revenues and deductions included within tax returns previously filed for the tax years 2003 and 2004. At this time, the Company has not received notification from any tax authority regarding this matter. The Company has increased its income tax reserve for this potential exposure.

 

During fiscal 2005, the Canadian taxing authority proposed an income tax assessment for fiscal 1998 through fiscal 2002. The Company appealed the income tax assessment; however, the Company paid the entire tax liability in fiscal 2005 to the Canadian taxing authority to avoid additional interest and penalties if the Company’s appeal was denied. The payment was recorded as an increase to income tax provision in fiscal 2005. In May 2006, the appeal was settled in the Company’s favor. The Company will receive a refund of approximately $1,000, which was recorded as a reduction to income tax provision during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

On October 22, 2004, the President signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act). The Act provides a deduction for income from qualified domestic production activities, which will be phased in from 2005 through 2010. In return, the Act also provides for a two-year phase out ending December 31, 2006 of the existing extraterritorial income exclusion (ETI) for foreign sales that was viewed to be inconsistent with the international trade protocols by the European Union. The Company did not receive a tax benefit from the current ETI exclusion in fiscal 2006. When this benefit is fully phased out, it will have no impact on the rate.

 

Another provision of the Act creates a temporary incentive for U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends-received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. The calculation of the deduction is subject to a number of limitations. This provision of the Act has no material impact on the operations of the Company for fiscal 2006 and is expected to have no material impact on the operations of the Company for fiscal 2007, as the Company does not intend at this time to repatriate earnings to the U.S. from foreign countries.

 

Note K—Stockholders’ Equity

 

The Company has authorized 30,000 shares of common stock, 10,000 shares of Class B common stock, and 5,000 shares of preferred stock. The Class B common stock has ten votes per share. The Class B common stock

 

F-26


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

has transferability restrictions; however, it may be converted into common stock on a share-for-share basis at any time. With respect to dividends and distributions, shares of common stock and Class B common stock rank equally and have the same rights, except that Class B common stock is limited to 90% of the amount of common stock cash dividends.

 

Total common stock issued and outstanding, excluding Class B common stock at June 3, 2006, was 14,402 shares, net of treasury shares of 1,261. An additional 10,626 shares of common stock have been reserved for the potential conversion of the convertible notes and Class B common stock and for future issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Employee and Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

 

The Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) provides substantially all employees an opportunity to purchase common stock of the Company at 85% of the stock price at the beginning or the end of the year, whichever is lower. At June 3, 2006, the plan had 132 shares reserved for future issuance.

 

The Employees’ 2001 Incentive Compensation Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 900 shares as incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, or stock awards. Under this plan and predecessor plans, 2,015 shares are reserved for future issuance. The Plan authorizes the granting of incentive stock options at the fair market value at the date of grant. Generally, these options become exercisable over staggered periods and expire up to ten years from the date of grant.

 

On June 16, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors which authorizes the issuance of up to 400 shares as non-qualified stock options. Under this plan, 400 shares of common stock have been reserved for future issuances relating to stock options exercisable based on the passage of time. Each option is exercisable over a period of time from its date of grant at the market value on the grant date and expires after 10 years. This plan replaces the 1996 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors which was terminated on June 16, 2005.

 

The Company applies APB No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its option plans and, accordingly, has not recorded compensation expense for such plans. SFAS No. 123 requires the calculation of the fair value of each option granted. This fair value is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the assumptions indicated below (see Note A—Stock-Based Compensation):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


 

Risk-free interest rate

     5.0 %     3.8 %     3.6 %

Volatility

     43 %     47 %     47 %

Average expected life (years)

     5.1       5.0       4.9  

Annual dividend rate

   $ 0.16     $ 0.16     $ 0.16  

Weighted average fair value per option

   $ 3.14     $ 3.28     $ 4.57  

Fair value of ESPP per share

   $ 1.06     $ 1.41     $ 1.32  

Fair value of options granted during the year

   $ 1,210     $ 946     $ 103  

 

F-27


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

A summary of the share activity and weighted average exercise prices for the Company’s option plans is as follows:

 

     Outstanding

   Exercisable

     Shares

    Price

   Shares

   Price

At May 31, 2003

   1,738     $ 9.29    1,111    $ 9.08

Granted

   23       11.16            

Exercised

   (229 )     7.19            

Cancelled

   (77 )     10.23            
    

                 

At May 29, 2004

   1,455     $ 9.58    1,045    $ 9.58

Granted

   313       7.75            

Exercised

   (24 )     6.96            

Cancelled

   (43 )     4.05            
    

                 

At May 28, 2005

   1,701     $ 9.46    1,240    $ 9.69

Granted

   436       8.14            

Exercised

   (41 )     7.22            

Cancelled

   (244 )     8.86            
    

                 

At June 3, 2006

   1,852     $ 9.26    1,230    $ 9.80
    

                 

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at June 3, 2006:

 

     Outstanding

   Exercisable

Exercise Price Range


   Shares

   Price

   Life

   Shares

   Price

   Life

$5.38 to $7.50

   549    $ 6.98    3.8    484    $ 6.97    3.6

$7.75 to $9.00

   762    $ 8.16    7.2    245    $ 8.26    3.5

$11.00 to $13.81

   541    $ 13.12    4.1    501    $ 13.29    3.7
    
              
           

Total

   1,852                1,230            
    
              
           

 

A summary of restricted stock award transactions was as follows:

 

     Shares

 

Unvested at May 31, 2003

   59  

Granted

   10  

Vested

   (31 )

Cancelled

   (7 )
    

Unvested at May 29, 2004

   31  

Granted

   18  

Vested

   (29 )

Cancelled

   (7 )
    

Unvested at May 28, 2005

   13  

Granted

   3  

Vested

   (12 )

Cancelled

   —    
    

Unvested at June 3, 2006

   4  
    

 

F-28


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Compensation effects arising from issuing stock awards were $7, $425, and $403 in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, and have been charged against income and recorded as additional paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Note L—Employee Retirement Plans

 

The Company’s domestic employee retirement plans consist of a profit sharing plan and a stock ownership plan (ESOP). Annual contributions in cash or Company stock are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. In addition, the profit sharing plan has a 401(k) provision whereby the Company matches 50% of employee contributions up to 4% of base pay. Charges to expense for discretionary and matching contributions to these plans were $723, $729, and $1,274 for fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Such amounts included contributions in stock of $290 for 2004, based on the stock price at the date contributed. Shares are included in the calculation of earnings per share and dividends are paid to the ESOP from the date the shares are contributed. Foreign employees are covered by a variety of government mandated programs.

 

Note M—Segment and Geographic Information

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company implemented a reorganization plan encompassing the Company’s RF & Wireless Communications Group (RFWC) and Industrial Power Group (IPG) business units. Effective for the second quarter of fiscal 2006, IPG has been designated as Electron Device Group (EDG) and RFWC has been designated as RF, Wireless & Power Division (RFPD). The reorganization was implemented to increase efficiencies by integrating IPG’s power conversion sales and product management into RFWC, improving the geographic sales coverage and driving sales growth by leveraging RFWC’s larger sales resources. In addition, the Company believes that EDG will benefit from an increased focus on the high-margin tube business with a simplified global sales and product management structure to work more effectively with customers and vendors. The data presented has been reclassified to reflect the reorganization.

 

The following disclosures are made in accordance with the SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. The Company’s strategic business units (SBUs) in fiscal 2006 are: RFPD, EDG, SSD, and DSG.

 

RFPD serves the voice and data telecommunications market and the radio and television broadcast industry predominately for infrastructure applications, as well as the industrial power conversion market.

 

EDG serves a broad range of customers including the steel, automotive, textile, plastics, semiconductor manufacturing, and broadcast industries.

 

SSD provides security systems and related design services which includes such products as closed circuit television, fire, burglary, access control, sound, and communication products and accessories.

 

DSG provides system integration and custom display solutions for the public information, financial, point-of-sale, and medical imaging markets.

 

Each SBU is directed by a Vice President and General Manager who reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO evaluates performance and allocates resources, in part, based on the direct operating contribution of each SBU. Direct operating contribution is defined as gross margin less product management and direct selling expenses.

 

F-29


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Accounts receivable, inventory, and goodwill are identified by SBU. Cash, net property, and other assets are not identifiable by SBU. Operating results for each SBU are summarized in the following table:

 

   

Net

Sales


  Gross
Profit


  Direct
Operating
Contribution


  Assets

         

Fiscal 2006

                       

RFPD

  $ 334,131   $ 75,834   $ 47,194   $ 116,102

EDG

    94,443     30,438     19,644     42,878

SSD

    108,843     27,279     7,872     36,071

DSG

    95,010     24,509     9,156     37,568
   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 632,427   $ 158,060   $ 83,866   $ 232,619
   

 

 

 

Fiscal 2005

                       

RFPD

  $ 296,334   $ 64,853   $ 34,225   $ 98,592

EDG

    92,174     29,401     17,682     44,110

SSD

    105,581     26,889     9,153     34,457

DSG

    78,078     17,865     7,793     25,064
   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 572,167   $ 139,008   $ 68,853   $ 202,223
   

 

 

 

Fiscal 2004

                       

RFPD

  $ 256,270   $ 58,408   $ 33,142   $ 101,731

EDG

    87,856     27,642     18,137     34,126

SSD

    101,979     26,045     10,501     33,257

DSG

    66,452     17,105     9,228     23,358
   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 512,557   $ 129,200   $ 71,008   $ 192,472
   

 

 

 

 

F-30


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

A reconciliation of net sales, gross profit, operating income and assets to the relevant consolidated amounts is as follows. Other assets not identified include miscellaneous receivables, manufacturing inventories, and other assets.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


 

Segment net sales

   $ 632,427     $ 572,167     $ 512,557  

Corporate

     5,513       6,557       7,266  
    


 


 


Net sales

   $ 637,940     $ 578,724     $ 519,823  
    


 


 


Segment gross profit

   $ 158,060     $ 139,008     $ 129,200  

Manufacturing variances and other costs

     (2,291 )     (3,014 )     (2,478 )
    


 


 


Gross profit

   $ 155,769     $ 135,994     $ 126,722  
    


 


 


Segment contribution

   $ 83,866     $ 68,853     $ 71,008  

Manufacturing variances and other costs

     (2,291 )     (3,014 )     (2,478 )

Regional selling expenses

     (19,231 )     (19,065 )     (18,109 )

Administrative expenses

     (46,215 )     (40,527 )     (31,667 )

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

     (3 )     9,918       (579 )
    


 


 


Operating income

   $ 16,126     $ 16,165     $ 18,175  
    


 


 


Segment assets

   $ 232,619     $ 202,223     $ 192,472  

Cash and cash equivalents

     17,010       24,301       16,572  

Other current assets

     19,098       20,211       20,170  

Net property

     32,357       31,712       30,534  

Other assets

     8,215       5,493       21,287  
    


 


 


Total assets

   $ 309,299     $ 283,940     $ 281,035  
    


 


 


 

Geographic net sales information is primarily grouped by customer destination into five areas: North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Latin America, and Corporate. Europe includes sales to the Middle East and Africa. Net sales to Mexico are included as part of Latin America. Corporate consists of freight and non-area specific sales.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Net sales, gross profit, operating income, and long-lived assets (net property and other assets, excluding investments, other intangible assets and non-current deferred income taxes) are presented in the table below.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended

 
     June 3,
2006


    May 28,
2005


    May 29,
2004


 

Net Sales

                        

United States

   $ 233,682     $ 227,341     $ 205,810  

Canada

     85,680       76,367       69,681  
    


 


 


North America

     319,362       303,708       275,491  

Europe

     140,870       123,846       116,714  

Asia/Pacific

     148,000       124,799       104,068  

Latin America

     24,336       21,366       20,065  

Corporate

     5,372       5,005       3,485  
    


 


 


Total

   $ 637,940     $ 578,724     $ 519,823  
    


 


 


Gross Profit

                        

United States

   $ 60,509     $ 57,988     $ 52,782  

Canada

     24,117       22,274       18,981  
    


 


 


North America

     84,626       80,262       71,763  

Europe

     38,608       34,345       32,619  

Asia/Pacific

     35,533       29,691       23,304  

Latin America

     6,786       5,879       4,860  

Corporate

     (9,784 )     (14,183 )     (5,824 )
    


 


 


Total

   $ 155,769     $ 135,994     $ 126,722  
    


 


 


Operating Income

                        

United States

   $ 29,285     $ 26,546     $ 25,722  

Canada

     11,016       10,790       8,795  
    


 


 


North America

     40,301       37,336       34,517  

Europe

     11,134       7,814       11,109  

Asia/Pacific

     20,629       17,028       12,838  

Latin America

     1,080       280       (156 )

Corporate

     (57,018 )     (46,293 )     (40,133 )
    


 


 


Total

   $ 16,126     $ 16,165     $ 18,175  
    


 


 


Long-Lived Assets

                        

United States

   $ 26,208     $ 26,913     $ 26,071  

Canada

     2,062       776       806  
    


 


 


North America

     28,270       27,689       26,877  

Europe

     2,559       2,593       2,765  

Asia/Pacific

     1,468       1,120       593  

Latin America

     1,078       1,265       1,036  
    


 


 


Total

   $ 33,375     $ 32,667     $ 31,271  
    


 


 


 

F-32


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Historically, the Company has not tracked capital expenditures and depreciation by SBU as the majority of the spending relates to Corporate projects. In fiscal 2006, capital expenditures primarily related to the implementation of various modules and upgrades of PeopleSoft and facility improvements.

 

The Company sells its products to companies in diversified industries and performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. Terms are generally on open account, payable net 30 days in North America, and vary throughout Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Latin America. Estimates of credit losses are recorded in the financial statements based on periodic reviews of outstanding accounts, and actual losses have been consistently within management’s estimates.

 

Note N—Litigation

 

The Company is involved in several pending judicial proceedings concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of its business. While the outcome of litigation is subject to uncertainties, based on currently available information, the Company believes that, in the aggregate, the results of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition.

 

Note O—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

The following table presents the valuation and qualifying account activity for the fiscal years ended June 3, 2006, May 28, 2005, and May 29, 2004:

 

Description    Balance at
beginning
of period


   Charged to
expenses


    Deductions

    Balance at
end of period


Year ended June 3, 2006:

                             

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 1,934    $ 1,326 (1)   $ 1,118 (2)   $ 2,142

Inventory overstock reserve

   $ 28,492    $ 1,765 (3)   $ 5,000 (7)   $ 25,257

Deferred tax asset valuation

   $ 20,695    $ 5,145     $ —       $ 25,840

Warranty reserves

   $ 1,439    $ 932     $ 1,535 (6)   $ 836

Year ended May 28, 2005:

                             

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 2,516    $ 894 (1)   $ 1,476 (2)   $ 1,934

Inventory overstock reserve

   $ 26,617    $ 4,225 (3)   $ 2,350 (7)   $ 28,492

Deferred tax asset valuation

   $ 4,040    $ 16,655 (4)   $ —       $ 20,695

Warranty reserves

   $ 802    $ 958     $ 321     $ 1,439

Year ended May 29, 2004:

                             

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 3,350    $ (409 )(1)   $ 425 (2)   $ 2,516

Inventory overstock reserve

   $ 34,015    $ 2,168 (3)   $ 9,566 (5)   $ 26,617

Deferred tax asset valuation

   $ 1,586    $ 2,454     $ —       $ 4,040

Warranty reserves

   $ 672    $ 459     $ 329     $ 802

(1) Charges to bad debt expense.
(2) Uncollectible amounts written off, net of recoveries and foreign currency translation.
(3) Charges to cost of sales.
(4) Tax provisions recorded to increase the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets in the U.S. ($15.9 million) and outside the U.S. ($0.8 million).
(5) Inventory disposed of during the period ($3.6 million), LIFO reversal ($4.0 million), and reclassification to LCM ($2.0 million).
(6) A change in estimate of $0.9 million was recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2006.
(7) Inventory disposed of during the period.

 

F-33


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Note P—Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

     First
Quarter


   Second
Quarter


   Third
Quarter


    Fourth
Quarter


 

Fiscal 2006:

                              

Net sales

   $ 158,145    $ 155,837    $ 152,128     $ 171,830  

Gross profit

     38,532      39,506      37,089       40,642  

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,820    $ 293    $ (1,146 )   $ (3,609 )

Net income (loss) per share—basic:

                              

—Common stock

   $ 0.11    $ 0.02    $ (0.07 )   $ (0.21 )

—Class B common stock

   $ 0.10    $ 0.02    $ (0.06 )   $ (0.19 )

Net income (loss) per share—diluted:

                              

—Common stock

   $ 0.10    $ 0.02    $ (0.07 )   $ (0.21 )

—Class B common stock

   $ 0.10    $ 0.02    $ (0.06 )   $ (0.19 )

Fiscal 2005:

                              

Net sales

   $ 138,447    $ 151,274    $ 141,700     $ 147,303  

Gross profit

     33,855      35,862      33,666       32,611  

Net income (loss)

   $ 904    $ 3,290    $ (22,687 )   $ 2,476  

Net income (loss) per share—basic:

                              

—Common stock

   $ 0.06    $ 0.19    $ (1.34 )   $ 0.15  

—Class B common stock

   $ 0.05    $ 0.17    $ (1.20 )   $ 0.13  

Net income (loss) per share—diluted:

                              

—Common stock

   $ 0.06    $ 0.19    $ (1.34 )   $ 0.14  

—Class B common stock

   $ 0.05    $ 0.17    $ (1.20 )   $ 0.13  

(1) In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company recorded a $2.2 million restructuring charge to selling, general and administrative expenses as the Company terminated over 60 employees. In addition, the Company recorded incremental tax provisions of $16.7 million in fiscal 2005 to increase the valuation allowance related to the Company’s deferred tax assets in the U.S. ($15.9 million) and outside the U.S. ($0.8 million).
(2) In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company recorded severance costs of $2.7 million to selling, general and administrative expenses for certain employees whose termination costs became probable and estimable. In the fourth quarter, the Company re-evaluated the realization of certain deferred tax assets, resulting in an additional valuation allowance of $2.2 million.

 

F-34


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Unaudited
March 3,
2007


    June 3,
2006


 

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 12,363     $ 17,010  

Receivables, less allowance of $2,318 and $2,142

     115,474       115,733  

Inventories

     131,007       117,320  

Prepaid expenses

     7,635       3,739  

Deferred income taxes

     1,057       1,527  
    


 


Total current assets

     267,536       255,329  
    


 


Non-current assets:

                

Property, plant and equipment, net

     31,647       32,357  

Goodwill

     13,179       13,068  

Other intangible assets, net

     2,016       2,413  

Non-current deferred income taxes

     1,335       1,300  

Assets held for sale

     1,243       1,018  

Other assets

     1,831       3,814  
    


 


Total non-current assets

     51,251       53,970  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 318,787     $ 309,299  
    


 


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 56,407     $ 52,494  

Accrued liabilities

     28,479       30,588  

Current portion of long-term debt

     16       14,016  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     84,902       97,098  
    


 


Non-current liabilities:

                

Long-term debt, less current portion

     133,433       112,792  

Non-current liabilities

     1,803       1,169  
    


 


Total non-current liabilities

     135,236       113,961  
    


 


Total liabilities

     220,138       211,059  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies

     —         —    

Stockholders’ equity

                

Common stock, $0.05 par value; issued 15,813 shares at March 3, 2007 and 15,663 shares at June 3, 2006

     791       783  

Class B common stock, convertible, $0.05 par value; issued 3,048 shares at March 3, 2007 and 3,093 shares at June 3, 2006

     152       155  

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, no shares issued

     —         —    

Additional paid-in-capital

     118,536       119,149  

Common stock in treasury, at cost, 1,249 shares at March 3, 2007 and 1,261 shares at June 3, 2006

     (7,404 )     (7,473 )

Accumulated deficit

     (18,028 )     (19,048 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     4,602       4,674  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     98,649       98,240  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 318,787     $ 309,299  
    


 


 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-35


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
     March 3,
2007


    March 4,
2006


    March 3,
2007


    March 4,
2006


 

Statements of Operations

                                

Net sales

   $ 160,141     $ 152,128     $ 491,702     $ 466,110  

Cost of sales

     121,093       115,039       370,756       350,983  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     39,048       37,089       120,946       115,127  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     35,877       35,502       107,386       100,766  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     (2,418 )     75       (2,098 )     (87 )
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     5,589       1,512       15,658       14,448  
    


 


 


 


Other (income) expense:

                                

Interest expense

     2,706       2,479       8,486       7,076  

Investment income

     (71 )     (117 )     (885 )     (248 )

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

     110       (1,611 )     315       2,071  

Retirement of long-term debt expenses

     —         —         2,540       —    

Other, net

     15       54       74       229  
    


 


 


 


Total other expense

     2,760       805       10,530       9,128  
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     2,829       707       5,128       5,320  

Income tax provision

     1,792       1,853       4,108       4,353  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 1,037     $ (1,146 )   $ 1,020     $ 967  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share—basic:

                                

Common stock

   $ 0.06     $ (0.07 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  
    


 


 


 


Common stock average shares outstanding

     14,559       14,328       14,493       14,310  
    


 


 


 


Class B common stock

   $ 0.05     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
    


 


 


 


Class B common stock average shares outstanding

     3,048       3,093       3,048       3,093  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share—diluted:

                                

Common stock

   $ 0.06     $ (0.07 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  
    


 


 


 


Common stock average shares outstanding

     17,732       14,328       17,638       17,476  
    


 


 


 


Class B common stock

   $ 0.05     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
    


 


 


 


Class B common stock average shares outstanding

     3,048       3,093       3,048       3,093  
    


 


 


 


Dividends per common share

   $ 0.040     $ 0.040     $ 0.120     $ 0.120  
    


 


 


 


Dividends per Class B common share

   $ 0.036     $ 0.036     $ 0.108     $ 0.108  
    


 


 


 


Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,037     $ (1,146 )   $ 1,020     $ 967  

Foreign currency translation, net of income tax effect

     (50 )     772       255       2,151  

Fair value adjustments on investments, net of income tax effect

     7       99       (483 )     175  
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 994     $ (275 )   $ 792     $ 3,293  
    


 


 


 


 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-36


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
     March 3,
2007


    March 4,
2006


    March 3,
2007


    March 4,
2006


 

Operating activities:

                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,037     $ (1,146 )   $ 1,020     $ 967  

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

                                

Depreciation and amortization

     1,538       1,583       4,655       4,648  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     (2,418 )     75       (2,098 )     (87 )

Retirement of long-term debt expenses

     —         —         2,540       —    

Deferred income taxes

     646       (1,239 )     417       (1,723 )

Receivables

     1,708       932       5,016       (1,031 )

Inventories

     (6,966 )     (762 )     (14,797 )     (7,265 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (1,978 )     (1,329 )     (6,517 )     7,914  

Other liabilities

     492       68       606       (264 )

Other

     304       (407 )     (301 )     1,463  
    


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (5,637 )     (2,225 )     (9,459 )     4,622  
    


 


 


 


Investing activities:

                                

Capital expenditures

     (1,991 )     (1,492 )     (4,716 )     (4,229 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     3,066       —         3,109       274  

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     —         —         —         (6,833 )

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities

     —         554       3,682       1,290  

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     —         (554 )     (182 )     (1,290 )
    


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     1,075       (1,492 )     1,893       (10,788 )
    


 


 


 


Financing activities:

                                

Proceeds from borrowings

     64,600       104,801       202,011       194,898  

Payments on debt

     (51,840 )     (96,691 )     (181,650 )     (190,874 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     35       1       755       284  

Cash dividends

     (692 )     (685 )     (2,071 )     (2,051 )

Payments on retirement of long-term debt

     (8,700 )     —         (15,915 )     —    

Other

     (16 )     (327 )     (674 )     (1,665 )
    


 


 


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     3,387       7,099       2,456       592  
    


 


 


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (72 )     554       463       (15 )
    


 


 


 


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (1,247 )     3,936       (4,647 )     (5,589 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     13,610       14,776       17,010       24,301  
    


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 12,363     $ 18,712     $ 12,363     $ 18,712  
    


 


 


 


 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-37


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

Note A—Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Item 10 of Regulation S-K. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods have been made and such adjustments were of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations and cash flows for the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 3, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 2, 2007.

 

Richardson Electronics, Ltd.’s (the Company) fiscal quarter ends on the Saturday nearest the end of the quarter ending month. The first nine months of fiscal 2007 contained 39 weeks, while the first nine months of fiscal 2006 contained 40 weeks. The additional week occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

The financial information contained in this report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 3, 2006.

 

Note B—Investment in Marketable Equity Securities

 

The Company’s investments are primarily equity securities, all of which are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at their fair value based on the quoted market prices. Proceeds from the sale of the securities were $3,682 during the first nine months of fiscal 2007. There were no sales of securities during the third quarter of fiscal 2007. During the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, proceeds from the sale of the securities were $554 and $1,290, respectively. During the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company retained $3,500 of the proceeds from the sale of securities, while in prior periods all proceeds from the sale of securities were reinvested. Gross realized gains on those sales were $724 during the first nine months of fiscal 2007. Gross realized gains on security sales for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006 were $84 and $185, respectively. Gross realized losses on security sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 were $64. During the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, gross realized losses on security sales were $46 and $89, respectively. Net unrealized holding gains of $11 and $178 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, and net unrealized holding gains of $160 and $283 for the same periods of fiscal 2006, have been included in accumulated comprehensive income for fiscal 2007 and 2006.

 

The following table is the disclosure under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, for the investment in marketable equity securities with fair values less than cost basis:

 

     Marketable Security Holding Length

   Total

     Less Than 12 Months

   More Than 12 Months

  

Description of Securities


   Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Losses


   Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Losses


  

Fair

Value


   Unrealized
Losses


March 3, 2007

                                         

Common Stock

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

June 3, 2006

                                         

Common Stock

   $ 623    $ 34    $ 158    $ 17    $ 781    $ 51

 

F-38


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

Note C—Assets Held for Sale

 

On April 5, 2007, the Company sold real estate and a building located in the United Kingdom for $1,882. The Company will record a pre tax gain on sale of approximately $1,400 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 with respect to the sale of this property.

 

On December 29, 2006, the Company sold approximately 1.5 acres of real estate and a building located in Geneva, Illinois for $3,050. The Company recorded a gain of $2,473 during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 with respect to the sale of this property.

 

In July 2006, the Company offered to sell a building located in Brazil for $913. The Company does not anticipate recording a gain or loss on the sale of the building. The sale of the building is expected to close during the next year, however, the Company cannot give any assurance as to the actual timing or successful completion of the transaction.

 

Note D—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment assessment as of the end of the third quarter of the current fiscal year. The table below provides changes in carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment, which includes RF, Wireless & Power Division (RFPD), Electron Device Group (EDG), Burtek Systems, formerly Security Systems Division (SSD/Burtek), and Display Systems Group (DSG):

 

     Goodwill

     Reportable Segments

     RFPD

   EDG

   SSD/
Burtek


    DSG

   Total

Balance at June 3, 2006

   $ 252    $ 893    $ 1,812     $ 10,111    $ 13,068

Foreign currency translation

     7      9      (106 )     201      111
    

  

  


 

  

Balance at March 3, 2007

   $ 259    $ 902    $ 1,706     $ 10,312    $ 13,179
    

  

  


 

  

 

The following table provides changes in carrying value of other intangible assets not subject to amortization:

 

     Other Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization

 
     Reportable Segments

 
     RFPD

   EDG

    SSD/
Burtek


    DSG

   Total

 

Balance at June 3, 2006

   $ —      $ 9     $ 321     $ —      $ 330  

Reclass

     —        (9 )     9       —        —    

Foreign currency translation

     —        —         (19 )     —        (19 )
    

  


 


 

  


Balance at March 3, 2007

   $ —      $ —       $ 311     $ —      $ 311  
    

  


 


 

  


 

F-39


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization, as well as amortization expense are as follows:

 

     Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

     March 3, 2007

   June 3, 2006

     Gross
Amounts


   Accumulated
Amortization


   Gross
Amounts


   Accumulated
Amortization


Deferred financing costs

   $ 4,539    $ 2,834    $ 4,639    $ 2,559

Patents and trademarks

     478      478      478      475
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 5,017    $ 3,312    $ 5,117    $ 3,034
    

  

  

  

 

Deferred financing costs decreased during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 primarily due to the write-off of previously capitalized deferred financing costs of $625 in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, related to the Company entering into agreements with certain holders to purchase $14,000 of the Company’s 8% convertible senior subordinated notes (8% notes). This decrease was partially offset by additional deferred financing costs associated with the Company entering into the fourth amendment of the Company’s multi-currency revolving credit agreement (credit agreement) in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

Amortization expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 3, 2007 and March 4, 2006 was as follows:

 

     Amortization Expense for
Third Quarter


   Amortization Expense for
Nine Months


         FY 2007    

       FY 2006    

       FY 2007    

       FY 2006    

Deferred financing costs

   $ 143    $ 129    $ 364    $ 245

Patents and trademarks

     —        —        3      1
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 143    $ 129    $ 367    $ 246
    

  

  

  

 

The amortization expense associated with the intangible assets subject to amortization is expected to be $488, $495, $495, $329, $209, and $53 in fiscal 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. The weighted average number of years of amortization expense remaining is 4.31.

 

Note E—Restructuring and Severance Charges

 

The Company implemented a global restructuring plan during the first quarter of fiscal 2007 (2007 Restructuring Plan). The 2007 Restructuring Plan is intended to reduce corporate and administrative expense, decrease the number of warehouses, and streamline much of the entire organization. During fiscal 2007, the Company plans to implement a more tax-effective supply chain structure for Asia/Pacific and Europe, restructure its Latin American operations, and reduce its total workforce, including the elimination and restructuring of layers of management.

 

F-40


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

As a result of the Company’s 2007 Restructuring Plan, restructuring charges of $1,491 were recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) during the first nine months of fiscal 2007. Severance costs of $175 and $648 were paid during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively. During the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, the employee severance costs were adjusted $37 and $57, respectively, decreasing SG&A due to the difference between estimated severance costs and actual payouts. The remaining balance payable during fiscal 2007 has been included in accrued liabilities. As of March 3, 2007, the following table depicts the amounts associated with the activity related to the 2007 Restructuring Plan by reportable segment:

 

    

Restructuring

Liability

June 3,

2006


  

For the nine months ended

March 3, 2007


   

Restructuring

Liability

March 3,

2007


     

Reserve

Recorded


   Payment

   

Adjustment

to Reserve


   

2007 Restructuring Plan

                                    

Employee severance costs:

                                    

RFPD

   $ —      $ 432    $ (109 )   $ —       $ 323

EDG

     —        57      (17 )     —         40

SSD/Burtek

     —        129      (112 )     2       19

DSG

     —        67      (67 )     —         —  

Corporate

     —        806      (343 )     (59 )     404
    

  

  


 


 

Total

   $ —      $ 1,491    $ (648 )   $ (57 )   $ 786
    

  

  


 


 

 

As a result of the Company’s fiscal 2005 restructuring initiative (2005 Restructuring Plan), a restructuring charge, including severance and lease termination costs of $2,152, was recorded in SG&A in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, the employee severance and related costs were adjusted, resulting in a $183 decrease in SG&A due to the difference between estimated severance costs and the actual payouts. During fiscal 2006, the employee severance and related costs were adjusted $123, decreasing SG&A due to the difference between estimated severance costs and actual payouts. Severance costs of $724 and $1,108 were paid in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, severance costs of $14 were paid. Terminations affected over 60 employees across various business functions, operating units, and geographic regions. As of March 3, 2007, the following table depicts the amounts associated with the activity related to the 2005 Restructuring Plan by reportable segment:

 

    

Restructuring

Liability

June 3,

2006


  

For the nine months ended

March 3, 2007


  

Restructuring

Liability

March 3,
2007


      Reserve
Recorded


   Payment

    Adjustment
to Reserve


  

2005 Restructuring Plan

                                   

Employee severance and related costs:

                                   

Corporate

   $ 14    $ —      $ (14 )   $ —      $ —  
    

  

  


 

  

Total

   $ 14    $ —      $ (14 )   $ —      $ —  
    

  

  


 

  

 

Note F—Warranties

 

The Company offers warranties for specific products it manufactures. The Company also provides extended warranties for some products it sells that lengthen the period of coverage specified in the manufacturer’s original warranty. Terms generally range from one to three years.

 

F-41


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

The Company estimates the cost to perform under its warranty obligation and recognizes this estimated cost at the time of the related product sale. The Company reports this expense as an element of cost of sales in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Each quarter, the Company assesses actual warranty costs incurred, on a product-by-product basis, as compared to its estimated obligation. The estimates with respect to new products are based generally on knowledge of the products, are extrapolated to reflect the extended warranty period, and are refined each quarter as better information with respect to warranty experience becomes known.

 

Warranty reserves are established for costs that are expected to be incurred after the sale and delivery of products under warranty. The warranty reserves are determined based on known product failures, historical experience, and other currently available evidence.

 

Changes in the warranty reserve for the first nine months ended March 3, 2007 were as follows:

 

     Warranty
Reserve


 

Balance at June 3, 2006

   $ 836  

Accruals for products sold

     479  

Utilization

     (432 )

Adjustment

     (386 )
    


Balance at March 3, 2007

   $ 497  
    


 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, DSG provided a three-year warranty on some of its products. As a result of lower than anticipated failure rates and lower sales volume of products with this warranty feature, reserve adjustments of $386 were recorded during the first nine months of fiscal 2007.

 

Note G—Debt

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

     March 3,
2007


    June 3,
2006


 

7 3/4% notes, due December 2011

   $ 44,683     $ 44,683  

8% notes, due June 2011

     11,000       25,000  

Multi-currency revolving credit agreement, due October 2009 (7.20% at March 3, 2007)

     77,743       57,089  

Other

     23       36  
    


 


Total debt

     133,449       126,808  

Less: current portion

     (16 )     (14,016 )
    


 


Long-term debt

   $ 133,433     $ 112,792  
    


 


 

At March 3, 2007, the Company maintained $133,433 in long-term debt, primarily in the form of two series of convertible notes and a credit agreement. On September 8, 2006, the Company purchased $6,000 of the 8% notes, and on December 8, 2006, the Company purchased $8,000 of the 8% notes. The purchases were financed through additional borrowings under the Company’s existing credit agreement. As the 8% notes are subordinate to the credit agreement, the Company received a waiver from its lending group to permit the purchases. In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company recorded costs associated with the retirement of long-term debt of $2,540 in connection with the purchases, which includes the write-off of previously capitalized deferred financing costs of $625.

 

F-42


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

In October 2004, the Company renewed its credit agreement with the current lending group in the amount of approximately $109,000. On August 4, 2006, the Company amended its credit agreement and decreased the facility to approximately $97,500 (the size of the credit line varies based on fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates). The credit agreement expires in October 2009, and the outstanding balance at that time will become due. The portion of the credit line available for the Company to borrow is limited by the amount of collateral and certain covenants in the credit agreement. The credit agreement is principally secured by the Company’s trade receivables and inventory. The credit agreement bears interest at applicable LIBOR rates plus a margin, varying with certain financial performance criteria. At March 3, 2007, the applicable margin was 2.00%, $77,743 was outstanding under the credit agreement, outstanding letters of credit were $577, and the unused line was $19,214. None of this unused line was available for the Company to borrow because the Company was not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the leverage ratio for the third quarter ending March 3, 2007. The commitment fee related to the credit agreement is 0.25% per annum payable quarterly on the average daily unused portion of the aggregate commitment. The Company’s credit agreement consists of the following facilities as of March 3, 2007:

 

     Capacity

   Amount
Outstanding


   Interest
Rate


 

U.S. Facility

   $ 77,500    $ 60,400    7.46 %

Canada Facility

     2,064      341    6.00 %

UK Facility

     8,820      8,703    7.43 %

Euro Facility

     6,597      6,597    5.65 %

Japan Facility

     2,553      1,702    2.75 %
    

  

      

Total

   $ 97,534    $ 77,743    7.20 %
    

  

      

Note:   Due to maximum permitted leverage ratios, the amount of the unused line cannot be calculated on a facility-by-facility basis.

 

On January 19, 2007, the Company executed an amendment to the credit agreement to facilitate the implementation of a European cash sweeping program. In addition, the amendment decreased the Company’s Canada Facility and increased the Company’s U.S. Facility by approximately $7,500.

 

On March 3, 2007, the Company was not in compliance with credit agreement covenants with respect to the leverage ratio. On April 5, 2007, the Company received a waiver from its lending group for the default.

 

Note H—Income Taxes

 

The effective income tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007 were 63.3% and 80.1%, respectively, as compared with 262.1% and 81.8% for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rates as compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 34% primarily results from the Company’s geographical distribution of taxable income or losses and valuation allowances related to net operating losses. For the nine months ended March 3, 2007, the tax benefit primarily related to domestic net operating losses was limited by the requirement for a valuation allowance of $2,882, which increased the effective income tax rate by 56.2%. For the nine months ended March 4, 2006, the tax benefit primarily related to net operating losses was limited by the requirement for a valuation allowance of $3,646, which increased the effective income tax rate by 68.5%. During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, income tax reserves of approximately $1,000 for certain income tax exposures were reversed because the statute of limitations with respect to these income tax exposures expired.

 

F-43


Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

Note I—Calculation of Earnings Per Share

 

The Company has authorized 30,000 shares of common stock, 10,000 shares of Class B common stock, and 5,000 shares of preferred stock. The Class B common stock has ten votes per share. The Class B common stock has transferability restrictions; however, it may be converted into common stock on a share-for-share basis at any time. With respect to dividends and distributions, shares of common stock and Class B common stock rank equally and have the same rights, except that Class B common stock cash dividends are limited to 90% of the amount of common stock cash dividends.

 

According to the EITF Issue No. 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share,” the Company’s Class B common stock is considered a participating security requiring the use of the two-class method for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. The two-class computation method for each period reflects the cash dividends paid per share for each class of stock, plus the amount of allocated undistributed earnings per share computed using the participation percentage which reflects the dividend rights of each class of stock. Basic and diluted earnings per share reflect the application of EITF Issue No. 03-6 and were computed using the two-class method. The shares of Class B common stock are considered to be participating convertible securities since the shares of Class B common stock are convertible on a share-for-share basis into shares of common stock and may participate in dividends with common stock according to a predetermined formula (90% of the amount of common stock cash dividends).

 

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RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income, adjusted for interest savings, net of tax, on assumed conversion of convertible debentures and notes, by the actual shares outstanding and share equivalents that would arise from the exercise of stock options, certain restricted stock awards, and the assumed conversion of convertible debentures and notes when dilutive. The Company’s 7 3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes (7 3/4% notes) and 8% notes are excluded from the calculation for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007 and 2006, and the Company’s 8 1/4% convertible senior subordinated debentures and 7 1/4% convertible debentures are excluded from the calculation for the first nine months of fiscal 2006, as assumed conversion and the effect of the interest savings would be anti-dilutive. The per share amounts presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007 and 2006 are based on the following amounts:

 

     Third Quarter

    Nine Months

 
     FY 2007

   FY 2006

    FY 2007

    FY 2006

 

Numerator for basic and diluted EPS:

                               

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,037    $ (1,146 )   $ 1,020     $ 967  

Less dividends:

                               

Common stock

     583      573       1,740       1,716  

Class B common stock

     109      112       331       335  
    

  


 


 


Undistributed earnings (losses)

   $ 345    $ (1,831 )   $ (1,051 )   $ (1,084 )
    

  


 


 


Common stock undistributed earnings (losses)

   $ 290    $ (1,533 )   $ (884 )   $ (907 )

Class B common stock undistributed earnings (losses)—basic

     55      (298 )     (167 )     (177 )
    

  


 


 


Total undistributed earnings (losses)—common stock and Class B common stock—basic

   $ 345    $ (1,831 )   $ (1,051 )   $ (1,084 )
    

  


 


 


Common stock undistributed earnings (losses)

   $ 291    $ (1,533 )   $ (885 )   $ (908 )

Class B common stock undistributed earnings (losses)—diluted

     54      (298 )     (166 )     (176 )
    

  


 


 


Total undistributed earnings (losses)—Class B common stock—diluted

   $ 345    $ (1,831 )   $ (1,051 )   $ (1,084 )
    

  


 


 


Denominator for basic and diluted EPS:

                               

Denominator for basic EPS:

                               

Common stock weighted average shares

     14,559      14,328       14,493       14,310  

Class B common stock weighted average shares, and shares under if-converted method for diluted earnings per share

     3,048      3,093       3,048       3,093  

Effect of dilutive securities:

                               

Unvested restricted stock awards

     3      —         5       4  

Dilutive stock options

     122      —         92       69  
    

  


 


 


Denominator for diluted EPS adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions

     17,732      17,421       17,638       17,476  
    

  


 


 


Net income (loss) per share:

                               

Common stock—basic

   $ 0.06    $ (0.07 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  
    

  


 


 


Class B common stock—basic

   $ 0.05    $ (0.06 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
    

  


 


 


Common stock—diluted

   $ 0.06    $ (0.07 )   $ 0.06     $ 0.06  
    

  


 


 


Class B common stock—diluted

   $ 0.05    $ (0.06 )   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
    

  


 


 


 

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RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

As of the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, 1,762 common stock options and 1,792 common stock options, respectively, were anti-dilutive and were not included in the dilutive earnings per common share calculation. As of the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, 2,009 common stock options and 1,940 common stock options, respectively, were anti-dilutive and were not included in the dilutive earnings per common share calculation.

 

Note J—Stock-Based Compensation

 

Prior to fiscal 2007, the Company accounted for its stock-based compensation under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations (APB No. 25), and adopted the disclosure-only provision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. Under APB No. 25, no stock-based compensation cost was reflected in net income for grants of stock options prior to fiscal 2006 because the Company grants stock options with an exercise price equal to the market value of the stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation totaled approximately $185 and $552 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, respectively.

 

Under APB No. 25, pro-forma expense for stock options was calculated using a graded-vesting schedule over the applicable vesting period, which generally ranges from two to four years. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, (SFAS No. 123(R)) the Company records compensation expense using a graded-vesting schedule over the applicable vesting period, or to the date on which retirement eligibility is achieved, if shorter (non-substantive vesting period approach). Had the Company used the fair value based accounting method for stock compensation expense prescribed by SFAS No. 123(R), the Company’s net income and earnings per share for the three-month and nine-month periods ended March 4, 2006 would have been reduced to the pro-forma amounts illustrated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Quarter Ended
March 4, 2006


    Nine Months Ended
March 4, 2006


 

Net income (loss)—as reported

   $ (1,146 )   $ 967  

Add: Reported stock-based compensation expense, net of taxes

     2       5  

Deduct: Fair valued based compensation expense, net of taxes

     (185 )     (552 )
    


 


Pro-forma net income (loss)

   $ (1,329 )   $ 420  
    


 


Earnings per share, as reported:

                

Common stock—basic

   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.06  
    


 


Class B common stock—basic

   $ (0.06 )   $ 0.05  
    


 


Common stock—diluted

   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.06  
    


 


Class B common stock—diluted

   $ (0.06 )   $ 0.05  
    


 


Earnings per share, pro forma:

                

Common stock—basic

   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.02  
    


 


Class B common stock—basic

   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.02  
    


 


Common stock—diluted

   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.02  
    


 


Class B common stock—diluted

   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.02  
    


 


 

Effective June 4, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (R), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation cost at fair value for all share-based payments, including stock options. Using the

 

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RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

modified prospective method, stock-based compensation for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007 includes compensation expense, recognized over the applicable vesting periods, for new share-based awards and for share-based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of June 3, 2006. Stock-based compensation totaled approximately $198 and $774 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively.

 

Stock options granted to members of the Board of Directors generally vest immediately and stock options granted to employees generally vest over a period of five years and have contractual terms for exercise of ten years. Transactions during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 were as follows (in thousands, except option prices and years):

 

     Number of
Options


    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)


   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value


Options outstanding at June 3, 2006

   1,851     $ 9.26            

Granted

   309     $ 8.68            

Exercised

   (105 )   $ 7.18            

Cancelled

   (171 )   $ 9.44            
    

                 

Options outstanding at March 3, 2007

   1,884     $ 9.26    5.86    $ 1,409
    

                 

Options exercisable at March 3, 2007

   1,184     $ 9.73    4.10    $ 1,029
    

                 

 

There were 5 and 105 stock options exercised during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007, respectively, with a realized gain of $8 and $261. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the first nine months of fiscal 2006 totaled approximately $47. The weighted average fair value of stock option grants was $3.93 for the first nine months of fiscal 2007, and $3.19 and $3.15 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, respectively.

 

The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     Quarter Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
     March 3,
2007


   March 4,
2006


    March 3,
2007


    March 4,
2006


 

Expected volatility

     —        43.49 %     48.2 %     43.49 %

Risk-free interest rate

     —        4.49 %     4.73 %     4.29 %

Expected lives

     —        5.12       6.5       5.12  

Annual cash dividend

   $ —      $ 0.16     $ 0.16     $ 0.16  

Note: There were no options granted during the third quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

The fiscal 2007 and 2006 expected volatility assumptions are based on historical experience. The fiscal 2007 expected stock option life assumption is based on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s guidance in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 and the fiscal 2006 expected stock option life assumption is based on historical experience. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of a treasury note with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the stock option.

 

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RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

Note K—Segment Information

 

The following disclosures are made in accordance with the SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. The Company’s strategic business units (SBUs) in fiscal 2007 are: RF, Wireless & Power Division (RFPD), Electron Device Group (EDG), Burtek Systems (SSD/Burtek), and Display Systems Group (DSG).

 

RFPD serves the voice and data telecommunications market and the radio and television broadcast industry predominately for infrastructure applications, as well as the industrial power conversion market.

 

EDG serves a broad range of customers including the steel, automotive, textile, plastics, semiconductor manufacturing, and broadcast industries.

 

SSD/Burtek provides security systems and related design services which includes such products as closed circuit television, fire, burglary, access control, sound, and communication products and accessories.

 

DSG provides system integration and custom display solutions for the public information, financial, point-of-sale, and medical imaging markets.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company changed the name of its Security Systems Division (SSD) to Burtek Systems (SSD/Burtek) to take advantage of Burtek’s positive brand recognition within the sound and security industry.

 

Each SBU is directed by a Vice President and General Manager who reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO evaluates performance and allocates resources, in part, based on the direct operating contribution of each SBU. Direct operating contribution is defined as gross margin less product management and direct selling expenses.

 

Accounts receivable, inventory, and goodwill are identified by SBU. Cash, net property, and other assets are not identifiable by SBU. Operating results for each SBU are summarized in the following table:

 

     Net Sales

   Gross
Profit


   Direct
Operating
Contribution


   Assets

Third Quarter Fiscal 2007

                           

RFPD

   $ 89,241    $ 20,576    $ 11,306    $ 128,537

EDG

     24,384      7,922      4,925      46,347

SSD/Burtek

     26,247      6,934      1,796      39,214

DSG

     19,592      4,713      182      38,453
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 159,464    $ 40,145    $ 18,209    $ 252,551
    

  

  

  

Third Quarter Fiscal 2006

                           

RFPD

   $ 80,526    $ 19,049    $ 11,751    $ 109,966

EDG

     21,907      7,099      4,458      41,772

SSD/Burtek

     25,316      6,016      1,050      38,307

DSG

     23,537      6,426      2,548      37,644
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 151,286    $ 38,590    $ 19,807    $ 227,689
    

  

  

  

 

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RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

     Net Sales

   Gross
Profit


   Direct
Operating
Contribution


   Assets

Nine Months Fiscal 2007

                           

RFPD

   $ 270,567    $ 62,431    $ 36,297    $ 128,537

EDG

     74,552      23,972      15,575      46,347

SSD/Burtek

     80,657      21,446      5,807      39,214

DSG

     62,801      14,870      1,615      38,453
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 488,577    $ 122,719    $ 59,294    $ 252,551
    

  

  

  

Nine Months Fiscal 2006

                           

RFPD

   $ 241,252    $ 55,890    $ 34,460    $ 109,966

EDG

     70,352      22,543      14,448      41,772

SSD/Burtek

     80,488      20,185      5,710      38,307

DSG

     69,881      18,559      7,973      37,644
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 461,973    $ 117,177    $ 62,591    $ 227,689
    

  

  

  

 

A reconciliation of net sales, gross profit, operating income, and assets to the relevant consolidated amounts is as follows. Other current assets not identified include miscellaneous receivables and manufacturing inventories.

 

     Third Quarter

    Nine Months

 
     FY 2007

    FY 2006

    FY 2007

    FY 2006

 

Segment net sales

   $ 159,464     $ 151,286     $ 488,577     $ 461,973  

Corporate

     677       842       3,125       4,137  
    


 


 


 


Net sales

   $ 160,141     $ 152,128     $ 491,702     $ 466,110  
    


 


 


 


Segment gross profit

   $ 40,145     $ 38,590     $ 122,719     $ 117,177  

Manufacturing variances and other costs

     (1,097 )     (1,501 )     (1,773 )     (2,050 )
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

   $ 39,048     $ 37,089     $ 120,946     $ 115,127  
    


 


 


 


Segment contribution

   $ 18,209     $ 19,807     $ 59,294     $ 62,591  

Manufacturing variances and other costs

     (1,097 )     (1,501 )     (1,773 )     (2,050 )

Regional selling expenses

     (2,581 )     (4,219 )     (9,132 )     (14,253 )

Administrative expenses

     (11,360 )     (12,500 )     (34,829 )     (31,927 )

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

     2,418       (75 )     2,098       87  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

   $ 5,589     $ 1,512     $ 15,658     $ 14,448  
    


 


 


 


 

     March 3,
2007


   June 3,
2006


Segment assets

   $ 252,551    $ 232,619

Cash and cash equivalents

     12,363      17,010

Other current assets

     16,112      19,098

Net property

     31,647      32,357

Non-current assets

     6,114      8,215
    

  

Total assets

   $ 318,787    $ 309,299
    

  

 

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Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

Geographic net sales information is primarily grouped by customer destination into five areas: North America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Corporate. Europe includes sales to the Middle East and Africa. Net sales to Mexico are included as part of Latin America. Corporate consists of freight and sales which are not area specific.

 

Net sales and gross profit by geographic region are presented in the table below:

 

     Third Quarter

    Nine Months

 
     FY 2007

    FY 2006

    FY 2007

    FY 2006

 

Net Sales

                                

North America

   $ 74,393     $ 75,291     $ 238,909     $ 236,631  

Asia/Pacific

     40,505       34,707       119,306       106,700  

Europe

     39,867       34,138       116,086       101,869  

Latin America

     5,054       5,780       15,449       17,760  

Corporate

     322       2,212       1,952       3,150  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 160,141     $ 152,128     $ 491,702     $ 466,110  
    


 


 


 


Gross Profit

                                

North America

   $ 20,584     $ 20,813     $ 64,138     $ 63,354  

Asia/Pacific

     9,947       8,805       28,528       26,164  

Europe

     10,369       10,298       30,261       28,665  

Latin America

     1,383       1,910       4,371       5,059  

Corporate

     (3,235 )     (4,737 )     (6,352 )     (8,115 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 39,048     $ 37,089     $ 120,946     $ 115,127  
    


 


 


 


 

The Company sells its products to customers in diversified industries and performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. Terms are generally on open account, payable net 30 days in North America, and vary throughout Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. Estimates of credit losses are recorded in the financial statements based on periodic reviews of outstanding accounts. Actual credit losses have been consistently within management’s estimates.

 

Note L—Recently Issued Pronouncements

 

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of FIN 48 on the financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Under SFAS No. 157, fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. The standard clarifies that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants

 

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Table of Contents

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts and except where indicated)

 

would use when pricing the asset or liability. SFAS No. 157 will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2009. The Company is currently assessing the impact that SFAS No. 157 may have on the financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (SAB No. 108) regarding the quantification of financial statement misstatements. SAB No. 108 requires a “dual approach” for quantifications of errors using both a method that focuses on the income statement impact, including the cumulative effect of prior years’ misstatements, and a method that focuses on the period-end balance sheet. SAB No. 108 will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (SFAS No. 159), including an amendment to SFAS No. 115. Under SFAS No. 159, entities may elect to measure specified financial instruments and warranty and insurance contracts at fair value on a contract-by-contract basis, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each reporting period. The election, called the fair value option, will enable entities to achieve an offset accounting effect for changes in fair value of certain related assets and liabilities without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement consistent with the FASB’s long-term objectives for financial instruments. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 159 on the financial statements.

 

Note M—Subsequent Events

 

On April 6, 2007, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Honeywell International Inc. to sell certain assets and liabilities of the Company’s SSD/Burtek strategic business unit for $80 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments. The sale is subject to regulatory review. The Company anticipates the completion of the sale to occur in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 or the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Upon completion, the Company would report SSD/Burtek as a discontinued operation in accordance with the criteria of SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.

 

As of March 3, 2007, the net assets of SSD/Burtek included in the sale were approximately $33 million. Based on the Company’s tax structure and its ability to use existing net operating loss carryforwards to offset any gain in the U.S., the Company does not expect to pay income taxes as a result of the sale. After transaction expenses, net proceeds from the sale are estimated to be $76 million. Upon closing, the Company expects to record a gain on sale of approximately $43 million. The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the sale to pay down debt outstanding under its credit agreement.

 

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