This annual report on Form 10-K (this "Report") and the Company's (as defined below) other communications and statements may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements about the Company's beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, estimates, projections and intentions. These statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "target," "goal," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual future results may differ materially from those set forth in the Company's forward-looking statements. For information concerning these factors and related matters, see "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A in this Report, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 in this Report. However, other factors besides those referenced could adversely affect the Company's results, and you should not consider any such list of factors to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties. Any forward-looking statements made by the Company herein speak as of the date of this Report. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Item 1.Business.
General
The LGL Group, Inc. (the "Company," "LGL," "we," "us," or "our") is engaged in investment and manufacturing business activities. The Company, through its manufacturing business subsidiaries, is a globally-positioned producer of industrial and commercial products and services. We operate in two identified segments. Our electronic components segment is currently focused on the design and manufacture of highly-engineered, high reliability frequency and spectrum control products. These electronic components and modules ensure reliability and security in both commercial and military aerospace and defense communications, low noise and base accuracy for laboratory instruments, and synchronous data transfers throughout the wireless and Internet infrastructure. Our electronic instruments segment is focused on the design and manufacture of high-performance Frequency and Time reference standards that form the basis for timing and synchronization in various applications including satellite communication, time transfer systems, network synchronization, electricity distribution and metrology.
The Company was incorporated in 1928 under the laws of the State of Indiana, and in 2007, the Company was reincorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware as The LGL Group, Inc. We maintain our executive offices at 2525 Shader Road, Orlando, Florida 32804. Our telephone number is (407) 298-2000. Our Internet address is www.lglgroup.com. Our common stock and warrants are traded on the NYSE American (“NYSE”) under the symbols "LGL" and “LGL WS”, respectively.
Manufacturing Businesses and Potential Spin-Off
We operate our manufacturing businesses through our two principal subsidiaries, M-tron Industries, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "MtronPTI"), which has design and manufacturing facilities in Orlando, Florida; Yankton, South Dakota; and Noida, India, and Precise Time and Frequency, LLC ("PTF"), which has a design and manufacturing facility in Wakefield, Massachusetts. We also have local sales and customer support offices in Hong Kong and Austin, Texas.
In late 2021, the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) approved progressing with the Spin-Off (as defined below) of MtronPTI. Completion of the Spin-Off is subject to a number of conditions, including stockholder approval of the transaction. If approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Spin-Off will separate the business activities and investments of the Company and create two separate, publicly-traded companies: (1) the Company, which will continue to own and operate PTF and hold substantially all the Company’s cash and marketable securities, and (2) MtronPTI, which includes the operations of Piezo Technology, Inc. and M-tron Asia, LLC (the “Spin-Off”).
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The Spin-Off, if approved by the Company’s stockholders, is expected to be effected through a pro rata issuance of shares of MtronPTI’s common stock to the Company’s stockholders structured as a tax-free distribution. Stockholders of the Company will receive one share of MtronPTI’s common stock for each share of the Company’s common stock held of record as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution. As a result, the Company’s stockholders as of the record date for the Spin-Off will also become the stockholders of MtronPTI after the Spin-Off. The Company will cease to have any ownership interest in MtronPTI following the Spin-Off, but the Company’s stockholders will, unless they sell their shares, be the stockholders of both the Company and MtronPTI.
Management believes that, if completed, the Spin-Off would enable shareholders to more clearly evaluate the performance and future potential of each entity on a standalone basis, while allowing each entity to pursue its own distinct business strategy and capital allocation policy. There can be no assurance that the Spin-Off will be completed.
Investment in Sponsor of a SPAC which Completed its 2021 Merger with IRNT
LGL Systems Acquisition Holding Company, LLC, a partially owned subsidiary of the LGL Group, served as the sponsor (the “Sponsor”) of LGL Systems Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, commonly referred to as a “SPAC” or blank check company, formed for the purpose of effecting a business combination in the aerospace, defense and communications industries (the “SPAC”). The Company invested $6.1 million for its partial ownership in the Sponsor. The SPAC completed a merger with its target company, IronNet Cybersecurity, Inc., on August 26, 2021 and changed its name to IronNet, Inc. (“IronNet” or “IRNT”) (the “IronNet Business Combination”). On September 14, 2021, as a result of its investment in the Sponsor, the Company received 1,572,529 shares of IRNT common stock and 2,065,000 private warrants exchangeable into shares of IRNT common stock. IRNT is a publicly-traded company on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “IRNT.” As of December 31, 2021, the Company sold 1,455,315 shares of its IRNT common stock partially monetizing its $6.1 million Sponsor investment. Proceeds of $18.5 million from the sale of these shares and the closing of certain IRNT-related derivative transactions were received. At December 31, 2021, 1,338,620 shares of IRNT common stock remained in our portfolio.
Business Strategy
Our objective is to delivery long-term investment growth to our shareholders maximizing shareholder value. This includes developing businesses and positioning them as independent entities to enhance shareholder value and alignment.
Our manufacturing businesses, MtronPTI and PTF, employ a market-based approach of designing and offering new products to our customers through both organic research and development, and through strategic partnerships, joint ventures, acquisitions or mergers. We seek to leverage our core strength as an engineering leader to expand client access, add new capabilities and continue to diversify our product offerings. Our focus is on investments that will differentiate us, broaden our portfolio and lead toward higher levels of integration organically and through joint venture, merger and acquisition opportunities. We believe that successful execution of this strategy will lead to a transformation of our product portfolio towards multi-component integrated offerings, longer product life cycles, better margins and improved competitive position.
LGL Group continues to strive for profitable growth internally and through acquisition. LGL, on a proforma standalone basis after the Spin-Off, would continue to own and develop its frequency reference and time standard synchronization solutions business through its PTF subsidiary platform, and is expected to retain substantially all the Company’s cash and marketable securities of approximately $46 million at December 31, 2021.
Business Segments
The Company conducts its business through two business segments: Electronic Components, which includes all products manufactured and sold by MtronPTI, and Electronic Instruments, which includes all products manufactured and sold by PTF.
Electronic Components Segment
Overview of MtronPTI
Originally founded in 1965, MtronPTI designs, manufactures and markets highly-engineered, high reliability frequency and spectrum control products.
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These component-level devices and modules are used extensively in electronic systems for applications in commercial and military defense, aerospace, earth-orbiting satellites, down-hole drilling, medical devices, instrumentation, industrial devices and global positioning systems as well as in infrastructure equipment for the telecommunications and network equipment industries. As an engineering-centric company, MtronPTI provides close support to the customer throughout its products' entire life cycle, including product design, prototyping, production and subsequent product upgrades and maintenance. This collaborative approach has resulted in the development and growth of long-standing business relationships with its blue-chip customer base.
All of MtronPTI’s production facilities are ISO 9001:2015 certified, ITAR registered and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (“RoHS”) compliant. In addition, its U.S. production facilities in Orlando and Yankton are AS9100 Rev D and MIL-STD-790 certified.
MtronPTI Products
MtronPTI's portfolio is divided into two product groupings, Frequency Control and Spectrum Control, and has expanded from primarily crystal-based components to include higher levels of integration, advanced materials science, cavity-based products, and various types of compensation methods employing integrated circuits and other methods to create products geared for applications that require high reliability in harsh environments. These products are differentiated by their precise level of accuracy, stability over time and within harsh environments, and very low phase noise.
MtronPTI's Frequency Control product group includes a broad portfolio of quartz crystal resonators, clock oscillators, VCXO, TCXO OCXO and DOCXO devices which meet some of the tightest specifications, including IEEE 1588 standards. These devices may be based on quartz, quartz MEMS or advanced materials science designed to achieve higher performance levels than quartz. MtronPTI's products offer high reliability over a wide temperature range and are well-suited for harsh environments, including shock and vibration-resistant oscillators with low-g sensitivity. These products are designed for applications within aerospace and defense, telecommunications infrastructure and instrumentation markets.
MtronPTI's Spectrum Control product group includes a wide array of radio frequency (“RF”), microwave and millimeter wave filters and diplexers covering a frequency range from 1 MHz to 90 GHz, and solid-state power amplifiers covering a frequency range from 300 MHz to 26 GHz, with power output from 10 Watts to 10 kWatts. Filter devices include crystal, ceramic, LC, tubular, combline, cavity, interdigital and metal insert waveguide, as well as digital, analog and mechanical tunable filters, switched filter arrays and RF subsystems. Power amplifiers add active devices to MtronPTI's portfolio and include GaN, GaAS FET, LDMOS and chip and wire technologies in narrow or broadband, module or rack-mounted packages. These products are employed in applications within the commercial and military aerospace, defense, space and other commercial markets.
New product development continues to be a key focus for MtronPTI as it continues to push its roadmap to meet the needs of its served markets. Within Frequency Control, design efforts are focused on smaller packages, lower power, lower phase noise and use of new materials to provide compensation and harsh environment performance that surpasses customer requirements. Spectrum Control seeks to develop higher power handling, higher levels of integration and a range of integrated products within the RF subsystem.
Electronic Instruments Segment
Overview of PTF
PTF designs, manufactures and markets for sale time and frequency products. The industries PTF serves include computer networking, satellite ground stations, electric utilities, broadcasting and telecommunication systems. PTF was originally founded in 2002 and its assets were acquired by LGL in September 2016 through a business acquisition, making us a broader-based supplier of highly engineered products for the generation of time and frequency references for synchronization and control. Since its inception, PTF has developed a comprehensive portfolio of time and frequency instruments complemented by a wide range of ancillary products such as distribution amplifiers and redundancy auto switches.
PTF Products
PTF's products range from simple, low-cost time and frequency solutions to premium products designed to deliver maximum performance for the most demanding applications. PTF's products include Frequency and Time Reference
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Standards, RF, digital, and optical time code distribution amplifiers, redundancy auto switches and NTP servers, all of which are used in a broad range of applications worldwide.
PTF's Frequency and Time Reference Standards include quartz Frequency Standards, GPS/GNS Frequency and Time Standards and rubidium atomic Frequency Standards. The de facto standard for many highly demanding applications, such as satellite communications, is PTF's range of GPS/GNS disciplined quartz frequency and time standards. The MtronPTI high-quality quartz oscillators utilized deliver outstanding phase noise and short-term stability performance for applications where low noise is paramount. This outstanding short-term performance, coupled with the long-term stability and accuracy of the external GNS reference signals, which can be from GPS, Galileo, Glonass or QZSS, provides the user excellent all-around performance that is highly cost-effective.
When two or more computers are involved, accurate time keeping is a challenge especially when the computers are in different locations. PTF's range of GNS Time and Frequency References and Network Time Servers deliver a high level of performance that allows customers to synchronize to Universal Time Coordinated, in a number of cost- effective forms to meet a multitude of time and frequency reference requirements. Applications range from low phase noise, highly stable and accurate system frequency references for Sat-Com and Digital Broadcasting applications, to computer networks, shipboard time code references and e-commerce time stamping applications. With respect to Universal Coordinated Time (“UTC”), the Company has recently developed long-term time synchronization capability of less than 10 nanoseconds.
PTF's portfolio of distribution amplifiers covers multiple signal types including RF, digital, time code, configurable and optical. The distribution range is designed to complement the high quality of the frequency and time references and provide the most effective cost/performance solution for the application, including options for full remote monitoring/control (including RF analog signal monitoring) and optional level control.
The distribution product range includes standard fixed configuration units with either 12 or 16 channels together with more flexible units that allow the user to define specific configurations including different types of input/output signals combined into a convenient 1U or 2U package with up to 36 output channels.
PTF's series of redundancy auto switches range from simple level detection to highly sophisticated sensing capability, extremely fast switching options and full Ethernet connectivity, to provide remote monitoring control, and including integration with SNMP management systems. The most recent model includes multi-channel input capability as well as the ability to switch up to three input types of signals.
Customers
We primarily work directly with original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) to define the right solutions for their unique applications, including the design of custom parts with unique part numbers. Actual sales of production parts may be directly to the OEM or through either its designated contract manufacturers or franchised distributors of our products. As a result, we have highly-skilled sales engineers who work directly with the designers and program managers at their OEMs providing a high-level of engineering support at all points within the process.
In 2021, our largest customer, a commercial aerospace and defense company, accounted for $7,870,000, or 28.0%, of the Company's total revenues, compared to $7,810,000, or 25.1%, of the Company’s total revenues in 2020. The Company’s second largest customer in 2021, a defense contractor, accounted for $3,138,000, or 11.2%, of the Company's total revenues, compared to $5,550,000, or 17.8%, of the Company’s total revenues, in 2020. The loss of either of these customers, or a decrease in their demand for our products, could have a material adverse effect on our results.
As of December 31, 2021, four of our largest customers accounted for approximately $2,595,000, or 53.2%, of accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2020, four of our largest customers accounted for approximately $2,301,000, or 53.4%, of accounts receivable. The insolvency of any of these customers could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity.
Competition
We design, manufacture and market products for the generation, synchronization and control of time and frequency as well as spectrum control products. There are numerous domestic and international manufacturers who are capable of providing custom-designed products comparable in quality and performance to our products. Our competitive strategy begins with our focus on niche markets where precise specification and reliability are the major
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requirements. Competitors in our electronic components segment include, but are not limited to, Vectron International and Microsemi Corporation (both divisions of Microchip Technology Incorporated), K&L Microwave (a division of Dover Corporation) and Rakon Limited. Competitors in our electronic instruments segment include, but are not limited to, Microsemi Corporation, Spectracom Corporation and Brandywine Communications.
Research and Development
Utilizing our understanding of market requirements, we employ a disciplined approach to capital allocation when selecting new product development projects. A cross-functional team comprised of engineering, marketing, operations, sales and finance reviews the merits of specific projects seeking to invest in products that will exceed a specific return on investment level and a payback expectation within one to two years. In addition, the team considers the inherent value of intellectual property that each project presents with consideration for technical roadmap objectives.
Research and development expense was approximately $2,212,000 and $2,142,000 in 2021 and 2020, respectively, and will remain a significant part of the Company's efforts to revitalize our intellectual property position.
Marketing and Sales
We have a highly skilled team of sales engineers who work in tandem with a worldwide network of more than 30 independent external manufacturer representatives and franchised electronics distributors to market and sell our products. An important part of the sales process is gaining qualification of specific products from the OEM, confirming suitability for use in a specific system design, which is commonly referred to as a "design-win." Through direct contact with our clients and through our representative network, we are able to understand the needs of the marketplace and then guide our product development process to allocate resources to meeting those requirements.
Domestic Revenues
Our domestic revenues were $22,096,000 in 2021, or 78.5% of total consolidated revenues, compared to $23,752,000, or 76.2% of total consolidated revenues, in 2020.
International Revenues
Our international revenues were $6,044,000 in 2021, or 21.5% of total consolidated revenues, compared to $7,410,000, or 23.8% of total consolidated revenues, in 2020. In each of 2021 and 2020, these revenues were derived mainly from customers in Asia, with significant sales in Malaysia. We avoid significant currency exchange risk by transacting and settling substantially all of our international sales in United States dollars.
Seasonality
Our business is not seasonal, although shipment schedules may be affected by the production schedules of our customers, or their contract manufacturers based on regional practices or customs.
Order Backlog
Our order backlog was $29,797,000 and $19,801,000 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The backlog of unfilled orders includes amounts based on signed contracts as well as agreed letters of intent, which we have determined are firm orders and likely to proceed. Although backlog represents only firm orders that are considered likely to be fulfilled primarily within the 12 months following receipt of the order, cancellations or scope adjustments may and do occur.
Order backlog is adjusted quarterly to reflect project cancellations, deferrals, revised project scope and cost. We expect to fill substantially all of our 2021 order backlog in 2022, but cannot provide assurances as to what portion of the order backlog will be fulfilled in a given year.
Raw Materials
Generally, most raw materials used in the production of our products are available in adequate supply from a number of sources and the prices of these raw materials are relatively stable. However, some raw materials, including printed circuit boards, quartz and certain metals including steel, aluminum, silver, gold, tantalum and
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palladium, are subject to greater supply fluctuations and price volatility, as experienced in recent years. In general, we have been able to include some cost increases in our pricing, but in some cases our margins were adversely impacted.
Changes in global economic and geopolitical conditions and the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic has caused disrupted supply chains and the ability to obtain components and raw materials around the world for most companies, including us. On occasion, one or more of the components used in our products have become unavailable resulting in unanticipated redesign and/or delays in shipments. Continued identification of alternative supply sources or other mitigations are important in minimizing disruption to our supply chain.
Intellectual Property
We have no patents, trademarks or licenses that are considered to be significant to our business or operations. Rather, we believe that our technological position depends primarily on the technical competence and creative ability of our engineering and technical staff in areas of product design and manufacturing processes, including our staff’s ability to customize products to meet difficult specifications, as well as proprietary know-how and information.
Government Regulations
As a supplier to certain U.S. Government defense contractors, we must comply with significant procurement regulations and other requirements. Maintaining registration under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations for all of our related production facilities is also required. One of those production facilities must comply with additional requirements for its production processes and for selected personnel in order to maintain the security of classified information. These requirements, although customary within these markets, increase our performance and compliance costs.
We are routinely audited and reviewed by the U.S. Government and its agencies such as the Defense Contract Audit Agency and Defense Contract Management Agency. These agencies review our performance under our contracts, our cost structure and our compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards, as well as the adequacy of our internal control systems and policies. Any cost found to be improperly allocated to a specific contract will not be reimbursed. If an audit uncovers improper or illegal activities, we may be subject to civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions.
From time to time, we may also be subject to U.S. Government investigations relating to our or our customers' operations and products, and are expected to perform in compliance with a vast array of federal laws, including the Truth in Negotiations Act, the False Claims Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations promulgated under the Arms Export Control Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. We or our customers may be subject to reductions of the value of contracts, contract modifications or termination, and the assessment of penalties and fines, which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition, or result in a diminution in revenue from our customers, if we or our customers are found to have violated the law or are indicted or convicted for violations of federal laws related to government security regulations, employment practices or protection of the environment, or are found not to have acted responsibly as defined by the law. Such convictions could also result in suspension or debarment from serving as a supplier to government contractors for some period of time. Such convictions or actions could have a material adverse effect on us and our operating results. The costs of cooperating or complying with such audits or investigations may also adversely impact our financial results.
Our manufacturing operations, products, and/or product packaging are subject to environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, and the handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances, wastes and other chemicals. In addition, more stringent environmental regulations may be enacted in the future, both within the United States and internationally, and we cannot presently determine the modifications, if any, in our operations that any future regulations might require, or the cost of compliance that would be associated with such regulations. To date, capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position of the Company have not been materially affected by compliance with current federal, state, and local laws and regulations (domestic and foreign) relating to the protection of the environment. However, we cannot predict the effect of future laws and regulations.
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Employees
As of December 31, 2021, we employed 306 people, including 161 full-time and 14 part-time employees, along with 131 contractors. Of this total, the Company has 151 full-time, 13 part-time, and 13 contract employees within the U.S., with 143 located in Orlando, Florida, 27 in Yankton, South Dakota, and seven within its subsidiary, PTF, in Wakefield, Massachusetts. The Company has two full-time employees and one part-time employee in Hong Kong, and eight full-time employees and 118 contractors in Noida, India. None of the Company's employees are represented by a labor union and the Company considers its relationships with employees to be good.
As an engineered products and solutions company, a significant number of our workforce consists of degreed engineers providing expertise in product design and process development.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described below. Any of these risks could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects, and could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face, but represent those risks and uncertainties that we believe are material to our business, operating results, prospects and financial condition. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also harm our business.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Macroeconomic fluctuations may harm our business, results of operations and stock price.
Our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows may be adversely affected by changes in global economic conditions and geopolitical risks, including credit market conditions, trade policies, levels of consumer and business confidence, commodity prices and availability, inflationary pressure, exchange rates, levels of government spending and deficits, political conditions, and other challenges that could affect the global economy including impacts associated with any economic sanctions imposed against Russia in response to its recent invasion of Ukraine. These economic and geopolitical conditions could affect businesses such as ours in a number of ways. Such conditions could have an adverse impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions and on our ability to fund our operations. In addition, restrictions on credit availability could adversely affect the ability of our customers to make payments. Similarly, credit restrictions may adversely affect our supplier base and increase the potential for one or more of our suppliers to experience financial distress.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business are uncertain and may adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had and may continue to have an adverse impact on our operations and financial performance, as well as on the operations and financial performance of many of the customers and suppliers in industries that we serve. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present business challenges, and we continue to experience impacts related to COVID-19, primarily in higher raw material prices, disruptions in global supply chains, delays in supplier deliveries, delays in deliveries to customers, travel restrictions, quarantine restrictions, labor shortages and employee absences. Because the severity, magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences remain uncertain and rapidly changing, it is difficult to predict the extent of the pandemic’s impact on our operations and financial performance. Further, the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations and financial performance depends on many factors that are not within our control, including, but not limited to, duration of the pandemic, potential subsequent waves of COVID-19 infection or potential new variants, the effectiveness and adoption of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, governmental, business and individuals’ actions that have been and continue to be taken in response to the pandemic (including shutdown orders, border closings, restrictions on travel and transport and workplace restrictions) and resulting supplier impacts. In addition, to the extent global vaccination programs do not achieve intended results and a longer period of economic and global supply chain and related disruption continues, the more adverse the impact will be on our business operations, financial performance and results of operations.
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We are dependent on a single line of business.
Prior to our September 2016 acquisition of PTF, we were engaged only in the design, manufacture and marketing of standard and custom-engineered electronic components that are used primarily for the control of frequency and spectrum of signals in electronic circuits. Although our acquisition of PTF added an additional product line of electronic instruments that includes highly engineered products for the generation of time and frequency references for synchronization and control, until we see significant growth from the PTF electronic instruments product line or develop or acquire additional product lines, we will remain dependent on our electronic components line of business. Virtually all of our 2021 and 2020 revenues came from sales of electronic components, which consist of packaged quartz crystals, oscillator modules, electronic filters and integrated modules.
Given our reliance on this single line of business, any decline in demand for this product line or failure to achieve continued market acceptance of existing and new versions of this product line may harm our business and our financial condition. Additionally, unfavorable market conditions affecting this line of business would likely have a disproportionate impact on us in comparison with certain competitors, who have more diversified operations and multiple lines of business. Should this line of business fail to generate sufficient sales to support ongoing operations, there can be no assurance that we will be able to develop alternate business lines.
Our operating results vary significantly from period to period.
We experience fluctuations in our operating results. Some of the principal factors that contribute to these fluctuations include changes in demand for our products; our effectiveness in managing manufacturing processes, costs and inventory; our effectiveness in engineering and qualifying new product designs with our OEM customers and in managing the risks associated with offering those new products into production; changes in the cost and availability of raw materials, which often occur in the electronics manufacturing industry and which affect our margins and our ability to meet delivery schedules; macroeconomic and served industry conditions; and events that may affect our production capabilities, such as labor conditions and political instability. In addition, due to the prevailing economic climate and competitive differences between the various market segments which we serve, the mix of sales between our communications, networking, aerospace, defense, industrial and instrumentation market segments may affect our operating results from period to period.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had net income of approximately $14,638,000 and $968,000, respectively. The increase was from the gain from our Sponsor investment as a result of the IronNet Business Combination, partially offset by realized and unrealized accounting losses in IRNT securities through December 31, 2021. Our revenues are derived primarily from MtronPTI, whose future rate of growth and profitability are highly dependent on the development and growth of demand for our products in the communications, networking, aerospace, defense, instrumentation and industrial markets, which are cyclical. We cannot be certain whether we will generate sufficient revenues or sufficiently manage expenses to sustain profitability.
We have a large customer that accounts for a significant portion of our revenues, and the loss of this customer, or decrease in its demand for our products, could have a material adverse effect on our results.
In 2021, our largest customer, a commercial aerospace and defense company, accounted for $7,870,000, or 28.0%, of the Company's total revenues, compared to $7,810,000, or 25.1%, of the Company’s total revenues in 2020. The Company’s second largest customer in 2021, a defense contractor, accounted for $3,138,000, or 11.2%, of the Company's total revenues, compared to $5,550,000, or 17.8%, of the Company’s total revenues in 2020. The loss of either of these customers, or a decrease in their demand for our products, could have a material adverse effect on our results.
A relatively small number of customers account for a significant portion of our accounts receivable, and the insolvency of any of these customers could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity.
As of December 31, 2021, four of our largest customers accounted for approximately $2,595,000, or 53.2%, of accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2020, four of our largest customers accounted for approximately $2,301,000, or 53.4%, of accounts receivable. The insolvency of any of these customers could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity.
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Our order backlog may not be indicative of future revenues.
Our order backlog is comprised of orders that are subject to specific production release, orders under written contracts, oral and written orders from customers with which we have had long-standing relationships and written purchase orders from sales representatives. Our customers may order products from multiple sources to ensure timely delivery when backlog is particularly long and may cancel or defer orders without significant penalty. They also may cancel orders when business is weak, and inventories are excessive. As a result, we cannot provide assurances as to the portion of backlog orders to be filled in a given year, and our order backlog as of any particular date may not be representative of actual revenues for any subsequent period.
We are a holding company and, therefore, are dependent upon the operations of our subsidiaries to meet our obligations.
We are a holding company that transacts business through our operating subsidiaries. Our primary assets are cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, the shares of our operating subsidiaries and intercompany loans. Should our cash and cash equivalents be depleted, our ability to meet our operating requirements and to make other payments will depend on the surplus and earnings of our subsidiaries and their ability to pay dividends or to advance or repay funds.
Our future rate of growth and profitability are highly dependent on the development and growth of the communications, networking, aerospace, defense, instrumentation and industrial markets, which are cyclical.
In 2021 and 2020, the majority of our revenues were derived from sales to manufacturers of equipment for the defense, aerospace, instrumentation and industrial markets for frequency and spectrum control devices, including indirect sales through distributors and contract manufacturers. During 2022, we expect a significant portion of our revenues to continue to be derived from sales to these manufacturers. Often OEMs and other service providers within these markets have experienced periods of capacity shortage and periods of excess capacity, as well as periods of either high or low demand for their products. In periods of excess capacity or low demand, purchases of capital equipment may be curtailed, including equipment that incorporates our products. A reduction in demand for the manufacture and purchase of equipment for these markets, whether due to cyclical, macroeconomic or other factors, or due to our reduced ability to compete based on cost or technical factors, could substantially reduce our net sales and operating results and adversely affect our financial condition. Moreover, if these markets fail to grow as expected, we may be unable to maintain or grow our revenues. The multiple variables which affect the communications, networking, aerospace, defense, instrumentation and industrial markets for our products, as well as the number of parties involved in the supply chain and manufacturing process, can impact inventory levels and lead to supply chain inefficiencies. As a result of these complexities, we have limited visibility to forecast revenue projections accurately for the near and medium-term timeframes.
The market share of our customers in the communications, networking, aerospace, defense, instrumentation and industrial markets may change over time, reducing the potential value of our relationships with our existing customer base.
We have developed long-term relationships with our existing customers, including pricing contracts, custom designs and approved vendor status. If these customers lose market share to other equipment manufacturers in the communications, networking, aerospace, defense, instrumentation and industrial markets with whom we do not have similar relationships, our ability to maintain revenue, margin or operating performance may be adversely affected.
We may make acquisitions that are not successful, or we may fail to integrate acquired businesses into our operations properly.
We intend to continue exploring opportunities to buy other businesses or technologies that could complement, enhance, or expand our current business or product lines, or that might otherwise offer us growth opportunities. We may have difficulty finding such opportunities or, if such opportunities are identified, we may not be able to complete such transactions for reasons including a failure to secure necessary financing.
Any transactions that we are able to identify and complete may involve a number of risks, including:
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The diversion of our management's attention from the management of our existing business to the integration of the operations and personnel of the acquired or combined business or joint venture; |
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Material business risks not identified in due diligence; |
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Possible adverse effects on our operating results during the integration process; |
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Substantial acquisition-related expenses, which would reduce our net income, if any, in future years; |
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The loss of key employees and customers as a result of changes in management; and |
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Our possible inability to achieve the intended objectives of the transaction. |
In addition, we may not be able to integrate, operate, maintain or manage, successfully or profitably, our newly acquired operations or employees. We may not be able to maintain uniform standards, controls, policies and procedures, and this may lead to operational inefficiencies.
Any of these difficulties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
If we are unable to introduce innovative products, demand for our products may decrease.
Our future operating results are dependent on our ability to develop, introduce and market innovative products continually, to modify existing products, to respond to technological change and to customize some of our products to meet customer requirements. There are numerous risks inherent in this process, including the risks that we will be unable to anticipate the direction of technological change or that we will be unable to develop and market new products and applications in a timely or cost-effective manner to satisfy customer demand.
Our markets are highly competitive, and we may lose business to larger and better-financed competitors.
Our markets are highly competitive worldwide, with low transportation costs and few import barriers. We compete principally on the basis of product quality and reliability, availability, customer service, technological innovation, timely delivery and price. Within the industries in which we compete, competition has become increasingly concentrated and global in recent years.
Many of our major competitors, some of which are larger than us, and potential competitors have substantially greater financial resources and more extensive engineering, manufacturing, marketing and customer support capabilities. If we are unable to successfully compete against current and future competitors, our operating results will be adversely affected.
Our success depends on our ability to retain key management and technical personnel and attracting, retaining, and training new technical personnel.
Our future growth and success will depend in large part upon our ability to recruit highly-skilled technical personnel, including engineers, and to retain our existing management and technical personnel. There is a labor shortage in the markets in which we operate which are highly competitive, and some of our operations are not located in highly populated areas. As a result, we may not be able to recruit and retain key personnel. Our failure to hire, retain or adequately train key personnel could have a negative impact on our performance.
We purchase certain key components and raw materials from single or limited sources and could lose sales if these sources fail to fulfill our needs for any reason, including the inability to obtain these key components or raw materials due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
If single-source components or key raw materials were to become unavailable on satisfactory terms, and we could not obtain comparable replacement components or raw materials from other sources in a timely manner, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed. On occasion, one or more of the components used in our products have become unavailable, resulting in unanticipated redesign and related delays in shipments. Changes in global economic and geopolitical conditions and the outbreak of COVID-19 have disrupted supply chains and the ability to obtain components and raw materials around the world for all companies, including us. We cannot give assurance that we will be able to obtain the necessary components and raw materials necessary to conduct our business during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we also cannot give assurance that similar delays will not occur in the future. In addition, our suppliers may be impacted by compliance with environmental regulations including RoHS and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment ("WEEE"), which could disrupt the supply of components or raw materials or cause additional costs for us to implement new components or raw materials into our manufacturing processes.
As a supplier to U.S. Government defense contractors, we are subject to a number of procurement regulations and other requirements and could be adversely affected by changes in regulations or any negative findings from a U.S. Government audit or investigation.
A number of our customers are U.S. Government contractors. As one of their suppliers, we must comply with significant procurement regulations and other requirements. Under applicable federal regulations for defense
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contractors, we are required to comply with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (“CMMC”) program in the next several years and other similar cybersecurity requirements. We also maintain registration under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations for all of our production facilities. One of those production facilities must comply with additional requirements and regulations for its production processes and for selected personnel in order to maintain the security of classified information. These requirements, although customary within these markets, increase our performance and compliance costs. If any of these various requirements change, our costs of complying with them could increase and reduce our operating margins. To the extent that we are unable to comply with the CMMC or other requirements, our business with the Department of Defense or its prime customers could be at risk.
We operate in a highly regulated environment and are routinely audited and reviewed by the U.S. Government and its agencies such as the Defense Contract Audit Agency and Defense Contract Management Agency. These agencies review our performance under our contracts, our cost structure and our compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards, as well as the adequacy of, and our compliance with, our internal control systems and policies. Systems that are subject to review include our purchasing systems, billing systems, property management and control systems, cost estimating systems, compensation systems and management information systems.
Any costs found to be improperly allocated to a specific contract will not be reimbursed or must be refunded if already reimbursed. If an audit uncovers improper or illegal activities, we may be subject to civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, which may include termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspension or prohibition from doing business as a supplier to contractors who sell products and services to the U.S. Government. In addition, our reputation could be adversely affected if allegations of impropriety were made against us.
From time to time, we may also be subject to U.S. Government investigations relating to our or our customers' operations and products, and are expected to perform in compliance with a vast array of federal laws, including the Truth in Negotiations Act, the False Claims Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations promulgated under the Arms Export Control Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. We or our customers may be subject to reductions of the value of contracts, contract modifications or termination, and the assessment of penalties and fines, which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition, or result in a diminution in revenue from our customers, if we or our customers are found to have violated the law or are indicted or convicted for violations of federal laws related to government security regulations, employment practices or protection of the environment, or are found not to have acted responsibly as defined by the law. Such convictions could also result in suspension or debarment from serving as a supplier to government contractors for some period of time. Such convictions or actions could have a material adverse effect on us and our operating results. The costs of cooperating or complying with such audits or investigations may also adversely impact our financial results.
Our products are complex and may contain errors or design flaws, which could be costly to correct.
When we release new products, or new versions of existing products, they may contain undetected or unresolved errors or defects. The vast majority of our products are custom designed for requirements of specific OEM systems. The expected business life of these products ranges from less than one year to more than 10 years depending on the application. Some of the customizations are modest changes to existing product designs while others are major product redesigns or new product platforms.
Despite testing, errors or defects may be found in new products or upgrades after the commencement of commercial shipments. Undetected errors and design flaws have occurred in the past and could occur in the future. These errors could result in delays, loss of market acceptance and sales, diversion of development resources, damage to the Company's reputation, product liability claims and legal action by its customers and third parties, failure to attract new customers and increased service costs.
Communications and network infrastructure equipment manufacturers increasingly rely upon contract manufacturers, thereby diminishing our ability to sell our products directly to those equipment manufacturers.
There is a continuing trend among communications and network infrastructure equipment manufacturers to outsource the manufacturing of their equipment or components. As a result, our ability to persuade these OEMs to utilize our products in customer designs could be reduced and, in the absence of a manufacturer's specification of our products, the prices that we can charge for them may be subject to greater competition.
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Future changes in our environmental liability and compliance obligations may increase costs and decrease profitability.
Our present and past manufacturing operations, products, and/or product packaging are subject to environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, and the handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances, wastes and other chemicals. In addition, more stringent environmental regulations may be enacted in the future, and we cannot presently determine the modifications, if any, in our operations that any future regulations might require, or the cost of compliance that would be associated with such regulations.
Environmental laws and regulations may cause us to change our manufacturing processes, redesign some of our products, and change components to eliminate some substances in our products in order to be able to continue to offer them for sale.
We have significant international operations and sales to customers outside of the United States that subject us to certain business, economic and political risks.
We have office and manufacturing space in Noida, India, and a sales office in Hong Kong. Additionally, foreign revenues for 2021 and 2020 (primarily to Malaysia) accounted for 21.5% and 23.8% of our 2021 and 2020 consolidated revenues, respectively. We anticipate that sales to customers located outside of the United States will continue to be a significant part of our revenues for the foreseeable future. Our international operations and sales to customers outside of the United States subject our operating results and financial condition to certain business, economic, political, health, regulatory and other risks, including but not limited to:
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Political and economic instability in countries in which our products are manufactured and sold; |
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Expropriation or the imposition of government controls; |
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Responsibility to comply with anti-bribery laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions; |
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Sanctions or restrictions on trade imposed by the United States Government; |
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Export license requirements; |
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Currency controls or fluctuations in exchange rates; |
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High levels of inflation or deflation; |
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Difficulty in staffing and managing non-U.S. operations; |
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Greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable and longer payment cycles; |
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Changes in labor conditions and difficulties in staffing and managing international operations; |
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The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak; and |
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Limitations on insurance coverage against geopolitical risks, natural disasters and business operations. |
Additionally, to date, very few of our international revenue and cost obligations have been denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, changes in the value of the United States dollar relative to foreign currencies may affect our competitiveness in foreign markets. We do not currently engage in foreign currency hedging activities, but may do so in the future to the extent that we incur a significant amount of foreign-currency denominated liabilities.
We rely on information technology systems to conduct our business, and disruption, failure or security breaches of these systems could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We rely on information technology ("IT") systems in order to achieve our business objectives. We also rely upon industry accepted security measures and technology to securely maintain confidential information maintained on our IT systems. However, our portfolio of hardware and software products, solutions and services and our enterprise IT systems may be vulnerable to damage or disruption caused by circumstances beyond our control such as catastrophic events, power outages, natural disasters, computer system or network failures, computer viruses, cyber-attacks or other malicious software programs. The failure or disruption of our IT systems to perform as anticipated for any reason could disrupt our business and result in decreased performance, significant remediation costs, transaction errors, loss of data, processing inefficiencies, downtime, litigation and the loss of suppliers or customers. A significant disruption or failure could have a material adverse effect on our business operations, financial performance and financial condition.
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Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information, and/or damage to our business relationships, all of which could negatively impact our financial results.
A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our investor relationships. As our reliance on technology increases, so will the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those we outsource. There is no guarantee that any processes, procedures and internal controls we have implemented or will implement will prevent cyber intrusions, which could have a negative impact on our financial results, operations, business relationships or confidential information.
If we fail to correct any material weakness that we identify in our internal control over financial reporting or otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately and timely, in which case our business may be harmed, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the price of our common stock may decline.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for evaluating and reporting on our system of internal control. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We are required to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules that govern public companies.
If we identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future, if we cannot comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner or attest that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm cannot express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting when required, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately and timely. As a result, investors, counterparties and consumers may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports. Accordingly, access to capital markets and perceptions of our creditworthiness could be adversely affected, and the market price of our common stock could decline. In addition, we could become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources. These events could have a material and adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.
Risks Related to Our Securities
The price of our common stock has fluctuated considerably and is likely to remain volatile, in part due to the limited market for our common stock.
From January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, the high and low closing sales prices for our common stock were $14.50 and $9.90, respectively. There is a limited public market for our common stock, and we cannot provide assurances that a more active trading market will develop or be sustained. As a result of limited trading volume in our common stock, the purchase or sale of a relatively small number of shares could result in significant price fluctuations and it may be difficult for holders to sell their shares without depressing the market price for our common stock.
Additionally, the market price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the following:
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General economic conditions affecting the availability of long-term or short-term credit facilities, the purchasing and payment patterns of our customers, or the requirements imposed by our suppliers; |
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Economic conditions in our industry and in the industries of our customers and suppliers (including the impact of COVID-19); |
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Changes in financial estimates or investment recommendations by securities analysts relating to our common stock; |
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Market reaction to our reported financial results; |
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Loss of a major customer; |
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Announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; and |
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Changes in key personnel. |
Our officers, directors and 10% or greater stockholders have significant voting power and may vote their shares in a manner that is not in the best interest of other stockholders.
Our officers, directors and 10% or greater stockholders control approximately 38.7% of the voting power represented by our outstanding shares of common stock as of March 10, 2022. If these stockholders act together, they may be able to exert significant control over our management and affairs requiring stockholder approval, including approval of significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control and might adversely affect the market price of our common stock. This concentration of ownership may not be in the best interests of all of our stockholders.
Provisions in our corporate charter documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of the Company more difficult, which acquisition may be beneficial to our stockholders.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, as well as provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL"), may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control of the Company, even if such a change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders. These provisions include prohibiting our stockholders from fixing the number of directors and establishing advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals that can be acted on at stockholder meetings and nominations to our Board.
Additionally, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a person who owns in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with us for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person acquired in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock, unless the merger or combination is approved in a prescribed manner. We have not opted out of the restrictions under Section 203, as permitted under DGCL.
The warrants to purchase shares of our common stock may not have any value.
The warrants to purchase shares of our common stock are “modified European style warrants” and will only become exercisable on the earlier of (i) the expiration date, November 16, 2025, and (ii) such date that the 30-day volume weighted average price per share, or VWAP, of our common stock is greater than or equal to $17.50. Once the warrants become exercisable, they may be exercised in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreement until their expiration.
The warrants have an exercise price of $12.50 per share. This exercise price does not necessarily bear any relationship to established criteria for valuation of our common stock, such as book value per share, cash flows, or earnings; and the holder of such warrant should not consider this exercise price as an indication of the current or future market price of our common stock. There can be no assurance that the market price of our common stock will exceed $12.50 per share at any time, on the expiration date of the warrants, November 16, 2025, or at any other time the warrants may be exercised. If the warrants only become exercisable on the expiration date and the market price of our common stock on such date does not exceed $12.50 per share, the warrants will be of no value.
There can be no assurance that the 30-day VWAP of our common stock will be greater than or equal to $17.50 at any time prior to the expiration date of the warrants, November 16, 2025. As a result, the warrants may become exercisable only on the expiration date. If the warrants may be exercised only on the expiration date and the holder thereof does not exercise its warrants on that date, such warrants will expire and be of no value.
An active trading market for the warrants to purchase shares of our common stock may not develop.
If an active market for the warrants to purchase shares of our common stock does not develop or is not sustained, it may be difficult for the holders thereof to sell such warrants without depressing the market price for such securities.
Holders of the warrants to purchase shares of our common stock will have no rights as a common stockholder until such holders exercise their warrants and acquire shares of our common stock.
Until warrant holders acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of the warrants, warrant holders will have no rights with respect to the shares of our common stock underlying such warrants. Upon the acquisition of shares of our common stock upon exercise of the warrants, the holders thereof will be entitled to exercise the rights of a
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common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date for the matter occurs after the exercise date of the warrants.
Adjustments to the exercise price of the warrants, or the number of shares of common stock for which the warrants are exercisable, following certain corporate events may not fully compensate warrant holders for the value they would have received if they held the common stock underlying the warrants at the time of such events.
The warrants provide for adjustments to the exercise price of the warrants following a number of corporate events, including (i) our issuance of a stock dividend or the subdivision or combination of our common stock, (ii) our issuance of rights, options or warrants to purchase our common stock at a price below the 10-day VWAP of our common stock, (iii) a distribution of capital stock of the Company or any subsidiary other than our common stock, rights to acquire such capital stock, evidences of indebtedness or assets, (iv) our issuance of a cash dividend on our common stock, and (v) certain tender offers for our common stock by the Company or one or more of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. If the Spin-Off is approved by the stockholders, the exercise price of the warrants will be determined ten trading days after the Spin-Off based upon a formula included in the warrant agreement. The warrants also provide for adjustments to the number of shares of common stock for which the warrants are exercisable following our issuance of a stock dividend or the subdivision or combination of our common stock. Any adjustment made to the exercise price of the warrants or the number of shares of common stock for which the warrants are exercisable following a corporate event in accordance with these provisions may not fully compensate warrant holders for the value they would have received if they held the common stock underlying the warrants at the time of the event.
Risks Related to the Spin-Off, if Approved by Stockholders
We may be unable to achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the Spin-Off, and the Spin-Off may adversely affect our business.
As a new, publicly-traded company, MtronPTI may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events attendant to our separation from the Company. MtronPTI performance may not meet expectations for a variety of reasons. As a subsidiary of the Company, MtronPTI enjoyed certain benefits, including economies of scope and scale in costs, employees and business relationships. These benefits may not be as readily achievable as a stand-alone company. There can be no assurance that the Spin-Off will not adversely affect our business.
The distribution of MtronPTI common stock may not qualify for tax-free treatment.
There is a risk that the distribution of MtronPTI common stock in the Spin-Off may not qualify for tax-free treatment and, accordingly, will be a taxable transaction to the Company’s stockholders. While the distribution is intended to be tax-free under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and while we believe that the Company’s stockholders should not recognize gain or loss as a result of the distribution and that no amount should be included in their income as a result of the distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company has not obtained, and does not expect to obtain, a tax opinion with respect to the tax consequences of the Spin-Off. Furthermore, neither the Company nor MtronPTI has applied or will apply for a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to the tax consequences of the distribution. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS or another taxing authority will not assert that the distribution is taxable to the Company, MtronPTI or the Company’s stockholders. If the distribution is determined to be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the receipt of MtronPTI common stock in the Spin-Off is expected to be treated as a distribution of property in an amount equal to the fair market value of the stock received. We believe that a reasonable approach to determine the fair market value of the shares of MtronPTI common stock received would be to use the VWAP of MtronPTI common stock on the first full trading day following the distribution. In such circumstances, the distribution of MtronPTI common stock in the Spin-Off would be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent considered paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Distributions in excess of the Company’s current year and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital, which reduces basis, to the extent of the holder’s basis in its shares of the Company’s common stock, as applicable, and thereafter as capital gain. The amount of those earnings and profits is not determinable at this time because it will depend on the Company’s income for the entire tax year in which the distribution occurs.
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MtronPTI’s ability to meet capital needs may be harmed by the loss of financial support from the Company, and MtronPTI may not be able to obtain funds necessary to operate its business.
MtronPTI’s ability to meet capital needs, which turn on its financial condition and future prospects, may be harmed after the completion of the Spin-Off, and MtronPTI will not be able to access financial support from the Company following the Spin-Off. To the extent MtronPTI seeks funds through accessing equity or debt capital markets, as a standalone company, the cost of financing will depend on many factors, among other things, such as its performance and financial market conditions generally. Accordingly, MtronPTI may not be able to obtain financing or otherwise raise funds necessary to operate its business on favorable terms, or at all. If MtronPTI is unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, MtronPTI may have to significantly delay or scale back its acquisition activity and planned capital expenditures, which could adversely impact the business and prospects. In addition, to the extent debt financing, if available, is obtained, MtronPTI may be subject to operating and financial covenants that may restrict its operations and if unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet future debt payment obligations, MtronPTI may be required to attempt to restructure or refinance such debt, raise additional capital or take other actions such as selling assets, or reducing or delaying capital expenditures. There is no assurance that MtronPTI will be able to effect any such actions or do so on satisfactory terms, if at all, or that such actions would be permitted by the terms of its indebtedness. Further, to the extent that MtronPTI raises additional funds by issuing equity securities, its stockholders would experience dilution, which may be significant and could cause the market price of MtronPTI common stock to decline.
After the separation, certain of our directors and officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their positions or relationships with MtronPTI.
After the Spin-Off, Marc J. Gabelli will serve as the non-executive chairman of the board of MtronPTI and will also serve as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Company and Michael J. Ferrantino will serve as chief executive officer and as a director of MtronPTI and also as a director of the Company. Such dual roles could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when the Company and MtronPTI’s officers and directors face decisions that could have different implications for the two companies.
In addition, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between the Company and MtronPTI regarding the terms of the agreements governing the separation and the relationship thereafter between the companies.
The aggregate post-distribution value of the MtronPTI common stock and the Company’s common stock may not equal or exceed the pre-Spin-Off value of the Company’s common stock.
After the Spin-Off, the Company’s common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “LGL.” The MtronPTI common stock is expected to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol “MPTI.” No assurances can be made that the combined value of the Company’s common stock and MtronPTI’s common stock after the Spin-Off will be equal to or greater than the value of the Company’s common stock prior to the Spin-Off. Until the market has fully evaluated the business of the Company without the business of MtronPTI, the value of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate significantly. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated the business of MtronPTI, the value of MtronPTI common stock may fluctuate significantly.
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