Item 1. Description of Business
Overview
Fiberstars, Inc. ("Fiberstars" or the "Company"), which was incorporated in California in 1985, develops and markets fiber optic lighting systems, which are used in a variety of commercial and residential applications. The Company pioneered the use of fiber optic technology in lighting. By continuing to improve the price and performance of its products and by expanding its marketing efforts, Fiberstars has become the world's leading supplier in this emerging market.
The Company's products often have advantages over conventional lighting in areas of efficiency, safety, maintenance and beauty, and thus can be used in place of conventional lighting in a number of applications. By delivering special lighting effects which conventional lighting cannot match, fiber optic lighting systems are especially attractive for a wide range of decorative applications, such as the lighting of swimming pools and spas, signage, "neon" decoration, landscaping, and other segments within the commercial and residential markets.
The Company designs, develops and manufactures its fiber optic lighting systems and distributes its products worldwide, primarily through independent sales representatives, distributors and swimming pool builders.
Products
Fiberstars' lighting systems combine three types of products - illuminators, fiber tubing, and fixtures - in configurations which meet the needs of specific market segments. The electrically powered illuminators generate and focus light into the ends of optical fiber. Fiber tubing products connect to the illuminators and are designed to emit light either at the end of the tube as a spot source of light, or along the length of the tube, similar in effect to neon lighting. The systems can also include fixtures and other accessories designed for specific applications.
Illuminators
The Company manufactures a number of different illuminators for use in different applications. Most commercial illuminators utilize metal halide high intensity discharge (H.I.D.) lamps to provide long life and maximum brightness. Some include patented reflectors which have been designed by Fiberstars to enhance performance. Our lower cost illuminators use quartz halogen lamps, some of which are custom products manufactured to Fiberstars' specifications.
New products shipped in 1999 include the Lifetime Illuminator(TM) for the in-ground swimming pool market and the model 601 illuminator for the commercial lighting market. The Lifetime Illuminator utilizes a long-life metal halide lamp offering significantly longer lamp life than the predescessor quartz halogen pool illuminator system. The model 601 illuminator provides 50% more light at 50% less cost than the Company's previous high end commercial system, the 501.
Fiberstars made additional Illuminator technology advances in 1999 which will be utilized in illuminator products in the coming year, including the development of the model 701 illuminator which was released from engineering for shipment in 2000 (one customer received the product in December 1999). It provides up to 50% more light output than the model 601 illuminator while costing only a modest amount more to build.
Additionally, Fiberstars developed two new pool and spa illuminators for shipment in early 2000. One is a new low cost spa system. The other is an initial offering for the above ground pool market which will be sold on an OEM basis. This latter product may be used for retrofitting some 3 million existing above ground pools or for new above ground pool installations.
Fiber Tubing
Our fiber tubing products are manufactured in various lengths and diameters to meet the requirements of each particular market and application. Fiberstars' patented BritePak(R) products can maintain reasonably consistent brightness for side-lit fiber runs up to 100 feet in length. For end-lit applications, several spotlights are typically connected to a single illuminator and are placed within fifty feet from the illuminator.
In November 1999, Fiberstars began selling the Cable-Lite(TM) solid core fiber from Unison Fiber Optic Lighting Systems, LLC ("Unison"), adding large core fiber to our product line for the first time. In certain applications this product offers increased light through-put as well as aesthetic advantages. Rights to this product were subsequently acquired in January 2000 as part of the Company's acquisition of Unison (see "Research and Product Development" in this section).
Fixtures and Accessories
Certain fixtures and accessories are designed by Fiberstars for the Company's product lines. Other fixtures are supplied by third parties. The Company's Commercial Lighting Division produces a broad assortment of ceiling and landscape fixtures from which lighting designers may choose, including the Company's new patent-pending High Performance Downlights(TM), began shipping in 1999 and are targeted at the downlight market.
In 1999 Fiberstars received a patent for its lighted pavers, a fixture which can be imbedded in flooring or pavings. This product won an award as one of the most innovative prducts at the 1999 Light Fair International trade show. The product also has application in the pool market and to that end is released in that market as Deckstars(TM).
Applications and End-Users
The Company's fiber optic lighting products are manufactured to the specifications of architects, professional lighting designers, swimming pool builders or end-users. Our products have been installed for commercial lighting applications in fast food restaurants such as Burger King and McDonald's; retail stores such as Albertson's, Giant Food and Toys R Us; hotels such as the MGM Grand and the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas; and entertainment facilities such as theme parks operated by the Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios. Fiberstars commercial lighting systems also have been used in a number of specialty applications, including theatrical productions, bridges, theater aisles and ceilings, and have been used by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Marathon Coach, HBO Studios, AMC theaters, Chevron, the Trump Towers and New York Life.
The Company's primary products for pool and spa lighting are designed to provide underwater lighting for newly constructed pools. In addition, Fiberstars markets pool products for spa lighting, pool perimeter lighting, patios, decks and landscape lighting. The Company's underwater lighting systems are
installed in pools and spas built by major national pool builders and builder groups, as well as numerous regional and local pool builders throughout the United States and Canada.
Additionally, a series of residential landscape lighting products is being test marketed on a limited basis through retail distribution. These products were not a material portion of the Company's business in 1999 and are not expected to be material in 2000.
Sales, Marketing and Distribution
Commercial Lighting Products
In the commercial lighting market, the Company's marketing efforts are directed at creating specifications for Fiberstars' systems in plans developed by architects, professional lighting designers and building owners. The Company reaches these professionals through approximately 60 independent lighting representative organizations throughout the United States, approximately 20 of which account for a substantial majority of the Company's commercial lighting product sales. The independent lighting representatives assist in the specification process, directing orders to electrical equipment distributors, who in turn typically purchase products from Fiberstars. Domestic distributors of commercial lighting products typically do not engage in marketing efforts or stock any inventory of the Company's products. The Company's arrangements with its independent representatives do not prohibit the handling of conventional lighting products, including products that may be competitive with those of the Company, although such representatives typically do not handle competing fiber optic lighting products. Sonic Corporation, the Company's largest commercial lighting customer, accounted for 7% of the Company's net sales in 1999 and 13% of the Company's net sales in 1998. It is expected that as the Company completes a remodel program for Sonic's stores that sales will continue to decrease as a percentage of the Company's net sales.
Internationally, the Company's products are sold in Europe through two subsidiaries, Crescent Lighting Ltd. in the UK and Lichberatung Mann (LBM) in Germany. Together, these two companies oversee the sales operations in Europe which include sub-distributors and sales representatives.
Outside of Europe, Fiberstars' commercial lighting products are sold internationally by approximately 17 distributors that sell into more than 34 countries, including Mitsubishi in Japan and ADLT Australia. In February 2000, the Company sold its share of the net assets of Fiberstars Australasia Pty Ltd., a 46.5%-owned joint venture that sells products in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Fiji. These net assets were sold to ADLT Australia which acquired distribution rights in these territories.
Swimming Pool and Spa Products
The Company's underwater lighting products are sold primarily for installation in new swimming pools and spas. Accordingly, our marketing efforts for swimming pool and spa products depend on swimming pool builders to recommend our products to their customers and to adapt their swimming pool designs to include Fiberstars lighting systems. The Company utilizes regional sales representative organizations that specialize in swimming pool products sold to pool builders and pool product distributors. Each representative organization typically has the exclusive right to sell the Company's products within its territory, receiving commissions on sales in its territory. Regional and national distributors in the swimming pool market stock the Company's products to fill orders received from swimming pool builders, and some of these distributors engage in limited marketing activities for the Company's products.
The Company enters into incentive arrangements to encourage pool builders to purchase the Company's products. The Company has entered into agreements with certain large national pool builders, under which the builders may purchase Fiberstars systems directly from the Company and offer the Company's products with their swimming pools. The Company provides pool builders and independent sales representatives with marketing tools, including promotional videos, showroom displays and demonstration systems. The Company also uses trade advertising and direct mail in addition to an ongoing program of sales presentations to pool builders and distributors.
South Central Pools (SCP), the largest Pool distributor in the U.S. and the Company's largest pool customer, accounted for 10% of the Company's net sales in 1999 and 13% in 1998. The Company expects to
maintain its business relationship with SCP; however, a cessation or substantial decrease in the volume of purchases by this customer could reduce availability of the Company's products to end users and could in turn have a material adverse effect on the Company's net sales and results of operations.
The majority of sales of the Company's swimming pool lighting systems to date have been made in the U.S. and Canada. However, the Company has entered into a distribution agreement in Europe in 1998 with Astral, a European pool equipment company. Sales to Astral were not material in 1999.
Backlog
The Company normally ships product within a few days after receipt of an order and generally does not have a significant backlog of orders. The Company's backlog at year's end was $1,893,000 compared to an average of $1,725,000 per month in 1999. Beginning in January 1999 and for each month thereafter, the monthly backlog included $750,000 for a large German installation which shipped, as scheduled, at year end. The Company does not consider backlog to be an indicator of future performance.
Competition
The Company's products compete with a wide variety of lighting products, including conventional electric lighting in various forms and decorative neon lighting. The Company has also experienced increased competition from other companies offering products containing fiber optic technology. Principal competitive factors include price, performance (including brightness, reliability and other factors), aesthetic appeal (including light color), market presence, installation, power consumption and maintenance requirements.
The Company believes its products compete favorably against conventional lighting in such areas as aesthetic appeal, ease of installation, maintenance and power consumption. The unique characteristics of fiber optic lighting (such as no heat or electricity at the light fixture, ability to change colors, and remote lamp replacement) enable our products to be used in some situations where conventional lighting is not practical. However, the initial purchase price of the Company's products is typically higher than conventional lighting, and the Company's products tend to be less bright than conventional alternatives. In the case of neon lighting, certain popular neon colors, such as bright red, cannot be achieved as effectively with the Company's products.
Fiberstars is engaged in ongoing efforts to develop and improve its products, adapt its products for new applications and design and engineer new products. The Company expects that its ability to compete effectively with conventional lighting technologies, other fiber optic lighting products, and new lighting technologies that may be introduced will depend substantially upon achieving greater brightness and reducing the cost of the Company's systems. In 1999, the Company redesigned several illuminators and fiber products to improve performance such as the above mentioned 701 illuminator. In addition to continuing work with a number of outside lamp, power supply and optic companies, the Company also continues to work on advanced product development with ADLT, the world leader in metal halide lamp technology. Some of this work is an outgrowth of furthering technology acquired as part of the Company's acquisition of Unison (see "Research and Product Development" in this section)
Providers of conventional lighting systems include large lamp manufacturers and lighting fixture companies, which have substantially greater resources than the Company. These conventional lighting companies may introduce new and improved products, which may reduce or eliminate some of the competitive advantages of the Company's products. In commercial lighting, the Company also competes primarily with local and regional neon lighting manufacturers and craftspeople who in many cases are better established in their local markets than the Company.
Direct competition from other fiber optic lighting products has continued to increase. Competitive products are offered in the pool market by Rentair, Inc.'s American Products Division, Teledyne/Water Pik's Jaars/Jandy Division and Hayward Pool Products-- the major manufacturers of pool equipment and supplies. In commercial lighting, fiber optic lighting products are offered by an increasing number of smaller companies, some of which compete aggressively on price. Certain of these competitors offer products with performance characteristics similar to those of the Company's products. The Company is aware that several large companies in the conventional lighting industry are developing fiber optic lighting systems that may
compete in the near future with the Company's products. In Europe, both Philips and Schott, a glass fiber company, offer fiber optic lighting systems. Schott has recently formed an entity to enter the U.S. market. In Europe, Philips markets Fiberstars' BritePak(R) fiber tubing on an OEM basis, along with Philips' own illuminators and other products. Many companies compete with the Company in Asia, including Mitsubishi, Bridgestone and Toray. Mitsubishi sells Fiberstars BritePak fiber tubing in Japan, and licenses certain illuminator technology from Fiberstars for manufacture and sale in Japan. 3M recently entered the market in Japan and other overseas markets.
The Company cannot predict the impact of competition on its business, but it believes that increased competition may be accompanied by an increase in the rate of market expansion, and that the Company is well positioned to participate in any such expansion. Increased competition, however, could result in price reductions, reduced profit margins and loss of market share, which would adversely affect the Company's operating results. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to compete successfully against current and future competitors.
Assembly, Testing and Quality Assurance
The Company's illuminator manufacturing consists primarily of final assembly, testing and quality control. The Company uses independent contractors to manufacture some components and subassemblies, and has worked with a number of its vendors to design custom components to meet Fiberstars' specific needs. Inventories of domestically produced component parts are managed on a just-in-time basis when practicable. The Company's quality assurance program provides for testing of all sub-assemblies at key stages in the assembly process as well as testing of finished products.
Under a supply agreement which expires March 2001, Mitsubishi is the sole supplier of the Company's fiber, other than the large core fiber the Company now manufactures following the Unison acquisition. The Company expects to maintain its relationship with Mitsubishi; Mitsubishi as a shareholder, owns approximately 3.0% of the Company and distributes Fiberstars' products in Japan. The Company also relies on sole source suppliers for certain lamps, reflectors, remote control devices and power supplies. Although the Company cannot predict the effect that the loss of one or more of such suppliers would have on the Company, such loss could result in delays in the shipment of products and additional expenses associated with redesigning products, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results.
Research and Product Development
The Company believes that growth in fiber optic lighting will be driven by improvements in technology to provide increased brightness at lower costs, and the Company is committing much of its R&D resources to those challenges. In 1999, the Company redesigned its high-end commercial illuminator, improving brightness by 50%. Pool illuminator lamp life was increased from a few hundred hours to 6,000 hours by moving to H.I.D. technology. Despite its ongoing development efforts, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve future improvements in brightness and cost or that competitors will not develop lighting technologies that are brighter, less expensive or otherwise superior to those of the Company.
In October 1999, the Company entered into a letter of intent to acquire selected assets and all of the technology of Unison, the lighting joint venture between ADLT and Rohm & Haas. The acquisition was subsequently completed in January 2000, and pursuant to the transaction, the Company acquired key personnel, technologies and other assets. The Company believes that the acquisition provides the following benefits:
1. Unison personnel are expected to be contributors to the Company's long range plans. For example, John Davenport, former Manager of reseach and development at GE Lighting, has become the Company's Chief Technology Officer.
2. The technology acquired by the Company is believed to have the potential to deliver the light output of certain electric lamps at competitive pricing, which has been a major goal of the Company. Additionally, the Company acquired eight patents and a number of patents-pending, including technology in lamps, optics and fiber.
3. In connection with the acquisition, the Company entered into an ongoing technology exchange agreement with ADLT covering lamps, power supplies, optical coatings and fixture for fiber optic lighting applications.
4. The agreement calls for Unison to provide the Company with up to $2,000,000 in research and development funds, to be paid over five quarters, against milestones for the completion of development work on large core plastic optical fiber as well as new technology lamp/optics projects. In exchange, the Company will pay royalties on the sales of products these technologies produce at a rate of 3% for five years, 2% for the next two years and 1% for the next three years, after which The Company assumes exclusive royalty-free rights.
5. Also included are certain tangible assets valued at approximately $600,000. These include large core fiber manufacturing and fiber making equipment, and certain other R&D equipment.
In exchange for the assets, the Company has provided ADLT with warrants to purchase one million of the Company's common shares exercisable at one penny per share. These warrants may not be exercised until the price of the Company's common stock reaches certain trading levels on the Nasdaq National Market, as follows: 250,000 will be exercisable when the the Company's common stock price reaches $6.00; 250,000 when the price reaches $8.00; 250,000 when the price of the Company's common stock reaches $10.00; and 250,000 when the price of the Company's common stock reaches $12.00. These prices must be maintained as an average over at least 30 days. In addition, at each price level, certain sales milestones must be reached on products developed from Unison technology before the warrants can be exercised. At ADLT's option, the warrants may be exchanged by ADLT, regardless of their exercisability, for up to 445,000 newly issued shares.
Previously, ADLT acquired approximately 18% of the Company's common stock in a private transaction during 1997 and in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 increased that position to approximately 29%. Following the Company's three acquisitions in fiscal 1998 this was reduced to 26%. Additional purchases by ADLT of the Company's common stock beyond that which may be acquired by virtue of the warrants held by ADLT, will require approval of the Company' Board of Directors. The Company and ADLT plan to work together to design next generation lighting systems. The Company's goal is to improve the price/performance of fiber optic lighting systems to compete more directly with conventional lighting across a much broader spectrum of the general lighting market.
The Company augments its internal research and development efforts by involving certain of its component suppliers, independent consultants and other third parties in the process of seeking improvements in the Company's products and technology. The Company depends substantially on these parties to undertake research and development efforts necessary to achieve improvements that would not otherwise be possible given the multiple and diverse technologies that must be integrated in the Company's products and the Company's limited engineering, personnel and financial resources. These third parties have no material contractual commitments to participate in these efforts, and there can be no assurance that they will continue to do so.
Intellectual Property
The Company believes that the success of its business depends primarily on its technical innovations, marketing abilities and responsiveness to customer requirements, rather than on patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, the Company has a policy of seeking to protect its intellectual property through patents, license agreements, trademark registrations, confidential disclosure agreements and trade secrets. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company's issued patents are valid or that any patents applied for will be issued. There can be no assurance that the Company's competitors or customers will not copy aspects of the Company's fiber optic lighting systems or obtain information that the Company regards as proprietary. There also can be no assurance that others will not independently develop products similar to those sold by the Company. The laws of some foreign countries
in which the Company sells or may sell its products do not protect the Company's proprietary rights in its products to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
The Company is aware that a large number of patents and pending patent applications exist in the field of fiber optic technology. The Company also believes that certain of its competitors hold and have applied for patents related to fiber optic lighting. Although, to date, the Company has not been involved in litigation challenging its intellectual property rights, there can be no assurance that third parties will not assert claims that the Company's products infringe third party patents or other intellectual property rights or that, in case of a dispute, licenses to such technology will be available, if at all, on reasonable terms. In the event of litigation to determine the validity of any third-party claims, such litigation, whether or not determined in favor of the Company, could result in significant expense to the Company and divert the efforts of the Company's technical and management personnel from productive tasks. Also in the event of an adverse ruling in such litigation, the Company might be required to expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology or to obtain licenses to the infringing technology, which licenses may not be available on acceptable terms. In the event of a successful claim against the Company and the Company's failure to develop or license a substitute technology, the Company's operating results could be adversely affected.
The Company has licensed the rights to manufacture certain of its illuminators to Mitsubishi for sale in Japan.
Employees
As of December 31, 1999, The Company employed 128 people full time, of whom 47 were involved in sales, marketing and customer service, 16 in research and product development, 52 in assembly and quality assurance, and 13 in finance and administration. From time to time the Company also employs part time personnel in various capacities, primarily assembly and clerical support. The Company has never had a work stoppage, no employees are subject to any collective bargaining agreement, and the Company considers its employee relations to be good.
The Company's future success will depend to a large extent on the continued contributions of certain employees, many of whom would be difficult to replace. The future success of the Company also will depend on its ability to attract and retain qualified technical, sales, marketing and management personnel, for whom competition is intense. The loss of or failure to attract and retain any such persons could delay product development cycles, disrupt the Company's operations or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
Item 2.
Item 2. Description of Property
The Company's principal executive offices and manufacturing and assembly facilities are located in a 60,000 square foot facility in Fremont, California, under a lease agreement expiring in 2006.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 4.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 1999.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
The Company's Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market tier of The Nasdaq Stock MarketSM under the symbol "FBST". The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices for the Company's Common Stock, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market for the periods indicated. These reported prices reflect interdealer prices without adjustments for retail markups, markdowns or commissions.
High Low ---- ---
First quarter 1998 6 9/16 5 Second quarter 1998 5 1/4 3 3/4 Third quarter 1998 5 1/8 3 15/16 Fourth quarter 1998 4 1/2 3 3/8 First quarter 1999 5 1/2 2 3/4 Second quarter 1999 4 7/8 3 Third quarter 1999 5 5/8 3 1/4 Fourth quarter 1999 5 29/32 3 7/8
There were approximately 225 holders of record of the Company's Common Stock as of March 20, 2000, and the Company estimates that at that date there were approximately 800 additional beneficial owners.
The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data
Item 7.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Results of Operations
NET SALES
Net sales increased 47% to $33,311,000 in 1999. The increase was a result of growth in the sales of pool products as well as commercial lighting products. Pool lighting sales grew as a result of increases in in-ground pool lighting products and in spa lighting products. Commercial lighting product sales growth was due to increased sales from Europe by companies acquired in 1998, along with increased sales form specialty lighting products from the Company's Seattle operation, also acquired in 1998.
Net sales increased 27% to $22,682,000 in 1998 as compared to 1997. The increase was primarily a result of growth in the commercial lighting products.
International sales accounted for approximately 31% of net sales in 1999 as compared to 17% in 1998 and 17% in 1997. The increase in International sales in 1999 was due to the addition of sales from two European companies acquired in 1998.
GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit increased to $14,333,000 in 1999, a 68% increase. The increase in gross profit was a result of the increased sales and an increase in the gross profit margin. The gross profit margin was 43% in 1999, an increase of 5 percentage points over the 38% gross margin achieved in 1998. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to savings in 1999 on warranty and repair costs as well as cost reductions achieved on some of the Company's higher volume products.
Gross profit in 1998 was $8,546,000, a 9% increase over 1997. The gross profit margin was 38% in 1998, a decline from the 44% gross margin achieved in 1997. The decrease in gross margin was primarily a result of higher cost of sales for some of the Company's pools products early in the year along with an increase in warranty costs associated with a lamp component. The Company has gained assurances from its lamp supplier that the lamp component involved in the warranty claims has been fixed.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Research and development expenses were $1,484,000 in 1999, a 16% increase over 1998. The increase is largely due to additional personnel and product development expenses associated with releasing new products in 1999 and product development on products to be released in 2000. Research and development expenses were 4.5% of sales in 1999, down from 6% in 1998. Sales and marketing expenses were $8,044,000 in 1999 as compared to $5,381,000 in 1998, an increase of 49%. A portion of the increase was due to $1,908,000 in additional expenses from the acquired companies in 1998 for which there were expenses of $333,400 in 1998. The balance of the increase is largely a result of additional commission expenses paid for sales in Europe in 1999 as compared to those paid in 1998. Sales and marketing expenses were 24% of sales in 1999 compared to 24% in 1998. General and administrative costs were $2,558,000 in 1999, an increase of 53% over 1998 costs. This increase was largely a result of higher goodwill amortization expenses in 1999 which were $492,000 as compared to $63,000 for goodwill amortized in 1998. Other increases in general and administrative expenses were associated with moving the Company's corporate offices to a new location in 1999 and with additional adminstrative costs from the European subsidiaries which were acquired in 1998. Total operating expenses were 36% of sales in 1999 as compared to 37% in 1998 and 39% in 1997.
Research and development expenses were $1,283,000 in 1998, a 10% increase over 1997. The increase was largely due to additional personnel and product development expenses associated with releasing new products in 1998 and preparing products to be released in 1999. Research and development expenses were 6% of sales in 1998, down from 7% in 1997. Sales and marketing expenses were $5,381,000 in 1998 as compared to $4,393,000 in 1997, an increase of 22%. A portion of the increase was due to $333,400 in additional expenses from the acquired companies in 1998 for which there were no expenses in 1997. The balance of the increase was a result of additional personnel and marketing costs associated with supporting existing products as well as introduction costs for new products released during 1998. Sales and marketing expenses were 24% of sales in 1998 compared to 25% in 1997. General and administrative costs were $1,675,000 in 1998, an increase of 18% over 1997 costs. This increase was largely a result of writing down the value of $200,000 in assets which were deemed to have no future value, along with goodwill amortization from acquisitions of $63,000 which was part of general and administrative expense in 1998. Total operating expenses were 37% of sales in 1998 as compared to 39% in 1997 and 38% in 1996.
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
Other income and expense includes interest income and expense, income (loss) from the Company's joint venture as recognized under the equity method, and income from divestitures. Net interest income was $26,000 in 1999 compared to $223,000 in 1998. The decrease was primarily due to lower cash balances in 1999 as compared to 1998 as a result of cash spent to acquire three companies in the 2nd half of 1998. In addition, there was interest expense in 1999 primarily for a bank loan to the Company's German subsidiary. There was no such expense in 1998. The bank loan was obtained for completion of the German subsidiaries primary offices outside Munich, Germany. The loss from the Company's joint venture was $18,000 in 1999 versus a loss of $22,000 in 1998. In February 2000 the Australian joint venture was sold to the Australian subsidiary of Advanced Technology Lighting, Inc. The divestiture income of $801,000 for 1998 was a result of the Company selling its rights to its phototherapy fiber optic product to Respironics, Inc.
Net interest income in 1998 was $223,000 as compared to $246,000 achieved in 1997. The Company's investment in joint venture activities yielded a loss of $22,000 in 1998 compared to a loss of $12,000 in 1997. The Company had divestiture income of $801,000 in 1998 as described above, as compared to none in 1997.
INCOME TAXES
The income tax rate in 1999 was 37% compared to 37% in 1998 and 40% in 1997. The lower rates in 1999 and 1998 are due to the recognition of certain tax benefits accumulated over prior years. There is no assurance that the income tax rate in future periods will be maintained at the level experienced in 1998.
NET INCOME
As a result of the increase in sales and higher gross profit margin in 1999, partially offset by higher expenses, net income for the year was $1,413,000 or 85% above net income achieved in 1998. The Company recorded net income of $762,000 in 1998, a gain of 18% over net income of $644,000 achieved in 1997.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
For the year ended December 31, 1999, cash and cash equivalents when combined with short-term investments were $1,904,000 as compared to $1,290,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998. Cash in the amount of $1,166,000 was contributed from operating activities in 1999. This was a result of cash provided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $3,166,000 partially offset
by uses of cash to increase accounts receivable of $1,518,000 and other changes in assets and liabilities. In addition, cash totaling $41,000 came from financing activities which primarily related to additional loan amounts for the German subsidiary. Cash from operating and financing activities was used in the amount of $652,000 for investing activities, primarily for the addition of fixed assets. Cash may decline during the 1st quarter of 2000, but then increase in the 2nd quarter as a result of the seasonal variance in cash needs of the Company.
In August 1999, the Company renewed its $2.5 million unsecured line of credit for working capital purposes and its $500,000 term loan commitment to finance equipment purchases. Both lines expire in August, 2000. As of December 31, 1999 the Company had no borrowings outstanding against either of these lines of credit.
The Company also has a $404,000 bank overdraft agreement with Lloyds Bank Plc through its UK subsidiary. There were no net borrowings against the overdraft agreement as of December 31, 1999. In addition, at year end the Company has a total borrowing of $634,000 against a credit facility which totals $747,00 held by its German subsidiary. This borrowing is largely held in order to finance the building of new offices owned by the Company in Basching, Germany.
The Company believes that existing cash balances, together with the Company's bank lines of credit and funds that may be generated from operations, will be sufficient to finance the Company's currently anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months.
Subsequent event
On February 1, 2000 the Company completed the acquistion of selected assets of Unison Fiber Optic Systems, LLC, a joint venture between Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc. ("ADLT") and Rohm & Haas Company. The Company acquired key personnel, technologies, fixed assets totaling $600,000 and, subject to achievement of development milestones, up to $2 million in development funds from Unison. In exchange for this the Company issued warrants to ADLT for the purchase of up to 1 million shares of the Company's common stock at $0.01 per share. These warrants may not be exercised until the price of the Company's stock reaches certain trading levels on the Nasdaq National Market, as follows: 250,000 will be exercisable when the the Company's stock price reaches $6.00; 250,000 when the price reaches $8.00; 250,000 when the price reaches $10.00; and 250,000 when the price reaches $12.00. These prices must be maintained as an average over at least 30 days. In addition, at each price level, certain sales milestones must be reached on products of Unison technology before the warrants can be exercised. At ADLT's option, the warrants may be exchanged by ADLT, regardless of their exercisability, for up to 445,000 newly issued Fiberstars shares.
Other Factors
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements. Such statements generally concern future operating results, capital expenditures, product development and enhancements, liquidity and strategy. Specific forward-looking statements in this report include, without limitation, our remarks concerning the evolution of the fiber optic lighting market, the future size of the fiber optic lighting market, our expectations concerning the future performance of our recently completed acquisitions, our expectations regarding future performance of certain lamp components of our products that have recently experienced problems, the rate of adoption of fiber optic lighting in Europe and in the United States, trends in the price and performance of fiber optic lighting products, the future performance of our lighting products, our relationship with ADLT and future technologies expected to result from our relationship with ADLT. We may not update these forward looking statements, and the occurrence of the events
predicted in these statements is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in this report. These risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results predicted in our forward looking statements. You are encouraged to consider all the information in this report, and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), along with our other periodic reports on file with the SEC, prior to investing in our stock.
Business Risks and Uncertainties
Our quarterly operating results can vary significantly depending upon a number of factors. It is difficult to predict the lighting market's acceptance of our products on a quarterly basis, and the level and timing of orders received can fluctuate substantially. Our sales volumes also fluctuate. Historically we have shipped a substantial portion of our quarterly sales in the last month of each of the second and fourth quarters of the year. Significant portions of our expenses are relatively fixed in advance based upon our forecasts of future sales. If sales fall below our expectations in any given quarter, we will not be able to make any significant adjustment in our operating expenses and our operating results will be adversely affected. In addition, our product development and marketing expenditures may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and are made well in advance of potential resulting revenue.
Sales of our pool and spa lighting products, which currently are available only with newly constructed pools and spas, depend substantially upon the level of new construction. Sales of commercial lighting products also depend significantly upon the level of new building construction. Construction levels are affected by housing market trends, interest rates, and the weather. Because of the seasonality of construction, our sales of swimming pool and commercial lighting products, and thus our overall revenues and income, have tended to be significantly lower in the first quarter of each year. Various economic and other trends may alter these seasonal trends from year to year, and we cannot predict the extent to which these seasonal trends will continue. We believe our business has been favorably impacted by recent strength in the overall U.S. economy. If the U.S. economy softens, our operating results will probably suffer.
In the first quarter of 2000, we introduced three major new products. Our Pool & Spa products called FS1/2 and Sarah are expected to provide measurable sales. The Model 701S illuminator for the Commercial Lighting market will replace and is expected to outperform our current brightest illuminator Model 601. We could have difficulties manufacturing these new products as a result of our inexperience with them. Also, it is difficult to predict whether the market will accept either of these new products. If either of these new products fails to meet expectations, our operating results will be adversely affected.
Competition is increasing in a number of our markets. A number of companies offer directly competitive products, including fiber optic lighting products for downlighting, display case and water lighting, and neon and other lighted signs. Our competitors include some very large and well established companies such as Philips, Schott, 3M, Bridgestone, Mitsubishi and Osram/Siemens. All of these companies have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. We anticipate that any future growth in fiber optic lighting will be accompanied by continuing increases in competition, which could accelerate growth in the market for fiber optic lighting, but which could also adversely affect our operating results to the extent we do not compete effectively.
We were awarded our tenth patent in the fourth quarter of 1999. However, we believe the success of our business depends primarily on our continued technical innovation, marketing abilities and responsiveness to customer requirements, rather than on patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, we have a policy of seeking to protect our intellectual property through, among other things, the prosecution of patents with respect to certain of our
technologies. There are many issued patents and pending patent applications in the field of fiber optic technology, and certain of our competitors hold and have applied for patents related to fiber optic lighting. Although to date we have not been involved in litigation challenging our intellectual property rights or asserting intellectual property rights of others, we have in the past received communications from third parties asserting rights in our patents or that our technology infringes intellectual property rights held by such third parties. Based on information currently available to us we do not believe that any such claims involving our technology or patents are meritorious. However, we may be required to engage in litigation to protect our patent rights or to defend against the claims of others. In the event of litigation to determine the validity of any third party claims or claims by us against such third party, such litigation, whether or not determined in our favor, could result in significant expense.
Our business is subject to additional risks that could materially and adversely affect our future business, including:
o manufacturing risks, including the risks of shortages in materials or components necessary to our manufacturing and assembly operations, and the risks of increases in the prices of raw materials and components;
o sales and distribution risks, such as risks of changes in product mix or distribution channels that result in lower margins;
o risks of the loss of a significant distributor or sales representative;
o risks of the loss of a significant customer or swimming pool builder;
o risks of the effects of volume discounts that we grant from time to time to our larger customers, including reduced profit margins;
o risks of product returns and exchanges; in this regard, as noted above, in 1998 we increased our warranty reserve in response to evidence of defective lamps in certain of our products. We cannot be assured that we will not experience similar component problems in the future that could also require increased warranty reserves and manufacturing costs;
o risks associated with product development and introduction problems, such as increased research, development and marketing expenses associated with new product introductions; and
o risks associated with delays in the introduction of new products and technologies, including lost sales and loss of market share.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Qualitative or Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk
At year end December 31, 1999, the Company had $550,000 in cash held in foreign currencies as translated at period end foreign currency exchange rates. The balances for cash held overseas in foreign currencies is subject to exchange rate risk. The Company has a policy of maintaining cash balances in local currencies unless an amount of cash is occasionally transferred in order to repay intercompany debts.
Item 8.
Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The Company's Consolidated financial statements are included in Item 8 and appear following Item 14.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The information required by this Item regarding directors and nominees is incorporated herein by reference to the information in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 24, 2000 (the "Proxy Statement") under the caption "PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS."
Executive Officers
The executive officers of the Company who are not directors, and their ages as of December 31, 1999, are as follows:
Name Age Position ---- --- -------- George K. Awai 44 Vice President, Research and Development Simon Chen 49 Vice President, Engineering
Robert A. Connors 51 Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer John Davenport 55 Vice President, Chief Technology Officer Barry R. Greenwald 53 Senior Vice President and General Manager, Pool Division J. Arthur Hatley 50 Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Lighting J. Steven Keplinger 40 Senior Vice President, Operations and Retail Fredrick N. Martin 56 Chief Operating Officer
- -------------
Mr. Awai joined the Company in October 1986 as Vice President, Engineering. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Awai served as Senior Fiber Optics Engineering Supervisor at Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Eli Lilly engaged in research and development of medical devices, from August 1985 to October 1986. From December 1983 to August 1985, Mr. Awai served as Quality Assurance Optics Manager at Kaptron, Inc., a fiber optics manufacturing company. Mr. Awai served as Senior Optical Engineering Technician at Siemens Optoelectronics from August 1982 to December 1983, as Fiber Optics Laboratory Supervisor at Cooper Medical Devices, Inc. from May 1981 to July 1982, and as Senior Fiber Optics Technician at Olympus Corporation from September 1979 to May 1981.
Mr. Chen joined the Company in 1997 as Director of Engineering. He was promoted to Vice President, Engineering in January 1999. Prior to joining The Company Mr. Chen served as Engineering Manager for The Watt Stopper an Lighting control company. Prior that Mr. Chen worked for Toshiba Electronic Component Corp. in sales department. Prior that Mr. Chen worked for Halmark Electronics as Distribution Center Manager.
Mr. Connors joined the Company in July 1998 as Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer. From 1984 to 1998, Mr. Connors held a variety of positions for Micro Focus Group Plc, a software company, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to that, he held senior finance positions with Eagle Computer and W. R. Grace.
Mr. Davenport joined the Company in November 1999 as Vice President, Chief Technology Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Davenport served as President of Unison from 1998 to 1999. Mr.Davenport began his career at GE Lighting in 1972 as a research physicist and thereafter served 26
years in various capacities including GE Lighting's R&D Manager and as development manager for high performance LED projects. He is a recognized global expert in light sources, lighting systems and lighting applications; in particular, low wattage discharge lamps, electronic ballast technology, and distributed lighting systems using fiber optics.
Mr. Greenwald joined the Company in October 1989 as General Manager, Pool Division. He became Vice President in September 1993 and Senior Vice President in February 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Greenwald served as National Sales Manager at Aquamatic, a swimming pool accessory company, from August 1987 to October 1989. From May 1982 to August 1987, Mr. Greenwald served as National Sales Manager at Jandy Inc., a swimming pool equipment company.
Mr. Hatley joined the Company in July 1995 as National Sales Manager, Commercial Lighting Division. He was promoted to General Manager in January 1996 and was named Vice President in December 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hatley served in progressive sales management capacities for Reggiani and Capri Lighting companies. Mr. Hatley was previously a commercial lighting agency principal and also served at Graybar Electric, a national lighting and electrical products distributor.
Mr. Keplinger joined the Company in August 1988 as Manager of Operations. He became Vice President in 1991 and Senior Vice President in February 1997. From June 1986 to August 1988, Mr. Keplinger was a sales representative at Leemah Electronics, an electronics manufacturing company. From February 1983 to June 1986, Mr. Keplinger was a sales manager with California Magnetics Corp, a custom transformer manufacturing company. Mr. Keplinger is also a director of The Company Australasia Pty. Ltd.
Mr. Martin joined the Company in March 1997 as Senior Vice President responsible for Engineering, R&D and Commercial Lighting sales and marketing and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 1998. From May 1994 to February 1997, Mr. Martin was general partner in a retail business. From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Martin was President and Chief Executive Officer of Progress Lighting. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President of sales & marketing for USI Lighting, a large lighting fixture and controls company, and as President of Prescolite, a lighting fixture company.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information regarding executive compensation required by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation."
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Security Ownership of Principal Shareholders and Management."
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information regarding certain relationships and related transactions required by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Certain Transactions."
PART IV.
Item 14.
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Fiberstars, Inc. Fremont, California
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fiberstars, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 1999 and 1998 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. 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 audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, which 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP San Jose, California February 11, 2000
FIBERSTARS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
(amounts in thousands)
1999 1998 1997 ------- ------- -------
Net income $ 1,413 $ 762 $ 644 ------- ------- -------
Other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation adjustments (239) Income tax benefit 86 ------- ------- -------
Comprehensive income $ 1,260 $ 762 $ 644 ======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
1. Nature of Operations:
Fiberstars, Inc. (the Company) develops and assembles lighting products using fiber optic technology for commercial lighting and swimming pool and spa lighting applications. The Company markets its products for worldwide distribution primarily through independent sales representatives, distributors and swimming pool builders.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
Basis of Consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Fiberstars, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount 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 reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Equivalents:
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventories:
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market.
Investments in Joint Ventures:
The Company records its investments in joint ventures under the equity method of accounting.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued:
Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
Carrying amounts of certain of the Company's financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms, the carrying value of long-term debt obligations also approximates fair value.
Revenue Recognition:
The Company recognizes sales upon shipment.
Depreciation and Amortization:
Fixed assets are stated at cost and depreciated by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets (two to five years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is less.
Certain Risks and Concentrations:
The Company invests its excess cash in deposits and high-grade short-term securities with two major banks.
The Company sells its products primarily to commercial lighting distributors and residential pool distributors and pool installation contractors in North America, Europe and the Far East. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral. Although the Company maintains allowances for potential credit losses that it believes to be adequate, a payment default on a significant sale could materially and adversely affect its operating results and financial condition. At December 31, 1999, one customer accounted for 20% of accounts receivable and at December 31, 1998, one customer accounted for more than 22% accounts receivable.
One customer accounted for 10%, 13% and 13% of net sales in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The Company currently buys all of its fiber, the main component of its products, from one supplier. Although there is a limited number of fiber suppliers, management believes that other suppliers could provide fiber on comparable terms. A change in suppliers, however, could cause delays in manufacturing and a possible loss of sales which would adversely affect operating results.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued:
Research and Development:
Research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred.
Income Taxes:
The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method under which deferred tax assets or liabilities are calculated at the balance sheet date using current tax laws and rates in effect.
Earnings Per Share:
Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares consist of incremental shares upon exercise of stock options.
A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted EPS is provided as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Years Ended December 31, ------------------------ 1999 1998 1997 ------ ------ ------ Numerator - Basic and Diluted EPS
Net income $1,413 $ 762 $ 644
Denominator - Basic EPS Weighted average shares outstanding 3,986 3,623 3,446 ------ ------ ------ Basic earnings per share $ 0.35 $ 0.21 $ 0.19 ====== ====== ======
Denominator - Diluted EPS Denominator - Basic EPS 3,986 3,623 3,446 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and warrants 94 72 151 ------ ------ ------ 4,080 3,695 3,597 ------ ------ ------ Diluted earnings per share $ 0.35 $ 0.21 $ 0.18 ====== ====== ======
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued:
Earnings Per Share, continued:
Options and warrants to purchase 985,335 shares, 584,626 shares and 371,705 shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, but were not included in the calculations of diluted EPS because their exercise prices were greater than the average fair market price of the common shares.
Foreign Currency Translation:
The Company's international subsidiaries use their local currency as their functional currency. For those subsidiaries, assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and income and expense accounts at average exchange rates during the year. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly to a separate component of shareholders' equity.
Recent Pronouncements:
In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, or SFAS 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". SFAS 133 establishes new standards of accounting and reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 133 requires that all derivatives be recognized at fair value in the statement of financial position, and that the corresponding gains or losses be reported either in the statement of operations or as a component of comprehensive income, depending on the type of hedging relationship that exists. SFAS 133, as amended, will be effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. The Company does not currently hold derivative instruments or engage in hedging activities.
In November 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 100, Restructuring and Impairment Charges. In December 1999, the SEC issued SAB No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. SAB No. 100 expresses the views of the SEC regarding the accounting for and disclosure of certain expenses not commonly reported in connection
with exit activities and business combinations. This includes the accrual of exit and employee termination costs and the recognition of impairment charges. SAB No. 101 expresses the views of the SEC staff in applying generally accepted accounting principles to certain revenue recognition issues. The Company does not anticipate that these SABs will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
3. Inventories (in thousands):
December 31, -------------------- 1999 1998 --------- --------- Raw materials $ 2,736 $ 2,780 Finished goods 1,533 1,399 --------- --------- $ 4,269 $ 4,179 --------- ---------
4. Fixed Assets (in thousands):
December 31, ------------------------ 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- Equipment $ 3,888 $ 2,823 Furniture and fixtures 341 250 Computer software 414 452 Leasehold improvements 629 541 ----------- ----------- 5,272 4,066 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (3,030) (2,544) ----------- ----------- $ 2,242 $ 1,522 =========== ===========
5. Acquisitions:
In August 1998, the Company completed the acquisition of the net assets of Fibre Optics International, Inc. (FOI) for $865,000 consisting of $315,000 in cash and 122,350 shares of Fiberstars stock. FOI is a manufacturer and marketer of fiber optic-lighted signs, based in Seattle, Washington.
In November 1998, the Company acquired the net assets of Lichberatung Mann (LBM), fiber optic lighting manufacturers and distributor headquartered near Munich, Germany. Also in November 1998, the Company purchased the net assets of Crescent Lighting, Ltd. (Crescent), which is a fiber optic lighting manufacturer and distributor based in Newbury, England. The consideration given for both the European acquisitions was $2,875,000 in cash and 282,386 shares of Fiberstars stock, or an aggregate of $4,013,000.
All three acquisitions were accounted for as purchases. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the net assets acquired based on their estimated fair market values. In connection with the acquisitions,
5. Acquisitions, continued:
the Company recorded goodwill of $4,466,000 which is being amortized on a straight line basis over ten years.
The following table presents the unaudited pro forma results assuming the Company had acquired FOI, LBM and Crescent at the beginning of fiscal years 1997 and 1998, respectively. Net income and diluted earnings per share amounts have been adjusted to include goodwill amortization of $447,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 1997 and 1998. This information may not necessarily be indicative of the future combined results of the Company.
Year Ended December 31, 1998 1997 --------- --------- Revenues $ 28,240 $ 24,184 Net income 414 702 Diluted earnings per share 0.10 0.18 Basic earnings per share 0.10 0.18
6. Joint Venture:
Fiberstars Australasia Pty. Ltd:
The Company participates in a joint venture with Fiberstars Australasia Pty. Ltd., to market lighting products using fiberoptic technology in Australia and New Zealand. The Company maintains a 46.5% interest in Fiberstars Australasia.
The Company recorded sales to Fiberstars Australasia totaling $253,912, $137,000, and $259,000 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Accounts receivable from Fiberstars Australasia Pty. Ltd. as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 were $216,021 and $130,887 respectively.
The following represents condensed financial information (unaudited) of Fiberstars Australasia as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and for the years then ended. (in thousands):
December 31, ---------------- 1999 1998 ------- ------- Current assets $ 288 $ 193 Property and other assets 61 64 ------- ------- $ 349 $ 257 ======= =======
Current liabilities $ 348 $ 227 Issued capital 108 108 Accumulated deficit (107) (78) ------- ------- $ 349 $ 257 ======= =======
6. Joint Venture, continued:
December 31, ----------------------------- 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- Revenue $ 580 $ 569 $ 589 Expenses 625 620 626 -------- -------- -------- Net loss $ (45) $ (51) $ (37) ======== ======== ========
7. Accrued Liabilities (in thousands):
December 31, ---------------------- 1999 1998 --------- --------- Sales commissions and incentives $ 1,213 $ 1,003 Accrued warranty expense 305 325 Accrued legal and accounting fees 123 372 Accrued employee benefits 209 161 Others 668 337 --------- --------- $ 2,518 $ 2,198 ========= =========
8. Lines of Credit and Long-term Debt:
The Company entered into the following borrowing arrangements with its banks:
a) A $2,500,000 revolving line of credit expiring August 1, 2000, bearing interest at prime plus 0.125% (8.625% at December 31, 1999). Borrowings under this line are uncollateralized, and the Company must maintain a zero balance for at least 30 consecutive days during each fiscal year. There were no borrowings against this facility at December 31, 1999.
b) A $500,000 term loan commitment to finance equipment purchases, expiring August 1, 2000. Borrowings bear interest at prime plus 0.50% (9% at December 31, 1999). Under this note, the Company may finance up to 80% of the cost of new equipment and 75% of the cost of used equipment. The note is collateralized by a security interest in all equipment financed with the proceeds. Interest only is payable monthly until August 15, 2000, after which the principal plus interest is repayable in 36 monthly installments. There were no amounts outstanding at December 31, 1999. The Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios on a quarterly basis, including specified levels of working capital and tangible net worth.
c) A $404,000 (in UK pound sterling) bank overdraft agreement with Lloyds Bank Plc. There were no borrowings against this facility at December 31, 1999.
d) A $592,000 (in German Deutsche Mark) bank borrowing facility in Germany with Sparkasse Neumarkt Bank for the German office facility. There was $555,000 and $528,000 in borrowings against this facility as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. $232,000 of this facility terminates in 2003 and $360,000 terminates in 2008. In addition, there is a revolving line of credit of $155,000 (in German Deutsche Mark) with Sparkasse Neumarkt Bank. As of December 31, 1999, there was $79,000 in borrowings against this facility.
9. Commitments and Contingencies:
The Company occupies manufacturing and office facilities under operating leases expiring in 2006 under which it is responsible for related maintenance, taxes and insurance. Minimum lease commitments under the leases are as follows (in thousands):
Minimum lease commitments ------------------------------- 2000 $ 824 2001 846 2002 873 2003 858 2004 883 2005 919 2006 719 ------------------------------- Total minimum lease payments $ 5,922 -------------------------------
Rent expense approximated $652,000, $388,000 and $322,000, for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
At December 31, 1999, $250,000 (in German Deutsche Mark) of cash was restricted in terms of a guarantee issued by the Company. The guarantee expired in January 2000.
The Company is engaged in certain legal and administrative proceedings incidental to its normal business activities. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate outcome of these actions at this time, management believes that any liabilities resulting from such proceedings, or claims which are pending or known to be threatened, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
10. Shareholders' Equity:
Common Stock:
The notes receivable from shareholders for common stock bear interest at a rate of 9% and are payable ten years from the date of issuance.
Under the terms of certain agreements with the Company, the holders of approximately 1,489,000 shares of common stock have certain demand and piggyback registration rights. All registration expenses generally would be borne by the Company.
Warrants:
The Company has issued warrants to purchase shares of its common stock to certain directors and consultants of the Company. These warrants, which were granted at the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant as determined by the Board of Directors, expired on varying dates through 1999.
In connection with its public offering in August 1994, the Company issued to the underwriters, RvR Securities Corp. and Van Kasper & Company, warrants (the Underwriters' warrants) to purchase up to 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price equal to 120% of the initial offering price of $4.50 per share. The Underwriters' warrants were exercisable for a period of five years from the date of the public offering and expired on August 18, 1999.
10. Shareholders' Equity, continued:
Warrant activity comprised:
Warrants Outstanding --------------------------------------- Shares Exercise Price Amount --------- ----------- ---------- (in thousands) --------- ----------- ---------- Balances, December 31, 1995 126,666 $0.90-$5.40 $ 564 Warrants exercised (15,625) $0.90 (14) --------- ---------- Balances, December 31, 1996 & 1997 111,041 $0.90-$5.40 $ 550 Warrants exercised/cancelled (11,041) $0.90 (10) --------- ---------- Balances, December 31, 1998 100,000 $5.40 $ 540 Warrants cancelled (100,000) $5.40 (540) --------- ---------- Balances, December 31, 1999 -- $ -- ========= ==========
At December 31, 1999, there were no outstanding warrants.
1988 Stock Option Plan:
Upon adoption of the 1994 Stock Option Plan (see below), the Company's Board of Directors determined to make no further grants under the 1988 Stock Option Plan (the 1988 Plan). Upon cancellation or expiration of any options granted under the 1988 Plan, the related reserved shares of common stock will become available instead for options granted under the 1994 Stock Option Plan.
1994 Stock Option Plan:
At December 31, 1999, an aggregate of 1,350,000 shares of the Company's common stock are reserved for issuance under the 1994 Stock Option Plan to employees, officers, directors and consultants at prices not lower than the fair market value of the common stock of the Company on the date of grant. Options granted may be either incentive stock options or nonstatutory stock options. The plan administrator (the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board) determines the terms of options granted under the plan including the number of shares subject to the option, exercise price, term and exercisability.
1994 Directors' Stock Option Plan:
At December 31, 1999, a total of 300,000 shares of common stock has been reserved for issuance under the 1994 Directors' Stock Option Plan. The plan provides for the granting of nonstatutory stock options to nonemployee directors of the Company.
Activity Under the Stock Option Plans:
10. Shareholder's Equity, continued
At December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, options to purchase 869,336, 623,169 and 436,497 shares of common stock, respectively were exercisable at weighted average fair values of $4.71, $4.78 and $4.44 respectively. As of December 31, 1999 the Company has 61,079 options granted in excess of amounts available and are subject to shareholder approval at the next shareholder meeting in May 2000. The average price for these options is $4.68.
1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
At December 31, 1999, a total of 100,000 shares of common stock has been reserved for issuance under the 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The plan permits eligible employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions at a price equal to the lower of 85% of the fair market
10. Shareholder's Equity, continued
value of the Company's common stock at the beginning or ending of the offering period. Employees may end their participation at any time during the offering period, and participation ends automatically on termination of employment with the Company. At December 31, 1999, 47,770 shares had been issued under this plan.
Stock-Based Compensation:
The Company has adopted the disclosure only provision of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS 123"), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." The Company, however, continues to apply APB 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations in accounting for its plans. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for options granted under the Stock Option Plans nor for shares issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined based on the fair value of the options at the grant date for awards in 1999, 1998 and 1997 consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123, the Company's net income and net income per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
December 31, ----------------------------- 1999 1998 1997 ------- ------- ------- Net income - as reported $ 1,413 $ 762 $ 644 ======= ======= ======= Net income - pro forma $ 1,072 $ 538 $ 480 ======= ======= ======= Basic earnings per share - as reported $ 0.35 $ 0.21 $ 0.19 ======= ======= ======= Basic earnings per share - pro forma $ 0.27 $ 0.15 $ 0.14 ======= ======= ======= Diluted earnings per share - as reported $ 0.35 $ 0.21 $ 0.18 ======= ======= ======= Diluted earnings per share - pro forma $ 0.26 $ 0.15 $ 0.13 ======= ======= =======
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using a type of Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 1999, 1998 and 1997:
1999 1998 1997 ------ ------ ------ Fair value of options issued $ 1.60 $ 1.72 $ 2.38 Exercise price $ 4.30 $ 3.80 $ 5.20 Expected life of option 3.95 years 3.88 years 3.91 years Risk-free interest rate 5.69% 4.82% 6.00% Expected volatility 37% 50% 50%
11. Income Taxes
The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31, ------------------------------- 1999 1998 1997 ----- ----- ----- Current: Federal $(783) $(265) $ (20) State (127) (47) (10) ----- ----- ----- (910) (312) (30) Deferred: Federal 59 (115) (386) State 9 (20) (21) ----- ----- ----- 68 (135) (407) ----- ----- ----- Provision for income taxes $(842) $(447) $(437) ===== ===== =====
11. Income Taxes, continued:
The principal items accounting for the difference between income taxes computed at the United States statutory rate and the provision for income taxes reflected in the statements of operations are as follows:
Years Ended December 31, --------------------------- 1999 1998 1997 ----- ----- ----- United States statutory rate (34.0)% (34.0)% (34.0)% State Taxes (net of federal tax benefit) (5.5)% (5.5)% (3.9)% Other 2.2% 2.5% (2.5)% ----- ----- ----- (37.3)% (37.0)% (40.4)% ===== ===== =====
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax asset are as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31, ------------------ 1999 1998 ----- ----- Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 119 $ 126 Accrued expenses and other reserves 599 606 Depreciation and amortization 1 60 Installment sales (125) (213) Foreign currency translation adjustment 86 0 Other 68 17 ----- ----- Total deferred tax asset $ 748 $ 596 ===== =====
The deferred tax is not reduced by a valuation allowance as management believes it will fully realize the benefit from its deferred tax assets. Realization is dependent on generating sufficient future taxable income. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax asset will be realized. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income are reduced.
12. Segments and Geographic Sales:
The Company has adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 ("SFAS 131"), "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information", effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 1997.
The Company operates in a single industry segment that manufactures, markets and sells fiber optic lighting products. The Company markets its products for worldwide distribution primarily through independent sales representatives, distributors and swimming pool builders in North America, Europe and the Far East.
A summary of geographic sales is as follows (in thousands):
12. Segments and Geographic Sales, continued
Years Ended December 31, ------------------------------------- 1999 1998 1997 ------- ------- ------- U.S. Domestic $22,972 $18,912 $14,736 U.S. Export 2,330 3,002 3,135 European subsidiaries 8,009 768 -- ------- ------- ------- $33,311 $22,682 $17,871 ======= ======= =======
13. Employee Retirement Plan:
The Company maintains a 401(k) profit sharing plan for its employees who meet certain qualifications. The Plan allows eligible employees to defer up to 15% of their earnings, not to exceed the statutory amount per year on a pretax basis through contributions to the Plan. The Plan provides for employer contributions at the discretion of the Board of Directors; however, no such contributions were made in 1999, 1998 and 1997.
14. Related Party Transactions:
In previous years, the Company advanced amounts to certain officers by way of promissory notes. The notes are collateralized by certain issued or potentially issuable shares of the Company's common stock. The notes bear interest at rates ranging from 6% to 8% per annum and are repayable at various dates through April 2000. At December 31, 1999 and 1998, $159,000 and $196,000 were outstanding and included with notes receivable.
15. Subsequent Event (unaudited):
On February 1, 2000 the Company completed the acquistion of selected assets of Unison Fiber Optic Systems, LLC, a joint venture between Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc. ("ADLT") and Rohm & Haas Company. The Company acquired key personnel, technologies, fixed assets totaling $600,000 and, subject to achievement of development milestones, up to $2 million in development funds from Unison. In exchange for this the Company issued warrants to ADLT for the purchase of up to 1 million shares of the Company's common stock at $0.01 per share. These warrants may not be exercised until the price of the Company's stock reaches certain trading levels on the Nasdaq National Market, as follows: 250,000 will be exercisable when the the Company's stock price reaches $6.00; 250,000 when the price reaches $8.00; 250,000 when the price reaches $10.00; and 250,000 when the price reaches $12.00. These prices must be maintained as an average over at least 30 days. In addition, at each price level, certain sales milestones must be reached on products of Unison technology before the warrants can be exercised. At ADLT's option, the warrants may be exchanged by ADLT, regardless of their exercisability, for up to 445,000 newly issued Fiberstars shares.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
Not applicable
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-85664) of Fiberstars, Inc. of our report dated February 11, 2000, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules, which appears in this Form 10-K.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP San Jose, California
February 11, 2000
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, on the 30th day of March, 2000.
THE COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID N. RUCKERT ----------------------------- David N. Ruckert Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
INDEX TO EXHIBITS (Item 13(a)) Exhibit Number Document ------ -------- 3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
3.2 Bylaws of Registrant, including all amendments (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1994).
3.3 Amendment to Bylaws of Registrant, dated as of December 1, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1995).
10.0 Form of warrant issued to the Underwriters in the Company's initial public offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994)
10.1+ Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.2+ 1988 Stock Option Plan, as amended, and forms of stock option agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.3+ 1994 Stock Option Plan, as amended, and forms of stock option agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.4+ 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and form of subscription agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.5+ 1994 Directors' Stock Option Plan and form of stock option agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.6 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 27, 1990, between the Registrant and certain holders of the Registrant's capital stock, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of February 6, 1991 and Amendment No. 2 dated as of April 30, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.7 Amendment No. 3 to Registration Rights Agreement to include Warrant shares as Registerable Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.8+ Stock Purchase Agreement and related Promissory Note between David N. Ruckert and the Registrant dated as of December 9, 1987, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.9+ Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated as of June 27, 1988 issued by the Registrant to Philip Wolfson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.10 Lease Agreement dated December 20, 1993 between the Registrant and Bayside Spinnaker Partners IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.11 Form of Agreement between the Registrant and independent sales representatives (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 33-79116-LA) which became effective on August 17, 1994).
10.12+ Consulting Agreement dated August 25, 1994 between the Registrant and Philip Wolfson, M.D. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1994).
10.13* Distribution Agreement dated March 21, 1995 between the Registrant and Mitsubishi International Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1994).
10.14* Three (3) Year Supply Agreement dated March 21, 1995 between the Registrant and Mitsubishi International Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1994).
10.15 Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 21, 1995 among the Registrant, Mitsubishi International Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1994).
10.16+ Consulting Agreement dated as of December 14, 1995, between Registrant and Michael D. Ernst (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1995).
10.17 Distribution Agreement dated as of February 21, 1996, between the Registrant and Fiberoptic Medical Products, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1995).
10.18 Loan Agreement dated as of June 28, 1997, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank.
10.19 Term Commitment Note of the Registrant dated as of June 28, 1997, to Wells Fargo Bank.
10.20 Revolving Line of Credit Note of the Registrant dated as of June 28, 1997, to Wells Fargo Bank.
10.21 Amendment to 1994 Stock Option Plan, effective as of December 6, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1996).
10.22 Promissory Note dated as of October 7, 1996, issued in favor of the Registrant by Steve Keplinger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1996).
10.23 Promissory Note dated as of March 25, 1997, issued in favor of the Registrant by Barry Greenwald (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1996).
10.24* Three (3) Year Supply Agreement dated October 29, 1997 between the Registrant and Mitsubishi International Corporation
10.25 Rental Agreement dated February 1, 1998 between the Registrant and Signature Floors.
10.26 Promissory Note dated as of March 15, 1998, issued in favor of the Registrant by Barry Greenwald
10.28 Form 8-K filed on December 4, 1998
10.29 Loan Agreement dated August 1, 1999, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank.
10.30 Term Commitment Note of the Registrant dated as of August 1, 1999, to Wells Fargo Bank.
10.31 Revolving Line of Credit Note of the Registrant dated as of August 1, 1999, to Wells Fargo Bank.
10.32* Asset Purchase Agreement by and among FibreOptics International, Inc., a Washington corporation, and the Registrant dated August 31, 1998.
10.33 Sale and Purchase Agreement dated as of November 19, 1998, by and among The Company, Inc., Hillgate (4) Limited, Crescent Lighting Limited, Michael Beverly Morrison and Corinne Bertrand.
10.34* Purchase and Take-over Agreement between Frau Claudia Mann, acting for LBM Lichtleit-Fasertechnik, Claudia Mann and The Company Deutschland GmbH and Bernhard Mann.
10.35* Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of December 30, 1998, between Respironics, Inc. and The Company, Inc.
10.36 Lease Agreement dated November 23, 1998 between Registrant and Catellus Development Corporation.
10.37 Lease Agreement dated [November 15, 1999] between Registrant and Harsch Investment Corp.
10.40 Promissory Note dated March 25, 1999 between Registrant and J. Steven Keplinger.
10.41* Distribution Agreement dated November 1, 1999 between Registrant and Unison
10.42* Agency Agreement dated November 1, 1999 between Registrant and Unison
10.43* Professional Services Agreement dated October 1, 1999 between Registrant and Unison
23.1 Consent of Independent Accountants.
27.1 Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1999.
* Confidential treatment requested + Management Compensatory Plan or Arrangement
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors Fiberstars, Incorporated:
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report dated February 11, 2000 appearing in the 1999 Annual Report to the Shareholders of Fiberstars, Incorporated (which report and consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included an audit of the financial statement schedules listed in Item 14(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, these financial statement schedules present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP San Jose, CA February 11, 2000