Item 1. Business.
CPS Technologies Corporation (the ‘Company’ or ‘CPS’) provides advanced material solutions to the electronics, power generation, automotive and other industries. In 2008 the Company also entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Army to further develop its composite technology to produce armor.
The Company’s products are generally used in high-power, high-reliability applications. These applications always involve energy use or energy generation and the Company’s products allow higher performance and improved energy efficiency. The Company is an important participant in the growing movement towards alternative energy and "green" lifestyles. For example, the Company’s products are used in high-speed trains, mass transit, hybrid and electric cars, wind-turbines for electricity generation as well as routers and switches for the internet which in turn enable telecommuting.
The Company’s primary advanced material solution is metal matrix composites (MMCs), a new class of materials which is a combination of metal and ceramic. CPS has a leading, proprietary position in metal matrix composites. Metal matrix composites have several superior properties compared to conventional materials including improved thermal conductivity, thermal expansion matching, stiffness and light weight which enable higher performance and higher reliability in our customers’ products.
Like plastics several decades ago, we believe metal-matrix composites will penetrate many end markets over many years. CPS management believes our business model of providing advanced material solutions to a portfolio of high growth end markets which are, at any point in time, in various stages of the technology adoption lifecycle, provides CPS with the opportunity for sustained growth and a diversified customer base. We believe we have validated this model as we are now supplying customers at all stages of the technology adoption lifecycle.
CPS is the leader in supplying metal matrix composites to certain high growth electronics end markets which are well along in the adoption lifecycle and therefore generating significant demand. These end markets include motor controllers used in high-speed electric trains, subway cars and wind turbines, hybrid and electric vehicles, aerospace and defense, and high performance integrated circuits used in internet switches and routers. CPS supplies baseplates, heat spreaders and lids to customers in these end markets. CPS is a fully qualified manufacturer for many of the world’s largest electronics OEMs.
CPS also assembles housings and packages for hybrid circuits. These housings and packages may include components made of metal-matrix composites; they may include components made of more traditional materials such as aluminum, copper-tungsten, etc.
The Company is also actively working with customers in end markets at the beginning stages of the adoption lifecycle. An example of such a market is the market for armor. In 2008 the Company entered into a cooperative agreement with the Army Research Laboratory to further develop large hybrid metal matrix composite modules which integrally combine metal matrix composites and ceramics by enveloping ceramic tiles with MMCs. This system offers a lighter weight, durable, multi-hit capable and cost competitive alternative to conventional steel, aluminum and ceramic based armor systems. CPS hybrid hard face armor modules are comprised of multiple materials completely enveloped within and mechanically and chemically bonded to lightweight and stiff aluminum metal matrix composites.
The Company believes that its hybrid hard face armor tiles will find application in military vehicles as well as armored commercial vehicles.
Our products are manufactured by proprietary processes we have developed including the QuicksetTM Injection Molding Process (‘Quickset Process’) and the QuickCastTM Pressure Infiltration Process (‘QuickCast Process’).
CPS was incorporated in Massachusetts in 1984 as Ceramics Process Systems Corporation and reincorporated in Delaware in April 1987 through a merger into a wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary organized for purposes of the reincorporation. In July 1987, CPS completed our initial public offering of 1.5 million shares of our Common Stock. In March 2007, the Company changed its name from Ceramics Process Systems Corporation to CPS Technologies Corporation.
Overview of Markets and Products
Electronics Markets Overview
End-user demand continues to motivate the electronics industry to produce products which:
- operate at higher speeds;
- are smaller in size; and
- operate with higher reliability.
While these three requirements result in products of ever-increasing performance, these requirements also create a fundamental challenge for the designer to manage the heat generated by the system operating at higher speeds and/or higher power. Smaller assemblies further concentrate the heat and increase the difficulty of removing it.
This challenge is found at each level in an electronic assembly: at the integrated circuit level speeds are increasing and line widths are decreasing; at the circuit board level higher density devices are placed closer together on circuit boards; and at the system level higher density circuit boards are being assembled closer together.
The designer must resolve the thermal management issues or the system will fail. For every 10 degree Celsius rise in temperature above a threshold level, the reliability of a circuit is decreased by approximately half. In addition, heat usually causes changes in parameters which degrade the performance of both active and passive electronic components.
To resolve thermal management issues the designer is primarily concerned with two properties of the materials which comprise the system: 1) thermal conductivity, which is the rate at which heat moves through materials, and 2) thermal expansion rate (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion or CTE) which is the rate at which materials expand or contract as temperature changes. The designer must ensure that the temperature of an electronic assembly stays within a range in which the differences in the expansion rates of the materials in the assembly do not cause a failure from breaking, delaminating, etc.
CPS combines at the microstructural level a ceramic with a metal to produce a metal matrix composite which has the thermal conductivity needed to remove heat, and a thermal expansion rate which is sufficiently close to other components in the assembly to ensure the assembly is reliable. The ceramic is silicon carbide (SiC), the metal is aluminum (Al), and the composite is aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC), a metal-matrix composite. CPS can adjust the thermal expansion rate of AlSiC components to match the specific application by modifying the amount of SiC compared to the amount of Al in the component.
CPS produces products made of AlSiC in the shapes and configurations required for each application, for example, in the form of lids, substrates, housings, etc. Every product is made to a customer’s blueprint. The CPS process technology allows most products to be made to net shape, requiring no or little final machining.
Although the Company’s focus today is on AlSiC components, it believes its proprietary Quickset- Quickcast process technology can be used to produce other metal-matrix composites which may meet future market needs.
Today, the problem of thermal management is most acute in high-performance, high-density applications such as high-performance microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits for internet routers and switches, motor controllers for trains, subway cars and wind turbines, and components for satellite communications. However, as the trends towards faster speeds, reduced size and increased reliability continue, and as high-density circuitry is used in a larger number of applications, we believe our products will be used in an increasing number of applications across many end markets.
Structural Markets Overview
Structural applications perform primarily a mechanical rather than electrical function. In any mechanical assembly with moving parts the stiffness and weight of moving parts can have a significant impact on the performance and energy efficiency of the assembly. In particular, in equipment with reciprocating components increasing the stiffness and reducing the weight of reciprocating components improves the performance and energy efficiency of the equipment.
Today many mechanical components are made of steel because steel has the stiffness required for the particular application. AlSiC has approximately the same stiffness as steel, but is only one-third the weight of steel. AlSiC is, however, higher cost than steel. However, we believe there are many mechanical applications where the customer will pay the higher cost for AlSiC because of significant improvements in performance resulting from the superior stiffness-to-weight ratio of AlSiC.
Examples of structural applications for which we are developing and supplying components include armor, robotic arms for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and components, e.g. fracking balls, used in oil and gas industries.
Specific Markets and Products
Motor Controller Applications (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor ("IGBT") Applications)
The use of power modules to control electric motors of all sizes is growing. This growth is the result of several factors including emerging high-power applications which demand power controllers such as trains, subways and certain industrial equipment, and cost declines in power modules which increasingly make variable speed drives cost effective. Power semiconductors are a very significant portion of the cost of variable speed drives, and the cost of the module housing and thermal management system are also significant; declines in the costs of all these components is driving increased use of variable speed drives.
We provide baseplates and heat spreaders on which power semiconductors are mounted to produce modules for motor control. The power semiconductors are typically IGBTs and these applications are often referred to as IGBT applications. Our AlSiC baseplates have sufficient thermal conductivity to allow for removal of heat through the baseplate, and have a thermal expansion rate sufficiently similar to the other components in the assembly to ensure reliability over time as the assembly thermally cycles. We believe this market will continue to grow as the use of power modules penetrates additional motor applications, and as electric motors themselves penetrate new applications such as the hybrid electric vehicle.
Today our primary products for IGBT applications are used in electric trains, subway cars, wind-generating turbines and hybrid and electric vehicles.
Major automobile companies around the world are introducing hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicle (EVs) at an increasing rate. This focus on more energy efficient vehicles is being driven by increases in energy costs and concerns about climate change. There are many varieties of HEVs and EVs, but all HEVs and EVs contain an electric motor and contain one or more motor controller modules. The Company provides baseplates on which motor controller modules are assembled; these baseplates are lighter weight and provide greater reliability than baseplates made from more conventional materials.
The Company is working with multiple tier one and tier two suppliers to the automobile industry on several new designs for future introduction. The Company believes the HEV and EV markets will be the source of significant and long-term growth for the Company.
Lids and Heat Spreaders for High-Performance Microprocessors, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits and Other Integrated Circuits ("Flip-chip Applications")
Increases in speed, circuit density, and the number of connections in microprocessor chips (CPUs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) are accelerating a transition in the way in which these circuits are packaged. Packages provide mechanical protection to the integrated circuit (IC), enable the IC to be connected to other circuits via pins, solder bumps or other connectors, and allow attachment of a heat sink or fan to ensure the IC does not overheat. In the past most high-performance ICs were electrically connected to the package by fine wires in a process known as wire bonding. Today, most high-performance semiconductors are connected to the package by placing metal bumps on the connection points of the die, turning the die upside down in the package, and directly connecting the bumps on the die with corresponding bumps on the package base by reflowing the bumps. This is referred to as a "flip-chip package". Flip chip packages allow for connection of a larger number of leads in a smaller space, and can provide other electrical performance advantages compared to wire bonded packages.
In many flip chip configurations a lid or heat spreader is placed over the die to protect the die from mechanical damage and to facilitate the removal of heat from the die. Often a heat sink or fan is then attached to the lid. For a high-density die the package designer must ensure that the lid has sufficient thermal conductivity to remove heat from the die and that all components of the package assembly - the die itself, the package base, and the package lid - are made from materials with sufficiently similar thermal expansion rates to ensure the assembly will not break apart over time as it thermally cycles.
Our composite material, AlSiC, has been developed to meet these two needs: it is engineered to have sufficient thermal conductivity to allow the heat generated by the die to be removed through the lid, and it is engineered to expand upon heating at a rate similar to other materials used in the package assembly in order to ensure reliability of the package over time as it thermally cycles. We produce lids made of AlSiC for high performance microprocessors and application-specific integrated circuits used in servers, internet switches and other applications.
Most participants in the semiconductor industry believe the densities of ICs will continue to increase following the well-known "Moore’s Law". As IC densities increase, generally so does the IC size, and the amount of heat generated by the IC. We believe the need for thermal management will continue to grow rapidly.
Customers
We sell primarily to major microelectronics systems houses in the United States, Europe and Asia. Our customers typically purchase prototype and evaluation quantities of our products over a one to three year period before purchasing production volumes.
In 2014, our three largest customers accounted for 38%, 21% and 10% of revenues, respectively. In 2014, approximately 93% of our revenues were derived from commercial applications and 7% from defense-related applications.
Research and Development
In 2014, costs incurred related to funding under the Cooperative Agreement totaled $189 thousand of which essentially 100% was reimbursed by the U.S. Army and was recorded as revenue. This revenue of $189 thousand resulted in a gross margin of $32 thousand.
Availability of Raw Materials
We use a variety of raw materials from numerous domestic and foreign suppliers. These materials are primarily aluminum ingots, ceramic powders and chemicals. The raw materials we use are available from domestic and foreign sources and none is believed to be scarce or restricted for national security reasons. We use no conflict metals.
Patents and Trade Secrets
As of December 27, 2014, the Company had 10 United States patents. In addition the Company had several international patents covering the same subject matter as the U.S. patents. Licensees of these patents have rights to use certain patents as defined in their respective license agreements.
We intend to continue to apply for domestic and foreign patent protection in appropriate cases. In other cases, we believe we are better served by reliance on trade secret protection. In all cases, we seek protection for our technological developments to preserve our competitive position.
Backlog and Contracts
Over 90% of the Company's product sales are custom in that they are based on customers’ drawings and the large majority of these sales are "designed in" and are sold over multiple years. Major customers typically give the Company a non-binding forecast of demand for a one-year period and then negotiate a pricing agreement with the Company valid for that one-year period. Each week customers then issue releases or authorizations to ship under the pricing agreements. At any point in time the contractually binding backlog represented by the releases in hand does not necessarily reflect underlying demand. Given this situation, the Company does not believe backlog data is helpful to investors.
Competition
We have developed and expect to continue to develop products for a number of different end markets and we will encounter competition from different producers of metal-matrix composites and other competing materials.
We believe that the principal competitive factors in our end markets today include technical competence, product performance, quality, reliability, price, corporate reputation, and strength of sales and marketing resources. We believe our proprietary processes, reputation, and the price at which we can offer products for sale will enable us to compete successfully in the many electronics end markets. However, we do have one major direct competitor producing metal matrix composites. That company, Denka, is based in Japan and sells to our major customers in Europe.
Government Regulation
We produce non-nuclear, non-medical hazardous waste in our development and manufacturing operations. The disposal of such waste is governed by state and federal regulations. Various customers, vendors, and collaborative development agreement partners of CPS may reside abroad, thereby possibly requiring export and import of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished products, as well as potential technology transfer abroad under collaborative development agreements. These types of activities are regulated by bureaus within the Departments of Commerce, State and Treasury.
In 2008, the Company entered into a cooperative agreement with the US Army Research Laboratory to perform research and development concerning hybrid metal matrix composite encapsulated ceramic armor technology. The Cooperative Agreement was a four-year agreement, recently extended to March 31, 2015, which is 95% funded by the US Department of Defense and 5% funded by CPS.
Revenues from this Cooperative Agreement are recognized proportionally as costs are incurred. We are reimbursed for reasonable and allocable costs up to the reimbursement limits set by the Cooperative Agreement. All payments to the Company for work performed on this Cooperative Agreement are subject to audit and adjustment by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Adjustments, if any, are recognized in the period made.
Employees
As of December 27, 2014, we had 143 permanent full-time employees, 10 temporary full-time employees and 3 part-time employees, of whom 131 were engaged in manufacturing and engineering and 12 in sales and administration, including finance, purchasing, IT, and customer service.
None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relations with our employees to be excellent.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
We are heavily dependent on the electronics industry and changes in the industry could harm our business and operating results.
The electronics industry is subject to economic cycles, demand in some segments is currently volatile, and is likely in the future to experience recessionary periods. A protracted general recession in the electronics industry could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operating results may fluctuate substantially, which may cause our stock price to fall.
Our quarterly and annual results of operations have varied in the past, and our operating results may vary significantly in the future due to a number of factors including, but not limited to: timing of orders from major customers; mix of products and services; pricing and other competitive pressures; delays in prototype shipments, economic conditions in the electronics industry, raw material costs, and our ability to time expenditures in anticipation of future revenues.
Some executive officers and key personnel are critical to our business and these key personnel may not remain with the Company in the future.
Our success depends upon the continued service of some executive officers and other key personnel. Our employees are not bound by employment agreements, and there can be no assurance that the Company will retain its officers and key employees.
We may need additional capital in the future, which may not be available.
If our capital resources are insufficient to meet future capital requirements, we will have to raise additional funds. The sale of equity or convertible debt securities in the future may be dilutive to our shareholders. If we are unable to obtain adequate funds on reasonable terms, we may be required to curtail operations significantly or to obtain funds by entering into financing agreements on unattractive terms.
The trading price of our common stock may be volatile.
The trading prices of our common stock has been and could in the future be subject to significant fluctuations in response to variations in quarterly operating results, developments in the electronics industry, changes in general economic conditions and economic conditions in the electronics industry, and other factors. In addition, the stock market in recent years has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations which have affected the market prices of technology companies and which have been unrelated to or disproportionately impacted by the operating performance of those companies. These broad market fluctuations may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
The Company relies on a small number of customers for a large percentage of its revenues.
Historically the Company has had a small number of customers representing a large percentage of its total sales. Although the Company endeavors to expand its customer base, we expect that sales to a limited number of customers will continue to account for a high percentage of our revenues in any given period for the foreseeable future. The reliance makes us particularly susceptible to factors affecting those customers. If such customers’ business declines and as a result our sales to such customers decline without corresponding sales orders from other customers, our financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.
The growth of our business depends upon the development and successful commercial acceptance of our new products.
Our failure to develop, manufacture, and sell new products in quantities sufficient to offset a decline in revenue from existing products or to successfully manage product and related inventory transactions could harm our business. We depend upon timely and efficient completion of design and development, implementation of manufacturing processes, and effective sales, marketing and customer service. Because of the complexity of our products, significant delays may occur in introducing new products, or between a product’s initial introduction and volume production.
Technological changes may make our products obsolete or result in decreased prices or increased expenses.
Although our products are “designed-in” and often have lives lasting several years, and technological changes could eliminate our competitive advantages. This could lead to significant price erosion for products. Our success will depend in part on our ability to develop and offer more advanced products in the future, to anticipate both future demand and the technology to supply that demand, to enhance our current products and services, to provide those products and services at competitive prices on a timely and cost-effective basis to achieve market acceptance of those products and services.
Our military business could suffer as a result of the pressures to reduce defense spending.
Over the past few years revenues from our contract with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory represented less than 5% of the Company’s total revenue. This contract will expire in 2015 and pressures to reduce national spending on defense could make it difficult to continue to generate revenues from the military sector in the near future.
Exchange rates can impact our business adversely.
Our major competitor is based in Japan and, as a result, our relative costs vary by the Yen/Dollar exchange rate. As the dollar strengthens versus the Yen, our relative costs increase affecting our margins and prices to major customers.
Our sales of fracking balls are adversely affected by a decline in oil prices.
The fracking industry is North America is adversely impacted by low oil prices. As a result our sales of fracking balls are directly affected.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties.
As of December 27, 2014, all our manufacturing, engineering, sales and administrative operations were and continue to be located in leased facilities in Norton, Massachusetts and Attleboro, MA.
The Company entered into a 10-year lease for the Norton facilities effective on March 1, 2006. The leased facilities comprise approximately 38 thousand square feet. In January 2015 this lease was amended to extended the lease to February 28, 2017. In addition in this amendment the Company obtained two, one-year options which, if fully exercised, would enable it to continue to lease through February 28, 2019.
In February 2011, the Company entered into a lease for an additional 13.8 thousand square feet in Attleboro, MA. The lease term is for one year and has an option to extend the lease for five additional one-year periods. The Company renewed the lease in 2013 for one additional year and also obtained two years of additional options which could extend the Company use through February 2019. In October 2014, the Company exercised its option to extend the lease through the end of February 2016.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We are not a party to any litigation which could have a material adverse effect on us or on our business and we are not aware of any pending or threatened material litigation against us.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable
Part II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities.
On December 27, 2014, we had approximately 700 shareholders. The high and low closing bid prices of our common stock for each quarter during the years ended December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 are shown below.
We have never paid cash dividends on our Common Stock. We currently plan to reinvest our earnings, if any, for use in the business and do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Future dividend policy will depend, among other factors, upon our earnings and financial condition.
In January 2015 our Common Stock moved from the Over-the-Counter (OTCQB) market to the NASDAQ Capital Markets and continued to trade under the symbol CPSH.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data (000’s, except per share amounts)
The following selected financial data of CPS should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Amounts are in thousands except per share amounts.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This document contains forward-looking statements, based on numerous assumptions, subject to risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not and cannot give any assurance that our beliefs and expectations will prove to be correct. Many factors could significantly affect our operations and cause our actual results to be substantially different from our expectations. Those factors include, but are not limited to: (i) general economic and business conditions; (ii) customer acceptance of our products; (iii) materials and manufacturing costs; (iv) the financial condition of customers, competitors and suppliers; (v) technological developments; (vi) increased competition; (vii) changes in capital market conditions; (viii) governmental and business conditions in countries where our products are manufactured and sold; (ix) changes in trade regulations; (x) the effect of acquisition activity; (xi) changes in our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions; and (xii) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested by any forward-looking statements in this report. We do not have an obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.
Overview
The Company provides advanced material solutions to the electronics, robotics, automotive, defense and other industries.
CPS’ primary advanced material solution is metal matrix composites, a new class of materials which are a combination of metal and ceramic. CPS has a leading, proprietary position in metal matrix composites. Metal matrix composites have several superior properties compared to conventional materials including improved thermal conductivity, thermal expansion matching, stiffness and light weight, which enable higher performance and higher reliability in our customers’ products.
The end markets which account for a majority of our sales today are all electronics markets: primarily the motor controller market, application-specific integrated circuits market and the high-performance microprocessor. The Company’s products are typically heat spreaders or baseplates, hermetic packaging, lids, substrates and thermal planes, and are used in applications where thermal management and/or weight are important considerations.
In addition to electronics end markets, we are developing, manufacturing and marketing metal-matrix composite components for some structural end-markets including armor and oil and gas.
The objective of the Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Army was to further develop large hybrid metal matrix composite modules which integrally combine metal matrix composites and ceramics by enveloping ceramic tiles with MMCs. This system offers a lighter weight, durable, multi-hit capable and cost competitive alternative to conventional steel, aluminum and ceramic based armor systems. CPS hybrid hard face armor modules are comprised of multiple materials completely enveloped within and mechanically and chemically bonded to lightweight and stiff aluminum metal matrix composites. The Company believes that its hybrid hard face armor tiles will find application in many military vehicles as well as armored commercial vehicles.
CPS’s products are custom rather than catalog items. They are made to customers’ designs and are used as components in systems built and sold by our customers. At any point in time our product mix will consist of some products with on-going production demand, and some products which are in the prototyping or evaluation stages at our customers. The Company seeks to have a portfolio of products which include products in every stage of the technology adoption lifecycle at our customers. CPS’ growth is dependent upon the level of demand for those products already in production, as well as its success in achieving new "design wins" for future products.
As a manufacturer of highly technical and custom products, the Company incurs fixed costs needed to support the business, but which do not vary significantly with changes in sales volume. These costs include the fixed costs of applications engineering, tooling design and fabrication, process engineering, etc. Accordingly, particularly given our current size, changes in sales volume generally result in even greater changes in financial performance on a percentage basis as fixed costs are spread over a larger or smaller base. Sales volume is therefore a key financial metric used by management.
The Company believes the underlying demand for metal matrix composites is growing as the electronics and other industries seek higher performance, higher reliability, and reduced costs. CPS believes that the Company is well positioned to offer our solutions to current and new customers as these demands grow. In 2014 its top three customers accounted for 68% of revenue and the remaining 32% of revenue was derived from 61 other customers. In 2013 the top three customers accounted for 73% of revenue and the remaining 27% of revenue was derived from approximately 65 customers.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
Financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, the Company is required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that it believes are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. CPS’s significant accounting policies are presented within Note 2 to the financial statements; the significant accounting policies which management believes are most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating its reported financial results include the following:
Revenue Recognition ($ in 000)
Revenue is recognized in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 104 which establishes guidance in applying generally accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial statements. SAB No. 104 requires that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered; (3) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.
Shipping terms are customarily EXW (Ex-works) Shipping Point which terms are consistent with “FOB Shipping Point”. Revenues for products sold in the normal course of business are recognized upon shipment when delivery terms are EXW shipping point and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.
The Company also has consigned inventory agreements with a few customers. For product shipped under consigned inventory agreements, the Company recognizes revenue when the customer either notifies CPS that they have picked the product from the consigned inventory or, in some cases, when sixty days have elapsed from the date the shipment arrives at the customer’s location. Of the inventory of $2.5 million at December 27, 2014, $1.0 million was located at customers’ locations pursuant to consigned inventory agreements. Of the total inventory of $2.2 million at December 28, 2013, $980 thousand was located at customers’ locations pursuant to consigned inventory agreements.
Advance payments, if any, in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.
In 2008, CPS entered into a cooperative agreement with the US Army Research Laboratory to perform research and development concerning hybrid metal matrix composite encapsulated ceramic armor technology. The Cooperative Agreement was a four-year agreement which was subsequently extended through March 31, 2015. This agreement was 95% funded by the US Department of Defense and 5% funded by CPS.
Revenues on this Cooperative Agreement are recognized proportionally as costs are incurred. The Company is reimbursed for reasonable and allocable costs up to the reimbursement limits set by the Cooperative Agreement. All payments to the Company for work performed on this Cooperative Agreement are subject to audit and adjustment by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Adjustments, if any, are recognized in the period made.
The Cooperative Agreement extends for four years and provides for funding of up to $8.34 million, over the four years, but actual funding is provided incrementally on a year-to-year basis, depending on, among other factors, if yearly objectives are met and if Congress authorizes the funds ($6.8 million has been authorized through December 27, 2014). If the total $8.34 million in funding is provided by the Government, the Company’s cost share will amount to approximately $439 thousand over the term of the Agreement. Amendment/Modification #P00010 extended the term of performance of the original Agreement, Cooperative Agreement W911NF-08-2-0017, from July 14, 2014 to March 31, 2015. As of December 27, 2014, the Company had invoiced $6.8 million since inception of the Agreement which represents the full amount approved to date of $6.8 million.
Accounts Receivable
The Company performs ongoing monitoring of the status of its receivables based on the payment history and the credit worthiness of our customers, as determined by a review of their current credit information. Management continuously monitors collections and payments from customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based upon historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that have been identified. While such credit losses have historically been low and within expectations, there is no guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates as in the past. Although the Company’s major customers are large and have a favorable payment history, a significant change in the liquidity or financial position of one of them could have a material adverse impact on the collectability of accounts receivable and future operating results. Sales returns are offset against the related amounts invoiced in accounts receivable.
Inventory
The Company has a build-to-order business model and manufactures product to ship against specific purchase orders; occasionally CPS manufactures product in advance of anticipated purchase orders to level load production or prepare for a ramp-up in demand. In addition, 100% of the Company’s products are custom, meaning they are produced to a customer’s design and generally cannot be used for any other purpose. Purchase orders generally have cancellation provisions which vary from customer to customer, but which can result occasionally in CPS producing product which the customer is not obligated to purchase. However, once a product has gone into production, most customer orders are recurring and order cancellations are rare. The Company’s general obsolescence policy is to write off obsolete inventory when there has been no activity on a particular part for a twelve month period and there are no pending customer orders.
In some cases, customers place blanket purchase orders and request the Company to maintain inventory sufficient to respond quickly upon receiving a shipment request. The Company manufactures to specifications and the products typically have a life which extends over several years and does not deteriorate over time. Therefore, the risk of obsolescence due to the passage of time, per se, is minimal. However, in order to more efficiently schedule production or to meet agreements with customers to have inventory in the pipeline, the Company occasionally manufactures products in advance of purchase orders. In these instances, the Company bears the risk that it will be left with product manufactures to specification for which there are no customer purchase orders. The Company scrutinizes its inventory and, in the absence of pending orders or strong evidence of future sales, establishes an obsolescence reserve when there has been no activity on a particular part for twelve month period.
In determining inventory cost, the Company uses the first-in, first-out method and states inventory at the lower of cost or market. Virtually all of the Company’s inventory is customer specific; as a result, if a customer’s order is cancelled, it is unlikely that CPS would be able to sell that inventory to another customer. Likewise, if the Company chooses to manufacture product in advance of anticipated purchase orders and those orders did not materialize, it is unlikely that it would be able to sell that inventory to another customer. The value of CPS’s work in process and finished goods is based on the assumption that specific customers will take delivery of specific items of inventory. The Company has not experienced losses to date as a result of customer cancellations and has not established a reserve for such cancellations.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of equipment is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life, generally five years for production equipment and three to five years for furniture and office equipment. Amortization of equipment under capital leases is calculated on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Upon retirement or sale, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from their respective accounts. Any gains or losses on the disposition of property and equipment are included in the results of operations in the period in which they occur.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on the net tax effects of tax credits, operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The Company considers many factors in assessing whether or not a valuation allowance for its Deferred Tax asset is warranted. On the positive side, the Company considered such factors as its: history of taxable earnings (seven consecutive years from 2003-10), global customer base consisting of large companies with significant resources, current products and their expected life, technological advantages, potential for price increases, trend of improved manufacturing efficiencies and the magnitude of the Deferred Tax Asset compared with the Company’s expectation of future earnings over the remaining life of the asset. On the negative side, the Company considered such factors as: the global economic environment, the Company’s ability to absorb a period of operating losses and negative cash flow and the potential for the technological breakthroughs and substitution of the Company’s products by lower cost solutions.
At December 27, 2014 the Company’s Deferred Tax Asset included net operating loss carryforwards and other temporary differences which will require taxable income of approximately $5.8 million to fully utilize, assuming an effective corporate tax rate of 39%. The Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that its Deferred Tax Asset will be fully realized. Current projections of future taxable income, including the reversal of temporary differences, reflect the Company’s belief that it has attractive growth opportunities and a favorable cost structure. These projections support the conclusion that the Company will generate taxable income sufficient to utilize the losses before they expire. An important consideration in this analysis is the fact that none of the NOL carryforwards expire before 2032.
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company had no accruals for interest or penalties related to income tax matters. The Company did not have any uncertain tax positions at December 27, 2014 or December 28, 2013 which required accrual or disclosure.
Income tax effects related to share-based compensation that are in excess, or less than, of grant-date fair value, less any proceeds received on exercise of stock prices, are recognized as either an increase or decrease to additional paid-in capital upon exercise. These tax effects are either offset against currently payable taxes or the benefit of net operating loss utilization.
Results of Operations
Year ended December 27, 2014 (“2014”) compared to the year ended December 28, 2013 (“2013”).
Total revenues were $23.1 million in 2014, an 8% increase compared with total revenues of $21.4 million generated in 2013. This increase was due in large part to the sales of fracking balls
to the oil and gas industry of approximately $1.2 million compared to zero in 2013. The sales of baseplates for traction and hybrid electric vehicle also contributed to this increase.
Gross margin in 2014 totaled $5.5 million or 24% of sales. In 2013 the Company’s gross margin totaled 5.4 million or 25% of sales. This reduction was due in part to higher manufacturing costs and an unfavorable product mix.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses totaled $4.3 million in 2014, up 10% when compared with SG&A expenses of $ 3.9 million in 2013. This increase was due in large part to an increase in sales and marketing activities, sales commissions on higher distributor sales, costs associated with participation in industry trade conferences and the cost of non-cash stock options.
The Company earned an operating profit of $1.2 million in 2014 compared with an operating profit of $1.5 million in 2013. This reduction was due to higher manufacturing and marketing costs and an adverse product mix, offset in part by higher sales volume. Interest income totaled $5 thousand in 2014 compared with interest expense of $30 thousand in 2013. The net income for each of 2014 and 2013 totaled $1,033 thousand and $966 thousand, respectively.
Significant Fourth Quarter 2014 Activity
Revenues totaled $6.0 million in the Fourth Quarter of 2014 versus $5.1 million in the comparable quarter in 2013. The increase was due in large part to the sales of baseplates and, to a lesser extent, sales of fracking balls, offset is part by $0.3 million of price decreases.
Gross Margin increased in the Fourth Quarter of 2014 versus the Fourth Quarter of 2013 to $1,535 thousand (26% of sales) from $1,362 thousand (27% of sales). The primary reason for the improvement in 2014 was due to higher sales volume offset in part by approximately $0.3 million of price decreases on existing products.
Selling, General and Administrative expenses totaled $957 thousand in the Fourth Quarter of 2014, up 11% versus the Fourth Quarter of 2013, due to three major factors: higher sales commissions associated with higher sales volume and increases in professional fees and legal costs associated with a patent issue in Japan.
The Operating Profit of $578 thousand in the Fourth Quarter 2014 compares with an operating profit of $431 thousand in the Fourth Quarter of 2013, driven by an increase in sales volume.
Net Income in the Fourth Quarter of 2014 totaled $619 thousand, up from net income of $276 thousand in the corresponding quarter of 2013.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents at December 27, 2014 totaled $2.3 million with no borrowings on the Company’s $2 million committed line of credit. This compares with cash and cash equivalents of $1.6 million and zero bank borrowings at December 28, 2013. This improvement in the Company’s net cash position of $0.7 million was due primarily to earnings from operations. At the end of 2014, the Company’s investment in receivables, inventories and prepaid expenses, less accounts payables and accruals, totaled $3.9 million versus $ 3.1 million in these accounts at the end of 2013. This increase of $0.8 million was due in large part to the increase in the volume of business compared with the same period in 2013.
Accounts receivable at December 27, 2014 totaled $3.6 million compared with receivables of $2.9 million at December 28, 2013. Days Sales Outstanding (DSOs) increased to 54 days compared with DSO’s of 51 at the end of Q4 2013. Both of these statistics are low relative to the other quarters as a greater percentage of revenues in both years occurred early in the quarter resulting in a greater portion of sales were collected before quarter end. The accounts receivable balances at December 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013 were both net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $10 thousand.
Inventories totaled $2.5 million at December 27, 2014, representing a $0.3 million increase versus year end 2013. These levels are consistent with the levels maintained
over the past several quarters. The inventory balance at the end of both 2014 and 2013 were net of an obsolescence reserve of $405 thousand and $390 thousand, respectively. The turnover in 2014 was 7.1 times based on the average of inventories over the past 5 quarter ends. This compares with 7.4 times for the same period in 2013.
All consigned inventory is shipped under existing purchase orders and per customers’ requests. Of the inventory of $2.5 million at December 27, 2014, $1.0 million was located at customers’ locations pursuant to consigned inventory agreements. Of the total inventory of $2.2 million at December 28, 2013, $980 thousand was located at customers’ locations pursuant to consigned inventory agreements.
The Company financed its working capital during 2014 with a combination of beginning cash balances and cash flow generated from operations. The Company expects it will continue to be able to fund its working capital requirements during 2015 from a combination of operating cash flow, existing cash balances and borrowings under its line of credit, if necessary.
The Company continues to sell a significant portion of its volume to a limited number of customers and the loss of any one of these customers could cause the Company to require additional external financing. Failure to generate sufficient revenues, raise additional capital or reduce certain discretionary spending could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to achieve its business objectives.
In early May 2014, the Company renewed its $2 million revolving line of credit (“LOC”) and $500 thousand of an equipment finance facility (“Lease Line”) with Santander Bank. Both agreements mature in May 2015. The LOC is secured by the accounts receivable and other assets of the Company, has an interest rate of prime (3.25% at December 27, 2014) plus one-half of one percent (.05%) and a one-year term. The LOC and the Lease Line are cross defaulted and cross collateralized. The Company is also subject to certain financial covenants within the terms of the line of credit that require the Company to maintain a targeted coverage ratio as well as targeted debt to equity and current ratios. At December 27, 2014, the Company was in compliance with existing covenants.
At December 27, 2014, the Company had no borrowing under its lease line. In addition at December 28, 2013 the Company had no borrowings under this LOC while its borrowing base at the time would have permitted borrowings of $2 million.
The covenants with Santander Bank are identical for the line of credit and equipment financing facility. The covenant requirements are shown below together with the actual ratios achieved at the end of 2014:
Management believes that cash flows from operations, existing cash balances and the leasing and credit line in place with Santander Bank will be sufficient to fund our cash requirements for the foreseeable future. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient revenues or reduce certain discretionary spending in the event that planned operational goals are not met such that we will be able to meet our obligations as they become due.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations at year-end 2014 consist of the following:
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
A summary of recent accounting standards is included in Note 2 to the financial statements.	
Inflation
Inflation had no material effect on the results of operations or financial condition during the last few years. There can be no assurance however, that inflation will not affect our operations or business in the future.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
We are not significantly exposed to the impact of interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations. We have not used derivative financial instruments.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See Index to the Company’s Financial Statements and the accompanying notes which are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Securities and Exchange Commission reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management has carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as such item is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 27, 2014.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during fiscal 2014.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the "Internal Control Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 27, 2014.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to recent final rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
The Company had no information required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of the year covered by this Form 10-K that has not been so reported.
Part III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officer and Corporate Governance
The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the captions “Members of the Board of Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers,” “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions; Legal Proceedings,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Code of Conduct” and “Corporate Governance” and with respect to our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2014 fiscal year.
The Company has adopted the CPS Code of Conduct, which applies to all directors, officers (including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer and treasurer) and employees. A copy of this code can be found on the Company’s website at www.alsic.com/investor-relations.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the captions “Compensation” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” with respect to our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2014 fiscal year.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” with respect to our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2014 fiscal year.
Item 13.
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions; Legal Proceedings” and “Corporate Governance” with respect to our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2014 fiscal year.
Item 14.
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the caption “Accounting Matters” with respect to our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2014 fiscal year.
Part IV
Item 15.
Item 15. 	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K.
1. Financial Statements
The financial statements filed as part of this Form 10-K are listed on the Index to Financial Statements of this Form 10-K.
2. Exhibits
The exhibits to this Form 10-K are listed on the Exhibit Index of this Form 10-K.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of 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, thereunto duly authorized.
Pursuant to the Requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
CPS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Description
3.1* Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 0-16088)
3.2* By-laws of the Company, as amended, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-14616)(the ‘1987 S-1Registration Statement’)
4.1* Specimen certificate for shares of Common Stock of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the 1987 S-1 Registration Statement
4.2* Description of Capital Stock contained in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, filed as Exhibit 3.1
10.5*(1) Retirement Savings Plan, effective September 1, 1987 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s 1989 S-1 Registration Statement
10.21* 1999 Stock Incentive Plan adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on January 22, 1999
10.22* 2009 Stock Incentive Plan ("2009 Plan") on December 10, 2009.
23.1 Consent of Wolf & Company, P.C.
31.1 Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
* Incorporated herein by reference.
(1) Management Contract or compensatory plan or arrangement filed as an exhibit to this Form pursuant to Items 14(a) and 14(c) of Form 10-K.
OF
CPS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Balance Sheets as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012
Notes to Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
CPS Technologies Corporation
Norton, Massachusetts
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of CPS Technologies Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 27, 2014. 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 in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CPS Technologies Corporation as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 27, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Wolf & Company, P.C.
Boston, Massachusetts
March 24, 2015
CPS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
BALANCE SHEETS
(continued)
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
CPS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
BALANCE SHEETS
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
CPS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2014, DECEMBER 28, 2013,
AND DECEMBER 29, 2012
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
CPS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2014, DECEMBER 28, 2013,
AND DECEMBER 29, 2012
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
CPS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2014, DECEMBER 28, 2013,
AND DECEMBER 29, 2012
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
CPS Technologies Corporation
Years Ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012
Notes to Financial Statements
(1) Nature of Business
CPS Technologies Corporation (the “Company”) provides advanced material solutions to the electronics, robotics, automotive and other industries. The Company’s primary advanced material solution is metal matrix composites which are a combination of metal and ceramic.
CPS also assembles housings and packages for hybrid circuits. These housings and packages may include components made of metal-matrix composites or they may include components made of more traditional materials such as aluminum, copper-tungsten, etc.
The Company sells into several end markets including the wireless communications infrastructure market, high-performance microprocessor market, motor controller market, and other microelectronic and structural markets. In 2008 the Company also entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Army to further develop its composite technology to produce armor.
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(2)(a) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
(2)(b) Accounts Receivable
The Company reports its accounts receivable at the invoiced amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company’s management provides appropriate provisions for uncollectible accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk and activity of specific customers, historical trends, economic conditions and other information. Adjustments to the allowance are charged to operations in the period in which information becomes available that may affect the allowance. Sales returns are offset against the related amounts invoiced in accounts receivable.
(2)(c) Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, as determined under the first-in, first-out method (FIFO), or market. A reserve for obsolete inventories, if any, is based on factors regarding the sales and usage of such inventories, including inventories manufactured for specific customers. The Company’s general obsolescence policy is to write off obsolete inventory when there has been no activity on a particular part for a twelve month period and there are no pending customer orders.
(2)(d) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of equipment is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life, generally five years for production equipment and three to five years for furniture and office equipment. Amortization of equipment under capital leases is calculated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the equipment. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Upon retirement or sale, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from their respective accounts. Any gains or losses on the disposition of property and equipment are included in the results of operations in the period in which they occur.
(2)(e) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever circumstances and situations change such that there is an indication that the carrying amounts may not be recovered. Recoverability is assessed based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows. As of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company believes that there has been no impairment of its long-lived assets.
(2)(f) Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the provision of the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 104 which establishes guidance in applying generally accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial statements. SAB No. 104 requires that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered; (3) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.
Shipping terms are customarily EXW (Ex-works), shipping point which terms are consistent with “FOB Shipping Point”. Revenues for products sold in the normal course of business are recognized upon shipment when delivery terms are EXW shipping point and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.
The Company has entered into consigned inventory agreements with a few customers. For products shipped under consigned inventory agreements, the Company recognizes revenue when either the customer notifies CPS that they have picked the product from the consigned inventory or, in some cases, when sixty days have elapsed from the date the shipment arrives at the customer’s location.
In 2008, CPS entered into a cooperative agreement with the US Army Research Laboratory to perform research and development concerning hybrid metal matrix composite encapsulated ceramic armor technology. The Cooperative Agreement was a four-year agreement which was subsequently extended through March 31, 2015. This agreement was 95% funded by the US Department of Defense and 5% funded by CPS.
Revenues on this Cooperative Agreement are recognized proportionally as costs are incurred. The Company is reimbursed for reasonable and allocable costs up to the reimbursement limits set by the Cooperative Agreement. All payments to the Company for work performed on this Cooperative Agreement are subject to audit and adjustment by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Adjustments, if any, are recognized in the period made.
The Cooperative Agreement extends for four years and provides for funding of up to $8.34 million, over the four years, but actual funding is provided incrementally on a year-to-year basis, depending on, among other factors, if yearly objectives are met and if Congress authorizes the funds ($6.8 million has been authorized through December 27, 2014). If the total $8.34 million in funding is provided by the Government, the Company’s cost share will amount to approximately $439 thousand over the term of the Agreement. Amendment/Modification #P00010 extended the term of performance of the original Agreement, Cooperative Agreement W911NF-08-2-0017, from July 14, 2014 to March 31, 2015. As of December 27, 2014, the Company had invoiced $6.8 million since inception of the Agreement which represents the full amount approved to date.
(2)(g) Research and Development Costs
In 2014, costs incurred related to funding under the Cooperative Agreement totaled $189 thousand of which 100% was reimbursed by the U.S. Army and was recorded as revenue. This revenue of $189 thousand resulted in a gross margin of $32 thousand.
In 2013, costs incurred related to funding under the Cooperative Agreement totaled $311 thousand of which 100% was reimbursed by the U.S. Army and was recorded as revenue. This revenue of $311 thousand resulted in a gross margin of $52 thousand.
In 2012, costs incurred related to funding under the Cooperative Agreement were $605 thousand of which $597 thousand is reimbursed by the U.S. Army and $8 thousand is the Company’s cost share. The revenue recognized by the Company of $597 thousand less the Company’s research and development cost of $502 thousand resulted in a gross margin of $95 thousand.
(2)(h) Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on the net tax effects of tax credits, operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The Company considers many factors in assessing whether or not a valuation allowance for its Deferred Tax asset is warranted. On the positive side, the Company considered such factors as its: history of taxable earnings (seven consecutive years from 2003-10), global customer base consisting of large companies with significant resources, current products and their expected life, technological advantages, potential for price increases, trend of improved manufacturing efficiencies and the magnitude of the Deferred Tax Asset compared with the Company’s expectation of future earnings over the remaining life of the asset. On the negative side, the Company considered such factors as: the current global recession, the Company’s ability to absorb additional periods of operating losses and negative cash flow and the potential for the technological breakthroughs and substitution of the Company’s products by lower cost solutions.
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company has no accruals for interest or penalties related to income tax matters. The Company does not have any uncertain tax positions at December 27, 2014 or December 28, 2013 which required accrual or disclosure.
Income tax effects related to share-based compensation that are in excess, or less than, of grant-date fair value, less any proceeds received on exercise of stock prices, are recognized as either an increase or decrease to additional paid-in capital upon exercise. These tax effects are either offset against currently payable taxes or the tax benefit of net operating loss utilization.
(2)(i) Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares plus additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potential dilutive common shares had been issued for granted stock option and stock purchase rights. Common stock equivalents are excluded from the diluted calculations when a net loss is incurred as they would be anti-dilutive.
(2)(j) Comprehensive Income
The Company has no items of comprehensive income, and therefore net income is equal to comprehensive income.
(2)(k) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11 Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists that provides guidance on whether an uncertain tax position should be presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or as a separate liability. This guidance seeks to address diversity in practice. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU amendment to have any affect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This update provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, and any interim periods within those annual periods, that begin after December 15, 2016 and allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective application, with early adoption not permitted. Accordingly, the standard is effective for the Company for fiscal year 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the adoption method it will apply and the impact that this guidance will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
(2)(l) Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses recorded during the reporting period. Such estimates are adjusted by management periodically as a result of existing or anticipated economic changes which effect, or may effect, the Company’s financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
(2)(m) Fiscal Year-End
The Company’s fiscal year end is the last Saturday in December which could result in a 52 or 53 week year. Fiscal year 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of 52 weeks.
(2)(n) Share-Based Payments
The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). The Company provides an estimate of forfeitures at initial grant date, and this estimated forfeiture rate is adjusted periodically based on actual forfeiture experience. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted.
(2)(o) Segment Reporting
The Company views its operations and manages its business as one segment. The Company produces and sells advanced material solutions, primarily metal matrix composites, to assemblers of high density electronics and other specialty components and subassemblies. The Company also assembles housings and packages for hybrid circuits, selling to the same customers mentioned above. These customers represent a single market or segment with similar stringent and well-defined requirements. The Company’s customers, in turn, sell the components and subassemblies which incorporate the products into many different end markets, however, these end markets are two to three levels removed from the Company. The Company makes operating decisions and assesses financial performance only for the Company as a whole and does not make operating decisions or assess financial performance by the end markets which ultimately use the products.
The Cooperative Agreement the Company entered into with the Army Research Laboratory in 2008 and the sale of structural components to the oil and gas industry uses the same equipment and personnel as does the Company’s electronics business described above, and at this stage does not represent a separate business segment.
(2)(p) Reclassifications
Certain amounts in 2012 have been reclassified to conform with the 2013 financial statement presentation.
(3) Inventories
As of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 inventories consisted of the following:
(4) Leases and Commitments
Capital Lease Obligations
An equipment financing facility with Santander Bank (see note 7), agreed to in May 2014, allowed the Company to finance up to $500 thousand of eligible equipment. As of year-end 2014 the Company had $500 thousand available remaining on the Santander lease line. Equipment financed by the Santander equipment lease qualifies for treatment as a capital lease.
At December 27, 2014, the Company had acquired production equipment with a cost of $2.55 million and accumulated amortization of $2.45 million under capital leases. At December 29, 2013, the Company had production equipment with a cost of $2.55 million and accumulated amortization of $2.33 million under capital leases. All capital leases are three year leases with a one dollar buyout. At December 27, 2014 these leases were paid in full.
Interest income was approximately $5 thousand in 2014, interest expense was $30 thousand, and $29 thousand for 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Operating Lease Obligations
The Company entered into a 10-year lease for the Norton facilities effective on March 1, 2006. Rental expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and was $129 thousand in each of the years 2014, 2013 and 2012.
In February 2011, the Company entered into a lease for an additional 13,800 square feet in Attleboro, MA. The lease term was for one year and included five, one-year options for extensions at a rate of $6,900 per month. In October 2014, the Company renewed the lease for one additional year. In December 2013 the Company agreed with the landlord for two additional, one-year options. As a result, if the Company exercises all of the options, it will be able to use the space through February 2019.
Future minimum rental payments over the terms of the lease agreements are approximately as follows:
Fiscal year:
(5) Share-Based Compensation Plans
The Company adopted the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan ("2009 Plan") on December 10, 2009. Under the terms of the 2009 Plan all of the Company’s employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors are eligible to be granted options, restricted stock awards, or other stock-based awards. All outstanding options are nonstatutory stock options exercisable at the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, and expire ten years from the date of grant. The options granted to employees generally vest in equal annual installments over a five-year period. The options granted to directors generally vest one year from date of grant.
Under the 2009 Plan a total of 2,923,500 shares of common stock are available for issuance, of which 1,707,495 shares remain available for grant as of December 27, 2014.
As of December 27, 2014, the 2009 Plan is the only stock option plan from which awards can be made as all other option plans have expired. The 1999 Stock Option Plan (“1999 Plan”) expired on January 22, 2009 and no additional options can be granted from the plan. As of December 27, 2014 there are 111,000 options outstanding under the 1999 Plan.
A summary of stock option activity for all the above plans as of December 27, 2014 and changes during the year then ended is presented below:
Weighted Weighted
Average Remaining Aggregate
Exercise Contractual Intrinsic
Shares Price Life (years) Value
Outstanding at
beginning of year 1,346,155 $ 1.39
Granted 153,500 $ 2.87
Exercised (115,050) $ 0.97
Forfeited (4,000) $ 1.53
Expired (53,600) $ 0.70
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Outstanding at
end of year 1,327,005 $ 1.63 6.20 $ 1,757,317
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Options exercisable
at year-end 874,384 $ 1.58 5.51 $ 874,384
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The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $330,773, $310,170 and $28,835, respectively. As of December 27, 2014, there was $398,008 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans; that cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years.
Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements was $111,726, $93,360, and $9,333, for the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following table presents the annualized weighted average values of the significant assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the options granted during 2014 and 2013:
Risk-free interest rate 0.91-2.16% 1.62%
Expected life in years
Expected volatility 53% 53%
Expected dividend yield
Weighted average fair value of grants $ 1.74 $ 0.60
All options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. There were no options granted in 2012.
The Company recognized $348,649, $248,535 and $242,793 as compensation expense related to total stock options outstanding in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The expense in 2012 included $20,500 associated with extending the option exercise period for five individuals terminated during the year. Their options were extended to the lesser of four years or the original expiration date of the option.
A tax benefit of $25,716, $117,401 and $0 was recognized as additional paid in capital in the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively, resulting from the excess tax benefit of share-based awards over the cumulative compensation expense recognized for financial reporting.
(6) Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses at December 28, 2014 and December 28, 2013 consist of the following:
The accrued payroll and related at December 27, 2014 includes $110 thousand for 401k company match and $313 thousand for incentive bonuses. These totaled $200 and $305 thousand respectively on December 28, 2013.
(7) Revolving Line of Credit and Lease Line
In early May 2014, the Company renewed its $2 million revolving line of credit (“LOC”) and $500 thousand of an equipment finance facility (“Lease Line”) with Santander Bank. Both agreements mature in May 2015. The LOC is secured by the accounts receivable and other assets of the Company, has an interest rate of prime plus one-half of one percent (.05%) and a one-year term. The LOC and the Lease Line are cross defaulted and cross collateralized. The Company is also subject to certain financial covenants within the terms of the line of credit that require the Company to maintain a targeted coverage ratio as well as targeted debt to equity and current ratios. At December 27, 2014, the Company was in compliance with existing covenants.
At December 27, 2014, the Company had no borrowing under its lease line. In addition at December 28, 2013 the Company had no borrowings under this LOC while its borrowing base at the time would have permitted borrowings of $2 million.
The covenants with Santander Bank are identical for the line of credit and equipment financing facility. The covenant requirements are shown below together with the actual ratios achieved at the end of 2014:
(8) Income Taxes
Components of income tax expense (benefit) for each year are as follows:
Deferred tax assets as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 are as follows:
At December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $750,000 and $1,710,000 respectively available to offset future income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. These operating loss carryforwards expire in 2032.
During 2014, the Company utilized approximately $1,200,000 of net operating loss carryforwards.
A valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when it is "more likely than not" that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company believes that it will generate sufficient future taxable income to realize the tax benefits related to the remaining deferred tax assets.
A summary of the change in the deferred tax asset is as follows:
Income tax (benefit) expense is different from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 34 percent to pretax income as a result of the following:
The Company’s income tax filings are subject to review and examination by federal and state taxing authorities. The Company is currently open to audit under the applicable statutes of limitations for the years 2011 through 2014.
At December 27, 2014 the Company’s Deferred Tax Asset included net operating loss carryforwards and other temporary differences which will require taxable income of approximately $5.8 million to fully utilize, assuming an effective corporate tax rate of 39%. The Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that its Deferred Tax Asset will be fully realized.
(9) Retirement Savings Plan
The Company sponsors a Retirement Savings Plan (the ‘Plan’) under the provisions of Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees, as defined in the Plan, are eligible to participate in the Plan after 30 days of employment. Under the terms of the Plan, the Company may match employee contributions under such method as described in the Plan and as determined each year by the Board of Directors. During 2014 and 2013 the Company offered a 401k match, in 2012 the Company did not offer a match. The Company recognized $110,000, $200,000 and $0 expense, in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively for the Company match.
(10) Concentrations of Credit Risk, Significant Customers and Geographic Information
Financial instruments which subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade accounts receivable. The Company maintains such cash deposits in a high credit quality financial institution.
The Company extends credit to customers who consist principally of microelectronics systems companies in the United States, Europe and Asia. The Company generally does not require collateral or other security as a condition of sale rather relying on credit approval, balance limitation and monitoring procedures to control credit risk of trade accounts receivable. Management conducts on-going credit evaluations of its customers, and historically the Company has not experienced any significant credit-related losses with respect to its trade accounts receivable.
Revenues from significant customers as a percentage of total revenues in 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
As of December 27, 2014, the Company had trade accounts receivable due from these three customers that accounted for 66% of total trade accounts receivable as of that date. Management believes that any credit risks have been properly provided for in the accompanying financial statements.
The Company’s revenue was derived from the following countries in 2014, 2013, and 2012:
Many of the Company’s customers based in the United States conduct design, purchasing and payable functions in the United States, but manufacture overseas. Revenue generated from shipments made to customers’ locations outside the United States accounted for 80%, 84% and 79% of total revenue in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
All of the Company’s long-lived assets and operations are located in the United States.
(11) Net Income (Loss) Per Share
The following reconciles the basic and diluted net income per share calculations.
(12) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Activity in the allowance for doubtful account was as follows for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012: