Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended October 4, 2009

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM              TO            

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-31051

 

 

SMTC CORPORATION

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   98-0197680

(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF

INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)

 

(I.R.S. EMPLOYER

IDENTIFICATION NO.)

635 HOOD ROAD

MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA L3R 4N6

(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)

(905) 479-1810

(REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See: definition of “accelerated filer, large accelerated filer and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer   ¨    Accelerated Filer   ¨
Non-accelerated Filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of October 28, 2009, SMTC Corporation had 13,931,284 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and one share of special voting stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding. As of October 28, 2009, SMTC Corporation’s subsidiary, SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of Canada, had 715,048 exchangeable shares outstanding, excluding 7,233,262 exchangeable shares owned by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SMTC Nova Scotia Company, each of which is exchangeable for one share of common stock of SMTC Corporation.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

SMTC CORPORATION

Table of Contents

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   3

Item 1

   Financial Statements    3
   Consolidated Balance Sheets    3
   Consolidated Statements of Operations    4
   Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity    5
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows    6
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements    7

Item 2

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    20

Item 3

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    28

Item 4T

   Controls and Procedures    28

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

   28

Item 1A

   Risk factors    28

Item 6

   Exhibits    30

 

2


Table of Contents

Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1 Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of:

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     October 4,
2009
    January 4,
2009
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash

   $ 436      $ 2,623   

Accounts receivable—net (note 3)

     30,133        28,648   

Inventories—net (note 3)

     27,313        36,823   

Prepaid expenses

     1,458        1,203   
                
     59,340        69,297   

Property, plant and equipment—net (note 3)

     15,001        16,743   

Deferred financing costs—net (note 3)

     745        786   

Deferred income taxes (note 7)

     350        479   
                
   $ 75,436      $ 87,305   
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 29,710      $ 37,209   

Accrued liabilities (note 3)

     6,645        6,909   

Income taxes payable

     578        504   

Current portion of long-term debt (note 4)

     5,338        2,738   

Current portion of capital lease obligations

     845        1,101   
                
     43,116        48,461   

Long-term debt (note 4)

     15,905        15,943   

Capital lease obligations

     657        1,587   

Commitments and contingencies (note 12)

    

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Capital stock (note 5)

     7,211        7,456   

Warrants (note 2, 5)

     —          10,372   

Additional paid-in capital

     252,872        249,655   

Deficit

     (244,325     (246,169
                
     15,758        21,314   
                
   $ 75,436      $ 87,305   
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

          Three months ended     Nine months ended  
          October 4,
2009
    September 28,
2008
    October 4,
2009
    September 28,
2008
 

Revenue

      $ 44,181      $ 53,089      $ 128,272      $ 152,077   

Cost of sales

        40,446        47,816        116,622        138,307   
                                   

Gross profit

        3,735        5,273        11,650        13,770   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

        2,760        3,053        9,362        9,591   

Restructuring charges

   Note 6      —          —          783        443   

Loss on extinguishment of debt

        —          613        —          613   
                                   

Operating earnings

        975        1,607        1,505        3,123   

Interest expense

   Note 3      473        567        1,338        2,242   
                                   

Earnings before income taxes

        502        1,040        167        881   

Income tax expense (recovery)

   Note 7         

Current

        23        6        67        163   

Deferred

        17        23        129        (6
                                   
        40        29        196        157   
                                   

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

      $ 462      $ 1,011      $ (29   $ 724   

Loss from discontinued operations

   Note 10      (297     (868     (5,744     (6,482

Net income (loss), also being comprehensive income (loss)

        165        143        (5,773     (5,758
                                   

Earnings (loss) per share of common stock:

           

Basic

           

Continuing operations

      $ 0.03      $ 0.07      $ —        $ 0.05   

Discontinued operations

        (0.02     (0.06     (0.39     (0.44
                                   

Total

      $ 0.01      $ 0.01      $ (0.39   $ (0.39
                                   

Diluted

           

Continuing operations

      $ 0.03      $ 0.07      $ —        $ 0.05   

Discontinued operations

        (0.02     (0.06     (0.39     (0.44
                                   

Total

      $ 0.01      $ 0.01      $ (0.39   $ (0.39
                                   

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

           

Basic

        14,646,333        14,646,333        14,646,333        14,646,333   

Diluted

   Note 8      14,646,333        14,729,485        14,646,333        14,741,627   
                                   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

Nine months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

     Capital stock     Warrants     Additional paid-in
capital
   Deficit     Total Shareholders’
equity
 

Balance, January 4, 2009

   $ 7,456      $ 10,372      $ 249,655    $ (246,169   $ 21,314   

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle – January 5, 2009 reclassification of warrants to opening deficit

     —          (7,617     —        7,617        —     
                                       

Adjusted balance, January 5, 2009

   $ 7,456      $ 2,755      $ 249,655    $ (238,552   $ 21,314   

Stock-based compensation

     —          —          217      —          217   

Conversion of shares from exchangeable to common stock

     (245     —          245      —          —     

Expiry of warrants

     —          (2,755     2,755      —          —     

Net loss

     —          —          —        (5,773     (5,773
                                       

Balance, October 4, 2009

   $ 7,211      $ —        $ 252,872    $ (244,325   $ 15,758   
                                       
     Capital stock     Warrants     Additional paid-in
capital
   Deficit     Total Shareholders’
equity
 

Balance, December 31, 2007

   $ 7,854      $ 10,372      $ 248,883    $ (240,274   $ 26,835   

Stock-based compensation

     —          —          290      —          290   

Conversion of shares from exchangeable to common stock

     (372     —          372      —          —     

Net loss

     —          —          —        (5,758     (5,758
                                       

Balance, September 28, 2008

   $ 7,482      $ 10,372      $ 249,545    $ (246,032   $ 21,367   
                                       

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended     Nine months ended  
     October 4,
2009
    September 28,
2008
    October 4,
2009
    September 28,
2008
 

Cash provided by (used in):

        

Operations:

        

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 165      $ 143      $ (5,773   $ (5,758

Items not involving cash:

        

Depreciation

     695        724        2,093        2,588   

Gain on disposition of property, plant and equipment

     —          —          (224     —     

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

     —          —          —          4,921   

Deferred income taxes

     17        23        129        (6

Non-cash interest

     64        91        192        295   

Stock-based compensation

     68        (279     256        217   

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —          613        —          613   

Change in non-cash operating working capital:

        

Accounts receivable

     (3,987     9,364        (1,485     8,219   

Inventories

     173        (2,631     9,510        (9,771

Prepaid expenses

     (384     (392     (255     (855

Income taxes payable

     61        (22     74        (44

Accounts payable

     1,322        (169     (7,499     3,485   

Accrued liabilities

     (675     640        (276     1,366   
                                
     (2,481     8,105        (3,258     5,270   

Financing:

        

Increase in long-term debt

     3,117        13,800        3,925        13,800   

Repayment of long-term debt

     (563     (19,116     (1,363     (15,607

Principal payment of capital lease obligations

     (207     (245     (1,186     (654

Deferred financing costs

     —          (250     (151     (250
                                
     2,347        (5,811     1,225        (2,711

Investing:

        

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (702     (294     (984     (1,009

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     —          —          830       268   
                                
     (702)        (294)        (154)        (741)   

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (836     2,000        (2,187     1,818   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     1,272        —          2,623        182   
                                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period

   $ 436      $ 2,000      $ 436      $ 2,000   
                                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Nature of the business

SMTC Corporation (the “Company”) is a worldwide provider of advanced electronics manufacturing services to original equipment manufacturers. The Company services its customers through manufacturing and technology centers located in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. For the past eight years the Company has had an evolving manufacturing relationship with Alco Electronics Ltd. (“Alco”), a Hong Kong headquartered, publicly-traded company with large scale manufacturing operations in China. Currently, the Company is operating under a manufacturing agreement with Alco, having established a new dedicated manufacturing facility in Chang An, China. Capitalizing on the strengths of both companies, this site provides SMTC’s current and prospective customers with highly efficient, low cost Asia-based manufacturing solutions. The new facility provides a full suite of integrated manufacturing services including assembly, testing, box build, final product integration, and expanded supply chain capabilities through an international sourcing and procurement office.

Effective June 30, 2009, the Company closed its Boston, Massachusetts facility. Results of this operation are reported as discontinued operations for the current and comparative reporting periods.

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles and methods of application disclosed in the audited consolidated financial statements for the period ended January 4, 2009, except as described in note 2. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the period ended January 4, 2009.

2. Accounting changes and recent accounting pronouncements

Accounting Changes

(a) FASB Codification:

In June 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or “Codification”) 105, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“ASC 105”), which establishes the Codification as the single source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification supersedes all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other nongrandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification is superseded and will become nonauthoritative. ASC 105 is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company has included references to the Codification, as appropriate, in these consolidated financial statements.

(b) Share Based Payments:

In June 2008, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share” on determining whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. The guidance clarified that all unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are participating securities prior to vesting and, provides guidance on calculation of earnings per share under the two-class method. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance effective January 5, 2009 had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

(c) Business Combinations:

In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”), which establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date fair value. ASC 805 significantly changes the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, pre-acquisition contingencies, transaction costs, in-process research and development and restructuring costs. In addition, under ASC 805, changes in an acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions after the measurement period will impact income tax expense. ASC 805 provides guidance regarding what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. ASC 805 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 with early application prohibited. The adoption of ASC 805, effective January 5, 2009, had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

(d) Noncontrolling Interests:

In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 810, “Consolidation”, for non-controlling interests. This guidance changes the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. This new consolidation method significantly changes the accounting for transactions with minority interest holders. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 with early application prohibited. The adoption of the guidance, effective January 5, 2009, had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

(e) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:

In March 2008, the FASB issued guidance under subtopic 10 of ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”, (“ASC 815”) that requires additional disclosures about how derivative and hedging activities affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of the guidance, effective January 5, 2009, had no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2008, the FASB issued guidance under subtopic 40 of ASC 815 on determining whether an instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock. Under the guidance, a contract that would otherwise meet the definition of a derivative but is both (a) indexed to the Company’s own stock and (b) classified in stockholders’ equity in the statement of financial position would not be considered a derivative financial instrument. The guidance provides a new two-step model to be applied in determining whether a financial instrument or an embedded feature is indexed to an issuer’s own stock and thus able to qualify for the scope exception under section 15 of subtopic 40 of ASC 815. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company’s adoption of the guidance on a retrospective basis, without restatement of prior periods, on January 5, 2009, resulted in liability classification of the Purchase Warrants (note 5) as the exercise price was denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency. Accordingly, the Purchase Warrants were reclassified as liabilities on January 5, 2009 and valued at fair value. As the fair value on January 5, 2009 was determined to be nil, the impact of the adoption resulted in the reclassification of the carrying value of the Purchase Warrants of $7,617 as at January 5, 2009 from warrants to opening deficit.

(f) Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

In April 2009 the FASB issued guidance under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, which clarifies the methodology used to determine fair value when there is no active market or where the price inputs being used represent distressed sales. The guidance also reaffirms the objective of fair value measurement, which is to reflect how much an asset would be sold for in an orderly transaction. It also reaffirms the need to use judgment to determine if a formerly active market has become inactive, as well as to determine fair values when markets have become inactive. The guidance should be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

(g) Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Insturments:

In April 2009 the FASB issued guidance under ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” which requires the Company to disclose, on a quarterly basis, quantitative and qualitative information about the fair value estimates of all financial instruments, whether recognized or not in the statement of financial position. This guidance is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance resulted in expanded disclosure in note 11.

(h) Subsequent Events:

In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 855, “Subsequent Events”, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. ASC 855 is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. In accordance with ASC 855, the Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued on November 10, 2009. No events have taken place that meet the definition of a subsequent event that requires adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

  a) In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-05, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) – Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value” (“ASU 2009-08”). This ASU provides amendments for fair value measurements of liabilities. It provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more techniques. ASU 2009-05 also clarifies that when estimating a fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. ASU 2009-05 will be effective for the fourth quarter of 2009. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this ASU to its consolidated financial statements.

 

  b) In September 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-13 “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (ASU 2009-13). It updates the existing multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance currently included under ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition”. The revised guidance primarily provides two significant changes: 1) eliminates the need for objective and reliable evidence of the fair value for the undelivered element in order for a delivered item to be treated as a separate unit of accounting, and 2) eliminates the residual method to allocate the arrangement consideration. In addition, the guidance also expands the disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. ASU 2009-13 will be effective for the first annual reporting period beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted provided that the revised guidance is retroactively applied to the beginning of the year of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this ASU to its consolidated financial statements.

3. Consolidated financial statement details

The following consolidated financial statement details are presented as of the period ended for the consolidated balance sheets and for the three and nine months ended for each of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Consolidated balance sheets

Accounts receivable – net:

 

     October 4,
2009
    January 4,
2009
 

Accounts receivable

   $ 30,660      $ 29,153   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (527     (505
                

Accounts receivable—net

   $ 30,133      $ 28,648   
                

Inventories – net:

 

     October 4,
2009
   January 4,
2009

Raw materials

   $ 17,303    $ 26,355

Work in process

     6,078      7,664

Finished goods

     2,996      2,072

Other

     936      732
             

Inventories—net

   $ 27,313    $ 36,823
             

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Deferred financing costs:

 

     October 4,
2009
    January 4,
2009
 

Deferred financing costs

   $ 2,677      $ 2,526   

Accumulated amortization

     (1,932     (1,740
                
   $ 745      $ 786   
                

Property, plant and equipment – net:

 

     October 4,
2009
    January 4,
2009
 

Cost:

    

Land

   $ 1,648      $ 1,648   

Buildings

     9,865        9,777   

Machinery and equipment (a)

     30,043        31,802   

Office furniture and equipment

     2,393        4,404   

Computer hardware and software (b)

     8,946        9,325   

Leasehold improvements

     3,072        9,031   
                
     55,967        65,987   
                

Less accumulated depreciation:

    

Land

     —          —     

Buildings

     (4,652     (4,275

Machinery and equipment (a)

     (22,690     (23,217

Office furniture and equipment

     (2,268     (4,292

Computer hardware and software (b)

     (8,508     (8,699

Leasehold improvements

     (2,848     (8,761
                
     (40,966     (49,244
                

Property, plant and equipment—net

   $ 15,001      $ 16,743   
                

 

(a)

Included within machinery and equipment were assets under capital leases with costs of $7,141 and $7,622 at October 4, 2009 and January 4, 2009, respectively, and associated accumulated depreciation of $3,747 and $3,017 as of October 4, 2009 and January 4, 2009, respectively. The related depreciation expense for the three months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008 was $248, and $240, respectively. Related depreciation expense for the nine months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008 was $766 and $714, respectively.

(b) Included within computer hardware and software were assets under capital leases with costs of $268 at both October 4, 2009 and January 4, 2009, and associated accumulated depreciation of $115 and $49, as of October 4, 2009 and January 4, 2009, respectively. The related depreciation expense for the three months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008 was $22 and $21 respectively. Related depreciation expense for the nine months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008 was $66 and $28, respectively.

Accrued liabilities:

 

     October 4,
2009
   January 4,
2009

Customer related

   $ 1,848    $ 1,626

Interest and financing related

     33      68

Payroll

     1,693      2,250

Professional services

     498      660

Restructuring and discontinued operations

     1,820      —  

Vendor related

     137      673

Miscellaneous taxes

     280      149

Other

     335      1,483
             

Accrued liabilities

   $ 6,645    $ 6,909
             

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Consolidated statements of operations

Interest expense:

 

     Three months ended    Nine months ended
   October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008
   October 4,
2009
    September 28,
2008

Long-term debt

   $ 439    $ 517    $ 1,191      $ 2,096

Obligations under capital leases

     32      50      160        146

Other

     3      —        (13     —  
                            

Interest expense

   $ 473    $ 567    $ 1,338      $ 2,242
                            

Consolidated statements of cash flows

Supplemental disclosures:

 

     Three months ended    Nine months ended
   October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008
   October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008

Cash interest paid

   $ 423    $ 655    $ 1,381    $ 2,037

Cash taxes paid – net

   $ 19    $ —      $ 67    $ 131

Property, plant and equipment acquired through capital lease

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 977

4. Long term debt

 

     October 4,
2009
    January 4,
2009
 

Revolving

   $ 10,255      $ 6,331   

Term

     10,988        12,350   
                
     21,243        18,681   

Less: Current portion of long-term debt

     (5,338     (2,738
                

Long-term debt

   $ 15,905      $ 15,943   
                

During the third quarter of 2008, the Company entered into a second amended and restated loan agreement in the US and Canada with Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (“Wachovia”) and Export Development Canada (“EDC”) dated August 7, 2008 (the “Wachovia EDC Facilities”), and maturing on August 12, 2012. Under the amended and restated loan agreement, Wachovia amended certain borrowing base conditions based on eligible inventory and accounts receivable of the Company to allow increased borrowing capacity and increased the revolving credit facility from $40,000 to $45,000. Wachovia also provided an $800 term loan, bearing interest based on the U.S. Prime rate. As the primary term debt lender, EDC provided a term loan of $13,000. The EDC term debt bore interest at LIBOR plus 3.5%, decreasing at various leverage rates. Financial covenants were changed and restrictions on certain investments and expenditures were removed.

The Company incurred costs of $395 related to the completion of the Wachovia EDC Facilities in 2008. These costs were recorded as a non-current deferred charge and are being amortized as additional interest expense over the term of the credit facility.

On April 2, 2009, the Company received a waiver from its lenders with respect to what would have otherwise been a covenant violation at the time of filing of the Company’s fiscal 2008 financial statements. In addition, the Company and its lenders amended the lending agreements to revise the EBITDA and leverage covenants and eliminate the fixed charge coverage

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

ratio for the five quarters beginning January 5, 2009 and including the first quarter of the 2010 fiscal period. Interest rates also increased by 200 basis points. On August 4, 2009, a further amendment was obtained, effectively extending the terms of the April agreement to July 2010.

The Company incurred costs of $151 related to the amendment of the Wachovia EDC Facilities in 2009. These costs were recorded as a non-current deferred charge and will be amortized as additional interest expense over the remaining term of the credit facility.

The term loan to EDC is repayable in quarterly installments ranging from $325 to $1,463, with the remaining amounts outstanding due at maturity, as specified in the repayment schedule of the loan agreement. The term loan to Wachovia is repayable in quarterly installments of $75, with the remaining amounts outstanding due at maturity.

The Wachovia EDC Facilities are jointly and severally guaranteed by the Company and secured by the assets and capital stock of each of the Company’s subsidiaries and its future subsidiaries.

At October 4, 2009 and January 4, 2009, there were Canadian dollar denominated cash balances of $2,123 and $2,891 respectively, which were classified as offsets to debt balances as they were used to reduce the outstanding revolving credit facilities.

The Company was in compliance with the required financial covenants as of October 4, 2009. The Company is in the preliminary stages of negotiating revised financial covenants for 2010. The current covenants effectively expire on July 10, 2010 at which time a fixed coverage charge is reinstated not to exceed 1.25. The Lenders and the Company are required to renegotiate the covenants by July 10, 2010 or the fixed coverage charge becomes effective. Based on the Company’s current projections, it is possible that the Company will not be in compliance with the fixed coverage charge for the quarter ended October 3, 2010. Although the Company expects to successfully amend its financial covenants, if the Company is not able to do so, the Company could be in violation of its revolving credit facility agreement at that time. In the event the Company is unable to amend the required financial covenants or obtain alternative financing, the Company may be unable to access credit and its debt obligations could become accelerated. These events would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company.

5. Capital stock

Common shares

Issued and outstanding:

The issued and outstanding number of common shares included in shareholders’ equity consisted of the following as of October 4, 2009:

 

     Number of
shares
    $  

Common Stock

    

Exchangeable shares:

    

Balance at beginning of the nine month period

   749,448      $ 7,091   

Shares issued pursuant to:

    

Conversion to common stock

   (25,900     (245
              

Balance at end of the period

   723,548      $ 6,846   
              

Common shares:

    

Balance at beginning of the nine month period

   13,896,884      $ 365   

Shares issued pursuant to:

    

Conversion of exchangeable shares

   25,900        —     
              

Balance at end of the period

   13,922,784      $ 365   
              

Special voting stock:

    

Balance at beginning of the nine month period

   1      $ —     
              

Balance at end of the period

   1      $ —     
              

Total Common stock

   14,646,333      $ 7,211   
              

Warrants

    

Common share warrants:

    

Balance at beginning of the nine month period

   11,166,947      $ 2,755   

Expired

   (11,166,947     (2,755
              

Balance at end of the period

   —        $ —     
              

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Warrants

Common Share Warrants:

On June 1, 2004, the Company’s pre-existing lenders exchanged $10,000 of outstanding debt and all warrants previously issued or required to be issued for 2,233,389 shares of common stock and 11,166,947 warrants (the “Conversion Warrants”). Each warrant was exercisable for one-tenth of one share of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $6.90 per share of common stock. The Conversion Warrants expired on March 4, 2009. Upon expiry of the unexercised warrants, the amount attributed to the Conversion Warrants was recorded as additional paid-in capital.

Exchangeable Share Warrants:

On March 3, 2004, the Company completed a private placement, of 33,350,000 Special Warrants (each “Special Warrant” and collectively, the “Special Warrants”) of SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of Canada (“SMTC Canada”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company. Each Special Warrant was issued at a price of CDN $1.20 per Special Warrant, resulting in aggregate proceeds of CDN $40,020. The proceeds, net of underwriters’ commissions and certain other expenses, were placed into escrow on March 3, 2004, pending receipt of shareholder approval.

Subject to the satisfaction of applicable legal requirements, each Special Warrant was exercisable for one unit, consisting of one-fifth of an exchangeable share of SMTC Canada, and one-half of a warrant to purchase one-fifth of an exchangeable share of SMTC Canada. Each whole warrant (a “Purchase Warrant”) was exercisable for one-fifth of an exchangeable share of SMTC Canada at an exercise price of CDN $9.25 per share. The Special Warrants were exercised into units on June 2, 2004. The Purchase Warrants expired unexercised on March 3, 2009.

Upon the adoption of guidance under ASC 815 on determining whether an instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock on January 5, 2009, the Purchase Warrants were retrospectively reclassified as liabilities, without restatement of prior periods, as disclosed in Note 2 of these financial statements. As the fair value of these instruments at that date was determined to be nil, the amount attributed to these warrants was recorded as a reduction of opening deficit on January 5, 2009.

Stock options

For information regarding the Company’s stock option arrangements, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements within the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended January 4, 2009, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 6, 2009. There were no options granted during the three and nine periods ended October 4, 2009. The Company generally issues new shares when options are exercised. A summary of stock option activity for the nine month period ended October 4, 2009 is as follows:

 

     Number of
options
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
   Aggregate
intrinsic
value
   Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term (years)

Outstanding at January 4, 2009

   1,742,893      $ 1.97      

Options forfeited

   (140,453   $ 3.10      
                        

Outstanding at October 4, 2009

   1,602,440      $ 1.87    $ 3,004    4.8
                        

Exercisable at October 4, 2009

   937,438      $ 2.28    $ 2,137    5.3
                        

During the three month periods ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense and a corresponding increase in contributed surplus of $68 and $78, respectively. For the nine month periods ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008, the corresponding amounts recorded were $217 and $290, respectively. At October 4, 2009, compensation expense of $216 related to non-vested stock options had not been recognized.

Deferred share units

Deferred Share Units were granted to directors and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company as remuneration. During the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009, no deferred share units were granted. During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008, 18,490 and 44,205 deferred share units were granted, respectively.

At October 4, 2009 and January 4, 2009, 335,666 and 382,354 deferred share units were outstanding, respectively.

Deferred Share Unit compensation expense for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009 was nil and $39, respectively, compared with recovery of $357 and $73 for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

There is no unrecognized compensation related to deferred share units since these awards vest immediately when granted.

6. Restructuring and other charges

During the first quarter of 2008 the Company recorded a restructuring recovery of $225 consisting of a dividend from liquidation proceeds of the Company’s Donegal, Ireland facility, which relate to restructuring activities under the 2002 Plan. There were no amounts in the restructuring accrual relating to the 2002 Plan as at either January 4, 2009 or October 4, 2009.

In the second quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $668, consisting of a $518 severance charge at our Chihuahua facility and a $150 severance charge at the corporate level. The Company reduced approximately 250 full time and 100 temporary staff, mainly in Mexico, as a result of the planned movement of production to the Company’s China facility. There were no amounts in the restructuring accrual relating to the 2008 Plan as at either January 4, 2009 or October 4, 2009.

In the first quarter of 2009, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $815, consisting of severance charges of $445 in the Mexican segment, $337 in the Canadian segment, and $33 in the U.S. segment. The Company reduced staff levels by approximately 160 in response to expected lower revenues resulting from the global economic recession. In the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a restructuring recovery of $32 consisting of a recovery of severances.

The following table details the change in the restructuring accrual, for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009, relating to the 2009 Plan:

 

     Severance  

2009 Plan

  

2009 Charges

   $ 815   

Payments

     (445
        

Balance as at April 5, 2009

     370   

Payments

     (205

Recoveries

     (32
        

Balance as at July 5, 2009

   $ 133   

Payments

     (106
        

Balance as at October 4, 2009

   $ 27   
        

Remaining accrued amounts relating to the 2009 Plan consist of severance payments of $27 in Canada that are expected to be paid out during 2009 through a drawdown on the revolving credit facilities.

7. Income taxes

During the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009, the Company recorded a net income tax expense of $40 and $196, respectively, primarily related to minimum taxes in certain jurisdictions, offset by foreign exchange revaluation. During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008, the Company recorded a net income tax expense of $29 and $157, respectively, primarily related to minimum taxes in certain jurisdictions.

At January 4, 2009, the Company had total net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards of $88,189, of which $1,984 will expire in 2010, $1,260 will expire in 2012, $8,359 will expire in 2014, $3,379 will expire in 2015, $1,078 will expire in 2018, $60 will expire in 2019, $30 will expire in 2020, $42,029 will expire in 2021, and the remainder will expire between 2023 and 2028.

At October 4, 2009 and January 4, 2009, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $302 and $270, respectively, which if recognized, would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate in future periods. The change during the period relates to foreign exchange revaluation of existing uncertain tax positions. The Company does not expect any of these unrecognized tax benefits to reverse in the next twelve months.

Tax years 2001 to 2009 remain open for review by the tax authorities in Canada. Tax years 2003 to 2009 remain open in the United States. In addition, 2001 contains an NOL that could potentially be carried forward and therefore remains open to the extent of the NOL.

The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense based on the likelihood of the event and its ability to reasonably estimate such amounts. The Company has approximately $176 and $140 accrued for interest and penalties as of October 4, 2009 and January 4, 2009, respectively. The increase is primarily due to the recording of incremental interest on existing uncertain positions for the period and foreign exchange revaluation.

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

of future taxable income. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, change of control limitations, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. FASB guidance under ASC 740, “Income Taxes”, states that forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed is difficult when there is negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years in the jurisdictions to which the deferred tax assets relate. At the end of the second quarter of 2003, the Company concluded that given the weakness and uncertainty in the economic environment at that time, it was appropriate to establish a full valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets. Commencing in 2004, it was determined by management that it was more likely than not that the deferred tax assets associated with the Mexican jurisdiction would be realized and no valuation allowance is recorded against these deferred tax assets since 2004. The U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions continue to have a full valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax assets in these jurisdictions.

8. Earnings per common share

The following table details the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the purposes of computing basic and diluted earnings per common share for the following periods:

 

      Three months ended    Nine months ended

(Number of common shares)

   October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008
   October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

   14,646,333    14,646,333    14,646,333    14,646,333

Dilutive stock options (a) (b)

   —      83,152    —      95,294
                   

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

   14,646,333    14,729,485    14,646,333    14,741,627
                   

 

(a)

As a result of the net loss from continuing operations for the nine months October 4, 2009, diluted earnings per share was calculated using the basic weighted average shares outstanding as the effect of potential common shares would have been anti-dilutive.

(b)

For the three months ended October 4, 2009, dilutive options were determined using the treasury stock method, using an average share price of $0.78 per share. For the three months ended October 4, 2009, the calculation did not include 1,602,440 stock options, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008, dilutive options were determined using the treasury stock method, using an average share price of $1.79 and $1.84 per share, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008, the calculation did not include 1,289,741 and 1,277,599 stock options, respectively, and 16,675,000 warrants, each warrant exercisable for one-fifth of an exchangeable share of SMTC Canada and 11,166,947 warrants, each warrant exercisable for one-tenth of one share of common stock of the Company, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

9. Segmented information

General description

The Company derives its revenue from one dominant industry segment, the electronics manufacturing services industry. The Company is operated and managed geographically and has facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Asia. Operations in Asia became a material segment during the second quarter of 2008 with the establishment of the new facility in China. Operations in Boston were classified as discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2009 and have been excluded from the United States segment in all periods presented. The Company monitors the performance of its geographic operating segments based on EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization) and before restructuring charges, loss on extinguishment of debt and discontinued operations. Intersegment adjustments reflect intersegment sales that are generally recorded at prices that approximate arm’s length transactions. In assessing the performance of the operating segments management attributes revenue to the operating segment which ships the product. Information about the operating segments is as follows for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008:

 

     Three months ended    Nine months ended
     October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008
   October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008

Revenues from continuing operations

           

U.S.

   $ 3,862    $ 4,666    $ 9,823    $ 15,210

Canada

     10,250      16,767      39,428      51,927

Mexico

     19,139      20,811      49,103      70,882

Asia

     11,615      12,619      32,497      24,008
                           

Total

   $ 44,866    $ 54,863    $ 130,851    $ 162,027

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

      Three months ended     Nine months ended  
     October 4,
2009
    September 28,
2008
    October 4,
2009
    September 28,
2008
 

Intersegment revenue

        

U.S.

   $ (3   $ (6   $ (9   $ (23

Canada

     (67     (509     (524     (3,420

Mexico

     (615     (1,259     (2,046     (6,507
                                

Total

   $ (685   $ (1,774   $ (2,579   $ (9,950
                                

Net external revenue from continuing operations

        

U.S.

   $ 3,859      $ 4,660      $ 9,814      $ 15,187   

Canada

     10,183        16,258        38,904        48,507   

Mexico

     18,524        19,552        47,058        64,375   

Asia

     11,615        12,619        32,497        24,008   
                                

Total

   $ 44,181      $ 53,089      $ 128,272      $ 152,077   
                                

EBITA

        

U.S.

   $ (20   $ 357      $ (588   $ 1,352   

Canada

     (562     372        (1,067     472   

Mexico

     1,233        1,021        3,040        1,553   

Asia

     324        470        903        802   
                                

Total

   $ 975      $ 2,220      $ 2,288      $ 4,179   
                                

Interest

     473        567        1,338        2,242   

Restructuring charges

     —          —          783        443   

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —          613        —          613   
                                

Earnings before income taxes

   $ 502      $ 1,040      $ 167      $ 881   
                                

Capital additions

The following table contains capital additions for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008:

 

     Three months ended    Nine months ended
     October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008
   October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008

U.S.

   $ —      $ 34    $ 26    $ 530

Canada

     236      147      330      562

Mexico

     455      45      602      826

Asia

     11      68      26      68
                           

Total

   $ 702    $ 294    $ 984    $ 1,986
                           

 

     October 4,
2009
   January 4,
2009

Long-lived assets (a)

     

U.S.

   $ 957    $ 1,747

Canada

     2,262      2,491

Mexico

     11,735      12,460

Asia

     47      45
             

Total

   $ 15,001    $ 16,743
             

 

(a)

Long-lived assets information is based on the principal location of the asset.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Geographic revenues

The following table contains geographic revenues based on the product shipment destination, for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008:

 

     Three months ended    Nine months ended
     October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008
   October 4,
2009
   September 28,
2008

U.S.

   $ 21,846    $ 16,219    $ 51,513    $ 48,252

Canada

     15,911      24,380      55,856      62,360

Europe

     99      344      457      11,858

Asia

     6,319      12,138      20,429      22,022

Mexico

     6      8      17      7,585
                           

Total

   $ 44,181    $ 53,089    $ 128,272    $ 152,077
                           

Significant customers and concentration of credit risk:

Sales of the Company’s products are concentrated in certain cases among specific customers in the same industry. The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk in trade receivables. The Company considers concentrations of credit risk in establishing the allowance for doubtful accounts and believes the recorded allowances are adequate.

The Company expects to continue to depend upon a relatively small number of customers for a significant percentage of its revenue. In addition to having a limited number of customers, the Company manufactures a limited number of products for each customer. If the Company loses any of its larger customers or any product line manufactured for one of its larger customers, it could experience a significant reduction in revenue. Also, the insolvency of one or more of its larger customers or the inability of one or more of its larger customers to pay for its orders could decrease revenue. As many costs and operating expenses are relatively fixed, a reduction in net revenue can decrease profit margins and adversely affect the business, financial condition and results of operations.

During the three months ended October 4, 2009, four customers individually comprised 23.8%, 16.8% 13.9% and 13.5% (September 28, 2008, three customers – 23.7%, 21.4% and 20.7%) of total revenue from continuing operations across all geographic segments. During the nine months ended October 4, 2009, five customers individually comprised 20.7%, 17.5%, 14.3%, 13.3% and 10.6% (September 28, 2008, three customers – 26.1%, 21.7% and 19.3%) of total revenue from continuing operations across all geographic segments. As of October 4, 2009, these customers represented 28.3%, 8.9%, 22.1%,10.3% and 3.1%, respectively, (January 4, 2009, three customers – 17%, 4% and 4%, respectively) of the Company’s trade accounts receivable.

10. Discontinued operations

In June 2009, the Company ceased manufacturing operations at its Boston, Massachusetts facility, which was formerly included in the United States reporting segment. The Company entered into an agreement with the landlord to terminate the existing lease and conducted a sale of plant equipment. As at July 5, 2009, the Boston facility was classified as a discontinued operation and its results of operations are separately reported for all periods presented. Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is presented below:

 

     Three months ended     Nine months ended  
     October 4,
2009
    September 28,
2008
    October 4,
2009
    September 28,
2008
 

Discontinued Operations Before Disposal:

        

Revenue

   $ 638      $ 6,983      $ 6,957      $ 29,420   
                                

Loss from discontinued operations before disposal, net of taxes

   $ (297   $ (868   $ (3,365   $ (6,482

Disposal:

        

Loss on disposal, net of taxes

     —          —          (2,379     —     
                                

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes

   $ (297   $ (868   $ (5,744   $ (6,482
                                

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

The loss on disposal recorded in the nine months ended October 4, 2009 consist largely of the settlement under the lease termination agreement, severance costs and other contracted facility exit costs, somewhat offset by a gain on disposal of fixed assets. The Company expects to record further disposal costs in the remainder of fiscal 2009, consisting of salaries for remaining employees retained beyond October 4, 2009.

The following is a summary of the loss on disposal recorded in the nine months ended October 4, 2009:

 

Severance

   $ 742   

Lease obligations

     1,518   

Other facility exit costs

     343   

Disposal of fixed assets

     (224
        

Total

   $ 2,379   
        

The following table details the change in the discontinued operations accrual for the three and nine months ended October 4, 2009:

 

     Severance     Lease
Obligations
    Other
Facility Exit
Costs
    Total  

Accruals related to discontinued operations

   $ 742      $ 2,296      $ 343      $ 3,381   

Cash payments

     (182     —          (13     (195
                                

Accrual balance as at July 5, 2009

   $ 560      $ 2,296      $ 330      $ 3,186   

Cash payments

     (329     (945     (119     (1,393
                                

Accrual balance as at October 4, 2009

   $ 231      $ 1,351      $ 211      $ 1,793   
                                

Remaining accrued amounts relating to the discontinued operations are expected to be paid out by the second quarter of 2010 through drawdowns on the revolving credit facilities.

11. Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair values of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, including the current portion, bear rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities and, therefore, approximate carrying values.

As at January 4, 2009, the Company had outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to foreign exchange currency rate changes related to forecasted Canadian dollar denominated payroll, rent and utility cash flows in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. These contracts were effective as hedges from an economic perspective, but were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes under ASC 815. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of these contracts were recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the period ended January 4, 2009. The Company did not enter into forward foreign exchange contracts for trading or speculative purposes.

As of January 4, 2009, forward foreign exchange contracts with an aggregate exercise value of $3,598 were outstanding, and were settled between January 9, 2009 and April 3, 2009 at a forward rate of USD $1.00 = CAD $1.268. The unrealized gain recognized in earnings as a result of revaluing the instruments to fair value on January 4, 2009 was $185 and was included in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and accounts receivable on the balance sheet. Fair value was determined using the market approach with quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

There were no derivative instruments outstanding at October 4, 2009.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

12. Commitments and contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to litigation and claims from customers, suppliers and former employees. Management believes that adequate provisions have been recorded in the financial statements, as required. Although it is not possible to estimate the extent of potential costs, if any, management believes that ultimate resolution of such contingencies would not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.

In 2007, a lawsuit was commenced against SMTC Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas Austin Division by Ronald E. Ingalls, Chapter 7 Trustee, who claimed that SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of Texas made fraudulent transfers of funds to certain subsidiaries of the Company despite having had reasonable cause to believe that it was insolvent. This case was heard in March 2009 before the Honorable Craig A. Gargotta, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge. Judgment in favor of SMTC was issued on September 11, 2009 with all claims dismissed. An appeal was filed and subsequently withdrawn by the plaintiff. There are no further appeals available.

 

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Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Where we say “we”, “us”, “our”, the “Company” or “SMTC”, we mean SMTC Corporation or SMTC Corporation and its subsidiaries, as it may apply. Where we refer to the “industry”, we mean the electronics manufacturing services industry.

You should read this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) in combination with the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related notes as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) included within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 6, 2009. The forward-looking statements in this discussion regarding the electronics manufacturing services industry, our expectations regarding our future performance, liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements in this discussion include numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are as described in the “Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results” section in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 6, 2009, as updated by Item 1A in Part II of this quarterly report. Certain statements in this MD&A contain words such as “could”, “expects”, “may”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “envisions”, “seeks” and other similar language and are considered forward looking statements or information under applicable securities laws. These statements are based on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which we operate. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict and the actual outcome may be materially different. Although we believe expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the assumptions in this MD&A, they may prove to be inaccurate and consequently our actual results could differ materially from our expectations set out in this MD&A. We may not update these forward-looking statements after the date of this Form 10-Q, even though our situation may change in the future. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

This MD&A contains discussion in U.S. dollars unless specifically stated otherwise.

Background

SMTC Corporation is a mid-tier provider of end-to-end electronics manufacturing services, or EMS, including product design and sustaining engineering services, printed circuit board assembly, or PCBA, production, enclosure fabrication, systems integration and comprehensive testing services. SMTC facilities span a broad footprint in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China, with approximately 1000 employees. SMTC’s services extend over the entire electronic product life cycle from the development and introduction of new products through to growth, maturity and end-of-life phases. SMTC offers fully integrated contract manufacturing services with a distinctive approach to global original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and technology companies primarily within the industrial, computing and networking, and communications, consumer and medical market segments.

Developments in 2009

As expected, third quarter results were improved over the second quarter as several customers increased orders in response to expanding end market demand or to increase inventory levels; however results continued to be negatively impacted as several of the Company’s customers continued to experience end market weakness. The Company’s revenues from continuing operations increased 12.8% sequentially and declined 16.8% compared to Q3 of 2008; a function of continued weak but improving markets.

In anticipation of lower revenue, the Company launched a capacity and cost reduction plan in the first quarter that contained both strategic and tactical elements. Largely due to customer specific issues, the Enclosures Systems division experienced revenue erosion through the latter part of 2008 that was exacerbated by the economic slowdown. This revenue decline resulted in significant overcapacity at the Boston site and continuing operational losses. It became clear that not only did capacity have to be reduced, from a strategic perspective, the Company determined that it would be competitively advantageous to house its enclosures and large scale systems integration capability in a single facility in a lower cost region. Accordingly, the Company has built such capability at its largest site in Chihuahua, Mexico. With the economic downturn and unsatisfactory financial results, in the first quarter the Company announced the planned closure of the Boston site, which subsequently closed at the end of June. While certain customers have transitioned to Mexico, the majority of Boston customers had production requirements which were more suited to local supply, and have consequently disengaged with the Company.

In the first quarter of the year, in anticipation of lower production volumes and revenue, the Company implemented a staff reduction plan that lowered overall headcount by 23% and initiated other cost containment measures, bringing its quarterly break-even revenue level from approximately $60 million down to $40 million depending on mix of business and currency rates.

For the quarter ended October 4, 2009, the Company recorded net earnings of $0.2 million, including a $0.3 million loss from the closure of the Company’s Boston facility. Excluding the loss from discontinued operations, the Company recorded a profit of $0.5 million in the quarter.

 

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In the first quarter of 2009, the Company successfully renegotiated a waiver from its lenders with respect to what would have otherwise been a covenant violation at the time of filing of the Company’s fiscal 2008 financial statements in April 2009. In addition, the Company and its lenders amended the lending agreements to revise the EBITDA and leverage covenants and eliminate the fixed charge coverage ratio for the five quarters beginning January 5, 2009 and including the first quarter of the 2010 fiscal period. The interest rates also increased by 200 basis points. In the second quarter of 2009, the Company signed an amendment with its lenders to extend through the second quarter of 2010 the revised EBITDA and leverage covenants. The Company was in compliance with the required financial covenants as of October 4, 2009. The Company is in the preliminary stages of negotiating revised financial covenants for the remainder of 2010. The current covenants effectively expire on July 10, 2010 at which time a fixed coverage charge is reinstated not to exceed 1.25. The Lenders and the Company are required to renegotiate the covenants by July 10, 2010 or the fixed coverage charge becomes effective. Based on the Company’s current projections, it is possible that the Company will not be in compliance with the fixed coverage charge for the quarter ended October 3, 2010. Although the Company expects to successfully amend its financial covenants, if the Company is not able to do so, the Company could be in violation of its revolving credit facility agreement at that time. In the event the Company is unable to amend the required financial covenants or obtain alternative financing, the Company may be unable to access credit and its debt obligations could become accelerated. These events would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Results of Operations

The consolidated financial statements of SMTC are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Quarter ended October 4, 2009 compared with the quarter ended September 28, 2008:

The following table sets forth summarized operating results in millions of US$ for the periods indicated:

 

     Three months ended
October 4, 2009
    Three months ended
September 28, 2008
    Change
2009 to 2008
 
     $     %     $     %     $      %  

Revenue

   $ 44.2      100.0   $ 53.1      100.0   $ (8.9    (16.8 )% 

Cost of sales

     40.4      91.4     47.8      90.0     (7.4    (15.5 )% 
                                           

Gross profit

     3.8      8.6     5.3      10.0     (1.5    (28.3 )% 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     2.8      6.3     3.1      5.9     (0.3    (9.7 )% 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —        0.0     0.6      1.1     (0.6    (100.0 )% 
                                           

Operating earnings

     1.0      2.3     1.6      3.0     (0.6    (37.5 )% 

Interest expense

     0.5      1.1     0.6      1.1     (0.1    (16.7 )% 
                                           

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     0.5      1.1     1.0      1.9     (0.5    (50.0 )% 

Income tax expenses

             

Current

     —        0.0     —        0.0     —         0.0

Deferred

     —        0.0     —        0.0     —         0.0
                                           
     —        0.0     —        0.0     —         0.0
                                           

Net earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.5      1.1   $ 1.0      1.9   $ (0.5    (50.0 )% 
                                           

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.3   (0.6 )%      (0.9   (1.7 )%      0.6       66.7

Net income, also being comprehensive income

   $ 0.2      0.5   $ 0.1      0.2   $ 0.1       100.0
                                           

Revenue

Revenue from continuing operations decreased $8.9 million, or 16.8%, from $53.1 million for the third quarter of 2008 to $44.2 million for the third quarter of 2009. While improved from the second quarter of 2009, many of SMTC’s long standing customers’ end markets continued to be impacted by the economy compared to third quarter of last year. Several ramping customers had a positive impact, particularly Crestron Electronics (“Crestron”) and Thales Rail Signalling Solutions (“Thales”). The decline in revenue was not a result of any loss of customers.

 

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The reclassification of the Boston business as a discontinued operation resulted in the revenues of this business of $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2009 being excluded from reported revenues, compared to $7.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. The Company has disengaged with most customers in Boston whose production requirements were best suited for local supply. Certain customers’ business was transferred to Mexico and that business has started to improve.

During the third quarter of 2009, revenue from the industrial sector decreased compared with the same quarter of 2008; $35.9 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared with $42.5 million for the same period in 2008, the result of the recessionary economy. Revenue from the industrial sector represented an increased share of our business at 81.3% of revenue in the third quarter of 2009, compared with 80.0% of revenue in the third quarter of 2008.

Revenue from the communications sector decreased compared with the same quarter of 2008; $2.4 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared with $5.9 million in 2008, which represented 5.5% of revenue in the third quarter of 2009, compared with 11.0% of revenue in the third quarter of 2008 the result of the recessionary economy.

Revenue from the networking and enterprise computing sector increased compared with the same quarter of 2008; $5.8 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared with $4.8 million in 2008, which represented 13.2% of revenue in the third quarter of 2009, up from 9.0% of revenue in the third quarter of 2008, largely due to a longstanding customer increasing orders year over year and the addition of one of our new customers to this category.

During the third quarter of 2009, we recorded approximately $0.2 million of sales of raw materials inventory to customers, which carried no margin, compared with $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. The Company purchases raw materials based on customer purchase orders. When a customer requires an order to be altered or changed, the customer generally is obligated to purchase the original on-order raw material at cost, to the extent the materials are not consumed within a specified period.

Due to changes in market conditions, the life cycle of products, the nature of specific programs and other factors, revenues from a particular customer typically varies from quarter to quarter and year to year. The Company’s ten largest customers represented 95.0% of revenue from continuing operations during the third quarter of 2009, compared with 94.5% in the third quarter of 2008. Revenue from our four largest customers during the third quarter of 2009 were $10.5 million, $7.4 million, $6.1 million and $5.9 million, representing 23.8%, 16.8%, 13.9% and 13.5% of total revenue from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2009, respectively. This compares with revenue of $12.6 million, $11.4 million and $11.0 million, representing 23.7%, 21.4% and 20.7% of revenue from continuing operations for three largest customers of the third quarter of 2008, respectively. No other customers represented more than 10% of revenue in either period.

During the third quarter of 2009, 23.1% of our revenue from continuing operations was attributable to our operations in Canada, 26.3% in Asia, 41.9% in Mexico, and 8.7% in the U.S. During the third quarter of 2008, 36.8% of our revenue was attributable to our operations in Mexico, 8.8% in the U.S., 30.6% in Canada, and 23.8% in Asia.

The Company operates in a highly competitive and dynamic marketplace in which current and prospective customers from time to time seek to lower their costs through a competitive bidding process among EMS providers. This process creates an opportunity to increase revenue to the extent we are successful in the bidding process, however there is also the potential for revenue to decline to the extent we are unsuccessful in this process. Furthermore, even if we are successful, there is potential for our margins to decline. If we lose any of our larger product lines manufactured for any one of our customers, we could experience declines in revenue.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2009 decreased by $1.5 million, or 28.3%, to $3.8 million compared with the same period in 2008. This is largely due to reduced revenue levels, somewhat offset by cost reductions. Gross margin as a percent of sales decreased from 10.0% in the third quarter of 2008 to 8.6% in the third quarter of 2009 as a result of lower revenue and the impact on fixed costs.

The Company adjusts for estimated obsolete or excess inventory for the difference between the cost of inventory and estimated realizable value based upon customer forecasts, shrinkage, the aging and future demand of the inventory, past experience with specific customers and the ability to sell back inventory to customers or suppliers. If these estimates change, additional write-downs may be required.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.3 million, or 9.7%, during the third quarter of 2009 to $2.8 million, from $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 as a result of cost containment initiatives undertaken in the first quarter of 2009.

The Company determines the allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated credit losses based on the length of time the receivables have been outstanding, customer and industry concentrations, the current business environment and historical experience.

 

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Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

Upon the early repayment of the Company’s existing term debt during the third quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a non-cash charge to expense the remaining unamortized deferred financing costs related to these extinguished debt instruments of $0.6 million.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased from $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of $0.1 million resulting from reduced average debt levels and lower interest rates due to market rate reductions. Interest expense in the third quarters of 2009 and 2008 included amortization of deferred financing fees of $0.1 million. The weighted average interest rates with respect to the debt were 5.5% and 6.5% for each of the third quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded nominal income tax expense (recovery) during the third quarters of both 2009 and 2008.

At January 4, 2009, the Company had total net operating loss (“NOL”) carry-forwards of approximately $88.2 million, of which $2.0 million will expire in 2010, $1.3 million will expire in 2012, $8.4 million will expire in 2014, $3.4 million will expire in 2015, $1.1 million will expire in 2018, $0.1 million will expire in 2019, $42.0 million will expire in 2021, and the remainder will expire between 2023 and 2028.

The Company had $0.3 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits at October 4, 2009 and January 5, 2009, which if recognized, would favorably impact the Company’s effective rate in future periods. The Company does not expect that any of the unrecognized tax benefits, which relate to uncertain tax positions, will decrease during the next twelve months.

Tax years 2001 to 2009 remain open for review by the tax authorities in Canada. Tax years 2003 to 2009 remain open in the United States. In addition, 2001 contains an NOL that could potentially be carried forward and therefore remains open to the extent of the NOL.

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, change of control limitations, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. FASB guidance ASC 740 states that forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed is difficult when there is negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years in the jurisdictions to which the deferred tax assets relate. At the end of the second quarter of 2003, the Company concluded that given the weakness and uncertainly in the economic environment at that time, it was appropriate to establish a full valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets. Commencing in 2004, it was determined by management that it was more likely than not that the deferred tax assets associated with the Mexican jurisdiction would be realized and no valuation allowance has been recorded against these deferred tax assets since 2004. The U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions continue to have a full valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax assets in those jurisdictions.

Discontinued Operations

As at July 5, 2009, the Boston facility was classified as a discontinued operation and its results of operations are separately reported for all periods presented. Loss from discontinued operations before disposal was $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared with $0.9 million in the same period of 2008. The Company expects to record further disposal costs in the remainder of fiscal 2009, consisting of salaries for remaining employees retained beyond October 4, 2009 related to the transfer of business to Mexico.

 

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Nine months ended October 4, 2009 compared with nine months ended September 28, 2008

The following table sets forth summarized operating results in millions of US$ for the periods ended:

 

     Nine months ended
October 4, 2009
    Nine months ended
September 28, 2008
    Change
2009 to 2008
 
     $     %     $     %     $      %  

Revenue

   $ 128.3      100.0   $ 152.1      100.0   $ (23.8    (15.6 )% 

Cost of sales

     116.6      90.9     138.3      90.9     (21.7    (15.7 )% 
                                           

Gross profit

     11.7      9.1     13.8      9.1     (2.1    (15.2 )% 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     9.4      7.3     9.6      6.3     (0.2    (2.1 )% 

Restructuring charges

     0.8      0.6     0.4      0.3     0.4       100.0

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —        0.0     0.6      0.4     (0.6    (100.0 )% 
                                           

Operating earnings

     1.5      1.2     3.2      2.1     (1.7    (53.1 )% 

Interest expense

     1.3      1.0     2.2      1.4     (0.9    (40.9 )% 
                                           

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     0.2      0.2     1.0      0.7     (0.8    (80.0 )% 

Income tax expenses

             

Current

     0.1     0.1     0.2      0.1     (0.1    (50.0 )% 

Deferred

     0.1     0.1     —        0.0     0.1       100.0
                                           
     0.2     0.2     0.2     0.1     —         0.0
                                           

Net loss from continuing operations

   $ —        0.0   $ 0.8      0.6   $ (0.8    (100.0 )% 
                                           

Loss from discontinued operations

     (5.7   (4.4 )%      (6.5   (4.3 )%      0.8       12.3

Net loss, also being comprehensive loss

   $ (5.7 ))    (4.4 )%    $ (5.7   (3.7 )%    $ —         0.0
                                           

Revenue

Revenue from continuing operations decreased $23.8 million, or 15.6%, from $152.1 million for the first nine months of 2008 to $128.3 million for the first nine months of 2009 as SMTC’s long standing customers’ end markets have been severely impacted by the global recession, significant inventory corrections and the impact of a ramp up of production to transition business to the China operation in 2008. These reductions were somewhat offset by new and ramping customer volumes, primarily from Crestron as its business began to ramp during the back half of 2008. The decline in revenue was not a result of any loss of customers.

The reclassification of the Boston facility as a discontinued operation resulted in the revenues of this business of $6.9 million in the first three quarters of 2009 being excluded from reported revenues, compared to $29.4 million in the first three quarters of 2008. The Company has disengaged with most customers in Boston whose production requirements were best suited for local supply. Certain customers were transitioned to Mexico.

During the first nine months of 2009, revenue from the industrial sector represented 78.6% of revenue compared to 77.7% of revenue for the first nine months of 2008. The percentage of sales attributable to the enterprise computing and networking sector and the communications sector were 13.5% and 7.9%, respectively, for the first nine months of 2009 compared with 11.0% and 11.3%, respectively, for the first nine months of 2008.

Revenue generated from the industrial sector decreased $17.3 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the first nine months of 2008 at $100.9 million and $118.2 million, respectively for the reasons cited above.

In both relative and absolute terms, the revenue generated from the communications sector in the first nine months declined. In absolute terms, revenue declined by $7.1 million from $17.2 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $10.1 million in the first nine months of 2009 largely due to a recessionary economy.

Revenue from the networking and enterprise computing sector increased slightly compared with the first nine months of 2008; $17.3 million for the first nine months of 2009 compared with $16.7 million in 2008. The percentage of revenue generated from the networking and enterprise computing sector in the first nine months of 2009 compared with the same period last year increased in relative terms due to a longstanding customer increasing orders year over year and the addition of one of our new customers to this category.

 

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During the first nine months of 2009, we recorded approximately $1.0 million of sales of raw materials inventory to customers, which carried no margin, compared to $2.9 million in the first nine months of 2008. The Company purchases raw materials based on customer purchase orders. To the extent the customer requires these orders to be altered or changed, the customer is generally obligated to purchase the original on-order raw material.

Due to changes in market conditions, the life cycle of products, the nature of specific programs and other factors, customer volumes produced by the Company typically vary from year to year. For the first nine months of 2009, the Company’s ten largest customers represented 92.2% of revenue from continuing operations compared with 93.4% for the same period last year. Revenue from our five largest customers during the first nine months of 2009 was $26.5 million, $22.5 million, $18.4 million, $17.0 million and $13.6 million, representing 20.7%, 17.5%, 14.3%, 13.3% and 10.6%, respectively, of total revenue from continuing operations for the period. This compares with revenue of $39.7 million, $33.0 million and $29.4 million, representing 26.1%, 21.7%, and 19.3%, respectively, of total revenue from continuing operations for the three largest customers of the same period last year. No other customers represented more than 10% of revenue in either period.

During the first nine months of 2009, 36.7% of our revenue from continuing operations was produced from operations in Mexico, 7.7% from the United States, 30.3% from Canada, and 25.3% from Asia. During the first nine months of 2008, 42.3% of our revenue was produced from operations in Mexico, 10.0% from the United States, 31.9% from Canada, and 15.8% from Asia. Operations in Asia were ramping in the first half of 2008 as this business was transitioned from Mexico to Asia.

The Company operates in a highly competitive and dynamic marketplace in which current and prospective customers from time to time seek to lower their costs through a competitive tendering process among EMS providers. This process creates an opportunity to increase revenue to the extent we are successful in the tender process; however there is also the potential for revenue to decline to the extent we are unsuccessful in this process. Furthermore, even if we are successful, there is potential for our margins to decline. If we lose any of the larger product lines manufactured for any one of our customers, we could experience declines in revenue.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased $2.1 million from $13.8 million, or 9.1% of revenue, for the first nine months of 2008 to $11.7 million, or 9.1% of revenue, for the first nine months of 2009. The decrease in the gross margin in the first nine months of 2009 is largely due to reduced revenue which has been somewhat mitigated by improved efficiency as a result of cost containment initiatives.

The Company adjusts for estimated obsolete or excess inventory for the difference between the cost of inventory and estimated realizable value based upon customer forecasts, shrinkage, the aging and future demand of the inventory, past experience with specific customers and the ability to sell back inventory to customers or suppliers. If these estimates change, additional write-downs may be required.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.2 million from $9.6 million, or 6.3% of revenue, for the first nine months of 2008 to $9.4 million, or 7.3% of revenue, for the first nine months of 2009. The decrease in 2009 is largely related to cost containment measures that were somewhat offset by higher legal and other professional fees.

The Company determines the allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated credit losses based on the length of time the receivables have been outstanding, customer and industry concentrations, the current business environment and historical experience.

Restructuring Charges

In the first nine months of 2009 the Company recorded restructuring charges of $0.8 million, consisting of severance charges of $0.5 million in the Mexican segment, $0.3 million in the Canadian segment and a nominal amount in the U.S. segment. The Company reduced staff levels by approximately 160 in response to expected lower revenues resulting from the global economic recession.

The Company recorded a restructuring recovery in the first quarter of 2008, consisting of a dividend of $0.2 million from the liquidation of the Company’s Donegal, Ireland facility, which was initiated under the Company’s restructuring plan of 2002. In the second quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $0.6 million, consisting of severance charges at our Chihuahua facility. The Company reduced approximately 250 full time and 100 temporary staff as a result of the planned movement of production to the Company’s China facility.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

Upon the early repayment of the Company’s existing term debt during the third quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a non-cash charge to expense the remaining unamortized deferred financing costs related to these extinguished debt instruments of $0.6 million.

 

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Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $0.9 million from $2.2 million for the first nine months of 2008 to $1.3 million for the first nine months of 2009, resulting from reduced average debt levels and reduced interest rates due to market rate reductions and a recovery of interest from prior periods. Interest expense for the first nine months of 2009 includes amortization of deferred financing fees of $0.2 million, compared to $0.3 million in the first nine months of 2008. Excluding the amortization of deferred financing fees, and the reduction in interest expense related to the recovery, interest expense was $1.1 million for the first nine months of 2009 and $1.9 million for the first nine months of 2008. The weighted average interest rates with respect to the debt for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008 were 5.3% and 6.6%, respectively.

Income Tax Expense

During the first nine months of 2009, the Company recorded a net income tax expense of $0.2 million, compared with a net income tax expense of $0.2 million during the first nine months of 2008, related to minimum taxes in certain jurisdictions, offset by foreign exchange revaluation.

At January 4, 2009, the Company had total net operating loss (“NOL”) carry-forwards of approximately $88.2 million, of which $2.0 million will expire in 2010, $1.3 million will expire in 2012, $8.4 million will expire in 2014, $3.4 million will expire in 2015, $1.1 million will expire in 2018, $0.1 million will expire in 2019, $42.0 million will expire in 2021, and the remainder will expire between 2023 and 2028.

The Company had $0.3 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits at October 4, 2009 and January 5, 2009, which if recognized, would favorably impact the Company’s effective rate in future periods. The Company does not expect that any of the unrecognized tax benefits, which relate to uncertain tax positions, will decrease during the next twelve months.

Tax years 2001 to 2009 remain open for review by the tax authorities in Canada. Tax years 2003 to 2009 remain open in the United States. In addition, 2001 contains an NOL that could potentially be carried forward and therefore remains open to the extent of the NOL.

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, change of control limitations, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. FASB guidance ASC 740 states that forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed is difficult when there is negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years in the jurisdictions to which the deferred tax assets relate. At the end of the second quarter of 2003, the Company concluded that given the weakness and uncertainly in the economic environment at that time, it was appropriate to establish a full valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets. Commencing in 2004, it was determined by management that it was more likely than not that the deferred tax assets associated with the Mexican jurisdiction would be realized and no valuation allowance has been recorded against these deferred tax assets since 2004. The U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions continue to have a full valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax assets in those jurisdictions.

Discontinued Operations

In June 2009, the Company ceased manufacturing operations at its Boston, Massachusetts facility. The Company entered into an agreement with the landlord to terminate the existing lease and conducted a sale of plant equipment. As of July 5, 2009, the Boston facility was classified as a discontinued operation and its results of operations have been separately reported for all periods presented.

Loss from discontinued operations before disposal was $3.4 million in the first nine months of 2009, compared with $6.5 million in the same period of 2008, which included a $4.9 million impairment charge on leasehold improvements and $0.2 million in severance costs.

The $2.4 million loss on disposal recorded in the nine months ended October 4, 2009 consists largely of the settlement under the lease termination agreement, severance costs and other contracted facility exit costs, somewhat offset by a gain on disposal of fixed assets. The Company expects to record further disposal costs in the remainder of fiscal 2009, consisting of salaries for remaining employees retained beyond October 4, 2009.

Liquidity

Net cash used in operating activities during the nine months ended October 4, 2009 was $3.3 million. The use of cash resulted from losses in Boston, a reduction in accounts payable, and an increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by a decrease in inventory and the gain on sale of property, plant and equipment in Boston. The decrease in accounts payable and inventory was due to reduced revenue levels. Accounts receivable days sales outstanding were 64 and 55 days for the nine months ended October 4, 2009

 

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and September 28, 2008, largely impacted by timing of shipments at the end of the third quarter of 2009. Inventory turnover, on an annualized basis was 5.7 times for the nine months ended October 4, 2009 and compared to 4.5 times for the nine months ended September 28, 2008. Accounts payable days outstanding were 70 days at the end of the third quarter of 2009 compared to 80 days for the same period in 2008.

Net cash provided in financing activities during the nine months ended October 4, 2009 was $1.2 million and net cash used in the nine months ended September 28, 2008 was $2.7 million. During the nine months ended October 4, 2009, the Company’s net debt increased $2.6 million, while during the same period in 2008 the Company used $1.8 million for repayment of debt. Cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended October 4, 2009 included a $1.2 million repayment of capital lease obligations as a result of the disposition of property, plant and equipment in Boston.

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended October 4, 2009 was $0.2 million compared to $0.7 million in the nine months ended September 28, 2008. During the nine months ended October 4, 2009, additions of property, plant and equipment of $1.0 million were partially offset by $0.8 million provided by proceeds on the disposition of property, plant and equipment in Boston while cash used in the nine months ended September 28, 2008 consisted of net additions of property, plant and equipment.

Aside from settling accrued liabilities, expected future cash outflows related to the disposal of the Boston discontinued operation will consist of salaries of a small number of employees retained beyond October 4, 2009. After the closure of the Boston site we expect to have positive future cash from operating activities as losses at this facility will have ceased. All accruals related to the disposal of the Boston facility are expected to be settled by the second quarter of 2010.

Capital Resources

On April 2, 2009, the Company and its lenders amended the lending agreements to revise the EBITDA and leverage covenants and eliminate the fixed charge coverage ratio for the five quarters beginning January 5, 2009 and including the first quarter of the 2010 fiscal period. The interest rates were increased by 200 basis points. On August 4, 2009, a further amendment was obtained, effectively extending the terms of the April agreement to July 2010. The Company was in compliance with the required financial covenants as of October 4, 2009.

The Company is in the preliminary stages of negotiating revised financial covenants for the remainder of 2010. The current covenants effectively expire on July 10, 2010 at which time a fixed coverage charge is reinstated not to exceed 1.25. The Lenders and the Company are required to renegotiate the covenants by July 10, 2010 or the fixed coverage charge becomes effective. Based on the Company’s current projections, it is possible that the Company would not be in compliance with the fixed coverage charge for the quarter ended October 3, 2010. Although the Company expects to successfully amend its financial covenants, if the Company is not able to do so the Company could be in violation of its revolving credit facility agreement at that time. In the event the Company is unable to amend the required financial covenants or obtain alternative financing, the Company may be unable to access credit and its debt obligations could become accelerated. These events would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company.

We believe that cash generated from operations, available cash and amounts available under our Wachovia EDC Facilities and additional financing sources such as leasing companies and other lenders will be adequate to meet our debt service requirements, capital expenditures and working capital needs at our current level of operations and organic growth in the future, although no assurance can be given in this regard, particularly with respect to amounts available from lenders. We have agreed to a borrowing base formula under which the amount we are permitted to borrow under the Wachovia EDC Facilities is based on our accounts receivable and inventory. Further, there can be no assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to enable us to service our indebtedness. Our future operating performance and ability to service indebtedness will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, certain of which are beyond our control.

During the nine months ended October 4, 2009, there were no additions of property, plant and equipment acquired via capital leases.

 

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Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Our credit facilities bear interest at floating rates. The weighted average interest rate incurred on debt for the quarter ended October 4, 2009 was 5.5%. At October 4, 2009, the interest rate on our U.S. revolving credit facility is 5.25% based on the U.S. prime rate; our U.S. term debt bore interest at 5.76% based on LIBOR and our Canadian term debt bore interest at 6.25% based on LIBOR. If base rates increased by 10%, our interest expense would have increased by approximately $0.1 million annually.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Most of our sales and component purchases are denominated in U.S. dollars. Our Canadian and Mexican payroll, Euro based component purchases and other various expenses are denominated in local currencies. As a result, we have limited exposure to foreign currency exchange risk for modest changes in exchange rates. However, for more significant changes in exchange rates, the Company is subject to much greater variations. Every $0.01 change in the US dollar results in a change in expenses of approximately $0.2 million. The strengthening of the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso results in an increase in costs to the organization and may lead to a reduction in reported earnings.

 

Item 4T Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have conducted an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on their evaluation, the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and the Company’s Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls and Procedures

There was no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect these controls identified in connection with the most recent evaluation of these controls by the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

Part II OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A Risk Factors

Other than with respect to the risk factors below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 4, 2009. The three risk factors below were disclosed on the Form 10-K and have been updated to provide revised information as of October 4, 2009.

A majority of our revenue comes from a small number of customers; if we lose any of our larger customers, our revenue could decline significantly.

We operate in a highly competitive and dynamic marketplace in which current and prospective customers often seek to lower their costs through a competitive bidding process among EMS providers. This process creates an opportunity to increase revenue to the extent we are successful in the bidding process, however, there is also the potential for revenue decline to the extent we are unsuccessful in the process. Furthermore, even if we are successful, there is the potential for our margins to decrease.

Four of our largest customers represented 23.8%, 16.8%, 13.9% and 13.5% of total revenue from continuing operations for the three months ended October 4, 2009, respectively. For the third quarter of 2009, our top ten largest customers (which includes the four largest customers) collectively represented 95.0% of our total revenue from continuing operations. We expect to continue to depend upon a relatively small number of customers for a significant percentage of our revenue. In addition to having a limited number of customers, we manufacture a limited number of products for each of our customers. If we lose any of our largest customers or any product line manufactured for one of our largest customers, we could experience a significant reduction in our revenue. Also, the insolvency of one or more of our largest customers or the inability of one or more of our largest customers to pay for its orders could decrease revenue. As many of our costs and operating expenses are relatively fixed, a reduction in net revenue can decrease our profit margins and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and severely limit our ability to plan for or respond to changes in our business.

On April 2, 2009, the Company and its lenders amended the lending agreements to revise the EBITDA and leverage covenants and eliminate the fixed charge coverage ratio for the five quarters beginning January 5, 2009 and including the first quarter of the 2010 fiscal period. The interest rates were increased by 200 basis points. On August 4, 2009, the Company and its lenders agreed to extend the terms of this amendment a further quarter to July 10, 2010. The Company was in compliance with the covenants as of the end of the third quarter, accordingly, the outstanding balances under the lending agreements continue to be classified as long-term. The Company is in the preliminary stages of negotiating revised financial covenants for the remainder of 2010. The current covenants effectively expire on July 10, 2010 at which time a fixed coverage charge is reinstated not to exceed 1.25. The Lenders and the Company are required to renegotiate the covenants by July 10, 2010 or the fixed coverage charge becomes effective. Based on the Company’s current projections, it is possible that the Company will not be in compliance with the fixed coverage charge for the quarter ended October 3, 2010. Although the Company expects to successfully amend its financial covenants, if the Company is not able to do so, the Company could be in violation of its revolving credit facility agreement at that time. In the event the Company is unable to amend the required financial covenants or obtain alternative financing, the Company may be unable to access credit and its debt obligations could become accelerated. These events would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Our debt under the Wachovia EDC Facilities could have adverse consequences for our business, including:

 

   

We will be more vulnerable to adverse general economic conditions.

 

   

We will be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to repayment of debt, limiting the availability of cash for other purposes.

 

   

We may have difficulty obtaining financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes.

 

   

We may have limited flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry.

 

   

We could be limited in our borrowing of additional funds and making strategic investments by restrictive covenants and the borrowing base formula in our credit arrangements.

 

   

We may fail to comply with covenants under which we borrowed our indebtedness, including various financial covenants under our Wachovia EDC Facilities. These covenants, applicable to specific twelve month rolling periods, include (i) a minimum consolidated EBITDA target, (ii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, (iii) a maximum total debt to EBITDA ratio, and (iv) maximum capital expenditures. Our failure to comply with covenants could result in an event of default. If an event of default occurs and is not cured or waived, it could result in all amounts outstanding, together with accrued interest, becoming immediately due and payable. If we were unable to repay such amounts, our lenders could proceed against any collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. There can be no assurance that we will maintain compliance with the covenants under the Wachovia EDC Facilities.

 

   

Our Wachovia EDC Facilities contains subjective acceleration clauses. There can be no assurance that the lender will not exercise their rights to accelerate repayment under the terms of the agreement.

There can be no assurance that our leverage and such restrictions will not materially adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities. In addition, our ability to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness to meet our financial and restrictive covenants and to satisfy our other debt obligations will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, certain of which are beyond our control, as well as the availability of revolving credit borrowings under the Wachovia EDC Facilities or successor facilities.

We are involved in various legal proceedings, including recent litigation in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas (Austin Division).

In the past, we have been notified of claims relating to various matters including intellectual property rights, contractual matters or other issues arising in the ordinary course of business. In the event of such a claim, we may be required to spend a significant amount of money to defend or otherwise address the claim.

Specifically, a lawsuit was brought against us and certain of our subsidiaries in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas (Austin Division) by Ronald E. Ingalls, Chapter 7 Trustee, who claims that SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of Texas made fraudulent transfers of funds to certain subsidiaries of the Company despite having had reasonable cause to believe that it was insolvent. Management believes that the allegations in these claims are without merit and has defended and will continue to defend against them vigorously. This case was heard in March 2009 before the Honorable Craig A. Gargotta, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge. Judgment in favor of SMTC was issued by Judge Gargotta on September 11, 2009 with all claims dismissed. An appeal was filed and subsequently withdrawn by the plaintiff. There are no further appeals available.

 

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In general, any litigation, even where a claim is without merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. Accordingly, the resolution or adjudication of such disputes, even those encountered in the ordinary course of business, could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

 

Item 6 Exhibits

 

31.1   Certification of John Caldwell pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated November 12, 2009.
31.2   Certification of Jane Todd pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated November 12, 2009.
32.1   Certification of John Caldwell, pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated November 12, 2009.
32.2   Certification of Jane Todd, pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated November 12, 2009.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

SMTC CORPORATION
By:  

/S/    JOHN CALDWELL        

Name:   John Caldwell
Title:   President and CEO
By  

/S/    JANE TODD        

Name:   Jane Todd
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 12, 2009

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

31.1   Certification of John Caldwell pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated November 12, 2009.
31.2   Certification of Jane Todd pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated November 12, 2009.
32.1   Certification of John Caldwell, pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated November 12, 2009.
32.2   Certification of Jane Todd, pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated November 12, 2009.

 

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