-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, UbE8Au7rmvXkSU9Msxfigl6rCZea64/Y/N6ls4zlLrkQx3lQABt8hxXDNrPyDDxI zynQsRZWrfntp28Pa6Nhlw== 0000893220-08-000225.txt : 20080205 0000893220-08-000225.hdr.sgml : 20080205 20080205164115 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000893220-08-000225 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080130 ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Triggering Events That Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement ITEM INFORMATION: Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing ITEM INFORMATION: Changes in Registrant.s Certifying Accountant ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080205 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080205 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ENVIRONMENTAL TECTONICS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000033113 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES [3690] IRS NUMBER: 231714256 STATE OF INCORPORATION: PA FISCAL YEAR END: 0225 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-10655 FILM NUMBER: 08577380 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: COUNTY LINE INDUSTRIAL PARK CITY: SOUTHAMPTON STATE: PA ZIP: 18966 BUSINESS PHONE: 2153559100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: COUNTYLINE INDUSTRIAL PARK CITY: SOUTHAMPTON STATE: PA ZIP: 18966 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19730208 8-K 1 w48034e8vk.htm ENVIRONMENTAL TECTONICS CORPORATION e8vk
 

 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Earliest Event Reported
January 30, 2008
Environmental Tectonics Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation of organization)
     
1-10655
(Commission File Number)
  23-1714256
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
     
County Line Industrial Park
Southampton, Pennsylvania
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
18966
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (215) 355-9100
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2):
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

Item 2.03.   Creation of Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
Item 2.04.   Triggering Events that Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement.
     On July 31, 2007, Environmental Tectonics Corporation (the “Company”) completed a refinancing (the “Refinancing”) of its indebtedness with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) in the aggregate amount of up to $15,000,000. In connection with the Refinancing, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with PNC. The terms of the Credit Agreement and the related documents are described in a Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 31, 2007 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2007.
     As previously disclosed, on November 14, 2007, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, in consultation with management, determined that the Company will need to restate previously issued consolidated financial statements for prior periods, including the periods ended November 24, 2006 and February 23, 2007, due to errors in accounting with respect to accounts receivable related to the carrying value of a claims receivable booked in connection with a contract with the Department of the Navy for a submarine decompression chamber project.
     As a result of the proposed restatement, the Company was in breach of the representation and warranty contained in Section 7(a) of the Credit Agreement with respect to its previously delivered financial statements as set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007. This breach constituted an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement and related documents. In addition, the proposed restatement caused the Company to be in breach of the Consolidated Tangible Net Worth covenant set forth in the Credit Agreement. As the Company previously disclosed, PNC waived the Financial Statement Default (and any comparable default in respect of the Company’s financial statements as of any prior fiscal period), provided that the Company delivered to PNC its restated financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007 no later than January 31, 2008. PNC also waived the Net Worth Covenant Default as of February 23, 2007.
     On January 31, 2008, PNC agreed to extend the date on which the Company is required to deliver to PNC its restated financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007 to no later than May 31, 2008 and amended the Credit Agreement to modify the fees charged by PNC for letters of credit. A copy of the waiver and amendment is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.
     The foregoing extension does not obligate PNC to grant any future extension for the date on which the Company must deliver its restated financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007.
     On February 5, 2008, the Company issued a press release disclosing the extension of the PNC waiver. A copy of this press release in attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

2


 

Item 3.01.   Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.
     On January 30, 2008, the Company received a letter from the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) stating that the Company was not in compliance with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide as a result of the Company’s failure to file its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for (i) the first fiscal quarter ended May 25, 2007, (ii) the second fiscal quarter ended August 24, 2007, and (iii) the third fiscal quarter ended November 23, 2007. The non-compliance by the Company with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide makes the Company’s common stock subject to being delisted from AMEX and AMEX has notified the Company that it intends to initiate delisting proceedings.
     In August 2007, the Company had submitted a plan to AMEX advising AMEX of the actions that it intended to take to bring the Company into compliance with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide by January 17, 2008. In September 2007, AMEX notified the Company that AMEX had accepted the Company’s plan to regain compliance with AMEX’s continued listing standards, and that the Company’s listing would be continued until January 17, 2008. In October 2007, the Company received an additional letter of non-compliance from AMEX in connection with the Company’s failure to timely file the second quarter Quarterly Report. In the October letter, AMEX informed the Company that it was not required to submit an additional plan of compliance in connection with its failure to file the Second Quarter Quarterly Report.
     As the Company previously disclosed, it has not been in a position to file its first, second or third quarter Quarterly Reports timely due to, among other things, the resignation of its auditors on November 28, 2007. On January 30, 2008, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company engaged Friedman LLP as the Company’s registered public accounting firm for the Company, and is working to become current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s failure to file its quarterly reports timely has resulted in non-compliance with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide.
     The Company intends to file an appeal of AMEX’s determination and request a hearing before an AMEX Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Qualifications Panel”). The appeal will ordinarily stay the delisting of the Company’s common stock pending a hearing date and the decision of the Qualifications Panel. The time and location of the hearing will be determined by AMEX but is expected to occur within 45 days after the hearing is requested. There can be no assurance that the Company’s request for continued listing on AMEX will be granted. If the Qualifications Panel does not grant the relief requested by the Company, its common stock will be delisted from AMEX. If the Company’s common stock is delisted, the Company expects that its common stock would be quoted on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board if the Company is current in its SEC reports at the time of delisting. Otherwise, it is expected that the Company’s common stock would be quoted on the Pink Sheets.
     An indicator has been added to the Company’s trading symbol noting the Company’s non-compliance with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide until such time as the Company regains compliance with the applicable listing standards.

3


 

     A copy of the press release issued by the Company on February 5, 2008 disclosing the Company’s receipt of the letter of non-compliance from AMEX is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.01.   Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
     On January 30, 2008, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company engaged Friedman LLP as the Company’s registered public accounting firm.
     During the two most recent fiscal years and any subsequent interim period prior to engaging Friedman LLP, Friedman LLP was not engaged as the principal accountant of the Company to audit its financial statements nor did the Company consult with Friedman LLP regarding (1) the application of accounting principles to any completed or proposed transaction, (2) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements for such periods, or (3) any other accounting, auditing, or financial reporting matter described in Items 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.
Item 8.01.   Other Events.
     The Company purchases industrial products from Industrial Instruments Corp. which is owned by Christine and Charles Walter, the daughter and son-in-law of William F. Mitchell, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. During fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company purchased $265,092, $380,461 and $348,344, respectively, from Industrial Instruments. The Company also rents office space to Industrial Instruments at the Company’s corporate headquarters. During fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005, Industrial Instruments paid to the Company rent in the amounts of $7,750, $9,000 and $9,000, respectively.
     The Company purchases travel accommodations from Jet Set, a company that employs Kathleen Mahon, the daughter of Mr. Mitchell. During fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company purchased travel through Jet Set totaling $217,492, $231,116 and $316,959, respectively, and Ms. Mahon received approximately $12,000 from her employer in each fiscal period in commissions on account of such purchases. Ms. Mahon is also engaged by the Company as a consultant to review expense reports submitted by Company employees. During fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005, Ms. Mahon received $10,455, $10,450 and $12,540, respectively in consideration of such services.
     The Company also employs William F. Mitchell, Jr., the son of Mr. Mitchell, as its Vice President, Contracts/Purchasing. In fiscal 2005, Mr. Mitchell received $127,292 in compensation from the Company.
Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
     (d) Exhibits.

4


 

     The following exhibits are furnished or filed in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
         
       
 
  10.1    
Credit Agreement and Waiver and Amendment between the PNC and the Company, dated January 31, 2008.
       
 
  99.1    
Press Release dated February 5, 2008
       
 
  99.2    
Press Release dated February 5, 2008.

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  ENVIRONMENTAL TECTONICS CORPORATION
Registrant
 
 
Date: February 5, 2008  By   /s/ Duane D. Deaner    
    Duane D. Deaner   
    Chief Financial Officer   

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EXHIBIT INDEX
         
       
 
  10.1    
Credit Agreement Waiver and Amendment between PNC and the Company, dated January 31, 2008.
       
 
  99.1    
Press Release dated February 5, 2008.
       
 
  99.2    
Press Release dated February 5, 2008.

7

EX-10.1 2 w48034exv10w1.htm CREDIT AGREEMENT WAIVER AND AMENDMENT exv10w1
 

Exhibit 10.1
January 29, 2008
     PNC
Environmental Tectonics Corporation
County Line Industrial Park
125 James Way
Southampton, PA 18966-3817
Attention: Duane Deaner, CFO
     Re: Credit Agreement Waiver and Amendment
Dear Mr. Deaner:
     Reference is made to the Letter Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007 (the “Credit Agreement”), between Environmental Tectonics Corporation (the “Borrower”) and PNC Bank, National Association (the “Bank”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.
     The Borrower has previously advised the Bank that it will be required to restate its Financial Statements for its fiscal year ended February 23, 2007, and possibly for prior periods, due to the failure to establish reserves against its accounts receivable in respect of a particular contract claim against the Department of the Navy. Accordingly, the Borrower was in breach of the representation and warranty contained in Section 7(a) of the Credit Agreement with respect to its previously delivered Financial Statements as of February 23, 2007 because such Financial Statements were not true, complete and accurate in all material respects and did not fairly present the financial condition, assets and liabilities of the Borrower as of the date thereof. Such breach constituted an Event of Default under the Loan Documents (the “Financial Statement Default”). Pursuant to the Borrower’s request, in its letter to the Borrower dated November 21, 2007, the Bank waived the Financial Statement Default (and any comparable default in respect of Financial Statements as of any prior fiscal period), provided that the Borrower delivered to the Bank its restated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007 no later than January 31, 2008 (the “Financial Statement Delivery Date”). The Borrower has requested that the Financial Statement Delivery Date be extended to May 31, 2008 to enable the Borrower to complete such restated Financial Statements. The Bank hereby agrees that the Financial Statement Delivery Date is changed to May 31, 2008. Failure to deliver such Financial Statements by the Financial’ Statement Delivery Date as so changed shall constitute an Event of Default. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing shall not be deemed to operate as a, or obligate the Bank to grant any, further extension of the Financial Statement Delivery Date.
     The Bank has also agreed, at the Borrower’s request, to amend the provisions of Section 1 of the Credit Agreement to provide that the fee on each Existing Letter of Credit, which has been or is renewed after July 31, 2007, shall, effective as of the date of such renewal, be charged at the rate of .90% per annum as if it were a Letter of Credit issued after July 31, 2007. All letters of credit will continue to be subject to the bank’s minimum commission charge. This amendment shall be given retroactive effect to the extent applicable.

8


 

Environmental Tectonics Corporation
January 29, 2008
Page 2
     Finally, in consideration of the foregoing agreements, the Borrower agrees to pay the Bank on the date hereof a fee in the amount of $5,000.
     Please acknowledge your agreement to the foregoing by signing and returning the enclosed copy of this letter.
         
  Sincerely,

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ John M. DiNapoli    
    John M. DiNapoli   
    Senior Vice President   
 
cc: H. F. Lenfest, as Guarantor
Acknowledged and agreed:
ENVIRONMENTAL TECTONICS CORPORATION
         
By:
  /s/ Duane D. Deaner
 
    
 
  Name: Duane D. Deaner    
 
  Title:  Chief Financial Officer    

9

EX-99.1 3 w48034exv99w1.htm PRESS RELEASE exv99w1
 

Exhibit 99.1
ENVIRONMENTAL TECTONICS CORPORATION
RECEIVES EXTENSION OF BANK DEFAULT WAIVER, ENGAGES NEW AUDITORS
     Southampton, PA, February 5, 2008 — Environmental Tectonics Corporation (AMEX: ETC) (“ETC” or the “Company”) today announced that on January 31, 2008, it had received an extension (the “Extension”) on its credit agreement waiver, originally received November 21, 2007, from PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), which extends the waiver to May 31, 2008. This extension agreement requires ETC to deliver to PNC its restated financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007 no later than May 31, 2008.
     On July 31, 2007, ETC completed a refinancing (the “Refinancing”) of its indebtedness with PNC in the aggregate amount of up to $15,000,000. In connection with the Refinancing, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with PNC. The terms of the Credit Agreement and the related documents are described in a Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 31, 2007 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2007.
     As previously disclosed on November 14, 2007, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, in consultation with management, determined that the Company would need to restate its previously issued consolidated financial statements for prior periods, including the periods ended November 24, 2006 and February 23, 2007, due to errors in accounting with respect to accounts receivable related to the carrying value of a claims receivable booked in connection with a contract with the Department of the Navy for a submarine decompression chamber project.
     As a result of the proposed restatement, the Company was in breach of the representation and warranty contained in Section 7(a) of the Credit Agreement with respect to its previously delivered financial statements as set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007. This breach constituted an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement and related documents. In addition, the proposed restatement caused the Company to be in breach of the Consolidated Tangible Net Worth covenant set forth in the Credit Agreement. As the Company previously disclosed, PNC waived the Financial Statement Default (and any comparable default in respect of the Company’s financial statements as of any prior fiscal period), provided that the Company delivered to PNC its restated financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007 no later than January 31, 2008. PNC also waived the Net Worth Covenant Default as of February 23, 2007.
     The Extension does not obligate PNC to grant any future extension for the date on which the Company must deliver its restated financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007.
     Additionally, on January 30, 2008, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company engaged Friedman LLP as the Company’s registered public accounting firm for the Company.

10


 

     ETC designs, develops, installs and maintains aircrew training systems (aeromedical, tactical combat and general), disaster management training systems and services, entertainment products, sterilizers (steam and gas), environmental testing products, hyperbaric chambers and related products for domestic and international customers.
     This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any other future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to ETC’s vision, mission, strategies, goals, beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, intentions, financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business of ETC, including but not limited to, (i) projections of revenue, costs of raw materials, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, capital expenditures, growth prospects, dividends, capital structure, other financial items and the effects of currency fluctuations, (ii) statements of plans and objectives of ETC or its management or Board of Directors, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions of customers, suppliers, competitors or regulatory authorities, (iii) statements of future economic performance, (iv) statements of assumptions and other statements about ETC or its business, (v) statements made about the possible outcomes of litigation involving ETC, and (vi) statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “may”, “could”, “should”, “looking forward”, “would”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, or the negative of such terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which are subject to change based on various important factors. Some of these risks and uncertainties, in whole or in part, are beyond ETC’s control. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a material difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other public documents, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007. Shareholders are urged to review these risks carefully prior to making an investment in the ETC’s common stock.
     The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. ETC does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of ETC.
Contact: Duane D. Deaner, CFO Tel: 215-355-9100 (ext. 1203)   Fax: 215-357-4000
ETC — Internet Home Page:          http://www.etcusa.com

11

EX-99.2 4 w48034exv99w2.htm PRESS RELEASE exv99w2
 

Exhibit 99.2
ENVIRONMENTAL TECTONICS CORPORATION
REPORTS RECEIPT OF NON-COMPLIANCE AND INITIATION OF DELISTING PROCEEDINGS NOTICE FROM AMEX
Company Intends to Appeal Action
     Southampton, PA, February 5, 2008 — Environmental Tectonics Corporation (AMEX: ETC) (“ETC” or the “Company”) today announced that it has received a letter from the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) stating that the Company was not in compliance with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide as a result of the Company’s failure to file its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for (i) the first fiscal quarter ended May 25, 2007, (ii) the second fiscal quarter ended August 24, 2007, and (iii) the third fiscal quarter ended November 23, 2007. The non-compliance by the Company with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide makes the Company’s common stock subject to being delisted from AMEX and AMEX has notified the Company that it intends to initiate delisting proceedings.
     In August 2007, the Company had submitted a plan to AMEX advising AMEX of the actions that it intended to take to bring the Company into compliance with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide by January 17, 2008. In September 2007, AMEX notified the Company that AMEX had accepted the Company’s plan to regain compliance with AMEX’s continued listing standards, and that the Company’s listing would be continued until January 17, 2008. In October 2007, the Company received an additional letter of non-compliance from AMEX in connection with the Company’s failure to timely file the Second Quarter Quarterly Report. In the October letter, AMEX informed the Company that it was not required to submit an additional plan of compliance in connection with its failure to file the second quarter Quarterly Report.
     As the Company previously disclosed, it has not been in a position to file its first, second or third Quarterly Reports timely due to, among other things, the resignation of its auditors on November 28, 2007. On January 30, 2008, the Company engaged Friedman LLP as the Company’s registered public accounting firm for the Company and is working to become current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s failure to file its quarterly reports timely has resulted in non-compliance with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide.
     The Company intends to file an appeal of AMEX’s determination and request a hearing before an AMEX Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Qualifications Panel”). The appeal will ordinarily stay the delisting of the Company’s common stock pending a hearing date and the decision of the Qualifications Panel. The time and location of the hearing will be determined by AMEX but is expected to occur within 45 days after the hearing is requested. There can be no assurance that the Company’s request for continued listing on AMEX will be granted. If the Qualifications Panel does not grant the relief requested by the Company, its common stock will be delisted from AMEX. If the Company’s common stock is delisted, the Company expects that its common stock would be quoted on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board if the Company is current in its SEC reports at the time of delisting. Otherwise, it is expected that the Company’s common stock would be quoted on the Pink Sheets.
     An indicator has been added to the Company’s trading symbol noting the Company’s non-compliance with Sections 134 and 1101 of the AMEX Company Guide until such time as the Company regains compliance with the applicable listing standards.
     ETC designs, develops, installs and maintains aircrew training systems (aeromedical, tactical combat and general), disaster management training systems and services, entertainment products, sterilizers (steam and gas), environmental testing products, hyperbaric chambers and related products for domestic and international customers.
     This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any other future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to ETC’s vision, mission, strategies, goals, beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, intentions, financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business of ETC, including but not limited to, (i) projections of revenue, costs of raw materials, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, capital expenditures, growth prospects, dividends, capital structure, other financial items and the effects of currency fluctuations, (ii) statements of plans and objectives of ETC or its management or Board of Directors, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions of customers, suppliers, competitors or regulatory authorities, (iii) statements of future economic performance, (iv) statements of assumptions and other statements about ETC or its business, (v) statements made about the possible outcomes of litigation involving ETC, and (vi) statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “may”, “could”, “should”, “looking forward”, “would”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, or the negative of such terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which are subject to change based on various important factors. Some of these risks and uncertainties, in whole or in part, are beyond ETC’s control.

12


 

Factors that might cause or contribute to such a material difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other public documents, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 23, 2007. Shareholders are urged to review these risks carefully prior to making an investment in the ETC’s common stock.
     The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. ETC does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of ETC.
Contact: Duane D. Deaner, CFO Tel: 215-355-9100 (ext. 1203)   Fax: 215-357-4000
ETC — Internet Home Page:          http://www.etcusa.com

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