Note 12 - Segment and Related Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

12. SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION

The Company's four business units have a common management team and infrastructure. The indicators and gauges unit has different technologies and customers than the other business units. Therefore, the business units have been aggregated into two reportable segments: 1.) indicators and gauges and 2.) automotive related diagnostic tools and equipment. The Company's management evaluates segment performance based primarily on operating earnings before taxes. Non-operating items such as interest income and interest expense are included in general corporate expenses. Depreciation expense on assets used in manufacturing are considered part of each segment's operating performance. Depreciation expense on non-manufacturing assets are included in general corporate expenses.

Indicators and Gauges 

This segment consists of products manufactured and sold primarily to companies in the aircraft and locomotive industry. Within the aircraft market, the primary customers are those companies that manufacture or service business and pleasure aircraft. Within the locomotive market, indicators and gauges are sold to both original equipment manufacturers and to operators of railroad equipment.

Automotive Diagnostic Tools and Equipment 

This segment consists primarily of products designed and manufactured to support the testing or servicing of automotive systems using electronic means to measure vehicle parameters. These products are sold to OEMs and to the aftermarket using several brand names and a variety of distribution methods. Included in this segment are products used for state required testing of vehicle emissions.

Information by industry segment is set forth below: 

Years Ended September 30,		2013			2012			2011
Net Sales
	Indicators and Gauges	$	1,657,725		$	1,612,943		$	1,253,975
	Automotive Diagnostic Tools and Equipment		4,808,447			3,148,346			3,814,638
		$	6,466,172		$	4,761,289		$	5,068,613
Income (Loss) Before Provision for Income Taxes
	Indicators and Gauges	$	433,361		$	271,343		$	94,178
	Automotive Diagnostic Tools and Equipment		834,630			(78,433	)		229,355
	General Corporate Expenses		(1,129,186	)		(976,876	)		(996,068	)
		$	138,805		$	(783,966	)	$	(672,535	)

Asset Information :

Years Ended September 30,		2013		2012
Identifiable Assets
	Indicators and Gauges	$	898,555	$	850,186
	Automotive Diagnostic Tools and Equipment		1,327,932		1,586,634
	Corporate		1,278,196		769,151
		$	3,504,683	$	3,205,971

Geographical Information : 

Included in the consolidated financial statements are the following amounts related to geographic locations:

Years Ended September 30,		2013		2012		2011
Revenue:
	United States of America	$	6,317,722	$	4,598,029	$	4,854,871
	Australia		23,481		14,018		26,945
	Canada		77,239		72,535		119,667
	England		5,245		-		28,924
	Mexico		16,640		36,960		23,520
	Taiwan		22,481		34,935		-
	Other foreign countries		3,364		4,812		14,686
		$	6,466,172	$	4,761,289	$	5,068,613

All export sales to Australia, Canada, England, Mexico, Taiwan and other foreign countries are made in United States of America Dollars.