SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for the interim periods have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the financial information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements, although we believe the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest shareholders’ annual report on Form 10-K.  The operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year or for any other interim period.  In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  In preparing these consolidated financial statements, we have made our best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the consolidated financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality.  Changes in the estimates and assumptions used by us could have a significant impact on our financial results, since actual results could differ from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nortech Systems Incorporated and its wholly owned subsidiary, Manufacturing Assembly Solutions of Monterrey, Inc.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue upon shipment of manufactured products to customers, when title has passed, all contractual obligations have been satisfied and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. We also provide engineering services separate from the manufacture of a product. Revenue for engineering services is recognized upon completion of the engineering process, providing standalone fair value to our customers. Our engineering services are short-term in nature. In addition, we have another separate source of revenue that comes from short-term repair services, which are recognized upon completion of the repairs and shipment of product back to the customer.  Shipping and handling costs charged to our customers are included in net sales, while the corresponding shipping expenses are included in cost of goods sold.

Stock Options

Stock Options

Following is the status of all stock options as of March 31, 2013, including changes during the three-month period then ended:

	Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding - January 1, 2013	288,750		$	7.19
Granted	29,000		$	3.20
Cancelled	(50,000	)	$	7.22
Outstanding - March 31, 2013	267,750		$	6.75	3.53	$	3,190
Exercisable - March 31, 2013	238,750		$	7.19	2.76	$	—

There were no options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.  The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $1.65 per share.  There were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Total compensation expense related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $3,781 and $0, respectively.  As of March 31, 2013, there was approximately $44,000 of unrecognized compensation related to unvested option awards that we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.87 years.

Equity Appreciation Rights Plan

Equity Appreciation Rights Plan

In November 2010, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of the Nortech Systems Incorporated Equity Appreciation Rights Plan (the “2010 Plan”).  The total number of Equity Appreciation Right Units (Units) the Plan can issue shall not exceed an aggregate of 750,000 Units.  The 2010 Plan provides that Units issued shall fully vest three years from the base date as defined in the agreement unless terminated earlier.  Units give the holder a right to receive a cash payment equal to the appreciation in book value per share of common stock from the base date, as defined, to the redemption date.  Unit redemption payments under this plan shall be paid in cash within 90 days after we determine the value as of the redemption date.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, 100,000 Units were issued with a vesting date of December 31, 2012.  A payment of $86,817 was made during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 related to these Units.

On March 7, 2012, the Company granted an additional 250,000 Units with redemption dates ranging from December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2016.  On February 13, 2013, the Company granted an additional 350,000 Units with redemption dates ranging from December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2019.

Total compensation expense related to these Units based on the estimated appreciation over their remaining terms was $13,992 and $2,810 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately $29,000 and $101,000 have been accrued under this plan, respectively.  As of March 31, 2013, all of the balance is included in Other Long-term Liabilities.  As of December 31, 2012, approximately $86,000 of this balance was included in Other Accrued Liabilities and the remaining $15,000 balance was included in Other Long-term Liabilities.

Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per Common Share

For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the effect of all stock options is antidilutive.  Therefore, no outstanding options were included in the computation of per-share amounts.

Segment Reporting Information

Segment Reporting Information

All of our operations fall under the Contract Manufacturing segment within the Electronic Manufacturing Services industry.  We strategically direct production between our various manufacturing facilities based on a number of considerations to best meet our customers’ requirements.  We share resources for sales, marketing, engineering, supply chain, information services, human resources, payroll, and all corporate accounting functions.  Consolidated financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in assessing performance and allocating resources.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market (based on the lower of replacement cost or net realizable value).  Costs include material, labor, and overhead required in the warehousing and production of our products.  Inventory reserves are maintained for the estimated value of the inventories that may have a lower value than stated or quantities in excess of future production needs.

Inventories are as follows:

	March 31			December 31
	2013			2012
Raw Materials	$	14,232,405		$	13,325,525
Work in Process	3,315,460			2,704,653
Finished Goods	3,098,023			3,108,839
Reserve	(1,528,486		)	(1,474,155		)
Total	$	19,117,402		$	17,664,862

Finite Life Intangible Assets

Finite Life Intangible Assets

We have a finite life intangible asset related to bond issue costs.  The value of the asset at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is as follow:

	Remaining	Gross
	Lives	Carrying		Accumulated		Net Book
	(Years)	Amount		Amortization		Value
March 31, 2013	8	$	79,373	$	35,718	$	43,655
December 31, 2012	9	$	79,373	$	34,395	$	44,978

Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $1,323 and $12,600, respectively.  Estimated future annual amortization expense for the asset is approximately $5,000 per year through 2021 when the related bond matures.

Impairment Analysis

Impairment Analysis

We evaluate long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment, as well as the related depreciation periods, whenever current events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable.  Recoverability for assets to be held and used is based on our projection of the undiscounted future operating cash flows of the underlying assets.  To the extent such projections indicate that future undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying amounts of related assets, a charge might be required to reduce the carrying amount to equal estimated fair value.  Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to dispose.  We recorded impairment charges in the first quarter of 2013 and 2012 of $74,000 and $0, respectively, which related to our assets held for sale and have been included in general and administrative expenses in the statements of income.