Operating Segments and Related Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Operating Segments and Related Information [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Operating Segments and Related Information

The Company's operations are focused on two primary business areas:  Spire Solar (comprised of solar equipment, solar systems and solar research) and Spire Biomedical (comprised of biomedical surface treatments and biophotonics research).  Spire Solar and Spire Biomedical operate out of the Company's facility in Bedford, Massachusetts. Each business area is independently managed and has separate financial results that are reviewed by the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and the chief executive officers of each operating division.

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company began pursuing an exclusive sales process of our semiconductor business and on March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of the Semiconductor Business Unit to Masimo Corporation. The Company reported the Semiconductor Business Unit as discontinued operations beginning with our financial results presented in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2012. The Semiconductor Business Unit was previously reported as our optoelectronics segment. Accordingly, the results of operations and assets and liabilities of the Semiconductor Business Unit are being presented herein as discontinued operations and are not included in the table below. See Note 13 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents certain continuing operating division information in accordance with the provisions of ASC 280, Segments Reporting.

(in thousands)	Solar			Biomedical			Total Company
For the three months ended March 31, 2013
Net sales and revenues	$	1,446		$	1,792		$	3,238
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(2,792	)	$	190		$	(2,602	)
For the three months ended March 31, 2012
Net sales and revenues	$	5,853		$	1,622		$	7,475
Operating loss from continuing operations	$	(1,544	)	$	(65	)	$	(1,609	)

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations is net sales less cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses, but is not affected by non-operating income (expense), by income taxes or by net income (loss) from discontinued operations. In calculating operating income (loss) from continuing operations for individual business units, substantial administrative expenses incurred at the operating level that are common to more than one segment are allocated on a net sales basis. Certain corporate expenses of an operational nature are also allocated to the divisions based on factors including occupancy, employment, and purchasing volume. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

The following table shows net sales and revenues by geographic area (based on customer location):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2013		%		2012		%
United States	$	2,273	70	%	$	2,598	35	%
Europe/Africa	336		10		2,241		30
Asia	609		19		2,583		34
Rest of the world	20		1		53		1
	$	3,238	100	%	$	7,475	100	%

Revenues from contracts with United States government agencies for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $446 thousand and $424 thousand or 14% and 6% of total net sales and revenues, respectively.

Revenues from the delivery of biomedical services to two customers accounted for 23% and 16% of total net sales and revenues for the three month period ended March 31, 2013.

 Revenues from the delivery of solar equipment to three customers account for 23%, 19% and 13% of total net sales and revenues for the three month period ended March 31, 2012.

Two customers represented approximately 25% and 16% , respectively, of net accounts receivable, trade at March 31, 2013 and one customer represented approximately 24% of net accounts receivable, trade at December 31, 2012.