-----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, G7C0DETbPXli297LNVWvWPvZ1tPKjhp/zK/PMJhkENhHG1Eb7Zr0YuuHLachj5hQ koO/d67OEfiWykproMXZ5A== 0001047469-99-002388.txt : 19990128 0001047469-99-002388.hdr.sgml : 19990128 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-99-002388 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19981130 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990127 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: INPUT OUTPUT INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000866609 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MEASURING & CONTROLLING DEVICES, NEC [3829] IRS NUMBER: 222286646 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0531 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q/A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-12691 FILM NUMBER: 99514297 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 11104 W AIRPORT BLVD STREET 2: SUITE 200 CITY: STAFFORD STATE: TX ZIP: 77477 BUSINESS PHONE: 2819333339 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 11104 W AIRPORT BLVD STREET 2: SUITE 200 CITY: STAFFORD STATE: TX ZIP: 77477 10-Q/A 1 10-Q/A - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 10-Q/A [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED: NOVEMBER 30, 1998 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: 1-13402 INPUT/OUTPUT, INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 22-2286646 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (IRS EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.) 11104 WEST AIRPORT BLVD., STAFFORD, TEXAS 77477 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (281) 933-3339 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 [ ] At November 30, 1998 there were 50,395,434 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INPUT/OUTPUT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES INDEX TO FORM 10-Q/A FOR THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1998 PART I. Financial Information.
Page ---- Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION RESULTS OF OPERATIONS INTRODUCTION. The Company's net sales are directly related to the level of worldwide oil and gas exploration activities and the profitability and cash flows of oil and gas companies and seismic contractors, which in turn are affected by expectations regarding the supply and demand for oil and natural gas, energy prices and finding and development costs. Oil and gas supply and demand and pricing, in turn, are influenced by numerous factors including, but not limited to, those described below in "Cautionary Statement for Purposes of Forward-Looking Statements - Uncertainty of Energy Industry Conditions" and "-Risk From Significant Amount of Foreign Sales." The Company believes that when significant decreases in worldwide oil production were not evident by the summer of 1998, the Company's customers anticipated a continuation of low prices for an extended period and began to reduce their intended levels of expenditures for seismic equipment. Until confidence in future oil prices above current levels is restored, orders for the Company's equipment are expected to remain at lower levels than experienced in fiscal 1998. Additional declines in oil prices or prolonged expectations for little or no improvement in prices could cause the Company's customers to further reduce their spending and further adversely affect the Company's results of operation and financial condition. Although order cancellations and defaults on financed sales have to date been minimal, the risk of such cancellations and defaults exists, which could deteriorate the Company's anticipated performance and future financial condition. NET SALES. The Company's second quarter net sales decreased $29.8 million, or 28.7%, to $73.9 million as compared to the prior year's second quarter net sales of $103.7 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower sales levels of the Company's land systems and components. The decline in sales of land systems and components is primarily attributable to the decrease in oil prices resulting in delayed or reduced capital or exploration spending by oil and gas companies during the quarter, which caused several projects to be postponed or canceled. See "INTRODUCTION" above. During fiscal 1999's second quarter, five System 2000 land systems and two MSX marine system were sold, along with other seismic data acquisition recording equipment and components (representing a total channel count of 5,928 land and 4,496 marine channels); the prior year's second quarter sales consisted of 17 I/O SYSTEM TWO-Registered Trademark- land systems and one MSX marine system and other recording equipment and components (for a total channel count of 33,720 land and 3,838 marine channels). Net sales for the first six months of the current year decreased $45.7 million, or 24.5%, to $140.9 million as compared to the prior year's first six months net sales of $186.7 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower sales levels of the Company's land systems and components, primarily attributable to the decrease in oil prices resulting in delayed or reduced exploration spending by oil and gas companies during the first six months of the current fiscal year, which caused several projects to be postponed or canceled. Sales of seven I/O SYSTEM TWO and System 2000 land systems and three MSX marine systems were recorded 1 during the first six months of fiscal 1999 compared to 31 I/O SYSTEM TWO land systems and two MSX marine systems for the prior year's first six months. GROSS PROFIT MARGIN. The Company's gross profit margin decreased for the second quarter and year-to-date compared to the prior year periods, from 40.3% to 37.9%, and 40.2% to 35.4% respectively. Reduced demand for higher-margin land seismic equipment and instrumentation was the major contributing factor to the decreased gross profit margins. The Company's gross profit margin for any particular reporting period is dependent on the product mix sold and the pricing scheme for the products sold for that period, and may vary materially from period to period. OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses increased $2.7 million, or 12.7%, for fiscal 1999's second quarter over the prior year's second quarter operating expenses. Research and development expenses increased $1.8 million, or 22.2%, compared to the prior year's second quarter, primarily resulting from increased product development expenses and expenses related to recent acquisitions, offset in part by decreased accruals for bonus and related compensation expenses. Marketing and sales expenses increased $255,000, or 6.9%, compared to the prior year's second quarter primarily due to expenses related to recent acquisitions, offset in part by decreased accruals for bonus and related compensation expenses and decreased expense for third party commissions on sales. General and administrative expenses decreased $342,000, or 4.1%. Amortization of intangibles increased $997,000, or 81.1%, primarily due to increased goodwill expense resulting from recent acquisitions. Operating expenses for the first six months of the current year were $6.4 million, or 16.4%, above the amount of operating expenses for the first six months of the prior year. Research and development expenses increased $3.5 million, or 22.4%, primarily resulting from increased product development expenses and expenses related to recent acquisitions, offset in part by decreased accruals for bonus and related compensation expenses. Marketing and sales expenses increased $1.3 million, or 20.2%, compared to the prior year's first six months primarily due to expenses related to recent acquisitions and increased convention and exhibit expenses, offset in part by decreased accruals for bonus and related compensation expense and decreased expense for third party commissions on sales. General and administrative expenses decreased $75,000, or 0.5%, compared to the prior year's first six months. Amortization of intangibles increased $1.6 million, or 47.2%, compared to the prior year's first six months primarily due to increased goodwill expense resulting from recent acquisitions. INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense for the second quarter and the first six months of the current year (related to the ten-year term facilities financing) was $217,000 and $459,000, respectively. See "Note (5) - Long-term Debt" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Interest expense for the prior year's second quarter and first six months was $258,000 and $580,000, respectively, also representing interest on this facility. INCOME TAX EXPENSE. The Company's effective income tax rate was approximately 32%, both for the second quarters and the first six months of fiscal 1999 and fiscal 1998. 2 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES GENERAL. The Company has traditionally financed its operations from internally generated cash flows, funds from equity financings and its credit facilities. Cash flows from operating activities before changes in working capital items were $15.7 million for the six months ended November 30, 1998. Cash flows from operating activities after changes in working capital items were a negative $17.6 million for the six months ended November 30, 1998, primarily due to decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses (which represented a use of cash), increased income tax payments (primarily due to foreign subsidiaries settling prior years' tax liabilities) and increased inventories (primarily due to the lower sales level). As of November 30, 1998, no amounts of indebtedness were outstanding under the Company's Credit Agreement and the Company had approximately $49.8 million available for borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The Company had outstanding long-term indebtedness of $9.5 million as of November 30, 1998 secured by the land, buildings and improvements housing the Company's executive offices, research and development headquarters and electronics manufacturing facility in Stafford, Texas. The loan bears interest at the rate of 7.875% per annum and is repayable in equal monthly installments of principal and interest of $151,439. The promissory note, which matures on September 1, 2006, contains prepayment penalties. See "Note (5) - Long-term Debt" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Capital expenditures for plant, property and equipment totaled $8.3 million for the first six months of fiscal 1999. Total capital expenditures are currently expected to aggregate $13.0 million for fiscal 1999. The Company believes that the combination of its existing working capital, unused credit available under its revolving credit facility, internally generated cash flows and access to other financing sources will be adequate to meet its anticipated capital and liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future. CREDIT AGREEMENT. In February 1998, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with certain lenders, including Bank One, Texas, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders, replacing the Company's former revolving working capital line of credit. The maximum amount available for borrowings under the Credit Agreement is $50 million. In addition, up to $15 million of credit available under the Credit Agreement may be used, as needed, by the Company for letters of credit. Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement will mature on February 27, 2001. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be made to finance the Company's working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions permitted under the Credit Agreement and for general corporate purposes. Outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Agreement will bear interest, at the Company's option, at fluctuating interest rates based upon a prime rate or a eurodollar rate plus a credit margin that fluctuates depending upon the Company's ratio of funded debt to capitalization. In addition, the Company must pay a commitment fee for unused amounts available under the credit facility, in an amount also based upon the Company's ratio of funded debt to capitalization. 3 The obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement are unsecured, except for a first lien pledge of the capital stock of certain wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company that the lenders consider to be "material subsidiaries". Additionally, certain of these wholly owned subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement. ACQUISITION. On September 30, 1998, the Company and The Laitram Corporation entered into a definitive merger agreement for the Company's acquisition of DigiCourse, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Laitram Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company acquired for 5,794,000 shares of Company common stock, all of the capital stock of DigiCourse, Inc. The Company closed the transaction on November 16, 1998. As a result of the transaction, The Laitram Corporation beneficially owns approximately 11.7% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase business combination. The amortization life of the resulting goodwill will be 17 years. The proforma effects of the acquisition are not considered material. YEAR 2000. Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded to accept only two-digit entries in the date code field and cannot distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. These date code fields will need to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates and, as a result, many companies' software and computer systems may need to be upgraded or replaced in order to comply with such "Year 2000" requirements. The Company is currently working to resolve the potential impact of the Year 2000 issue on the computerized systems it utilizes internally, and with regard to its products and customers. STATE OF READINESS. The Company is in the process of evaluating the Year 2000 readiness of the hardware and software products sold by it ("products"), the information technology systems used in its operations ("IT Systems"), and its non-IT Systems, such as building security, voice mail and other systems. The Company has substantially completed its assessment of its IT Systems used in the United States, which have been tested to be Year 2000 compliant. Beginning in calendar 1996, the Company commenced replacement of its then current U.S. IT System with a new system. This replacement, which was substantially completed in fiscal 1998, was required in order to meet current and future needs of the Company's business as well as to make more efficient various administrative and operating functions. Because the Company did not undertake this replacement for reasons of Year 2000 compliance (the Company understands that its previous IT system was also Year 2000 compliant), the costs of this conversion have not been identified as Year 2000 compliance costs. The Company has not yet, however, completed its assessment of its IT Systems at its European locations. It is currently planned that these systems will be replaced with a version of the Company's current U.S. IT System or a smaller-scale Year 2000-compliant system by late calendar year 1999. The Company's Year 2000 IT/facilities compliance program is expected to cover the following phases: (i) inventory of all non-tested IT Systems and non-IT Systems; (ii) assessment of repair or replacement requirements; (iii) planning and remediation; (iv) testing; and (v) implementation. With regard to its products, the Company is continuing its testing procedures to determine the nature and extent of their Year 2000 compliance. The Company's cross-functional focus team has continued to review these issues and to assist its customers and suppliers in identifying and 4 resolving Year 2000 issues. The Company believes that its products will be Year 2000 compliant by mid-1999; however, the overall assessment of the operational status of the Company's products will depend, in large part, on the Year 2000 compliance of the products' components, many of which are supplied by parties other than the Company. Year 2000 testing work on the Company's products, which commenced in early 1998, is ongoing and expected to be completed in April 1999. Prior to the end of April 1999, the Company intends to (i) complete its internal review of the Year 2000 compliance of its products and (ii) assimilate information from a questionnaire circulated to vendors and customers in order to obtain information regarding their Year 2000 compliance. Until this additional information is obtained and evaluated, the Company will not be able to effectively evaluate whether further remediation efforts will be required with respect to its products. The Company also relies, both domestically and internationally, upon various vendors, governmental agencies, utility companies, telecommunications service companies, delivery service companies and other service providers, which are outside of the Company's control. There is no assurance that such parties will not suffer a Year 2000 business disruption, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. COSTS. To date, the Company has not incurred any material expenditures in connection with identifying, evaluating or remediating Year 2000 compliance issues. The Company has not retained an outside consultant to assist it in its review and assessment of its Year 2000 issues. Most of its expenditures have related to the opportunity cost of time spent by employees of the Company in evaluating the Company's Year 2000 issues for its IT Systems, its non-IT Systems and its products. While the Company has not yet completed its evaluation of the estimated costs required to remediate the Year 2000 issues concerning its products and internal systems (primarily expected to be costs in connection with replacing systems and modifying software), management currently believes that these expenditures will not have a material adverse effect on its operations, results of operations or financial condition. However, no assurances can be given that until the Company fully completes its cost evaluation, the economic effects of these remediation efforts will not have a material adverse effect on its operations, results of operations or financial condition. A portion of the Company's Year 2000 compliance expenditures expected to be incurred relate to the Company's limited warranty coverage. As of November 30, 1998, no specific amounts have been accrued to the warranty reserve for such costs, as the Company has not been able to make an estimate of such costs based on its current level of assessment. For instances in which the limited warranty has expired or there was no warranty coverage, the Company will offer, on a fee basis, upgrades (if technically achievable) to those products to render them Year 2000 compliant. In general, the Company is constantly upgrading the systems and software incorporated into its products in connection with its ongoing customer service efforts. As a result of these efforts, the Company identifies and remediates certain Year 2000 problems. The Company believes that internally generated funds or available cash will be sufficient to cover the projected costs associated with its Year 2000 remediation requirements. 5 RISKS. The Company does not yet possess the information necessary to estimate the potential impact of Year 2000 compliance issues relating to its products or vendors if such products or vendors were not Year 2000 compliant. In addition, a relatively small number of customers have traditionally accounted for most of the Company's net sales from fiscal year to fiscal year, although the degree of sales concentration with any one customer has varied. The loss of any significant customer due to reasons related to Year 2000 non-compliance of the Company's products could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations, results of operations or financial position. Failure to timely reprogram or replace the Company's European financial and accounting software could, in a worse case scenario, result in the Company's inability to process accounting and financial data in Europe. At this time, the Company does not possess all of the information necessary to estimate the potential impact of Year 2000 compliance issues relating to its European IT Systems, its non-IT Systems, its products, its vendors and its customers. Such impact, including the effect of a Year 2000 business disruption, would not be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. CONTINGENCY PLAN. The Company has not yet developed a Year 2000 specific contingency plan. The Company intends to prepare a contingency plan with respect to its financial and accounting software and its products no later than mid-calendar 1999. In addition, if further Year 2000 compliance issues are discovered, the Company then will evaluate the need for one or more contingency plans relating to those particular issues. OTHER. Demand for the Company's products is dependent upon the level of worldwide oil and gas exploration and development activity. Such activity in turn is primarily dependent upon oil and gas prices, which have been subject to wide fluctuation in recent years. Since the beginning of fiscal 1999, worldwide oil prices have been at their lowest levels since 1986. Continuing low prices for hydrocarbon production have in certain instances resulted in lower exploration budgets by oil companies, which situation during the first six months of fiscal 1999 resulted in a reduction in demand for the Company's seismic data acquisition equipment and services. A continuation of depressed prices for hydrocarbon production and reduced demand for the services of the Company's customers may further strain the revenues and cash resources of the customers of the Company, thereby resulting in a higher likelihood of defaults in the customers' timely payment of their obligations under the Company's financed sales arrangements. Increased levels of payment defaults with respect to the Company's financed sales arrangements could have a material adverse effect of the Company's results of operations. In addition, during 1999 there has been considerable turmoil and uncertainty in the Russian financial markets, prompted in large part by the crisis in the Asian financial markets, and the economic and political problems being experienced by a number of Asian countries. The Russian ruble has been under significant pressure, requiring the Russian government to raise interest rates substantially, and to seek special assistance from the International Monetary Fund in order to defend its currency. At the present time, it is not possible to predict whether the 6 Russian government will be successful in avoiding another devaluation of the ruble, or when stability will return to its financial markets. Any devaluation of the ruble could exacerbate existing economic problems in Russia. Historically, customers in Russia and other Former Soviet Union countries have accounted for approximately 5-9% of the Company's net sales. The Company's combined trade accounts receivable and trade notes receivable balance from customers in Russia and other Former Soviet Union countries as of November 30, 1998 was approximately $27.6 million; these receivables are denominated in US dollars. To the extent that economic conditions in the Former Soviet Union or in Asia negatively affect future sales to the Company's customers in those regions or the collectibility of the Company's existing receivables, such conditions may adversely effect the Company's future results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. In January 1999, the Company paid $1,661,000 to a creditor of a Company customer in satisfaction of the Company's obligations under a guaranty with respect to a defaulted equipment lease between the customer and that creditor. See "Cautionary Statement for Purposes of Forward-Looking Statements - -Uncertainty of Energy Industry Conditions," "- Credit Risks from Sales Arrangements" and "- Risk from Significant Amount of Foreign Sales". CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as other written and oral statements made or incorporated by reference from time to time by the Company and its representatives in other reports, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, conferences, or otherwise, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the "Safe Harbor" provisions of that section. This information includes, without limitation, statements concerning future operations, future revenues, future earnings, future costs, future margins and future expenses; anticipated product releases and technological advances; the future mix of business and future asset recoveries; contingent liabilities; Year 2000 issues; the inherent unpredictability of adversarial proceedings; and future demand for the Company's products, future capital expenditures and future financial condition of the Company; energy industry conditions; and economic conditions in Asia and Former Soviet Union countries. These statements are based on current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth below and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. When used in this report, the words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "may," "project" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. Important factors which could affect the Company's actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from those results which might be projected, forecast, estimated or budgeted by the Company in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: 7 RISKS RELATED TO PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE. The markets for the Company's product lines are characterized by rapidly changing technology and frequent product introductions. Whether the Company can develop and produce successfully, on a timely basis, new and enhanced products that embody new technology, meet evolving industry standards and practice, and achieve levels of capability and price that are acceptable to its customers, will be significant factors in the Company's ability to compete in the future. There can be no assurance that the Company will not encounter resource constraints or technical or other difficulties that could delay introduction of new products in the future. If the Company is unable, for technological or other reasons, to develop competitive products in a timely manner in response to changes in the seismic data acquisition industry or other technological changes, its business and operating results will be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the Company's continuing development of new products inherently carries the risk of inventory obsolescence with respect to its older products. UNCERTAINTY OF ENERGY INDUSTRY CONDITIONS. Demand for the Company's products is dependent upon the level of worldwide oil and gas exploration and development activity. Such activity in turn is primarily dependent upon oil and gas prices, which have been subject to wide fluctuation in recent years in response to relatively minor changes in the supply and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond the control of the Company. Recent worldwide oil prices have been at their lowest levels since 1986. Continuing low prices for hydrocarbon production have resulted in lower exploration budgets by oil companies, which has resulted in reduced demand for the Company's seismic data acquisition equipment. It is impossible to predict future oil and natural gas price movements or the duration of the current environment of lower oil and natural gas prices with any certainty. No assurances can be given as to future levels of worldwide oil and natural gas prices, the future level of activity in the oil and gas exploration and development industry and their relationship(s) to the demand for the Company's products. CREDIT RISK FROM SALES ARRANGEMENTS. The Company sells to many customers on extended-term arrangements. Moreover, in connection with certain sales of its systems and equipment, the Company has guaranteed certain loans from unaffiliated parties to purchasers of such systems and equipment. In addition, the Company has sold contracts and leases to third-party financing sources, the terms of which often obligate the Company to repurchase the contracts and leases in the event of a customer default or upon certain other occurrences. Performance of the Company's obligations under these arrangements could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition. Significant payment defaults by customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations. See also Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Commitments and Contingencies - Credit Risk. RELIANCE ON SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS. A relatively small number of customers have accounted for most of the Company's net sales, although the degree of sales concentration with any one customer has varied from fiscal year to year. During fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 the two largest customers in each of those years accounted for 35%, 45% and 42%, respectively, of the Company's net sales. The loss of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the 8 Company's net sales. RISK FROM SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FOREIGN SALES. Sales outside the United States have historically accounted for a significant part of the Company's net sales. Foreign sales are subject to special risks inherent in doing business outside of the United States, including the risk of war, civil disturbances, embargo and government activities, which may disrupt markets and affect operating results. Foreign sales are also generally subject to the risks of compliance with additional laws, including tariff regulations and import/export restrictions. The Company is, from time to time, required to obtain export licenses and there can be no assurance that it will not experience difficulty in obtaining such licenses as may be required in connection with export sales. Demand for the Company's products from customers in developing countries (including Russia and other Former Soviet Union countries as well as certain Asian countries) is difficult to predict and can fluctuate significantly from year to year. The Company believes that these changes in demand result primarily from the instability of economies and governments in certain developing countries, changes in internal laws and policies affecting trade and investment, and because those markets are only beginning to adopt new technologies and establish purchasing practices. These risks may adversely affect the Company's future operating results and financial position. In addition, sales to customers in developing countries on extended terms can present heightened credit risks for the Company, for the reasons discussed above. See, in particular above, "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Other" for further information concerning these risks in those countries. RISKS RELATED TO TIMING OF PRODUCT SHIPMENTS. Due to the relatively high sales price of the Company's products and relatively low unit sales volume, the timing in the shipment of systems and the mix of products sold can produce fluctuations in quarter-to-quarter financial performance. One of the factors which may affect the Company's operating results from time to time is that a substantial portion of its net sales in any period may result from shipments during the latter part of a period. Because the Company establishes its sales and operating expense levels based on its operational goals, if shipments in any period do not meet goals, net sales and net earnings may be adversely affected. The Company believes that factors which could affect such timing in shipments include, among others, seasonality of end-user markets, availability of purchaser financing, manufacturing lead times and shortages of system components. In addition, because the Company typically operates, and expects to continue to operate, without a significant backlog of orders for its products, the Company's manufacturing plans and expenditure levels are based principally on sales forecasts, which could result in inventory excesses and imbalances from time to time. RISKS RELATED TO YEAR 2000 ISSUES. While the Company is currently assessing aspects of the potential impact of the Year 2000 issue, it has not yet completed its review. The problems actually encountered by the Company in addressing its Year 2000 issues may be more pervasive than anticipated by management, and if so, could have adverse effects on the Company's operations, results of operations or financial condition. See " - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Year 2000." 9 RISKS RELATED TO GROSS MARGIN. The Company's gross margin percentage is a function of the product mix sold in any period. Continuing increased percentages of lower margin marine seismic equipment and related components in the overall sales mix may result in margins remaining below their historically higher levels. Other factors, such as unit volumes, inventory obsolescence, heightened price competition, changes in sales and distribution channels, shortages in components due to untimely supplies or inability to obtain items at reasonable prices, and unavailability of skilled labor, may also continue to affect the cost of sales and the fluctuation of gross margin percentages in future periods. COMPETITION. The design, manufacture and marketing of seismic data acquisition systems are highly competitive and are characterized by continual and rapid changes in technology. The Company's current principal competitor for land seismic equipment is Societe d'Etudes Recherches et Construction Electroniques, an affiliate of Compagnie General de Geophysique which, unlike the Company, possesses the advantage of being able to sell to an affiliated seismic contractor. Competition in the industry is expected to intensify and could adversely affect the Company's future results. Several of the Company's competitors have greater name recognition, more extensive engineering, manufacturing and marketing capabilities, and greater financial, technological and personnel resources than those available to the Company. In addition, certain companies in the industry have expanded their product lines or technologies in recent years as a result of acquisitions. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully in the future with existing or new competitors. Pressures from competitors offering lower-priced products or products employing new technologies could result in future price reductions for the Company's products. A continuing trend toward consolidation, concentrating buying power, in the oil field services industry may have the effect of adversely affecting the prices and demand for the Company's products and services. DISRUPTION IN VENDOR SUPPLIES. The Company's manufacturing process requires a high volume of quality components. Certain components used by the Company are currently provided by only one supplier. In the future, the Company may, from time to time, experience supply or quality control problems with its suppliers, and such problems could significantly affect its ability to meet production and sales commitments. The Company's reliance on certain suppliers, as well as industry supply conditions generally, involve several risks, including the possibility of a shortage or a lack of availability of key components, increases in component costs and reduced control over delivery schedules, any of which could adversely affect the Company's future financial results. PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Company believes that technology is the primary basis of competition in the industry. Although the Company currently holds certain intellectual property rights relating to its product lines, there can be no assurance that these rights will not be challenged by third parties or that the Company will obtain additional patents or other intellectual property rights in the future. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the 10 Company's efforts to protect its trade secrets will be successful or that others will not independently develop products similar to the Company's or design around any of the intellectual property rights owned by the Company. DEPENDENCE ON PERSONNEL. The Company's success depends upon the continued contributions of its personnel, many of whom would be difficult to replace. The success of the Company will depend on the ability of the Company to attract and retain skilled employees. Changes in personnel, therefore, could adversely affect operating results. RISKS RELATED TO GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND PRODUCT CERTIFICATION. The Company's operations are also subject to laws, regulations, government policies, and product certification requirements worldwide. Changes in such laws, regulations, policies, or requirements could affect the demand for the Company's products or result in the need to modify products, which may involve substantial costs or delays in sales and could have an adverse effect on the Company's future operating results. RISKS OF STOCK VOLATILITY AND ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS. In recent years, the stock market in general and the market for energy and technology stocks in particular, including the Company's common stock, have experienced extreme price fluctuations. The sales price for the Company's Common Stock has declined from $25 7/8 per share at November 28, 1997 to $8 3/16 per share at November 30, 1998 (based on New York Stock Exchange composite tape closing sales prices). There is a risk that stock price fluctuation could impact the Company's operations. Changes in the price of the Company's common stock could affect the Company's ability to successfully attract and retain qualified personnel or complete desirable business combinations or other transactions in the future. The Company has historically not paid, and does not intend to pay in the foreseeable future, cash dividends on its capital stock. RISKS RELATED TO ACQUISITIONS. To implement its business plans, the Company may make further acquisitions in the future. Acquisitions require significant financial and management resources both at the time of the transaction and during the process of integrating the newly acquired business into the Company's operations. The Company's operating results could be adversely affected if it is unable to successfully integrate such new companies into its operations. Certain acquisitions or strategic transactions may be subject to approval by the other party's shareholders, United States or foreign governmental agencies, or other third parties. Accordingly, there is a risk that important acquisitions or transactions could fail to be concluded as planned. Future acquisitions by the Company could also result in issuances of equity securities or the rights associated with the equity securities, which could potentially dilute earnings per share. In addition, future acquisitions could result in the incurrence of additional debt, taxes, or contingent liabilities, and amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets. These factors could adversely affect the Company's future operating results and financial position. OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS. The Company's oil and gas operations are subject to the economic risks typically associated with exploration, development, and production activities. In conducting exploration and development activities, the Company may drill unsuccessful wells 11 and experience losses and charges to earnings. Historically, the markets for oil and natural gas have been volatile and are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. The nature of the oil and gas business involves certain operating hazards such as well blowouts, cratering, explosions, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids, fires, formations with abnormal pressures, pollution, releases of toxic gas and other environmental hazards and risks, any of which could result in losses to the Company. While the Company's current practice is not to act as operator of any drilling prospect, and while the Company does maintain insurance in accordance with customary industry practices under the circumstances against some, but not all, of such risks and losses, the occurrence of such an event not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse affect on the Company's financial position and results of operation. The foregoing review of factors pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 should not be construed as exhaustive. In addition to the foregoing, the Company wishes to refer readers to other factors discussed elsewhere in this report as well as the Company's other filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a further discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. SIGNATURE 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. INPUT/OUTPUT, INC. By: /s/ Ronald A. Harris ------------------------------------- Ronald A. Harris Vice President and Controller (Chief Accounting Officer) Dated: January 27, 1999 12
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