EX-13 11 c21885exv13.htm SECTIONS OF THE 2007 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS exv13
 

Exhibit 13
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto. The years 2007, 2006 and 2005 represent the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and are used throughout the document.
Introduction
ESCO Technologies Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (ESCO, the Company) are organized into three reporting units: Communications, Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), and RF Shielding and Test (Test). The Company’s business segments are comprised of the following primary operating entities:
4   Communications: Distribution Control Systems, Inc. (DCSI), Hexagram, Inc. (Hexagram), acquired on February 1, 2006, Nexus Energy Software, Inc. (Nexus), acquired on November 29, 2005, and Comtrak Technologies, L.L.C. (Comtrak),
 
4   Filtration: PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI), VACCO Industries (VACCO), and the Filtertek companies (Filtertek),
 
4   Test: EMC Group companies consisting primarily of ETS-Lindgren L.P. (ETS) and Lindgren R.F. Enclosures, Inc. (Lindgren).
The Communications unit is a proven supplier of special purpose fixed network communications systems for electric, gas and water utilities, including hardware and software to support advanced metering applications. DCSI’s Two-Way Automatic Communications System, known as TWACS®, is currently used for automatic meter reading (AMR) and related advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) functions serving over 200 utilities, as well as having load management capabilities. Hexagram’s STAR® system, the premier wireless AMI system, delivers two-way and one-way operation on secure licensed radio frequencies for more than 100 utilities serving electric, gas and water customers. Nexus provides best-in-class utility data management solutions to more than 85 leading energy companies that add value to existing billing and metering infrastructure to allow both the utilities and their customers to better manage energy-driven transactions and decision making. Comtrak’s SecurVision® product line provides digital video surveillance and security functions for large commercial enterprises and alarm monitoring companies. The Filtration unit develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of filtration products used in the purification and processing of liquids. These engineered filtration products utilize membrane, precision screen and other technologies to protect critical processes and equipment from contaminants. Major applications include the removal of contaminants in fuel, lubrication and hydraulic systems, various health care applications, industrial processing, satellite propulsion systems, and oil processing. The Test unit is the industry leader in providing its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy.
ESCO continues to operate with meaningful growth prospects in its primary served markets and with considerable financial flexibility. The Company continues to focus on new products that incorporate proprietary design and process technologies. Management is committed to delivering shareholder value through internal growth, ongoing performance improvement initiatives, and selective acquisitions.
Highlights of 2007 Operations
4   Sales, net earnings and earnings per share were $527.5 million, $33.7 million and $1.28 per share, respectively.
 
4   Net cash provided by operating activities was $45.3 million.
 
4   At September 30, 2007, cash on hand was $18.6 million.
 
4   The Company received $49.1 million in orders from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) related to its electric and gas AMI deployment.
 
4   Successful deployment of upgraded TWACS system software called “TWACS NG” (formerly referred to as TNG) Version 1.6.3 at PG&E, with Version 2.0 delivered in October 2007.
 
4   Hexagram received a $13.5 million order for a water AMR project in Kansas City, Missouri.
 
4   The Company repurchased $10 million or 265,000 shares of its common stock during 2007.
Results of Operations
NET SALES
                                         
                            Change     Change  
    Fiscal year ended     2007     2006  
(Dollars in millions)   2007     2006     2005     vs. 2006     vs. 2005  
 
Communications
  $ 197.6       156.2       138.0       26.5 %     13.2 %
Filtration
    188.4       174.1       171.7       8.2 %     1.4 %
Test
    141.5       128.6       119.4       10.0 %     7.7 %
 
Total
  $ 527.5       458.9       429.1       14.9 %     6.9 %
 
Communications
The 26.5% or $41.4 million increase in net sales in 2007 as compared to the prior year was due to: an increase of $30.5 million at Hexagram; an increase of $6.5 million at DCSI; an increase in sales of $4.6 million at Nexus; partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in sales of Comtrak’s video security products.
The $30.5 million increase in sales of Hexagram’s RF AMI products in 2007 as compared to 2006 was due to: a $21.6 million increase in sales to PG&E related to their gas deployment; and a $3.1 million increase in sales from the advanced metering project in Kansas City, Missouri. In addition, Hexagram’s current year results represent twelve months of sales compared to eight months in the prior year.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The $6.5 million increase in sales of DCSI’s AMR products in 2007 as compared to 2006 was due to: a $14.7 million increase in sales to the electric utility cooperative (COOP) market; a $1.1 million increase in sales to Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA); partially offset by $9.4 million of lower AMR product sales to investor owned utilities (IOUs). Sales to IOUs decreased in 2007 as compared to the prior year due to: a $21.0 million decrease in sales to TXU (Oncor), partially offset by increases in sales to: Duke Energy of $6.0 million, EDESur of $4.5 million, and Florida Power & Light of $2.6 million.
The $18.2 million or 13.2% increase in net sales in 2006 as compared to 2005 was due to: the acquisitions of Hexagram and Nexus with sales of $18.6 million and $9.6 million, respectively; partially offset by an $8.6 million decrease in sales of Comtrak’s video security products; and $1.5 million of lower shipments of DCSI’s AMR products.
The $1.5 million decrease in sales of DCSI’s AMR products in 2006 as compared to 2005 was due to: an increase in sales to TXU of $19.9 million and other IOUs of $3.0 million; offset by $16.2 million of lower COOP sales; and an $8.1 million decrease in sales to PREPA.
Comtrak’s sales were $7.3 million, $7.5 million, and $16.1 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The decrease in sales in 2006 as compared to the prior year was due to an acceleration of shipments in 2005 to meet the customer’s schedule.
Filtration
Net sales in 2007 increased $14.3 million or 8.2% compared to the prior year primarily as a result of higher commercial aerospace shipments at PTI of $6.4 million; a sales increase of $4.9 million at VACCO driven by higher defense spares and T-700 shipments; and a net sales increase at Filtertek of $3.2 million driven primarily by higher commercial shipments.
Net sales in 2006 increased $2.4 million or 1.4% compared to 2005 primarily as a result of higher commercial aerospace shipments at PTI of $5.6 million, a net sales increase at Filtertek of $3.3 million driven by higher commercial shipments, partially offset by lower defense spares and T-700 shipments at VACCO of $6.6 million.
Test
The net sales increase of $12.9 million or 10.0% in 2007 as compared to the prior year was mainly due to: a $10.6 million increase in net sales driven by project milestones on a large aircraft chamber and completion of other test chambers; a $3.2 million increase in net sales from the Company’s Asian operations; partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in net sales from the Company’s European operations.
The net sales increase of $9.2 million or 7.7% in 2006 as compared to 2005 was mainly due to: a $10.2 million increase in net sales from the Company’s U.S. operations driven by sales of additional test chambers and higher component sales, a $0.6 million increase in net sales from the Company’s Asian operations; partially offset by a $1.6 million decrease in net sales from the Company’s European operations due to the prior year completion of several test chamber projects.
ORDERS AND BACKLOG
New orders received in 2007 were $562.2 million, resulting in an order backlog of $288.1 million at September 30, 2007 as compared to an order backlog of $253.4 million at September 30, 2006. In 2007, the Company recorded $201.8 million of new orders related to Communications products, $214.9 million related to Filtration products, and $145.5 million related to Test products.
See “CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY — Pacific Gas & Electric” on page 17 for a discussion of PG&E contracts. The Company received orders totaling $49.1 million from PG&E under these agreements during 2007.
During 2007, Hexagram received a $13.5 million order for a water AMR project in Kansas City, Missouri.
In 2006, the Company recorded $187.5 million of new orders related to Communications products (including $19.0 million of new orders and $6.0 million of acquired backlog from Hexagram and $16.7 million of new orders and $9.0 million of acquired backlog from Nexus), $172.1 million related to Filtration products, and $119.6 million related to Test products.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $122.5 million, or 23.2% of net sales in 2007, $106.9 million, or 23.3% of net sales in 2006, and $84.2 million, or 19.6% of net sales in 2005.
The increase in SG&A expenses in 2007 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to: a $4.8 million increase in SG&A related to Hexagram (due to a full twelve months of SG&A expenses compared to eight months included in the prior year); an increase of $4.3 million at DCSI mainly due to an increase in engineering head count; a $2.9 million increase related to Nexus (due to a full twelve months compared to ten months in the prior year) and an increase in software development head count; an increase of $2.1 million incurred in the Test segment primarily to support new growth opportunities in Asia; and an $0.8 million increase at Corporate mainly due to the increase in stock option expense.
The increase in SG&A in 2006 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to: $7.5 million of SG&A expenses related to Nexus; $6.8 million of SG&A expenses related to Hexagram; $2.3 million of stock option expense and higher costs related to engineering and new product development.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT      13

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Amortization of intangible assets was $10.7 million in 2007, $6.9 million in 2006 and $2.0 million in 2005. Amortization of intangible assets included $2.1 million and $2.7 million of amortization of acquired intangible assets related to the Hexagram and Nexus acquisitions in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The amortization of acquired intangible assets related to Hexagram and Nexus are included in the Corporate operating segment’s results. The remaining amortization expenses consist of other identifiable intangible assets (primarily software, patents and licenses). The Company recorded $6.2 million and $2.2 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to DCSI’s TWACS NG capitalized software.
OTHER (INCOME) AND EXPENSES, NET
Other (income) and expenses, net, were $2.5 million, $(2.8) million and $(1.6) million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Other (income) and expenses, net, in 2007 consisted primarily of: $2.6 million of expenses within the Test segment related to the adverse arbitration award related to the delivery and installation contract completed in 2005 for a shielded communication room in an international location; partially offset by $(1.4) million of royalty income.
Other (income) and expenses, net, in 2006 consisted primarily of: a $(1.8) million non-cash gain representing the reversal of a liability related to an indemnification obligation with respect to a previously divested subsidiary; $(2.3) million of royalty income; partially offset by a $0.2 million charge related to the termination of a subcontract manufacturer.
Other (income) and expenses, net, in 2005 consisted primarily of: $(2.2) million of royalty income; and a $0.5 million charge related to the termination of a supply agreement with a medical device customer.
ASSET IMPAIRMENT — 2005
In June 2005, the Company abandoned its plans to commercialize certain sensor products within the Filtration segment resulting in an asset impairment charge of $0.8 million to write off certain patents and a related licensing agreement.
EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES (EBIT)
The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on EBIT, which the Company defines as earnings before interest and taxes.
EBIT is not a defined GAAP measure. However, the Company believes that EBIT provides investors and Management with a valuable and alternative method for assessing the Company’s operating results. Management evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on EBIT and believes that EBIT is useful to investors to demonstrate the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments by excluding interest and taxes, which are generally accounted for across the entire company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures Management uses to determine resource allocations and incentive compensation.
                                         
                            Change     Change  
    Fiscal year ended     2007     2006  
(Dollars in millions)   2007     2006     2005     vs. 2006     vs. 2005  
 
Communications
  $ 22.0       28.3       38.8       (22.3 )%     (27.1 )%
% of net sales
    11.1 %     18.1 %     28.1 %     (7.0 )%     (10.0 )%
Filtration
    23.4       19.5       22.4       20.0 %     (12.9 )%
% of net sales
    12.4 %     11.2 %     13.1 %     1.2 %     (1.9 )%
Test
    14.4       15.0       12.2       (4.0 )%     23.0 %
% of net sales
    10.2 %     11.7 %     10.2 %     (1.5 )%     1.5 %
Corporate
    (17.8 )     (15.2 )     (11.4 )     17.1 %     33.3 %
 
Total
  $ 42.0       47.6       62.0       (11.8 )%     (23.2 )%
% of net sales
    8.0 %     10.4 %     14.4 %     (2.4 )%     (4.0 )%
 
The reconciliation of EBIT to a GAAP financial measure is as follows:
                         
(Dollars in millions)   2007     2006     2005  
 
EBIT
  $ 42.0       47.6       62.0  
Add: Interest income
    0.7       1.3       1.9  
Less: Income taxes
    (9.0 )     (17.6 )     (20.4 )
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
  $ 33.7       31.3       43.5  
 
Communications
The decrease in EBIT in 2007 as compared to 2006 was due to: a $10.8 million decrease at DCSI due to an increase in TWACS NG software amortization expense of $4 million, an increase of $4.3 million in SG&A expenses mainly due to an increase in engineering head count, an increase in PG&E program support costs and TWACS NG maintenance of $1.5 million, and higher shipping expense of $0.9 million; partially offset by an increase of $4.4 million in EBIT at Hexagram due to the increase in sales volumes related to the PG&E deployment.
The decrease in EBIT in 2006 as compared to 2005 was due to: a $7.8 million decrease at DCSI due to changes in product mix gross margins (IOU vs. COOP), charges related to a terminated subcontract manufacturer, higher warranty costs and amortization of TWACS NG software; a $3.8 million decrease at Comtrak due to lower shipments; a $0.7 million loss at Nexus due to the timing of customer deployments and additional SG&A spending related to engineering and new product initiatives; partially offset by $1.8 million from Hexagram.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Filtration
EBIT increased in 2007 as compared to 2006 primarily due to: a $2.8 million increase at PTI due to higher commercial aerospace shipments; a $1.7 million increase at VACCO due to higher defense spares shipments; partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease at Filtertek due to increased raw material costs.
EBIT decreased in 2006 as compared to 2005 primarily due to: a $4.3 million decrease at VACCO due to significantly lower defense spares shipments; a $1.4 million decrease at Filtertek partly due to increased material costs; partially offset by a $2.8 million increase at PTI due to higher shipments of aerospace products. The 2005 operating results for Filtertek included a $1.9 million gain related to the termination of a supply agreement with a medical device customer that was not repeated in 2006.
Test
The decrease in EBIT in 2007 as compared to 2006 was mainly due to: a $1.1 million decrease in EBIT from the Company’s European operations as a result of lower sales volumes and U.K. facility move costs; partially offset by a $0.4 million increase in EBIT from the Company’s Asian operations on the higher sales volumes. In addition, the Company’s current year U.S. operations were negatively impacted by $2.6 million of total costs associated with the arbitration judgment related to a 2005 U.S. Government project.
The increase in EBIT in 2006 as compared to the prior year was mainly due to: a $2.1 million increase in EBIT from the Company’s U.S. operations driven by sales of additional test chambers and higher component sales; a $0.4 million increase in EBIT from the Company’s European operations; and a $0.3 million increase in EBIT from the Company’s Asian operations.
Corporate
Corporate office operating charges included in consolidated EBIT increased by $2.6 million in 2007 as compared to 2006 mainly due to: the 2007 absence of a $1.8 million non-cash gain recorded in 2006 related to an indemnification obligation with respect to a previously divested subsidiary; a $0.7 million increase in pre-tax stock option expense; $0.4 million of additional professional fees incurred to support a research tax project; partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease in pre-tax amortization of acquired intangible assets related to Nexus and Hexagram.
Corporate office operating charges included in consolidated EBIT increased by $3.8 million in 2006 as compared to 2005 mainly due to: $2.7 million of pre-tax amortization of acquired intangible assets related to Nexus and Hexagram; $2.3 million of pre-tax stock option expense; partially offset by a $1.8 million non-cash gain representing the reversal of a liability related to an indemnification obligation with respect to a previously divested subsidiary. The “Reconciliation to Consolidated Totals (Corporate)” in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements represents Corporate office operating charges.
INTEREST INCOME
Interest income was $0.7 million in 2007, $1.3 million in 2006 and $1.9 million in 2005. The decrease in interest income in 2007 and 2006 as compared to the prior year periods was due to lower average cash balances on hand resulting from the 2006 acquisitions.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
The 2007 effective tax rate was 21.1% compared to 36.0% in 2006 and 31.9% in 2005. The decrease in the 2007 effective tax rate as compared to the prior year was due to: the favorable impact of the research tax credit reduced 2007 income tax expense by $4.4 million and the effective tax rate by 10.3%; resolution of certain tax exposure items reduced current year income tax expense by $2.3 million and the effective tax rate by 5.3%; the release of a portion of the valuation allowance on capital loss carryforward reduced income tax expense by $0.8 million and the effective tax rate by 1.8%; and the effect of deferring U.S. tax on foreign earnings and favorable adjustments to foreign tax accruals reduced 2007 tax expense by $1.1 million and the effective tax rate by 2.7%. During 2007, the Company determined that certain tax accounts had not been accurately recorded in the financial statements for fiscal years 2001 to 2006. The effect in any individual year was not material to the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The Company recorded $1.3 million as a cumulative credit adjustment to tax expense to correct previously recorded tax accounts during the fourth quarter of 2007.
The increase in the effective tax rate in 2006 as compared to the prior year was due to: the effect of the foreign earnings repatriation increased 2006 income tax expense by $2.4 million and the effective rate by 4.8%; the adoption of SFAS 123(R) increased tax expense by $0.7 million and the effective rate by 1.4%; the lower volume of profit contributions of the Company’s foreign operations (primarily Puerto Rico due to the lower sales to PREPA) adversely impacted the tax rate; partially offset by the effect of a favorable change in tax contingencies not related to the research tax credit which decreased tax expense by $1.4 million and the effective tax rate by 2.9% and the net effect of the research tax credit which favorably impacted tax expense by $2.5 million and the effective tax rate by 5%.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Working capital (current assets less current liabilities) increased to $141.2 million at September 30, 2007 from $131.4 million at September 30, 2006.
During 2007, cash and cash equivalents decreased $18.2 million, primarily due to an increase in operating working capital requirements. The $19.2 million increase in accounts receivable at September 30, 2007 is mainly due to: $9.9 million related to the Communications segment and $5.7 million related to the Test
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT      15

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
segment, both due to timing and increased volume of sales. The $16.9 million increase in inventories at September 30, 2007 is mainly due to an $11.7 million increase within the Communications segment primarily related to the PG&E deployment. Accounts payable increased by $15.1 million at September 30, 2007, of which $6.0 million related to the Test segment and $3.1 million related to the Communications segment, both due to the timing of vendor payments on the higher level of inventory.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $45.3 million, $58.6 million and $68.6 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The decrease in 2007 is related to an increase in operating working capital requirements. The decrease in 2006 is related to lower net earnings.
Capital expenditures were $19.5 million, $9.1 million and $8.8 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in 2007 compared to 2006 included: approximately $4 million of manufacturing equipment for the More Energy project at Filtertek Ireland (Filtration segment); approximately $2 million for the Cedar Park facility expansion (Test segment); approximately $1 million for the DCSI facility expansion (Communications segment). There were no commitments outstanding that were considered material for capital expenditures at September 30, 2007.
At September 30, 2007, intangible assets, net, of $77.2 million included $65.7 million of capitalized software. Approximately $58.6 million of the capitalized software balance represents software development costs on the TWACS NG software within the Communications segment to further penetrate the IOU market. This software is being deployed to efficiently handle the additional levels of communications dictated by the size of the utility service territories and the frequency of meter reads that are required under time-of-use or critical peak pricing scenarios to meet the requirements of large IOUs. At September 30, 2007, the Company had approximately $2 million of commitments related to the development of TWACS NG versions 2.0 and 3.0 which is expected to be spent during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company expects to spend up to approximately $6 million in fiscal 2008 on TWACS NG. Amortization is on a straight-line basis over seven years and began in March 2006. The Company recorded $6.2 million and $2.2 million in amortization expense related to TWACS NG during 2007 and 2006, respectively.
At September 30, 2007, the Company had an available net operating loss (NOL) carryforward for U.S. Federal tax purposes of approximately $35 million. This NOL will expire between 2019 and 2025, and will be available to reduce future Federal income tax cash payments.
The closure and relocation of the Filtertek Puerto Rico facility was completed in March 2004. The Puerto Rico facility is included in other current assets with a carrying value of $3.6 million at September 30, 2007. The facility is being marketed for sale.
During 2005, the Company reached a settlement in the defense of a certain revenue-generating patent used in the Filtration business. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company received a cash payment of $1.5 million, and in 2005 the Company recognized a gain of $0.3 million, after deducting $0.2 million of professional fees related to the settlement. The unrecognized gain is being recorded on a straight-line basis in Other (income) and expenses, net, over the remaining patent life, through 2011.
ACQUISITIONS
On August 10, 2007, the Company acquired the assets and certain liabilities of Wintec, LLC (Wintec) for a purchase price of $6 million. Wintec is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of metallic elements, filters, and strainers for pneumatic/hydraulic applications and surface tension devices for propellant management fluid control with annual revenues of approximately $3.5 million. The assets acquired consist of accounts receivable, inventory and property, plant and equipment. The Company recorded approximately $5 million of goodwill in connection with the transaction. In addition, the Company recorded $0.2 million of amortizable intangible assets consisting of customer contracts and order backlog which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from nine months to seventeen months. The operating results for Wintec, since the date of acquisition, are included within VACCO in the Filtration segment.
On February 1, 2006, the Company acquired the capital stock of Hexagram for a purchase price of approximately $66 million. The acquisition agreement also provides for contingent consideration of up to $6.3 million over a five-year period following the acquisition if Hexagram exceeds certain sales targets. During 2007, the Company paid $1.3 million of contingent consideration. Hexagram is a radio-frequency (RF) fixed network AMI company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Hexagram broadens the Company’s served market and provides an RF based AMI system serving primarily electric, gas and water utilities. The operating results for Hexagram, since the date of acquisition, are included within the Communications unit. The Company recorded approximately $51 million of goodwill and $3.5 million of trademarks as a result of the transaction. The Company also recorded $6.6 million of identifiable intangible assets consisting primarily of patents and proprietary know-how, customer contracts, and order backlog which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from six months to seven years.
On November 29, 2005, the Company acquired Nexus through an all cash for shares merger transaction for approximately $29 million in cash plus contingent cash consideration over the four-year period
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis
following the merger if Nexus exceeds certain sales targets. Nexus is a software company headquartered in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Nexus broadens the Company’s served market and provides software solutions that allow utilities to fully utilize the information produced by the Company’s AMI systems. The operating results for Nexus, since the date of acquisition, are included within the Communications unit. The Company recorded approximately $24 million of goodwill as a result of the transaction. The Company also recorded $2.7 million of identifiable intangible assets consisting of customer contracts and backlog value which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from one year to three years.
All of the Company’s acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the respective purchase prices were allocated to the assets (including intangible assets) acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The financial results from these acquisitions have been included in the Company’s financial statements from the date of acquisition.
PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC
In November 2005, DCSI entered into a contract to provide equipment, software and services to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in support of the electric portion of PG&E’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. Under this contract, equipment is purchased by PG&E only upon issuance of purchase orders and release authorizations. These orders were initially expected to total approximately $310 million over a five-year period although significant future developments explained in the following paragraph have impacted these expectations and the Company now expresses no opinion as to the amount of orders anticipated under the contract. Under the contract, PG&E continues to retain the right to purchase products or services from other suppliers for the electric portion of the AMI project. DCSI has agreed to deliver to PG&E versions of its newly developed TWACS NG software as it becomes available and is tested. Delivery of the final software version for which DCSI has committed was required in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and is currently anticipated in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The parties are negotiating an amendment to the current contract to conform to the parties’ performance, including DCSI’s anticipated software delivery date. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting standards, the Company will defer all revenue related to DCSI’s arrangement with PG&E until all software is delivered and acceptance criteria have been met. The contract provides for liquidated damages in the event of DCSI’s late development or delivery of hardware and software, and includes indemnification and other customary provisions. The contract may be terminated by PG&E for default, for its convenience and in the event of a force majeure lasting beyond certain prescribed periods. The Company has guaranteed the obligations of DCSI under the contract. If PG&E terminates the contract for its convenience, DCSI will be entitled to recover certain costs.
During the third quarter of 2007, PG&E announced its plans to request information and proposals from a small group of vendors in order to evaluate such vendors’ ability to address potential future functionality requirements for the electric portion of its service territory currently included in DCSI’s contract. In July 2007, PG&E issued requests for proposals (RFPs) to a group of vendors, including the Company, for PG&E’s electric requirements. Prior to PG&E’s issuance of this RFP, Hexagram agreed to provide 2,000 of its RF fixed network electric units for PG&E testing. Testing of Hexagram’s electric solution began in the fourth quarter of 2007. PG&E’s current activities will impact the timing and/or receipt of future orders from PG&E for its electric deployment and, until PG&E completes this evaluation and determines whether it will modify its AMI project plan, the Company cannot estimate the total value or the timing of orders that may be received under the DCSI PG&E contract.
In November 2005, Hexagram entered into a contract to provide equipment, software and services to PG&E in support of the gas utility portion of PG&E’s AMI project. Hexagram’s contract also provided PG&E the option to purchase an RF based electric product from Hexagram. The total anticipated contract revenue from commencement through the five-year full deployment is expected to be up to approximately $225 million excluding any potential purchases of Hexagram’s RF based electric product. As with DCSI’s contract with PG&E, equipment will be purchased only upon issuance of purchase orders and release authorizations, and PG&E will continue to have the right to purchase products or services from other suppliers for the gas utility portion of the AMI project. The contract provides for liquidated damages in the event of late deliveries, includes indemnification and other customary provisions, and may be terminated by PG&E for default, for its convenience and in the event of a force majeure lasting beyond certain prescribed periods. The Company has guaranteed the performance of the contract by Hexagram.
BANK CREDIT FACILITY
Effective October 6, 2004, the Company entered into a $100 million five-year revolving bank credit facility with a $50 million increase option that has a final maturity and expiration date of October 6, 2009. The credit facility is available for direct borrowings and/or the issuance of letters of credit, and is provided by a group of six banks, led by Wells Fargo Bank as agent.
The credit facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a commitment fee ranging from 17.5 to 27.5 basis points per annum on the unused portion. The terms of the facility provide that interest on borrowings may be calculated at a spread over the LIBOR or based on the prime rate, at the Company’s election. The credit facility is secured by the unlimited guaranty of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries and a 65% pledge of the material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the credit facility include limitations on leverage, minimum consolidated EBITDA and minimum net worth.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT      17

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
At September 30, 2007, the Company had approximately $96.4 million available to borrow under the credit facility in addition to its $18.6 million cash on hand. At September 30, 2007, the Company had outstanding short-term borrowings of $2.8 million, and outstanding letters of credit of $3.6 million ($0.8 million outstanding under the credit facility). As of September 30, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all bank covenants.
Cash flow from operations and borrowings under the bank credit facility are expected to provide adequate resources to meet the Company’s capital requirements and operational needs for the foreseeable future.
Subsequent to September 30, 2007, the Company announced its intention to enter into a new credit facility led by National City Bank in connection with the acquisition of Doble Engineering Company. See “Subsequent Events” under Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table shows the Company’s contractual obligations as of September 30, 2007:
                                         
(Dollars in millions)   Payments due by period  
            Less                     More  
Contractual           than     1 to 3     3 to 5     than  
Obligations   Total     1 year     years     years     5 years  
 
Long-Term Debt Obligation
  $                          
Capital Lease Obligations
    0.9       0.3       0.4       0.2        
Operating Lease Obligations
    26.4       6.6       9.7       6.7       3.4  
Purchase Obligations(1)
    2.0       2.0                    
 
Total
  $ 29.3       8.9       10.1       6.9       3.4  
 
(1)   A purchase obligation is defined as a legally binding and enforceable agreement to purchase goods and services that specifies all significant terms. Since the majority of the Company’s purchase orders can be cancelled, they are not included in the table above. TWACS NG software development costs for version 2.0 and version 3.0 are included.
The Company has no off balance sheet arrangements outstanding at September 30, 2007.
SHARE REPURCHASES
In August 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an open market common stock repurchase program for up to 1.2 million shares, subject to market conditions and other factors which covers the period through September 30, 2008. The Company repurchased $10 million or 265,000 shares in 2007 under this program. There were no stock repurchases during 2006. The Company repurchased $25 million or 670,072 shares in 2005 under a previously authorized program.
PENSION FUNDING REQUIREMENTS
The minimum cash funding requirements related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans are approximately $0.5 million in 2008, approximately $1.75 million in 2009 and approximately $1.25 million in 2010. The Company made a voluntary cash contribution of $1.4 million in 2006.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On November 7, 2007, the Company announced an agreement to acquire the stock of Doble Engineering Company, headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, for $319 million in cash, subject to adjustment for differences in working capital and cash on hand at closing. The Company intends to fund the acquisition by a combination of existing cash and borrowings under a new credit facility led by National City Bank. The transaction is expected to close in the quarter ending December 31, 2007.
On November 26, 2007, the Company announced it had completed the sale of the filtration portion of Filtertek Inc. to Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) for approximately $77.5 million in cash, subject to closing working capital adjustments. The Tek Packaging division of Filtertek is not included in the transaction. The net cash proceeds from the sale, estimated at $70 million after taxes and expenses, will be used to pay down a portion of the debt associated with the Doble Engineering Company acquisition, mentioned above. The Company expects to record a gain on the sale for both financial reporting and tax purposes, with a portion of the tax gain being shielded from cash payments through the utilization of the Company’s existing capital loss carryforward which was generated from prior divestitures.
OTHER
Management believes that, for the periods presented, inflation has not had a material effect on the Company’s results of operations.
The Company is currently involved in various stages of investigation and remediation relating to environmental matters. Based on current information available, Management does not believe the aggregate costs involved in the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, capital expenditures or competitive position.
18       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Market Risk Analysis
MARKET RISK EXPOSURE
Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
At September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company had no obligations related to interest rate swaps.
The Company is also subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk inherent in its sales commitments, anticipated sales, anticipated purchases and assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The foreign currency most significant to the Company’s operations is the Euro. Net sales to customers outside of the United States were $121.2 million, $103.0 million, and $103.8 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company hedges certain foreign currency commitments by purchasing foreign currency forward contracts. The estimated fair value of open forward contracts at September 30, 2007 was not material.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. In preparing these financial statements, Management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. The Company does not believe there is a great likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions related to the accounting policies described below. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company’s senior Management discusses the critical accounting policies described below with the Audit and Finance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors on a periodic basis.
The following discussion of critical accounting policies is intended to bring to the attention of readers those accounting policies which Management believes are critical to the Consolidated Financial Statements and other financial disclosure. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all significant accounting policies that are more fully described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Communications Unit: Within the Communications unit, approximately 95% of the unit’s revenue arrangements (approximately 35% of consolidated revenues) contain software components. Revenue under these arrangements is recognized in accordance with Statement of Position 97-2 (SOP 97-2), “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by SOP 98-9, “Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, with Respect to Certain Transactions.” The application of software revenue recognition requires judgment, including the determination of whether a software arrangement includes multiple elements and estimates of the fair value of the elements, or vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”). Changes to the elements in a software arrangement, and the ability to identify VSOE for those elements could materially impact the amount of earned and/or deferred revenue. There have been no material changes to these estimates for the financial statement periods presented and the Company believes that these estimates generally should not be subject to significant variation in the future. The remaining 5% of the unit’s revenues represent products sold under a single element arrangement and are recognized when products are delivered to unaffiliated customers.
Filtration Unit: Within the Filtration operating unit, approximately 80% of operating unit revenues (approximately 30% of consolidated revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services are performed for unaffiliated customers.
Approximately 20% of operating unit revenues (approximately 5% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under the percentage-of-completion provisions of SOP 81-1, “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts” because the Company manufactures complex products for aerospace and military customers under production contracts. The percentage-of-completion method of accounting involves the use of various estimating techniques to project costs at completion. These estimates involve various assumptions and projections relative to the outcome of future events over a period of several years, including future labor productivity and availability, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, availability of materials, the impact of delayed performance, and the timing of product deliveries. These estimates are based on Management’s judgment and the Company’s substantial experience in developing these types of estimates. Changes in underlying assumptions/estimates may adversely affect financial performance if they increase estimated project costs at completion, or positively affect financial performance if they decrease estimated
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT      19

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
project costs at completion. Due to the nature of these contracts and the operating unit’s cost estimating process, the Company believes that these estimates generally should not be subject to significant variation in the future. There have been no material changes to these estimates for the financial statement periods presented. The Company regularly reviews its estimates to assess revisions in contract values and estimated costs at completion.
Test Unit: Within the Test unit, approximately 50% of revenues (approximately 15% of consolidated revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services are performed for unaffiliated customers. Certain arrangements contain multiple elements which are accounted for under the provisions of EITF 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” The application of EITF 00-21 requires judgment as to whether the deliverables can be divided into more than one unit of accounting and whether the separate units of accounting have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis. Changes to these elements could affect the timing of revenue recognition. There have been no material changes to these elements for the financial statement periods presented.
Approximately 50% of the unit’s revenues (approximately 15% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under the percentage-of-completion provisions of SOP 81-1, “Accounting for the Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts” due to the complex nature of the enclosures that are designed and produced under these contracts. As discussed above, this method of accounting involves the use of various estimating techniques to project costs at completion, which are based on Management’s judgment and the Company’s substantial experience in developing these types of estimates. Changes in underlying assumptions/ estimates may adversely or positively affect financial performance. Due to the nature of these contracts and the operating unit’s cost estimating process, the Company believes that these estimates generally should not be subject to significant variation in the future. There have been no material changes to these estimates for the financial statement periods presented. The Company regularly reviews its contract estimates to assess revisions in contract values and estimated costs at completion.
INVENTORY
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market value. Management regularly reviews inventories on hand compared to historical usage and estimated future usage and sales. Inventories under long-term contracts reflect accumulated production costs, factory overhead, initial tooling and other related costs less the portion of such costs charged to cost of sales and any unliquidated progress payments. In accordance with industry practice, costs incurred on contracts in progress include amounts relating to programs having production cycles longer than one year, and a portion thereof may not be realized within one year.
INCOME TAXES
The Company operates in numerous taxing jurisdictions and is subject to examination by various U.S. Federal, state and foreign jurisdictions for various tax periods. Additionally, the Company has retained tax liabilities and the rights to tax refunds in connection with various divestitures of businesses in prior years. The Company’s income tax positions are based on research and interpretations of the income tax laws and rulings in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company does business. Due to the subjectivity of interpretations of laws and rulings in each jurisdiction, the differences and interplay in tax laws between those jurisdictions, as well as the inherent uncertainty in estimating the final resolution of complex tax audit matters, Management’s estimates of income tax liabilities may differ from actual payments or assessments.
While the Company has support for the positions taken on its tax returns, taxing authorities are increasingly asserting alternate interpretations of laws and facts, and are challenging cross jurisdictional transactions. Cross jurisdictional transactions between the Company’s subsidiaries involving transfer prices for products and services, as well as various U.S. Federal, state and foreign tax matters, comprise the Company’s income tax exposures. Management regularly assesses the Company’s position with regard to tax exposures and records liabilities for these uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties, if any, according to the principles of SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” The Company has recorded an accrual that reflects Management’s estimate of the likely outcome of current and future audits. A final determination of these tax audits or changes in Management’s estimates may result in additional future income tax expense or benefit.
At the end of each interim reporting period, Management estimates the effective tax rate expected to apply to the full fiscal year. The estimated effective tax rate contemplates the expected jurisdiction where income is earned, as well as tax planning strategies. Current and projected growth in income in higher tax jurisdictions may result in an increasing effective tax rate over time. If the actual results differ from Management’s estimates, Management may have to adjust the effective tax rate in the interim period such determination is made.
20       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets may be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance when Management believes it is more likely than not such assets will not be recovered, taking into consideration historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, tax planning strategies, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.
GOODWILL AND OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS
In accordance with SFAS 142, Management annually reviews goodwill and other long-lived assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the Company determines that the carrying value of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable, a permanent impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Fair value is measured based on a discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by Management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in the Company’s current business model. The estimates of cash flows and discount rate are subject to change due to the economic environment, including such factors as interest rates, expected market returns and volatility of markets served. Management believes that the estimates of future cash flows and fair value are reasonable; however, changes in estimates could result in impairment charges. SFAS 142 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS 144.
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
The measurement of liabilities related to pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans is based on Management’s assumptions related to future events including interest rates, return on pension plan assets, rate of compensation increases, and health care cost trend rates. Actual pension plan asset performance will either decrease or increase unamortized pension losses that will affect net earnings in future years. Depending upon the performance of the equity and bond markets in 2008, the Company could be required to record a charge to equity. In addition, if the discount rate was decreased by 25 basis points from 6.25% to 6.00%, the projected benefit obligation for the defined benefit plan would increase by approximately $1.0 million and result in an additional after-tax charge to shareholders’ equity of approximately $1.0 million. The discount rate used in measuring the Company’s pension and postretirement welfare obligations was developed by matching yields of actual high-quality corporate bonds to expected future pension plan cash flows (benefit payments). Over 500 Aa-rated, non-callable bonds with a wide range of maturities were used in the analysis. After using the bond yields to determine the present value of the plan cash flows, a single representative rate that resulted in the same present value was developed.
Other Matters
CONTINGENCIES
As a normal incident of the businesses in which the Company is engaged, various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced against the Company. In the opinion of Management, final judgments, if any, which might be rendered against the Company are adequately reserved, covered by insurance, or are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial statements.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. At September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company had no obligations related to interest rate swaps. See further discussion in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Market Risk Analysis” regarding the Company’s market risks.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision of and with the participation of Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect those controls and procedures.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT      21

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company estimates that the adoption of FIN 48 will result in an increase to the opening balance of retained earnings as of October 1, 2007 in the range of zero to $5 million for income tax benefits not previously recognized.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (SFAS 158), which amends SFAS 87 and SFAS 106 to require recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Under SFAS 158, gains and losses, prior service costs and credits, and any remaining transition amounts under SFAS 87 and SFAS 106 that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit cost will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effects. The measurement date — the date at which the benefit obligation and plan assets are measured — is required to be the Company’s fiscal year-end, which is the date the Company currently uses. SFAS 158 is effective for publicly held companies for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 158 as of September 30, 2007 and recorded a pre-tax credit of $0.9 million to accumulated other comprehensive income in equity.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157), which defines fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 157 is not expected to have a material impact to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Forward-Looking Information
Statements regarding future events and the Company’s future results that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the Company’s performance and the industries in which the Company operates, the Company’s ability to utilize NOLs, adequacy of the Company’s credit facilities and future cash flows, estimates of anticipated contract costs and revenues, the timing, amount and success of claims for research credits, the timing and success of software development efforts and resulting costs, acceptance by PG&E of the final version of DCSI’s TWACS NG software, the anticipated value of the PG&E contract, timing of closing the Doble acquisition, the outcome of current litigation, claims and charges, recoverability of deferred tax assets, continued reinvestment of foreign earnings, the impact of FIN 48 and SFAS 157, future costs relating to environmental matters, share repurchases, investments, sustained performance improvement, performance improvement initiatives, growth opportunities, new product development, the Company’s ability to increase shareholder value, acquisitions, and the beliefs and assumptions of Management contained in the Letter to Our Shareholders (pages 1-2), the Report of the Chief Financial Officer (page 12), and Management’s Discussion and Analysis and other statements contained herein which are not strictly historical are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Federal securities laws. Words such as expects, anticipates, targets, goals, projects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions, speak only as of the date of this report, and the Company undertakes no duty to update. The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment including, but not limited to those described under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and the following: actions by the California Public Utility Commission; PG&E’s Board of Directors or PG&E’s management impacting PG&E’s AMI projects; the timing and success of DCSI’s software development efforts; the timing and content of purchase order releases under the PG&E contracts; and DCSI’s and Hexagram’s successful performance of the PG&E contracts; satisfaction of closing conditions to the Doble acquisition; the timing and execution of real estate sales; termination for convenience of customer contracts; timing and magnitude of future contract awards; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; the success of the Company’s competitors; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties; the availability of selected acquisitions; the timing, pricing and availability of shares offered for sale; delivery delays or defaults by customers; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; material changes in the costs of certain raw materials; the successful sale of the Company’s Puerto Rico facility; collective bargaining and labor disputes; changes in laws and regulations including but not limited to changes in accounting standards and taxation requirements; costs relating to environmental matters; litigation uncertainty; and the Company’s successful execution of internal operating plans.
22      ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Consolidated Statements of Operations
                         
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)                  
Years ended September 30,   2007     2006     2005  
 
Net sales
  $ 527,537       458,865       429,115  
 
                       
Costs and expenses:
                       
Cost of sales
    349,891       300,309       281,654  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    122,502       106,882       84,241  
Amortization of intangible assets
    10,705       6,872       1,973  
Interest income, net
    (744 )     (1,286 )     (1,900 )
Other (income) and expenses, net
    2,455       (2,814 )     (1,550 )
Asset impairment
                790  
 
Total costs and expenses
    484,809       409,963       365,208  
 
Earnings before income tax
    42,728       48,902       63,907  
Income tax expense
    9,015       17,622       20,363  
 
Net earnings
  $ 33,713       31,280       43,544  
 
Earnings per share:
                       
Basic:
                       
Net earnings
  $ 1.30       1.22       1.71  
 
Diluted:
                       
Net earnings
  $ 1.28       1.19       1.66  
 
Average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
                       
Basic
    25,865       25,718       25,511  
Diluted
    26,387       26,386       26,306  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT       23

 


 

Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 
(Dollars in thousands)            
Years ended September 30,   2007     2006  
 
ASSETS
               
 
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 18,638       36,819  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $638 and $798 in 2007 and 2006, respectively
    102,994       83,816  
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $3,881 and $4,405 in 2007 and 2006, respectively
    11,520       1,345  
Inventories
    67,871       50,984  
Current portion of deferred tax assets
    25,264       24,251  
Other current assets
    34,063       10,042  
 
Total current assets
    260,350       207,257  
 
 
               
Property, plant and equipment:
               
Land and land improvements
    5,543       5,497  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    48,767       46,089  
Machinery and equipment
    101,076       86,312  
Construction in progress
    5,184       1,444  
 
 
    160,570       139,342  
 
               
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    82,293       70,588  
 
Net property, plant and equipment
    78,277       68,754  
 
               
Goodwill
    149,466       143,450  
Intangible assets, net
    77,242       59,202  
Other assets
    10,772       10,031  
 
 
  $ 576,107       488,694  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
24       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 
(Dollars in thousands)            
Years ended September 30,   2007     2006  
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Current liabilities:
               
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 2,844        
Accounts payable
    54,634       39,496  
Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $20,314 and $19,532 in 2007 and 2006, respectively
    3,408       7,367  
Accrued salaries
    15,114       13,932  
Current portion of deferred revenue
    25,239       3,569  
Accrued other expenses
    17,961       11,531  
 
Total current liabilities
    119,200       75,895  
 
Long-term portion of deferred revenue
    6,411       7,458  
Pension obligations
    8,029       13,143  
Deferred tax liabilities
    18,522       3,750  
Other liabilities
    8,462       12,014  
Long-term debt
           
 
Total liabilities
    160,624       112,260  
 
 
               
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares
           
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares; Issued 29,159,629 and 29,030,995 shares in 2007 and 2006, respectively
    292       290  
Additional paid-in capital
    243,131       236,390  
Retained earnings
    226,759       193,046  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    6,303       (2,070 )
 
 
    476,485       427,656  
 
               
Less treasury stock, at cost (3,416,966 and 3,166,026 common shares in 2007 and 2006, respectively)
    (61,002 )     (51,222 )
 
Total shareholders’ equity
    415,483       376,434  
 
 
  $ 576,107       488,694  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT       25

 


 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
                                                         
                                    Accumulated              
                    Additional             Other              
(In thousands)   Common Stock     Paid-in     Retained     Comprehensive     Treasury        
Years ended September 30,   Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Income (Loss)     Stock     Total  
 
Balance, September 30, 2004
    14,149     $ 142       221,711       115,963       (3,698 )     (26,502 )     307,616  
 
                                                     
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net earnings
                      43,544                   43,544  
Translation adjustments
                            680             680  
Minimum pension liability, net of tax of $1,372
                            (2,548 )           (2,548 )
 
                                                     
Comprehensive income
                                                    41,676  
 
                                                     
 
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax benefit of $(3,032)
    222       1       6,606                   53       6,660  
Purchases into treasury
                                  (24,928 )     (24,928 )
100 percent stock dividend
    14,368       144             (144 )                  
 
Balance, September 30, 2005
    28,739       287       228,317       159,363       (5,566 )     (51,377 )     331,024  
 
                                                     
 
SAB 108 Cumulative effect adjustment
                      2,403                   2,403  
 
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net earnings
                      31,280                   31,280  
Translation adjustments
                            1,448             1,448  
Minimum pension liability, net of tax of $(1,103)
                            2,048             2,048  
 
                                                     
 
Comprehensive income
                                                    34,776  
 
                                                     
 
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax benefit of $(3,173)
    292       3       8,073                   155       8,231  
 
Balance, September 30, 2006
    29,031       290       236,390       193,046       (2,070 )     (51,222 )     376,434  
 
                                                     
 
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net earnings
                      33,713                   33,713  
Translation adjustments
                            4,252             4,252  
Minimum pension liability, net of tax of $(1,622)
                            3,558             3,558  
 
                                                     
 
Comprehensive income
                                        41,523  
 
                                                     
 
SFAS 158 adjustment, net of tax of $(358)
                            563             563  
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax benefit of $(828)
    129       2       6,741                   227       6,970  
 
Purchases into treasury
                                  (10,007 )     (10,007 )
 
Balance, September 30, 2007
    29,160     $ 292       243,131       226,759       6,303       (61,002 )     415,483  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
26       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
                         
(Dollars in thousands)                  
Years ended September 30,   2007     2006     2005  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net earnings
  $ 33,713       31,280       43,544  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    22,176       17,303       12,184  
Stock compensation expense
    5,299       4,790       2,649  
Changes in operating working capital
    (37,663 )     1,162       (4,634 )
Effect of deferred taxes on tax provision
    12,873       3,596       15,221  
Pension contributions
          (1,350 )      
Change in deferred revenue and costs, net
    9,339       1,133       396  
Other
    (474 )     712       (804 )
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    45,263       58,626       68,556  
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (8,250 )     (91,968 )      
Capital expenditures
    (19,503 )     (9,117 )     (8,848 )
Additions to capitalized software
    (30,094 )     (27,977 )     (8,342 )
 
Net cash used by investing activities
    (57,847 )     (129,062 )     (17,190 )
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from long-term debt
          52,000        
Principal payments on long-term debt
          (52,000 )     (519 )
Net increase in short-term borrowings
    2,844              
Purchases of common stock into treasury
    (10,007 )           (24,928 )
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised
    73       1,569        
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    1,843       2,761       3,037  
Other
    (350 )     (1,559 )     3,247  
 
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
    (5,597 )     2,771       (19,163 )
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (18,181 )     (67,665 )     32,203  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    36,819       104,484       72,281  
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 18,638       36,819       104,484  
 
Changes in operating working capital:
                       
Accounts receivable, net
  $ (18,775 )     (10,029 )     8,910  
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, net
    (10,175 )     3,047       (1,916 )
Inventories
    (16,627 )     1,822       (4,358 )
Other current assets
    (11,877 )     737       (1,856 )
Accounts payable
    15,138       7,675       (3,156 )
Advance payments on long-term contracts, net
    (3,959 )     594       2,468  
Accrued expenses
    8,612       (2,684 )     (4,726 )
 
 
  $ (37,663 )     1,162       (4,634 )
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
                       
Interest paid
  $ 109       456       33  
Income taxes paid (including state, foreign & AMT)
    3,731       10,768       6,269  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT       27

 


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESCO) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2007 presentation.
B. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are estimated by reference to quoted prices from market sources and financial institutions, as well as other valuation techniques. The estimated fair value of each class of financial instruments approximated the related carrying value at September 30, 2007 and 2006.
C. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
The Company has three industry operating units: Communications, Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), and Test. The Communications unit is a proven supplier of special purpose communications systems for electric, gas and water utilities, including hardware and software to support advanced metering applications. The Filtration unit develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of filtration products used in the purification and processing of liquids and gases. The Test unit is an industry leader in providing its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy.
D. USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires Management to make estimates and assumptions, including estimates of anticipated contract costs and revenues utilized in the earnings process, that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
E. REVENUE RECOGNITION
Communications Unit: Within the Communications unit, approximately 95% of the unit’s revenue arrangements (approximately 35% of consolidated revenues) contain software components. Revenue under these arrangements is recognized in accordance with Statement of Position 97-2 (SOP 97-2), “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by SOP 98-9, “Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, with Respect to Certain Transactions.” The unit’s software revenue arrangements generally include multiple products and services, or “elements” consisting of meter and substation hardware, meter reading system software, program management support during the deployment period and software support (post-contract customer support, “PCS”). These arrangements typically require the Company to deliver software at the inception of the arrangement while the hardware and program management support are delivered over the contractual deployment period. Software support is provided during deployment and subsequent thereto. The software element included in such arrangements is essential to the functionality of the hardware and, therefore, the hardware is considered to be software-related. Hardware is considered a specified element in the software arrangement and vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”) has been established for this element. VSOE for the hardware element is determined based on the price when sold separately to customers. These revenue arrangements are divided into separate units of accounting if the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item(s) and delivery/ performance of the undelivered item(s) is probable. For multiple element arrangements, revenue is allocated to the individual elements based on VSOE of the individual elements.
The application of these principles requires judgment, including the determination of whether a software arrangement includes multiple elements and estimates of the fair value of the elements. The VSOE of the fair value of undelivered elements is determined based on the historical evidence of stand-alone sales of these elements to customers. Hardware revenues are generally recognized at the time of shipment or receipt by customer depending upon contract terms. VSOE generally does not exist for the software element; therefore, the Company uses the residual method to recognize revenue when VSOE exists for all other undelivered elements. Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the arrangement fee is recognized as revenue.
SOP 97-2 requires the seller of software that includes post-contract customer support (PCS) to establish VSOE of the undelivered element of the contract in order to account separately for the PCS revenue. The Company determines VSOE by a consistent pricing of PCS and PCS renewals as a percentage of the software license fees or by reference to contractual renewals, when the renewal terms are substantive. Revenues for PCS are recognized ratably over the maintenance term specified in the contract (generally in 12 monthly increments). Revenues for program management support are recognized when services have been provided. The Company determines VSOE for program management support based on hourly rates when services are performed separately.
In November 2005, DCSI and Hexagram entered into arrangements with a large utility company to provide software, program management services, training and PCS that includes an option for the customer to purchase a significant quantity of hardware over an initial deployment period of approximately five years and subsequently over the remaining initial contract term of up to fifteen years. The software, program management services and training will be delivered over the initial hardware deployment period of approximately five years. PCS will be provided at no charge during the first year of the initial deployment period, after which it will be provided over subsequent annual periods throughout the contract term if the customer chooses to continue PCS. Because the program
28       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
management services are based on a fixed price per month rather than on a time and materials basis, the Company is unable to establish VSOE for the program management services in this arrangement. The Company is able to establish VSOE for the PCS based on contractual renewal rates that are consistent with other arrangements and for the training based on pricing when sold separately. For the DCSI arrangement, the pricing for the optional hardware includes a discount that the Company has determined to be more-than-insignificant. In accordance with applicable software revenue recognition guidance, the Company will defer all revenue related to the DCSI arrangement until all software is delivered and acceptance criteria have been met. At that time, revenue otherwise allocable to the software, program management services, training and initial bundled PCS will be reduced by the rate of the significant incremental discount offered on the hardware products. The portion of the arrangement consideration allocated to the significant incremental discount will be recognized ratably over the discount period (up to twenty years) similar to a subscription. The remaining arrangement consideration will be recognized ratably over the period the program management services will be performed (the initial deployment period of approximately five years). Additional annual fees are payable in each subsequent year that PCS is provided and will be recognized over the respective PCS period. The amount paid by the customer for optional purchases of hardware during the deployment period related to both the DCSI and Hexagram arrangements will be recognized upon delivery and acceptance, if applicable, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.
Approximately 5% of unit revenues are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services are performed for unaffiliated customers. Products include the SecurVision® digital video surveillance systems.
Filtration Unit: Within the Filtration operating unit, approximately 80% of operating unit revenues (approximately 30% of consolidated revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services are performed for unaffiliated customers.
Approximately 20% of operating unit revenues (approximately 5% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under the percentage-of-completion provisions of SOP 81-1, “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts.” Products accounted for under SOP 81-1 include the design, development and manufacture of complex fluid control products, quiet valves, manifolds and systems primarily for the aerospace and military markets. For arrangements that are accounted for under SOP 81-1, the Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognizes these revenues and costs based on units delivered. The percentage-of-completion method of accounting involves the use of various techniques to estimate expected costs at completion.
Test Unit: Within the Test unit, approximately 50% of revenues (approximately 15% of consolidated revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services are performed for unaffiliated customers. Certain arrangements contain multiple elements which are accounted for under the provisions of EITF 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” The multiple elements generally consist of materials and installation services used in the construction and installation of standard shielded enclosures to measure and contain magnetic and electromagnetic energy. The installation process does not involve changes to the features or capabilities of the equipment and does not require proprietary information about the equipment in order for the installed equipment to perform to specifications. There is objective and reliable evidence of fair value for each of the units of accounting, as a result, the arrangement revenue is allocated to the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values. Typically, fair value is the price of the deliverable when it is regularly sold on a stand-alone basis.
Approximately 50% of the unit’s revenues (approximately 15% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under the percentage-of-completion provisions of SOP 81-1, “Accounting for the Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts” due to the complex nature of the enclosures that are designed and produced under these contracts. Products accounted for under SOP 81-1 include the construction and installation of complex test chambers to a buyer’s specifications that provide its customers with the ability to measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy. As discussed above, for arrangements that are accounted for under SOP 81-1, the Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognizes these revenues and costs based on either (a) units delivered or (b) contract milestones.
If a reliable measure of output cannot be established (which applies in less than 8% of Test unit revenues or 2% of consolidated revenues), input measures (e.g., costs incurred) are used to recognize revenue. Given the nature of the Company’s operations related to these contracts, costs incurred represent an appropriate measure of progress towards completion.
The percentage-of-completion method of accounting involves the use of various techniques to estimate expected costs at completion. These estimates are based on Management’s judgment and the Company’s substantial experience in developing these types of estimates.
F. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash equivalents include temporary investments that are readily convertible into cash, such as Eurodollars, commercial paper and treasury bills with original maturities of three months or less.
G. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that the Company estimates are uncollectible in the future. This estimated allowance is based on Management’s evaluation of the financial condition of the customer and historical write-off experience.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT       29

 


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
H. COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS ON LONG-TERM CONTRACTS
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts represent unbilled revenues, including accrued profits, accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, net of progress billings.
I. INVENTORIES
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market value. Inventories under long-term contracts reflect accumulated production costs, factory overhead, initial cooling and other related costs less the portion of such costs charged to cost of sales and any unliquidated progress payments. In accordance with industry practice, costs incurred on contracts in progress include amounts relating to programs having production cycles longer than one year, and a portion thereof will not be realized within one year.
J. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets: buildings, 10-40 years; machinery and equipment, 5-10 years; and office furniture and equipment, 5-10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the remaining term of the applicable lease or their estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter.
K. GOODWILL AND OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase costs over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in business acquisitions. The Company accounts for goodwill as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Management annually reviews goodwill and other long-lived assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the Company determines that the carrying value of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable, a permanent impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Fair value is measured based on a discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by Management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in the Company’s current business model. Other intangible assets represent costs allocated to identifiable intangible assets, principally capitalized software, patents, trademarks, and technology rights. See Note 4 regarding goodwill and other intangible assets activity.
L. CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE
The costs incurred for the development of computer software that will be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed are charged to expense when incurred as research and development until technological feasibility has been established for the product. Technological feasibility is typically established upon completion of a detailed program design. Costs incurred after this point are capitalized on a project-by-project basis in accordance with SFAS No. 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed.” Costs that are capitalized primarily consist of external development costs. Upon general release of the product to customers, the Company ceases capitalization and begins amortization, which is calculated on a project-by-project basis as the greater of (1) the ratio of current gross revenues for a product to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues for the product or (2) the straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the product. The Company generally amortizes the software development costs over a three- to seven-year period based upon the estimated future economic life of the product. Factors considered in determining the estimated future economic life of the product include anticipated future revenues, and changes in software and hardware technologies. The carrying values of capitalized costs are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis to determine if circumstances exist which indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. If expected cash flows are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the asset, then an impairment loss is recognized to state the asset at its net realizable value.
M. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF
Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to dispose.
N. INCOME TAXES
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets may be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance when Management believes it is more likely than not such assets will not be recovered, taking into consideration historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, tax planning strategies, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.
O. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
Company-sponsored research and development costs include research and development and bid and proposal efforts related to the Company’s products and services. Company-sponsored product
30       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
development costs are charged to expense when incurred. Customer-sponsored research and development costs incurred pursuant to contracts are accounted for similar to other program costs. Customer-sponsored research and development costs refer to certain situations whereby customers provide funding to support specific contractually defined research and development costs. As the Company incurs costs under these specific funding contracts, the costs are “inventoried” until billed to the customer for reimbursement, consistent with other program costs. Once billed/invoiced, these costs are transferred to accounts receivable until the cash is received from the customer. All research and development costs incurred in excess of the contractual funding amount, or costs incurred outside the scope of the contractual research and development project, are expensed as incurred.
P. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with SFAS 52 “Foreign Currency Translation” (SFAS 52). The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Q. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options and vesting of performance-accelerated restricted shares using the treasury stock method.
The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each year presented is as follows:
                         
(In thousands)   2007     2006     2005  
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding — Basic
    25,865       25,718       25,511  
Dilutive Options and performance- accelerated restricted stock
    522       668       795  
 
Adjusted Shares — Diluted
    26,387       26,386       26,306  
 
Options to purchase 602,731 shares at prices ranging from $36.07 - $54.88 were outstanding during the year ended September 30, 2007, but were not included in the respective computation of diluted EPS because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. Options to purchase 264,430 shares at prices ranging from $42.99 – $54.88 were outstanding during the year ended September 30, 2006, but were not included in the respective computation of diluted EPS because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. Options to purchase 34,967 shares at prices ranging from $35.18 – $50.26 were outstanding during the year ended September 30, 2005, but were not included in the respective computation of diluted EPS because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. These options expire in various periods through 2013. Approximately 14,000, 9,000 and 36,000 restricted shares were outstanding but unearned at September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and, therefore, were not included in the respective years’ computations of diluted EPS.
R. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Prior to October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for its stock option plans using the intrinsic value method of accounting provided under APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” (APB 25) and related Interpretations, as permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (SFAS 123) under which no compensation expense was recognized for stock option grants. Accordingly, share-based compensation for stock options was included as a pro forma disclosure in the financial statement footnotes for periods prior to fiscal 2006.
Effective October 1, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS 123(R)) using the modified-prospective transition method. Results for prior periods have not been restated.
The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing for employee stock options and/or performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares), and to non-employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan.
S. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
SFAS 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” requires the Company to report separately the translation adjustments of SFAS 52 defined above, and changes to the minimum pension liability, as components of comprehensive income or loss. Management has chosen to disclose the requirements of this Statement within the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity.
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as shown on the consolidated balance sheet of $6.3 million and $(2.1) million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, consisted of $8.8 million and $4.5 million related to currency translation adjustments; $(2.5) million and $(6.6) million related to the minimum pension liability, respectively.
T. DEFERRED REVENUE AND COSTS
Deferred revenue and costs are recorded for products or services that have not been provided but have been invoiced under contractual agreements or paid for by a customer, or when products or services have been provided but the criteria for revenue recognition have not been met. If there is a customer acceptance provision or there is uncertainty about customer acceptance, revenue and costs are deferred until the customer has accepted the product or service. At September 30, 2007, approximately $12 million of deferred costs are included within other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Deferred revenue also includes the long-term portion of unearned income related to two intellectual property agreements. The amount is being amortized into income on a straight-line basis over the remaining patent life through 2011. The current portion of approximately $0.6 million is included in the current portion of deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheet.
U. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company estimates that the adoption of FIN 48 will result in an increase to the opening balance of retained earnings as of October 1, 2007 in the range of zero to $5 million for income tax benefits not previously recognized.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (SFAS 158), which amends SFAS 87 and SFAS 106 to require recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Under SFAS 158, gains and losses, prior service costs and credits, and any remaining transition amounts under SFAS 87 and SFAS 106 that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit cost will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effects. The measurement date — the date at which the benefit obligation and plan assets are measured — is required to be the Company’s fiscal year-end, which is the date the Company currently uses. SFAS 158 is effective for publicly-held companies for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 158 as of September 30, 2007 and recorded a pre-tax credit of $0.9 million to accumulated other comprehensive income in equity.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157), which defines fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 157 is not expected to have a material impact to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
2. Acquisitions
On August 10, 2007, the Company acquired the assets and certain liabilities of Wintec, LLC (Wintec) for a purchase price of $6 million. Wintec is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of metallic elements, filters, and strainers for pneumatic/hydraulic applications and surface tension devices for propellant management fluid control with annual revenues of approximately $3.5 million. The assets acquired consist of accounts receivable, inventory and property, plant and equipment. The Company recorded approximately $5 million of goodwill in connection with the transaction. In addition, the Company recorded $0.2 million of amortizable intangible assets consisting of customer contracts and order backlog which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from nine months to seventeen months. The operating results for Wintec, since the date of acquisition, are included within VACCO in the Filtration segment.
On February 1, 2006, the Company acquired the capital stock of Hexagram, Inc. (Hexagram) for a purchase price of approximately $66 million. The acquisition agreement also provides for contingent consideration of up to $6.25 million over the five-year period following the acquisition if Hexagram exceeds certain sales targets. During 2007, the Company paid $1.3 million of contingent consideration. Hexagram is an RF fixed network AMI company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Hexagram broadens the Company’s served market and provides an RF based AMI system serving primarily electric, gas and water utilities. The operating results for Hexagram, since the date of acquisition, are included within the Communications unit. The Company recorded $6.6 million of amortizable identifiable intangible assets consisting primarily of patents and proprietary know-how, customer contracts, and order backlog which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from six months to seven years.
On November 29, 2005, the Company acquired Nexus Energy Software, Inc. (Nexus) through an all cash for shares merger transaction for approximately $29 million in cash plus contingent cash consideration over the four-year period following the merger if Nexus exceeds certain sales targets. Nexus is a software company headquartered in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Nexus broadens the Company’s served market and provides software solutions that allow utilities to fully utilize the information produced by the Company’s AMI systems. The operating results for Nexus, since the date of acquisition, are included within the Communications unit. The Company recorded $2.7 million of identifiable intangible assets consisting primarily of customer contracts and order backlog which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from one year to three years. In connection with the acquisition of Nexus, the Company acquired approximately $13 million of net operating loss carryforward that will expire between 2017 and 2025 and is subject to a Section 382 limitation.
All of the Company’s acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, the respective purchase prices were allocated to the assets (including intangible assets) acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The financial results from these acquisitions have been included in the Company’s financial statements
32       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
from the date of acquisition. Pro forma financial information related to the Hexagram and Nexus acquisitions was not presented as it was not significant to the Company’s results of operations. None of the goodwill recorded as part of the Nexus or Hexagram acquisitions is expected to be deductible for U.S. Federal or state income tax purposes.
3. Asset Impairment
In June 2005, the Company abandoned its plans to commercialize certain sensor products within the Filtration segment resulting in an asset impairment charge of $0.8 million to write off certain patents and a related licensing agreement.
4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Included on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2007 and 2006 are the following intangible assets gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization:
                 
(Dollars in millions)   2007     2006  
 
Goodwill:
               
Gross carrying amount
  $ 158.4       152.4  
Less: accumulated amortization
    8.9       8.9  
 
Net
  $ 149.5       143.5  
 
Intangible assets with determinable lives:
               
Patents
               
Gross carrying amount
  $ 17.9       17.6  
Less: accumulated amortization
    14.7       13.9  
 
Net
  $ 3.2       3.7  
 
Capitalized software
               
Gross carrying amount
  $ 83.4       55.2  
Less: accumulated amortization
    17.7       10.0  
 
Net
  $ 65.7       45.2  
 
Other
               
Gross carrying amount
  $ 9.9       9.5  
Less: accumulated amortization
    5.1       2.8  
 
Net
  $ 4.8       6.7  
 
Intangible assets with indeterminable lives:
               
Trademarks
  $ 3.5       3.5  
 
The Company performed its annual evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and concluded no impairment existed at September 30, 2007.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each business segment for the years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
                         
(Dollars in millions)   Communications     Filtration     Test  
 
Balance as of September 30, 2005
  $       39.8       29.1  
Acquisitions
(Hexagram and Nexus)
    74.6              
 
Balance as of September 30, 2006
    74.6       39.8       29.1  
Acquisitions
    0.8       5.2        
 
Balance as of September 30, 2007
  $ 75.4       45.0       29.1  
 
Amortization expense related to intangible assets with determinable lives was $10.7 million, $6.9 million and $2.0 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in amortization expense in 2007 as compared to the prior year was due to the Company’s TWACS NG software. The Company recorded $6.2 million and $2.2 million of amortization expense related to DCSI’s TWACS NG software in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Patents are amortized over the life of the patents, generally 17 years. Capitalized software is amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, generally three to seven years. Estimated intangible assets amortization for fiscal year 2008 is approximately $14 million. Intangible asset amortization for fiscal years 2009 through 2012 is estimated at approximately $16 million to $19 million per year. The increase in intangible asset amortization is related to the additional costs associated with the TWACS NG software.
5. Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, consist of the following at September 30, 2007 and 2006:
                 
(Dollars in thousands)   2007     2006  
 
Commercial
  $ 97,714       81,986  
U.S. Government and prime contractors
    5,280       1,830  
 
Total
  $ 102,994       83,816  
 
6. Inventories
Inventories consist of the following at September 30, 2007 and 2006:
                 
(Dollars in thousands)   2007     2006  
 
Finished goods
  $ 22,211       12,834  
Work in process — including long-term contracts
    17,660       13,211  
Raw materials
    28,000       24,939  
 
Total
  $ 67,871       50,984  
 
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT      33


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7. Property, Plant and Equipment
Depreciation expense of property, plant and equipment for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $11.5 million, $10.4 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
The Company leases certain real property, equipment and machinery under noncancelable operating leases. Rental expense under these operating leases for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $7.8 million, $7.3 million and $6.3 million, respectively. Future aggregate minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of September 30, 2007 are:
         
(Dollars in thousands)        
Years ending September 30:        
 
2008
  $ 6,639  
2009
    5,428  
2010
    4,238  
2011
    3,516  
2012 and thereafter
    6,619  
 
Total
  $ 26,440  
 
8. Income Tax Expense
The components of income before income taxes consisted of the following for the years ended September 30:
                         
(Dollars in thousands)   2007     2006     2005  
 
United States
  $ 37,051       43,920       52,543  
Foreign
    5,677       4,982       11,364  
 
Total income before income taxes
  $ 42,728       48,902       63,907  
 
The principal components of income tax expense from continuing operations for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 consist of:
                         
(Dollars in thousands)   2007     2006     2005  
 
Federal
                       
Current (including Alternative Minimum Tax)
  $ (6,419 )     3,571       874  
Deferred
    11,473       10,291       15,313  
State and local:
                       
Current
    1,051       2,673       2,414  
Deferred
    2,066       (518 )     (21 )
Foreign:
                       
Current
    1,510       1,213       1,854  
Deferred
    (666 )     392       (71 )
 
Total
  $ 9,015       17,622       20,363  
 
The actual income tax expense from continuing operations for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 differs from the expected tax expense for those years (computed by applying the U.S. Federal corporate statutory rate) as follows:
                         
    2007     2006     2005  
 
Federal corporate statutory rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
State and local, net of Federal benefits
    2.8       2.4       2.4  
Foreign — Puerto Rico
    (0.6 )     0.5       (4.6 )
Foreign — Other
    (2.1 )     (0.5 )     (1.6 )
Foreign earnings repatriation
          4.8        
Research credit
    (10.3 )     (5.0 )      
SFAS 123(R)
    3.8       1.4        
Change in tax contingencies
    (5.3 )     (2.9 )      
Release of valuation allowance
    (1.8 )            
Other, net
    (0.4 )     0.3       0.7  
 
Effective income tax rate
    21.1 %     36.0 %     31.9 %
 
During 2007, the Company determined that certain tax accounts had not been accurately recorded in the financial statements for fiscal years 2001 to 2006. The effect in any individual year was not material to the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The Company recorded $1.3 million as a cumulative credit adjustment to tax expense to correct previously recorded tax accounts during the fourth quarter of 2007.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2007 and 2006 are presented below.
                 
(Dollars in thousands)   2007     2006  
 
Deferred tax assets:
               
Inventories, long-term contract accounting, contract cost reserves and others
  $ 3,828       1,858  
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    3,339       5,449  
Net operating loss carryforward — domestic
    12,311       5,103  
Net operating loss carryforward — foreign
    3,092       2,895  
Alternative Minimum Tax credit carryforward
    779       3,306  
Capital loss carryforward
    7,888       7,381  
Other compensation-related costs and other cost accruals
    11,285       15,178  
Research credit carryforward
    13,979       6,635  
 
Total deferred tax assets
    56,501       47,805  
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Plant and equipment, depreciation methods, acquisition asset allocations, and other
    (38,780 )     (17,028 )
 
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance
    17,721       30,777  
Less valuation allowance
    (10,979 )     (10,276 )
 
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 6,742       20,501  
 
34      ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Management believes that, based on the Company’s historical pretax income, together with the projection of future taxable income, and after consideration of the valuation allowance, it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of the net deferred tax assets existing at September 30, 2007. In order to realize this net deferred tax asset, the Company will need to generate future taxable income of approximately $19 million. At September 30, 2007, the Company had an available net operating loss (NOL) for U.S. Federal tax purposes of approximately $35 million. This NOL will expire between 2019 and 2025 and will be available to reduce future Federal income tax cash payments. The Company anticipates being able to utilize the NOL carryforward to reduce future Federal income tax cash payments.
The Company has established a valuation allowance of $7.9 million against the capital loss carryforward generated in 2004, as such loss carryforward may not be realized in future periods. In addition, the Company has established a valuation allowance against certain NOL carryforwards in foreign jurisdictions which may not be realized in future periods. The valuation allowance established against the foreign NOL carryforwards was $3.1 million and $2.9 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company classifies its valuation allowance related to deferred taxes on a pro rata basis.
The Company completed its analysis of available research credits for fiscal years 2000 through 2006 and recorded total research credit claims, net, of $5.6 million. The Company expects the net research credits related to fiscal year 2007 to be approximately $1.4 million. The expiration of the research credits is between 2020 and 2027. The Company anticipates being able to utilize the research credits to reduce future Federal and state income tax cash payments.
No deferred taxes have been provided on the accumulated unremitted earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries as of September 30, 2007. The Company’s intention is to reinvest these earnings indefinitely. In the event these foreign entities’ earnings were distributed, it is estimated that U.S. taxes, net of available foreign tax credits, of approximately $3.2 million would be due, which would correspondingly reduce the Company’s net earnings.
On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act (the “AJCA”) was signed into law. The AJCA includes a deduction of 85% of certain foreign earnings that are repatriated, as defined in the AJCA. In 2006, the Company recognized a charge of $2.4 million for the accrual of income taxes associated with the repatriation under the AJCA of approximately $39.5 million of foreign earnings.
During 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 and recorded $2.4 million as a cumulative state tax expense adjustment to 2006 beginning retained earnings.
The Company operates within multiple taxing jurisdictions and is subject to audit in these jurisdictions. These audits can involve complex issues which may require an extended period of time to resolve. The Company regularly reviews its potential tax liabilities for tax years subject to audit. Changes in the Company’s potential tax liability occurred during the year ended September 30, 2007, and may occur in the future as the Company’s assessment changes based on examinations in various jurisdictions and/or changes in tax laws, regulations and case law. Accordingly, the Company’s estimate of income tax liabilities may differ from actual payments or assessments.
9. Debt
At September 30, 2007 and 2006, there were $2.8 million and zero outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, respectively. Effective October 6, 2004, the Company entered into a $100 million five-year revolving bank credit facility with a $50 million increase option that has a final maturity and expiration date of October 6, 2009. The credit facility is available for direct borrowings and/or the issuance of letters of credit, and is provided by a group of six banks, led by Wells Fargo Bank as agent. At September 30, 2007, the Company had approximately $96.4 million available to borrow under the credit facility in addition to $18.6 million cash on hand. At September 30, 2007, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $3.6 million ($0.8 million outstanding under the credit facility).
The credit facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a commitment fee ranging from 17.5 to 27.5 basis points per annum on the unused portion. The terms of the facility provide that interest on borrowings may be calculated at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or based on the prime rate, at the Company’s election. The facility is secured by the unlimited guaranty of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries and a 65% pledge of the material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the credit facility include limitations on leverage, minimum consolidated EBITDA and minimum net worth.
During 2007 and 2006, the maximum aggregate short-term borrowings at any month-end were $9 million and $47 million, respectively; the average aggregate short-term borrowings outstanding based on month-end balances were $1.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively; and the weighted average interest rates were 6.24%, 5.25%, and not applicable in 2005. The letters of credit issued and outstanding under the credit facility totaled $0.8 million and $0.8 million at September 30, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
Subsequent to September 30, 2007, the Company announced its intention to enter into a new credit facility led by National City Bank in connection with the acquisition of Doble Engineering Company. See further discussion in Note 16 “Subsequent Events” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT      35


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
10. Capital Stock
The 29,159,629 and 29,030,995 common shares as presented in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2007 and 2006 represent the actual number of shares issued at the respective dates. The Company held 3,416,966 and 3,166,026 common shares in treasury at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
In August 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an open market common stock repurchase program for up to 1.2 million shares, subject to market conditions and other factors which covers the period through September 30, 2008. The Company repurchased 265,000 shares during 2007 under this program. There were no stock repurchases during 2006. The Company repurchased 670,072 shares in 2005 under a previously authorized program.
11. Share-Based Compensation
The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing for employee stock options and/or performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares), and to non-employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan. During fiscal 2004, the Board of Directors authorized and the shareholders approved, the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan, which states, in part, that on February 5, 2004, there shall be 2,000,000 shares added to the authorized shares allocated for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance-accelerated restricted stock, or other full value awards. Of these, shares up to 600,000 may be utilized for performance-accelerated restricted stock or other full value awards. At September 30, 2007, the maximum number of full value shares available for issue under the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan and the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan was 600,000 and 270,502 shares, respectively.
Stock Option Plans
The Company’s stock option awards are generally subject to graded vesting over a three-year service period. All outstanding options were granted at prices equal to fair market value at the date of grant. The options granted prior to September 30, 2003 have a ten-year contractual life from date of issuance, expiring in various periods through 2013. Beginning in fiscal 2004, the options granted have a five-year contractual life from date of issuance. Beginning with fiscal 2006 awards, the Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Prior to fiscal 2006, the Company calculated the pro forma compensation cost using the graded vesting method.
The fair value of each option award is estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average assumptions for the periods indicated are noted below. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of ESCO’s stock calculated over the expected term of the option. The expected term was calculated in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 using the simplified method for “plain-vanilla” options. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively: expected dividend yield of 0% in all periods; expected volatility of 27.3%, 28.0% and 23.5%; risk-free interest rate of 4.6%, 4.6% and 3.9%; and expected term of 3.50 years, 3.50 years and 3.58 years.
Information regarding stock options awarded under the option plans is as follows:
                                                 
    FY2007     FY2006     FY2005  
            Estimated             Estimated             Estimated  
            Weighted             Weighted             Weighted  
    Shares     Avg. Price     Shares     Avg. Price     Shares     Avg. Price  
 
October 1
    1,387,348     $ 26.60       1,324,548     $ 20.48       1,356,094     $ 13.63  
Granted
    296,280     $ 45.71       328,080     $ 44.63       376,200     $ 35.55  
Exercised
    (101,683 )   $ 21.56       (232,371 )   $ 15.95       (388,340 )   $ 10.94  
Cancelled
    (23,004 )   $ 40.59       (32,909 )   $ 35.77       (19,406 )   $ 24.96  
 
September 30,
    1,558,941     $ 30.35       1,387,348     $ 26.60       1,324,548     $ 20.48  
 
At September 30,
                                               
Reserved for future grant
    878,238               1,146,741               1,428,032          
Exercisable
    951,066     $ 21.99       753,415     $ 16.46       755,612     $ 12.29  
 
36      ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $2.4 million, $7.9 million and $12.4 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2007 was $12.3 million. The weighted-average contractual life of stock options outstanding at September 30, 2007 was 3.0 years. The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted in 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $12.25, $12.17, and $11.28, respectively.
Summary information regarding stock options outstanding at September 30, 2007 is presented below:
                         
    Options Outstanding  
            Weighted-        
            Average     Weighted  
    Number     Remaining     Average  
Range of   Outstanding at     Contractual     Exercise  
Exercise Prices   Sept. 30, 2007     Life     Price  
 
$  5.39 - $10.72
    201,426     2.0 years   $ 7.19  
$12.64 - $14.52
    268,486     4.5 years   $ 13.76  
$17.29 - $32.32
    186,455     1.7 years   $ 23.51  
$35.18 - $42.10
    303,630     2.0 years   $ 35.31  
$42.99 - $54.88
    598,944     3.6 years   $ 45.20  
 
 
    1,558,941     3.0 years   $ 30.35  
 
                         
    Exercisable Options Outstanding  
                  Weighted  
    Number           Average  
Range of   Exercisable at           Exercise  
Exercise Prices   Sept. 30, 2007           Price  
 
$  5.39 - $10.72
    201,426         $ 7.19  
$12.64 - $14.52
    268,486         $ 13.76  
$17.29 - $32.32
    186,455         $ 23.51  
$35.18 - $54.88
    294,699         $ 38.64  
 
 
    951,066         $ 21.99  
 
Performance-accelerated Restricted Share Awards
The performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares) vest over five years with accelerated vesting if certain performance targets are achieved. In these cases, if it is probable that the performance condition will be met, the Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the shorter performance period; otherwise, it will recognize compensation cost over the longer service period. Compensation cost for the majority of the outstanding restricted share awards is being recognized over the longer performance period as it is not probable the performance condition will be met. The restricted share award grants were valued at the stock price on the date of grant. Pre-tax compensation expense related to the restricted share awards was $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $1.9 million for fiscal years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The following summary presents information regarding outstanding restricted share awards as of September 30, 2007 and changes during the period then ended:
                 
            Weighted  
    Shares     Avg. Price  
 
Nonvested at October 1, 2006
    155,730     $ 34.33  
Granted
    63,530     $ 45.75  
Vested
    (51,200 )   $ 24.60  
Cancelled
    (4,000 )   $ 34.80  
 
Nonvested at September 30, 2007
    164,060     $ 41.77  
 
Non-Employee Directors Plan
The non-employee directors compensation plan provides to each non-employee director a retainer of 800 common shares per quarter. Compensation expense related to the non-employee director grants was $0.8 million, $1.0 million and $0.7 million for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of operations and included within SG&A was $5.3 million, $4.8 million and $2.6 million for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $1.0 million for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company has elected to use tax law ordering rules when calculating the income tax benefit associated with its share-based payment arrangements. In addition, the Company elected to use the simplified method of calculating the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies recognized subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)-3, “Transition Election related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards.” As of September 30, 2007, there was $10.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT      37


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Pro Forma Net Earnings
The following table provides pro forma net earnings and earnings per share had the Company applied the fair value method of SFAS 123 for the year ended September 30, 2005:
         
Pro forma (Unaudited)      
(Dollars in thousands,      
except per share amounts)   2005  
 
Net earnings, as reported
  $ 43,544  
 
Add: stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net earnings, net of tax
    1,165  
Less: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based methods, net of tax
    (3,476 )
 
Pro forma net earnings
  $ 41,233  
 
Net earnings per share:
       
Basic — as reported
  $ 1.71  
Basic — pro forma
    1.62  
 
Diluted — as reported
    1.66  
Diluted — pro forma
    1.57  
 
12. Retirement and Other Benefit Plans
Substantially all domestic employees are covered by the defined contribution pension plan maintained by the Company. Effective December 31, 2003, the Company’s defined benefit plan was frozen and no additional benefits will be accrued after that date. As a result, the accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation are equal. These frozen retirement income benefits are provided to employees under defined benefit pay-related and flat-dollar plans, which are noncontributory. The annual contributions to retirement plans equal or exceed the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or applicable local regulations. In addition to providing retirement income benefits, the Company provides unfunded postretirement health and life insurance benefits to certain retirees. To qualify, an employee must retire at age 55 or later and the employee’s age plus service must equal or exceed 75. Retiree contributions are defined as a percentage of medical premiums. Consequently, retiree contributions increase with increases in the medical premiums. The life insurance plans are noncontributory and provide coverage of a flat dollar amount for qualifying retired employees. Effective December 31, 2004, no new retirees are eligible for life insurance benefits.
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (SFAS 158) as of September 30, 2007. SFAS 158 requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. As a result of adopting the provisions of SFAS 158, the Company recorded a pre-tax credit of $0.9 million to accumulated other comprehensive income in equity as of September 30, 2007.
The Company uses a measurement date of September 30 for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The Company has an accrued benefit liability of $0.7 million and $1.8 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to its other postretirement benefit obligations. All other information related to its postretirement benefit plans is not considered material to the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the pension plans and fair value of assets over the two-year period ended September 30, 2007, and a statement of the funded status as of September 30, 2007 and 2006:
                 
    Pension Benefits  
(Dollars in millions)   2007     2006  
 
Reconciliation of benefit obligation
               
 
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 48.2       50.2  
Service cost
           
Interest cost
    2.7       2.6  
Actuarial (gain) loss
    (2.9 )     (2.9 )
Plan amendments
          0.1  
Gross benefits paid
    (1.8 )     (1.8 )
 
Net benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 46.2       48.2  
 
                 
    Pension Benefits  
(Dollars in millions)   2007     2006  
 
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets
               
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $ 35.1       32.7  
Actual return on plan assets
    4.7       2.6  
Employer contributions
    0.2       1.6  
Gross benefits paid
    (1.8 )     (1.8 )
 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $ 38.2       35.1  
 
38         ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                 
    Pension Benefits  
(Dollars in millions)   2007     2006  
 
Funded Status
               
Funded status at end of year
  $ (8.0 )     (13.1 )
Unrecognized prior service cost
          0.1  
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss
          10.1  
 
Accrued benefit cost
    (8.0 )     (2.9 )
 
Amounts recognized in the Balance Sheet consist of:
               
Current liability
    (0.2 )      
Noncurrent liability
    (7.8 )      
Accrued benefit cost
          (2.9 )
Additional minimum liability
          (10.3 )
Intangible asset
          0.1  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(before tax effect)
          10.2  
 
Accrued benefit liability
    (8.0 )     (2.9 )
 
Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income consist of:
               
Net actuarial loss
    5.0        
Prior service cost
    0.1        
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
  $ 5.1        
 
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the plans for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005:
                         
    Pension Benefits
(Dollars in millions)   2007     2006     2005  
 
Service cost
  $              
Interest cost
    2.7       2.6       2.6  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2.8 )     (2.7 )     (2.9 )
Net actuarial (gain) loss
    0.4       0.4       0.2  
 
Net periodic benefit cost
    0.3       0.3       (0.1 )
Defined contribution plans
    3.6       2.9       2.4  
 
Total
  $ 3.9       3.2       2.3  
 
The discount rate used in measuring the Company’s pension obligations was developed by matching yields of actual high-quality corporate bonds to expected future pension plan cash flows (benefit payments). Over 500 Aa-rated, non-callable bonds with a wide range of maturities were used in the analysis. After using the bond yields to determine the present value of the plan cash flows, a single representative rate that resulted in the same present value was developed. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption was determined by reviewing the actual investment return of the plans since inception and evaluating those returns in relation to expectations of various investment organizations to determine whether long-term future returns are expected to differ significantly from the past.
The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the pension plans:
                         
    2007     2006     2005  
 
Discount rate
    5.75 %     5.25 %     6.00 %
Rate of increase in compensation levels
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
Expected long-term rate of return on assets
    8.25 %     8.25 %     8.25 %
 
The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit obligations for the pension plans:
                 
    2007     2006  
 
Discount rate
    6.25 %     5.75 %
Rate of increase in compensation levels
    N/A       N/A  
 
The assumed rate of increase in compensation levels is not applicable in 2007, 2006 and 2005 as the plan was frozen as of December 31, 2003.
The asset allocation for the Company’s pension plans at the end of 2007 and 2006, the Company’s acceptable range and the target allocation for 2008, by asset category, follows:
                                 
    Target     Acceptable       Percentage of Plan  
    Allocation     Range     Assets at Year-end  
Asset Category   2008         2007     2006  
 
Equity securities
    60 %     50-70 %     69 %     66 %
Fixed income
    40 %     30-50 %     29 %     32 %
Cash/cash equivalents
    0 %     0-5 %     2 %     2 %
 
The Company’s pension plan assets are managed by outside investment managers and assets are rebalanced when the target ranges are exceeded. Pension plan assets consist principally of marketable securities including common stocks, bonds, and interest-bearing deposits. The Company’s investment strategy with respect to pension assets is to achieve a total rate of return (income and capital appreciation) that is sufficient to accomplish the purpose of providing retirement benefits to all eligible and future retirees of the pension plan. The Company regularly monitors performance and compliance with investment guidelines.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT      39


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
EXPECTED CASH FLOWS
Information about the expected cash flows for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans follows:
                 
    Pension     Other  
(Dollars in millions)   Benefits     Benefits  
 
Expected Employer Contributions — 2008
  $ 0.2       0.1  
 
Expected Benefit Payments
2008
    2.4       0.1  
2009
    2.5       0.1  
2010
    2.6       0.1  
2011
    2.7       0.1  
2012-2016
  $ 15.0       0.3  
 
13. Other Financial Data
Items charged to operations during the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 included the following:
                         
(Dollars in thousands)   2007     2006     2005  
 
Salaries and wages
(including fringes)
  $ 137,999       119,286       100,372  
Maintenance and repairs
    5,545       4,719       3,897  
 
Research and development (R&D) costs:
                       
Company-sponsored
  $ 25,357       20,043       16,829  
Customer-sponsored
    7,618       6,323       5,687  
 
Total R&D
  $ 32,975       26,366       22,516  
Other engineering costs
    9,082       9,069       7,763  
 
Total R&D and other engineering costs
  $ 42,057       35,435       30,279  
 
As a % of net sales
    8.0 %     7.7 %     7.1 %
 
Customer-sponsored R&D is defined in Note 1(O) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
A reconciliation of the changes in accrued product warranty liability for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005 is as follows:
                         
(Dollars in thousands)   2007     2006     2005  
 
Balance as of October 1
  $ 1,422       1,487       2,147  
Additions charged to expense
    1,771       2,357       1,108  
Deductions
    (1,732 )     (2,422 )     (1,768 )
 
Balance as of September 30
  $ 1,461       1,422       1,487  
 
14. Business Segment Information
The Company is organized based on the products and services that it offers. Under this organizational structure, the Company has three reporting units: Communications, Filtration and Test. The Communications unit is a proven supplier of special purpose fixed network communications systems for electric, gas and water utilities, including hardware and software to support advanced metering applications. DCSI’s Two-Way Automatic Communications System, known as TWACS®, is currently used for automatic meter reading (AMR) and related advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) functions serving over 200 utilities, as well as having load management capabilities. Hexagram’s STAR® system, the premier wireless AMI system, delivers two-way and one-way operation on secure licensed radio frequencies for more than 100 utilities serving electric, gas and water customers. Nexus provides best-in-class utility data management solutions to more than 85 leading energy companies that add value to existing billing and metering infrastructure to allow both the utilities and their customers to better manage energy-driven transactions and decision making. Comtrak’s SecurVision® product line provides digital video surveillance and security functions for large commercial enterprises and alarm monitoring companies. The Filtration unit’s primary operations consist of: PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI), VACCO Industries (VACCO) and the Filtertek companies (Filtertek). PTI and VACCO develop and manufacture a wide range of filtration products and are leading suppliers of filters to the commercial and defense aerospace, satellite and industrial markets. Filtertek develops and manufactures a broad range of high-volume, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) filtration products at its facilities in North America, South America and Europe. Each of the components of the Filtration segment is presented separately due to differing long-term economics. Test segment operations represent the EMC Group, consisting primarily of ETS-Lindgren L.P. (ETS) and Lindgren R.F. Enclosures, Inc. (Lindgren). The EMC Group is principally involved in the design and manufacture of EMC test equipment, test chambers, and electromagnetic absorption materials. The EMC Group also manufactures radio frequency (RF) shielding products and components used by manufacturers of medical equipment, communications systems, electronic products, and shielded rooms for high security data processing and secure communication. Accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In accordance with SFAS 131, the Company evaluates the performance of its operating units based on EBIT, which is defined as: Earnings Before Interest and Taxes. Intersegment sales and transfers are not significant. Segment assets consist primarily of customer receivables, inventories, capitalized software and fixed assets directly associated with the production processes of the segment. Segment depreciation and amortization is based upon the direct assets listed above.
40       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NET SALES
                         
(Dollars in millions)                  
Year ended September 30,   2007     2006     2005  
 
Communications
  $ 197.6       156.2       138.0  
 
PTI
    52.7       46.4       40.7  
VACCO
    37.2       32.3       38.9  
Filtertek
    98.5       95.4       92.1  
 
Filtration subtotal
    188.4       174.1       171.7  
Test
    141.5       128.6       119.4  
 
Consolidated totals
  $ 527.5       458.9       429.1  
 
No customers exceeded 10% of net sales in the periods presented.
EBIT
                         
(Dollars in millions)                  
Year ended September 30,   2007     2006     2005  
 
Communications
  $ 22.0       28.3       38.8  
 
PTI
    9.4       6.6       3.8  
VACCO
    7.8       6.1       10.4  
Filtertek
    6.2       6.8       8.2  
 
Filtration subtotal
    23.4       19.5       22.4  
Test
    14.4       15.0       12.2  
Reconciliation to consolidated totals (Corporate)
    (17.8 )     (15.2 )     (11.4 )
 
Consolidated EBIT
    42.0       47.6       62.0  
Add: interest income
    0.7       1.3       1.9  
 
Earnings before income tax
  $ 42.7       48.9       63.9  
 
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS
                         
(Dollars in millions)                  
Year ended September 30,   2007     2006     2005  
 
Communications
  $ 151.6       97.9       52.4  
 
PTI
    32.5       32.0       36.7  
VACCO
    16.8       15.7       19.7  
Filtertek
    68.6       62.9       91.5  
 
Filtration subtotal
    117.9       110.6       147.9  
Test
    72.0       50.3       80.7  
Reconciliation to consolidated totals (Corporate assets)
    234.6       229.9       142.8  
 
Consolidated totals
  $ 576.1       488.7       423.8  
 
Corporate assets consist primarily of goodwill, deferred taxes, acquired intangible assets and cash balances.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
                         
(Dollars in millions)                  
Year ended September 30,   2007     2006     2005  
 
Communications
  $ 7.0       3.4       1.9  
 
PTI
    0.4       0.2       1.0  
VACCO
    0.6       1.0       0.7  
Filtertek
    7.4       3.8       4.0  
 
Filtration subtotal
    8.4       5.0       5.7  
Test
    4.0       0.7       1.2  
Corporate
    0.1              
 
Consolidated totals
  $ 19.5       9.1       8.8  
 
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
                         
(Dollars in millions)                  
Year ended September 30,   2007     2006     2005  
 
Communications
  $ 10.3       5.0       2.0  
 
PTI
    1.4       1.5       1.5  
VACCO
    0.8       0.7       0.7  
Filtertek
    6.2       6.0       6.2  
 
Filtration subtotal
    8.4       8.2       8.4  
Test
    1.3       1.3       1.4  
Reconciliation to consolidated totals (Corporate)
    2.2       2.8       0.4  
 
Consolidated totals
  $ 22.2       17.3       12.2  
 
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
 
Net sales
                         
(Dollars in millions)                  
Year ended September 30,   2007     2006     2005  
 
United States
  $ 406.3       355.9       325.3  
Europe
    45.9       40.2       56.0  
Far East
    38.0       36.1       29.6  
Other
    37.3       26.7       18.2  
 
Consolidated totals
  $ 527.5       458.9       429.1  
 
Long-lived assets
                         
(Dollars in millions)                  
Year ended September 30,   2007     2006     2005  
 
United States
  $ 54.6       51.3       50.3  
Europe
    14.0       10.6       10.9  
Other
    9.7       6.9       6.0  
 
Consolidated totals
  $ 78.3       68.8       67.2  
 
Net sales are attributed to countries based on location of customer. Long-lived assets are attributed to countries based on location of the asset.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT       41

 


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
15. Commitments and Contingencies
At September 30, 2007, the Company had $3.6 million in letters of credit outstanding as guarantees of contract performance. As a normal incidence of the businesses in which the Company is engaged, various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced against the Company. With respect to claims and litigation asserted or commenced against the Company, it is the opinion of Management, that final judgments, if any, which might be rendered against the Company are adequately reserved, covered by insurance, or are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operation.
16. Subsequent Events
On November 7, 2007, the Company announced an agreement to acquire the stock of Doble Engineering Company, headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, for $319 million in cash, subject to adjustment for differences in working capital and cash on hand at closing. The Company intends to fund the acquisition by a combination of existing cash and borrowings under a new credit facility led by National City Bank. The transaction is expected to close in the quarter ending December 31, 2007.
On November 26, 2007, the Company announced it had completed the sale of the filtration portion of Filtertek Inc. to Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) for approximately $77.5 million in cash, subject to closing working capital adjustments. The Tek Packaging division of Filtertek is not included in the transaction. The net cash proceeds from the sale, estimated at $70 million after taxes and expenses, will be used to pay down a portion of the debt associated with the Doble Engineering Company acquisition, mentioned above. The Company expects to record a gain on the sale for both financial reporting and tax purposes, with a portion of the tax gain being shielded from cash payments through the utilization of the Company’s existing capital loss carryforward which was generated from prior divestitures. As discussed in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, there is a valuation allowance established against the capital loss carryforward as of September 30, 2007.
17. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
                                         
    First     Second     Third     Fourth     Fiscal  
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)   Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Year  
 
2007
                                       
Net sales
  $ 98,813       129,068       137,523       162,133       527,537  
Net earnings (loss)
    (1,381 )     9,618       8,854       16,622       33,713  
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
                                       
Net earnings (loss)
    (.05 )     .37       .34       .65       1.30  
 
                                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
                                       
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (.05 )     .36       .33       .64       1.28  
 
 
                                       
2006
                                       
Net sales
  $ 90,586       122,884       123,626       121,769       458,865  
Net earnings
    2,204       7,343       11,163       10,570       31,280  
 
Basic earnings per share:
                                       
Net earnings
    .09       .29       .43       .41       1.22  
 
                                       
Diluted earnings per share:
                                       
Net earnings
  $ .08       .28       .42       .40       1.19  
 
During 2007, the Company determined that certain tax accounts had not been accurately recorded in the financial statements for fiscal years 2001 to 2006. The effect in any individual year was not material to the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The Company recorded $1.3 million as a cumulative credit adjustment to tax expense to correct previously recorded tax accounts during the fourth quarter of 2007.
42       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Management’s Statement of Financial Responsibility
The Company’s Management is responsible for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for their integrity and accuracy. Management is confident that its financial and business processes provide accurate information on a timely basis.
Management, with the oversight of ESCO’s Board of Directors, has established and maintains a strong ethical climate in which the Company’s affairs are conducted. Management also has established an effective system of internal controls that provide reasonable assurance as to the integrity and accuracy of the financial statements, and responsibility for the Company’s assets. KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent accountants, reports directly to the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. The Audit and Finance Committee has established policies consistent with newly enacted corporate reform laws for auditor independence. In accordance with corporate governance listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange:
4   A majority of Board members are independent of the Company and its Management.
 
4   All members of the key Board committees — the Audit and Finance, the Human Resources and Compensation and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees — are independent.
 
4   The independent members of the Board meet regularly without the presence of Management.
 
4   The Company has a clear code of ethics and a conflict of interest policy to ensure that key corporate decisions are made by individuals who do not have a financial interest in the outcome, separate from their interest as Company officials.
 
4   The charters of the Board committees clearly establish their respective roles and responsibilities.
 
4   The Company has an ethics officer and an ombudsman hot line available to all domestic employees and all foreign employees have local ethics officers and access to the Company’s ombudsman.
The Company has a strong financial team, from its executive leadership to each of its individual contributors. Management monitors compliance with its financial policies and practices over critical areas including internal controls, financial accounting and reporting, accountability, and safeguarding of its corporate assets. The internal audit control function maintains oversight over the key areas of the business and financial processes and controls, and reports directly to the Audit and Finance Committee. Additionally, all employees are required to adhere to the ESCO Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is monitored by the ethics officer.
Management is dedicated to ensuring that the standards of financial accounting and reporting that are established are maintained. The Company’s culture demands integrity and a commitment to strong internal practices and policies.
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, whose report is included herein.
     
-s- Victor L. Richey
  -s- Gary E. Muenster
Victor L. Richey
  Gary E. Muenster
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
  Senior Vice President
and President
  and Chief Financial Officer
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)). Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Because of its inherent limitations, any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, may not prevent or detect misstatements due to the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden or that misstatements due to error or fraud may occur that are not detected. Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007 using criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007 based on these criteria.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, as well as our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in the report which is included herein.
     
-s- Victor L. Richey
  -s- Gary E. Muenster
Victor L. Richey
  Gary E. Muenster
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
  Senior Vice President
and President
  and Chief Financial Officer
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT       43

 


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
ESCO Technologies Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ESCO Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2007. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to previously present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ESCO Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Notes 1 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, as of September 30, 2007. Additionally, as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, effective October 1, 2005 and, as discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of quantifying errors in 2006.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of ESCO Technologies Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated November 29, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.
(KPMG LLP)
St. Louis, Missouri
November 29, 2007
44       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
ESCO Technologies Inc.:
We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that ESCO Technologies Inc. (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). ESCO Technologies Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards required that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, management’s assessment that ESCO Technologies Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by COSO. Also, in our opinion, ESCO Technologies Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of ESCO Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2007, and our report dated November 29, 2007, expressed an un-qualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
(KPMG LLP)
St. Louis, Missouri
November 29, 2007
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT       45

 


 

Five-Year Financial Summary
                                         
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)   2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
 
For years ended September 30:
                                       
Net sales
  $ 527.5       458.9       429.1       422.1       396.7  
Net earnings from continuing operations
    33.7       31.3       43.5       37.8       26.7  
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
                      (2.1 )     (66.5 )
Net earnings (loss) before accounting change
    33.7       31.3       43.5       35.7       (39.7 )
Net earnings (loss)
    33.7       31.3       43.5       35.7       (41.1 )
 
                                       
Earnings (loss) per share:
                                       
Basic:
                                       
Continuing operations
    1.30       1.22       1.71       1.47       1.05  
Discontinued operations
                      (0.09 )     (2.62 )
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
                            (0.06 )
 
Net earnings (loss)
    1.30       1.22       1.71       1.38       (1.63 )
Diluted:
                                       
Continuing operations
    1.28       1.19       1.66       1.42       1.02  
Discontinued operations
                      (0.08 )     (2.53 )
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
                            (0.06 )
 
Net earnings (loss)
    1.28       1.19       1.66       1.34       (1.57 )
 
                                       
As of September 30:
                                       
Working capital
    141.2       131.4       197.2       165.2       120.5  
Total assets
    576.1       488.7       423.8       402.4       393.4  
Long-term debt
                      0.4       0.5  
Shareholders’ equity
  $ 415.5       376.4       331.0       307.6       275.4  
 
See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of acquisition activity.
Common Stock Market Price
ESCO’s common stock and associated preferred stock purchase rights (subsequently referred to as common stock) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ESE.” The following table summarizes the high and low prices of the common stock for each quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006.
                                 
    2007     2006  
Quarter   High     Low     High     Low  
 
First
  $ 49.28       41.88     $ 50.75       32.57  
Second
    49.20       40.67       52.76       43.84  
Third
    52.41       34.73       58.03       47.65  
Fourth
    43.50       29.63       58.42       45.30  
 
ESCO historically has not paid cash dividends on its common stock. Management continues to evaluate its cash dividend policy. There are no current plans to initiate a dividend.
46       ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 


 

Shareholders’ Summary
SHAREHOLDERS’ ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of the shareholders of ESCO Technologies Inc. will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at the Company’s Corporate headquarters, 9900A Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124. Notice of the meeting and a proxy statement were sent to shareholders with this Annual Report.
CERTIFICATIONS
Pursuant to New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) requirements, the Company submitted to the NYSE the annual certifications, dated February 23, 2007 and February 27, 2006, by the Company’s chief executive officer that he was not aware of any violations by the Company of NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards. In addition, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the certifications by the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as exhibits to the Company’s Forms 10-K for its fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006.
10-K REPORT
A copy of the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is available to shareholders without charge. Direct your written request to the Investor Relations Department, ESCO Technologies Inc., 9900A Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124.
The Form 10-K is also available on the Company’s web site at www.escotechnologies.com.
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Additional investor-related information may be obtained by contacting the Director of Investor Relations at (314) 213-7277 or toll free at (888) 622-3726. Information is also available through the Company’s web site at www.escotechnologies.com or via e-mail to pmoore@escotechnologies.com.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Shareholder inquiries concerning lost certificates, transfer of shares or address changes should be directed to:
Registrar and Transfer Company
10 Commerce Drive
Cranford, NJ 07016-3572
1 (800) 368-5948
E-mail: info@rtco.com
CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION
ESCO Technologies Inc. common stock shares (symbol ESE) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. There were approximately 2,700 holders of record of shares of common stock at November 15, 2007.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP
10 South Broadway, Suite 900
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT       48