10-Q 1 d10q.htm AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORP. FORM 10-Q AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORP. FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For The Quarter Ended: June 30, 2003

 

Commission File Number 0-19672

 


 

American Superconductor Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   04-2959321

(State or other jurisdiction of

organization or incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

Two Technology Drive

Westborough, Massachusetts 01581

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(508) 836-4200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x  No  ¨            

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  ¨  No  x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class


 

Outstanding as of August 12, 2003


Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

  21,343,720

 



Table of Contents

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

 

INDEX

 

          Page No.

Part I—Financial Information     

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

    
    

Consolidated Balance Sheets June 30, 2003 (unaudited) and March 31, 2003

   3
    

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)

   4
    

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)

   5
    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)

   6
    

Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

   7-14

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   15-27

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   28

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   28

Part II—Other Information

    

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   29

Item 2.

  

Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

   29

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   29

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   29

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   29

Item 6.

  

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   29

Signatures

   30

Exhibit Index

   31

 

2


Table of Contents

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    

June 30,

2003


   

March 31,

2003


 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,089,265     $ 18,487,752  

Accounts receivable, net

     6,758,683       5,446,007  

Inventory

     3,517,696       5,117,786  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,297,124       1,264,839  
    


 


Total current assets

     22,662,768       30,316,384  

Property and equipment:

                

Land

     4,021,611       4,021,611  

Construction in progress—building and equipment

     9,523,702       8,773,458  

Building

     34,102,138       34,102,138  

Equipment

     32,040,541       31,966,730  

Furniture and fixtures

     4,158,119       4,167,345  

Leasehold improvements

     6,246,497       6,246,497  
    


 


       90,092,608       89,277,779  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (29,587,993 )     (28,241,982 )
    


 


Property and equipment, net

     60,504,615       61,035,797  

Long-term marketable securities

     1,012,620       1,561,120  

Long-term inventory

     3,250,000       3,250,000  

Goodwill

     1,107,735       1,107,735  

Other assets

     4,724,384       4,707,603  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 93,262,122     $ 101,978,639  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 10,066,835     $ 9,773,874  

Deferred revenue

     297,383       1,136,002  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     10,364,218       10,909,876  

Long-term deferred revenue

     3,250,000       3,250,000  

Commitments (Note 9)

                

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Common stock, $.01 par value

                

Authorized shares—50,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 21,343,720 and 21,293,772 at June 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003, respectively

     213,437       212,938  

Additional paid-in capital

     361,488,915       361,024,689  

Deferred compensation

     (596,457 )     (311,563 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     8,193       2,407  

Accumulated deficit

     (281,466,184 )     (273,109,708 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     79,647,904       87,818,763  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 93,262,122     $ 101,978,639  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Three months ended June 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 
     (Unaudited)  

Revenues:

                

Contract revenue

   $ 355,777     $ 131,125  

Product sales and prototype development contracts

     7,400,530       2,728,848  
    


 


Total revenues

     7,756,307       2,859,973  

Costs and expenses:

                

Costs of revenue—contract revenue

     335,640       128,118  

Costs of revenue—product sales and prototype development contracts

     8,272,789       4,230,822  

Research and development

     4,863,057       6,217,335  

Selling, general and administrative

     2,704,848       3,463,923  
    


 


Total costs and expenses

     16,176,334       14,040,198  

Operating loss

     (8,420,027 )     (11,180,225 )

Interest income

     34,519       370,806  

Other income (expense), net

     29,032       (19,820 )
    


 


Net loss

   $ (8,356,476 )   $ (10,829,239 )
    


 


Net loss per common share

                

Basic and diluted

   $ (0.39 )   $ (0.53 )
    


 


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

                

Basic and diluted

     21,343,720       20,535,175  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

     Three months ended June 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 
     (Unaudited)  

Net loss

   $ (8,356,476 )   $ (10,829,239 )

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                

Foreign currency translation

     9,161       19,827  

Unrealized loss on investments

     (3,375 )     (1,688 )
    


 


Other comprehensive income

     5,786       18,139  

Comprehensive loss

   $ (8,350,690 )   $ (10,811,100 )
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Three months ended June 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 
     (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net loss

   $ (8,356,476 )   $ (10,829,239 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     1,615,976       1,520,406  

Gain on disposal of PP&E

     (2,813 )     —    

Amortization of deferred compensation expense

     54,002       34,578  

Amortization of deferred warrant costs

     13,322       49,421  

Changes in operating asset and liability accounts:

                

Accounts receivable

     (1,312,676 )     (93,390 )

Inventory—current and long-term

     1,600,090       67,117  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (29,874 )     (16,047 )

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     292,961       (7,582,340 )

Deferred revenue—current and long-term

     (838,619 )     (808,928 )
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (6,964,107 )     (17,658,422 )

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchase of property and equipment

     (889,799 )     (4,787,488 )

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

     27,938          

Sale of long-term marketable securities

     551,875       7,089,215  

Increase in other assets

     (236,901 )     (390,375 )
    


 


Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (546,887 )     1,911,352  

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

     112,507       249,930  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     112,507       249,930  
    


 


Net cash decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (7,398,487 )     (15,497,140 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     18,487,752       37,170,927  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 11,089,265     $ 21,673,787  
    


 


Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:

                

Noncash issuance of common stock

   $ 54,002     $ 34,578  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Nature of the Business:

 

American Superconductor Corporation (the “Company” or “AMSC”), which was formed on April 9, 1987, is a world leader in developing and manufacturing products using superconducting materials and power electronic converters for electric power applications. The focus of the Company’s development and commercialization efforts is on electrical equipment for electric utilities, transmission grid operators, industrial and commercial users of electrical power, and commercial and military ships. For large-scale applications, the Company’s development efforts are focused on high temperature superconductor (“HTS”) wire for use in power transmission cables, motors, and generators. The Company is also developing and commercializing electric motors and generators based on its HTS wire. For power quality and reliability applications, the Company is focused on proprietary power electronic converters that rapidly switch, control and modulate power. The Company also designs, manufactures, and sells systems based on those power electronic converters for power quality and reliability solutions. The Company operates in three business segments—AMSC Wires, SuperMachines and Power Electronic Systems.

 

The Company has generated operating losses since its inception in 1987 and expects to continue incurring losses until at least the end of fiscal 2005. Operating losses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 have contributed to net cash used by operating activities of $39,604,957, $26,456,387 and $26,424,059, respectively, for these periods. For the three months ended June 30, 2003, net cash used by operating activities was $6,964,107. The Company’s average annual use of cash over this period is greater than our balance of cash, cash equivalents and long-term marketable securities at June 30, 2003 of $12,101,885.

 

In July 2003, the Company implemented approximately $5 million of reductions in its operating and capital budgets for fiscal 2004, primarily through the elimination of 34 positions, including a reduction in force of 23 employees, or 8% of its workforce. Cuts were also made in controllable expenses and capital equipment purchase plans.

 

The cash savings from the aforementioned cost reduction actions combined with an increasing level of revenues for the remainder of the fiscal year are expected to lower the Company’s quarterly cash usage beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2004. The revenue increase is supported by the Company’s receipt in March 2003 of the three-year 36.5 MW motor contract from the Office of Naval Research as well as its selection in April 2003 by the Department of Energy (DOE) as the prime contractor for an HTS cable project with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA).

 

To supplement the Company’s anticipated cash needs for operations as well as its investment in the second generation wire development program, the Company has been examining a number of options for raising additional capital. Based on these efforts over the last year, the Company signed in June 2003 non-binding letters of intent with three groups of investors to provide up to $50 million in financing. These letters of intent are subject to satisfactory due diligence by these investors, the completion of formal legal documentation and

 

7


Table of Contents

approval of the financings by the Company’s shareholders. The $50 million financing is expected to be comprised of a five-year term loan of up to $30 million to be provided by a corporate finance company and several institutional investors with these amounts secured by the Company’s existing assets and additional assets projected to be acquired, excluding accounts receivable and inventory. In addition, three institutional investors have also signed a non-binding letter of intent to provide $10 million in the form of subordinated notes that are convertible into the Company’s common stock. The Company has also signed a non-binding letter of intent with a commercial bank to provide up to $10 million in the form of a working capital credit facility that is to be secured by its accounts receivable and inventory.

 

Each of the investor groups will also be issued warrants to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock. The conversion feature of the subordinated convertible notes combined with the warrants will trigger the NASDAQ requirement that the Company’s shareholders approve this $50 million financing transaction prior to its closing. Consequently, should the Company be able to close this transaction, the earliest this would occur would be the end of September 2003. The Company expects that all of the contemplated financings will be required to close simultaneously. While the Company believes it will be able to complete the $50 million financing transaction, it can make no assurance that such funds will be available, or available under terms acceptable to them, or that its shareholders will approve this financing transaction. In the event that this transaction cannot be completed, the Company is confident that they could obtain conventional mortgage financing on its Devens, MA manufacturing facility that, combined with its available cash, cash equivalents and long-term marketable securities, would be sufficient to satisfy its anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months.

 

The Company currently derives a portion of its revenue from research and development contracts. The Company recorded contract revenue related to research and development contracts of $355,777 and $131,125 for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In addition, the Company recorded prototype development contract revenues on U.S. Navy and other contracts of $5,549,894 and $2,271,611, which are included under “Revenues – Product sales and prototype development contracts,” in the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Costs of revenue include research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses that are incurred in the performance of these development contracts.

 

Research and development (“R&D”) and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses included as costs of revenue for these development contracts were as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


     2003

   2002

Research and development expenses

   $ 4,754,088    $ 2,087,747

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 1,524,654    $ 308,745

 

8


Table of Contents

2. Basis of Presentation:

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company presented herein have been prepared in accordance with the SEC’s instructions to Form 10-Q and as such do not include all of the information and note disclosures included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted. The interim consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 and the financial position at June 30, 2003.

 

The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the fiscal year. It is suggested that these interim consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003 which are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K covering the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003.

 

There has been no material change to the Company’s significant accounting policies from those filed in the Form 10-K. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with the current year presentation.

 

3. Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Pro Forma Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. Accordingly, no accounting recognition is given to stock options granted at fair market value until they are exercised. Upon exercise, net proceeds, including tax benefits realized, are credited to stockholders’ equity.

 

In October 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” which sets forth a fair-value-based method of recognizing stock-based compensation expense. As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply APB No. 25 to account for its stock-based compensation plans.

 

Had compensation cost for awards granted after 1994 under the Company’s stock-based compensation plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with the method set forth under SFAS No. 123, the effect on certain financial information of the Company would have been as follows:

 

     For the three months ended June 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 

Net loss

   $ (8,356,476 )   $ (10,829,239 )

Add: Stock compensation expense under APB 25

   $ 52,927     $ 34,578  

Less: Stock compensation, net of tax, had all options been recorded at fair value
per SFAS 123

   $ (949,757 )   $ (1,681,451 )
    


 


Pro forma net loss

   $ (9,253,306 )   $ (12,476,112 )
    


 


Weighted average shares, basic and diluted

     21,343,720       20,535,175  

Net loss per share, as reported

   $ (0.39 )   $ (0.53 )

Net loss per share, pro forma

   $ (0.43 )   $ (0.61 )

 

9


Table of Contents

The pro forma amounts include the effects of all activity under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans since April 1, 1998. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions used for grants:

 

     For the three months ended
June 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Dividend yield

   None     None  

Expected volatility

   100 %   101 %

Risk-free interest rate

   4.0 %   4.0 %

Expected life (years)

   6.5     6.5  

 

Weighted average fair value of options granted at fair market value during the three months ended June 30,

 

2003

   $ 3.03

2002

   $ 7.24

 

The above amounts may not be indicative of future expense because amounts are recognized over the vesting period and the Company expects it will have additional grants and related activity under these plans in the future.

 

4. Net Loss Per Common Share:

 

Basic Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS includes dilution and is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Common equivalent shares include the dilutive effect of stock options and warrants. For the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002, common equivalent shares of 4,324,255 and 4,817,851 were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS as their effect was antidilutive.

 

5. Accounts Receivable:

 

Accounts receivable at June 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003 consisted of the following:

 

     June 30, 2003

    March 31, 2003

 

Accounts Receivable (billed)

   $ 4,133,828     $ 4,828,214  

Accounts Receivable (unbilled)

     5,282,340       3,275,278  

Less: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

     (2,657,485 )     (2,657,485 )
    


 


Accounts Receivable, net

   $ 6,758,683     $ 5,446,007  
    


 


 

10


Table of Contents

6. Inventories:

 

Inventories at June 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003 consisted of the following:

 

     June 30, 2003

   March 31, 2003

Raw materials

   $ 763,084    $ 1,217,033

Work-in-progress

     2,121,972      2,250,321

Finished goods

     632,640      1,650,432
    

  

Inventory

   $ 3,517,696    $ 5,117,786
    

  

 

7. Long-term Inventory and Deferred Revenue:

 

Long-term inventory of $3,250,000 represents SMES units that were delivered in fiscal 2001 to one of our customers, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (“WPS”), for a total purchase price of $3,787,000, less $537,000 recorded as revenue in the quarter ended December 31, 2002. As the sale of these units is subject to certain return and buyback provisions which expire from 2002 to 2009, the Company is deferring recognition of the revenue related to the remaining $3,250,000 in sales until the applicable buyback provisions lapse. Long-term deferred revenue of $3,250,000 represents the $3,787,000 cash payment received from WPS related to this transaction, less $537,000 recorded as revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2003.

 

The buyback provisions, which are subject to a minimum 6-month written notice requirement, began to lapse in the quarter ended December 31, 2002, until which time WPS had the right to return all the units for the full purchase price of $3,787,000. On December 31 of each year after 2002, WPS has the right, subject to a minimum 6-month notice requirement, to sell the units back to the Company at a reduced price. Between January 1, 2003 and the next annual buyback date of December 31, 2003, the repurchase price for the units will be $3,250,000 and that price is further reduced by approximately 12% per year through December 31, 2009.

 

The Company recorded $537,000 of revenue and an equal amount of cost of revenue in the quarter ended December 31, 2002, as the buyback price transitioned from $3,787,000 to $3,250,000. The Company also recorded a $537,000 reduction in long-term inventory and long-term deferred revenue.

 

8. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses at June 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003 consisted of the following:

 

11


Table of Contents
     June 30, 2003

   March 31, 2003

Accounts payable

   $ 4,726,486    $ 3,721,307

Accrued employee stock purchase plan

     109,416      199,567

Accrued expenses

     4,486,368      5,184,644

Accrued vacation

     744,565      668,356
    

  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 10,066,835    $ 9,773,874
    

  

 

9. Commitments

 

As permitted under Delaware law, the Company has agreements whereby the Company indemnifies its officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is or was serving at its request in such capacity. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has a Director and Officer insurance policy that limits its exposure and enables it to recover a portion of future amounts paid. As a result of its insurance policy coverage, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. All of these indemnification agreements were grandfathered under the provisions of FIN No. 45 as they were in effect prior to March 31, 2003. Accordingly, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of June 30, 2003.

 

10. Cost-Sharing Arrangements:

 

The Company has entered into several cost-sharing arrangements with various agencies of the United States government. Funds paid to the Company under these agreements are not reported as revenues but are used to directly offset the Company’s research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses, and to purchase capital equipment. The Company recorded costs and funding under these agreements of $312,719 and $103,321 for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. At June 30, 2003, total funding received to date under these agreements was $14,491,000. Future funding expected to be received under existing agreements is approximately $1,753,000, subject to continued future funding allocations.

 

11. Business Segment Information:

 

The Company has three reportable business segments—AMSC Wires, SuperMachines, and Power Electronic Systems.

 

 

12


Table of Contents

The AMSC Wires business segment develops, manufactures and sells HTS wire. The focus of this segment’s current development, manufacturing and sales efforts is on HTS wire for power transmission cables, motors, generators, synchronous condensers and specialty magnets.

 

The SuperMachines business segment is developing and commercializing electric motors, generators, and synchronous condensers based on HTS wire. Its primary focus for motors and generators is on ship propulsion.

 

The Power Electronic Systems business segment develops and sells power electronic converters and designs, manufactures and sells integrated systems based on those converters for power quality and reliability solutions and for wind farm applications.

 

The operating results for the three business segments are as follows:

 

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Revenues

                

AMSC Wires

   $ 1,097,124     $ 217,633  

SuperMachines

     5,549,894       1,535,849  

Power Electronic Systems

     1,109,289       1,106,491  
    


 


Total

   $ 7,756,307     $ 2,859,973  
    


 


                  
    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 
Operating income (loss)                 

AMSC Wires

   $ (6,333,675 )   $ (6,979,978 )

SuperMachines

     11,858       (1,762,721 )

Power Electronic Systems

     (1,824,065 )     (2,108,006 )

Unallocated corporate expense

     (274,145 )     (329,520 )
    


 


Total

   $ (8,420,027 )   $ (11,180,225 )
    


 


 

The assets for the three business segments (plus Corporate Cash) are as follows:

 

     For the period ended

     June 30, 2003

   March 31, 2003

Assets              

AMSC Wires

   $ 64,428,601    $ 66,393,042

SuperMachines

     7,037,906      4,992,328

Power Electronic Systems

     9,693,730      10,544,397

Corporate cash and marketable securities

     12,101,885      20,048,872
    

  

Total

   $ 93,262,122    $ 101,978,639
    

  

 

13


Table of Contents

The accounting policies of the business segments are the same as those for the consolidated Company, except that certain corporate expenses which the Company does not believe are specifically attributable or allocable to any of the three business segments have been excluded from the segment operating income (loss).

 

12. New Accounting Pronouncements:

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” In general, a variable interest entity is a corporation, partnership, trust or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A variable interest entity often holds financial assets, including loans or receivables, real estate or other property. Variable interest entities have been commonly referred to as special-purpose entities or off-balance sheet structures. This Interpretation requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. The Company does not expect that this Interpretation will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity (SFAS No. 150). This accounting standard establishes standards for classifying and measuring certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that certain financial instruments that were previously classified as equity now be classified as a liability. This accounting standard is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 150 will have an impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

14


Table of Contents

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

 

Item 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

American Superconductor Corporation was founded in 1987. We are focused on developing, manufacturing and selling products using two core technologies: high temperature superconductor (“HTS”) wires and power electronic converters for electric power applications. We also assemble superconductor wires and power electronic converters into fully-integrated products, such as HTS ship propulsion motors and dynamic reactive compensation systems, which we sell or plan to sell to end users.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experiences and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Our accounting policies that involve the most significant judgments and estimates are as follows:

 

    Revenue recognition;

 

    Long-term inventory and deferred revenue;

 

    Allowance for doubtful accounts;

 

    Long-lived assets;

 

    Inventory accounting;

 

    Deferred tax assets

 

    Goodwill; and

 

    Acquisition accounting.

 

Revenue recognition. For certain arrangements, such as contracts to perform research and development and prototype development contracts, we record revenues using the percentage of completion method, measured by the relationship of costs incurred to total estimated contract costs. We follow this method since reasonably dependable estimates of the revenue and costs

 

15


Table of Contents

applicable to various stages of a contract can be made. Since many contracts extend over a long period of time, revisions in cost and funding estimates during the progress of work have the effect of adjusting earnings applicable to performance in prior periods in the current period. Recognized revenues and profit or loss are subject to revisions as the contract progresses to completion. Revisions in profit or loss estimates are charged to income in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

 

We recognize revenue from product sales upon shipment, installation or acceptance, where applicable, provided persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and the collectibility is reasonably assured, or for some programs, on the percentage of completion method of accounting. When other significant obligations remain after products are delivered, revenue is recognized only after such obligations (including buyback provisions) are fulfilled.

 

Long-term inventory and deferred revenue. Long-term inventory of $3,250,000 represents SMES units that were delivered in fiscal 2001 to one of our customers, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (“WPS”), for a total purchase price of $3,787,000, less $537,000 recorded as revenue in the quarter ended December 31, 2002. As the sale of these units is subject to certain return and buyback provisions which expire from 2002 to 2009, we are deferring recognition of the revenue related to the remaining $3,250,000 in sales until the applicable buyback provisions lapse. Long-term deferred revenue of $3,250,000 represents the $3,787,000 cash payment received from WPS related to this transaction, less $537,000 recorded as revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2003. The buyback provisions, which are subject to a minimum 6-month written notice requirement, began to lapse in the quarter ended December 31, 2002, until which time WPS had the right to return all the units for the full purchase price of $3,787,000. On December 31 of each year after 2002, WPS has the right, subject to a minimum 6-month notice requirement, to sell the units back to us at a reduced price. Between January 1, 2003 and the next annual buyback date of December 31, 2003, the repurchase price for the units will be $3,250,000 and that price is further reduced by approximately 12% per year through December 31, 2009. We recorded $537,000 of revenue and an equal amount of cost of revenue in the quarter ended December 31, 2002, as the buyback price transitioned from $3,787,000 to $3,250,000. We also recorded a $537,000 reduction in long-term inventory and long-term deferred revenue.

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional provisions for bad debt allowances may be required.

 

Long-Lived Assets. We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets for potential impairment under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” We perform these evaluations whenever events or circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets is not recoverable. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on market and operational performance. Indicators of potential impairment include:

 

    a significant change in the manner in which an asset is used;

 

16


Table of Contents
    a significant decrease in the market value of an asset;

 

    a significant adverse change in its business or the industry in which it is sold;

 

    a current period operating cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the asset; and

 

    significant advances in our technologies that require changes in our manufacturing process.

 

If we believe an indicator of potential impairment exists, we test to determine whether impairment recognition criteria in SFAS No. 144 have been met. To analyze a potential impairment, we project undiscounted future cash flows over the remaining life of the asset or the primary asset in the asset group. If these projected cash flows are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized based on the fair value of the asset or asset group less any costs of disposition. Evaluating the impairment requires judgment by our management to estimate future operating results and cash flows. If different estimates were used, the amount and timing of asset impairments could be affected. We charge impairments of the long-lived assets to operations if our evaluations indicate that the carrying values of these assets are not recoverable.

 

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 ended March 31, 2003, we recorded a $39,231,000 impairment charge to write down our first-generation (1G) asset group, primarily comprised of the Devens manufacturing facility and capital equipment, to an estimated fair value.

 

Inventory accounting. We write down inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated realizable value based upon assumptions of future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

 

Deferred tax assets. We have recorded a full valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While we consider future taxable income and tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, if management were to determine that we would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would decrease income in the period such determination was made.

 

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over net assets of acquired businesses that are consolidated. Pursuant to SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill is not amortized. In lieu of amortization, we perform an impairment review of our goodwill at least annually or when events and changes in

 

17


Table of Contents

circumstances indicate the need for such a detailed impairment loss analysis, as prescribed by SFAS 142. To date, we have determined that goodwill is not impaired, but we could in the future determine that goodwill is impaired, which would result in a charge to earnings.

 

Acquisition accounting. We account for our acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting pursuant to SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations.” In June 2000, we acquired in a business combination substantially all of the assets of Integrated Electronics, LLC (“IE”), as well as IE’s employees and facility lease. The IE acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Goodwill of $1,329,282 represented the excess of the purchase price of $1,833,125 over the fair value of the acquired assets of $503,843 at June 1, 2000. Goodwill was $1,107,735 at June 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003.

 

Results of Operations

 

The Company has three reportable business segments—AMSC Wires, SuperMachines, and Power Electronic Systems.

 

The AMSC Wires business segment develops, manufactures and sells HTS wire. The focus of this segment’s current development, manufacturing and sales efforts is on HTS wire for power transmission cables, motors, generators, synchronous condensers and specialty magnets.

 

The SuperMachines business segment is developing and commercializing electric motors, generators, and synchronous condensers based on HTS wire. Its primary focus for motors and generators is on ship propulsion.

 

The Power Electronic Systems business segment develops and sells power electronic converters and designs, manufactures and sells integrated systems based on those converters for power quality and reliability solutions and for wind farm applications.

 

Total revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $7,756,000, a 171% increase compared to the $2,860,000 of revenue recorded for the same period a year earlier.

 

The increase in consolidated revenues of $4,896,000 was mainly the result of an increase in prototype development contract revenues, primarily relating to work performed on the Navy 36.5 Megawatt (MW) motor program. Revenues in our SuperMachines business unit increased by $4,014,000 to $5,550,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 from $1,536,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. Approximately 88%, or $4,878,000, of this business unit’s first-quarter revenues related to the performance of design work on the 36.5 MW motor program, which began in March 2003. The remainder of SuperMachines’ revenue related to the completion of work on the 5 MW motor, which was delivered to the U.S. Navy in July 2003, and to work performed on the SuperVAR synchronous condenser prototype being developed for the Tennessee Valley Authority. SuperMachines’ revenues in the prior-year quarter were exclusively related to the 5 MW motor program.

 

Revenues in our AMSC Wires business unit increased by $879,000 to $1,097,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 from $218,000 for the same period of the prior year. The growth in revenues in AMSC Wires in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to the prior-year first quarter, was attributable to two factors. Product sales increased by $654,000 to $741,000 in the quarter ended June 30, 2003 from $87,000 in the prior-year quarter, due to a higher level of 1G wire sales, our first delivery of second generation (2G) wire to a customer, and the beginning of work on a project to install an HTS power cable in the transmission grid of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). Contract revenues also grew by $225,000 to $356,000 from $131,000 due to a higher level of work performed on two Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants with the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health, both focused on 2G wire development.

 

Revenues in the Power Electronic Systems business unit were $1,109,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $1,106,000 for the same period of the prior year. An increase in product sales due to the delivery of one D-VAR system was offset by a lower level of prototype

 

18


Table of Contents

development contract revenues on our ongoing Power Electronic Building Blocks (PEBB) program with the Navy.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2003, we recorded approximately $313,000 in funding under two government cost-sharing agreements with the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Commerce. For the three months ended June 30, 2002, we recorded approximately $103,000 of funding under the U.S. Air Force agreement. We anticipate that a portion of our funding in the future will continue to come from cost-sharing agreements as we continue to develop joint programs with government agencies. Funding from government cost-sharing agreements is recorded as an offset to research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses, as required by government contract accounting guidelines, rather than as revenues.

 

Total costs and expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 were $16,176,000 compared to $14,040,000 for the same period last year.

 

Costs of revenue—product sales and prototype development contracts increased by $4,042,000 to $8,273,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, compared to $4,231,000 for the same period of the prior year. This increase was directly related to the higher level of prototype development contract revenues with the U.S. Navy in the SuperMachines business unit. Also contributing to this increase was a $272,000 increase in costs (including building and equipment depreciation) related to the AMSC Wires business unit’s growing utilization of the Devens, Massachusetts manufacturing plant. Costs of revenue—contract revenue increased by $208,000 to $336,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, compared to $128,000 for the same period of the prior year. Costs of revenue—contract revenue increased proportionally with the higher level of contract revenue, particularly with regard to two Phase II SBIR grants with the Department of Energy and National Institute of Health.

 

Our research and development (“R&D”) expenditures are summarized as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


     2003

   2002

R&D expenses per Consolidated Statements of Operations

   $ 4,863,000    $ 6,217,000

R&D expenditures classified as Costs of revenue

     4,754,000      2,088,000

R&D expenditures offset by cost sharing funding

     286,000      53,000
    

  

Pro forma R&D expenses

   $ 9,903,000    $ 8,358,000
    

  

 

R&D expenses (exclusive of amounts classified as costs of revenue and amounts offset by cost sharing funding) decreased to $4,863,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2003 from $6,217,000 for the same period last year. This amount decreased in the first three months of fiscal year 2004 when compared to the same period of 2003 as a result of a higher percentage of the R&D costs being classified as costs of revenue due to the higher level of funded prototype development contract work in SuperMachines. Pro forma R&D expenses, which include amounts classified as costs of revenue and amounts offset by cost sharing funding, increased to $9,903,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2003 from $8,358,000 for the same period last year. The increase in pro forma R&D spending in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to the prior-year quarter, was the result of a $1,920,000 increase in material, subcontractor, and temporary labor costs in the SuperMachines business unit. This increase was partially offset by reduced R&D spending in the AMSC Wires and Power Electronic Systems business units, primarily due to headcount reductions in those two business units over the last year. A portion of the R&D expenditures related to externally funded development contracts has been classified as costs of revenue (rather than as R&D expenses). Additionally, a portion of R&D expenses was offset by cost sharing funding.

 

19


Table of Contents

Our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenditures are summarized as follows::

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


     2003

   2002

SG&A expenses per Consolidated Statements of Operations

   $ 2,705,000    $ 3,464,000

SG&A expenditures classified as Costs of revenue

     1,524,000      309,000

SG&A expenditures offset by cost sharing funding

     27,000      50,000
    

  

Pro forma SG&A expenses

   $ 4,256,000    $ 3,823,000
    

  

 

SG&A expenses (exclusive of amounts classified as costs of revenue and amounts offset by cost sharing funding) decreased to $2,705,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2003 from $3,464,000 for the same period last year. This amount decreased in the first three months of fiscal year 2004 when compared to the same period of 2003 as a result of a higher percentage of the SG&A costs being classified as costs of revenue due to the higher level of funded prototype development contract work in SuperMachines. Pro forma SG&A expenses, which include amounts classified as costs of revenue and amounts offset by cost sharing funding, increased to $4,256,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, compared to $3,823,000 for the same period last year. This increase was primarily the result of a higher percentage of the rent and occupancy costs associated with our Westborough, MA headquarters now being classified as general and administrative expense rather than in costs of revenue — product sales and prototype development contracts and research and development expense. We have completed the relocation of our manufacturing workforce to Devens from Westborough, which is now partially unoccupied. A portion of the SG&A expenditures related to externally funded development contracts has been classified as costs of revenue (rather than as SG&A expenses). Additionally, a portion of SG&A expenses was offset by cost sharing funding.

 

We present pro forma R&D and pro forma SG&A expenses, which are non-GAAP financial measures, because we believe this presentation provides useful information on our aggregate R&D and SG&A spending.

 

20


Table of Contents

Non-operating expenses/Interest income

 

Interest income decreased to $35,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2003 from $371,000 in the same period of the prior year. This decrease in interest income reflects the lower cash balances available for investment as a result of cash being used to fund our operations and to purchase property, plant and equipment, as well as lower interest rates available on our investments. Other income (expense), net of $29,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2003 consisted primarily of gains from the sale of certain pieces of surplus equipment. Other income (expense), net of ($20,000) in the three months ended June 30, 2002 reflected taxes on investment income.

 

We expect to continue to incur operating losses until at least the end of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005 as we continue to devote significant financial resources to our research and development activities and commercialization efforts.

 

Please refer to the “Future Operating Results” section below for a discussion of certain factors that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At June 30, 2003, we had cash, cash equivalents and long-term marketable securities of $12,101,000 compared to $20,049,000 at March 31, 2003. The principal uses of cash during the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $6,964,000 for the funding of our operations and $890,000 for the acquisition of equipment, primarily for our 2G wire process equipment.

 

We have potential funding commitments (excluding amounts included in accounts receivable) of approximately $87,440,000 to be received after June 30, 2003 from government and commercial customers, compared to $78,336,000 at March 31, 2003 and $10,891,000 at June 30, 2002. However, these current funding commitments, including $78,816,000 on U.S. government contracts, are subject to certain standard cancellation provisions. Additionally, several of our government contracts are being funded incrementally, and as such, are subject to the future authorization and appropriation of government funding on an annual basis. We have a history of successful performance under incrementally-funded contracts with the U. S. government.

 

21


Table of Contents

Included in our current potential funding commitment amount is $60,548,000 relating to the Navy 36.5 MW motor contract, which represents the total base program value (excluding certain potential performance-based incentive fees) of $66,611,000, less the $6,063,000 of revenue recognized for the program through June 30, 2003.

 

Of the current commitment amount of $87,440,000 as of June 30, 2003, approximately 43% is billable to and potentially collectable from our customers within the next 12 months.

 

The possibility exists that we may pursue acquisition and joint venture opportunities in the future that may affect liquidity and capital resource requirements.

 

To date, inflation and foreign exchange have not had a material impact on our financial results.

 

We have generated operating losses since our inception in 1987 and expect to continue incurring losses until at least the end of fiscal 2005. Operating losses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 have contributed to net cash used by operating activities of $39,604,957, $26,456,387 and $26,424,059, respectively, for these periods. For the three months ended June 30, 2003, net cash used by operating activities was $6,964,107. Our average annual use of cash over this period is greater than our balance of cash, cash equivalents and long-term marketable securities at June 30, 2003 of $12,101,885.

 

In July 2003, we implemented approximately $5,000,000 of reductions in our operating and capital budgets for fiscal 2004, primarily through the elimination of 34 positions, including a reduction in force of 23 employees, or 8% of our workforce. Cuts were also made in controllable expenses and capital equipment purchase plans.

 

The cash savings from the aforementioned cost reduction actions combined with an increasing level of revenues for the remainder of the fiscal year are expected to lower our quarterly cash usage beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2004. The revenue increase is supported by our receipt in March 2003 of the three-year 36.5 MW motor contract from the Office of Naval Research as well as our selection in April 2003 by the Department of Energy (DOE) as the prime contractor for an HTS cable project with LIPA.

 

To supplement our anticipated cash needs for operations as well as our investment in the second generation wire development program, we have been examining a number of options for raising additional capital. Based on these efforts over the last year, we signed in June 2003 non-binding letters of intent with three groups of investors to provide up to $50,000,000 in financing. These letters of intent are subject to satisfactory due diligence by these investors, the completion of formal legal documentation and approval of the financings by our shareholders. The $50,000,000 financing is expected to be comprised of a five-year term loan of up to $30,000,000 to be provided by a corporate finance company and several institutional investors with these amounts secured by our existing assets and additional assets projected to be acquired, excluding accounts receivable and inventory. In addition, three institutional investors have also signed a non-binding letter of intent to provide $10,000,000 in the form of subordinated notes that are convertible into our common stock. We have also signed a non-binding letter of intent with a

 

22


Table of Contents

commercial bank to provide up to $10,000,000 in the form of a working capital credit facility that is to be secured by our accounts receivable and inventory.

 

Each of the investor groups will also be issued warrants to acquire shares of our common stock. The conversion feature of the subordinated convertible notes combined with the warrants will trigger the NASDAQ requirement that our shareholders approve this $50,000,000 financing transaction prior to its closing. Consequently, should we be able to close this transaction, the earliest this would occur would be the end of September 2003. We expect that all of the contemplated financings will be required to close simultaneously. While we believe we will be able to complete the $50,000,000 financing transaction, we can make no assurance that such funds will be available, or available under terms acceptable to us, or that our shareholders will approve this financing transaction. In the event that this transaction cannot be completed, we are confident that we could obtain conventional mortgage financing on our Devens, MA manufacturing facility that, combined with our available cash, cash equivalents and long-term marketable securities, would be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” In general, a variable interest entity is a corporation, partnership, trust or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A variable interest entity often holds financial assets, including loans or receivables, real estate or other property. Variable interest entities have been commonly referred to as special-purpose entities or off-balance sheet structures. This Interpretation requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. The Company does not expect that this Interpretation will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity (SFAS No. 150). This accounting standard establishes standards for classifying and measuring certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that certain financial instruments that were previously classified as equity now be classified as a liability. This accounting standard is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 150 will have an impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

23


Table of Contents

FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

 

Various statements included herein, as well as other statements made from time to time by our representatives, which relate to future matters (including but not limited to statements concerning our future commercial success) constitute forward looking statements and are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a number of important factors which could cause our actual results of operations and financial condition in the future to vary from that indicated in such forward looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties and other information set forth below.

 

We have a history of operating losses, and we expect to continue to incur losses in the future.

 

We have been principally engaged in research and development activities. We have incurred net losses in each year since our inception. Our net loss for the first three months of fiscal 2004 was $8,356,000 and for fiscal 2003, fiscal 2002, and fiscal 2001 was $87,633,000, $56,985,000, and $21,676,000, respectively. Our accumulated deficit as of June 30, 2003 was $281,466,000.

 

We expect to continue to incur operating losses until at least the end of fiscal 2005, and there can be no assurance that we will ever achieve profitability.

 

We believe, based upon our current business plan, that our existing capital resources will be sufficient to fund our operations until the end of fiscal 2004. However, recognizing that we may need additional funds sooner than anticipated to fund current operations and to accelerate our investment in our second generation wire development program, we are currently pursuing financing transactions to raise additional capital to strengthen our cash position. There can be no assurance that such funds will be available, or available under terms acceptable to us. Please see the discussion under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above.

 

There are a number of technological challenges that must be successfully addressed before our superconductor products can gain widespread commercial acceptance.

 

Many of our products are in the early stages of commercialization and testing, while others are still under development. We do not believe any company has yet successfully developed and commercialized significant quantities of HTS wire or wire products. There are a number of technological challenges that we must successfully address to complete our development and commercialization efforts. We also believe that several years of further development in the cable and motor industries will be necessary before a substantial number of additional commercial applications for our HTS wire in these industries can be developed and proven. We may also need to improve the performance and/or reduce the cost of our HTS wire to expand the number of commercial applications for it. We may be unable to meet such technological challenges. Delays in development, as a result of technological challenges or other factors, may result in the introduction or commercial acceptance of our products later than anticipated.

 

24


Table of Contents

The commercial uses of superconductor products are very limited today, and a widespread commercial market for our products may not develop.

 

To date, there has been no widespread commercial use of HTS products. Commercial acceptance of low temperature superconductor (LTS) products, other than for medical magnetic resonance imaging and superconductor magnetic energy storage products, has been significantly limited by the cooling requirements of LTS materials. Even if the technological hurdles currently limiting commercial uses of HTS and LTS products are overcome, it is uncertain whether a robust commercial market for those new and unproven products will ever develop. It is possible that the market demands we currently anticipate for our HTS and LTS products will not develop and that superconductor products will never achieve widespread commercial acceptance.

 

We have limited experience manufacturing our HTS products in commercial quantities.

 

To be financially successful, we will have to manufacture our products in commercial quantities at acceptable costs while also preserving the quality levels we have achieved in manufacturing these products in limited quantities. This presents a number of technological and engineering challenges for us. We cannot make assurances that we will be successful in developing product designs and manufacturing processes that permit us to manufacture our HTS products in commercial quantities at commercially acceptable costs while preserving quality. In addition, we may incur significant unforeseen expenses in our product design and manufacturing efforts.

 

We have limited experience in marketing and selling our products.

 

Our management team has limited experience directing our commercialization efforts, which are essential to our future success. To date, we have only limited experience marketing and selling our products, and there are very few people anywhere who have significant experience marketing or selling superconductor products. Once our products are ready for commercial use, we will have to develop a marketing and sales organization that will effectively demonstrate the advantages of our products over both more traditional products and competing superconductor products or other technologies. We may not be successful in our efforts to market this new and unfamiliar technology, and we may not be able to establish an effective sales and distribution organization.

 

We may decide to enter into arrangements with third parties for the marketing or distribution of our products, including arrangements in which our products, such as HTS wire, are included as a component of a larger product, such as a motor. For example, we have a marketing and sales alliance with GE Industrial Systems giving GE the exclusive right to offer our Distributed-SMES (D-SMES) and D-VAR product lines in the United States and South America to utilities and the right to sell industrial Power Quality-Industrial Voltage Restorers (PQ-IVR) to one of GE’s global industrial accounts. We also have a distribution agreement with Bridex Technologies Pte, Ltd., a power system solution integrator and technology company in

 

25


Table of Contents

Singapore, whereby Bridex markets and sells our integrated power electronic systems within Asia Pacific markets. By entering into marketing and sales alliances, the financial benefits to us of commercializing our products are dependent on the efforts of others. We may not be able to enter into marketing or distribution arrangements with third parties on financially acceptable terms, and third parties may not be successful in selling our products or applications incorporating our products.

 

Our products face intense competition both from superconductor products developed by others and from traditional, non-superconductor products and alternative technologies.

 

As we begin to market and sell our superconductor products, we will face intense competition both from competitors in the superconductor field and from vendors of traditional products and new technologies. There are many companies in the United States, Europe, Japan and China engaged in the development of HTS products, including Sumitomo Electric Industries, Intermagnetics General, European Advanced Superconductors GmbH, Fujikura, Furukawa Electric, and Innova Superconductor Technology. The superconductor industry is characterized by rapidly changing and advancing technology. Our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to keep pace with advancing HTS and LTS technology and developing industry standards. Our SMES products and integrated power electronic products, such as D-VAR, compete with a variety of other products such as dynamic voltage restorers (“DVRs”), static VAR compensators (“SVCs”), static compensators (“STATCOMS”), flywheels, power electronic converters and battery-based power supply systems. Competition for our PowerModules includes products from Ecostar, Inverpower, SatCon, Semikron and Trace. The HTS motor and generator products that we are developing face competition from copper wire-based motors and generators, and from permanent magnet motors that are being developed. Research efforts and technological advances made by others in the superconductor field or in other areas with applications to the power quality and reliability markets may render our development efforts obsolete. Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial resources, research and development, manufacturing and marketing capabilities than we have. In addition, as the HTS wire, HTS electric motors and generators, and power electronic systems markets develop, other large industrial companies may enter those fields and compete with us.

 

Third parties have or may acquire patents that cover the high temperature superconductor materials we use or may use in the future to manufacture our products.

 

We expect that some or all of the HTS materials and technologies we use in designing and manufacturing our products are or will become covered by patents issued to other parties, including our competitors. If that is the case, we will need either to acquire licenses to these patents or to successfully contest the validity of these patents. The owners of these patents may refuse to grant licenses to us, or may be willing to do so only on terms that we find commercially unreasonable. If we are unable to obtain these licenses, we may have to contest the validity or scope of those patents to avoid infringement claims by the owners of these patents. It is possible that we will not be successful in contesting the validity or scope of a patent, or that we will not prevail in a patent infringement claim brought against us. Even if we are successful in such a

 

26


Table of Contents

proceeding, we could incur substantial costs and diversion of management resources in prosecuting or defending such a proceeding.

 

There are numerous patents issued in the field of superconductor materials and our patents may not provide meaningful protection for our technology.

 

We own or have licensing rights under many patents and pending patent applications. However, the patents that we own or license may not provide us with meaningful protection of our technologies and may not prevent our competitors from using similar technologies, for a variety of reasons, such as:

 

    the patent applications that we or our licensors file may not result in patents being issued;

 

    any patents issued may be challenged by third parties; and

 

    others may independently develop similar technologies not protected by our patents or design around the patented aspects of any technologies we develop.

 

Moreover, we could incur substantial litigation costs in defending the validity of our own patents. We also rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how to protect our intellectual property. However, our non-disclosure agreements and other safeguards may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets and other proprietary information.

 

Our success is dependent upon attracting and retaining qualified personnel.

 

Our success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly qualified research and development, management, manufacturing, marketing and sales personnel. Hiring those persons may be especially difficult due to the specialized nature of our business.

 

We are particularly dependent upon the services of Dr. Gregory J. Yurek, our co-founder and our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Alexis P. Malozemoff, our Chief Technical Officer. The loss of the services of either of those individuals could significantly damage our business and prospects.

 

27


Table of Contents
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Our exposure to market risk through financial instruments, such as investments in marketable securities, is not material.

 

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of June 30, 2003. In designing and evaluating the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applied its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2003, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2003 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

28


Table of Contents

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 


 

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 2.   Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 5.   Other Information

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

a)   Exhibits

 

See the Exhibit Index on the page immediately preceding the exhibits for a list of exhibits filed as part of this quarterly report, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

b)   Reports on Form 8-K

 

On May 14, 2003, we furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 14, 2003, to report under Item 9 the information required by Item 12 with respect to financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003.

 

29


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

 

August 14, 2003


         

/s/    GREGORY J. YUREK


Date

         

Gregory J. Yurek

Chairman of the Board, President and

Chief Executive Officer

August 14, 2003


         

/s/    KEVIN M. BISSON


Date

         

Kevin M. Bisson

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

August 14, 2003


         

/s/    THOMAS M. ROSA


Date

         

Thomas M. Rosa

Vice President of Finance and Accounting

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

30


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


†10.1

   License Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2003, between the Registrant and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

†10.2

   Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2003, between the Registrant and the U.S. Office of Naval Research

†10.3

   Fifth Amendment dated as of April 18, 2003 between the Registrant and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“M.I.T.”) amending the License Agreement dated as of July 6, 1987 between the Registrant and M.I.T.

   31.1

   Chief Executive Officer—Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   31.2

   Chief Financial Officer—Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   32.1

   Chief Executive Officer—Certification pursuant to Rule13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   32.2

   Chief Financial Officer—Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of this exhibit, which portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

31