Note 15 - Segments and Geographic Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

15.    Segments and Geographic Information

We have two reportable segments: products and solutions. The products segment includes the marketing and sale of commercial, industrial, government, and military and maritime lighting products, and research and development services. Our products are sold primarily in North America, Europe, and the Far East through a combination of direct sales employees, independent sales representatives and distributors. Our solutions segment provides turnkey, high-quality, energy-efficient lighting application alternatives, which are designed to enhance total value by positively impacting customers’ profitability, the environment and the communities served. These solutions are sold through our EFLS subsidiary, and include not only our proprietary energy-efficient lighting solutions, but also sourced lighting systems, energy audits and service agreements.

The following summarizes our reportable segment data from continuing operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):

	Years ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Solutions:
Net sales	$	9,847		$	10,569		$	9,563
Cost of sales		8,361			9,150			8,041
Gross profit		1,486			1,419			1,522
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing		1,382			1,312			1,332
General and administrative		654			769			939
Loss on impairment		325			672			-
Total operating expenses		2,361			2,753			2,271
Segment loss	$	(875	)	$	(1,334	)	$	(749	)
Products:
Net sales	$	11,686		$	12,806		$	10,890
Cost of sales		8,593			10,253			8,587
Gross profit		3,093			2,553			2,303
Operating expenses (income):
Research and development		597			368			(515	)
Sales and marketing		2,389			2,347			3,257
General and administrative		336			285			352
Loss on impairment		608			-			-
Total operating expenses		3,930			3,000			3,094
Segment loss	$	(837	)	$	(447	)	$	(791	)
Reconciliation of segment loss to net loss:
Segment loss:
Solutions	$	(875	)	$	(1,334	)	$	(749	)
Products		(837	)		(447	)		(791	)
Total segment loss		(1,712	)		(1,781	)		(1,540	)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing		1,128			743			239
General and administrative		3,825			3,488			3,715
Valuation of equity instruments		-			-			56
Change in estimate of contingent liabilities		12			(102	)		(411	)
Restructuring		80			-			-
Total operating expenses		5,045			4,129			3,599
Other expense		(190	)		(666	)		(836	)
Loss before income taxes from continuing operations		(6,947	)		(6,576	)		(5,975	)
Benefit from income taxes		-			-			2
Net loss from continuing operations	$	(6,947	)	$	(6,576	)	$	(5,973	)

The following table provides additional business unit gross profitability detail from continuing operations for our products segment for the periods indicated (in thousands):

	Years ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Products segment net sales:
Commercial products	$	5,966	$	8,486	$	6,612
Government products/R&D services		5,720		4,320		4,278
Total products segment net sales		11,686		12,806		10,890
Products segment cost of sales:
Commercial products		4,148		6,170		4,607
Government products/R&D services		4,445		4,083		3,980
Total products segment cost of sales		8,593		10,253		8,587
Products segment gross profit:
Commercial products		1,818		2,316		2,005
Government products/R&D services		1,275		237		298
Total products segment gross profit	$	3,093	$	2,553	$	2,303

A geographic summary of net sales from continuing operations is as follows (in thousands):

	Years ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
United States	$	19,136	$	20,363	$	16,435
International		2,397		3,012		4,018
Net sales	$	21,533	$	23,375	$	20,453

A geographic summary of long-lived assets, which consists of property and equipment, and intangible assets, is as follows (in thousands):

	2013		2012
United States	$	582	$	2,350
International		9		58
Long-lived assets, net	$	591	$	2,408