Note 13 - Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

13.

Related Party Transactions

We own 45% of the outstanding equity of Powersem, a module manufacturer based in Germany. The investment is accounted for using the equity method. In fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recorded revenues of $1.5 million, $1.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively, from sales of products to Powersem for use as components in their products. In fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, we purchased $3.4 million, $4.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of products from Powersem. At March 31, 2016 and 2015, the accounts receivable balances from our sales to Powersem were $99,000 and $82,000, respectively. The accounts payable balances to Powersem, as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, were $63,000 and $115,000, respectively. The carrying values at March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 were $2.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

We own 20% of the outstanding equity of EB Tech Ltd., a company with expertise in radiation technology based in South Korea. The investment is accounted for using the equity method. In fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, EB Tech rendered processing services totaling approximately $378,000, $278,000 and $211,000, respectively, to our company. As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, our accounts payable balances to EB Tech were $26,000 and $23,000, respectively.

There was no accounts payable balance due to EB Tech as of March 31, 2014. The carrying values at March 31, 2016 and at March 31, 2015 were $2.7 million.

On December 12, 2014, we acquired 24.3% of the outstanding common shares of ATEC, a supplier located in the Philippines that provides assembly and test services. The investment is accounted for by the equity method. In fiscal 2016 and 2015, ATEC rendered assembly and test services totaling approximately $8.0 million and $2.0 million t

o our company, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, the accounts payable balances to ATEC were $737,000 and $632,000, respectively

. The carrying values at March 31, 2016 and at March 31, 2015 were $5.7 million.

We had no other material related party transactions with companies in which we invested and which were accounted for by the equity method during fiscal 2016.