Unassociated Document
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
 

 
FORM 10-Q
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011.
 
 
OR
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM              TO               .
 
Commission file number 1-14120
 
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
52-1611421
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Jake Brown Road, Old Bridge, New Jersey
 
08857
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (732) 679-4000
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes x  No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes x  No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer  ¨
Accelerated filer  ¨
   
Non-accelerated filer  ¨
Smaller reporting company x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes ¨  No x
 
Number of shares of common stock, par value $.001, outstanding as of November 9, 2011: 6,212,223
 
The Exhibit Index appears on page 16.

 
 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
   
(unaudited)
       
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash
  $ 1,569     $ 1,717  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $173 and $143, respectively
    3,976       3,677  
Inventories
    8,051       7,672  
Prepaid and other current assets
    583       429  
Deferred income taxes
    383       383  
Total current assets
    14,562       13,878  
Inventories, net non-current
    5,707       6,093  
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
    3,893       3,812  
License agreements, net
    880       754  
Other assets, net
    200       177  
Deferred income taxes
    1,898       1,898  
    $ 27,140     $ 26,612  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 257     $ 235  
Accounts payable
    1,074       593  
Accrued compensation
    602       498  
Accrued benefit liability
    200       200  
Income taxes payable
    49       49  
Other accrued expenses
    105       122  
Total current liabilities
    2,287       1,697  
                 
Long-term debt
    2,885       2,872  
Commitments and contingencies
    -       -  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000 shares;
No shares outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 25,000 shares, 8,465 shares Issued
    8       8  
Paid-in capital
    25,592       25,429  
Retained earnings
    4,935       5,196  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1,256 )     (1,256 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 2,255 and 2,266 shares respectively
    (7,311 )     (7,334 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    21,968       22,043  
    $ 27,140     $ 26,612  
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 

 
2

 
 
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net sales
  $ 7,004     $ 9,151     $ 20,208     $ 23,011  
Cost of goods sold
    4,573       5,686       13,026       13,480  
Gross profit
    2,431       3,465       7,182       9,531  
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling
    687       792       1,947       2,577  
General and administrative
    1,068       1,245       3,334       3,503  
Research and development
    684       653       2,023       1,886  
      2,439       2,690       7,304       7,966  
Earnings (loss) from operations
    (8 )     775       (122 )     1,565  
Other Expense:   Interest expense (net)
    (42 )     (54 )     (139 )     (148 )
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
    (50 )     721       (261 )     1,417  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    -       -       -       -  
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (50 )   $ 721     $ (261 )   $ 1,417  
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share
  $ (0.01 )   $ 0.12     $ (0.04 )   $ 0.23  
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    6,212       6,192       6,209       6,192  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
3

 

BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
           
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (261 )   $ 1,417  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Stock compensation expense
    163       66  
Depreciation
    285       263  
Amortization
    528       323  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    30       15  
Provision for inventory reserves
    183       611  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (329 )     (939 )
Inventories
    (176 )     (1,029 )
Prepaid and other current assets
    (154 )     (270 )
Other assets
    (23 )     42  
Accounts payable, accrued compensation and other accrued expenses
    568       725  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    814       1,224  
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (366 )     (71 )
Acquisition of licenses
    (654 )     (490 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (1,020 )     (561 )
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
               
Borrowings of debt
    231       21,791  
Repayments of debt
    (196 )     (21,965 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    23       1  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    58       (173 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    (148 )     490  
Cash, beginning of period
    1,717       14  
Cash, end of period
  $ 1,569     $ 504  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
               
Cash paid for interest
  $ 144     $ 153  
Cash paid for income taxes
    -       -  

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)

Note 1 - Company and Basis of Presentation
 
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) is a technology-development and manufacturing company that delivers television signal encoding, transcoding, digital transport, and broadband product solutions to the cable markets the Company serves, including the multi-dwelling unit market, the lodging/hospitality market and the institutional market including, hospitals, prisons and schools, primarily throughout the United States.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. and subsidiaries.  Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
The results for the third quarter of 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year and have not been audited.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented and the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto that were included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Note 2- Earnings (loss) Per Share
 
Earnings (loss) per share are calculated in accordance with accounting standards which provide for the calculation of “basic” and “diluted” earnings (loss) per share.  Basic earnings (loss) per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflect, in periods in which they have a dilutive effect, the effect of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.  The diluted share base excludes incremental shares of 1,325 and 1,293 related to stock options for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  These shares were excluded due to their antidilutive effect.
 
Note 3 – New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” that improves the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increases the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments in this standard require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under either method, adjustments must be displayed for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income (“OCI”) to net income, in both net income and OCI. The standard does not change the current option for presenting components of OCI gross or net of the effect of income taxes, provided that such tax effects are presented in the statement in which OCI is presented or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. Additionally, the standard does not affect the calculation or reporting of earnings per share. For public entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and are to be applied retrospectively, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5

 

BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
The FASB, the Emerging Issues Task Force and the SEC have issued certain other accounting standards updates and regulations as of September 30, 2011 that will become effective in subsequent periods; however, management of the Company does not believe that any of those updates would have significantly affected the Company’s financial accounting measures or disclosures had they been in effect during 2011 or 2010, and it does not believe that any of those pronouncements will have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements at the time they become effective.
 
Note 4 – Inventories
 
Inventories net of reserves are summarized as follows:
   
(unaudited)
September
30,
2011
   
December
31,
2010
 
Raw Materials
  $ 5,875     $ 6,151  
Work in process
    1,537       1,971  
Finished Goods
    8,220       7,711  
      15,632       15,833  
Less current inventory
    (8,051 )     (7,672 )
      7,581       8,161  
Less Reserve primarily for excess inventory
    (1,874 )     (2,068 )
Inventories, Net Non-Current
  $ 5,707     $ 6,093  

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, or market.
 
The Company periodically analyzes anticipated product sales based on historical results, current backlog and marketing plans.  Based on these analyses, the Company anticipates that certain products will not be sold during the next twelve months.  Inventories that are not anticipated to be sold in the next twelve months have been classified as non-current.
 
Approximately 46% and 50% of the non-current inventories were comprised of finished goods at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The Company has established a program to use interchangeable parts in its various product offerings and to modify certain of its finished goods to better match customer demands.  In addition, the Company has instituted additional marketing programs to dispose of the slower moving inventories.
 
The Company continually analyzes its slow-moving, excess and obsolete inventories.  Based on historical and projected sales volumes and anticipated selling prices, the Company establishes reserves.  Products that are determined to be obsolete are written down to net realizable value.  If the Company does not meet its sales expectations, these reserves are increased.  The Company believes reserves are adequate and inventories are reflected at net realizable value.
 
Note 5 – Debt
 
On August 6, 2008, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement with Sovereign Business Capital (“Sovereign”), a division of Sovereign Bank (“Sovereign Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company obtained an $8,000 credit facility from Sovereign (the “Sovereign Financing”).  The Sovereign Financing originally consisted of (i) a $4,000 asset based revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) and (ii) a $4,000 term loan facility (“Term Loan”), each with a three year term.  On January 14, 2011, the Company and Sovereign entered into a First Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement (the “First Amendment”) amending the Sovereign Agreement.  The First Amendment (1) increased the maximum amount which may be borrowed by the Company under the Revolver to $5,000 from $4,000, (2) extended the termination date of the Sovereign Agreement from August 6, 2011 to January 15, 2013, (3) modified the definition of “Eligible Receivables” to increase the permitted concentration percentage of certain customer Receivables (as defined in the Sovereign Agreement) which are included in such calculation, and (4) modified a certain financial covenant.

 
6

 

BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
The amounts which may be borrowed under the Revolver are based on certain percentages of Eligible Receivables and Eligible Inventory, as such terms are defined in the Sovereign Agreement.  The obligations of the Company under the Sovereign Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
Under the Sovereign Agreement, the Revolver bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the prime lending rate announced from time to time by Sovereign (“Prime”) plus 0.25% or the LIBOR rate plus 3.00%.  The Term Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to Prime plus 0.50% or the LIBOR rate plus 3.25%.  Prime was 3.25% on September 30, 2011.
 
Upon termination of the Revolver, all outstanding borrowings under the Revolver are due.  As of September 30, 2011, the Company had no outstanding balance under the Revolver. The Term Loan requires equal monthly principal payments of approximately $17 each, plus interest, with the remaining balance due at maturity.  As of September 30, 2011, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan was $2,883.
 
The Sovereign Agreement contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants.  The Sovereign Agreement contains customary events of default, including, among others, non-payment of principal, interest or other amounts when due.
 
Note 6 – Related Party Transactions
 
As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Chief Executive Officer was indebted to the Company in the amount of $131 and $136, respectively, for which no interest has been charged.  This indebtedness arose from a series of cash advances, the latest of which was advanced in February 2002 and is included in other assets at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  Payments on this indebtedness ceased in November 2008 when the Chief Executive Officer filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and the indebtedness became subject to the automatic stay provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code. On July 29, 2009 a plan of reorganization in connection with the Chief Executive Officer’s bankruptcy case was confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.
 
Under the confirmed plan of reorganization, the Chief Executive Officer will be obligated to pay a pro-rata share, with all other unsecured pre-petition obligations, of the excess, if any, of his disposable income after the payment of all administrative claims and other expenses.  The actual amount that the Company may expect to receive pursuant to the confirmed plan and the date on which required payments would commence are not presently determinable.  Since May 2010, however, the Chief Executive Officer has made elective payments to the Company to reduce the indebtedness.  Such elective payments aggregated $5 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
 
In December 2007, the Company entered into an agreement to provide manufacturing, research and development and product support to Buffalo City Center Leasing, LLC (“Buffalo City”) for an electronic on-board recorder that Buffalo City was producing for Turnpike Global Technologies, LLC (which was purchased in 2010 by, and operates as a division of, XATA Corporation).  The Company received $946 and $852 in revenue from Buffalo City in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively and $2,503 and $1,648 in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  In addition, the Company’s accounts receivable included $1,162 (28%) and $767 (21%) due from Buffalo City at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The agreement with Buffalo City expired by its terms in the first quarter of 2011, however, Buffalo City continued purchasing such product from the Company through July, 2011 on the same terms and conditions.  In the second quarter of 2011, the Company entered into a new agreement directly with XATA Corporation, which sets forth the terms and conditions of purchases by XATA of the next generation of the product.  The XATA agreement also permits XATA to obtain financing from approved third party lenders to finance its purchases from the Company.  Buffalo City has been approved by the Company to act as such an approved third party lender to XATA.  As such, the Company is presently permitting Buffalo City (in this capacity) to purchase products from the Company on open account with a credit limit that is presently set at $1,000, the terms for payment of which are presently net 110 days after shipment.  Under the terms of the XATA contract, the obligations of Buffalo City are guaranteed by XATA.  A director of the Company is also the managing member and a vice president of Buffalo City and may be deemed to control the entity which owns fifty percent (50%) of the membership interests of Buffalo City.

 
7

 

BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)

Note 7 – Subsequent Events
 
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the filing of its condensed consolidated financial statements with the SEC.

 
8

 

ITEM 2. 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ANDRESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities and similar matters.  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operation, performance, development and results of the Company’s business include, but are not limited to, those matters discussed herein in the section entitled Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  The words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “project” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date hereof.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.  Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (See Item 1 – Business; Item 1A – Risk Factors; Item 3 – Legal Proceedings and Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations).
 
General
 
The Company was incorporated in November, 1988, under the laws of Delaware as GPS Acquisition Corp. for the purpose of acquiring the business of Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, which was founded in 1950 by Ben H. Tongue and Isaac S. Blonder to design, manufacture and supply a line of electronics and systems equipment principally for the private cable industry.  Following the acquisition, the Company changed its name to Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.  The Company completed the initial public offering of its shares of Common Stock in December, 1995.
 
Today the Company is a technology-development and manufacturing company that delivers television signal encoding, transcoding, digital transport and broadband product solutions for a broad range of applications.  The markets served include cable televisions systems, multi-dwelling unit communities, the lodging/hospitality market, and institutional systems including hospitals, prisons and schools.  The technology requirements of these markets change rapidly and the Company’s research and development team is continually delivering high performance-lower cost solutions to meet customers’ needs.
 
The Company’s strategy is focused on the development of products for digital signal generation and transmission and, since 2008 the Company entered into various agreements for technologies in concert with the new digital encoder and EdgeQAM line of products.  As a result, the Company continues to significantly expand its digital product lines.  The continuing evolution of the Company’s product lines will focus on the increased needs created in the digital space by IPTV, digital SD and HD video content and the transport of these signals over state of the art broadband networks.
 
The Company has seen a continuing shift in product mix from analog products to digital products and expects this shift to continue.  Accordingly, any substantial decrease in sales of analog products without a related increase in digital products could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
In April 2010, the Company obtained a $4.1 million purchase commitment for the first member of its EdgeQAM family of products (the EQAM-400) from World Cinema Inc. (“World Cinema”), a supplier of Free-to-Guest digital and HD television to the hospitality market.  These shipments were made in the second and third quarters of 2010, during which time the EQAM-400 was exclusive to World Cinema.  Since then, the parties have agreed to extend the exclusivity arrangement, with the most recent extension occurring in September, 2011 extending the exclusivity through the end of 2012.  In connection with this extension, World Cinema committed to purchase approximately $2.2 million of EQAM-400 through the third quarter of 2012.  World Cinema’s purchases of this product were approximately $408,000 and $2,027,000 and $1,224,000 and $4,066,000 during the third three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Future purchase commitments by World Cinema would allow them to extend this exclusivity arrangement.
 
 
9

 

The Company has an on-going initiative to reduce costs, while maintaining a competitive position and time-to-market advantage by manufacturing products both at the Company’s facility in New Jersey as well as in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).  The Company has a manufacturing agreement with a key contract manufacturer in the PRC the terms of which govern the production of products that may from time to time be the subject of purchase orders submitted by (and in the discretion of) the Company.  Since 2007 the Company has transitioned and continues to manufacture certain high volume, labor intensive products, including many of the Company’s analog products, in the PRC.  The Company currently manufactures most of its digital products, including the latest encoder and EdgeQAM collections at its New Jersey facility.  The Company may transition additional products to the PRC if determined by the Company to be advantageous based upon changing business and market conditions.
 
The Company may, from time to time, provide manufacturing, research and development and product support services for other companies’ products.  In December 2007, the Company entered into an agreement to provide manufacturing, research and development and product support to Buffalo City Center Leasing, LLC (“Buffalo City”) for an electronic on-board recorder that Buffalo City was producing for Turnpike Global Technologies, LLC (which was purchased in 2010 by, and operates as a division of, XATA Corporation).  The Company received $946,000 and $852,000 in revenue from Buffalo City in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $2,503,000 and $1,648,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  In addition, the Company’s accounts receivable included $1,162,000 (28%) and $767,000 (21%) due from Buffalo City at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The agreement with Buffalo City expired by its terms in the first quarter of 2011, however, Buffalo City continued purchasing such product from the Company through July, 2011 on the same terms and conditions.  In the second quarter of 2011, the Company entered into a new agreement directly with XATA Corporation, which sets forth the terms and conditions of purchases by XATA of the next generation of the product.  The XATA agreement also permits XATA to obtain financing from approved third party lenders to finance its purchases from the Company.  Buffalo City has been approved by the Company to act as such an approved third party lender to XATA.  As such, the Company is presently permitting Buffalo City (in this capacity) to purchase products from the Company on open account with a credit limit that is presently set at $1,000,000, the terms for payment of which are presently net 110 days after shipment.  Under the terms of the XATA contract, the obligations of Buffalo City are guaranteed by XATA.  A director of the Company is also the managing member and a vice president of Buffalo City and may be deemed to control the entity which owns fifty percent (50%) of the membership interests of Buffalo City.

Results of Operations
 
Third three months of 2011 Compared with third three months of 2010
 
Net Sales.  Net sales decreased $2,147,000, or 23.5%, to $7,004,000 in the third three months of 2011 from $9,151,000 in the third three months of 2010.  The decrease is primarily attributed to an overall decrease in sales of digital video headend products, specifically the EdgeQAM product, a decrease in sales of analog video headend products, offset by an increase in sales of contract manufactured products.  Sales of digital video headend products were $2,190,000 and $3,744,000, sales of EdgeQAM were $425,000 and $2,027,000, sales of analog video headend products were $1,556,000 and $2,394,000 and sales of contract manufactured products were $1,274,000 and $851,000 in the third three months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold decreased to $4,573,000 for the third three months of 2011 from $5,686,000 for the third three months of 2010, but increased as a percentage of sales to 65.3% from 62.1%.   The decrease was primarily due to reduced sales.  The increase as a percentage of sales was primarily attributed to a less favorable product mix.  The Company expects cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales to slightly decrease in the fourth quarter of 2011 due to the expected sales levels of higher margin products.
 
Selling Expenses.  Selling expenses decreased to $687,000 for the third three months of 2011 from $792,000 in the third three months of 2010, but increased as a percentage of sales to 9.8% for the third three months of 2011 from 8.7% in the third three months of 2010.  The $105,000 decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in royalty expense of $67,000 due to re-engineering certain products.  The percentage increase was primarily the result of reduced net sales.
 
General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses decreased to $1,068,000 for the third three months of 2011 from $1,245,000 for the third three months of 2010, but increased as a percentage of sales to 15.3% for the third three months of 2011 from 13.6% for the third three months of 2010.  The $183,000 decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in salaries and benefits of $184,000 due to headcount reductions.  The percentage increase was primarily the result of reduced net sales.
 
Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses increased to $684,000 in the third three months of 2011 from $653,000 in the third three months of 2010 and increased as a percentage of sales to 9.8% for the third three months of 2011 from 7.1% for the third three months of 2010. This $31,000 increase is primarily the result of an increase in amortization of license fees of $49,000.  This increase was part of the Company’s continuing strategy, which began in 2010, to increase its research and development capabilities, particularly with regard to new digital products.  The percentage increase was primarily the result of reduced net sales.
 
 
10

 
 
Operating Income (Loss).  Operating loss of $8,000 for the third three months of 2011 represents a reduction from operating income of $775,000 for the third three months of 2010.  Operating income (loss) as a percentage of sales was (0.1) % in the third three months of 2011 compared to 8.5% in the third three months of 2010.
 
Other Expense.  Interest expense decreased to $42,000 in the third three months of 2011 from $54,000 in the third three months of 2010.  The decrease was the result of lower average borrowing.
 
Income Taxes.  The current provision for income taxes for the third three months of 2011 and 2010 was zero.  A valuation allowance was recorded for the benefit of the 2011 tax loss and the 2010 provision was offset by the deductibility of certain tax attributes for which the benefit was previously reserved against.
 
First nine months of 2011 Compared with first nine months of 2010
 
Net Sales.  Net sales decreased $2,803,000, or 12.2%, to $20,208,000 in the first nine months of 2011 from $23,011,000 in the first nine months of 2010.  The decrease is primarily attributed to an overall decrease in sales of digital video headend products, specifically the EdgeQAM product, a decrease in sales of analog video headend products, offset by an increase in sales of a contract manufactured product.  Sales of digital video headend products were $6,794,000 and $9,362,000, sales of EdgQAM were $1,425,000 and $5,063,000, sales of analog video headend products were $5,021,000 and $6,347,000, and sales of the contract manufactured product were $2,837,000 and $1,648,000 in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold decreased to $13,026,000 for the first nine months of 2011 from $13,480,000 for the first nine months of 2010, but increased as a percentage of sales to 64.5% from 58.6%.   The decrease was primarily the result of reduced net sales. The percentage increase was primarily due to a less favorable product mix.  The Company expects cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales to slightly decrease in the remaining quarter of 2011 due to the expected sales levels of higher margin products.
 
Selling Expenses.  Selling expenses decreased to $1,947,000 for the first nine months of 2011 from $2,577,000 in the first nine months of 2010, and decreased as a percentage of sales to 9.6% for the first nine months of 2011 from 11.2% in the first nine months of 2010.  The $630,000 decrease and percentage decrease were primarily the result of a decrease in salaries and fringe benefits of $266,000 due to reduced headcount and a decrease in royalty expense of $252,000 due to re-engineering certain products.
 
General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses decreased to $3,334,000 for the first nine months of 2011 from $3,503,000 for the first nine months of 2010, but increased as a percentage of sales to 16.5% for the first nine months of 2011 from 15.2% for the first nine months of 2010.  The $169,000 decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in salaries and benefits of $184,000 due to reduced headcount.  The percentage increase was primarily the result of reduced net sales.
 
Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses increased to $2,023,000 in the first nine months of 2011 from $1,886,000 in the first nine months of 2010 and increased as a percentage of sales to 10.0% for the first nine months of 2011 from 8.2% for the first nine months of 2010. This $137, 000 increase is primarily the result of an increase in amortization of license fees of $205,000.  This increase was part of the Company’s continuing strategy, which began in 2010, to increase its research and development capabilities, particularly with regard to new digital products.  The percentage increase was primarily the result of reduced net sales.
 
Operating Income (Loss).  Operating loss of $(122,000) for the first nine months of 2011 represents a decrease from the operating income of $1,565,000 for the first nine months of 2010.  Operating loss as a percentage of sales was (0.6 %) in the first nine months of 2011 compared to operating income as a percentage of sales of 6.8% in the first nine months of 2010.
 
Other Expense.  Interest expense decreased to $139,000 in the first nine months of 2011 from $148, 000 in the first nine months of 2010.  The decrease was the result of lower average borrowing.
 
Income Taxes.  The current provision for income taxes for the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 was zero.  A valuation allowance was recorded for the benefit of the 2011 tax loss and the 2010 provision was offset by the deductibility of certain tax attributes for which the benefit was previously reserved against.
 
 
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company’s working capital was $12,275,000 and $12,181,000, respectively.  The increase in working capital was primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable.
 
The Company’s net cash provided by operating activities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 was $814,000, resulting from the net loss of $261,000 adjusted by non-cash expenses aggregating $1,189,000.  The Company’s working capital items only utilized $114,000 during the nine month period.
 
Cash used in investing activities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 was $1,020,000, which was primarily attributable to an increase in capital expenditures of $366,000 and an increase in license fees of $654,000.
 
Cash provided by financing activities was $58,000 for the first nine months of 2011, which was primarily comprised of borrowings of debt of $231,000 offset by repayment of debt of $196,000.
 
On August 6, 2008, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement with Sovereign Business Capital (“Sovereign”), a division of Sovereign Bank (“Sovereign Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company obtained an $8,000,000 credit facility from Sovereign (the “Sovereign Financing”).  The Sovereign Financing originally consisted of (i) a $4,000,000 asset-based revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) and (ii) a $4,000,000 term loan facility (“Term Loan”), each with a three-year term.  On January 14, 2011, the Company and Sovereign entered into a First Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement (the “First Amendment”) amending the Sovereign Agreement.  The First Amendment (1) increased the maximum amount which may be borrowed by the Company under the Revolver to $5,000,000 from $4,000,000, (2) extended the termination date of the Sovereign Agreement from August 6, 2011 to January 15, 2013, (3) modified the definition of “Eligible Receivables” to increase the permitted concentration percentage of certain customer Receivables (as defined in the Sovereign Agreement) which are included in such calculation, and (4) modified a certain financial covenant.
 
The amounts which may be borrowed under the Revolver are based on certain percentages of Eligible Receivables and Eligible Inventory, as such terms are defined in the Sovereign Agreement.  The obligations of the Company under the Sovereign Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
Under the Sovereign Agreement, the Revolver bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the prime lending rate announced from time to time by Sovereign (“Prime”) plus 0.25% or the LIBOR rate plus 3.00% .  The Term Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to Prime plus 0.50% or the LIBOR rate plus 3.25%.  Prime was 3.25% at September 30, 2011.
 
Upon termination of the Revolver, all outstanding borrowings under the Revolver are due.  The Term Loan requires equal monthly principal payments of approximately $17,000 each, plus interest, with the remaining balance due at maturity.  As of September 30, 2011, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan was $2,883,000.
 
The Sovereign Agreement contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants.  The Sovereign Agreement contains customary events of default, including, among others, non-payment of principal, interest or other amounts when due.
 
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are its existing cash balances, cash generated from operations and amounts available pursuant to the Sovereign Financing.  As of September 30, 2011, the Company had zero outstanding under the Revolver with $5,000,000 remaining available for borrowing thereunder.  The Company anticipates these sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund its operating activities, anticipated capital expenditures and debt repayment obligations for the next twelve months.
 
The Company’s primary long-term obligations are for payment of the interest and principal on the Company’s Revolver and Term Loan, both of which expire on January 15, 2013.  The Company expects to use cash generated from operations to meet its long-term debt obligations, and anticipates refinancing its long-term debt obligations at maturity.   The Company considers opportunities to refinance its existing indebtedness based on market conditions.  Although the Company may refinance all or part of its existing indebtedness in the future and will be required to do so by January 15, 2013, there can be no assurances that it will do so.  Changes in the Company’s operating plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses, acquisitions or other events may require the Company to seek additional debt or equity financing. There can be no assurance that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all.  Debt financing, if available, could impose additional cash payment obligations and additional covenants and operating restrictions.  The Company also expects to make financed and unfinanced long-term capital expenditures from time to time in the ordinary course of business, which capital expenditures were $117,000 in the year ended December 31, 2010 and were $366,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The Company expects to use cash generated from operations, amounts available under its credit facility and purchase-money financing to meet any anticipated long-term capital expenditures.
 
 
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New Accounting Pronouncements
 
See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the anticipated dates of adoption and the effects on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
 
ITEM 3. 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
 
ITEM 4. 
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.   Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 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 on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at September 30, 2011.
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
The Company is a party to certain proceedings incidental to the ordinary course of its business, none of which, in the current opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer was indebted to the Company in the amount of $131,000, for which no interest has been charged.  This indebtedness arose from a series of cash advances made to the Chief Executive Officer, the latest of which was advanced in February, 2002.  Payments on this indebtedness ceased in November 2008 when the Chief Executive Officer and his spouse filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and the indebtedness became subject to the automatic stay provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code. On July 29, 2009 a plan of reorganization in connection with the Chief Executive Officer’s bankruptcy case was confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.
 
Under the confirmed plan of reorganization, the Chief Executive Officer will be obligated to pay a pro-rata share, with all other unsecured pre-petition obligations, of the excess, if any, of his disposable income after the payment of all administrative claims and other expenses.  The actual amount that the Company may expect to receive pursuant to the confirmed plan and the date on which required payments would commence are not presently determinable.  Since May 2010, however, the Chief Executive Office has made elective payments to the Company to reduce the indebtedness.  Such elective payments aggregated $9,000 as of September 30, 2011.
 
ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
 
The exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index appearing at page 16 herein.
 
 
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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.
 
  BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
     
Date:  November 14, 2011
By:
/s/  James A. Luksch
   
James A. Luksch
   
Chief Executive Officer
     
 
By:
/s/  Eric Skolnik
   
Eric Skolnik
   
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Financial Officer)

 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit #
 
Description
 
Location
         
3.1
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.
 
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-98070 originally filed October 12, 1995, as amended.
         
3.2
 
Restated Bylaws of Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., as amended
 
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A originally filed May 9, 2008.
         
31.1
 
Certification of James A. Luksch pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Filed herewith.
         
31.2
 
Certification of Eric Skolnik pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Filed herewith.
         
32.1
 
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Filed herewith.
         
101.1
 
Interactive data files.
 
Filed herewith

 
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