10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014

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: 000-25142

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas   76-0210849

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

8141 SH 75 South

P.O. Box 1175

Huntsville, Texas

  77342
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

936-291-2277

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock - $0.01 par value per share   The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    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

As of July 31, 2013, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $201,737,254 based on the closing sale price as reported on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System National Market System.

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

 

Class

 

Outstanding at April 3, 2014

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share   12,832,776 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive proxy statement of Mitcham Industries, Inc. for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed within 120 days of January 31, 2014, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

MITCHAM INDUSTRIES, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements    1  
PART I   
Item 1.   

Business

     2   
Item 1A.   

Risk Factors

     11   
Item 1B.   

Unresolved Staff Comments

     24   
Item 2.   

Properties

     25   
Item 3.   

Legal Proceedings

     25   
Item 4.   

Mine Safety Disclosures

     25   
PART II   
Item 5.   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     26   
Item 6.   

Selected Financial Data

     28   
Item 7.   

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

     28   
Item 7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     45   
Item 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     46   
Item 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     46   
Item 9A.   

Controls and Procedures

     46   
Item 9B.   

Other Information

     47   
PART III   
Item 10.   

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     48   
Item 11.   

Executive Compensation

     48   
Item 12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     48   
Item 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     48   
Item 14.   

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

     48   
PART IV   
Item 15.   

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

     49   
  

Signatures

     50   

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Form-10-K”) may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should, “would,” “could” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts of our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements are described in Item 1A – “Risk Factors.” Readers are cautioned not to place reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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PART I

Item 1. Business

Mitcham Industries, Inc. (“MII”), a Texas corporation, was incorporated in 1987. We lease and sell geophysical and other equipment used primarily by seismic data acquisition contractors to perform seismic data acquisition surveys on land, in transition zones (marsh and shallow water areas) and deep water marine areas. We conduct our business on a worldwide basis and believe that we are the world’s largest independent lessor of seismic equipment. We operate in two business segments, Equipment Leasing and Manufacturing.

Our Equipment Leasing segment is engaged in the leasing of seismic equipment to companies in the oil and gas industry throughout the world. We conduct our leasing business through MII, our wholly-owned subsidiaries and our branches in Colombia and Peru. We also sell new and used seismic equipment from time to time. The subsidiaries that conduct our leasing business are Mitcham Canada ULC (“MCL”), Seismic Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. (“SAP”), Mitcham Seismic Eurasia LLC (“MSE”), Mitcham Europe Ltd. (“MEL”) and Mitcham Marine Leasing Pte. Ltd. (“MML”). MEL and MML were formed in the year ended January 31, 2012 (“fiscal 2012”). Accordingly, the first full year of operations for those subsidiaries was the year ended January 31, 2013 (“fiscal 2013”). SAP also leases and sells oceanographic and hydrographic equipment, primarily in the Pacific Rim.

Our Manufacturing segment is engaged in the design, production and sale of marine seismic equipment. The operations of this segment are conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Seamap (UK) Ltd. (“Seamap UK”) and Seamap Pte. Ltd. (“Seamap Singapore”). We refer to this segment as our Seamap Segment, or “Seamap.”

For additional information about our business segments, including related financial information, see Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements and Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K.

Our equipment is utilized in a variety of geographic regions throughout the world, which are described under “–Customers, Sales, Backlog and Marketing.”

We own a variety of technologically advanced equipment acquired from the leading seismic manufacturers. Our lease pool includes many types of equipment used in seismic data acquisition, including various electronic components of land, transition zone and marine seismic data acquisition systems, geophones and cables, peripheral equipment, survey and other equipment. The majority of our seismic equipment lease pool is provided by the Sercel subsidiaries of Compagnie Generale de Geophysique (“Sercel”) and Geospace Technologies Corporation (“Geospace”). However, we also purchase equipment from a number of other equipment manufacturers, including ION Geophysical Corporation (“ION”) and INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited, an affiliate of ION. At January 31, 2014, approximately 57% of our equipment lease pool, on a cost basis, consisted of seismic recording channels, with the remainder consisting of geophones, energy source controllers and other peripheral equipment.

We lease our equipment on a short-term basis, generally for two to six months, to seismic contractors who need equipment for a particular seismic survey. Certain equipment that is used in vertical seismic profiling, or “downhole” operations, is generally leased to oil field service companies and often for shorter periods, ranging from a few days to two weeks. Short-term leasing agreements enable our customers to achieve operating and capital investment efficiencies. A typical seismic crew uses a wide variety of equipment to perform seismic data acquisition surveys. Our customers may lease a small amount of equipment to expand an existing crew’s capabilities or a complete seismic data acquisition system to equip an entire crew. Demand for short-term seismic equipment leases is affected by many factors, including: (1) the highly variable size and technological demands of individual seismic surveys, (2) seasonal weather patterns and sporadic demand for seismic surveys in certain regions, (3) the term of the lease and (4) the cost of seismic equipment. We believe these factors allow seismic contractors to use short-term seismic equipment leasing as a cost-effective alternative to purchasing additional equipment. Our equipment lease rates vary according to an item’s expected useful life, utilization, acquisition cost and the term of the lease.

 

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In the Equipment Leasing segment, we also sell certain equipment. Primarily through SAP, we sell equipment, consumables, systems integration, engineering hardware and software maintenance support services to companies in the seismic, hydrographic, oceanographic, environmental and defense industries throughout Southeast Asia and Australia. We own certain patent rights related to, and produce, lease and sell, “heli-pickers” and related equipment to the seismic industry. This equipment is used by seismic contractors to deploy and retrieve equipment by helicopter. We believe that we are the leading provider of heli-picker equipment to the seismic industry. From time to time, we sell used equipment from our lease pool in response to specific demand or to dispose of older equipment.

Seamap designs, manufactures and sells a broad range of proprietary products for the seismic, hydrographic and offshore industries. Seamap’s primary products include the GunLink seismic source acquisition and control systems, commonly referred to as “air gun controllers”, which provide operators of marine seismic surveys more precise control of energy sources, and the BuoyLink RGPS tracking system, which is used to provide precise positioning of seismic sources and streamers. We believe that Seamap, with the GunLink product line, is now the primary provider of new air gun controllers in the seismic industry.

For information regarding our net income and total assets by segment, see Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to meet the needs of the seismic industry by leasing a wide range of equipment and to provide technologically advanced solutions for marine seismic applications. To accomplish this, we have identified the following major objectives:

 

   

Provide technologically advanced seismic equipment in response to customer demand. We determine the type of equipment to add to our lease pool based on the requirements of our customers. We intend to maintain the size and diversity of our equipment lease pool. We believe that the availability of a large and diverse seismic equipment lease pool encourages seismic data acquisition contractors and oil field service providers to lease, rather than purchase, such equipment, due to the capital and operating efficiencies provided by short-term leases.

 

   

Continue to expand international operations. We intend to continue the expansion of our international leasing activities in new geographic areas as customer demand warrants. We believe there are opportunities to expand our international leasing and sales activities. We believe that we can conduct business in wide-ranging geographic areas from our existing facilities. However, for legal, tax or operational reasons, we may decide in the future to establish facilities in additional locations. We generally expect to establish any such facilities through a “green field” approach, but we may consider making selective acquisitions from time to time.

 

   

Maintain relationships with major seismic equipment manufacturers. Our relationships with leading seismic equipment manufacturers provide us with access to technologically advanced equipment and allow us to expand our equipment lease pool through favorable pricing and delivery terms. We believe these relationships provide a competitive advantage.

 

   

Pursue additional business development opportunities. We regularly evaluate opportunities to expand our business activities within the oil service industry, particularly in the seismic sector. These opportunities could include the introduction of new products or services or the acquisition of existing businesses.

Seismic Technology and the Oil Service Industry

Oil and gas exploration companies utilize seismic data generated from the use of digital seismic systems and peripheral equipment in determining optimal locations for drilling oil and gas wells, in the development of oil and gas reserves and in reservoir management for the production of oil and gas.

 

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Historically, a 2-D seismic survey was the standard data acquisition technique used to map geologic formations over a broad area. 2-D seismic data can be visualized as a single vertical plane of subsurface information. Data gathered from a 3-D seismic survey is best visualized as a cube of information that can be sliced into numerous planes, providing different views of a geologic structure with much higher resolution than is available with traditional 2-D seismic survey techniques. 3-D seismic surveys generally require a larger amount of equipment than 2-D surveys. By using a greater number of channels and flexible configuration, 3-D seismic data provides more extensive and detailed information regarding the subsurface geology than 2-D data. As a result, 3-D data allows the geophysicists interpreting the data to more closely select the optimal location of a prospective drill site or define an oil and gas reservoir.

In the exploration and development process, oil and gas companies establish requirements for seismic data acquisition programs based on their technical objectives. Because of the expense associated with drilling oil and gas wells, decisions regarding whether or where to drill are critical to the overall process. Seismic data can also be useful in designing and monitoring complex well completion programs, such as hydraulic fracturing. Since 3-D seismic data increases drilling success rates and reduces costs, we believe that 3-D seismic surveys are now predominant. As a result of the increasing requirements for this higher resolution data, which in turn requires additional channels to collect and transmit data, seismic data acquisition systems have been expanding in size during the past several years. Advances in seismic recording equipment have made it more feasible to deploy recording channels in greater density. These advances include cabled recording systems capable of handling greater amounts of data and wireless recording systems. By deploying recording channels in greater density, higher resolution images of the sub-surface can be created. Other industry advances include the use of high resolution three-component sensors (“3C”), which enhance the image of the sub-surface. These and other technical advances have contributed to increased drilling success rates and reduced oil and gas finding costs.

Oil and gas companies have begun to utilize time lapse (“4-D”) seismic techniques for producing oil and gas fields. 4-D surveys involve periodically acquiring seismic data over the same area. This allows the oil and gas company to monitor and analyze the production from existing properties and optimize production and reserve recovery.

With the expanded use of seismic technology, particularly 3-D seismic surveys, the size of data acquisition surveys has increased substantially in the past several years. Demand for higher resolution data, larger surveys and more rapid completion of such surveys now requires seismic contractors to use data acquisition systems with a greater number of seismic recording channels. Additionally, the size of seismic surveys varies significantly, requiring frequent changes in the configuration of equipment and crews used for seismic surveys. As a result of these changes, the number of seismic survey channels has increased from smaller 2-D surveys, which typically averaged less than 1,000 channels, to larger 3-D surveys, which today are often more than 10,000 channels and sometimes use as many as 100,000 channels. We believe that many seismic contractors will continue to meet changes in equipment needs by leasing incremental equipment to expand crew size as necessary, thereby reducing the substantial capital expenditures required to purchase such equipment.

In certain applications, specialized seismic recording devices are deployed vertically within a well bore. Multiple recording channels, or “levels,” are generally deployed within a given well and are referred to as “downhole” or “VSP” (vertical seismic profiling) tools. These applications are used to provide additional data points in a traditional seismic survey, to monitor and analyze reservoir properties, and to monitor and analyze fluid treatment operations, as well as a variety of other uses.

Seismic surveys utilizing 2-D, 3-D or 4-D techniques require essentially the same equipment. The manner in which the equipment is deployed and the resulting data analyzed differs, however. Accordingly, our equipment can generally be utilized in 2-D, 3-D and 4-D seismic surveys. Since 3-D and 4-D seismic surveys generally utilize significantly more equipment than 2-D seismic surveys, the potential to lease our seismic equipment has increased from earlier periods.

 

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Business and Operations

Equipment Leasing Segment –

Equipment Leasing. We own a comprehensive lease pool of seismic equipment for short-term leasing to our customers, who are primarily seismic data acquisition contractors and oil field service providers (in the case of downhole equipment). We lease this equipment multiple times until the earlier of the end of its useful life or its sale. Our equipment leasing services generally include the lease of the various components of seismic data acquisition systems and related equipment to meet a customer’s job specifications. These specifications frequently vary as to the number of required recording channels, geophones, energy sources (e.g., earth vibrators) and other equipment. Our customers generally lease seismic equipment to supplement their own inventory of recording channels and related equipment.

Our land equipment lease pool includes a total of approximately 290,000 seismic recording land channels (each channel capable of electronically converting seismic data from analog to digital format and transmitting the digital data), including approximately 55,000 stations (165,000 channels) of digital three-component equipment and approximately 80,000 channels of wireless recording equipment. Other land equipment in our lease pool includes geophones and cables, heli-picker equipment, batteries and other peripheral equipment. Our lease pool of marine seismic equipment includes more than 12 kilometers of streamers (recording channels that are towed behind a vessel), air guns, streamer positioning equipment, energy source controllers and other equipment. Our lease pool of downhole equipment includes approximately 300 levels of downhole seismic tools. Our lease pool equipment is manufactured by leading seismic equipment manufacturers and is widely used in the seismic industry. Our marine lease pool also includes energy source controllers and RGPS tracking systems that are manufactured by our Seamap segment.

We maintain a master lease agreement with each of our customers that outlines the general terms and conditions of our leases. Individual transactions are generally documented through an “equipment lease schedule” that incorporates the terms and conditions of the master lease agreement. Individual leases generally have terms of two to six months, or a few days to two weeks in the case of downhole equipment, and are typically renewable following the initial rental period. Our equipment lease rates vary according to an item’s expected useful life, utilization, initial cost and the term of the lease. We provide maintenance of our leased equipment during the lease term for malfunctions due to failure of material and parts and provide replacement equipment, as necessary. In addition, we occasionally provide field technical support services when requested by our customers. The customer is responsible for the cost of repairing equipment damages, other than normal wear and tear. In the case of lost or destroyed equipment, the customer is required to reimburse us for the replacement cost of the equipment, at a price specified in the lease agreement, or to provide acceptable replacement equipment. The customer is also normally responsible for the costs of shipping the equipment from and to one of our facilities and is responsible for all taxes, other than income taxes, related to the lease of the equipment. The customer is required to obtain and maintain insurance for the replacement value of the equipment and a specified minimum amount of general liability insurance. It is our general practice to lease our seismic equipment on a monthly basis or on a daily rate, depending on the circumstances.

Seismic equipment leasing is susceptible to weather patterns in certain geographic regions. In Canada and Russia, a significant percentage of the seismic survey activity occurs in the winter months, from December through March or April. During the months in which the weather is warmer, certain areas are not accessible to trucks, earth vibrators and other heavy equipment because of the unstable terrain. Seismic survey operations can also be effected by other weather patterns such as periods of heavy rain. While these periods of heavy rain can affect our business in certain geographic regions, the primary seasonality of our business relates to the Canadian and Russian winter seasons. We are able, in many cases, to transfer our equipment from one region to another in order to deal with seasonal demand and to increase our equipment utilization. For additional information about the impact of seasonality and weather, see Item 1A – “Risk Factors.”

Upon completion of a lease, the equipment must generally be returned to one of our facilities where it is inspected, tested, repaired, if necessary, and staged for another project. While the customer is normally responsible for the costs of shipping and repairs, during this time the equipment is not available for lease to

 

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another customer. Therefore, managing this process and the utilization of the equipment is an important aspect of our operations. Given the short term of most of our leases, we believe that the highest achievable annual utilization for most of our equipment is approximately 65%. However, many factors can affect this utilization rate, including the term of our leases, the shipping time required to return equipment to one of our facilities, the time required to inspect, test and repair equipment after return from a lease and the demand for the equipment.

We maintain facilities for the inspection, testing and repair of land seismic equipment in Huntsville, Texas; Calgary, Alberta; Ufa, Bashkortostan, Russia; Bogota, Colombia; Budapest, Hungary; Brisbane, Australia and Singapore. We maintain marine equipment inspection, testing and repair facilities in Huntsville, Texas and Singapore. We believe that this broad network of support facilities helps us effectively utilize our equipment and reduce costs associated with these operations.

Lease Pool Equipment Sales. On occasion, we sell used equipment from our lease pool, normally in response to specific customer demand or to declining demand for rental of specific equipment. Used equipment sold from our lease pool can have a wide range of gross margins depending upon the amount of depreciation that has been recorded on the item. When used equipment is sold from our lease pool, the net book value plus any cost associated with the sale is recorded to cost of goods sold. Sales of our lease pool equipment typically occur as opportunities arise and do not have a significant seasonal aspect. Sales of lease pool equipment amounted to approximately $6.9 million, $11.4 million and $6.5 million in each of the three fiscal years ended January 31, 2014 (“fiscal 2014”), 2013 and 2012, respectively. We typically do not seek to sell our lease pool equipment on a regular basis. However, we will evaluate any opportunities for the sale of equipment from our lease pool and, based upon our evaluation, may sell additional equipment. Such sales of lease pool equipment could be material. Under the terms of our lease agreements, customers are responsible for lost or destroyed equipment. Charges for such lost equipment are at prices specified in the particular lease agreement and are reflected as lease pool equipment sales in the accompanying financial statements.

Other Equipment Sales. TheOther equipment sales” included in our Equipment Leasing segment fall into three broad categories:

 

   

Sales of hydrographic and oceanographic equipment. SAP sells equipment, consumables, systems integration, engineering hardware and software maintenance support services to the seismic, hydrographic, oceanographic, environmental and defense industries throughout Southeast Asia and Australia. SAP is a manufacturer’s representative for an array of equipment lines.

 

   

Sales of “heli-pickers” and related equipment. We sell a variety of equipment and supplies utilized in the deployment and retrieval of seismic equipment by helicopter, some of which we produce. This equipment is the subject of certain patent rights that we obtained in connection with our acquisition of Absolute Equipment Solutions (“AES”).

 

   

Sales of new seismic equipment. On occasion, we will sell new seismic equipment in response to a specific demand from a customer. These sales are made in cooperation with our suppliers of lease pool equipment and often contain a financing arrangement.

Seamap Segment –

Seamap designs, manufactures and sells a range of proprietary products for the marine seismic industry. Seamap’s primary products include (1) the GunLink seismic source acquisition and control systems, which are designed to provide operators of marine seismic surveys more precise control of energy sources, and (2) the BuoyLink RGPS tracking system, which is used to provide precise positioning of marine seismic sources and streamers. Seamap’s other products include streamer weight collars, depth transducers, pressure transducers and floatation systems. In addition to selling complete products, Seamap provides spare and replacement parts related to the products it sells. Seamap also provides certain services related to its products. These include repair services, engineering services, training, field service operations and umbilical terminations.

 

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Marine seismic contractors are generally Seamap’s customers. These contractors operate vessels used to conduct seismic surveys in deep water marine environments. The customer base for Seamap is generally the same as that for the marine portion of our Equipment leasing segment. Seamap’s customers operate in all areas of the world.

We maintain a Seamap facility in the United Kingdom which includes engineering, training, sales and field service operations. Our Seamap facility in Singapore includes engineering, assembly, sales, repair and field service operations. Components for our products are sourced from a variety of suppliers located in Asia, Europe and the United States. Products are assembled, tested and shipped from our facility in Singapore.

Key Supplier Agreements

The Sercel Equipment Agreement

We had a series of supply agreements with Sercel since 1996, the most recent of which were entered into in November 2012, and amended in June 2013 (the “Equipment Agreements”). Under the Equipment Agreements, we were, with some exceptions, the exclusive worldwide authorized lessor for Sercel’s DSU3 428XL three component digital sensors and for Sercel’s Unite cable-free recording system.

Under the Equipment Agreements, we agreed not to offer financing leases or leases with terms greater than one year related to the Exclusive Products (as defined in the agreement) without Sercel’s prior consent. Sercel agreed to refer any inquires for short-term rentals of the Exclusive Products for use within the Exclusive Territory (as defined in the agreement) to us and to not recommend any competitor of ours as a source of such rentals. Sercel and we agreed to cooperate in the promotion and marketing of the Exclusive Products. We also agreed to purchase minimum amounts of certain types of equipment over a period of time and Sercel grants us specified pricing for those products.

The agreement related to the DSU3 428XL product expired by its own terms on December 31, 2013. Due to the amount of this equipment that we currently own, we determined it was not advisable to seek to extend this agreement.

Based on recent demand for the Unite product and the amount of this equipment that we already had in our lease pool, we determined that it was not advisable to purchase additional Unite equipment prior to December 31, 2013 as called for in the agreement related to Unite. We informed Sercel of our intentions and did not place orders for the minimum amount of Unite equipment called for in the agreement. Accordingly, in January 2014 Sercel terminated the agreement related to the Unite product.

While we believe we benefited from our agreements with Sercel, we also believe that, given current market conditions, it is not in our best interests to commit to minimum purchases of any particular type of equipment. We believe that our relationship with Sercel, as well as with other manufacturers, remains good and do not expect the termination of the Equipment Agreements to have a material adverse effect on our business.

Other Agreements

SAP has a number of manufacturer’s representation agreements for certain product lines, including: acoustic positioning systems, GPS systems, heave compensators and attitude sensors, hydrographic data acquisition systems, magnetometers, tide gauges and current meters, radio positioning equipment, side-scan sonar and sub-bottom profiling systems, underwater communications and location devices, echo sounders and transducers.

Seamap obtains certain ongoing support services from the former owners of Tanglesolve Instrumentation, Ltd., which Seamap acquired in December 2007. These services have been provided pursuant to the terms of a Consulting Agreement among the parties. The initial term of the agreement expired on December 31, 2009 and was extended by mutual consent through December 31, 2011. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, the parties have continued to operate under the terms of the agreement and a series of supplemental agreements.

 

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Customers, Sales, Backlog and Marketing

Our lease customers generally are seismic data acquisition contractors. We typically have a small number of lease customers, the composition of which changes yearly as leases are negotiated and concluded and equipment needs vary. As of January 31, 2014, we had approximately 38 lease customers with 55 active leases of various lengths, but all for less than a year.

We do not maintain a backlog of orders relating to our Equipment Leasing segment. As of January 31, 2014, our Seamap segment had a backlog of orders amounting to approximately $5.5 million, compared to $2.2 million as of January 31, 2013. We expect all of these orders to be fulfilled during our fiscal year ending January 31, 2015.

We participate in both domestic and international trade shows and expositions to inform the industry of our products and services and we advertise in major geophysical trade journals.

A summary of our revenues from customers by geographic region is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended January 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  

United States

   $ 11,686       $ 23,368       $ 26,158   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

United Kingdom / Europe

     23,456         27,174         21,403   

Canada

     13,113         13,744         13,243   

Latin America (1)

     7,529         15,575         17,786   

Asia/South Pacific

     25,256         14,173         17,810   

Eurasia (2)

     6,810         4,052         3,528   

Other (3)

     4,258         6,599         12,906   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Non-United States

     80,422         81,317         86,676   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 92,108       $ 104,685       $ 112,834   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes Brazil, Colombia and Peru
(2) Comprised of the Russian Federation and the Commonwealth of Independent States (“CIS”)
(3) Includes Africa and The Middle East

The net book value of our seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment in our various geographic locations is as follows (in thousands):

 

     As of January 31,  

Location of property and equipment

   2014      2013      2012  

United States

   $ 42,087       $ 40,908       $ 65,922   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Canada

     35,931         22,639         23,856   

Australia

     7,198         7,973         2,553   

Russia

     2,134         3,708         2,323   

Latin America

     18,128         23,109         21,963   

Singapore

     6,451         9,433         3,352   

United Kingdom

     218         329         232   

Europe

     17,426         11,509         176   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Non-United States

     87,486         78,700         54,455   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 129,573       $ 119,608       $ 120,377   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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For information regarding the risks associated with our foreign operations, see Item 1A – “Risk Factors.”

One customer, Compagnie Generale de Geophysique (“CGG”), accounted for approximately 22%, 23% and 17% of our consolidated revenues in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively. The loss of this customer could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues during these periods. See Item 1A – “Risk Factors.”

Competition

Our major competitors include the seismic equipment manufacturers who sell equipment on financed terms or offer leases with purchase options and seismic contractors who might have excess equipment available for lease from time to time. We face lesser competition from several companies that engage in seismic equipment leasing, but this competition has historically been fragmented and our competitors have not had as extensive a seismic equipment lease pool nor as wide geographic presence as we do. We compete for seismic equipment leases on the basis of (1) price, (2) delivery terms, (3) availability of desired equipment and (4) location of equipment. We believe that our infrastructure and broad geographic presence also provide a major competitive advantage by contributing to our operational efficiencies.

We compete in the used equipment sales market with a broad range of seismic equipment owners, including seismic data acquisition contractors, who use and eventually dispose of seismic equipment. Some of these competitors may have substantially greater financial resources than our own.

Suppliers

We have several suppliers of seismic equipment for our lease pool. We acquire the majority of our seismic lease pool equipment from Sercel and Geospace. However, we also acquire lease pool equipment from a number of other suppliers. Management believes that our current relationships with our suppliers are satisfactory and that we will be able to make satisfactory alternative agreements in the event of interruption of supply. For fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 33%, 32% and 44%, respectively, of our revenues were generated from the rental of products we acquired from Sercel. For additional information regarding the risk associated with our suppliers, see Item 1A – “Risk Factors.”

Employees

As of January 31, 2014, we employed approximately 194 people full-time, none of whom were represented by a union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our employee relations to be satisfactory.

Intellectual Property

The products designed, manufactured and sold by our Seamap segment utilize significant intellectual property that we have developed or have licensed from others. Our internally developed intellectual property consists of product designs and trade secrets. We currently have no patents covering any of this intellectual property.

We own intellectual property relating to the design and manufacture of heli-pickers. This intellectual property includes United States, Canadian, Australian and United Kingdom patents.

For additional information regarding the risks associated with our intellectual property, see Item 1A – “Risk Factors.”

 

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Environmental Regulation

We are subject to stringent governmental laws and regulations, both in the United States and other countries, pertaining to worker safety and health, protection of the environment and the manner in which chemicals and materials used in our manufacturing processes are handled and wastes generated from such operations are disposed. We have established and implemented proactive environmental procedures for the management of these chemicals and materials as well as the handling and recycling or disposal of wastes resulting from our operations. Compliance with these laws and regulations may, among other things, require the acquisition of permits to conduct regulated activities, impose specific safety and health criteria addressing worker protection, result in capital expenditures to limit or prevent emissions and discharges, and obligate us to use more stringent precautions for disposal of certain wastes. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory or remedial obligations, and the issuance of injunctive relief. Spills or releases of chemicals, other regulated materials and wastes at our facilities or at offsite locations where they are transported for recycling or disposal could subject us to environmental liability, which may be strict, joint and several, for the costs of cleaning up chemicals, other regulated materials and wastes released into the environment and for damages to natural resources. It is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by such spills or releases. As a result of such actions, we could be required to remove previously disposed wastes, remediate environmental contamination, and undertake measures to prevent future contamination.

The trend in environmental regulation has been to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment and thus any changes in environmental laws and regulations that result in more stringent and costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial position. For instance, the adoption of laws or implementing regulations with regard to climate-change that have the effect of lowering the demand for carbon-based fuels or with regard to hydraulic-fracturing that have the effect of decreasing the performance of oil or natural gas exploration or production activities by energy companies could have a material adverse effect on our business. Moreover, the implementation of new or more restrictive regulatory initiatives in response to significant spills by oil and natural gas operators, such as occurred following the Deepwater Horizon incident in the U.S. Gulf-of-Mexico in April 2010, may delay or decrease the pace of exploration or production activities, which may have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are also subject to federal and state occupational safety and health laws whose purpose is to protect the health and safety of workers and whose implementing regulations and standards obligate us to organize and/or disclose information about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and to provide this information to employees, state and legal governmental authorities and citizens. While we believe that we are in substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations and that continued compliance with existing requirements will not have a material adverse impact on us, we cannot give any assurance that this trend of compliance and avoidance of material costs or other liabilities will continue in the future. For additional information regarding the risk associated with environmental matters, see Item 1A – “Risk Factors.”

Website Access to Our Periodic SEC Reports

Our internet address is http://www.mitchamindustries.com. We file and furnish Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, with the SEC, which are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Materials we file with the SEC may be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding our company that we file and furnish electronically with the SEC.

We may from time to time provide important disclosures to investors by posting them in the investor relations section of our website, as allowed by SEC rules. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K and you should not consider information on our website as part of this Form 10-K.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

The risks described below could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made in this Form 10-K. The risk factors described below are not the only risks we face. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may also be affected by additional factors that are not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial or that are not specific to us, such as general economic conditions.

You should refer to the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements included under “Cautionary Statements About Forward-Looking Statements” of this Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements made by us are qualified by the risk factors described below.

If economic conditions weaken or commodity prices become depressed or decline, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

Historically, the demand for our products and services has been sensitive to the level of exploration spending by oil and gas companies. During the period of depressed commodity prices many oil and gas exploration and production companies significantly reduced their levels of capital spending, including amounts dedicated to the leasing or purchasing our seismic equipment.

Factors affecting the prices of oil and natural gas include, among other things:

 

   

the level of prices, and expectations about future prices, for oil and natural gas;

 

   

the level of supply and demand for oil and natural gas;

 

   

the ability of oil and gas producers to raise equity capital and debt financing;

 

   

worldwide political, military and economic conditions;

 

   

the ability of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to set and maintain production levels and prices for oil;

 

   

the rate of discovery of new oil and gas reserves and the decline of existing oil and gas reserves;

 

   

the cost of exploring for, developing and producing oil and natural gas;

 

   

the ability of exploration and production companies to generate funds or otherwise obtain capital for exploration, development and production operations;

 

   

technological advances affecting energy exploration, production and consumption;

 

   

compliance with new or emerging laws or regulatory initiatives relating to greenhouse gas emissions, hydraulic fracturing, or safety aspects of offshore exploration and production activities that may have a material adverse effect on our customers with respect to increased costs or delays or prohibitions in obtaining drilling permits;

 

   

government requirements, including environmental laws and regulations and tax policies, regarding the exploration for, production and development of oil and natural gas reserves and the use of fossil fuels and alternative energy sources; and

 

   

weather conditions, including large-scale weather events such as hurricanes that impact oil and gas operations over a wide area or impact prices.

A return of depressed commodity prices, or a decline in existing commodity prices, could adversely affect demand for the services and equipment we provide, and therefore adversely affect our revenue and profitability. Further, perceptions of a long-term decrease in commodity prices by oil and gas companies could similarly reduce or defer major expenditures given the long-term nature of many large-scale development projects. Lower levels of activity result in a corresponding decline in the demand for our products and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profitability. Additionally, these factors may adversely impact our statement of financial position if they are determined to cause impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets or of our other long-lived assets.

 

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Demand for seismic data is not assured.

Demand for our services depends on the level of spending by oil and gas companies for exploration, production and development activities, as well as on the number of crews conducting land, transition zone and marine seismic data acquisition worldwide. The levels of such spending are influenced by:

 

   

oil and gas prices and industry expectations of future price levels;

 

   

the cost of exploring for, producing and delivering oil and gas;

 

   

the availability of current geophysical data;

 

   

the ability of oil and gas companies to generate funds or otherwise obtain capital for exploration operations;

 

   

the granting of leases or exploration concessions and the expiration of such rights;

 

   

changes to existing laws and regulations;

 

   

domestic and foreign tax policies;

 

   

merger and divestiture activity among oil and gas producers;

 

   

expected rates of declining current production;

 

   

technical advances affecting energy exploration, production, transportation and consumption;

 

   

weather conditions, including hurricanes and monsoons that can affect oil and gas operations over a wide area as well as less severe inclement weather that can preclude or delay seismic acquisition surveys;

 

   

the discovery rate of new oil and gas reserves; and

 

   

local and international political and economic conditions.

The cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry can have a significant effect on our revenues and profitability. Historically, oil and natural gas prices, as well as the level of exploration and developmental activity, have fluctuated significantly. These fluctuations have in the past, and may in the future, adversely affect our business. We are unable to predict future oil and natural gas prices or the level of oil and gas industry activity. A prolonged low level of activity in the oil and gas industry will likely depress exploration and development activity, adversely affecting the demand for our products and services and our financial condition and results of operations.

Our revenues are subject to fluctuations that are beyond our control, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations in a given financial period.

Projects awarded to and scheduled by our customers can be delayed or cancelled due to factors that are outside of their control, which can affect the demand for our products and services. These factors include the following:

 

   

inclement weather conditions;

 

   

difficulties in obtaining permits and licenses;

 

   

labor or political unrest;

 

   

delays in obtaining land access rights;

 

   

availability of required equipment;

 

   

security concerns;

 

   

budgetary or financial issues of oil and gas companies; and

 

   

delays in payments to our customers from their oil and gas company clients.

 

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A limited number of customers account for a significant portion of our revenues and the loss of one of these customers could harm our results of operations.

In our seismic business segment, we generally market our products and services to seismic contractors. We believe there are less than 100 seismic contractors active throughout the world.

We typically lease and sell significant amounts of seismic equipment to a relatively small number of customers, the composition of which changes from year to year as leases are initiated and concluded and as customers’ equipment needs vary. Therefore, at any one time, a large portion of our revenues may be derived from a limited number of customers. In fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, CGG, our single largest customer, accounted for approximately 22%, 23% and 17%, respectively, of our consolidated revenues. Together, our five largest customers accounted for approximately 50% of our consolidated revenues in fiscal 2014. There has been consolidation among certain of our customers and this trend may continue. This consolidation could result in the loss of one or more of our customers and could result in a decrease in the demand for our equipment.

The financial soundness of our customers could materially affect our business and operating results.

If our customers experience financial difficulties or their own customers delay payment to them, they may not be able to pay, or may delay payment of, accounts receivable owed to us. Disruptions in the financial markets or other macro-economic issues could exacerbate financial difficulties for our customer. Any inability of customers to pay us for services could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

As of January 31, 2014, we had approximately $34.3 million of customer accounts and contracts receivable, of which approximately $13.4 million was over 90 days past due. For fiscal 2014 and 2012, we had net charges of approximately $1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, to our provision for doubtful accounts. In fiscal 2013, we experienced recoveries of amounts previously considered uncollectable. Significant payment defaults by our customers in excess of the allowance would have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Due to the international scope of our business activities, our results of operations may be significantly affected by currency fluctuations.

Many of our foreign operations are conducted in currencies other than U.S. dollars. Those currencies include the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar, the Singapore dollar, the Russian ruble, the Euro and the British pound sterling. These internationally-sourced revenues are subject to the risk of taxation policies, expropriation, political turmoil, civil disturbances, armed hostilities, and other geopolitical hazards as well as foreign currency exchange controls (in which payment could not be made in U.S. dollars) and fluctuations.

For example, in connection with the recent political turmoil in Ukraine, the United States has ordered sanctions against Russian officials. These current events may negatively affect the Russian economy and have negatively affected the value of the Russian ruble relative to the U.S. dollar. Continuing fluctuations in the rates at which the U.S. dollar are exchanged into Russian rubles may result in both foreign currency transaction and translation losses. As the dollar strengthens or weakens relative to the ruble, our ruble-denominated revenue and expenses decline or increase respectively, when translated into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. Approximately 7.0% of our revenues during fiscal 2014 were attributable to our operations in Russia.

For accounting purposes, balance sheet accounts of our operating subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the accounting period. Statement of operations items are translated at average currency exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity. This translation adjustment has in the past been, and may in the future be, material because of the significant amount of assets held by our international subsidiaries and the fluctuations in the foreign exchange rates.

 

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We derive a substantial amount of our revenues from foreign operations and sales, which pose additional risks including economic, political and other uncertainties.

We conduct operations on a global scale. For fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 87%, 78% and 76%, respectively, of our revenues were attributable to operations in foreign countries.

Our international operations are subject to a number of risks inherent to any business operating in foreign countries, and especially those with emerging markets. As we continue to increase our presence in such countries, our operations will encounter the following risks, among others:

 

   

government instability, which can cause investment in capital projects by our potential clients to be withdrawn or delayed, reducing or eliminating the viability of some markets for our services;

 

   

potential expropriation, seizure, nationalization or detention of assets;

 

   

difficulty in repatriating foreign currency received in excess of local currency requirements;

 

   

import/export quotas;

 

   

civil uprisings, riots and war, which can make it unsafe to continue operations, adversely affect both budgets and schedules and expose us to losses;

 

   

availability of suitable personnel and equipment, which can be affected by government policy, or changes in policy, which limit the importation of qualified crewmembers or specialized equipment in areas where local resources are insufficient;

 

   

decrees, laws, regulations, interpretation and court decisions under legal systems, which are not always fully developed and which may be retroactively applied and cause us to incur unanticipated and/or unrecoverable costs as well as delays which may result in real or opportunity costs; and

 

   

terrorist attacks, including kidnappings of our personnel or those of our customers;

 

   

political and economic uncertainties in certain countries which cause delays or cancellation of oil and gas exploration projects; and

 

   

the United States or foreign countries could enact legislation or impose regulations or other restrictions, including unfavorable labor regulations, tax policies or economic sanctions (including current or additional economic sanctions relating to the dispute between Russia and the Ukraine), which could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business in or expatriate profits from the countries in which we operate; and

 

   

environmental conditions and regulatory controls or initiatives in some countries, which may not be consistently applied or enforced.

We cannot predict the nature and the likelihood of any such events. However, if any of these or other similar events should occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation.

Certain of the seismic equipment that we use in certain foreign countries may require prior U.S. government approval in the form of an export license and may otherwise be subject to tariffs and import/export restrictions. The delay in obtaining required governmental approvals could affect our ability to timely commence a project, and the failure to comply with all such controls could result in fines and other penalties.

We are subject to taxation in many foreign jurisdictions and the final determination of our tax liabilities involves the interpretation of the statutes and requirements of taxing authorities worldwide. Our tax returns are subject to routine examination by taxing authorities, and these examinations may result in assessments of additional taxes, penalties and/or interest.

Our overall success as a global business depends, in part, upon our ability to succeed in differing economic, social and political conditions. We may not continue to succeed in developing and implementing policies and strategies that are effective in each location where we do business, which could negatively affect our profitability.

 

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As a company subject to compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and the UK Bribery Act of 2010 (the “UK Bribery Act”), our business may suffer because our efforts to comply with these laws could restrict our ability to do business in foreign markets relative to our competitors who are not subject to them. Any determination that we or our foreign agents or partners have violated the FCPA or the UK Bribery Act may adversely affect our business and operations.

We and our local partners operate in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree and, in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. We may be subject to competitive disadvantages to the extent that our competitors are able to secure business, licenses or other preferential treatment by making payments to government officials and others in positions of influence or using other methods that U.S. law and regulations prohibit us from using.

As a U.S. corporation, we are subject to the regulations imposed by the FCPA, which generally prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. In particular, we may be held liable for actions taken by our strategic or local partners even though our partners are not subject to the FCPA. Any such violations could result in substantial civil and/or criminal penalties and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, our ability to continue to work in such foreign markets could be adversely affected if we were found to have violated certain U.S. laws, including the FCPA.

The UK Bribery Act, which became effective in 2011, is broader in scope than the FCPA and applies to public and private sector corruption and contains no facilitating payments exception as is contained in the FCPA.

Capital requirements for our operations can be large. If we are unable to finance these requirements, we may not be able to maintain our competitive advantage.

We have historically funded our capital requirements with cash generated from operations, cash reserves, issuance of common stock and short-term borrowings from commercial banks. Our capital requirements continue to increase, primarily due to the expansion of our infrastructure in response to client demand for more recording channels, which has increased as the industry strives for improved data quality with greater subsurface resolution images. If we were to expand our operations at a rate exceeding operating cash flow, or current demand or pricing of our services were to decrease substantially or if technical advances or competitive pressures required us to acquire new equipment faster than our cash flow could sustain, additional financing could be required. Access to global financial markets and the terms under which capital is available can be uncertain and volatile. This was evident during the global financial crisis that arose in 2008. Furthermore, due to the historically cyclical nature of the energy business in general, and the seismic industry in particular, capital for businesses in this industry can be even more difficult and expensive to obtain.

Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that funding will be available if and when needed and to the extent required, on acceptable terms. If funding is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to grow our existing business, complete acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations and financial condition will be materially adversely affected if we are unable to continually obtain additional lease contracts.

Our seismic equipment leases typically have a term of two to six months and provide gross revenues that recover only a portion of our capital investment on the initial lease. Our ability to generate lease revenues and profits is dependent on obtaining additional lease contracts after the termination of an original lease. However, lease customers are under no obligation to, and frequently do not, continue to lease seismic equipment after the expiration of a lease. Although we have been successful in obtaining additional lease contracts with other customers after the termination of the original leases, we cannot assure you that we will continue to do so. Our failure to obtain additional leases or extensions beyond the initial lease term would have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

 

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Our failure to attract and retain key personnel could adversely affect our operations.

Our success is dependent on, among other things, the services of certain key personnel, including specifically Billy F. Mitcham, Jr., our President and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of the services of Mr. Mitcham or other personnel could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

The high fixed costs of our operations could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our business has high fixed costs, which primarily consist of depreciation expenses associated with our lease pool of seismic data acquisition equipment. In periods of significant downtime these fixed costs do not decline as rapidly as our revenues. As a result, any significant downtime or low productivity caused by reduced demand could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our long-lived assets may be subject to impairment.

We periodically assess our long-lived assets, including goodwill, other intangible assets and our lease pool of equipment, for impairment. If we expect significant sustained decreases in oil and natural gas prices in the future, we may be required to write down the value of these assets if the future cash flows anticipated to be generated from the related assets falls below net book value. Declines in oil and natural gas prices, if sustained, could result in future impairments. If we are forced to write down the value of our long-lived assets, these noncash asset impairments could negatively affect our results of operations in the period in which they are recorded. See the discussion included in Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies – Long-Lived Assets.”

Our seismic lease pool is subject to technological obsolescence.

We have a substantial capital investment in seismic data acquisition equipment. The development by manufacturers of seismic equipment of newer technology systems or component parts that have significant competitive advantages over seismic systems and component parts now in use could have an adverse effect on our ability to profitably lease and sell our existing seismic equipment. Significant improvements in technology may also require us to recognize an asset impairment charge to our lease pool investment and to correspondingly invest significant sums to upgrade or replace our existing lease pool with newer-technology equipment demanded by our customers, which could affect our ability to compete as well as have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Recently, seismic equipment manufacturers have introduced wireless, or cable-free, recording systems. Many seismic contractors believe that wireless recording systems offer significant operational advantages over traditional cable-based systems, particularly in certain environments. Some seismic contractors have made significant investment in wireless technology and have replaced much of their cable-based equipment. Should other contractors take this approach, it could accelerate the obsolescence of much of our lease pool of equipment. As of January 31, 2014, we have approximately 290,000 channels of ground recording equipment in our lease pool, of which approximately 80,000 channels are wireless, or cable-free, systems, manufactured by Sercel and Geospace.

Historically, there have been three major seismic equipment suppliers, Sercel, Inova and Geospace. Each of these companies currently offers wireless recording systems. However, we believe that at least five other companies are currently offering or developing similar products. Should one of the competing systems gain wide-spread acceptance among seismic contractors, it could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our current lease pool of equipment. There can be no assurance that we would be able to acquire the types of equipment that would then be in demand by our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

 

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Seasonal conditions cause fluctuations in our quarterly operating results.

Our industry and the oil and gas industry in general are subject to cyclical fluctuations. Demand for our products and services depends upon spending levels by exploration and production companies for exploration, production, development and field management of oil and natural gas reserves.

The first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year have historically accounted for a greater portion of our lease revenues than do our second and third quarters. This seasonality in leasing revenues is primarily due to the increased seismic survey activity in Canada and Russia from January through March or April. This seasonal pattern may cause our results of operations to vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Accordingly, period-to-period comparisons are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied on as indicative of future results. These periodic fluctuations in our operating results could adversely affect our stock price.

We face competition in our seismic equipment leasing activities.

We have several competitors engaged in seismic equipment leasing and sales, including seismic equipment manufacturers and data acquisition contractors that use seismic equipment, many of which have substantially greater financial resources than our own. There are also several smaller competitors that, in the aggregate, generate significant revenues from the lease and sale of seismic survey equipment.

We rely on a small number of suppliers and disruption in vendor supplies could adversely affect our results of operations.

We purchase the majority of our seismic equipment for our lease pool from a small number of suppliers. Should our relationships with our suppliers deteriorate, we may have difficulty in obtaining new technology required by our customers and maintaining our existing equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications. In addition, we may, from time to time, experience supply or quality control problems with suppliers, and these problems could significantly affect our ability to meet our lease commitments. Reliance on certain suppliers, as well as industry supply conditions, generally involve several risks, including the possibility of a shortage or a lack of availability of key products and increases in product costs and reduced control over delivery schedules; any of these events could adversely affect our future results of operations. The majority of our lease pool equipment is produced by Sercel and has been acquired by us pursuant to a series of agreements. However, all of our agreements with Sercel have terminated. See Item 1 – “Business – Key Supplier Agreements.” For fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 33%, 32% and 44%, respectively, of our revenues were generated from the rental of products we acquired from Sercel. If we are not able to continue our past relationship with Sercel we may not be able to acquire equipment under terms as favorable as in the past, which could adversely affect our future results of operations.

Equipment in our lease pool may be subject to the intellectual property claims of others that could adversely affect our ability to generate revenue from the lease of the equipment.

Certain of the equipment in our lease pool is proprietary to us. Heli-pickers and associated equipment that is manufactured by us is subject to various patents, see Item 1 – “Business – Intellectual Property.” We also have some equipment in our lease pool that is manufactured by our Seamap segment, which is subject to intellectual property rights and protection as discussed below. We may be subject to infringement claims and other intellectual property disputes as competition in the marketplace continues to intensify. In the future, we may be subject to litigation and may be required to defend against claimed infringements of the rights of others or to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others. Any such litigation could be costly and divert management’s attention from operations. In addition, adverse determinations in such litigation could, among other things:

 

   

result in the loss of our proprietary rights to use the technology;

 

   

subject us to significant liabilities;

 

   

require us to seek licenses from third parties; and

 

   

prevent us from leasing or selling our products that incorporate the technology.

 

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Additionally, the equipment that we acquire from other suppliers may be subject to the intellectual property infringement claims from third parties. We generally are indemnified by our suppliers against any claims that may be brought against us by third parties related to equipment they sold to us. However, such claims could affect our ability to acquire additional such products or to lease them in the future. The loss of this future revenue could adversely affect our business and would not generally be covered by the indemnities from our suppliers.

In February 2011, ION obtained a judgment against Sercel as a result of a patent infringement suit. In February 2012, this judgment was affirmed by the appellate court. One aspect of the judgment restricts the importation and use of certain seismic equipment in the United States, including Sercel’s 428XL DSU3 products. We currently own a significant amount of this equipment. We believe that a significant portion of this equipment that we currently own is not subject to any restrictions as to use in the United States. However, if we are unable to import into or use in the United States any portion of this equipment our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected and we may not be able to compete for certain projects located in the United States. In addition, the administrative and operational effort required to ensure that no restricted equipment is brought into the United States may cause our costs to increase.

In August 2012, ION was found guilty of patent infringement in a suit brought against it by WesternGeco L.L.C. The matters at issue in this case involve certain technology used to steer marine streamers and certain products manufactured and sold by ION. We have owned one of these products in our lease pool; however, during fiscal 2014 we sold this equipment. It is our understanding that this verdict, if upheld upon any appeal, could negatively impact the ability of our customers to utilize the technology at issue and therefore could limit the opportunities for us to include this equipment in our lease pool.

The operations of Seamap are subject to special risks that could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

The design and manufacturing operations of our Seamap segment are subject to risks not associated with our equipment leasing business. These risks include the following:

Risks Associated with Intellectual Property. We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, and restrictions on disclosure to protect our intellectual property. We also enter into confidentiality or license agreements with our employees, consultants and corporate partners and control access to and distribution of our design information, documentation and other proprietary information. These intellectual property protection measures may not be sufficient to prevent wrongful misappropriation of our technology. In addition, these measures will not prevent competitors from independently developing technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our technology. The laws of many foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Failure to protect proprietary information could result in, among other things, loss of competitive advantage, loss of customer orders and decreased revenues. Monitoring the unauthorized use of our products is difficult and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent unauthorized use of our technology, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. If competitors are able to use our technology, our ability to compete effectively could be impaired.

We may be subject to infringement claims and other intellectual property disputes as competition in the marketplace continues to intensify. In the future, we may be subject to litigation and may be required to defend against claimed infringements of the rights of others or to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others. Any such litigation could be costly and divert management’s attention from operations. In addition, adverse determinations in such litigation could, among other things:

 

   

result in the loss of our proprietary rights to use the technology;

 

   

subject us to significant liabilities;

 

   

require us to seek licenses from third parties;

 

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require us to redesign the products that use the technology; and

 

   

prevent us from manufacturing or selling our products that incorporate the technology.

If we are forced to take any of the foregoing actions, our business may be seriously harmed. Any litigation to protect our intellectual property or to defend ourselves against the claims of others could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and may not ultimately be successful.

Risks Related to Product Performance. The production of new products with high technology content involves occasional problems while the technology and manufacturing methods mature. If significant reliability or quality problems develop, including those due to faulty components, a number of negative effects on our business could result, including:

 

   

costs associated with reworking the manufacturing processes;

 

   

high service and warranty expenses;

 

   

high inventory obsolescence expense;

 

   

high levels of product returns;

 

   

delays in collecting accounts receivable;

 

   

reduced orders from existing customers; and

 

   

declining interest from potential customers.

Although we maintain accruals for product warranties as we deem necessary, actual costs could exceed these amounts. From time to time, there may be interruptions or delays in the activation of products at a customer’s site. These interruptions or delays may result from product performance problems or from aspects of the installation and activation activities, some of which are outside our control. If we experience significant interruptions or delays that cannot be promptly resolved, confidence in our products could be undermined, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Risks Related to Raw Materials and Inventories. We depend on a limited number of suppliers for components of our products, as well as for equipment used to design and test our products. Certain components used in our products may be available from a sole source or limited number of vendors. If these suppliers were to limit or reduce the sale of such components to us, or if these suppliers were to experience financial difficulties or other problems that prevented them from supplying us with the necessary components, these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These sole source and other suppliers are each subject to quality and performance issues, materials shortages, excess demand, reduction in capacity and other factors that may disrupt the flow of goods to us; thereby adversely affecting our business and customer relationships. Some of the sole source and limited source vendors are companies who, from time to time, may allocate parts to equipment manufacturers due to market demand for components and equipment. We have no guaranteed supply arrangements with our suppliers and there can be no assurance that our suppliers will continue to meet our requirements. Many of our competitors are much larger and may be able to obtain priority allocations from these shared vendors, thereby limiting or making our sources of supply unreliable for these components. If our supply arrangements are interrupted, we cannot assure you that we would be able to find another supplier on a timely or satisfactory basis. Any delay in component availability for any of our products could result in delays in deployment of these products and in our ability to recognize revenues.

If we are unable to obtain a sufficient supply of components from alternative sources, reduced supplies and higher prices of components will significantly limit our ability to meet scheduled product deliveries to customers. A delay in receiving certain components or the inability to receive certain components could harm our customer relationships and our results of operations.

Failures of components affect the reliability and performance of our products, can reduce customer confidence in our products, and may adversely affect our financial performance. From time to time, we may

 

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experience delays in receipt of components and may receive components that do not perform according to their specifications. Any future difficulty in obtaining sufficient and timely delivery of components could result in delays or reductions in product shipments that could harm our business. In addition, a consolidation among suppliers of these components or adverse developments in their businesses that affect their ability to meet our supply demands could adversely impact the availability of components that we depend on. Delayed deliveries from these sources could adversely affect our business.

We are exposed to risks relating to effectively maintaining inventory levels. Changes in product demand, product pricing, defective components and other factors can impact the appropriate level of inventories. We attempt to accurately predict these trends in order to avoid shortages, excesses or obsolete inventory. However, any of the factors above may adversely affect our operating results.

We are subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations that could increase our costs of compliance and impose significant liabilities.

We are subject to stringent governmental laws and regulations relating to worker safety and health, protection of the environment and the handling of chemicals and materials used in our manufacturing processes as well as the recycling and disposal of wastes generated by those processes. These laws and regulations may impose joint and several strict liability and failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of investigatory and remedial obligations, and issuance of orders enjoining some or all of our operations. These laws and regulations could require us to acquire permits to conduct regulated activities, install and maintain costly equipment and pollution control technologies, conduct remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater, implement specific health and safety criteria for worker protection, or undertake measures to prevent future contamination or incur other significant environmental-related expenses. Public interest in the protection of the environment has increased dramatically in recent years. We anticipate that the trend of more expansive and stricter environmental laws and regulations will continue, the occurrence of which may require us to increase our capital expenditures or could result in increased operating expenses, in addition to possibly decreasing the performance of exploration or production activities by energy companies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Climate change laws and regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases” could result in reduced demand for oil and natural gas, thereby adversely affecting our business, while the physical effects of climate change could disrupt our manufacturing of seismic equipment and cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to those effects.

In December 2009, the EPA published its findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other “greenhouse gases” (“GHGs”) present an endangerment to public health and the environment because emissions of such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. Based on these findings, the EPA adopted regulations under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act that establish Significant Deterioration (“PSD”) construction and Title V operating permit reviews for certain large stationary sources that are potential major sources of GHG emissions. Facilities required to obtain PSD permits for their GHG emissions also will be required to reduce those emissions according to “best available control technology” standards for GHG that will be established by the states or, in some instances, by the EPA on a case-by-case basis. In addition the EPA has adopted regulations requiring the monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions from specified sources in the United States, including, among others, certain onshore and offshore oil and natural gas production facilities on an annual basis. While the United States Congress has from time to time considered adopting legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs, there has not been significant activity in the form of adopted legislation to reduce GHG emissions at the federal level in recent years. In the absence of such federal climate legislation, a number of state and regional efforts have emerged that are aimed at tracking and/or reducing GHG emissions by means of cap and trade programs that typically require major sources of GHG emissions, such as electric power plants, to acquire and surrender emission allowances in return for emitting those GHGs. If Congress undertakes comprehensive tax reform in the coming year, it is possible that such reform may include a carbon tax, which could impose additional direct costs on operations and reduce demand for

 

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refined products. Although it is not possible at this time to predict how legislation or new regulations that may be adopted to address GHG emissions would impact our business, any such future laws and regulations that require reporting of GHGs or otherwise limit emissions of GHGs from oil and gas exploration and production activities could have an adverse effect on the demand for our seismic equipment and associated services. Finally, it should be noted that some scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods and other climatic events; if any such effects were to occur, they could adversely affect or delay our manufacturing of seismic equipment and cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to those effects.

Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in additional operating restrictions or delays and adversely affect our business.

Hydraulic fracturing is an important and common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons, particularly natural gas, from tight formations such as shales. The process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into targeted surface formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. The process is typically regulated by state oil and gas commissions, but the EPA has asserted federal regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing involving the use of diesel fuels and issued final permitting guidance in February 2014 addressing the performance of such activities using diesel fuels. In November 2011, the EPA announced its intent to develop and issue regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act to require companies to disclose information regarding the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and the agency continues to project the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek public input on the design and scope of such disclosure regulations pursuant to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”). In addition, Congress has from time to time considered legislation to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. At the state level, numerous states have adopted or are considering adopting legal requirements that could impose more stringent permitting, public disclosure, and/or well construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing activities. In addition, local government may seek to adopt ordinances within their jurisdiction regulating the time, place and manner of drilling activities in general or hydraulic fracturing activities in particular. If new federal, state or local laws or regulations that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing are adopted, such legal requirements could make it more difficult to complete natural gas wells in certain formations and adversely affect demand for our seismic equipment and associated services. In addition, certain governmental reviews are underway that focus on environmental aspects of hydraulic fracturing practices. The White House Council on Environmental Quality is coordinating an administration-wide review of hydraulic fracturing practices. The EPA has commenced a study of the potential environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water and groundwater, with draft results expected to be available in 2014 for public comment, and has further announced plans to develop effluent limitations for the treatment and discharge of wastewater resulting from hydraulic fracturing activities in 2014. Other governmental agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of the Interior, have evaluated or are evaluating various other aspects of hydraulic fracturing. These ongoing or proposed studies, depending on their degree of pursuit and any meaningful results obtained, could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or other regulatory mechanisms, which could have an adverse effect on the demand for our seismic equipment and associated services.

More comprehensive and stringent regulation in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of the Macondo well oil spill may result in increased costs and delays in offshore oil and natural gas exploration and production operations, which could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In response to an April 2010 fire and explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and resulting oil spill from the Macondo well operated by a third party in ultra-deepwater in the Gulf of Mexico, federal authorities have pursued a series of regulatory initiatives to address the direct impact of that incident and to

 

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prevent similar incidents in the future. Beginning in 2010 and continuing through 2013, the federal government, acting through the U.S. Department of the Interior (“DOI”) and its implementing agencies that have since evolved into the present day Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (“BSEE”), has issued various rules, Notices to Lessees and Operators (“NTLs”) and temporary drilling moratoria that impose or result in added environmental and safety measures upon exploration, development and production operators in the Gulf of Mexico. These new regulatory requirements include the following:

 

   

The Environmental NTL, which imposes more stringent requirements for documenting the environmental impacts potentially associated with the drilling of a new offshore well and significantly increases oil spill response requirements;

 

   

The Compliance and Review NTL, which imposes requirements for operators to secure independent reviews of well design, construction and flow intervention processes and also requires certifications of compliance from senior corporate officers;

 

   

The Drilling Safety Rule, which prescribes tighter cementing and casing practices, imposes standards for the use of drilling fluids to maintain well bore integrity, and stiffens oversight requirements relating to blowout preventers and their components, including shear and pipe rams; and

 

   

The Workplace Safety Rule, which requires operators to employ a comprehensive safety and environmental management system (“SEMS”) to reduce human and organizational errors as root causes of work-related accidents and offshore spills, which rule was subsequently amended as published on April 5, 2013 (sometimes referred to as the “SEMS II” rule) to require operators to, among other things, establish procedures providing all personnel with “stop work” authority, develop protocols as to whom at the facility has the ultimate operational safety and decision-making authority, and establish an independent auditing regimen whereby facility audits are conducted by a service provider accredited by BSEE that is unaffiliated with the operator.

These regulatory initiatives may serve to effectively slow down the pace of drilling and production operations in the Gulf of Mexico due to adjustments in operating procedures and certification practices as well as increased lead times to obtain exploration and production plan reviews, develop drilling applications, and apply for and receive new well permits. These new requirements also increase the cost of preparing permit applications and will increase the cost of each new well, particularly for wells drilled in deeper waters on the Outer Continental Shelf. Offshore oil and natural gas exploration and production operators, some of whom are our customers, could become subject to fines, penalties or orders requiring them to modify or suspend operations in the Gulf of Mexico if they fail to comply with these requirements. Moreover, if similar oil spill incidents were to occur in the future in the Gulf of Mexico or elsewhere where our customers conduct operations, the United States or other countries could elect to again issue directives to temporarily cease drilling activities and, in any event, may from time to time issue further safety and environmental regulatory initiatives regarding offshore oil and gas exploration and development activities, which any one or more of such events could have a material adverse effect on our customer’s volume of business, which could adversely affect our financial position, results of operation and cash flows.

Our business could be negatively affected by security threats, including cybersecurity threats, and other disruptions.

We face various security threats, including cybersecurity threats to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or to render data or systems unusable, threats to the security of our facilities, and threats from terrorist acts. The potential for such security threats subjects our operations to increased risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business. In particular, our implementation of various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate security threats and to increase security for our information, facilities and infrastructure may result in increased capital and operating costs. Moreover, there can be no assurance that such procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent security breaches from occurring. If any of these security breaches were to occur, they could lead to losses of sensitive information, critical infrastructure or capabilities essential to our

 

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operations and could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Cybersecurity attacks in particular are becoming more sophisticated and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in critical systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information, and corruption of data. These events could damage our reputation and lead to financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability.

We may grow through acquisitions and our failure to properly plan and manage those acquisitions may adversely affect our performance.

We plan to expand not only through organic growth, but may also do so through the strategic acquisition of companies and assets. We must plan and manage any acquisitions effectively to achieve revenue growth and maintain profitability in our evolving market. If we fail to manage acquisitions effectively, our results of operations could be adversely affected. Our growth has placed, and is expected to continue to place, significant demands on our personnel, management and other resources. We must continue to improve our operational, financial, management, legal compliance and information systems to keep pace with the growth of our business.

Any future acquisitions could present a number of risks, including but not limited to:

 

   

incorrect assumptions regarding the future results of acquired operations or assets or expected cost reductions or other synergies expected to be realized as a result of acquiring operations or assets;

 

   

failure to integrate the operations or management of any acquired operations or assets successfully and timely;

 

   

diversion of management’s attention from existing operations or other priorities; and

 

   

our inability to secure sufficient financing, on terms we find acceptable, that may be required for any such acquisition or investment.

Our stock price is subject to volatility.

Energy and energy service company stock prices, including our stock price, have been volatile from time to time. Stock price volatility could adversely affect our business operations by, among other things, impeding our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and to obtain additional financing.

In addition to the other risk factors discussed in this section, the price and volume volatility of our common stock may be affected by:

 

   

operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;

 

   

factors influencing the levels of global oil and natural gas exploration and exploitation activities, such as depressed prices for natural gas in North America or disasters such as the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010;

 

   

the operating and securities price performance of companies that investors or analysts consider comparable to us;

 

   

announcements of strategic developments, acquisitions and other material events by us or our competitors; and

 

   

changes in global financial markets and global economies and general market conditions, such as interest rates, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets.

To the extent that the price of our common stock remains at lower levels or it declines further, our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or otherwise use our common stock as consideration will be reduced. In addition, increases in our leverage may make it more difficult for us to access additional capital. These factors may limit our ability to implement our operating and growth plans.

 

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We have significant operations outside of the United States that expose us to certain additional risks.

We operate in a number of foreign locations and have subsidiaries or branches in foreign countries, including Russia, Peru and Colombia. Our equipment is also often temporarily located in other foreign locations while under rent by our customers. These operations expose us to political and economic risks and uncertainties.

For example, approximately 7.0% of our revenues during fiscal 2014 were attributable to our operations in Russia. The recent political turmoil in Ukraine along with the response of the Russian and United States governments to this situation, have the potential to materially adversely affect our operations in Russia. In connection with the current situation in Ukraine, the United States has ordered sanctions against Russian officials. While we do not anticipate that the current sanctions will materially affect our business, if further sanctions are ordered by the United States or other international interests, such sanctions could materially adversely affect our operations in Russia.

Should current circumstances change in any of the foreign countries in which we operate, we could encounter difficulties in operating in some countries and may not be able to retrieve our equipment that is located within these counties. This could result in a material adverse effect on our financial positions and results of operations.

Because we have no plans to pay any dividends for the foreseeable future, investors must look solely to stock appreciation for a return on their investment in us.

We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock since our incorporation and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to support our operations and growth. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent on the amount of funds legally available, our financial condition, capital requirements and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. Accordingly, investors must rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investment.

Provisions in our articles of incorporation and Texas law could discourage a takeover attempt, which may reduce or eliminate the likelihood of a change of control transaction and, therefore, the ability of our shareholders to sell their shares for a premium.

Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and the Texas Business Organizations Code may tend to delay, defer or prevent a potential unsolicited offer or takeover attempt that is not approved by our Board of Directors but that our shareholders might consider to be in their best interest, including an attempt that might result in shareholders receiving a premium over the market price for their shares. Because our Board of Directors is authorized to issue preferred stock with preferences and rights as it determines, it may afford the holders of any series of preferred stock preferences, rights or voting powers superior to those of the holders of common stock. Although we have no shares of preferred stock outstanding and no present intention to issue any shares of our preferred stock, there can be no assurance that we will not do so in the future.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

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Item 2. Properties

We occupy the following principal facilities, which we believe are adequately utilized for our current operations:

 

Location

  

Type of Facility

  

Size

(in square feet)

  

Owned or
Leased

  

Segment Using

Property

Huntsville, Texas

   Office and warehouse    25,000 (on six acres)    Owned    Equipment Leasing and Seamap

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

   Office and warehouse    33,500    Leased    Equipment Leasing

Salisbury, Australia

   Office and warehouse    4,400    Leased    Equipment Leasing

Singapore

   Office and warehouse    35,000    Leased    Equipment Leasing and Seamap

Shepton Mallet, United Kingdom

   Office and warehouse    16,600    Leased    Seamap

Ufa, Bashkortostan, Russia

   Office and warehouse    6,000    Leased    Equipment Leasing

Bogota, Colombia

  

Office and

warehouse

   23,600    Leased    Equipment Leasing

Budapest, Hungary

  

Office and

warehouse

   8,000    Leased    Equipment Leasing

We do not believe that any single property is material to our operations and, if necessary, we could readily obtain a replacement facility.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are a party to legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information for Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MIND.” The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

 

     High      Low  

Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2013:

     

First Quarter

   $ 26.76       $ 20.30   

Second Quarter

     24.68         15.50   

Third Quarter

     18.79         13.32   

Fourth Quarter

     15.76         11.51   

Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2014:

     

First Quarter

   $ 18.00       $ 13.81   

Second Quarter

     18.41         13.98   

Third Quarter

     18.00         14.40   

Fourth Quarter

     17.82         15.00   

As of April 1, 2014, there were approximately 6,000 beneficial holders of our common stock.

Dividend Policy

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock since our inception and our Board of Directors does not contemplate the payment of cash dividends in the foreseeable future. It is the present policy of our Board of Directors to retain earnings, if any, for use in developing and expanding our business. In the future, our payment of dividends will also depend on the amount of funds available, our financial condition, capital requirements and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider.

As of January 31, 2014, we had deposits in foreign banks equal to approximately $14.1 million. These funds may generally be transferred to our accounts in the United States without restriction. However, the transfer of these funds may result in withholding taxes payable to foreign taxing authorities. Any such withholding taxes generally may be credited against our federal income tax obligations in the United States. Additionally, the transfer of funds from our foreign subsidiaries to the United States may result in currently taxable income in the United States. These factors could limit our ability to pay cash dividends in the future.

 

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Performance Graph

This performance graph shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Section 18 of the Exchange Act, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act.

The following graph compares our common stock’s cumulative total shareholder return for the period beginning January 31, 2008 through January 31, 2014, to the cumulative total shareholder return on (i) the S&P’s Smallcap 600 stock index and (ii) an index of peer companies we selected. The cumulative total return assumes that the value of an investment in our common stock and each index was $100 on January 31, 2008, and that all dividends were reinvested.

 

LOGO

 

     1/31/09      1/31/10      1/31/11      1/31/12      1/31/13      1/31/14  

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

     100.00         204.42         304.42         606.91         409.39         417.13   

S&P Smallcap 600

     100.00         138.97         181.95         195.59         225.82         290.04   

Peer Group

     100.00         206.34         280.05         250.22         258.81         135.21   

The Peer Company Index consists of: Compagnie Generale de Geophysique (NYSE: CGG), Dawson Geophysical Company (NASDAQ: DWSN) and Ion Geophysical Corp. (NYSE: IO).

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Neither we nor any affiliated purchaser purchased any of our equity securities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected consolidated financial information contained below is derived from our consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto. Our historical results may not be indicative of the operating results to be expected in future periods.

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014      2013      2012      2011      2010  
     (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Statement of Income Data:

              

Total revenues

   $ 92,108       $ 104,685       $ 112,834       $ 71,363       $ 55,172   

Operating income

     5,805         13,902         34,544         6,921         871   

Income from continuing operations

     4,768         17,051         24,321         4,729         520   

Income from continuing operations per common share – basic

     0.37         1.34         2.13         0.48         0.05   

Income from continuing operations per common share – diluted

     0.36         1.29         2.02         0.46         0.05   

Balance Sheet Data:

              

Cash and short-term investments (including restricted cash)

     15,243         15,951         15,385         14,647         6,735   

Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net

     129,573         119,608         120,377         79,095         66,482   

Total assets

     205,419         190,407         198,229         137,971         115,397   

Long-term debt

     22,125         4,238         12,784         23,343         15,735   

Total liabilities

     34,971         14,094         42,795         43,256         30,442   

Total shareholders’ equity

     170,448         176,313         155,434         94,715         84,955   

See Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for a discussion of matters affecting the comparability of the above information.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We operate in two segments, Equipment Leasing and Seamap. Our equipment leasing operations are conducted from our Huntsville, Texas headquarters and from our locations in Calgary, Canada; Brisbane, Australia; Lima, Peru; Bogota, Colombia; Budapest, Hungary; Singapore and Ufa, Russia. This includes the operations of our MCL, SAP, MEL, MML and MSE subsidiaries and our branches in Peru and Colombia. MEL and MML were formed in late fiscal 2012. Accordingly, the first full year of operations for these subsidiaries was fiscal 2013. Seamap operates from its locations near Bristol, United Kingdom and in Singapore.

Management believes that the performance of our Equipment Leasing segment is indicated by revenues from equipment leasing and by the level of our investment in lease pool equipment. Management further believes that the performance of our Seamap segment is indicated by revenues from equipment sales and by gross profit from those sales. Management monitors EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, both as defined in the following table, as key indicators of our overall performance and liquidity.

 

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The following table presents certain operating information by operating segment:

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Revenues:

      

Equipment Leasing

   $   67,022      $ 73,516      $ 84,428   

Seamap

     25,252        32,210        28,703   

Less inter-segment sales

     (166     (1,041     (297
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     92,108        104,685        112,834   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales:

      

Equipment Leasing

     47,825        53,320        42,615   

Seamap

     12,653        14,817        12,818   

Less inter-segment costs

     (385     (865     (351
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total direct costs

     60,093        67,272        55,082   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

      

Equipment Leasing

     19,197        20,196        41,813   

Seamap

     12,599        17,393        15,885   

Inter-segment amounts

     219        (176     54   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross profit

     32,015        37,413        57,752   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

General and administrative

     23,669        22,539        21,354   

Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts

     1,048        (428     615   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,493        1,400        1,239   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     26,210        23,511        23,208   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

   $ 5,805      $ 13,902      $ 34,544   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA (1)

   $ 37,053      $ 48,452      $ 63,500   

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 38,196      $ 50,038      $ 64,831   

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

      

Net income

   $ 4,768      $ 17,051      $ 24,321   

Interest (income) expense, net

     (10     (11     396   

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

     31,037        34,939        28,774   

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     1,258        (3,527     10,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA (1)

     37,053        48,452        63,500   

Stock-based compensation

     1,143        1,586        1,331   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 38,196      $ 50,038      $ 64,831   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to EBITDA

      

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 21,215      $ 44,257      $ 35,958   

Stock-based compensation

     (1,143     (1,586     (1,331

Provision for doubtful accounts

     (1,048     636        (1,709

Changes in trade accounts and contracts receivable

     9,142        (13,331     16,687   

Interest paid

     342        533        704   

Taxes paid, net of refunds

     215        9,177        7,536   

Gross profit from sale of lease pool equipment

     4,556        5,369        4,923   

Changes in inventory

     2,836        718        2,614   

Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (100     4,091        (2,683

Changes in prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,335        (307     435   

Other

     (297     (1,105     366   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA (1)

   $ 37,053      $ 48,452      $ 63,500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

EBITDA is defined as net income before (a) interest income and interest expense, (b) provision for (or benefit from) income taxes and (c) depreciation, amortization and impairment. Adjusted EBITDA excludes stock-based compensation. We consider EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to be important indicators for the performance of our business, but not

 

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  measures of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We have included these non-GAAP financial measures because management utilizes this information for assessing our performance and liquidity, and as indicators of our ability to make capital expenditures, service debt and finance working capital requirements. The covenants of the Predecessor Credit Agreement and the Credit Agreement each contain financial covenants based on EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA. Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are measurements that are commonly used by analysts and some investors in evaluating the performance and liquidity of companies such as us. In particular, we believe that it is useful to our analysts and investors to understand this relationship because it excludes transactions not related to our core cash operating activities. We believe that excluding these transactions allows investors to meaningfully trend and analyze the performance of our core cash operations. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities or as alternatives to net income as indicators of operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. In evaluating our performance as measured by EBITDA, management recognizes and considers the limitations of this measurement. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our obligations for the payment of income taxes, interest expense or other obligations such as capital expenditures. Accordingly, EDITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are only two of the measurements that management utilizes. Other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

In our Equipment Leasing segment, we lease seismic data acquisition equipment primarily to seismic data acquisition companies conducting land, transition zone and marine seismic surveys worldwide. We provide short-term leasing of seismic equipment to meet a customer’s requirements. All active leases at January 31, 2014 were for a term of less than one year. Seismic equipment held for lease is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. We acquire some marine lease pool equipment from our Seamap segment. These amounts are carried in our lease pool at the cost to our Seamap segment, less accumulated depreciation. From time to time, we sell lease pool equipment to our customers. These sales are usually transacted when we have equipment for which we do not have near term needs in our leasing business. Additionally, when equipment that has been leased to a customer is lost or destroyed, the customer is charged for such equipment at amounts specified in the underlying lease agreement. These charges are included in “Lease pool equipment sales” in the accompanying financial statements. We occasionally sell new seismic equipment that we acquire from other manufacturers. We produce and sell, as well as lease, equipment used to deploy and retrieve seismic equipment with helicopters. In addition to leasing seismic equipment, SAP sells equipment, consumable supplies, systems integration, engineering hardware and software maintenance support services to the seismic, hydrographic, oceanographic, environmental and defense industries throughout Southeast Asia and Australia.

Our Seamap segment designs, manufactures and sells a variety of products used primarily in marine seismic applications. Seamap’s primary products include the (i) GunLink seismic source acquisition and control systems, which provide marine operators more precise control of exploration tools; and (ii) the BuoyLink RGPS tracking system used to provide precise positioning of seismic sources and streamers (marine recording channels that are towed behind a vessel).

Seismic equipment leasing is susceptible to weather patterns in certain geographic regions. In Canada and Russia, a significant percentage of the seismic survey activity normally occurs in the winter months, from December through March or April. During the months in which the weather is warmer, certain areas are not accessible to trucks, earth vibrators and other heavy equipment because of the unstable terrain. Accordingly, our first and fourth quarters have historically produced higher leasing revenues than the second and third quarters. In other areas of the world, periods of heavy rain can impair seismic operations. These periods of inclement weather can impact our results of operations; however, there is no historical trend as to the timing of such impact. We are able, in many cases, to transfer our equipment from one region to another in order to deal with seasonal demand and to increase our equipment utilization. Our results of operations, particularly those of our Equipment Leasing segment, can also experience fluctuations in activity levels due to matters unrelated to seasonal or weather factors. These factors include the periodic shift of seismic exploration activity from one geographic region to another and difficulties encountered by our customers due to permitting and other logistical challenges. See Item 1A – “Risk Factors.”

 

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Business Outlook

Our revenues are directly related to the level of worldwide oil and gas exploration activities and the profitability and cash flows of oil and gas companies and seismic contractors, which, in turn, are affected by expectations regarding supply and demand for oil and natural gas, energy prices and finding and development costs. Land seismic data acquisition activity levels are measured in terms of the number of active recording crews, known as the “crew count,” and the number of recording channels deployed by those crews, known as “channel count.” The level of marine seismic data acquisition activity is indicated by the number of seismic vessels in operation around the world. Because an accurate and reliable census of active crews and active vessels does not exist, it is not possible to make definitive statements regarding the absolute levels of seismic data acquisition activity. Furthermore, a significant number of seismic data acquisition contractors are either private or state-owned enterprises and information about their activities is not available in the public domain.

During fiscal 2013, we began to experience an unexpected softening of demand for land seismic equipment in certain markets, specifically Latin America and Europe, and we saw sporadic land leasing demand in the United States. This general trend continued into fiscal 2014; however, the dynamics within particular geographic markets varied. In fiscal 2014, we experienced a general weakening of demand for marine rentals. We experienced marginal improvement in many market areas during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 and seasonal improvement in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014; however, there remains much uncertainty as to the magnitude of the future improvement, if any. We describe the activity within each market area in more detail below.

In Latin America, specifically in Colombia, we have experienced a series of delays in anticipated projects due to permitting, labor and logistical difficulties encountered by our existing and potential customers. A significant number of projects have been recently awarded to seismic contractors in Colombia, which we believe could indicate improving activity in that region. Land leasing activity in the area remained subdued during much of fiscal 2014. We have seen indications of renewed activity in Latin America, where we have delivered equipment for new contracts and are staging equipment for other contracts. Activity in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 did increase in Latin America from the third quarter of fiscal 2014 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013; however, certain projects in Colombia did not commence as anticipated. We believe that many projects that had been scheduled to be completed in calendar 2013 are now scheduled for calendar 2014. Based on our discussions with customers and others in the industry, we believe there is considerable future demand for seismic services and equipment in Latin America, including Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil and other areas. Therefore, we remain optimistic about the future of our land leasing operations in Latin America. However, given our experience in recent periods and reports of on-going permitting, labor and security issues in parts of Colombia, the timing of many projects in Latin America continues to be uncertain. We have recently experienced an increase in demand for specific types of wireless recording equipment in this region. Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we purchased additional amounts of this equipment and have initially deployed it into Latin America for use on a project. This particular project began in January 2014 and is expected to continue into the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

Leasing revenues in the United States declined over the course of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014. We believe this decline, and the sporadic activity we have experienced in this region, has been due to an overall slow-down in exploration activity in the United States and the diversion of exploration budgets to drilling programs rather than seismic exploration. We did experience increased leasing revenues from this region in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014, due to a particular project. This improvement is not necessarily indicative of a trend and this project did not extend beyond the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. However, there are indications from some customers that they expect improved activity in the United States during calendar 2014. The effect of any such improvement on our business cannot be determined at this time.

Our land leasing activity in Canada has been relatively consistent over the three-year period ended January 31, 2014. However, the current winter season in Canada appears to be much weaker for the seismic industry in general. It is our understanding, based on discussions with customers, that several oil and gas

 

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companies that have commissioned seismic surveys in past winters in Canada did not do so this year. Accordingly, demand for seismic equipment and services in this market has declined recently. It is not clear if this decline is temporary and limited to the 2013-2014 winter season or if it will extend into future periods. Despite the overall decline in demand, we have recently seen an increase in demand for wireless recording equipment in Canada. In response to this increased demand, we purchased certain wireless recording equipment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 for deployment on a particular project. This project commenced in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

Land leasing activity in Europe was considerably lower in fiscal 2013 than originally expected and as compared to fiscal 2012. Political changes, fiscal issues and environmental concerns, we believe, caused delays in many energy projects in Europe, particularly non-conventional natural gas projects. The effect of these matters continued into the first six months of fiscal 2014. However, we experienced a significant increase in rental activity in the market beginning in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2014. Based on discussions with our customers, we believe there are indications of continued improved leasing activity in Europe in fiscal 2015.

As the seismic industry in Russia is generally seasonal, most seismic projects are scheduled for the winter season, which would encompass the fourth quarter and the first quarter. We have experienced an increase in demand for the current 2013-2014 winter season. We have deployed additional equipment to that region, including equipment from Europe, in response to this increased demand.

We experienced a decline for our down hole seismic tools during fiscal 2013 and the first half of fiscal 2014. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, we began to see a recovery in demand for these products and believe that this improvement will continue into fiscal 2015. However, demand for down hole seismic tools tends to be sporadic and projects utilizing this equipment are often subject to delays or cancellation.

We saw a decline in demand in our marine rental business during fiscal 2014. Due to industry consolidation and restructuring we believe there to be an oversupply of used marine equipment available on the market, which has had a negative impact on the demand for our products and services. We believe this situation to be temporary; however, we expect the overall lower demand to continue into fiscal 2015.

The market for products sold by Seamap and the demand for the leasing of marine seismic equipment is dependent upon activity within the offshore, or marine, seismic industry, including the re-fitting of existing seismic vessels and the equipping of new vessels. Our Seamap business has benefited from equipping new-build vessels and from re-equipping older vessels with newer, more efficient technology. In addition, as Seamap has expanded its installed base of products, our business for replacements, spare parts, repair and support services has expanded. Certain existing and potential customers continue to express interest in our GunLink and BuoyLink products. Some of this interest involves the upgrade of existing GunLink and BuoyLink products to newer versions or systems with greater functionality. Recently, some marine seismic contractors have reported softening of demand and therefore pressure on the pricing from their customers. We do not believe this has had a material impact on our business to date. However, should this situation persist, we could experience a decline in demand for our Seamap products and for marine leasing products. This could also cause customers to delay expansion or upgrade plans.

In June 2013, we entered into a manufacturing arrangement with Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (“PGS”), one of the largest marine seismic contractors in the world. Under this arrangement, we will manufacture and sell to PGS a customized and proprietary marine energy source controller that is based on our GunLink 4000 product (the “PGS SourceLink”). We have previously collaborated with PGS to develop PGS SourceLink. We expect PGS SourceLink will be deployed on the majority of PGS’ fleet of seismic vessels. This fleet currently consists of 13 vessels, with three additional vessels under development. The deployment will take place over a period of several years.

The oil and gas industry, in general, and the seismic industry, in particular, have historically been cyclical businesses. If worldwide oil and gas prices should materially decline from current levels, or if the expectations

 

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for future prices should change, we could see a material change in the level of our business and our income from operations. Over the past several years, we have made significant additions to our lease pool of equipment, amounting to over $200 million in equipment purchases during the five years ended January 31, 2014. By adding this equipment, we have not only expanded the amount of equipment that we have, but have also increased the geographic expanse of our leasing operations and have expanded the types of equipment that we have in our lease pool. From time to time, we will seek to sell certain types of equipment from our lease pool, such as older technology or equipment for which demand is declining, and redeploy that capital into other types of equipment. Despite the recent softening in demand in our leasing business, we added certain types of equipment to our lease pool during fiscal 2014. During this period, we added approximately $49.0 million of equipment to our lease pool, as compared to approximately $39.1 million in fiscal 2013 and approximately $68.8 million in fiscal 2012. Included in the additions to our lease pool during fiscal 2014 were approximately $35.0 million of new wireless recording equipment which we purchased in response to specific demand from certain customers. These purchases expand the availability of certain types of land recording equipment within our lease pool. We believe that, in addition to meeting the current specific demand from customers, this additional equipment will allow us to expand our relationship with existing and new customers in various geographic regions.

Historically, there have been two or three primary manufacturers of land seismic equipment. Recently, the industry has seen the emergence of additional entities seeking to introduce new equipment, particularly wireless recording equipment. Accordingly, significant competition among these new and existing manufacturers has developed. This competition has, we believe, led to pricing pressure for the manufacturers of equipment. While we benefit from lower prices for new equipment, this situation has also begun to have a negative impact on the pricing for our products and services. We have not been able to determine the magnitude of this impact on our results to date.

We also have expanded the geographic breadth of our operations by acquiring or establishing operating facilities in new locations. In fiscal 2012, we established new leasing subsidiaries in Hungary and in Singapore and significantly expanded the operations of our branch in Colombia. We may seek to expand our operations into additional locations in the future either through establishing “green field” operations or by acquiring other businesses. However, we do not currently have specific plans to establish any such operations.

A significant portion of our revenues are generated from foreign sources. For fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, revenues from international customers totaled approximately $80 million, $81.2 million and $86.7 million, respectively. These amounts represent 87%, 78% and 77% of consolidated revenues in those fiscal years, respectively. The majority of our transactions with foreign customers are denominated in United States, Australian, Canadian and Singapore dollars and Russian rubles. We have not entered, nor do we intend to enter, into derivative financial instruments for hedging or speculative purposes.

Our revenues and results of operations have not been materially impacted by inflation or changing prices in the past three fiscal years, except as described above.

Results of Operations

For fiscal 2014, we recorded operating income of approximately $5.8 million, compared to approximately $13.9 million for fiscal 2013 and approximately $34.5 million for fiscal 2012. The decrease in fiscal 2014 from fiscal 2013 relates primarily to lower gross profits from the Seamap segment and lower leasing revenues, offset by lower depreciation expense. The decrease in fiscal 2013 from fiscal 2012 relates primarily to decreased leasing revenues and increased lease pool depreciation.

The gross profit for our Equipment Leasing segment was approximately $19.2 million in fiscal 2014, compared to approximately $20.2 million in fiscal 2013 and approximately $41.8 million in fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2014, we experienced lower leasing revenues, but this decrease was largely offset by lower depreciation costs. The decrease between fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 resulted from lower leasing revenues and higher lease pool

 

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depreciation expense. Our Seamap segment recorded gross profit of approximately $12.6 million, $17.4 million and $15.9 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in fiscal 2014 from fiscal 2013 resulted from lower revenues and lower gross profit on certain shipments as more fully described below. The increase in gross profit in fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2012 was due primarily to increased revenues.

Revenues and Cost of Sales

Equipment Leasing

Revenues and cost of sales from our Equipment Leasing segment were comprised of the following:

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (in thousands)  

Revenues:

        

Equipment leasing

   $ 46,756       $ 54,592       $ 70,137   

Lease pool equipment sales

     6,851         11,412         6,503   

New seismic equipment sales

     775         1,282         1,810   

SAP equipment sales

     12,640         6,230         5,978   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     67,022         73,516         84,428   

Cost of sales:

        

Lease pool depreciation

     29,663         33,594         27,668   

Direct costs – equipment leasing

     5,517         8,200         8,059   

Cost of lease pool equipment sales

     2,295         6,043         1,580   

Cost of new seismic equipment sales

     616         655         924   

Cost of SAP equipment sales

     9,734         4,828         4,384   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     47,825         53,320         42,615   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

   $ 19,197       $ 20,196       $ 41,813   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit margin

     29%         27%         50%   

Equipment leasing revenues declined approximately 14% in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013. This decline was due primarily to lower land leasing revenues from the United States and Latin America and lower marine leasing revenues. These declines were partially offset by increased land leasing revenues in Russia, Europe and the Pacific Rim and increased leasing revenue for down hole seismic tools. In fiscal 2013, equipment leasing revenues declined approximately 22% from fiscal 2012 levels, due primarily to reduced activity in the United States, Latin American and Europe and, to a lesser extent, a decline in our down hole leasing revenue. During fiscal 2012, we benefited from a very large project in the United States that contributed approximately $4.5 million in leasing revenues. We had anticipated a follow-on project in fiscal 2013, but this did not occur. Very large contracts such as this can occur from time to time, but they cannot be predicted with any degree of accuracy.

Land leasing activity in the United States in fiscal 2014 was significantly below that of fiscal 2013. We believe this reduced activity is consistent with results reported by various seismic contractors who are active in the United States. We further believe that this reduced level of activity is due in large part to oil and gas companies diverting expenditures from exploration activities and concentrating on development and production activities. Our leasing revenues from land leasing in the United States in fiscal 2013 declined from that in fiscal 2012 due to the effect of the large project discussed above and factors similar to those in fiscal 2013, but to a lesser extent.

Equipment leasing revenues in Latin America have been less than anticipated in the past two fiscal years and declined in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 as compared to the immediately preceding years. A number of

 

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anticipated projects, primarily in Colombia, experienced a series of delays due to weather, permitting, regulatory and other logistical issues. Based on discussions with our customers and other industry participants, we believe there is a substantial amount of seismic survey activity pending in Latin America and we expect this to be an area of continued strong activity for our leasing business. However, factors such as those encountered in fiscal 2014 and 2013 could continue to impact our business.

In fiscal 2014, our revenues from land leasing activity in Europe increased over those in fiscal 2013 as many of the factors discussed below affecting fiscal 2013 were partially resolved. We experienced a decline in equipment leasing activity in Europe in fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012. We believe that this decline was caused, in large degree, by economic, political and environmental issues in much of Eastern Europe. Political unrest in North Africa also contributed to this decline, as certain of our customers in Eastern Europe have operated in North Africa in the past.

During fiscal 2014, revenues from our down hole leasing business increased from that in fiscal 2013. In fiscal 2013, these revenues had declined from that in fiscal 2012. The majority of our down hole business relates to microseismic and fracture monitoring programs. We believe that increased activity in such programs in North America reflects the focus on development operations by oil and gas companies. Also contributing to this improvement was increased revenue from projects outside of North America.

Revenues from our marine leasing decreased significantly in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. These revenues had been relatively stable between fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013. We believe the decline in fiscal 2014 is due in part to consolidation within the marine seismic industry and the bankruptcy of one contractor. These factors, in our opinion, resulted in an excess of equipment available in the market. We believe this excess of equipment to be temporary. During fiscal 2014, we sold certain equipment from our marine lease pool as we believe the market for this particular equipment to be declining rapidly. The sale of this equipment did result in a significant gain (see discussion of lease pool equipment sales below); however, the equipment had contributed significant leasing revenues.

From time to time, we sell equipment from our lease pool based on specific customer demand or in order to redeploy capital in other lease pool assets. These transactions tend to occur as opportunities arise and, accordingly, are difficult to predict. Also included in sales of lease pool equipment are charges to leasing customers for lost or destroyed equipment. Included in lease pool equipment sales in fiscal 2014 is approximately $2.8 million related to the sale of certain marine equipment as discussed above. Lease pool equipment sales increased in fiscal 2013 due to the sale of certain older equipment in a series of transactions. The gross profit from the lease pool equipment sales amounted to approximately $4.6 million in fiscal 2014, $5.4 million in fiscal 2013, and $4.9 million in fiscal 2012. Often, the equipment that is sold from our lease pool has been held by us, and therefore depreciated, for some period of time. Accordingly, the equipment sold may have a relatively low net book value at the time of the sale, resulting in a relatively high gross profit from the transaction. The amount of the gross profit on a particular transaction varies greatly based primarily upon the age of the equipment.

Occasionally, we sell new seismic equipment that we acquire from other manufacturers, and we regularly sell equipment that we produce for use in deploying and retrieving seismic equipment by helicopter. Occasionally, the sales of new seismic equipment are structured with a significant down payment, with the balance financed over a period of time at a market rate of interest. In fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, essentially all sales of new seismic equipment related to sales of heli-transport equipment The gross profit from new seismic equipment sales amounted to approximately $159,000 in fiscal 2014, $627,000 in fiscal 2013, and $886,000 in fiscal 2012. SAP regularly sells new hydrographic and oceanographic equipment to customers in Australia and throughout the Pacific Rim. Sales of such equipment by SAP increased significantly in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013 and 2012 due to increased demand primarily in the Philippines and China. The gross profit from the sale of new seismic, hydrographic and oceanographic equipment by SAP amounted to approximately $2.9 million in fiscal 2014, $1.4 million in fiscal 2013, and $1.6 million in fiscal 2012.

Lease pool depreciation expense for fiscal 2014 amounted to approximately $29.7 million, as compared to approximately $33.6 million in fiscal 2013 and approximately $27.7 million in fiscal 2012. The decline in fiscal

 

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2014 from fiscal 2013 reflects certain equipment coming to the end of its depreciable life. The increase in depreciation expense in fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2012 resulted from the significant additions to our lease pool of equipment that we have made in prior periods. Lease pool additions were approximately $49.0 million in fiscal 2014, $39.1 million in fiscal 2013 and y $68.8 million in fiscal 2012. The majority of lease pool additions during fiscal 2014 were made late in the year and not all of this equipment had been placed in service by January 31, 2014. Accordingly, many of these purchases did not materially affect depreciation expense in fiscal 2014. We begin to depreciate new equipment when that equipment is first deployed on a rental contract. The equipment is then depreciated on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life. The useful lives of our assets range from three to seven years. At January 31, 2014, lease pool assets with an acquisition cost of approximately $68 million were fully depreciated, yet remained in service. This compares to $51.5 million at January 31, 2013. These assets, though fully depreciated, are expected to continue to generate revenues through leasing activity.

We recorded direct costs related to seismic leasing for fiscal 2014 in the amount of approximately $5.5 million as compared to approximately $8.2 million in fiscal 2013 and approximately $8.1 million in fiscal 2012. Direct costs typically fluctuate with leasing revenues, as the three main components of direct costs are freight, repairs and sublease expense. As compared to fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and 2012, direct costs-equipment leasing included higher costs related to the repositioning of equipment, specifically into Russia and Latin America, and the cost to sub-lease certain equipment in response to specific demand.

Seamap

Revenues and cost of sales for our Seamap segment were as follows:

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (in thousands)  

Equipment sales

   $ 25,252       $ 32,210       $ 28,703   

Cost of equipment sales

     12,653         14,817         12,818   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

   $ 12,599       $ 17,393       $ 15,885   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit margin

     50%         54%         55%   

Demand for Seamap’s products is generally dependent upon offshore oil and gas exploration activity. A large portion of Seamap’s sales consist of large discrete orders, the timing of which is dictated by our customers. This timing generally relates to the availability of a vessel in port so that our equipment can be installed. Accordingly, there can be significant variation in sales from one period to another which does not necessarily indicate a fundamental change in demand for these products. We believe that we have continued to experience relatively strong demand for Seamap’s products because operators of marine seismic vessels have been adding newly built vessels to replace older, less efficient vessels and have been upgrading technology on remaining vessels in order to improve operating efficiency. In fiscal 2014, we delivered two GunLink 4000 units, one PGS SourceLink and four BuoyLink systems. During fiscal 2013, we delivered four GunLink 4000 units and four BuoyLink units, as compared to five in fiscal 2012. As we have increased our installed base of GunLink and BuoyLink, as well as other products, we have generated increased revenues from the sale of spare parts, repairs and support services. We had expected to ship another GunLink 4000 in fiscal 2014; however, the delivery of this order was delayed at the request of our customer due to vessel availability. Also included in fiscal 2014 revenues is approximately $1.6 million related to a project in which we sourced certain equipment from third parties and then packaged and resold the equipment to a customer. This project had a much lower gross margin than do sales of our own products. As of January 31, 2014, Seamap had a backlog of approximately $5.5 million, as compared to approximately $2.2 million as of January 31, 2013 and $13.6 million as of January 31, 2012. We expect that all orders included in backlog as of January 31, 2014 will be completed during fiscal 2015. Based on our experience, we do not believe backlog as of a particular date is necessarily indicative of future results. The gross profit margin from the sales of Seamap equipment was lower in fiscal 2014 than in the prior two fiscal years due to the effect of the lower margin project mentioned above and product mix changes.

 

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Operating Expenses

General and administrative expenses for fiscal 2014 amounted to approximately $23.7 million, compared to approximately $22.5 million and $21.4 million in fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in each of these years reflects the generally higher level of operations, particularly the cost associated with our expanded operations in Latin America, Singapore and Europe. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses represented approximately 26%, 22%, and 19% of revenues in each of the years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The higher expenses relate primarily to personnel related costs associated with increased headcount.

In fiscal 2014, we provided approximately $1.0 million for doubtful accounts receivable in Latin America and Asia. During fiscal 2013, we recovered approximately $428,000 in accounts receivable that had previously been deemed uncollectable. During fiscal 2012, we recorded a provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries, in the amount of approximately $615,000. In fiscal 2012, we provided approximately $1.7 million for estimated uncollectable accounts and recovered approximately $1.1 million from amounts that had been previously provided. The majority of these recoveries related to a particular customer who had defaulted on a contract and for which we had foreclosed on and recovered certain equipment. In addition to the value of the recovered equipment, we received a cash distribution from the bankruptcy of that customer and a cash settlement from our insurance carrier. At January 31, 2014 and 2013, we had trade accounts and note receivables over 90 days past due of approximately $13.4 million and $10.2 million, respectively. In our industry, and in our experience, it is not unusual for accounts to become delinquent from time to time and this is not necessarily indicative of an account becoming uncollectable. As of January 31, 2014 and 2013, our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable amounted to approximately $3.8 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization, other than lease pool depreciation, relates primarily to the depreciation of furniture, fixtures and office equipment and the amortization of intangible assets arising from the acquisition of Seamap and AES.

Other Income and Expense

We completed the acquisition of AES on March 1, 2010. Other income and expense in fiscal 2012 includes

expense of approximately $400,000 related to an earn-out payment to the former owners of AES.

Interest income reflects amounts earned on invested funds and finance charges related to seismic equipment sold under financing arrangements. Interest expense primarily reflects interest costs arising from borrowings under our revolving line of credit. Interest expense decreased in fiscal 2014 from fiscal 2013 primarily due to lower average borrowings and in fiscal 2013 from fiscal 2012 primarily due to a lower interest rate under our revolving credit facility.

Other income and expense relates almost exclusively to net foreign exchange losses and gains, other than as noted above. These gains and losses resulted primarily from transactions of our foreign subsidiaries that are denominated in U.S. dollars. These transactions resulted in net transaction gains of approximately $231,000 in fiscal 2014, losses of approximately $389,000 in fiscal 2013 and gains of approximately $182,000 in fiscal 2012.

Provision for Income Taxes

In fiscal 2014, our provision for income taxes is approximately $1.3 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of approximately 21%. The effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 34% for that period primarily due to earnings that are taxed in foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

Our provision for income taxes in fiscal 2013 is a benefit of approximately $3.5 million. This benefit results from the settlement with the Canadian Revenue Authority and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service regarding our request for competent authority assistance for matters arising from an audit of our Canadian income tax returns

 

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for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Due to the settlement, we recognized the benefit of certain tax positions and reversed previous estimates of potential penalties and interest. The total estimated benefit arising from the settlement and related matters amounted to approximately $5.3 million. Without this benefit, our provision for income taxes for fiscal 2013 would have been approximately $1.8 million, which is an effective rate of approximately 13%. This effective rate is less than the U.S. statutory rate of 34% for the period due to the effect of earnings taxed in foreign jurisdiction with lower tax rates and certain permanent differences in certain of those jurisdictions related primarily to the depreciable basis of assets. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Our provision for income taxes in fiscal 2012 amounted to approximately $10.0 million, which represents an effective tax rate of approximately 29%. The effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% for that period primarily due to earnings that are taxed in foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal source of liquidity and capital over the past three fiscal years has been cash flows provided by operating activities, our revolving credit agreement and a public offering of common stock in fiscal 2012. The principal factor that has affected our cash flow from operating activities is the level of oil and gas exploration and development activities as discussed above.

We believe that our liquidity needs for the next 12 months will be met from cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities and from proceeds of our existing working capital facility, taking into account the possible restrictions on funds from our foreign subsidiaries. However, should our needs for liquidity increase, such as for the purchase of additional lease pool equipment or to make an acquisition, we may seek to issue other debt or equity securities. We have on file with the SEC a shelf registration statement pursuant to which we may issue from time to time up to $150 million in common stock, warrants, preferred stock, debt securities or any combination thereof under the shelf registration statement. We currently have no plans to issue any such securities.

The following table sets forth selected historical information regarding cash flows from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 21,215      $ 44,257      $ 35,958   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (37,207     (34,697     (57,312

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     16,809        (9,875     22,143   

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     (805     178        (149
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     12        (137     640   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of January 31, 2014, we had working capital of approximately $49.7 million and cash and cash equivalents of approximately $15.2 million, as compared to working capital of approximately $48.4 million and cash and cash equivalents of approximately $16.0 million at January 31, 2013. Our working capital increased from January 31, 2013 to January 31, 2014 primarily due to working capital generated by operations offset by purchases of lease pool equipment.

Cash Flows From Operating Activities. Cash flows provided by operating activities amounted to approximately $21.2 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to approximately $44.3 million in fiscal 2013 and $36.0 million in fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2014, the primary sources of cash provided by operating activities were net income of $4.8 million and non-cash charges, including depreciation and amortization totaling approximately $31.0 million and stock-based compensation of approximately $1.1 million. These were offset by non-operating

 

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cash items including the gross profit from the sale of lease pool equipment of approximately $4.6 million and tax-related items totaling approximately $2.2 million. The net change in other current assets and liabilities decreased net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2014 by approximately $10.0 million. The most significant item contributing to the decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was an increase in trade accounts and contracts receivable of approximately $9.1 million.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities. In fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, we acquired approximately $49.0 million, $39.1 million and $68.8 million, respectively, of new lease pool equipment; however, the cash expenditures for these purchases did not all occur within those respective periods. As of January 31, 2014, our accounts payable included approximately $7.7 million related to lease pool purchases. As of January 31, 2013, the amount in accounts payable related to lease pool purchases was approximately $4.3 million, while the comparable amount as of January 31, 2012 was approximately $9.9 million. Additionally, in fiscal 2014, we added approximately $2.0 million of equipment to our lease pool in partial settlement of an account receivable with a customer. This addition did not involve the expenditure of cash on our part. Accordingly, our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 indicated purchases of equipment held for lease of approximately $43.5 million, $44.7 million and $62.1 million, respectively. We expect to continue adding to our lease pool of equipment during fiscal 2015, but do not currently believe those additions will be at the same level as fiscal 2014. We currently estimate that lease pool purchases during fiscal 2015 will be between $15.0 million and $20.0 million. Cash flows from investing activities for each of the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 reflect proceeds of approximately $6.9 million, $11.4 million and $6.5 million, respectively, from the sale of used lease pool equipment. We generally do not seek to sell our lease pool equipment; however, from time to time we will do so in response to particular customer demand. In determining whether or not to sell lease pool equipment, we weigh expected future leasing revenues from that equipment versus the potential proceeds that may be received upon the sale of the equipment. During fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, we paid approximately $450,000 and $148,000, respectively, for earn-out payments related to the AES acquisition.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities. Historically, we generally have financed our purchases of lease pool equipment with cash flow from operations and from proceeds from our revolving credit facility. However in fiscal 2012, due to the amount and timing of the increased purchases, we raised additional equity capital to finance these purchases and issued 2,300,000 shares of our common stock in a public offering. The offering was completed in June 2011 and resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $31.0 million. In fiscal 2014, we had net borrowings under our revolving credit facility totaling approximately $18.0 million. These proceeds were used primarily to fund the purchase of lease pool equipment. Included within financing activities are net payments on our revolving line of credit of approximately $8.6 million in fiscal 2013 and $9.1 million in fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2014, we repurchased 147,900 shares of our common stock pursuant to our stock repurchase program at a total cost of approximately $2.2 million. Payments on borrowings in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 primarily represent installment payments made on an equipment purchase note to a vendor and principal payments on notes issued in connection with the acquisition of AES. Financing activities also include the issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options. These transactions resulted in cash proceeds of approximately $498,000, $329,000 and $2.8 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The significant increase in the proceeds from the exercise of stock options in fiscal 2012 was due to an increase in the market price of our common stock during this period.

In connection with the temporary importation of our lease pool equipment into some countries we are required to post import bonds with the customs authorities of that country. These bonds are normally provided by local insurance, surety companies or local banks. In some cases, the party issuing the bond requires that we post collateral to secure our obligations under the bonds. As of January 31, 2014, we had provided stand-by letters of credit totaling approximately $2.2 million under the Credit Agreement related to such obligations.

On August 2, 2013, we entered into a syndicated $50 million, secured, three-year revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (“HSBC”) as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement

 

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replaced our existing $50 million revolving credit agreement with First Victoria National Bank (the “Predecessor Credit Agreement”). Proceeds from the Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate needs. Up to $10.0 million of the Credit Agreement may be used to secure letters of credit.

The Credit Agreement provides for Eurodollar loans, which bear interest at the Eurodollar base rate, plus a margin of from 2.50% to 3.50% based on our leverage ratio and for ABR loans which bear interest at the applicable base rate plus a margin of from 1.50% to 2.50% based on our leverage ratio. As of January 31, 2014, the margins for Eurodollar loans and ABR loans were 2.50% and 1.50%, respectively. We have agreed to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Credit Agreement of from 0.375% to 0.50% based on our leverage ratio. As of January 31, 2014, the commitment fee rate was 0.375%.

Amounts available under the Credit Agreement are subject to a borrowing base which is determined based primarily on the appraised value of our domestic lease pool equipment and certain accounts receivable. We believe that as of April 1, 2014, the full $50.0 million, less any amounts outstanding, is available to us. The Credit Agreement is secured by essentially all of our domestic assets and 65% of the capital stock of Mitcham Holdings Ltd., which is the holding company for all of our foreign subsidiaries.

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, conditions precedent to credit extensions, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The negative covenants include restrictions on liens, additional indebtedness, other than indebtedness to HSBC, in excess of $5.0 million, acquisitions, fundamental changes, dispositions of property, restricted payments, transactions with affiliates and lines of business. The events of default include a change in control provision.

The Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants that require us to maintain a maximum ratio of debt to adjusted EBITDA, a minimum ratio of fixed charges to adjusted EBITDA and, in certain circumstances, a maximum ratio of capital expenditures to adjusted EBITDA, all as defined in the Credit Agreement. As indicated by the following chart, we were in compliance with all financial covenants as of January 31, 2014:

 

Description of Financial

Covenant

 

Required Amount

 

Actual for the four quarters

ended January 31, 2014

Leverage Ratio

  Not more than 2.00 to 1.00   0.63 to 1.00

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

  Not less than 1.25 to 1.00   82.93 to 1.00

Capital Expenditures to

Adjusted EBITDA Ratio

  Not more than 1.0 to 1.0, when Adjusted EBITDA is less than $22.0 million for trailing four quarters   not applicable, Adjusted EBITDA – $38.5 million

As of April 3, 2014 borrowings of approximately $15 million and letters of credit totaling approximately $2.0 million were outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

Our average borrowing levels under the Credit Agreement and Predecessor Credit Agreement for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $5.0 million, $13.0 million and $12.2 million, respectively.

In February 2014, Seamap Singapore entered into a $6 million bankers guarantee facility with HSBC Singapore. Under this facility, the bank will issue guarantees of performance bonds and similar obligations as required from time to time. All obligations under this facility are guaranteed by the Company. As of April 1, 2014, there are no amounts outstanding under the facility.

 

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The following table sets forth estimates of future payments of our consolidated contractual obligations as of January 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

     Payments Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations

   Total     Less Than
1 Year
     1-3 Years      3-5 Years      More Than
5 Years
 

Long-term debt

   $ 22,200 (1)    $ 75       $ 22,125       $ —         $ —     

Operating leases

     3,153        1,513         1,049         591         —     

Purchase obligations

     2,074        2,074         —           —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 27,427      $ 3,662       $ 23,174       $ 591       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Amount does not include interest of approximately $1.5 million that would be incurred if this amount were outstanding through the term of the Credit Agreement.

In April 2013, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program whereby we may purchase from time to time up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. We are not obligated to make such purchases and intend to do so only if market conditions warrant and if management determines that such purchase will not adversely affect our ability to conduct our business. We expect to finance repurchases of our common stock, if any, from a combination of cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities and proceeds from the Credit Agreement.

We regularly evaluate opportunities to expand our business through the acquisition of other companies, businesses or product lines. If we were to make any such acquisitions, we believe they could generally be financed with a combination of cash on hand and proceeds from the Credit Agreement. However, should these sources of financing not be adequate, we may seek other sources of capital in order to fund the acquisitions. These additional sources or capital include additional bank credit agreements or the issuance of debt or equity securities.

At January 31, 2014, we had approximately $408,000 of non-current income taxes payable related to uncertain tax positions. We are not able to reasonably estimate when, if ever, these obligations will be paid.

We have determined that the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, other than our branch operations in Colombia and Peru, have been permanently reinvested outside of the United States. These permanent investments include the purchase of lease pool equipment by those subsidiaries. Accordingly, while there is generally no legal restriction on the distribution of such earnings, we do not expect to have any such earnings available to satisfy obligations in the United States, such as our revolving credit agreement. Should we in the future distribute these earnings to the United States, such distributions could be subject to foreign withholding taxes in certain cases and would likely result in additional federal income tax obligations in the United States. As of January 31, 2014, we had deposits in foreign banks equal to approximately $14.1 million. Approximately $13.8 million of these deposits can be distributed to the United States to repay inter-company indebtedness and therefore do not result in any of the adverse tax consequences discussed above.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Significant estimates made by us in the accompanying consolidated financial statements relate to the allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable and inventory obsolescence; the useful lives of our lease

 

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pool assets and amortizable intangible assets and the impairment assessments of our lease pool and various intangible assets. Other areas where we have made significant estimates include the valuation of stock options, the assessment of the need for a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets and the assessment of uncertain tax positions.

Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial position and results of operations and require management’s subjective judgment. Below is a brief discussion of our critical accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition

 

   

Leases – We recognize lease revenue ratably over the term of the lease unless there is a question as to whether it is collectible. We do not enter into leases with embedded maintenance obligations. Under our standard lease, the customer is responsible for maintenance and repairs to the equipment, excluding normal wear and tear. We provide technical advice to our customers as part of our customer service practices. In most situations, our customers pay shipping and handling costs directly to the shipping agents.

 

   

Equipment Sales – We recognize revenue and cost of goods sold from equipment sales upon agreement of terms and when delivery has occurred, unless there is a question as to its collectability. We occasionally offer extended payment terms on equipment sales transactions. These terms are generally one to two years in duration.

 

   

Long-term project revenue – From time to time, SAP enters into contracts whereby it assembles and sells certain marine equipment, primarily to governmental entities. Performance under these contracts generally occurs over a period of several months. Revenue and costs related to these contracts are accounted for under the percentage of completion method.

 

   

Service agreements – Seamap provides on-going support services pursuant to contracts that generally have a term of 12 months. We recognize revenue from these contracts over the term of the contract. In some cases, we will provide support services on a time and material basis. Revenue from these arrangements is recognized as the services are provided. For certain new systems that Seamap sells, we provide support services for up to 12 months at no additional charge. Any amounts attributable to these support obligations are immaterial.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We make provisions to the allowance for doubtful accounts based on a detailed review of outstanding receivable balances. Factors considered include the age of the receivable, the payment history of the customer, the general financial condition of the customer and any financial or operational leverage we may have in a particular situation. We typically do not charge fees on past due accounts, although we reserve the right to do so in most of our contractual arrangements with our customers. As of January 31, 2014, the average age of our accounts receivable was approximately 79 days.

Long-Lived Assets

We carry our lease pool of equipment and other property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, and compute depreciation on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the property and equipment, which range from two to 10 years. Geophones and batteries are depreciated over three years, recording channels over five to seven years and earth vibrators and other heavy equipment are depreciated over a 10-year period. Buildings are depreciated over 30 years, property improvements are amortized over 10 years and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life and the life of the lease. Intangible assets are amortized from three to 15 years.

 

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The estimated useful lives for rental equipment are based on our experience as to the economic useful life of our products. We review and consider industry trends in determining the appropriate useful life for our lease pool equipment, including technological obsolescence, market demand and actual historical useful service life of our lease pool equipment. Additionally, to the extent information is available publicly, we compare our depreciation policies to those of other companies in our industry for reasonableness. When we purchase new equipment for our lease pool, we begin to depreciate it upon its first use and depreciation continues each month until the equipment is fully depreciated, whether or not the equipment is actually in use during that entire time period.

Our policy regarding the removal of assets that are fully depreciated from our books is the following: if an asset is fully depreciated and is still expected to generate revenue, then the asset will remain on our books. However, if a fully depreciated asset is not expected to have any revenue generating capacity, then it is removed from our books.

We carry our amortizable intangible assets at cost, net of accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed on a straight-line method over the estimated life of the asset. Currently, proprietary rights are amortized over a 12.5 to 15-year period, while covenants-not-to-compete are amortized over a three-year period. The basis for the proprietary right lives are generally based upon the results of valuation reports commissioned from third parties. Covenants-not-to-compete are amortized over the term of the contract.

We annually assess our lease pool equipment and intangible assets that are subject to amortization for potential impairment. The assessment determines if, in our opinion, events or changes in circumstances have occurred that would indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Such events or changes in circumstances might include the following:

 

   

A significant decrease in the market price of the asset;

 

   

A significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which the asset, or group of assets, is being used or in its physical condition;

 

   

A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of the asset;

 

   

A current period operating or cash flow loss, a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection of continuing losses associated with the use of the asset; and

 

   

A current expectation that it is more likely than not that the asset, or group of assets, will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.

If there is an indication of possible impairment, we test the asset, or group of assets, for recoverability. Recoverability is determined by comparing the estimated future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the assets or group of assets to their carrying value. As of January 31, 2014, we determined that there was no indication of impairment of our long-lived assets, including our lease pool of equipment and intangible assets that are subject to amortization. See Item 1A – “Risk Factors.”

Goodwill

All of our goodwill relates to our Seamap segment and we have determined that our Seamap segment is the reporting unit for purposes of impairment testing.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, we elected to adopt ASU 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Topic 350: Testing for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 amends the guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 350-20, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Goodwill. Accordingly, as of January 31, 2014, we assessed various qualitative factors to determine if it were more likely than not that fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, including goodwill. Among the qualitative factors we considered were the following:

 

   

Macroeconomic conditions in the energy industry have been generally stable over the past 24 months;

 

   

World oil prices have remained at high levels, as compared to historical levels;

 

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World-wide exploration spending by oil and gas companies has increased over the past two years;

 

   

While its financial results did decline in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013, Seamap continued to be profitable. Financial results in fiscal 2014 were significantly above those years in which the goodwill and other intangibles were acquired;

 

   

There have been no material events specific to the Seamap segment, such as the loss of a major customer, change in management or litigation;

 

   

There has been no material change in the composition or value of the Seamap segment’s assets or of its product lines; and

 

   

The segment has not experienced a material increase in cost for raw materials, labor or other items utilized in the business.

Based on the above factors we concluded that, as of January 31, 2014, there was no impairment of goodwill.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between income and expenses reported for financial reporting and tax reporting. We have assessed, using all available positive and negative evidence, the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income.

The weight we give to the potential effect of negative and positive evidence should be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. The more negative evidence that exists (i) the more positive evidence is necessary and (ii) the more difficult it is to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset. Among the more significant types of evidence that we consider are:

 

   

taxable income projections in future years;

 

   

whether the carry forward period is so brief that it would limit realization of tax benefits;

 

   

future sales and operating cost projections that will produce more than enough taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset based on existing sales prices and cost structures; and

 

   

our earnings history exclusive of the loss that created the future deductible amount coupled with evidence indicating that the loss is an aberration rather than a continuing condition.

In determining the valuation allowance, we consider the following positive indicators:

 

   

the current level of worldwide oil and gas exploration activities resulting from historically high prices for oil and natural gas;

 

   

increasing world demand for oil;

 

   

our recent history of profitable operations in various jurisdictions;

 

   

our anticipated positive income in various jurisdictions; and

 

   

our existing customer relationships.

We also considered the following negative indicators:

 

   

the risk of the world oil supply increasing, thereby depressing the price of oil and natural gas;

 

   

the risk of decreased global demand for oil; and

 

   

the potential for increased competition in the seismic equipment leasing and sales business.

 

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Based on our evaluation of the evidence, as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, we did not provided a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.

We evaluate tax positions taken through a two-step process. In the first step, we determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the enterprise should presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. In the second step, a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Differences between tax positions taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the financial statements will generally result in (1) an increase in a liability for income taxes payable or (2) a reduction of an income tax refund receivable or a reduction in a deferred tax asset or an increase in a deferred tax liability or both (1) and (2). The evaluation of tax positions and the measurement of the related benefit require significant judgment on the part of management.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock -based compensation expense is recorded based on the grant date fair value of share-based awards. Determining the grant date fair value requires management to make estimates regarding the variables used in the calculation of the grant date fair value. Those variables are the future volatility of our common stock price, the length of time an optionee will hold their options until exercising them (the “expected term”), and the number of options or shares that will be forfeited before they are exercised (the “forfeiture rate”). We utilize various mathematical models in calculating the variables. Stock-based compensation expense could be different if we used different models to calculate the variables.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk, which is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates. We have not entered, nor do we intend to enter, into derivative financial instruments for hedging or speculative purposes.

Hypothetical changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates chosen for the following estimated sensitivity analysis are considered to be reasonable near-term changes generally based on consideration of past fluctuations for each risk category. However, since it is not possible to accurately predict future changes in interest rate and foreign currency exchange rates, these hypothetical changes may not necessarily be an indicator of probable future fluctuations.

Foreign Currency Risk

We operate in a number of foreign locations, which gives rise to risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To the extent possible, we attempt to denominate our transactions in foreign locations in U.S. dollars. For those cases in which transactions are not denominated in U.S. dollars, we are exposed to risk from changes in exchange rates to the extent that non-U.S. dollar revenues exceed non-U.S. dollar expenses related to those operations. Our non-U.S. dollar transactions are denominated primarily in British pounds sterling, Russian rubles, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars and Singapore dollars. As a result of these transactions, we generally hold cash balances that are denominated in these foreign currencies. At January 31, 2014, our consolidated cash and cash equivalents included foreign currency denominated amounts equivalent to approximately $8.7 million in U.S. dollars. A 10% increase in the U.S. dollar as compared to each of these currencies would result in a loss of approximately $870,000 in the U.S. dollar value of these deposits, while a 10% decrease would result in an equal amount of gain. We do not currently hold or issue foreign exchange contracts or other derivative instruments to hedge these exposures.

 

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Some of our foreign operations are conducted through wholly owned foreign subsidiaries that have functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We currently have subsidiaries whose functional currencies are the Canadian dollar, British pound sterling, Russian ruble, Australian dollar and the Singapore dollar. Assets and liabilities from these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at each balance sheet date. The resulting translation gains or losses are reflected as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in the Shareholders’ Equity section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Approximately 80% of our net assets were impacted by changes in foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. During fiscal 2014, the U.S. dollar generally decreased in value versus the above currencies. As a result of this decline, we have recognized a decrease of approximately $10.1 million in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, primarily related to changes in the relative exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, British pound sterling, Euro and the Australian dollar.

Our subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar often enter into transactions that are denominated in U.S. dollars, including inter-company transactions. These transactions can result in foreign exchange gains or losses to our subsidiaries that are in turn included in our consolidated results of operations. These transactions resulted in a net transaction gain of $72,000 in fiscal 2014, a net transaction loss of approximately $389,000 in fiscal 2013 and a net transaction gain of approximately $182,000 in fiscal 2012.

Interest Rate Risk

As of January 31, 2014, there was approximately $22 million outstanding under the credit agreement. This agreement contains a floating interest rate based on the Eurodollar rate or the prime rate. Our average borrowing rate was 2.67% as of January 31, 2014. Assuming the outstanding balance remains unchanged, a change of 100 basis points in this rate would result in an increase in annual interest expense of approximately $220,000. We have not entered into interest rate hedging arrangements in the past, and have no plans to do so. Due to fluctuating balances in the amount outstanding under this debt agreement, we do not believe such arrangements to be cost effective.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The information required by this Item appears beginning on page F-1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

There have been no changes in or disagreements on any matters of accounting principles or financial statement disclosure between us and our independent registered public accountants.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 31, 2014 at the reasonable assurance level.

 

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As required by Rule 13a-15(c) under the Exchange Act, our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2014. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control Integrated Framework in 1992. Based on this assessment, our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that, as of January 31, 2014, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

Hein & Associates LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who audited our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K, has issued a report on our internal control over financial reporting, which appears on page F-3 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our system of internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended January 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

 

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, we incorporate by reference into this Item the information to be disclosed in our definitive proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 business days of January 31, 2014.

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics represents the code of ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer or controller and persons performing similar functions (“senior financial officers”). A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website, http://www.mitchamindustries.com, and a copy will be mailed without charge, upon written request, to Mitcham Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 1175, Huntsville, Texas, 77342-1175, Attention: Robert P. Capps. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on behalf of our senior financial officers on our website, at http://www.mitchamindustries.com promptly following the date of the amendment or waiver.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, we incorporate by reference into this Item the information to be disclosed in our definitive proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 business days of January 31, 2014.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, we incorporate by reference into this Item the information to be disclosed in our definitive proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 business days of January 31, 2014.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, we incorporate by reference into this Item the information to be disclosed in our definitive proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 business days of January 31, 2014.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, we incorporate by reference into this Item the information to be disclosed in our definitive proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 business days of January 31, 2014.

 

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

  (a) List of Documents Filed

 

  (1) Financial Statements

The financial statements filed as part of this Form 10-K are listed in “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-l.

 

  (2) Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.

 

  (3) Exhibits

The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in subparagraph (b) below.

 

  (b) Exhibits

The exhibits required to be filed pursuant to the requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K are set forth in the Exhibit Index accompanying this Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on the 3rd day of April 2014.

 

MITCHAM INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Billy F. Mitcham, Jr.

  Billy F. Mitcham, Jr.,
  President and Chief Executive Officer
 

(Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title/Capacity

 

Date

/s/ BILLY F. MITCHAM, JR.

Billy F. Mitcham, Jr.

  

President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  April 3, 2014

/s/ ROBERT P. CAPPS

Robert P. Capps

  

Executive Vice President – Finance,

Chief Financial Officer and Director

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  April 3, 2014

/s/ PETER H. BLUM

Peter H. Blum

   Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors   April 3, 2014

/s/ ROBERT J. ALBERS

Robert J. Albers

   Director   April 3, 2014

/s/ JOHN F. SCHWALBE

John F. Schwalbe

   Director   April 3, 2014

/s/ RANDAL DEAN LEWIS

Randal Dean Lewis

   Director   April 3, 2014

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2014 and 2013

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     F-6   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended January  31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     F-7   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     F-8   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-9   

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mitcham Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mitcham Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Mitcham Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 1992, and our report dated April 3, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Mitcham Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting.

Hein & Associates LLP

Houston, Texas

April 3, 2014

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

We have audited Mitcham Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 1992. Mitcham Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Mitcham Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 1992.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Mitcham Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2014, and our report dated April 3, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion.

Hein & Associates LLP

Houston, Texas

April 3, 2014

 

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MITCHAM INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     January 31,  
     2014     2013  
ASSETS   

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 15,162      $ 15,150   

Restricted cash

     81        801   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,833 and $3,374 at January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively

     29,514        23,131   

Contracts and notes receivable

     1,005        2,096   

Inventories, net

     8,338        6,188   

Prepaid income taxes

     2,177        5,591   

Deferred tax asset

     1,968        1,842   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,915        3,079   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     62,160        57,878   

Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net

     129,573        119,608   

Intangible assets, net

     3,201        3,989   

Goodwill

     4,320        4,320   

Deferred tax asset

     6,133        4,296   

Other assets

     32        316   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 205,419      $ 190,407   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 10,745      $ 6,921   

Current maturities—long-term debt

     75        145   

Deferred revenue

     35        539   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     1,583        1,875   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     12,438        9,480   

Non-current income taxes payable

     408        376   

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

     22,125        4,238   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     34,971        14,094   

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12, 16 and 17)

    

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 1,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

     —          —     

Common stock $.01 par value; 20,000 shares authorized;13,907 and 13,763 shares issued at January 31, 2014 and January 31, 2013, respectively

     139        138   

Additional paid-in capital

     118,156        116,506   

Treasury stock, at cost (1,075 and 926 shares at January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively)

     (7,075     (4,860

Retained earnings

     61,116        56,348   

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (1,888     8,181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     170,448        176,313   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 205,419      $ 190,407   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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MITCHAM INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Revenues:

      

Equipment leasing

   $ 46,756      $ 54,592      $ 70,137   

Lease pool equipment sales

     6,851        11,412        6,503   

Seamap equipment sales

     25,086        31,169        28,406   

Other equipment sales

     13,415        7,512        7,788   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     92,108        104,685        112,834   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales:

      

Direct costs—equipment leasing

     5,517        7,963        8,059   

Direct costs—lease pool depreciation

     29,412        33,405        27,400   

Cost of lease pool equipment sales

     2,295        6,043        1,580   

Cost of Seamap and other equipment sales

     22,869        19,861        18,043   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost of sales

     60,093        67,272        55,082   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     32,015        37,413        57,752   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

General and administrative

     23,669        22,539        21,354   

Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts

     1,048        (428     615   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,493        1,400        1,239   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     26,210        23,511        23,208   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     5,805        13,902        34,544   

Other income (expense):

      

Interest income

     304        544        344   

Interest expense

     (314     (533     (740

Other, net

     231        (389     182   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     221        (378     (214
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     6,026        13,524        34,330   

(Provision for) benefit from income taxes

     (1,258     3,527        (10,009
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 4,768      $ 17,051      $ 24,321   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

      

Basic

   $ 0.37      $ 1.34      $ 2.13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.36      $ 1.29      $ 2.02   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares used in computing income per common share:

      

Basic

     12,763        12,715        11,432   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     13,177        13,242        12,069   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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MITCHAM INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014     2013      2012  

Net income

   $ 4,768      $ 17,051       $ 24,321   

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

     (10,069     977         150   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive (loss) income

   $ (5,301   $ 18,028       $ 24,471   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

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MITCHAM INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014  
     Common Stock      Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Treasury
Stock
    Retained
Earnings
     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  
     Shares      Amount              

Balances, January 31, 2011

     10,872       $ 109       $ 77,419      $ (4,843   $ 14,976       $ 7,054      $ 94,715   

Net income

     —           —           —          —          24,321         —          24,321   

Foreign currency translation

     —           —           —          —          —           150        150   

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options

     344         3         2,819        —          —           —          2,822   

Stock offering

     2,300         23         31,005        —          —           —          31,028   

Restricted stock issued

     40         1         302        —          —           —          303   

Restricted stock forfeited for taxes

     —           —           —          (14     —           —          (14

Tax expense from exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock

     —           —           778        —          —           —          778   

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           1,331        —          —           —          1,331   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, January 31, 2012

     13,556         136         113,654        (4,857     39,297         7,204        155,434   

Net income

     —           —           —          —          17,051         —          17,051   

Foreign currency translation

     —           —           —          —          —           977        977   

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options

     158         2         330        —          —           —          332   

Restricted stock issued

     49         —           516        —          —           —          516   

Restricted stock forfeited for taxes

     —           —           —          (3     —           —          (3

Tax expense from exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock

     —           —           420        —          —           —          420   

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           1,586        —          —           —          1,586   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, January 31, 2013

     13,763         138         116,506        (4,860     56,348         8,181        176,313   

Net income

     —           —           —          —          4,768         —          4,768   

Foreign currency translation

     —           —           —          —          —           (10,069     (10,069

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options

     91         1         512        —          —           —          513   

Restricted stock issued

     53         —           —          —          —           —          —     

Restricted stock forfeited for taxes

     —           —           —          (15     —           —          (15

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock

     —           —           (5     —          —           —          (5

Purchase of common stock

     —           —           —          (2,200     —             (2,200

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           1,143        —          —           —          1,143   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, January 31, 2014

     13,907       $ 139       $ 118,156      $ (7,075   $ 61,116       $ (1,888   $ 170,448   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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MITCHAM INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 4,768      $ 17,051      $ 24,321   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     31,037        34,939        28,774   

Stock-based compensation

     1,143        1,586        1,331   

Provision for doubtful accounts, net of charge offs

     1,048        (636     1,709   

Provision for inventory obsolescence

     (60     163        173   

Gross profit from sale of lease pool equipment

     (4,556     (5,369     (4,923

Excess tax benefit (expense) from exercise of non-qualified stock options and restricted shares

     5        (420     (778

Deferred tax benefit

     (2,204     (4,450     (285

Changes in non-current income taxes payable

     32        (5,059     597   

Changes in:

      

Trade accounts and contracts receivable

     (9,142     13,331        (16,687

Inventories

     (2,836     718        (2,614

Income taxes payable and receivable

     3,215        (6,718     2,532   

Prepaid foreign income tax

     —          3,519        (440

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     100        (4,091     2,683   

Prepaids and other current assets, net

     (1,335     (307     (435
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     21,215        44,257        35,958   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchases of seismic equipment held for lease

     (43,509     (44,694     (62,142

Purchases of property and equipment

     (549     (965     (1,525

Sales of used lease pool equipment

     6,851        11,412        6,503   

Payment for earn-out provision

     —          (450     (148
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (37,207     (34,697     (57,312
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Net proceeds from (payments on) revolving line of credit

     18,000        (8,550     (9,100

Proceeds from equipment notes

     —          147        37   

Payments on borrowings

     (136     (1,532     (3,308

Net proceeds from (purchases of) short-term investment

     652        (689     (101

Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of options

     498        329        2,809   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (2,200     —          —     

Net proceeds from public offering of common stock

     —          —          31,028   

Excess tax benefit from exercise of non-qualified stock options

     (5     420        778   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     16,809        (9,875     22,143   

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     (805     178        (149
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     12        (137     640   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     15,150        15,287        14,647   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 15,162      $ 15,150      $ 15,287   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization—Mitcham Industries, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), was incorporated in 1987. The Company, through its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, Mitcham Canada, ULC (“MCL”), its wholly owned Russian subsidiary, Mitcham Seismic Eurasia LLC (“MSE”), its wholly owned Hungarian subsidiary, Mitcham Europe Ltd. (“MEL”), its wholly owned Singaporean subsidiary Mitcham Marine Leasing Pte. Ltd. (“MML”), and its branch operations in Colombia and Peru, provides full-service equipment leasing, sales and service to the seismic industry worldwide. The Company, through its wholly owned Australian subsidiary, Seismic Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. (“SAP”), provides seismic, oceanographic and hydrographic leasing and sales worldwide, primarily in Southeast Asia and Australia. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Seamap International Holdings Pte, Ltd. (“Seamap”), designs, manufactures and sells a broad range of proprietary products for the seismic, hydrographic and offshore industries with product sales and support facilities based in Singapore and the United Kingdom. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition of Leasing Arrangements—The Company leases various types of seismic equipment to seismic data acquisition companies. All leases at January 31, 2014 and 2013 are for one year or less. Lease revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the lease. The Company does not enter into leases with embedded maintenance obligations. The standard lease provides that the lessee is responsible for maintenance and repairs to the equipment, excluding normal wear and tear. The Company provides technical advice to its customers without additional compensation as part of its customer service practices. Repairs or maintenance performed by the Company is charged to the lessee, generally on a time and materials basis.

Revenue Recognition of Equipment Sales—Revenues and cost of goods sold from the sale of equipment is recognized upon acceptance of terms and when delivery has occurred, unless there is a question as to its collectability. In cases where the equipment sold is manufactured by others, the Company reports revenues at gross amounts billed to customers because the Company (a) is the obligor in the sales arrangement; (b) has full latitude in pricing the product for sale; (c) has general inventory risk should there be a problem with the equipment being sold to the customer or if the customer does not complete payment for the items purchased; (d) has discretion in supplier selection if the equipment ordered is not unique to one manufacturer; and (e) assumes credit risk for the equipment sold to its customers.

Revenue Recognition of Long-term Projects—From time to time, SAP enters into contracts whereby it assembles and sells certain marine equipment, primarily to governmental entities. Performance under these contracts generally occurs over a period of several months. Revenue and costs related to these contracts are accounted for under the percentage of completion method, based on estimated physical completion.

Revenue Recognition of Service Agreements—Seamap provides on-going support services pursuant to contracts that generally have a term of 12 months. The Company recognizes revenue from these contracts over the term of the contract. In some cases, the Company will provide support services on a time and material basis. Revenue from these arrangements is recognized as the services are provided. For certain new systems that Seamap sells, the Company provides support services for up to 12 months at no additional charge. Any amounts attributable to these support obligations are immaterial.

Contracts receivable—In connection with the sale of seismic equipment, the Company will, from time to time, accept a contract receivable as partial consideration. These contracts bear interest at a market rate and generally have terms of less than two years and are collateralized by a security interest in the equipment sold. Interest income on contracts receivable is recognized as earned, unless there is a question as to collectability in which case it is recognized when received.

 

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Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts—Trade receivables are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms. The carrying amount of trade receivables and contracts receivable is reduced by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s estimate of the amounts that will not be collected, based on the age of the receivable, payment history of the customer, general financial condition of the customer and any financial or operational leverage the Company may have in a particular situation. Amounts are written-off when collection is deemed unlikely. Past due amounts are determined based on contractual terms.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Short-term Investments—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity greater than three months, but less than twelve months, to be short-term investments.

Inventories—Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost (which approximates first-in, first-out) or market. An allowance for obsolescence is maintained to reduce the carrying value of any materials or parts that may become obsolete. Inventories are periodically monitored to ensure that the allowance for obsolescence covers any obsolete items.

Seismic Equipment Lease Pool—Seismic equipment held for lease consists primarily of recording channels and peripheral equipment and is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the equipment, which are five to seven years for channel boxes and two to ten years for other peripheral equipment. As this equipment is subject to technological obsolescence and wear and tear, no salvage value is assigned to it. The Company continues to lease seismic equipment after it has been fully depreciated if it remains in acceptable condition and meets acceptable technical standards. This fully depreciated equipment remains in fixed assets on the Company’s books. The Company removes from its books the cost and accumulated depreciation of fully depreciated assets that are not expected to generate future revenues.

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over their related estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives of equipment range from three to seven years. Buildings are depreciated over 30 years and property improvements are amortized over 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the realized estimated useful life or the life of the respective leases. No salvage value is assigned to property and equipment.

Intangible Assets—Intangible assets are carried at cost, net of accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated life of the asset. Covenants-not-to-compete are amortized over a three-year period. Proprietary rights are amortized over a 12.5 to 15-year period.

Impairment—The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including its amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, the carrying value of such assets is compared to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If such cash flows are not sufficient to support the asset’s recorded value, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value. The determination of future cash flows as well as the estimated fair value of long-lived assets involves significant estimates on the part of management. The Company performs an impairment test on goodwill on an annual basis. No impairment charges related to long-lived assets or goodwill were recorded during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

Product Warranties—Seamap provides its customers warranties against defects in materials and workmanship generally for a period of three months after delivery of the product. The Company maintains an accrual for potential warranty costs based on historical warranty claims. For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, warranty expense amounted to approximately $0, $61,000, and $3,000, respectively.

Income Taxes—The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method, whereby the Company recognizes, on a current and long-term basis, deferred tax assets and liabilities which represent differences between the financial and income tax reporting bases of its assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between income and expenses reported for financial reporting and tax reporting. The Company has assessed, using all available positive and negative evidence, the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income.

The weight given to the potential effect of negative and positive evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. The preponderance of negative or positive evidence supports a conclusion regarding the need for a valuation allowance for some portion of, or all of, the deferred tax asset. The more significant types of evidence considered include the following:

 

   

taxable income projections in future years;

 

   

whether the carry forward period is so brief that it would limit realization of tax benefits;

 

   

future sales and operating cost projections that will produce more than enough taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset based on existing sales prices and cost structures; and

 

   

earnings history exclusive of the loss that created the future deductible amount coupled with evidence indicating that the loss is an aberration rather than a continuing condition.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to the allowance for doubtful accounts, lease pool valuations, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, the evaluation of uncertain tax positions, estimated depreciable lives of fixed assets and intangible assets, impairment of fixed assets and intangible assets and the valuation of stock options. Future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty. Accordingly, these accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Substantial judgment is necessary in the determination of the appropriate levels for the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts because of the extended payment terms the Company often offers to its customers and the limited financial wherewithal of certain of these customers. As a result, the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts could change in the future, and such change could be material to the financial statements taken as a whole. The Company must also make substantial judgments regarding the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

Fair Value of Financial InstrumentsThe Company’s financial instruments consist of trade receivables, contracts receivable, accounts payable and amounts outstanding under our line of credit. Due to the short maturities of these financial instruments, the Company believes that their fair value approximates their carrying amounts.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

Foreign Currency Translation—All balance sheet accounts of the Canadian, Australian, Singaporean, Hungarian, United Kingdom and Russian subsidiaries and our branch operations in Colombia and Peru have been translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the accounting period. Statements of income items have been translated at average currency exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity.

Stock-Based Compensation—Stock-based compensation expense is recorded based on the grant date fair value of share-based awards. Restricted stock awards are valued at the closing price on the date of grant. Determining the grant date fair value for options requires management to make estimates regarding the variables used in the calculation of the grant date fair value. Those variables are the future volatility of our common stock price, the length of time an optionee will hold their options until exercising them (the “expected term”), and the number of options that will be forfeited before they are exercised (the “forfeiture rate”). We utilize various mathematical models in calculating the variables. Share-based compensation expense could be different if we used different models to calculate the variables.

Earnings Per Share—Net income per basic common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net income per diluted common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding common stock options having a dilutive effect using the treasury stock method, from unvested shares of restricted stock using the treasury stock method and from outstanding common stock warrants. For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the following table sets forth the number of dilutive shares that may be issued pursuant to options, restricted stock and warrants outstanding used in the per share calculations.

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (in thousands)  

Stock options

     389         505         618   

Restricted stock

     25         22         19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dilutive shares

     414         527         637   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Anti-dilutive weighted average shares of potential common stock of 501,000, 296,000 and , 339,000 for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, have been excluded from the effect of dilutive shares.

2. New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11,, Income Taxes (Topic 740)-Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carry forward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carry forward Exists, to provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward, with certain exceptions. ASU 2013-11 will be effective during the fiscal year ending January 31, 2015. The Company does not believe the adoption will have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

3. Acquisition

On March 1, 2010, MCL acquired all of the capital stock of Absolute Equipment Solutions, Inc. (“AES”) for a total purchase price of Cdn $4,194,000 (approximately U.S. $3,984,000). AES manufactured, sold and leased “heli-pickers” and associated equipment that is utilized in the deployment and retrieval of seismic equipment by helicopters. The Company made this acquisition to expand the type of equipment available to its customers and to expand the markets in which it operates. The consideration consisted of cash paid at closing in the amount of Cdn $2,200,000 (approximately U.S. $2,100,000), promissory notes in the amount of Cdn $1,500,000 (approximately U.S. $1,425,000), a post-closing working capital adjustment payment of Cdn $194,000 (approximately U.S. $184,000) and deferred cash payments in the amount of Cdn $300,000. The promissory notes bore interest at 6% annually, payable semi-annually. The principal amount of the notes was repayable in two equal installments on March 1, 2011 and 2012. The deferred cash payments were made in fiscal 2014. In addition, the sellers were entitled to additional cash payments of up to Cdn $750,000 should AES attain certain levels of revenues during the 24-month period following the acquisition, as specified in the agreement.

The Company hired an outside consulting firm, The BVA Group L.L.C. (“BVA”), to assess the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired in the AES acquisition. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined to be approximately Cdn $200,000. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $400,000 in other expense to reflect the amount of the estimated contingent consideration payments in excess of the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration described above. There were no amounts recognized related to other contingencies. The fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired exceeded the total value of consideration paid, resulting in a bargain purchase.

The Company paid the sellers approximately $148,000 in April 2011 pursuant to the first stage of the contingent consideration provision of the agreement and in May 2012 approximately $450,000 pursuant to the second and final stage of this provision.

4. Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information

Supplemental disclosures of cash flows information for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  

Interest paid

   $ 342       $ 533       $ 704   

Income taxes paid, net

     215         9,177         7,536   

Seismic equipment purchases included in accounts payable at year-end

     7,707         4,268         9,900   

Stock issued for accrued compensation

     —           516         303   

5. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     As of January 31,  
     2014     2013  

Raw materials

   $ 4,599      $ 3,103   

Finished goods

     4,159        3,531   

Work in progress

     612        627   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of inventories

     9,370        7,261   

Less allowance for obsolescence

     (1,032     (1,073
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net inventories

   $ 8,338      $ 6,188   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-13


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

6. Contracts and Notes Receivable

Contracts and notes receivable consisted of $1,005,000, due from three customers as of January 31, 2014 and $2,096,000 due from three customers as of January 31, 2013. The balance of contracts receivable at January 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of contracts bearing interest at an average of approximately 8.5% and with remaining repayment terms from two to eight months. These contracts are collateralized by the equipment sold and are considered collectable, thus no allowances have been established for them.

7. Seismic Equipment Lease Pool and Property and Equipment

Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     As of January 31,  
     2014     2013  

Recording channels

   $ 148,004      $ 126,600   

Other peripheral equipment

     113,640        114,795   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of seismic equipment lease pool

     261,644        241,395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Land and buildings

     366        366   

Furniture and fixtures

     8,904        8,899   

Autos and trucks

     770        748   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of property and equipment

     10,040        10,013   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment

     271,684        251,408   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (142,111     (131,800
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book value of seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment

   $ 129,573      $ 119,608   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     As of January 31,  
     2014      2013  

Location of seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment (in thousands):

     

United States

   $ 42,087       $ 40,908   

Canada

     35,931         22,639   

Latin America

     18,128         23,109   

Australia

     7,198         7,973   

Russia

     2,134         3,708   

Singapore

     6,451         9,433   

United Kingdom

     218         329   

Europe

     17,426         11,509   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net book value of seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment

   $ 129,573       $ 119,608   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-14


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

     Weighted
Average
Life at
1/31/14
     January 31, 2014      January 31, 2013  
      Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount
 
                   (in thousands)                   (in thousands)        

Goodwill

      $ 4,320            $ 4,320        
     

 

 

         

 

 

      

Proprietary rights

     6.4       $ 3,577       $ (1,900     1,677       $ 3,503       $ (1,625     1,878   

Customer relationships

     4.1         2,159         (1,057     1,102         2,402         (876     1,526   

Patents

     4.1         650         (318     332         724         (264     460   

Trade name

     4.1         177         (87     90         197         (72     125   
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortizable intangible assets

      $ 6,563       $ (3,362   $ 3,201       $ 6,826       $ (2,837   $ 3,989   
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Aggregate amortization expense was $660,000, $673,000 and $671,000 for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of January 31, 2014, future estimated amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets is estimated to be (in thousands):

 

For fiscal years ending January 31:

  

2015

   $ 639   

2016

     634   

2017

     634   

2018

     634   

2019

     634   

Thereafter

     26   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,201   
  

 

 

 

9. Long-Term Debt and Notes Payable

Long-term debt and notes payable consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     As of January 31,  
     2014     2013  

Revolving line of credit

   $ 22,000      $ 4,000   

Other equipment notes

     200        383   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     22,200        4,383   

Less current portion

     (75     (145
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

   $ 22,125      $ 4,238   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

On August 2, 2013, the Company entered into a $50.0 million, three-year revolving credit facility, as described below (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement replaced a predecessor revolving credit facility with First Victoria National Bank. The Credit Agreement is a three-year, secured revolving facility in the maximum principal amount of $50.0 million, among the Company, as borrower, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (“HSBC”), as administrative agent and several banks and other financial institutions from time to time as lenders thereunder (initially consisting of HSBC and First Victoria National Bank) as lenders.

Amounts available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement are determined by a borrowing base. The borrowing base is determined primarily based upon the appraised value of the Company’s domestic lease pool

 

F-15


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

equipment and certain accounts receivable. The Credit Agreement is collateralized by essentially all of the Company’s domestic assets (other than real estate) and 65% of the capital stock of Mitcham Holdings, Ltd., a foreign holding company that holds the capital stock of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

The Credit Agreement provides interest at a base rate, or for Eurodollar borrowings, in both cases plus an applicable margin. As of January 31, 2014, the base rate margin was 150 basis points and the Eurodollar margin was 250 basis points. The Company’s average borrowing rate was 2.67% as of January 31, 2014. The Company has agreed to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Credit Agreement of 0.375% to 0.5%. Up to $10.0 million of available borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be utilized to secure letters of credit. The Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants that require, among other things, that the Company maintain a leverage ratio, which is calculated at the end of each quarter, of no greater than 2.00 to 1.00 on a trailing four quarter basis and a fixed charge coverage ratio, which also is calculated at the end of each quarter, of no less than 1.25 to 1.00 on a trailing four quarter basis. In addition, should adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement, for any trailing four quarter period be less than $22.0 million, the ratio of capital expenditures to adjusted EBITDA for that four quarter period may not be greater than 1.0 to 1.0. The Company was in compliance with each of these provisions as of and for the year ended January 31, 2014.

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, conditions precedent to credit extensions, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The negative covenants include restrictions on liens, additional indebtedness, other than indebtedness to HSBC, in excess of $5.0 million, acquisitions, fundamental changes, dispositions of property, restricted payments, transactions with affiliates and lines of business. The events of default include a change in control provision.

The Company’s average borrowings under the Credit Agreement and the predecessor revolving credit facility for the year ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $4,982,000 and $13,046,000, respectively.

From time to time, certain subsidiaries have entered into notes payable to finance the purchase of certain equipment, which are pledged as security for the notes payable.

10. Shareholders’ Equity

In June 2011, the company issued 2,300,000 shares of common stock in a follow-on public offering. Net proceeds to the Company after underwriters’ discount and expenses were approximately $31,000,000.

In April 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock through December 31, 2014. During the year ended January 31, 2014, the Company repurchased 147,900 shares of its common stock at an average price of approximately $14.82 per share. These shares are reflected as treasury stock in the accompanying financial statements. The Company expects that it will continue to purchase its shares from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated purchase transactions as market and financial conditions warrant.

The Company has 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized, none of which were outstanding as of January 31, 2014 and 2013. The preferred stock may be issued in multiple series with various terms, as authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company has 20,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, of which 13,907,000 and 13,763,000 are issued as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

During the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 994, 290 and 1,000 shares, respectively, were surrendered in exchange for payment of taxes due upon the vesting of restricted shares. The shares had an average fair value of $14.99, $12.60 and $14.10, respectively.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

11. Income Taxes

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Income (loss) before income taxes is attributable to the following jurisdictions:

      

Domestic

   $ (4,323   $ (2,824   $ 14,875   

Foreign

     10,349        16,348        19,455   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,026      $ 13,524      $ 34,330   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The components of income tax expense (benefit) were as follows:

      

Current:

      

Domestic

   $ 802      $ (2,306   $ 4,090   

Foreign

     2,660        3,229        6,204   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     3,462        923        10,294   

Deferred:

      

Domestic

     (3,039     (4,757     1,042   

Foreign

     835        307        (1,327
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (2,204     (4,450     (285
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 1,258      $ (3,527   $ 10,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of expected to actual income tax expense:

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Federal income tax expense at 34% in 2014 and 2013 and 35% in 2012

   $ 2,049      $ 4,598      $ 12,016   

Changes in tax rates

     22        23        (7

Permanent differences

     132        (741     347   

Foreign effective tax rate differential

     (1,884     (3,092     (2,574

Potential tax, penalties and interest resulting from uncertain tax positions

     32        (5,059     529   

Undistributed earnings of foreign affiliates

     —          —          (435

Foreign withholding taxes

     642        —          268   

Other

     265        744        (135
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,258      $ (3,527   $ 10,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-17


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

The components of the Company’s deferred taxes consisted of the following:

 

     As of January 31,  
     2014     2013  
     (in thousands)  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Net operating losses

   $ 2,592      $ 1,246   

Tax credit carry forwards

     3,470        3,449   

Stock option book expense

     2,689        2,605   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     1,704        1,752   

Allowance for inventory obsolescence

     94        192   

Accruals not yet deductible for tax purposes

     620        692   

Other

     679        675   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets

     11,848        10,611   

Valuation allowance

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

     11,848        10,611   

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Fixed assets

     (2,172     (1,841

Intangible assets

     (435     (595

Foreign branch taxes

     (1,140     (1,626

Other

     —          (411
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

     (3,747     (4,473
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets, net

   $ 8,101      $ 6,138   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the cumulative book expense related to stock-based compensation awards exceeded the tax deduction related to these awards. Accordingly, the deferred tax asset related to these awards was reduced by the tax effect of approximately $5,000, which reduced paid-in capital. In the fiscal years ended January 31, 2013 and 2012, the tax deduction related to stock-based compensation awards exceeded the cumulative book expense related to these awards. The associated excess tax benefit amounting to approximately $420,000 and $778,000 was recognized as additional paid-in capital in the fiscal years ended January 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

At January 31, 2014, the Company had foreign withholding tax credit carry forwards of approximately $3,500,000 million, which amounts can be carried forward through at least 2024.

In July 2012, the Company reached a settlement with the Canadian Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding its request for competent authority assistance for matters arising from an audit of the Company’s Canadian income tax returns for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The issues involved related to intercompany repair charges, management fees and the deductibility of depreciation charges and whether those deductions should be taken in Canada or in the United States. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, adjustments have been, or will be, made to the Company’s Canadian and United States income tax returns for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2004 through January 31, 2012. These changes are estimated to result in a net reduction to consolidated income tax expense of approximately $141,000, which is reflected in the Company’s benefit from income taxes for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013.

As a result of the settlement, in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, the Company recognized the benefit of certain tax positions amounting to approximately $3,300,000 and reversed previous estimates of potential penalties and interest amounting to approximately $1,900,000.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

As of January 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits amounting to approximately $408,000 and $376,000, respectively, attributable to uncertain tax positions. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. The unrecognized tax benefits attributable to uncertain tax positions include accrued interest and penalties of approximately $154,000 and $376,000 as of January 31, 2014 and January 31, 2013, respectively. Included in income tax expense for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 is a benefit related to a reduction in estimated potential penalties and interest. Included in income tax expense for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2013 and 2012 are expenses of $93,000 and $578,000, respectively, related to potential penalties and interest.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding potential penalties and interest, is as follows:

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
         2014          2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Unrecognized tax benefits as beginning of year

   $ —         $ (3,300   $ (3,350

Increases (decreases) as a result of tax positions taken in prior years

     254         —          50   

Increases as a result of tax positions taken in current year

     —           —          —     

Settlements

     —           3,300        —     

Lapse of statute of limitations

     —           —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits as of end of year

   $ 254       $ —        $ (3,300
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns as well as separate returns for its foreign subsidiaries within their local jurisdictions. The Company’s U.S. federal tax returns are subject to examination by the IRS for fiscal years ended January 31, 2011 through 2014. The Company’s U.S. federal tax return for the year ended January 31, 2012 is currently under examination by the IRS. As of April 1, 2014, no adjustments have been proposed by the IRS. The Company’s tax returns may also be subject to examination by state and local revenue authorities for fiscal years ended January 31, 2009 through 2014.The Company’s Canadian income tax returns are subject to examination by the Canadian tax authorities for fiscal years ended January 31, 2010 through 2014. The Company’s tax returns in other foreign jurisdictions are generally subject to examination for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2009 through January 31, 2014.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Purchase Obligations—At January 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $2,074,000 in purchase orders outstanding. The purchase orders were issued in the normal course of business, and are expected to be fulfilled within 180 days of January 31, 2014.

Customs and Performance Guarantees—As of January 31, 2014, the Company had provided customs and performance guarantees totaling approximately $3.0 million. These were secured by letters of credit totaling approximately $2.2 million and bank guarantees.

13. Stock Option Plans

At January 31, 2014, the Company had stock-based compensation plans as described in more detail below. The total compensation expense related to stock-based awards granted under these plans during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $1,143,000, $1,586,000 and $1,331,000, respectively. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation costs net of a forfeiture rate for only those awards expected

 

F-19


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

to vest over the requisite service period of the award. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate based on its historical experience regarding employee terminations and forfeitures.

The fair value of each option award is estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock over a preceding period commensurate with the expected term of the option. The expected term is based upon historical exercise patterns. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected dividend yield was not considered in the option pricing formula since the Company does not pay dividends and has no plans to do so in the future. The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $14.63, $8.10 and $6.44, respectively. The assumptions for the periods indicated are noted in the following table.

Weighted average Black-Scholes-Merton fair value assumptions

 

     Years Ended January 31,
               2014              2013   2012

Risk free interest rate

   0.83%   0.58 - 0.78%   1.52 - 2.00%

Expected life

   5.62 yrs   3.28 - 6.60 yrs   2.85 - 4.89 yrs

Expected volatility

   60%   59 - 60%   54 - 55%

Expected dividend yield

   0.0%   0.0%   0.0%

Cash flows resulting from tax benefits attributable to tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) are classified as financing in-flows and operating out-flows. The Company had an excess tax benefit of approximately $5,000 during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. The Company had excess tax expenses of approximately $420,000 and $778,000 during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company has share-based awards outstanding under five different plans: the 1994 Stock Option Plan (“1994 Plan”), the 1998 Amended and Restated Stock Awards Plan (“1998 Plan”), the 2000 Stock Option Plan (“2000 Plan”), the Mitcham Industries, Inc. Stock Awards Plan (“2006 Plan”) and the 1994 Non-Employee Director Plan (“Director Plan”), (collectively, the “Plans”). Stock options granted and outstanding under each of the plans generally vest evenly over three years (except for the Director Plan, under which options generally vest after one year) and have a 10-year contractual term. The exercise price of a stock option generally is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the option grant date. All Plans except for the 2006 Plan have been closed for future grants. All shares available but not granted under the 1998 Plan and the 2000 Plan as of the date of the approval of the 2006 Plan were transferred to the 2006 Plan. As of January 31, 2014, there were approximately 871,000 shares were available for grant under the 2006 Plan. The 2006 Plan provides for awards of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and phantom stock. New shares are issued for restricted stock and upon the exercise of options.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

Stock Based Compensation Activity

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014:

 

     Number of
Shares (in
thousands)
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

(in years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

(in
thousands)
 

Outstanding, January 31, 2013

     1,427      $ 11.37         

Granted

     100        14.63         

Exercised

     (91     5.61         

Forfeited

     —          —           

Expired

     —          —           
  

 

 

         

Outstanding, January 31, 2014

     1,436      $ 12.04         4.74       $ 5,630   
  

 

 

         

Exercisable at January 31, 2014

     1,304      $ 11.65         4.27       $ 5,583   

Vested and expected to vest at January 31, 2014

     1,429      $ 12.03         4.72       $ 5,628   

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on January 31, 2014. This amount changes based upon the market value of the Company’s common stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1,053,000 and $2,529,000, respectively. The fair value of options that vested during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $601,000, $1,268,000 and $1,195,000, respectively. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, approximately 79,000 options vested.

As of January 31, 2014, there was approximately $542,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options granted under the Company’s share-based compensation plans. That expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years.

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, $498,000 was received from the exercise of options.

Restricted stock as of January 31, 2014 and changes during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year Ended January 31, 2014  
     Number of
Shares (in
thousands)
    Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 

Unvested, beginning of period

     36        17.59   

Granted

     53        15.10   

Vested

     (23     16.76   

Canceled

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

Unvested, end of period

     66        15.89   
  

 

 

   

As of January 31, 2014, there was approximately $573,000 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards. That expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.9 years.

 

F-21


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

14. Segment Reporting

The Equipment Leasing segment offers for lease or sale, new and “experienced” seismic equipment to the oil and gas industry, seismic contractors, environmental agencies, government agencies and universities. The Equipment Leasing segment is headquartered in Huntsville, Texas, with sales and services offices in Calgary, Canada; Brisbane, Australia; Ufa, Bashkortostan, Russia.

The Seamap segment is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of state-of-the-art seismic and offshore telemetry systems. Manufacturing, support and sales facilities are maintained in the UK and Singapore with a sales office in Huntsville, Texas.

Financial information by business segment is set forth below net of any allocations (in thousands):

 

    As of January 31, 2014     As of January 31, 2013     As of January 31, 2012  
    Equipment
Leasing
    Seamap     Consolidated     Equipment
Leasing
    Seamap     Consolidated     Equipment
Leasing
    Seamap     Consolidated  

Fixed assets, net

  $ 128,847      $ 726      $ 129,573      $ 118,801      $ 807      $ 119,608      $ 119,824      $ 553      $ 120,377   

Intangible assets, net

    1,529        1,672        3,201        2,111        1,878        3,989        2,511        2,185        4,696   

Goodwill

    —          4,320        4,320        —          4,320        4,320        —          4,320        4,320   

Total Assets

    183,911        21,814        205,419        171,971        18,578        190,407        175,930        22,630        198,229   
    Years Ended January 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
    Equipment
Leasing
    Seamap     Consolidated     Equipment
Leasing
    Seamap     Consolidated     Equipment
Leasing
    Seamap     Consolidated  

Revenues

  $ 67,022      $ 25,252      $ 92,108      $ 73,516      $ 32,210      $ 104,685      $ 84,428      $ 28,703      $ 112,834   

Interest income (expense), net

    (12     2        (10     11        —          11        (397     1        (396

Income before taxes

    1,087        4,720        6,026        2,865        10,835        13,524        24,081        10,195        34,330   

Capital expenditures

    43,663        395        44,058        45,181        478        45,659        63,198        469        63,667   

Depreciation and amortization expense

    30,353        684        31,037        34,320        619        34,939        28,215        559        28,774   

Approximately $166,000, $1,041,000 and $297,000 related to sales from Seamap to the Equipment Leasing segment is eliminated in the consolidated revenues for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Capital expenditures and fixed assets are reduced by approximately $32,000, $349,000 and $272,000 for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which represents the difference between the sales price and the cost to manufacture the equipment.

A reconciliation of income before taxes is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014      2013     2012  

Equipment Leasing

   $ 1,087       $ 2,865      $ 24,081   

Seamap

     4,720         10,835        10,195   

Reconciling items:

       

Elimination of (profit) loss from inter-company sales

     219         (176     54   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated income before taxes

   $ 6,026       $ 13,524      $ 34,330   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-22


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

15. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

    

Quarters Ended

 
     Fiscal Year      April 30      July 31     October 31     January 31  

Net revenues:

     2014       $ 27,291       $ 20,895      $ 20,275      $ 23,647   
     2013       $ 34,630       $ 23,080      $ 18,574      $ 28,401   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit:

     2014       $ 14,597       $ 4,300      $ 4,953      $ 8,165   
     2013       $ 16,887       $ 7,400      $ 4,353      $ 8,773   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes:

     2014       $ 7,919       $ (966   $ (3,106   $ 2,179   
     2013       $ 11,063       $ 1,274      $ (2,178   $ 3,365   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Incomes taxes (benefit):

     2014       $ 1,612       $ (273   $ (478   $ 397   
     2013       $ 2,607       $ (5,128   $ (956   $ (50
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss):

     2014       $ 6,307       $ (693   $ (2,628   $ 1,782   
     2013       $ 8,456       $ 6,402      $ (1,222   $ 3,415   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income per common share—basic:

     2014       $ 0.49       $ (0.05   $ (0.21   $ 0.14   
     2013       $ 0.67       $ 0.50      $ (0.10   $ 0.27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income per common share—diluted:

     2014       $ 0.48       $ (0.05   $ (0.21   $ 0.14   
     2013       $ 0.63       $ 0.48      $ (0.10   $ 0.26   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

16. Leases

The Company leases seismic equipment to customers under operating leases with non-cancelable terms of one year or less. These leases are generally renewable on a month-to-month basis. All taxes (other than income taxes) and assessments are the contractual responsibility of the lessee. To the extent that foreign taxes are not paid by the lessee, the relevant foreign taxing authorities might seek to collect such taxes from the Company. Under the terms of its lease agreements, any amounts paid by the Company to such foreign taxing authorities may be billed and collected from the lessee. If the Company is unable to collect the foreign taxes it paid on behalf of its lessees, the Company may have foreign tax credits in the amounts paid, which could be applied against its U.S. income tax liability subject to certain limitations. The Company is not aware of any foreign tax obligations as of January 31, 2014 and 2013 that are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company leases seismic equipment, as well as other equipment from others under operating leases. Lease expense incurred by the Company in connection with such leases amounted to approximately $621,000, $1,798,000 and $1,634,000 for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company leases its office and warehouse facilities in Canada, Australia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Hungary, Colombia and Russia under operating leases. Office rental expense for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $1,387,000, $1,528,000 and $1,199,000, respectively.

Aggregate minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

 

For fiscal years ending:

  

2015

   $ 1,513   

2016

     636   

2017

     414   

2018

     404   

2019

     186   

Thereafter

     —     

 

F-23


Table of Contents

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — continued

 

17. Concentrations

Credit Risk—As of January 31, 2014 and 2013, amounts due from customers that exceeded 10% of consolidated accounts receivable amounted to an aggregate of approximately $3,102,000 from one customer and $9,591,000 from three customers, respectively.

The Company maintains deposits and certificates of deposit with banks which may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured limit and money market accounts which are not FDIC insured. In addition, deposits aggregating approximately $14,074,000 at January 31, 2014 are held in foreign banks. Management believes the risk of loss in connection with these accounts is minimal.

Industry Concentration—The Company’s revenues are derived from seismic equipment leased and sold to companies providing seismic acquisition services. The seismic industry has historically been subject to cyclical activity and is dependent, in large part, on the expected future prices of oil and natural gas. Should the industry experience a decline in the price of oil and natural gas, the Company could be subject to significantly greater credit risk and declining demand for its products and services.

Supplier Concentration—The Company purchases the majority of its seismic equipment for its lease pool from a small number of suppliers, each being an industry leader for its product. The Company believes that two of its suppliers manufacture most of the land-based seismic systems and equipment in use. The Company has satisfactory relationships with its suppliers. However, should those relationships deteriorate, the Company may have difficulty in obtaining new technology requested by its customers and maintaining the existing equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications.

18. Sales and Major Customers

A summary of the Company’s revenues from customers by geographic region, outside the U.S., is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  

Canada

   $ 13,113       $ 13,744       $ 13,243   

UK/Europe

     23,456         27,174         21,403   

Latin America

     7,529         15,575         17,786   

Asia/South Pacific

     25,256         14,173         17,810   

Eurasia

     6,810         4,052         3,528   

Other

     4,258         6,599         12,906   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 80,422       $ 81,317       $ 86,676   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During each of the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, one customer exceeded 10% of total revenues.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting referred to in our report dated April 3, 2014 (included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included the financial statement schedule (Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts) of Mitcham Industries, Inc. listed in Part V, Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K. This schedule is the responsibility of Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits of the consolidated financial statements.

In our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

Hein & Associates LLP

Houston, Texas

April 3, 2014

 

F-25


Table of Contents

SCHEDULE II

MITCHAM INDUSTRIES, INC.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(in thousands)

 

Col. A

   Col. B      Col. C(1)     Col. C(2)     Col. D     Col. E  

Description

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
     Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
    Charged
to Other
Accounts
    Deductions
Describe
    Balance at End
of Period
 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

           

January 31, 2014

   $ 3,374         1,048        (139 )(a)      (450 )(b)    $ 3,833   

January 31, 2013

   $ 4,391         (361     20 (a)      (676 )(b)    $ 3,374   

January 31, 2012

   $ 2,666         1,768        1 (a)      (44 )(b)    $ 4,391   

Allowance for obsolete equipment and inventory

           

January 31, 2014

   $ 1,073         164        (15 )(a)      (190 )(c)    $ 1,032   

January 31, 2013

   $ 901         164        8 (a)      —    (c)    $ 1,073   

January 31, 2012

   $ 730         175        (4 )(a)      —    (c)    $ 901   

 

(a) Represents translation differences.
(b) Represents recoveries and uncollectible accounts written off.
(c) Represents sale or scrap of inventory and obsolete equipment.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

The exhibits marked with the cross symbol (†) are filed (or furnished in the case of Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2) with this Form 10-K. The exhibits marked with the asterisk symbol (*) are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Document Description

  

Report or Registration Statement

   SEC File or
Registration
Number
   Exhibit
Reference
3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Mitcham Industries, Inc.    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2001.    333-67208    3.1
3.2    Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mitcham Industries, Inc.    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on August 2, 2010.    000-25142    3.1(i)
4.6    Form of Senior Indenture (including Form of Senior Note)    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2011.    333-172935    4.1
4.7    Form of Subordinated Indenture (including form of Subordinated Note)    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2011.    333-172935    4.2
10.1*    Employment Agreement, dated January 15, 1997, between Mitcham Industries, Inc. and Billy F. Mitcham, Jr.    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-l, filed with the SEC on January 17, 1997.    333-19997    10.4
10.2*    Mitcham Industries, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Awards Plan    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on May 31, 2013.    000-25142    Appendix A
10.3*    Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Mitcham Industries, Inc. Stock Awards Plan    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2006, filed with the SEC on September 12, 2006.    000-25142    10.3
10.4*    Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the Mitcham Industries, Inc. Stock Awards Plan    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2006, filed with the SEC on September 12, 2006.    000-25142    10.4


Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

  

Document Description

  

Report or Registration Statement

   SEC File or
Registration
Number
   Exhibit
Reference
10.5*    Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the Mitcham Industries, Inc. Stock Awards Plan    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2006, filed with the SEC on September 12, 2006.    000-25142    10.5
10.6*   

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement

(Stock Awards Plan)

   Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 8, 2004.    000-25142    10.1
10.7*   

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement

(Stock Awards Plan)

   Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 8, 2004.    000-25142    10.2
10.8*   

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement

(Stock Awards Plan)

   Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 8, 2004.    000-25142    10.4
10.9*   

Form of Phantom Stock Award Agreement

(Stock Awards Plan)

   Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 8, 2004.    000-25142    10.5
10.10*   

Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement

(Stock Awards Plan)

   Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 8, 2004.    000-25142    10.6
10.11*   

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement

(2000 Stock Option Plan)

   Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 8, 2004.    000-25142    10.7
10.12*   

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement

(2000 Stock Option Plan)

   Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 8, 2004.    000-25142    10.8
10.13†*    Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation         
10.14    Equipment Purchase Agreement, dated November 6, 2012, between Sercel, S.A. and Mitcham Industries, Inc.    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on December 5, 2012.    000-25142    10.1


Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

  

Document Description

  

Report or Registration Statement

   SEC File or
Registration
Number
   Exhibit
Reference
10.15    Equipment Purchase Agreement, dated November 6, 2012, between Sercel, Inc. and Mitcham Industries, Inc.    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on December 5, 2012.    000-25142    10.2
10.16    Loan Agreement dated August 31, 2012 between Mitcham Industries, Inc. and First Victoria National Bank    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 4, 2012.    000-25142    10.1
10.17    Credit Agreement dated August 2, 2013 among Mitcham Industries, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and HSBC Bank USA, N.A.    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2013    000-25142    10.1
10.18    Security and Pledge Agreement dated August 2, 2013 among Mitcham Industries, Inc. the guarantors party thereto and HSBC Bank USA, N.A.    Incorporated by reference to Mitcham Industries, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2013    000-25142    10.2
10.19†    First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 23, 2013 among Mitcham Industries, Inc., HSBC Bank USA, N.A., and the lenders party thereto         
12.1†    Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges         
21.1†    Subsidiaries of Mitcham Industries, Inc.         
23.1†    Consent of Hein & Associates LLP         
31.1†    Certification of Billy F. Mitcham, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended         
31.2†    Certification of Robert P. Capps, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended         
32.1†    Certification of Billy F. Mitcham, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, under Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. § 1350         


Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

  

Document Description

  

Report or Registration Statement

   SEC File or
Registration
Number
   Exhibit
Reference
32.2†    Certification of Robert P. Capps, Chief Financial Officer, under Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. § 1350         
101.INS†    XBRL Instance Document         
101.SCH†    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document         
101.CAL†    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation of Linkbase Document         
101.DEF†    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document         
101.LAB†    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document         
101.PRE†    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document