10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

Form 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2015

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 001-07731

 

 

EMERSON RADIO CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   22-3285224

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

3 University Plaza, Suite 405, Hackensack, NJ   07601
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(973) 428-2000

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

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   NYSE MKT

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    x  NO.

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    x  NO.

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 requirement for the past 90 days.    x  YES    ¨  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).    x  YES    ¨  NO.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 232.405) 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.  x

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. (Check one):

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    ¨  YES    x  NO.

Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant at September 30, 2014 (computed by reference to the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE MKT on such date): $15,214,783.

Number of Common Shares outstanding at July 14, 2015: 27,129,832

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

 

Document

 

Part of the

Form 10-K

Proxy Statement for 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K   Part III

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

  3   

Item 1. BUSINESS

  3   

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

  8   

Item 2. PROPERTIES

  17   

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

  18   

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

  18   

PART II

  18   

Item  5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

  18   

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

  18   

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  18   

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

  25   

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

  25   

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

  45   

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

  46   

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

  46   

PART III

  46   

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

  46   

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

  46   

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

  47   

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

  47   

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

  47   

PART IV

  47   

Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

  47   

SIGNATURES

  51   

Exhibit 21.1

Exhibit 23.1

Exhibit 31.1

Exhibit 31.2

Exhibit 32

 

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PART I

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains, in addition to historical information, “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Business — Forward Looking Statements.”

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

The Company — Overview

Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “the Company” and “Emerson,” refers to Emerson Radio Corp. and its subsidiaries.

Emerson Radio Corp. was incorporated in Delaware in 1994. The Company designs, sources, imports and markets a variety of houseware and consumer electronic products, and licenses its trademarks to others on a worldwide basis for a variety of products.

For additional disclosures of the Company’s major customers, as well as financial information about geographical areas of our operations, see Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and Note 14 “Geographic Information”.

Controlling Shareholder

The Grande Holdings Limited (In Liquidation) (“Grande”) has, together with S&T International Distribution Limited (“S&T”), a subsidiary of Grande, and Grande N.A.K.S. Ltd., a subsidiary of Grande (together with Grande, the “Reporting Persons”), filed, on June 11, 2014, a Schedule 13D/A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) stating that, as of the filing date, the Reporting Persons had the shared power to vote and direct the disposition of 15,243,283 shares, or approximately 56.2%, of the outstanding common stock of Emerson. As the Reporting Persons, and by extension Grande (as their ultimate parent) have control of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Emerson, Emerson is a Controlled company, as defined in Section 801(a) of the NYSE MKT Rules.

On May 31, 2011, upon application of a major creditor, the High Court of Hong Kong appointed Fok Hei Yu (who is also known by the anglicized name Vincent Fok), formerly a director and Chairman of the Board of the Company, and Roderick John Sutton, both of FTI Consulting (Hong Kong) Limited (“FTI”), as Joint and Several Provisional Liquidators over Grande. Accordingly, as of May 31, 2011, the directors of Grande no longer have the ability to exercise control over Grande or the power to direct the voting and disposition of the 15,243,283 shares beneficially owned by Grande. Instead, Mr. Fok and Mr. Sutton, as Provisional Liquidators over Grande, currently have such power. In addition, on March 20, 2013, the Provisional Liquidators provided to Emerson a written statement that they are obligated to liquidate the 15,243,283 shares in the Company beneficially owned by Grande. However, in February 2014, the Provisional Liquidators for and on behalf of Grande issued a public announcement that Grande, among other things, had been in discussions with different investors to pursue a restructuring plan and the resumption of trading of Grande’s shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“HKSE”). In addition, in May 2014, the Provisional Liquidators for and on behalf of Grande issued a public announcement disclosing that on May 2, 2014, Grande, the Provisional Liquidators and a creditor of Grande entered into an agreement to implement the “Grande Restructuring Proposal” submitted by a creditor of Grande. Based on information contained within the public announcement issued for Grande in May 2014, if the Grande Restructuring Proposal is implemented, Mr. Christopher Ho, who served as the Company’s Chairman of the Board until November 2013 and is currently the sole director of Grande, and his associates would continue to have a majority interest in Grande and would regain the power to direct the voting and disposition of the 15,243,283 shares beneficially owned by Grande. As disclosed in the Schedule 13D/A filed by the Reporting Persons on May 22, 2014, the Grande Restructuring Proposal includes a plan to re-list Grande on the HKSE and provides that many assets of Grande, including its shares of Emerson, would remain part of Grande. According to the public announcement issued for Grande in May 2014, the Grande Restructuring Plan will require approvals, consents and sanctions of the HKSE, courts in Hong Kong and Bermuda, and the creditors and shareholders of Grande. In addition, on June 11, 2014, Grande announced that it had received a summons issued by a creditor of Grande seeking the removal of the Provisional Liquidators. On June 1, 2015 the Provisional Liquidators for and on behalf of Grande issued a public announcement disclosing that by letter dated May 29, 2015, the HKSE decided to allow Grande to proceed with Grande’s “Updated Resumption Proposal”, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions by December 21, 2015.

 

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It is not possible at this time to predict whether Grande can satisfy the conditions established by the HKSE for the resumption or relisting of Grande on HKSE, or whether the Grande Restructuring Proposal will receive all necessary approvals, nor can there be any assurances regarding the timing, terms or effects of implementing the Grande Restructuring Proposal or if the Provisional Liquidators will be removed. However, even though the Provisional Liquidators continue to maintain the ability to exercise the power to direct the voting and disposition of shares, as long as the Provisional Liquidators are pursuing this restructuring proposal that would result in Grande retaining beneficial ownership of the 15,243,283 shares of Emerson common stock, the Provisional Liquidators may not be actively seeking to liquidate those shares. If the Grande Restructuring Proposal is completed as described within the public announcement issued for Grande in May 2014, it is expected that the 15,243,283 shares of Emerson common stock held of record by Grande’s subsidiary, S&T, would remain with S&T and that Grande would once again have the power to direct the voting and disposition of this 56.2% controlling interest in Emerson common stock. It is not possible at this time to predict what impact the removal of the Provisional Liquidators would have on the Grande Restructuring Proposal or Emerson and Emerson cannot predict nor provide any assurances regarding the possible effects on the Company, its shareholders, the trading price of its common stock or any other consequences that could result if the Grande Restructuring Proposal is approved and Grande again has the power to control Emerson.

Supervision and Regulation

The Company files reports and other information with the SEC pursuant to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Readers may read and copy any document the Company files at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operations of the public reference room. The Company’s filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The Company makes available through its internet website free of charge its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, amendments to such reports and other filings made by the Company with the SEC, as soon as practicable after the Company electronically files such reports and filings with the SEC. The Company’s website address is www.emersonradio.com. The information contained in the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference in this report.

General

The Company, directly and through several subsidiaries, designs, sources, imports, markets, sells and licenses to certain licensees a variety of houseware and consumer electronic products, both domestically and internationally, under the Emerson® brand name.

The Company believes it possesses an advantage over its competitors due to the combination of:

 

    recognition of the Emerson® brand;

 

    the Company’s distribution base and established customer relations;

 

    the Company’s sourcing expertise and established vendor relations;

 

    an infrastructure with personnel experienced in servicing and providing logistical support to the domestic mass merchant distribution channel, or supervising third-party logistics providers in providing same; and

 

    the Company’s extensive experience in establishing license and distribution agreements on a global basis for a variety of products.

The Company intends to continue leveraging its core competencies to offer a variety of current and new houseware and consumer electronic products to customers. In addition, the Company intends to continue entering into licenses for the use of its trade names and trademarks by third parties, which the Company refers to as “outward licenses”. The Company continues to enter into distribution agreements that leverage its trademarks and utilize the logistical and sourcing advantages of unrelated third-parties for products that are more efficiently marketed through these agreements. The Company continuously evaluates potential licenses and distribution agreements. See “Licensing and Related Activities.”

The Company’s core business consists of selling, distributing, and licensing various low and moderately priced houseware and consumer electronic products in various categories. A substantial portion of the Company’s marketing and sales efforts are concentrated in the United States, although the Company also sells, or licenses for sale, its products in certain other international regions.

 

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Products

The Company’s current product and branded categories consist primarily of the following:

 

Houseware Products

  

Audio Products

  

Other

Microwave Ovens    Clock Radios    Televisions
Compact Refrigerators    Portable Audio Products    Mobile and Landline Telephones and Accessories
      Tablet Computers and Accessories
      Cameras and Video Cameras and Accessories
      Miscellaneous Electronic and Novelty Products

Sales and Distribution

The Company’s Direct Import Program allows its customers to import and receive product directly from export port in the country of manufacture outside the United States. Under the Direct Import Program, title for the Company’s product passes to the customer in the country of origin when the product is shipped by the Company’s subsidiary in China. The Company also sells product to customers from its United States warehoused inventory, which is referred to as the Domestic Program. Under the Domestic Program, title for product typically passes at the time of shipment. Under both programs, the Company recognizes revenues at the time title passes to the customer. See Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

The Company has an integrated system to coordinate the purchasing, sales and distribution aspects of its operations. The Company receives orders from its major customers via electronic data interface, facsimile, telephone or mail. The Company does not have long-term contracts with any of its customers, but rather receives orders on an ongoing basis. Products imported by the Company for the Domestic Program, generally from factories in Asia, are shipped by ocean and/or inland freight and then stored in the Company’s outsourced warehouse facilities for shipment to customers. The Company monitors its inventory levels and goods in transit through the use of an electronic inventory system. When a purchase order under the Domestic Program is received, it is filled from the Company’s inventory and the warehoused product is labeled and prepared for outbound shipment to the customer by common, contract or small package carrier.

Income Tax Issues Concerning Overseas Income

On April 15, 2013 and June 5, 2013, the Company received correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) pertaining to the Company’s fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, including a (i) Form 5701 and Form 886-A regarding Adjusted Sales Income (collectively referred to as “NOPA 1”) and (ii) Form 5701 and Form 886-A regarding Adjusted Subpart F-Foreign Base Company Sales Income (“FBCSI”) (collectively referred to as “NOPA 2”), which challenged certain tax positions of the Company with respect to the Company’s controlled foreign corporation in Macao (the “Macao CFC”).

Although the Company continues to dispute the assessments made by the IRS as set forth in each of NOPA 1 and NOPA 2, in June 2015, following a formal IRS Appeal, the Company and the IRS agreed to settle on the following terms: (1) that the IRS would not pursue the aforementioned NOPA 1 and NOPA 2 income assessments pertaining to fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 provided that the Company agreed to treat 30% of the Macao CFC’s income as taxable Subpart F income in the U.S. for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, and (2) that the IRS would impose no penalties for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 (collectively, the “Settlement Agreement”). Based on discussions between the Company, its advisors and the IRS, the Company believes that the IRS intends to apply the Settlement Agreement’s calculation reached for the Company’s fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 periods to the Company’s fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 periods.

Based on the foregoing, the Company estimates that it is subject to additional federal and state income taxes for fiscal 2010 though fiscal 2013 of approximately $3.0 million. Of this amount, approximately $1.6 million was recorded as income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, $0.5 million was recorded as income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and $0.9 million was recorded as income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

With respect to fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, there is some uncertainty as to what the ultimate tax treatment will be of a service fee regularly paid by the Company to the Macao CFC (the “Service Fee”). Therefore, an uncertain tax position under the requirements of ASC 740-10 “Income Tax Accounting” exists, and the Company has recorded an income tax expense and liability of approximately $0.5 million to its March 31, 2015 financial statements, $0.4 million of which was recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and $0.1 million of which was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, representing the maximum amount of income taxes, penalties and interest that the Company estimates it could owe for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 if the Service Fee is determined to be taxable to the Company as FBCSI under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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Domestic Marketing

In the United States, the Company markets its products primarily through mass merchandisers.

In fiscal 2015 and 2014, Target accounted for approximately 51% and 58% of the Company’s net revenues, respectively, and Wal-Mart accounted for approximately 28% and 22% of the Company’s net revenues, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of net revenues in either period. As a percent of the Company’s total trade accounts receivable, net of specific reserves, Wal-Mart and Target accounted for 30% and 50% as of March 31, 2015, respectively, and 58% and 36% as of March 31, 2014, respectively. Management believes that a loss, or a significant reduction, of sales to Target or Wal-Mart would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

Approximately 61% and 64% of the Company’s net revenues in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, were made through third-party sales representative organizations that receive sales commissions and work in conjunction with the Company’s own sales personnel. With the Company’s permission, third-party sales representative organizations may sell competitive products in addition to the Company’s products. In most instances, either party may terminate a sales representative relationship on 30 days prior notice by the Company and 90 days prior notice by the sales representative organization in accordance with customary industry practice. In fiscal 2015, the Company utilized 9 sales representative organizations, including one through which approximately 54% of its net revenues, including revenues from one of the Company’s two major customers described above. In fiscal 2014, the Company utilized 11 sales representative organizations, including one through which approximately 59% of its net revenues, including revenues from one of the Company’s two major customers described above. No other sales representative organization accounted for more than 10% of net revenues in either year. The remainder of the Company’s sales is to customers that are serviced by its sales personnel. Although sales and operating results could be negatively impacted, management does not believe that the loss of one or more sales representative organizations would have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations, as the Company believes that new sales representative organizations could be identified if needed, although that could be a time consuming process.

Foreign Marketing

The Company primarily markets and distributes its products in the United States. Accordingly, foreign sales account for less than 10% of total revenues and are not considered material.

Licensing and Related Activities

Throughout various parts of the world, the Company is party to numerous distribution and outward license agreements with third party licensees that allow the licensees to manufacture and/or sell various products bearing the Company’s trademarks into defined geographic areas. The Company believes that such activities have had and will continue to have a positive impact on operating results by generating income with minimal, if any, incremental costs and without any working capital requirements, and intends to pursue additional licensing and distribution opportunities. The Company continues to protect its brand through rigid license and product selection and control processes. See Item 1A — “Risk Factors — Business Related Risks — The failure by the Company to maintain its relationships with Funai and its other licensees and distributors, or the failure to obtain new licensees or distribution relationships could materially and adversely affect the Company’s revenues, earnings and business.”, Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 11 “License Agreements”.

Design and Manufacturing

The Company’s products are manufactured by original equipment manufacturers in accordance with the Company’s specifications. During fiscal 2015 and 2014, 100% of the Company’s purchases consisted of finished goods from foreign manufacturers located in People’s Republic of China, substantially all of which were imported into the United States.

The Company’s design team is responsible for product development and works closely with suppliers and determines the cosmetic and other features for new products. Accordingly, the exterior designs and operating features of the products reflect the Company’s judgment, or that of its customers, of current styles and consumer preferences.

The following summarizes the Company’s purchases from its major suppliers that provided more than 10% of the Company’s total purchases in fiscal 2015 and 2014:

 

     Fiscal Year  

Supplier

   2015     2014  

Midea

     66     64

Hisense

     24     12

Wanbao

           11

 

* Less than 10%

 

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The Company considers its relationships with its suppliers to be satisfactory and believes that, barring any unusual material or part shortages or economic, fiscal or monetary conditions, the Company could develop alternative suppliers. No assurance can be given that ample supply of product would be available at current prices and on current credit terms if the Company were required to seek alternative sources of supply without adequate notice by a supplier or a reasonable opportunity to seek alternate production facilities and component parts (see Item 1A “Risk Factors — Business Related Risks — “Uncertain Impact of Appointment of Provisional Liquidators for Grande, Emerson’s Controlling Shareholder” and Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”).

Warranties

The Company offers limited warranties for its consumer electronics, comparable to those offered to consumers by the Company’s competitors in the United States. Such warranties typically consist of a one year period for microwaves and compact refrigerators and a 90 day period for audio products, under which the Company pays for labor and parts, or offers a new or similar unit in exchange for a non-performing unit.

Returned Products

The Company’s customers return product for a variety of reasons, including:

 

    retailer return policies with their customers;

 

    damage to goods in transit and cosmetic imperfections; and

 

    mechanical failures.

Backlog

The Company does not believe that backlog is a significant factor. The ability of management to correctly anticipate and provide for inventory requirements is essential to the successful operation of the Company’s business.

Trademarks

The Company owns the following principal trademarks for certain consumer electronic products in the United States, Canada, Mexico and various other countries:

 

    Emerson®

 

    Emerson Research®

 

    H.H. Scott®

 

    iDEA®

 

    IDIVA®

 

    Ölevia®

 

    Scott®

 

    SmartSet®

The Company’s trademark registrations must be renewed at various times. The Company intends to renew all trademarks necessary for the conduct of its business. The Company considers the Emerson® trademark to be of material importance to its business and, to a lesser degree, the remaining trademarks. The Company licenses the Emerson® and certain of its other trademarks to third parties, the scope of which is on a limited product and geographic basis and for a period of time. See “Licensing and Related Activities.”

Competition

The Company primarily competes in the low-to-medium-priced sector of the housewares and consumer electronics market. Management estimates that the Company has several dozen competitors that are manufacturers and/or distributors, many of which are much larger and have greater financial resources than the Company. The Company competes primarily on the basis of:

 

    brand recognition;

 

    reliability;

 

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    quality;

 

    price;

 

    design;

 

    consumer acceptance of the Company’s products; and

 

    the quality of service and support provided to retailers and their customers.

The Company also competes at the retail level for shelf space and promotional displays, all of which have an impact on its success in established and proposed distribution channels.

Working Capital

The Company anticipates that its cash on hand and cash flows generated from operations will provide sufficient liquidity to meet the Company’s operating requirements in the year ahead (see Item 1A “Risk Factors — Business Related Risks — “Uncertain Impact of Appointment of Provisional Liquidators for Grande, Emerson’s Controlling Shareholder”).

Government Regulation

Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, the Trade Act of 1974 and regulations promulgated there under, the United States government charges tariff duties, excess charges, assessments and penalties on many imports. These regulations are subject to continuous change and revision by government agencies and by action of the United States Trade Representative and may have the effect of increasing the cost of goods purchased by the Company or limiting quantities of goods available to the Company from our overseas suppliers. A number of states have adopted statutes regulating the manner of determining the amount of payments to independent service centers performing warranty service on products such as those sold by the Company. Additional Federal legislation and regulations regarding the importation of consumer electronics products, including the products marketed by the Company, have been proposed from time to time and, if enacted into law, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Product Liability and Insurance

Because of the nature of the products it sells, the Company is periodically subject to product liability claims resulting from personal injuries. The Company may also become involved in various lawsuits incidental to its business.

Although the Company maintains product liability insurance coverage, there can be no absolute assurance that the Company’s coverage limits will be sufficient to cover any successful product liability claims made against it in the future. In management’s opinion, any ultimate liability arising out of currently pending product liability claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. However, any claims substantially in excess of the Company’s insurance coverage, or any substantial claim not covered by insurance, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Employees

As of June 23, 2015, the Company had approximately 41 employees, comprised of 22 in the United States and 19 in China. None of the Company’s employees are represented by unions, and the Company believes its labor relations are good.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The reader should carefully consider these risk factors in addition to those set forth in the Company’s financial statements or the notes thereto. Additional risks about which the Company is not yet aware or that the Company currently believes to be immaterial also may adversely affect the Company’s business operations. If any of the following occur, the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results may be adversely affected. In that case, the price of the Company’s common stock may decline.

 

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Business Related Risks

Uncertain Impact of Appointment of Provisional Liquidators for Grande, Emerson’s Controlling Shareholder.

The consequences for the Company, if any, of the appointment of Provisional Liquidators over Grande and the subsequent filing by Grande with the United States Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan in June 2011 of a Chapter 15 petition under the United States Bankruptcy Code are uncertain at this time, although it is possible, as noted below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, that actions taken by the Provisional Liquidators over Grande could affect in an adverse way a number of significant aspects of the Company’s business. Subsequent to the appointment, certain major factory suppliers, including Midea, significantly reduced the maximum amount of open credit lines available to the Company and requested that the Company make accelerated payments to them to reduce the balances owing from the Company on its open trade payable accounts with the respective factory suppliers to comply with such new credit terms. The Company relies on its cash on hand and cash generated by ongoing operations to manage its business.

The Provisional Liquidators informed Emerson, on June 1, 2011, that they do not have any intention of interrupting the business of Emerson, that Emerson will continue to be operated as usual without interruption, and that they did not have any intent at that point of disposing of the shares of Emerson stock held by Grande. Subsequently, on March 20, 2013, the Provisional Liquidators informed Emerson that they are obligated to liquidate the 15,243,283 shares beneficially owned by Grande. However, in February 2014, the Provisional Liquidators for and on behalf of Grande issued a public announcement that Grande, among other things, had been in discussions with different investors to pursue a restructuring plan and the resumption of trading of Grande’s shares on the HKSE. In addition, in May 2014, the Provisional Liquidators for and on behalf of Grande issued a public announcement disclosing that on May 2, 2014, Grande, the Provisional Liquidators and a creditor of Grande entered into an agreement to implement the “Grande Restructuring Proposal” submitted by a creditor of Grande. Based on information contained within the public announcement issued for Grande in May 2014, if the Grande Restructuring Proposal is implemented, Mr. Christopher Ho, who served as the Company’s Chairman of the Board until November 2013 and is currently the sole director of Grande, and his associates would continue to have a majority interest in Grande and would regain the power to direct the voting and disposition of the 15,243,283 shares beneficially owned by Grande. As disclosed in the Schedule 13D/A filed by the Reporting Persons on May 22, 2014, the Grande Restructuring Proposal includes a plan to re-list Grande on the HKSE and provides that many assets of Grande, including its shares of Emerson, would remain part of Grande. According to the public announcement issued for Grande in May 2014, the Grande Restructuring Plan will require approvals, consents and sanctions of the HKSE, courts in Hong Kong and Bermuda, and the creditors and shareholders of Grande. In addition, on June 11, 2014, Grande announced that it had received a summons issued by a creditor of Grande seeking the removal of the Provisional Liquidators. On June 1, 2015 the Provisional Liquidators for and on behalf of Grande issued a public announcement disclosing that by letter dated May 29, 2015, the HKSE decided to allow Grande to proceed with Grande’s “Updated Resumption Proposal”, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions by December 21, 2015.

It is not possible at this time to predict whether Grande can satisfy the conditions established by the HKSE for the resumption or relisting of Grande on HKSE, or whether the Grande Restructuring Proposal will receive all necessary approvals, nor can there be any assurances regarding the timing, terms or effects of implementing the Grande Restructuring Proposal or if the Provisional Liquidators will be removed. However, even though the Provisional Liquidators continue to maintain the ability to exercise the power to direct the voting and disposition of shares, as long as the Provisional Liquidators are pursuing this restructuring proposal that would result in Grande retaining beneficial ownership of the 15,243,283 shares of Emerson common stock, the Provisional Liquidators may not be actively seeking to liquidate those shares. If the Grande Restructuring Proposal is completed as described within the public announcement issued for Grande in May 2014, it is expected that the 15,243,283 shares of Emerson common stock held of record by Grande’s subsidiary, S&T, would remain with S&T and that Grande would once again have the power to direct the voting and disposition of this 56.2% controlling interest in Emerson common stock. It is not possible at this time to predict what impact the removal of the Provisional Liquidators would have on the Grande Restructuring Proposal or Emerson and Emerson cannot predict nor provide any assurances regarding the possible effects on the Company, its shareholders, the trading price of its common stock or any other consequences that could result if the Grande Restructuring Proposal is approved and Grande again has the power to control Emerson.

 

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The controlling ownership of the Company’s common stock by an indirect subsidiary of Grande substantially reduces the influence of other stockholders, and the interests of Grande may conflict with the interests of the Company’s other stockholders.

Grande, through one of its indirect subsidiaries, is the beneficial owner of a significant amount of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of June 23, 2015 (see Item 1 “Business — Controlling Shareholder” for disclosures regarding the approximate shareholding position of Grande in the Company). However, as described in this report, the directors of Grande no longer have the ability to exercise control over Grande or the power to direct the voting and disposition of the Company’s shares beneficially owned by Grande. Instead, the Provisional Liquidators currently have such power. As a result, Grande, through the Provisional Liquidators, currently controls significantly the approval process for actions that require stockholder approval, including: the election of the Company’s directors and the approval of mergers, sales of assets or other significant corporate transactions or matters submitted for stockholder approval. Because of Grande’s ownership position, other stockholders have little or no influence over matters submitted for stockholder approval. In addition, several provisions of the Company’s organizational documents and Delaware law may deter or prevent a takeover attempt, including a takeover attempt in which the potential purchaser offers to pay a per share price greater than the current market price of its common stock. Under the terms of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, its board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. The ability to issue shares of preferred stock could tend to discourage takeover or acquisition proposals not supported by its current board of directors.

Certain of the Company’s directors also may have conflicts of interests as a result of positions held with Grande or FTI Consulting (Hong Kong) Limited and have loyalties and fiduciary obligations to both Grande or FTI Consulting (Hong Kong) Limited and the Company.

Duncan Hon, the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, also is an officer of certain subsidiaries of Grande. In addition, John Batchelor, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, is a Senior Managing Director with FTI Consulting (Hong Kong) Limited (“FTI”) as are the two Joint and Several Provisional Liquidators for Grande. As a result Messrs. Hon and Batchelor may have conflicts of interest when acting on behalf of the Company or on behalf of Grande, or FTI, as applicable. In addition, as described in Note 3 to the Company’s financial statements and in the Company’s previous filings with the SEC, there have been certain related party transactions between the Company and certain subsidiaries and affiliates of Grande. The Company has established adequate procedures designed to ensure that related party transactions are fair to the Company.

The loss or significant reduction in business with either of the Company’s key customers, Target and Wal-Mart, would materially and adversely affect the Company’s revenues and earnings.

The Company is highly dependent upon sales of its products to Target and Wal-Mart. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, Target accounted for approximately 51% and 58%, respectively, of the Company’s net revenues, and Wal-Mart accounted for approximately 28% and 22% of the Company’s net revenues, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net revenues during these periods. All customer purchases are made through purchase orders and the Company does not have any long-term contracts with its customers. The complete loss of, or significant reduction in business from, or a material adverse change in the financial condition of, Target or Wal-Mart would cause a material and adverse change in the Company’s revenues and operating results.

For example, the Company believes that its key customers will discontinue several of the Company’s product offerings during fiscal 2016, the sales of which accounted for approximately 15% of the Company’s fiscal 2015 consolidated gross product sales. The loss of these sales would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations unless these sales could be replaced either by sales of these or similar products to new customers or by sales of new products to these key customers. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to increase sales at levels sufficient to offset the adverse impact of the loss of these product offerings, if at all.

 

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The Company is dependent on a limited number of products for its sales.

We derive a substantial portion of our product revenues from a limited number of products, and we expect these products to continue to account for a large percentage of our product revenues in the near term. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s gross product sales were comprised of five product types within two categories — housewares products and audio products, and two of these product types, namely microwave ovens and compact refrigerators — both within the housewares category — generated approximately 95% of the Company’s gross product sales, with microwave ovens generating approximately 67% of the total and compact refrigerators generating approximately 28% of the total. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2014, the Company’s gross product sales were comprised of the same five product types within the same two categories — housewares products and audio products, and two of these product types, namely microwave ovens and compact refrigerators — both within the housewares category — generated approximately 93% of the Company’s gross product sales, with microwave ovens generating approximately 62% of the total and compact refrigerators generating approximately 31% of the total. Because the market for these product types and categories is characterized by periodic new product introductions, the Company’s future financial performance will depend, in part, on the successful and timely development and customer acceptance of new and enhanced versions of these product types and other products distributed by the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be successful in marketing these products types within these categories or any other new or enhanced products. As a result of this dependence, a significant decline in pricing of, or market acceptance of these product types and categories, either in general or specifically as marketed by the Company, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operation.

The loss or reduction of business of one or a combination of our microwave oven and compact refrigerator products could materially adversely affect our revenues, financial condition and results of operations.

For example, the Company believes that its key customers will discontinue several of the Company’s product offerings during fiscal 2016, the sales of which accounted for approximately 15%of the Company’s fiscal 2015 consolidated gross product sales. The loss of these sales would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations unless these sales could be replaced either by sales of these or similar products to new customers or by sales of new products to these key customers. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to increase sales at levels sufficient to offset the adverse impact of the loss of these product offerings, if at all.

The Company may be liable for additional tax payments to the IRS in connection with the extraordinary dividend paid by the Company to recipients on March 24, 2010 which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

On March 2, 2010, the Board declared an extraordinary dividend of $1.10 per common share which was paid on March 24, 2010. In connection with the Company’s determination as to the taxability of the dividend, the Board relied upon information and research provided to it by the Company’s tax advisors and, in reliance on the “stock-for-debt” exception in the Internal Revenue Code Sections 108(e)(8) and (e)(10), concluded that 4.9% of such dividend paid was taxable to the recipients.

In August 2012, the Company received a Form 886-A from the IRS which challenges the Company’s conclusions and determines that the Company does not qualify for the above-referenced exception. Accordingly, the IRS has concluded that 100% of the dividend paid was taxable to the recipients. The Company is defending its position and calculations and is contesting the position asserted by the IRS. The Company prepared and, on October 25, 2012, delivered its rebuttal to the IRS contesting the IRS determination. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in defending its position.

In the event that the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct, then the shareholders who received the dividend likely will be subject to and liable for an assessment of additional taxes due. Moreover, the Company may be contingently liable for taxes due by certain of its shareholders resulting from the dividend paid by the Company.

Initially, the Company withheld from the dividend paid to foreign shareholders an amount equal to the tax liability associated with such dividend. On April 7, 2010, upon a request made to the Company by its foreign controlling shareholder, S&T, the Company entered into an agreement with S&T (the “Agreement”), whereby the Company returned to S&T on April 7, 2010 that portion of the funds withheld for taxes from the dividend paid on March 24, 2010 to S&T, which the Company believed was not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits at that time. The Agreement includes provisions pursuant to which S&T agreed to indemnify the Company for any liability imposed on it as a result of the Company’s agreement not to withhold such funds for S&T’s possible tax liability and a pledge of stock as collateral. The Company continues to assert that such dividend is largely not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits. In addition, the Company also continues to assert that this transaction results in an off-balance sheet arrangement and a possible contingent tax liability of the Company, which, if recognized, would be offset by the calling by the Company on S&T of the indemnification provisions of the Agreement.

 

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In February 2011, upon the request of S&T to the Company, the Company and S&T agreed that the collateral pledged as a part of the Agreement would no longer be required and such collateral was returned by the Company to S&T in March 2011 and the Agreement was amended and restated to remove the collateral requirement but retain the indemnification provisions. The Agreement, as amended (the “Amended Agreement”), remains in effect as of today.

In September 2014, the Company, with S&T’s consent, withheld $0.5 million in cash, to be pledged as collateral against the Amended Agreement, from the dividend paid to S&T on September 30, 2014 along with such dividend paid on that date to all common stockholders. The Company holds, as of March 31, 2015, $0.5 million in cash collateral from S&T against the Amended Agreement. In the event that (i) the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct and (ii) S&T is unable or unwilling to pay the additional taxes due or indemnify the Company under the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company may be liable to pay such additional taxes, which, together with penalties and interest, are currently estimated by the Company to be approximately $4.8 million as of March 31, 2015, $0.5 million of which is collateralized in cash held by the Company as of March 31, 2015 as described above and which is classified by the Company as restricted cash on its balance sheet. Any such liability, should it be required to be recognized by the Company, would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in the period recognized. S&T is a subsidiary of Grande, which is currently in liquidation (as described above under “Controlling Shareholder”). Therefore, the ability of the Company to enforce its rights to indemnification under the Amended Agreement and to collect from S&T any additional taxes, interest and penalties due may be severely impaired.

The failure by the Company to maintain its relationships with Funai and its other licensees and distributors or the failure to obtain new licensees or distribution relationships could materially and adversely affect the Company’s revenues, earnings and business.

The Company maintains agreements that allow licensees to use the Company’s trademarks for the manufacture and sale of specific consumer electronics and other products. In addition, the Company maintains agreements for the distribution of products bearing its brands into defined geographic areas. Although the Company has entered into agreements with certain of its licensees and distributors of its products, most have terms of three years or less, including the Company’s agreement with Funai, which accounts for approximately 86% of the Company’s total licensing revenue and which contributes substantial product volume and market presence through Funai’s manufacture and distribution of products utilizing the Emerson® brand name in the United States. Although the agreement with Funai has been amended and extended several times, including most recently in December 2013 to extend the term of the agreement until March 31, 2018, the Company cannot assure that the Funai license or any other such agreements will be renewed in the future or that the Company’s relationships with its licensees, including Funai, or distributors will be maintained on satisfactory terms or at all. The failure to maintain its relationships with Funai and other licensees and distributors on terms satisfactory to the Company, the failure to obtain new licensees or distribution relationships or the failure by the Company’s licensees to protect the integrity and reputation of the Company’s trademarks could materially and adversely affect the Company’s licensing revenues and earnings. In addition, since the Funai license provides a substantial contribution to and enhancement of the Emerson® brand name in the U.S. marketplace, the failure by the Company to maintain its relationship and licensing agreement with Funai on terms satisfactory to the Company could also materially and adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company depends on a limited number of suppliers for its products. If our relationships with such suppliers terminate or are otherwise impaired, we would likely experience increased costs, disruptions in the manufacture and shipment of our products and a material loss of net sales.

Although there are multiple potential suppliers for each of the Company’s products, the Company relies and is dependent on a limited number of suppliers for its main products, all of which are located outside of the United States.

The Company does not have any long-term or exclusive purchase commitments with any of its suppliers. Midea was the Company’s largest supplier and accounted for 66% of the Company’s purchases of products during fiscal 2015. The Company’s failure to maintain existing relationships with its suppliers or to establish new relationships on similar pricing and credit terms in the future could negatively affect the Company’s ability to obtain products in a timely manner. If the Company is unable to obtain an ample supply of product from its existing suppliers or secure alternative sources of supply, it may be unable to satisfy its customers’ orders, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s revenues and relationships with its customers. Finding replacement suppliers could be a time consuming process during which the Company’s revenues and liquidity could be negatively impacted (see Item 1A “Risk Factors — Business Related Risks — “Uncertain Impact of Appointment of Provisional Liquidators for Grande, Emerson’s Controlling Shareholder”).

Increases in costs of products may materially reduce the Company’s profitability.

Factors that are largely beyond the Company’s control, such as the cost, quality and availability of the raw materials and components needed by suppliers of the Company’s products, may affect the cost of such products, and the Company may not be able to pass those costs on to its customers. As an example, when the prices of petroleum increase significantly, the Company’s profitability may be negatively impacted.

 

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If the Company is unable to deliver products in the required amounts and in a timely fashion, the Company could experience delays or reductions in shipments to its customers, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s revenues and relationships with its customers.

The Company’s ability to provide high quality customer service, process and fulfill orders, and manage inventory depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation and timely and uninterrupted performance of its suppliers. The Company can provide no assurances that it will not experience operational difficulties with its suppliers, including reductions in the availability of production capacity, errors in complying with product specifications, insufficient quality control, failures to meet production deadlines, increases in manufacturing costs and increased lead times. If the Company is unable to obtain products from these factories in the required quantities and quality and in a timely fashion, the Company could experience delays or reductions in product shipments to its customers, which could negatively affect the Company’s ability to meet the requirements of its customers, as well as its relationships with its customers, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the Company’s revenues and operating results.

All the Company’s suppliers are based in China and as a result the Company is subject to risks associated with international operations and global manufacturing and sourcing including, among others:

 

    currency fluctuations;

 

    labor disputes, such as the 2014 Los Angeles/Long Beach port strike, and union actions;

 

    potential political, economic and social instability;

 

    inclement weather and natural disasters;

 

    possible acts of terrorism;

 

    restrictions on transfers of funds;

 

    changes in import and export duties and quotas;

 

    changes in domestic and international customs and tariffs;

 

    uncertainties involving the costs to transport products;

 

    disruptions in the global transportation network;

 

    unexpected changes in regulatory environments;

 

    regulatory issues involved in dealing with foreign suppliers and in exporting and importing products;

 

    protection of intellectual property;

 

    difficulty in complying with a variety of foreign laws;

 

    difficulty in obtaining distribution and support; and

 

    potentially adverse tax consequences.

Furthermore, any material disruption, slowdown or shutdown of the operation of the Company’s principal logistics providers and shippers, including without limitation as a result of labor disputes, inclement weather, natural disasters, possible acts of terrorism, availability of shipping containers and increased security restrictions, could cause delays in the Company’s ability to receive, process and fulfill customer orders and may cause orders to be canceled, lost or delivered late, goods to be returned or receipt of goods to be refused. As a result, the Company’s relationships with its customers, revenues and operating results could be materially and adversely affected.

We rely on a third-party logistics provider for the storage and distribution of our products in the United States and, if such third party logistics provider incurs any damage to the facilities where our products are stored or is unable to distribute our products as needed, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and business.

We rely on a third-party logistics provider for the storage and distribution of our products. The facilities where our products are stored by such provider may also be harmed or rendered inoperable by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, power outages, communications failure or terrorism. Any material damage to the facilities where our products are stored could adversely affect our inventory and the ability of such third-party logistics provider to meet the needs of our customers. In addition, an inability to maintain our contracts with such third-party logistics providers or a disruption or slowdown in the operations of such third-party logistics providers, including as a result of damage to the facilities of such providers or a strike by such providers, could cause delays in our ability to fulfill customer orders and may cause orders to be canceled, lost or delivered late, our products to be returned or receipt of products to be refused, any of which could adversely affect our business and our results of operations. Our contract with our third-party logistics provider is terminable upon written notice by either party for convenience without cause. If we are unable to maintain our contract with our third-party logistics provider, we would be required to retain a new third party logistics provider and we may be unable to retain such third party at a cost that is acceptable to us. If our shipping costs were to increase as a result of an increase by such third-party logistics providers or as a result of obtaining a new third-party logistics provider and if we are unable to pass on these higher costs to our customers, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and business.

 

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The Company’s business could be materially and adversely affected if it cannot protect its intellectual property rights or if it infringes on the intellectual property rights of others.

The Company’s ability to compete effectively depends on its ability to maintain and protect its proprietary rights. The Company owns the Emerson® and other trademarks, which are materially important to its business, as well as other trademarks, patents, licenses and proprietary rights that are used for certain of the products that it markets and sells. The Company’s trademarks are registered throughout the world, including the United States and other countries. The Company also has two patents in the United States on its SmartSet® technology, both of which expire in September 2018. The laws of some foreign countries in which the Company operates may not protect the Company’s proprietary rights to the same extent as do laws in the United States. The protections afforded by the laws of such countries may not be adequate to protect the Company’s intellectual property rights.

Third parties may seek to challenge, invalidate, circumvent or render unenforceable any trademarks, patents or proprietary rights owned by or licensed to the Company. In addition, in the event third party licensees fail to protect the integrity of the Company’s trademarks, the value of these marks could be materially and adversely affected. The Company’s inability to protect its proprietary rights could materially and adversely affect the license of its trade names, trademarks and patents to third parties as well as its ability to sell its products. Litigation may be necessary to enforce the Company’s intellectual property rights, protect the Company’s trade secrets; and determine the scope and validity of such intellectual property rights. Any such litigation, whether or not successful, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management’s attention from the operation of the Company’s business.

The Company may receive notices of claims of infringement of other parties’ proprietary rights. Such actions could result in litigation and the Company could incur significant costs and diversion of resources in defending such claims. The party making such claims could secure a judgment awarding substantial damages, as well as injunctive or other equitable relief. Such relief could effectively block the Company’s ability to make, use, sell, distribute or market its products and services in such jurisdiction. The Company may also be required to seek licenses to such intellectual property. The Company cannot predict, however, whether such licenses would be available or, if available, that such licenses could be obtained on terms that are commercially reasonable and acceptable to the Company. The failure to obtain the necessary licenses or other rights could delay or preclude the sale, manufacture or distribution of its products and could result in increased costs to the Company.

The Company’s revenues and earnings could be materially and adversely affected if it cannot anticipate market trends or enhance existing products or achieve market acceptance of new products.

The Company’s success is dependent on its ability to anticipate and respond to changing consumer demands and trends in a timely manner, as well as expanding into new markets and developing new products that are profitable to the Company. In addition, to increase the Company’s penetration of current markets and gain footholds in new markets for its products, the Company must maintain its existing products and integrate them with new products. The Company may not be successful in developing, marketing and releasing new products that respond to technological developments or changing customer needs and preferences. The Company may also experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and sale of these new products. These new products may not adequately meet the requirements of the marketplace and may not achieve any significant degree of market acceptance. If release dates of any future products or enhancements to the Company’s products are delayed, or if these products or enhancements fail to achieve market acceptance when released, the Company’s sales volume may decline and earnings could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, new products or enhancements by the Company’s competitors may cause customers to defer or forgo purchases of the Company’s products, which could also materially and adversely affect the Company’s revenues and earnings.

The Company does not maintain any credit facilities (other than certain letters of credit) and relies on its cash on hand and cash generated from operations to fund its business.

The Company does not maintain any credit facilities (other than certain letters of credit) in connection with the operation of its business. The Company has relied on, and continues to rely on, its cash on hand and cash generated by operations to manage its business.

 

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Foreign regulations and changes in the political, social and economic conditions in the foreign countries in which the Company operates its business could affect the Company’s revenues and earnings materially and adversely.

The Company has operations in China and derives a significant portion of its revenue from sales of products manufactured by third parties located in China. In addition, third parties located in China and other countries located in the same region produce and supply many of the components and raw materials used in the Company’s products. Conducting an international business inherently involves a number of difficulties and risks that could materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to generate revenues and could subject the Company to increased costs. Among the factors that may adversely affect the Company’s revenues and increase its costs are:

 

    currency fluctuations which could cause an increase in the price of the components and raw materials used in the Company’s products and a decrease in its profits;

 

    Chinese labor laws;

 

    labor shortages affecting the Company’s facilities and its suppliers’ manufacturing facilities located in China;

 

    the elimination or reduction of value-added tax refunds to Chinese factories that manufacture products for export;

 

    the rise of inflation and substantial economic growth in China;

 

    more stringent export restrictions in the countries in which the Company operates which could adversely affect its ability to deliver its products to its customers;

 

    tariffs and other trade barriers which could make it more expensive for the Company to obtain and deliver its products to its customers;

 

    political instability and economic downturns in these countries which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain its products from its manufacturers or deliver its products to its customers in a timely fashion;

 

    new restrictions on the sale of electronic products containing certain hazardous substances; and

 

    the laws of China are likely to govern many of the Company’s supplier agreements.

Any of the factors described above may materially and adversely affect the Company’s revenues and/or increase its operating expenses.

The Company is subject to intense competition in the industry in which it operates, which could cause material changes in the selling price of its products or losses of its market share.

The housewares and consumer electronics industry is highly competitive, especially with respect to pricing and the introduction of new products and features. The Company’s products compete in the low to medium-priced sector of the housewares and consumer electronics market and compete primarily on the basis of reliability, brand recognition, quality, price, design, consumer acceptance of the Emerson® trademark and quality service and support to retailers and its customers. The Company and many of its competitors are subject to factory cost increases, and the Company expects these pressures to continue. If these pressures are not mitigated by increases in selling price or cost reductions from the Company’s suppliers or changes in product mix, or if the consumers of the Company’s products change their buying habits as a result of the Company’s actions, the Company’s revenues and profits could be substantially reduced. As compared to the Company, many of its competitors have significantly greater managerial, financial, marketing, technical and other competitive resources and greater brand recognition. As a result, the Company’s competitors may be able to (i) adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements; (ii) devote greater resources to the promotion and sale of their products and services; and (iii) respond more effectively to pricing pressures.

In addition, competition could increase if new companies enter the market, existing competitors expand their product mix or the Company expands into new markets. An increase in competition could result in material price reductions or loss of the Company’s market share.

Changes in consumer spending and economic conditions may cause its quarterly operating results to fluctuate and cause its stock price to decline.

The Company’s net revenue and operating results may vary significantly from year to year, which may adversely affect its results of operations and the market price for its common stock. Factors that may cause these fluctuations include:

 

    changes in market and economic conditions;

 

    the discretionary nature of consumers’ demands and spending patterns;

 

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    variations in the sales of the Company’s products to its significant customers;

 

    variations in manufacturing and supplier relationships;

 

    if the Company is unable to correctly anticipate and provide for inventory requirements, it may not have sufficient inventory to deliver its products to its customers in a timely fashion or the Company may have excess inventory that it is unable to sell;

 

    new product developments or introductions;

 

    product reviews and other media coverage;

 

    competition, including competitive price pressures; and

 

    political instability, war, acts of terrorism or other disasters.

If the Company’s third party sales representatives fail to adequately promote, market and sell the Company’s products, the Company’s revenues could significantly decrease.

A significant portion of the Company’s product sales are made through third party sales representative organizations, whose members are not employees of the Company. The Company’s level of sales depends on the effectiveness of these organizations, as well as the effectiveness of its own employees. Some of these third party representatives may sell (and do sell), with the Company’s permission, competitive products of third parties as well as the Company’s products. During the Company’s fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, these organizations were responsible for approximately 61% and 64%, respectively, of its net revenues during such periods. In addition, one of these representative organizations was responsible for a significant portion of these revenues. If any of the Company’s third party sales representative organizations engaged by the Company, especially the Company’s largest, fails to adequately promote, market and sell its products, the Company’s revenues could be significantly decreased until a replacement organization or distributor could be retained by the Company. Finding replacement organizations and distributors could be a time consuming process during which the Company’s revenues could be negatively impacted.

The Company could be exposed to product liability or other claims for which its product liability or other insurance may be inadequate.

A failure of any of the products marketed by the Company may subject it to the risk of product liability claims and litigation arising from injuries allegedly caused by the improper functioning or design of its products. Although the Company currently maintains product liability insurance in amounts which the Company considers adequate, the Company cannot assure that:

 

    its insurance will provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities;

 

    adequate product liability insurance will continue to be available in the future; or

 

    its insurance can be maintained on acceptable terms.

Although the Company maintains liability insurance in amounts that it considers adequate, the Company cannot assure that such policies will provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities. To the extent product liability or other litigation losses are beyond the limits or scope of the Company’s insurance coverage, the Company’s expenses could materially increase.

Forward-Looking Information

This report contains forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond the Company’s control, and which may cause its actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “can,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “seek,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “potential,” and other similar words and expressions of the future. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

 

    the impact, if any, on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operation arising from the appointment of the Provisional Liquidators over Grande see Item 1A “Risk Factors — Business Related Risks — “Uncertain Impact of Appointment of Provisional Liquidators for Grande, Emerson’s Controlling Shareholder”;

 

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    the decline in, and any further deterioration of, consumer spending for retail products, such as the Company’s products;

 

    the Company’s inability to resist price increases from its suppliers or pass through such increases to its customers;

 

    the loss of any of the Company’s key customers or reduction in the purchase of the Company’s products by any such customers;

 

    conflicts of interest that exist based on the Company’s relationship with Grande;

 

    the Company’s inability to maintain effective internal controls or the failure by its personnel to comply with such internal controls;

 

    the Company’s inability to maintain its relationships with its licensees and distributors or the failure to obtain new licensees or distribution relationships on favorable terms;

 

    cash generated by operating activities represents the Company’s principal source of funding and therefore the Company depends on its ability to successfully manage its operating cash flows to fund its operations;

 

    the Company’s inability to anticipate market trends, enhance existing products or achieve market acceptance of new products;

 

    the Company’s dependence on a limited number of suppliers for its components and raw materials;

 

    the Company’s dependence on third party manufacturers to manufacture and deliver its products;

 

    changes in consumer spending and economic conditions;

 

    the failure of third party sales representatives to adequately promote, market and sell the Company’s products;

 

    the Company’s inability to protect its intellectual property;

 

    the effects of competition;

 

    changes in foreign laws and regulations and changes in the political and economic conditions in the foreign countries in which the Company operates;

 

    changes in accounting policies, rules and practices;

 

    limited access to financing or increased cost of financing; and

 

    the effects of currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and Chinese renminbi relative to the dollar and increases in costs of production in China; and

 

    the other factors listed under “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this annual report or the date of the document incorporated by reference into this annual report. The Company has no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company has expressed its expectations, beliefs and projections in good faith and the Company believes they have a reasonable basis. However, the Company cannot assure the reader that its expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished.

 

Item 2. PROPERTIES

The following table sets forth the material properties leased by the Company:

 

Facility Purpose

   Approximate
Square
Footage
    

Location

  

Lease Expires

Corporate headquarters

     5,541       Hackensack, NJ    July 2018

Hong Kong office

     6,162       Hong Kong, China    July 2016

Macao office

     960       Macao, China    May 2017

The Company presently relies on warehouse space from its third party logistics provider.

The Company believes that the properties used for its operations are in satisfactory condition and adequate for its present and anticipated future operations. The Company does not currently own any of the properties it occupies.

 

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Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings other than litigation matters, in most cases involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to its business. Management cannot estimate with certainty the Company’s ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to such pending litigation matters. However, management believes, based on its examination of such matters, that the Company’s ultimate liability will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

PART II

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER REPURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

(a) Market Information

The Company’s common stock began trading on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol MSN on December 22, 1994, and currently trades on the NYSE MKT under the same symbol, as a result of NYSE Euronext’s acquisition of the American Stock Exchange in 2008. The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices for the Company’s common stock as reported by the NYSE MKT during the last two fiscal years.

 

     Fiscal 2015      Fiscal 2014  
     High      Low      High      Low  

First Quarter

   $ 2.20       $ 1.70       $ 1.77       $ 1.50   

Second Quarter

     2.34         1.26         2.14         1.55   

Third Quarter

     1.38         1.00         2.10         1.80   

Fourth Quarter

     1.46         1.01         2.38         1.85   

There is no established trading market for the Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock, whose conversion feature expired as of March 31, 2002.

(b) Holders

At June 9, 2015, there were 215 stockholders of the Company’s common stock whose shares were registered with the Company’s transfer agent. The Company believes that the number of beneficial owners is substantially greater than the number of registered shareholders, because a large portion of the Company’s common stock is held of record in broker “street names”.

(c) Dividends

Since April 1, 2013, other than the extraordinary dividend of $0.70 per common share paid by the Company on September 30, 2014, the Company has not paid cash dividends on its common stock.

 

Item 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

Not applicable.

 

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of the Company’s operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Special Note: Certain statements set forth below constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See Item 1A — “Risk Factors — Forward-Looking Information.”

 

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In the following discussions, most percentages and dollar amounts have been rounded to aid presentation. As a result, all figures are approximations.

Results of Operations:

The following table summarizes certain financial information for the fiscal years ended March 31 (in thousands):

 

     2015      2014  

Net product sales

   $ 68,984       $ 70,257   

Licensing revenue

     7,339         7,572   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net revenues

  76,323      77,829   

Cost of sales

  62,088      63,012   

Other operating costs and expenses

  661      864   

Selling, general and administrative

  8,829      10,434   

Impairment of trademark

  —        219   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

  4,745      3,300   

Loss on settlement of litigation

  —        (4,000

Interest income, net

  215      548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

  4,960      (152

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

  3,067      (1,469
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

$ 1,893    $ 1,317   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Results of Operations — Fiscal 2015 compared with Fiscal 2014

Net product sales — Net product sales for fiscal 2015 were $69.0 million as compared to $70.3 million for fiscal 2014, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 1.8% as detailed below. The Company’s sales during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 were highly concentrated among the Company’s two largest customers, Target and Wal-Mart, where gross product sales comprised approximately 88.4% and 89.4%, respectively, of the Company’s total gross product sales. Net product sales may be periodically impacted by adjustments made to the Company’s sales allowance and marketing support accrual to record unanticipated customer deductions from accounts receivable or to reduce the accrual by any amounts which were accrued in the past but not taken by customers through deductions from accounts receivable within a certain time period. In the aggregate, these adjustments had the effect of increasing net product sales and operating income by $0.2 million and $0.3 million for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively.

Net product sales are comprised primarily of the sales of houseware and audio products which bear the Emerson® brand name. The major elements which contributed to the overall decrease in net product sales were as follows:

i) Houseware product net sales decreased $0.8 million, or 1.2%, to $66.1 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $66.9 million in fiscal 2014, principally driven by a decrease in sales of compact refrigerators and the discontinuation of wine coolers, partially offset by an increase in microwave ovens.

ii) Audio product net sales were $2.9 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $3.4 million in fiscal 2014, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 14.5%, resulting from decreased net sales of clock radios and portable audio products.

The Company believes that its key customers will discontinue several of the Company’s product offerings during fiscal 2016, the sales of which accounted for approximately 15% of the Company’s fiscal 2015 consolidated gross product sales. The loss of these sales would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations unless these sales could be replaced either by sales of these or similar products to new customers or by sales of new products to these key customers. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to increase sales at levels sufficient to offset the adverse impact of the loss of these product offerings, if at all.

Licensing revenue — Licensing revenue in fiscal 2015 was $7.3 million as compared to $7.6 million for fiscal 2014, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 3.1%. The decrease in year-over-year licensing revenue for fiscal 2015 was primarily due to the recognition in fiscal 2014 of approximately $1.8 million in previously unreported royalty fees by one of the Company’s licensees, which have been collected by the Company, versus the recognition of approximately $0.5 million in fiscal 2015 of previously unreported royalty fees by this same licensee, which have been collected by the Company, partly offset by approximately $0.8 million of higher year-over-year licensing revenue earned from the Company’s largest licensee, Funai Corporation, Inc. (“Funai”), on higher year-over-year sales by Funai of products bearing the Emerson® brand name.

 

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The Company’s largest license agreement is with Funai, which accounted for approximately 79% and 66%, respectively, of the Company’s total fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 licensing revenue, and which was amended during November 2013 to extend the term of the agreement until March 31, 2018. The agreement provides that Funai will manufacture, market, sell and distribute specified products bearing the Emerson® trademark to customers in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company receives non-refundable minimum annual royalty payments of $3.75 million each calendar year and a license fee on sales of product subject to the agreement in excess of the minimum annual royalties. During fiscal 2015 and 2014, licensing revenues of $5.8 million and $5.0 million, respectively, were earned under this agreement.

Net revenues — As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company’s net revenues were $76.3 million for fiscal 2015 as compared to $77.8 million for fiscal 2014, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 1.9%.

Cost of sales — Cost of sales includes those components as described in Note 1 “Cost of Sales” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In absolute terms, cost of sales decreased $0.9 million, or 1.5%, to $62.1 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $63.0 million in fiscal 2014. Cost of sales as a percentage of net product sales was 90.0% in fiscal 2015 as compared to 89.7% in fiscal 2014. The decrease in absolute terms for fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014 was primarily related to approximately $1.6 million in reversals of reserves no longer required and the reduced net product sales, partly offset by higher year-over-year gross cost of sales as a percentage of gross sales.

Other operating costs and expenses — Other operating costs and expenses include those components as described in Note 1 “Other Operating Costs and Expenses” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Other operating costs and expenses as a percentage of net product sales was 1.0% in fiscal 2015 and 1.2% in fiscal 2014. In absolute terms, other operating costs and expenses was $0.7 million in fiscal 2015 as compared to $0.9 million in fiscal 2014.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“S,G&A”) — S,G&A, as a percentage of net revenues, was 11.6% in fiscal 2015 as compared to 13.4% in fiscal 2014. Fiscal 2015 S,G&A, in absolute terms, was $8.8 million and fiscal 2014 S,G&A, in absolute terms, was $10.4 million, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 15.4%.

Analysis of S,G&A

Fiscal 2015 S,G&A included approximately $1.6 million in legal and advisory fees pertaining to work performed for the Special Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors and approximately $0.3 million in tax advisory fees related to the audit of the Company’s tax returns by the IRS, as mentioned elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Fiscal 2014 S,G&A included approximately $1.2 million in legal and advisory fees pertaining to work performed for the Special Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, approximately $1.8 million in legal fees related to a lawsuit that the Company was defending against which it settled in December 2013, approximately $0.3 million in tax advisory fees related to the audit of the Company’s tax returns by the IRS, as mentioned elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and approximately $0.2 million in management consulting fees pertaining to work performed for the Company’s Board of Directors.

Excluding the aforementioned items, S, G&A in both fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 was $6.9 million.

Impairment of Trademark — During fiscal 2014, upon completion of an analysis which showed the absence of future expected cash flows, the Company determined that the value of one of its non-strategic trademarks was fully impaired. Thus, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.2 million in December 2013 to write off this trademark.

The Company does not anticipate any future material adverse financial impacts arising from this impairment.

Loss on settlement of litigation — To settle the Kayne Litigation, the Company paid $4.0 million to the Kayne plaintiff’s trust account in December 2013, such funds being disbursed to the plaintiffs in May 2014, which significantly and negatively impacted fiscal 2014 results.

Interest income, net — Interest income, net, was $215,000 in fiscal 2015 as compared to $548,000 in fiscal 2014, resulting from a reduction of its investments in Certificates of Deposit during fiscal 2015.

Provision for income tax expense (benefit) — In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded income tax expense of $3.1 million, of which approximately $1.9 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, as compared to an income tax benefit of $1.5 million in fiscal 2014. See Note 5 “Income Taxes”.

 

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Net income — As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company recorded net income of $1.9 million for fiscal 2015 as compared to $1.3 million for fiscal 2014, an increase of $0.6 million, or 43.7%.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $43.5 million as compared to approximately $26.3 million at March 31, 2014. Working capital decreased to $57.4 million at March 31, 2015 as compared to $73.3 million at March 31, 2014. The increase in cash and cash equivalents of approximately $17.2 million was due to the below factors.

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $4.5 million for fiscal 2015 resulting from $1.9 million of net income generated during the period, a $1.1 million decrease in deferred tax assets, a $0.9 million decrease in inventories, a $0.9 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets, a $0.8 million increase in income taxes payable, a $0.5 million increase in due to affiliates, a $0.5 million increase in long term liabilities, a $0.3 million decrease in royalties receivable, a $0.1 million decrease in asset allowances and $0.1 million in depreciation expense, partially offset by a $1.8 million decrease in accounts payable and other current liabilities and a $0.9 million increase in prepaid purchases.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $31.7 million primarily due to $32.2 million of maturities of short term investments during fiscal 2015, partially offset by an increase in restricted cash of $0.5 million.

Net cash used by financing activities was $19.0 million for fiscal 2015 resulting from the net payment to stockholders of $18.5 million for the $0.70 per common share extraordinary dividend paid out on September 30, 2014.

Other Events and Circumstances Pertaining to Liquidity

Income Tax Issues Concerning Overseas Income

On April 15, 2013 and June 5, 2013, the Company received correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) pertaining to the Company’s fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, including a (i) Form 5701 and Form 886-A regarding Adjusted Sales Income (collectively referred to as “NOPA 1”) and (ii) Form 5701 and Form 886-A regarding Adjusted Subpart F-Foreign Base Company Sales Income (“FBCSI”) (collectively referred to as “NOPA 2”), which challenged certain tax positions of the Company with respect to the Company’s controlled foreign corporation in Macao (the “Macao CFC”).

Although the Company continues to dispute the assessments made by the IRS as set forth in each of NOPA 1 and NOPA 2, in June 2015, following a formal IRS Appeal, the Company and the IRS agreed to settle on the following terms: (1) that the IRS would not pursue the aforementioned NOPA 1 and NOPA 2 income assessments pertaining to fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 provided that the Company agreed to treat 30% of the Macao CFC’s income as taxable Subpart F income in the U.S. for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, and (2) that the IRS would impose no penalties for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 (collectively, the “Settlement Agreement”). Based on discussions between the Company, its advisors and the IRS, the Company believes that the IRS intends to apply the Settlement Agreement’s calculation reached for the Company’s fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 periods to the Company’s fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 periods.

Based on the foregoing, the Company estimates that it is subject to additional federal and state income taxes for fiscal 2010 though fiscal 2013 of approximately $3.0 million. Of this amount, approximately $1.6 million was recorded as income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, $0.5 million was recorded as income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and $0.9 million was recorded as income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

With respect to fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, there is some uncertainty as to what the ultimate tax treatment will be of a service fee regularly paid by the Company to the Macao CFC (the “Service Fee”). Therefore, an uncertain tax position under the requirements of ASC 740-10 “Income Tax Accounting” exists, and the Company has recorded an income tax expense and liability of approximately $0.5 million to its March 31, 2015 financial statements, $0.4 million of which was recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and $0.1 million of which was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, representing the maximum amount of income taxes, penalties and interest that the Company estimates it could owe for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 if the Service Fee is determined to be taxable to the Company as FBCSI under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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Potential Income Tax Issues Concerning the Extraordinary Dividend Paid by the Company in March 2010

On March 2, 2010, the Board declared an extraordinary dividend of $1.10 per common share which was paid on March 24, 2010. In connection with the Company’s determination as to the taxability of the dividend, the Board relied upon information and research provided to it by the Company’s tax advisors and, in reliance on the “stock-for-debt” exception in the Internal Revenue Code Sections 108(e)(8) and (e)(10), concluded that 4.9% of such dividend paid was taxable to the recipients.

In August 2012, the Company received a Form 886-A from the IRS which challenges the Company’s conclusions and determines that the Company does not qualify for the above-referenced exception. Accordingly, the IRS has concluded that 100% of the dividend paid was taxable to the recipients. The Company is defending its position and calculations and is contesting the position asserted by the IRS. The Company prepared and, on October 25, 2012, delivered its rebuttal to the IRS contesting the IRS determination. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in defending its position.

In the event that the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct, then the shareholders who received the dividend likely will be subject to and liable for an assessment of additional taxes due. Moreover, the Company may be contingently liable for taxes due by certain of its shareholders resulting from the dividend paid by the Company.

Initially, the Company withheld from the dividend paid to foreign shareholders an amount equal to the tax liability associated with such dividend. On April 7, 2010, upon a request made to the Company by its foreign controlling shareholder, S&T, the Company entered into an agreement with S&T (the “Agreement”), whereby the Company returned to S&T on April 7, 2010 that portion of the funds withheld for taxes from the dividend paid on March 24, 2010 to S&T, which the Company believed was not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits at that time. The Agreement includes provisions pursuant to which S&T agreed to indemnify the Company for any liability imposed on it as a result of the Company’s agreement not to withhold such funds for S&T’s possible tax liability and a pledge of stock as collateral. The Company continues to assert that such dividend is largely not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits. In addition, the Company also continues to assert that this transaction results in an off-balance sheet arrangement and a possible contingent tax liability of the Company, which, if recognized, would be offset by the calling by the Company on S&T of the indemnification provisions of the Agreement.

In February 2011, upon the request of S&T to the Company, the Company and S&T agreed that the collateral pledged as a part of the Agreement would no longer be required and such collateral was returned by the Company to S&T in March 2011 and the Agreement was amended and restated to remove the collateral requirement but retain the indemnification provisions. The Agreement, as amended (the “Amended Agreement”), remains in effect as of today.

In September 2014, the Company, with S&T’s consent, withheld $0.5 million in cash, to be pledged as collateral against the Amended Agreement, from the dividend paid to S&T on September 30, 2014 along with such dividend paid on that date to all common stockholders. The Company holds, as of March 31, 2015, $0.5 million in cash collateral from S&T against the Amended Agreement. In the event that (i) the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct and (ii) S&T is unable or unwilling to pay the additional taxes due or indemnify the Company under the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company may be liable to pay such additional taxes, which, together with penalties and interest, are currently estimated by the Company to be approximately $4.8 million as of March 31, 2015, $0.5 million of which is collateralized in cash held by the Company as of March 31, 2015 as described above and which is classified by the Company as restricted cash on its balance sheet. Any such liability, should it be required to be recognized by the Company, would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in the period recognized. S&T is a subsidiary of Grande, which is currently in liquidation (as described above under “Controlling Shareholder”). Therefore, the ability of the Company to enforce its rights to indemnification under the Amended Agreement and to collect from S&T any additional taxes, interest and penalties due may be severely impaired.

Credit Arrangements

Letters of Credit — The Company utilizes Hang Seng Bank to issue letters of credit on behalf of the Company, as needed, on a 100% cash collateralized basis, although at March 31, 2015 the Company had no outstanding letters of credit. In the event that the Company does have outstanding letters of credit with Hang Seng Bank, a like amount of cash is posted by the Company as collateral against such outstanding letters of credit, and is classified by the Company as Restricted Cash on the balance sheet.

Short-term Liquidity

In fiscal 2015, products representing approximately 56% of net sales were imported directly to the Company’s customers. The direct importation of product by the Company to its customers significantly benefits the Company’s liquidity because this inventory does not need to be financed by the Company.

 

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The Company’s principal existing sources of cash are generated from operations. The Company believes that its cash on hand and existing sources of cash will be sufficient to support its existing operations over the next 12 months.

As of March 31, 2015, there were no capital expenditure or other commitments other than the normal purchase orders used to secure product.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

On April 7, 2010, upon a request made to the Company by its foreign controlling stockholder, S&T, the Company entered into an agreement with S&T whereby the Company returned to S&T on April 7, 2010 that portion of the taxes that the Company had withheld from the dividend paid on March 24, 2010 to S&T which the Company believed was not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits at that time, and received collateral (in the form of shares in the Company) which was sufficient to cover any claims for taxes on the dividend paid (the “Agreement”). The Company believes this transaction resulted in an off-balance sheet arrangement, which is comprised of a possible contingent tax liability of the Company, which, if recognized, would be offset by the calling by the Company on S&T of the indemnification provisions of the Agreement. In February 2011, upon the request of S&T to the Company, the Company and S&T agreed the collateral pledged as a part of the Agreement would no longer be required and this collateral was returned by the Company to S&T in March 2011 (see Note 3 “Related Party Transactions — Dividend-Related Issues with S&T”) and the Agreement was amended and restated to remove the collateral requirement but retain the indemnification provisions. The Agreement, as amended (the “Amended Agreement”), remains in effect as of today. In September 2014, the Company, with S&T’s consent, withheld $0.5 million in cash, to be pledged as collateral against the Amended Agreement, from the dividend paid to S&T on September 30, 2014 along with such dividend paid on that date to all common stockholders. The Company holds, as of March 31, 2015, $0.5 million in cash collateral from S&T against the Amended Agreement which classified by the Company as restricted cash on its balance sheet.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon its consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles that are generally accepted within the United States. The preparation of the Company’s financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management considers certain accounting policies related to inventories, trade accounts receivables, impairment of long-lived assets, valuation of deferred tax assets, sales return reserves and sales allowance accruals to be critical policies due to the estimation processes involved in each.

Revenue Recognition. Revenues from product distribution are recognized at the time title passes to the customer. Under the Direct Import Program, title passes in the country of origin. Under the Domestic Program, title passes primarily at the time of shipment. Estimates for possible returns are based upon historical return rates and netted against revenues. Except in connection with infrequent sales with specific arrangements to the contrary, returns are not permitted unless the goods are defective.

In addition to the distribution of products, the Company grants licenses for the right to use the Company’s trademarks for a stated term for the manufacture and/or sale of consumer electronics and other products under agreements which require payment of either i) a non-refundable minimum guaranteed royalty or, ii) the greater of the actual royalties due (based on a contractual calculation, normally comprised of actual product sales by the licensee multiplied by a stated royalty rate, or “Sales Royalties”) or a minimum guaranteed royalty amount. In the case of (i), such amounts are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the license agreement. In the case of (ii), Sales Royalties in excess of guaranteed minimums are accounted for as variable fees and are not recognized as revenue until the Company has ascertained that the licensee’s sales of products have exceeded the guaranteed minimum. In effect, the Company recognizes the greater of Sales Royalties earned to date or the straight-line amount of minimum guaranteed royalties to date. In the case where a royalty is paid to the Company in advance, the royalty payment is initially recorded as a liability and recognized as revenue as the royalties are deemed to be earned according to the principles outlined above.

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out basis. The Company records inventory reserves to reduce the carrying value of inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory reserves may be required. Conversely, if market conditions improve, such reserves are reduced.

 

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Trade Accounts Receivable. The Company extends credit based upon evaluations of a customer’s financial condition and provides for any anticipated credit losses in the Company’s financial statements based upon management’s estimates and ongoing reviews of recorded allowances. If the financial condition of a customer deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of that customer’s ability to make payments, additional reserves may be required. Conversely, reserves are reduced to reflect credit and collection improvements.

Income Taxes. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the amount of its deferred tax assets to the amount that management estimates is more likely than not to be realized. While management considers future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event that management determines that a deferred tax asset will likely be realized in the future in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, if it is determined that all or part of a net deferred tax asset will likely not be realized in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

Sales Return Reserves. Management must make estimates of potential future product returns related to current period product revenue. Management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand for our products when evaluating the adequacy of the reserve for sales returns. Management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales return reserves in any accounting period. Additional reserves may be required if actual sales returns increase above the historical return rates. Conversely, the sales return reserve could be decreased if the actual return rates are less than the historical return rates, which were used to establish the reserve.

Sales Allowance and Marketing Support Accruals. Sales allowances, marketing support programs, promotions and other volume-based incentives which are provided to retailers and distributors are accounted for on an accrual basis as a reduction to net revenues in the period in which the related sales are recognized in accordance with ASC topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, subtopic 50 “Customer Payments and Incentives” and Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletins 101 “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,” and 104 “Revenue Recognition, corrected copy” (“SAB’s 101 and 104”).

At the time of sale, the Company reduces recognized gross revenue by allowances to cover, in addition to estimated sales returns as required by ASC topic 605, “Revenue Recognition.”, subtopic 15 “Products”, (i) sales incentives offered to customers that meet the criteria for accrual under ASC topic 605, subtopic 50 and (ii) under SAB’s 101 and 104, an estimated amount to recognize additional non-offered deductions it anticipates and can reasonably estimate will be taken by customers which it does not expect to recover. Accruals for the estimated amount of future non-offered deductions are required to be made as contra-revenue items because that percentage of shipped revenue fails to meet the collectability criteria within SAB 104’s and 101’s four revenue recognition criteria, all of which are required to be met in order to recognize revenue.

If additional marketing support programs, promotions and other volume-based incentives are required to promote the Company’s products subsequent to the initial sale, then additional reserves may be required and are accrued for when such support is offered.

Recently-Issued Financial Accounting Pronouncements

The following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) were issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board during the twelve months ended March 31, 2015 or during the interim period between March 31, 2015 and June 23, 2015 which relate to or could relate to the Company as concerns the Company’s normal ongoing operations or the industry in which the Company operates:

Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (Issued April 2015)

To simplify presentation of debt issuance costs, the amendments in this Update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this Update. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in this Update is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued.

 

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Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (Issued February 2015)

The amendments in this Update affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments: 1. Modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities 2. Eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership 3. Affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships 4. Provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.

Accounting Standards Update 2015-01, Income Statement — Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items (Issued January 2015)

This Update eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Subtopic 225-20, Income Statement — Extraordinary and Unusual Items, required that an entity separately classify, present, and disclose extraordinary events and transactions. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The effective date is the same for both public business entities and all other entities.

Accounting Standards Update 2014-12, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (Issued June 2014)

The amendments require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718 as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. As indicated in the definition of vest, the stated vesting period (which includes the period in which the performance target could be achieved) may differ from the requisite service period. For all entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted.

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

            Page
No.
 

    

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     26   

    

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

     27   

    

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and 2014

     28   

    

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

     29   

    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

     30   

    

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     31   

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

of Emerson Radio Corp and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Emerson Radio Corp. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”), as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2015. 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 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 Emerson Radio Corp. and Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations, and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ MSPC

Certified Public Accountants

and Advisors, A Professional Corporation

Cranford, New Jersey

July 14, 2015

 

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EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For The Years Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

 

     2015      2014  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Net revenues:

     

Net product sales

   $ 68,984       $ 70,257   

Licensing revenue

     7,339         7,572   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net revenues

  76,323      77,829   

Costs and expenses:

Cost of sales

  62,088      63,012   

Other operating costs and expenses

  661      864   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  8,829      10,434   

Impairment of trademark

  —        219   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  71,578      74,529   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

  4,745      3,300   

Other (loss) income:

Loss on settlement of litigation

  —        (4,000

Interest income, net

  215      548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  215      (3,452
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

  4,960      (152

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

  3,067      (1,469
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

  1,893      1,317   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic net income per share

$ .07    $ .05   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share

$ .07    $ .05   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic

  27,130      27,130   

Diluted

  27,130      27,130   

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

 

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EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of March 31, 2015 and 2014

 

     2015     2014  
     (In thousands, except share data)  
ASSETS     

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 43,485      $ 26,328   

Restricted cash

     500        —    

Short term investments

     —          32,194   

Trade accounts receivable, net

     4,275        4,354   

Royalty receivable

     3,522        3,865   

Inventory

     4,519        5,438   

Prepaid purchases

     2,961        2,047   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     702        1,604   

Deferred tax assets

     962        1,394   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

  60,926      77,224   

Property, plant, and equipment, net

  77      142   

Deferred tax assets

  1,058      1,753   

Other assets

  102      130   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Non-current Assets

  1,237      2,025   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

$ 62,163    $ 79,249   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities:

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

  2,137      3,951   

Due to affiliates

  500      —    

Income tax payable

  847      —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

  3,484      3,951   

Long term liabilities

  481      —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Non-current Liabilities

  481      —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

$ 3,965    $ 3,951   

Shareholders’ Equity:

Series A Preferred shares — 10,000,000 shares authorized; 3,677 shares issued and outstanding; liquidation preference of $3,677,000

  3,310      3,310   

Common shares — $0.01 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 52,965,797 shares issued at March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively; 27,129,832 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively

  529      529   

Additional paid-in capital

  79,792      98,785   

Accumulated deficit

  (1,209   (3,102

Treasury stock, at cost (25,835,965 shares)

  (24,224   (24,224
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

  58,198      75,298   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

$ 62,163    $ 79,249   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For The Years Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

 

     Preferred
Stock
     Common Stock      Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Treasury
Stock
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
        Number
of Shares
     Par
Value
          
                   

Balance — March 31, 2013

   $ 3,310         52,965,797       $ 529       $ 98,785      $ (4,419   $ (24,224   $ 73,981   

Net income

              $ 1,317        $ 1,317   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance — March 31, 2014

$ 3,310      52,965,797    $ 529    $ 98,785    $ (3,102 $ (24,224 $ 75,298   

Net income

$ 1,893    $ 1,893   

Dividend paid

$ (18,991 $ (18,991

Loss on dissolution of subsidiary

$ (2 $ (2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance — March 31, 2015

$ 3,310      52,965,797    $ 529    $ 79,792    $ (1,209 $ (24,224 $ 58,198   

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

 

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EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For The Years Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

 

     2015     2014  
     (In thousands)  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 1,893      $ 1,317   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     75        88   

Impairment of trademark

     —          219   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (18     3,726   

Royalty receivable

     343        (2,896

Due from affiliates

     —          1   

Inventory

     919        (1,984

Prepaid purchases

     (914     (1,162

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     902        (616

Deferred tax assets

     1,127        (535

Other assets

     28        (26

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

     (1,814     (3,296

Long term liabilities

     481        —    

Asset allowances, reserves and other

     97        (1,705

Capitalized leases

     —         56   

Due to affiliates

     500        —    

Income taxes payable

     847        (1,281
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

  4,466      (8,094
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

Short term investment

  32,194      13,041   

Restricted cash

  (500   70   

Additions to property, plant and equipment

  (10   (28

Loss on dissolution of subsidiary

  (2   —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

  31,682      13,083   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

Dividend paid

  (18,991   —     

Net decrease in short-term capital lease obligations

  —        (43

Net decrease in long-term capital lease obligations

  —        (30
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used) by financing activities

  (18,991   (73
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

  17,157      4,916   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

  26,328      21,412   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$ 43,485    $ 26,328   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:

Cash paid for:

Interest

$ —      $ 7   

Income taxes

$ 58    $ 1,185   

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

 

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EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Background and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Emerson Radio Corp. (“Emerson”, consolidated — the “Company”), and its subsidiaries. The Company designs, sources, imports and markets a variety of houseware and consumer electronic products, and licenses the Emerson trademark for a variety of products domestically and internationally.

It is the Company’s policy to prepare its financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation.

Certain items in prior year financials were reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents

Highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, cash securing bank loans, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying amounts of bank debt approximate their fair values due to their variable rate interest features.

Investments

The Company determines the appropriate classifications of securities at the time of purchase and evaluates the continuing appropriateness of that classification thereafter. Realized gains and losses are determined on a specific identification basis and are reported separately as a component of income. Decreases and increases in the fair value of securities deemed to be other than temporary are included in earnings.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company’s long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment. At March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $77,000 of property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation. The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC Topics 350 “Intangibles” and 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment”. The recoverability of assets held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Future events could cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that long-lived assets may be impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. During fiscal 2014, upon completion of an analysis which showed the absence of future expected cash flows, the Company determined that the value of one of its non-strategic trademarks was fully impaired. Thus, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.2 million in December 2013 to write off this trademark.

 

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Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets being depreciated. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. Significant renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful lives of the related assets. At time of disposal, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Company’s records and the difference between net carrying value of the asset and the sale proceeds is recorded as a gain or loss.

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided by the straight-line method as follows:

 

Machinery, Equipment and Software Three years to seven years
Furniture & Fixtures Seven years
Leasehold Improvements Straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease

Revenue Recognition

Distribution of products

Revenues from product distribution are recognized at the time title passes to the customer. Under the Direct Import Program, title passes in the country of origin. Under the Domestic Program, title passes primarily at the time of shipment. Estimates for future expected returns are based upon historical return rates and netted against revenues.

Management must make estimates of potential future product returns related to current period product revenue. Management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand for the Company’s products when evaluating the adequacy of the reserve for sales returns. Management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales return reserves in any accounting period. Additional reserves may be required if actual sales returns increase above the historical return rates. Conversely, the sales return reserve could be decreased if the actual return rates are less than the historical return rates, which were used to establish the reserve.

Sales allowances, marketing support programs, promotions and other volume-based incentives which are provided to retailers and distributors are accounted for on an accrual basis as a reduction to net revenues in the period in which the related sales are recognized in accordance with ASC topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, subtopic 50 “Customer Payments and Incentives” and Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletins 101 “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,” and 104 “Revenue Recognition, corrected copy” (“SAB’s 101 and 104”).

At the time of sale, the Company reduces recognized gross revenue by allowances to cover, in addition to estimated sales returns as required by ASC topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, subtopic 15 “Products”, (i) sales incentives offered to customers that meet the criteria for accrual under ASC topic 605, subtopic 50 and (ii) under SAB’s 101 and 104, an estimated amount to recognize additional non-offered deductions it anticipates and can reasonably estimate will be taken by customers which it does not expect to recover. Accruals for the estimated amount of future non-offered deductions are required to be made as contra-revenue items because that percentage of shipped revenue fails to meet the collectability criteria within SAB 104’s and 101’s four revenue recognition criteria, all of which are required to be met in order to recognize revenue.

If additional marketing support programs, promotions and other volume-based incentives are required to promote the Company’s products subsequent to the initial sale, then additional reserves may be required and are accrued for when such support is offered.

Licensing

In addition to the distribution of products, the Company grants licenses for the right to use the Company’s trademarks for a stated term for the manufacture and/or sale of consumer electronics and other products under agreements which require payment of either i) a non-refundable minimum guaranteed royalty or, ii) the greater of the actual royalties due (based on a contractual calculation, normally comprised of actual product sales by the licensee multiplied by a stated royalty rate, or “Sales Royalties”) or a minimum guaranteed royalty amount. In the case of (i), such amounts are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the license agreement. In the case of (ii), Sales Royalties in excess of guaranteed minimums are accounted for as variable fees and are not recognized as revenue until the Company has ascertained that the licensee’s sales of products have exceeded the guaranteed minimum. In effect, the Company recognizes the greater of Sales Royalties earned to date or the straight-line amount of minimum guaranteed royalties to date. In the case where a royalty is paid to the Company in advance, the royalty payment is initially recorded as a liability and recognized as revenue as the royalties are deemed to be earned according to the principles outlined above.

 

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Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes actual product cost, quality control costs, change in inventory reserves, duty, buying costs, the cost of transportation to the Company’s third party logistics providers’ warehouse from its manufacturers, warehousing costs, and an allocation of those selling, general and administrative expenses that are directly related to these activities.

Other Operating Costs and Expenses

Other operating costs and expenses include costs associated with returned product received from retailers, warranty costs, warehouse supply expenses, and an allocation of those selling, general and administrative expenses that are directly related to these activities. Because other operating costs and expenses is not included in cost of sales, the reported gross margin may not be comparable to those of other distributors that may include all costs related to the cost of product to their cost of sales and in the calculation of gross margin.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses include all operating costs of the Company that are not directly related to the cost of procuring product or costs not included in other operating costs and expenses.

Foreign Currency

The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries have been translated at current exchange rates, and related revenues and expenses have been translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the year. Related translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Losses and gains resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the results of operations.

The Company generally does not enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge its exposures related to foreign currency fluctuations and there were no foreign exchange forward contracts held by the Company at March 31, 2015 or March 31, 2014.

Advertising Expenses

Advertising expenses are charged against earnings as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company incurred no advertising expenses during fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014.

Sales Allowance and Marketing Support Expenses

Sales allowances, marketing support programs, promotions and other volume-based incentives which are provided to retailers and distributors are accounted for on an accrual basis as a reduction to net revenues in the period in which the related sales are recognized in accordance with ASC topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, subtopic 50 “Customer Payments and Incentives” and Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletins 101 “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,” and 104 “Revenue Recognition, corrected copy” (“SAB’s 101 and 104”).

At the time of sale, the Company reduces recognized gross revenue by allowances to cover, in addition to estimated sales returns as required by ASC topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, subtopic 15 “Products”, (i) sales incentives offered to customers that meet the criteria for accrual under ASC topic 605, subtopic 50 and (ii) under SAB’s 101 and 104, an estimated amount to recognize additional non-offered deductions it anticipates and can reasonably estimate will be taken by customers which it does not expect to recover. Accruals for the estimated amount of future non-offered deductions are required to be made as contra-revenue items because that percentage of shipped revenue fails to meet the collectability criteria within SAB 104’s and 101’s four revenue recognition criteria, all of which are required to be met in order to recognize revenue.

If additional marketing support programs, promotions and other volume-based incentives are required to promote the Company’s products subsequent to the initial sale, then additional reserves may be required and are accrued for when such support is offered.

 

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The sales and marketing support accrual activity for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 was as follows (in thousands):

 

Balance at March 31, 2013

$ 1,152   

additions

  1,529   

usages

  (1,883

adjustments

  (328
  

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2014

$ 470   

additions

  1,504   

usages

  (1,175

adjustments

  (224
  

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

$ 575   
  

 

 

 

Interest income, net

The Company records interest as incurred. The net interest income for fiscal 2015 and 2014 consists of:

 

     2015      2014  
     (In thousands)  

Interest expense

   $ —         $ (6

Interest income

     215         554   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest income, net

$ 215    $ 548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are recorded to account for the tax effects of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets have been recorded net of an appropriate valuation allowance, to the extent management believes it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized. (See Note 5 “Income Taxes”).

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is net income adjusted for foreign currency translation adjustments.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per common share are based upon the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding. Outstanding stock options and warrants are treated as common stock equivalents when dilution results from their assumed exercise.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for all share based payments in accordance with ASC Topic 71X, “Compensation”, subtopic 718 “Compensation — Stock Compensation”. Accordingly, the computed fair value is expensed ratably over the requisite vesting period. The Company recorded no stock-based compensation costs during fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014.

There were no stock options granted by the Company in fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) were issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board during the twelve months ended March 31, 2015 or during the interim period between March 31, 2015 and June 23, 2015 which relate to or could relate to the Company as concerns the Company’s normal ongoing operations or the industry in which the Company operates:

Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (Issued April 2015)

To simplify presentation of debt issuance costs, the amendments in this Update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this Update. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in this Update is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued.

Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (Issued February 2015)

The amendments in this Update affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments: 1. Modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities 2. Eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership 3. Affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships 4. Provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.

Accounting Standards Update 2015-01, Income Statement — Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items (Issued January 2015)

This Update eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Subtopic 225-20, Income Statement — Extraordinary and Unusual Items, required that an entity separately classify, present, and disclose extraordinary events and transactions. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The effective date is the same for both public business entities and all other entities.

Accounting Standards Update 2014-12, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (Issued June 2014)

The amendments require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718 as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. As indicated in the definition of vest, the stated vesting period (which includes the period in which the performance target could be achieved) may differ from the requisite service period. For all entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted.

 

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NOTE 2 — INVENTORIES:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. As of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, inventories consisted exclusively of purchased finished goods.

NOTE 3 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

From time to time, Emerson engages in business transactions with its controlling shareholder, The Grande Holdings Limited (In Liquidation) (“Grande”), and one or more of Grande’s direct and indirect subsidiaries. Set forth below is a summary of such transactions.

Controlling Shareholder

The Grande Holdings Limited (In Liquidation) (“Grande”) has, together with S&T International Distribution Limited (“S&T”), a subsidiary of Grande, and Grande N.A.K.S. Ltd., a subsidiary of Grande (together with Grande, the “Reporting Persons”), filed, on June 11, 2014, a Schedule 13D/A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) stating that, as of the filing date, the Reporting Persons had the shared power to vote and direct the disposition of 15,243,283 shares, or approximately 56.2%, of the outstanding common stock of Emerson. As the Reporting Persons, and by extension Grande (as their ultimate parent) have control of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Emerson, Emerson is a Controlled company, as defined in Section 801(a) of the NYSE MKT Rules.

On May 31, 2011, upon application of a major creditor, the High Court of Hong Kong appointed Fok Hei Yu (who is also known by the anglicized name Vincent Fok), formerly a director and Chairman of the Board of the Company, and Roderick John Sutton, both of FTI Consulting (Hong Kong) Limited (“FTI”), as Joint and Several Provisional Liquidators over Grande. Accordingly, as of May 31, 2011, the directors of Grande no longer have the ability to exercise control over Grande or the power to direct the voting and disposition of the 15,243,283 shares beneficially owned by Grande. Instead, Mr. Fok and Mr. Sutton, as Provisional Liquidators over Grande, currently have such power. In addition, on March 20, 2013, the Provisional Liquidators provided to Emerson a written statement that they are obligated to liquidate the 15,243,283 shares in the Company beneficially owned by Grande. However, in February 2014, the Provisional Liquidators for and on behalf of Grande issued a public announcement that Grande, among other things, had been in discussions with different investors to pursue a restructuring plan and the resumption of trading of Grande’s shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“HKSE”). In addition, in May 2014, the Provisional Liquidators for and on behalf of Grande issued a public announcement disclosing that on May 2, 2014, Grande, the Provisional Liquidators and a creditor of Grande entered into an agreement to implement the “Grande Restructuring Proposal” submitted by a creditor of Grande. Based on information contained within the public announcement issued for Grande in May 2014, if the Grande Restructuring Proposal is implemented, Mr. Christopher Ho, who served as the Company’s Chairman of the Board until November 2013 and is currently the sole director of Grande, and his associates would continue to have a majority interest in Grande and would regain the power to direct the voting and disposition of the 15,243,283 shares beneficially owned by Grande. As disclosed in the Schedule 13D/A filed by the Reporting Persons on May 22, 2014, the Grande Restructuring Proposal includes a plan to re-list Grande on the HKSE and provides that many assets of Grande, including its shares of Emerson, would remain part of Grande. According to the public announcement issued for Grande in May 2014, the Grande Restructuring Plan will require approvals, consents and sanctions of the HKSE, courts in Hong Kong and Bermuda, and the creditors and shareholders of Grande. In addition, on June 11, 2014, Grande announced that it had received a summons issued by a creditor of Grande seeking the removal of the Provisional Liquidators. On June 1, 2015 the Provisional Liquidators for and on behalf of Grande issued a public announcement disclosing that by letter dated May 29, 2015, the HKSE decided to allow Grande to proceed with Grande’s “Updated Resumption Proposal”, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions by December 21, 2015.

It is not possible at this time to predict whether Grande can satisfy the conditions established by the HKSE for the resumption or relisting of Grande on HKSE, or whether the Grande Restructuring Proposal will receive all necessary approvals, nor can there be any assurances regarding the timing, terms or effects of implementing the Grande Restructuring Proposal or if the Provisional Liquidators will be removed. However, even though the Provisional Liquidators continue to maintain the ability to exercise the power to direct the voting and disposition of shares, as long as the Provisional Liquidators are pursuing this restructuring proposal that would result in Grande retaining beneficial ownership of the 15,243,283 shares of Emerson common stock, the Provisional Liquidators may not be actively seeking to liquidate those shares. If the Grande Restructuring Proposal is completed as described within the public announcement issued for Grande in May 2014, it is expected that the 15,243,283 shares of Emerson common stock held of record by Grande’s subsidiary, S&T, would remain with S&T and that Grande would once again have the power to direct the voting and disposition of this 56.2% controlling interest in Emerson common stock. It is not possible at this time to predict what impact the removal of the Provisional Liquidators would have on the Grande Restructuring Proposal or Emerson and Emerson cannot predict nor provide any assurances regarding the possible effects on the Company, its shareholders, the trading price of its common stock or any other consequences that could result if the Grande Restructuring Proposal is approved and Grande again has the power to control Emerson.

 

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Related Party Transactions

Rented Office Space in Hong Kong

Transactions with Brighton Marketing Limited, a subsidiary of Grande

Until May 2013, at which time these charges ceased, the Company was billed for service charges from Brighton Marketing Limited, a subsidiary of Grande, in connection with the Company’s rented office space in Hong Kong. These charges totaled approximately $1,000 for the twelve month period ended March 31, 2014. Emerson owed Brighton Marketing Limited nil at March 31, 2014 pertaining to these charges.

Transactions with The Grande Properties Management Limited, a related party to Christopher Ho, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company

The Company is charged for service charges from The Grande Properties Management Limited, a related party to Christopher Ho, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, in connection with the Company’s rented office space in Hong Kong. Mr. Ho did not stand for re-election to serve as a director of the Company at the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on November 7, 2013. Accordingly, Mr. Ho is no longer a director of the Company or a related party to the Company after November 7, 2013, and, consequently, such service charges from The Grande Properties Management Limited, are not considered Related Party Transactions after November 7, 2013.

These charges totaled approximately $11,000 for the period April 1, 2013 through November 7, 2013. The Company owed nil to The Grande Properties Management Limited related to these charges at March 31, 2014.

Transactions with Lafe Strategic Services Limited, a related party to Christopher Ho, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company

Beginning July 3, 2012, the Company entered into a rental agreement with Lafe Strategic Services Limited (“Lafe”), which is a related party to Mr. Ho, whereby the Company was leasing out excess space within its rented office space in Hong Kong to Lafe. The rental agreement was on a month-by-month basis, cancellable by either the Company or Lafe on one month’s written notice. The agreement was cancelled by Lafe effective April 1, 2013 at which time Lafe owed Emerson nil in rental payable from the arrangement. Emerson returned the approximately $6,000 to Lafe in July 2013 that Emerson had been holding as a security deposit in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Consulting Services Provided to Emerson by one of its Former Directors

Until such agreement was cancelled by the Company effective November 7, 2013, Mr. Eduard Will, a former director of Emerson, was paid consulting fees by the Company for work performed by Mr. Will related to a lawsuit that the Company settled in December 2013 and merger and acquisition research. Mr. Will was not re-elected to serve as a director of the Company at the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on November 7, 2013. Accordingly, Mr. Will is no longer a director of the Company or a related party to the Company after November 7, 2013.

During the period April 1, 2013 through November 7, 2013, Emerson paid consulting fees of approximately $68,000 to Mr. Will for such work performed by Mr. Will as well as expense reimbursements and advances, in the aggregate, of approximately $6,000 related to this consulting work and his service as a director of Emerson.

At November 7, 2013, the Company owed Mr. Will nil related to these activities.

Dividend-Related Issues with S&T

On March 2, 2010, the Board declared an extraordinary dividend of $1.10 per common share which was paid on March 24, 2010. In connection with the Company’s determination as to the taxability of the dividend, the Board relied upon information and research provided to it by the Company’s tax advisors and, in reliance on the “stock-for-debt” exception in the Internal Revenue Code Sections 108(e)(8) and (e)(10), concluded that 4.9% of such dividend paid was taxable to the recipients.

 

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In August 2012, the Company received a Form 886-A from the IRS which challenges the Company’s conclusions and determines that the Company does not qualify for the above-referenced exception. Accordingly, the IRS has concluded that 100% of the dividend paid was taxable to the recipients. The Company is defending its position and calculations and is contesting the position asserted by the IRS. The Company prepared and, on October 25, 2012, delivered its rebuttal to the IRS contesting the IRS determination. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in defending its position.

In the event that the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct, then the shareholders who received the dividend likely will be subject to and liable for an assessment of additional taxes due. Moreover, the Company may be contingently liable for taxes due by certain of its shareholders resulting from the dividend paid by the Company.

Initially, the Company withheld from the dividend paid to foreign shareholders an amount equal to the tax liability associated with such dividend. On April 7, 2010, upon a request made to the Company by its foreign controlling shareholder, S&T, the Company entered into an agreement with S&T (the “Agreement”), whereby the Company returned to S&T on April 7, 2010 that portion of the funds withheld for taxes from the dividend paid on March 24, 2010 to S&T, which the Company believed was not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits at that time. The Agreement includes provisions pursuant to which S&T agreed to indemnify the Company for any liability imposed on it as a result of the Company’s agreement not to withhold such funds for S&T’s possible tax liability and a pledge of stock as collateral. The Company continues to assert that such dividend is largely not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits. In addition, the Company also continues to assert that this transaction results in an off-balance sheet arrangement and a possible contingent tax liability of the Company, which, if recognized, would be offset by the calling by the Company on S&T of the indemnification provisions of the Agreement.

In February 2011, upon the request of S&T to the Company, the Company and S&T agreed that the collateral pledged as a part of the Agreement would no longer be required and such collateral was returned by the Company to S&T in March 2011 and the Agreement was amended and restated to remove the collateral requirement but retain the indemnification provisions. The Agreement, as amended (the “Amended Agreement”), remains in effect as of today.

In September 2014, the Company, with S&T’s consent, withheld $0.5 million in cash, to be pledged as collateral against the Amended Agreement, from the dividend paid to S&T on September 30, 2014 along with such dividend paid on that date to all common stockholders. The Company holds, as of March 31, 2015, $0.5 million in cash collateral from S&T against the Amended Agreement. In the event that (i) the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct and (ii) S&T is unable or unwilling to pay the additional taxes due or indemnify the Company under the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company may be liable to pay such additional taxes, which, together with penalties and interest, are currently estimated by the Company to be approximately $4.8 million as of March 31, 2015, $0.5 million of which is collateralized in cash held by the Company as of March 31, 2015 as described above and which is classified by the Company as restricted cash on its balance sheet. Any such liability, should it be required to be recognized by the Company, would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in the period recognized. S&T is a subsidiary of Grande, which is currently in liquidation (as described above under “Controlling Shareholder”). Therefore, the ability of the Company to enforce its rights to indemnification under the Amended Agreement and to collect from S&T any additional taxes, interest and penalties due may be severely impaired.

Other

Until such shared usage stopped, effective on January 1, 2014, the Company formerly charged Vigers Appraisal & Consulting Ltd. (“Vigers”), a related party of Christopher Ho, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, for usage of telephone and data lines maintained by Emerson. Mr. Ho did not stand for re-election to serve as a director of the Company at the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on November 7, 2013. Accordingly, Mr. Ho is no longer a director of the Company or a related party to the Company after November 7, 2013, and, consequently, such service charges from the Company to Vigers are not considered Related Party Transactions after November 7, 2013.

During the period April 1, 2013 through November 7, 2013, Emerson invoiced Vigers approximately $3,000 under this arrangement. Vigers owed Emerson nil at November 7, 2013 related to this activity.

 

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NOTE 4 — PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT:

As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, property, plant and equipment is comprised of the following:

 

     2015      2014  
     (In thousands)  

Computer equipment and software

     345         338   

Furniture and fixtures

     194         196   

Machinery and equipment

     12         267   

Leasehold improvements

     8         8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  559      809   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

  (482   (667
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 77    $ 142   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment amounted to approximately $75,000 and $88,000 for the twelve months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During fiscal 2015, the Company disposed of property, plant and equipment with gross book values totaling approximately $259,000. The Company recognized a total net loss of approximately $1,000 on these disposals in fiscal 2015. During fiscal 2014, the Company disposed of property, plant and equipment with gross book values totaling approximately $412,000. The Company recognized a total net gain of approximately $2,000 on these disposals in fiscal 2014.

NOTE 5 — INCOME TAXES:

Income Tax Issues Concerning Overseas Income

On April 15, 2013 and June 5, 2013, the Company received correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) pertaining to the Company’s fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, including a (i) Form 5701 and Form 886-A regarding Adjusted Sales Income (collectively referred to as “NOPA 1”) and (ii) Form 5701 and Form 886-A regarding Adjusted Subpart F-Foreign Base Company Sales Income (“FBCSI”) (collectively referred to as “NOPA 2”), which challenged certain tax positions of the Company with respect to the Company’s controlled foreign corporation in Macao (the “Macao CFC”).

Although the Company continues to dispute the assessments made by the IRS as set forth in each of NOPA 1 and NOPA 2, in June 2015, following a formal IRS Appeal, the Company and the IRS agreed to settle on the following terms: (1) that the IRS would not pursue the aforementioned NOPA 1 and NOPA 2 income assessments pertaining to fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 provided that the Company agreed to treat 30% of the Macao CFC’s income as taxable Subpart F income in the U.S. for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, and (2) that the IRS would impose no penalties for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 (collectively, the “Settlement Agreement”). Based on discussions between the Company, its advisors and the IRS, the Company believes that the IRS intends to apply the Settlement Agreement’s calculation reached for the Company’s fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 periods to the Company’s fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 periods.

Based on the foregoing, the Company estimates that it is subject to additional federal and state income taxes for fiscal 2010 though fiscal 2013 of approximately $3.0 million. Of this amount, approximately $1.6 million was recorded as income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, $0.5 million was recorded as income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and $0.9 million was recorded as income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

With respect to fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, there is some uncertainty as to what the ultimate tax treatment will be of a service fee regularly paid by the Company to the Macao CFC (the “Service Fee”). Therefore, an uncertain tax position under the requirements of ASC 740-10 “Income Tax Accounting” exists, and the Company has recorded an income tax expense and liability of approximately $0.5 million to its March 31, 2015 financial statements, $0.4 million of which was recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and $0.1 million of which was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, representing the maximum amount of income taxes, penalties and interest that the Company estimates it could owe for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 if the Service Fee is determined to be taxable to the Company as FBCSI under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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Other

The Company’s provision for income tax (benefit) expense for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 was as follows:

 

     2015      2014  
     (In thousands)  

Current:

     

Federal

   $ (308 )    $ (450 )

Foreign, state and other

     55        (484 )

Prior year federal and state, with interest

     1714        0  

Uncertain tax positions, federal and state

     480         0   

Deferred:

     

Federal

     672         (467 )

Foreign, state and other

     454         (68 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Provision for income tax (benefit) expense

$ 3,067    $ (1,469 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company files a consolidated federal return and certain state and local income tax returns.

The difference between the effective rate reflected in the provision for income taxes and the amounts determined by applying the statutory federal rate of 34% to earnings before income taxes for fiscal March 2015 and fiscal 2014 is analyzed below:

 

     2015      2014  
     (In thousands)  

Statutory provision

   $ 1,702       $ (52 )

Foreign subsidiary

     (798 )      (1,009 )

State taxes

     336        (529 )

Permanent differences

     61        304  

Prior year taxes

     1,193        0  

True up to prior year taxes

     (226 )      (158 )

Valuation allowance

     0         (234

Increase in Uncertain Tax Positions

     480         0   

NOL Adjustments

     319         209   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Provision for income tax (benefit) expense

$ 3,067    $ (1,469 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

 

     2015      2014  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred tax assets:

     

Current:

     

Accounts receivable reserves

   $ 484      $ 842  

Inventory reserves

     411        401  

Accruals

     67        151  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current deferred tax assets

  962     1,394  

Non-current:

Property, plant and equipment

  522     669  

Net operating loss and credit carry forwards

  536     1,084  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current deferred tax assets

  1,058     1,753  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

  2,020     3,147  

Deferred tax liabilities:

Non-current:

Uncertain tax position

  0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

  0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

$ 2,020   $ 3,147  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company has $1.4 million of U.S. federal net operating loss carry forwards (“NOLs”) as of March 31, 2015 that expire in 2034.

 

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The Company has $0.3 million of state NOLs as of March 31, 2015 as follows (in millions $):

 

Loss Year (Fiscal)

   Included in DTA      Expiration Year (Fiscal)  

2014

   $ 0.3 million        2034  

The tax benefits related to these state net operating loss carry forwards and future deductible temporary differences are recorded to the extent management believes it is more likely than not that such benefits will be realized.

Income of foreign subsidiaries before taxes was $2,367,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 as compared to income before taxes of $2,966,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, respectively.

No provision was made for U.S. or additional foreign taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. Such earnings have been and will be reinvested but could become subject to additional tax if they were remitted as dividends, or were loaned to the Company or a domestic affiliate, or if the Company should sell its stock in the foreign subsidiaries. It is not practicable to determine the amount of additional tax, if any, that might be payable on undistributed foreign earnings.

A reconciliation of the Company’s changes in uncertain tax positions from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

     In 000’s  

Total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of April 1, 2013

   $ 121  

Gross increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period

     223  

Gross decreases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period

     —    

Gross increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during the current period

     257  

Gross decreases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during the current period

     —    

Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits relating to settlements with taxing authorities

     —    

Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of lapse of statute of limitations

     (121 )
  

 

 

 

Total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2015

  480  
  

 

 

 

NOTE 6 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Leases:

The Company leases warehouse and office space from non-affiliated companies, with annual commitments as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Years

   Amount  

2016

     260   

2017

     167   

2018

     108   

2019

     35   

Thereafter

     —    
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 570   
  

 

 

 

 

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Rent expense resulting from leases with non-affiliated companies aggregated $790,000 and $777,000, respectively, for fiscal 2015 and 2014.

Letters of Credit:

The Company utilizes the services of one of its banks to issue secured letters of credit on behalf of the Company, as needed, on a 100% cash collateralized basis. At March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the Company had no letters of credit outstanding.

Capital Expenditure and Other Commitments:

As of March 31, 2015, there were no capital expenditure or other commitments other than the normal purchase orders used to secure product.

Employee Benefit Plan:

The Company currently sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan which is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The Company matches a percentage of the participants’ contributions up to a specified amount. These contributions to the plan for fiscal 2015 and 2014 were $47,000 and $58,000, respectively, and were charged against earnings for the periods presented.

NOTE 7 — STOCK BASED COMPENSATION:

In 2004, the Company adopted the 2004 Employee Stock Options Plan. The provisions for exercise price, term and vesting schedule are, for the most part, the same as the previous Incentive Stock Option Plan. The 2004 Employee Stock Options Plan expired on its terms during fiscal 2015. The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock available pursuant to this plan prior to its expiration was 2,500,000 shares.

There were no transactions during fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014, and as of March 31, 2015, there were no options outstanding. At March 31, 2015 and 2014, the weighted average exercise price of exercisable options under the Program was nil.

In 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors, and the stockholders subsequently approved the 2004 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, the provisions for exercise price, term and vesting schedule being, for the most part, the same as the 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. The 2004 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan expired on its terms during fiscal 2015. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock available under this plan prior to its expiration was 250,000 shares.

There were no options granted during the fiscal years ending March 31, 2015 or 2014. As of March 31, 2015, there were no options outstanding. The weighted average exercise price of exercisable options under the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan was nil for March 31, 2015 and 2014.

A summary of transactions under the plan for the two years ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

     Number of
Options
     Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding — April 1, 2013

     50,000       $ 3.13   

Cancelled

     (50,000    $ 3.13   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding — March 31, 2014

  0    $ 0.00   

Outstanding — March 31, 2015

  0    $ 0.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2015

  0    $ 0.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 8 — SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Common Shares:

Authorized common shares total 75,000,000 shares of common shares, par value $0.01 per share, of which, 27,129,832 were issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and 2014. Shares held in treasury at March 31, 2015 and 2014 were 25,835,965.

 

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Common Stock Repurchase Program:

In September 2003, the Company’s Board authorized a share repurchase programs for 2,000,000 shares. No shares were repurchased in fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014. As of March 31, 2015, 732,377 shares remain available for repurchase under this program.

Series A Preferred Stock:

The Company has issued and outstanding 3,677 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (“Preferred Stock”) $.01 par value, with a face value of $3,677,000, which had no determinable market value as of March 31, 2015. Effective March 31, 2002, the previously existing conversion feature of the Preferred Stock expired. The Series A convertible preferred stock is non-voting, has no dividend preferences and has not been convertible since March 31, 2002; however, it retains a liquidation preference.

NOTE 9 — SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS:

At March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the Company held short-term investments totaling nil and $32.2 million, respectively.

The Company held $15.1 million in certificates of deposit which were classified as cash equivalents as of March 31, 2015 and $5.1 million as of March 31, 2014. The $15.1 million in certificates of deposit will mature on July 31, 2015.

NOTE 10 — NET EARNINGS PER SHARE:

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014:

 

     2015      2014  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Numerator:

     

Net income for basic and diluted earnings per share

   $ 1,893       $ 1,317   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average shares

  27,130      27,130   

Effect of dilutive securities on denominator:

Options

  —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share — weighted average shares and assumed conversions

  27,130      27,130   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share:

Basic and diluted income per share

$ .07    $ .05   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2015, there were no outstanding instruments which were potentially dilutive.

NOTE 11 — LICENSE AGREEMENTS:

The Company is party to numerous license agreements that allow licensees to use its trademarks for the manufacture and/or the sale of consumer electronics and other products and are referred to as “outward licenses”. These license agreements (i) allow the licensee to use the Company’s trademarks for a specific product category, or for sale within specific geographic areas, or for sales to a specific customer base, or any combination of the above, or any other category that might be defined in the license agreement and (ii) may be subject to renewal at the initial expiration of the agreements and are governed by the laws of the United States.

NOTE 12 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS:

The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings other than litigation matters, in most cases involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to its business. Management cannot estimate with certainty the Company’s ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to such pending litigation matters. However, management believes, based on its examination of such matters, that the Company’s ultimate liability will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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NOTE 13 — RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES:

Customer and Licensee Concentration

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the Company’s largest two customers, Target and Wal-Mart, and largest licensee, Funai, accounted for approximately 87% and 86% of the Company’s net revenues, respectively, with Target accounting for 51% and 58%, respectively, Wal-Mart accounting for 28% and 22%, respectively, and Funai accounting for 8% and 6%, respectively. A significant decline in net sales to Target or Wal-Mart, or a significant decline in licensing revenue from Funai, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operation.

Product Concentration

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s gross product sales were comprised of five product types within two categories — housewares products and audio products, and two of these product types, namely microwave ovens and compact refrigerators — both within the housewares category — generated approximately 95% of the Company’s gross product sales, with microwave ovens generating approximately 67% of the total and compact refrigerators generating approximately 28% of the total. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2014, the Company’s gross product sales were comprised of the same five product types within the same two categories — housewares products and audio products, and two of these product types, namely microwave ovens and compact refrigerators — both within the housewares category — generated approximately 93% of the Company’s gross product sales, with microwave ovens generating approximately 62% of the total and compact refrigerators generating approximately 31% of the total. As a results of this dependence, a significant decline in pricing of, or market acceptance of these product types and categories, either in general or specifically as marketed by the Company, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operation. Because the market for these product types and categories is characterized by periodic new product introductions, the Company’s future financial performance will depend, in part, on the successful and timely development and customer acceptance of new and enhanced versions of these product types and other products distributed by the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be successful in marketing these products types within these categories or any other new or enhanced products.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

As a percent of the Company’s total trade accounts receivable, net of specific reserves, the Company’s two top customers, Wal-Mart and Target, accounted for 30% and 50% as of March 31, 2015, respectively, and 58% and 36% as of March 31, 2014. The Company periodically performs credit evaluations of its customers but generally does not require collateral, and the Company provides for any anticipated credit losses in the financial statements based upon management’s estimates and ongoing reviews of recorded allowances. The accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts on the Company’s total trade accounts receivable balances was $5,000 at March 31, 2015 and $11,000 at March 31, 2014. Due to the high concentration of the Company’s net trade accounts receivables among just two customers, any significant failure by one of these customers to pay the Company the amounts owing against these receivables would result in a material adverse effect on the company’s business, financial condition and results of operation.

Supplier Concentration

The Company, during the twelve months ended March 31, 2015, procured approximately 96% of its products for resale from its three largest factory suppliers, and of these, the Company procured approximately 66% of these products from one of them. The Company, during the twelve months ended March 31, 2014, procured approximately 87% of its products for resale from its three largest factory suppliers, and of these, the Company procured approximately 64% of these products from one of them. No assurance can be given that ample supply of product would be available at current prices and on current credit terms if the Company were required to seek alternative sources of supply without adequate notice by a supplier or a reasonable opportunity to seek alternate production facilities and component parts and any resulting significant shortage of product supply would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operation.

 

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NOTE 14 — GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:

Net revenues and long-lived assets of the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 are summarized below by geographic area (in thousands). Net revenues are attributed to geographic area based on location of customer.

 

     Year Ended March 31, 2015  
     U.S.      Foreign      Consolidated  

Net revenues

   $ 76,323       $ —        $ 76,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-lived assets

$ 76    $ 103    $ 179   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended March 31, 2014  
     U.S.      Foreign      Consolidated  

Net revenues

   $ 77,829       $ —        $ 77,829   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-lived assets

$ 129    $ 143    $ 272   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

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Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d — 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Due to the inherent limitations of control systems, not all misstatements may be detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons; by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The Company’s controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the above objectives have been met.

As a result of its internal assessment, the Company’s management concluded that disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to ensure that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its evaluation under this framework, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

None

PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The information required is incorporated herein by reference to Emerson’s definitive Proxy Statement, or an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before July 29, 2015.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required is incorporated herein by reference to Emerson’s definitive Proxy Statement, or an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before July 29, 2015.

 

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Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required is incorporated herein by reference to Emerson’s definitive Proxy Statement, or an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before July 29, 2015.

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required is incorporated herein by reference to Emerson’s definitive Proxy Statement, or an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before July 29, 2015.

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required is incorporated herein by reference to Emerson’s definitive Proxy Statement, or an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before July 29, 2015.

PART IV

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

(a) List of Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules, and Exhibits.

1. Financial Statements. The following financial statements of Emerson Radio Corp. are included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and 2014

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

All financial statement schedules are omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as they are not required or applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

2. Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K or are incorporated herein by reference, as indicated.

 

Exhibit

Number

    
    3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (a) of Emerson’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994).
    3.4    Certificate of Designation for Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (b) of Emerson’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994).
    3.5    Amendment dated February 14, 1996 to the Certificate of Incorporation of Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (a) of Emerson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995).
    3.6    By-Laws of Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Emerson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2007).
    3.7    Amendment dated November 28, 1995 to the By-Laws of Emerson adopted March 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (b) of Emerson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995).
    3.8    Amendment effective as of November 10, 2009 to the By-Laws of Emerson adopted March 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Emerson’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2009).
    3.9    Amendment effective as of August 31, 2011 to the By-Laws of Emerson adopted March 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Emerson’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 7, 2011).

 

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  10.12 License Agreement effective as of January 1, 2001 by and between Funai Corporation and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (z) of Emerson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000).
  10.12.1 First Amendment to License Agreement dated February 19, 2002 by and between Funai Corporation and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.12.1) of Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002).
  10.12.2 Second Amendment to License Agreement effective August 1, 2002 by and between Funai Corporation and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.12.2) of Emerson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002).
  10.12.3 Third Amendment to License Agreement effective February 18, 2004 by and between Funai Corporation and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12.3 of Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending March 31, 2004).
  10.12.4 Fourth Amendment to License Agreement effective December 3, 2004 by and between Funai Corporation, Inc. and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.12.4) of Emerson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2004).
  10.12.5 Fifth Amendment to License Agreement effective May 18, 2005 by and between Funai Corporation, Inc. and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.12.5) of Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending March 31, 2005).
  10.12.7 Seventh Amendment to License Agreement effective December 22, 2005 by and between Funai Corporation, Inc. and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Emerson’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2005).
  10.13 Second Lease Modification dated as of May 15, 1998 between Hartz Mountain, Parsippany and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (v) of Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 3, 1998).
  10.13.1 Third Lease Modification made the 26th day of October, 1998 between Hartz Mountain Parsippany and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) of Emerson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 2, 1998).
  10.13.2 Fourth Lease Modification made the 12th day of February, 2003 between Hartz Mountain Parsippany and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.13.2) of Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003).
  10.13.3 Lease Agreement dated as of October 8, 2004 between Sealy TA Texas, L.P., a Georgia limited partnership, and Emerson Radio Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.13.3) of Emerson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004).
  10.13.4 Fifth Lease Modification Agreement made the 2nd day of December, 2004 between Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.13.3) of Emerson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2004).
  10.13.5 Lease Agreement (Single Tenant) between Ontario Warehouse I, Inc., a Florida corporation, as Landlord, and Emerson Radio Corp., a Delaware corporation, as Tenant, effective as of December 6, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Emerson’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 4, 2006).
  10.13.6 Letter agreement, dated November 28, 2005, between Emerson Radio Corp. and The Grande Group (Hong Kong) Limited regarding lease of office space. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13.6 to Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006).
  10.13.7 Letter agreement, dated November 29, 2005, between Emerson Radio Corp. and The Grande Group (Hong Kong) Limited regarding management services for office space. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13.7 to Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006).
  10.18.1 Emerson Radio Corp. 2004 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Emerson’s 2004 Proxy Statement).
  10.18.2 Emerson Radio Corp. 2004 Non-Employee Outside Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 of Emerson’s 2004 Proxy Statement).

 

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  10.27.7 Eighth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 23, 2005 among Emerson Radio Corp., Emerson Radio Macao Commercial Offshore Limited, Majexco Imports, Inc., Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Ltd. and Emerson Radio International Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27.7 of Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010).
  10.27.8 Ninth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 23, 2005 among Emerson Radio Corp., Emerson Radio Macao Commercial Offshore Limited, Majexco Imports, Inc., Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Ltd. and Emerson Radio International Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27.8 of Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010).
  10.28.3 Stock Purchase Agreement among Emerson Radio Corp., Collegiate Pacific Inc. and Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Limited, dated July 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Emerson’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 8, 2005).
  10.29 Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 2009 between Emerson and Duncan Hon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Emerson’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2009).
  10.30 Employment Agreement dated as of March 31, 2011 between the Company and Mr. Hon Tak Kwong (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Emerson’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011).
  10.31 Consultancy Agreement dated as of June 26, 2012 between the Company and Mr. Ma Chi Chiu (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to Emerson’s Form 10-K/A for the year ended March 31, 2012).
  10.32 Employment Agreement dated as of August 1, 2007, as amended, between the Company and Mr. Andrew L. Davis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Emerson’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2010).
  10.33 Amendment dated March 5, 2015 to Employment Agreement dated as of August 1, 2007, as amended, between the Company and Mr. Andrew L. Davis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Emerson’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2015).
  10.34 Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Emerson’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2014.)
  14.1 Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of Emerson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004).
  21.1 Principal Subsidiaries of the Company as of March 31, 2014.*
  23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — MSPC, Certified Public Accountants and Advisors, Professional Corporation.*
  31.1 Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
  31.2 Certification of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
  32 Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
101.1+ XBRL Instance Document. *
101.2+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. *
101.3+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. *
101.4+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. *
101.5+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. *
101.6+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. *

 

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.

(b) Exhibits. The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are filed herewith or incorporated by reference.

(c) Financial Statement Schedules and Other Financial Statements.

 

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Financial statement schedules are omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as they are not required or applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

EMERSON RADIO CORP.
By:

/s/ Duncan Hon

Duncan Hon
Chief Executive Officer
By:

/s/ Andrew L. Davis

Andrew L. Davis
Chief Financial Officer

Dated: July 14, 2015

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 and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ John Batchelor

Chairman of the Board of Directors July 14, 2015
John Batchelor

/s/ Lionel Choong

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors July 14, 2015
Lionel Choong

/s/ Duncan Hon

Chief Executive Officer and Director July 14, 2015
Duncan Hon

/s/ Gregory Hunt

Director July 14, 2015
Gregory Hunt

/s/ Mark Manski

Director July 14, 2015
Mark Manski

/s/ Kareem E. Sethi

Director July 14, 2015
Kareem E. Sethi

/s/ Terence A. Snellings

Director July 14, 2015
Terence A. Snellings

 

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