Table of Contents

 
 
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 25, 2010
     
o   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 0-8588
Technical Communications Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Massachusetts   04-2295040
     
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
100 Domino Drive, Concord, MA   01742-2892
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)
     
(978) 287-5100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Common Stock, $0.10 par value   NASDAQ Capital Market
     
(Title of each class)   (Name of each exchange
on which registered)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Not applicable
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES o NO þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. YES o NO þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES o NO o (not required)
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the 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. þ
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 o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES o NO þ
Based on the closing price as of March 27, 2010, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $12,236,814.
The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, outstanding as of December 17, 2010 was 1,826,087.
Portions of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held February 7, 2011 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
 
 

 

 


 

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the Year Ended September 25, 2010
Table of Contents
         
 
       
       
 
       
    1  
 
       
    9  
 
       
    13  
 
       
    14  
 
       
    14  
 
       
    14  
 
       
       
 
       
    14  
 
       
    16  
 
       
    17  
 
       
    22  
 
       
    22  
 
       
    23  
 
       
    23  
 
       
    24  
 
       
       
 
       
    24  
 
       
    24  
 
       
    24  
 
       
    24  
 
       
    24  
 
       
       
 
       
    25  
 
       
    27  
 
       
  Exhibit 10.14
  Exhibit 10.15
  Exhibit 10.16
  Exhibit 10.17
  Exhibit 21
  Exhibit 23.1
  Exhibit 23.2
  Exhibit 31.1
  Exhibit 31.2
  Exhibit 32

 

 


Table of Contents

PART I
Item 1.  
BUSINESS
Technical Communications Corporation (“TCC” or the “Company”) was organized in 1961 as a Massachusetts corporation to engage primarily in consulting activities. Since the late 1960s, the business has consisted entirely of the design, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of communications security devices and systems. The secure communications solutions provided by TCC protect vital information transmitted over a wide range of data, fax and voice networks. TCC’s products have been sold into over 115 countries and are in service with governments, military agencies, telecommunications carriers, financial institutions and multinational corporations. The Company’s business consists of one industry segment, which is the design, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of communications security devices and systems.
Overview
The Company’s products consist of sophisticated electronic devices that enable users to transmit information in an encrypted format and permit recipients to reconstitute the information in a deciphered format if the recipient possesses the right decryption “key”. The Company’s products can be used to protect confidentiality in communications between radios, telephones, facsimile machines and data processing equipment over wires, fiber optic cables, radio waves and microwave and satellite links. A customer may order equipment that is specially programmed to scramble transmissions in accordance with a code to which only the customer has access. The principal markets for the Company’s products are foreign and domestic governmental agencies, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and multinational companies requiring protection of mission-critical information.
TCC historically and presently designs and develops its own equipment and software to meet the requirements of general secure communications applications, as well as the custom-tailored requirements of specific users. Management believes the coordinated development of cryptographic software and associated hardware allows TCC to provide high-strength encryption security products with efficient processing and transmission. Both criteria, the Company believes, are essential to customer satisfaction.
TCC manufactures most of its products using third-party vendors for the supply of components and selected processing. Final assembly, software loading, testing and quality assurance are performed by TCC at its factory. This manufacturing approach allows TCC to competitively procure the components from multiple suppliers while maintaining control of the manufacture and performance of the final product.
TCC’s products are sold worldwide through a variety of channels depending on the country and the customer. Generally, TCC does not use stocking distributors because the Company’s products are required to be sold under an applicable U.S. government license, which generally requires end-user information. Rather, the Company sells directly to customers, original equipment manufacturers and value-added resellers using its in-house sales force as well as domestic and international representatives, consultants and distributors. The marketing and selling approach varies with each country and often involves extensive test and demonstration activity prior to the consummation of a sale. TCC has a network of in-country representatives and consultants who conduct performance demonstrations, market the products and close the sale, and who handle on behalf of TCC many of the ancillary requirements pertaining to importation duties, taxes, registration fees, and product receipt and acceptance. After-sale, in-country support by the representatives maintains customer satisfaction and provides a liaison for the Company’s customer support services.
The worldwide market for our Government Systems products remains a principal focus for TCC, as the Company believes increasing concerns with security will sustain demand for increased protection of both voice and data networks. Management plans selected, evolutionary upgrades to our government/military products both to meet new requirements of the market and to provide entry into new markets. We believe the ability of TCC to custom-tailor cryptographic functions and control systems to meet unique customer requirements will meet a growing demand as governments become more sophisticated in defining their communications security needs.

 

1


Table of Contents

2010 Highlights and Recent Events
The Company continued to produce positive financial results in fiscal 2010 with significant improvement in revenues and maintenance of strong profitability. TCC secured significant sales in several product areas, including military network security, HF radio encryptors, IP security for private satellite-based systems, and secure telephony systems. Several of the major 2010 projects were expansions of the TCC installed encryption bases in Egypt, Taiwan, Thailand, and Afghanistan. TCC also continued to expand its technology base through its development of new derivative products to meet specific customer applications.
Revenues in fiscal 2010 increased to $21,551,000, a 178% increase over fiscal 2009 revenues of $7,752,000, and we produced a profit of $7,868,000, or $4.68 per share, for the period. These results are largely due to continuing strong sales of encryption products for foreign military networks and radio applications, especially for deployment into Afghanistan. TCC’s backlog at the end of the year was $3,398,000. Although year-end backlog decreased 56% from the fiscal 2009 year-end position, orders received subsequent to the end of the 2010 fiscal year increased the backlog as of mid-December 2010 to approximately $6.8 million.
During fiscal 2010, TCC delivered over $3.6 million of network encryptors to the Government of Egypt under a Foreign Military Sales or “FMS” contract received in April 2008. This equipment is from our DSD 72A-SP product line of high performance encryptors used worldwide in tactical and strategic networks requiring strong encryption security and high reliability. The equipment delivered to Egypt in fiscal 2010 will provide logistics support as well as expand the fielded systems. TCC expects that the evolution of this customer’s radio systems will provide opportunities for upgrades and adaptations of the deployed bulk encryptors in the future. Accordingly, TCC continues to develop new DSD 72A-SP equipment which allows customers to use new radios, multiplexers and switches. In 2010, development was completed on a new multi-interface system that will give users the capability of matching a single encryptor to a multiple interface radio. TCC maintains a strong record of being supportive of its customers’ requirements and providing unique customized solutions to maintain a high security level as transmission systems change .
In fiscal 2010, TCC also received an order valued at $9.7 million to deliver significant quantities of the Company’s DSP 9000 Universal Radio Encryption System to Afghanistan for use by both the coalition and indigenous forces. TCC’s DSP 9000 family of radio encryption products is a large success in many countries where the need for high quality, ruggedized encryption is required for secure communication over the HF, UHF and VHF radio bands. The DSP 9000 products have the very attractive feature of mating to a wide variety of radios, providing end-to-end security between differing regions, vehicles and forces which may be using radios produced by different manufacturers. We believe that the DSP 9000 system provides a universal encryption solution that is readily deployable, cost effective and adaptable to meet unique user requirements. Also in fiscal 2010, TCC delivered DSP 9000 systems under FMS cases for the shipboard communications systems used in offshore and inland patrol craft for a variety of countries. The rugged design of the DSP 9000 system and its integration flexibility offer an ideal solution for many policing applications on land, water and air.
In the area of internal product development, TCC continues to invest in the development of new products that expand the application and roles of our product lines. We expect that future network encryption needs in the international government markets will be met with a new generation of very high speed encryptors currently under development. These encryptors are capable of providing high speed, fiber optic connectivity combined with rugged field environment reliability for the most demanding industrial and military applications.
TCC’s other product lines — secure telephony, custom network encryption and military data encryption — are all performing as expected and continue to provide a solid business base for the Company. With these products and those highlighted above, TCC believes it can continue to provide a broad range of high quality encryption equipment that meets the demanding requirements of a growing worldwide market.

 

2


Table of Contents

Products and Services
The products described below are currently available and provide communications security solutions for mission-critical networks, voice and facsimile, centralized key and device management, and military ciphering applications.
The Government Systems product line has traditionally been the Company’s core product base and has generated the majority of revenue for the Company in recent years. These products have proven to be highly durable, which has led to significant repeat business from our customers. The Company believes that these products and their derivatives will continue to be the Company’s most significant source of future revenues.
The Company’s Secure Office Systems product line primarily consists of products that were originally acquired through an asset and rights purchase from a subsidiary of AT&T in 1995. These products have produced modest revenues since their acquisition. Although these products are readily available and remain profitable, demand for them has diminished in recent years. We will continue to offer our Secure Office Systems products from existing inventory, which we anticipate will be sufficient for several more years. In 2005, we introduced a new secure wireless mobile phone, the first in a new line of secure wireless products as part of our Secure Office Systems product line. During 2007, we introduced a new flip phone model and during 2009 we introduced a new keyboard/PDA secure wireless phone and a new desktop encryptor for this product line. The market for the secure wireless mobile phones continues to develop modestly and we expect it will take the greater part of fiscal 2011 before this product line generates consistent revenue.
Although we believe our Network Security Systems products are competitive, the demand for the products comprising this product line has been difficult to establish. Strong competition in this market coupled with weak overall demand for network security products both domestically and overseas has hampered the Company’s efforts to develop an active and consistent market. These products are currently available and we believe we will be able to fulfill any customer requirements for the foreseeable future.
The Company also provides customization of its products upon a customer’s request. In addition, the Company actively sells its engineering services in support of funded research and development. These services are typically billed to a customer on a time and materials basis and can run for several months to several years depending on the scope of the project. Revenue from these services has steadily increased over the past four years.
Government Systems
The Company’s High Speed Data Encryptor is a rugged military system that provides a high level of cryptographic security for data networks operating at up to 34 million bits per second. The product supports a wide variety of interfaces and integrates into existing networks. Reliable secure communication is achieved with communication synchronization methods built to maintain connections in error and jamming environments such as radio relay networks, missile systems and microwave systems. In October 2010, TCC announced the introduction of a new family of high speed SONET/SDH encryptors capable of operating on fiber optic networks. These encryptors have been designed to meet a wide range of environmental and operational requirements and provide a high level of security in a wide range of deployment conditions.
The Company’s Narrowband Radio Security family of products provides strategic security for voice and data communications sent over HF, VHF and UHF channels. Designed for military environments, we believe these products provide high voice quality over poor line connections, making them an attractive security solution for military aircraft, naval, base station and manpack radio applications. These products provide automated key distribution for security and ease of use. They are also radio independent because software programmable interfaces allow radio interface levels to be changed without configuring the hardware. Base station, handset and implant board configurations are available options and the products are compatible with the Company’s secure telephone systems to enable “office-to-field” communications.

 

3


Table of Contents

The Company’s Secure Telephone, Fax and Data system is a comprehensive office communications security system that provides voice, fax and data encryption in a telephone package. The product has a fallback mode, which was originally developed for poor HF channels. As a result, secure communications are possible even over poor line conditions. TCC’s high-level encryption and automated key distribution system protect sensitive information, and internal storage of 400 keys provides hands-off security.
Secure Office Systems
The Company’s Secure Portable Telephone Attachment may be placed between any telephone and handset worldwide to provide digital security. The attachment is small and portable, operates over both digital and analog telephone lines, and is designed to ensure protection through new and unique random keys negotiated with each communication session.
The Company’s Fax Security System is a secure, automatic transmission fax system that connects to any standard facsimile machine. Security protection is achieved using key technology, which provides randomly generated keys that are unique to each communication session. Open and closed networks are supported by the device to enable an open exchange of secure documents in the industrial marketplace or to restrict secure communications to only authorized parties in highly confidential or government applications.
The Company’s Executive Secure Telephone offers strategic-level voice and data security in a full-featured executive telephone package. Exceptional voice quality can be achieved with three different voice-coding algorithms. The product provides ease-of-use security features such as automated key management, authentication, certification and access control.
The CipherTalk ® 8000 and CipherSMS ® secure wireless products are designed to provide encrypted mobile communications anywhere in the world. With multi-band radio interfaces, these products operate in the North American, Latin American, and European regions, as well as the Asian and Australian regions. Integrated on leading mobile device platforms, they contain the latest in mobile productivity functionality as well as standard cell phone operation. The CipherTalk 8000 is the first product in the Company’s new line of secure wireless products first introduced in 2005.
Network Security Systems
The CipherONE ® family of Network Security Systems consists of high-performance hardware and software-based encryption products for local area network, wide area network and Internet applications and includes a network security management system.
All of the CipherONE systems have been designed for node-to-node protection and therefore provide node authentication and access control, as well as data integrity. This family of products also utilizes a modular architecture that permits the software to be updated as networks migrate to emerging protocols, thereby protecting the user’s investment. Network transparent, the products support U.S. government-backed and proprietary encryption algorithms as well as industry-standard specifications for security key management.
The Company’s Frame Relay Network Encryptor is an end-to-end frame relay encryption system and is configured locally with Cipher Site Manager, its accompanying software configuration tool, or remotely with KEYNET TM (discussed below).
The Company’s IP Network Encryptor provides encryption security at the Internet protocol layer and is configured locally with Cipher Site Manager or remotely with KEYNET.
The Company’s KEYNET Network Security Management System is a Windows NT-based key and security device management system that can centrally and simultaneously manage an entire CipherONE Security Systems Network, including those on mixed networks. KEYNET has an intuitive graphical user interface, making it easy to use. The system securely generates, distributes and exchanges keys, sets address tables, provides diagnostics and performs automatic polling and alarms from central and remote locations. KEYNET also provides instant alarm notification. These high security measures facilitate central management while maintaining security for mission-critical networks worldwide.

 

4


Table of Contents

Competition
The market for communications security devices and systems is highly competitive and characterized by rapid technological change. The Company has several competitors, including foreign-based companies, in the communications security device field. The Company believes its principal competitors include Crypto AG, Thales Group, Motorola Inc., General Dynamics Corporation, Omnisec AG, Cisco Systems, Inc., SafeNet, Inc. and Alcatel-Lucent.
The Company competes based on its service, the operational and technical features of its products, its sales expertise and pricing. Many of TCC’s competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, sales and marketing, distribution and other resources, greater name recognition and longer standing relationships with customers. Competitors with greater financial resources can be more aggressive in marketing campaigns, can survive sustained price reductions in order to gain market share and can devote greater resources to support existing products and develop new competing products.
Our competitive position also depends on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, obtain and maintain intellectual property protection or otherwise develop proprietary products or processes, and secure sufficient capital resources for product, research and development efforts.
Sales and Backlog
In fiscal 2010, the Company had three customers representing 86% of total net sales. These consisted of fees generated by our engineering services efforts representing 10% of sales and sales under a contract with U.S. Army, Communications and Electronics Command (“CECOM”) for bulk encryptors representing 17% of sales. Also, we had sales of radio encryptors to one customer for deployment in Afghanistan representing 59% of sales. In fiscal year 2009, the Company had three customers representing 76% of total net sales. These consisted of sales of radio encryptors to one customer for deployment in Afghanistan amounting to 15% of sales, fees generated by our engineering services efforts for one customer representing 33% of sales and sales under the CECOM contract for bulk encryptors representing 28% of sales.
The Company sells directly to customers, original equipment manufacturers and value-added resellers using its in-house sales force as well as domestic and international representatives, consultants and distributors. International sales are made primarily through our main office. We seldom have long-term contractual relationships with our customers and, therefore, generally have no assurance of a continuing relationship within a given market.
Orders for our products are usually placed by customers on an as-needed basis and we typically ship products within 30 to 120 days of receipt of a customer’s firm purchase order. Our backlog consists of all orders received where the anticipated shipping date is within 12 months of the order date. Because of the possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules or the cancellation of orders, our backlog as of any particular date may not be indicative of sales in any future period. Our backlog as of September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009 was approximately $3,398,000 and $7,778,000, respectively. Orders received subsequent to September 25, 2010 have increased backlog as of mid-December to approximately $6.8 million.
The Company expects that sales to relatively few customers will continue to account for a high percentage of the Company’s revenues in any accounting period for the foreseeable future. A reduction in orders from any such customer, or the cancellation of any significant order and failure to replace such order with orders from other customers, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

5


Table of Contents

Regulatory Matters
As a party to a number of contracts with the U.S. government and its agencies, the Company must comply with extensive regulations with respect to bid proposals and billing practices. Should the U.S. government or its agencies conclude that the Company has not adhered to federal regulations, any contracts to which the Company is a party could be canceled and the Company could be prohibited from bidding on future contracts. Such a prohibition would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
All payments to the Company for work performed on contracts with agencies of the U.S. government are subject to adjustment upon audit by the U.S. Defense Contract Audit Agency, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and other agencies. The Company could be required to return any payments received from U.S. government agencies if it is found to have violated federal regulations. In addition, U.S. government contracts may be canceled at any time by the government with limited or no notice or penalty. Contract awards are also subject to funding approval from the U.S. government, which involves political, budgetary and other considerations over which the Company has no control.
The Company’s security products are subject to export restrictions administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Department of State, which license the export of encryption products, subject to certain technical restrictions. In addition, U.S. export laws prohibit the export of encryption products to a number of hostile countries. Although to date the Company has been able to secure necessary U.S. government export licenses, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be able to secure such licenses in a timely manner in the future, or at all.
The U.S. government controls, through a licensing process, the distribution of encryption technology and the sale of encryption products. The procedure for obtaining the applicable license from either the Department of Commerce or the Department of State (depending on the U.S. government’s determination of jurisdiction) is well documented. The Company submits a license request application, which contains information pertaining to: the type of equipment being sold; detailed technical description (if required); the buyer; the end-user and use; quantity; and destination location. The appropriate departments of the U.S. government review the application and a licensing decision is provided to the Company. Pursuant to the receipt of the license, the Company may ship the product.
Many of TCC’s products can be sold under existing “blanket” licenses which have been obtained through a variant of the licensing process that approves products for sale to certain classes of customers (e.g. financial institutions, civilian government entities and commercial users). The Company has obtained “blanket” licenses for its secure telephone and office system products and its family of network encryptors. Licenses for sales of certain other products and/or to certain end users must be submitted for specific approval as described above. Although the U.S. government retains the right and ability to restrict product exports, the Company does not believe that U.S. government licensing will become more restrictive or an impediment to its business. The trend, since the mid-nineties, has been for the U.S. government to reduce the restrictions on the foreign sale of cryptographic equipment. TCC believes this trend is driven by the government’s recognition of the technology available from foreign sources and the need to allow domestic corporations to compete in foreign markets. However, should the regulations become more restrictive, it would have a negative impact on the Company’s international business, which impact could be material.
The costs and effects of compliance by the Company with applicable environmental laws during fiscal 2010 and historically are immaterial. In the event the Company’s sales to Europe increase, the Company may have to incur additional costs to provide for the disposal of its products in compliance with applicable laws.
Manufacturing
TCC has several manufacturing subcontractors and suppliers that provide outside processing of electronic circuit boards, fabrication of metal components, and supply of electronic components. For the majority of purchased materials and services, TCC has multiple suppliers that are able to deliver materials and services under short-term delivery purchase orders. Payment is typically made after delivery, based upon standard credit arrangements. For a small minority of parts, there are limited sources of supply. In such cases, TCC monitors source availability and usually stocks for anticipated long-term requirements to assure manufacturing continuity. Notwithstanding the Company’s efforts to maintain material supplies, shortages can and do develop, necessitating delays in production, significant engineering development effort to find alternative solutions and, if production cannot be maintained, the discontinuation of the affected product design.

 

6


Table of Contents

The Company’s internal manufacturing process consists primarily of adding critical components, final assembly, quality control, testing and system burn-in. Delivery time varies depending on the products and options ordered.
Technological Expertise
The Company’s technological expertise and experience, including certain proprietary rights which it has developed and maintains as trade secrets, are crucial to the conduct of the Company’s business. Management is of the opinion that, while patent protection is desirable with respect to certain of its products, none of the Company’s patents are material to the conduct of its business. Eight patents have been issued to the Company. The Company also has a number of registered and unregistered trademarks for various products, none of which are material to the conduct of TCC’s business.
TCC has an on-going technology license for communications protocol software used in the CipherONE family of Network Security System products. The license is royalty-based and runs without a specified termination date. The cost of this license is immaterial.
TCC has been designing and producing secure, cryptography-based communications systems for over 40 years, during which time the Company has developed many technology techniques and practices. This expertise and experience is in the areas of cryptographic algorithm design and implementation, key distribution and management systems, cryptographic processors, voice and fax encryption and electronic hardware design. TCC relies on its internal technical expertise and experience, which TCC considers to be proprietary. These proprietary technologies are owned by TCC, are under TCC’s control, and have been documented consistent with standard engineering practices. It is estimated that the majority of sales during the past two years and during the next two years will be of products that are based upon TCC-proprietary designs.
Such technological experience and expertise are important as they enable an efficient design and development process. Loss of this experience and expertise would have an adverse impact on the Company. However, TCC’s practices governing the internal documentation of design data mitigate some of the risk associated with the loss of personnel who are skilled in the core competencies described above.
With the exception of the technology license referred to above, TCC has no material third party rights upon which the Company relies. Sales of the products associated with this license have not been and are not anticipated to be significant to the Company’s revenues.
Research and Development
Research and development efforts are undertaken by the Company primarily on its own initiative. In order to compete successfully, the Company must attract and retain qualified personnel, improve existing products and develop new products. No assurances can be given that the Company will be able to hire and train such technical management and sales personnel or successfully improve and develop its products. During the years ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009, the Company spent $2,608,000 and $1,889,000, respectively, on product development.
In fiscal 2011, the Company expects to increase its investment in internal product development by approximately 15%. Our plan is to continue to evaluate several technical options for enhancing the DSP 9000 radio encryption product line, which may include cryptography modifications, hardware and software changes and partnering with radio manufacturers to incorporate imbedded solutions. TCC also expects to complete systems testing in early 2011 of a high speed, SONET/SDH optical encryptor called the 72B, which we expect will provide full-rate encryption capability at 155mbs and 622mbs speeds. This encryptor is designed to be compliant with the Federal Information Processing Standard (“FIPS”) level 140-2 and is being offered in three configurations covering applications for commercial telecommunications providers through highly ruggedized military and government requirements. TCC expects that the 72B encryptor family will provide fully interoperable operations between office and harsh field environments.

 

7


Table of Contents

On-going research and development in support of product improvements and application variants also is expected to continue. In 2011 TCC plans to begin development of an advanced, 100mbs through 1gbs family of IP encryptors which will service private network markets for government, military and satellite users. This initiative is planned to have a product introduction in 2012. Should the Company choose to embark on a major development program in addition to its traditional research and development activities, engineering staff will have to be added. The Company has sufficient physical resources to support the added staff and believes that adequate technical resources exist in the Boston area to meet potential needs; however we may need financial resources, in addition to cash from operations, to fund a major new development program.
Foreign Operations
The Company is dependent upon its foreign sales. Although foreign sales were more profitable than domestic sales during fiscal years 2010 and 2009 because the mix of products sold abroad included more products with higher profit margins, this does not represent a predictable trend. Sales to foreign markets have been and will continue to be affected by, among other things, the stability of foreign governments, foreign and domestic economic conditions, export and other governmental regulations, and changes in technology. The Company attempts to minimize the financial risks normally associated with foreign sales by utilizing letters of credit confirmed by U.S. banks and by using foreign credit insurance. Foreign sales contracts are usually denominated in U.S. dollars.
The Company utilizes the services of sales representatives, consultants and distributors in connection with foreign sales. Typically, representatives are paid commissions and consultants are paid fixed amounts on a stipulated schedule in return for services rendered. Distributors are granted discounted pricing.
The export from the United States of many of the Company’s products may require the issuance of a license by the Department of State under the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, as amended, or by the Department of Commerce under the Export Administration Act as kept in force by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, as amended. The licensing process is discussed in more detail under the “Regulatory Matters” section above.
In fiscal years 2010 and 2009, sales directly to international customers accounted for approximately 4% and 7%, respectively, of our net sales. During those periods a significant portion of domestic sales (59% and 15%, respectively) were made to a domestic radio manufacturer that shipped our radio encryption products overseas for use in Afghanistan. In addition, we substantially completed shipments of products delivered to the Government of Egypt representing 16% of sales under a contract with the U.S. Army CECOM. Based on our historical results we expect that international sales, including sales to domestic customers that ship to foreign end-users, will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues for the foreseeable future. As a result, we are subject to the risks of doing business internationally, including:
   
changes in regulatory requirements,
   
domestic and foreign government policies, including requirements to expend a portion of program funds locally and governmental industrial cooperation requirements,
   
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates,
   
delays in placing orders,
   
the complexity and necessity of using foreign representatives, consultants and distributors,
   
the uncertainty of the ability of foreign customers to finance purchases,
   
uncertainties and restrictions concerning the availability of funding credit or guarantees,
   
imposition of tariffs or embargoes, export controls and other trade restrictions,
   
the difficulty of managing and operating an enterprise spanning several countries,
   
compliance with a variety of foreign laws, as well as U.S. laws affecting the activities of U.S. companies abroad, and
   
economic and geopolitical developments and conditions, including international hostilities, acts of terrorism and governmental reactions, inflation, trade relationships and military and political alliances.
While these factors and their impact are difficult to predict, any one or more of these factors could adversely affect our operations in the future.

 

8


Table of Contents

We also may not be successful in obtaining the necessary licenses to conduct operations abroad, and the U.S. government may prevent proposed sales to foreign governments or other end-users.
Employees
As of September 25, 2010, the Company employed 33 full-time employees and two part-time employees, as well as several full and part-time consultants. The Company believes that its relationship with employees is good.
Item 1A.  
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors that affect our business. Such risks could cause our actual results to differ materially from those that are expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently deem immaterial, also may become important factors that affect us. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. You should also consider the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2010 and subsequent quarterly reports filed with the SEC.
Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate and our future revenues and profitability are uncertain.
We have experienced significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results during the last five years and anticipate continued substantial fluctuations in our future operating results. A number of factors have contributed to these quarterly fluctuations including, but not limited to:
   
introduction and market acceptance of new products and product enhancements by us and our competitors;
   
budgeting cycles of customers, including the U.S. government;
   
timing and execution of individual contracts;
   
competitive conditions in the communications security industry;
   
changes in general economic conditions; and
   
shortfalls of revenues in relation to expectations that formed the basis for the calculation of fixed expenses.
Our future success will depend on our ability to respond to rapid technological changes in the markets in which we compete.
The markets for TCC’s products and services are characterized by rapid technological developments, changing customer technological requirements and preferences, frequent new product introductions, enhancements and modifications and evolving industry standards. Our success will depend in large part on our ability to correctly identify emerging technological trends, enhance capabilities, and develop and manufacture new technologies and products quickly, in a cost-effective manner, and at competitive prices. The development of new and enhanced products is a complex and costly process. We may need to make substantial capital expenditures and incur significant research and development costs to develop and introduce such new products and enhancements. Our choices for developing technologies may prove incorrect if customers do not adopt the products we develop or if the technologies ultimately prove to be technically or commercially unviable. Development schedules also may be adversely affected as the result of the discovery of performance problems. If we fail to timely develop and introduce competitive new technologies, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.
Existing or new competitors may develop competing or superior technologies .
The industry in which the Company competes is highly competitive, and the Company has several domestic and foreign competitors. Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, sales and marketing, distribution and other resources, greater name recognition and longer standing relationships with customers. Competitors with greater financial resources can be more aggressive in marketing campaigns, can survive sustained price reductions in order to gain market share, and can devote greater resources to support existing products and develop new competing products. Any period of sustained price reductions for our products would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. TCC may not be able to compete successfully in the future and competitive pressures may result in price reductions, loss of market share or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. It is also possible that competing products will emerge that may be superior in quality and performance and/or less expensive than those of the Company, or that similar technologies may render TCC’s products obsolete or uncompetitive and prevent the Company from achieving or sustaining profitable operations.

 

9


Table of Contents

The operating performance of our products is critical to our business and reputation.
The sale and use of our products entail a risk of product failure, product liability or other claims. Occasionally, some of our products have quality issues resulting from the design or manufacture of the product or the software used in the product. Often these issues are discovered prior to shipment and may result in shipping delays or even cancellation of orders by customers. Other times problems are discovered after the products have shipped, requiring us to resolve issues in a manner that is timely and least disruptive to our customers. Such pre-shipment and post-shipment problems have ramifications for TCC, including cancellation of orders, product returns, increased costs associated with product repair or replacement, and a negative impact on our goodwill and reputation.
Once our products are in use, any product failure, including software or hardware failure, which causes a breach of security with respect to our customer’s confidential communications, could have a material adverse effect on TCC. There is no guarantee of product performance or that our products are adequate to protect against all security breaches. While we attempt to mitigate such risks by maintaining insurance and including warranty disclaimers and liability limitation clauses in our arrangements with customers, such mitigation devices may not protect us against liability in all instances. If our products failed for any reason, our clients could experience data loss, financial loss, personal and property losses, harm to reputation, and significant business interruption. Such events may expose us to substantial liability, increased regulation and/or penalties, as well as loss of customer business and a diminished reputation. Any product liability claims and related litigation would likely be time-consuming and expensive, may not be adequately covered by insurance, and may delay or terminate research and development efforts, regulatory approvals and commercialization activities.
If our products and services do not interoperate with our end-users’ products, orders could be delayed or cancelled, which could significantly reduce our revenues.
Our products are designed to interface with our end-users’ existing products, each of which has different specifications and utilizes multiple protocol standards. Many of our end-users’ systems contain multiple generations of products that have been added over time as these systems have grown and evolved. Our products and services must interoperate with all of these products and services as well as with future products and services that might be added to meet our end-users’ requirements. If our products do not interface with those within our end-users’ products and systems, orders for our products could be delayed or cancelled, which could significantly reduce our revenues.
Government regulation and legal uncertainties could harm our business .
As a party to a number of contracts with the U.S. government and its agencies, the Company must comply with extensive regulations with respect to bid proposals and billing practices. Should the U.S. government or its agencies conclude that the Company has not adhered to federal regulations, any contracts to which the Company is a party could be canceled and the Company could be prohibited from bidding on future contracts. Moreover, payments to the Company for work performed on contracts with agencies of the U.S. government are subject to audit and adjustment. The Company could be required to return any payments received from U.S. government agencies if it is found to have violated federal regulations. In addition, U.S. government contracts may be canceled at any time by the government with limited or no notice or penalty. Contract awards are also subject to funding approval from the U.S. government, which involves political, budgetary and other considerations over which the Company has no control.
The Company’s security products are subject to export restrictions administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Department of State, which license the export of encryption products, subject to certain technical restrictions. In addition, U.S. export laws prohibit the export of encryption products to a number of hostile countries and some end-users. Although to date the Company has been able to secure necessary U.S. government export licenses, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be able to secure such licenses in a timely manner in the future, or at all. Delays in obtaining necessary approvals could be costly in terms of lost sales opportunities and compliance costs. Should export restrictions and regulations become more restrictive, or should new laws be enacted, it could have a negative impact on the Company’s international business, which impact could be material.

 

10


Table of Contents

Contracts with the U.S. government may not be fully funded at inception and are subject to termination .
A portion of our revenues has historically been generated under agreements with the U.S. government. Any changes or delays in the budget of the U.S. government, and in particular defense spending, could affect our business, and funding levels are difficult to predict with any certainty. Moreover, certain multi-year contracts are conditioned on the continuing availability of appropriations. However, funds are typically appropriated on a fiscal-year basis, even though contract performance may extend over many years, making future sales and revenues under multi-year contracts uncertain. Changes in appropriations and budgets as well as economic conditions generally in subsequent years may impact the funding for these contracts. In addition, changes in funding and other factors may lead to the termination of such contracts. The U.S. government typically has the right to terminate agreements for convenience with little or no penalty. Adverse changes in funding and the termination of government contracts could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Our international operations expose us to additional risks.
The Company is dependent upon its foreign sales and we expect that sales to foreign end-users will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues for the foreseeable future. As a result, we are subject to the risks of doing business internationally, including imposition of tariffs or embargoes, export controls, trade barriers and trade disputes, regulations related to customs and export/import matters, fluctuations in foreign economies and currency exchange rates, longer payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable, the complexity and necessity of using foreign representatives, consultants and distributors, tax uncertainties and unanticipated tax costs due to foreign taxing regimes, the difficulty of managing and operating an enterprise spanning several countries, the uncertainty of protection for intellectual property rights and differing legal systems generally, compliance with a variety of laws and economic and geopolitical developments and conditions, including international hostilities, armed conflicts, acts of terrorism and governmental reactions, inflation, trade relationships and military and political alliances.
We also may not be successful in obtaining the necessary licenses to conduct operations abroad, including the export of many of the Company’s products, and the U.S. government may prevent proposed sales to foreign governments or certain international end-users. Export restrictions, compliance with which imposes additional burdens on the Company, may further provide a competitive advantage to foreign competitors facing less stringent controls on their products and services.
Finally, an increasing focus of our business is in emerging markets, including South America and Southwest Asia. In many of these emerging markets, we may be faced with risks that are more significant than if we were to do business in developed countries, including undeveloped legal systems, unstable governments and economies, and potential governmental actions affecting the flow of goods and currency.
If the protection of our intellectual property is inadequate, our competitors may gain access to our technologies.
The Company’s technological expertise and experience, including certain proprietary rights that it has developed and maintains as trade secrets, are crucial to the conduct of the Company’s business and its ability to compete in the marketplace. Such technological expertise and experience are important as they enable an efficient design and development process. Loss of this experience and expertise would have an adverse impact on the Company. To protect our proprietary information, we rely primarily on a combination of internal procedures, contractual provisions, and patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws. Such internal procedures and contractual provisions may not prove sufficient to maintain the confidentiality and proprietary nature of such information and may not provide meaningful protection in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure. Trade secret and copyright laws afford only limited protection. Current and potential patents and trademarks may not provide us with any competitive advantage and patents and trademarks must be enforced and maintained to provide protection, which may prove costly and time-consuming.

 

11


Table of Contents

Despite our efforts to safeguard and maintain our proprietary rights, we may not be successful in doing so or the steps taken by us may be inadequate to deter unauthorized parties from misappropriating our technologies or prevent them from obtaining and using our proprietary information, products and technologies. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop similar technologies or design around patents issued to us.
Other parties may have patent rights relating to the same subject matter covered by our products or technologies, enabling them to prevent us from operating without obtaining a license and paying royalties. Third parties also may challenge our patents or proprietary rights or claim we are infringing on their rights. Any claims of infringement or misappropriation, with or without merit, would likely be time-consuming, result in costly litigation and diversion of resources, and cause delays in the development and commercialization of our products. We may be required to expend significant resources to develop non-infringing intellectual property, pay royalties or obtain licenses to the intellectual property that is the subject of such litigation. Royalties may be costly and licenses, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to us, the absence of which could seriously harm our business.
In addition, the laws and enforcement mechanisms of some foreign countries may not offer the same level of protection as do the laws of the United States. Legal protections of our rights may be ineffective in such countries, and technologies developed in such countries may not be protected in jurisdictions where protection is ordinarily available. Our inability to protect our intellectual property both in the United States and abroad would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The Company relies on a small number of customers for a large percentage of its revenues.
We will be successful only if a significant number of customers adopt our secure communications products. Historically the Company has had a small number of customers representing a large percentage of its total sales. Although the Company endeavors to expand its customer base, we expect that sales to a limited number of customers will continue to account for a high percentage of our revenues in any given period for the foreseeable future. This reliance makes us particularly susceptible to factors affecting those customers. If such customers’ business declines and as a result our sales to such customers decline without corresponding sales orders from other customers, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. It is difficult to predict the rate at which customers will use our products, even in the case of repeat customers, and we do not typically have long-term contractual arrangements.
We may not be able to maintain effective product distribution channels.
We rely on an in-house sales force as well as domestic and international representatives, consultants and distributors for the sale and distribution of our products. Our sales and marketing organization may be unable to successfully compete against more extensive and well-funded operations of certain of our competitors. In addition, we must manage sales and marketing personnel in numerous countries around the world with the concomitant difficulties in maintaining effective communications due to distance, language and cultural barriers. Further, certain of our distributors may carry competing products lines, which may negatively impact our sales revenues.
Our management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is currently not effective.
Our management team, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year. In the course of that assessment, management identified a control deficiency that was also identified in the course of its assessments for fiscal years 2009 and 2008. Specifically, management determined that TCC lacked sufficient staff to segregate accounting duties, which could result in a misstatement of balance sheet and income statement items that would not be detected. Management concluded that such control deficiency constituted a material weakness and that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of September 25, 2010.

 

12


Table of Contents

Until we are able to remediate the material weakness identified, such material weakness may materially and adversely affect our ability to report accurately our financial condition and results of operations in the future in a timely and reliable manner. In addition, although we review and evaluate our internal control systems to allow management to report on the sufficiency of our internal control over financial reporting, we cannot assure you that we will not discover additional weaknesses in the future or that any corrective actions taken to remediate issues identified during the course of an assessment will be effective. Any such additional weakness or failure to remediate any existing weakness could materially adversely affect our financial condition or ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements.
We rely on single or limited sources for the manufacture and supply of certain product components.
For a small percentage of parts, we rely upon a single or limited number of manufacturers and suppliers. Moreover, because we depend on third party manufacturers and suppliers, we do not directly control product delivery schedules or product quality. In addition, we may not be able to maintain satisfactory contractual relations with our manufacturers and suppliers. A significant delay in delivering products to our customers, whether from unforeseen events such as natural disasters or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. If we lose any of our manufacturers or suppliers, we expect that it would take from three to six months for a new manufacturer or supplier to begin full-scale production of one of our products. The delay and expense associated with qualifying a new manufacturer or supplier and commencing production could result in a material loss of revenue and reduced operating margins and harm our relationships with customers. While we have not experienced any significant supply problems or problems with the quality of the manufacturing process of our suppliers and there have been no materially late deliveries of components or parts to date, it is possible that in the future we may encounter problems in the manufacturing process or shortages in parts, components or other elements vital to the manufacture, production and sale of our products.
The loss of existing key management and technical personnel and the inability to attract new hires could have a detrimental effect on the Company .
Our success depends on identifying, hiring, training, and retaining qualified professionals. Competition for qualified employees in our industry is intense and we expect this to remain so for the foreseeable future. If we were unable to attract and hire a sufficient number of employees, or if a significant number of our current employees or any of our senior managers resign, we may be unable to complete or maintain existing projects or bid for new projects of similar scope and revenue. The Company’s success is particularly dependent on the retention of existing management and technical personnel, including Carl H. Guild, Jr., the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Although the Company has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Guild, the loss or unavailability of his services could impede our ability to effectively manage our operations.
We may need to expand our operations and we may not effectively manage any future growth.
As of December 17, 2010, we employed 32 full-time and two part-time employees as well as several full-time and part-time consultants. In the event our products and services obtain greater market acceptance, we may be required to expand our management team and hire and train additional technical and skilled personnel. We may need to scale up our operations in order to service our customers, which may strain our resources, and we may be unable to manage our growth effectively. If our systems, procedures, and controls are inadequate to support our operations, growth could be delayed or halted, and we could lose our opportunity to gain significant market share. In order to achieve and manage growth effectively, we must continue to improve and expand our operational and financial management capabilities. Any inability to manage growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Item 1B.  
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.

 

13


Table of Contents

Item 2.  
PROPERTIES
In April 2007, the Company entered into a new lease for its current facilities. This lease is for 22,800 square feet located at 100 Domino Drive, Concord, MA. The Company has been a tenant in this space since 1983 and believes its condition is good. This is the Company’s only facility and houses all manufacturing, research and development, and corporate operations. The term of the lease is for five years through March 31, 2012 at an annual rate of $159,000. In addition the lease contains options to extend the lease for two and one half years through September 30, 2014 and another two and one half years through March 31, 2017, at an annual rate of $171,000. Rent expense for each of the years ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009 was $159,000.
Item 3.  
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no current legal proceedings as to which TCC or its subsidiary is a party or as to which any of their property is subject.
Item 4.  
RESERVED
PART II
Item 5.  
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
The Company’s common stock, $0.10 par value, began trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on July 14, 2010 under the symbol “TCCO.” Prior to such date, the common stock was traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “TCCO.OB.” The following table presents, commencing July 14, 2010, low and high sales prices for the common stock and, prior to such date, low and high bid information for the time periods specified. All over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. has furnished the sales price information and over-the-counter quotations.
                         
            Price  
Title of Class   Quarter Ending     Low     High  
 
                       
Common Stock, $0.10 par value
    9/25/2010     $ 8.45     $ 13.00  
 
    6/26/2010       8.75       14.68  
 
    3/27/2010       4.00       13.15  
 
    12/26/2009       3.60       4.50  
 
                       
 
    9/26/2009     $ 3.70     $ 5.25  
 
    6/27/2009       3.75       5.00  
 
    3/28/2009       3.00       5.57  
 
    12/27/2008       3.35       5.60  
Dividends
The Company paid cash dividends on its class of common equity during fiscal year 2010 as follows:
                 
Payment Date   Aggregate     Per Share  
March 22, 2010
  $ 3,640,876     $ 2.00  
June 15, 2010
    182,044       0.10  
September 9, 2010
    182,559       0.10  
On December 9, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock outstanding. The dividend is payable in cash on December 27, 2010 to all shareholders of record on December 20, 2010 and is expected to be approximately $182,609. It is not the Company’s intention to pay dividends on a regular basis unless future profits warrant such actions.

 

14


Table of Contents

Holders
As of December 17, 2010, there were approximately 800 record holders of our Common Stock.
Recent Price
On December 17, 2010, the closing price of the Common Stock was $13.38.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table presents information about the Technical Communications Corporation 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, the Technical Communications Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan and the Technical Communications Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan (which plan has expired but under which there are still options outstanding) as of the fiscal year ended September 25, 2010. For more information on these plans, see the discussion of the Company’s stock option plans and stock-based compensation plans included in Note 2 to the Company’s financial statements as of and for the year ended September 25, 2010, included herewith.
                         
                    Number of  
    Number of securities to     Weighted average     securities  
    be issued upon exercise     exercise price of     remaining  
    of outstanding options,     outstanding options,     available for  
Plan category   warrants and rights     warrants and rights     future issuance  
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
    3,400 (1)   $ 2.74        
 
                       
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
    111,888 (2)   $ 5.30       43,059  
 
                       
Total
    115,288     $ 5.23       43,059  
     
(1)  
Of the 3,400 options outstanding as of September 25, 2010, 2,500 were exercisable as of such date at an average exercise price of $2.54 per share.
 
(2)  
Of the 111,888 options outstanding as of September 25, 2010, 74,388 were exercisable as of such date at an average exercise price of $5.10 per share.
The Board of Directors has also approved the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. This plan is subject to the approval of shareholders at the Company’s 2011 Annual Stockholder meeting to be held on February 7, 2011. The Company is seeking approval for 200,000 shares to be available for grant under the plan. Of these 200,000 shares the Company granted options to purchase 145,815 shares during fiscal 2010, of which 142,665 remained outstanding on December 17, 2010. The plan and such options will terminate and be of no further force and effect if the plan is not approved by shareholders.

 

15


Table of Contents

Sales of Unregistered Securities and Repurchases by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
There were no sales by the Company of unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock during the 2010 fiscal year and no repurchases of TCC stock by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliated purchaser during the fourth fiscal quarter of the 2010 fiscal year.
During fiscal 2010 the Company’s Chief Financial Officer exercised stock options for an aggregate 62,500 shares and subsequently tendered 5,985 of those shares back to the Company in payment of the exercise price of the options and associated withholding taxes. The tendered shares were immediately retired by the Company.
Item 6.  
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
   
Not applicable.

 

16


Table of Contents

Item 7.  
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.
Forward-Looking Statements
The following discussion may contain statements that are not purely historical. Such statements contained herein or as may otherwise be incorporated by reference herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements regarding anticipated operating results, future earnings, and the ability to achieve growth and profitability. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to future changes in export laws or regulations; changes in technology; the effect of foreign political unrest; the ability to hire, retain and motivate technical, management and sales personnel; the risks associated with the technical feasibility and market acceptance of new products; changes in telecommunications protocols; the effects of changing costs, exchange rates and interest rates; and the Company’s ability to secure adequate capital resources. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of the risks facing the Company, see the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including this Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2010 and the “Risk Factors” section included herein.
Overview
TCC designs, manufactures, markets and sells communications security equipment that utilizes various methods of encryption to protect the information being transmitted. Encryption is a technique for rendering information unintelligible, which information can then be reconstituted if the recipient possesses the right decryption “key”. The Company manufactures several standard secure communications products and also provides custom-designed, special-purpose secure communications products for both domestic and international customers. The Company’s products consist primarily of voice, data and facsimile encryptors. Revenue is generated primarily from the sale of these products, which have traditionally been to foreign governments either through direct sale, pursuant to a U.S. government contract or made as a sub-contractor to domestic corporations under contract with the U.S. government. However, we have also sold these products to commercial entities and U.S. government agencies. We also generate revenues from contract engineering services performed for certain government agencies, both domestic and foreign and commercial entities.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management 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 the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.
On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory reserves, receivable reserves, income taxes and stock-based compensation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. By their nature estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions and such differences may be material.
The accounting policies that management believes are most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include those listed below. For a more detailed discussion, see Note 2 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herewith.

 

17


Table of Contents

Revenue Recognition
Product revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, delivery of the product to the customer has occurred and we have determined that collection of the fee is probable. Title to the product generally passes upon shipment of the product, as the products are shipped FOB shipping point, except for certain foreign shipments where title passes upon entry of the product into the first port in the buyer’s country. If the product requires installation to be performed by TCC, all revenue related to the product is deferred and recognized upon completion of the installation. We provide for a warranty reserve at the time the product revenue is recognized.
We perform funded research and development and technology development for commercial companies and government agencies under both cost reimbursement and fixed-price contracts. Cost reimbursement contracts provide for the reimbursement of allowable costs and, in some situations, the payment of a fee. These contracts may contain incentive clauses providing for increases or decreases in the fee depending on how actual costs compare with a budget. Revenue from reimbursement contracts is recognized as services are performed. On fixed-price contracts that are expected to exceed one year in duration, revenue is recognized pursuant to the percentage of completion method based upon the proportion of actual costs incurred to the total estimated costs for the contract. In each type of contract, we receive periodic progress payments or payments upon reaching interim milestones, and we retain the rights to the intellectual property developed in government contracts. All payments to TCC for work performed on contracts with agencies of the U.S. government are subject to audit and adjustment by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Adjustments are recognized in the period made. When the current estimates of total contract revenue and contract costs for product development contracts indicate a loss, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is recorded. Any losses incurred in performing funded research and development projects are recognized as funded research and development expenses.
Cost of product revenue includes material, labor and overhead. Costs incurred in connection with funded research and development are included in cost of sales.
Inventory
We value our inventory at the lower of actual cost to purchase and/or manufacture or the current estimated market value (based on the estimated selling prices, less the cost to sell) of the inventory. We periodically review inventory quantities on hand and record a provision for excess and/or obsolete inventory based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand, as well as historical usage. Due to the custom and specific nature of certain of our products, demand and usage for products and materials can fluctuate significantly. A significant decrease in demand for our products could result in a short-term increase in the cost of inventory purchases and an increase in excess inventory quantities on hand. In addition, our industry is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product development and rapid product obsolescence, any of which could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. Therefore, although we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our forecasts of future product demand, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant negative impact on the value of our inventory and would reduce our reported operating results.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. The estimated allowance for uncollectible amounts is based primarily on a specific analysis of accounts in the receivable portfolio and historical write-off experience. While management believes the allowance to be adequate, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required, which would reduce net income.
Accounting for Income Taxes
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate, including those outside the United States, which may subject the Company to certain risks that ordinarily would not be expected in the United States. The income tax accounting process involves estimating our actual current exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items, such as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

 

18


Table of Contents

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets. We have recorded a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets of $1.1 million as of September 25, 2010, due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize these assets. The valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to adjust our valuation allowance, which could materially impact our financial position and results of operation.
Due to the nature of our current operations in foreign countries (selling products into these countries with the assistance of local representatives), the Company has not been subject to any foreign taxes in recent years. Also, it is not anticipated that we will be subject to foreign taxes in the near future.
Stock Based Compensation
We record the compensation expense for all share-based payments based on the grant date fair value. We expense share-based compensation over the employee’s requisite service period, generally the vesting period of the award.
The choice of a valuation technique, and the approach utilized to develop the underlying assumptions for that technique, involve significant judgments. These judgments reflect management’s assessment of the most accurate method of valuing the stock options we issue, based on our historical experience, knowledge of current conditions and beliefs of what could occur in the future given available information. Our judgments could change over time as additional information becomes available to us, or the facts underlying our assumptions change. Any change in our judgments could have a material effect on our financial statements. We believe that our estimates incorporate all relevant information available at the time made and represent a reasonable approximation in light of the difficulties involved in valuing non-traded stock options.
Results of Operations
Year ended September 25, 2010 as compared to year ended September 26, 2009
Net Sales
Net sales for the years ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009 were $21,551,000 and $7,752,000, respectively, an increase of $13,799,000 or 178%. Sales for fiscal 2010 consisted of $20,771,000, or 96%, from domestic sources and $780,000, or 4%, from international customers as compared to fiscal 2009, in which sales consisted of $7,227,000, or 93%, from domestic sources and $525,000, or 7%, from international customers.
Foreign sales consisted of shipments to five different countries during the year ended September 25, 2010 and 12 different countries during the year ended September 26, 2009. A sale is attributed to a foreign country based on the location of the contracting party. Domestic revenue may include the sale of products shipped through domestic resellers or manufacturers to international destinations. The table below summarizes our principal foreign sales by country:
                 
    2010     2009  
Thailand
  $ 648,000     $ 96,000  
Saudi Arabia
    28,000       276,000  
Slovakia
    87,000       16,000  
Mexico
          82,000  
Other
    17,000       55,000  
 
           
 
  $ 780,000     $ 525,000  
 
           
Revenue for fiscal 2010 was derived from the sale of the Company’s narrowband radio encryptors to a U.S. radio manufacturer amounting to $12,863,000 and to an additional domestic customer amounting to $474,000. Billings under programs for engineering services work amounting to $2,562,000 also were recognized during the period. In addition, we continued shipping products under a contract with CECOM amounting to $3,591,000 during fiscal 2010. We also sold our secure telephone, fax, and data encryptors to a foreign customer amounting to $592,000 and we began shipping our high speed bulk encryptors amounting to $1,196,000 under a contract with a domestic customer.

 

19


Table of Contents

Revenue for fiscal 2009 was derived from the sale of the Company’s narrowband radio encryptors to a U.S. radio manufacturer amounting to $1,133,000 and additional sales to two domestic customers amounting to $175,000. Billings under programs for engineering services work amounting to $3,271,000 also were recognized during the period. In addition, we began shipping products under the contract with CECOM amounting to $2,159,000 in fiscal 2009. We also sold our data link encryptors to one domestic customer and one foreign customer amounting to $198,000 and generated $269,000 in royalty revenue under an existing license and royalty agreement with a large domestic radio manufacturer.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for fiscal year 2010 was $16,144,000, an increase of $11,298,000 or 233%, compared to gross profit of $4,846,000 for fiscal year 2009. Gross profit expressed as a percentage of sales was 75% in fiscal year 2010 compared to 63% in the prior year. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of sales was primarily associated with higher margin products being sold in fiscal 2010, including products sold under the CECOM contract.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2010 were $2,808,000, compared to $2,534,000 for fiscal 2009. This increase of $274,000 or 11% was attributable to an increase in general and administrative expenses of $313,000, offset by a decrease in selling and marketing expenses of $39,000 during the 2010 fiscal year.
The increase in general and administrative costs during fiscal 2010 was primarily attributable to increases in personnel-related costs of $259,000, professional and director fees of $56,000, charitable contributions of $15,000 and NASDAQ listing fees of $64,000, which were partially offset by a decrease in bad debt expense of $108,000.
The decrease in selling and marketing costs during fiscal 2010 was attributable to decreases in third party sales and marketing agreements of $125,000 and personnel-related costs of $16,000. These decreases were partially offset by increases in outside sales commissions of $51,000, customer support expenses of $24,000 and bid and proposal activities of $24,000.
Product Development
Product development costs for fiscal 2010 were $2,608,000, compared to $1,889,000 for fiscal 2009, an increase of $719,000 or 38%. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel-related costs of $492,000, a decrease in billable engineering services work performed, which increased product development costs by approximately $592,000, and an increase in costs for materials and supplies of $91,000. The increase was offset by a decrease in outside consulting fees of $332,000 and a decrease in recruiting costs of $47,000.
The Company actively sells its engineering services in support of funded research and development. The receipt of these orders is sporadic, although such programs can span over several months. In addition to these programs, the Company invests in research and development to enhance its existing products or to develop new products, as it deems appropriate. There was $2,562,000 of billable engineering services revenue generated during fiscal 2010 and $3,271,000 generated during fiscal 2009.
It is anticipated that cash from operations will fund our near-term research and development and marketing activities. We also believe that, in the long term, based on current billable activities and the improvement in business prospects, cash from operations will be sufficient to meet the development goals of the Company, although we can give no assurances. Any increase in activities — either billable or new product related — will require additional resources, which we may not be able to fund through cash from operations. In circumstances where resources will be insufficient, the Company will look to other sources of financing, including debt and/or equity investments.

 

20


Table of Contents

Net Income
The Company generated net income of $7,868,000 for fiscal year 2010 as compared to net income of $943,000 for fiscal year 2009, a $6,925,000 increase. This 734% increase in net income is primarily attributable to a substantial increase in gross profit on revenue from orders of our radio encryptors for deployment into Afghanistan amounting to $12,863,000. This increase in income generated a $3,345,000 increase in income taxes.
The effects of inflation and changing costs have not had a significant impact on sales or earnings in recent years. As of September 25, 2010, none of the Company’s monetary assets or liabilities was subject to foreign exchange risks. The Company usually includes an inflation factor in its pricing when negotiating multi-year contracts with customers.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents increased by $5,615,000, or 104%, to $11,033,000 as of September 25, 2010, from a balance of $5,418,000 at September 26, 2009. This increase was primarily attributable to cash generated from operations of $8,970,000, which includes net income of $7,868,000, an increase in accrued income taxes payable of $1,635,000 and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $804,000, and was offset by the payout of dividends of $4,005,000, a decrease in cash from customer deposits of $1,758,000 and an increase in inventory of $198,000. Fixed asset additions of $257,000 during the period also offset the increases.
During fiscal 2010 the Company paid special cash dividends totaling $4,005,000. The payment of these dividends was based on the profits incurred by the Company during that timeframe. In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock outstanding in recognition of the positive financial performance of fiscal 2010. The dividend is payable in cash on December 27, 2010 to all shareholders of record on December 20, 2010. It is not the Company’s intention to pay dividends on a regular basis unless future profits warrant such actions.
During fiscal 2010 we substantially completed work on engineering services programs valued at $4.78 million. We billed $2,562,000 during fiscal 2010 under these programs and there is approximately $100,000 remaining in backlog. In addition, in April 2008 we were awarded a contract from the U.S. Army, CECOM for upgrades and supplies to be shipped to Egypt amounting to $5,750,000, with a subsequent amendment adding $610,000 of funding. The balance of the original order amounting to $3,591,000 was shipped during fiscal 2010 and we expect to ship the additional $610,000 during the first fiscal quarter of 2011. We have also received orders for our radio encryptors for use in Afghanistan amounting to $9,692,000, substantially all of which was shipped in fiscal 2010, and orders for our high speed encryptors to support a Patriot Missile upgrade program from Raytheon amounting to $2,674,000, of which $1,094,000 shipped in fiscal 2010. The balance of these orders of approximately $1,561,000 is expected to ship over the next 12 months. In addition, during the first fiscal quarter of 2011 we received orders for additional radio encryptors for use in Afghanistan amounting to $5.2 million. These orders are expected to ship during fiscal 2011.
It is anticipated that cash from operations will fund our near-term research and development and marketing activities. We also believe that, in the long term, based on current billable activities and the improvement in business prospects, cash from operations will be sufficient to meet the development goals of the Company, although we can give no assurances. Any increase in activities — either billable or new product related — will require additional resources, which we may not be able to fund through cash from operations. In circumstances where resources will be insufficient, the Company will look to other sources of financing, including debt and/or equity investments.
The Company has paid $1,000,000 and accrued an additional $1,635,000 at September 25, 2010 for income taxes based on current tax estimates of the income tax liability related to fiscal year 2010. The Company expects to pay down the income tax liability during the quarter ended December 25, 2010.
The Company’s backlog as of mid-December has increased to approximately $6.8 million. The orders in backlog are expected to ship during fiscal 2011 depending on customer requirements and product availability.

 

21


Table of Contents

The Company has a line of credit agreement with Bank of America (the “Bank”) for a line of credit not to exceed the principal amount of $600,000. The line is supported by a financing promissory note. The loan is a demand loan with interest payable at the Bank’s prime rate plus 1% on all outstanding balances. The loan is secured by all assets of the Company (excluding consumer goods) and requires the Company to maintain its deposit accounts with the Bank, as well as comply with certain other covenants. The Company believes this line of credit agreement provides it with an important external source of liquidity, if necessary. There were no cash borrowings against the line during fiscal years 2010 and 2009.
Certain foreign customers require the Company to guarantee bid bonds and performance of products sold. These guaranties typically take the form of standby letters of credit. Guaranties are generally required in amounts of 5% to 10% of the purchase price and last in duration from three months to one year. At September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009 there were no outstanding standby letters of credit. The Company secures its outstanding standby letters of credit with the line of credit facility with the Bank.
In April 2007, the Company entered into a new lease for its current facilities. This lease is for 22,800 square feet located at 100 Domino Drive, Concord, MA. The Company has been a tenant in this space since 1983. This is the Company’s only facility and houses all manufacturing, research and development, and corporate operations. The term of the lease is for five years through March 31, 2012 at an annual rate of $159,000. In addition the lease contains options to extend the lease for two and one half years through September 30, 2014 and another two and one half years through March 31, 2017, at an annual rate of $171,000. Rent expense for each of the years ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009 was $159,000.
In fiscal 2011, the Company expects to increase its investment in internal product development by approximately 15%. Our plan is to continue to evaluate several technical options for enhancing the DSP 9000 radio encryption product line, which may include cryptography modifications, hardware and software changes and partnering with radio manufacturers to incorporate imbedded solutions. TCC also expects to complete systems testing in early 2011 of a high speed, SONET/SDH optical encryptor called the 72B, which we expect will provide full-rate encryption capability at 155mbs and 622mbs speeds. This encryptor is designed to be compliant with FIPS level 140-2 and is being offered in three configurations covering applications for commercial telecommunications providers through highly ruggedized military and government requirements. TCC expects that the 72B encryptor family will provide fully interoperable operations between office and harsh field environments.
On-going research and development in support of product improvements and application variants also is expected to continue. In 2011 TCC plans to begin development of an advanced, 100mbs through 1gbs family of IP encryptors which will service private network markets for government, military and satellite users. This initiative is planned to have a product introduction in 2012. Should the Company choose to embark on a major development program in addition to its traditional research and development activities, engineering staff will have to be added. The Company has sufficient physical resources to support the added staff and believes that adequate technical resources exist in the Boston area to meet potential needs; however we may need financial resources, in addition to cash from operations, to fund a major new development program.
Other than those stated above, there are no plans for significant internal product development in fiscal 2011 and the Company does not anticipate any significant capital expenditures during the year.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Item 7A.  
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
Item 8.  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements and notes thereto listed in the accompanying index to financial statements (Item 15) are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

22


Table of Contents

Item 9.  
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
Item 9A.  
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that review and evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, are effective to ensure that such officers are provided with information relating to the Company required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified time periods.
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 25, 2010. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control Integrated Framework.
A goal of the assessment was to determine whether any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies existed with respect to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. A “material weakness” is defined as a significant deficiency, or a combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. A “significant deficiency” is a control deficiency, or a combination of control deficiencies, that adversely affects a company’s ability to initiate, authorize, record, process or report external financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles such that there is more than a remote likelihood that a misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected.
In the course of its assessment for fiscal year 2010, management identified a control deficiency that was also identified during its assessment for the fiscal years ended September 26, 2009 and September 27, 2008. During the course of the fiscal 2009 and 2008 evaluations, and again during the evaluation for the 2010 fiscal year, management determined that the Company lacked sufficient staff to segregate accounting duties. Management believes this control deficiency is primarily the result of the Company employing, due to its limited size, the equivalent of only one and one-half persons performing all accounting-related on-site duties. As a result, TCC does not maintain adequate segregation of duties within its critical financial reporting applications, the related modules and financial reporting processes. This control deficiency could result in a misstatement of balance sheet and income statement accounts in our interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be detected. Accordingly, management has determined that this control deficiency constituted a material weakness, and that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective, as of September 25, 2010.
Management has discussed the material weakness and related potential corrective actions with the Audit Committee and Board of Directors of the Company and TCC’s independent registered public accounting firm. As part of our 2011 assessment of internal control over financial reporting, our management will test and evaluate additional controls implemented, if any, to assess whether they are operating effectively. Our goal is to take all actions possible given our financial condition to remediate any material weaknesses and enhance our internal controls, but we cannot guarantee that our efforts, if any, will result in remediation of our material weakness or that new issues will not be exposed in the process. In designing and evaluating our internal control over financial reporting, management recognizes that any controls, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, with the Company will be detected.

 

23


Table of Contents

Changes in internal control over financial reporting . There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during its fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.  
OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
Part III
Item 10.  
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the captions “Members of the Board of Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers,” “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions; Legal Proceedings,” “Corporate Governance,” and Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” with respect to our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year.
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all of its employees, officers and directors. A copy of this code can be found on the Company’s website at www.tccsecure.com.
Item 11.  
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the captions “Compensation” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” with respect to our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year.
Item 12.  
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to Part II, Item 5 herein under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” with respect to our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year.
Item 13.  
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions ; Legal Proceedings and “Corporate Governance” with respect to our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year.
Item 14.  
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement, under the caption Proposal V — Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year.

 

24


Table of Contents

PART IV
Item 15.  
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
  (1)  
Financial Statements The following Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes thereto and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Company are filed as part of Part II, Item 8 of this report:
         
    Page  
 
       
    28  
 
       
    29  
 
       
    30  
 
       
    31  
 
       
    32-42  
 
       
    43-44  
  (2)  
List of Exhibits
         
  3.1    
Articles of Organization of the Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report for 2005 on Form 10-KSB, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 21, 2005)
  3.2    
By-laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 1998)
  4    
Rights Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2004, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2004)
  10.1 +  
Employment Agreement, effective November 19, 1998, with Carl H. Guild, Jr. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report for 1998 on Form 10-K, as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 21, 1998)
  10.2 +  
Employment Agreement, effective February 12, 2001, with Michael P. Malone (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-QSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2001)
  10.3 +  
Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Carl H. Guild Jr., as of November 8, 2001 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-QSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2002)
  10.4 +  
1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 1996)
  10.5 +  
2001 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 28, 2001)
  10.6    
Standard Form Commercial Lease, dated April 4, 2007, between the Company and Batstone LLC (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 6, 2007)
  10.7    
Line of Credit Agreement with Letter of Credit and/or Acceptance Financing Agreement, dated November 5, 2004, between the Company and Fleet National Bank, a Bank of America Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 11, 2004)
  10.8    
Line of Credit with Letter of Credit and/or Acceptance Financing Promissory Note, dated November 5, 2004, between the Company and Fleet National Bank, a Bank of America Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 11, 2004)

 

25


Table of Contents

         
  10.9 +  
2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-QSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2005.)
  10.10    
Contract with US Army CECOM Acquisitions Center dated April 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-QSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2008.)
  10.11    
Purchase Order from Datron World Communications dated April 16, 2010 (Confidential portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-QSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2010.)
  10.12    
Purchase Order from Datron World Communications dated April 16, 2010 (Confidential portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-QSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2010.)
  10.13    
Purchase Order from Datron World Communications dated April 21, 2010 (Confidential portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-QSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2010.)
  10.14 *  
Purchase Order from Datron World Communications dated October 15, 2010 (Confidential portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.)
  10.15 *  
Purchase Order from Datron World Communications dated November 29, 2010 (Confidential portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.)
  10.16 *  
Purchase Order from Datron World Communications dated November 30, 2010 (Confidential portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.)
  10.17 + *  
2010 Equity Incentive Plan
  14    
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report for 2003 on Form 10-KSB, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 22, 2004.)
  21 *  
List of Subsidiaries of the Company
  23.1 *  
Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
  23.2 *  
Consent of Caturano and Company, Inc.
  31.1 *  
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2 *  
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32 *  
Certifications of Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Footnotes:
     
*  
Attached to this filing
 
+  
Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

26


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
             
    TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Carl H. Guild, Jr.
 
Carl H. Guild, Jr.
   
 
      Chief Executive Officer and President    
 
      Chairman of the Board, Director    
 
           
    Date: December 22, 2010    
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.
         
Signature   Title   Date
 
       
/s/ Carl H. Guild, Jr.
 
Carl H. Guild, Jr.
  Chief Executive Officer and President 
Chairman of the Board, Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  December 22, 2010
 
       
/s/ Michael P. Malone
 
Michael P. Malone
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  December 22, 2010
 
       
/s/ Mitchell B. Briskin
 
Mitchell B. Briskin
  Director    December 22, 2010
 
       
/s/ Robert T. Lessard
 
Robert T. Lessard
  Director    December 22, 2010
 
       
/s/ Thomas E. Peoples
 
Thomas E. Peoples
  Director    December 22, 2010

 

27


Table of Contents

Technical Communications Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009
                 
    2010     2009  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 11,033,542     $ 5,418,419  
Accounts receivable — trade, less allowance of $333,000 and $233,000 at September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009, respectively
    131,043       402,841  
Inventories
    2,613,286       2,415,054  
Deferred income taxes
    468,501       566,294  
Other current assets
    154,133       180,161  
 
           
Total current assets
    14,400,505       8,982,769  
 
           
 
               
Equipment and leasehold improvements
    3,626,493       3,369,214  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (3,201,056 )     (3,029,707 )
 
           
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net
    425,437       339,507  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 14,825,942     $ 9,322,276  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 313,932     $ 250,129  
Accrued liabilities:
               
Compensation and related expenses
    801,198       280,651  
Customer deposits
    206,114       1,964,262  
Accrued income taxes
    1,634,880        
Other
    284,773       114,576  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    3,240,897       2,609,618  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ equity
               
Common stock — par value $0.10 per share; 7,000,000 shares authorized, 1,826,217 and 1,452,119 shares issued and outstanding at September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009, respectively
    182,622       145,220  
Additional paid-in capital
    3,003,509       2,031,340  
Retained earnings
    8,398,914       4,536,098  
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    11,585,045       6,712,658  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 14,825,942     $ 9,322,276  
 
           
 
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

28


Table of Contents

Technical Communications Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years Ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009
                 
    2010     2009  
 
               
Net sales
  $ 21,551,148     $ 7,751,858  
Cost of sales
    5,406,761       2,906,110  
 
           
Gross profit
    16,144,387       4,845,748  
 
           
 
               
Operating expenses:
               
Selling, general and administrative
    2,807,688       2,533,658  
Product development
    2,607,919       1,888,953  
 
           
Total operating expenses
    5,415,607       4,422,611  
 
           
 
               
Operating income
    10,728,780       423,137  
 
               
Other income
               
Investment income
    4,255       39,762  
 
           
 
               
Income before income taxes
    10,733,035       462,899  
 
               
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    2,864,741       (479,909 )
 
           
 
               
Net income
  $ 7,868,294     $ 942,808  
 
           
 
               
Net income per common share
               
Basic
  $ 4.68     $ 0.65  
Diluted
  $ 4.33     $ 0.58  
 
               
Weighted average shares
               
Basic
    1,679,755       1,444,427  
Diluted
    1,816,300       1,632,883  
 
               
Dividends paid per common share
  $ 2.20        
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

29


Table of Contents

Technical Communications Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009
                 
    2010     2009  
 
               
Operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 7,868,294     $ 942,808  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    171,349       119,530  
Bad debt expense
    100,000       207,748  
Stock-based compensation
    133,585       116,363  
Deferred income taxes
    97,793       (491,294 )
 
               
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    171,798       111,672  
Inventories
    (198,232 )     (494,330 )
Other current assets
    26,028       (74,495 )
Customer deposits
    (1,758,148 )     1,713,788  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    2,357,778       (167,020 )
 
           
 
               
Cash provided by operating activities
    8,970,245       1,984,770  
 
           
 
               
Investing activities:
               
Additions to equipment and leasehold improvements
    (257,279 )     (191,565 )
 
           
 
               
Cash used for investing activities
    (257,279 )     (191,565 )
 
           
 
               
Financing activities:
               
Proceeds from stock issuance
    803,522       2,311  
Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options
    104,113        
Dividends paid
    (4,005,478 )      
 
           
 
               
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (3,097,843 )     2,311  
 
           
 
               
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    5,615,123       1,795,516  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    5,418,419       3,622,903  
 
           
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 11,033,542     $ 5,418,419  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental disclosures:
               
Interest paid
  $     $  
Income taxes paid
    1,000,000       18,795  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

30


Table of Contents

Technical Communications Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Years Ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009
                 
    2010     2009  
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity
               
 
               
Shares of common stock:
               
Beginning balance
    1,452,199       1,433,767  
Exercise of stock options
    304,412       2,334  
Cashless exercise of stock options
    69,606       16,098  
 
           
Ending balance
    1,826,217       1,452,199  
 
           
 
               
Common stock at par value:
               
Beginning balance
  $ 145,220     $ 143,377  
Exercise of stock options
    37,402       1,843  
 
           
Ending balance
    182,622       145,220  
 
           
 
               
Additional paid-in capital:
               
Beginning balance
  $ 2,031,340     $ 1,941,020  
Exercise of stock options
    766,120       3,687  
Cashless exercise of stock options
    (31,649 )     (29,730 )
Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options
    104,113        
Stock-based compensation
    133,585       116,363  
 
           
Ending balance
    3,003,509       2,031,340  
 
           
 
               
Retained earnings:
               
Beginning balance
  $ 4,536,098     $ 3,593,290  
Dividends paid
    (4,005,478 )      
Net income
    7,868,294       942,808  
 
           
Ending balance
    8,398,914       4,536,098  
 
           
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
  $ 11,585,045     $ 6,712,658  
 
           
 
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

31


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(1)  
Company Operations
   
Technical Communications Corporation was incorporated in Massachusetts in 1961; its subsidiary, TCC Investment Corp., was organized in that jurisdiction in 1982. The Company’s business consists of only one industry segment, which is the design, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of communications security devices and systems. The secure communications solutions provided by TCC protect vital information transmitted over a wide range of data, fax and voice networks. TCC’s products have been sold into over 115 countries and are in service with governments, military agencies, telecommunications carriers, financial institutions and multinational corporations.
   
The Company’s revenues have historically included significant transactions with foreign governments, U.S. government agencies and other organizations. The Company expects this to continue. The timing of these transactions has in the past and will in the future have a significant impact on the cash flow of the Company. Delays in the timing of significant expected sales transactions would have a significant negative effect on the Company’s operations. The Company has some ability to mitigate this effect through cost-cutting measures.
(2)  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
   
We follow accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, commonly referred to as the FASB. The FASB sets generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that we follow to ensure we consistently report our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM , sometimes referred to as the Codification or ASC. The Codification is effective for periods ending on or after September 15, 2009.
 
   
Principles of Consolidation
   
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, TCC Investment Corp., a Massachusetts corporation. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
   
Use of Estimates
   
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant judgments and estimates include those related to revenue, receivable reserves, inventory reserves, income taxes and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
   
Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits at banks and other investments (including mutual funds) readily convertible into cash. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value.
 
   
Accounts Receivable
   
Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. The estimated allowance for uncollectible amounts is based primarily on a specific analysis of accounts in the receivable portfolio and historical write-off experience. While management believes the allowance to be adequate, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required, which would reduce net income.

 

32


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
   
Inventories
   
The Company values its inventory at the lower of actual cost to purchase and/or manufacture or the current estimated market value (based on estimated selling prices, less the cost to sell) of the inventory. The Company periodically reviews inventory quantities on hand and records a provision for excess and/or obsolete inventory based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand, as well as historical usage. The Company evaluates the carrying value of inventory on a quarterly basis to determine if the carrying value is recoverable at estimated selling prices. To the extent that estimated selling prices do not exceed the associated carrying values, inventory carrying values are written down. In addition, the Company makes judgments as to future demand requirements and compares those with the current or committed inventory levels. Reserves are established for inventory levels that exceed future demand. It is possible that additional reserves above those already established may be required in the future if market conditions for our products should deteriorate.
 
   
Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
   
Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in operations for the period. The costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized.
 
   
Long-lived Assets
   
The Company’s only long-lived assets are equipment and leasehold improvements. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by such asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset.
 
   
Recognition of Revenue
   
The Company recognizes product revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, delivery of the product to the customer has occurred and the Company has determined that collection of the fee is probable. Title to the product generally passes upon shipment of the product, as the products are shipped FOB shipping point, except for certain foreign shipments where title passes upon entry of the product into the first port in the buyer’s country. If the product requires installation to be performed by TCC, all revenue related to the product is deferred and recognized upon completion of the installation. The Company provides for a warranty reserve at the time the product revenue is recognized.
   
The Company performs funded research and development and technology development for commercial companies and government agencies under both cost reimbursement and fixed-price contracts. Cost reimbursement contracts provide for the reimbursement of allowable costs and, in some situations, the payment of a fee. These contracts may contain incentive clauses providing for increases or decreases in the fee depending on how actual costs compare with a budget. Revenue from reimbursement contracts is recognized as services are performed. On fixed-price contracts that are expected to exceed one year in duration, revenue is recognized pursuant to the percentage of completion method based upon the proportion of actual costs incurred to the total estimated costs for the contract. In each type of contract, the Company receives periodic progress payments or payments upon reaching interim milestones. All payments to the Company for work performed on contracts with agencies of the U.S. government are subject to audit and adjustment by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Adjustments are recognized in the period made. If the current estimates of total contract revenue and contract costs for product development contracts indicate a loss, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is recorded. Any losses incurred in performing funded research and development projects are recognized as funded research and development expenses.

 

33


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
   
Cost of product revenue includes material, labor and overhead. Costs incurred in connection with funded research and development are included in cost of sales.
 
   
Share-Based Compensation
   
S hare-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award. The expense is recognized over the employee’s requisite service period, generally the vesting period of the award. The related excess tax benefit received upon the exercise of stock options, if any, is reflected in the Company’s statement of cash flows as a financing activity rather than an operating activity. Excess tax benefits for the year ended September 25, 2010 amounted to $104,113. There were no excess tax benefits for the year ended September 26, 2009.
   
The Company selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the method for determining the estimated fair value for its stock awards. The Black-Scholes method of valuation requires several assumptions: (1) the expected term of the stock award, (2) the expected future stock price volatility over the expected term and (3) risk-free interest rate. The expected term represents the expected period of time the Company believes the options will be outstanding based on historical information. Estimates of expected future stock price volatility are based on the historic volatility of the Company’s common stock and the risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Note rate. The Company utilizes a forfeiture rate based on an analysis of its actual experience. The forfeiture rate is not material to the calculation of share-based compensation. The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated with the following assumptions:
         
    September 25,   September 26,
    2010   2009
Assumptions:
       
Option life
  5 years   5 years
Risk-free interest rate
  1.5% to 2.4%   1.8% to 2.8%
Stock volatility
  75% to 77%   77% to 80%
Dividend yield
  -0-   -0-
   
There were 16,500 options granted during the year ended September 25, 2010 and 25,500 options granted during the year ended September 26, 2009. The following table summarizes share-based compensation costs included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the years ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009:
                 
    2010     2009  
 
               
Cost of sales
  $ 4,375     $ 6,700  
Selling, general and administrative
    69,010       51,319  
Product development
    60,200       58,344  
 
           
Total share-based compensation expense before taxes
  $ 133,585     $ 116,363  
 
           
   
As of September 25, 2010, there was $130,734 of unrecognized compensation cost related to options granted. The unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized as the options vest. The weighted average period over which the compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 2.77 years.
   
The Company had the following stock option plans outstanding as of September 25, 2010: the Technical Communications Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan, the 2001 Stock Option Plan and the 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan. There were an aggregate of 900,000 options to acquire shares authorized under these plans, of which 115,288 options were outstanding at September 25, 2010. Vesting periods are at the discretion of the Board of Directors and typically range between one and five years. Options under these plans are granted with an exercise price equal to fair market value at time of grant and have a term of five or ten years from the date of grant. As of September 25, 2010, there were no shares available for new option grants under the 1991 Stock Option Plan or the 2001 Stock Option Plan; there were 43,059 shares available for grant under the 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan. During fiscal 2010 the Company’s Chief Financial Officer exercised stock options for an aggregate 62,500 shares and subsequently tendered back 5,985 of those shares to the Company in payment of the exercise price of the options and associated withholding taxes. The tendered shares were immediately retired by the Company.

 

34


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
   
The following tables summarize stock option activity during fiscal years 2009 and 2010:
                     
    Options Outstanding
    Number of     Weighted Average     Weighted Average
    Shares     Exercise Price     Contractual Life
 
                   
Outstanding at September 27, 2008
    581,034     $ 3.05     4.46 years
Grants
    25,500       4.80      
Exercises
    (108,834 )     3.88      
Cancellations
    (5,000 )     4.00      
 
                 
 
                   
Outstanding at September 26, 2009
    492,700     $ 2.95     4.72 years
Grants
    16,500       7.70      
Exercises
    (391,912 )     2.47      
Cancellations
    (2,000 )     4.50      
 
                 
 
                   
Outstanding at September 25, 2010
    115,288     $ 5.23     7.14 years
 
                 
   
Information related to the stock options vested or expected to vest as of September 25, 2010 is as follows:
                                         
            Weighted-                        
            Average                     Exercisable  
            Remaining     Weighted-     Exercisable     Weighted-  
Range of   Number of     Contractual     Average     Number of     Average  
Exercise Prices   Shares     Life (years)     Exercise Price     Shares     Exercise Price  
$0.01 – $1.00
    600       2.63     $ 0.99       600     $ 0.99  
$1.01 – $2.00
    200       0.18       1.88       200       1.88  
$2.01 – $3.00
    15,488       4.95       3.00       15,288       3.00  
$3.01 – $4.00
    26,400       5.85       3.69       18,300       3.76  
$4.01 – $5.00
    22,400       8.31       4.79       12,600       4.86  
$5.01 – $10.00
    47,700       7.96       6.74       29,900       6.99  
$10.01 – $15.00
    2,500       9.85       11.51              
 
                                   
 
    115,288       7.14     $ 5.23       76,888     $ 5.02  
 
                                   
   
The aggregate intrinsic value of the Company’s “in-the-money” outstanding and exercisable options as of September 25, 2010 was $336,868. The intrinsic value of the options exercised during the year ended September 25, 2010 was $2,039,099. Nonvested common stock options are subject to the risk of forfeiture until the fulfillment of specified conditions.

 

35


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
   
Income Taxes
   
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset/liability method. Under the asset/liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized at current income tax rates to reflect the tax effect of temporary differences between the consolidated financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company provides a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value.
   
In June 2006, the FASB issued a new standard related to uncertain tax positions effective for the Company for fiscal 2008. This standard provides detailed guidance for the financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of uncertain tax positions recognized in the financial statements. Uncertain tax positions must meet a recognition threshold of more-likely-than-not in order for those tax positions to be recognized in the financial statements. For fiscal years 2010 and 2009, the Company had no uncertain tax positions or unrecognized tax benefits. The Company expects no material changes to unrecognized tax positions within the next twelve months.
   
The Company’s policy is to record estimated interest and penalties related to the underpayment of income taxes as a component of its income tax provision. As of and for the years ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009, the Company had no interest or tax penalties.
 
   
Warranty Costs
   
The Company provides for estimated warranty costs at the time product revenue is recognized based in part upon historical experience.
 
   
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
   
The Company adopted the provisions of new guidance in the area of Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , effective for fiscal year 2009. This guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value, as required by the guidance, must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
   
The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. The Company does not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value.
   
Earnings per Share (EPS)
   
The Company presents both a “basic” and a “diluted” EPS. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. In computing diluted EPS, stock options that are dilutive (those that reduce earnings per share) are included in the calculation of EPS using the treasury stock method. Exercise of outstanding stock options is not assumed if the result would be antidilutive, such as when a net loss is reported for the period or the option exercise price is greater than the average market price for the period presented.
 
   
Fiscal Year-End Policy
   
The Company’s by-laws call for its fiscal year to end on the Saturday closest to the last day of September, unless otherwise decided by its Board of Directors. The fiscal year 2010 ended on September 25, 2010 and included 52 weeks. The fiscal year 2009 ended on September 26, 2009 and included 52 weeks.

 

36


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
   
Comprehensive Income
   
Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.
   
The Company’s comprehensive income for the years ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009 was equal to its net income for those periods.
 
   
Operating Segments
   
The Company reports on operating segments in accordance with standards for public companies to report information about operating segments and geographic distribution of sales in financial statements. The Company currently has only one operating segment, which is the design, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of communications security devices and systems.
(3)  
Income Per Share
   
Basic and diluted EPS were calculated as follows:
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
Net Income
  $ 7,868,294     $ 942,808  
 
           
 
               
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding — Basic
    1,679,755       1,444,427  
Dilutive effect of stock options
    136,545       188,456  
 
           
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding — Diluted
    1,816,300       1,632,883  
 
           
 
               
Basic Net Income Per Share
  $ 4.68     $ 0.65  
Diluted Net Income Per Share
  $ 4.33     $ 0.58  
   
Outstanding potentially dilutive stock options, which were not included in the above calculations for the respective fiscal years because their effect would have been anti-dilutive, were as follows: 2,500 in fiscal year 2010 and 70,000 in fiscal year 2009.
(4)  
Inventories
   
Inventories consist of the following:
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
Finished goods
  $ 297,636     $ 5,829  
Work in process
    282,996       511,514  
Raw materials and supplies
    2,032,654       1,897,711  
 
           
 
               
Total inventories
  $ 2,613,286     $ 2,415,054  
 
           

 

37


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(5)  
Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
   
Equipment and leasehold improvements consist of the following:
                         
    September 25,     September 26,     Estimated  
    2010     2009     Useful Life  
 
                       
Engineering and manufacturing equipment
  $ 1,678,902     $ 1,477,156     3-8 years
Demonstration equipment
    714,141       665,916     3 years
Furniture and fixtures
    749,154       741,846     3-8 years
Leasehold improvements
    484,296       484,296     Lesser of useful life
or term of lease
 
 
                   
 
                       
Total equipment and leasehold improvements
    3,626,493       3,369,214          
 
                       
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (3,201,056 )     (3,029,707 )        
 
                   
 
                       
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net
  $ 425,437     $ 339,507          
 
                   
Depreciation expense was $171,349 and $119,530 for the fiscal years ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009, respectively.
(6)  
Other Accrued Liabilities
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
Product warranty costs
  $ 198,433     $ 46,675  
Professional service fees
    53,400       49,229  
Annual report and investor relations fees
    8,820       13,638  
Customer support agreements and commissions
    24,120       5,034  
 
           
 
               
Total other accrued liabilities
  $ 284,773     $ 114,576  
 
           
(7)  
Leases
   
In April 2007, the Company entered into a new lease for its current facilities. This lease is for 22,800 square feet located at 100 Domino Drive, Concord, MA. The Company has been a tenant in this space since 1983. This is the Company’s only facility and houses all manufacturing, research and development, and corporate operations. The term of the lease is for five years through March 31, 2012 at an annual rate of $159,000. In addition the lease contains options to extend the lease for two and one half years through September 30, 2014 and another two and one half years through March 31, 2017, at an annual rate of $171,000. Rent expense for each of the years ended September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009 was $159,000.

 

38


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(8)  
Guarantees
   
The Company’s products generally carry a standard 15 month warranty. The Company sets aside a reserve based on anticipated warranty claims at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the Company’s product warranty liability include the number of installed units, the anticipated cost of warranty repairs and historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims.
 
   
The following table reflects changes in the Company’s accrued warranty account:
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
Beginning balance
  $ 46,675     $ 61,708  
Plus: accruals related to new sales
    190,100       39,852  
Less: payments and adjustments to prior period accruals
    (38,342 )     (54,885 )
 
           
 
               
Ending balance
  $ 198,433     $ 46,675  
 
           
(9)  
Income Taxes
   
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following:
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
Current:
               
Federal
  $ 1,871,057     $ 3,264  
State
    895,891       8,121  
 
           
Total current taxes
    2,766,948       11,385  
 
           
Deferred:
               
Federal
    198,330       (491,294 )
State
    (100,537 )      
 
           
Total deferred taxes
    97,793       (491,294 )
 
           
 
               
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ 2,864,741     $ (479,909 )
 
           
   
The provisions for income taxes are different from those that would be obtained by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes due to the following:
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
Tax provision at U.S. statutory rate
  $ 3,649,232     $ 157,386  
State income tax provision, net of federal benefit
    601,854       5,360  
Other
    37,582       (209,664 )
Valuation allowance
    (1,423,927 )     (432,991 )
 
           
 
               
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ 2,864,741     $ (479,909 )
 
           

 

39


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
Deferred income taxes consist of the following:
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
Inventory differences
  $ 1,119,033     $ 1,135,742  
NOL carryforward
          1,285,289  
Payroll related accruals
    224,252       12,111  
Warranty accruals
    78,599       18,796  
Tax credits
          384,553  
Goodwill
          13,699  
Other
    165,650       259,064  
 
           
Total
    1,587,534       3,109,254  
Less: valuation allowance
    (1,119,033 )     (2,542,960 )
 
           
 
               
Total
  $ 468,501     $ 566,294  
 
           
   
The valuation allowance relates to uncertainty with respect to the Company’s ability to realize its deferred tax assets. The change in the valuation allowance was $1,423,927 and $432,991 in fiscal years 2010 and 2009, respectively, and related primarily to the reversal of the valuation allowance primarily resulting from the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards against taxable income.
   
The Company has determined that the tax benefit related to the obsolete inventory is not more likely than not to be realized, therefore, has provided a full valuation allowance against the related deferred tax asset. It is the Company’s intention to maintain the related inventory items for the foreseeable future to support equipment in the field, therefore, cannot determine when that the tax benefit, if any, will be realized.
   
Due to the nature of the Company’s current operations in foreign countries (selling products into these countries with the assistance of local representatives), the Company has not been subject to any foreign taxes in recent years. Also, it is not anticipated that the Company will be subject to foreign taxes in the near future.
   
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the state of Massachusetts. For U.S. federal and state tax purposes, the tax years 2006 through 2009 remain open to examination. In addition, the amount of the Company’s federal and state net operating loss carryforwards utilized may be subject to examination and adjustment.
(10)  
Employee Benefit Plans
   
The Company has a qualified, contributory, profit sharing plan covering substantially all employees. The Company’s policy is to fund contributions as they are accrued. The contributions are allocated based on the employee’s proportionate share of total compensation. The Company’s contributions to the plan are determined by the Board of Directors and are subject to other specified limitations. There were no Company profit sharing contributions during fiscal years 2010 or 2009. However, the Board of Directors approved a corporate match of $0.25 per $1.00 of the first 6% of each participant’s contributions to the plan. The Company’s matching contributions were $41,922 and $39,386 in fiscal years 2010 and 2009, respectively.
   
The Company has an Executive Incentive Bonus Plan for the benefit of key management employees. The bonus pool is determined based on the Company’s performance as defined by the plan. Under the plan, bonuses totaling $180,000 were accrued for executives at September 25, 2010 and $49,500 at September 26, 2009.

 

40


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(11)  
Commitments and contingencies
   
The Company has a line of credit agreement with Bank of America (the “Bank”) for a line of credit not to exceed the principal amount of $600,000. The line is supported by a financing promissory note. The loan is a demand loan with interest payable at the Bank’s prime rate plus 1% on all outstanding balances. The loan is secured by all assets of the Company (excluding consumer goods) and requires the Company to maintain its deposit accounts with the Bank, as well as comply with certain other covenants. There were no cash borrowings against the line during fiscal years 2010 and 2009.
   
The Company did not have any open standby letters of credit at September 25, 2010 or September 26, 2009.
   
The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts and money market mutual funds that, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents.
(12)  
Major Customers and Export Sales
   
In fiscal year 2010, the Company had three customers representing 86% (59%, 17% and 10%) of total net sales and at September 25, 2010 had one customer representing 98% of accounts receivable. In fiscal year 2009, the Company had three customers representing 76% (33%, 28% and 15%) of total net sales and at September 26, 2009 had two customers representing 87% (48% and 39%) of accounts receivable.
 
   
A breakdown of net sales is as follows:
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
Domestic
  $ 20,771,088     $ 7,226,969  
Foreign
    780,060       524,889  
 
           
Total Sales
  $ 21,551,148     $ 7,751,858  
 
           
   
A summary of foreign sales, as a percentage of total foreign revenue by geographic area, is as follows:
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
 
               
North America, excluding the U.S.
          15.6 %
Central and South America
          7.2 %
Europe
    12.0 %     3.1 %
Mid-East and Africa
    6.5 %     55.2 %
Far East
    81.5 %     18.9 %
   
The Company sold products to five different countries during the year ended September 25, 2010 and 12 different countries during the year ended September 26, 2009. A sale is attributed to a foreign country based on the location of the contracting party. Domestic revenue may include the sale of products shipped through domestic resellers or manufacturers to international destinations. The table below summarizes our foreign revenues by country as a percentage of total foreign revenue.
                 
    September 25,     September 26,  
    2010     2009  
Saudi Arabia
    3.6 %     52.6 %
Thailand
    83.1 %     18.3 %
Slovakia
    11.2 %     3.0 %
Mexico
          15.6 %
Other
    2.1 %     10.5 %

 

41


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(13)  
Shareholder Rights Plan
   
The Company has adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan and declared a dividend distribution of one common stock purchase right for each outstanding share of Common Stock of the Company, payable to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 13, 2004, and for each share of Common Stock issued thereafter. Until the rights become exercisable, they will trade automatically with the Company’s Common Stock and separate rights certificates will not be issued. The rights will become exercisable only in the event, with certain exceptions, that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons acquires 15% or more of the Company’s voting stock, or a person or group of affiliated or associated persons commences a tender or exchange offer which, if successfully consummated, would result in such person or group owning 15% or more of the Company’s voting stock.
   
Each right, once exercisable, will entitle the holder (other than an acquiring person or group) to buy one share of the Company’s Common Stock at a price of $25 per share, subject to certain adjustments. In addition, upon the occurrence of specified events, holders of the rights (other than rights owned by an acquiring person or group) would be entitled to purchase either the Company’s Common Stock or shares in an “acquiring entity” at approximately half of market value. Further, at any time after a person or group acquires 15% or more (but less than 50%) of the Company’s outstanding voting stock, subject to certain exceptions, the Board of Directors may, at its option, exchange part or all of the rights (other than rights held by an acquiring person or group) for shares of the Company’s Common Stock having a fair market value on the date of such acquisition equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the rights over (ii) the exercise price of the rights.
   
The Company generally will be entitled to redeem the rights at $.001 per right at any time prior to the close of business on the tenth business day after there has been a public announcement of the beneficial ownership by any person or group of 15% or more of the Company’s voting stock, subject to certain exceptions. The rights will expire on August 5, 2014 unless earlier redeemed.
(14)  
Subsequent Events
   
On December 9, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock outstanding. The dividend is payable in cash on December 27, 2010 to all shareholders of record on December 20, 2010 and is expected to be approximately $182,609.
   
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date which the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

 

42


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors of
Technical Communications Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Technical Communications Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 25, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 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 audit 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 also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides 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 Technical Communications Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 25, 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
     
/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
 
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
   
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2010

 

43


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors of
Technical Communications Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Technical Communications Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 26, 2009 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 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 controls over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal controls 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 also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Technical Communications Corporation and subsidiaries at September 26, 2009 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
     
/s/ Caturano and Company, Inc.
 
Caturano and Company, Inc. (formerly Caturano and Company, P.C.)
   
Boston, Massachusetts
December 18, 2009

 

44

Exhibit 10.14
Confidential
             
 
  Purchase Order   961258
Datron World Communications, Inc.
  Page   1
3030 Enterprise Court
  Date   10/15/2010
Vista CA 92081
  Buyer   HMontgomery
Phone: (760) 597-1500
           
 
           
 
  Ship Via   AMERICAN CARGO
 
  FOB   SHIPPING POINT
 
  Terms   NET 15
     
Vendor
  Ship To
 
   
T000032
   
 
   
MIKE MALONE
  Datron World Communications, Inc.
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP
  3030 Enterprise Court
100 DOMINO DRIVE
  Vista CA 92081
CONCORD MA 01742-2892
  Phone: (760) 597-1500
 
   
Phone: 978-287-6219
   
     
Fax Num: 978-287-6228
  Our Order Number Must Appear On Invoice, B/L Bundles, Cases, Packing List and Correspondence
Remit To
                 
 
  o   Fax Sent Prior
Do Not Duplicate
  o   Verbal Placed Prior
Do Not Duplicate
                                         
Line   Qty Ordered     Qty Due     UOM   Item Description   Due Date   Unit Price   Ext. Price
1
    *****       *****     EA   701454       ******   ******   ******
                        PCB ASSY, TCC, 7000ENCR, AFG            
 
  Manufacturer             Mfg Part Number            
 
  TCC-CRYPT             421-24741            
 
                          (AFGHAN KEY ONLY)            
 
                                       
2
    *****       *****     EA   701454       ******   ******   ******
                        PCB ASSY, TCC, 7000ENCR, AFG            
 
  Manufacturer             Mfg Part Number            
 
  TCC-CRYPT             421-24741            
 
                          (AFGHAN KEY ONLY)            
 
                                       
3
    *****       *****     EA   701454       ******   ******   ******
                        PCB ASSY, TCC, 7000ENCR, AFG            
 
  Manufacturer             Mfg Part Number            
 
  TCC-CRYPT             421-24741            
 
                          (AFGHAN KEY ONLY)            
 
                                       
4
    *****       *****     EA   701454       ******   ******   ******
                        PCB ASSY, TCC, 7000ENCR, AFG            
 
  Manufacturer             Mfg Part Number            
 
  TCC-CRYPT             421-24741            
 
                          (AFGHAN KEY ONLY)            
 
                                       
5
    *****       *****     EA   701454       ******   ******   ******
                        PCB ASSY, TCC, 7000ENCR, AFG            
                 
         
Buyer/Purchasing Agent
  Date       Manager   Date
     
THE REGISTRANT HAS APPLIED FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
 
THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT ARE MARKED WITH ASTERISKS (***) AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
 
THE OMITTED PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WILL BE FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT.

 

 


 

Confidential
             
 
  Purchase Order   961258
Datron World Communications, Inc.
  Page   2
3030 Enterprise Court
  Date   10/15/2010
Vista CA 92081
  Buyer   HMontgomery
Phone: (760) 597-1500
           
 
           
 
  Ship Via   AMERICAN CARGO
 
  FOB   SHIPPING POINT
 
  Terms   NET 15
     
Vendor
  Ship To
 
   
T000032
   
 
   
MIKE MALONE
  Datron World Communications, Inc.
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP
  3030 Enterprise Court
100 DOMINO DRIVE
  Vista CA 92081
CONCORD MA 01742-2892
  Phone: (760) 597-1500
 
   
Phone: 978-287-6219
   
     
Fax Num: 978-287-6228
  Our Order Number Must Appear On Invoice, B/L Bundles, Cases, Packing List and Correspondence
Remit To
                 
 
  o   Fax Sent Prior
Do Not Duplicate
  o   Verbal Placed Prior
Do Not Duplicate
                                         
Line   Qty Ordered     Qty Due     UOM   Item Description   Due Date   Unit Price   Ext. Price
 
  Manufacturer
            Mfg Part Number
           
 
  TCC-CRYPT             421-24741
           
 
                          (AFGHAN KEY ONLY)            
 
                                       
6
    *****       *****     EA   701454       ******   ******   ******
                        PCB ASSY, TCC, 7000ENCR, AFG            
 
  Manufacturer
            Mfg Part Number
           
 
  TCC-CRYPT             421-24741
           
 
                          (AFGHAN KEY ONLY)            
 
                                       
7
    *****       *****     EA   701454       ******   ******   ******
                        PCB ASSY, TCC, 7000ENCR, AFG            
 
  Manufacturer
            Mfg Part Number
           
 
  TCC-CRYPT             421-24741
           
 
                          (AFGHAN KEY ONLY)            
FAR 52.244-6, entitled “Subcontracts for Commercial Items and Commercial Components” and the clauses listed therein. The complete text of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs) are available at http://www.arnet.gov/far/. FAR 52.211-15, entitled “Defense Priority and Allocation Requirement”. This is a DO rated order and the Supplier shall follow all the requirements of the Defense Priorities and Allocations System regulation (15 CFR 700). The complete text of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs) are available at http://www.arnet.gov/far/. The complete text of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/. This is W15P7T-09-D-D212 DOA7 rated.
                 
         
Buyer/Purchasing Agent
  Date       Manager   Date
     
THE REGISTRANT HAS APPLIED FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
 
THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT ARE MARKED WITH ASTERISKS (***) AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
 
THE OMITTED PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WILL BE FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT.

 

 


 

Confidential
             
 
  Purchase Order   961258
Datron World Communications, Inc.
  Page   3
3030 Enterprise Court
  Date   10/15/2010
Vista CA 92081
  Buyer   HMontgomery
Phone: (760) 597-1500
           
 
           
 
  Ship Via   AMERICAN CARGO
 
  FOB   SHIPPING POINT
 
  Terms   NET 15
     
Vendor
  Ship To
 
   
T000032
   
 
   
MIKE MALONE
  Datron World Communications, Inc.
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP
  3030 Enterprise Court
100 DOMINO DRIVE
  Vista CA 92081
CONCORD MA 01742-2892
  Phone: (760) 597-1500
 
   
Phone: 978-287-6219
   
     
Fax Num: 978-287-6228
  Our Order Number Must Appear On Invoice, B/L Bundles, Cases, Packing List and Correspondence
Remit To
                 
 
  o   Fax Sent Prior
Do Not Duplicate
  o   Verbal Placed Prior
Do Not Duplicate
SEE WWW.DTWC.COM FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
AMERICAN CARGO SERVICES PHONE: 800-508-4888
SEND ALL INVOICES TO: BILLUS@DTWC.COM
                 
 
  Total:     3,668,385.00  
                 
         
Buyer/Purchasing Agent
  Date       Manager   Date
     
THE REGISTRANT HAS APPLIED FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
 
THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT ARE MARKED WITH ASTERISKS (***) AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
 
THE OMITTED PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WILL BE FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT.

 

 

     
Confidential   Exhibit 10.15
         
 
  Purchase Order   992330 
Datron World Communications, Inc.
  Page  
3030 Enterprise Court
  Date   11/29/2010 
Vista CA 92081
  Buyer   HMontgomery
Phone: (760) 597-1500
       
 
  Ship Via   AMERICAN CARGO
 
  FOB   SHIPPING POINT
 
  Terms   NET 15
     
Vendor
  Ship To
 
   
T000032
   
 
   
MIKE MALONE
  Datron World Communications, Inc.
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP
  3030 Enterprise Court
100 DOMINO DRIVE
  Vista CA 92081
CONCORD MA 01742-2892
  Phone: (760) 597-1500
 
   
Phone: 978-287-6219
   
     
Fax Num: 978-287-6228
  Our Order Number Must Appear On Invoice,
B/L Bundles, Cases, Packing List and
Correspondence
Remit To
                 
 
  o   Fax Sent Prior
Do Not Duplicate
  o   Verbal Placed Prior
Do Not Duplicate
                                                         
Line     Qty Ordered     Qty Due     UOM   Item Description   Due Date     Unit Price     Ext. Price  
  1       *****       *****     EA  
DSP9000
    ******       ******       ******  
                               
CIPHERING SYSTEM
                       
          Manufacturer            
Mfg Part Number
                       
          -                    
TCC DSP9000
                       
  2       *****       *****     EA  
DSP9000
    ******       ******       ******  
                               
CIPHERING SYSTEM
                       
          Manufacturer            
Mfg Part Number
                       
          -                    
TCC DSP9000
                       
  3       *****       *****     EA  
DSP9000
    ******       ******       ******  
                               
CIPHERING SYSTEM
                       
          Manufacturer            
Mfg Part Number
                       
          -                    
TCC DSP9000
                       
  4       *****       *****     EA  
DSP9000
    ******       ******       ******  
                               
CIPHERING SYSTEM
                       
          Manufacturer            
Mfg Part Number
                       
          -                    
TCC DSP9000
                       
  5       *****       *****     EA  
DSP9000
    ******       ******       ******  
                               
CIPHERING SYSTEM
                       
          Manufacturer            
Mfg Part Number
                       
          -                    
TCC DSP9000
                       
             
     
Buyer/Purchasing Agent
  Date   Manager   Date
     
THE REGISTRANT HAS APPLIED FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
 
THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT ARE MARKED WITH ASTERISKS (***) AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
 
THE OMITTED PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WILL BE FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT.

 


 

Confidential
         
 
  Purchase Order   992330 
Datron World Communications, Inc.
  Page  
3030 Enterprise Court
  Date   11/29/2010 
Vista CA 92081
  Buyer   HMontgomery
Phone: (760) 597-1500
       
 
  Ship Via   AMERICAN CARGO
 
  FOB   SHIPPING POINT
 
  Terms   NET 15
     
Vendor
  Ship To
 
   
T000032
  Datron World Communications, Inc.
 
   
MIKE MALONE
  3030 Enterprise Court
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP
  Vista CA 92081
100 DOMINO DRIVE
  Phone: (760) 597-1500
CONCORD MA 01742-2892
   
 
   
Phone: 978-287-6219
   
     
Fax Num: 978-287-6228
  Our Order Number Must Appear On Invoice,
B/L Bundles, Cases, Packing List and
Correspondence
Remit To
             
o
  Fax Sent Prior   o   Verbal Placed Prior
 
  Do Not Duplicate       Do Not Duplicate
                                                         
Line   Qty Ordered     Qty Due     UOM     Item Description     Due Date     Unit Price     Ext. Price  
 
                                                       
    FAR 52.244-6, entitled “Subcontracts for Commercial Items and Commercial Components” and the clauses listed therein. The complete text of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs) are available at http://www.arnet.gov/far/. FAR 52.211-15, entitled “Defense Priority and Allocation Requirement”. This is a DO rated order and the Supplier shall follow all the requirements of the Defense Priorities and Allocations System regulation (15 CFR 700). The complete text of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs) are available at http://www.arnet.gov/far/. The complete text of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/. This is W15P7T-09-D-D212 DOA7 rated.        
 
                                                       
      SEE WWW.DTWC.COM FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS      
      AMERICAN CARGO SERVICES PHONE: 800-508-4888      
      SEND ALL INVOICES TO: BILLUS@DTWC.COM      
 
                                                       
 
                                  Total:             421,980.00  
             
     
Buyer/Purchasing Agent
  Date   Manager   Date
     
THE REGISTRANT HAS APPLIED FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
 
THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT ARE MARKED WITH ASTERISKS (***) AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
 
THE OMITTED PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WILL BE FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT.

 

 

     
Confidential   Exhibit 10.16
         
 
  Purchase Order   992331
Datron World Communications, Inc.
  Page   1
3030 Enterprise Court
  Date   11/30/2010
Vista CA 92081
  Buyer   HMontgomery
Phone: (760) 597-1500
       
 
  Ship Via   AMERICAN CARGO
 
  FOB   SHIPPING POINT
 
  Terms   NET 15
     
Vendor
  Ship To
 
   
T000032
  Datron World Communications, Inc.
MIKE MALONE
  3030 Enterprise Court
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP
  Vista CA 92081
100 DOMINO DRIVE
  Phone: (760) 597-1500
CONCORD MA 01742-2892
   
 
   
Phone: 978-287-6219
   
     
Fax Num: 978-287-6228
  Our Order Number Must Appear On Invoice,
B/L Bundles, Cases, Packing List and
Correspondence
Remit To
             
o
  Fax Sent Prior
Do Not Duplicate
  o   Verbal Placed Prior
Do Not Duplicate
                                                         
Line   Qty Ordered   Qty Due     UOM     Item Description   Due Date     Unit Price     Ext. Price  
1
    *****       *****     EA     701614         ******       ******       ******  
 
                          AUDIO CIPHERING HANDSET, UNTESTED                  
 
    Manufacturer               Mfg Part Number                  
 
    TCC-CRYPT               401-25470                  
 
                                                       
2
    *****       *****     EA     701614         ******       ******       ******  
 
                          AUDIO CIPHERING HANDSET, UNTESTED                  
 
    Manufacturer               Mfg Part Number                  
 
    TCC-CRYPT               401-25470                  
 
                                                       
    FAR 52.244-6, entitled “Subcontracts for Commercial Items and Commercial Components” and the clauses listed therein. The complete text of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs) are available at http://www.arnet.gov/far/. FAR 52.21 1-15, entitled “Defense Priority and Allocation Requirement”. This is a DO rated order and the Supplier shall follow all the requirements of the Defense Priorities and Allocations System regulation (15 CFR 700). The complete text of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs) are available at http://www.arnet.gov/far/. The complete text of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/. This is W15P7T-09-D-D212 DOA7 rated, corrected cost 11/30        
 
                                                       
      SEE WWW.DTWC.COM FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS      
      AMERICAN CARGO SERVICES PHONE: 800-508-4888      
      SEND ALL INVOICES TO: BILLUS@DTWC.COM      
 
                                  Total:             1,064,475.00  
             
     
Buyer/Purchasing Agent
  Date   Manager   Date
     
THE REGISTRANT HAS APPLIED FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
 
THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT ARE MARKED WITH ASTERISKS (***) AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
 
THE OMITTED PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WILL BE FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT.

 

 

Exhibit 10.17
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(as amended and restated)

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page  
 
ARTICLE 1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND DURATION
    1  
ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS
    1  
ARTICLE 3. ADMINISTRATION
    4  
ARTICLE 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN AND MAXIMUM AWARDS
    5  
ARTICLE 5. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
    6  
ARTICLE 6. STOCK OPTIONS
    6  
ARTICLE 7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
    9  
ARTICLE 8. RESTRICTED STOCK
    11  
ARTICLE 9. PERFORMANCE MEASURES
    12  
ARTICLE 10. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
    13  
ARTICLE 11. DEFERRALS
    13  
ARTICLE 12. RETENTION RIGHTS; TERMINATION FOR CAUSE
    13  
ARTICLE 13. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, TERMINATION AND ADJUSTMENTS
    14  
ARTICLE 14. PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS
    15  
ARTICLE 15. CHANGE IN CONTROL
    15  
ARTICLE 16. WITHHOLDING
    16  
ARTICLE 17. INDEMNIFICATION
    17  
ARTICLE 18. SUCCESSORS
    18  
ARTICLE 19. LEGAL CONSTRUCTION
    18  

 

-i-


 

ARTICLE 1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND DURATION
1.1. Establishment of the Plan; Effective Date . Technical Communications Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby establishes an incentive compensation plan to be known as the “Technical Communications Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan” (the “ Plan ”), as set forth in this document. The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Restricted Stock. The Plan was originally adopted by the Board of Directors on July 29, 2010, subject to stockholder approval (the “ Effective Date ”), and shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3 hereof.
1.2. Purpose of the Plan . The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success and interests of the Company and its stockholders by permitting and encouraging Participants to obtain a proprietary interest in the Company and its Subsidiaries through the grant of Awards that are consistent with the Company’s goals and that link the personal interests of Participants to those of the Company’s stockholders. The Plan is further intended to enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate Participants whose services are critical to the success of the Company and align the interests of such individuals with those of the Company.
1.3. Duration of the Plan . The Plan shall commence on the Effective Date, as described in Section 1.1 hereof, and shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Board of Directors of the Company to amend or terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Article 13 hereof, until all Shares subject to the Plan shall have been purchased or acquired according to the Plan’s provisions. However, in no event may an Award be granted under the Plan on or after July 29, 2020.
ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and when that meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word shall be capitalized:
2.1. “ Affiliate ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act.
2.2. “ Award ” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or Restricted Stock.
2.3. “ Award Agreement ” means an agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted to the Participant under this Plan.
2.4. “ Beneficial Owner ” or “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act.
2.5. “ Benefit Arrangement ” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 14 hereof.

 

 


 

2.6. “ Board ” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.7. “ Cause ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.3 hereof.
2.8. “ Change in Control ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.1 hereof.
2.9. “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.
2.10. “ Committee ” means any committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with and as specified in Article 3 hereof.
2.11. “ Common Stock ” means the common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of the Company.
2.12. “ Company ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 hereof, and shall include any and all Subsidiaries and Affiliates, and any successor thereto as provided in Article 15 hereof.
2.13. “ Consultant ” means any person who is engaged by the Company or any Subsidiary as a consultant or advisor who provides bona fide services to the Company or any Subsidiary as an independent contractor. Service as a Consultant shall be considered employment for all purposes of the Plan, except for purposes of an ISO grant under Article 6 hereof.
2.14. “ Covered Employee ” means a Participant who, as of the date of vesting and/or payout of an Award, as applicable, is one of the group of “covered employees,” as such term is defined in the regulations promulgated under Code Section 162(m), or any successor statute.
2.15. “ Director ” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
2.16. “ Disability ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Participant’s governing long-term disability plan, or if no such plan exists, shall mean a disability described in Section 422(c)(6) of the Code, the existence of which is determined at the discretion of the Committee.
2.17. “ Effective Date ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 hereof.
2.18. “ Employee ” means any full-time, active employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, including officers and Directors.
2.19. “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.

 

2


 

2.20. “ Fair Market Value ” of a share of Common Stock means, as of any given date, (a) the closing sales price of a share of Common Stock on the Composite Tape, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, on such date on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded or, (b) if the Common Stock is not then traded on a national securities exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices of the Common Stock on such date as furnished by the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (“ OTCBB ”) or Pink Sheets, LLC (the “ Pink Sheets ”); provided , however , that if there are no sales reported on such date, fair market value shall be computed as of the last trading date preceding such date on which a sale was reported; provided , further , that if any such exchange or quotation system is closed on the date of determination, fair market value shall be determined as of the first day immediately preceding such date on which such exchange or quotation system was open for trading. If the Common Stock is not admitted to trade on a securities exchange or quoted on the OTCBB or Pink Sheets, the fair market value shall be as determined in good faith by the Committee, taking into account such facts and circumstances deemed to be material to the value of the Common Stock.
2.21. “ Freestanding SAR ” means an SAR that is granted independently of any options, as described in Article 7 hereof.
2.22. “ Incentive Stock Option ” or “ ISO ” means an option to purchase Shares granted under Article 6 hereof that is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and that is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422.
2.23. “ Non-Employee Director ” shall mean a Director who is not also an Employee. Service as a Non-Employee Director shall be considered employment for all purposes of the Plan, except for purposes of an ISO grant under Article 6 hereof.
2.24. “ Non-Qualified Stock Option ” or “ NQSO ” means an option to purchase Shares granted under Article 6 hereof that is not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422 or otherwise qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
2.25. “ Option ” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, as described in Article 6 hereof.
2.26. “ Option Price ” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.
2.27. “ OTCBB ” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of Fair Market Value in Section 2.20 herein.
2.28. “ Other Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 14 hereof.
2.29. “ Parachute Payment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 14 hereof.
2.30. “ Participant ” means an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant who has been selected to receive an Award or who has outstanding an Award granted under the Plan.
2.31. “ Performance-Based Exception ” means the performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m).

 

3


 

2.32. “ Period of Restriction ” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock is limited in some way (based on the passage of time, the achievement of performance goals or upon the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, at its discretion), and the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as provided in Article 8 hereof.
2.33. “ Person ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.
2.34. “ Pink Sheets ” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of Fair Market Value in Section 2.20 herein.
2.35. “ Plan ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 hereof, as the same is amended from time to time.
2.36. “ Restricted Stock ” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8 hereof.
2.37. “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.
2.38. “ Shares ” means the shares of the Common Stock of the Company, as the same may be adjusted in accordance with Section 4.3 herein.
2.39. “ Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means an Award designated as an SAR pursuant to the terms of Article 7 hereof.
2.40. “ Subsidiary ” shall have the meaning given to the term “subsidiary corporation” in Section 424(f) of the Code.
ARTICLE 3. ADMINISTRATION
3.1. The Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board (or any successor thereto) consisting of not less than two (2) members who meet the “non-employee director” requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the “outside director” requirements of Code Section 162(m); by any other committee appointed by the Board, provided the members of such committee meet such requirements; or by the full Board acting as the Committee with the powers and duties set forth herein. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Awards granted under the Plan. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and all determinations of the Committee under the Plan may be made at a meeting at which a quorum is present by the vote of a majority of the members of the Committee or by a writing in lieu of a meeting signed by all members of the Committee. Meetings may be held by telephone conference or similar communication equipment by means of which all persons participating can hear each other.

 

4


 

3.2. Authority of the Committee . Except as limited by law or by the Articles of Organization or Bylaws of the Company, and subject to the provisions hereof, the Committee shall have full power to (a) determine the Participants to whom Awards shall be granted under the Plan; (b) determine the timing, size and type of Awards; (c) determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to Awards in a manner consistent with the Plan, including but not limited to price, method of payment, vesting, exercisability and termination; (d) establish the Fair Market Value of a Share in accordance with the Plan; (e) establish one or more form agreements to evidence and memorialize the grant of an Award; (f) construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; (g) establish, amend or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and, (f) subject to the provisions of Article 13 and Section 19.6 hereof, amend, modify or adjust the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award, including acceleration of vesting and extension of exercise terms, to the extent such terms and conditions are within the discretion of the Committee as provided in the Plan. Further, the Committee shall make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. As permitted by law, the Committee may delegate its authority as identified herein.
3.3. Decisions Binding . All determinations, decisions and interpretations made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders and resolutions of the Board and the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its stockholders, Employees, Participants and their estates and beneficiaries.
ARTICLE 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN AND MAXIMUM AWARDS
4.1. Number of Shares Available For Grant . Subject to Sections 4.2 and 4.3 hereof, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to Awards granted to Participants under the Plan shall be Two Hundred Thousand (200,000) Shares. Shares issued under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued Common Stock. Unless the Committee determines that an Award to a Covered Employee shall not be designed to comply with the Performance-Based Exception, the following rules shall apply to all grants of such Awards under the Plan, subject to Sections 4.2 and 4.3 hereof:
(a)  Stock Options and SARS : The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Stock Options, with or without Freestanding SARs, granted in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be Forty Thousand (40,000).
(b)  Restricted Stock : The maximum aggregate grant with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock that are intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, and that are granted in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be Forty Thousand (40,000) Shares.
4.2. Lapsed Awards . If any Award granted under this Plan is canceled, terminates, expires or lapses for any reason without having been exercised in full, any Shares subject to such Award that remain unpurchased shall be available for the future grant of an Award under the Plan. In addition, any Shares retained by the Company upon exercise of an Award in order to satisfy the exercise price of such Award, or any withholding taxes due with respect to such exercise, shall be treated as not issued and shall continue to be available under the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, shares issued and later repurchased by the Company shall not become available for future grant or sale under the Plan.

 

5


 

4.3. Adjustments to Common Stock . In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination of shares, exchange of shares, liquidation, spin-off, split-up, or other similar change in capitalization or event, (a) the number and class of securities available for Awards under the Plan and the per Participant share limit, (b) the number and class of securities, vesting schedule and exercise price per share subject to each outstanding Award, (iii) the repurchase price per security subject to repurchase, and (iv) the terms of each other outstanding stock-based Award shall be adjusted (or substituted Awards may be made) to the extent the Committee shall determine, in good faith, that such an adjustment (or substitution) is appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such adjustments shall be made to the extent necessary and in such a manner as to avoid any Award granted hereunder being classified as a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A, and the regulations and/or guidance issued thereunder.
ARTICLE 5. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
5.1. Eligibility . Persons eligible to participate in this Plan include Consultants, Non-Employee Directors and Employees of the Company with the potential to contribute to the success of the Company or its Subsidiaries, including Employees who are members of the Board.
5.2. Actual Participation . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all eligible Participants those to whom Awards shall be granted, and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award. The Committee shall consider such factors as it deems relevant in selecting Participants to receive Awards and the terms, provisions and restrictions with respect thereto. The grant of an Award in one year or at any particular time shall not require the grant of an Award in any other year or at any other time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options that the Committee intends to be ISOs shall be granted only to Employees of the Company or any Subsidiary. Any Option or portion thereof that does not qualify as an ISO shall be and shall be treated as a NQSO.
ARTICLE 6. STOCK OPTIONS
6.1. Grant of Options; Timing . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted at any time and from time to time to Participants in such number, at such Option Price, and upon such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee. The date of grant of an Option shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the Board makes the determination to grant such Option. Notice of the determination shall be given to the Participant within a reasonable time after the date of grant.
6.2. Option Award Agreement . Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in such form or forms as the Committee shall approve, which shall specify the Option Price, the duration of the option, the number of Shares to which the option pertains, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine, including but not limited to vesting periods, performance targets and restrictions on transfer. The Award Agreement shall also specify whether the option is intended to be an ISO within the meaning of Code Section 422, or an NQSO, whose grant is intended not to fall under the provisions of Code Section 422. In the event of a conflict between any Option Award Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control, and in no event shall the Committee have the power to grant an Option or execute an Option Award Agreement that is contrary to the provisions of the Plan.

 

6


 

6.3. Option Price . The Option Price for each grant of an Option under this Plan shall be at least equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted. If any Participant to whom an Incentive Stock Option is to be granted under the Plan is, at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option, the owner of stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (after taking into account the attribution of stock ownership rules of Section 424(d) of the Code), then the Option Price per Share subject to such ISO shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the time of grant.
6.4. Duration of Options . Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant; provided , however , that no Option shall have a term greater than, or be exercisable after, the tenth anniversary date of its grant and provided further that no Option shall be exercisable later than the fifth anniversary date of its date of grant for an ISO granted to a Participant who at the time of such grant owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company.
6.5. Exercise of Options . Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercisable in whole or in part at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, subject to Section 6.10 herein, which restrictions and conditions need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has been given to the Company at its principal office (Attention: Chief Financial Officer) in accordance with the terms of the Option Award Agreement by the person entitled to exercise the Option, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, full payment for such Shares in accordance with Section 6.6 herein has been received by the Company, and all conditions to exercise have been satisfied or waived.
6.6. Payment .
(a) The Option Price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full in a form as determined by the Committee either: (i) in cash (or its equivalent) or bank or cashier’s check made payable to the Company; (ii) by tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price ( provided that, under certain circumstances, the Shares that are tendered must have been held by the Participant for at least six (6) months prior to their tender); (iii) by withholding Shares that otherwise would be acquired on exercise having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price; or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. If the Company is then allowing the exercise of Options pursuant to a same-day sale/cashless exercise program, the consideration received by the Company from a broker pursuant to such program ( provided that such program shall not involve the Company’s extending or arranging for the extension of credit to a Participant) may also be acceptable consideration hereunder. In no circumstance shall a Participant be entitled to pay the Option Price with a promissory note.

 

7


 

(b) Subject to any governing laws, rules or regulations, as soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, in the Participant’s name, Share certificates in an appropriate amount based upon the number of Shares purchased under the Option(s). Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock certificate or certificates representing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other right of a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as otherwise provided in this Plan.
6.7. Restrictions on Share Transferability . The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under this Article 6 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.
6.8. Termination of Employment or Consulting Arrangement . Subject to Sections 6.10 below with respect to ISOs and Section 12.3 generally, each Option Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participant’s employment or consulting arrangement with the Company. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to this Article 6, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment.
6.9. Non-transferability of Options .
(a)  Incentive Stock Options . No ISO granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, all ISOs granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participant’s legal representative (to the extent permitted under Code Section 422).
(b) Nonqualified Stock Options . No NQSO granted under this Article 6 may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, all NQSOs granted to a Participant under this Article 6 shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participant’s legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may in its sole discretion permit a Participant to transfer all or some of such Participant’s NQSOs to such Participant’s immediate family members or a trust or trusts for the benefit of such immediate family members. For purposes hereof, “immediate family members” means a Participant’s spouse, children and grandchildren.

 

8


 

6.10. Incentive Stock Options .
(a)  Limitations . For as long as the Code shall so provide, Options granted to any Participant under the Plan which are intended to constitute Incentive Stock Options shall not constitute Incentive Stock Options to the extent that such Options, in the aggregate, become exercisable for the first time in any one (1) calendar year for shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) of more than $100,000 (or such other maximum limit imposed from time to time under Code Section 422), but rather Options in excess of such limit shall be treated as NQSOs. In such an event, the determination of which Options shall remain ISOs and which shall be treated as NQSOs shall be based on the order in which such Options were granted. All other terms and conditions of such Options that are deemed to be NQSOs shall remain unchanged.
(b)  Employment Rules . No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised unless, at the time of such exercise, the Participant is, and has been continuously since the date of grant of his or her Option, an Employee of the Company, except that:
(i) an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised within the period of three (3) months after the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee of the Company (or within such lesser period as may be specified in the applicable Award Agreement) if and only to the extent that the Incentive Stock Option was exercisable at the date of employment termination, provided that the Option Award Agreement with respect to such Option may designate a longer exercise period, and any exercise after such three-month period shall be treated as the exercise of a NQSO under the Plan;
(ii) if the Participant dies while an Employee of the Company, or within three (3) months after the Participant ceases to be an Employee, the Incentive Stock Option may be exercised by the person to whom it is transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution within the period of one year after the date of death (or within such lesser period as may be specified in the applicable Option Award Agreement) if and only to the extent that the ISO was exercisable at the date of death; and
(iii) if the Participant becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) or any successor section of the Code) while an Employee of the Company, the Incentive Stock Option may be exercised within the period of one (1) year after the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee because of such Disability (or within such lesser period as may be specified in the applicable Option Award Agreement) if and only to the extent that the ISO was exercisable at the date of employment termination.
ARTICLE 7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
7.1. Grant of SARS . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, SARs may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of SARs granted to each Participant (subject to Article 4 hereof) and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs. The grant price of a Freestanding SAR shall equal the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the SAR.

 

9


 

7.2. Exercise of SARS . Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Committee, in its sole discretion, imposes upon them. SARS shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has been given to the Company at its principal office (Attention: Chief Financial Officer) in accordance with the terms of the SAR Award Agreement by the person entitled to exercise the SAR, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is to be exercised, and the other provisions of this Article 7 with respect to exercise have been satisfied or waived.
7.3. SAR Agreements . Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in such form or forms as the Committee shall approve, which shall specify the grant price, the term of the SAR, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. In the event of a conflict between any SAR Award Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control, and in no event shall the Committee have the power to grant a SAR or execute a SAR Award Agreement that is contrary to the provisions of the Plan.
7.4. Term of SARS . The term of an SAR granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided , however , that such term shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant.
7.5. Payment of SAR Amount . Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
(a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise and the grant price; by
(b) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
At the discretion of the Committee, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value or in some combination thereof. The Committee’s determination regarding the form of SAR payout shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the SAR.
7.6. Termination of Employment or Consulting Arrangement . Each SAR Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the SAR following termination of the Participant’s employment or consulting arrangement with the Company and/or its Subsidiaries. Subject to Section 12.3 herein, such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with Participants, need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to the Plan and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment.
7.7. Non-transferability of SARS . No SAR granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, all SARs granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participant’s legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may in its sole discretion permit a Participant to transfer all or some of such Participant’s SARs to such Participant’s immediate family members or a trust or trusts for the benefit of such immediate family members. Following any such transfer, any transferred SARs shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the transfer.

 

10


 

ARTICLE 8. RESTRICTED STOCK
8.1. Grant of Restricted Stock . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Participants in such amounts, at such prices and upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.
8.2. Restricted Stock Agreement . Each Restricted Stock grant shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Award Agreement in such form or forms as the Committee shall approve, which shall specify the Period(s) of Restriction, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. In the event of a conflict between any Restricted Stock Award Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control, and in no event shall the Committee have the power to grant Shares of Restricted Stock or execute a Restricted Stock Award Agreement that is contrary to the provisions of the Plan.
8.3. Transferability . The Shares of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction established by the Committee and specified in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, or upon earlier satisfaction of any other conditions, as specified by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement. All rights with respect to the Restricted Stock granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be available during his or her lifetime only to such Participant or the Participant’s legal representatives.
8.4. Other Restrictions . Subject to Article 9 hereof, the Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each share of Restricted Stock, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals (Company-wide, divisional and/or individual), time-based restrictions on vesting following the attainment of the performance goals and/or restrictions under applicable federal or state securities laws. The Company may retain the certificates representing Shares of Restricted Stock in the Company’s possession, along with a stock power endorsed in blank, until such time as all conditions and/or restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied and may imprint on such certificates appropriate legends referring to the term, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Shares. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall become freely transferable by the Participant after the last day of the applicable Period of Restriction. Upon the expiration of the Period of Restriction or other lapse or waiver of any restrictions relating to Shares of Restricted Stock, the Company shall deliver certificates without legends (other than those required by applicable securities laws) to the Participant.

 

11


 

8.5. Voting Rights; Dividends and other Distributions . The Participant shall have the right to vote all Shares of Restricted Stock during the Period of Restriction. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may be credited with dividends and distributions paid with respect to the underlying Shares while they are so held. The Committee may apply any restrictions to the dividends and distributions that the Committee deems appropriate. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, if the grant or vesting of Restricted Shares granted to a Covered Employee is designed to comply with the requirements of the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee may apply any restrictions it deems appropriate to the payment of dividends declared with respect to such Restricted Shares, such that the dividends and/or the Restricted Shares maintain eligibility for the Performance-Based Exception.
8.6. Termination of Employment or Consulting Arrangement . Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive unvested Restricted Shares following termination of the Participant’s employment or consulting arrangement with the Company. Subject to Section 12.3 herein, such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Shares of Restricted Stock issued pursuant to the Plan and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment; provided , however , that except in the cases of terminations by reason of death or Disability, the vesting of Shares of Restricted Stock that qualify for the Performance-Based Exception and that are held by Covered Employees shall occur at the time they otherwise would have, but for the employment termination.
ARTICLE 9. PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Unless and until the Committee proposes for stockholder vote and stockholders approve a change in the general performance measures set forth in this Article 9, the attainment of which may determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to Awards to Covered Employees that are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, the performance measure(s) to be used for purposes of such grants shall be chosen from among net income either before or after taxes, market share, customer satisfaction, profits, share price, earnings per share, total stockholder return, return on assets, return on equity, operating income, return on capital or investments, or economic value added (including, but not limited to, any or all of such measures in comparison to the Company’s competitors, the industry or some other comparable group).
The Committee shall have the discretion to adjust the determinations of the degree of attainment of the pre-established performance goals; provided , however , that Awards that are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, and that are held by Covered Employees, may not be adjusted upward (the Committee shall retain the discretion to adjust such Awards downward, however).
In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing performance measures without obtaining stockholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining stockholder approval. In addition, in the event that the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Awards that shall not qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee may make such grants without satisfying the requirements of Code Section 162(m).

 

12


 

ARTICLE 10. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
Each Participant under the Plan may, from time to time, designate any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his or her death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. In the absence of any such designation, the Participant’s benefits shall be paid to the Participant’s estate.
ARTICLE 11. DEFERRALS
The Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer such Participant’s receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant by virtue of the exercise of an Option or SAR, or the lapse or waiver of restrictions with respect to Restricted Stock. If any such deferral election is required or permitted, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals. Any such deferrals shall be made in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A.
ARTICLE 12. RETENTION RIGHTS; TERMINATION FOR CAUSE
12.1. Employment . Neither the Plan nor any Award granted hereunder shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuation of employment, consulting or advisory relationship or directorship with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with his or her right or the Company’s right to terminate his or her employment, consulting or advisory relationship or directorship at any time.
12.2. Participation . No Participant shall have the right, in and of itself, to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.
12.3. Terminations for Cause . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment or consulting arrangement with the Company for Cause (as defined herein), then such Participant’s rights under any then-outstanding Awards shall immediately terminate as of the time of such termination. Termination for Cause shall mean any termination for Cause as defined in any employment or similar agreement by and between the Company and the Participant and, if no such agreement is then in effect, shall include but not be limited to Participant’s (a) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation or theft or a felony, (b) gross negligence, willful misconduct, insubordination or habitual neglect of duty in carrying out his or her duties as a Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director; (c) non-compliance with any policy of the Company or the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and failure to cure such noncompliance within 15 days of notice thereof from the Company, or (d) breach of any material term of any agreement, contract or other arrangement between the Participant and the Company regarding Participant’s employment by or engagement with the Company, or breach of any duty owed by the Participant to the Company and/or its stockholders, in each case as determined by the Board. In addition to and not in lieu of the foregoing, if the Board reasonably believes that a Participant has engaged in any of the activities described in clauses (a) — (d) of this Section 12.3, the Board may suspend the Participant’s right to exercise or receive any Award pending a determination by the Board.

 

13


 

ARTICLE 13. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, TERMINATION AND ADJUSTMENTS
13.1. Amendment, Modification and Termination . Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Board, upon recommendation of the Committee, may at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided , that the Board shall not amend the Plan in any manner that requires stockholder, regulatory or other approval(s) under applicable law, rule or regulation without obtaining such approval(s).
13.2. Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Non-recurring Events. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.3 hereof) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, rules, regulations or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan; provided that unless the Committee determines otherwise, no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such authority would be inconsistent with the Plan or Awards meeting the requirements of Code Section 162(m), as from time to time amended.
13.3. Awards Previously Granted . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary (but subject to Section 13.2 hereof), no termination, amendment or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect or impair in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award, except that the Plan may be amended in a manner that does not affect Awards granted prior to the date of amendment or termination if such amendment is necessary to retain the benefits of Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code or to otherwise comply with applicable law, or such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of the Participant.
13.4. Compliance with Code Section 162(m) . At all times when Code Section 162(m) is applicable, all Awards granted under this Plan shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 162(m); provided , however , that in the event the Committee determines that such compliance is not desired with respect to any Award or Awards available for grant under the Plan, then compliance with Code Section 162(m) will not be required. In addition, in the event that changes are made to Code Section 162(m) to permit greater flexibility with respect to any Award or Awards available under the Plan, or in the event that modifications are necessary to the Plan or any Awards to comply with Section 162(m), the Committee may, subject to this Article 13, make any adjustments and amendments to the Plan and any Awards that the Committee deems appropriate. If any provision of the Plan would be in violation of Section 162(m) if applied as written, such provision shall not have effect as written and shall be given effect so as to comply with Section 162(m) as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

14


 

ARTICLE 14. PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or of any other agreement, contract or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered into by a Participant with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, except an agreement, contract or understanding hereafter entered into that expressly modifies or excludes application of this Article 14 (hereinafter referred to as an “ Other Agreement ”), and notwithstanding any formal or informal plan or other arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to the Participant (including groups or classes of Participants or beneficiaries of which the Participant is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash or is in the form of a benefit to or for the Participant (hereinafter referred to as a “ Benefit Arrangement ”), if the Participant is a “disqualified individual,” as defined in Code Section 280G(c), any Option or Restricted Stock held by the Participant and any right to receive any payment or other benefit under this Plan shall not become exercisable or vested (i) to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments or benefits to or for the Participant under this Plan, all Other Agreements and all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any payment or benefit to the Participant under this Plan to be considered a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b) as then in effect (a “ Parachute Payment ”), and (ii) if, as a result of receiving a Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by the Participant from the Company under this Plan, all Other Agreements and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be received by the Participant without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment. In the event that the receipt of any such right to exercise, vesting, payment or benefit under this Plan, in conjunction with all other rights, payments or benefits to or for the Participant under any Other Agreements or any Benefit Arrangement would cause the Participant to be considered to have received a Parachute Payment under this Plan that would have the effect of decreasing the after-tax amount received by the Participant as described in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, then the Participant shall have the right, in the Participant’s sole discretion, to designate those rights, payments or benefits under this Plan, any Other Agreements and any Benefit Arrangements that should be reduced or eliminated so as to avoid having the payment or benefit to the Participant under this Plan be deemed to be a Parachute Payment.
ARTICLE 15. CHANGE IN CONTROL
15.1. Definition . For purposes of this Plan, a “ Change in Control ” of the Company shall mean any of the following:
(a) the Beneficial Ownership of securities representing more than thirty-three percent (33%) of the combined voting power of the Company is acquired by any “person” or “group”, as such terms are defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; or
(b) the stockholders of the Company approve a definitive agreement to merge or consolidate the Company with or into another entity (other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction continuing to represent 50% or more of the combined voting power of the surviving entity immediately after such transaction), or to sell, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or adopt a plan of liquidation; or

 

15


 

(c) during any period of three (3) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period were members of the Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof (unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination was previously so approved).
15.2. Treatment of Outstanding Awards . Subject to Section 15.3 hereof, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Committee may:
(a) provide for the assumption of all outstanding Awards, or the substitution of outstanding Awards for new Awards, for equity securities of the surviving, successor or purchasing Person, or a parent or Subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number, kind and prices of Shares subject to such Awards as determined in good faith by the Board;
(b) provide that the vesting of any and all Options and SARs granted hereunder that remain outstanding shall be accelerated that such Awards shall become fully and immediately exercisable;
(c) provide that any restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any Restricted Stock shall lapse and all such shares shall be deemed fully vested and free of all restrictions;
(d) in the case of the proposed liquidation of the Company, provide that each outstanding Award shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such action or such other date as fixed by the Board and provide Participants the right to exercise such Award prior to such date; and/or
(e) make any and all other adjustments and/or settlements of outstanding Awards as it deems appropriate and consistent with the Plan’s purposes.
15.3. Termination, Amendment and Modifications of Change-in-Control Provisions . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement provision, the provisions of this Article 15 may not be terminated, amended or modified on or after the date of an event that is likely to give rise to a Change in Control to affect adversely any Award theretofore granted under the Plan without the prior written consent of the Participant with respect to said Participant’s outstanding Awards.
ARTICLE 16. WITHHOLDING
16.1. Tax Withholding . The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company in lieu of withholding, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld or paid with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Plan, and the Company may defer issuance of Common Stock upon the grant or exercise of an Award unless indemnified to its satisfaction against any liability for any such tax.

 

16


 

16.2. Share Withholding . With respect to withholding required upon the exercise of Options or SARs, upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock, or upon any other taxable event arising as a result of Awards granted hereunder, Participants may elect, subject to the approval of the Committee, to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the total tax that could be imposed with respect to said transaction. All such elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, and signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
16.3. Determinations; Procedure . The amount of withholding or tax payment shall be determined by the Committee or its delegate and shall be payable by the Participant at such time or times as the Board determines. An Participant shall be permitted to satisfy his or her tax or withholding obligation by (a) having cash withheld from the Participant’s salary or other compensation payable by the Company or a Subsidiary, (b) the payment of cash by the Participant to the Company, (c) the payment in shares of Common Stock already owned by the Participant valued at Fair Market Value, and/or (d) the withholding from the Award, at the appropriate time, of a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient, based upon the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock, to satisfy such tax or withholding requirements as set forth in Section 16.2 above. The Committee shall be authorized, in its sole and absolute discretion, to establish rules and procedures relating to any such withholding methods it deems necessary or appropriate (including, without limitation, rules and procedures relating to elections by Participants who are subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act to have shares of Common Stock withheld from an award to meet those withholding obligations).
ARTICLE 17. INDEMNIFICATION
Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf and provided further that indemnification shall not be available for any action taken or failure to act by such person in bad faith or any fraud on the part of such person. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Organization or Bylaws, as a matter of law or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

17


 

ARTICLE 18. SUCCESSORS
All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect acquisition by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the Company or all or substantially all of its business or assets.
ARTICLE 19. LEGAL CONSTRUCTION
19.1. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan and outstanding Awards granted under the Plan. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
19.2. Gender and Number . Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural.
19.3. Severability . In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
19.4. Requirements of Law .
(a) The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise or receipt of an Award unless the exercise or receipt of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of applicable law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the so-called state “blue sky” or securities laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. As a condition to the exercise or receipt of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising or receiving such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.
(b) In addition to and not in lieu of subsection (a) above, each Award shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the Shares subject to the Award upon any securities exchange or under any federal, state or foreign securities or other law or regulation, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition to or in connection with the granting of such Award or the issue or purchase of shares thereunder, no such Award may be exercised or paid in shares of Common Stock in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained, and the holder of each such Award will supply the Company with such certificates, representations and information as the Company shall request which are reasonably necessary or desirable in order for the Company to obtain such required listing, and shall otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining such required listing.

 

18


 

19.5. Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
19.6. Code Section 409A Compliance . The Company, acting through the Board or the Committee, intends to comply with Code Section 409A, or an exemption to Code Section 409A, with regard to Awards hereunder that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A, and any ambiguities in construction shall be interpreted in order to effectuate such intent. To the extent that the Board or Committee determines that a Participant would be subject to the additional tax imposed on certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans pursuant to Code Section 409A as a result of any provision of any Award granted under this Plan, such provision shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to avoid application of such additional tax. The nature of any such amendment shall be determined by the Board or the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor any Affiliate makes any representation with respect to the application of Code Section 409A to any Award hereunder and, by acceptance of any such Award, the Participant agrees to accept the potential application of Code Section 409A to the Award and any tax consequences associated therewith. In the event that, after the issuance of an Award under the Plan, Section 409A of the Code or the regulations thereunder are amended, or the Internal Revenue Service or Treasury Department issues additional guidance interpreting Section 409A of the Code, the Committee (or, in the absence of the Committee, the Board) may modify the terms of any such previously issued Award to the extent the Committee (or, in the absence of the Committee, the Board) determines that such modification is necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The Committee shall also have the authority to amend and administer the Plan and amend any Award issued hereunder in order to assure that such Awards do not provide a deferral of compensation that would be subject to Code Section 409A.
19.7. Governing Law . To the extent not preempted by federal law, the Plan, and all agreements entered into, actions taken and determinations made hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to such jurisdiction’s conflicts of laws principles.
19.8. Stockholder Approval . The Plan shall have been approved by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date. Awards may be granted under the Plan at any time prior to the receipt of such stockholder approval, provided that each such grant shall be subject to such approval. Without limitation of the foregoing, no Award may be exercised by a Participant, and no share certificates shall be issued by the Company, prior to the receipt of such approval. If the Plan is not approved by July 29, 2011, then the Plan and all Awards then outstanding shall automatically terminate and be of no force or effect.

 

19

Exhibit 21
List of Subsidiaries
TCC Investment Corp., a Massachusetts corporation

 

Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements pertaining to the 1991 Stock Option Plan and related amendment (Form S-8 No. 33-46890 and S-8/A No. 333-60438), 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and related amendments (Form S-8 No. 333-127447, S-8 No. 333-139737 and S-8 No. 333-161259), and the 2001 Stock Option Plan (Form S-8 No. 333-76102) of Technical Communications Corporation of our report dated December 22, 2010, relating to our audit of the consolidated financial statements, which appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Technical Communications Corporation for the year ended September 25, 2010.
     
/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
 
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
   
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2010

 

Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF CATURANO AND COMPANY, INC.
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent registered public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our report dated December 18, 2009 on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended September 26, 2009 included in this Form 10-K, into the Company’s previously filed Registration Statements pertaining to the Technical Communications Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan and related amendment (Form S-8 No. 33-46890 and S-8/A No. 333-60438), Technical Communications Corporation 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and related amendment (Form S-8 No. 333-127447, S-8 No. 333-139737 and S-8 No. 333-161259), and the Technical Communications Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan (Form S-8 No. 333-76102).
     
/s/ Caturano and Company, Inc.
 
Caturano and Company, Inc. (formerly Caturano and Company, P.C.)
   
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2010

 

Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Carl H. Guild, Jr., certify that:
(1)  
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Technical Communications Corporation;
(2)  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3)  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4)  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  a.  
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
  b.  
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
  c.  
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
  d.  
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
(5)  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  a.  
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
  b.  
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
     
/s/ Carl H. Guild, Jr.
 
Carl H. Guild, Jr.
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
Dated: December 22, 2010
   

 

Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Michael P. Malone, certify that:
(1)  
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Technical Communications Corporation;
(2)  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3)  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4)  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  a.  
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
  b.  
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
  c.  
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
  d.  
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  a.  
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
  b.  
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
     
/s/ Michael P. Malone
 
Michael P. Malone
   
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
   
Dated: December 22, 2010
   

 

Exhibit 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C.
§ 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned President and Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Technical Communications Corporation (the “Company”) certifies that, to his knowledge:
1) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2010 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2) the information contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2010 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
         
/s/ Carl H. Guild, Jr.
 
Carl H. Guild, Jr.
  /s/ Michael P. Malone
 
Michael P. Malone
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer    
 
       
Date: December 22, 2010
  Date: December 22, 2010