UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

x Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011
or
¨ Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _________ to _________

Commission file number 0-6508

IEC ELECTRONICS CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
13-3458955
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(IRS Employer ID No.)
incorporation or organization)
   

105 Norton Street, Newark, New York 14513
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 315-331-7742

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.01 par value
 
NYSE Amex
(Title of Class)
 
(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   None

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   x      No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one).

¨ Large accelerated filer
¨ Accelerated filer
¨ Non-accelerated filer
x Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   ¨        No   x
 
At April 1, 2011, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $65,854,074 (based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock on NYSE Amex on such date).  Shares of common stock held by each executive officer and director and by each person and entity who beneficially owns more than 10% of the outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such person or entity under certain circumstances may be deemed to be an affiliate.  Such exclusion should not be deemed a determination or admission by registrant that such individuals or entities are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant.

As of December 7, 2011, there were 9,823,075 shares of common stock outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference:

Portions of IEC Electronics Corp.'s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
  
 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

     
Page
 
PART I
   
Item 1
Business
 
4
Item 1A
Risk Factors
 
9
Item 1B
Unresolved Staff Comments
 
14
Item 2
Properties
 
14
Item 3
Legal Proceedings
 
14
Item 4
(Removed and Reserved)
 
14
 
Executive Officers of Registrant
 
15
       
 
PART II
   
Item 5
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
16
Item 6
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
 
17
Item 7
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
18
Item 7A
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
23
Item 8
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
23
Item 9
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
   
 
Financial Disclosure
 
52
Item 9A
Controls and Procedures
 
52
Item 9B
Other Information
 
53
       
 
PART III
   
Item 10
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
53
Item 11
Executive Compensation
 
53
Item 12
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
53
Item 13
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
54
Item 14
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
54
       
 
PART IV
   
Item 15
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
54
       
 
Signatures
 
55
 
Index to Exhibits
 
56
 
2

 

"SAFE HARBOR" CAUTIONARY STATEMENT UNDER THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

References in this report to “IEC”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us” mean IEC Electronics Corp. and its subsidiaries except where the context otherwise requires.  This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements  within  the  meaning  of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are made in reliance upon the protections provided by such Acts for forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements (such as when we describe what we “believe”, “expect” or “anticipate” will occur, and other similar statements) include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future sales and operating results, future prospects, the capabilities and capacities of business operations, any financial or other guidance and all statements that are not based on historical fact, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events. The ultimate correctness of these forward-looking statements is dependent upon a number of known and unknown risks and events and is subject to various uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements.

The following important factors, among others, could affect future results and events, causing those results and events to differ materially from those views expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements: business conditions and growth or contraction in our customers' industries, the electronic manufacturing services industry and the general economy; variability of operating results; our dependence on a limited number of major customers; the potential consolidation of our customer base; availability of component supplies; dependence  on  certain industries; variability of customer requirements; uncertainties as to availability and timing of governmental funding for our customers; our ability to assimilate acquired businesses and to achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; unforeseen product failures and the potential product liability claims that may be associated with such failures; the availability of capital and other economic, business and competitive factors affecting our customers, our industry and business generally; failure or breach of our information technology systems; natural disasters; and other factors that we may not have currently identified or quantified.  For a further list and description of various risks, relevant factors and uncertainties that could cause future results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements, see the "Risk Factors” and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections elsewhere in this document.

All forward-looking statements included in this Report on Form-10-K are made only as of the date of this Report on Form 10-K.  We do not undertake any obligation to, and may not, publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or which we hereafter become aware of.  You should read this document and the documents that we incorporate by reference into this Annual Report on Form-10-K completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.  All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

 
 
3

 

PART I
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

Overview

IEC Electronics Corp. ("IEC", "we", "our", “us”, “Company”) is a premier provider of electronic contract manufacturing services (“EMS”) to advanced technology companies.  We specialize in the custom manufacture of high reliability, complex circuit cards and system-level assemblies; a wide array of cable and wire harness assemblies capable of withstanding extreme environments; and precision sheet metal components.  We excel where quality and reliability are of paramount importance and when low-to-medium volume, high-mix production is the norm.  We utilize state-of-the-art, automated circuit card assembly equipment together with a full complement of high-reliability manufacturing stress testing methods.  With our customers at the center of everything we do, we have created a high-intensity, rapid response culture capable of reacting and adapting to their ever-changing needs.  Our customer-centric approach offers a high degree of flexibility while simultaneously complying with rigorous quality and on-time delivery standards.  While many EMS services are viewed as commodities, we believe we set ourselves apart through an uncommon mix of capabilities, including:

 
§
A Technology Center embedded in our Newark operation that combines dedicated prototype manufacturing with an on-site Materials Analysis Lab, enabling the seamless transition of complex electronics from design to production.
 
§
In-house, custom, functional testing and troubleshooting of complex system-level assemblies, in support of end-order fulfillment.
 
§
Build-to-print precision sheet metal and complex wire harness assemblies supporting just-in-time delivery of critical end-market, system-level electronics.
 
§
Proprietary software-driven Web Portal providing customers real-time access to a wide array of operational data.
 
§
A Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement program supported by a team of Six Sigma Blackbelts delivering best-in-class results.

Since 2004, we have focused our efforts on developing relationships with customers who manufacture advanced technology products and who are unlikely to utilize offshore suppliers due to the proprietary nature of their products, governmental restrictions or volume considerations.  We have continued to expand our business by adding new customers and markets, and our customer base is stronger and more diverse as a result.  We proactively invest in areas we view as important for our continued growth.  IEC is ISO 9001:2008 certified; an NSA approved supplier under the COMSEC standard; and ISO 13485 certified to serve the medical market sector.  Five of our units (IEC in Newark, NY, Wire and Cable in Victor, NY, Albuquerque in New Mexico, Celmet in Rochester, NY and SCB in California) are AS9100 certified to serve the military and commercial aerospace market sector, and are ITAR registered.  In addition, the Company’s locations in Newark, NY and Albuquerque, NM are Nadcap accredited for electronics manufacturing to support the most stringent quality requirements of the aerospace industry.  The Newark, NY location's environmental systems are ISO 14001:2004 certified.

     We evaluate emerging technologies on an ongoing basis to maintain a technology roadmap so that relevant processes and advances in new equipment are available to our customers when commercial and design factors warrant.  The current generation of interconnection technologies includes chip-scale packaging and ball-grid-array (BGA) assembly techniques.  We have placed millions of plastic and ceramic BGA's since 1994.  Future advances will be directed by our Technology Center, which combines Prototype and Pilot Build Services with the capabilities of our Advanced Materials Technology Laboratory and our Design Engineering Group.

The technical expertise of our experienced workforce enables us to build the most advanced electronic, wire & cable, and precision metal systems sought by original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”).

Recent Acquisitions

Since May 2008, we have executed several strategic acquisitions that advanced our capability to support existing and potential customers in the EMS market.

 
4

 
 
On December 17, 2010, we acquired the assets of  Southern California Braiding Co., Inc., a privately held company principally engaged in providing wire and cable products to military and defense markets. The business is now operated through IEC’s subsidiary, Southern California Braiding, Inc. (“SCB”). With this acquisition, IEC reinforced its foundation as a premier provider of high-reliability contract manufacturing services.  SCB specializes in providing its customers, including military ‘primes’ and NASA, with complex cables and wire harnesses built to withstand the demands of extreme environments.  The acquisition further diversified IEC’s customer base, and enables us to complement and expand our existing wire and cable business that itself is the outgrowth of a 2008 acquisition.  SCB is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area (Bell Gardens, CA).

On July 30, 2010, we acquired the assets of Celmet Co., Inc. (“Celmet”), a privately held manufacturer of metal chassis and assemblies located in Rochester, NY.  IEC previously outsourced the manufacture of thousands of such chassis each year, and this acquisition has ensured the Company a steady supply of high quality units.  In addition, Celmet serves the same military and industrial markets as IEC, and the acquisition has enabled us to expand our offerings in those markets.  Celmet operates as a division of IEC.

On December 16, 2009, the Company acquired the stock of General Technology Corporation from Crane International Holdings, Inc.  The acquired business employed complementary technologies and served markets similar to IEC’s.  In April 2011, the entity's name was changed to IEC Electronics Corp - Albuquerque ("Albuquerque").  Our Albuquerque operation occupies an important niche in the military and defense markets by supporting its customers in managing their legacy products and programs.  Located in Albuquerque, NM, the acquisition broadened IEC’s product mix and further diversified our customer base.

On May 30, 2008, IEC acquired the stock of Val-U-Tech Corp., a wire-harness and cable-interconnect business located in Victor, NY.  In 2009, Val-U-Tech was renamed IEC Electronics Wire and Cable, Inc.  (“Wire and Cable”).  Wire and Cable is a premier cable and wire harness manufacturer specializing in high-reliability applications for companies in the military, medical, industrial and transportation market sectors.  Wire and Cable manufactures high-quality, custom cable and wire-harness assemblies, mechanical sub-assemblies, circuit card assemblies and box builds.

IEC Electronics Corp., a Delaware corporation, is the successor by merger in 1990 to IEC Electronics Corp., a New York corporation, which was originally organized in 1966.  Executive offices are located at 105 Norton Street, Newark, New York 14513.  Our telephone number is 315-331-7742, and our Internet address is www.iec-electronics.com .

The Electronics Contract Manufacturing Services ("EMS") Industry

The EMS industry specializes in providing the program management, technical support and manufacturing expertise required to take a product from the early design and prototype stages through volume production and distribution.  Primarily as a response to rapid technological change and increased competition in the electronics industry, OEMs have recognized that by utilizing EMS providers they can improve their competitive position, realize an improved return on investment and concentrate on their core competencies such as research, product design and development and marketing.  In addition, EMS providers allow OEMs to bring new products to market more rapidly and to adjust more quickly to fluctuations in product demand; avoid additional investment in plant, equipment and personnel; reduce inventory and other overhead costs; and determine known unit costs over the life of a contract.  Many OEMs now consider EMS providers valued partners in execution of their business and manufacturing strategy.

OEMs increasingly require EMS providers to provide complete turnkey manufacturing and material handling services, rather than working on a consignment basis, in which the OEM supplies all materials and the EMS provider supplies labor. Turnkey contracts involve design, manufacturing and engineering support, the procurement of all materials, sophisticated in-circuit and functional testing, and distribution.

IEC's Strategy

We endeavor to develop long-term manufacturing partnerships with established and emerging OEM's that value high-reliability final assemblies for their military, aerospace, medical, industrial, homeland security and communications businesses.  In implementing this strategy, we offer our customers a full range of manufacturing solutions, flexibility in production, high quality, fast turnaround, and sophisticated computer-aided testing.
 
We generally enter into formal agreements with our OEM customers that may provide fixed pricing for one year and allow for rolling forecasts of customer requirements.  Pricing is typically subject to adjustment for customer changes that affect our costs.  In the early stages of product or program design, we frequently work with customers to evaluate the manufacturability and testability of their products, with the objective of enhancing quality and reducing the overall cost of ownership for our customers.
 
 
5

 
 
Competition
 
The EMS industry is highly fragmented and characterized by intense competition.  We believe that the principal competitive factors in the EMS market include: technology capabilities, quality and range of services, cost, responsiveness and flexibility.  We specialize in the custom manufacture of high reliability, complex circuit cards and system-level assemblies; a wide array of cable and wire harness assemblies capable of withstanding extreme environments; and precision sheet metal components.  We excel where quality and reliability are of paramount importance and when low-to-medium volume, high-mix production is the norm.  We utilize state-of-the-art, automated circuit card assembly equipment together with a full complement of high-reliability manufacturing stress testing methods.  Our customer-centric approach offers a high degree of flexibility while simultaneously complying with rigorous quality and on-time delivery standards.
 
We compete against numerous foreign and domestic companies in addition to the internal capabilities of some of our customers.  Some of our competitors include Flextronics International LTD., Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Plexus Corp.  We may face new competitors in the future as the outsourcing industry evolves and existing or start-up companies develop capabilities similar to ours.

Products and Services

We manufacture a wide range of assemblies that are incorporated into many different products, such as military and defense systems, transportation products, wireless communication systems, and medical systems and instruments.  We support multiple divisions and product lines for many of our customers and frequently manufacture successive generations of products.  In some cases, we are the sole EMS contract manufacturer for the customer site or division.

Materials Management

We generally procure materials to meet specific contract requirements and are often protected by contract terms that call for reimbursement to us in the event a contract is terminated by the customer.  Whether purchased by us or supplied by a customer, materials are tracked and controlled by our internal systems throughout the manufacturing process.

Availability of Components

Our revenues are principally derived from turn-key services that involve the acquisition of raw and component materials, often from a limited number of suppliers, to be manufactured in accordance with each customer's specifications.  While we are well positioned with supplier relationships and procurement expertise, potential shortages of components in the world market could materially adversely affect our revenue levels or operating efficiencies.

Suppliers

Although we depend on a limited number of key suppliers, as a result of strategic relationships we have established with them, the Company frequently benefits from one or more of the following enhancements: automated trading methodologies; segregation of supplier-owned materials for IEC; reduced lead-times; competitive pricing; favorable payment terms; preference during periods of limited supply; and access to global resources.  We have preferred supplier partnership agreements in place to support our business generally and to ensure access to custom commodities such as printed circuit boards.

For the year ended September 30, 2011, IEC obtained 53% of the materials used in production from two vendors, Arrow Electronics, Inc. and Avnet, Inc.  If either of these vendors were to cease supplying us with materials for any reason, this would force us to find alternative sources of supply.  A change in suppliers could cause a delay in availability of products and a possible loss of sales, which could adversely affect operating results.

 
6

 
 
Marketing and Sales

Revenues have increased significantly during the past year, the result of recently acquired companies, the addition of several new customers and increasing orders from existing customers.  We utilize a direct sales force as well as a nationwide network of manufacturer's representatives.  Through this hybrid sales approach, we execute a focused sales strategy targeting those customers whose product profiles are aligned with our core areas of expertise.  For example, we focus on customers that are developing complex, advanced technology products for a wide array of market sectors ranging from satellite communications to medical, military and ruggedized industrial products.

Typically, the demand profiles associated with these customers are in the low-to-moderate volume range with high variability in required quantities and product mix.  These customers' products often employ emerging technologies that require concentrated engineering and manufacturing support from product development through prototyping and on to volume manufacturing.  As a result of the specialized services required, such customers rarely rely on an outsourcing model that focuses primarily on minimizing costs.

Among the Company's objectives in recent years has been the desire to reduce reliance on particular customers in order to achieve a more balanced distribution of business across industry sectors.  As indicated in the table that follows, progress was made in this regard during fiscal 2011.

   
Fiscal Years ended September 30,
 
% of Sales by Sector
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Military & Aerospace
    56 %     58 %
Industrial & Communications
    21 %     29 %
Medical & Other
    23 %     13 %
      100 %     100 %

Individual customers representing 10% or more of sales included Sigma International (16%) and General Electric (10%) in the 2011 fiscal year, and General Electric (14%) in 2010.  Individual customers representing 10% or more of receivables accounted for 28% of outstanding balances at September 30, 2011 (two customers), and 11% at the end of fiscal 2010.

Backlog

Our backlog at the end of fiscal 2011 is 33% higher than at the end of 2010.  We closed the year with a backlog of $121.5 million as compared to $91.4 million in 2010.  Backlog consists of two categories: purchase orders and firm forecasted commitments.  In addition to fulfilling orders and commitments contained in quarter-end backlog reports, we also receive and ship orders within each quarter that never appear on a backlog report.  Variations in the magnitude and duration of contracts as well as customer delivery requirements may result in fluctuations in backlog from period to period.  In general, the majority of our current backlog is expected to be shipped within fiscal 2012, though a portion may ship in future years.

Governmental Regulation

Our operations are subject to certain United States government regulations that control the export and import of defense-related articles and services, as well as federal, state and local regulatory requirements relating to environmental protection, waste management, and employee health and safety matters.  Management believes that our business is operated in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and governmental regulations.  While current costs of compliance, including compliance with environmental laws, are not material, our expenses could increase if new laws, regulations or requirements were to be introduced.

 
7

 
 
Employees

Employees are our single greatest resource, and the Company added 148 during fiscal 2011.  IEC's total employees numbered 841 at September 30, 2011, including 719 permanent and 122 temporary.  Of the full-time employees, 591 employees engaged in manufacturing and manufacturing support, 52 in engineering, and 76 in administrative and marketing functions.  None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, nor have we experienced any work stoppages.  We make a concerted effort to engage our employees in initiatives that improve our business and their opportunities for growth, and we believe that our employee relations are good.  We have access to large and technically qualified workforces in close proximity to all of our operating locations: Rochester and Syracuse, NY; Albuquerque, NM; and Los Angeles, CA.

Patents and Trademarks

We do not hold any patents related to electronics manufacturing services, but do employ various registered trademarks.  We do not believe that either patent or trademark protection is material to the operation of our business.
 
 
8

 

  ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

OUR OPERATING RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE FROM PERIOD TO PERIOD.   Our annual and quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly depending on various factors, many of which are beyond our control.  These factors may include, but are not necessarily limited to:
 
 
·
adverse changes in general economic conditions
 
 
·
natural disasters that may impede our operations, the operation of our customers’ business, or availability of manufacturing inputs from our suppliers
 
 
·
the level and timing of customer orders and the accuracy of customer forecasts
 
 
·
the capacity utilization of our manufacturing facilities and associated fixed costs
 
 
·
price competition
 
 
·
market acceptance of our customers' products
 
 
·
business conditions in our customers' end markets
 
 
·
our level of experience in manufacturing a particular product
 
 
·
changes in the mix of sales to our customers
 
 
·
variations in efficiencies achieved in managing inventories and fixed assets
 
 
·
fluctuations in cost and availability of materials
 
 
·
timing of expenditures in anticipation of future orders
 
 
·
changes in cost and availability of labor and components
 
 
·
our effectiveness in managing the high reliability manufacturing process required by our customers
 
 
·
failure or external breach of our information technology systems

The EMS industry is affected by the condition of the United States and global economies, both of which are influenced by world events.  An economic slowdown, particularly in the industries we serve, may result in our customers reducing their forecasts.  The demand for our services could weaken, which in turn could substantially influence our sales, capacity utilization, margins and financial results.  Recent periods in which EMS sales were adversely affected included fiscal 2002-2003 when there was a decrease in demand for wireless networking equipment, and 2008-2010 when reduced availability of capital to fund existing and emerging technologies forced some firms to contract or to seek strategic alliances.

WE DEPEND ON A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS, THE LOSS OF ONE OR MORE OF WHOM MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR OPERATING RESULTS.    A relatively small number of customers is responsible for a significant portion of our net sales.  During fiscal 2011 and 2010, our five largest customers accounted for 46% and 45% of net sales, respectively.  During the same two years, our single largest customer accounted for 16% and 14% of net sales, respectively.   The percentage of IEC's sales to its major customers may fluctuate from period to period, and our principal customers may also vary from year to year.  Going forward, the entities currently considered to be our principal customers may decrease the volume of services purchased from us. Any such decrease could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

WE PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, WHICH HISTORICALLY PRODUCES TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED PRODUCTS WITH SHORT LIFE CYCLES.   Factors affecting the electronics industry in general could seriously harm our customers and, as a result, us.  These factors may include, but may not be limited to:
 
 
·
the inability of our customers to adapt to rapidly changing technology and evolving industry standards, which result in short product life cycles
 
 
·
the inability of our customers to develop and market their products, some of which are new and untested
 
 
·
the potential that our customers' products may become obsolete or the failure of our customers' products to gain anticipated commercial acceptance

 
9

 
 
 
·
periods of significantly decreased demand in our customers' markets

SINCE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR BUSINESS IS DEFENSE-RELATED, REDUCTIONS OR DELAYS IN UNITED STATES DEFENSE SPENDING MAY MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT IEC'S REVENUES.   During fiscal years 2011 and 2010 IEC's sales to customers serving the military and aerospace industries approximated half of the Company's revenues.  Therefore, any decision by the U.S. government to delay or reduce military and defense spending may materially adversely affect our defense-related customers' sales volumes, thereby diminishing their demand for IEC's services.

OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION MAY BE MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY GLOBAL ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL MARKET CONDITIONS.   Current global economic and financial market conditions, including a slow recovery from the global economic recession or the onset of another recession, may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.  These conditions may also materially impact our customers and suppliers.  Economic and financial market conditions that adversely affect our customers may cause them to terminate existing purchase orders or to reduce the volume of products they purchase from us in the future.  We may be owed significant balances from customers that operate in cyclical industries and under leveraged conditions that could impair their ability to pay amounts owed to IEC on a timely basis.  Failure to collect a significant portion of those receivables could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Similarly, adverse changes in credit terms extended to us by our suppliers, such as shortening the required payment period for outstanding accounts payable or reducing the maximum amount of trade credit available to us could significantly affect our liquidity and thereby have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

If we are unable to successfully anticipate changing economic and financial market conditions, we may be unable to effectively plan for and respond to those changes, and our operating results could be materially adversely affected.

FAILURE TO MANAGE GROWTH AND CONTRACTION, IF ANY, MAY MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.   Since late 2006, we have been engaged in expanding our operations and have added many new employees.  These actions have resulted in additional costs and start-up inefficiencies.  If we are unable to effectively manage the growth or if anticipated net sales are not realized, our operating results could be adversely affected.

INCREASES IN THE COST OF ENERGY MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.   Certain of the components used in our manufacturing activities are petroleum-based.  In addition, we, along with our suppliers and customers, rely on various energy sources (including oil) in our transportation activities.  Over the past several years, energy prices have experienced significant volatility.  Increasing energy prices have resulted in an increase in our raw material costs and transportation costs.  In addition, the transportation costs of certain of our suppliers and customers have increased, and some of these increased costs may be passed along to us.  We may not be able to increase our product prices enough to offset the increased costs, or alternatively, an increase in our product prices may reduce future customer orders and our profitability.

START-UP COSTS AND INEFFICIENCIES RELATED TO NEW OR TRANSFERRED PROGRAMS CAN MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATING RESULTS AND MAY NOT BE RECOVERABLE.   Start-up costs, including the management of labor and equipment resources in connection with establishing new programs and new customer relationships as well as difficulties in estimating required resources and the timing of those resources in advance of production can adversely affect our operating results.  If new programs or new customer relationships are terminated or delayed, our operating results may be materially adversely affected, particularly in the near term, as we may not recoup those start-up costs or quickly replace anticipated new program revenues.

MOST OF THE CUSTOMERS IN OUR INDUSTRY DO NOT COMMIT TO LONG-TERM PRODUCTION SCHEDULES, WHICH CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR US TO SCHEDULE PRODUCTION.   Customers may cancel their orders, change production quantities or delay production for any number of reasons that are beyond our ability to foresee or control.  Cancellations, reductions or delays by a significant customer or by a group of customers could adversely affect our operating results and working capital levels.  Such cancellations, reductions or delays have occurred and may occur again.  The volume and timing of sales to our customers may vary due to:
 
 
·
variation in demand for our customers' products in their end markets
 
 
·
actions taken by our customers to manage their inventory

 
10

 
 
 
·
product design changes by our customers
 
 
·
changes in our customers' manufacturing strategy

Due in part to these factors, most of our customers do not commit to firm, long-term production schedules.  Therefore we make significant judgments based on our estimates of customer requirements, including:
 
 
·
deciding on the levels of business that we will seek
 
 
·
production schedules
 
 
·
component procurement commitments
 
 
·
equipment requirements
 
 
·
personnel needs
 
 
·
other resource requirements

The short-term nature of our customers’ commitments and the possibility of rapid changes in demand for their products reduce our ability to accurately estimate and forecast the future requirements of those customers.  Since many of our costs and operating expenses are relatively fixed, a reduction in customer demand can adversely affect our revenue and operating results.

INCREASED COMPETITION MAY RESULT IN DECREASED DEMAND OR REDUCED PRICES FOR OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.   The EMS industry is highly fragmented and characterized by intense competition.  We may be operating at a cost disadvantage compared to larger EMS providers who have greater direct buying power from component suppliers, distributors and raw material suppliers or who have lower cost structures as a result of their geographic location.  As a result, other EMS providers may have a competitive advantage.  Our manufacturing processes are generally not subject to significant proprietary protection, and companies with greater resources or a greater market presence may enter our market or increase their competition with us.  We also expect our competitors to continue to improve the performance of their current products or services, to reduce the prices of their products or services and to introduce new products or services that may offer greater performance and improved pricing.  Any of these factors may cause a decline in our sales, loss of market acceptance for our products or services, profit margin compression, or loss of market share.

DIFFICULTIES IN INTEGRATING ACQUIRED OPERATIONS MAY MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT OPERATING RESULTS.   We completed acquisitions of SCB in fiscal 2011 and Albuquerque and Celmet in fiscal 2010, and we may continue to acquire additional businesses in the future.  Acquisitions involve risks that may include, but not be limited to:
 
 
·
failure to integrate operations
 
 
·
loss of key personnel
 
 
·
failure to integrate information systems
 
 
·
failure to establish management, financial and operational controls such as adequate accounts receivable processes
 
 
·
failure to retain the customer base of acquired businesses
 
 
·
diversion of management’s attention from other ongoing business concerns
 
 
·
exposure to unanticipated liabilities of acquired companies
 
These and other factors could affect our ability to achieve expected levels of profitability or to realize other anticipated benefits of an acquisition and could have a material adverse affect our operating results.

IF WE DO NOT MANAGE OUR BUSINESS EFFECTIVELY, OUR PROFITABILITY COULD DECLINE.   To manage our business effectively, we must continually improve our operational, financial and management information systems; develop the skills of our managers and supervisors; and train, motivate and manage our other employees.  Our failure to do so effectively could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

 
11

 

WE DEPEND ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS FOR COMPONENTS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO OUR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.  A SHORTAGE OF THESE COMPONENTS OR AN INCREASE IN THEIR PRICE COULD INTERRUPT OUR OPERATIONS AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATING RESULTS.   Much of our net revenue is derived from turn-key manufacturing for which we provide the materials specified by our customers.  Some of our customer agreements permit periodic adjustments to pricing based on increases or decreases in component prices and other factors.  However, we typically bear the risk of component price increases that occur between any such re-pricing dates or, if such re-pricing is not permitted, during the balance of the term of a particular customer agreement.  As a result, some component price increases may materially adversely affect our operating results, if we cannot increase prices enough to offset increased costs or if increased prices lead to cancelled orders.

Many of the products we manufacture require one or more components that are available from a limited number of suppliers. In response to supply shortages, some of these components are from time to time subject to allocation limits.  In some cases, supply shortages or delayed deliveries could substantially curtail production of those assemblies requiring a limited-supply component, which could contribute to an increase in our inventory levels.  Component shortages have been prevalent in our industry, and such shortages may recur.  An increase in economic activity could result in shortages if manufacturers of components do not adequately anticipate increased order volume or if they have excessively reduced their production capabilities.  World events, armed conflict, governmental regulation, natural disaster, and epidemics could also affect our supply chain, leading to an inability to obtain sufficient components on a timely basis.

In addition, due to the specialized nature of some components and our customers’ product specifications, we may be required to use sole-source suppliers for certain components.  Such suppliers may encounter financial or operational difficulties that could cause delays in or the curtailment of component deliveries.

OUR TURN-KEY MANUFACTURING SERVICES INVOLVE INVENTORY RISK.   Most of our services are provided on a turn-key basis, whereby we purchase some or all of the materials required for product assembly and manufacturing.  These services involve a greater investment in inventory and a corresponding increase in risk as compared to consignment services, for which the customer provides all materials.  For example, in our turn-key operations, we must frequently order parts and supplies in minimum lot sizes that may be larger than the quantity of product ultimately needed for our customers.  Customers' cancellation or reduction of orders could result in additional expense to us.  If we are not reimbursed for excess inventory ordered to meet customer forecasts, we may accumulate excess inventory and/or incur return charges imposed by suppliers.  In addition, component price increases and inventory obsolescence associated with turn-key orders could adversely affect our operating results.

Furthermore, we provide inventory management programs for some of our customers under which we are required to hold and manage finished goods inventories.  Such inventory management programs may lead to higher finished goods inventory levels, reduced inventory turns and increased financial exposure.  In cases where customers have contractual obligations to purchase managed inventories from us, we remain subject to the risk of enforcing the obligation.

PRODUCTS WE MANUFACTURE MAY CONTAIN DEFECTS IN WORKMANSHIP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DEMAND FOR OUR SERVICES AND PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS AGAINST US.   We manufacture highly complex products to our customers' specifications, and such products may contain design or manufacturing errors or defects.  Despite our quality control and quality assurance efforts, failures may occur.  Defects in the products we manufacture, whether caused by customer design, workmanship, component failure or other error, may result in delayed shipments to customers or reduced or cancelled customer orders, adversely affecting our reputation and may result in product liability claims against us.  Even if customers or component suppliers are responsible for the defects, they may be unwilling or unable to assume responsibility for costs associated with product failure.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGICAL AND MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES REQUIRED BY OUR CUSTOMERS IN THE FUTURE.   The markets for our manufacturing and engineering services are characterized by rapidly changing technology and evolving process development.  The continued success of our business will depend upon our ability to:
 
 
·
hire and retain qualified engineering and technical personnel
 
 
·
maintain and enhance our technological leadership
 
 
·
develop and market manufacturing services that meet changing customer needs

 
12

 

Although we believe that our operations provide the assembly and testing technologies, equipment and processes that are currently required by our customers, there is no certainty that we will develop the capabilities required by our customers in the future.  The emergence of new technology, industry standards or customer requirements may render our equipment, inventory or processes obsolete or uncompetitive; or we may have to acquire new assembly and testing technologies and equipment to remain competitive.  The acquisition and implementation of new technologies and equipment may require significant expense or capital investment that could adversely affect our operating results, as could our failure to anticipate and adapt to our customers' changing technological requirements.

FAILURE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY PERSONNEL AND OTHER SKILLED EMPLOYEES COULD MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.   Our continued success depends to a large extent on our ability to recruit, train, and retain skilled employees, particularly executive management and technical employees.  The competition for these individuals is significant; hence the loss of the services of certain of these key employees or an inability to attract or retain qualified employees could negatively impact us.  We have employment agreements with W. Barry Gilbert, our Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey T. Schlarbaum, our President, Donald S. Doody, our Executive Vice President and Craig Pfefferman, President and General Manager of SCB. 

THE FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT AND FUTURE GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS COULD IMPAIR OUR OPERATIONS OR CAUSE US TO INCUR SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE.   We are subject to a variety of United States government regulations that control the export and import of defense-related articles and services, as well as federal, state and local regulatory requirements relating to conflict metals, employee occupational health and safety, and environmental and waste management regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials used in our manufacturing process.  If we fail to comply with any present or future regulations, we could be subject to future liabilities or the suspension of production.  While we are not currently aware of any violations, such regulations could restrict our ability to expand our facilities or could require us to acquire costly equipment, or to incur other significant compliance-related expenses.

IF WE ARE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE INTERNAL CONTROL OVER OUR FINANCIAL REPORTING, THE REPUTATIONAL EFFECTS COULD MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.   Under the provisions of Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended by the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to perform an evaluation of Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR) and to report on its evaluation in Form 10-K.  If we are unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, a resulting loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements could materially adversely affect the value of our common stock.  If lenders lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to fund our operations.

THE AGREEMENTS GOVERNING OUR DEBT CONTAIN VARIOUS COVENANTS THAT IMPACT THE OPERATION OF OUR BUSINESS.   The agreements and instruments governing our secured bank credit facility and other existing debt contain various restrictive covenants that, among other things, require us to comply with certain financial tests, including, among others, limitations on revolving loan borrowings, limits on capital expenditures, and minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent payments and stock compensation expense (“EBITDARS”).  The agreements and instruments restrict our ability to:
 
 
·
incur debt
 
 
·
incur or maintain liens
 
 
·
make acquisitions of businesses or entities
 
 
·
make investments, loans or advances
 
 
·
enter into guarantee agreements
 
 
·
engage in mergers, consolidations or certain sales of assets
 
 
·
engage in transactions with affiliates
 
 
·
pay dividends or engage in stock redemptions or repurchases

Our bank credit facilities are secured by a general security agreement attached to the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, a pledge of the Company’s equity interest in its subsidiaries, a negative pledge on the Company’s real property, and a guarantee by the Company’s subsidiaries, all of which restrict use of these assets to support other financial instruments.

 
13

 

Our ability to comply with covenants contained in our secured bank credit facilities and other existing debt may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions.  While we are currently in compliance with all of our debt covenants, our failure to comply in the future could result in an acceleration of our primary indebtedness and cross-defaults under subordinate indebtedness, causing a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

A FAILURE OF OUR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS COULD MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.   A failure or prolonged interruption in our information technology systems that compromises our ability to meet our customers' needs, or impairs our ability to record, process and report accurate information to the SEC could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
 
A BREACH OF OUR CYBER SECURITY SYSTEMS COULD MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS .   A breach that compromises proprietary customer data, our ability to meet our customers needs, or impairs our ability to record, process and report accurate information could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. 
 
OUR STOCK PRICE MAY BE VOLATILE DUE TO FACTORS BEYOND OUR CONTROL.   Our common stock is traded on the NYSE Amex.  The market price of our common stock has fluctuated substantially in the past and could fluctuate substantially in the future, based on a variety of factors, including future announcements concerning us or our key customers or competitors, governmental regulations, litigation, fluctuations in quarterly operating results, or general conditions in the EMS industry.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

We own or lease properties in five locations that together house our administrative offices (“AO”) and engineering (“E”), manufacturing (“M”), warehouse (“W”) and distribution (“D”) functions, as follows:

Location
 
Principal Use
 
Building SF
 
Owned/Leased
 
Lease Expiration
Newark, New York
 
AO,E,M,W,D
 
235,000
 
Owned
 
na
Victor, New York
 
M,W,D
 
19,000
 
Leased
 
December 31, 2012
Rochester, New York
 
M,W,D
 
47,000
 
Leased
 
July 31, 2014
Albuquerque, New Mexico
 
AO,E,M,W,D
 
72,000
 
Owned
 
na
Bell Gardens, California
 
AO,E,M,W,D
 
42,000
 
Leased
 
Various, through
               
September 30, 2013
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 

Our properties are generally in good condition and are suitable for their intended purpose.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material, pending legal proceedings that involve IEC, its subsidiaries or their properties.  From time to time, the Company may be involved in legal actions in the ordinary course of its business.  However, management does not believe that any such proceedings commenced through the date of these financial statements, individually or in the aggregate, will have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position.

ITEM 4.  (Removed and Reserved)

 
14

 
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

IEC's executive officers as of September 30, 2011 were as follows:

 
Age
 
W. Barry Gilbert
65
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Jeffrey T. Schlarbaum
45
President
Donald S. Doody
44
Executive Vice President
Susan E. Topel-Samek
53
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

W. Barry Gilbert has served as IEC’s Chief Executive Officer since June 2002.  He has been a director of IEC since February 1993, and Chairman of the Board since February 2001. He is an adjunct faculty member at the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration of the University of Rochester. Mr. Gilbert previously held the position of President of the Thermal Management Group of Bowthorpe Plc. (now known as Spirent Plc.) and was corporate Vice President and President of the Analytical Products Division of Milton Roy Company, a manufacturer of analytical instrumentation.  He holds an MBA from the University of Rochester.

Jeffrey T. Schlarbaum has served as President of IEC since October 2010.  He joined the Company in May 2004 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing; in November 2006 he was appointed Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing; and in May 2008 he was promoted to Executive Vice President of IEC and President of IEC Contract Manufacturing.  Before joining IEC, Mr. Schlarbaum had over 15 years of progressive sales management experience in the electronics industry.  Most recently, he served as Regional Vice President of Sales for Plexus Corp., a contract manufacturer of electronics products in Neenah, Wisconsin.  Prior to that, he worked as Vice President of Sales, Eastern Region for MCMS, Inc., an EMS provider, as well as holding various senior sales and marketing management positions with MACK Technologies, Inc., an EMS provider, and Conner Peripherals, Inc., a manufacturer of hard disc drives. He holds an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Donald S. Doody has served as Executive Vice President of Operations of IEC since October, 2010.  He joined IEC in November 2004 as Vice President of Operations and was appointed Senior Vice President of Operations in May 2008.  Before joining IEC, Mr. Doody had more than 15 years of experience in manufacturing leadership roles in companies supporting the Medical, Industrial and Military markets.  He held positions of Master Black Belt and Supplier Quality Engineer at GE Transportation and Industrial Systems.  He was a Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Plexus Corporation, then became Vice President and General Manager of MCMS’s North Carolina facility. When Plexus acquired MCMS, Mr. Doody was appointed to lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives throughout the company.  Mr. Doody holds an M.S. degree in Industrial Sciences from Colorado State University.

Susan E. Topel-Samek joined IEC in June 2010 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Topel-Samek held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility at Bausch & Lomb, including most recently Vice President & Treasurer.  Prior to that she had served as Vice President of Treasury Operations where Ms. Topel-Samek had responsibility for global oversight of the company’s risk management/insurance, real estate, environment health & safety organizations.  Ms. Topel-Samek holds an MBA from the Simon School at the University of Rochester, and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

 
15

 

PART II
 
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

(a)  Market Information

IEC's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE Amex”) under the symbol "IEC".
 
The following table sets forth, for the fiscal quarters indicated, the high and low closing sale prices for IEC's common stock as reported on the NYSE Amex.

IEC Closing Stock Prices
 
Low
   
High
 
             
Fiscal Quarters
           
Fourth 2011
  $4.69     $6.92  
Third 2011
  6.43     8.88  
Second 2011
  7.80     9.49  
First 2011
  5.05     7.62  
             
Fourth 2010
  $4.57     $5.26  
Third 2010
  4.30     5.49  
Second 2010
  4.15     6.18  
First 2010
  3.42     5.55  

IEC's closing price on the NYSE Amex on December 7, 2011, was $5.29 per share.

(b)  Holders

As of December 7, 2011 there were approximately 189 holders of record of IEC’s common stock. This figure does not include an estimate of the indeterminate number of beneficial holders whose shares may be held of record by brokerage firms and clearing agencies.

(c)  Dividends

IEC does not pay dividends on its common stock, as it is the Company's current policy to retain earnings for use in the business.  Furthermore, certain covenants in IEC's credit agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company restrict the Company from paying cash dividends.  The Company does not expect to pay cash dividends on shares of its  common stock in the foreseeable future.

(d)  Issuance of Unregistered Securities

Any issuance of unregistered securities during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 has been previously reported in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

(e) Repurchases of IEC Securities

The Company did not repurchase any shares during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.

 
16

 

ITEM 6.  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

   
Years ended September 30,
 
(amounts in thousands,
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
except per share)
 
(a)
   
(b)
         
(c)
       
                               
Net sales
  $ 133,296     $ 96,674     $ 67,811     $ 51,092     $ 40,914  
Gross profit
    24,257       16,263       10,826       6,217       3,877  
Operating profit
    10,389       7,687       4,820       2,392       985  
Income before provision for income taxes
    9,816       7,055       4,718       1,634       503  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    3,056       2,400       (238 )     (8,843 )     (372 )
Net income
  $ 6,760     $ 4,655     $ 4,956     $ 10,477     $ 875  
                                         
Gross margin
    18.2 %     16.8 %     16.0 %     12.2 %     9.5 %
Operating profit as % of sales
    7.8 %     8.0 %     7.1 %     4.7 %     2.4 %
                                         
Income before provision for income taxes, per share:
                                 
Basic
  $ 1.04     $ 0.78     $ 0.54     $ 0.19     $ 0.06  
Diluted
    0.98       0.73       0.49       0.18       0.06  
Net income per share: (g)
                                       
Basic
  $ 0.71     $ 0.52     $ 0.57     $ 1.22     $ 0.11  
Diluted
    0.68       0.48       0.52       1.12       0.10  
                                         
Common and common equivalent shares:
                                       
Basic
    9,461.2       8,990.2       8,728.9       8,553.6       8,114.5  
Diluted
    9,967.7       9,608.2       9,553.5       9,337.1       8,895.8  
                                         
Working capital (e)
  $ 17,292     $ 17,712     $ 11,390     $ 9,246     $ 3,985  
Total assets (f)
    85,820       55,682       34,469       34,184       12,344  
Long-term debt (d) (e)
    28,213       15,999       6,600       8,910       1,441  
Shareholders' equity
    33,686       25,419       20,254       15,976       4,163  

(a)
IEC acquired the assets of Southern California Braiding Company, Inc. (SCB) on December 17, 2010.

(b)
IEC acquired General Technology Corporation (now IEC-Albuquerque) on December 16, 2009, and purchased the assets of Celmet Co., Inc. on July 30, 2010.

(c)
IEC acquired Val-U-Tech Corp. (now IEC Wire and Cable) on May 30, 2008.

(d)
Excluding current portion.

(e)
Revolver borrowings for 2007 were originally reported as current but have been reclassified to long-term based on extended maturity date stated in loan agreement.

(f)
Customer deposits for 2007-2008 were originally reported as inventory reserves, but have been reclassified to current liabilities.

(g)
In 2007-2009, net income per share included the favorable effects of reductions in IEC's deferred tax valuation allowance.

 
17

 

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information in this Management's Discussion & Analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, the related Notes and the five-year summary of Selected Financial Data.  Forward-looking statements in this Management's Discussion and Analysis are qualified by the cautionary statement preceding Item 1 of this Form 10-K and the risk factors identified in Item 1A.

Overview

Since 2004, we have focused our efforts on developing relationships with customers who manufacture advanced technology products and who are unlikely to utilize offshore suppliers due to the proprietary nature of their products, governmental restrictions or volume considerations.  We have continued to expand our business by adding new customers and markets, and our customer base is stronger and more diverse as a result.  We proactively invest in areas we view as important for our continued growth.  IEC is ISO 9001:2008 certified; an NSA approved supplier under the COMSEC standard; and ISO 13485 certified to serve the medical market sector.  Five of our units (IEC in Newark, NY, Wire and Cable in Victor, NY, Albuquerque in New Mexico, Celmet in Rochester, NY and SCB in California) are AS9100 certified to serve the military and commercial aerospace market sector, and are ITAR registered.  In addition, the Company’s locations in Newark, NY and Albuquerque, NM are Nadcap accredited for electronics manufacturing to support the most stringent quality requirements of the aerospace industry.  Our Newark, NY environmental systems are ISO 14001:2004 certified.

We have identified and gained entry into markets through our strategic acquisitions and by leveraging across our businesses the ability to provide products of the highest quality and reliability, including highly complex assemblies that we are able to produce efficiently irrespective of run size.  We predominantly serve the military, aerospace, communications, medical, and industrial market sectors.

We continue to invest in improving our management talent pool and employee skills, as well as our reliability testing capabilities and our machinery and equipment infrastructure to optimize production performance and effectively manage our growth, both in volume of customers and complexity of products.

Full-Year Results

A summary of selected income statement amounts for the twelve months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 follows:

   
Fiscal Years ended September 30,
 
Income Statement Data
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
(thousands)
 
             
Net sales
  $ 133,296     $ 96,674  
Gross profit
    24,257       16,263  
Selling & administrative expenses
    13,868       8,576  
Interest & financing expense
    1,601       814  
Other (income) expense
    (1,028 )     (182 )
Income before provision for income taxes
    9,816       7,055  
Provision for income taxes
    3,056       2,400  
Net income
  $ 6,760     $ 4,655  

IEC’s top-line growth during fiscal 2011 improved 38% over sales generated in 2010.  18% of this sales increase was organic growth fueled by expansion of our product offerings and by furthering our sales efforts in certain market sectors, particularly medical.  The inroads made in the medical equipment sector in recent years have benefited our business not only by growing our sales volumes but also by diversifying our customer base.  The medical/other sector now generally represents over 20% of our business, up from 13% during fiscal 2010.  IEC's business in all three sectors has increased during the past fiscal year, with military/aerospace up $18.3 million (33%), industrial/communications up $ 919 thousand (3%) and medical/other up $17.1 million (134%).

 
18

 
 
At 18.2% of sales, full-year gross profit is also above full-year 2010 gross profit of 16.8% of sales.  Progress made with respect to our margins is a direct result of adding favorable mix changes, cost-effective capital equipment, continuously refining processes to incorporate lean-manufacturing concepts, our focus on training, and the accretive margins associated with our acquisitions.  Favorable changes in mix as well as sales increases have enabled our continuing businesses to further leverage existing resources and infrastructure, also improving our gross profit.

Selling and administrative ("S&A") expense increases in relation to the prior year reflect the addition of three new businesses since the start of fiscal 2010, one of which was not present in the prior year and a second of which was present for only two months.  As a percent of sales, S&A expenses have increased from 8.9% in fiscal 2010 to 10.4% in fiscal 2011.  A large portion of the increase results from SCB operating with a somewhat higher cost structure than our other units, but typically generating more favorable product margins.  S&A expenses also include salaries for certain positions added to execute the Company’s growth strategies and cost increases associated with IEC's health insurance program for employees.  We remain focused on cost control and believe that full-year targets for consolidated S&A expense in the range of 10% of sales will be attainable over the next few years, despite variations from quarter to quarter.

We have used bank borrowings to fund 99% of the cost of our three acquisitions during the past two years.  As a result, the Company’s interest costs, which have been incurred at rates ranging from approximately 3.25% to 4.00%, have increased from $814 thousand in fiscal 2010 to $1.6 million in fiscal 2011.  However, rate reductions of approximately 0.50% on variable-rate borrowings and principal payments on amortizing debt have favorably affected interest costs.  With respect to ongoing operations, we are committed to managing working capital, maximizing positive cash flow and reducing the level of our debt and corresponding interest expense. We have reduced our total debt by approximately $12 million since acquisition of SCB.  Detailed information regarding our borrowings is provided in the Credit Facilities note to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

IEC utilizes the other income/expense category of the income statement for non-operating items such as acquisition costs and various gains or losses.  Significant fiscal 2011 items include (i) a first quarter gain of $170 thousand on the Albuquerque acquisition attributable to refund of part of the price paid for that unit, and (ii) an estimated $1.1 million refund of contingent consideration held in escrow that will be due from the sellers of SCB if the unit does not achieve calendar-2011 sales and backlog targets.  Accounting rules (ASC 805-30-35) require us to estimate and record the fair value of contingent consideration even though the actual amount, if any, will not be known until the end of calendar-year 2011.  Prior year "other income" includes a $418 thousand gain on the Albuquerque acquisition, representing the excess value of net assets acquired over the purchase price.  Other less significant items recorded in both years include acquisition-related legal, accounting, valuation and travel expenses.

Our upward trend in pretax income produced an increase in income tax expense as compared to the prior year.  Our effective rate decreased to 31.1% in fiscal 2011 due to the reduction in valuation allowance of $236 thousand and an increase in tax attributes (primarily alternative minimum tax credits and state tax credits) of $360 thousand, partially offset by the absence of non taxable gain on acquisition and additional state income tax.  The reduction in valuation allowance is the result of a release of valuation allowance as there is now a greater than 50 percent likelihood that the tax benefit will be realized.
 
In the near-term, IEC’s federal and New York State taxable income is sheltered by net operating loss carryforwards that substantially offset tax payments that would otherwise be required.  However, those carryforwards are not available to offset state taxable income generated in the states of New Mexico and California by Albuquerque and SCB, respectively.  The Company’s remaining federal and state net operating loss carryforwards at the end of fiscal 2011 amounted to approximately $24.5 million and $37.7 million, respectively and if unused, will expire at various times between 2020 and 2025.

Fourth Quarter Results

A summary follows of selected income statement amounts for the fourth quarters of fiscal 2011 and 2010:

 
19

 
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
 
Income Statement Data
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
(thousands)
 
             
Net sales
  $ 34,941     $ 27,287  
Gross profit
    6,574       4,776  
Selling & administrative expenses
    4,094       2,654  
Interest & financing expense
    387       220  
Other (income) expense
    (1,162 )     (387 )
Income before provision for income taxes
    3,255       2,289  
Provision for income taxes
    624       661  
Net income
  $ 2,631     $ 1,628  

IEC’s top-line growth during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was 28% over sales generated in the comparable fiscal 2010 quarter.  16% of this sales increase was organic growth fueled by expansion of our product offerings and by furthering our sales efforts in certain market sectors, particularly medical.  IEC's business in all three sectors increased during the fourth quarter, with military/aerospace up $2.6 million (17%), industrial/communications up $333 thousand (4%) and medical/other up $4.6 million (102%) as compared to the prior-year quarter.

Our fourth-quarter gross profit also grew from last year’s level, increasing from 17.5% to 18.8% of sales.  This increase is primarily the result of a favorable change in product mix.

Selling and administrative ("S&A") expense increases in relation to the 2010 fourth quarter reflect the addition of two businesses since the beginning of the prior-year period, one of which was not present in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the second of which was present for two months.  As a percent of sales, expenses increased from 9.7% in the 2010 quarter to 11.7% in the current quarter. A large portion of the increase results from SCB operating with a higher cost structure than our other units.  S&A expenses also include salaries for certain positions added to support the Company’s growth strategies and cost increases associated with IEC's health insurance program for employees.
   
We have used bank borrowings to fund 98% of the cost of our two most recent acquisitions.  As a result of the acquisitions, the Company’s interest costs, which have been incurred at rates ranging from approximately 3.25% to 4.00%, have increased from $220 thousand in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 to $387 thousand in the fourth quarter of this year. Rate reductions of approximately 0.25% on variable-rate borrowings and principal payments on amortizing debt have favorably affected interest costs.  With respect to ongoing operations, the Company is committed to managing working capital, maximizing positive cash flow and reducing the level of debt and interest expense. Detailed information regarding our borrowings is provided in the Credit Facilities note to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

IEC utilizes the other income/expense category of the income statement for non-operating items such as acquisition costs and various gains or losses.  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, we recorded income of $1.1 million associated with contingent consideration currently held in escrow that will be returned to us by the sellers of SCB if the unit does not achieve certain calendar-2011 sales and backlog targets, as provided for in the acquisition agreement.  Accounting rules (ASC 805-30-35) require us to estimate and record the fair value of the contingent consideration refund even though the actual amount, if any, will not be known until the end of calendar-year 2011.  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, a $418 thousand gain was recorded on the Albuquerque acquisition, representing the excess value of net assets acquired over the purchase price.  Other less significant items typically categorized as "other income/expense" include acquisition-related legal, accounting, valuation and travel expenses.

Fourth-quarter income tax expense for fiscal 2011 decreased to $624 thousand as compared to $661 thousand in the prior year.  Our effective rate for the fourth quarter decreased to 19.2% in fiscal 2011 due to the reduction in valuation allowance of $236 thousand and an increase in tax attributes (primarily alternative minimum tax credit and state tax credit) of $192 thousand, partially offset by additional state income tax and the absence of a non taxable gain on acquisition.  The reduction in valuation allowance is the result of a release of a portion of the allowance as there is now a greater than 50 percent likelihood that the tax benefit will be realized. 
 
 
20

 
 
In the near-term, IEC’s federal and New York State taxable income is sheltered by net operating loss carryforwards that substantially offset tax payments that would otherwise be required.  However, those carryforwards are not available to offset state taxable income generated in the states of New Mexico and California by Albuquerque and SCB, respectively.  The Company’s remaining federal and state net operating loss carryforwards at the end of fiscal 2011 amounted to approximately $24.5 million and $37.7 million, respectively and if unused, will expire at various times between 2020 and 2025.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flow from operations, before considering changes in IEC’s working capital accounts, amounted to $13.3 million in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, compared to $7.9 million in fiscal 2010.  The increase was driven by higher net income of $2.1 million as well as higher add-backs for non-cash expenses such as depreciation and deferred taxes.  The net change in current asset and liability accounts provided $0.7 million of cash in fiscal 2011 and utilized $0.1 million in fiscal 2010.

Investing activities utilized $30.5 million of cash flow in fiscal 2011, compared to $19.0 million in fiscal 2010.  In December 2010, we acquired SCB for cash of $25.8 million plus common stock, while in the prior fiscal year period $16.8 million was disbursed to acquire Albuquerque and Celmet.  Equipment added in fiscal 2011 to enhance productivity and facilitate growth amounted to $4.9 million, compared to $2.2 million in fiscal 2010.

Bank funding for acquisitions, through term loans, a mortgage loan and the Revolver, represented most of the cash generated from financing activities in both twelve-month periods.  In addition to satisfying scheduled debt service requirements, favorable operating cash flows enabled us to repay Revolver borrowings of $4.4 million in fiscal 2011 and $4.0 million in fiscal 2010 that had been used to fund the SCB and Albuquerque acquisitions, respectively.

As of September 30, 2011, Revolver borrowings amounted to $7.2 million, and the maximum available under the line of credit was $19.7 million.  The Company believes that its liquidity is sufficient to satisfy anticipated operating requirements during the next twelve months.

The Company's primary borrowing arrangement is contained in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement ("Credit Agreement") entered into with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company ("M&T") in December 2010 as amended and supplemented to date.  The Credit Agreement contains a borrowing base as well as various affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants.  We are required to maintain (i) a minimum level of quarterly EBITDARS, (ii) a ratio of debt to twelve-month EBITDARS that is below a specified limit, and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.    The Company was in compliance with each of the covenants on September 30, 2011, as summarized in a table below.

       
Actual at
 
Debt Covenant
 
Limit
 
September 30, 2011
 
Quarterly EBITDARS (000's)
 
Must be above $1,500
  $ 4,904  
Total debt to EBITDARS
 
Must be below 3.50x
    2.08 x
Fixed charge coverage ratio (a)
 
Must be above 1.25x
    2.03 x

(a) The ratio compares (i) 12-month EBITDA plus non-cash stock compensation expense minus unfinanced capital expenditures minus cash taxes paid, to (ii) the sum of interest expense, principal payments, sale-leaseback payments and dividends, if any (fixed charges).

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

IEC is not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

IEC's financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as presented in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC).  In preparing financial statements, management is required to (i) determine the manner in which accounting principles are applied and (ii) make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses.  A discussion of the Company's critical accounting policies follows.

 
21

 
  
Revenue recognition:   Under FASB ASC 605-10 (Revenue Recognition), revenue from sales is recognized when (i) goods are shipped or title and risk of ownership have passed, (ii) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iii) realization is reasonably assured.  Service revenues are generally recognized as services are rendered or, in the case of material management contracts, in proportion to materials procured to date.  Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, estimated returns and allowances and other adjustments are recorded in the period the related sales are recognized.

Doubtful accounts :  FASB ASC 310-10-35 (Receivables) requires us to establish an allowance for doubtful accounts when it is probable that losses have been incurred in the collection of accounts receivable and the amount of loss can reasonably be estimated.  If losses are probable and estimable, they are to be accrued even though the particular customer accounts on which losses will be incurred cannot yet be identified.

Inventory reserves :  FASB ASC 330-10-35 (Inventory) requires us to reduce the carrying value of inventory when there is evidence that the utility of goods will be less than cost, whether due to physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels or other causes.  Inventory balances are generally reduced to the lower of cost or market value by establishing offsetting balance sheet reserves.

Intangible assets :  FASB ASC 805-20 (Business Combinations) requires corporate acquirers to recognize, separately from goodwill, intangible assets that meet either a separability or contractual-legal criterion.  Establishing the initial value for such intangible assets typically involves estimating cash flows to be derived from the assets and discounting the cash flows back to the acquisition date.  Significant judgment is required in estimating future cash flows, selecting discount rates and determining useful lives over which to amortize the assets.  In connection with recent corporate acquisitions, IEC has established intangible assets for customer relationships, a property-tax abatement, and a non-compete agreement.

Goodwill :  Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired in a corporate acquisition.  Under ASC 350, goodwill is not amortized but is required to be reviewed for impairment at least annually or when events or circumstances indicate that carrying value may exceed fair value.  The review process entails comparing the overall fair value of the unit to which goodwill relates to carrying value.  If fair value exceeds carrying value, no goodwill write-down is required.  If fair value of the unit is less than carrying value, a valuation of the unit's individual assets and liabilities is required to determine whether or not goodwill is impaired.  Quantitative evaluations of goodwill may be avoided if qualitative assessments indicate a greater-than-50 percent likelihood that fair value of the corresponding unit exceeds its carrying value.

Impairment of long-lived assets :  FASB ASC 360-10 (Property, Plant and Equipment) and 350-30 (Intangibles) require the Company to test long-lived assets (PP&E and amortizing intangible assets) for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  If carrying value exceeds undiscounted future cash flows attributable to an asset, it is considered impaired and carrying amount must be reduced to fair value.

Legal contingencies :  When legal proceedings are brought or claims are made against us and the outcome is uncertain, FASB ASC 450-10 (Contingencies) requires that we accrue an estimated loss if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  Any such accruals are charged to earnings.  No charges for legal contingencies were recorded by IEC during fiscal 2011 or 2010.

Disclosure of a contingency is required if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss will be incurred.  In determining whether to accrue or disclose a loss, we evaluate, among other factors, the probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount.  Changes in these factors may materially affect our financial position or results of operations.

Income taxes : FASB ASC 740 (Income Taxes) describes the manner in which income taxes are to be provided for in the Company's financial statements.  We are required to recognize (i) the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current period and (ii) deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been reported in IEC's financial statements or tax returns.  With respect to uncertain positions that may be taken on a tax return, we recognize related tax benefits only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained under examination based on the technical merits of the position.  The determination of income tax balances for financial statement purposes requires significant judgment, and actual outcomes may vary from the amounts recorded.

 
22

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Information with respect to recently issued accounting standards is provided in the Accounting Policies note to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As a result of its financing activities, the Company is exposed to changes in interest rates that may adversely affect operating results.  As of September 30, 2011, the Company had $35.1 million of debt, comprised of $33.5 million with variable interest rates and $1.6 million with fixed rates.  Interest rates on variable loans are based on Libor and currently adjust daily, causing interest on such loans to vary from period to period.  A sensitivity analysis as of September 30, 2011 indicates that a one-percentage point increase or decrease in interest rates, which represents more than a 10% change, would increase or decrease the Company's annual interest expense by approximately $335 thousand.

The Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent of non-performance by M&T under the Credit Agreement.  The bank's credit rating (reaffirmed A- by Fitch in July 2011) is monitored by the Company, and IEC expects that M&T will perform in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements are included in this Item 8 on the pages indicated below:

   
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
24
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
25
Consolidated Income Statements for the three months and years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
26
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended September 30, 2011 and  2010
 
27
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
28
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
29

 
23

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of IEC Electronics Corp.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IEC Electronics Corp. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended September 30, 2011. IEC Electronics Corp.’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of IEC Electronics Corp. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended September 30, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ EFP Rotenberg, LLP

EFP Rotenberg, LLP
Rochester, New York
December 16, 2011

 
24

 

IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash (see Accounting Policies note)
  $ -     $ -  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
    19,423       16,288  
Inventories (see Inventories note)
    16,093       12,068  
Deferred income taxes
    3,863       3,359  
Other current assets
    1,834       261  
Total current assets
    41,213       31,976  
                 
Fixed assets, net (see Fixed Assets note)
    17,886       13,098  
Intangible assets, net (see Intangibles note)
    5,964       331  
Goodwill
    13,810       58  
Deferred income taxes (see Income Taxes note)
    6,768       10,113  
Other assets
    179       106  
Total assets
  $ 85,820     $ 55,682  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 6,896     $ 2,899  
Accounts payable
    12,750       8,145  
Accrued payroll and related expenses
    3,092       2,279  
Other accrued expenses
    851       941  
Customer deposits
    332       -  
Total current liabilities
    23,921       14,264  
Long-term debt (see Credit Facilities note)
    28,213       15,999  
Total liabilities
    52,134       30,263  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value:
               
500,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, $.01 par value:
               
Authorized: 50,000,000 shares
               
Issued: 10,839,997 and 10,100,589 shares, respectively
                
Outstanding: 9,824,539 and 9,087,716 shares, respectively
    108       101  
Additional paid-in capital
    42,660       41,138  
Accumulated deficit
    (7,647 )     (14,407 )
Treasury stock, at cost: 1,015,458 and 1,012,873 shares, respectively
    (1,435 )     (1,413 )
Total shareholders' equity
    33,686       25,419  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 85,820     $ 55,682  

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

 
25

 
  
IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
THREE-MONTHS and YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 and 2010
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

   
Three months ended
   
Years ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(unaudited)
             
Net sales
  $ 34,941     $ 27,287     $ 133,296     $ 96,674  
Cost of sales
    28,367       22,511       109,039       80,411  
Gross profit
    6,574       4,776       24,257       16,263  
Selling and administrative expenses
    4,094       2,654       13,868       8,576  
Operating profit
    2,480       2,122       10,389       7,687  
                                 
Interest and financing expense
    387       220       1,601       814  
Other (income) expense
    (1,162 )     (387 )     (1,028 )     (182 )
Income before provision for income taxes
    3,255       2,289       9,816       7,055  
                                 
Provision for income taxes
    624       661       3,056       2,400  
Net income
  $ 2,631     $ 1,628     $ 6,760     $ 4,655  
                                 
Net income per common and common equivalent share:
                         
Basic
  $ 0.27     $ 0.18     $ 0.71     $ 0.52  
Diluted
    0.26       0.17       0.68       0.48  
                                 
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
         
Basic
    9,637,196       9,086,793       9,461,240       8,990,180  
Diluted
    10,000,506       9,599,377       9,967,702       9,608,174  

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

 
26

 
  
IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS of CHANGES in SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 and 2010
(thousands, except per share)

   
Common
   
Additional
   
Retained
   
Treasury
   
Total
 
   
Stock,
   
Paid-In
   
Earnings
   
Stock,
   
Shareholders'
 
   
par $.01
   
Capital
   
(Deficit)
   
at cost
   
Equity
 
                               
Balances, September 30, 2009
  $ 97     $ 40,632     $ (19,062 )   $ (1,413 )   $ 20,254  
                                         
Net income
                    4,655               4,655  
Stock-based compensation
            282                       282  
Directors' fees paid in stock
            32                       32  
Restricted (non-vested) stock grants
    1                               1  
Exercise of stock options
    3       184                       187  
Employee stock plan purchases
            8                       8  
                                         
Balances, September 30, 2010
  $ 101     $ 41,138     $ (14,407 )   $ (1,413 )   $ 25,419  
                                         
Balances, September 30, 2010
  $ 101     $ 41,138     $ (14,407 )   $ (1,413 )   $ 25,419  
                                         
Net income
                    6,760               6,760  
Stock-based compensation
            489                       489  
Directors' fees paid in stock
            37                       37  
Restricted (non-vested) stock grants
    2                               2  
Exercise of stock options
    4       365               (22 )     347  
Shares issued in SCB acquisition
    1       608                       609  
Employee stock plan purchases
            23                       23  
                                         
Balances, September 30, 2011
  $ 108     $ 42,660     $ (7,647 )   $ (1,435 )   $ 33,686  

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

 
27

 

IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS of CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 and 2010
(thousands, except shares)

   
Years ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income
  $ 6,760     $ 4,655  
Non-cash adjustments:
               
Stock-based compensation
    489       282  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,257       1,224  
Directors' fees paid in stock
    37       32  
(Gain)/loss on sale of fixed assets
    3       (8 )
Gain on corporate acquisition
    (170 )     (418 )
Deferred tax expense
    2,920       2,151  
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (1,559 )     (1,426 )
Inventories
    (1,129 )     (937 )
Other current assets
    (1,544 )     (59 )
Accounts payable
    4,045       2,620  
Accrued expenses
    594       (96 )
Customer deposits
    332       (190 )
Net cash flows from operating activities
    14,035       7,830  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of fixed assets
    (4,876 )     (2,172 )
Proceeds from (net cost of) disposal of fixed assets
    (3 )     10  
Acquisition of SCB, cash portion (see Acquisitions note)
    (25,782 )     -  
Acquisition of Celmet (see Acquisitions note)
    -       (1,898 )
Acquisition of Albuquerque (see Acquisitions note)
    170       (14,932 ) (a)
Net cash flows from investing activities
    (30,491 )     (18,992 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Advances from revolving line of credit
    63,889  (b)     56,524  (c)
Repayments of revolving line of credit
    (62,514 )     (54,582 )
Borrowings under other loan agreements
    20,840       11,316  
Repayments under loan agreements and notes
    (6,004 )     (2,207 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    347       187  
Proceeds from shares issued through employee purchase plan
    23       8  
Financing costs capitalized
    (125 )     (84 )
Net cash flows from financing activities
    16,456       11,162  
                 
Net cash flows for the period
    0       0  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    0       0  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 0     $ 0  
                 
Supplemental cash flow information:
               
Interest paid
  $ 1,499     $ 769  
Income taxes paid
    309       297  
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash adjustments:
               
100,000 common shares issued in SCB acquisition
  $ 609     $ -  
Receipt of common shares in payment for stock option exercise
    22       -  

(a) During year following acquisition date, adjustments from seller reduced purchase price to $14,761.
(b) Revolver borrowings of $5,782 were utilized to partially fund December 2010 purchase of SCB.
(c) Revolver borrowings of $5,932 were utilized to partially fund December 2009 purchase of Albuquerque.

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

 
28

 
  
IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 and 2010

NOTE 1.  OUR BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our Business

IEC Electronics Corp. ("IEC", "we", "our", “us”, “Company”) is a premier provider of electronic contract manufacturing services (“EMS”) to advanced technology companies.  We specialize in the custom manufacture of high reliability, complex circuit cards and system-level assemblies; a wide array of cable and wire harness assemblies capable of withstanding extreme environments; and precision sheet metal components.  We excel where quality and reliability are of paramount importance and when low-to-medium volume, high-mix production is the norm.  We utilize state-of-the-art, automated circuit card assembly equipment together with a full complement of high-reliability manufacturing stress testing methods.  With our customers at the center of everything we do, we have created a high-intensity, rapid response culture capable of reacting and adapting to their ever-changing needs.  Our customer-centric approach offers a high degree of flexibility while simultaneously complying with rigorous quality and on-time delivery standards.  While many EMS services are viewed as commodities, we believe we set ourselves apart through an uncommon mix of capabilities, including:

 
·
A Technology Center embedded in our Newark operation that combines dedicated prototype manufacturing with an on-site Materials Analysis Lab, enabling the seamless transition of complex electronics from design to production.
 
·
In-house, custom, functional testing and troubleshooting of complex system-level assemblies, in support of end-order fulfillment.
 
·
Build-to-print precision sheet metal and complex wire harness assemblies supporting just-in-time delivery of critical end-market, system-level electronics.
 
·
A Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement program supported by a team of Six Sigma Blackbelts delivering best-in-class results.
 
·
Proprietary software-driven Web Portal providing customers real-time access to a wide array of operational data.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

IEC's financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, as presented in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC).

Fiscal Calendar

The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30th, and the first three quarters generally end on the Friday closest to the end of the calendar quarter.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IEC and its wholly owned subsidiaries: IEC Electronics Wire and Cable, Inc. (“Wire and Cable”); IEC Electronics Corp.-Albuquerque ("Albuquerque") formerly known as General Technology Corporation; and since December 17, 2010, Southern California Braiding, Inc. (“SCB”).  The Celmet unit acquired on July 30, 2010 operates as a division of IEC.  See further discussion of SCB, Albuquerque and Celmet in the Acquisitions note.  All significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in the consolidation process.

Reclassifications

Amounts in prior year financial statements are reclassified as necessary to conform to the current year presentation.

 
29

 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company's cash and cash equivalents principally represent deposit accounts with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company ("M&T"), a banking corporation headquartered in Buffalo, NY.  Since cash receipts and disbursements repay or draw on IEC's revolving loan balance with M&T, cash balances are typically de minimis.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on the age of outstanding invoices and management's evaluation of collectability.  Accounts are written off after all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted and management concludes that likelihood of collection is remote.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value under the first-in, first-out method.  The Company regularly assesses slow-moving, excess and obsolete inventory and maintains balance sheet reserves in amounts required to reduce the recorded value of inventory to lower of cost or market.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated over various estimated useful lives using the straight-line method.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while renewals and improvements are capitalized.  At the time of retirement or other disposition of PP&E, cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recorded.

Depreciable lives generally used for PP&E are presented in the table below.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the improvement.

   
Estimated
PP&E Lives
 
Useful Lives
   
(years)
Land improvements
 
10
Buildings and improvements
 
5 to 40
Machinery and equipment
 
3 to 5
Furniture and fixtures
 
3 to 7

Leases

At the inception of a lease covering equipment or real estate, the Company evaluates the lease under criteria discussed in FASB ASC 840-10-25 (Leases).  Leases meeting one of four key criteria are accounted for as capital leases and all others are treated as operating leases.  Under a capital lease, the discounted value of future lease payments becomes the basis for recognizing an asset and a borrowing, and lease payments are allocated between debt reduction and interest.  For operating leases, payments are recorded as rent expense.  Criteria for a capital lease include (i) transfer of ownership during the lease term; (ii) existence of a bargain purchase option under terms that make it likely to be exercised; (iii) a lease term equal to 75 percent or more of the economic life of the leased property; and (iv) minimum lease payments that equal or exceed 90 percent of the fair value of the property.

In June 2008, IEC entered into a sale-leaseback arrangement with M&T under which fixed assets with a net book value of $2.0 million and an original cost of $15.6 million were sold to M&T and were leased back under a five-year operating lease.  The sold assets were removed from the accounts and minimal loss on the transaction is being amortized over the lease term.

Intangible Assets

One of SCB’s key attributes as an acquisition candidate was the favorable reputation it has established with a number of military and defense contractors.  The anticipated profitability of relationships with such customers was considered by IEC in arriving at an amount to offer for the firm and also became the basis for allocating a portion of the purchase price to a related intangible asset.  Based upon several assumptions, a detailed analysis of value was completed and the amount allocated to customer intangible is $5.9 million.  The asset is being amortized over its fifteen-year estimated life under the straight-line method.

 
30

 
IEC also allocated $100 thousand to an intangible asset representing the estimated value of a five-year, non-compete agreement entered into with SCB’s selling shareholders.  That intangible is being amortized evenly over its contractual life.

While valuations of SCB’s intangible assets are preliminary and purchase price allocations are subject to change, any potential adjustment would primarily affect recorded goodwill rather than earnings.  The expected earnings impact of any such adjustment would be limited to changes in previously recorded amortization.

Albuquerque’s building and land were acquired in December 2009 subject to an Industrial Revenue Bond (“IRB”) that exempts the property from real estate taxes for the term of the IRB.  The tax abatement was valued at $360 thousand at date of acquisition and is being amortized to the March 2019 maturity date of the bond.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired in a corporate acquisition.  Under ASC 350, goodwill is not amortized but is required to be reviewed for impairment at least annually or when events or circumstances indicate that carrying value may exceed fair value.  The review process entails comparing the overall fair value of the unit to which goodwill relates to carrying value.  If fair value exceeds carrying value, no further assessment of potential impairment is required.  If fair value of the unit is less than carrying value, a valuation of the unit's individual assets and liabilities is required to determine whether or not goodwill is impaired.

Most of IEC's recorded goodwill relates to the SCB unit acquired in December 2010 and a small portion relates to Celmet, which was acquired in July 2010.  No goodwill impairment has been experienced to date by either unit.

Reviewing Long-Lived Assets for Potential Impairment

FASB ASC 360-10 (Property, Plant and Equipment) and 350-30 (Intangibles) require the Company to test long-lived assets (PP&E and amortizing intangible assets) for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  If carrying value exceeds undiscounted future cash flows attributable to an asset, it is considered impaired and carrying amount must be reduced to fair value.  No impairment charges were recorded by IEC during fiscal 2011 or 2010.

Legal contingencies

When legal proceedings are brought or claims are made against us and the outcome is uncertain, FASB ASC 450-10 (Contingencies) requires that we accrue an estimated loss if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  Any such accruals are charged to earnings.

Fair Value Measurements

Under FASB ASC 825 (Financial Instruments), the Company is required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate value.  The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and mainly floating-rate borrowings.  IEC believes that recorded value approximates fair value for all such instruments.

FASB ASC 820 (Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measurement, and prescribes related disclosures.  ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction.  Inputs used to measure fair value are categorized under the hierarchy that follows.

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets whether active or not, and model-derived valuations based on observable inputs or value-drivers.

Level 3: Model-derived valuations using inputs for which active markets do not exist.

 
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Incorporating level 2 or level 3 inputs into the measurement process requires significant judgment.  Level 2 inputs were used in valuing fixed assets acquired in connection with IEC's fiscal 2011 and 2010 business combinations.  Inputs of this nature included comparable sales values and depreciated cost values utilized in appraising acquired property and equipment.

Intangible asset valuations completed in connection with the Company's corporate acquisitions have been based on level 3 inputs.  The most significant such valuation, prepared for SCB's customer intangible, was derived from estimated future cash flows attributable to SCB's acquisition-date customer base.  Key input assumptions utilized in the valuation process included the rate of customer attrition, cost-of-sales percent, and discount rate.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue is principally derived from the sale of electronic products built to customer specifications, but also from other value-added support services and repair work.  Revenue from product sales is recognized when (i) goods are shipped or title and risk of ownership have passed, (ii) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iii) realization is reasonably assured.

Service revenues are generally recognized once the service has been rendered.  For material management arrangements, revenues are generally recognized in proportion to the materials procured to date as compared to the total materials covered by the arrangement.  Under such arrangements, some or all of the following services may be provided: design, bid, procurement, testing, storage or other activities relating to materials the customer expects to incorporate into products that it manufactures.  Material management revenues amounted to less than 5% of total revenues in fiscal 2011 and were not offered in fiscal 2010.

Provisions for discounts, allowances, rebates, estimated returns and other adjustments are recorded in the period the related sales are recognized.

Stock-Based Compensation

FASB ASC 718 (Stock Compensation) requires compensation expense be recognized for equity awards granted to employees based on fair value as of the date of grant.  The Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate grant date fair value.  Costs associated with the awards are recorded over periods the employees render requisite services (generally the vesting period).  If vesting is contingent on the achievement of performance objectives, fair value is accrued over the period the objectives are expected to be achieved only if it is considered probable that the objectives will be achieved.

Income Taxes and Deferred Taxes

FASB ASC 740 (Income Taxes) requires recognition of "deferred" tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns, but not in both.  Deferred tax assets are also established for tax benefits associated with tax loss and tax credit carryforwards.  Such deferred balances reflect tax rates that are scheduled to be in effect, based on currently enacted legislation, in the years the book/tax differences reverse and tax loss and tax credit carryforwards are expected to be realized.  An allowance is established for any deferred tax asset for which realization is not likely.

ASC 740 also prescribes a comprehensive model for the manner in which a company measures, recognizes, presents, and discloses in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return.  The Company recognizes the tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained following examination by taxing authorities, based on technical merits of the position.

To be recognized in the financial statements, an uncertain tax position must have a greater-than-50% likelihood of ultimately being realized.  Any interest or penalties incurred are reported as interest expense.  The Company’s income tax filings are subject to audit by various tax jurisdictions, and current open years run from fiscal 2008 through 2010.  The Company believes that it has no material uncertain tax positions.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted earnings per common share add to the denominator incremental shares resulting from the assumed exercise of all potentially dilutive stock options, as well as unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units.  A summary of shares used in earnings-per-share calculations follows.

 
32

 
   
   
Three months ended
   
Year ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
Shares for EPS Calculation
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Weighted avg. shares outstanding
    9,637,196       9,086,793       9,461,240       8,990,180  
Incremental shares
    363,310       512,584       506,462       617,994  
Diluted shares
    10,000,506       9,599,377       9,967,702       9,608,174  
                                 
Options excluded from diluted shares due to exercise price being higher than average market price
    44,000       30,670       10,000       34,000  

Dividends

IEC does not pay dividends on its common stock, as it is the Company's current policy to retain earnings for use in the business.  Furthermore, certain covenants in the Credit Agreement with M&T (described in Note 7) restrict the Company from paying cash dividends.  The Company does not expect to pay cash dividends on common stock in the foreseeable future.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results may differ from management’s estimates.

Statements of Cash Flows

The Company presents operating cash flows using the indirect method of reporting under which non-cash income and expenses are removed from net income.  For businesses acquired during the periods presented, reported cash flows include cash disbursed to the sellers and normal business activity occurring subsequent to the acquisition date.

Comprehensive Income

IEC has no items of other comprehensive income (OCI) in any period presented in the accompanying financial statements, and in accordance with FASB ASC 220-10-15, is not required to present captions for OCI or comprehensive income in the statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, "Testing Goodwill for Impairment," was issued in September 2011 to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  Under existing generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), entities are periodically required to evaluate the carrying value of a unit's goodwill by first determining fair value of the unit, and then, if fair value is less than the unit's carrying value, by allocating such fair value to the unit's assets and liabilities.  Under provisions of the update, entities are permitted but not required to precede calculation of a unit's fair value with a qualitative evaluation of the likelihood that fair value is less than carrying value.  If the qualitative assessment leads to a conclusion that there is more than a 50 percent likelihood that fair value exceeds carrying value, no further testing is required.  In the event of a less favorable assessment, the entity is required to proceed to the previously mentioned quantitative testing.  As permitted by the update, IEC adopted its provisions in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

 
33

 
 
FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, "Presentation of Comprehensive Income," was issued in June 2011 to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  Comprehensive income includes certain items that are recognized as "other comprehensive income" ("OCI") and are excluded from net income.  Examples include unrealized gains/losses on certain investments and gains/losses on derivative instruments designated as hedges.  Under provisions of the update, the components of OCI must be presented in one of two formats: either (i) together with net income in a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (ii) in a second statement of comprehensive income to immediately follow the income statement.  An existing option to present the components of OCI as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity is being eliminated.  IEC presently has no items classified as OCI and expects the update to have minimal, if any, effect on its financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, "Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS," was issued in May 2011 to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  The update changes the wording for certain measurement and disclosure requirements relating to fair value determinations under U.S. GAAP in order to make them more consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  While many of the modifications are not expected to change the application of U.S. GAAP, additional disclosure requirements relating to the use of Level 3 inputs in determining fair value do apply to IEC (see Fair Value Measurements).  The Company uses such inputs in valuing certain assets acquired in business combinations, and will be required to provide additional information regarding the sensitivity of derived values to changes in the inputs.

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2010-29, "Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations," was issued in December 2010 to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010.  The update clarifies that when prior period financial statements are presented, the assumed acquisition date for preparing pro forma information is to be the start of the year preceding the year of acquisition.  The update also requires disclosure of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments that affect the information presented.  IEC implemented this update during the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2010-20, "Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses," was issued in July 2010.  The update requires entities to (i) describe methods used to estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts; (ii) disclose policies for charging off uncollectible receivables; and (iii) present a summary of provisions, charge-offs and recoveries recorded in the allowance during each period.  No changes in accounting methods are required.  Period-end disclosures were required beginning in IEC's December 2010 quarter, and transaction-oriented disclosures have been required in subsequent periods.  IEC implemented the requirements of this update at September 30, 2010.

NOTE 2.  ACQUISITIONS

SCB:   On December 17, 2010, IEC, through a subsidiary formed to complete the purchase now known as Southern California Braiding, Inc., acquired substantially all of the assets of Southern California Braiding Company, Inc. of Bell Gardens, CA, a privately held manufacturer of high reliability wire, cable and harness products for military and defense markets.  The contracted purchase price was $25.0 million, subject to adjustment for any increase or decrease in working capital between the contract date and the closing date.  The closing-date working capital adjustment amounted to $1.6 million, resulting in a $26.6 million price at closing.  $609 thousand was paid with 100,000 shares of newly issued IEC common stock and the $26.0 million remainder was paid with cash proceeds from M&T borrowings.

The cash portion of the purchase price was decreased to $25.8 million due to a purchase price adjustment. As required under the asset purchase agreement, a further analysis and reconciliation of closing-date working capital was completed in May 2011, and an additional adjustment of $248 thousand was refunded to IEC.  The cash refund was recorded as a reduction of goodwill.

The agreement also provides for a further potential return of contingent consideration held in escrow if SCB’s gross sales and backlog for calendar-year 2011 do not reach specified targets.  While it was previously expected that both targets would be exceeded, it is now estimated that the sales target will not be achieved, and IEC recorded an estimated refund of $1.1 million at September 30, 2011.  The estimate is subject to revision as SCB's actual performance through the end of calendar 2011 becomes known.  In accordance with ASC 805-30-35, the estimated refund is reported as "other income" and "other current assets."

$3.1 million of the purchase price was deposited in escrow accounts to be released to the sellers or returned to the purchaser under certain specified circumstances through March 31, 2012.  In February 2011, $623 thousand of the escrow was released to the sellers upon satisfaction of applicable provisions in the asset purchase agreement.  The remaining escrow is subject to buyer indemnity claims, if any, and sellers' further performance under the agreement as indicated above. At September 30, 2011, the escrow was comprised of $2 million of cash plus 77,176 shares of IEC common stock.

 
34

 
 
The selling company’s president has continued in that capacity with SCB, and selling shareholders entered into a five-year agreement not to compete with the Company.  Concurrent with the acquisition, IEC assumed responsibility for operating leases of SCB's premises at an annual rental of approximately $350 thousand.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company is required to measure and record the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  If the purchase price is greater than the value of identifiable net assets acquired, as in the case of SCB, the difference is recorded as goodwill.  If net asset value exceeds the amount paid, the excess is recorded in other income as a gain.

Our current estimates of fair value for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the SCB acquisition are summarized below.  Allocations of purchase price may be subject to further revision in amounts that could be material as appraisals and valuations continue to be reviewed by the Company and its advisors.

 
SCB Opening Balance Sheet
 
December 17, 2010
 
(thousands, except shares)
     
Accounts receivable
  $ 1,576  
Inventories
    2,896  
Leasehold improvements
    1,169  
Machinery & equipment
    1,344  
Furniture & fixtures
    236  
Intangible assets
    6,000  
Goodwill
    13,708  
Deferred income taxes
    122  
Other assets
    29  
Total assets acquired
    27,080  
         
Accounts payable
  $ 560  
Accruals and other liabilities
    129  
Total liabilities assumed
    689  
Net assets acquired/purchase price
  $ 26,391  
         
Funded with bank debt
  $ 25,782  
Funded with 100,000 shares of IEC common stock
    609  
Total funding for SCB acquisition
  $ 26,391  

Celmet :  On July 30, 2010, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities of Celmet Co., Inc., a privately held, precision sheet-metal fabrication, component assembly and metal stamping company located in Rochester, NY.  The purchase price of $1.9 million was funded with senior bank debt, and the Company entered into a 48-month operating lease for Celmet’s facility at rent of approximately $190 thousand per year.  The acquired business is being operated as the Celmet division of IEC.

Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the Celmet acquisition are summarized below.  The price paid exceeded the fair value of net assets acquired by $101 thousand, which has been recorded as goodwill.

 
35

 
  
Celmet Division Opening Balance Sheet
 
July 30, 2010
 
   
(thousands)
 
Accounts receivable
  $ 577  
Inventories
    364  
Other current assets
    23  
Equipment
    1,058  
Goodwill
    101  
Deferred income taxes
    19  
Total assets acquired
    2,142  
         
Accounts payable
  $ 214  
Accruals and other liabilities
    30  
Total liabilities assumed
    244  
Net assets acquired/purchase price
(Purchase price was funded with bank debt.)
  $ 1,898  

Albuquerque:   On December 16, 2009, the Company acquired all of the stock of General Technology Corporation from Crane International Holdings, Inc.  The purchase price of $14.8 million was funded entirely with senior bank debt.  In April 2011, the Company changed the name of this subsidiary to IEC Electronics Corp.-Albuquerque.

The acquisition resulted in a gain of $588 thousand, $418 thousand of which was recognized during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.  The remaining $170 thousand was recorded in December 2010 upon IEC’s receipt of a purchase price refund from the seller.

During the twelve-month period following the Albuquerque acquisition, certain adjustments were made to the purchase price and to the valuation of assets and liabilities acquired as refunds were received and new information became available.  The summary of Albuquerque’s acquisition-date balance sheet provided below compares preliminary balances as of September 2010 with final balances reflected in IEC’s 2011 financial statements.

 
36

 
  
   
As of December 16, 2009
 
   
Final
   
Preliminary
 
Albuquerque Opening Balance Sheet
 
December 2010
   
September 2010
 
   
(thousands)
 
Accounts receivable
  $ 3,931     $ 3,931  
Inventories
    4,275       4,276  
Other current assets
    69       69  
Land
    813       813  
Building
    5,074       5,074  
Equipment
    2,761       2,761  
Intangible asset
    360       360  
Deferred income taxes
    485       485  
Total assets acquired
    17,768       17,769  
                 
Accounts payable
  $ 1,128     $ 1,128  
Accruals and other liabilities
    1,191       1,191  
Gain on acquisition
    588       418  
Long-term debt
    100       100  
Total liabilities assumed
    3,007       2,837  
Net assets acquired/purchase price
(Purchase price was funded with bank debt.)
  $ 14,761     $ 14,932  

Operating and Pro Forma Results :  The first table below displays revenue and earnings for SCB in 2011 and Albuquerque and Celmet in 2010 for periods from the respective dates of acquisition to the ends of both fiscal years.  The disclosed amounts are included in IEC's consolidated financial statements.

The second table presents IEC's unaudited, pro forma, consolidated operating results for fiscal 2011 and 2010 as if the SCB, Celmet and Albuquerque acquisitions had occurred on the first day of the year prior to the year of acquisition.  The pro forma results combine IEC's actual consolidated results for the years with revenue and earnings generated by SCB, Celmet and Albuquerque for any time-periods within the two years that they were not members of the IEC consolidated group.  While the pro forma results take into consideration certain estimated changes in expenses resulting from the merged operations, they do not reflect additional revenues that may be generated by combining SCB, Celmet, Albuquerque and IEC.  The pro forma results are not necessarily equivalent to those that would have been obtained by consummating the acquisitions on the earlier dates, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results.

 
37

 
  
Operating Results of Acquired Businesses
 
Fiscal Years ended September 30,
 
from Respective Dates of Acquisition
 
2011
   
2010
 
(thousands)
 
SCB
   
Albuquerque
 
         
and Celmet
 
For businesses acquired during the year
           
Net sales
  $ 11,363     $ 18,537  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (233 )     2,437  
Net income (loss)
    (221 )     1,502  

   
Fiscal Years ended September 30,
 
IEC Pro Forma Operating Results
 
2011
   
2010
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
As if SCB, Celmet and Albuquerque had been acquired on the first day of the fiscal year preceding the year of acquisition
           
Net sales
  $ 137,227     $ 122,820  
Income before income taxes
    10,304       9,050  
Net income
    7,053       5,846  
                 
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.74     $ 0.64  
Diluted
    0.71       0.60  
                 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares:
         
Basic
    9,482,336       9,090,180  
Diluted
    9,988,798       9,708,174  

In developing pro forma (as if combined) financial results, the acquirees’ pre-merger data is adjusted to account for some of the changes that result from operating the entities as part of the IEC consolidated group.  For example, depreciation changes due to asset revaluations; newly identified intangibles are amortized; interest is incurred on acquisition-related debt; and certain expenses decrease or increase based on the manner in which IEC operates the entity.  As mentioned above, certain other expected changes, such as potential revenue changes, are not factored into the pro forma information.  A summary of adjustments made in preparing IEC’s pro forma information above is provided in the table that follows.

 
38

 
Adjustments Used in Arriving at
  Fiscal Years ended September 30,  
Pro Forma Results in Table Above
 
2011
   
2010
 
(in thousands, except share data)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
Increase (decrease)
 
Sales
           
Eliminate sales to former affiliate
  $ -     $ (73 )
                 
Cost of sales
               
Eliminate cost of sales to former affiliate
  $ -     $ (104 )
Depreciation expense
    64       549  
Other
    -       (53 )
Total cost-of-sales adjustments
  $ 64     $ 392  
                 
Selling and administrative expenses
               
Compensation
  $ (379 )   $ (1,772 )
Sales/marketing expenses
    (364 )     (1,300 )
Insurance premiums
    (76 )     (373 )
Legal and accounting expenses
    (154 )     (619 )
Contract staffing
    (112 )     (420 )
Amortization of intangibles
    86       412  
Corporate allocation
    150       720  
Other
    (33 )     (209 )
Total selling and administrative expense adjustments
  $ (882 )   $ (3,561 )
                 
Interest expense
               
Interest on acquisition debt
  $ 201     $ 1,177  
Other
    (2 )     (29 )
Total interest expense adjustments
  $ 199     $ 1,148  
                 
Other (income) expense
               
Costs of integrating acquirees' information systems
  $ -     $ 150  
Other
    (109 )     40  
Total other (income) expense adjustments
  $ (109 )   $ 190  
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
               
Shares of IEC common stock issued to acquire SCB
             100,000  
Weighted shares relating to pre-acquisition period
    21,096          
 
 
39

 
 
NOTE 3.  ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

A summary follows of activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

   
Years ended September 30,
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
(thousands)
 
Allowance, beginning of period
  $ 250     $ 85  
                 
Provision for doubtful accounts
    70       271  
Write-offs
    (16 )     (106 )
Recoveries
    1       -  
Allowance, end of period
  $ 305     $ 250  

NOTE 4.  INVENTORIES

A summary of inventory by category at period end follows:

   
September 30,
 
Inventories
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
(thousands)
 
Raw materials
  $ 8,492     $ 7,993  
Work-in-process
    6,821       3,974  
Finished goods
    1,677       1,012  
Total inventories
    16,990       12,979  
Reserve for excess/obsolete inventory
    (897 )     (911 )
Inventories, net
  $ 16,093     $ 12,068  

NOTE 5.  FIXED ASSETS

Fixed assets and accumulated depreciation at period end consist of the following:

   
September 30,
 
Fixed Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
(thousands)
 
Land and improvements
  $ 1,556     $ 1,556  
Buildings and improvements
    9,824       9,581  
Leasehold improvements
    1,374       -  
Machinery and equipment
    21,008       15,434  
Furniture and fixtures
    5,246       4,833  
Total fixed assets, at cost
    39,008       31,404  
Accumulated depreciation
    (21,122 )     (18,306 )
Net fixed assets
  $ 17,886     $ 13,098  

 
 
40

 
   
NOTE 6.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets by category, amortization expense for the periods, and estimated future amortization at period end are presented below:

   
September 30,
 
Intangible Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
    (thousands)  
Customer relationships
  $ 5,900     $ -  
Property tax abatement
    360       360  
Non-compete agreement
    100       -  
Total intangibles, at cost
    6,360       360  
Accumulated amortization
    (396 )     (29 )
Net intangible assets
  $ 5,964     $ 331  
                 
   
Years ended September 30,
 
Amortization Expense
    2011       2010  
    (thousands)  
Amortization expense, relating to intangibles
  $ 367     $ 29  
                 
   
Estimated
         
   
future
         
Future Amortization
 
amortization
         
   
(thousands)
         
Years ending September 30,
               
           2012
  $ 452          
           2013
    452          
           2014
    452          
           2015
    452          
           2016
    437          

 
41

 
 
NOTE 7.  CREDIT FACILITIES

A summary of borrowings at September 30, 2011 and 2010 follows:

   
Fixed/
                           
   
Variable
     
Interest Rate
   
Balances at September 30,
 
Debt
 
Rate
 
Maturity
 
9/30/11
   
9/30/10
   
2011
   
2010
 
           
(percents)
   
(thousands)
 
M&T borrowings
                               
Revolving credit facility
  v  
12/17/13
    3.25       3.50     $ 7,198     $ 5,823  
SCB term loan
  v  
12/17/15
    3.50       -       17,000       -  
Abq term loan
  v  
12/16/14
    3.50       3.75       3,250       4,250  
Abq mortgage loan
  v  
12/16/14
    3.50       3.75       3,533       3,800  
Celmet term loan
  v  
07/30/15
    3.50       3.75       1,533       1,933  
Equipment loans (2), variable
  v  
01/05/15
    3.25       3.75       945       273  
Equipment loans (3), fixed
  f  
11/01/12
    3.05       3.07       315       521  
Wire & Cable term loan
  f  
01/01/12
    6.70       6.70       95       435  
Energy loan
  f  
04/02/13
    2.08       2.08       64       105  
                                         
Other borrowings
                                       
Seller notes, Wire & Cable
  f  
06/01/13
    4.00       4.00       1,076       1,658  
Abq industrial revenue bond
  f  
03/01/19
    5.63       5.63       100       100  
Total debt
                            35,109       18,898  
Less: current portion
                            (6,896 )     (2,899 )
Long-term debt
                          $ 28,213     $ 15,999  

Note: Sale-leaseback agreement with M&T is accounted for as an operating lease, and therefore is not included above.

M&T Credit Facilities

On December 17, 2010, IEC entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with M&T, replacing a prior agreement dated July 30, 2010. The Credit Agreement was modified on November 17, 2011 by a letter received and accepted by the Company from M&T.  This Credit Agreement added a $20.0 million term loan used for the SCB acquisition; increased the limit on the revolving credit facility from $15.0 million to $20.0 million; eliminated a minimum threshold for variable interest tied to Libor (London interbank offered rate); and modified certain other provisions as discussed below.  The basic structure of the agreement and many of the terms and conditions remained unchanged from the prior agreement.  Except as otherwise noted below, the revolving credit facility and term loan borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at Libor plus a margin that varies between 2.25% and 3.75% based on the Company's ratio of debt to EBITDARS, as defined.  Individual debt facilities provided under the agreement are as follows:

(a) Revolving Credit Facility (“Revolver”) :  Up to $20 million is available through December 17, 2013.  The Company may borrow up to the lesser of (i) 85% of eligible receivables plus 35% of eligible inventories or (ii) $20 million.  At IEC's election, another 35% of eligible inventories will be included in the borrowing base for limited periods of time during which a higher rate of interest is charged on the Revolver.  Borrowings based on inventory balances are further limited to a cap of $3.75 million, or when subject to the higher percentage limit, $4.75 million.  At September 30, 2011, the upper limit on Revolver borrowings was $19.7 million.  Average outstanding balances amounted to $11.7 million and $6.2 million during the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The difference between the amount borrowed under the Revolver and the $20 million limit M&T has committed is subject to an unused commitment fee, which was equal to 0.375%, or $19 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2011.  This fee also varies based on IEC's ratio of debt to EBITDARS.

 
42

 
   
(b) SCB Term Loan :  $20 million was borrowed on December 17, 2010 and principal is being repaid in 60 equal monthly installments.

(c) Albuquerque Term Loan :  $5 million was borrowed on December 16, 2009, and principal is being repaid in 60 equal monthly installments.

(d) Albuquerque Mortgage Loan :  $4 million was borrowed on December 16, 2009.  The loan is effectively secured by real property in Albuquerque, NM, and principal is being repaid in 60 monthly installments of $22 thousand plus a balloon payment due at maturity.

(e) Celmet Term Loan :  $2 million was borrowed on July 30, 2010, and principal is being repaid in 60 equal monthly installments.

(f) Equipment Line of Credit :  Up to $1.5 million, reduced by outstanding loans, is available through December 17, 2013.  The line is available for purchases of capital equipment, and borrowings under the line are supported by separate notes that specify fixed or variable interest, as selected by the Company, and principal repayment terms.  Equal payments of principal are being made over 48 months for four of the loans and over 60 months for one loan.

(g) Wire & Cable Term Loan :  $1.7 million was borrowed on May 30, 2008.  The interest rate on this loan is fixed at 6.70%, and principal is being repaid in monthly installments of $28 thousand.  The loan's original repayment period of 60 months was reduced as a result of a $0.5 million prepayment made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.  This loan will be paid in full in January 2012.

(h) Energy Loan (also referred to as the "NYSERDA” loan) :  $0.2 million was borrowed on April 2, 2008 under this facility, for which interest at a fixed rate of 2.08% is subsidized by the State of New York.  Principal is being repaid in 60 equal monthly installments.

Other Credit Facilities

(i) Seller Notes :  The May 2008 acquisition of Wire and Cable was financed in part by three promissory notes payable to the sellers and totaling $3.8 million.  These notes are subordinated to borrowings under the Credit Agreement and are being repaid in quarterly installments of $160 thousand, including interest.  Effective October 1, 2011, the interest rate on the notes was reduced from 4.0% to 3.0% without altering any other terms of the borrowings.

(j) Albuquerque Industrial Revenue Bond :  When IEC acquired Albuquerque, the Company assumed responsibility for an Industrial Revenue Bond issued by the City of Albuquerque.  Interest on the bond is paid semiannually, and the $100 thousand principal amount is due in its entirety at maturity.

Borrowings under the M&T Credit Agreement are secured by, among other things, the assets of IEC and its consolidated subsidiaries.  The Credit Agreement also contains various affirmative and negative covenants including financial covenants.  The Company is required to maintain (i) a minimum level of quarterly EBITDARS, (ii) a ratio of debt to twelve-month EBITDARS that is below a specified limit, and (iii) a minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio as described in the table below.  The Company was in compliance with the three covenants at September 30, 2011.

 
43

 
  
           
       
Actual at
 
Debt Covenant
 
Limit
 
September 30, 2011
 
Quarterly EBITDARS (000's)
 
Must be above $1,500
  $ 4,904  
Total debt to EBITDARS
 
Must be below 3.50x
    2.08 x
Fixed charge coverage ratio (a)
 
Must be above 1.25x
    2.03 x

(a) The ratio compares (i) 12-month EBITDA plus non-cash stock compensation expense minus unfinanced capital expenditures minus cash taxes paid, to (ii) the sum of interest expense, principal payments, sale-leaseback payments and dividends, if any (fixed charges).

For the purpose of calculating compliance with the covenants, IEC's operating lease obligation to M&T for certain equipment sold to the bank on June 27, 2008 and leased back for a period of five years, is treated as debt.  Rental payments of $389 thousand per year total $649 thousand for the remainder of the lease term.

Aggregate contractual principal payments under IEC's borrowings for the next five years are summarized below:

     
Contractual
 
     
principal
 
Debt Repayment Schedule
   
payments
 
     
(thousands)
 
Years ending September 30,
       
2012
    $ 6,896  
2013
      6,533  
2014*
      13,137  
2015
      7,443  
2016
      1,000  
2017 and thereafter
      100  
      $ 35,109  
 
*Includes Revolver balance of $7,198 as of September 30, 2011.
  
NOTE 8.  INCOME TAXES

Provisions for income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are summarized below:

   
Years ended September 30,
 
Income Tax Provision
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
(thousands)
 
Current tax expense:
           
State
  $ 2     $ 107  
Federal
    134       142  
                 
Deferred tax expense:
               
State
    (388 )     (20 )
Federal
    3,308       2,171  
Total income tax provision
  $ 3,056     $ 2,400  

 
 
44

 
  
Differences between the federal statutory rate and IEC's effective rates of tax for 2011 and 2010 are explained by the following reconciliation.

   
Years ended September 30,
 
Taxes as Percent of Pretax Income
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Federal statutory rate
    34.0 %     34.0 %
                 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
    2.4       0.8  
Tax credit expiration and related valuation allowance
    (2.3 )        
Increases in tax credits
    (3.7 )        
Untaxed gain on corporate acquisition
            (2.0 )
Other
    0.7       1.2  
                 
Income tax provision as percent of pretax income
    31.1 %     34.0 %

The following table displays deferred tax assets/liability by category as of September 30, 2011 and 2010.  Recorded amounts include the establishment of deferred taxes for acquired companies.

   
September 30,
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
(thousands)
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Net operating loss carryforward
  $ 8,853     $ 11,862  
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward
    503       373  
Depreciation and fixed assets
    (93 )     287  
New York State investment tax & other credits
    904       1,765  
Inventories
    403       367  
Other
    723       583  
Total before allowance
    11,293       15,237  
Valuation allowance
    (455 )     (1,765 )
Deferred tax assets, net
    10,838       13,472  
                 
Deferred tax liability:
               
Amortization of intangibles
    (207 )     -  
Net deferred income taxes (current and deferred)
  $ 10,631     $ 13,472  

IEC has federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for income tax purposes of approximately $24.5 million and $37.7 million respectively as of September 30, 2011, expiring mainly in years 2020 through 2025.  It is estimated that the federal and state NOLs will produce future tax benefits totaling $8.9 million.

In addition, $1.4 million of New York State investment tax and other credits are available to the Company as carryforwards, expiring in various years through 2026.  These credits cannot be utilized until the New York net operating loss carryforward is exhausted.  We have recorded a valuation allowance for these credits to the extent that we believe it is more likely than not that the tax benefit will not be realized.  If the credits expire unused, the related deferred tax asset and offsetting valuation allowance will be reduced.

NOTE 9.  WARRANTY RESERVES

IEC generally warrants its products and workmanship for up to twelve months from date of sale.  As an offset to warranty claims, the Company is sometimes able to obtain reimbursement from suppliers for warranty-related costs or losses.  Based on historical warranty claims experience and in consideration of sales trends, a reserve is maintained for estimated future warranty costs to be incurred on products and services sold through the balance sheet date.  An analysis of additions to and charges against IEC's consolidated warranty reserves during the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is provided below.

 
45

 
  
   
Years ended September 30,
 
Warranty Reserve
 
2011
   
2010
 
    (thousands)  
Reserve, beginning of period
  $ 303     $ 111  
                 
Reserves of acquired companies
    62       376  
Provision
    412       21  
Warranty costs
    (376 )     (205 )
Recoveries
    47       -  
Reserve, end of period
  $ 448     $ 303  

NOTE 10.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Under IEC's 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, officers, key employees, directors and other individuals may be granted stock options, restricted (non-vested) stock and other types of equity awards.  The plan, which expires in December 2011, was approved by shareholders in February 2002.  Up to 3,100,000 common shares were authorized for issuance under the plan, and 209,869 and 458,606 shares remained available for grant at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

At the January 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a new plan entitled the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan was voted on and approved by our shareholders.   The plan, which will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, provides for grant of the following types of awards: incentive stock options, nonqualified options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance compensation awards, cash incentive awards, director stock and other equity-based and equity-related awards.  Over a term of ten (10) years, up to 2,000,000 common shares may be issued.  Through September 30, 2011, no awards have been made under the 2010 Plan.

The Compensation Committee intends to continue making awards under the 2001 Plan for the remainder of its term, as long as shares remain available for grant.  Stock compensation expense recorded under the plans totaled $489 thousand in 2011 and $282 thousand in 2010, and related tax benefits were approximately $135 thousand and $45 thousand in the two years, respectively.  Expenses relating to stock options that comply with certain U.S. income tax rules are neither deductible by the Company nor taxable to the employee.  Further information regarding stock options and restricted shares under the 2001 Plan is provided below.

 
46

 
  
Stock Options

When options are granted, IEC estimates fair value using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and recognizes the computed value as compensation cost over the vesting period, which is typically four years.  The contractual term of options granted under the plan is generally seven years.  A summary follows of assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model and the estimated value of options granted during the two most recent fiscal years.

   
Years ended September 30,
 
Valuation of Options
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Assumptions for Black-Scholes:
           
Risk-free interest rate
    1.40 %     2.16 %
Expected term in years
    4.8       4.9  
Volatility
    54 %     54 %
Expected annual dividends
 
none
   
none
 
                 
Value of options granted:
               
Number of options granted
    78,000       128,682  
Weighted average fair value/share
  $ 2.80     $ 2.24  
Fair value of options granted (000's)
  $ 218     $ 288  

 
47

 
  
Changes in the number of options outstanding during the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, together with other related data, are summarized below.
 
   
Years ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
         
Wgtd Avg.
         
Wgtd Avg.
 
   
Number
   
Exercise
   
Number
   
Exercise
 
Stock Options
 
of Options
   
Price
   
of Options
   
Price
 
                         
Outstanding at beginning of period
    764,595     $1.66       973,722     $1.10  
                             
Granted
    78,000     6.01       128,682     4.69  
Exercised
    (447,256 )   0.82       (231,467 )   0.85  
Forfeited
    (24,000 )   5.76       (106,342 )   2.02  
Outstanding at end of period
    371,339     $3.32       764,595     $1.66  
                             
For options expected to vest
                           
Number expected to vest
    371,339     $3.32       764,595     $1.66  
Wgtd. avg. remaining term, in years
    4.4             2.7        
Excess of fair value at period end over cost of exercising (000s)
          $654             $2,753  
                             
For exercisable options at period end
                           
Number exercisable
    133,833     $1.54       474,868     $0.80  
Wgtd. avg. remaining term, in years
    1.5             1.7        
Excess of fair value at period end over cost of exercising (000s)
          $474             $2,118  
                             
For non-exercisable options at period end
                           
Expense not yet recognized (000s)
          $328             $296  
Wgtd. avg. years to become exercisable
          1.9             1.9  
                             
For options exercised
                           
Excess of fair value on dates of exercise over cost (000s)
          $3,170             $928  

Restricted (Non-vested) Stock

Holders of IEC restricted stock have voting and dividend rights as of the date of grant, but until vested the shares may be forfeited and cannot be sold or otherwise transferred.  At the end of the vesting period, which is typically four years, holders have all the rights and privileges of any other IEC common shareholder.  The fair value of a share of restricted stock is its market value on the date of grant, and that value is recognized as stock compensation expense over the vesting period.  A summary of restricted stock activity, balances and related data for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is presented below.

 
48

 
 
   
Years ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Number of
   
Wgtd Avg.
   
Number of
   
Wgtd Avg.
 
   
Non-vested
   
Grant Date
   
Non-vested
   
Grant Date
 
Restricted (Non-vested) Stock
 
Shares
   
Fair Value
   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Outstanding at beginning of period
    122,098     $4.10       37,000     $2.45  
                             
Granted
    184,958     6.73       145,351     4.04  
Becoming vested
    (19,580 )   4.15       (27,000 )   2.10  
Forfeited
    (3,000 )   8.70       (33,253 )   3.63  
Outstanding at end of period
    284,476     $5.76       122,098     $4.10  
                             
For non-vested shares at period end
                           
Expense not yet recognized (000s)
          $1,248             $395  
Wgtd. average remaining years for vesting
          2.1             2.2  
                             
For shares becoming vested
                           
Aggregate fair value on vesting dates (000s)
          $135             $130  

NOTE 11.  INDUSTRY SECTORS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS

An analysis of fourth quarter and annual sales according to the industry sector within which IEC's customers operate is presented below.

   
Three months ended
   
Years ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
% of Sales by Sector
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Military & Aerospace
  51%     56%     56%     58%  
Industrial & Communications
  23%     28%     21%     29%  
Medical & Other
  26%     16%     23%     13%  
    100%     100%     100%     100%  

Individual customers representing 10% or more of sales included Sigma International (16%) and General Electric (10%) in the 2011 fiscal year, and General Electric (14%) in 2010.  Individual customers representing 10% or more of receivables accounted for 28% of outstanding balances at September 30, 2011 (two customers), and 11% at the end of fiscal 2010.

Credit risk associated with individual customers is periodically evaluated by analyzing the entity's financial condition and payment history.  Customers generally are not required to post collateral.

NOTE 12.  LITIGATION

There are no material, pending legal proceedings that involve IEC, its subsidiaries or their properties.  From time to time, the Company may be involved in legal actions in the ordinary course of its business.  However, management does not believe that any such proceedings commenced through the date of these financial statements, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position.

 
49

 
 
NOTE 13.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is obligated under non-cancelable operating leases, primarily for manufacturing equipment, buildings and office equipment.  Leases for buildings occupied by IEC's businesses expire as follows: Wire and Cable in December 2012, Celmet in July 2014, and SCB primarily in September 2013.  These operating leases generally contain renewal options and require the Company to pay executory costs such as taxes, insurance and maintenance.  Approximate minimum lease obligations for the next five years, together with rent expense incurred during the two years covered by these financial statements, are as follows:

   
Obligation
 
Future Rental Obligations
 
to pay rent
 
   
(thousands)
 
Years ending September 30,
     
2012
  $ 1,292  
2013
    943  
2014
    252  
2015
    18  
2016
    4  
         
Total rent expense for years ended September 30,
       
2011
  $ 1,429  
2010
    808  

For the year ended September 30, 2011, IEC obtained 53% of the materials used in production from two vendors, Arrow Electronics, Inc. and Avnet, Inc. If either of these vendors were to cease supplying us with materials for any reason, this would force us to find alternative sources of supply. A change in suppliers could cause a delay in availability of products and a possible loss of sales, which could adversely affect operating results.

During August 2011, one of IEC's operating units entered into a five-year agreement with one of its suppliers to purchase a minimum volume of materials in exchange for receiving favorable pricing on the unit's purchases.  In the event the unit's cumulative purchases do not equal or exceed stated minimums, the supplier has a right to terminate the agreement and the IEC unit would be obligated to pay an early termination fee that declines from $365 thousand to zero over the term of the agreement.  IEC does not expect to pay a termination fee, as the company expects to exceed minimum purchase requirements under the agreement.

NOTE 14.  RETIREMENT PLAN

The Company administers a retirement savings plan for the benefit of its eligible employees and their beneficiaries under the provisions of Sections 401(a) and (k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Eligible employees may contribute a portion of their compensation to the plan, and the Company is permitted to make discretionary contributions as determined by the Board of Directors.  The Company contributes an employer match equal to 25% of the first 6% of contributions made by Albuquerque employees. The contributions made on behalf of Albuquerque employees totaled $34 thousand during the year ended September 30, 2011, and $29 thousand during 2010.  There were no other Company contributions to the plan during the two years.

NOTE 15.  SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

Key quarterly financial data for fiscal years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is presented below.  It should be noted that quarterly per-share amounts are rounded separately to the nearest cent, and as a result the sum of the quarterly amounts may not equal the computed per-share amount for the full year.

 
50

 
  
                     
Basic
   
Diluted
 
         
Gross
   
Net
   
Earnings
   
Earnings
 
   
Net Sales
   
Profit
   
Income
   
Per Share
   
Per Share
 
   
(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share)
 
Fiscal Quarters
                             
Fourth 2011
  $ 34,941     $ 6,574     $ 2,631     $ 0.27     $ 0.26  
Third 2011
    34,626       6,156       1,333       0.14       0.13  
Second 2011
    35,085       6,944       1,747       0.18       0.17  
First 2011
    28,644       4,583       1,049       0.11       0.11  
                                         
Fourth 2010
  $ 27,287     $ 4,776     $ 1,628     $ 0.18     $ 0.17  
Third 2010
    26,095       4,656       1,238       0.14       0.13  
Second 2010
    25,232       4,018       1,036       0.12       0.11  
First 2010
    18,060       2,813       753       0.09       0.08  

 
 
51

 
  
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

IEC's management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15c and 15d-15c under the Securities Exchange Active of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2011 the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. 

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.  The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(i)
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and asset dispositions of the Company,

(ii)
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company, and

(iii)
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations.  Therefore, internal control over financial reporting determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation, and may not prevent or detect all misstatements.  Moreover, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

IEC's management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness, as of September 30, 2011, of our internal control over financial reporting, based on the framework entitled "Internal Controls - Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that as of September 30, 2011, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.  As permitted by SEC guidance, we have excluded the SCB unit, which was acquired during fiscal 2011, from our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011.  Total assets and total revenues of SCB represent 32.2% and 8.5%, respectively, of our total assets and total revenues as reported in our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2011.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting because the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules regarding such attestations do not apply to smaller reporting companies.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

During the year ended September 30, 2011, there were no changes in our internal controls that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
52

 
  
Limitations on the effectiveness of control systems

IEC's management does not expect that our disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all errors and fraud.  Because of inherent limitations in any such control system (e.g. faulty judgments, human error, information technology system error, or intentional circumvention), there can be no assurance that the objectives of a control system will be met under all circumstances.  Moreover, the benefits of a control system must be considered relative to the costs of the system and management’s judgments regarding the likelihood of potential events.  In summary, there can be no assurance that any control system will succeed in achieving its goals under all possible future conditions, and as a result of these inherent limitations, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may or may not be detected.

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item is presented under the captions entitled "Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” contained in the definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated in this report by reference thereto.  The information regarding Executive Officers of the Registrant is found in Part I of this report.

IEC has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code”), which applies to all of its directors, officers (including IEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other senior officers) and employees.  The Code, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 14 to IEC’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 1, 2004, may be viewed on IEC’s website, www.iec-electronics.com , under its “Investor Relations-Corporate Governance” captions, and is available in print (free of charge) to any person upon request to Chief Financial Officer, IEC Electronics Corp., 105 Norton Street, Newark, NY 14513, telephone (315) 331-7742.  Any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of the Code that applies to IEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or other senior officers and relates to the elements of a “code of ethics” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission will also be posted on the website.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is presented under the captions entitled "Compensation of Named Executive Officers and Directors” and “Election of Directors - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” contained in the definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated in this report by reference thereto.

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

The information required by this item is presented under the caption entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" contained in the definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated in this report by reference thereto.

The table that follows sets forth information concerning IEC's equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2011.  Under the 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, which expires in December 2011, the following types of equity awards have been made: stock options; restricted stock; share-based compensation for outside directors; and other stock-based awards.

Under the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, which was approved by IEC’s shareholders in January 2011, the following types of awards may be made: incentive stock options, nonqualified options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance compensation awards, cash incentive awards, director stock and other equity-based and equity-related awards.  No awards were made under the 2010 Plan through September 30, 2011.

 
53

 
 
In addition to the above-named plans, IEC administers an employee stock purchase program.

 
   
Number of shares
         
Number of shares
 
   
to be issued
   
Wgtd average
   
remaining available
 
   
upon exercise
   
exercise price
   
for future issuance
 
   
of outstanding
   
of outstanding
   
under equity
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
options, warrants
   
options, warrants
   
compensation
 
as of September 30, 2011
 
or rights
   
or rights
   
plans (ii)
 
                   
Equity compensation plans:
                 
Approved by shareholders
    371,339 (i)   3.32       2,209,869  
Not approved by shareholders
    -       -       -  
Total
    371,339     $ 3.32       2,209,869  

(i)
Represents shares issuable upon exercise of awards granted under IEC's 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders in February 2002 and terminates December 2011.  IEC's 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan was approved by shareholders in January 2011, however, no awards were granted under the 2010 Plan through September 30, 2011.
(ii)
Excludes shares reflected in first column.  Includes shares remaining available for issuance under the Company's 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item is presented under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” and “Election of Directors” contained in the definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated in this report by reference thereto.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is presented under the caption "Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” contained in the definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated in this report by reference thereto.

PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Financial Statements

Reference is made to Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  No financial statement schedules are required to be filed by Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Exhibits

For the exhibits that are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference, see the Index to Exhibits located on page 56 of this report.  The Index to Exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.

 
54

 
 
SIGNATURES

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

Dated: December 16, 2011
 
IEC Electronics Corp.
   
  By:
/s/ W. Barry Gilbert
 
W. Barry Gilbert
 
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board


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/ W. Barry Gilbert
 
Chief Executive Officer and
 
December 16, 2011
W. Barry Gilbert
 
Chairman of the Board
   
   
(Principal executive officer and Director)
   
         
/s/ Susan E. Topel-Samek
 
Vice President and
 
December 16, 2011
Susan E. Topel-Samek
 
Chief Financial Officer
   
   
(Principal financial and accounting officer)
   
         
/s/ Eben S. Moulton
 
Director
 
December 16, 2011
Eben S. Moulton
       
         
/s/ James C. Rowe
 
Director
 
December 16, 2011
James C. Rowe
       
         
/s/ Carl E. Sassano
 
Director
 
December 16, 2011
Carl E. Sassano
       
         
/s/ Amy L. Tait
 
Director
 
December 16, 2011
Amy L. Tait
       
         
/s/ Jerold L. Zimmerman
 
Director
 
December 16, 2011
Jerold L. Zimmerman
  
 
  
 

 
 
55

 
 
IEC ELECTRONICS CORP.
Form 10-K for Year Ended September 30, 2011
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 
Exhibit
No.
 
Title
 
Page
2.1
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among IEC Electronics Corp., VUT Merger Corp. and Val-U-Tech Corp. dated as of May 23, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2008)
   
2.2
 
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 16, 2009, by and among IEC Electronics Corp, Crane International Holdings, Inc. and General Technology Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 23, 2009)
   
2.3
 
Asset Purchase Agreement dated December 17, 2010 by and among CSCB, Inc., Southern California Braiding Co., Inc., Leo P. McIntyre, Trustee of the Exemption Trust Created Under The McIntyre Family Trust dated October 4, 1993 as Amended and Restated in its Entirety dated July 12, 2005, Leo P. McIntyre, Trustee of the McIntyre Survivor's Trust, Restatement dated June 13, 2006, Created under the McIntyre Family Trust dated October 4, 1993, Leo P. McIntyre and Craig Pfefferman,   and executed by IEC Electronics Corp. solely as guarantor of certain obligations thereunder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 23, 2010)
   
2.4
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger of IEC Electronics into DFT Holdings Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-56498)
   
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of DFT Holdings Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-56498)
   
3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company as of October 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2010)
   
3.4
 
Certificate of Merger of IEC Electronics Corp. into DFT Holdings Corp. - New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-56498)
   
3.5
 
Certificate of Ownership and Merger merging IEC Electronics Corp. into DFT Holdings Corp. - Delaware (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-56498)
   
3.6
 
Certificate of Merger of IEC Acquisition Corp. into IEC Electronics Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-56498)
   
3.7
 
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of IEC Electronics Corp. filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 26, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 27, 1998)
   
3.8
 
Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock of IEC Electronics Corp. filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 3, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1998)
   
4.1
 
Specimen of Certificate for Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-56498)
   
10.1
 
Credit Facility Agreement dated as of May 30, 2008 by and among IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2008)
   
10.2
 
First Amendment to Credit Facility Agreement made July 29, 2008 to be effective as of May 30, 2008 between IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008)
   
 
 
56

 
  
Exhibit
No.
 
Title
 
Page
10.3
 
Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2009, by and among IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 23, 2009)
   
10.4
 
Amendment 1, dated as of February 26, 2010, to the Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2009, by and among IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 26, 2010)
   
10.5
 
Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2010, by and among IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 5, 2010)
   
10.6
 
Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement dated December 17, 2010 by and between IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 23, 2010)
   
10.7*
 
Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Company and its directors and executive officers. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1993)
   
10.8*
 
IEC Electronics Corp. 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended on February 4, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009)
   
10.9*
 
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement pursuant to 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009)
   
10.10*
 
Form of Outside Director Stock Option Agreement pursuant to 2001 Stock Option and  Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009)
   
10.11*
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009)
   
10.12*
 
IEC Electronics Corp. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended May 23, 2011
   
10.13*
 
Separation Agreement between the Company and Michael Schlehr dated May 24, 2010 and Appendix A thereto (Independent Consulting Agreement) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 25, 2010)
   
10.14*
 
Employment Agreement between the Company and W. Barry Gilbert, effective April 24, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 30, 2009)
   
10.15*
 
First Amendment, dated September 17, 2010 and effective October 1, 2010, to the Employment Agreement, dated April 24, 2009 between the Company and W. Barry Gilbert (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 1, 2010)
   
10.16*    Amended Salary Arrangement with Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2011    
10.17*
 
Offer of Employment Letter Agreement between the Company and Susan E. Topel-Samek dated May 19, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 25, 2010)
   
10.18*
 
Salary Continuation and Non-Competition Agreement dated and effective as of October 1, 2010 between the Company and Jeffrey T. Schlarbaum (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010)
   
10.19*
 
Salary Continuation and Non-Competition Agreement dated and effective as of October 1, 2010 between the Company and Donald S. Doody (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010)
   
10.20*
 
Summary of the Company's 2011 Management Incentive Plan
   
10.21*
 
Summary of the Company's 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan
   
10.22*
 
IEC Electronics Corp. Management Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009)
   
 
 
57

 
  
Exhibit
No.
 
Title
 
Page
10.23*
 
IEC Electronics Corp. Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009)
   
14
 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 1, 2004)
   
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of IEC Electronics Corp.
   
23.1
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
101
  
The following items from this Annual Report on Form 10-K formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Income Statements, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the latter being tagged as blocks of text.  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive files in Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
  
 

*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
 
 
58

 
 

Exhibit 10.12
 
IEC ELECTRONICS CORP.
 
2010 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
 


ARTICLE I
PURPOSE

The purpose of this IEC Electronics Corp. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan") is to promote the interests of IEC Electronics Corp. and its stockholders by (a) attracting, retaining and motivating exceptional directors, officers, employees and consultants (including prospective directors, officers, employees and consultants) of the Company (as defined below) and its Affiliates (as defined below); and (b) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company.

ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS

Whenever used in the Plan and related documents (including Award Agreements), the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below and, when such meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word is capitalized:

2.1           Affiliate means: (a) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by, controls or is under common control with, the Company; and/or (b) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in either case, as determined by the Committee.
 
2.2           Award means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of any Option, Stock Appreciation Right,  Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Compensation Award, Director Stock, any Other Stock-Based Award permitted under the Plan or Cash Incentive Award.  Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
 
2.3           Award Agreement means any written agreement or electronic agreement or other certificate, instrument, notice or document setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted to a Participant under the Plan, which may (but need not) require the Participant’s signature.
 
2.4           Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
2.5           Cash Incentive Award means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6.6.
 
2.6           Cause means (a) conviction of any felony, or an indictment for a crime which is of such impropriety or magnitude that it substantially adversely affects the business or the reputation of the Company;
(b) commission of any act of fraud, theft, embezzlement or financial dishonesty with respect to the Company;
(c) willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the Participant in the performance of his or her employment or service, or duties; or (d) breach of any material term of any employment agreement or arrangement in place between a Participant and the Company and the Participant shall have failed to cure the breach within any grace period provided for in such agreement.  The Committee shall have the sole discretion to determine whether Cause exists, and its determination shall be final.

2.7           Change in Control shall (a) have the meaning set forth in an Award Agreement; or (b) if there is no definition set forth in an Award Agreement, mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a)           during any period of 24 consecutive calendar months, individuals who were directors of the Company on the first day of such period (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason to constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the Board; provided , however , that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the first day of such period whose election, or nomination for election, by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors shall be considered as though such individual were an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for purposes of this proviso, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened proxy contest with respect to election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a "person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) (a "Person"), in each case, other than the management of the Company or the Board;

 
 

 

(b)           the consummation of a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving (x) the Company or (y) any of its Subsidiaries, but in the case of this clause (y) only if Company Voting Securities (as defined below) are issued or issuable, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate (each of the foregoing events being hereinafter referred to as a "Reorganization"), in each case, unless, immediately following such Reorganization, (i) all or substantially all the individuals and entities who were the "beneficial owners" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act (or a successor rule thereto) of the securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board ("Company Voting Securities") outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization continue to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation or other entity resulting from such Reorganization (including, without limitation, a corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all the Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (the "Continuing Company") in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization, of the outstanding Company Voting Securities (excluding, for purposes of determining such proportions, any outstanding voting securities of the Continuing Company that such beneficial owners hold immediately following the consummation of the Reorganization as a result of their ownership prior to such consummation of voting securities of any corporation or other entity involved in or forming part of such Reorganization other than the Company); (ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Continuing Company or any corporation controlled by the Continuing Company) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Continuing Company; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Continuing Company (or equivalent body) were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the definitive agreement providing for such Reorganization or, in the absence of such an agreement, at the time at which approval of the Board was obtained for such Reorganization;

(c)           the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company unless such liquidation or dissolution is part of a transaction or series of transactions described in paragraph (b) above that does not otherwise constitute a Change in Control; or

(d)           any Person, corporation or other entity or "group" (as used in Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than (A) the Company; (B) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate; or (C) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the voting power of the Company Voting Securities) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company Voting Securities; provided , however , that for purposes of this subparagraph (d), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (x) any acquisition directly from the Company, (y) any acquisition by an underwriter temporarily holding such Company Voting Securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or (z) any acquisition pursuant to a Reorganization that does not constitute a Change in Control for purposes of subparagraph (b) above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control of the Company shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 25% of the Company Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company which reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided that if after such acquisition by the Company, such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increase the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control of the Company shall then occur.

2.8          Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 
- 2 -

 

2.9            Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

2.10          Company means IEC Electronics Corp., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, together with any successor thereto.

2.11          Covered Employee means any Participant who would be considered a “covered employee” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

2.12          Designated Beneficiary means the beneficiary designated by a Participant, in a manner determined by the Committee, to receive amounts or Stock due under the Plan or to exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death.  In the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, Designated Beneficiary shall mean the Participant’s Estate.

2.13          Director Stock means an Award of Stock to an Independent Director described in Section 6.7 of the Plan.

2.14          Disability means that the Participant is entitled to receive long-term disability benefits under the long-term disability plan of the Company in which the Participant participates, or, if there is no such plan, Participant’s inability, due to physical or related ill health, to perform the essential functions of Participant’s job, with or without reasonable accommodation, for 180 days during any 365-day period, irrespective of whether such days are consecutive.

2.15          Eligible Person means any officer, employee, director or consultant of the Company and any officer, employee, director or consultant of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and any prospective officer or employee or consultant who has accepted an offer of employment from the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Eligible Person, for purposes of receipt of the grant of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be limited to those individuals who are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under rules set forth in the Code and applicable regulations.

2.16          Employee means an individual who is paid on the payroll of the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, and who is classified as an employee in the personnel records of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

2.17          Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.18          Exercise Period means the period during which an Option or SAR is exercisable as set forth in the Award Agreement.

2.19          Exercise Price means (a) in the case of Options, the price at which the shares of Stock covered by a particular Option may be purchased by a Participant, as determined by the Committee or Board and set forth in the Award Agreement; or (b) in the case of SARs, the price specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the reference price-per-share of Stock used to calculate the amount payable to the applicable Participant.

2.20          Fair Market Value means the value of a share of Stock, determined as follows:  if on the determination date the Stock is listed on the NYSE Amex, or on any other established national or regional stock exchange, or is publicly traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on such exchange or in such market (the closing price on the principal such exchange or market if there is more than one such exchange or market) on the determination date (or lowest asked prices or between the high and low sale prices on such trading date), or, if no sale of Stock is reported for such trading day, on the last preceding day on which any sale shall have been reported.  If the Stock is not listed on such an exchange, or traded on such a market, Fair Market Value shall be the value of the Stock as determined by the Committee in good faith.

 
- 3 -

 

2.21         Family Member means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse or sibling, including adoptive relationships, a trust in which these persons have more than fifty (50%) percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Employee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Employee) own more than fifty (50%) percent of the voting interests.

2.22         Incentive Stock Option or ISO means an option to purchase shares of Stock from the Company that (a) is granted under Section 6.2 of the Plan; and (b) is intended to qualify for special Federal income tax treatment pursuant to Sections 421 and 422 of the Code, as now constituted or subsequently amended, or pursuant to a successor provision of the Code, and which is so designated in the applicable Award Agreement.

2.23         Independent Director means a member of the Board who: (a) is neither an employee of the Company nor an employee of any Affiliate or Subsidiary; (b) qualifies as a "Non-Employee Director" under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act; (c) qualifies as an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code; and
 (d) qualifies as an “Independent Director” under the rules and listing standards adopted by the NYSE Amex, or any other exchange upon which the Stock is listed for trading.

2.24         IRS means the Internal Revenue Service or any successor thereto and includes the staff thereof.

2.25         Non-Statutory Stock Option or NSO means an option to purchase shares of Stock from the Company that (a) is granted under Section 6.2 of the Plan; and (b) is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.26         Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option or both, as the context requires.

2.27         Other Stock Based Award means any Award granted under Section 6.8 of the Plan.

2.28         Participant means an Eligible Person who is selected by the Committee or Board to receive an Award under the Plan.

2.29         Performance Compensation Award means any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Plan.

2.30         Performance Criteria means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award or Cash Incentive Award under the Plan.

2.31         Performance Formula means, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulas applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award or Cash Incentive Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of such Award has been earned for the Performance Period.

2.32         Performance Goal means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.

2.33         Performance Period means the one or more periods of time as the Committee may select over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals shall be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant's right to and the payment of a Performance Compensation Award or Cash Incentive Award.

2.34         Plan shall have the meaning specified in Article I.

2.35         Restricted Share means a share of Stock that is granted under Section 6.4 of the Plan that is subject to certain transfer restrictions, forfeiture provisions and/or other terms and conditions specified herein and in the applicable Award Agreement.

 
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2.36         Restricted Stock Unit or RSU means a restricted stock unit Award that is granted under Section 6.4 of the Plan and is designated as such in the applicable Award Agreement and that represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Stock, cash, other securities, other Awards or other property in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

2.37         Retirement means termination of employment with the Company or any Subsidiary if such termination of employment constitutes normal retirement, early retirement, disability retirement or other retirement as provided for at the time of such termination of employment under the applicable retirement program then maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary provided that the Participant does not continue in the employment of the Company or any Subsidiary.

2.38         Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 as promulgated and interpreted by the SEC under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.

2.39         SAR means a stock appreciation right Award that is granted under Section 6.3 of the Plan and that represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver shares of Stock, cash, other securities, other Awards or other property equal in value to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value per share of Stock over the Exercise Price per share of Stock of the SAR, subject to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

2.40         SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto and shall include the staff thereof.

2.41         Stock   means the common stock of the Company, $.01 par value, or such other securities of the Company (i) into which such shares shall be changed by reason of a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or other similar transaction; or (ii) as may be determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 4.2.
;
2.42         Subsidiary means any entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, possesses 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of its stock.

2.43         Ten-Percent Stockholder means an Employee who owns stock of the Company possessing more than ten (10%) percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company at the time an ISO is granted.

2.44         Termination of Employment means the date on which an individual is for any reason no longer employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

2.45         Termination of Service means the date on which an Independent Director’s service as a director ceases for any reason.

2.46         Treasury Regulations means all proposed, temporary and final regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

ARTICLE III
  ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN

3.1            Composition of Committee .  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be composed of two or more directors, all of whom shall be Independent Directors and all of whom shall (i) qualify as "outside directors" under Section 162(m) of the Code and as “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3; and (ii) meet the independence requirements of the NYSE Amex.  The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the discretion of, the Board.

 
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3.2            Authority of Committee . Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to the other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to administer the Plan, including the authority to (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Awards; (v) determine the vesting schedules of Awards and, if certain performance criteria must be attained in order for an Award to vest or be settled or paid, establish such performance criteria and certify whether, and to what extent, such performance criteria have been attained; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, shares of Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended;
(vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, shares of Stock, other securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee; (viii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any default in and/or supply any omission in, the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan; (ix) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (x) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards; (xi) amend an outstanding Award or grant a replacement Award for an Award previously granted under the Plan if, in its sole discretion, the Committee determines that (A) the tax consequences of such Award to the Company or the Participant differ from those consequences that were expected to occur on the date the Award was granted; or (B) clarifications or interpretations of, or changes to, tax law or regulations permit Awards to be granted that have more favorable tax consequences than initially anticipated; and (xii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.  The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to any other person or persons such ministerial duties as it may deem advisable.

3.3            Committee Decisions . Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole and plenary discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award and any stockholder.

3.4            Indemnification .   No member of the Board, the Committee or any employee of the Company (each such person, a "Covered Person") shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder. Each Covered Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against (i) any loss, cost, liability or expense (including attorneys' fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Covered Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Covered Person may be a party or in which such Covered Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Plan or any Award Agreement; and (ii) any and all amounts paid by such Covered Person, with the Company's approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Covered Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Covered Person; provided that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding, and, once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company's choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to a Covered Person to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment or other final adjudication, in either case not subject to further appeal, determines that the acts or omissions of such Covered Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Covered Person's bad faith, fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which Covered Persons may be entitled under the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Restated By-Laws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such persons or hold them harmless.

 
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3.5            Allocation/Delegation of Authority .  Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may (i) allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members; and/or (ii) delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to one or more officers selected by it, including, without limitation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, provided that the Committee may not delegate its responsibilities and powers if such delegation would cause an Award made to an individual subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act not to qualify for an exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.  The Committee shall not delegate its powers and duties under the Plan in any manner that would cause the Plan not to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.  Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

3.6            Awards to Directors . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, in its sole and plenary discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards to Independent Directors or administer the Plan with respect to such Awards.  In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority and responsibility granted to the Committee herein.

3.7            Restrictions on Stock .    The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Stock acquired pursuant to Awards under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions to comply with applicable federal securities laws, with the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Stock is then listed and/or traded and with any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Stock.

ARTICLE IV
STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

4.1            Number of Shares .    Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, the total number of shares of Stock available for Awards under the Plan shall be 2,000,000 (the “Plan Share Limit”).  Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be (i) authorized but unissued shares of Stock; or (ii) treasury stock.  If any shares of Stock subject to an Award are forfeited, canceled, exchanged or surrendered, or if an Award terminates or expires without a distribution of shares of Stock to the Participant, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancelation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration, such shares shall again be available for Awards under the Plan.  If shares of Stock are surrendered or withheld as payment of either the exercise price of an Award and/or withholding taxes in respect of such an Award, such shares of Stock shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not be available for future awards under the Plan.

4.2            Adjustments in Authorized Stock Awards .   In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affecting the Stock would be reasonably likely to result in the diminution or enlargement of any of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or under an Award (including, without limitation, the benefits or potential benefits of provisions relating to the term, vesting or exercisability of any Option, and any Change in Control or similar provisions of any Award), the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall, in such manner as it shall deem equitable or appropriate in order to prevent such diminution or enlargement of any such benefits or potential benefits, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of shares of Stock (or other securities or other property) which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards; (ii) the number and type of shares of Stock (or other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards; and (iii) the purchase or exercise price with respect to any Awards.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) each such adjustment with respect to an Incentive Stock Option shall comply with the rules of Section 424(a) of the Code; and (ii) in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Incentive Stock Option granted hereunder to be other than an Incentive Stock Option for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.  No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Committee, in its discretion, may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.  The  adjustment by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 
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4.3           Award Limitations .    Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 above, (i) the total number of shares of Stock with respect to which Options or SARs may be granted in any fiscal year of the Company to any Covered Employee shall not exceed 400,000 shares; (ii) the total number of Restricted Shares that may be granted in any fiscal year of the Company to any Covered Employee shall not exceed 400,000 shares; (iii) the total number of shares of Stock that may be granted in any fiscal year of the Company to any Covered Employee pursuant to Performance Compensation Awards shall not exceed 400,000 shares; and (iv) the total number of Other Stock-Based Awards granted pursuant to Section 6.8 herein in any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall not exceed 400,000 shares.  If a Cash Incentive Award granted under Section 6.6 herein is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the maximum amount of cash payable as a Cash Incentive Award to any Covered Employee in any fiscal year shall not exceed $1,000,000.

4.4           Incentive Stock Options .     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of shares of Stock available for granting Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall not exceed 1,500,000, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 of the Plan and Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision.

ARTICLE V
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

5.1           Eligibility . Any Eligible Person, including any Eligible Person who is an officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary, shall be eligible to be designated a Participant, provided , howeve r, that an Incentive Stock Option may be granted only to full-time or part-time employees (which term as used herein includes, without limitation, officers and directors who are also employees).

5.2           Actual Participation .  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all Eligible Persons those to whom Awards shall be granted.

ARTICLE VI
AWARDS

6.1           Types of Awards . Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of: (a) Options,
(b) SARs, (c) Restricted Shares, (d) RSUs, (e) Performance Compensation Awards, (f) Cash Incentive Awards; (g) Director Stock and (h) Other Stock-Based Awards that the Committee determines are consistent with the purpose of the Plan and the interests of the Company. Awards may be granted in tandem with other Awards. No Incentive Stock Option may be granted to a person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code.

6.2           Options

6.2.1        Grant . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine (A) the Participants to whom Options shall be granted, (B) subject to Section 4.3, the number of shares of Stock subject to Options to be granted to each Participant, (C) whether each Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option and (D) the conditions and limitations applicable to the vesting and exercise of each Option. In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code and any regulations related thereto, as may be amended from time to time. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Non-Statutory Stock Options unless the applicable Award Agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. If an Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, and if, for any reason, such Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such non-qualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a Non-Statutory Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan; provided that such Option (or portion thereof) otherwise complies with the Plan's requirements relating to Non-Statutory Stock Options.

6.2.2        Exercise Price .   The Exercise Price of each share of Stock covered by an Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share of Stock (determined as of the date the Option is granted); provided, however, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten-Percent Stockholder, the per-share Exercise Price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on the date of the grant. Options are intended to qualify as "qualified performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 
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6.2.3       Vesting and Exercise .  Each Option shall be vested and exercisable at such times, in such manner and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole and plenary discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter. Except as otherwise specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, an Option may only be exercised to the extent that it has already vested at the time of exercise. An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written or electronic notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award by the person entitled to exercise the Award and full payment pursuant to Section 6.2.4 for the shares of Stock with respect to which the Award is exercised has been received by the Company. Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of shares of Stock that thereafter may be available for sale under the Option. The Committee may impose such conditions with respect to the exercise of Options, including, without limitation, any conditions relating to the application of Federal or state securities laws, as it may deem necessary or advisable.  Stock received upon exercise of an Option may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee.

6.2.4        Payment .

(A)         No shares of Stock shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company, and the Participant has paid to the Company (or the Company has withheld in accordance with Section 11.4 an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and foreign income and employment taxes required to be withheld. Such payments may be made in cash (or its equivalent) or, in the Committee's sole and plenary discretion, (1) by exchanging shares of Stock owned by the Participant (which are not the subject of any pledge or other security interest), (2) if there shall be a public market for the shares of Stock at such time, subject to such rules as may be established by the Committee, through delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell the shares of Stock otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price; or (3) through any other method (or combination of methods) as approved by the Committee; provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such shares of Stock so tendered to the Company, together with any shares of Stock withheld by the Company in accordance with Section 11.4, as of the date of such tender, is at least equal to such aggregate Exercise Price and the amount of any Federal, state, local or foreign income or employment taxes required to be withheld, if applicable.

(B)          Wherever in the Plan or any Award Agreement a Participant is permitted to pay the Exercise Price or taxes relating to the exercise of an Option by delivering shares of Stock, the Participant may, subject to procedures satisfactory to the Committee, satisfy such delivery requirement by presenting proof of beneficial ownership of such shares of Stock, in which case the Company shall treat the Option as exercised without further payment and shall withhold such number of shares from the shares of Stock acquired by the exercise of the Option.

6.2.5        Option Term .   The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee at the time of grant, but in no event shall any Option have a term of more than ten (10) years (five years in the case of an ISO granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder).  The Committee may, subsequent to the grant of any Option, extend the term thereof, but in no event shall the term as so extended exceed the maximum term provided for in the preceding sentence.

6.2.6        Limits on Incentive Stock Options .   Notwithstanding the designation of an Option as an Incentive Stock Option, to the extent the aggregate Exercise Price of the shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000 (or such other amount as determined under the Code), such Options shall be treated as Non-Statutory Stock Options.  Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to Participants who meet the definition of “employees” under Section 3401(c) of the Code.

6.3            SARs .

6.3.1        Grant . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine (A) the Participants to whom SARs shall be granted, (B) subject to Section 4.3, the number of SARs to be granted to each Participant, (C) the Exercise Price thereof and (D) the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise thereof.

 
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6.3.2        Exercise Price .  The Exercise Price of each share of Stock covered by a SAR shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share of Stock (determined as of the date the SAR is granted). SARs are intended to qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code.

6.3.3        Exercise .  A SAR shall entitle the Participant to receive an amount upon exercise equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the Exercise Price thereof. The Committee shall determine, in its sole and plenary discretion, whether a SAR shall be settled in cash, stock, other securities, other Awards, other property or a combination of any of the foregoing.

6.3.4        Other Terms and Conditions . Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine, at or after the grant of a SAR, the vesting criteria, term, methods of exercise, methods and form of settlement and any other terms and conditions of any SAR; provided , however , that in no event may any SAR be exercisable after the tenth anniversary of the date the SAR is granted.  Any determination by the Committee that is made pursuant to this Section 6.3.4 may be changed by the Committee from time to time and may govern the exercise of SARs granted or exercised hereafter.

6.4           Restricted Shares and RSUs .

6.4.1        Grant . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine (A) the Participants to whom Restricted Shares and RSUs shall be granted; (B) subject to Section 4.3, the number of Restricted Shares and RSUs to be granted to each Participant; (C) the duration of the period during which, and the conditions, if any, under which, the Restricted Shares and RSUs may vest or may be forfeited to the Company; and (D) the other terms and conditions of such Awards.

6.4.2        Transfer Restrictions . Restricted Shares and RSUs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered except as provided in the Plan or as may be provided in the applicable Award Agreement.  Restricted Shares may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Shares are registered in the name of the applicable Participant, such certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of such certificates until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

6.4.3        Payment/Lapse of Restrictions . Each RSU shall be granted with respect to one share of Stock or shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock. RSUs shall be paid in cash, shares of Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, as determined in the sole and plenary discretion of the Committee, upon the lapse of restrictions applicable thereto, or otherwise in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement.  If a Restricted Share or an RSU is intended to qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code, unless the grant of such Restricted Share or RSU is contingent on satisfaction of the requirements for the payment of "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code (whether pursuant to Section 6.5 of this Plan or any other plan), all requirements set forth in Section 6.5 must be satisfied in order for the restrictions applicable thereto to lapse.

6.4.4        Dividend and Voting Rights .  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant receiving a Restricted Shares Award shall be entitled to cash dividend and voting rights for all shares of Stock issued even though they are not vested, provided that such rights shall terminate immediately as to any Restricted Stock that ceases to be eligible for vesting.  All other distributions paid with respect to such Restricted Stock shall be credited to Participants subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid and shall be paid to the Participant promptly after the full vesting of the Restricted Stock with respect to which such distributions were made.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant to whom RSUs are granted shall not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to the Shares represented by the RSUs unless and until the RSUs are settled in shares of Stock.

 
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6.5           Performance Compensation Awards .

6.5.1        General . The Committee shall have the authority, at the time of grant of any Award, to designate such Award (other than an Option or SAR) as a Performance Compensation Award in order for such Award to qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code. Options and SARs granted under the Plan shall not be included among Awards that are designated as Performance Compensation Awards under this Section 6.5.

6.5.2        Eligibility . The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, designate within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) which Participants shall be eligible to receive Performance Compensation Awards in respect of such Performance Period. However, designation of a Participant as eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle such Participant to receive payment in respect of any Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period. The determination as to whether or not such Participant becomes entitled to payment in respect of any Performance Compensation Award shall be decided solely in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.5.  Moreover, designation of a Participant as eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of such Participant as eligible to receive an Award hereunder in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder shall not require designation of any other person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder in such period or in any other period.

6.5.3    Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards . With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have full discretion to select (A) the length of such Performance Period; (B) the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued; (C) the Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish the Performance Goal(s); (D) the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goals(s) that is (are) to apply to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, divisions or operational units, or any combination of the foregoing; and (E) the Performance Formula. Within the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence and record the same in writing.

6.5.4        Performance Criteria . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) with respect to Performance Compensation Awards shall be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, divisions or operational units, or any combination of the foregoing, and shall be limited to the following: (A) share price; (B) net income or earnings before or after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization or earnings before taxes and incentives); (C) operating income; (D) earnings per share (including specified types or categories thereof); (E) cash flow (including specified types or categories thereof); (F) cash flow return on capital; (G) revenues (including specified types or categories thereof); (H) return measures (including specified types or categories thereof); (I) sales or product volume; (J) working capital; (K) gross or net profitability/profit margins; (L) objective measures of productivity or operating efficiency; (M) costs (including specified types or categories thereof); (N) budgeted expenses (operating and capital); (O) market share (in the aggregate or by segment); (P) level or amount of acquisitions; (Q) economic value-added; (R) enterprise value; (S) book value; and (T) customer satisfaction survey results. Such Performance Criteria may be applied on an absolute basis, be relative to one or more peer companies of the Company or indices or any combination thereof or, if applicable, be computed on an accrual or cash accounting basis. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first ninety (90) days of the applicable Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective manner the method of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period.

 
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6.5.5        Modification of Performance Goals . The Committee is authorized at any time during the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or any time thereafter (but only to the extent the exercise of such authority after such 90-day period (or such shorter period, if applicable) would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for the Performance Period to fail to qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code), in its sole and plenary discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (A) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development affecting the Company, or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, divisions or operating units (to the extent applicable to such Performance Goal) or (B) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, divisions or operating units (to the extent applicable to such Performance Goal), or the financial statements of the Company or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, divisions or operating units (to the extent applicable to such Performance Goal), or of changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange, accounting principles, law or business conditions.

6.5.6        Payment of Performance Compensation Awards .

(A)          Condition to Receipt of Payment .  A Participant must be employed by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, in the discretion of the Committee, Performance Compensation Awards may be paid to Participants who have retired or whose employment has terminated prior to the last day of the Performance Period for which a Performance Compensation Award is made, or to the designee or estate of a Participant who died prior to the last day of a Performance Period.

(B)           Limitation . Except as otherwise permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payments in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that
(1) the Performance Goal(s) for the relevant Performance Period are achieved and certified by the Committee in accordance with Section 6.5.6(C); and (2) the Performance Formula as applied against such Performance Goal(s) determines that all or some portion of such Participant's Performance Compensation Award has been earned for such Performance Period.

(C)           Certification . Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall meet to review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, to calculate and certify in writing that amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the actual size of each Participant's Performance Compensation Award for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply negative discretion as authorized by Section 6.5.6(D).

(D)           Negative Discretion .  In determining the actual size of an individual Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may, in its sole and plenary discretion, reduce or eliminate the amount of the Award earned in the Performance Period, even if applicable Performance Goals have been attained and without regard to any employment agreement between the Company and a Participant.

(E)           Discretion . Except as otherwise permitted by Section I62(m) of the Code, in no event shall any discretionary authority granted to the Committee by the Plan be used to: (1) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained; (2) increase a Performance Compensation Award for any Participant at any time after the first ninety (90) days of the Performance Period (or, if shorter, the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code); or (3) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the maximum amount payable under Section 4.3 of the Plan.

 
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(F)           Form   of Payment . In the case of any Performance Compensation Award other than a Restricted Share, RSU or other equity-based Award that is subject to performance-based vesting conditions, such Performance Compensation Award shall be payable, in the discretion of the Committee, in cash or in Restricted Shares, RSUs or fully vested shares of Stock of equivalent value and shall be paid on such terms as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Any Restricted shares of Stock and RSUs shall be subject to the terms of this Plan (or any successor equity-compensation plan) and any applicable Award Agreement. The number of Restricted Shares, RSUs or Shares that is equivalent in value to a dollar amount shall be determined in accordance with a methodology specified by the Committee within the first 90 days of the relevant Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code).

6.6           Cash Incentive Awards . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, shall have the authority to grant Cash Incentive Awards. Subject to Section 4.3, the Committee shall establish Cash Incentive Award levels to determine the amount of a Cash Incentive Award payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals. If a Cash Incentive Award is intended to qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code, all requirements set forth in Section 6.5 must be satisfied in order for a Participant to be entitled to payment.

6.7           Director Stock

6.7.1        Director Compensation .  The Company intends to pay each Independent Director (a) an annual retainer, payable in quarterly installments, or in any other manner (determined without regard to the Plan) (the “Retainer”); (b) fees for attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors and/or committees thereof (determined without regard to the Plan) (“Meeting Fees”); and (c) such other compensation for services as a director (“Other Compensation”) as may be determined from time to time by the Board.  The Retainer, the Meeting Fees and the Other Compensation (collectively, “Director Compensation”) shall be in such amounts as may be set from time to time by the Board.

6.7.2        Director Compensation Payable in Cash or Stock .   Except as the Board may otherwise determine, each Independent Director shall be entitled to receive any component of his or her Director Compensation exclusively in cash, exclusively in stock (“Director Stock”), or any portion in cash and any portion in Director Stock.  The Board may, from time to time, require that all or a portion of the Director Compensation be paid in Director Stock.  To the extent not otherwise prescribed by the Board, each Director shall be given the opportunity, during the month the Director first becomes a Director and during the last month of each quarter thereafter, to elect among the three choices for the remainder of the quarter (in the case of the election made when the Director first becomes a Director) and for the following quarter (in the case of any subsequent election).  If the Director chooses to receive at least some of his or her Director Compensation in Director Stock, the election shall also indicate the percentage of each component of the Director Compensation to be paid in Director Stock.  If a Director makes no election during his or her first opportunity to make an election, the Direction shall be assumed to have elected to receive his or her entire Director Compensation in cash.  If a Director makes no election during any succeeding election month, the Director shall be assumed to have remade the election then currently in effect for that Director.  An election by a Director to receive a portion of his or her Director Compensation in Director Stock shall either (i) be approved by (a) the Committee; or (b) the Board; or (ii) provide that Director Stock received by the Director pursuant to such election shall be held by the Director for a period of at least six (6) months.

6.7.3        Payment in Director Stock .    Except as may otherwise be determined by the Board, issuances of Director Stock in payment of Director Compensation for a particular fiscal quarter shall be made as of the first trading day after the end of such fiscal quarter.  The number of shares of Stock to be issued to a Director as of the relevant trading date shall equal:
 
[% multiplied by C] divided by P
 
WHERE:
 
% =                
the percentage of the Director’s Compensation that the Director is required and/or has elected to receive in the form of Director Stock, expressed as a decimal;
 
 
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C =                
the cash amount that otherwise would have been paid as Director Compensation to the Director for the calendar quarter; and
   
P =                
the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the trading date
 
For Director Compensation not paid in quarterly installments, the Board shall determine the relevant date of issuance for the shares of Stock to be issued to a Director.
 
Director Stock shall not include any fractional shares.  Fractions shall be rounded to the nearest whole share.
 
6.7.4        Other Awards to Independent Directors
 
(A)          Grant of Options
 
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, NSOs may be granted to an Independent Director at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Board.
 
The Board shall have complete discretion in determining the number of shares of Stock subject to the NSO granted to each Independent Director, subject to Section 4.3, and shall be consistent with the provisions of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the provisions of Sections 6.2 and 7.2 in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such  NSO.
 
(B)           Grants of Restricted Shares

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Stock may be granted to an Independent Director at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Board.

The Board shall have complete discretion in determining the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to each Independent Director (subject to Section 4.3) and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the provisions of Sections 6.4 and 7.3, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such Awards.  Restricted Shares shall be subject to such restrictions as may be determined by the Board and set forth in the Award Agreement.

6.8           Other Stock-Based Awards .    Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority to grant to Participants other equity-based or equity-related Awards (including fully vested Shares) (whether payable in cash, equity or otherwise) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, provided that any such Awards must comply, to the extent deemed desirable by the Committee, with Rule 16b-3 and applicable law.

6.9           Stock Purchase Program

6.9.1        Establishment of Program .  Subject to the terms of the Plan and compliance with applicable law, the Board or Committee may, from time to time, establish one or more programs under which Eligible Persons will be permitted to purchase shares of Stock under the Plan, and shall designate the Eligible Persons to participate under such stock purchase programs.  The purchase price for shares of Stock available under such programs, and other terms and conditions of such programs shall be established by the Board or Committee provided that the purchase price may not be less than par value.

 
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6.9.2        Restrictions .   The Board or Committee may impose such restrictions with respect to shares of Stock purchased under this Section 6.9 as the Board or Committee determines to be appropriate.  Such restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions of the type that may be imposed with respect to Restricted Stock under Section 6.4.

ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

7.1         Options to Employees and Officers .  If a Participant who is an Employee or officer has a Termination of Employment, then, unless otherwise provided by the Committee or in the Award Agreement, or in another agreement with the Participant, the following provisions shall apply;

7.1.1        Death .   If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is on account of death, then unvested Options shall be forfeited, and Options, to the extent they are vested on the date of Termination of Employment, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Participant’s Designated Beneficiary at any time on or before the earlier to occur of (x) the Expiration Date of the Option and (y) the first anniversary of the date of such Termination of Employment.

7.1.2        Retirement .  If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is on account of Retirement, then unvested Options shall be forfeited, and Options, to the extent they are vested on the date of Termination of Employment, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Participant at any time on or before the earlier to occur of (x) the Expiration Date of the Option and (y) three months after the date of such Termination of Employment.

7.1.3        Disability .  If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is on account of Disability, unvested Options shall be forfeited, and Options, to the extent they are vested on the date of Termination of Employment, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Participant at any time on or before the earlier to occur of (x) the Expiration Date of the Option and (y) the first anniversary of the date of such Termination of Employment.

7.1.4        Cause .  If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is on account of Cause, all outstanding Options, vested and unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited on the date of such Termination of Employment.

7.1.5        Other Reasons .  If the Participant’s termination of Employment is for any reason other than those enumerated in Sections 7.1.1 through 7.1.4, unvested Options shall be forfeited, and Options, to the extent they are vested on the date of Termination of Employment, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Participant at any time on or before the earlier to occur of (x) the Expiration Date of the Option and (y) three (3) months after the date of such Termination of Employment.

7.1.6        Death after Termination of Employment .  If (a) the Participant’s Termination of Employment is for any reason other than death and (b) the Participant dies after such Termination of Employment but before the date the Options must be exercised as set forth in the preceding subsections, unvested Options shall be forfeited, and any Options, to the extent they are vested on the date of the Participant’s death, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Participant’s Designated Beneficiary at any time on or before the earliest to occur of (x) the Expiration Date of the Option and (y) the first anniversary of the date of death.

7.2           Options to Independent Directors .  If a Participant who is an Independent Director has a Termination of Service, then, unless otherwise provided by the Board or in the Award Agreement, the following provisions shall apply:

7.2.1        Death .  If the Participant’s Termination of Service is on account of death, then unvested Options shall be forfeited, and Options, to the extent they are vested on the date of Termination of Service, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Participant’s Designated Beneficiary at any time on or before the earlier to occur of (x) the Expiration Date of the Option and (y) the first anniversary of the date of such Termination of Service.

 
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7.2.2        Disability .  If the Participant’s Termination of Service is on account of Disability, unvested Options shall be forfeited, and Options, to the extent they are vested on the date of Termination of Service, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Participant at any time on or before the earlier to occur of (x) the Expiration Date of the Option and (y) the first anniversary of the date of such Termination of Service.

7.2.3        Cause .  If the Participant’s Termination of Service is on account of Cause, all outstanding Options, vested and unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited on the date of such Termination of Service.

7.2.4        Other Reasons .  If the Participant’s Termination of Service is for any reason other than those enumerated in Sections 7.2.1 through 7.2.4, unvested Options shall be forfeited, and Options, to the extent they are vested on the date of Termination of Service, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Participant at any time on or before the earlier to occur of (x) the Expiration Date of the Option and (y) three months after the date of such Termination of Service.

7.2.5        Death after Termination of Service .  If (a) the Participant’s Termination of Service is for any reason other than death and (b) the Participant dies after such Termination of Service but before the date the Options must be exercised as set forth in the preceding subsections, unvested Options shall be forfeited, and any Options, to the extent they are vested on the date of the Participant’s death, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by the Participant’s Designated Beneficiary at any time on or before the earliest to occur of (x) the Expiration Date of the Option and (y) the first anniversary of the date of death.

7.3           Other Awards .  If a Participant has a Termination of Employment or a Termination of Service, then, unless otherwise provided by the Committee or in the Award Agreement, or in another agreement with the Participant, all Awards, other than the Awards enumerated in Sections 7.1 and 7.2, shall terminate and be forfeited on the date of such Termination of Employment or Termination of Service.

ARTICLE VIII
CANCELLATION AND RESCISSION OF AWARDS

8.1           Cancellation and Rescission; Detrimental Activity .  Unless the Award Agreement specifies otherwise, the Committee may cancel, rescind, suspend, withhold or otherwise limit or restrict any unexpired, unpaid, or deferred Awards at any time if the Participant is not in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, or if the Participant engages in any “Detrimental Activity”.  For purposes of this Article VIII, “Detrimental Activity” shall include:  (i) the rendering of services for any organization or engaging directly or indirectly in any business which is or becomes competitive with the Company or any Subsidiary, or which organization or business, or the rendering of services to such organization or business, is or becomes otherwise prejudicial to or in conflict with the interests of the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) the disclosure to anyone outside the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or the use in other than the Company’s business, without prior written authorization from the Company, of any confidential information or material relating to the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, acquired by the Participant either during or after employment with the Company or a Subsidiary; (iii) activity that results in termination of the Participant’s employment or service for cause; (iv) a violation of any rules, policies, procedures or guidelines of the Company or a Subsidiary, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; (v) any attempt, directly or indirectly, to induce any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary to be employed or perform services elsewhere or any attempt, directly or indirectly, to solicit the trade or business of any current or prospective customer, supplier or partner of the Company or any Subsidiary; or (vi) any other conduct or act determined by the Board to be injurious, detrimental or prejudicial to any interest of the Company or any Subsidiary.

8.2           Certification of Compliance .  Upon exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award, the Participant, if requested by the Company, shall certify in a manner acceptable to the Company that he or she is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 
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8.3            Repayment of Gain; Set-Off .  In the event a Participant fails to comply with the provisions of (i)-(vi) of Section 8.1 prior to, or during the six months after, any exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award, such exercise, payment or delivery may be rescinded within two years thereafter.  In the event of any such rescission, the Participant shall pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized or payment received as a result of the rescinded exercise, payment or delivery, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be required, and the Company shall be entitled to set-off against the amount of any such gain any amount owed to the Participant by the Company or any Subsidiary.

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

9.1            Amendments to the Plan . Subject to any applicable law or government regulation, to any requirement that must be satisfied if the Plan is intended to be a stockholder-approved plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and to the rules of the NYSE Amex or any successor exchange or quotation system on which the Stock may be listed or quoted, the Plan may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, except that stockholder approval shall be required for any amendment that would (i) increase the Plan Share Limit or increase the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan; provided , however , that any adjustment under Section 4.2 shall not constitute an increase for purposes of this Section 9.1; or (ii) change the class of employees or other individuals eligible to participate in the Plan. No amendment, modification or termination of the Plan may, without the consent of the Participant to whom any Award shall thereto for have been granted, materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant (or his or her transferee) under such Award, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement.

9.2            Amendments to Awards . The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate any Award theretofor granted, prospectively or retroactively; provided, however, that, except as set forth in the Plan, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancelation or termination that would materially and adversely impair the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofor granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the applicable Participant, holder or beneficiary. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in no event may any Option or SAR (i) be amended to decrease the Exercise Price thereof, (ii) be cancelled at a time when its Exercise Price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock in exchange for another Option or SAR or any Restricted Share, RSU, other equity-based Award, award under any other equity-compensation plan or any cash payment or (iii) be subject to any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a "repricing" of such Option or SAR, unless such amendment, cancellation or action is approved by the Company's stockholders. For the avoidance of doubt, an adjustment to the Exercise Price of an Option or SAR that is made in accordance with Section 4.2 or Article X shall not be considered a reduction in Exercise Price or "repricing" of such Option or SAR.

9.3            Adjustment of Awards Upon Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Non-Recurring Events .  Subject to Section 6.5.5 and the penultimate sentence of Section 9.2, the Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.2 or the occurrence of a Change in Control) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange, accounting principles or law (i) whenever the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, determines that such adjustments are appropriate or desirable, including, without limitation, providing for a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards or providing for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event; (ii) if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, by providing for a cash payment to the holder of an Award in consideration for the cancelation of such Award, including, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment to the holder of such Option or SAR in consideration for the cancelation of such Option or SAR in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the Shares subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price of such Option or SAR; and (iii) if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, by canceling and terminating any Option or SAR having a per-Share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a Share subject to such Option or SAR without any payment or consideration therefor.

 
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ARTICLE X
CHANGE IN CONTROL

Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or Board, or except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control after the date of the adoption of the Plan, unless provision is made in connection with the Change in Control for (a) assumption of Awards previously granted; or (b) substitution for such Awards of new awards covering stock of a successor corporation or its "parent corporation" (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or "subsidiary corporation" (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares and the Exercise Prices, if applicable, (i) any outstanding Options or SARs then held by Participants that are unexercisable or otherwise unvested shall automatically be deemed exercisable or otherwise vested, as the case may be, as of immediately prior to such Change of Control; (ii) all Cash Incentive Awards and Awards designated as Performance Compensation Awards shall be paid out as if the date of the Change in Control were the last day of the applicable Performance Period and "target" performance levels had been attained; and (iii) all other outstanding Awards (i.e., other than Options, SARs, Cash Incentive Awards and Awards designated as Performance Compensation Awards) then held by Participants that are unexercisable, unvested or still subject to restrictions or forfeiture, shall automatically be deemed exercisable and vested and all restrictions and forfeiture provisions related thereto shall lapse as of immediately prior to such Change in Control.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Award is “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, then notwithstanding that the Award shall be deemed to be fully vested and earned pursuant to this Article X upon a Change in Control, unless the Change in Control qualifies as a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5), in no event shall payment with respect to the Award be made at a time other than the time payment would be made in the absence of the Change in Control.

ARTICLE XI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

11.1        Non-Transferability .

(A)         Except as otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement, during the Participant's lifetime each Award (and any rights and obligations thereunder) shall be exercisable only by the Participant, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant's legal guardian or representative, and no Award (or any rights and obligations thereunder) may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate; provided that (i)   the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance; and (ii) the Board or the Committee may permit further transferability, on a general or specific basis, and may impose conditions and limitations on any permitted transferability; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall not be transferable in any way that would violate Section 1.422-2(a)(2) of the Treasury Regulations and in no event may any Award (or any rights and obligations thereunder) be transferred in any way in exchange for value. All terms and conditions of the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be binding upon any permitted successors and assigns.

(B)          The Board shall have the authority, in its discretion, to grant NSOs to Independent Directors, which may be transferred by the Independent Director during his or her lifetime to any Family Member.  A transfer of an Option pursuant hereto  may only be effected by the Company at the written request of an Independent Director, and shall become effective only when recorded in the Company’s record of outstanding Options.  A transferred Option shall continue to be governed by and subject to the terms and limitations of the Plan and the relevant Award Agreement, and the transferee shall be entitled to the same rights as the Independent Director as if no transfer had taken place.

 
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11.2        No Rights to Awards . No Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee's determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated.

11.3        Share Certificates . All certificates for Shares or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC, the NYSE Amex or any other stock exchange or quotation system upon which such Shares or other securities are then listed or reported and any applicable Federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

11.4        Withholding .

11.4.1      Authority to Withhold .   A Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate, and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.

11.4.2      Alternative Ways to Satisfy Withholding Liability . Without limiting the generality of Section 11.4.1 above, a Participant may satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by delivery of shares of Stock owned by the Participant (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) having a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability or, at the discretion of the Participant, by having the Company withhold from the number of shares of Stock otherwise issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Option or SAR, or the lapse of the restrictions on any other Award (in the case of SARs and other Awards, if such SARs and other Awards are settled in shares of Stock), a number of shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability.

11.5        Deferrals .   Except with respect to Options and SARs, the Committee may, in its discretion, permit a Participant to defer the receipt of payment of cash or delivery of shares of Stock that would otherwise be due to the Participant by virtue of the exercise of a right or the satisfaction of vesting or other conditions with respect to an Award.  If any such deferral is to be permitted by the Committee, the Committee shall establish written rules and procedures relating to such deferral in a manner intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, including, without limitation, the time when an election to defer may be made, the time period of the deferral and the events that would result in payment of the deferred amount, the interest or other earnings attributable to the deferral and the method of funding, if any, attributable to the deferred amount.

11.6        Compliance with Section 409A of the Code

11.6.1     All Awards under the Plan are intended to be exempt from (or comply with) the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the maximum extent permitted.  To the extent applicable, the Plan is intended to be administered and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no particular tax result for a Participant with respect to any income recognized by the Participant in connection with the Plan is guaranteed under the Plan, and the Participant shall be responsible for any taxes imposed on the Participant in connection with the Plan.

 
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11.6.2     No Participant or the creditors or beneficiaries of a Participant shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable under the Plan to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.  Except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable to any Participant or for the benefit of any Participant under the Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by any such Participant to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

11.6.3     If, at the time of a Participant's separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (A) such Participant shall be a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time); and
(B) the Company shall make a good faith determination that an amount payable pursuant to an Award constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A of the Code in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead pay it on the first business day after such six-month period. Such amount shall be paid without interest, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, or as otherwise provided in any applicable employment agreement between the Company and the relevant Participant.

11.6.4     Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in light of the uncertainty with respect to the proper application of Section 409A of the Code, the Company reserves the right to make amendments to any Award as the Company deems necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code.  In any case, a Participant shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on such Participant or for such Participant's account in connection with an Award (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.
 
11.7        Award Agreements . Each Award hereunder shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto, including the effect on such Award of the death, disability or termination of employment or service of a Participant and the effect, if any, of such other events as may be determined by the Committee.

11.8        No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements . Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the grant of options, restricted stock, shares, other types of equity-based awards (subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required) and cash incentive awards, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

11.9         No Right to Employment . The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained as a director, officer, employee or consultant of or to the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall it be construed as giving a Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any directorship or consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

11.10       No Rights as Stockholder . Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Award shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Stock to be distributed under the Plan until he or she has become the holder of such shares of Stock.

11.11       Governing Law .  The validity, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

 
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11.12       Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

11.13       Other Laws; Restrictions on Transfer of Shares . The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any shares of Stock or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole and plenary discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such shares of Stock or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Award granted hereunder shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Committee in its sole and plenary discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance with all applicable requirements of the U.S. Federal and any other applicable securities laws.

11.14       No Trust or Fund Created .  Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate, on one hand, and a Participant or any other Person, on the other. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an A ward, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or such Affiliate.

11.15       No Fractional Shares . No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional shares of Stock or whether such fractional shares of Stock or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.

11.16       Notification Under Section 83(b) .  If a Participant shall, in connection with the exercise of any Option, or the grant of any Restricted Shares, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code (i.e., an election to include in such Participant’s gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Section 83(b) of the Code), such Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Section 83(b) of the Code.

11.17       Requirement of Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code .  If any Participant shall make any disposition of shares of Stock delivered pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code ((i) within two years of the date of grant of such ISOs; or (ii) within one year after the transfer of such shares to the Participant) or any successor provision of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten days of such disposition.

11.18       Headings and Construction . Headings are given to the articles, sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or "including" are used in this Plan, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "but not limited to."

ARTICLE XII
DURATION OF THE PLAN

12.1         Effective Date .    This Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on November 17, 2010 and shall be effective on the date of approval by the Company’s stockholders (the “Effective Date”), provided that such approval is received before the expiration of one (1) year from the date the Plan was adopted by the Board, and provided further that the Board may grant Options or award Restricted Shares pursuant to the Plan prior to stockholder approval if, the grant of such Options or award of such Restricted Shares by their terms are contingent upon subsequent stockholder approval of the Plan.

 
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12.2         Expiration Date .  Subject to the Board’s right to earlier terminate the Plan pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof, the Plan shall terminate on the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Effective Date.  However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore granted may extend beyond the end of such 10-year period, and the authority of the Committee provided for hereunder with respect to the Plan and any Awards, and the authority of the Board of Directors of the Company to amend the Plan, shall extend beyond the end of such period.

 
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 Exhibit 10.16
 
AMENDED SALARY ARRANGEMENT WITH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
The Employment Agreement between IEC Electronics Corp. (the “Company”) and W. Barry Gilbert (the Company’s Chief Executive Officer) dated April 24, 2009, amended by First Amendment to Employment Agreement effective October 1, 2010, provides for annual review for possible salary increases. Effective November 1, 2011 Mr. Gilbert’s base salary was increased from $296,800 to $326,000. The increase includes a merit increase of $20,800 and an adjustment of $8,400 in lieu of automobile expense allowances previously provided.
 
 
 

 


Exhibit 10.20
IEC Electronics Corp.

Summary of 2011 Management Incentive Plan ("2011 MIP")
 


The 2011 MIP is a cash incentive plan which links awards to performance results and is designed to provide cash incentive awards ("Awards") to the four corporate officers (the "Participants") of the Company: the Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO"), the Chief Financial Officer, the President, and the Executive Vice President of Operations.  The 2011 MIP was approved by the Compensation Committee at its meeting on October 15, 2010 and by the Board of Directors at its meeting on November 17, 2010.

Each Participant is eligible to receive an Award, if any, determined on the basis of the degree of achievement of certain specified corporate level fiscal year performance objectives ("Performance Goals").  For fiscal 2011, Performance Goals based upon the following measurements were established: Net Income Before Taxes and Incentives, Sales, and Cash Flow from Operations.  The Compensation Committee has assigned a weighting factor to each Performance Goal.

If the target goal (the “Target Goal”) for a Performance Goal is achieved, an Award equal to a predetermined percentage (varying from 25% to 60%) of the Participant's base salary earned during the fiscal year will be paid to the Participant (the "Target Award").  The incentive percentage of a Participant is based upon his or her position within the Company. Below the achievement of a threshold or minimum corporate level of performance ("Plan Entry"), no Awards will be made.  If the Plan Entry performance level is achieved or exceeded, but the Target Goal for a Performance Goal is not achieved, a pro rata payment, but less than the Target Award, will be paid to each Participant.  If the Target Goal for a Performance Goal is surpassed, Awards will increase depending on the percentage of the Target Goal for each of the Performance Goals that is achieved.  However, no Award to a Participant may exceed 200% of the Target Award.

The Compensation Committee has prepared a formula or matrix prescribing the extent to which a Participant's Award will be earned based upon the level of achievement and the weighting of each Performance Goal.

No Award will be paid to any Participant for the achievement of any Performance Goal unless the Company has reached an earnings threshold of $7.4 million (before tax and incentive) for fiscal 2011.

 
 

 

After the end of the fiscal year, the Compensation Committee will determine the extent to which the Performance Goals have been achieved and will calculate the amount of the Award to be paid to each Participant (the “Calculated Award”).  However, based on his evaluation of an individual Participant's performance, the CEO may recommend to the Compensation Committee, that the Calculated Award for any individual Participant be modified by plus or minus up to 25%.  The Compensation Committee may also recommend to the full Board that the Calculated Award for the CEO be modified by plus or minus up to 25%.  All modifications to a Calculated Award must be approved by the Compensation Committee.  In addition, any modification to the Calculated Award for the CEO must be approved by the Board of Directors.  Use of the modification factor is not expected to be an annual event, but is to be used sparingly, when the actual results achieved, either positive or negative to the planned results, are not appropriately reflected in the Calculated Award.

Payment of any Award to a Participant will be made within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the audited financial statements for fiscal 2011.  In order to receive an Award, a Participant must be an employee of the Company on the date such Award is to be distributed.

Since the Performance Goals set forth in the 2011 MIP are based upon the organic growth of the Company and do not reflect the impact of any acquisitions made by the Company in fiscal 2011, after the Company acquired Southern California Braiding, Inc. ("SCB") in December 2011, the Compensation Committee determined it appropriate to adopt a separate management incentive plan related to the achievement of certain Performance Goals for SCB (the "SCB Plan") in fiscal 2011.

The SCB Plan is similar in design to the 2011 MIP, except that (a) the Performance Goals are based upon two measurements – net income before taxes and incentive, and sales; (b) if the Target Goal for a Performance Goal is achieved, an Award equal to a predetermined 20% or 30% of the Participant's base salary will be paid to the Participant; and (c) no Awards will be paid unless SCB has reached an earnings threshold of $2.8 million (before taxes and incentives) for fiscal 2011.  Any Awards earned under the SCB Plan will be paid in two installments:  (a) 50% will be paid within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the Company of the audited financial statements for fiscal 2011; and (b) 50% will be paid within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the Company of the audited financial statements for fiscal 2012, provided that SCB achieves a threshold of sales and net income before taxes ($18 million and $4 million, respectively) for fiscal 2012.
 
 
2

 
Exhibit 10.21
IEC Electronics Corp.

Summary of 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 


The purpose of the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") is to motivate the Named Executive Officers and certain designated key employees (collectively, the "Participants") to enhance the long-term value of the Company by providing opportunities for the Participants to participate in stockholder gains and by rewarding them for achieving a high level of corporate financial performance.  The LTIP is also designed to help attract and retain talented personnel with outstanding abilities and skills.  The LTIP is an equity-based program and by using a mix of stock options and restricted stock, the Company is enabling and encouraging the Participants to increase their ownership in the Company.  The LTIP for fiscal 2011 was approved by the Compensation Committee at its meeting on October 15, 2010 and by the Board of Directors at its meeting on November 17, 2010.

The LTIP measures Company performance over a one-year fiscal period and the equity award ("Equity Award") is paid out at the end of the fiscal period based on the attainment of the pre-established performance goals ("Performance Goals") in the fiscal period.  The Equity Award is paid out in stock options or in restricted stock.

The Performance Goals established for fiscal 2011 are based on two metrics which the Compensation Committee believes are key to the Company's long-term financial success - Net Income Before Tax and Return on Sales.  Each Performance Goal is weighted 50%.

If the target goal (the “Target Goal”) for a Performance Goal is achieved, the dollar value of an award equal to a predetermined percentage (varying from 15%-60%) of the Participant’s base salary earned during the fiscal year will be calculated for each Participant (the “Calculated Award”).  The number of shares of restricted stock to be awarded as the Equity Target Award will be based upon the value of the Participant’s Calculated Award divided by the average closing price of the Company’s common stock, on the NYSE Amex for the 90 days prior to October 1, 2011.  The incentive percentage of a Participant is based upon his or her position within the Company.  Below the achievement of a threshold or minimum corporate level of performance (“Plan Entry”), no Equity Awards will be made.  If the Plan Entry performance level is achieved or exceeded, but the Target Goal for a Performance Goal is not achieved, a pro rata Equity Award, but less than the Equity Target Award, will be paid to each Participant.  If the Target Goal for a Performance Goal is surpassed, Equity Awards will increase depending on the percentage of the Target Goal for each of the Performance Goals that is achieved.  However, no Equity Award to a Participant may exceed 200% of the Equity Target Award.
 
 
 

 

After the end of the fiscal year, the Compensation Committee will determine the extent to which the Performance Goals have been achieved and approve the amount of the Equity Award to be paid to each Participant.  In addition, based on an evaluation of an individual Participant’s performance, the Chief Executive Officer may recommend to the Compensation Committee that the Equity Award for any individual Participant be modified by plus or minus up to 25%.  The Compensation Committee may also recommend to the full Board that the Equity Award for the Chief Executive Officer be modified by plus or minus up to 25%.  All modifications to an Equity Award must be approved by the Compensation Committee.  In addition, any modification to the Equity Award for the Chief Executive Officer must be approved by the Board of Directors.

All Equity Awards will be issued under the Company's 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "2001 Plan") or if no shares remain available under the 2001 Plan, Equity Awards will be issued under the Company's 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2010 Plan").  The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay the Equity Award in stock options or in restricted stock (or in a combination thereof).  All Equity Awards shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in the manner set forth in the 2001 Plan or 2010 Plan, as the case may be.  Equity Awards made in restricted stock will be subject to a five-year period of restriction, during which period the restricted stock may not be sold or otherwise transferred.  The restrictions will lapse and the shares will vest as follows: one half (1/2) of the shares after four (4) years from the date the restricted stock is granted and one half (1/2) of the shares after five (5) years from the date the restricted stock is granted.  Equity Awards made in stock options will similarly be subject to a five-year period of vesting.  If a Participant's employment with the Company is terminated for any reason whatsoever, other than death, disability, retirement or change in control, before the expiration of the restrictive period and before the lapse of restrictions or before the vesting of the stock options, the restricted stock  or the unvested stock options will be deemed forfeited by the Participant and will be returned to or cancelled by the Company.  The Award Agreements may contain such other terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee.  Such provisions need not be uniform among all grants of stock options or restricted stock or among all Participants.  The Compensation Committee may, at its discretion, authorize the Company to pay or reimburse a Participant the amount of any income taxes the Participant incurs with the award of restricted stock.

Payment of any Equity Award to a Participant based upon the degree of attainment of the applicable Performance Goals will be made within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the audited financial statements for fiscal 2011.  In order to receive an Equity Award, a Participant must be an employee of the Company on the date such Equity Award is granted.  For purposes of the LTIP, the grant date is the date on which the Compensation Committee approves the Equity Awards for all Participants except the Chief Executive Officer, for whom the grant date will be the date on which the Board approves the Equity Award.

The LTIP is based upon the organic growth of the Company.  If any acquisition is made by the Company in fiscal 2011, the Compensation Committee will review the impact of such acquisition and determine what changes, if any, should be made to the LTIP.

 
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Exhibit 21.1
 
Subsidiaries of IEC Electronics Corp.
 
September 30, 2011

Subsidiary
 
State of incorporation
     
IEC Electronics Wire and Cable, Inc.
 
New York
     
IEC Electronics Corp.-Albuquerque
 
New Mexico
     
Dynamic Research and Testing Laboratories, LLC
 
New Mexico
     
Southern California Braiding, Inc.
 
Delaware

 
 

 
 
Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of IEC Electronics Corp.

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the previously filed Registration Statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-103847, 333-122181, 333-151218 and 333-174884) of IEC Electronics Corp. of our report dated December 16, 2011 relating to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.
 
/s/ EFP Rotenberg, LLP

EFP Rotenberg, LLP
Rochester, NY
December 16, 2011
 
 
 

 
Exhibit 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
I, W. Barry Gilbert, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 for IEC Electronics Corp.;
 
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 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 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 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.
Dated:  December 16, 2011
/s/ W. Barry Gilbert
 
W. Barry Gilbert
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 
 

 
 
 
Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
I, Susan E. Topel-Samek, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 for IEC Electronics Corp.;
 
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 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 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 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.
Dated:  December 16, 2011
/s/ Susan E. Topel-Samek
 
Susan E. Topel-Samek
 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 
 

 
Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
In connection with the annual report of IEC Electronics Corp., (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the day hereof (the "Report"), I, W. Barry Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Susan E. Topel-Samek, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
1.
The report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
2.
The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
Dated:  December 16, 2011
/s/ W. Barry Gilbert
 
W. Barry Gilbert
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   
 
/s/ Susan E. Topel-Samek
 
Susan E. Topel-Samek
 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer