RALEIGH, NC--(Marketwire - March 31, 2011) - Law Enforcement Associates Corporation (LEA)
(
OTCBB:
LAWE), a leading U.S.-based developer and manufacturer of
electronic surveillance equipment, today announced financial results for
its fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. The Company also provided an
update on recent operational achievements.
The Company reported full-year net sales of $5.6 million. In fiscal 2009,
net sales were $11.9 million, but included a non-recurring $5.9 million
order from a large government agency. Full-year gross margin was 23% versus
28% in fiscal 2009. The Company reported a loss from operations of $3.2
million versus operating income of $382,000 in fiscal 2009. This year's
operating loss included $1.5 million in impairment charges on previously
acquired property, including the Advanced Vehicle Systems (AVS) trade name,
AVS marketing list, AID trade name, and Electronic Discharge Weapon
patents. Full-year net loss, which included approximately $2.4 million in
one-time, non-cash charges, was $4.2 million, or $0.17 per share, versus
net income of $127,000, or less than $0.01 per share, in 2009.
Income tax expense was $951,000 versus $114,000 in 2009. As a result of
prior net operating losses, LEA has accumulated net operating loss (NOL)
carryforwards of approximately $1.4 million. However, due to the
uncertainty of the ultimate realization of these NOLs, the Company recorded
a 100% valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets during the
2010 third quarter. LEA will continue to hold the $1.4 million in NOL
carryforwards, which still can be used to offset future tax liabilities.
"Despite a challenging environment brought on by sluggish spending among
many domestic law enforcement agencies, we made important progress during
2010 to streamline our balance sheet, strengthen our product technologies,
and enhance our sales force," said Paul Briggs, president and CEO.
"We made critical improvements to our digital audio and video product
offering during the past year, and are now much less reliant on legacy
products for which we believe there may be limited market opportunity,"
Briggs added. "This is reflected in the $1.5 million in non-cash
impairment charge we took on certain long-lived assets. We believe our
future success will be built largely on the sophisticated new digital
surveillance devices we have introduced during the past year, and on
certain stalwarts in our portfolio such as our recently enhanced Under
Vehicle Inspection System.
"Sales of our Live-Link (formerly "Previews") portable video surveillance
system continue to accelerate, and the demand for this offering is meeting
the high expectations we had established when we launched the product in
September of last year. Sales of our Scorpion digital micro cameras are
actually exceeding expectations, thanks in part to the decision by Galls,
Inc. to feature the product in its catalog and online store. Galls, one of
the largest domestic distributors of law enforcement products, recently
certified LEA as an Approved Vendor, and has already taken orders for more
3,000 Scorpions and related accessories. Roughly 2,300 of these orders
have come in the last three weeks.
"Internally, we have taken a number of steps to strengthen our sales and
marketing programs," Briggs said. "We have recently added four seasoned
sales professionals and have broadly expanded our domestic sales
territories. We also have launched a completely redesigned corporate
website and online store, which we believe will simplify our customers'
ability to establish web-based accounts and procure products online.
"We entered fiscal 2011 with what we believe is the strongest product
offering in Company history," Briggs added. "We also have a much more
efficient cost structure and a highly motivated sales team. Much of our
focus during the coming year will be directed at more deeply penetrating
our domestic markets, and further expanding our international reach. We
also hope to successfully resolve the legal issues associated with the
contested asset purchase agreement we have discussed previously. The trial
date for this case has been set for June 6, 2011.
"As I noted following the third quarter, if we can maintain the operational
momentum we have established in recent months, we believe LEA could achieve
much improved operating and financial results during fiscal 2011."
About Law Enforcement Associates Corporation
LEA is a leading security and surveillance technology Company that
manufactures and markets a diverse product line to the worldwide law
enforcement, military, security and corrections markets. The Company's
Audio Intelligence Devices (AID) division has been serving the law
enforcement sector for more than 30 years and is one of the most respected
names in the surveillance equipment industry. LEA's products are used by a
wide variety of government and non-governmental agencies, as well as public
and private companies. These include military bases, nuclear facilities,
embassies, government installations, oil refineries, United Nations and
NATO locations. LEA's products have been used at high-profile events such
as the Summer & Winter Olympics, Super Bowl, U.S. Golf Championship, and
the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Its products include
the Under Vehicle Inspection System (UVIS), EDK123 (Explosive Detection
Kit), Bloodhound and Birddog GPS Tracking Systems, Graffiti Cam,
Letter-bomb Visualizer Spray, and a wide variety of Audio & Video
Surveillance Equipment. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., the Company has
been featured in many industry publications and websites. For more
information, please visit
www.leacorp.com.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This release contains "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. Among other things, these statements relate to our
financial condition, results of operations and future business plans,
operations, opportunities and prospects. In addition, we and our
representatives may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking
statements, including statements contained in filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and in our reports to stockholders. These
forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words or phrases
"may," "could," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "believe,"
"seek," "estimate," "predict," "project" or words of similar import. These
forward-looking statements are based upon our current knowledge and
assumptions about future events and involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any anticipated results, prospects, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
These
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Many
factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. You are accordingly
cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date that we make them. For description of
factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from such
forward-looking statements, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended 2009, and other reports from time to time filed or
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake
to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time
by us or on our behalf.
LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATES CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Net sales $ 5,575,872 $ 11,945,501
Cost of sales 4,307,897 8,559,876
------------ ------------
Gross profit 1,267,975 3,385,625
------------ ------------
Research and development 254,858 296,667
Loss on impairment of long-lived assets 1,469,569 21,228
Operating expenses 2,761,733 2,686,063
------------ ------------
Total operating expenses 4,486,160 3,003,958
------------ ------------
Operating income (loss) (3,218,185) 381,667
------------ ------------
Other income (expense)
Loss on sale of assets (27,320) (10,373)
Other income 9,044 14,005
Interest income 365 1,276
Interest expense (312) (145,188)
------------ ------------
Total other income (expense) (18,223) (140,280)
------------ ------------
Net income (loss) before income taxes (3,236,408) 241,387
Income tax expense (951,011) (114,155)
------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ (4,187,419) $ 127,232
============ ============
Weighted average number of common shares
subject to redemption 1,200,000 1,200,000
Net income (loss) per share common shares
subject to redemption, basic and diluted $ 0.00 $ 0.05
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding, excluding shares subject to
redemption 24,582,436 24,582,436
Net income (loss) per common share, excluding
shares subject to redemption, basic and
diluted $ (0.17) $ 0.00
LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATES CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
2010 2009
----------- -----------
Assets
Current Assets
Cash $ 79,128 $ 480,148
Trade accounts receivable (net of allowance
for doubtful accounts of $57,113 at December
31, 2010 and $55,000 at December 31, 2009) 423,336 982,505
Refundable income taxes - 150,000
Inventories 1,267,512 1,505,777
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 52,309 43,946
Deferred tax asset - current - 246,368
----------- -----------
Total current assets 1,822,285 3,408,744
----------- -----------
Property and Equipment - net 80,183 150,971
----------- -----------
Other Assets
Intangibles - net 643,506 2,324,809
Deferred tax asset, less current portion - 704,643
----------- -----------
Total other assets 643,506 3,029,452
----------- -----------
Total assets $ 2,545,974 $ 6,589,167
=========== ===========
2010 2009
----------- -----------
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
Trade accounts payable $ 772,610 $ 490,646
Accrued expenses:
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits 57,699 116,288
Contract settlement 20,000 100,000
Warranty provision 48,719 50,271
Other accrued expenses 14,116 65,072
Customer deposits 73,359 20,000
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities, before shares
subject to redemption 986,503 842,277
Common stock, subject to redemption,
1,200,000 shares, at redemption value 1,500,000 1,500,000
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 2,486,503 2,342,277
----------- -----------
Total liabilities 2,486,503 2,342,277
----------- -----------
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000
authorized, 25,782,436 (including 1,200,000
shares subject to redemption) issued and
outstanding at December 31, 2010 and
December 31, 2009 25,782 25,782
Treasury stock at cost, 595 shares of common
stock (625) (625)
Paid in capital in excess of par 4,995,595 4,995,595
Retained earnings/(accumulated deficit) (4,961,281) (773,862)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 59,471 4,246,890
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,545,974 $ 6,589,167
=========== ===========
Contact Information: Contact:
Pfeiffer High Investor Relations, Inc.
Geoff High
303-393-7044