RALEIGH, NC--(Marketwire - November 15, 2010) - 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 third quarter ended September 30, 2010.
Third quarter net sales were $1.4 million versus $1.9 million in the
comparable year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 28% versus 33% in the same
quarter last year. The decline in gross margin was the result of lower
revenue resulting in less favorable absorption of fixed costs.
The Company reported a third quarter operating loss of $1.0 million versus
an operating loss of $156,000 in the comparable year-ago quarter. The
increase was largely due to a $602,000 non-cash charge associated with the
impairment of long-lived assets, which include the patents related to the
Company's Electronic Discharge Weapon (EDW), as well as the trade name and
marketing assets associated with the Company's AVS vehicle division.
Operating expenses also included above-normal legal fees associated with
previously discussed litigation. A trial related to this situation is
currently scheduled to begin on Nov. 29, 2010.
Income tax expense was $1.3 million versus an income tax benefit of $64,000
in the year-ago third quarter. Due to 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 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Third
quarter net loss was $2.3 million, or $0.09 per share, versus a net loss of
$98,000, or less than $0.01 per share, in the third quarter last year.
Paul Briggs, president and CEO, said, "While our third quarter results were
negatively impacted by the impairment charge and valuation allowance
against our deferred tax assets, these were one-time, non-cash charges that
are largely unrelated to our day-to-day operations. Moreover, we still hold
approximately $1.4 million in NOL carryforwards, which we intend to use to
offset future tax liabilities. We also are actively working to resolve our
legal issues, and anticipate a substantial reduction in our legal expenses
once they are behind us."
Briggs added, "Although third quarter sales started slowly, favorable
customer reaction to several new product offerings fueled an improvement in
order activity during the month of September, and that momentum has
continued through the first half of the fourth quarter. Our Previews
digital video system and Scorpion micro cameras are generating strong
demand, and we are seeing sustained interest in legacy products such as our
Under Vehicle Inspection System, which has been augmented with new license
plate recognition technology and image stitching software. Improved order
volume coupled with recent cost cutting initiatives indicates our sales and
margin performance during the fourth quarter could be substantially better
than that of the third."
"The steps we have taken to strengthen our portfolio of surveillance
equipment have helped broaden the appeal of our product offering and have
created a number of opportunities to enter new markets," Briggs added. "We
are currently in discussions with several potential distribution partners
that have expressed interest in marketing our products overseas. We hope to
have one or more international distribution agreements in place before the
end of the fiscal year. Our new products have also generated increased
demand for our equipment demonstration and training programs from both
federal and local law enforcement agencies. These sessions are often a
precursor to new product orders."
"We are working very hard to capitalize on a number of new business
prospects," Briggs said. "If our efforts during the coming months bear
fruit, we believe LEA could deliver much improved operating results during
fiscal 2011."
Year-to-date Results
Net sales at the nine-month mark were $4.3 million versus $10.5 million in
the comparable period a year ago. Last year's nine-month results benefited
from a non-recurring $5.7 million order from a large government agency.
Gross margin for the nine-month period was 27% versus 32% in the same
period last year. Operating loss was $1.0 million versus an operating loss
of $156,000 at the nine-month mark a year ago. Net loss was $2.8 million,
or $0.11 per share, versus net income of $593,000, or $0.02 per share, in
the comparable period last year.
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 Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
September 30, September 30,
2010 2009
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
------------- -------------
Net sales $ 1,350,015 $ 1,920,551
Cost of sales 969,875 1,288,833
------------- -------------
Gross profit 380,140 631,718
------------- -------------
Research and development 65,917 63,762
Loss on impairment of long-lived assets 602,497 -
Operating expenses 731,464 723,980
------------- -------------
Total operating expenses 1,399,878 787,742
------------- -------------
Operating loss (1,019,738) (156,024)
------------- -------------
Other income (expense)
Other income 4,626 1,287
Interest income 15 787
Interest expense - (8,524)
------------- -------------
Total other income (expense) 4,641 (6,450)
------------- -------------
Net loss before income taxes (1,015,097) (162,474)
Income tax (expense) benefit (1,257,672) 63,501
------------- -------------
Net loss $ (2,272,769) $ (98,973)
============= =============
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 $ - $ 0.01
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding, excluding shares subject to
redemption 24,582,436 24,582,436
Net loss per common share, excluding shares
subject to redemption, basic and diluted $ (0.09) $ (0.00)
LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATES CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
September 30, September 30,
2010 2009
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
------------- -------------
Net sales $ 4,309,294 $ 10,458,950
Cost of sales 3,128,853 7,143,142
------------- -------------
Gross profit 1,180,441 3,315,808
------------- -------------
Research and development 216,089 239,861
Loss on impairment of long-lived assets 602,497 -
Operating expenses 2,179,222 1,969,723
------------- -------------
Total operating expenses 2,997,808 2,209,584
------------- -------------
Operating income (loss) (1,817,367) 1,106,224
------------- -------------
Other income (expense)
Loss on sale of assets (17,823) (8,361)
Other income 8,042 11,625
Interest income 364 812
Interest expense - (145,188)
------------- -------------
Total other income (expense) (9,417) (141,112)
------------- -------------
Net income (loss) before income taxes (1,826,784) 965,112
Income tax expense (951,011) (372,045)
------------- -------------
Net income (loss) $ (2,777,795) $ 593,067
============= =============
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 $ - $ 0.05
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding, excluding shares subject to
redemption 24,582,436 24,582,436
Net loss per common share, excluding shares
subject to redemption, basic and diluted $ (0.11) $ 0.02
LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATES CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, December 31,
2010 2009
Assets (Unaudited) (Audited)
------------- -------------
Current Assets
Cash $ 234,075 $ 480,148
Trade accounts receivable (net of
allowance for doubtful accounts of
$55,000 at September 30, 2010 and
December 31, 2009) 786,160 982,505
Refundable income taxes - 150,000
Inventories 1,581,738 1,505,777
Prepaid expenses 94,826 43,946
Deferred tax asset - current - 246,368
------------- -------------
Total current assets 2,696,799 3,408,744
------------- -------------
Property and Equipment - net 108,094 150,971
------------- -------------
Other Assets
Intangibles - net 1,546,799 2,324,809
Deferred tax asset, less current portion - 704,643
------------- -------------
Total other assets 1,546,799 3,029,452
------------- -------------
Total assets $ 4,351,692 $ 6,589,167
============= =============
LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATES CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, December 31,
2010 2009
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Audited)
------------- -------------
Current Liabilities
Trade accounts payable $ 918,073 $ 490,646
Accrued expenses:
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits 157,703 116,288
Contract settlement 30,000 100,000
Warranty provision 19,648 50,271
Other accrued expenses 15,077 65,072
Customer deposits 242,096 20,000
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities, before shares
subject to redemption 1,382,597 842,277
------------- -------------
Common stock, subject to redemption,
1,200,000 shares, at redemption value 1,500,000 1,500,000
Total current liabilities 2,882,597 2,342,277
------------- -------------
Total liabilities 2,882,597 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 September 30,
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) (3,551,657) (773,862)
------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity 1,469,095 4,246,890
------------- -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 4,351,692 $ 6,589,167
============= =============
Contact Information: Contact:
Pfeiffer High Investor Relations, Inc.
Geoff High
303-393-7044